HS CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 098 140 472 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924098140472 In compliance with current copyright law, Cornell University Library produced this replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1992 to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. 2004 \J><1 ^ ^'A^9^-^..ae. BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henrg ISJ. Sage 1891 f\l% t^ .^..^.h a<^\ g|\l ^. <::).'Q.. 3081 I. O. O. F. DIGEST OF THE LAWS Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, TO WHICH IS ADDED THE CONSTITUTION, LAWS AND RULES OP ORDER f . i!I. (granb foigc of t^e ®raii:b hiatus. Tlie whole brought up to and moluding September Session, 1863. PREPARED BY P. A. ELLIS, R. W. Grand Repbesbntative op Maryland UNDER APPOISTMEKT OF Grand Cor. and Eec. Sec. JAMES L. RIDGELY, By authority of the R. W. G. L. D. S. PUEtlSHED BY ORDER OP THE R. W. Grand Lodge of tlie United States. 1864. Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by Jas. L. Eidgelv, Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary Grand Lodge United States, of. the Independent Order of Odd-Felloivs. I. O. O. F. PEOCEEDINGS DIRECTING THE PUBLICATION. |l. W. #ranb foigt aii^t Wixatt)i Stalts, September Session, 1863. Among other proceedings, the following was had : To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States : Yoar Legislative Committee, to wliom was referred the resolution of Eep. Buckley, of New Jersey, (page 3538 Journal, ) in relation to the Digest to he submitted in manuscript or proof sheets, beg leave to report and recommend the adoption of the following resolution : Resolved, That the Digest, when completed, be submitted in manuscript or proof sheets to the Grand Sire, Deputy Grand Sire, and Grand Secretary, and when approved by them, be published under the direction of the last named offi- cer, in such form as to him shall appear advisable. GEO.W. CASSEDY, J. GRISWOLD, R. A. LAMBERTON, C. G. CADY, THOS. T. SMILEY. On mgtion of Rep. Lambekton, of Pa., the rule was suspended, and the report was considered and adopted. Test, i JAS. L. EIDaELY, G. Cor. aad Rec. Sec'i/. By virtue of the authority conferred in the above proceeding, the undersigned hereby certify that they have examined and approved the Digest of the Laws of the Order prepared by Bro. P. A. Ellis, E. W. G. Eep. of Md. JAS. B. NICHOLSON, Grand Sire. JAS. L. EEDGELY, Cor. Sec'y. Baltimore, September 3, 1864. I. 0. 0. F. To Jambs L. RiDaELT, Esq., R. W. Crrand Corresponding and Recording Secretary. In compliance with the terms of the resolution of the Grand Lodge at its last session, the undersigned herewith respectfully submits the ''Digest of the Laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States," pre- pared at your instance under the authority of the resolution found on page 8489 of the Journal of that Grand Body. The first part of the work authorized by that resolulion, viz : ' 'the Index to the proceedings of the Grand Lodge" necessarily closed with the fourth bound volume of the Journal and the session of 1862 ; the "Digest," being a separate and distinct work, it was thought might very properly be extended so as to embrace the legislation and judicial decisions of the session of 1863 ; hence the present work is brought up to the close of the last communication of the Grand Lodge of the United States. In assuming the performance of the trust confided to him by your kind partiality, the undersigned had some difficulty in determining upon the form in which this part of the work should be compiled. His original purpose was to model it after some of the most approved law digests of the day ; but when he remembered that a comparatively limited number of the members of the Order are lawyers, to whom alone such a work would be one of easy reference, he deemed it wiser to adhere to that peculiar form with which the entire brotherhood has from long usage become familiar. The Digest will, therefore, be found to be a condensation of the voluminous work of Past Grand Sire Moore, with some slight changes in the arrangement of its parts, the introduc- tion of some new titles, and the exclusion of such as were not found necessary or applicable — and embodying in addition thereto, under the same titles, the legislation and decisions of the Grand Lodge of the United States from the session of 1856 to that of 1863 inclusive. The form thus adopted seems to supersede the necessity of any index to the work, which would only add to its size and cost without any corresponding benefit. The law being digested under many different titles alphabetically arranged, the same authority often given under various different heads, where the character of the legislation or the decision required it, little if any difficulty, it is believed, will be expe- rienced in referring to the Digest for authority upon any question that may arise in the deliberations of the Grand Lodge, or- of any of its committees, or in any official or personal investigation. Of the manner in which the trust confided to him has been performed it does not become the undersigned to speak. Satisfied as he is of having brought to the discharge of the duty imposed upon him a keen sense of the responsibility assumed, and a consciencious determination to devote his best ability to a faithful execution of the trust, he submits the result of his labors to the candid criticism of the Grand Officers to whose supervision it is by the terms of the resolution of the Grand Lodge subjected. Defects there doubtless are — errors there may be in rendering in some instances the proper judgment of the Grand Lodge upon ques- tions submitted to it, which, from the peculiar character of the reports of committees and the action of the Grand Lodge thereon, is not always an easy task. In the hope however that in the iliain it will be found to be correct, and will prove acceptable to the Order at large, the un- dersinged has the honor to be Fraternally yours, August 30th, 1864. F. A. ELLIS. lipjSit 0f the jMSi Oi' THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES, OF THE INDEPENDENT ORDEE OF ODD-FELLOWS. ABSENCE. 1. An • elective officer of the Grand Lodge of the United States vacates his office if absent at the time appointed for installa- tion. — Constitution, Article III, Section 3. 2. Representatives to the Grand Lodge of the United States arc not liable to disqualification under the laws of their State Grand Lodges while necessarily absent from their seats in those bodies ' performing their duties as Grand Representatives. — Jour. 820. 3. A Grand Representative duly elected and commissioned, who absents himself from the Grand Lodge of the United States at the first session of his term, does not thereby forfeit his seat for the next session, unless arraigned and removed for neglect of duty under the penal laws of his own jurisdiction. — Jodr. 1992, 2114,' 2169. ^ , 4. A District Deputy Grand Sire has power to appoint a qualified brother or brothers to install officers of Lodges and Encamp- ments during his necessary absence from his jurisdiction. — JoTiE. 1992, 2114, 2170, 2180. 5. In the absence of the brother deputed to install the officers of a Lodge or Encampment, any qualified brother in attendance may perforni the ceremony. — Jour. 1992, 2114, 2170, 2180. 6. It is competent for the Noble Grand to install his successor in the absence of the firand Master, his Deputy, and all Past Grands. And the same rule applies to Encampments. — Jour. 1246. 4 A DIGEST OP THE LAWS OP THE ABSENCE CONTINDED. 7. In tlie absence of the Noble Grand, it is not only the privilege but the duty of the Vice Grand to take the chair of that officer. He is Noble Grand de facto, entitled to wear the regalia, and required to perform all the duties of that office, and cannot waive his right in favor of a Past Grand, except upon occa- sions of initiation and the conferring of degrees. — Jour. 1U16, 1068, 1443, 1475, 1511, 2611, 2650, 2673, 2676, 3486, 3540. 8. If an officer of a Subordinate Lodge absents himself on the night for installation, without sufficient excuse given, the installing officer may require the Lodge to elect immediately another brother in place of the absentee. — Jour. 2215, 2251, 2327. 10. When a Noble Grand elect forfeits his office for non-attendance, the brother elected and installed in his place is Noble Grand of the Lodge.— JouK. 2403, 2450, 2481, 2503. 11. An installed officer of a Lodge or Encampment does not vacate his office by non-attendance, unless the local law provides such penalty.