MassachusettsGC1811
Contents
CONSTITUTION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS
Adopted Anno Lucis 5811.
CHAPTER I
Section 1
The style of this Grand Lodge shall be, "The Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Section 2
Its powers and prerogatives are independent; they extend to the Regulations and concerns of Masonry in the Lodges under its Jurisdiction; to the issuing of charters and dispensations, and to the revocation of the Same for un-Masonic conduct or neglect of duties to the Grand Lodge.
Section 3
The Grand Lodge is composed of a Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Senior and Grand Junior Wardens, Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy Grand Masters, Past Grand Wardens, a Grand Treasurer, two Grand Secretaries, District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Marshal, Grand Chaplains, Grand Senior Deacon, Grand Junior Deacon, four Grand Stewards, Grand Sword Bearer, two Grand Pursuivants, the Masters and Wardens of Lodges under the Jurisdiction, proxies of Lodges and the Grand Tyler; all these have a right to vote in the Grand Lodge except the Grand Tyler.
Section 4
All Present and Past Grand Masters, Deputy Grand Masters and Grand Wardens, and none others, shall be Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge.
Section 5
Those composing the Grand Lodge shall take rank in the Grand Lodge and in processions agreeably to the above order.
Section 6
The Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer and Grand Recording Secretary shall be chosen by ballot. Two-thirds of the votes collected shall be necessary to make a choice of a Grand Master, and Grand Wardens, and a majority for the two others.
Section 7
The choice shall be made on the second Monday in December annually, to commence at 8 o'clock P.M. They shall be installed on the ensuing anniversary of St. John the Evangelist; and when that Festival happens on a Sunday, the installation shall be on the next day.
Section 8
After the installation of the Grand Master, he shall install the Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer and the Grand Recording Secretary; appoint and install the other officers necessary to the due organization of the Grand Lodge, and appoint the District Deputy Grand Masters; shall issue commissions under the Grand Seal to the Deputy Grand Master, District Deputy Grand Masters and Grand Marshal. Absent officers may be installed by suitable proxies.
Section 9
All the Grand Officers, previous to their installation, shall make the following declaration: I solemnly swear, upon the honor of a Mason, that in the office of ----- I will, according to the best of my abilities, strictly comply with all the Laws and Regulations of this Grand Lodge, and all other ancient Masonic usages.
Section 10
All Grand Officers, elected or appointed, shall be proclaimed by the Grand Marshal, and shall retain their stations until their successors are installed.
Section 11
The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer, Grand Recording Secretary, Grand Corresponding Secretary, District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Marshal and Grand Deacons, to be eligible to their offices, shall have passed the Chair of a regular Lodge. They shall not (the Grand Marshal and Grand Deacons excepted) be Master, Warden or proxy of any subordinate Lodge, and no Brother shall be appointed to any other office in the Grand Lodge (except to the office of Grand Chaplain and Tyler, unless he be a Present or Past Master of a regular Lodge.
Section 12
The Grand Master and Grand Wardens shall not be eligible more than three years, successively.
Section 13
When the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens are absent the oldest and highest Past Grand Officer present shall preside at the meetings of the Grand Lodge. When the Grand Wardens are absent their stations shall be taken by the Grand Deacons' and the stations of the Grand Deacons by the Grand Stewards.
In the absence of the Grand Master the presiding officer, unless he be a Past Grand Master, shall wear the jewel of the Deputy Grand Master; but the other officers shall wear the jewels of the office they fill.
Section 14
Petitioners, and others of the Fraternity, may be admitted as visitors by permission of the Grand Master, and in his absence by a vote of the Grand Lodge.
Section 15
The Regular Communications of the Grand Lodge shall be annual held in the town of Boston, on the second Monday of December, March, June and September, and at such other times and places as the Grand Lodge, or the Grand Master, shall direct.
Section 16
The title of the Grand Master is "Most Worshipful;" Past Grand Officers, "Right Worshipful,", and the following officers, whether Past or in office, vizt: Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Recording Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Corresponding Secretary, District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Marshal, Grand Deacons and Masters of Lodges "Right Worshipful." The title of other Grand Officers shall be "Worshipful."
CHAPTER II: THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GRAND OFFICERS
Section 1
The Grand Master enjoys all powers and prerogatives agreeably to the Ancient Constitutions, the usages and landmarks of Masonry. The Deputy Grand Master enjoys these powers, as far as they relate to the presiding over the Grand Lodge in the absence of the Grand Master; he has the power to grant dispensations for initiates. The functions of Deputy Grand Master cease with those of the Grand Master. The Grand Senior Warden exercises the functions of the Chair on the decease or resignation of the Grand Master. The Wardens assist the Grand Master in opening and closing the Lodge, in the despatch of business and the preservation of order.
