MassachusettsHamiltonHistoryCh20

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CHAPTER 20: RECONSTRUCTION (PART 1)

Grand Master Butler having declined re-election Augustus Peabody was unanimously elected Grand Master,

Peabody was born in Andover, N. H. in 1779. His parents named him Asa, but in 1815 he had his name changed to Augustus by act of the legislature. He was graduated from Dartmouth in 1803 and Harvard gave him an honorary degree of Master of Arts in 1809. On graduation from college he took up the study of law with Timothy Bigelow. He opened an office in Cambridge in 1806 and spent the rest of his life in the successful practice of law. He died in 1850.

He took his Masonic degrees in Franklin Lodge No. 6, of Dartmouth, N. H. In 1803 when entered Bigelow's office as a student he affiliated with St. Paul Lodge and in 1806 when he opened his Cambridge office he affiliated with Amicable Lodge. In 1813 Bigelow appointed him District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District. He served in that capacity in 1813 and 1814. In 1816 he was elected Senior Grand Warden serving there for two years. During this period he was active on several very important committees. On his retirement from office he ceased activities in Grand Lodge for several years. The persecution recalled him to activity. Beginning in 1833 his appearances in Grand Lodge are again frequent. He served on some of the most important committees and was for several years a Trustee of the Charity Fund.

Peabody's portrait shows him as a man of conspicuously fine appearance with a highly intellectual but very kindly cast of countenance. The memorial resolutions adopted by the Grand Lodge at his death speak of "the wisdom of his counsels and the firmness and consistency of his course at a period when the Institution was threatened with danger from without and within" and of his "rare power of mind and amiable qualities of heart."

In May, 1843, a Convention of Grand Lecturers met at Baltimore for the purpose of taking steps to further a greater uniformity in the work and lectures of the several Grand Lodges. Charles W. Moore represented Massachusetts. He reported at the June Quarterly, submitting the proceedings of the Convention. There were two sections to his report. One dealt with proposed legislation recommended by the Convention, the other with a monitor or "Trestle Board" prepared by its direction. A committee was appointed which reported on the first section in September. The committee agreed that triennial Conventions appeared desirable.

The Convention recommended a new burial service which the committee mildly approved, but thought it ought to be carefully examined before approval by Grand Lodge. It does not appear to have been approved.

The Convention recommended the use of Grand Lodge certificates, but the committee pointed out that Massachusetts had already acted on that matter.

The committee reported that the Trestle Board was in preparation and felt sure it would be acceptable.

The Convention had prepared "Rules for the organization and establishing of a Grand Convention of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons". The committee recommended the adoption of these rules with one exception and it was so voted. The exception was a rule empowering the Convention to hear and decide all questions of differences which might to submitted to the Convention by two or more Grand Lodges. This was going much too far in the direction of a controlling central power.

The committee agreed with the Convention that a Lodge had no right to try its Master, he being amenable to Grand Lodge alone. The Grand Lodge concurred and the matter was covered in the general revision of the Grand Constitutions soon afterward adopted.

The Convention adopted a resolution assessing the particular Lodges on a per capita basis. The committee did not approve and the Grand Lodge concurred in the committee's opinion.

The Convention adopted a resolution that a delegate be sent to Europe by the Masons of the United States "in order that the blessing of the order may be extended far beyond its present range." The hope seemed to be that the greater unity of work which was contemplated by the Convention might be extended to other countries "that Brethren should be mutually and readily recognized by the universal language of Masonry." The committee was inclined to agree, but the Grand Lodge postponed it for further consideration - which never took place. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts probably knew better than some of the attendants at the Convention the Masonic conditions of Europe and the wide diversity of European rites and rituals and recognized the utterly chimerical nature of the proposition which sprung from the enthusiasm developed in the Convention, The whole discussion is interesting for the light it throws on the state of Masonic thought in the United States in 1843 and the soundly conservative position of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. This Grand Lodge was not then, as it is not now, reactionary, but it had struck its roots deep and had developed a body of sound traditions to which it clung.

At the same meeting the Grand Lodge adopted a resolution "That the Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, edited (since November 1841) by Bro. Charles W. Moore is eminently calculated to advance the best interests of the Institution; - and from the well known accuracy and Masonic sagacity of its Editor, it is recommended to the Craft as containing just expressions of the principles and practices of the Order."

At the Annual Communication on December 13, 1843 the Trestle Board authorized by the Convention was presented. The committee stated that the work was mainly prepared by Charles W. Moore and after commending it highly proposed the following resolution, which was adopted.

"Resolved: That the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts recommend the Trestle Board prepared by a committee of the late National Convention as a work, embodying all the essentials of a manual of Ancient Craft Masonry: and in preference to all other similar works it especially sanctions to the subordinate Lodges under this jurisdiction the use of this most excellent compend of the principles and ceremonies of the order."

The Trestle Board is based upon Preston's Illustrations and Webb's
 Monitor compared with the variants introduced by other writers on the 
subject. It eliminated a great amount of what the preface calls 
"irrelevant and useless" matter, including claims and pretensions which
could not be historically justified. It was somewhat modified by the
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1876 and adopted as the only authorized
 Trestle Board for this jurisdiction. The modifications were all in the 
nature of omissions of explanatory matter which was not really needed
and a material abbreviation of the second degree. The original Senior
Deacon's lecture was about an hour long and contained a good deal of
obsolete matter. The essentials of the lecture are retained in the
abbreviated form.