— JouE. 1146, 1290, 1316, 2215, 2251, 2264, 2327. 12. An officer of a Lodge who is absent for a majority of the nights of the term on account of sickness, does not thereby forfeit the honors of the term.— Joue. 2309, 2345. 13. In the absence of the two principal officers of the Lodge, it may open and proceed to business with a Past Grand in the Noble Grand's chair, and a scarlet member in the Vice Grand's chair. — JouE. 1840, 1883, 1897, 1952. 14. In the absence of all Past Grands, the Noble Grand may deliver the Past Grand's charge at initiation, but a Vice Grand can- not.— Joue. 1845, 1895, 1952. 15. A Subordinate Lodge cannot grant an elective officer leave of ab- sence for a majority of the nights of a term without working a forfeiture of the honors of the term by such officer. — Jouk. 1845, 1886, 1898, 1949, 1952. 16. A member under charges cannot be tried in his absence, but if he absent himself for the purpose of avoiding service of notice, he may be expelled for contempt. — Jotjr. 806, 2463, 2-i-So 2504. .17. When a copy of charges against an offending brother, and notice of trial cannot be served upon him ,by reason of his permanent absence, or his having absconded or concealed himself, the Lodge or Encampment may proceed to the trial upon proof of such fact, and upon further proof that copies of the charges and notice of trial have been left at his last place of residence, if GRAND LODGE OF THE, UNITED STATES, ABSENCE — CONTINUED. known, and, deposited in the post-office nearest his last known place of residence, directed to' himj provided that such papers , shall be taken as served only from thfe, time such constructive serviceiscomplete— the brother, on his returii, (not having been present at the trial in person or by counsel,) being entitled to a new trial if he desire it.— Jour. 2507, 2522, 2531. 18. A visiting card granted to an officer of a Lodge cannot be con- strued into leave of absence to such officer so as to prevent a forfeiture of office by absence, imder the laws of the Lodge or Encampment.--JonE. 2758, 2783, '■"'•' 19. The propriety of imposing fines for absence from fanerals is a subject for local legislation. — Jour. 1934, 1962. 20. If a Noble Grand obtain leave of absence for three months, and overstay his time so as to forfeit his office, and a Past Grand be chosen to fill the, vacancy, he cannot, after his return, upon resignation of the Past Grand, by being re-elected for the re- mainder of the term, be made Past G-rand entitled to hpnors. — JooK. 2859, 2926,- 2963. .';■■.., ACCOUNTS. ,: '" ■' ;: ,,■" '^ ' * ' ' ' ' - ' "V" 1. The Grand .Treasurer is requested to lay before the Grand Lodge of the United States, at its annual session, a fuU and correct statement of his accounts.— Constitution. Aetiolb "VU, Sec- 'tion 1. ' '■"'■ ■ ' ' " '. ' .• '."*"."'■■' 2. The Grand Lodge of the United States requires accounts to be opened for each appropriation- — restrains payments exceeding the appropriation, and prohibits the transfer of appropriations from one object to another. — Jour. 2515, 2521. 3. The tabular statements of monies received must bo sd arranged as to exhibit in parallel columns the amounts received for each specific purpose from each Grand Lodge and Grand Encamp- ment ; and also from each Subordinate Lodge and Encampment under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Jour. 2520. , ADJOURNMENT. 1. A motion, to adjourn (that is to close) a Subordinate Lodge whilst a discussion is in progress, is in order.^JouR. 1236, 1237. 2. Subordinate Lodges have no power to adjourn, but must close in due form ; and if an extra meeting is required it must be called as provided in their respective laws. — Jour. 1.846, 1886, 1949. 6 ALTERNATES. A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OT THE 1. Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments cannot elect or appoint alternate representatives to the Grand Lodge of the United States^ — no such oflSoer being recognized ty law. Grand Bodies may, however, invest their officers with full power to fill vacan- cies in the office of Grand Representative, when they occur. — Jour. 1401, 1470, 1484. AMENDMENTS.— Work or the Order. 1 . The Tinwritten work cannot be altered or amended, except by a unanimous vote of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The written work cannot be altered or amended except by the concurrence of four-fifths of the members of said Grand Body. Constitution, Article I, Section 5. Constitution and By-Laws op Grand Lodge of United States. 1 . Amendments or alterations of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States must be offered in writing at an annual session, by one or more members, from three difierent States, and entered on the Journal ; may be considered at the next session, and, if adopted by a vote of three-fourths of the mem- bers present on a call of the yeas and nays, shall become a part of the Constitution. — Constitution, Article XXI. 2. Amendments or alterations of the by-laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States must be proposed in writing at an annual session ; may be acted upon at the same session but not the same day. Two-thirds of the votes given are necessary to adopt such amendments. — Constitution, Article XIX. 3. An amendment goes into effect upon its adoption, but a vote adopting an amendment may be reconsidered at any time during the same communication. — -Jour. 841, 416, 420. 4. A motion to reject a proposition to amend cannot be entertained. —Jour. 486. 5. A proposition to amend may be indefinitely postponed, or laid on the table.— Jour. 486, 641, 642. 6. When a proposition to amend the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States comes up for action, a motion to amend such proposition cannot be entertained, but a proposi- tion to amend the by-laws may be amended. — Jour. 670, 86.3. 7. A proposition to amend may be divided if the sense will admit of it.— JouK, 749. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 7 AMENDMENTS— CONTINUED. 8. All propositions to amend the Constitution or By-Laws of the G-rand Lodge of the United States are required to be written out in full, in the precise words in which it is proposed the amendment should read if adopted. — Joue. 2143, 2181, 2182. 9. Propositions to amend the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, made in conforinity with Article XXI of said Constitution, may be made and entered on the Journal, as a matter of course, without any action of the Grand Lodge. — 38th Rule op Ordeb. Amendments to Constitutions of Grand and Subordinate Bodies. 1. Amendments to the Constitutions of all Grand Bodies, and such Subordinates as work under its immediate jurisdiction, must be submitted to the Grand Lodge of the United States for approval, and are not binding until confirmed by that Grand Body. — By-Laws, 1852, Article X. 2. All amendments to such constitutions, though purely local in their character, must be submitted to the Grand Lodge of the United States for approval.— Jour . 2889, 2923, 2963. 3. Grand Lodges anu'Grand Encampments, and Subordinates under its jurisdiction, having amended or revised constitutions to sub- mit to the Grand Lodge of the United States for approval, must furnish their documents in such form as to distinguish, by mar- ginal memorandum or otherwise, such parts of the revised in- struments as have not already received the sanction of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Jour. 2994. ANCIENT ODD-FELLOW. 1. A brother who has lost his withdrawal card may, on satisfactory proof thereof, be re-admitted to membership as an Ancient Odd- Fellow ; and will be entitled to the rank he may prove himself as having attained. — Jour. 1842, 1921, 1956. 2. Any brother who, being in good standing at the time, has with- drawn from the Order by written resignation, may be re-admit- ted as an Ancient Odd-Fellow, provided he passes a satisfactory examination in the work; in default of which, he must be re- admitted by initiation.— Jour. 1992, 2115, 2170, 2T26, 2737, 2773. 3. A brother holding a withdrawal card that has run out of dite, may be recognized as an Ancient Odd-Fellow, and may be allowed to renew his membership by depositing said card in a Lodge nearest his residence, and payment of such fee as the local law requires.- Jour. 2560, 2628, 2664. 8 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OP THE ANCIENT ODD-FELLOW— CONTINUED. 