^ jssssssisissssii-,- lee^^oJ^ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A COLLECTION MADE BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 AND BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Library HS766 .A3 1889 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030373710 ^kmmmmmmtmt^i^mift CON «ifi TUTI S AND K^U'VKz^Zixx' cfiii^aii.ta^i'O'VKH' OF THE .nmnt|^ae|to^f0t&^|lite. Sovereign Grand Consistory ♦ AND SUPREME COUNCIL, 1807. FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS Territories and Dependencies, As Revised and Approved JUNE 24th and 25tli, 1886, 1887 and 1889. ^'-5— tg.'yw. #■«— f- I III I f ilii Jhif^ty-Jhif^d y^j^D JaAgx Peqf^ee OF THE Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masonry, AS ORGANIZED BY T.-. I.-. JOSEPH CERNEAU, M.-. P.-. S.'. G.'. C.'., OotoToer 2V, 180V, FOR THE United States of America, Its Territories and Dependencies. Most Illustrious FERDINAND J. S. GORGAS, M. D., 33°, Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, Baltimore, Md. Very Illustrious ALEXANDER B. MOTT, M. D., 330, Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander, New York, N. Y. Very Illustrious GEORGE DAVIS, 33°, Grand Orator and Minister of State, Charleston, W. Va. Very Illustrious PHILIP F. D. HIBBS, 33°, Grand- Secretary General H.-. E.-., Brooklyn, N. Y. Very Illustrious JOHN H. RUSSELL, 33°, Grand Treasurer General H. . E.-., New York, N. Y. Very Illustrious WILLIAM MARSHALL, 33°, Grand Marshal General, Wilmington, Del. Very Illustrious JAMES M. SAFFELL, 33°, Grand Master General of Ceremonies, Frankfort, Ky, Very Illustrious ALFRED G. HASTINGS, 33°, Grand Standard Bearer, Lincoln, Neb. Very Illustrious J. THOMPSON BROWN, 33°, Grand Captain of the Guard, Richmond, Va. pEU3 'IJVIeumque Jug. The Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty- third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite, for the United States of America, its Territories and De- pendencies, being assembled with the Supreme Council, con- vened at its Council Chamber, Orient of New York ; A Sacred Asylum, where reign Union, Contentment, and Wisdom. Un- der the Celestial Vault ; on the twenty-fourth day of June, 1886, V.-. E.-., and on the twenty-first day of the Hebrew month Sivan, 5646, A.\ M.-., in due obedience to the mandate of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, the M.-. 111.-. Wm. H. Peckham, 33°, and the Supreme Council, and after regular citation to all the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, and of the Consistories under the obedience to our said Supreme Council, emphatically assert that they neither have, nor claim power or authority over Symbolic, Capitular, Cryptic, or Tem- plar Masonry ; but do solemly reiterate the declaration, that the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, by virtue of the power in them vested, through their legal and direct descent from the Supreme Council and Sovereign Grand Consistory, established by the 111.-. Joseph Cerneau, 33°, in the City of New York, in the year 1807, Constitutionally claim exclusive Masonic juris- diction throughout the United States of America, its Terri- tories and Dependencies, over the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, to- wit : FOURTH DEGREE— Secret Master. FIFTH DEGREE— Perfect Master. SIXTH DEGREE— Intimate Secretary. SEVENTH DEGREE— Provost and Judge. EIGHTH DEGREE— Intendant of the Building. IVIKTH DEGREE- Elect of Nine. TEXTH DEGREE— Knight JElect of Fifteen. ELEVEIVTH DEGREE— Snhlime Knight Elected. TWBI.FTH DEGREE— Grand Master Architect. THIRTEENTH DEGREE- King Solomon's Royal Arch. FOURTEENTH DEGRBB-Orand, Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason. FIFTEENTH DEGREE- Knight of the East or S-word. SIXTEENTH DEGREE— Prince of Jerusalem. 4 DEUS MEUMQUE JUS. SEVENTBKNTH DEGREK— Knight of the East and West. EIGHTEEIMTH DEGREE— Sovereign Prinoe of the Rose CroiJ-. NINETEENTH DEGREE— Grand Pontiff. TWENTIETH DEGREE— Master Ad-Vitum. TWENTY-FIRST DEGREE— Patriarch Noachite. TW^BVTY-SECOND DEGREE— Prinoe of Libanus. TAVENTY-THIRD DEGREK— Chief of the Tabernacle. TWENTY-FOURTH DEGREE— Prince of the Tahernacle- TWENTY-PIPTH DEGREE- Knight of the Brazen Serpent. TW^KNTV-SIXTH DEGREE-Prince of Mercy. TWENTY-SEVE\TH DEGREE— Commander of the Temple. TWENTY-EIGHTH DEGREE— Knight of the Sun. TWrENTY-SINTH DEGREE— Patriarch of the Crusades. THIRTIETH DEGREE— Grand Elect K H ; or Knight of the White and Blaok Eagle. THIRTY-FIRST DEGREE— Grand Inspector Inquisitor Com- ixiander. THIRTY-SECOND DEGREE— Sublime Prince of the Koyal Se- cret. THIRTV-THIRD AND L.AST DEGREE (OFFICIAL.)— Sovereign! Grand Inspeotor General. Beiug pledged to preserve these degrees of the Aucient aud Accepted Scottish Kite, pure and inviolate, and from all uu- lawful aud spurious intermixture, or associations, we feel con- strained, most uuequivocally, to renew former declarations, and solemnly denounce as unlawful and unconstitutional, and protest against the acts and pretensions of all other bodies un- der whatever name or title they may exist, claiming to exercise or control authority over the above-named degrees within the limits of the United States of America, its Territories and De- pendencies; we further declare that the Sovereign Grand Con- sistory and its Supreme Council, and the various bodies under their authority, require no other qualilication in candidates for tlie degrees of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Kite, except that tliey " Be good men and true," and have been regularly ini- tiated in the first three degrees of Symbolic Masonry, aud are Master Masons in good aud regular standing. We also, recognizing the fact that our Ancient and Sublime Order has always sustained itself in honor and credit, bv the wisdom and prudence of its Constitutions; duly considering the progress of the races, and the advance of Toleration and Civil- ization, and being mindful of the great principles contained in tho Constitutions of 1763, 1862 and 1883, deem it advisable in connection therewith, to make such reformatory alterations as are suitable aud fitting to the times in which we live. Therefore, after mature deliberation, we hereby ordain establish, and decree the following as ' THE ratiii fonstifntions GENERAL REGULATIONS Government and Control of all the Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Thirty-third and Last De- gree, and of those Subordinate Thereto in the United States of America, Its Territories and Depend- encies, and that the Same Shall Be Pro- mulgated to All and Everybody Under Our Obedience. # Mo!^ III:. Win. H. PECKHAM, |^ M.'. P.-. Sov.-. Grand Commander. Attest : Very III.: JAMES S. FBASER, 33", Grand Sec.-. Gen.-. H.-. E.-. and K.-. O.-. S.-. & A. . CONSTITUTION. TITLE I. Article I. The government of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Kite for the United States of America, its Territories and Depend- encies, is vested in the Sovereign Grand Consistory and its Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Thirty-third and Last Degree. Article II. The Sovereign Grand Consistory is composed of its OflBcers, members Emeriti, and representatives from each Grand and Subordinate Consistory under its jurisdiction, each of whom is entitled to vote therein ; also, of its honorary members, who have no vote, but are entitled to privileges, as hereinafter provided. Article III. The Supreme Council is composed of the nine elective offl- cers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Article IV. The members Emeriti of the Sovereign Grand Consistory are: First — All Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Thirty- third Degree, who have heretofore been declared members Em- eriti of the Supreme Council. Second — All members of the Supreme Council, who, having faithfully performed their duties as such, during the term for which they were elected, and shall by a two-thirds vote of the Sovereign Grand Consistory be declared entitled to that honor. 8 THE GRAND CONSTITUTfONS Article V. A Grand Consistory is composed of its oflBcers and the rep- resentatives of tliree or more Subordinate Consistories; also, all Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Thirty-third De- gree, who are members in good standing of Consistories under its jurisdiction. Article VI. A Subordinate Consistory is composed of twenty-seven or more Sublime Princes of the Roysl Secret, Thirty-second De- gree, congregating and working in pursuance and by virtue of a Charter held under the authority of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. TITLE II. SOVEREIGN GRAND CONSISTORY. Article I. The powers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory are : execu- tive, legislative, and judicial. The exercise of these powers is defined in the constitution and general regulations, which it has the right to frame and adopt at its own convenience and to alter, amend, add to or repeal, at its pleasure, under the limitations therein imposed ; and are final and conclusive upon all parties concerned, until altered or reversed by the Sover- eign Grand Consistory. Article II. The officers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory shall be styled and take rank as follows : 1. The Most Illustrious Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander 2. The Very Illustrious Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander 3. The Very Illustrious Grand Orator and Minister of State. 4. The Very Illustrious Grand Chancellor, Grand Secretary General f the Holy Empire, and Keeper of the Seals and Archives 5. The Very Illustrious Grand Treasurer General of the Holy Emn' AND GENERAL HECftTLATlOfTS. 9 6. The Very Illustrious Grand Marshal General. 7. The Very Illustrious Grand Master General of Ceremonies. 8. The Very Illustrious Grand Standard Bearer. 9. The Very Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guard. 10. The Illustrious Grand Seneschal. 1 1 . The Illustrious Grand Sentinel. Article III. The first nine officers shall be elected by ballot for a term* of three years, as follows : The Grand Marshal General, Grand Standard Bearer and Grand Captain of the Guard, at the annual Eeiidezvous in 1887. The Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander, Grand Orator and Minister of State, and Grand Secretary General IJ.-. E.-., at the annual rendezvous iu 1888. The Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, Grand Treasurer General H.-. B.-., and Grand Master General of Cere- monies, at the annual rendezvous in 1889. At each subsequent annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, there shall be elected by ballot three oflflcers for a term of three years, iu place of those whose terms of office expire at such date. Article IV. The Grand Seneschal and Grand Sentinel shall be appointed by the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Comma.uder at the time of his installation, to serve during his will and pleasure. Article V. The legislative powers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory extend to every case of legislation not delegated or reserved to subordinate bodies. Article VI. The Sovereign Grand Consistory shall hold a stated rendez- vous annually. In case of great emergency the Supreme Council, by the affirmative vote of five of its members, may order a special rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, but no business shall be transacted at such special rendezvous 10 THE GRAND CONSTITUTIONS except that for which it was called, and every member shall receive at least fifteen days' notice of the same. Article VII. The annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory may be held in any city within the United States which may have been selected at the previous rendezvous. Article VIII. Every Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, being a member in good standing of a Subordinate Consistory under, this jurisdiction, is an honorary member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and shall be so declared at his making ; is entitled to be present at every rendezvous, and eligible to be elected or appointed to any office therein, with the exception of that of Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Com- mander, who must be a member of the Supreme Council, or a member Emeritus of the Sovereign Grand Consistory at the time of his election. Article IX. No one can be a member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory unless he shall have attained the grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, and is a member in good standing of a subordinate Consistory under this juris- diction. Article X. The Board of Trustees of the Sovereign Grand Consistory shall be composed of five members, the first three of whom shall be the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander the Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander and the Grand Orator and Minister of State ; the other two shall be members of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, who hold no other official position therein, and who shall be elected by ballot annually. All surplus funds belonging to the Sovereign Grand Consistory shall be placed in the custody of this Board of Trustees, and bv them, under the direction of the Sovereign Grand Consistory securely invested. At each annual rendezvous of the Sover- eign Grand Consistory there shall also be placed in the custody AND GENERAL BE»UI,ATIONS. 11 of the Board of Trustees a duplicate copy of the registry, records aud proceedings of the Sovereign Grand Consistory and its Supreme Council, appertaining to the transactions of the preceding year. The Board of Trustees shall also have in custody all books, documents, etc., belonging to the Sovereign Grand Consistory and its Supreme Council, and not needed by the officers in the daily routine of business. It shall be the duty of the Board, under direction of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, to cause all books, documents, registry, records and proceedings as above referred to, to be safely deposited in the vault or vaults of some safe deposit company, aud the same shall be so deposited that they cannot be removed except in the presence of a majority of the Board of Trustees. A,ETICLE XI. The Sovereign Grand Consistory has original jurisdictton over all controversies which may arise between Grand Consis- tories, or individual members of different Grand Consistor- ies, and subordinate Consistories not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, or individual members of different sub- ordinate Consistories not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory; it also has original jurisdiction over all controver- sies between Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Thirty-third Degree; also unafiiliated Scottish Eite Masons residing in States or Territories where there are no Grand Consistories. Tlie appellate judicial powers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory embrace all matters of controversy and discipline over which . it has or has not original jurisdiction. In all cases of contro- versy or discipline the party aggrieved, at the decision of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, is entitled to a final appeal to the^ Supreme Council. Article XII. A Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, can be tried only by his peers, and all charges against him for unmasonic conduct must be preferred to the Sovereign Grand Consistory or its Supreme Council. If such charges are pre- ferred within sixty days prior to an annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, said charges shall be preferred at 12 THE GRAND CONSTITUTIONS such rendezvous, otherwise the charges must be preferred to the Supreme Council. In either case the mode of procedure thereafter shall be as prescribed iu Title Eleven of the general regulations. TITLE III. SUPREME COUNCIL. Aeticle I. The powers of the Supreme Council are executive and judi- cial. Article II. All the executive powers of the Sovereign Grand Consis- tory, when not in session, are reposed iu the Supreme Council. Article III. The Supreme Council has full power to institute and char- ter subordinate bodies, to confer all of the degrees of tiie An- cient and Accepted Scottish Eite, subject to tlie restrictions hereinafter mentioned, upon such Master Masons as may be deemed worthy in foreign countries, where no Supreme Council or Sovereign Grand Consistory exists, or in States and Terri- tories of the United States where there are no Grand Consis- tories; to enter into Fraternal relations with such other Ma- sonic bodies as it may deem necessary for the benefit of the Rite, and to draw upon the funds of the Sovereign Grand Con- sistory for all necessary expenses of the Supreme Council. Article IV. The Supreme Council may delegate the power of conferring degrees to any member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Article V". It is the duty of the Supreme Council to see that the con- stitution, edicts and general regulations are faithfully complied AND GENERAL REGULATIONS. 13 with ; that the ancient landmarks and usages of the Frater- nity are not infringed, and that the best exertions are put forth for the advancement of the interests of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite. Article VI. The Supreme Council is the final court of Appeal in all controversies which may arise between Grand Consistories, Subordinate Consistories, or individual members of Consistories. Article VII. The Supreme Council shall meet at least once in every three mouths. Article VIII. Five members of the Supreme Council, the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, the Puissant Lieutenant Granil Commander, or the Illustrious Grand Orator and Minister of State, being one of the number, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Article IX. The Sovereign Grand Commauder may call special meetings of the Supreme Council whenever he deems it necessary, and shall do so upon the written request of five members of the Supreme Council. Article X . At the first meeting of the Supreme Council after each annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander shall select three members of the Supreme Council to act as a finance committee, whose duty shall be to audit all bills, accounts, etc., presented to the Supreme Council, aud no bill shall be paid unless endorsed by a majority of the members of said committee. Article XI. Every member of the Supreme Council shall receive at least ten days' notice of every regular meeting. 