The Trestle Board, as the original title page states, was "adapted to the National system of work and lectures as revised and corrected by the United States Masonic Convention at Baltimore, Maryland, A.L. 5843." It had wide currency and was adopted by many Grand Lodges. As it dealt only with what is known as the "monitorial" work it did not eliminate divergences in ritual, especially in the esoteric portions of the work. It was, however, a very useful and helpful work.

Unfortunately it encountered a difficulty at the outset. The chairman of the Convention committee was R. W. John Dove, the other two members being Charles W. Moore and S. W. B. Carnegy, Past Grand Master of Missouri. Dove differed radically from his two colleagues. Dove wanted to omit many of the printed illustrations contained in the current monitor. To this the other two could not agree. The material had long been in print. Its retention in no way invaded the esoteric part of the work. Its omission, leaving the matter involved to oral transmission, would multiply the occasions for divergences which it was the main purpose of the Convention to eliminate so far as possible. Dove would not yield and refused to sign the Trestle Board.

Dove was extremely influential in Virginia. He was Grand Secretary, had been appointed a Special Grand Lecturer for the purpose of attending the Convention, and was Clerk of the Grand Committee on Work. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in December of 1843 that committee reported that the Trestle Board could not receive the sanction of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. The subordinate Lodges were recommended to discontinue its use and the committee requested the Grand Lodges of other states to unite in suppressing "its circulation and use." They called it "a most offensive, ridiculous, and objectionable book: that it has scarcely one feature having the most remote resemblance to the work proposed by the Convention; and that it contains the errors of all preceding publications without their excellencies."

In due time the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia came to the Massachusetts Corresponding Grand Secretary. Ordinarily the Proceedings of a sister sovereign Grand Lodge would not be considered proper matter for Grand Lodge action, but as Virginia had requested co-operation in suppressing the Trestle Board, the matter was referred to a committee consisting of John Abbot, Paul Dean, Robert Lash, E. M. P. Wells, and Benjamin Huntoon. The committee presented a long and convincing report to the June Quarterly of 1844. A careful study of the book itself and comparison of it with the Proceedings of the Convention convinced the committee that the Trestle Board conformed to the Ancient Landmarks and usages and was in accordance with the resolutions and proceedings of the Convention. A detailed defense was set up against the charges against the Trestle Board and Massachusetts declined to withdraw approval.

The Committee on Correspondence of the Grand Lodge of Virginia noted the Massachusetts rejoinder, but did not attempt any discussion of it, simply stating that the views of Virginia were unchanged. Dove prepared a "Textbook" of his own and presented it to the Grand Lodge in 1844, receiving its formal approbation at the Communication of 1845.

The fact that the Trestle Board did not in all respects conform to the current Massachusetts usage caused some misgivings and a committee was appointed in March, 1844, to see whether there was any deviation from the Landmarks. In June the Committee reported as follows:

"The Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Grand Lodge to consider whether any deviation has been made from the ancient landmarks by the adoption of the work of the National Convention, Respectfully Report.

That they have carefully examined the work and lectures as now used by the Grand Lecturers and upon such Examination they are unable to perceive any deviation from the ancient landmarks. It is true that some transpositions in the Language have been made and some superfluous questions omitted but these the Committee consider to be improvements in the Expressions, and in no way interfere with the landmarks.

It was not to be expected that Delegate from this state to the National Convention would be able to carry the whole of the work & lectures into that Body, as every Grand Lodge there represented was as tenacious of their own mode as we were of ours. It was the desire of the Grand Lodges to introduce an uniform mode of work throughout the States, to accomplish this object, it was necessary that something should be conceded by each. Your Committee are happy to state that in his general concession to promote the Grand object of harmony and uniformity, our Representative has parted with none of our established forms and ceremonies that were of importance and has brought but one new ceremony which was approved and practiced by a majority of the Convention and which they were unwilling to part with, viz- The D. G. of the 2d and 3d Degrees, and altho your Committee were struck with the perfect analogy which this charge presents and are fully impressed with the propriety of its adoption both for itself and uniformity among the different Grand Lodges yet they are aware of the existence of a diversity of opinion among the Brethren and therefore recommend that the Lodges (or such of them as prefer to do so) be permitted to retain the old D.Gs. explaining to their Initiates, at the same time, those which have been sanctioned by the Convention and adopted by many of the Grand Lodges in Different parts of the Country.

  • John B. Hammatt
  • Charles W. Moore
  • John R. Bradford
  • Winslow Lewis, Jr.
  • Gilbert Nurse


Committee.
Boston, May 31-1844."

After a good deal of discussion the report was adopted by a vote of twenty-three to four.

Later in the same Communication a resolution was adopted "That all the legislation of this Grand Lodge respecting proposed alterations in the lectures and mode of work in the Lodges as proposed by the late National Convention be considered recommendatory and not obligatory." This resolution, respecting as it did the deep-seated and still existing jealousy of Massachusetts Masonry of unnecessary dictation by Grand Lodge, satisfied all concerned.