4. An Ancient Odd-Fellow is one who has been regularly initiated into the Order and retired therefrom in good standing by taking a withdrawal card or by resignation. If by resignation he at once becomes an Ancient Odd-Fellow. If by card he becomes such at the expiration of one year from the date of his card. — JoDR. 2859, 2925, 2963. ' 5. An Ancient Odd-Fellow is not a competent petitioner for a new Lodge.— JouE. 2901, 2954, 2975, 2976, 3217, 3228, 3265. 6. A brother holding an unexpired withdrawal card, who is not in possession of the A. T. P. W., must be admitted as an Ancient Odd-Fellow.— Jour. 3480. APPEALS. 1. With the consent of the Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment of a State, District or Territory, an appeal may be had by any Subordinate Lodge or Encampment to the Grand Lodge of the United States. But such consent is not necessary when an expelled Lodge or Encampment, having surrendered to its pro- per Grand Body all its effects, appeals from its decision. — Con- stitution, Article I, Section 4. 2. Appeals may also be heard from a member or members of a State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encamp- ment, from a decision thereof. But in all cases the decision of the State, District or Territorial Grand Body shall be final and conclusive until reversed by the Grand Lodge of the United States on direct appeal therefrom. — Constitution, Article I, Section 4. 3. During the recess of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Sire may de- cide such appeals as may be submitted to him by State Grand Bodies, or by Subordinate Lodges or Encampments working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; and his decisions are binding until reversed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitution, Article IV, Section 1. 4. The Grand Lodge of the United States will entertain an appeal by an individual member from the judgment of a Subordinate Lodge or Encampment working under its immediate jurisdic- tion.— Jour. 119, 120, 131. 5. On appeal to a State Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, the Grand Body canpot order a new trial of a member onthe ground of informality or unfairness of former trial, unless such infor- mality or want of fairness be shown, or new testimony be dis- covered. — Jour. 817. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 9 APPEALS CONTINUED . 6. A member under penalty, who takes an appeal to the G-rand Lodge of the United States, is not, during the pending of his appeal, entitled to any privileges or position in the Order other than such as are given to him by his own Grand Lodge. — Jour. 865, 903. 7. Members adjudged guilty upon charges preferred against them by their Subordinate Lodges, who obtain a reversal of such decision on appeal to their Grand Lodge, may be reinstated without the consent of the Subordinates.' — -Jour. 953. 8. Grand Masters have no right to deny or ignore appeals from their decisions. — Joue. 1108.- 9. All appeals, or papers relating to appeals, brought before the Grand Lodge of the United States, must be furnished by the appellants, printed in pamphlet form on a page of the same size as the Journal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and of sufficient number to furnish each member with a copy ; in default of which, the appeal may be referred back for in- formality.— Jour. 1127, 2493, 2499, 2521. 10. A State Grand Lodge may reconsider and reverse its own deci- sion on appeal. — Jour. 1405, 1476, 1511. 11. A Grand Representative who is interested in an appeal from his own Grand Body, may, nevertheless, vote thereon in the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Jour. 2504. 12. If a Lodge deny a card to a member who is not disqualified, he may have redress upon appeal to his Grand Lodge. — Jour. 2515, 2518, 2580. 18. When a report of the Committee of Appeals, or a resolution ac- companying the same, is under consideration, the statement of facts contained in the report of the committee and in the record of the appeal, shall be deemed conclusive, and it shall not be in order to make any statement in debate thereon inconsistent with the facts so stated in such record or report. This rule shall not apply when action is had upon a motion to recommit such report with instructions. — Jour. 2672. 14. Upon the trial of an appeal from the action of a Subordinate be- fore a State Grand Body, the Subordinate is entitled to notice. Without such notice the Grand Lodge of the United States will order a rehearing of the case. — JouR. 2918, 2963. 15. An. appeal taken from the decision of a State Grand Lodge must be with the consent of such Grand Body, and carried up to the next session of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Should 1-0 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE APPEALS CONTINUED. the appellant fail to prosecute his appeal at the first session of the Grand Lodge of the United States, a renewal of the assent of the State Grand Lodge must be had. With such renewal of assent, the appeal may be prosecuted at a subsequent ses- sion of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Jouk. 3062, 3110, 3124. 16. Where by the local law appeals are required to be made within a limited time, and that time is suffered to pass without appeal, the right of appeal is gone, and cannot be resuscitated by a re- vival of a claim or demand, and a second refusal or denial of the demand by the Lodge — the second denial being nothing more than a reiteration of the former decision, from which, if at all, the appeal should have been taken. — Jour. 3366, 3381, 3382, 3383. 17. No appeal to a Grand Lodge lies upon the decision of incidental questions during a trial ; they may form exceptions and the basis of an appeal — but an appeal to the Grand Lodge can only be taken after the decision of the entire case by the Subordinate Lodge, which is binding until reversed by the Grand Lodge. —Jour. 3415, 3463. 18. Where the By-Laws of a Grand Lodge limit the period within which appeals from the action of its Subordinates must be made, appeals made after such limitation expired cannot be entertained — and a Grand Lodge cannot disregard its own laws in this re- spect, or suspend them for the purpose of hearing any such a,ppeal.— JouE. 3468, 3469, 3490. 19. Every Subordinate Grand Body from whose action any appeal is taken to the Grand Lodge of the United States, is required to settle definitely all questions of fact involved in such appeal, and certify the same under its seal and the signatures of its executive oflScer and Grand Secretary or Grand Scribe, as the case may be. The Grand Lodge of the United States will entertain no appeal unless the facts involved in it be settled and certified as above directed. — Jour. 3496, 3532, 3533. 20. A proper construction of the second clause of Article I, Section 4, of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, which reads thus : ' 'Appeals may also be heard from a member or members of a State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment from a decision thereof;" confines such of appeal by a minority to questions effecting the general interests of the Order at large, or to the general interest of the Order in the particular jurisdiction from which the appeal comes, and does not extend it to questions of grievance to individual mem- bers or Lodges. — Jour. 3575, 3593. GEAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 11 APPORTIONMENT. 1. Representation iil the G-rand Lodge of the United States is so apportioned as to allow one representative to each Grand Lodge and G-rand Encampment having under its jurisdiction one thousand members or less, in good standing, and two repre- sentatives to such Grand Bodies as have over one thousand members in good standing. — Consiiiution, Aetiole IX, Sec- tion 2. APPROPRIATIONS. 1. State Grand Lodges may, at their discretion, (when not restrained by their constitutions,) make appropriations of money for objects not immediately connected with the Order. — Jouk. 1723, 1797, 2175. 2. Appropriations made by the G-rand Lodge of the United States cannot be transferred from one object to another. Accounts are required to be opened for each specific appropriation, and the officers are restrained from making payments for any object in excess of the amount appropriated thereto. — Joue. 2515, 2521. ARREARS. 1 . The representatives of a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment in arrears for money due the Grand Lodge of the United States, cannot vote in that Body. — By-Laws, Aettcle XI. 2. In order to enforce this law the Grand Sire is required, at the opening of each annual session, to place in the hands of the Committee on Credentials an exhibit of the indebtedness of any Grand Body, so that said committee may report in accordance with the by-law. — Joue. 2530. 