14 THE GRAND CONSTITUTIONS Article XII. All official correspondence relative to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite must be through the Supreme Council under the direction of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, and by the Grand Secretary General. Article XIII. In the deliberations of the Supreme Council each member has one vote only. Article XIV. All matters which shall come before the Supreme Council shall be decided by a majority vote, with the exception, as hereinafter provided for in Article I. of Title IV., and also, that when an aggrieved party appeals from the decision of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, such decision can be revoked only by the unanimous consent of the nine members of the Supreme Council. Such reversal shall not be valid unless it is made in writing, signed by each individual member of the Supreme Council, with the proper seals attached, and deposited in the archives of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and.a copy of the same duly entered in the book of records of the Supreme Council. Article XV. All decisions made by the Supreme Council are binding upon the subordinates of this jurisdiction, until the same shall be reversed by the Sovereign Grand Consistory in annual rendezvous assembled. Article XVI. It shall be the duty of the Supreme Council to attend to the organization of all Grand Consistories, and also of all subor- dinate bodies in such States and Territories where no Grand Consistory exists, and to see that their several jurisdictions are properly arranged. Article XVII. Should a vacancy occur in the Supreme Council by reason of death, removal beyond this jurisdiction, or from other causes, the Sovereign Grand Commander shall appoint a AND GENERAL REGULATIONS. 15 member of the Sovereign Qrand Consistory to fill such vacancy until the next annnal rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Con- sistory, when an election shall be held to fill the offlce for the balance of the unexpired term. Article XVIII. The Grand Orient of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite for the United States of America, its Territories and Dependencies, shall be at the vertical point of the Z.-. beneath theC". C*. answering to 40 deg. 43 min. N.-. L.-. and 74 deg. W.-. of the Meridian at Greenwich ; the same being within the limits of the City of New York, from which all balustres, decrees and ofi&cial documents shall bear date, and in which city all regular meetings of the Supreme Council shall be held. Article XIX. A Sovereign Grand Inspector General, having been duly elected and installed a member of the Supreme Council, shall not thereafter be elected to any other official position in the Eite during his term of office, save in the Supreme Council or that of Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General. TITLE IV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS. Article I. Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander. The Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander is the Supreme Chief of the Eite within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council and Sovereign Grand Consistory. He shall preside over all their regular and special sessions. He may also preside over all Masonic assemblies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite which, in his ofQcial capacity, he may favor with his presence. He may grant special dispensations, not in violation of the constitution, upon a written demand either according to a resolution adopted by a subordinate body 16 THE GRAND CONSTITUTIONS of this jurisdiction or in case of urgency by a Grand Com- mander in-Chief of a Grand Consistory. Such demand shall be deposited in the archives. Ail decisions made by the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, when the Supreme Council is not in session, are binding upon the subordinates of tiiis jurisdiction until the same shall be reversed by the Supreme Council or Sovereign Grand Consistory. He shall report to the Supreme Council at each meeting all of the business transacted by him during its recess, and sub- mit the same for its approval. He shall have power to appoint from the members of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, Active Sovereign Grand Inspect ors General to represent him and the Supreme Council in States and Territories of the United States. It shall also be his duty by and with the approval of the Supreme Council, to appoint suitable Brethren to represent this jurisdiction in such bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Kite, located in foreign countries, with whom the Supreme Council shall decide to exchange Fraternal relations. Sliould any member of the Supreme Council refuse or neglect to perform the duties of his office, it shall be the duty of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander to prefer charges to the Supreme Council against such officer ; and, if the charges be sustained by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Suiireme Council, each member having been served with a copy of tlie charges, and the delinquent member having been afforded ample opportunity to defend himself, the Sovereign Grand Commander shall suspend such member of the Supreme Council from the further performance of his duties, and appoint a member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory to act in his stead, until the next annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, when the charges shall be preferred to the Sovereign Grand Consistory, aud, if sustained by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and entitled to vote, such officer shall be declared impeached his office vacant, aud the vacancy filled by election. Should the Sovereign Grand Commander neglect or refuse to perform his duties, charges may be preferred against him to the Supreme Council, by any Sovereign Graud Inspector General AND GENERAL REGULATIONS. 17 Thirty-third Degree, and should such charges be sustained by the unanimous vote of the balance of the members of the Supreme Oouncil, each member having been served with a copy of the charges and the Sovereign Grand Commander afforded ample opportunity to defend himself, he shall be sus- pended from the further performance of his duties and the Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander shall assume the duties and prerogatives of the Sovereign Grand Commander, until the next annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Con- sistory ; when the charges shall be preferred to the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and, if sustained by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and entitled to vote, he shall be declared impeached, his office vacant, and the vacancy filled by election. Charges for un-Masonic conduct having been preferred against a Grand Commander-in-Chief, or Acting Grand Com- mander-in-Chief of a Grand Consistory, or the Commander-in- Chief or Acting Commander-in-Chief of a Subordinate Con- sistory, not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, it shall be the duty of the Sovereign Grand Commander to sus- pend such officer from the further performance of his duties until said charges shall have been disposed of. Article II. Puissant Lieutenant Grand Gomnumder. In the absence of the Sovereign Grand Commander, the Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander enjoys and may exer- cise his rights and prerogatives. In case of the death of the Sovereign Grand Commander, the Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander shall act as Sover- eign Grand Commander until the next annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, when an election shall be held to elect a Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander for the balance of the unexpired term. Article III. Grand Orator and Minister of State. It shall be the duty of the Illustrious Grand Orator and Minister of State to see that the constitution, general rules and 18 THE GRAND CONSTITUTIONS regulations of the Supreme Council and Sovereign Grand Con- sistory are faithfully observed by all subordinate bodies, and his opinion in writing shall be obtained on all subjects per- taining thereto, and presented to the Supreme Council before final action is taken. He shall preside at meetings of the Supreme Council in absence of tlie Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander and the Puissant Lieutenant Grand Com- mander, and in the event of the disability of both Commanders, shall succeed to and perform the duties of Sovereign Grand Commander until the next annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Article IV. Grand Chancellor Orand Secretary Oeneral. The Illustrious Grand Chancellor Grand Secretary General shall keep the archives of the Supreme Council and of the Sdv- ereigti Grand Consistory ; also a register of all the works, delib- erations, and transactions of each body. It shall be his duty faithfully to transcribe the same in books kept for that purpose. He shall keep a faithful copy of all letters and communica- tions emanating from the Supreme Council, and attest and seal, as the case may be, every order, mandate, or act of each body. Every diploma, brief, or letters patent, lawfully petitiom-d by any member of this jurisdiction, shall be signed by him, and sealed with his private seal. He shall collect all the revenues due the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and within a reasonable time, pay the same to the Illustrious Grand Treasurer General, taking his receipt therefor. It is also the duty of the Grand Secretary General, in the name and by the order of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and under the direction of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, to issue all duly authorized edicts or mandates and to ofacially correspond with all Masonic bodies, either of ttiis or of any other jurisdiction. All Masonic documents, packages, pamphlets, or letters directed to the Supreme Council, must be addiessed to the AND GENERAL REGULATIONS. 19 Grand Secretary General, through the post-offloe, or delivered to him personally. He shall, at each annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, submit in writing a detailed report of all the pro- ceedings and transactions of the Supreme Council during the- year; also an account of the proceedings of the Sovereign Grand Consistory at the preceding annual rendezvous. He shall enter in a book, provided for the purpose, which shall be termed the " Black Book," the names of all who have been suspended or expelled for un -Masonic conduct, either by the Sovereign Grand Consistory or bodies subordinate to its jurisdiction; he shall duly notify each Grand Consistory, and Subordinate Consistories not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, of such suspensions or expulsions, immediately after the ofl&cial decision has been rendered. He shall keep a correct registry of the membership of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, each Grand Consistory, and Subordinate Con- sistories not under the jurisdiction of Grand Consistories, specifying the name of each member, name and number of the Subordinate Consistory from which he hails, date of initiation and oath of fealty, of advancement to mem- bership, place of birth, age, when elected, name and num- ber of the Lodge of Ancient Craft Masonry from which he hails, and where located, rank in different Masonic bod- ies, residence and occupation. He shall make a duplicate copy of the registry, records, and proceedings of the Sovereign Grand Consistory and its Supreme Council, and at each An- nual Eendezvous, deliver to the Sovereign Grand Consistory the duplicate copy appertaining to the preceding year's busi- ness. He shall duly transmit to his successor in offlce all books, records, documents, etc., in his possession, belonging to the Sovereign Grand Consistory. He shall duly notify each member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, of every rendezvous, at least fifteen days prior thereto. Article V. Orand Treasurer General. The Illustrious Grand Treasurer General shall receive from the Grand Secretary General, all moneys belonging to the 20 THE GBAND CONSTITUTIONS Sovereign Grand Consistory, giving his receipt for the same; and shall not expend or pay out any sums without the authority of the Supreme Council or the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and on warrants signed by the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander and the Grand Secretary General. He shall sub- mit in writing at each annual rendezvous a general and detailed account of all receipts and expenditures. Article VI. Grand Marshal General. The Illustrious Grand Marshal General shall have charge of the Supreme Council in all processions of the Order. With the assistance of the Grand Captain of the Guard, and by mandate of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, he shall conduct the offlcers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory to their stations of dignity and service, and perform such spe- cial duties, in connection with his office, as may be directed by the Grand Commander. Article YII. Grand Master General of Ceremonies. The Illustrious Grand Master General of Ceremonies shall assist the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander in the ceremonial of the degrees, and accompany the initiate in his mystic travels. He should be well versed in the rituals of the Order, and shall, upon the application of the proper authorities within this jurisdiction, give to any ofBcer, body or bodies therein such instructions as may be required to render perfect and uniform the exemplification of the different degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite. Article VIII. Grand Standard Bearer. The Illustrious Grand Standard Bearer shall be entrusted with the standard of the Order, AND GENERAL REGULATIONS. 21 Article IX. Grand Captain of the Guard. The Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guard shall keep a faithful watch both within and without the Grand Chambers, and see that the portals are duly guarded. He shall report to the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander all messages from without, and transmit the answers. He shall also see that the Grand Chambers are properly prepared and in order for work or for the deliberations of the Supreme Council, and also for the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Article X. The duties of the Grand Seneschal and Grand Sentinel shall be to guard the inner and the outer doors of the Sover- eign Grand Consistory, and to perform such other duties as the Sovereign Grand Commander or the Sovereign Grand Con- sistory may require of them. Article XI. Section 1. — The number of active Sovereign Grand Inspect- ors General shall be limited to one for each State or Territory, who shall be appointed as provided for in Article I. of this Title, except that in a State or Territory in which there is located a Grand Consistory, its Grand Commander-in-Chief shall, by virtue of his office, becomes the Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General of such State or Territory, and also in case of a member of the Supreme Council residing outside of the Grand Orient iu a State or Territory wherein there is no Grand Consistory, he shall by virtue of his office become the Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General of his State or Territory. Section 2. — Every Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General shall exercise a proper supervision over all the bodies of the Eite in his jurisdiction; shall grant dispensation for acts not within the control of Grand or Subordinate Consistories, or where such do not exist ; shall have power to confer degrees for the purpose of instituting new Consistories, and also to institute new Consistories in jurisdictions where no Grand Con- 22 fflE GRAin) CONSTITUTIONS sistory exists ; the fees for the degrees thus conferred and for charters of the Bodies thus organized, belonging to the Sover- eign Grand Consistory. Section 3.— Every Active Sovereign Grand Inspector Geueral, whose term of office is not otherwise constitutionally provided for, shall continue in office for the term of one year from the date of his appointment; every Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General shall be responsible to the Supreme Gouucil for the proper and discreet exercise of all his powers ; and shall keep a register of all his acts, and report the same in writing at each annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. TITLE V- Representation in the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Article I. A Grand Consistory shall be represented in the Sovereign Grand Consistory as follows : First— 'By its Grand Commander-in-Chief and First and Second Lieuten- ant Grand Commanders. Second — By the Commander-in-Chief of each Subordinate Consistory under its jurisdiction, composed of fifty members or less. Third — By one representative for each fifty members in good standing in excess of the first fifty in every such Consistory under its jurisdiction ; such representatives to be elected by a majority vote of the representatives of a Subordinate Consistory entitled to such representation, and at an annual rendezvous of the Grand Consistory. Fourth — When the aggregate of the fractional excess of one or more fifties of members exceeding the first fifty in the Consistories under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory shall equal one or more fifties, such Grand Consistory, in annual rendezvous assembled, shall be entitled to elect by a majority vote of the Grand Consistory, one representative to the Sov- ereign Grand Consistory for each of such fifty members. Article II. Each Subordinate Consistory not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, shall be represented in the Sovereign Grand Consistory by its Commander-in-Chief, and by one ANB GENERAL REGULATIONS. 23 additional representative for each fifty members, or major part of fifty members, exceeding the first fifty. Article III. The number of representatives to which a Grand or Sub- ordinate Consistory shall be entitled, must be based on the number of names appearing upon the rolls of such bodies at the annual rendezvous next preceding an annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and each body shall pay its per capita tax to the Sovereign Grand Consistory, accord- ing to the ba.sis of such representation. Article IV. Representatives to the Sovereign Grand Consistory shall be. elected for a term of three years. . AR;riCLE V. Election for representatives to the Sovereign Grand Consis- tory shall beheld only at an annual rendezvous j but should a vacancy occur by the death of a representative, or otherwise, the Commander of the body shall have power to fill such va- cancy by appointment until the next annual rendezvous, when au election shall be held to fill the office for the balance of the unexpired term. Article VI. Untitled to Vote. The representatives to the Sovereign Grand Consistory shall not be entitled to vote or take part in the proceedings at an annual rendezvous, unless all moneys due the Sovereign Grand Consistory by the bodies which they represent sliall have been paid. Article VII. The representatives from a Grand Consistory to the Sover- eign Grand Consistory, as provided for in paragraphs 1 and 4, of Article I. of this Title, shall be known as " Eepresenta- tives-at- Large." 