Section 2
The Grand Treasurer shall have the care and management of all of the funds of the Grand Lodge. He shall receive all monies from the District Deputy Grand Masters; shall pay all bills passed by the Committee of Finance and Accounts, and such sums as the Trustees of the Charity Fund shall direct; shall have in his care the regalia, not entrusted to the Grand Senior Steward, all charters, records, seals and regalia returned to the Grand Lodge and all charters and dispensations for constituting new Lodges; he shall receipt on all charters and dispensations, for the sum received therefor; shall keep an accurate account of all money by him received and paid; and shall, annually, render an account thereof, with a schedule of the funds of the Lodge, to the Committee of Finance; shall deliver to his successor in office the funds and all the property of the Grand Lodge entrusted to his care, taking duplicate receipts for the same, one of which receipts he shall deposit with the Grand Recording Secretary.
Section 3
The Grand Recording Secretary shall give seasonable notice in a public newspaper of all Communications of the Grand Lodge and shall give notice to all the officers and permanent members thereof by letter; he shall make a correct record of all the transactions of Grand Lodge; receive petitions, applications and appeals, and lay them before the Grand Master; shall fill and attest and put the Grand Seal to all warrants, charters, commissions and certificates by order of the Grand Master; shall keep a list of all the Lodges under the Jurisdiction according to seniority, and call the same at every Communication; shall present the chairman of every committee with a copy of the vote of his appointment and shall attend all committees with such documents as are in his possession when required; record all reports of committees which may be accepted by the Grand Lodge; shall, annually, in the month of January forward to each member of the Grand Lodge one, and to each District Deputy Grand Master such number of copies of the Edicts and Regulations of the Grand Lodge, which have been passed the preceding year, as shall be directed by the Grand Master, and such other transactions of the Grand Lodge as may be necessary for the information and regulation of the subordinate Lodges; in which shall be included a correct list of the officers of the Grand Lodge and District Deputy Grand Masters for the year ensuing; he shall make a transcript of the records in the month of September, annually, immediately after the Communication of the Grand Lodge.
Section 4
The Grand Corresponding Secretary shall receive and answer, under the direction of the Grand Master, all foreign communications made to the Grand Lodge; shall communicate with such other Masonic Body as the Grand Lodge or Grand Master may direct and make a correct record of the same; and, when present, shall read all communications to the Grand Lodge.
Section 5
The Grand Marshal shall direct the organization of the Grand Lodge before it is opened; collect from the members and petitioners in the Grand Lodge all communications and place them before the Grand Master; shall introduce visitors; shall direct the formation of processions; regulate all festivals and refreshments; shall communicate or execute all commands of the Grand Master, not otherwise provided for.
Section 6
The District Deputy Grand Masters shall visit their Lodges in their respective Districts and inspect their By-Laws, records and work, once a year, at least, and before the last week in November; but if they deem it for the interest of Masonry, they may delegate their duties to some suitable Brother in distant Lodges. They shall have the power to grant dispensations for initiations, shall communicate to the Lodges all Edicts and Regulations of the Grand Lodge, and furnish them with all such diplomas as they may be entitled to; shall receive and receipt for all dues to the Grand Lodge; receive the returns of their Lodges and make their remarks thereon; shall attend annually in Grand Lodge, and pay to the Grand Treasurer all money in their hands, or transmit the returns and money to the Grand Treasurer, on or before the first Monday in December and take duplicate receipts therefor, one of which shall be deposited with the Grand Recording Secretary; they shall receive a remuneration of their expenses in visiting the Lodges, but shall present their accounts to the Committee of Finance for allowance.
Section 7
The Grand Deacons are to communicate messages and to attend the Grand Master in all processions.
Section 8
The Grand Senior Steward shall have in his charge all the jewels, clothing and furniture of the Grand Lodge, and at the Annual Communication and previous to the choice of officers, he shall render an accurate inventory of everything committed to his care; shall deliver the same to his successor in office, taking duplicate receipts therefor, one of which receipts he shall deposit with the Grand Treasurer. He shall, with the assistance of his Brother Stewards, properly distribute the jewels and clothing, and collect the same at the closing of the Lodge, and shall, under the direction of the Grand Marshal, provide suitable refreshment for the Grand Lodge at every Communication.