8. Any Subordinate Lodge or Encampment, working under the Grand Lodge of the United States, in arrears for dues over one year, forfeits its charter, and the Grand Sire must reclaim it. — By-La-ws, Article XXVII. 4. A brother who is -without the term password and in arrears suf- ficient to disqualify him from receiving it, cannot be admitted into the Lodge.— Joue. 1840, 1883, 1897, 1952. 5. In reinstating a person who has lost his connection with the Or- der by disuse, a Lodge may make such arrangement with re- gard to arrears as will enable the reinstatement. — Jour. 1885, 1948. 12 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE ARREARS •OONTINDED. 6. A brotiier cannot be denied sick benefits en tbe ground that he is in arrears, if the Lodge is indebted to him on account of a prior sickness to an amount to place him in good standing. — JoDR. 2291, 2341. 7. A brother who is in arrears at the commencement of his sick- ness cannot, by after payments, entitle himself to benefits for that sickness.— Jour. 2311, 2346, 2859, 2925, 2963. 8. A Subordinate Lodge may settle by compromise arrears of dues from one of its own members suspended for non-payment. — Jour. 2454, 2464, 2495, 2520. 9. A brother who is beneficial at the commencement of his sickness cannot, during that sickness, become in arrears. It is not only the privilege but the duty of the Lodge to retain his dues out of benefits allowed him.— Jour. 2700, 2764, 2810. ASSESSMENTS.. 1. The Grand Lodge of the United States, as a power necessary to its own preservation, claims, has exercised, and will not yield the right to levy assessments upon the Subordinate State, Dis- trict and Territorial Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments under its jurisdiction, to raise the means necessary to aid in paying its legitimate expenses. — Jour. 1490, 1498, 1509, 1613, 1617, 1620, 1629, 1630, 1632, 1640, 1849, 1946, 2158, 2459, 2497, 2520, 2925. 2. This power is now exercised by requiring of each Grand Lodge and each Grand Encampment a Representative tax of seventy- five dollars for each vote it is entitled to in the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitution, Article XIV. 3. An assessment of ten per cent, on their receipts is required of every Subordinate Lodge and Encampment working under the immediate jurisdiction of. this Grand Lodge. — Constitution, Article XIV. 4. A State Grand Lodge has full power to assess upon its subordi- nates a per capita tax or assessment for its support, if required. The power to levy this assessment upon the individual mem- bers of the Order is disclaimed. The assessment is to be made upon the Subordinate Bodies according to the number of their respective members.— Jour. 2885, 2925, 3413, 3470, 3490. BALLOT. 1. All applications for admission to membership, in Lodges or En- campments, are determined by ballot, and a new ballot for a re- QRASD lodge oil THE UNITED STATES. 13 BALLOT — CONTINUED. jected candidate is unlawful, as the vote is not open to reconsid- eration except under special circumstances provided for in No. 9. JouE. 1147, 1305, 1341, 2403, 2450, 2481, 2700, 2764, 2810. 2. Applications for degrees are also determined by ballot, members in possession of the degree applied for alone being entitled to vote. —Jour. 312, 1124, 1400, 1502. • 3. The local authority may determine whether in conferring the Pa- triarchal degrees a separate ballot shall be taken on each of them.— Jour. 1401, 1451, 1481. 4. Balloting for degrees must be, in the Lodge, opened in the degree applied for,— JouE. 2214, 2264, 2327, 2563. 5. Although not contrary to positive law, it is contrary to usage and the reciprocal rights of members and Lodges, to subject a broth- er who has been suspended as a punishmenjt, at the expiration of the term of suspension, to the ordeal of a ballot before re-admit- ting him to the full rights of membership. — JouE. 1504, 1513. 6. A ballot may be declared void, and a new ballot ordered by a ma- jority of a Lodge, if fraud or error in regard to the health or other defect of a candidate be discovered before initiation ; but if not discovered until after initiation, the party must be regard- ed as a member, and only be expelled upon a regular trial. — ■ Jour, 2103, 2146, 2177. 7. The officers of the Q-rand Lodge of the United States are elected by ballot; every ballot, whether blank or otherwise, is counted. A majority of all the votes oast is necessary to election. Pend- ing a ballot, no motion can be entertained, or debate or explana- tion admitted. — Constitution, Aetiolb III, Section 1. Rule or Order No. 20. 8. On applications for membership by cards of several brothers at a time, a separate ballot must be had on each applicant. — Joue. 2700, 2764, 2810. 9. Where-all the brothers who may cast black balls against an ap- plicant for membership voluntarily make a motion for a reconsid- eration of the ballot, the same may be reconsidered, and in such case the vote on the reconsideration shall be by ball ballots ; and if all the balls cast shall be in favor of it, the reconsideration shall be had; whereupon the application shall lie over till the succeeding meeting, when another ballot shall be had with ball ballots, and if the same be unanimously in favor of the appli- cant, he shall thereby be elected; but if one or more black balls 14 A DIGEST OP THE LAWS OP ' THE BALLOT — CONTINUED . appear in either ballot, the applicaut shall be rejected ; and in no case shall a reconsideration be had, except upon the voluntary motion of all those who cast the black balls ; and never more than one reconsideration in the same case shall be allowed. — Jora. 2726, 2736, 2773, 2792, 2827. 10. Where a ballot has been declared null and void, the proposition and report of the investigating committee are brought again before the Lodge for another ballot.— Joua. 2807, 2808, 2830. 11. The Degree of Eebekah is conferred upon wives of scarlet mem- bers as a matter of course, and the parties cannot be subjected to the ordeal of a ballot.— Jour. 3181, 3234, 3266. 12. It is not competent for a Lodge to subject a brother who has faithfully performed the duties of the Noble Grand's chair for an entire term, to the ordeal of a ballot, before furnishing him with his certificate as Past Grand. — Joxm. 3368, 3359, 3360, 3379. BENEFITS. 1. The local laws of the several jurisdictions regulate the conferring of benefits upon members.— Jour. 1247, 1403, 1450, 1451, 1480. 2. A brother accepting a withdrawal card has no claim for benefits upon the Lodge granting it. The granting of the card cuts off benefits, whether the card be taken or not, — Jour. 678, 787, 865, 916, 1080, 1101, 1200, 1249, 1734, 1797. 3> The family of a suicide is not thereby deprived of benefits. — ■ Jour. 807, 2403, 2451, 2481, 2503. 4. When a brother has withdrawn from one Lodge and deposited his card in another, his right to benefits depends upon the local law of the Lodge in which the card is deposited (and this whether the card is expired or not.— Jour. 1202, 1246, 1444, 1492, 1500. 6. A member who is debarred from benefits by the non-payment of dues, cannot by paying his dues entitled himself to benefits for a sickness commencing while he was so disqualified. — Joue. 1318, 2311, 2346, 2859, 2925, 2963. 6. Where benefits are reported to be due to a brother and he does not receive them, they should be carried to his credit as an off- set to that amount of dues.— Jouk. 1633, 1656, 1763, 1804. GEAKD tODGE Ot THE UNITED STATES. 15 BENEFITS— CONTINUED. ' ;•,, • 7. Brothers afflicted with lunacy are entitled to the same benefits as those suffering from bodily infirmity. — Joue. 1993, 2137, 2177. 8. Lodges have no right to decline receiving dues from or to refuse benefits to, such members as may contemplate a temporary resi- dence in California or any other place where a change of occu- pation may increase the risk of life and health ; and are bound to pay full benefits to any of their members who may be dis- abled or die ■^hile on a temporary visit to California, if other- wise beneficial.— Joue. 1712, 1739, 1797, 2494, 2508, 2521. 9. A brother cannot be deprived of sick benefits on the ground that he is in arrears, if the Lodge is indebted to him on account of a prior sickness to an amount sufficient to place him in good standing.— JouK. 2291, 2341. 10. A brother is entitled to benefits accruing for sickness in a hazard- ous clime, if the disease has not been contracted by immoral living.— Joue. 1845, 1885, 1948. 