24 the oband constitutions Article VIII. Should either of the representatives-at-large of a Grand Consistory be unable to attend a rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, he may appoint one of the other representa- tives-at-large of his own Grand Consistory as his proxy. Article IX. Should either of the representatives of a Grand Consistory, as provided for in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article I. of this Title, or of a Subordinate Consistory not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, as provided for in Article II. of this Title, be unable to attend a rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, he may appoint one of the other representatives or some other Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, as his proxy. In^ all such cases, however, the proxy must be a member of a Consistory located in the same State or Territory as the Consistory which he is to represent. Article X. Appointments of proxies must be made in writing, signed by the representative making the appointment, countersign eM:EisrTS. Article I. Any portion of this Constitution may be amended; but such amendment must be offered in writing by a member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, who shall furnish a copy thereof to the Grand Secretary General, at least ninety days prior to an annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Con- sistory. The Grand Secretary General shall embody the same in his notice of the annual rendezvous ; if the proposed amend- ment receive the affirmative vote of two- thirds of the members present and entitled to vote, it shall then be referred to the Supreme Council for its approval. AUXICLE II. On the receipt of a proposed amendment from the Sover- eign Grand Consistory, the most Puissant Sov-ereign Grand Commander shall, as soon as possible, call a meeting of the Supreme Council, when, if the proposed amendment meet with the approval of five members of that body, it shall be declared adopted, and the Sovereign Grand Commander shall cause the same to be promulgated to all bodies under this jurisdiction. Should such proposed amendment fail to meet with the approval of five members of the Supreme Council, the Grand Secretary General H.-. E.-. shall notify each member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory at least thirty days prior to its next annual rendezvous ; such notification shall be accompa- i.NB (3^E*fEI^Al, fiEGtJLATloJfS. 41 nied with a copy of the objections to the proposed amendment, offered by the Supreme Council. The rejected proposed amendment shall again be presented for consideration, to the Sovereign Grand Consistory at such annual rendezvous, and if it again receives the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and entitled to vote, it shall, notwithstanding the disapproval of the Supreme Council, be declared adopted, and the Sovereign Grand Commander shall cause the same to be promulgated to all bodies under the jurisdiction. Article III. Decision, when Rendered. The decision of the Supreme Council upon a proposed amendment to the constitution shall be rendered within ninety days after its adoption by the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Article IV. Amendments of the General Regulations. The general regulations may be amended at any annual rendezvouz of the Sovereign Grand Consistory by an affirma- tive vote of two-thirds of the members present and entitled to vote. TITLE X. GENERAL REGULATIONS. Thirty-third Degree. Article I. The grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty- third Degree, shall not be conferred except in presence of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander or some other member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, duly commissioned by the Supreme Council or Sovereign Grand Commander to take charge of the work. 42 THE aEAND CONSTITtTTIONS Article II. The fee for the Thirty-third Degree shall be fifty dollars. Article III. Section 1. — Every Sublime Prince of the Eoyal Secret who has been elected to and installed in the office of Commander- in-Chief of a Consistory, shall be entitled to be exalted to the grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, and without fee. Section 2. — The Supreme Council has power to confer the Thirty-third Degree upon the Commander-in-Chief and one other Sublime Prince in each new Consistory when instituted. Article IV. The Supreme Council shall have power, by the unanimous consent of its members, given in writing over their own signa- tures, to confer upon one or more Sublime Princes of the Eoyal Secret, Thirty-second Degree, the grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, provided however that such applicant shall pay the necessary fee and shall not have previously made application to a subordinate body for the grade. Article V. Bach Subordinate Consistory under this jftrisdiction, at each annual rendezvous, shall be entitled to select, by a ma- jority vote, one of its members for each twenty-five Brethren advanced to the grade of Sublime Prince of the Eoyal Secret, Thirty-second Degree, during the preceding year, whom it shall recommend to the Sovereign Grand Consistory to be ex- alted to the grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thir- ty-third Degree. Should a Consistory fail to exalt the neces- sary number, or exalt in excess of the required twenty-five, in any one year, the number exalted in the former case, and the fractional excess in the latter shall be accounted for in the suc- ceeding year. Each Consistory under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consis- tory shall send the list of names to the Grand Consistory for its endorsement, and, if confirmed by a majority vote of the An© (5fElNEBAt REatJLATtON'S. 43 Grand Consistory, the Grand Secretary shall forward the list of names so approved to. the Sovereign Grand Consistory for its action. Article YI. Each Grand Consistory under this jurisdiction shall be en- titled to select, by a majority vote, at each annual rendezvous, one Sublime Prince of the Eoyal Secret, Thirty-second Degree, a member in good standing of one of the Consistories under its jurisdiction, whom it shall recommend to the Sovereign Grand Consistory to be exalted to the grade of Sovereign Grand In- spector General, Thirty-third Degree ; provided, however, that a Brother so recommended shall not have previously applied for the grade in a subordinate body. Article VII. . Each applicant for the grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, recommended either by a Grand or Subordinate Consistory, shall be balloted for at an annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, and if the ap- plication be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present, the application shall be referred to the Supreme Coun- cil for final action ; when, if confirmed by five members of the Supreme Council, the applicant shall be declared elected, and shall be invested with the rank of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree. Article VIII. All recommendations, endorsements, or elections for the grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third De- gree, either by a Subordinate or Grand Consistory, or by the Sovereign Grand Consistory, or its Supreme Council, must be by secret ballot. 4i tHE GRAND dONSTWUTIONS TITLE XI. TRIALS AND APPEALS. Article I. In all matters of controversy which may arise between Grand Consistories, Subordinate Consistories, or individual members of Grand or Subordinate Consistories, and charges having been preferred either to the Sovereign Grand Consis- tory or to a Grand Consistory, the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander in the former case, and the Grand Com- mander-in-Chief, in the latter case, shall appoint a commission of not more than five or less than three disinterested Breth- ren, hailing from at least three different Consistories, to hejir and determine the same. Article II. After service of the charges against the accused, the com- mission shall appoint a time and place convenient to the par- ties and summon them and such witnesses as either party may request. Article III. When the trial has been concluded, the commissioners shall, as soon as possible, make their report of the facts found by them, and their determination upon the matter, and give notice thereof to each of the parties concerned ; they shall also file a report, together with all the papers, etc., connected with the case, with the Grand Secretary General ; or, if the trial be under the authority of a Grand Consistory, the report, papers, etc., must be filed with the Grand Secretary of such Grand Consistory. Article IV. In all cases of Masonic trial under the authority of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, or of a Grand Consistory, a majority of the Commissioners having concurred in thejudt^. AND GENERAL REGULATIONS. 45 ment of the Commigsion, their decision shall be final unless an appeal be taken therefrom within six months after the decision has been rendered. A brother having preferred charges against another for nn-Masonic conduct, or the brother against whom such charges have been preferred being aggrieved at the decision thereon, either by a subordinate Consistory, by a Commission appointed under the authority of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, or a Grand Consistory, or at the decision of the Sovereign Grand Consistory or a Grand Consistory, and in either case desiring to appeal therefrom, must within thirty days after receiving official notice of such decision give due notice in writing to the Grand Secretary of the body to whom he appeals, as well as to the presiding Officer and Secretary of the body from whose decision the appeal is made. He shall then, within the time prescribed in the first clause of this Article, duly serve the Grand Secretary of the body to whom he appeals with a copy of his appeal, stating therein in full his grounds therefor. The Grand Secretary of the body to whom the appeal is made after the body has decided upon the time and place, for the discussion, shall duly notify the appellant as well as the parties appealed from, giving each at least thirty days' notice. On the trial of the appeal the discussion shall be con- fined exclusively to the merits of the case, as shown by the offi- cial documents previously presented in the original trial. In all cases of Masonic trials or appeals, both the accused and the accuser in the former, and the appellant and party appealed from in the latter instance, shall be entitled to be represented by counsel, who must be a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite not lower in rank, as to degrees, than the accused or appellant. Article V. When charges are preferred in a Subordinate Consistory the Commander-in-Chief shall appoint a commission, consisting of not less than three or more than five disinterested members of the Consistory, to take testimony in the case and report the same to the Consistory for its judgment. The decision of the Consistory shall be final, unless an appeal be taken therefrom to its Grand Consistory, or to the Sovereign Grand Cpi^sistory, in the same manner ^s l»i4 down in Article IV, 46 THE GRAND CONSTITUTIONS Article VI. Trials, hy Whom Conducted. In all cases of Masonic trials in a Subordinate Gonsistory the prosecution shall be in charge of the Grand Chancellor, unless he be an interested party ; in such case, the Comman- der-in-Chief shall appoint a Brother to act in his stead. The accused shall be entitled to be represented by counsel, but such counsel must be a Scottish Eite Mason not lower in rank than the Thirty-second Degree. Article VII. Expense of Trial. The strictly necessary expenses of commissions for the trial of cases referred to them shall be paid by the Consistory, or one or all the parties litigant, as the commissioners may de- termine, and, in the case of individuals, be charged and col- lected as dues. TITLE XII. Members of the Supreme Council Cannot Receive Salaries— Assistant Grand Officers. Article I. A member of the Supreme Council shall not be allowed to receive a salary from the funds of the Sovereign Grand Consis- tory for the performance of the duties of his office. Article II. At each annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consis- tory the Supreme Council shall elect, by a majority vote, an Assistant Grand Secretary and a Deputy Grand Master of Cer- emonies. Article III. It shall be the duty of the Assistant Grand Secretary, under the direction of the Grand Secretary General H.-. B.-., to attend AND GENERAL REGULATIONS. 47 to all of the clerical labors appertaining to his office. It shall also be his duty to be present at the office of the Grand Secre- tary General H.-. B.-. daring office hours. Article IV. When the Grand Master General of Ceremonies finds it in- convenient to attend to duties requiring his presence at points distant from his home, it shall be the duty of the Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies, under the direction of the M.-. P.-. Sov- ereign Grand Commander, to attend to such duties. It shall also be his duty, when not otherwise engaged in the service of the Eite, to be present at the office of the Grand Secretary General during office hours. Article V. For the faithful performance of their duties, the Assistant Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies shall receive such compensation as may be determined upon by the Supreme Council. Article YI. Should the Assistant Grand Secretary or Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies refuse orneglect to perform their several duties, charges may be preferred against them to the Supreme Council by any member of the Rite. After a careful and im- partial hearing, the accused being duly notified and having had ample opportunity to defend himself, and each member of the Supreme Council having been made fully acquainted with all the facts in the case ; the Supreme Council, by the affirma- tive vote of six of its members, may declare the office of the accused vacant, and elect another to serve during the balance of the term. Article VII. No one shall be eligible to fill the office of Assistant Grand Secretary or Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies, except he is a member of the Sov.-. Grand Consistory. 48 THE GRAND CONSTITTTTIONS Article VIII. The ofSce of the Grand Secretary General H.-. B.-. shall be opened daily, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, during such hours as may be determined upon by the Supreme Council. TITLE XIII. M:i!BiCEJL.LA.lVE:OtJ!-«. Article I. Rendezvous, when Held. The annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory shall be convened on the 24th day of June, except when the same shall fall upon Saturday or Sunday, in which case it shall be convened on the following Monday. Article II. Charge for Patents. The charge for letters patent shall be live dollars for the Thirty-third Degree and three dollars for the Thirty-second Degree. Article III. Per Capita Tax. The per capita tax shall be fifty cents for each member whose name shall appear upon the rolls of Consistories under this jurisdiction, at each annual rendezvous. Article IV. Signature to Oath of Fealty. The Commander-in-Chief of every Consistory under this jurisdiction shall require of each candidate, as soon as he shall have received one of the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite, an oath of fealty to this jurisdiction, and to which he shall attach his signature, in a book provided espe- cially for the purpose, AND GENEKAL REGULATIONS. iO Article V. Application Must Lie Over. Every candidate for degrees in bodies under this jurisdiction must be proposed at a stated rendezvous, and the petition referred to a committee for investigation, who shall report at a subsequent rendezvous, when the candidate shall be balloted for. A committee of investigation on the petition of a candi- date shall not be allowed to report favorably until they can properly avouch for him as being a Master Mason in good standing. Article VI. Bituals. All rituals of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite used by any one under this jurisdiction shall emanate from the Supreme Council, attested by the seal thereof, with the certifi- cate of the Illustrious Grand Secretary General. Article YII. Subordinate Bodies, Mow Opened. Every subordinate body under this jurisdiction shall open and close its works according to the following formula : " To the Glory of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, in the name and under the authority of the Sovereign Grand Consis- tory and its Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Thirty-third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite, as organized by the 111.-. Bro.-. Joseph Cerneau iu the City of New York, in the year 1807, for the United States of America, its Territories and Dependencies, and now presided over by the Most Illustrious —(here use the name of the Sov.-. Gd.-. Com.-.) as Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, I declare (here mention the name of the body) opened (or closed as the case may be) (if the body be under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, add after the word 'Commander'), and under the auspices of the Griand Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Koyal Secret, Thirty- second Degree, of the State of ." 50 THE GKAND CONSTITUTIONS Article VIII. The initiation of candidates in tlie several degrees under the authority of a subordinate consistory, or admission to membership therein, shall be by unanimous consent expressed by secret ballot. Article IX. Every Chapter of Eose Croix is recommended to meet on Holy Thursday (the Paschal Feast), Easter Sunday, Pentecost • Day, All Saints' Day, and the two feasts of St. John the Bap- tist and St. John the Evangelist. Article X. If any subordinate Consistory be temporarily interdicted or dissolved, the Commander-in-Chief shall forthwith deposit its charter, rituals (whether in manuscript or print), statutes, documents, records, rules, regulations, property and all papers appertaining to the Body, with the Inspector of the District, if there be one, or with the Supreme Council; and the same shall be safely deposited in the archives thereof. If the Con- sistory be under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory the Grand Commander-in-Chief shall attend to the enforcement of this rule. Article XI. The Grand Secretary General H.\ E.-. shall duly notify each Grand Consistory and subordinate Consistories not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, of the Organization of each new Grand or subordinate Consistory, giving the name and number of the Consistory, where located, place and time of meeting, names of the officers and the post-office address of the Commander and Grand Secretary. He shall also notify each newly organized Consistory and furnish it with similar information relative to all Grand and Subordinate Consistories under this jurisdiction. Article XII. The Sovereign Grand Commander, at least thirty days prior to each annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Coii- - sistorj-, shall appoint a committee of three members of the Sov- AND GENEBAX, REGULATIONS. 