Published: May 09, 2008 11:34 pm      

Meridian to host Masonic meeting

The Grand Chapter of Mississippi Royal Arch Masons and Grand Council of Mississippi Royal and Select Masters will hold their annual meetings this weekend at Best Western in Meridian.

Grand High Priest Roger W. King of Poplarville and Illustrious Grand Master Jordan Downs of Ellisville will preside.

The two fraternal organizations represent about 7,000 Masonic members in Mississippi. Masons representing subordinate chapters and councils will be in attendance.

Special out-of-state guests attending will be Emory J. Ferguson, from Cullman, Ala., who is the General Grand King; General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International, and Personal representative of Most Excellent Larry E. Gray, General Grand High Priest, General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons (RAM), International, and also serves on the board of directors for both the Royal Arch Research Assistance Inc., and the Able Kids Foundations; George C. Sellers, from Michigan, who is the General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International, and Personal representative of Maurice C. "Bud" Himes, Most Puissant General Grand Master, General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International. Some of the other in-state guests attending will be Hollis D. Simpson from New Albany, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery KT of Mississippi, James M. Ward from Water Valley, past grand high priest, past illustrious grand master, past grand master of grand encampment KT-USA, and Bobby R. Ainsworth from Ellisville, grand master of the grand lodge of Mississippi F&AM.

Micky P. McMahan serves as grand secretary/grand recorder of the Grand York Bodies of Mississippi, as well as, grand secretary to the Grand Lodge of Mississippi F&AM.

The Grand Chapter supports research in hearing problems. The General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International is the oldest and largest international Masonic organization in the world having been founded in Boston, on Oct. 24, 1797. The philanthropy of the General Grand Chapter is the Royal Arch Research Assistance Inc., which funds research for Central Auditory Processing Disorder through the Able Kids Foundations located in Fort Collins, Colo.

The Grand Council supports research to prevent arteriosclerosis. The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF) was incorporated in the state of Oklahoma, March 6, 1986. The foundation funds research at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Through this research, we hope the causes and eventually cure will be found for atherosclerosis and its complications.