11. Lodges and Encampments issuing visiting cards must endorse on such cards the amount of weekly and funeral benefits allowed by the by-laws of the bodies by which the same are issued, and are liable for any proper relief afforded to brothers holding such cards by any other Lodge, Encampment, or relief com- mittee. Provided, that the body affording the relief claimed for must obtain the certificate of some respectable physician as to the time the brother was sick, and also a draft from such brother on his Lodge or Encampment for the amount he may thus have received, which, with the physician's certificate, must be forwarded for payment. La the event of the death of such brother and his burial by the Lodge, Encampment or relief committee, the certificate of the physician or some respectable citizen, with the card of the deceased and proper Vouchers for payments made, must be forwarded to the Lodge or Encamp- ment of the deceased. These stipulations being complied with, the Lodge or Encampment by which such card was issued must promptly refund to the body affording the relief, the amount of money thus expended or furnished by it. — Joue. 1946, 2104, 2115, 2150, 2180. 12. A brother suffering from a chronic complaint, yet able to go to his place of business, superintend it and participate in it to a degree, is prima facie not entitled to benefits as a sick member. But this presumption may be rebutted by positive evidence. — Jour. 2471, 2503. 16 A DIGEST 05 THE LAWS OF THE BENEFITS— CONTINUED . 13. A party suspended from membersliip in his Lodge or Encamp- ment is thereby out off from benefits and privileges. And in case of death during such suspension, the Lodge incurs no new- liability on account of his decease.— Jour. 2561, 2626, 2633. 14. There is no law of the Order regulating the payment of greater benefits to scarlet members than to those of the Eoyal Blue degree. The matter is left entirely to local legislation ; and a Lodge may provide in its by-laws for the payment of such benefits as in its judgment may seem proper, if not inconsistent with the laws of the Grand Lodge to which it is subordinate. JouE. 2562, 2626, 2633, 2725, 2807, 2830. 15. A provision in the by-laws of a Lodge requiring a sick brother to send notice of his condition to the Lodge every week or every two weeks, cannot be allowed to apply to cases of insanity, or where his sickness is of such a character as to render it impos- sible to send such notice, but in such cases is inoperative and cannot be pleaded to deprive a brother of benefits to which he is otherwise entitled.— Jour. 2621, 2650, 8470, 3490. 16. There is no law authorizing a Grand Master or Grand Lodge to grant a dispensation enabling a Subordinate Lodge to suspend the payment of weekly benefits. The question whether a Lodge ca,n retain its charter after it has failed, from an exhausted trea- sury, to pay benefits to its sick members who are entitled to them, is a subject for local legislation. — Jour. 2770, 2831. 17. Under the recognized and uniform principle governing in the Order, a brother who by infirmity has been disqualified from following his usual occupation, but is not thereby disqualified from' applying himself to other pursuits, and thus enabled to provide for his support, is not entitled to the benefits of his Lodge.— Jour. 2782, 2818. 18. A Lodge may provide by its by-laws against paying benefits for a fractional part of a week, and such is the general usage of the Order.— Jour. 2790, 2791, 2827. 19. A Lodge cannot by tacit consent of its members keep in force a by-law which has been actually repealed, and thereby deprive a brother of benefits to which he is fairly entitled by the exist- ing laW.-^JoUtt. IBID. 20. Benefits actually due by a Lodge to one of its members, but de- nied and withheld under a mistaken construction of law, though acquiesced in by the brother under the same mistake, when de- termined to be due on review of the whole case on appeal, must GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED SPATES. 17 BENEFITS— CONTINUED. pass to the credit of the brother ; and if such credit make him beneficial for a subsequent sickness, he is entitled and the Lodge must allow him benefits for both seasons of disability. — Joue. 21. A brother who through ignorance or misconstruction of law has made a claim upon his Lodge for less benefits than he was en- titled to, is not thereby debarred from stating his account on appeal iii such form or for such sum as the law actually author- izes. — Jour. ibid. 22. A brother having a disabled arm, but engaged in business re- quiring him to perform manual labor himself, if able to super- intend his business and direct his workmen in their operations, is not incapacitated in the manner and to the extent contem- plated by the beneficial features of the Order, and is not enti- tled to benefits.— JouB. 2797, 2829. 23. If a Lodge improperly deprive a brother of benefits due him, from a mistaken apprehension of the condition of his health, his benefits remain still due to him, and operate to make him a creditor of the Lodge, so that upon his death the Lodge cannot deprive his widow of her claim on the ground that he was in, arrears at the time of his death, the benefits due him being more than sufficient to pay his dues. — JouR. 2808, 2820. 24. It is not only the privilege but the imperative duty of a Lodge to keep a brother who is in receipt of benefits in good standing by retaining his dues. — Jour. ibid. 25. A qualification or condition not recognized by the general laws of the jurisdiction, cannot be attached to the right to benefits by a Subordinate Lodge in its by-laws. — Jouk. 2919, 2963 26. Funeral benefits are designed for the benefit of the family of the deceased. The right to them is in the family and not in the brother himself. It does not begin to exist until after his death- Therefore no disposition of such benefits can be made by him in his lifetime, and they cannot be the subject of a testamentary bequest.— Jour. 2957, 2981. 27. The laws of Odd-Fellowship do not recognize any claim by legal representatives, as such, to the benefits allowed to a deceased brother, as such legal representatives may be relatives in a re- mote degree or merely creditors, and not the widow, orphans, or dependent relatives of the deceased. — Joue. 3118, 3135. 18 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OP THE BENEFITS— CONTINUED. 28. A Lodge cannot, as the attorney or agent of surviving relatives, make any claim to the benefits allowed a deceased brother of another Lodge ; nor unless it has made advances to the bro- ther's necessities upon good authority. — Jour. ibid. 29. A brother reporting himself or authorizing the proper officer of the Lodge to report him out of care, thereby abandons any further claim for benefits for that sickness ; and if it is claimed by himself or his representatives that undue jnfluence was re- sorted to by the officers or members of the Lodge to induce him thus to declare himself ovf, of care, that influence must not be presumed, but by competent testimony must clearly appear, — JoTjR. 3360^ 3380. 30. A Lodge is not released from the payment of benefits to a bro- ther, otherwise beneficial, who has become the inmate of an almshouse and therein a charge upon the public. His desti- tute and lonely condition only tends to make the obligation of the Lodge more imperative. — Jour. 3466. 31. Though the Grand Lodge of the United States does not assume to say what dues shall be required of, or what benefits paid to, their members by Subordinate Lodges and Encampments, yet as it has uniformly and consistently repudiated and refused to acknowledge the relation of honorary membership, it holds it to be not only the right but the duty of such bodies to tax their members so that they may be enabled to grant stipulated weekly benefits to their sick members. — Jour. 3539, 3584, 3585. 32. Where the byrlaws of a Lodge declare "that every member of the Lodge in case of being rendered incapable by sickness or accident of following any business whereby he may obtain a livelihood, shall be entitled during such sickness or disability to receive benefits," an admission on trial that a member claim- ing benefits ' 'is able to attend to husiness of some kind if it cpidd be procured for him," is not, in the absence of any other testimony, sufficient to discharge the Lodge because his ability to obtain a livelihood thereby is not included in the admission. — JouE, 3568, 3588, 3589. 