51 ereigu Grand Consistory, who shall carefully examine the books and accounts of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treas- urer Generals H,-. B.-. and report thereon in writing at the an- nual rendezvous. Article XIII. A member of a Subordinate Consistory having signed a pe- tition for the organization of a niew Consistory, the same hav- ing been granted and the new Consistory duly instituted, such Brother's membership in the older Consistory shall cease as soon as he shall have paid all his indebtedness thereto and duly notified the older Consistory in writing, over his own signature, through its Grand Secretary, of his action. In all cases of this kind the amount of indebtedness of the Brother proposing to affiliate with the new Consistory, shall be computed to the date of the institution of such new Consistory. The Grand Secre- tary of the older Consistory having received a notice of this kind, shall read the same to his Consistory at its first regular rendezvous thereafter ; whereupon the Commander-in-Chief, having definitely ascertained that the Brother has fully com- plied with all of the requirements of the Constitution and Gen- eral Eegulations, shall immediately declare a dimit granted ■and order the Grand Secretary to forward the same to the new Consistory. Article XIV. A Brother desiring to dimit from a Subordinate Consistory must pay all of his indebtedness thereto and make due appli- cation in writing, over his own signature, at a regular rendez- vous of his Consistory. The Grand Secretary on receipt of such application shall read the same to the Consistory, whereupon the Commander-in-Chief, having definitely ascertained that the Brother has fully complied with all of the requirements of the Constitution and General Eegulations, shall immediately de- clare the dimit granted and order the Grand Secretary to for- ward the same to the applicant. Article XV. Section 1.— Authority for obtaining names for the organiza- tion of a new Consistory, to be located in a State or Territory where there is no Grand Consistory, shall be issued only by the 52 THE GRAND CONSTITUTIONS Grraiul Secretary General H.: E.-., and then only by the au- thority of a ^y^itten order from the Sovereign Grand Comman- der, who shall forward to the Grand Secretary General the name, address, and Masonic ran It of the Brother to whom au- thority is to be given, also by whom recommended, together with all the evidence he may have as to the responsibility and character of the applicant for said authority. The Grand Sec- retary General H.-. B.-., before issuing such authority, shall duly record, in a book especially provided for the purpose, all of the above facts, together with the date under which the au- thority is issued. Section 2. — Authority for obtaining names for the organ- ization of a new Consistory to be located within the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, shall be under the same regulations as above, except that the authority must come from the Grand Commander-in-Chief and through the Grand Secretary of such Grand Consistory, the latter of whom shall keep a correct rec- ord of all such matters as in the case of the Grand Secretary General H.-. B.-. Section 3. — In each instance when authority, as above refer- red to, has been issued, the Grand Secretary General H.-. E.-., or the Grand Secretary of a Grand Consistory, as the case may be, shall duly notify the Subordinate Consistory, located in the same State or Territory, nearest to the proposed location of the new Consistory. Article XVI. A Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, upon visiting any of the bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and being clothed with the insignia of his higli Grade, shall be invited by the presiding officer to a seat in the Orient. |^(DEX TO J^0N?TITUTI0N AND "{^EJ^ERAL ?(EqUt/iTION$. ABTIOLE. PAGE Active Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Limited XI. 21-22 " " " " " Duties of " 21-22 " " Termofoffice " 22 " " " " " Must make reports.. " 22 " " " " " How appointed I. 16 " " " " " Who they represent. " 16 " " " " " When members of Su- preme Council are .XI. 21 Grand Commanders- in-Chief are " 21 Amendments to Constitution, How offered I. 40 " " " How passed by Sov.". Grand Con- sistory " 40 " " Duty of Grand Secretary as to " 40 " " " " Sov.-. Grand Com. -.as to.. II. 40-41 " " Supreme Council must approve " 40 " " Within what time III. 41 " " Objections stated, if not approved . II. 40-41 " " Mode of procedure if not approved by Supreme Council " 41 Amendments to General Regulations, how offered and passed IV. 41 Assistant Grand Secretary, His duties, III. 46-47 " " " How elected II. 46 " " " Compensation of V. 47 '• " " Liable to removal, and how VI. 47 " " " Who eligible to office of ...VIL 47 Candidates, How proposed V. 49 " When committee on, may report " 49 " When balloted for " 49 " Must be avouched for " 49 " Howeleeted VIIL 50 Captain of the Guard (Grand), His duties IX. 21 Consistory, Sovereign Grand, Of whom Composed II. 7 " " " Powers of I. 8 " " " Officers of and rank IL 8-9 " " " " "howeleeted IIL 9 " " " " "whoandwhenappointed.lv. 9 S4: iilDEX TO tnU fiRANI) CONStliUTIONg ARTICLS. PAfli. Condistory, Sovereign Grand, Its legisiative powers supreme V. 9 <" " " Shall hold annual meeting VI. 9 < < 'I " Where meetings may be held VII. 10 li " " When and How special meetings VI. 9-10 n << " What may be done at special meet- ing of VI. 10 « "1 " Who may and may not vote in 11. 7 li " " Who are honorary members of VIII. 10 i> 'I " Who are not honorary members of. .IX. 10 <■ " " Its jurisdietion, original and appel- late XI. 11 II '" " Who represent Grand Consistory in. I. 22 Masonic Temple, Philadelphla, March 7, 1889. ) Asa B. Stevens, Esq.: My Dear Brother Stevens — I desire to personally thank you, and with you Bros. W. J. Lewis, F. J. Amsden, E. A. Zimmerman, and Charles Bow- man for your manly, loyal, and truly Masonic conduct in severing your con- nection with the so-called Cerneau Bite. You all have proved yourselves to be " good men and true," and I shall never cease to remember it. The past is all forgiven and will be forgotten. Please convey to the above men- tioned Brethren the assurance of my sincere Fraternal regard, and believe me always Truly and Fraternally yours, Clifford P. MacCalla. ScRANTON, Pa., March 15, 1889. Clippord P. MacCalla, Esq., Eight Worshippul Grand Master : Dear Sir and Brother : — Tours of recent date was duly received and the Fraternal sentiment therein contained was fully appreciated by myself and the Brethren therein referred to. In replying to your letter in the manner in which I shall, I trust you will accept it in the spirit of Fraternity and good will in which I write it. I intend no disrespect whatever, either to yourself or the high office you so honorably adorn ; but I feel that a calm, considerate and respectful discussion of the subject is but just to myself and Brotl^rs. It is not that the Cerneau Bite or the Bite to which we belonged, has been declared clandestine, that I desire to complain or take exception to, but it is to the cause for which it has been condemned, or rather the ground of condemnation, and for the further reason that even after we had withdrawn from it, you, in your wise discretion, decline to allow us an opportunity to prove to yourself that we were not guilty of the charge which was made against us. We have always acted in the most respectful manner to yourself and your Bight Worshipful predecessor ; we have cheerfully obeyed all the edicts and requirements emanating from yourself and your Eight Worshipful predecessor, and after doing all of this, SOVEREIGN GRAND COMMANDER. 123 I certainly think we should have been treated with a due consideration for our previous good Masonic conduct. As it is, we now stand before our Brethren, who know us, as condemned and eonyioted Masons, without even being allowed an opportunity to show that we were not guilty of the charges made against ns. Certainly, R.-. W.-. G.-. M.-., it is humiliating to know and feel that after we have done all we could we were still refused the right to show our innocence. But you answer that the subject has already been passed upon; true, R.-. W.-. G.-. M.-., but remember that the entire find- ings of the fact of our guilt rests upon the Masonic information which was given to the R.-. W.-. P.-. G.-. M.-. Suppose that information was false, or suppose that it was given with a malicious intent ? I do not deny nor inti- mate in the least degree that the P.-. G.-. M.-. received the information, which he claims to have received, and upon which he issued his edict of August 1st, 1888. But I do claim that this information was untrue and given with a malicious intent. Every Mason who ought to know whether or not the authority or power to confer the first three degrees in Masonry is claimed by the Cerueau Rite, from the Sovereign Grand Commander down to the lowest member, denies it upon their honor as men and Masons, and we who were members of it do most solemnly declare that no such claim is made. Is there not here an issue raised ? On the one side the R.'. W.-. P.-. M.'. received information that such a claim was made by the Cemeau Rite, on the other the members of that Rite deny that such a claim was made. Now does not your own feeling of justice and right dictate to you, that we ought to have had an opportunity to show which side of the issue was right? I do not plead for Cerneauism, but for those inalienable rights, to wit : The right of petition, and the right of trial by our peers. These rights, I take it, belong to every American and surely to every Mason. When I knelt before that sacred altar to take my solemn obligation, I was assured there was nothing therein derogatory to my religion, my principles as a man or a law abiding citizen. And this I still hold to be true ; and hence all Masons possess the right of petition, and an opportunity to face the \7itnesses against them and cross-examine the evidence upon which they are to be condemned. How could any harm have come from receiving the petition which I pre- sented. If the position which you have taken is correct, and the informa- tion which the R. ■. W. '. P. • G.'. M. ■. received was true, it could easily have been proven, and then we would have been satisfied. I do not wish to condemn or say anything derogatory to any other Rite, but I think a fact right here concerning the Rite to which R. ■ . W. •. P.'. G.'. M.'. Eichbaum belongs is entirely pertinent. Prior to 1863 there were three well defined A.*. A.". Rites, claiming jurisdiction over the higher degrees in Masonry in the United States, the Southern Jurisdiction, the Northern Jurisdiction, and the Cerneau Rite. The Southern Jurisdiction claimed that the Northern Jurisdiction was legitimate. In that year the Northern and Cemeau Rite united, and showed the supremacy of the Cer- neau Rite by continuing all of the Cerneau officers as the ofELcers-of the united body, thereby admitting that the Cerneau Rite was more legitimate than their own. Not only did they continue the Cerneau officers, but adopted 124 APPENDIX H6 ALLdOufloN 0* *flE the Cerneau constitution, and accepted the Cerneau ritual. Of this united body the Northern Jurisdiction claims to-day that it is the only true and lawful sii'cessor. If that be true, certainly the Northern Jurisdiction must be equally as clandestine as the Cerneau Kite, which claims that it, is the true and lawful successor of the united bodies. But you say the Northern Jurisdiction has waived the right to confer the first degrees, so has the Cer- neau ; however, even if they have waived the right, the committee of the P.'. a.'. M.". declare in their report that it makes no difference whether the right is now claimed or not, but whether they have ever claimed, and if so, they are clandestine. Again, the Southern Jurisdiction, which claims to be the mother of the Northern Jurisdiction, and all other legitimate A.-. A.'. Rites, in its printed proceedings of 1861, specifically claims the right to confer ^he first three degrees or Blue Degrees of Masonry, and their ritual contains the ritual for the first three degrees. I have both printed proceed- ings and the ritual referred to, and will gladly send them to you if you wish to see them. All these facts, K.'. W.'. G,\ M.'., I can prove, and set them forth here simply to show you that it is not to guard the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, but to crush out a rival body that we believe the information was given for. As I said before, we claim nothing for the Cerneau Kite, but I do claim that as Master Masons accused of violating our Masonic obli- gation, by uniting ourselves with a body that was inimical to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, under all these facts it was unjust, un-American, and unmasonicto refuse us the right and the opportunity to prove our inno- cence. I feel and know that it is due, and why could it not be had ? I do not wish to boast, but you well know that of the men who Joined the Cer- neau Rite in this State, all were Masons against whom the breath of sus- picion had never been raised, and were they not as Master Masons, not as Cerneau Masons, entitled to be heard before a fair and impartial Masonic jiiry before being condemned. I appeal to you, R.'. W.'. M.'., to put your- self in our place, and then say what you would do. All this I submit in a most respectful manner, and ask you, as a Ma- sonic Brother, to give me a candid and fair opinion . Yours Fraternally, Asa B. Stevens. Office op the R.'. W. •. the Grand Master op Free and ) Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, &c. > Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, March 22, 1889. ) Asa B. Stevens, Esq., Scranton, Pa.: My Dear Sir and Brother : — I fraternally acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th inst., and take pleasure in replying to its inquiries. At the outset, I would say you do not need any vindication. You are neither convicted nor condemned, and your own action, as set forth in your recent petition, frees you from any blame. You have vindicated yourself by your loyal and Masonic action, and have set an example which I trust and believe will be generally followed by Brethren who have unwittingly con- SOVEREIGN GRAND COMMANDER. 125 nected themselves with the officially ascertained and declared clandestine Cemeau Bite. And jnst here I would disabuse your mind of the idea that my action as Grand Master was determined solely by the prior action of Grand Master Eichbanm. It was not. I thoroughly investigated the question myself, and found that various bodies of the so-called CemeauRite, without and against authority, have assumed to warrant Symbolic Lodges, which assumed to confer the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry. This has been repeat- edly done, both in Xew York and Louisiana. In 1853 the Cemeau Council in New Tork chartered a Lodge called " John the Forerunner," and another called " La Sincerite." You may find a reference to this in Folger's His- tory, page 253. Folger is, I believe, a Cemeau Mason, and hence anything he says to the discredit of Cemeauism may be accepted as true. One at least of these Lodges is still assuming to work the three degrees, "La Sin- cerite." See also the address of the Grand Master of New York on June 7, 1853. Transactions 1852-63, pages 65 and 66 and 107. See also action of Grand Lodge of New York on June 10, 1853. Transactions 1852-53, pages 237 and 238 ; and Transactions of 1853-54, page 18. See also Folger's His- tory, page 244. The original Cerneau Grand Consistory at New York, in 1813, estab- lished the Grand Consistory of Louisiana, on June 13, 1813. See Folger's History, edition of 1862, pages 167-8. This body assumed to constitute many Symbolic bodies, which conferred the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry. In 1851 the Cemeau Supreme Council of Louisiana re-affirmed its jurisdiction over said three degrees. See circular of Cemeau Supreme Council in " Historical Waifs," No. 16. Reprint Transactions Supreme Council, S. M. J., pages 21, 26, 55, 69, (Washington 1878.) On July 14, 1858, the said Cerneau Council of Louisiana again re-affirmed its authority over the three degrees. See Folger's History, pages 324-326, 241 and 337. I might give other authorities and references, hut these are sufficient. The Cemeau Rite from the beginning was a rebellious, disloyal, and clandestine one, and no modem body claiming descent from it can be regarded in any different light from it. Masonieally and lawfully the taint runs through them all. I do not doubt, nor does anyone, that when you connected yourself with the Cemeau Rite you were ignorant of its real character, but I was familiar with it when I issued my edict of January 21st, 1889, and you will be famil- iar with it now. You have wisely severed your connection with it, an act which you will never regret. As to the allegation that there are other bodies also clandestine, which have not been so pronounced, I would say that I have also carefully looked into that matter, and satisfied myself that it is not so. I am jealous of all the rights of the Grand Lodge, and will never knowingly see them trenched upon. As you are aware I am not a Scottish Bite Mason, and my only affection is for Ancient Craft Masonry, the authority of which I shall strive to maintain and uphold. 126 APPENDIX TO ALLOCUTION OF THE I have responded to you in the same Fraternal spirit in which you wrote me, and, I trust, to your satisfaction. I may add that I have information that other Grand Lodges will shortly take action against the clandestine Cerneau Kite, and that its days are surely numbered. Very truly and Fraternally yours, Clifford P. MacCalla, Grand Master. SCRANTON, Pa., April 26th, 1889. CLiPFOKb P. MacCalla, E.-. "W.-. G.-. Master: Dear Sir and Brother .—I desire most Fraternally to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of March 22d, and shall tako great pleasure in further continuing the discussion of the subject in the same Fraternal spirit. Of course I will be compelled to take issue with you upon many of the points which you have raised in your letter, but I shall endeavor to do so in the same spirit of fairness which characterizes your letter. In one partic- ular I think you have failed to answer my former letter, namely : the right of being heard in the Grand Lodge on this subject, by means of the petition which I presented, and I hope, before I shall have finished this letter, you will recognize the justice of my position. I have always held, and still claim, that there is an issue in this matter which should be decided on its merits. The past Grand ilaster accused certain Master Masons, among whom were the petitioners, of belonging to a certain clandestine body, claiming to be Masonic, and sta'ted the reasons why it was clandestine. We, the petitioners, asserted that the body to which we belonged made no such claims as those charged by the Grand Master, and hence was not clandes- tine, for the reasons he claimed. That there is a controversy for supremacy among the various A.". A.'