Imatges de pàgina
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ty belonging to the lodge be disposed of in such manner, as to a majority of the brethren may appear proper.

He shall also take care, that no apprentice or fellow craft, be taken into his lodge, unless he be found duly qualified to learn and comprehend the sublime mysteries of the art. Thus shall apprentices, when they have made the necessary progress, become fellow crafts; and, in due time, be raised to the sublime degree of master masons; and if they conduct themselves with propriety, they may afterwards be initiated into the higher orders.

The master of every lodge, has the power of calling the members thereof together, upon the application of any of the brethren, or upon any emergency, which may, in his opinion, render such extra meeting necessary. It is likewise his duty, together with his wardens, to attend the grand lodge, at their quarterly, as well as their special communications; and when there, they, or either of them have authority to represent their lodge, and to transact all matters, in the same manner, as if the whole body were present.

SECTION 2.-OF THE WARDENS OF A LODGE.

No one can be elected as a warden, who is not a master mason.

In the absence of the master, the senior warden takes the chair; and in case of the master's death, resignation, or removal, he is to fill his place till the next stated election. In ancient times, it was the rule, that, in such cases, the master's authority should revert to the last past master; but it has been settled for many years, that it should devolve upon the senior, and in his absence, upon the junior warden. These, however, will, in general, wave their right, in honour of a past master, who may be present, and request him to take the chair. Still, however, such past master holds his authority un

der the warden, and cannot act, until he congregate the odge.

If none of the officers be present, nor any former master, the members, according to their seniority and merit, are to supply the places of the absent officers.

The general duty of the wardens is, to assist the master in conducting the business of the lodge, in due form and order. Particular lodges, however, by their by-laws, assign other duties to their wardens; nor can their right to do so, be disputed, provided that they do not infringe on the ancient land marks, nor deviate from the true genius and spirit of masonry.

SECTION 3.-OF THE SECRETARY OF A LODGE.

It is his duty to record all the transactions of the lodge, which it is proper to commit to writing, in order that such minutes, or an authenticated copy of them, may be laid before the grand lodge at each quarterly communication if required. He shall also keep a correct list of all the members of the lodge, with the dates of their admission; and shall annually, at such time as may be required, send to the grand secretary, a list of all the members, for the time being. It is likewise his duty, to collect the monthly dues, and pay the same to the treasurer.

SECTION 4.-OF THE TREASURER OF A LODge.

He shall keep exact account of all monies raised, or paid out, agreeably to orders, drawn on him by authority of the lodge. He is to make regular entries of all receipts and expenditures, and have his books and vouchers ready for examination, at such stated meetings as may be prescribed by the by-laws, or at any other time, when they may be specially called for.

The treasurer has likewise the charge of the jew els and furniture of the lodge, &c. unless when it may be deemed expedient to appoint some other responsible brother, for that particular duty; or when the officers may see fit to take the charge immediately upon themselves. But the warrant, or charter, must always be retained by the master.

SECTION 5.-OF THE DEACONS OF A LODGE.

The deacons are to assist the wardens in the execution of their duties, to examine and welcome visiting brethren, to prepare candidates, and to perform such other services as may be assigned to them.

SECTION 6.- -OF THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES.

The duty of this officer is well known to every mason; and to others, his title is so evidently plain, as to require little or no explanation.

SECTION 7.-OF THE STEWARDS.

It is the duty of the stewards to provide the necessary refreshments, and make a regular report of the expense to the treasurer. They are likewise to take care, that the regalia of the lodge be always kept in good order, and ready for use.

SECTION 8.-OF THE TYLER OF A Lodge.

In order that a proper regard may be had to decorum, and that secrecy, which is se essentially necessary to be observed in this institution, may not be violated, a brother well skilled in the master mason's part, is therefore appointed and paid, for tyling the lodge, during the hours of business; but, in general, a brother ought to be preferred, who is reduced in his circumstances, and

to whom the fees annexed to the office may be of some

consequence.

To commit to writing all the duties of this officer, would be improper. They are, however, fixed by custom, from time immemorial, and well known to every brother.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Of Grand Lodges in General.

A GRAND LODGE consists of the masters and wardens of all the regular lodges within its jurisdiction, with the grand master at their head, his deputy on his left, and the grand wardens in their proper places; attended, also, by the grand secretary, grand treasurer, grand tyler, grand pursuivant, and other necessary officers, as will be explained hereafter; all of whom must be master ma

sons.

No new lodge is acknowledged, nor can their officers be admitted to a seat in the grand lodge, until such new lodge be regularly constituted, and registered by the authority of the grand lodge.

All past grand masters, past deputy grand masters, past grand wardens, and past masters of warranted lodges on record, provided they still continue to be members of any regular lodge, are likewise, by courtesy as well as by custom, admitted to vote in all grand lodges. By courtesy, also, past grand secretaries, and past grand treasurers, have the privilege of sitting in all grand lodges, and voting on such matters, as by the rules of the grand lodge, they might or could have voted on, while in office.

No master, warden, or other member of the grand lodge, should ever attend the same, without the jewels,

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