33. When the by-laws of a Lodge make a clear distinction between funeral henefits and funeral expenses, the Lodge cannot be re- quired to pay anything on account of funeral expenses, where a deceased brother has been buried while in the public service and no such expenses are incurred by his family ; but where snob distinction is not clearly made, the amount allowed by the by-laws in case of a brother's death must be paid to his family whether such expense is incurred or not. — Jour. 2812, 2813, 2814, 2830, 3566, 3567, 3568, 3588. GRAND LODGE OP THE UNITED STATES. 19 BUSINESS. 1. The business of an Encampment must not be allowed to interfere with the business of any Lodge. — Joub. 281. 2. The books of Subordinate Lodges prescribe the character of the business to be transacted by them ; but the order of taking it up as laid down in those books is not compulsory, and may be changed when the convenience of the Lodge may require it. — JouK. 1034, 1064. BY-LAWS. 1. By-laws in conformity with its Constitution may be made by the Grand Lodge of the United States. They cannot be altered or amended unless by a proposition submitted at a stated an- nual communication and adopted by two-thirds of the votes taken. No such proposition can be acted upon on the same day it is submitted. — Constitotion, Akticle XIX. 2. By-laws made by the Grand Lodge of the United States in con- formity with its Constitution, are, with the Constitution, the supreme law of the Order, and are binding on all State, Dis- trict or Territorial Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments un- der its jurisdiction. — Constitotion, Aeticle XX. 3 It is not necessary to submit the by-laws of a State Grand Lodgu or such amendments as may be made thereto, to tie Grand Lodge of the United States for approval. — Jour. 1835, 1899, 1953. 4. Propositions to amend the by-laws must be written out in full in the precise words in which it is proposed that the amended ar- ticle shall read if adopted. — Joub. 2143, 2182. 5. A Lodge cannot, by the tacit consent of its members, keep in force a by-law that has been actually repealed, and thereby de- prive a brother of benefits to which he is fairly entitled by tlie existing law.— Jouk. 2789, 2790, 2791, 2827. CARDS 1. Without the production of a proper card no brother can be ad- mitted to a Lodge or Encampment beyond his own jurisdiction, unless introduced by a Grand Representative or other elective Grand Officer of the jurisdiction in which he desires to visit — By-Laws, Article XIV. 2. Brothers having proper cards, and proving themselves according to established regulations, are entitled to admission into Lodges and Encampments in any State, District or Territory. — Consti- tution, Article XVI, Section 1. 20 A DIGEST OF TEE LAWS OF THE CARDS CONTINUED. 3. The Grand Lodge of the United States has prescribed the forma of visiting and withdrawal cards to be exclusively used through- out its jurisdiction. — JonR. 649, 677. 4. Every card must be in the prescribed form, and must bear thi- counter signature of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States, (or a/ac si-mile thereof,) must be signed by the Noble Grand and Secretary of the Lodge, or the Chief Patriarch and Scribe of the Encampment issuing it ; and must be signed by the holder, on the margin, in his own proper band- writing — JoTJR. 816, 911. 5. It is not necessary that cards should be signed by the Grand Secretary of the jurisdiction where they are issued. — Jour. 777, 804. 6. The officers of a Lodge cannot grant cards in the recess, as the application must be passed upon by the Lodge ; but when an Encampment member shall have obtained a withdrawal card from his Lodge, the officers of the camp must furnish him with a withdrawal card, provided he be in good standing, and shall have complied with the regulations of his camp touching such cards.— Jour. 1065, 1200, 1249, 1720, 1797. 7. Brothers cannot be admitted into Lodges on Encampment cards, nor into Encampments on Lodge cards. — Jour. 1150, 1291, 1316. 8. A card may be declared void by the Lodge granting it for good cause existing at the time of the grants but not discovered until afterward; and a Lodge or Encampment may withdraw or annul its own card before it expires, for any sufficient cause occurring after the date of its grant, and before it expires. — Jour. 1202, 1246, 1714, 1722, 1797. 9. It is not necessary for a brother who receives a card to sign hiw name in the presence of the officers of the Lodge granting it, but it must be signed in the presence of the officer from whom he receives the A. T. P. W.— Jour. 1401, 1441, 2563, 2632. 2664, 2665. 10. It is proper and right for a Lodge or Encampment to report to a Subordinate Body that has granted a card, any improper con- duet on the part of the holder. — JouE. 1714, 1722, 1797. 11. The Secretary of a Lodge has no right to withhold a card which has been granted by the Lodge — and is liable to arraignment therefor, even if it be withheld on the ground of alleged dis- covery of crime in the brother claiming it. — Jour. 1840, 1897 1952. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. Jl CARDS CONTINUED. 12. Grand Lodges may enact laws regulating the manner of annul- ling cards, provided such laws do not conflict with the legisla- tion of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Joub. 2105, 2145, 2177. 13. The right to charge for cards is regulated by the local jurisdic- tions ; and when the local law requires payment for a card the Lodge or the officer whose duty it is to issue it has the right to require payment for the card before it is delivered. — Jour. 2460, 2482, 2504. 14. If a Lodge deny a card to a member who is not disqualified, he may have redress on appeal to the Grand Lodge of the juris- diction.— Joue. 2515, 2518, 2530, 15. A State Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment may, by law, pre- scribe that all applications for cards shall be in person or in writing.— Joue. 3030, 3083, 3113. 16. The rank or degree of a member to whom a card is granted by a Subordinate Lodge or Encampment, must be expressed on the face of the card if the form of the card will admit of it ; if not it must be endorsed on the card and authenticated by the seal and officers of the Lodge granting it. — Joue. 3054, 3111, 3124. 17. State Grand Officers and the officers of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments are prohibited from signing any card or certifi- cate for brothers of the Order not issued by the authority of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and properly authenti- cated by the signature of the R. W". Grand Corresponding Secretary, written or engraved on the margin. All cards or certificates not issued by the authority of the Grand Lodge of the United States, which have been signed by any officers of a Grand or Subordinate Body, are of no force, but are null and void. This law is not to be so construed as to apply to certifi- cates in the nature of a withdrawal card, signed by State Grand Officers, to members of defunct Lodges, as now authorized by law.— Joue. 3135, 3247, 3248, 3267. 18. Grand Secretaries and Grand Scribes are prohibited from deliv- ering or transmitting visiting or withdrawal cards to any person whatever, or to any Encampment or Lodge excepting upon the order, in writing, of a Lodge or Encampment, authenticated by its seal and signed by the N. G. , V. G. , and Secretary or the C. P., S. W. and Scribe, as the case may be. — Joue. 3461, 3478, 3479. 19. If a brother applying for a visiting or final card be absent from the location of his Lodge or Encampment, so that he cannot 22 A DIGEST or THE LAWS OP THE CARDS CONTINUED. obtain the A. T. P. W. with his card in person, it shall be the duty of the proper officers, upon the granting of the card, to transmit the same to the brother, and to send therewith a letter in the following form.— Jour. 3537, 3560, 3561. Lodge, (oe Encampment, ) No State of , day of , 18 To the Noble Grand of any Lodge I. 0. 0. F. (or Chiff PatriaTch of any Encampment) The bearer, brother (or Patriarch) , holding a legal card from this , dated the day of , 18 , for the period of months, is entitled to the A. T. P. W. for the current year, which please communicate to him after due examination, whereupon you will retain or destroy this letter. Nohle Orand [oT Chief Patriarch.) Attest — [seal.] Secretary [or Scribe.) CARDS— VISITING OR TRAVELING. . 1. Any brother in good standing may, by proper application to his- Lodge or Encampment, obtain a visiting card, to be valid for any reasonable length of time expressed on its face. — Joue. 677. 