. Kites cannot be denied. That this controversy is one of merit is also proven by the fact that good, true, loyal, intelligent, conscientious, and careful members of the Craft have divided upon the legit- imacy of these various Kites and united themselves, some with one and some with the others. Surely it cannot be denied that among the great army of intelligent and loyal Masons throughout the United States, who joined the Rite to which we belonged, cannot be said to have been ignorant of the real character of that Kite when they united with it, nor can it be claimed that they did so without having first considered what relation the said Kite held towards the various Grand Lodges touching the question of Symbolic Masonry. Some of the brightest and most loyal Master Masons that have ever lived in the United States were members of this Rite, and I do not believe that you will claim that all these good men and true Masons did not know what they were joining when they united themselves with the A. -.A.-. Kite which Joseph Cerneau established in 1807. I claim that this controversy is one of suffi- cient importance, so that when Masons of good standing in all the other bodies are about to be expelled because they have united with this particular SOVEREIGN G^AND COMMANDER. 127 A.'. A.'. Rite, the fact of whether that Rite is elandestine or not, should be "officially ascertained" by the Grand Lodge from which they are to be expelled, and not by the Grand Master who is a member of one of the op- posing bodies. I do not deny that the Grand Master was competent to investigate the subject, but I do assert that there are other members of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania equally as competent as he to pass judgment upon this subject ; and inasmuch as it is a question which affects the Masonic standing of so many of its members, it should have been decided by the Grand Lodge after a careful investigation and discussion of the subject, and not upon the opinion of one or two men. My object in pre- senting the petition was in every respect honorable and just. I hoped and trusted that thereby the subject would be investigated with a due regard to the rights of the Grand Lodge as well as of the accused, and that all its members would thereby have an opportunity to ascertain and know the true state of facts. No doubt you had the right to refuse that petition, but I claim it was unjust to do it. Certainly that method of disposing of the subject would convince any one that there was a disposition to extend that Masonic justice and equity to us, which is the soul of true Masonry. Before dismissing this part of my letter I wish to say (not in the spirit of boasting, but calmly and truthfully,) that in withdrawing from the Rite to which I belonged, I do not thereby concede that the said Rite was clandestine. I did not withdraw for any such reason, but because I was coerced into doing it. I claim and always have claimed to be a loyal Mason, and when you issued your edict commanding us to withdraw I did so in the spirit of loyalty to the Grand Lodge and its officers, and not because I was convinced that the Rite was clandestine ; and until I am so convinced I shall always consider that power and not justice decided the question. If you will be so kind as to state in your reply just what the objection was to having this matter decided on its merits by the Grand Lodge, I shall be very much obliged. In replying to that part of your letter wherein you attempted to justify the actions and conclusion of the R.-. W.-. P.-. Grand Master and yourself, that the Rite to which we belonged was clandestine because it claimed and exercised authority over Symbolic Masonry, I must say that I think you have not stated all the facts to be found in Folger's History : first Robt. B. Folger is not a Scottish Rite Mason of the Rite organized by Illustrious Brother Joseph Cerneau in 1807. Folger was a member of the Northern Jurisdiction for sixteen years, and in. 1881 he, with others founded a new Scottish Rite Council hostile to the Cerneau Council and has been repudiated by the Cerneau Council since 1865. You quote from this foe of Cerneau Masonry, and also with equal force from Albert Pike but you fail to show all their testimony on this subject and use only what will answer your purpose in opposing the Cerneau Rite. On page 100 of Supplement Folger's History, alluded to by you, and which was written in 1881, prior to the formation of his new body, Robt. B. Folger gives a list of the officers of the Cerneau Supreme Council existing 128 APPENDIX TO ALLofcuTION OF THE in 1881, at the head of which is the name of William H. Peokham, P. M., as Most P.-. Sov.-. Grand Commander, followed by the names of the other officers and members of the 32d degree composing the Sov. •. Gv.-, Consistory. After this list of names, on page 104, is the following from Folger: " This Council is the legitimate successor of the Cerneau Supreme Council, which was disbanded in 1863 upon the formation of the union, and as such pos- sesses ail the attributes, powers and authority which the Cerneau-Hayes Council possessed at that time." Second— According to both Folger and Pike, the first thing Cerneau did on establishing his A. -.A.-. Scottish Rite and Council was to file a declar- ation with the Grand Lodge of New Yoi-k, (the most of its officers being members of the Cerneau Council,) renouncing all powers over the first three degrees. See transactions of New York Grand Lodge of 1808. Third— In 1814 De la Motta, a member of the Charleston, S. C, body, and the head of what afterward became the Northern jurisdiction, denounced Cerneau for renouncing all powers over the first three degrees, and declared that the A.'. A.". Scottish Rite could not surrender this right and power — that this power over the first three degrees was inalienable. See Folger's History, page 159. Fourth — In 1820 Cerneau warned the Grand Lodges of the world that a pretender, Joseph de Gloek de Obernay, alias de Obernay de Glook, who claimed to be a 33d degree Mason, was conferring the first three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry contrary to all Masonic usage. See copy truly extracted from papers in Grand Secretary's office of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, and signed as a true copy by Danl. Bradford, the Grand Secre- tary of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, and which is now in the library of Lexington Lodge of Kentucky ; and also Folger's History, Doe. 22, page 199. The Cerneau body has religiously lived up to this rule of renunciation to this day. And you, with the aid of the two foes of Cerneau, are able to cite but two exceptions in an existence of 82 years. Let us examine these exceptions : 1. The Louisiana matter. Previous to 1833 Masonry in Louisiana was in a chaotic state. All kinds of Jurisdictions prevailed, Scottish as well as Blue Lodges ; even Pennsylvania invaded that State. See Folger's History page 231. ' In 1813 Cerneau established a Grand Consistory there, and with the approval of the Grand Lodge of Lotdsiana, established Lodges of the first three degrees until 1833, when these Lodges surrendered their charters and received new charters from the State Grand Lodge, and the Grand Lodge of Louisiana granted a chamber in its bosom to the Scottish Rite Body, which it held until 1850. See Folger's History, pages 170 and 232. After 1833 the Scottish Rite Body worked only from the 4th degree. In 1839 the Giand Consistory of Louisiana A.-. A.'. S.-. Rite ceased to be a Cerneau Body, and arrogated to itself, without any authority, supreme SOVEREIGN GBA.ND C03IMANDER. 129 power, and became au Independent Supreme Council, commonly known as the "Foulhouze Council." It was in this latter body that Albert Pike received his Scottish Rite degree. In 1S53 this Foulhouze Council passed into the hands of the Southern Jurisdiction and resumed control over the symbolic degrees. See Folger's History, page '23i. When Folger wrote his history the Southern Jurisdiction had twenty Blue Lodges in full operation in Louisiana. See page 273. During the entire time the three degrees of Symbolic Masonry were conferred by the Cerneau Rite, it was done with the sanction and approval of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, and when the Grand Lodge revoked its sanction, the first three degrees of Symbolic Masonry were conferred by a body whoUy independent of the Cerneau Body, and under the so-called Southern Juris- diction. By such means this latter body procured the secret rituals of the Cerneau work which it (as well as the Northern Jurisdiction) is using at the present time. Pike, in one of his allocutions, accuses the Northern Juris- diction as having stolen their rituals. You cite the action of this Louisiana Supreme Council in 1S58, as the act of the Cerneau Council, though the former had been for twenty years wholly independent of the latter Council. See Folger's History, page 338, and former citations. Fourth — The Xew York matter, 1853. From Folger's History, pages 253-254, it appears that the Louisiana Councils invaded New York, and, without the sanction of the Cerneau Council, chartered a Scottish Rite body under which, in 1853, two Lodges were chartered to work the first three degrees in Scottish Rite form. Evidently you are not familiar with the state of Masonry in New York previous to 1S58. In 1837 prominent Masons complained of tyranny, oppression, and unmasonic edicts, seceded and organized " St. John's Grand Lodge." In 1849 there was a further seces- sion and the " Phillips Grand Lodge " was organized for similar reasons. While there was a partial union of the St. John's and the New York Grand Lodges in 1S51, there was a second secession in 1853. In 1858 the breach was healed, and all the discordant elements joined the Grand Lodge of New York. But during the period of strife, the three Grand Lodges were about equally supported by the Craft, and Fraternal relations with the Grand Lodge of New York were severed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, she, like other Grand Bodies, not knowing which Grand Lodge was to be deemed the regular one. It was during this time of uncertainty that the two Scottish Rite Lodges were formed in defiance of the declaration of Cerneau in l^nS, and of every act of the Cerneau Council since that date. •'La Sincerite,'' one of these two Lodges, in 1854 received a new charter from the Grand Lodge of New York, and has ever since been regarded as a regular Lodge. You allege that one of these Lodges (La Sincerite) is still working Scottish Rite degrees. It may astonish you (as I now assert) that there is not a Cerneau member in the Lodge called " La Sincerite," and that this Lodge is one of the regular chartered Lodges of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. The Lodge called -'John the Forerunner," really had 130 APPENDIX TO ALLOCUTION OF THE no existence, and has not since been heard of. Hence such a statement as that made by you in charging the Cerneau Eite with the acts of these two Lodges, is both incorrect and absurd. The chartering of one of these Lodges by the Grand Lodge of New York, the only one that ever really existed, is an evidence of the mistake made by you, and the kind of in- vestigation you have made. The Grand Lodge of New York forgave the error of forming rival bodies, and adopted and took into its fold the only Lodge that existed of the rival bodies, and this Lodge, La Sincerite, is a regular blue Lodge to-day. It does not therefore become you to hold up such examples as evidence against the Cerneau Brethren, more especially when the Grand Lodge of New York even went so far in the cause of Masonic peace and harmony as to restore the Brethren expelled by it on account of such secessions. I have thus shown (I trust to your satisfaction) that the history of the only two incidents cited by you (those of Louisiana and New York) clearly shows the Cerneau body to be in no wise responsible for any interference with any of the prerogatives of Grand Lodges of Symbolic Masonry. On the other hand we know that the De la Motta, the originator of the Gorgas body, afterwards the Northern Jurisdiction, claimed authority and power over the first three degrees and openly proclaimed it ; that the Charleston body (now Southern Jurisdiction) was denounced by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina for claiming control of the Symbolic degrees; that Albert Pike has printed a ritual of the first three degrees, announced its publication in his Supreme Council, and has opened his Scottish Rite body in the Master Mason's degree ; that Pike has established Scottish Eite bodies which work the first three degrees, and has in his allocutions, claimed authority over all Masonry, and to-day, through policy only, has waived, not surrendered, the right to confer and control the Symbolic degrees. MeClenachan, of New York, the oracle of the Northern Jurisdic- tion, and their Grand Master of Ceremonies, published the following in his Scottish Eite works of 1882 and 1885 : " The degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite commence with the Kntered Apprehtiee, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, yet in the United States the authority over them is waived." * * * " It is advisable to confer the first three degrees of the A.', and A.'. Eite on candidates before their advancement." Thus you find that by their own admission, both the Southern and Northern Jurisdictions claim : 1. That their constitutions give them the unquestionable right to confer the first three degrees of Symbolic Masonry, and that this right is inalien- able. 2. They print the ritual of the first three degrees and advertise them for sale. 3. They confer these three degrees within their own bodies. 4. They create Lodges and make Masons outside of the United States ; in Mexieot for example. SOVEEEiaN GRAND COMMAITDEK. 131 5. That for the present they waive the right to create Blue Lodges in the United States, always, however, insisting on their absolute unquestion- able right to do these things— always saying that they only waive the right. Can there be any question that they now intend, and always have intended, to work the first three degrees when they are powerful enough so to do it without peril ? By the constitution of the Cerneau Body, adopted years ago, all right or power over these three degrees of Symbolic Masonry was renounced. By one fundamental law no man but a Master Mason in good and regu- lar standing can become a candidate in the Cerneau Body. This constitu- tion can never be set aside without a two-thirds vote of its Sovereign Con- sistory. Is it not, therefore, inconsistent and unjust, (no matter what were the acts of individuals thirty-five years ago) to punish men who have joined the Cerneau Body under such » constitution ? Now, R.\ W.'. Sir, I trust I have shown to you that yon are mis- taken in beUeving that we have not given any thought to the subject before we united ourselves to the Rite. I have been a Mason for thirty-two years, and a member of the Grand Lodge twenty-seven years, and for the last seventeen years have given more study to the subject of Scottish Kite Masonry than any other branch of it. Seventeen years ago I mads application to the Northern Jurisdiction, paid my fees, and was elected a member of that body, and after an investi- gation of its legitimacy and its relation to Symbolic Masonry, declined to receive the degrees because I thought it was not loyal to the Grand Lodge, and I still think so, and know that the body you have condemned is innocent of the charges which yon have made against it. I should be pleased to receive an answer to this, and if it is necessary to further show that you have done wrong in sustaining the Past Grand Master in this matter, I shall be happy to do so. Yours Fraternally, Asa B. Stevens. Office op the E.\ W.-. the Grand Master op Free and ) Accepted Masons of Penhsylvajoa, &c. V Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, May 1, 1889. ) Asa B. Stevens, Esq.: Dear Sir and Brother — I fraternally acknowledge the receipt of your communication of April 26th ult., in reply to mine of March 21st ult., and I have carefully and duly considered all of its statements, and I beg to say I see no reason whatever to alter my judgment concerning the clandestine character of the so-called Cerneau Bite, or to in the least regret my official action in the premises. The matter has been authoritatively adjudicated by both the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge, and will not be reopened. AU of the matters having been courteously gone over between us, corre- spondence concerning it will now close. On any other subject I shall be glad to hear from you. Very fraternally yours, Clifford P. MacCalla, Grand Master, 132 APPENDIX TO ALLOCUTION OP THE It is from the action of the Grand Master in declining to receive the petition and his subsequent refusal to reopen the subject and allow us to be heard on the merits of the case in the Grand Lodge, that I appeal to the members of the Craft. The Grand Master takes the position that the sub- ject has been authoritatively adjudicated by both the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge. Upon this I take issue with the Grand Master. The Grand Lodge has not passed upon the subject. The only action ever taken upon the matter by the Grand Lodge was to adopt a report of one committee, a majority report of another committee which decided nothing, and claimed to decide or adjudicate nothing except to state what was the position of the Grand Lodge, touching the supremacy over Symbolic Masonry. This is the very question at issue, and I claim that it is an inherent Masonic right, to wit : the right of petition ; and for the Grand Master to refuse to any mem- ber the right of petition is to throttle the principle of Free Masonry. The assertion of the Grand Master : " That thp Cerneau Eite from the begin- ning was rebellious, disloyal and clandestine," if not borne out by the facts, nor can it be sustained by argument. In this assertion the Grand Master attacks the honor and loyalty of such men as DeWitt Clinton, John Mulli- gan, Marquis de Lafayette, whose pictures adorn the walls of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Elias Hieks and Henry C. Atwood, and a host of the brightest, best and most loyal Masons this country has ever produced, men who were members of the Cerneau Eite, and knew what it was, and were proud of it. They honored it — at the same time stood foremost in hon oring and upholding Symbolic Masonry in all its rights and forms, and did more to prevent the Southern Jurisdiction of the A.*. A.'. Kite from over- riding it than any other men in America. In the most Fraternal sense, I have presented these things to the Craft from an unconquerable sense of duty, and not with t.ny partial desire to sustain an A.'. A.'