communications as the good of the craft may require, when duly summoned by the grand secretary, and within such reasonable distance of the place of holding the Grand Lodge, as the laws of the same may have ascertained on that head. When in the Grand or Steward's Lodge, and at general as well as special communications, the master and wardens, or either of them, have full power and authority to represent their lodge, and to transact all matters relative thereto, as well and as truly as if the whole body were there present.

The master has the right of appointing some brother (who is most commonly the secretary of the lodge) to keep the book of by-laws, and other laws given to the lodge by the proper authority; and in this book shall also be kept the names of all the members of the lodge, and a list of all the lodges within the said grand communication, with the usual times and places of their meeting.

The master bas also the particular right of preventing the removal of his lodge from one house to another: and whereas several disputes have arisen on this head, and it hath been made a question in whom the power of removing a lodge to any new place is invested, when the old place of meeting appears to be inconvenient, the following rule for this purpose hath been finally agreed upon and settled by lawful authority, viz:

"That no lodge be removed without the master's knowledge, nor any motion made for that purpose in the lodge when he is absent. But if the master be present, and a motion be made for moving the lodge to some other more convenient place (within the district assigned in the warrant of such lodge) and if the said motion be seconded and thirded, the master shall order summonses to every individual member of the lodge, specifying the business, and appointing a day for hearing and determining the affair, at least ten days before, and the determination shall

be made by the majority. But if the master is not of the majority, the lodge shall not be removed, unless full twothirds of the members present have voted for such removal.

"But if the master refuse to direct such summons to be issued, (upon a motion duly made as aforesaid) then either of the wardens may direct the same; and if the master neglects to attend on the day fixed, the warden may preside in determining the affair in the manner above prescribed. But the lodge shall not in the master's absence, (on such special call) enter upon any other cause or business, but what is particularly mentioned in the said summons.

"If the lodge is thus regularly ordered to be removed, the master or warden shall send notice to the grand secretary, that such removal may be notified and duly entered in the Grand Lodge books at the next Grand Lodge."

None but master masons can be wardens of a lodge. The manner of their election, and several of their duties being connected with the election and duties of the master, have been mentioned.

The senior warden succeeds to all the duties of the master, and fills the chair when he is absent. Or if the mas ter goes abroad on business, resigns, demits, or is deposed, the senior warden shall forthwith fill his place till the next stated time of election. And although it was formerly held, that in such cases the master's authority ought to revert to the last past master who is present, yet it is now the settled rule that the authority devolves upon the senior warden, and in his absence devolves upon the junior warden, even although a former master be present. But the wardens will generally wave this privilege in honor of any past master that may be present, and will call on him to take the chair, upon the presumption of his experience and skill in conducting the business of the lodge. Nevertheless such past master still derives his

authority under the senior warden, and cannot act till he congregates the lodge. If none of the officers be present, nor any former master to take the chair, the mem bers according to seniority and merit, shall fill the places of the absent officers.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE MANNER OF CONSTITUTING A LODGE OF MASTER MASONS, WITH REMARKS ON THE FIFTH, OR PAST MASTER'S DEGREE.

A COMPETENT number of master masons, desirous

of forming a new lodge, must apply, by petition, to the grand lodge of the state in which they reside, setting forth,

of

;

that they are free and accepted master masons; that they are at present, or have been, members of regular lodges; that having the prosperity of the fraternity at heart, they are willing to exert their best endeavours to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of masonry ; that, for the conveniency of their respective dwellings, and for other good reasons, they are desirous of forming a new lodge, in the , to be named that, in consequence of this desire, they pray for letters of dispensation, or a warrant of constitution, to empower them to assemble, as a legal lodge, to discharge the duties of masonry, in a regular and constitutional manner, according to the original forms of the order, and the regulations of the grand lodge. That they have nominated and do recommend A. B. to be the first master; C. D. to be the first senior warden, and E. F. to be the first junior warden, of the said lodge; that, if the prayer of the peti tion should be granted, they promise a strict conformity to

all the constitutional laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge."

This petition, being signed by a competent number of regular masons, and recommended by a lodge or lodges adjacent to the place where the new lodge is to be holden, is delivered to the grand secretary, who lays it before the grand lodge.

If the petition meets the approbation of the grand lodge, they generally order a dispensation to be issued, which is signed by the grand or deputy grand master, and authorizes the petitioners to assemble as a legal lodge, for a certain specified term of time.

Lodges working under dispensations are considered merely as agents of the grand lodge; their prsiding officers are not entitled to the rank of past masters; their officers are not privileged with a vote or voice in the grand lodge; they cannot change their officers without the special approbation and appointment of the grand lodge; and in case of cessation of such lodges, their funds, jewels, and other property accumulated by initiations, into the several degrees, become the property of the grand lodge, and must be delivered over to the grand treasurer.

When lodges that are at first instituted by dispensation, have passed a proper term of probation, they make application to the grand lodge for a charter of constitution. If this be obtained, they are then confirmed in the possession of their property, and possess all the rights and privileges of regularly constituted lodges, as long as they conform to the constitutions of masonry.

After a charter is granted by the grand lodge, the grand master appoints a day and hour for constituting and consecrating the new lodge, and for installing its master, wardens, and other officers.

If the grand master, in person, attends the ceremony,

the lodge is said to be constituted in ample form; if the deputy grand master only, it is said to be constituted in due form; but if the power of performing the ceremony is vested in a subordinate lodge, it is said to be constituted in form.

When charters of constitution are granted for places where the distance is so great as to render it inconvenient for the grand officers to attend; the grand master, or his deputy, issues a written instrument under his hand and private seal, to some worthy present or past master, with full power to constitute and instal the petitioners.

CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION.

The grand master* asks his deputy, "whether he has examined the master nominated in the warrant, and finds him well skilled in the noble science and the royal art ?" The deputy, answering in the affirmative,† by the grand master's order takes the candidate from among his fellows, and presents him at the pedestal; saying, "most worshipful grand master, I present my worthy brother A. B. to be installed master of this new lodge. I find him to be of good morals, and of great skill, true and trusty; and as he is a lover of the whole fraternity, wheresoever dispersed over the face of the earth, I doubt not that he will discharge his duty with fidelity."

The grand master then addresses him :

“ BROTHER-Previous to your investiture, it is necessary that you should signify your assent to those ancient charges and regulations which point out the duty of a master of a lodge."

*In this, and other similar instances, where the grand master is specified in acting, may be understood any master who performs the ceremony.

† A private examination is understood to precede the installation of every officer.