2. Visiting cards entitle brothers holding them to visit Lodges or Encampments, as the case may be, while traveling or sojourn- ing beyond the limits of the jurisdictions to which they belong. They also entitle the holders thereof to all the courtesies of the brotherhood and the benevolent usages of the Order if they meet with accident or misfortune. — Jour. 677. 3. Brothers holding visiting cards continue to be members of the Order, and are amenable to all the laws of their Lodges or Encampments in the same manner as other members. — Jgur. 678. 4. Visiting cards granted by a defunct, suspended or expelled Lodge cannot be recognized, as the right of the holder expires with his Lodge.— Jour. 1398, 1470, 1484. 5. Lodges have no right to refuse their members visiting cards, when they purpose a temporary residence in California or any other place where a change of occupation would increase the risk of life and health.— Jour. 1712, 1739, 1798, 2494, 2508, 2524. G. The Noble Grand or Secretary of a Lodge has not the right to grant or issue a traveling card unless applied for in open lodge and granted.— Jour. 1847, 1885, 1921, 1948, 1966, 2173. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 23 CARDS— VISITINa OR TRAVELING— coNTmnED. 7. In addition to the form of visiting card heretofore prescribed, there must be printed thereon the blank form of certificate relative to benefits in the following words : ' 'This certifies that the constitution and by-laws of the within named Lodge (or Encampment) allow for weekly benefits the sum of dol- lars per week, and for funeral benefits the sum of dol- lars, and that brother is entitled to the said benefits from the date of this card until the expiration of the same." And the Lodge or Encampment issuing the card is bound for any proper relief that may be granted to the owner of the card by any other Lodge or Encampment. — Joue. 2151, 2250, 2267, 2327. 8. Brothers in possession of regularly authenticated cards, and proving themselves according to established rules, cannot be denied admission into other Lodges ; and it is not expedient by law to authorize Lodges to refuse such admission, inasmuch as they have the inherent right to protect themselves from disor- der and the violation of the ordinary proprieties of life. — Jour. 2730, 2737, 2774, 2787, 2818. 9. The granting of a visiting card to a brother in good standing is a matter of course and never involves the question of leave of absence. The holding of such card by an officer cannot be pleaded in excuse or justification of absence from his post on nights of Lodge meetings. — Jour. 2758, 2783. CARDS— WITHDRAWAL, CLEARANCE OR FINAL. 1. Any brother in good 'standing may, on proper application to his Lodge or Encampment, obtain a withdrawal card^ which if granted by the Lodge or Encampment (whether taken or not) severs his connection with that Lodge or Encampment, and releases that Lodge or Encampment from all liability for bene- fits. If the card be taken, the brother is entitled to the A. T. P. W. in use at the time, and retains the right to visit with the card for one year.— Jour. 678, 787, 865, 1080, 1101, 1734, 1797, 2560, 2626, 2664. 2. A member is not bound to take a withdrawal card on leaving the Order, but may withdraw by written resignation. — Jour. 805, 806. 3. No Lodge or Encampment is bound to receive a card on deposit or to admit the holder thereof to membership ; but such cases are to be governed by the rules prescribed by the local authori- ties. — JouE. 678. 24 A DIGEST or THE LAWS Or THE (L^RDS— WITHDRAWAL, CLEARANCE, &c.— continued. 4. The granting of a withdrawal carji by a Lodge to one of its members who is also a member of an Encampment, has the effect of severing his connection with the Encampment, but the renewal of his membership in a Lodge restores him to mem- bership in the Encampmeiit, provided said renewal. shall occur within one month from the date of such card. — Joub. 954, 955, 956. Ti By the renewal of membership in a Lodge within the month, membership in the Encampment is ipso facto renewed ; and if the patriarch desire to withdraw, he must pursue the usual course. — Jour. 1058. C. The Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States is required to furnish certificates in the nature of withdrawal cards, signed by himself and authenticated by the seal of the Grand Lodge, to all members of Subordinate Bodies under its immediate jurisdiction which may become extinct. Such cer- tificates will entitle the holders to all the privileges exercised under withdrawal cards, and are only to be issued upon satis- factory evidence of membership and good standing. — Jour. 1059. 7. The Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States is required to furnish certificates in the nature of withdrawal cards, under the seal of the Grand Lodge^ to members of Sub- ordinates under the immediate jurisdiction of that Grand Body that may become extinct, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of membership in good standing. — Jouk. 1059. 8. Persons holding cards from the Manchester Unity of England cannot be admitted to our Lodges but by initiation.— Jour. 1070, 1074. 9. If a brother holding office in an Encampment take a withdrawal card from his Lodge his ofSce is vacated, even if he renew his membership in the Lodge within the month. — Jour. 1199, 1249, 1250. 10. In renewing membership by deposit of withdrawal card, the holder may make the deposit in any Lodge located at his place of residence ; but if there be no Lodge where he resides, he must deposit the card in the Lodge nearest his residence, un- less there be several equi-distant, in which case he may select either.— Jour. 1200, 1249. 11. The law of the Lodge in which a withdrawal card is deposited is the law governing benefits in case of sickness, and this GRAND LODGE OF TUB UNITED STATES. '2o CARDS— WITHDRAWAL, CLEARANCE, &c.— continued. whether the card has expired at the time of sickness or not. A brother depositing his withdrawal card has no claim for bene- fits but such as are given under the laws of the Lodge in which the card is deposited.— Jour. 1202, 1246, 1444, 1492, 1512. 12. It is the duty of the Scribe of each Encampment to furnish the . Secretary of each Lodge with a list of the members of each Lodge who are also members of the Encampment, and the Secretaries of Lodges must notify Encampments of the grant of withdrawal cards to their members. — Jour. 1250. 13. Cards are the rightful property of the holders, and must be re- turned to them if rejected on application for readmission to mem- bership in the Order. And a Lojlge has no right to deface or mutilate the card of a brother by writing the word "rejected" thereon.— 1399, 1449, 1479, 1920, 1932, 1961, 1963. 14. A brother holding a withdrawal card may deposit it in a Lodge of a State other than that of his residence, provided such Lodge be nearest the place where he resides, and he obtains the con- sent of his immediate jurisdiction. — Jouk. 1400, 1449, 1479. 15. After the period of twelve months from its date (which should correspond with the time of the grant) a withdrawal card be- comes null and void, and the Lodge granting it has no power over the holder, as he is beyond the jurisdiction of the Order. Jour. 1401, 1470, 1511, 1722, 1797. 16. A brother holding a withdrawal card has no right to join the procession of a Lodge without its consent. — Jour. 1401, 1471, 1485, 1503, 1513. 17. Withdrawal cards, if duly granted, may be received on deposit if the Lodge or Encampment which granted them shall have since become extinct, suspended or expelled. — Jour. 1398, 1470, 1484. 18. The fixing of rates for depositing withdrawal cards and of pe- riods within which the depositors become entitled to benefits, are subjects belonging to the legislation of State Grand Bodies. —Jour. 1403, 1450, 1480. 19. A brother who has applied for a withdrawal card may withdraw his application at any time before the vote is taken. — Jour. 1401, 1472, 1634, 1655. 20. If a member of an Encampment who has obtained a withdrawal card from his Lodge, refuses to pay his dues to the Camp, the latter has no other means of redress, under the laws of the Order, than to refuse him a card from that body. — JouR. 1709, 1720,a797. 26 A DIQEST OF THE LAWS OF TUB CARDS— WITHDRAWAL, CLEARANCE, &c.— continued. 21. A brother holding a -withdrawal card that has run out of date, may be recognized as an Ancient Odd-Eellow and allowed to renew his membership by the deposit of said card in a Lodge at the place of his resideiice upon the payment of such fees as the laws of said Lodge require. — Jour. 1841, 1897, 1952, 2560, 2626, 2664. 