. Eite. My love and devotion to Ancient Craft Masonry is first and paramount to all other societies. But when my honor as a man is attacked and my rights as an American citizen are denied, I have no rem- edy but to appeal to my Brother Masons, knowing and believing that they will sustain me in my action, and in their judgment will do no injustice to the Grand Master and no more than justice to myself. For in Masonry all men are equal — they should meet upon the level, and part upon the square. Fraternally, Asa B. Stevens. ScBANTON, Pa., May 10, 1889. SOVEEBIGN' GilANi) CONSlSTOftf. \:V.i On motion of V.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs, the Allocution of the M.-. P.-. Sov.-. Gr. Commander was referred to the Committee . on Allocution, with directions to sub-divide the same and make proper reference of the several parts. The Sovereign Grand Commander announced that he was in receipt of a letter from V.-. III.-. Alexander B. Mott, M. D., 33", P.-. Lieut.-. Gr.-. Commander, in which he expressed his regrets at his inability, on account of ill health, to be present at this annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. V.-. III.-. P. F. D. Hibbs, 33°, Grand Orator and Minister of State, then submitted the following report : Eepoet op Grand Orator and Minister op State. Beookltn, June 22, 1889. Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, Officers and Members of the Sovereign Grand Consistory of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, of the United States of America, its Territories and Dependencies. III.'. Peers and Brethren : On Deo. 17th, 1888, in response to a question placed in my hands by the M.'. P.'. Sov.'. Gr.'. Commander, I rendered the following Official Opinion: "A member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, for the United States of America, its Territories and Dependencies, cannot be deprived of his membership in said Rite by any action whatever of a Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council or Grand Commandery, or of bodies sub- ordinate thereto ; if such action is alone based upon the fact of his retain- ing his membership in said Scottish Rite, or in consequence of his per- formance of any duty devolving upon him by virtue of said membership, and being in all other respects a consistent Master Mason, Royal Arch Mason, Cryptic Mason or Knight Templar." On February 22nd, 1889, 1 attended the Annual Rendezvous of the Grand Consistory of the State of New York, and by virtue of a Commission from the M.'. P.'. Sov.'. Gr.'. Commander, and with the assistance of V.' 111.-. James S. Fraser, 33°, Gr.'. Sec. General H.'. E.'., and V.-. III.-. John H. Russell, 33°, Gr.'. Treas.'. General H.'.E.'., conferred the Grade of Sov.'. Gr.'. Insp.'. General, 33°, upon 111.'. Joseph W. Brown, 32°, of Bing- hamton, N. Y. On Tuesday, June 14th, 1889, acting as proxy of the M. . P.-. Sov.-. Gr.'. Commander, and with the assistance of V.'. 111.'. John H. Russell, 33°, Gr.'. Treas.'. General H.'.E.'., I healed 111.'. Hugh James Linn, M. D., formerly a member of Philadelphia Consistory, under the obedience of the so-called Northern Jurisdiction. Bro. Linn is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 115, of Philadelphia, and formerly a member of Temple Chapter, 134 ANNTTAL RENDEZVOUS OP TflE No. 248, and St. Albin Commandery, No. 47, K.-. T.-., of tlie same city. I advanced the Brother to the Grade of Sublime Prince of the Koyal Secret, 32^, and he is now a member in good standing of Cerneau Consistory, No. 1, of the City of New York. It has been my privilege during the past year to visit Cerneau Con- sistory, No. 1 ; Binghamton Consistory, No. 23 ; Brooklyn Consistory, No. 24 ; Newark Consistory, No. 48, and Jersey City Consistory, No. 51 ; in each of which Bodies I have witnessed the exemplification of the various Degrees of our Bite in a manner highly creditable to those engaged in the work. In each of these Bodies I have always been cordially received and heartily welcomed as a representative of the Supreme Council. Respectfully submitted, Grand Orator and Minister of State. On motion of V.-. 111.-. James S. Eraser, the report of the Grand Orator and Minister of State was referred to the Judi- ciary Committee. The reports of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer Generals H.-. E.-. were then read, and on motion of 111.-. J. J. Bright ordered to be spread in full upon the minutes. The reports of the active Sovereign Grand Inspectors Gen- eral, the majority of which indicated continued increase of en- thusiasm and interest in the Eite, as well as remarkable success of the various efforts put forth during the past year in the several jurisdictions, were read, and on motion ordered to be spread in full upon the minutes. The committee appointed to examine the books and accounts of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer Generals H.-. E.-. then submitted the following report : Eepoet op Committee on Accounts. June 15, 1889. To theM.-. P.-. Sov.'. Gi-and Commander, Officers and Members of the Sov.\ Grand Consistory. Peers and Brethren : The undersigned committee, appointed to examine the books, accounts, etc., of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer Generals, respectfully SOfEliEiGN 6RAND CONSISTOEY. 135 report that they have made a careful and e^chaustive examination of the same and find them correct in every particular. The financial transactions during the past year we find to toe as follows • Balance in hands of Treasurer, June 23, 1888 $624 37 Receipts from June 24, 1888, to May 25, 1889 6,942 42 $7,566 79 Disbursements during the year, as per vouchers $5,972 41 Cash in hands of Grand Treasurer General H.'. E.'., May 25, 1889 1,594 38 $7,566 79 We would also report that we have carefully compared the duplicate copies of the minutes of the annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory of 1888, and of the several meetings of the Supreme Council, from June 25th, 1888, to date, with the originals, and find the same to be true copies thereof, and ihat we have made certification to these facts on both originals and copies. Eespectfully submitted, J. Hakeis Balston, 33'^, Geo. C. Gill, 33°, JuDAH Moses, 33°, Committee. On motion of 111.*. 0. 0. Isaacs, the report of the committee was received and ordered to be spread in full upon the minutes. On motion of V.-. III.-. James McGrath, the Sov.-. Grand Consistory called off until 9 o'clock A. m., June 25th, 1889. Louisville, Tuesday, June 25, 1889. The Sovereign Grand Consistory resumed labor at 9 o'clock A. M., on the twenty-sixth day of the Hebrew month Sivan, 5649 A.-. M.-., corresponding to the twenty-flfth day of June, 1889 V.-. E.-. Present— Officers and members as before. The Committee on "Bulletin," appointed at the last Annual Eendezvous, submitted the following report, which was on motion ordered to be spread in full upon the minutes : 136 ANNUAL EENDEZTOUS OF THE To the if.-. P.-. Sov.-. &rand Commander, Officers and Members of the Sov.-. Grand Consistory. Peers and Beethben: The undersigned committee appointed for the purpose of taking charge of and publishing an " Occasional Bulletin,'' respectfully report the follow- ing as their doings : First — They caused to be gathered together and written, articles com- prising Bulletin No. I., which was published shortly after their appointment. Second — That as the guns of the so-called Xorthern and Southern Jurisdictions seemed thereby to have been silenced, they turned their attention to the Gorman Body, and issued Supplements I., II. and HI., all articles therein being original. That material for Supplement No. IV. was prepared and approved, and it should have been issued last Fall, as a complete answer to the annual ad- dress of Judge Gorman. His followers, who had been posted by Supple- ments I., II. and III., were then in an inquiring state of mind, many of them ready for revolt, and had Supplement IV. been promptly issued it would in our judgment have been unnecessary to print more. But various reasons and causes over which your Committee had no control prevented its publi- cation. Of course Bro. Gorman and his followers have taken new courage, and are flattering themselves that his delusive address, which was sent to our people as well as his own, is unanswerable. This is unfortunate indeed, and, though very late, your Committee believe that it is highly important that Supplement No. IV. should be at once published and their minds relieved from this delusion. Bulletin No. II. was also substantially ready for the printer, but there is no particular urgency requiring its being issued just now. The only article for which there was a special reason for publication at an early day has been published by the Freemason's Journal of the City of New York, as also have some articles upon the late edicts of the Grand Master of Pennsylvania and other States. Third. Your Committee, in the discharge of their duties, have caused over fifty articles of considerable length to be written and published, each of which had the approval of the M.'. P.-. S.'. Grand Commander. For many reasons publications in a Masonic newspaper are more effect- ive and of greater weight than if printed in pamphlet form, but when it is intended that several articles of a series, covering more space than could be secured in an ordinary newspaper, or where the subject is to be brought to the attention of a large number who are not subscribers, the " Bulletin " is the cheapest and best mode. For this reason we have used both as far as we have been able. The Freemason's Journal, a bright, clean, inviting Masonic paper, containing general Masonic news, is owned by a Thirty-second Degree member of our Rite. SOVEUEltifN GRAND CONSISTORY. l37 Its columns, both, for editorials and commimieations, have been as open for our use as if we owned the paper, notwithstanding portions of our foes have for this reason stopped their subscriptions. And it has already come to be regarded among the Craft as a clean Cerneau paper, whose columns are open, however, for decent arguments on either side. Fifth. Your Committee are almost daily in receipt of letters from different members of our Rite, from different Consistories who are ignorant of the history, claims and pretensions of the bogus Scottish Rite bodies and also not fully posted as to the rights, powers or legal status of our own. That our own people, as well as Master Masons generally, may be thor- oughly posted and warned of the danger threatening the Craft generally from the illegal and partisan acts of those opposed to our Rite, we would recommend that the Bulletin Committee or some other committee use as far as possible the columns of the Jouknal, and that our own people may be given to understand that the articles appearing therein are entitled to credit. That those seeking for information subscribe for that paper. That Consistories should, as far as is possible, cause extracts from the Journal to be printed in their local papers and furnish such news as would be interesting for publication in the Journal. To pay for this use, each Consistory should advertise its card or list of officers in, and see that its members subscribe, thus increasing its circulation among those where it will do the most good. Your Committee also respectfully urge, as strongly as is proper, that the necessary steps be taken whereby at an early day there may be procured all necessary books and documents required to give a clear understanding of the history and claims of each Scottish Rite claimant in the United States. That due notice of our action in this matter be given, and donations of all interesting Masonic matters are solicited. All of which is respectfully submitted. Andrew J. Provost, 33°, Dated June 10, 1889. Chairman of Committee. The Committee to whom was referred the Allocution of the M.-. P.". Sov.-. Grand Commander then submitted the following rei)ort : Report of Committee on Allocution. Louisville, Ky., June 23th, 1889. To the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Peers and Brethren : — The Committee to whom was referred the Allocution of the M.'. P.'. Sov.'. Grand Commander, respectfully report as follows : We recommend that so much of his address as relates to death of 111.'. Peers be referred to the Committee on Deceased Brethren. 13S ASWtTAL EiiNDEZrVOUS OP Tflfl That so much as relates to financial matters be referred to the Com- mittee on accounts. That so much as relates to law and decisions be referred to the Judi- ciary Committee. That so much as relates to controversy and standing of our Eite in the State of Pennsylvania be referred to a special Committee of five. That so much as relates to the use of Books of History of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite be referred to a special committee, to take under consideration the procuring of all books that maybe of use to our Grand Body. We have had but a limited time in which to give the Allocution the careful consideration it deserves. We desire, however, to express our hearty and unqualified approval of the admirable address our Sovereign Grand Commander has made. We find in it not only a plain and complete record of his official acts, faithful and efBoient labors during the past year, but it shows a firm and manly courage to defend our beloved Kite with truth, honor and justice. We respectfully recommend that five thousand copies of tbe Allocution be printed for distribution. Respectfully submitted, J. Harris Balston, 33", A. G. Hastings, 33'=, James L. Watson, 33°, Committee on Allocution. On motion of 111.*. Jolin Bdelstein the report of the Ooin- mittee was received and recommendations adopted. The Judiciary Committee presented the following report, which on motion of V.-. 111.-. John H. Eussell was approved and confirmed and the report of the Grand Orator and Minis- ter of State ordered to be spread in full upon the minutes. Eeport of Judiciary Comhittbe. Louisville, Ky., June 2Dth, 1889. To the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Peers anb Brethren :— The Judiciary Committee would respectfully report that they have carefully examined the official opinion as rendered by tlie Grand Orator and Minister of State, in his annual report, and find the same to be correct. Fraternally submitted, III.-. Andrew J. Provost, 33°, III.-. C. C. Isaacs, 33°, III.-. Wm. E. Hill, 33°, I Judiciary Committee. S6tliB,EIGN GUANTi CONSIS't'ORY. 139 The Grand Secretary General H.-. E.-. announced that he was in receipt of the ofQcial papers relative to the charges for un-Masonic conduct which had been preferred against V.-. 111.% Major W. Bayliss, 33°, by 111.-. E. H. Bartley, M. D., 33". That the Commission, appointed by the M.-. P.-. Sov.-. Grand Com- mander, reported that the Brother had been duly summoned, placed upon trial, and after a fair and impartial hearing, they had found him guilty of all the charges and specifications, and declared him expelled from all the rights and privileges of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite of Freemasonry. 111.'. John S. Hopkins raised the point that the proceed- ings relative to the trial of Bro. Bayliss had not been in accord- ance with the Constitution and General Eegulations, inasmuch that the charges had not been preferred at an Annual or Spe- cial Eendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. After some considerable discussion 111.-. J. A. McGufftn requested, through the Sov.-. Grand Commander, the ofQcial opinion of the Grand Orator and Minister of State. The Grand Orator and Minister of State, V.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs, then delivered the following as his official opinion on the matter under discussion : Official Opinion op Grand Orator and Minister OF State. Louisville, Ky. _. June 25th, 1889. To the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, Officers and Members of the Sovereign Grand Consistory for the United States of America, its Ter- ritm'ies and Dependencies. Illustkious Peers : Charges for alleged un-Masonio conduct against V.-. 111.-. Major W. Bayliss, 33°, Commander-in-Chief of Washington Consistory, No. 7, of Washington, D. C, were preferred to the Supreme Council, at a time when the Sov.-. Grand Consistory was not in annual or special rendezvous as- sembled. The M.-. P.-. Sov.-. Grand Commander received the charges, ap- pointed a commission and placed the Brother on trial. V.-. 111.-. Bro. Bayliss, 33", having been duly notified by the commission, protested against the action and denied the authority of said commission, claiming that the charges should l#ve been preferred to the Sovereign Grand Consistory while in annual or special session. The M.-. P.-. Sov.-. Grand Commander now demands my Official Opinion as to the legality of the proceedings as above referred to. 140 ANNUAL RENDEZTOUS OF THE Eesponding thereto I desire to respectfully call your attention to the following articles of the Constitution and General Regulations as having direct or indirect application to the subject under discussion, viz.: Articles H. and III., of Title 1 (page 6) ; Articles I., II., III., XI. and XH., of Title 2 (pages 7, 8 and U) ; Articles I., 11. and VI., of Title 3 (pages I'J and 13), and Articles I., II., in. and IV., of Title 11 (pages 55 and 56). The found- ation of this controversy lies in the preferment of the charges. Article XII., of Title 2 (page 11), reads as follows: Article Xn. "A Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, can be tried only by his peers, and all charges against him for un-Masonie conduct must be preferred to the Sovereign Grand Consistory." There can be no question then that charges for un-Masonic conduct against a Sov.-. Grand Ins.'. General, 33°, must be preferred to the Sov.'. Grand Consistory. The law does not, however, specify any particular time or session at which such charges are to be preferred. Now the first question arises, what is the Sov.". Grand Consistory, of whom does it consist? Article II., of Title 1 (page 6), clearly defines this. Article n. "The Sovereign Grand Consistory is composed of its Officers, members Emeriti, and representatives from each Grand and Subordinate Consistory under its jurisdiction, each of whom is entitled to vote thereit) ; also o£ its honorary members who have no vote, but are entitled to privileges, as hereinafter provided." Thus it appears that one of the component parts of the Sov.'. Grand Consistory consists of the Officers thereof, and by Article III., of Title 1 (page 6) ; Article II. and the first clause of Article III., of Title 2 (page 8), and Articles I. and II., of Title 3 (page 12), (which read as follows : Article III. "The Supreme Council is composed of the nine elective officers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Article II. The officers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory shall be styled and take rank as follows : 1. The Most Illustrious Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander 2. The Very Illustrious Puissant Lieutenant Grand Commander. 3. The Very Illustrious Grand Orator and Minister of State. 4. The Very Illustrious Grand Chancellor, Grand Secretary General of the Holy Empire, and Keeper of the Seals and Archives. 5. The Very Illustrious Grand Treasurer General of the Holy Empire. 