Cash rec'd from G. M. Wildey, Charter fee for Pennsylvania Lodge, No. 1, G. Treasurer, Cr. By Cash paid G. M. Wildey, $136 58 30 00 $166 58 $2.81 $52 81 8113 77 G. M. Wildey, as voted, 50 00 The Grand Lodge then closed in F. L. & T. JOHN P. ENTWISLE, Grand Secretary. QUARTERLY SESSION. BALTIMORE, November 22, 1823. The R. W. Grand Lodge convened, pursuant to adjournment, and opened in regular form. Present: THOMAS WILDEY, JOHN WELCH, JOHN P. ENTWISLE, MAURICE FENNELL, JOHN BOYD, M. W. G. Master. R. W. D. G. Master. R. W. G. Secretary. P. G.'s Seeds, McKormick, Nelson, Scotchburn and Common. The proceedings of the previous Quarterly Sessions and Grand Committee Meetings, were read and approved. G. W. Mitchell and P. G. Williams sent their apology for non-attendwhich was accepted. ance, P. G. Bannister, of No. 2, presented his certificate of membership, was balloted for, and admitted. P. G. Bannister then applied for the fourth (G. R.) degree, was elected and instructed. G. Con. Anstice returned his apron to the Grand Lodge, having removed to Philadelphia, and withdrawn his card from Washington Lodge, No. 1, and honorably departed this city. When, on motion, it was Resolved, That the amount due from P. G. Anstice, for apron, was cancelled by the return of the same. P. G. Common was then appointed G. Con. in place of P. G. Anstice. The note of Bro. Roach, in the hands of the G. Treasurer, was paid. Bro. Roach presented an additional bill of $3 86; also, G. M. Wildey, bill of $63 50, and G. Sec'y Entwisle, for $2 87, which were approved. On motion, the following was adopted: Resolved, That the election to the fourth (G. R.) degree, shall be by ballot. An application was made for a charter for a lodge, to be called Columbia Lodge, No. 3, and located in Baltimore, which was referred to a committee. The committee reported favorable to the application. A second letter was then read from Bro. Winn, Secretary of the applicants. After some discussion as to the night of meeting, the Grand Lodge unanimously agreed to the request of the petitioners, and notice thereof was ordered to be sent them. P. G. Bannister then applied for the degree of the Remembrance, when it was Resolved, That a committee be appointed to instruct the P. G. in the same, in the Grand Lodge Room. The committee appointed to revise the Articles of the Constitution, and to provide for a separation of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States, submitted a report, which was considered, and after various amendments had been made, the Articles were adopted. On motion Resolved, That G. Sec'y Entwisle and Assistant G. Sec'y Fennell, be a committee to attend to the printing of the Articles of the Constitution. G. M. Wildey, A. G. Sec'y Fennell, and P. G. Common, were appointed a committee on Entwisle's medal. On motion, the following was adopted: Resolved, That letters be forwarded to Boston, New-York, and Philadelphia, requesting the Grand Lodges to send Delegates, or appoint Proxies, to attend a Grand Committee Meeting, for the purpose of making arrangements for forming a Grand Lodge of the United States. Report of the Grand Treasurer. Balance in hands of G. Treasurer, Cash rec'd from Washington Lodge, No. 1, dues, Franklin Lodge, No. 2, dues, แ P. G. Common, $113 77 10 50 15 50 6 00 P. G. Bannister, 1 00 $146 77 MEETING OF THE GRAND COMMITTEE. BALTIMORE, December 7, 1823. The Grand Committee met pursuant to a call, and opened in regular form. Present: THOMAS WILDEY, THOMAS MITCHELL, JOHN P. ENTWISLE, ION, CHARLES COMMON, P. G's M'Kormick, Nelson, and Scotchburn. On motion, the following were adopted: M. W. G. Master, R. W. G. Secretary. Ordered, That the brothers that have taken the third degree, be admitted to the Grand Lodge at the next Quarterly Session, by giving the S's of the first, second, and third degrees, at entrance. Ordered, That the Grand Lodge open Columbia Lodge, No. 3, and do proceed to make those proposed, if found worthy; after which, the officers are to be elected and installed, and they to appoint their subordinate officers. Ordered, That the Ode heretofore sung at the installation of the officers, be so far dispensed with, as to the tune, and the same be read only: this to be recommended to the subordinate lodges. Ordered, That a lettert be written in answer to the one received from Boston. The Grand Committee then adjourned. 