The committee appointed April 15th, 1824, reported a Constitution for the Grand Lodge of the United States, in its separate capacity, which was adopted. On motion, it was * A Constitution for the Grand Lodge of the United States.-We beg to acknowledge our indebtedness to the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for the only original copy of this Constitution known to be in existence. "The Grand Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows-Forming and commencing the 22d February, 1846. § 1. Art. 1. The Grand Lodge of the United States shall be composed of a G. M., D. G. M., G. S., G. G., and a Represensative or Proxy of each Grand Lodge in the United States acting under a legal charter. Art. 2. Every state Grand Lodge shall be equally represented in the Grand Lodge of the United States, especially on every subject of importance, as also on alterations, repeals, or amendments, etc. in any of the laws or Constitution. Art. 3. Any motion for an alteration, repeal or amendment to the Constitution, must be communicated in writing, and sent to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the United States, or his Deputy, six months previous to the annual meeting, in order that the Grand Lodge may communicate the same to the Representatives of each Grand Lodge in the United States, in order that they may send Deputies or appoint Proxies to vote on the same; and a majortty of two-thirds will be necessary to decide. Art. 4. The Grand Lodge of the United States shall meet annually on the 22d of February, on general business, and the G. M., or his Deputy, shall have discretionary power to call a Special Committee on extraordinary business. Art. 5. That the city of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, be the permanent seat of the Grand Lodge of the United States, being senior in order, as well as central in situation. Art. 6. That the Representative or Proxy of each Grand Lodge, in order to be regularly admitted into the Grand Lodge of the United States, must be in possession of a certificate signed by the G. M., D. G. M. and G. S., with the seal of the said Grand Lodge affixed. Should the Representative not be known to any member of the Grand Lodge of the United States, he shall be put on his oath and solemn obligations, that the certificate that he is in possession, is genuine; and on entering the Grand Lodge, he must work his way by the Golden Rule of the fourth degree. Art. 7. That no Representative or Proxy leave the Lodge during its session, without permission of the G. M. or presiding officer, and password from the D. G. M. Art. 8. That every Representative or Proxy, being regularly summoned by the G. S. to attend an annual meeting, and neglecting to attend such meeting, shall be fined five dollars, as no apology will be sufficient, except sickness or beyond ten miles from where the Grand Lodge of the United States is held; and likewise neglecting a summons to attend a committee, will be fined one dollar. Art. 9. That each state Grand Lodge shall pay equal proportion toward defraying the expenses that shall occur in the Grand Lodge of the United States; and also, each Grand Lodge to bear the expenses of their Representative. Art. 10. That at the annual session of the Grand Lodge of the United States, the Constitution and By-Laws will be read, and the members of the different Grand Lodges be admitted to hear any business that may be transacted. Art. 11. That the Grand Lodge of the United States enact By-Laws for the government of their meetings, and for the regulation of their pecuniary affairs, provided, they do not interfere with the Constitution. § 2. Art. 12. The Officers of the Grand Lodge of the United States are-the M. W. Grand Master, R. W. D. Grand Master, R. W. Grand Secretary, W. Grand Guardian, and W. Representatives or Proxies. That each state Grand Lodge may nominate a candidate for the office of G. M. of the Grand Lodge of the United States; the said candidate must be a P. G. M. of a state Grand Lodge, and on being seconded after three times calling, the nominated candidate shall be put to the ballot; and the G. M. shall be elected by a majority of tickets. That the G. M., so elected, shall nominate and choose a D. G. M., residing in the state of Maryland, where the Grand Lodge of the United States is held. And also, each Grand Lodge nominating a candidate, must communicate the same to the Grand Lodge six months previous to the G. M. of the Grand Lodge of the United States leaving his seat. The G. & shall be elected by the members in session. The G. G. shall be appointed by the G. M. Art. 13. That the G. M. shall hold his office four years, and shall be eligible for a candidate for three years longer-after the expiration of which, he shall not be eligible as a candidate until the expiration of four years after; but provided it should so happen that a candidate nominated should not be qualified to fill that important station, that he remain elected until a suitable person is brought forward to take the seat; and further, that the G. M. shall not be in possession of the title of P. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of the United States, unless he serves the specified term, and that the G. M. of the Grand Lodge of the United States cannot hold the office of G. M of any state Grand Lodge. The D. G. M. shall likewise hold his office for the space of four years-at the expiration of which, he may be continued without limited time to fill that oflice; and unless he serves his four years, he cannot hold the title of P. D. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The G. S. shall hold his office for the space of four years, and may be continued without limited time; and unless he serves his four years, he cannot hold the title of P. G. S. of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Also, a reasonable compensation must be appropriated for his services. The G. G. shall also hold his office for four years to qualify him as a P. G. G. of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Art. 14. The duty of the G. M. is to preside during the session, preserving order and due observ ance of the laws-impartially put to the vote all propositions, and in case of equal votes, to give the casting vote. Ordered, That a copy be forwarded within one month, to each of the Grand Lodges for concurrence. Report of the Grand Treasurer. Balance in hands of the G. Treasurer, 23 54 Cash received from Franklin Lodge, No. 2, dues, 700 "P. G's Gill and Bickley, 2.00 $ 32 54 G. Treasurer, Cr. By Cash paid G. Con. Common's bill, 156 Balance in the G. Treasurer's hands, The Grand Lodge then closed in F. L. & T. $30 98 MAURICE FENNELL, A. G. Secretary. The duty of the D. G. M. is to open and close the lodge meetings; to support the G. M. by his assistance, and to take his seat during his absence; he must also read all petitions, propositions, reports and communications laid before the Grand Lodge of the United States, and on elections or votes, to report the statement thereof to the G. S. The G. S. must record a just and true account of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, and likewise communications from the Grand Lodges throughout the United States, and to transact all the writing of the Grand Lodge. The G. G. is to prove every member before he admits him; to allow none to depart or enter without a password, and to prevent the admission or departure of any during actual transaction of business, without the permission of the G. M. The Representatives or Proxies are to weigh attentively every transaction that may come before them, and to represent their state Grand Lodge to the best of their judgment, and to the full extent of their power. In case of occasionable absence of the G. M., when the D. G. M. takes the highest situation the shall immediately appoint a Deputy pro tem., as that important office must never be left vacant. In case of the death of the G. M., the D. G. M. shall take his chair, until some other candidate is nominated and elected. Art. 15. After an election has taken place, the candidate in whose favor it has resulted, will be duly informed of the same, and it shall be communicated to all the Grand Lodges throughout the United States by the G. S.; and the candidate so elected will be notified to attend and be present to take his seat, otherwise the election will be annulled. Also, he must be present when he resigns his seat; and in the interim, the D. G. M. may act in his stead. The G. M., D. G. M., G. S. and G. G., as officers, shall not vote on any occasion whatever, as the same solely devolves on the Representatives or their Proxies; but when the votes are equal, the G. M. shall give the casting vote, as before mentioned. All letters or communications must be directed to the G. M. or his Deputy; and the postage of all letters to and from the Grand Lodge of the United States, must be paid by the Grand Lodge of every state, as communications may require. §3. Art. 16. In case when five brothers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows wish to start a lodge in another state, not already chartered, application must be made to the Grand Lodge of the United States to obtain a charter, and the G. M. or his Deputy must communicate the same to the Representatives of each Grand Lodge, and they or their Proxies must decide on the same; if the the majority decide unfavorable, the G. M., if a motion be made and seconded, shall refer the petition to a second consideration, and afterwards put it to vote, and decide accordingly. Art. 17. The charter, with the charges and lectures of the first or White, second or Blue, third or Scarlet, together with the Covenant and Remembrance Degrees, shall be charged at thirty dollars, to defray the expenses thereof-the money to be paid immediately on the delivery of the same; but provided that the lodge so forming have not the means to pay that amount, the degree books will be detained until they can comply with the whole charge. They must also defray all travelling expenses. The lodge so forming in a new state, will have to act under the Grand Lodge of the United States, until that they have five Past Grands attached to them. Art. 18. When a charter is granted, a member of the Grand Lodge must be deputed to deliver the same, to open the new lodge, and to give instructions such as he finds them prepared to receive, and are necessary for them to have. Art. 19. Every state Grand Lodge acting under the Grand Lodge of the United States, shall send three months previous to the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of the United States, their statement of expulsions or suspensions, if any-the names and reasons thereof-and any other circumstances of general importance; all of which the Grand Lodge of the United States will cause to be circulated to all the Grand Lodges throughout the United States. Art. 20. Every state Grand Lodge must give a proof impression of their seal, to be deposited in the Grand Lodge of the United States; and all their communications must be sealed therewith. Art. 21. The Grand Lodge of the United States shall forward a yearly password for travelling members, to each state Grand Lodge." The several Grand Lodges to whom copies of this Constitution were forwarded, responded as follows: Maryland and Massachusetts approved. New York approved, except the words, "residing in the State of Maryland, where the Grand Lodge is held," in the 12th article. Pennsylvania approved, except the word "permanent," in article 5th QUARTERLY SESSION. BALTIMORE, November 22d, 1824. The R. W. Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment, and opened in regular form. Present: THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Master. W. G. Conductor, and P. G's Nelson, Harris, Roach, McKormick, Bickley and Scotchburn. P. G. Seeds sent an apology for non-attendance. G. Guar. Boyd, and P. G. McKormick were each fined 50 cents for not being in time. P. G's Freburger and Arman, of No. 2, and Colt, of No. 3, presented their certificates of membership, who were elected and admitted. P. G's Freburger, Arman and Colt, then applied for the fourth (G. R.) degree, were elected and duly instructed. The proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the United States were read by the D. G. Master, from the commencement to the present time, which were approved. A letter was presented and read from the Grand Lodge of New-York, and after due consideration, on motion, it was Resolved, That A. G. Sec'y Fennell, be directed to answer the same immediately, and also to give the opinion of the Proxy on the subject. Two letters were presented and read from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, relating to a Mr. Day, which produced considerable discussion, when, on motion, it was Resolved, That it be recommended that the said Mr. Day be excluded from entering any Lodge of the I. O. F. throughout the globe, &c. The M. W. Grand Master then addressed a few remarks to the brethren, stating, that his term of duty having expired, it was necessary, according to previous notice, to enter immediately into an election of Grand Master, and the other important Officers appertaining to the Grand Lodge of Maryland. Whereupon, on motion, the following nominations were made for Grand Master, viz: D. G. M. Welch, G. Guar. Boyd, A. G. Sec'y Fennell, G. Con. Common, and P. G's Nelson and Scotchburn. D. G. M. Welch, G. Guar. Boyd, A. G. Sec'y Fennell and P. G. Nelson, declined. The poll was then opened, and it appeared there was a tie. Whereupon, G. M. Wildey gave the casting vote in favor of G. Con. Common, and then declared P. G. Charles Common duly elected Grand Master of Maryland. P. G. Thomas Scotchburn was elected D. G. Master; P. G. Gill, G. Secretary; P. G. John Nelson, G. Warden; P. G. Henry Harris, G. Guardian; and P. G. Freburger, G. Conductor. On motion, the following were adopted: Resolved, That the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, serve for one year, eligible for re-election. And in the same manner with the D. Grand Master, and other Grand Officers. Resolved, That the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Maryland be held on the 15th day of January, 1825, in lieu of the 22d of February-being the day set apart for the organization of the Grand Lodge of the United States; and also, the 15th of January being the birth-day of the founder of Odd Fellowship in the United States. * The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, as amended in accordance with the foregoing resolution, was then read and approved. On motion, the following was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That G. M. Wildey, after leaving his seat, be presented with a Medal, as a small token of our respect for his eminent services, his indefatigable and unremitting zeal in spreading the Order of Odd Fellowship throughout the United States, and his unexampled assiduity and attention to its best interests, while Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States. G. Con. Common, P. G. Scotchburn, and A. G. Sec'y Fennell, were appointed a committee to procure the medal abovementioned, the same to cost twenty dollars. On motion, the following was Ordered, That the Grand Lodge visit in regular form, Columbia Lodge, No. 3, on the 29th inst. Report of the Grand Treasurer. Balance in hands of G. Treasurer, Cash rec'd from Washington Lodge, No. 1, dues, 66 G. Treasurer, Cr. By cash paid G. Con. Common, By cash paid Mrs. Entwisle, in lieu of By cash paid A. G. Sec'y Fennell, for drawing paper for G. Charter, By cash paid A. G. Sec'y Fennell, for By cash paid P. G. Williams, for wri $30 98 3 00 -$51 98 $0 93 850 15 00 750 150 200 -$35 68 $16 30 The Grand Lodget of Maryland and of the United States then closed. MAURICE FENNELL, A. G. Secretary. • Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Maryland.-No copy of this document could be procured. The Grand Lodge.-The proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, after this session, was exclusively in its capacity of a state Grand Lodge; and the separation may not inappropriately be deemed as having fully taken place at this adjournment. PRELIMINARY MEETING For the organization of the Grand Lodge of the United States. BALTIMORE, January 15, 1825. Pursuant to previous notice, the Representatives and Proxies of the several Grand Lodges assembled at the new Hall, for the purpose of organizing the Grand Lodge of the United States. Present: P. G. CHARLES COMMON, Rep. of Maryland. Proxy Rep. of Massachusetts. The preamble and resolutions of the separation of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States, as adopted by said Grand Lodge, April 15th, 1824; and the Constitution for the Grand Lodge of the United States, as recommended by said Grand Lodge, August 22, 1824—were presented and accepted. The Representatives then went into an election for the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the United States, when P. G. M. THOMAS WILDEY, of Maryland, was unanimously elected Grand Master. On taking the chair, the Grand Master elect addressed the Representatives in a few remarks, on the benefits arising from the separation of the Grand Lodge of the United States from the Grand Lodge of Maryland. The Representatives then proceeded to the election of D. Grand Master, when P. D. G. M. JOHN WELCH, of Maryland, was unanimously elected D. G. Master of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The Representatives then proceeded to the election of Grand Secretary. P. G's John Roach, E. C. Gill and William Williams, of Maryland, were nominated. The result of the ballot was in favor of P. G. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, who was declared duly elected Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The Grand Master elect, appointed P. G. W. THOMAS MITCHELL, Grand Guardian of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The Grand Master elect then submitted letters from the several Grand Lodges, relative to the separation and organization of the Grand Lodge of the United States. On motion, the following was Ordered, That the portion of the Remembrance and third degrees which the V.G. has to repeat, be printed. Also, the P. G's charge book. On motion, adjourned. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary elect. |