which he ought to wear in his own particular lodge, unless he can produce a satisfactory apology for such omission And when the officer of any particular lodge, from such urgent business as may appear to be a sufficient excuse, cannot personally attend the grand lodge, he may send a brother of his lodge, with his jewel and cloathing, to supply his place, and support the honour of his lodge in the grand lodge; and when it so happens, that a lodge cannot attend the communications of the grand lodge, they may appoint a brother, not under the rank of a past master, to represent them, and vote in their behalf. He, bearing their certificate, under the seal of the lodge, and signed by the master and wardens, may, if approved of by the officers of the grand lodge, take his seat among them, and vote and act in the name of the lodge, which he represents; but no individual can appear for more than one lodge at the same time. A respectable brother of the rank of master mason, having business or whose attendance may be necessary in any point of evidence or intelligence, may be admitted into the grand lodge, if that body should deem it proper; but such brother shall have no vote, nor be allowed to speak on any question, without special permission.

The grand lodge must have four stated meetings annually, for quarterly communications, and shall also have other occasional meetings, as business may require and such meetings shall be held in the grand lodge room only, unless the grand master should, for some particular reason, deem it expedient or appoint some other place, for such special meeting.

All matters in the grand lodge are determined by the majority, each member having one vote, unless in certain cases, where for the sake of expedition, the determination of any particular subject is left to the decision of the grand master.

The business of the grand lodge, whether at quarterly communications, or other meetings, is to consider, transact, and settle all matters which concern the prosperity of the craft in general, or private lodges, and individual brethren in particular. Thus all differences, which cannot be accommodated by brethren, who unfortunately have some altercations, nor by any particular lodge, are here to be taken into consideration and decided. But if any brother think himself aggrieved by such decision he may, by lodging an appeal in writing with the grand secretary, have the matter re-examined and finally determined upon, at the next quarterly communication; provided it be not at the annual meeting of the grand lodge, or on either of the festivals of St. John, on which days, it is agreed by the new regulations, that no petitions or appeals shall be heard, nor any business transacted, which may tend to interrupt the harmony of the assembly; but that all shall be referred to the next meeting of the grand lodge. And in general, whatever business cannot be concluded at any one meeting of the grand lodge, may either be postponed to the next meeting, or, be, in the mean time, referred to a committee, by whom it shall be taken into consideration, and who shall report their opinion concerning the matter, at the next meeting.

The officers of all subordinate lodges under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge, shall, at every quarterly. communication, (except the officers of distant lodges, who, shall annually, on or before the festival of St. John the Evangelist,) deliver an exact list of such members, as bave been either made or admitted by them, since the communication immediately preceding; and books shall be kept by the grand secretary, in which the said returns shall be duly recorded, together with all the subordinate lodges, the usual times and places of their meetings,

and the names of all their members. In the said books, are also to be registered, all the proceedings of the grand lodge, which are proper to be committed to writing.

It is likewise the duty of the grand lodge, to devise the most prudent and effectual means of collecting and disposing of such money as may accrue to the general charitable fund.

SECTION 2.

-OF THE ELECTION OF THE GRAND MASTER.

The grand lodge shall assemble in some convenient place, in order to elect new, or re-appoint their old officers; and such election or re-appointment, shall be made in such season, that the grand lodge may be completely organised, and duly prepared for the celebration of the annual feast in June, and the trasaction of other important business.

The election may be made, either by the shew of hands, or by ballot, as may be agreed on by the majority; provided always, that the brother recommended by the grand master in office, as his successor, be the first voted for, and if he be not chosen, the other candidates in the order they were proposed, until one has the majority of voices, or ballots. When the election is thus made, he is to be proclaimed, installed, and saluted, if present; but if absent, a day is to be appointed for this ceremony, which is one of a most solemn and serious nature, but cannot be described in writing, as it will never be known to any except true master masons.

The ceremony of installing the new grand master, is to be conducted by the last grand master; but he may order any brother, well skilled in the usages observed upon that occasion, to assist him, or to act as his deputy. In case the new grand master cannot attend at the time appointed for his installation, he may be installed by

proxy, on signifying his acceptance of the office; but such proxy must be either the last, or a former grand master, or else a very reputable past master.

SECTION 3.-OF THE ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT OF THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER.

The last grand master thus continued, or a new one thus appointed and installed, hath an inherent right to nominate and appoint the deputy grand master; because as it cannot be supposed, that the grand master can give his attendance on every emergency, it hath, from time immemorial, been deemed proper, not only to allow him a deputy, but that such deputy should be a person, in whom he could repose the fullest confidence, and with whom he could act in the most complete harmony. For this reason, it is evidently proper that the grand master should have the nomination of his deputy; although cases may occur, when the grand lodge may deem it expedient to reject the grand master's nomination, and choose for themselves. Instances of this kind will, however, seldom, if ever, take place in any grand lodge, either in the United States, or in any other country.

The deputy grand master being thus continued, or a new one appointed or chosen as above, he shall be proclaimed, saluted, and congratulated, in due form, on his first appearance in the lodge; for neither the deputy grand master, nor the grand wardens, can he allowed to appear by proxy, this being the sole prerogative of the grand master.

SECTION 4.- OF THE ELECTION OF GRAND WARDENS.

The grand lodge has the right of electing the grand wardens, and any member has a right to propose for