4.00 -$4 75 JOHN P. ENTWISLE, Grand Secretary. ANNUAL SESSION Of the R. W. Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States. BALTIMORE, February 22, 1824. The R. W. Grand Lodge convened this day, at 2 o'clock, P. M., being the Annual Session, and opened in regular form. Present: THOMAS WILDEY, JOHN WELCH, THOMAS MITCHELL, JOHN P. ENTWISLE, CHARLES COMMON, M. W. G. Master. R. W. G. Secretary. W. G. Conductor, and P. G's Scotchburn, Nelson, McKormick, Seeds, Bannister, and Williams. • To make those proposed.-This was the first opening of a new lodge under the Grand Lodge. And it will be perceived that provision was made for the Grand Officers to perform the work of initiation previous to putting the officers of the lodge into their chairs-an example, which if followed at the present day, would do much toward preserving uniformity in the work. ↑ A Letter. The letter prepared by G. S. Entwisle, and thus sanctioned. contains sound doctrine in plain terms on the duties and privileges of officers and members, and might not be entirely lost on the Order at the present day, which the following extract will exemplify: "As individuals of one great body, we ought to be careful who we elect to offices which give weight and consequence to the incumbents; but when so elected, we ought to pay due respect both to the office and the officer, and we should reasonably expect that brothers who thus pass the post of honor, and are admitted members of a Grand Lodge, are worthy of trust and confidence in the Order; and that, as a body, their judgment ought to be respected by those who are not so far advanced, and who cannot therefore be presumed to have the same experience. "The prerogative of the Grand Master is of the greatest consequence. Inasmuch as he is at the head of the Order, and has the most ample opportunity for obtaining an extensive and general knowl edge of the existing state of affairs, as well as acquaintanceship with the long established rules of the Order, and being required on many occasions to act on matters of momentary and instant importance, he is necessarily clothed with considerable discretionary powers. But for an undue or imprudent exercise of which, he certainly would be answerable in the same manner with other members. For although he be the Grand Master, he is still an Odd Fellow, and must act with an undeviating reference to the fundamental principles of the Order. But it is not fitting that the brother who has advanced to this honorable station should be reflected on in his official capacity by persons of limited acquire. ments, perhaps under the influence of prejudice. And his conduct as Grand Master can only be brought in question before the Grand Lodge. With respect to his right to visit or attend subordinate lodges, and their special or general meetings or committees, it is certain and inalienable. And not only so, but it is his duty by personal attendance, or by representation through his Deputy, to attend on all extraordinary occasions, where practicable, when it is to the interest of the Order that be should be acquainted with the proceedings of any lodge under his care. And it is desirable that lodges indi vidually benefit by his counsel and advice. Nevertheless, he can have no vote except in the lodge of which he is an active member." The proceedings of the previous Grand Committee Meetings were read and approved. P. G's Roach and Harris presented their certificates of membership, who were elected and admitted. P. G's Williams, Roach, and Harris, then applied for the fourth (G. R.) degree, who were elected and instructed. G. M. Wildey presented his bill for sundry expenses, amounting to $5 38 and; G. Con. Common, 81 cents, for serving notices, which were approved. It having been proposed to separate the powers of this Grand Lodge, so that the Grand Lodge of the United States might be composed of the Representatives and Proxies of the several Grand Bodies, and the Grand Lodge of Maryland to exercise jurisdiction over Maryland alone, the same having been submitted to the Grand Lodges— On motion, it was Resolved, That the Grand Lodge proceed to an election by ticket, for a member to