6. The Very Illustrious Grand Mavshal General. 7. The Very Illustrious Grand Master General of Ceremonies. 8. The Very Illustrious Grand Standard Bearer. * 9. The Vtry Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guard. 10. The Illustrious Grand Seneschal. 11. The Illustrious Grand Sentinel. SOVEREIGN GRAND CONSISTORY. 141 Article III. The first nine ofacers shall be elected by ballot for a term of three years, as follows : Article I. The powers of the Supreme Council are executive and judicial. Article II. All the executive powers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, when not in session, are reposed in the Supreme Council.") It also appears that the nine elective officers of the Sov. •. Grand Con- , sistory constitute what is known as the Supreme Council and are, when the Sov.". Grand Consistory is not in session, clothed with all its executive powers. Therefore, from the reading of the laws quoted, it conclusively follows that the so-caUed Supreme Council is a part of the Sov.-. Grand Consistory, and when that body is not in annual or special session, said Supreme Coun- cil is always the executive part of the Sov.'. Grand Consistoiy. The powers of the Sov.'. Grand Consistory are very clearly defined in Article I. of Title 2 (page 7), which reads as follows :- Article I. " The powers of the Sovereig nGrand Consistory are : executive, legisla- tive, and judicial. The exercise of these powers is defined in the Constitu- tion and General Regulations, which it has the right to frame and adopt at its own convenience, and to alter, amend, add to or repeal, at its pleasure, under the limitations therein imposed ; and are final and conclusive upon all parties concerned, until altered or reversed by the Sovereign Grand Consistory." The question now arises, under what department of the government does the reception of charges and their reference to a commission, as pro- vided for in Article I. of Title 2 (page 55), belong ? The Article referred to reads as follows : Article I. " In all matters of controversy which may arise between Grand Consisto- ries, Subordinate Consistories, or individual memb ers of Grand or Subordin- ate Oousistories. and chai'ges having b een preferred either to the Sovereign Grand Consistory or to a Grand Consistory, the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander in the former case, and the Grand Commander-in-Chief, in the latter ease, shall appoint a commission of not more than five or less than three disinterested Brethren, hailing from at least three different Con- sistories, to hear and determine the same." What would be the difference, in effect, except as to delay, if the charges be preferred to the Sov.'. Grand Consistory, in annual or special rendezvous assembled, or to its Supreme Council 1 At this stage of the pro- ceedings, neither the Sov.-. Grand Consistory nor the Supreme Council have any voice in the matter, except to listen to the reading of the charges, the power of either is negative, simply the clerical act of receiving the charges. The whole responsibility rests upon the M.-. P.-. Sov.'. Grand Commander. Notie?, if you please, the article just referred to, it reads : "TheM.'. 142 ANNTTAL EENBEZYOTTS OF THE P. ■. Sov. • . Grand Commander shall appoint a commission.'' There is not the least qualification in this, the law is mandatory. " Be shall." Therefore, the only power thus far exercised is an executive power, and there can be no doubt as to whom such powers are delegated when the Sov.'. Grand Con- sistory is not assembled in annual or special rendezvous. A Sovereign Grand Inspector General having committed a Masonic offence, where are we to go in order to punish the offender and remove the disgrace from the Order ? Some of our Peers would have yon believe that though the offence be committed in the month of July you would be com- pelled to allow this offender to continue his Masonic offences until the following June before you could bring him to trial. I do not believe the Constitution means anything of the kind. It is so arranged that the ex- ecutive power of the Sov.'. Grand Consistory is always in session. The Supreme Council has fou* stated meetings during the year, and in case of emergency the Sov. '.Grand Commander can call a special meeting of this executive branch of the government with but a few hours' notice. The Sov.'. Grand Consistory not being in annual or special session in its legis- lative capacity, a Brother having charges to prefer against a So v. •. Grand Inspector General, and deeming it riot wise or prudent to wait until the annual rendezvous, must prefer them to the only part of the Sov. •. Grand Consistory which is in session, that is the Supreme Council, or if the Supreme Council be not in session he prefers them to the Sov.'. Grand Commander who, if he deems them of sufficient importance, would im- mediately call a special meeting of the Supreme Council and place the accused upon trial in accordance with the law. It has been asserted by some members of the Sov.'. Grand Consistory, that Article XI., of Title 2 (page 11), conflicts with other parts of the Constitution and General Regulations in its reference to the matter under discussion. The Article reads as follows : Article XI. " The Sovereign Grand Consistory has original jurisdiction over all controversies which may arise between Grand Consistories, or individual members of different Grand Consistories, and Subordinate Consistories not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, or individual members of different subordinate Consistories not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory ; it also has original jurisdiction over all controversies between Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Thirty-third Degree'; also unaffiliated Scottish Rite Masons residing in States or Territories where there are no Grand Consistories. The appellate judicial powers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory embrace aU matters of controversy and dis- cipline, over which it has or has not original jurisdiction. In all eases of controversy or discipline, the party aggrieved at the decision of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, is entitled to a final appeal to the Supreme Council." The point at issue in this Article will be decided by the correct mean- ing of the words " Original Jurisdiction.'' Webster defines the meaning of the word " Original " as " preceding aU others, first in order.'' And in re- gard to the word "jurisdiction," he says : "Jurisdiction, in its most general sense, is the power to make, declare, or apply the law ; when confined to SOVBREI&N GRAND CONSISTORY. 143 the Judiciary Department it is what we denominate the judicial poorer, the right of administering justice, through the laws, hy the means which the laws have provided for that purpose." Therefore, I understand the mean- ing of that portion of the Article referred to, as applied to the question before us, to be, that a Sov.-. Grand Inspector General having committed a Ma- sonic offense, notwithstanding the fact that he is necessarily a member of a Grand or Subordinate Consistory, or both, and amenable to the laws thereof, being a member of a higher body, to which the others are subordinate, the higher body, the Sov.-. Grand Consistory, has precedence, and must, with- out interference of the Subordinate, exert its executive and judicial powers, and through the laws, by the means which the laics of tlie Sov.-. Grand Consis- tory have provided for that purpose, administer justice. The commission, having been appointed, proceeds under the operations of the laws, (as defined in Articles II.-III.-IV. of Title 11 (page 56), which read as follows) : Article II. " After service of the charges against the accused, the commission shall appoiiji. a time and place convenient to the parties and summon them and such witnesses as either party may request. Article III. When the trial has been concluded, the commissioners shall, as soon as possible, make their report of the facts found by them, and their determin- ation upon the matter, and give notice thereof to each of the parties con- cerned ; they shall also file a report, together with all the papers, etc., connected with the case with the Grand Secretary General ; or, if the trial be under the authority of a Grand Consistory, the report, papers, etc., must be filed with the Grand Secretary of such Grand Consistory. Article IV. A majority of the Commissioners hijving concurred in the judgment of the Commission, their decision shall be final, unless an appeal shall be taken therefrom within six months after the decision has been rendered. The appellant within thirty days after receiving oflicially the decision of said Commission, shall give to the opposing party notice of his intention to appeal from such decision." to hear and determine the charges. The trial being concluded, and a majority of the Commissioners having concurred in a decision, said decision, in accordance with Article IV. of Title 1 1 , just read, is final, unless the accuser or accused, being aggrieved thereat, appeals therefrom to the Sov.'. Grand Consistory. Then begins the exercise of the appellate judicial powers of the Sov.'. Grand Consistory. Previously all powers exercised in the prem- ises were merely "executive," and were actually exercised by the Sov.'. Grand Commander as the Supreme Chief of the Sov.'. Grand Consistory ; but now the appellate judicial power of the whole Sov.'. Grand Consistory in annual or special rendezvous duly asseinbled must decide upon the appeal. The Supreme Council, in its special capacity as such, has no power at this stage of the proceedings, because, as the law is now constructed, the 144 ANNUAL KENDEZVOUS OF THE accused or the accuser, being aggrieved at the decision which the Sov.*. Grand Consistory may have arrived at on the appeal, has the privilege of making a still further appeal to the Supreme Conneil sitting as a Court of Appeal. Having therefore carefully considered all of the intentions of the law as defined in the Articles of the Constitution and General Begulations here- inbefore quoted, I am constrained to deduct the following conclusions : Charges for vm-Masonie conduct were preferred to the Sov.'. Grand Consistory against one of the members thereof, through its executive depart- ment, the Supreme Council, at the time in session. Said charges were duly received, and the Sov. •. Grand Commander forthwith appointed a Commis- sion consisting of three Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Thirty-third Degree, members of the Sov.-. Grand Consistory, hailing from three different subordinate Consistories and Peers of the accused. The Commission, as I am advised, duly notified the accused, met and proceeded with the trial in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and General Begulations. Hence, therefore, I am of the opinion that the objections offered by the accused, in the case now before us, are captious and without merit, and that all proceedings so far as they relate to the preferring of the charges, ap- pointment of the commission, and notification to the accused, were strictly in accordance with our laws. All of which is Fraternally submitted. Grand Orator and Minister of State. Oq motion of HI/. J. J. Bright, the official opinion of the Grand Orator and Minister of State was approved, confirmed, and ordered to be spread in full upon the minutes. Ou motion of III.-. Andrew J. Provost, the report of the Com- mission appointed to hear and determine the charges against V.-. 111.-. M. W. Bayliss, was received, ordered to be spread in full upon the minutes, and the Commissioners discharged with the thanks of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. The following amendment to the Constitution, offered by Y.-. HI.*. P. F. D. Hibbs, was then read, and on motion unani- mously adopted: Article IV., of Title 3, amended so as to read as follows: SOVEREIGN GRAND CONSISTORY. 145 Article IV. The Supreme Council may delegate the power of conferring degrees to any member of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. The following was added to Article I. of Title 4 : Addition to Article I. Charges for un-Masonic conduct having been preferred against a Grand Commander-in-Chief or acting Grand Commander-in-Chief of a Grand Con- sistory, or the Commander-in-Chief or acting Commander-in-Chief of a Sub- ordinate Consistory, not under the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, it shall be the duty of the Sovereign Grand Commander to suspend such officer from the further performance of his duties until said charges have been dis- posed of. The following was added to Title 7 and called Article XXIII. Article XXIII; Charges for uu-Masonio conduct having been preferred against a Com- mander-in-Chief or Acting Gommander-in-Chief of a Subordinate Consist- ory under the Jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, it shall be the duty of the Grand Commander-in-Chief of such Grand Consistory, to suspend such officer from the further performance of his duties until the charges have been disposed of. The following Amendments to the Constitution ofEered by 111.". Andrew J. Provost, were read, and on motion unanimously adopted. Article XI. of Title 4 amended to read as follows : Article XI. Section 1. — The number of active Sovereign Grand Inspectors General shall be limited to one for each State or Territory, who shall be appointed as provided for in Article I. of this Title, except that in a State or Terri- tory in which there is located a Grand Consistory, its Grand Commander-in- Chief shall, by virtue of his office, become the active Sovereign Grand In- spector General of such State or Territory, and also in case of a member of the Supreme Council residing outside of the Grand Orient in a State or Territory wherein there is no Grand Consistory, he shall by virtue of his office, become the active Sovereign Grand Inspector General of his State or Territory. Section 2. — Every Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General shall exer- cise a proper supervision over all the bodies of the Rite in his jurisdiction; shall grant dispensation for acts not within the control of Grand or Sub- ordinate Consistories, or where such do not exist ; shall have power to con- fer Degrees for the purpose of instituting new Consistories, and also to in- stitute new Consistories in jurisdictions where no Grand Consistory exists ; the fees for the Degrees thus conferred and for Charters of the Bodies thus organized, belonging to the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Section 3. — Every active Sovereign Grand Inspector General, whose term of office is not otherwise constitutionally provided for, shall continue in office for the term of one year from the date of his appointment. Every Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General shall be responsible to the Supreme Council for the proper and discreet exercise of all his powers; and shall keep a register of all Ids acts, and report the same in writing at each annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. 146 ANNUAL RENDEZVOUS OF THE Article XII of Title 2 amended to read as follows : Article XII. A Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, can be tried only by his peers, and all charges against him for uu-Masonie conduct must be preferred to the Sovereign Grand Consistory, or its Supreme Council. If such charges are preferred within sixty days prior to an annual rendezvous of the Sover- eign Grand Consistory, said charges shall be preferred at such rendezvous, otherwise the charges must be preferred to the Supreme Council. In either case the mode of procedure thereafter shall be as prescribed in Title 11 of the General Regulations. The following Amendment to the Consitution offered by 111.'. Judah Moses, was read, and on motion unanimously adopted. Article XIX. of Title 3 amended to read as follows : Article XIX. A Sovereign Grand Inspeoter General, having been duly elected and installed a member of the Supreme Council, shall not thereafter be elected to any other oflieial position ia the Rite during his term of office, save in the Supreme Council or that of Active Sovereign Grand Inspector General. The following Amendment to the Constitution offered by 111.'. John S. Hopkins was read, and on motion unanimously adopted. Article IX. of Title 5 amended to read as follows : Artice IX. Should either of the representatives of a Grand Consistory, as provided for in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article I. of this Title, or of a Subordinate Consistory not uuder the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory, as provided for iu Article II. of this Title, be unable to attend a rendezvous of the Sover- eign Grand Consistory, he may appoint one oE the other representatives or some other Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, as his proxy. In all such cases, however, the proxy must be a member of a Con- sistory located in the same State or Territory as the Consistory which he is to represent. Oil motion of 111.-. John Bdelstein, the election of Grand Officers was made the special order of business for 3:30 o'clocli p. M., this day. The matter of differences between St. Andrew Consistory, No. 43, and Palestine Consistory, No. 49, as presented by 111.-. S. A. Jackson, of No. 43, and 111.-. I. V. Jobe, of No. 49, was referred to the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander for adjustmpnt. On motion the Sovereign Grand Consistory called from labor to refreshment until 3:30 o'clock p. m. Sovereign (Jkand consistory. 147 3:30 o'clock p. M., June 25th. The Sovereign Grand Consistory resumed labor at 3:30 o'clock p. M. Present— Officers and Members as before. The Sovereign Grand Commander announced that by reason of the expiration of their terms of office, it would be necessary to elect a Sovereign Grand Commander, Grand Treasurer Gen- eral and Grand Master General of Ceremonies, for the ensuing three years. 111.'. J. A. McGuffinand 111.-. John Edelstein were appointed as Tellers. Under the gavel of 7.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs, the Sovereign Grand Consistory proceeded to the election of a Sovereign Grand Commander for the ensuing term. The result of the election was the unanimous choice of M.-. 111.-. Ferdinand J. S. Gorgas, M. D., 33°, who, in a neat speech, accepted the office, returned his thanks to the Brethren and resumed the gavel. The Sovereign Grand Consistory then proceeded to the elec- tion of a Grand Treasurer General and Grand Master General of Ceremonies, which resulted in the choice of V.-. 111. . John H. Eussell, 33°, as Grand Treasurer General fl.-. B.-., and V.-. 111.-. James M. Saffell, 33°, as Grand Master General of Cere- monies, for the ensuing term. An election for two members of the Board of Trustees for the ensuing year was then held and resulted in the unanimous choice of M.-. III.-. Wm. H. Peckham, 33°, and III.-. Edward P. Barnes, 33°. V.-. III.-. James S. Fraser, 33°, then tendered his resignation of the oiiice of Grand Secretary General H.