By far the most important event of this administration was the adoption of a new code of Grand Constitutions. The previous codes, up to and including that of 1819, had been decidedly sketchy. For some ten years the project of a new code had been under somewhat desultory discussion. The committee in charge was ready to report at the Quarterly of September 13, 1843, but the time of the meeting was taken up by discussion of the matter growing out of the Baltimore Convention and the Grand Lodge adjourned to the 15th for the purpose of taking up the code. The report was then presented and after discussion the committee was authorized to print its report and distribute it to the officers and permanent members and the particular Lodges "as the Grand Master may direct."

A Special Communication was called for October 11. The Grand Lodge was opened at half past six o'clock in the evening and closed at eleven o'clock. The code was discussed article by article, a few amendments were made and the whole was then adopted by unanimous vote to take effect at the next Annual Communication. While this code has been amended in many details its general substance remains unaltered. It is the basis of all subsequent Grand Lodge legislation.

The drafting of the code was principally the work of Moore. On every page it bears the marks of his clear and logical mind, his grasp of the essential principles of Masonic law and his power of clear and felicitous expression.

The general scope and purpose of the code cannot be expressed better than in the words of the report which conveyed to the Grand Lodge. The report follows:

"The Committee, to whom was referred the duty of drafting a Code of By-Laws, for the better regulations of the affairs of the Grand Lodge, and the subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction, have attended to the responsible duties of their appointment, and herewith respectfully submit their report.

Experience had taught your Committee the inexpediency of longer relying upon a few vague rules for the government of the Lodges, and the impossibility of enforcing regulations which have existed only in the general Constitutions and usages of the Craft, They have, therefore, endeavored to embrace in the new Code, so much of what may properly be termed the common, as well as statute law of the Fraternity, as to their opinion will hereafter be found essential to a due and efficient discharge of the multifarious and important duties devolving on the administration of the Order in this Commonwealth. They do not, however, presume that they have covered the whole ground, or that they have embraced every point which it might be desirable to incorporate among the permanent regulations of the Grand Lodge. This would be a work of laborious research and reflection, requiring more time than your Committee could conveniently devote to the subject. They nevertheless believe that the Code will be found to be sufficiently copious to meet all questions which are likely to arise in the ordinary transaction of Masonic business.

All of which is respectfully submitted

  • Charles W. Moore
  • John B. Hammatt
  • John J. Loring
  • S. W. Robinson
  • John R. Bradford

Committee
Masonic Temple Boston Sept. 13, 1843.

It is not necessary to go into the provisions of the code in detail, but a few of the more important ones may well be noted. Previous codes had spoken of "The Grand Lodge of the most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Article I, Section I, of the new code reads "The style and title of this Grand Lodge shall be "The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.* This definitely fixed the "A. F. and A. M." in the title of the Grand Lodge and the particular Lodges in Massachusetts, as distinguished from the "F. and A. M." used by about half of the American Grand Lodges.

The number of Grand Chaplains was fixed at two and two Grand Lecturers were provided for.

There was to be a Committee of Finance, composed of three members annually elected by ballot. They were to pass all bills, credit accounts, supervise the work of the Grand Secretary,and recommend the compensations to be paid the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary.

There was to be a Library Committee annually appointed.

The provisions for erecting new Lodges were materially changed. Petitions were to be submitted to the Grand Master bearing the countersignature of the District Deputy Grand Master for the District in which the Lodge was to be located and the recommendation of the nearest Lodge, The Grand Master, in his discretion, was to issue a Dispensation empowering the petitioners to assemble and work. The Dispensation was returnable in one year with the proposed by-laws of the Lodge and an account of work done. If these were satisfactory, the Grand Lodge would vote a Charter and the new Lodge would be constituted by the Grand Master or some one especially commissioned by him for that purpose.

Masonic trials were still conducted in Lodges, but procedure in such cases was carefully defined. If the verdict was guilty and the penalty suspension or expulsion from Masonry it was subject to review by the Grand Lodge. If the decision of the Lodge was reversed or abrogated by the Grand Lodge, the respondent was not thereby reinstated in membership of the Lodge. That required the unanimous consent of the members.

The right of every Brother to appeal to the Grand Lodge from any action of a Lodge or other Masonic authority by which he considered himself aggrieved was defined and safeguarded.

Provision was made for Lodges of Instruction for ritualistic work.

Unanimous consent was required for acceptance of candidates and provision was made for the control of rejected applicants.

The territorial jurisdiction of Lodges was established and defined.

The physical requirement for admission was fixed as ability to meet the requirements of the ritual and honestly to acquire the means of subsistence.

Membership in more than one Lodge was forbidden. It was provided that removal from the jurisdiction should not terminate Lodge membership. Such termination could come only by dimit or by disciplinary action.

The discussion of political or other exciting topics In Lodges was strictly forbidden.

It was declared that "No Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons can legally assemble in this Commonwealth under a warrant granted by any foreign Masonic power." The word "foreign" is here used in its Masonic significance, and means outside Massachusetts.

Amendments could not be adopted at the meeting at which they were offered. They must be referred to a committee and come up for action on the committee's report to a subsequent meeting, and could be passed only by a two thirds vote.

It is clear that when this code was adopted the Grand Lodge looked forward to a period of growth and prosperity. Its provisions were calculated to meet the needs of a large and compact organization. They were the product of vision and of optimism. How true the vision was is shown by the fact that in essentials the code is still the working basis of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Freemasonry is always conservative, and rightly and fortunately so. The new Grand Constitutions were so widely in contrast with the "fe# vague rules" by which the Craft had been governed for a century and more that there was an immediate reaction against them. To some thay appeared inconsistent with the ancient usages of the Craft and in conflict with the rights and privileges of the Lodges. The Massachusetts Lodge in particular took action disapproving some of the provisions of the code.