Section 9
The Grand Sword Bearer is to attend the Grand Master and assist the Grand Marshal in the discharge of his duties.
The Grand Pursuivants are to guard the inner door of the Lodge and precede all processions under the dirction of the Grand Marshal.
The Grand Tyler is to guard the outer door.
CHAPTER III: OF SUBORDINATE LODGES
Section 1
All of the Lodges under this Jurisdiction have a right to convene as Free and Accepted Masons; to receive and enter Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts and raise Master Masons, and assess fees therefor; to choose officers annually; establish funds for charitable purposes and transact all matters appertaining to Masonry, agreeably to their charters, the laws of the Grand Lodge and the ancient usages of the Craft. They must be represented in every Communication of the Grand Lodge by their Masters and Wardens or by proxies duly commissioned, under the seal of the Lodge and the attestation of the Master and Secretary.
Section 2
They shall make an annual return to the District Deputy Grand Master of their officers and members; of all candidates initiated, crafted and raised, agreeably to the form transmitted by the Grand Lodge, and pay all such fees as the Grand Lodge shall assess; they shall record with their By-Laws all the Edicts and Regulations they shall receive from the Grand Lodge; they shall take rank, in Grand Lodge, according to the priority of the dates of their charters; they shall not hold meetings in any place excepting those designated therein, unless by a vote of the Grand Lodge; they shall forfeit their charters when they are two years delinquent in their dues to the Grand Lodge, unless remitted by the Grand Lodge upon proper application.
Section 3
They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons and elect or appoint none as permanent officers but members; they shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a previous meeting, without obtaining a dispensation therefor, nor without making strict enquiry into his moral character.
Section 4
No Lodge, in absence of the Master and Wardens, shall initiate, craft or raise, unless a Past Master is present to preside.
Section 5
No person residing in a town within this Commonwealth, wherein a Lodge is held, shall be admitted a candidate by a Lodge in any other town without the approbation of the Master and Wardens of a Lodge in the town of his residence.
Section 6
The fee demanded by a Lodge for initiating, crafting and raising shall not be less than nineteen dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge.
Section 7
Each Lodge shall pay annually to the Grand Lodge toward its support eight dollars, and three dollars for every candidate by them initiated.
Section 8
Every Lodge represented by proxy in Grand Lodge shall issue the commission, annually. All commissions of proxy shall expire with the closing of the Grand Lodge on the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, or day of installation.
Section 9
The Lodges within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be formed into twelve or more Districts, by the Grand Master, in each of which shall reside a District Deputy Grand Master.
Section 10
It shall be the duty of every Master, or presiding officer, under this Jurisdiction, when notified of the intended official visit of the District Deputy Grand Master, to convene his Lodge; receive him as the representative of the Grand Lodge; resign the Chair to him while making his communication; submit to his inspection the By-Laws, records and mode of work; shall deliver to hhim the return of the Lodge and the dues of the Grand Lodge.
Section 11
Every Lodge shall be furnished by the Grand Lodge with blank returns and as many diplomas as they shall initiate candidates; and the Master of each Lodge, who has complied with the Laws of the Grand Lodge, shall be presented with a Master's Diploma, after having sustained the office one year.
CHAPTER IV: GENERAL REGULATIONS
Section 1
All Grand Lodge records, heretofore made, and other Masonic papers, shall be safely deposited in the archives of this Grand Lodge, and they never shall be carried out but by the Grand Master's permission.
Section 2
Every petition for constituting a new Lodge must be accompanied with the approbation of the Lodge nearest the place where the said Lodge is to be held, and the petitioners recommended by one of the District Deputy Grand Masters; and every Lodge shall be consecrated, and its officers installed, within twelve months from the date of its charter.
Section 3
For every charter hereafter granted there shall be paid to the Grand Treasurer, eighty-five dollars, seventy of which shall be the funds of the Grand Lodge, ten for the Charity Fund and five paid to the Recording Grand Secretary for filling and affixing the Grand Seal to the same.
Section 4
Every charter returned to the Grand Lodge, with an intention of being resumed, shall be accompanied by the By-Laws, records, seal and regalia of the Lodge; and no charter thus deposited shall be restored unless seven of the applicants were members at the time it was deposited.
Section 5
Every charter, when declared forfeited, shall be returned to the Grand Lodge with the records, seal and By-Laws of the Lodge, and all members of the Lodge, who shall vote to divide the funds thereof among themselves, shall be liable to expulsion.
