ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. Held at the City of Baltimore, February, 1825. BALTIMORE, February, 22d, 1825. The R. W. Grand Lodge convened this day, at Odd Fellow's Hall, city of Baltimore, being the regular Annual Communication, when the following were present, viz: P. G. M. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Master elect. P. G. MAURICE FENNELL, Proxy Rep. of Massachusetts. P. G. THOMAS SCOTCHBURN, Proxy Rep. of New-York. The Grand Lodge having assembled agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution, on motion, the following were adopted : Resolved, That the installation of Officers and business before this body, be postponed for one month. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary elect, be directed to inform the several Grand Lodges of the adjournment of the Annual Communication, and their answers in time for the Proxies to act on their behalf, be forwarded without further delay. On motion, the Grand Lodge adjourned to meet on the 30th day of March, 1825. BALTIMORE, March 30, 1825. The R. W. Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment. Present: And opened in regular form. Visiting brethren present :-P. G's Nelson, Harris, Freburger, Gill and Colt, of Maryland. The Grand Officers elect were then presented and duly installed into their respective offices, to serve for four years, or until the installation of their successors, duly chosen, viz: P. G. M. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Master. The Grand Master having taken his chair, addressed the Representatives and visiting brethren, presenting his acknowledgments for the distinguished honor conferred in elevating him to the dignified office of Grand Master of the United States-embracing a brief outline of his proceedings in the Order, from the commencement, and its progress in the United States. The D. Grand Master, Grand Secretary and Grand Guardian severally returned their thanks for the high honor conferred upon them. The proceedings of the preliminary and first meetings were read and approved. The Grand Master stated that he had received petitions some time in February last, from Washington Lodge, No. 2, of Philadelphia, relative to Mr. James Day; and that he had directed the Grand Secretary to inform the Grand Master of Pennsylvania of the reception of the same, and to request him to forward a copy of a previous letter from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, on the same subject, in which the D. Grand Master of said state, considered that James Day had been unjustly dealt with, and wishing him reinstated-the committee giving him a good character; and announced that G. M Small had made the said James Day an Odd Fellow, previous to writing to the Grand Master on the subject. A petition was also presented from Wayne Lodge, No. 3, of Philadelphia, on the same subject. When, on motion, it was Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of the United States has no jurisdiction in the case presented before it. Resolved, That the Grand Lodges of each state only has the power of referring any case, however important, to the Grand Lodge of the United States. Resolved, That Washington Lodge, No. 2, and Wayne Lodge, No. 3, of Philadel phia, must present their petitions to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to forward a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and the subordinate lodges petitioning. On motion, the following were adopted: * Ordered, That the Grand Lodges be informed that there is a colour on their charter for a degree, which they have not received, and that it will be forwarded as soon as possible. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Grand Lodge, that the benefit arising from the said fifth degree, should be forwarded to this body, to defray the expenses of the same, and likewise the representatives of each state. A letter was received from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, authorizing their Proxy to act in their behalf, and asking information relative to the fifth degree. Two letters were received from the Grand Lodge of New York, stating their objections to certain articles in the Constitution. On motion, it was Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to inform them of the reason why the D. Grand Master must be chosen from the State of Maryland.† Several letters were received from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania— one of them requesting the alteration of the Constitution, by striking out A Degree. The degree here alluded to was the Royal Purple. It had been but recently received, and owing to the want of the appropriate lectures, was at the time known only to G. M. Wildey and D. G. M. Scotchburn, of Maryland. † Chosen from the State of Maryland.-The following is the explanation given: "That as the Grand Master may be chosen from any Grand Lodge in compliance, it would be to the best interest of the Order that the Deputy Grand Master, who is to preside in the absence of the Grand Master, should be always at hand, in order to be familiar with every particular relative to the Grand Lodge of United States; and also, that he might receive communications addressed to the seat of the Grand Lodge, and correspond thereon with the Grand Master in any section where he might reside." the word "permanent," and insert "present," relative to the location of the Grand Lodge of the United States. When, on motion, it was Ordered, That the same be answered, stating the reason why it was so established.* On motion of Rep. Boyd of Pennsylvania, it was Ordered, That a copy of the address of the Grand Master be forwarded to each Grand Lodge, and they be informed of his intention to visit the several state Grand Lodges, the last of May next. A letter was received from the Order in England, and a necessary reply adopted and directed to be transmitted. On motion, the Grand Lodge closed the Annual Session. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary. Annual Report of the Grand Lodges to the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, I. O. O. F. commencing February, 1824, and ending February, 1825. The Grand Committee convened this day, at Odd Fellow's Hall, city of Baltimore, at the call of the M. W. Grand Master, and was duly opened. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Master, presiding. The Grand Master presented a letter, which had been received from New Orleans, asking for information relative to establishing the Order in that city, which being read, on motion, it was Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be forthwith authorized to answer the letter, requesting them to advertise their intentions of opening a lodge, with a view of calling as many brothers together as possible; and as soon as five brothers can be found, in good standing, to forward a petition, and every assistance will be rendered them in furtherance of the object. The Grand Committee then closed. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary. BALTIMORE, September 25th, 1825. The Grand Committee convened this day, at Odd Fellows' Hall, city of Baltimore, at the call of the M. W. Grand Master, and was duly opened. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Master, presiding. The Grand Master stated that he had visited the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, accompanied by the Representatives of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and found them in a very prosperous condition. Their reception at the different places was truly gratifying. The Grand Lodges of New York and Pennsylvania requested that the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, should be amended by striking out the word "permanent," and insert "present," which the Grand Master stated should be laid before the Grand Lodge of the United States, at a special session, immediately on his return to Baltimore. The same subject was laid before the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, who declined giving an opinion. The subject of the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, viz: strike out the word "permanent" and insert "present," was considered, and after mature deliberation, it was adopted, by the following vote-the yeas and nays being ordered: YEAS-Reps. Common, of Maryland; Fennell, of Massachusetts; Scotchburn, of New-York; and Boyd, of Pennsylvania. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, was proposed to be amended by striking out the "22d of February," and insert "first day of May." The question having been taken, it was unanimously adopted.* Rep. Scotchburn, of New York, presented a letter from the Grand Lodge of that state, informing this Body, that considerable discord existed among them, and requesting a correspondence on the subject. P. G. McKormick, of Maryland, presented a letter from the Order in Manchester, England, together with several magazines, which was read, and on motion, it was Resolved, That ten dollars be appropriated to P. G. McKormick, for the expenses in going from Liverpool to Manchester, to obtain necessary information relative to the work of the Order. P. G. McKormick received a degree while at Manchester, which he was authorised to confer on G. M. Wildey and D. G. M. Welch; which duty he had performed. Ön motion, it was Resolved, That every brother receiving the said degree,* shall pay the sum of ɔne dollar. The degree was then conferred on the following brethren : Reps. Charles Common, Maurice Fennell, Thomas Scotchburn and John Boyd; G. Sec'y William Williams, and P. G's John Roach and Charles Brice. The Grand Committee then closed. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary. Unanimously adopted-These amendments seem to have been adopted without due deliberation. The Constitution had provided for its amendment by propositions made "six months previous to the annual meeting, in order that the several Grand Lodges may be notified and send deputies to vote on the same," when it could be considered; but in this case. at a "Special Committee," without the previous notice required, the amendments offered, were "unanimously adopted." The next annual session was held on the 25th April, notwithstanding the vote had, and the proceedings so far must have been considered invalid, as they undoubtedly were. Said Degree.-This is the degree known since by the term of "Patriarchal." ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES, Held at the City of Baltimore, April, 1826. BALTIMORE, April 25th,1826. The R. W. Grand Lodge convened this day, at Odd Fellows' Hall, city of Baltimore, being the regular Annual Communication, when the following were present, viz: THOMAS WILDEY, JOHN WELCH, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, G. M. CHARLES COMMON, M. W. G. Sire.* R. W. D. G. Sire. R. W. G. Secretary. Visiting P. G's, Marley, Roach, Gill and St. Mire, of Maryland. P. G. Scotchburn, Proxy Rep. of New York, being absent, the Grand Lodge appointed P. G. Richard Marley, of Maryland, to act for him. The Grand Sire ordered the fine of five dollars, to be recorded against Rep. Scotchburn, of New York, and G. Guar. Mitchell. The Grand Guardian announced, that G. M. Small, and P. D. G. M. Richardson, of Pennsylvania, were in waiting, desiring to visit the Grand Lodge. Whereupon the Grand Sire appointed Rep's Boyd, of Pennsylvania, and Common, of Maryland, a committee to wait on the brethren, and ascertain if they were qualified to enter the Grand Lodge. The committee having returned, reported that the distinguished visiters were qualified to enter. The said committee then introduced the brethren, who were received with the honors of the Order. G. M. Small, of Pennsylvania, presented his certificate as a Representative from said state, which was read, and found to be in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. G. M. Small, then took his seat as the Representative from said state. The proceedings of the first Annual Communication, and the Special Committee Meetings of April 20th, and September 25th, 1825, were read and approved. ⚫M. W. Grand Sire.-The title of "Grand Sire" seems to have been assumed by general consent at this session. The 12th article of the Constitution provides for the style of M. W. Grand Master, as the title of the presiding officer, and all official acts, bearing signature up to this time, was in the name of the Grand Master. No formal change appears upon record, but henceforward the officer is styled Grand Sire. In 1828, the Constitution was revised, when the title of Grand Sire was confirmed. It is proper to remark, that the title of Grand Sire appears on the books of the Grand Lodge of Mary. land at two sessions held in October and November. 1825, from which it may be inferred that the change was determined on at the session of September, and omitted in the minutes. |