At the March Quarterly of 1844, A .A. Dame, Past Deputy Grand Master, presented the views of The Massachusetts Lodge and on his motion it was voted to appoint a committee "to examine the Constitutions and iRegulations and ascertain if there be anything in them inconsistent with the Ancient usages and customs of the Craft or anything which conflicts with the rights and privileges of the subordinate Lodges. The committee consisted of John Abbot, Past Grand Master, Thomas Tolman, Past Senior Grand Warden and later Grand Treasurer for thirteen years, and Thomas Power, Junior Grand Warden, who had been Grand Secretary and John Hawes, later Junior Grand Warden. None of these had served on the committee which prepared the Grand Constitutions.

At the June Communication the committee reported. The report was discussed at length and finally adopted. It will be noted that the objection seemed to be that the Grand Lodge had arrogated to itself too much power. The discussion of this formed the substance of the report, which was convincing and conclusive that the question was never again raised. The report was a long one, but was so important that it deserves reproduction in full.

"The committee report

"That they deem the subject which they are ordered to investigate, of high import, and one that deeply concerns the honor and happiness of of the craft. It is of primary importance that all Constitutions and Regulations should be conformable to the Ancient customs and usages, and that they should be plainly stated extensively circulated - and implicitly obeyed -

They have, therefore, carefully examined "The Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Mass." recently adopted and published, and compared them with all the Constitutions, ancient & modern to which they could find access; -The result they now present to the Grand Lodge.

This discussion demands an examination into the origin, structure, objects and character of Grand Lodges; the power according to them; and the modes in which they have exercised it.

Free masonry can be traced back to the borders of the impenetrable shades of antiquity. Its charges, definitions of its favorite Arts fit Sciences, descriptions and uses of its implements, emblems paraphernalia, public ceremonies &c were always allowed to be written. These have been preserved as far as any thing human can be preserved in ancient records, safely deposited in the archives of Lodges and in authentic publications.

The singular conformity of these with each other end the general agreement of them all with the internal evidence and true principles of the order, give us reasonable assurance that this most ancient of human Institutions, the principal and unwritten part of which can be transmitted from age to age by tradition only, has descended to us from very remote antiquity with little variation.

In early ages each Lodge was independent of any authority but that of its own officers. The power of the Master to make and change rules, laws, and regulations was absolute, he being under no other obligation than to observe the principles, Landmarks and usages of the Order.

Lodges were then very few in number each having extensive but undefined Jurisdiction.

Masters must then have had occasional conferences with each other; they probably compared together their regulations, ceremonies and instructions.

And this must have been done with wonderful care and fidelity. For after Masons had travelled Into foreign countries and established Lodges all over the civilized world; after the destruction of the Roman Empire, and after the dissolution of the dark ages had swept away almost every vestige of human improvement, on the return of civilization in every country and language in which Freemasonry was found to exist, it has preserved its identity and but little variety was found in its modes of instruction and operation.

In process of time, the difficulty of preserving in its original purity an Institution which extended over the whole earth and which descended only by tradition - pressed heavily on the minds of intelligent Masons. They foresaw the danger of degenerating into different, if not into total diverse systems - To prevent this the enterprising Edwin, the brother of King Athelstane, conceived the project of forming a Grand Lodge. For this purpose he summoned all the influential Freemasons in England, and Brethren from the continent to meet him at his Castle, at Aubrey, near York, and there in the year of our Lord 926 he formed the first Grand Lodge known to have existed in modern Europe. The preservation of the Unity of the order,- and its modes of operation and instruction, were the avowed motives for forming this establishment. Freemasons had ever cherished the principles of freedom and equality, as well as charity, and on this occasion they took the lead in giving to government a popular form. To this Grand Lodge was ceded much of the power which had before been exercised by the Master alone.

This Grand Lodge prepared a code of ancient constitutions, charges, rules, orders &c. These established the rights as well as the duties of both officers and members. They were preserved among the records, and are believed still to exist in the archives of the United Grand Lodge of England. The proceedings of that Grand Lodge were not generally made known - From history we have an account that a meeting was held in 1550, under Sir Thomas Sackville, Grand Master, when they had no little trouble with Queen Elizabeth, who became an Antimason, because the Craft could not gratify her curiosity to become acquainted with their secret mysteries.

The advantages resulting from the formation of that Grand Lodge were soon, and for a long time strongly felt - York Masonry gained an ascendency which it has maintained nearly 1000 years. And the purity and authority of Ancient York Masonry are still acknowledged over most of the civilized world.

In 1567, the Queen had become reconciled to the Fraternity, and while the Earl of Bedford was Grand Master at York, Sir Thomas Gresham was by royal authority appointed Grand Master at London, where a Grand Lodge has ever since been held.

Soon after we hear of Inigo Jones who was in 1636, elected Grand Master at London.

In 1665, the Earl of Saint Albans was elected Grand Master, and Sjr Christopher Wren was his Deputy. It therefore appears that before that time the Grand Lodge in London had acquired the right to elect their Master.