Section 6
At the Annual Communication for the choice of officers, a Committee of Finance and Accounts shall be chosen, whose duty it shall be to examine and pass all bills against the Grand Lodge; examine the records of the Grand Secretaries; audit the accounts of the Grand Treasurer and designate the compensation to be allowed for their services, and report at the Annual Communication for, and previous to, the choice of officers.
- Revised 12/28/1818, III-188, to read: "At the annual Communication of the Choice of Officers, a Committee of Finance and accounts shall be chosen by ballot, consisting of three Brethren, whose duty shall be to pass all bills against the Grand Lodge, examine the records of the Grand Secretaries, and have them transcribed into the Transfer Books and audit the accounts of the Grand Treasurer and recommend the compensation to be allowed for services, and report at the next annual Communication, for and previous to the Choice of Officers. Said Report to embrace all the expenditures by the Grand Lodge for the preceding year, as well as a statement of all the funds of the Grand Lodge made to them by the Grand Treasurer, an abstract of which shall be inserted in and make a part of the Annual Communication to be distributed to all the subordinate Lodges."
Section 7
A committee shall be annually appointed by the Grand Master, at the Communication in September, whose duty it shall be to have the records correctly transcribed into the Transcript Book, and report at the Annual Communication in December.
- Removed 12/28/1818, III-188; replaced by the revised Section 6 above.
Section 8
All other committees, chosen or appointed, shall report their proceedings at the next Communication after their appointment. The first Brother chosen shall be chairman, and shall furnish each of the committee with a copy of the vote of his appointment, as received from the Grand Secretary, and appoint the time and place of meeting.
- Removed 12/28/1818, III-188; replaced by the revised Section 6 above.
Section 9
The expenses of all committees shall be paid by the Grand Lodge.
Section 10
Each District Deputy Grand Master and every Master and Warden of a Lodge must be clothed with his jewel before he shall be allowed to take his seat and vote in Grand Lodge, without special permission of the Grand Master, and, in his absence, a vote of the Grand Lodge.
Section 11
No vote passed in Grand Lodge can be reconsidered by a less number of voters than was present when the vote was passed, provided a return of the number of voters was made and recorded.
Section 12
No permanent Regulation shall be established at the meeting when it is proposed, nor until it has been duly considered by a committee, to be appointed by the Grand Master, or in his absence chosen by the Grand Lodge, for that purpose.
CHAPTER V: OF THE CHARITY FUND
Section 1
The Charity Fund established by the Grand Lodge shall be styled "The Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts."
Section 2
This Fund shall be increased annually by adding thereto one-fourth part of the annual fees, and one-third part of all initiation fees paid the Grand Lodge by the Lodges under its Jurisdiction.
Section 3
One-half of all the donations made to the Grand Lodge, not specifically appropriated by the donors, shall be added to said Fund.
Section 4
The Charity Fund aforesaid shall be under the direction of a Board of Trustees, consisting of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Grand Treasurer, and four Brethren, who are not acting officers of the Grand Lodge, to be elected by ballot, and to constitute, during good behavior, a permanent part of the Board; and provided a vacancy should occur from death, resignation or any other cause, it shall be reported to the Grand Lodge at the next Quarterly Communication, at which time the vacancy shall be filled.
Section 5
The Board of Trustees shall hold their meetings on the Monday preceding each Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge, and at such other times as may be thought expedient; and a majority of the Board shall be necessary for every act, except that of adjournment.
Section 6
The Board of Trustees shall appoint a Secretary, whose duty it shall be to make a correct record of the proceedings of the Board, and report the same to the Grand Lodge at every Quarterly Communication; and each report made to the Grand Lodge shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board: the Grand Recording Secretary shall keep a separate book, in which shall be recorded all the proceedings of the Trustees that shall be recorded by the Secretary of the Board.
Section 7
The Charity Fund shall be always in the safe keeping of the Grand Treasurer, under the direction of the Board of Trustees; and he shall vest the same in such stock as shall be most productive; and no loans or donations shall be made from the principal of said Fund until the income thereof shall amount to three thousand dollars per annum.
Section 8
The Grand Treasurer shall have power to retain a year's interest arising from said Fund, to be appropriated, by the Board of Trustees, to the relief of such poor and distressed Brethren, their widows and orphans, as they may consider worthy of assistance; but should there be any interest unappropriated at the end of the year, it shall be vested as heretofore provided, and ever after be considered as principal of said Fund.
Section 9
The Grand Treasurer shall report to the Grand Lodge at every Quarterly Communication an account of all money received and appropriations made to the Charity Fund; and of all donations and expenditures therefrom which have arisen during the quarter.