-. E.-., which on mo- tion was accepted. An election was then held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Bro.-. Fraser, and V.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs was duly elected Grand Secretary General H.-. B.-. for the balance of the unexpired term. 148 ANNtJAL ftENDfi^tOtrs OP TSB V.'. 111.-. George Davis, SS"?, was tlien duly elected Grand Orator and Minister of State for the balance of the unexpired term of Bro.-. Hibbs. Y.-. 111.-. Wm. Marshall, 33°, was then duly eleccfced Grand Marshal General for the balance of the unexpired term of Bro. Davis. V.-. 111.-. Alfred G. Hastings, 33°, was then duly elected Grand Standard Bearer for the balance of the unexpired term of Bro.-. Marshall. On motion of V.-. 111.-. John H. Eussell, M.-. 111.-. JF. J. S. Gorgas and Y.-. 111.-. Alexander B. Mott, P. F. D. Hibbs, James S. Fraser, John H. Russell, George Davis, James McGrath and William Marshall, having faithfully served various terms as members of the Supreme Council, and being Constitutionally entitled to the honor, were unanimously declared elected mem- bers Emeriti of the Sovereign Grand Consistory. Y.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs then offered the following resolu- tion : Besoloed, that the Preamble to the Constitution and General Regulations be and is hereby amended by inserting in the fifteenth line thereof, between the words "Council" and "Do," the following words: "Emphatically assert that they neither have, nor claim, power or authority over Symbolic, Capitular, Cryptic or Templar Masonry, but". On motion the above resolution was referred to the Judi- ciary Committee. ' Y.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs then offered the following amend- ments to the General Regulations, which on motion were unan- imously adopted : Resolved, that Article I. of Title 10 be and is hereby amended so as to read as follows : Article I. The Grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, shall not be conferred except in presence of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, or some other member of the Sove»eiga Grand Con- sistory, duly commissioned by the Supreme Council, or Sovereign Grand Commander, to take charge of the work. Resolved, that Title XI.be amended by striking out Article IV. and Bubstituting the following, to be called : SOt'EfiliKSif GftANB CONSISTOET. 149 -ASTICLE IV. Jp. all cases of Masonic trial ander the authority of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, or of a Grand Ck)nsistory, a majority of the Commissioners having concurred in the judgment of the Commission, their decision shall be final unless an appeal be taken therefrom within six months after the decision has been rendered. A Brother having preferred charges against anothpr for un-Masonic conduct, or the Brother against whom such charges have been preferred, being a^rieved at the decision thereon, either by a Subordinate Consistory, by a Commission appointed under the authority of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, or of a Grand Consistory, or at the decision of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, or a Grand Consistory, and in either ease desiring to appeal therefrom, must within thirty days after receiving official notice of such decision, give due notice in" writing to the Grand Secretary of the Body to whom he appeals as well as to the presiding Offi- . eer and Secretary of the Body from whose decision the appeal is made. He shall then within the time prescribed in the first clause of this Article, duly serve the Grand Secretary of tlie Body to whom he appeals with a copy of his appeal, stating therein, in full. Bis grounds therefor. The Grand Secretary of the Body to whom the appeal is made, after the Body has decided upon the time and place for the discussion, shall dnly notify the appellant as well as the parties appealed from, giving each at least thirty days' notice. On the trial of the appeal the discussion shall be confined exclusively to the merits of the case as shown by the official docnmeuts previously presented in the original trial. In all cases of Masonic trials, or appeals, both the accused and the accuser in the former, and the appellant and party appealed from in the latter lustance, shall be entitied to be re- presented by counsel, who must be a member of tha Ancient and Accepted Scottish Bite not lower in rank, as to Degrees, than the accused or appellant. Besolved, that Title 12, of the General Regulations, be and is hereby numbered 13, and that the Amendments to the General Eegnlations relative to the election of an Assistant Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies shall be placed under a Title which shall be numbered " 12," and shall have for its caption — "MJEltBKES or THE ScPREltE COTJSCIL CAXXOT EeCETTE SALARIES — AssisTAXT Grand Officers. Be it further Be-^nhed, that the Amendments above referred to, be and are hereby amended, so that the same shall be numbered and read as follows : Article I. A member of the Supreme Council shall not be allowed to receive a salary from the funds of the Sovereign Grand Consistory for the perform- ance of the duties of his office. Article II. At each Annual Rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, tke Supreme Council shall elect, by a majority vote, an Assistant Grand Sec- retary and a Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies. Article HE. It shall be the duty of the Assistant Grand Secretary under the direc- tion of the Grand Secretary General, H.-. E.-., to attend to aU of the cler- ical labors appertaining to his office. It shall also be his duty to be present at the office of the Grand Secretary Creneral H. •. E. '. daring office hoars. 150 ANNUAL UBNDEZTOUS OF THE Article IV. When the Grand Master General of Ceremonies finds it iueonvenient to attend to duties requiring his presence at points distant from his home, it shall be the duty of the Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies, under the direction of the M.'. P.'. Sov.\ Grand Commander, to attend to such duties. It shall also be his duty, when not otherwise engaged in the service of the Eite, to be present at the office of the Grand Secretary General during ofB.ce hours. Article V. For the faithful performance of their duties the Assistant Grand Secre- tary and Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies shall receive such compensa- tion as may be determined upon by the Supreme Council. Article VI. Should the Assistant Grand Secretary or Deputy Grand Master of Cer- emonies refuse or neglee^ to perform their several duties, charges may be preferred against them to the Supreme Council by any member of the Kite. After a careful and impartial hearing, the accused being duly notified and having had ample opportuuity to defend himself, and each member oE the Supreme Council having been made fully acquainted with all the facts in the case, the Supreme Council, by the affirmative vote of six of its members, may declare the office of the accused vacant and elect another to serve during the balance of the term. Article VII. No one shall be eligible to fill the office of Assistant Grand Secretary or Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies, except he is a member of the Sover- eign Grand Consistory. Article VIII. The office of the Grand Secretary General H.-. E.'. shall be open daily, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, during such hours as may be deter- mined upon by the Supreme Council. Resolved, That Title XIII. (formerly Title XII.) be, and is hereby amended by the addition of the following Articles : Article — . A member of a Subordinate Consistory having signed a petition for the organization of a new Consistory, the same having been granted, and the new Consistory duly instituted, such Brother's membership in the older Consistory shall cease as soon as he shall have paid all his indebtedness thereto, and duly notified the older Consistory in writing over his own signa- ture, through its Grand Secretary, of his action. In all cases of this kind the amount of indebtedness shall be computed to the date of the institution of such new Consistory. The Grand Secretary of the older Consistory haying received a notice of this kind, shall read the same to his Consistory at its first regular rendezvous thereafter, whereupon the Commander-in- Chief, having definitely ascertained that the Brother has fully complied with all of the requirements of the Constitution and General Regulations, shall immediately declare a dimit granted, and order the Graud Secretary to for- ward the same to the new Consistory. Article — . •^ .^™*^®'' desiring to dimit from a Subordinate Consistory must pay all of hisindebtedness thereto, and make due application in writing over his o\fn signature at a regular rendezvous of his Consistory. The Grand Secre- SOVKRKIGN GRAND CONSISTORY. 151 tary. on T««eipt of suoli application, shall read the same U> the Consistory, whereupon the Oonimauder-in-Chief, having definitely ascertained that the Brother has ftdly complied with all of the requirements of the Constitution and Oenend RegulaUons. shaU iuimediatelv deolar* the dimit granted, and order the Grand Secretary to forward the same to the applicant. Article — . ■Sti'ft.iH 1. — AutboritT for obtaining names for the organiiation of a new Consistory, tobolooated in a State or Territory where there is no Grand Consistory, shall be issued only by the Grand Secretary General H.-. E.-., and then only by the authority of a written order from the Sovereign Grand Oommander, who shall forward to the Grand Secretary General tiie name, address, and Masouio rank of the Brother to whom authority is to be given, also by whom recommended, together irith all the evidenoe'he may have as to the' responsibility and charao'ter of the applicant for said authority. The Grand Secretary General H.-. E.-., before issuing such authority, shall duly record in a book especially providetl for the purpose all of the above facts, together with the date under which the authority is issued. S<\-tiO)» 2. — ^Authority for obtaining uames for the organi7.ation of a new Consistory to be located within the jurisdiction of a Grand Consistory shall be under the same regulations as above, except that the authority must come from the Graad Commander-in-Chief and through the Grand Secre- tary of suoh Grand Consistory, who shall keep a correct record of all such matters, as in the eiise of the Grand Secretary General H.". ■ E. ■ .S(VhV>a3. — In each instance, when authority, as above referred to, has been issued, the Grand Secretary General H.\ E.'., or the Grand Secretary of a Grand Consistory, as the case maybe, shall duly notify the subordinate Consistory located in the s-ame state or territory nearest to the proposed location of the new Consistory. V.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs offered the followiug resolutions, which on motion were unanimously adopted : i?t -t>Jr«f, That a Committee, consisting of three members of the Sor.-. Grand Consistory, two of whom shall be members of the Supreme Council, and which sha'.l be styled •• The CoMMirrKE os Pkistdcg,"' be appointed by the M.\ P.". Sov.'. Grand Commander, to serve until the iJith day of June, lSi>0. in' it ij'.<" JBtwjJffif, That each and every article of printing, which is to be done a; the expense of the funds of the Sov.-. Grand Consistory, be and is hereby referred to the Committee on Printing, who shall use their best endeavors to have the same executed at the lowest market rates, with instruc- tions however to give the Frkiimasox's Jourxal Office the preference, prices and quf.'.ity of work being enta'. to its competitors. On motion of HI.-. John Eilelsteiu the Printing Committee was authorized to print l,5tX> copies of the Coustitutiou aud Proceedings of this Aumial Kendezvous, bound together, and 500 ct^pies of the Constitution bound separately. Also that the Granil Secretary General be directed to send ten copies of 152 ANNUAL RENDEZVOUS OF THE Constitution and Proceedings of this Kendezvous to eacli Sub- ordinate Consistory. On motion of 111.-. Geo. E. Ooffroth, the Grand Secretary General was directed to send one copy of the Constitution and Proceedings of this rendezvous to each member of the Sover- eign Grand Consistory. The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred the resolu- tion offered by V.-. III.-. P. F. D. Hibbs, amending the Pre- amble to the Constitution and General Regulations, reported favorably thereon. On motion the report was received and resolution of amend- ment adopted. The Sovereign Grand Consistory called from labor to refreshment to resume labor at 8 o'clock p. M. 8 O'CLOCK p. M., June 25. The Sovereign Grand Consistory resumed labor at 8 o'clock p. M. Present — Ofiicers and members as before. V.-. III.-. P. P. D. Hibbs offered the following resolutions, which on motion were unanimously adopted : Whereas, the various articles printed in Bulletin No. 1, and Supplements Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and in the Freemason's Journal during the year just ended, have, as we firmly believe, been of great service to our cause, and assisted very materially in the advancement of the interest of our Kite, and therefore as the author of these several articles has, without pecuniary remuneration of any kind, devoted not only his talents but much of his valuable time in this noble work, therefore be it Resolved,, that the Sov.-. Grand Consistory hereby makes due acknow- ledgment of the value of the services heretofore rendered by 111.". Andrew J. Provost, SS'-", in the prosecution of the work referred to, and as a slight token of our appreciation of these services be it further Besolved, that a vote of thanks be and is hereby tendered to 111.-. Andrew J. Provost, 33°, Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Con- sistory of the State of New York, for the untiring zeal and indefatigable energy displayed by him in his literary labors during the past year for the benefit of our Bite, SOVEREIGN GRAND CONSISTORY. 153 The Committee appointed to select a place for holding the Dext Annual Eeudezvous, submitted the following report, which on motion was unanimously adopted. Eeport of Committee on Annual Rendezvous. To THE Sovereign Grand Consistory: Peers and Brethren :— Your Committee to whom was referred the matter of selecting a proper place for holding the Annual Rendezvous, of June, 1890, desire to report that a very cordial invitation was extended by Wilmington Consistory, No. 13, of Wilmington, Del., through its repre- sentative, V.-. 111.'. Wm. Marshall, 33°, inviting the Sovereign Grand Con- sistory to hold'its next Annual Rendezvous in the Masonic Temple at Wilmington, Del. Your committee therefore has unanimously decided to accept this kind invitation, and respectfully recommend its selection for your approval. B. W. Browne, 33°, John S. Hopkins, 33°, Wm. F. Krull, 33°, Committee. The Sovereign Grand Commander announced the follow- ing as the appointed oflicers for the ensuing year ; 111.'. Alexander McLean, 33°, Grand Seneschal, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 111.'. Alexander W. Murray, 33°, Grand Sentinel, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 111. '. John A. Kelley, 33°, Grand Chorister, of New York, N. Y. The Sovereign Grand Commander then installed the newly elected and appointed officers in due and ancient form, and proclamation was made that the members of the Supreme Council, and officers of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, had been duly elected, appointed and installed. On motion, it was resolved that the necessity for the ser- vices of a Bulletin Committee still exists, and the Sovereign Grand Commander was requested to appoint such committee, under the resolution of June, 1888, to serve until June 24th, 1890. On motion of 111.'. Andrew J. Provost, it was resolved, that the committee on Books, Histories, &c., as provided for by the recommendation of the committee on Allocution, be authorized to prepare copies of all important papers, docu- ments, or official instructions, sent to or issued by any author- 154 ANNUAL EENDEZVOUS OF THE ized officer of the Eite since 1807. And said committee shall be allowed to draw upon the funds of the Sovereign Grand Consistory to an amount not to exceed $250, tct be used fcffi clerical labor. On motion of V.-. 111.-. P. F. D. Hibbs, it was resolved that the thauka of the Sovereign Grand Consistory are justly due,, and are hereby tendered to V.-. 111.-. James S. Fraser, 33°, Past Grand Secretary General H.-. E.-., for the magnificent manner in which he has for many years performed the duties of, not only the office which he has just vacated, but as well also of the other positions he has so creditably filled while a member of the Supreme Council. On motion, a vote of thanks was tendered to V.-. 111.-. James McGrath, 33°, Past Grand Master General of Cere- monies, for the very efficient maimer in which he had performed the duties of his office during the many years he has been a member of the Supreme Council. The Sovereign Grand Commander then announced the ap- pointment of the following committees : Committee on Deceased Brethren. 111. -. John S. Hopkins. 111. . J. J. Bright. 111.". Stephen A. Jackson. Committee on Occasional Bulletin. 111.'. Andrew J. Provost. 111.'. E. H.-. Bartley, M. D. 111.-. C. V. S. Levy. 111.'. Judah Moses. 111.'. C. F. Hill. Committee on Matters Pertaining to Pennsylvania, AS Referred to in Allocution of Sov.-. Gr.-. Com- mander. 111.'. C. V. S.Levy. 111.'. Wm. F. KruU. III.'. John H. Dusenbury. 111.'. James L. Watson. 111.'. John Edelstein. SOVBEBIGN GRAND CONSISTORY, 155 COMMITTEB ON BoOKS, HISTORY, &0. 111.'. Andrew J. Provost. V.-. 111.-. John H. Eussell. 111.-. B. W. Browne. Printing Committee. V.-. 111.-, p. F. D. Hlbbs. V.-. 111.-. John H.Russell, v.-. 111.'. James S. Fraser. On motion, a vote of thanks was tendered to the officers and members of the Grand Consistory, and of the various Subordinate Consistories of the State of Kentucky, who have so courteously and fraternally attended to the wants of the members of the Sov.*. Grand Consistory during this annual rendezvous. No further business appearing, this annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory was closed in due form, and by the mysterious numbers. 0J- Grand Secretary General M.\ Er SPECIAL MEETING SUPEEME COUNCIL. Immediately after tbe close of the annual rendezvous of the Sovereign Grand Consistory the Supreme Council met in Special Session. On motion, tbe several amendments to the Constitution adopted by tbe Sovereign Grand Consistory, June 25th, 1889, were unanimously approved and confirmed. Tbe Supreme Council, in accordance with the provisions of the General Eegulation, proceeded to the election of Assistant Grand Officers, the result of which was tbe unanimous choice of V.'. III.*. James S. Fraser, as Assistant Grand Secretary, and V.\ III.'. James McGrath, as Deputy Grand Master of Cere- monies, for the ensuing year. Grand Secretary General H.\ E.\ T -sK-TSs-y-a^-Vl ■': ;''siv ".^^9 "