Soon after this, Grand Lodges were established in Scotland and Ireland, and on the Continent. These, by their knowledge and experience and their intercourse with each other, contributed greatly to establish the ancient unity of the Institution, and to guide the current of tradition unbroken along the course of time.

Grand Lodges in their structure are unlike any other human institution. Their members are in no degree hereditary, and but in part periodically elective; they consist of the principal officers of the Subordinate Lodges and the present officers of the Grand Lodge, who are elected or appointed annually; and of the past Grand Masters, Deputy Grand Masters and grand Wardens of the Grand Lodge, who are Members for life. This unique Institution is admirably contrived to answer the purposes of the Craft. The members elected annually are most likely to understand the condition and wants of the subordinate Lodges, and of the individuals throughout the Jurisdiction; while the life members, from their age and experience will naturally be a conservative body, free from motives of personal ambition, able to teach and powerful to preserve the work and lectures in their primitive purity.

Grand Lodges have too often been considered by the unreflecting and uninquiring, as mere arbitrary rulers known to the Lodges and the Craft only by enacting restraining laws and rules, requiring strict obedience to them; often interfering with the wishes and sometimes restraining the actions of those over whom their laws bear sway. But it should be borne in mind, that in fifty years after a man can be made a Mason, he reaches the common period of human life: a period beyond which if he survive, it is with an enfeebled intellect and broken memory. Fifty years then is as far back as the Masonic memory of any individual can be expected to go.

In such a state of things it must be difficult to transmit the usages and customs with well ascertained truth. No Individual can personally know what Freemasonry was 100 years ago. Differences of recollection and of opinion must arise; and there is no method that human ingenuity can contrive, to preserve the unity and identity of the order, but by holding conclaves taking counsel from age and experience, concentrating the wisdom of all, and requiring minorities to yield to majorities, and youth to submit to age.

Grand Lodges should be considered as the concentrated wisdom and
experience of the order; and their rules, regulations and edicts should
be received as the premeditated and experienced voice of the whole Craft,
 speaking to themselves for their good.

Formerly there were two Grand Lodges in Massachusetts; one divided from the Grand Lodge in London, the other from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. - The craft felt the danger of their degenerating into two distinct and different societies.

In 1792 for the avowed purpose of obtaining identity and unity in rules, regulations, work and lectures, the two were united into one, which still continues to bear rule over the order in this State.

In England, the evils of a double rule were borne for some time longer. The Grand Lodges of York and London did not agree in their laws, rules and orders. Their modes of work and lectures had began to assume distinct and marked differences, Their several Jurisdictions were not well defined, and collisions and even contention had grown up between them. In the memorable year 1813, when a nobleman of the highest rank was at the head of each of them, their love of the institution and their sense of the absolute necessity of obtaining unity and identity in all their modes of proceeding, induced them to make an effort for a union which, after long and careful negotiation and inquiry, was happily effected.

This memorable act, the most solemn and interesting Masonic event that ever occurred in England, was consummated on the first day of December 1813. The articles of union were prepared after learned and laborious researches into records and documents. They even began with the solemn formality of - "In the name of God, Amen." They were signed by the officers of both Grand Lodges. The Grand seals of both were affixed to the instrument, which was the last service they rendered for they were immediately broken, and from their designs was made the present seal of the United Grand Lodge of England. This act of union is recited at length in Oliver's Edition of Preston's Illustrations, published at London, in 1829, page 359.-

The laborious investigation that proceeded its adoption, the character of the parties concerned, and the solemnity and formality with which it was sanctioned, not only by the two Grand Lodges, but by all the old Lodges, the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, and the whole Fraternity, give it as high a claim to authenticity as any Masonic document in existence.

The following are among its provisions:-Article 2d declares and pronounces, that pure and antient Masonry consists of three Degrees and no more.-

Article 3d provides, that there shall be the most perfect unity of obligation, of discipline, of working the Lodges, of making, passing, raising, instructing, and clothing Brothers, so that one pure unsullied system according to the genuine land marks, laws and traditions of the craft, shall be upheld, maintained and practiced throughout the Masonic world, from the day of the date of said union, until time shall be no more.

Article 4th provides, that both Grand Lodges shall invite delegations from the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland to be present at the solemnities of the union to be witnesses of the obligation assumed by the parties, to adopt and preserve the genuine and pure obligations, forms, rules and ancient traditions of Masonry.

Article 5th provides that for securing the desired perfect uniformity - nine worthy expert Master Masons, or past Masters - be appointed by each Grand Lodge to meet first, each party by themselves, and then together, to communicate their forms, modes of work, usages, &c to each other and thus to be a Lodge of Reconciliation, to visit, instruct and obligate all the Lodges in both Jurisdictions, in the mode adopted by the United Grand Lodge.

Article 13th provides, that after the union and when it shall be ascertained what are the obligations, forms regulations, work, and instructions to be universally established, speedy and effectual steps shall be taken to obligate all members in each Lodge in all the Degrees according to the form taken and organized by the Grand Lodge. And for this purpose the Lodge of Reconciliation, in bands of not less than three each, shall visit the Lodges to assist in promulgating and enjoying the pure, unsullied system; that reconciliation, unity of obligation, law, working, language and dress, may be happily restored.