represent the Grand Lodge of Maryland. On counting the ballots, it appeared that G. Sec'y Entwisle was elected by a majority. The Grand Master announced that Proxies had been appointed to organize a separate Grand Lodge of the United States, viz.: Massachusetts, G. M. Wildey; New-York, P. G. Scotchburn; and Pennsylvania, G. Guar. Boyd. The Grand Master stated that in consequence of holding the office of Grand Master of the United States, he would decline serving, and would delegate A. G. Sec'y Fennell to act in his place. On motion, the Grand Lodge took a recess, to afford an opportunity for the Grand Committee to meet and proceed to make arrangements for the organization of a separate Grand Lodge of the United States. JOHN P. ENTWISLE, Grand Secretary. MEETING OF THE GRAND COMMITTEE For organizing the Grand Lodge of the United States. The Representatives and Proxies of the several Grand Lodges assembled in Grand Committee. Present: G. Sec'y JOHN P. ENTWISLE, A. G. Sec'y MAURICE FENNELL, G. Guar. JOHN BOYD, Rep. of Maryland. And organized by inviting M. W. Grand Master THOMAS WILDEY to preside. On taking the Chair, G. M. Wildey delivered a very appropriate address. On motion, it was unanimously Resolved, as the opinion of the Representatives assembled, That it is essentially necessary to the success of a Grand Lodge, that it should be established on the most un doubted basis; and to which end it is advisable to obtain from the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States, the charter under which the said Grand Lodge now operates. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States be invited to convey the charter obtained from England, to the Grand Lodge of the United States, in a separate and distinct capacity, for the exclusive use of that body. Resolved, That the Representatives of each Grand Lodge be directed to communicate with their constituents, on the propriety of obtaining the original charter as provided for in the foregoing resolutions; and that the Grand Master call the Representatives together within the shortest possible time, for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the several Grand Lodges. On motion, the Grand Committee then adjourned. JOHN P. ENTWISLE, (Rep. of Maryland) Secretary. The Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States then resumed. Letters were then received from the Grand Lodge of New-York, transmitting a list of suspended members; and also one from England, announcing an alteration in the S's, &c. When, on motion of G. Sec'y Entwisle, it was Ordered, That a letter be sent in reply, expressing our disapprobation of such alterations, and requiring further information relative thereto. On motion, a committee was appointed to prepare letters for the Grand Lodges, and to England; and to have twelve copies printed. Commmittee-D. G. M. Welch, G. Sec'y Entwisle, G. Con. Common, and A. G. Sec'y Fennell. P. G. Bannister gave his note, payable at 30 days, for $4 75. Ordered, That a recommendation be sent to the subordinate lodges in Maryland, to have but one general Anniversary, and that the time be on the 26th of April. Ordered, That the meetings of the Grand Lodge in future be held on the days appointed, unless it should fall on Sunday, then to be postponed to a more convenient time. Resolved, That a T. P. W. be adopted for the protection of the Order in the United States. year was selected. When a T. P. W. for the current Ordered, That in future, the Grand Lodge, on any time of visitors being admitted, shall enter on the state business first, and then proceed to the business of the United States. Ordered, That the lodges be informed that the past elective officers can receive their respective P. W's, at the time of the quarterly meeting to settle accounts. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge will visit each of the subordinate lodges in the course of the three ensuing quarters, of which due notice will be given by the Grand Master, commencing with No. 1. Report of the Grand Treasurer. Balance in hands of G. Treasurer, Cash rec'd from Washington Lodge, No. 1, dues, "Franklin Lodge, No. 2, dues, แ 2, arrears, (l P. G's Roach, Harris and Williams, Note from P. G. Bannister, Amount carried forward, $15 40 10 00 3 00 4 75 $50 15 |