Article 14th provides, that when the Grand Master shall be satisfied that the warranted Lodges have taken the proper enjoined obligations and conformed to the uniform working, clothing, &o. he shall direct the new Grand Seal to be affixed to these Warrants. A certain time shall be fixed by the Grand Lodge for establishing this uniformity, and it shall be in the power of the Grand Lodge to take the most effectual means for the establishment of this unity of Doctrine throughout the whole community of Masons, and to declare the warrants forfeited, if the measure proposed be resisted or neglected.

Article 17 - provides, for the revision of the rules and regulations of both Grand Lodges; and that a new book of Constitutions, prepared on the principles of the union, under the superintendency of the Grand Officers, should be forthwith made and published.

The articles were at the last named date, unanimously ratified and confirmed, on the 27 of December 1813, at the festival of Saint John the United Grand Lodge met - And all falling within the description of members who had obtained certificates from the Lodge of Reconciliation, that they had been reobligated, and had conformed to the articles of union, were admitted to take their seats.

At this meeting, the Union was proclaimed at the sound of trumpets; and it was again solemnly and unanimously ratified. After the utmost ceremony on this august occasion the United Grand Lodge was organized; and the Duke of Sussex was chosen and Installed Grand Master.

Pursuant to the provisions of the 17th article of the union, a Compilation of a revised code of the Constitutions was undertaken. The old records were consulted, and recourse was had to every means of information.

The work was subjected to much investigation and consideration. After the labor of fourteen years, it was completed and sanctioned by the Grand Lodge and published in 1827.

The following are among the provisions of this deliberately formed collection of Masonic constitutions, laws.and usages. No lodge shall, on any pretence, make more than five new Brothers in one day, unless by dispensation. Nor shall a Lodge be permitted to give more than one Degree to a Brother on the same day. Nor shall a higher Degree in Masonry be Conferred on any Brother at a less interval than one month, from his receiving a previous Degree; nor until he shall have passed an Examination in Open Lodge, in that Degree. A note adds, "no dispensation can be granted to suspend the operation of this law."

The same provision is twice afterwards, in substance repeated in that work.

Another provision is: all Lodges are bound to observe the same usages and customs. Every deviation therefore from the established mode of working is highly improper, and Cannot be justified or sanctioned.

Some of our Brethren have expressed doubts whether the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has not overstepped the ancient landmarks and proper Masonic rules in framing the fourth Article of their recently adopted Constitutions, part first, which provides, that "By the ancient Constitutions and usages of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge, as the Supreme Masonic authority in this Commonwealth, Is invested with certain original, essential and unalterable powers and privileges; among which is the power of enacting Laws & Regulations for the Government of the Craft; and of altering, repealing and abrogating them; of establishing and prescribing a uniform system of work and Lectures, of issuing Dispensations" &c.

The Brethren alluded to state that they "do now feel fully impressed with the belief that it was never originally intended to invest the Grand Lodge with such powers as would enable them from time to time to alter, repeal or abrogate such forms of work and Lectures as had from almost immemorial usage been practiced in all the Lodges."

Your committee feel impelled by their respect for the scruples of their Brethren as well as by the importance of the subject to compare article fourth, as well as all the provisions of our newly adopted Constitutions with all other codes of Masonic Constitutions, Rules & By-Laws, which have been printed in the English language; and to which they could find access. They have quoted some of the provisions of the English Constitutions, published in 1827, not because they differ from other codes, but because the solemnity, researches and deliberations upon which they were adopted, clothe them with the highest claims to be of authority and correct exponents of the ancient Rules, Regulations, Usages and Landmarks of Freemasonry. The Grand Lodge formed at York in 926, collected the old Constitution! from which the subsequent books of Constitutions were mainly compiled.

In 1717, the Grand Lodge at London revised their Code of Constitutions and after examining and re-examining the work for several years, it was adopted by General Consent and in 1723, it was printed and published. This was the first book of Constitutions that was published in England. It contained among other provisions the following:- "Every Grand Lodge has the inherent power and authority to make new regulations, or alter these for the benefit of the Ancient Fraternity; provided always that the old land-marks are carefully preserved."

The Pocket Companion and History of Freemasons, 3d Edition, published in London 1764, contains the constitutional amendments made after 1723. Among other provisions it has the following;- "All particular Lodges are to observe the same usages as much as possible, in order to which and to cultivate a good understanding among Freemasons, some members of each Lodge shall be deputed to visit other Lodges as often as shall be thought convenient."

"Every Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make new regulations, and alter these, for the real benefit of the ancient Fraternity; provided the ancient land marks be preserved"; "Apprentices are to be Crafted and Raised only in the Grand Lodge unless by Dispensation;" "Every Grand Lodge, duly met, has the power to amend or explain any of the printed regulations in the printed book of Constitutions, while they break not in on the ancient rules of the Fraternity. And it is not in the power of any man or body of men, to make any alteration or innovation in the body of Masonry, without the consent of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge have an inherent right of amending what might be thought inconvenient. The members of the Grand Lodge are the true representatives of all the Fraternity."

The book called The Ahimon Rezon, containing the constitutional provisions, the ancient charges, rules, order, and usages, Illustrations, &c has passed through many editions in England, and several in this Country, It contains the same rules relative to the authority of the Grand Lodge of England as have been quoted from the other books. An edition of it published in Philadelphia in 1783, contains the following Constitutional provision for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania:-

"The Grand Lodge has an inherent right and authority to make local ordinances and new regulations as well as to amend and explain old ones for their own particular benefit and the good of Masonry in general; provided always that the ancient land-marks be carefully preserved. This has never been disputed, for the members of the Grand Lodge are the true representatives of all the Fraternity in Communion, and are An absolute independent body; provided the Grand Masonic Constitutions be never violated, nor the old land-marks removed."

When the two Grand Lodges of Massachusetts were united in 1792, they prepared and published a book of Constitutions, and an improved edition of it was published in 1798. These books of Constitution contain the following provisions.

"The powers of the Grand Lodge are independent; all distinctions between ancient and modern Masons shall as far as possible be abolished."

"The modes of work heretofore practiced by St. John's G. Lodge is recommended to the old, and enjoined on new Lodges."

"The Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make local ordinances and new regulations, as well as amend old ones for their own benefit and the. good of Masonry in general; provided, always that the Grand Constitutions and ancient land-marks be carefully preserved. This has never been disputed for the Grand Lodge is the representative of the whole Fraternity."

"No brother shall be admitted into the Grand Lodge but such as are members or voters: Excepting petitioners and witnesses; and those called in on motion."

The Grand Lodges in all the United States have drawn their laws, rules and regulations from the same sources; and so far as we have been able to examine, they all contain substantially the same provisions. The Masons in the territories of Wisconsin and Iowa have recently formed Grand Lodges, which are the newest - and latest made. They compiled their Constitutions with all the lights of Masonry shining on them from both hemispheres. They declare the power of the Grand Lodge to be "to grant new Lodges by letters patent under seal; to establish a uniform mode of work within their Jurisdiction, strictly conforming to the ancient land marks. To appoint lecturers to instruct the Brethren, and correct errors &c - To make such By-Laws as may be necessary for its good government; and prescribe the general regulation and government of its subordinate Lodges."

Many masonic books, by various titles have been published since 1733, Most of these contain much apocryphal matter, but the ancient charges and constitutional laws, rules and regulations in them all are almost identical - Their singular conformity, differing so little from each other, shows the fidelity with which the ancient land-marks have been preserved.

On a careful comparison of the Constitution & Regulatlons recently adopted by our Grand Lodge, with all prior provisions on the same subject, the Committee are satisfied that they are in strict conformity to them; and that they do not in any point conflict with the rights and privileges of subordinate Lodges - In the whole code there appears not a single provision that is anything more than a new declaration of settled principles to be found in the old ordinances rules and Regulations.

The power of the Grand Lodge is great; hut every reflecting Mason, every friend of the order, must perceive, that great power to direct control, and To correct, must be vested some where; or identity of rules, work and lectures could not be preserved. Every Lodge would cherish and transmit to their successors their accidental deviations and errors. These would soon be considered the customs of the fathers and be tenaciously held and cherished as ancient and time honored usages, The variations of different Lodges would grow broader, till each became a distinct society differing more and more in its laws, usages, work, paraphernalia and lectures from the others; and soon the identity, and with it the existence of the order, would perish. Every lover of the upright, charitable and sociable principles; and of the simple antique forms of the Craft, will unite in declaring this must not be done. Authority must exist; wisdom and experience of ages unitedly declare that it can be no where so safely deposited as in Grand Lodges, They being but the representation - the concentrated principle, interest and feeling of the whole Fraternity - are with great propriety clothed with ample authority. They are entitled to speak with the voice of power and to be heard with feelings of confidence and obedience. When this principle shall be given up, the Institution will be lost.-

It has been said that Grand Lodges are but a few centuries old; and before their existence the Fraternity were well governed without the delegation of such extensive powers. A little reflection and enquiry will show that such opinion is erroneous. In ancient times, when the number of Lodges was small, the whole power resided in the Master; his word was law, and whatever he decreed was implicitly received as ancient usage. Masters might then, like Solomon, be considered Grand Masters. The few rulers over large Lodges could occasionally confer together, and thus correct errors and repair the dilapidations of forgetfulness among themselves. But to preserve such a system the Masters must be few, however numerous the members. Hence we find that on the formation of the Grand Lodge in London, there were but four Lodges In the south of England. As Masonry became more and more extended the necessity of changing its government became the more apparent. Grand Lodges were then established and to them was ceded the authority of the Masters; and they have hitherto exercised, and it is believed they always will exercise, their ample powers over erring Lodges and Brethren, with charity, kindness and forbearance, and for the good of the Craft. For the convenience of attending and working the Lodges, while the number of initiated was not vastly increased, Charters were multiplied, and one or more Lodges were established in almost every City.

To exercise over such a community a salutary and efficient government frequent meetings of the Grand Lodges,conferences between them and sometimes more extensive conventions became necessary, and these have been resorted to with entire success, a system which has operated so well, through so many ages, should not be too readily touched by the adventurous hand of change. It satisfies the wants of the Fraternity, and they should one and all rest satisfied with it, until an abler and wiser one can be devised.

The appropriate duty of the Craft is to exercise and preserve their system in its ancient purity and simplicity. For this purpose Grand Lodges were established and invested with adequate authority. The modes of labor and instruction, as well as the rules and regulations - must be frequently compared. If differences shall be found, error must exist somewhere - In such case diligent inquiry should be made. The wisest and most experienced should be consulted; and after due deliberation: a majority must decide what is error, and what is strict conformity to the ancient usages and land-marks. And to such decisions the committee feel entire confidence that every true faithful member of the ancient Brotherhood will, on reflection submit with cheerful acquiescence.

  • Augustus Peabody
  • John Abbot
  • Thos. Tolman
  • Thos. Power
  • John Hews

Committee.
Boston May 17th 1844

There appears to have been some objection to the standing order passed in June 1843 providing not more than one degree could be conferred on the same candidate on the same evening or short of one month unless by Dispensation. Curiously enough this provision did not appear in the new code. At the June Quarterly of 1844 the same committee which had presented the report just quoted presented a supplementary report dealing with this matter and recommended that it be inserted in its proper place in the Grand Constitutions, and it was so voted.

A Special Communication was held on May 23, 1843 to consider the acceptance of an invitation in the celebration of the completion of the Bunker Hill Monument. A resolution was presented by Winslow Lewis, Jr. to the effect that it was expedient for the Grand Lodge to participate, but after some discussion Simon W. Robinson moved indefinite postponement and his motion prevailed, 15 to 7. This decision was not agreeable to some of the Boston Brethren and in deference to their wishes another Special Communication was held May 30, at which John B. Hammatt moved reconsideration. After a full discussion reconsideration was refused, 14 to 9.

At the June Quarterly of 1843 Rev. Hiram Chamberlain, Grand Chaplain of Missouri, appeared to solicit funds for the building and endowment of a Masonic College. Stephen W. B. Carnegy, who will be remembered as Moore's colleague in the publication of the Trestle Board, had become an enthusiastic advocate of a Masonic college and had induced his Grand Lodge to undertake the enterprise. Money was sorely needed far beyond the means of the Missouri Masons and Chamberlain was sent out to raise it. He was well received in Massachusetts and resolutions were adopted endorsing the project and commending it to the support of the Fraternity. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions. As the committee never reported we do not know how much they raised - probably not much.

The college was to be primarily for the children of indigent Masons. It was to be co-educational and a pretentious, though not very practical curriculum was provided for. The college was actually opened, but the Grand Lodge soon discovered that it had on its hands a task not only surpassing its financial ability, but far outside the proper scope of its activities. The college finally closed its doors in 1859. Quite a number of other Grand Lodges undertook similar enterprises, but they were short-lived.

It will be remembered that a visit to Europe made by R.W. Nahum Capen, the Corresponding Grand Secretary, in 1836, had been instrumental in setting our relations with England and France on a better footing. A further step in that direction was made by the adoption at the June Quarterly of 1843 of the following resolution which was ordered transmitted to the Grand Lodge of England.

"Resolved,

That since the last quarterly communication of this Grand Lodge we have, with sorrow, heard of the bereavement sustained by the Grand Lodge of England, in the death of their Grand Master, the Illustrious Duke of Sussex.

Resolved, - That we sympathize with our brethren of the Grand Lodge of England in the loss of a Grand Master, whose attachment to the order had induced him to assume the care of presiding over their deliberations, for nearly thirty years.

Resolved. - That since it is the inflexible law of our being, that the seats of our illustrious and venerated brethren shall one after another, be left vacant, we should seek consolation in the remembrance of their virtues, and learn from their example the better to perform our duties."

Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, born in 1773, was the sixth son of George III. Before the Union of 1813 he had been for a short time Grand Master of the Moderns and took the Grand Mastership of the United Grand Lodge at the time of the union. The question of the Grand Mastership of the United Grand Lodge had been very neatly arranged by electing Sussex's younger brother, the Duke of Kent (father of Queen Victoria) Grand Master of the Ancients. Of course there could be no question of his gracefully giving way to his older brother.

Another evidence that the Grand Lodge was becoming internationally conscious is to be found in a resolution passed at the Annual Communication of 1843.

"Resolved - That we have learnt with deep regret, that by the regulations of some of the Grand Lodges of Germany, Jews are prohibited from admission into our Fraternity, on account of their religious belief-Resolved - That in the opinion of this Grand Lodge the exclusion of any class of men from the privileges of Masonry, who believe in the existence and moral government of the Supreme Being, evinces a spirit adverse to the genius of our Institution, and that it is an assumption of power not sanctioned by the ancient usages of the Craft."

Throughout the period of Masonic activity in Germany until the suppression of the Order by the Nazi government Germany never recognized the principle of the territorial jurisdiction of Grand Lodges. A considerable number of Grand Lodges arose having their headquarters in various parts of the country, but having concurrent jurisdiction. It was not uncommon for a single city to have as many as half a dozen Lodges, all in the obedience of different Grand Lodges. Some Grand Lodges, notably two largest, located in Berlin, never admitted Jews. These were known as Christian Grand Lodges. Others did admit Jews, These were known as Humanitarian Grand Lodges. The concurrent jurisdiction system prevented the Christian Grand Lodges from having local monopolies and provided for the needs of Jewish applicants. The resolution just quoted might have caused friction in the Masonic world, on the ground that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts had no right to condemn as unmasonic the practice of other sovereign Grand Lodges. That did not happen, very possibly because the German Grand Lodge never heard of the resolution. It was, however, important for home consumption because it placed the Grand Lodge squarely on record as affirming the fundamental basis of Freemasonry as here understood.


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