22. When a withdrawal card shall have been lost or destroyed, the Lodge which issued it may grant a certificate under its seal, setting forth the fact of such original issue, which may be used as evidence of former good standing. — Journal, 1841, 1921, 1956. 23. A brother who has lost his card may, on satisfactory proof thereof, be readmitted to membership as an Ancient Odd-Eellow, and will be entitled to the rank he may prove himself to have at- tained.— Jour. 1841, 1921, 1956. 24. A brother who has lost or been dispossessed of his withdrawal card from no cause which should impeach his own conduct, may obtain a new card, bearing the same date, from the Lodge which granted the original, the Lodge being the judge of the propriety of such grant. The card, if issued, to be marked duplicate on its face.— Joue. 1841, 1883, 1897, 1952. 25. It is neither necessary nor proper to reconsider or rescind a vote granting a withdrawal card, in order to arraign a brother to whom such card is granted. The card having been granted, his membership ceases, and he has a legal right to the card, with which to renew his membership by deposit in another Lodge. If it has been indiscreetly granted, the Lodge may annul the card, taking care to allow the brother implicated a fair and impartial trial, as in the case of suspended members against whom charges are preferred. — Jouii. 1841, 1897, 1952. 26. Though a withdrawal card is invalid for the purpose of visiting after twelve months, it remains evidence of former good stand- ing on application for admission to membership (as an Ancient Odd-Fellow.)— Jour. 1921, 1956. 27. Pending the discussion on an application for a withdrawal card, charges may be preferred against the applicant; and under such circumstances the vote on granting the card should be suspended until the charges shall have been withdrawn or a trial had thereon.— Jour. 1992, 2115, 2170. 28. A withdrawal card cannot be annulled unless it be done within the twelve months such card has vitality. — Jour. 2105, 2145, 2177. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 27 CARDS— WITHDRAWAL, CLEARANCE, &c.— continued. 29. The annulling of a withdrawal card will not have the effect of expelling the holder from the Order, but will bring him back into the Lodge, where, after due notice of the charges and a fair and impartial trial, he may be expelled or acquitted. — Jour. ibid. 30. The local jurisdictions, each for itself, are clothed with the power of determining the time that shall intervene between the rejec- tion of an applicant for membership by card and a second ap- plication by same party.— Jour. 2214, 2251, 2264. 2327. 31. Brothers having placed their withdrawal cards in the hands of the Grand Officers on application for a new Lodge, failing to appear at the institution thereof, can only regain their mem- bership by withdrawing their cards from the hands of the G-rand Officers and applying in the usual mode for admission by card.— Jour. 2250, 2265, 2327. 32. It is improper to confer any Encampment degree on a brother holding a withdrawal card from a Lodge. — Jour. 2404, 2481, 2503. 33. A regular clearance card may be granted by a Subordinate by virtue of a settlement by compromise of its claims upon mem- bers suspended for non-payment of dues who have removed to another State.— Jour. 2496, 2520. . 34. No change of membership from one Lodge to another can take place without the usual deposit of an authenticated clearance card, and in the absence of such a card no Lodge can admit to membership a brother who has been suspended by another Lodge for non-payment of dues.— Jour. 3495, 2496, 2520. 35. The presentation of a withdrawal card would be the production of a "proper card" as required by Article XVI, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Jour. 2560, 2626, 2664. 36. A brother holding an unexpired withdrawal card retains the right to bring charges for unworthy conduct against a member of his owTi Lodge during the year for which the card extends. — Jour. 2561, 2626, 2664. 37. An officer of the Grand Lodge of the United States, or a Rep- resentative thereto, or an oificer of a State Grand Body taking a withdrawal card from his Lodge, does not thereby vacate his office if the card be immediately deposited in his State Grand Body accompanying the application for a new charter ; or if on 28 A DIGEST OF IHE LAWS OF THE CARDS— WITHDRAWAL, CLEARANCE, &c.— continued. a change of residence the card be within one month deposited in a Subordinate at his new residence ; provided that while holding such card, or until such new Lodge or Encampment be instituted, such person can discharge no official act. — Jouh. 2560, 2628, 2665, 2674, 2798, 2799, 3000. 38. A Grand Body has full power to grant a card to a member of a defunct Subordinate, although the applicant be largely in ar- rears to such defunct Subordinate. A discretionary power im- plying a wise and judicious investigation of the circumstances of the case presented. — Joon. 2561, 2629, 2664. 89. Upon the application of several for admission to membership by depositing withdrawal cards, the Lodge cannot ballot for the applicants collectively — every member of the Lodge has the right to deposit his ballot upon each individual application. — JoDR. 2700, 2764, 2810. 40. The granting of withdrawal cards to members of defunct Lodges is more appropriately a subject for local legislation. — Jour. 2860, 2910, 2927, 2962, 2967, 2981. 41. The holder of an expired withdrawal card is not a competent pe- titioner for a new Lodge. — Jour. 2954, 2975. 42. When the holder of a withdrawal card has deposited it and thereby become a member of another Lodge, the Lodge issuing the card has no power to annul it. — Jour. 3031, 3083, 3113. 43. District Deputy Grand Sires have no power to issue withdrawal cards to members of defunct Lodges. — Jour. 3030, 3083, 3113. 44. When a Subordinate Lodge or Encampment becomes extinct, any member thereof shall, upon payment of such dues as may appear against him, be entitled to receive, from the Grand Master and Grand Secretary, or the Grand Patriarch and Grand Scribe, or the M. W. Grand Sire and Grand Corres- ponding and Recording Secretary, as the case may be, or from such other authority as may be prescribed by the laws of the respective jurisdictions, a card of withdrawal, which shall have the same force and effect and shall entitle him to the same privileges as a card of withdrawal issued by an existing Subor- dinate in good standing. Provided that the officers to whom the application is made shall require satisfactory evidence that the applicant is at the time worthy of the friendship and pro- tection of the brotherhood; and^ provided further, that the charter, books, &c. of the said defunct Lodge or Encampment shall have been surrendered to the proper officers. — Jour. 3028, 8087, 8088, 8113. GKAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 29 CARDS— WITHDRAWAL, CLEARANCE, &c.— continued. 45. It is not competent for a Subordinate Lodge or Encampment to insert in its constitution a provision that a member taking a •withdrawal card shall have the privilege of depositing the card in the same Lodge veithin a specified time by a simple vot« of the Lodge without a ballot.— Jouk. 3182, 3234, 3266. 40. An applicant for admission by card must be properly examined as to the degrees he claims to have received, and as to the A. T. P. W., which he must be in possession of. — By-Laws, Ar- ticle XIV. 47. The Grrand Sire has no legal right to authorize a Grand Master to communicate the A. T. P. W. to a brother holding a with- drawal card, to enable him to visit a Subordinate Lodge ; but a Grand Master or other elective ofiicer of a Grand Lodge may, if properly satisfied, introduce a brother holding an unexpired withdrawal card into any Subordinate Lodge in the jurisdiction to which the officer is attached.. — Jour. 3513, 3558, 3587. 48. Where the books of an extinct Lodge or Encampment have been lost or destroyed, the Grand Master and Grand Secretary, or the Grand Patriarch and Grand Scribe, or the M. W. Grand Sire and Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary, as the case may be, on being satisfied of the good standing of any member of such extinct Lodge or Encampment, may issue to him a card of withdrawal, which shall have the same force and effect and shall entitle him to the same privileges as a card of withdrawal issued by any existing Subordinate. — Jour. 3531, 8540, 3541. CARDS FOR WIVES OR WIDOWS. 1. A Subordinate Lodge may, by a vote of two-thirds of its mem- bers, grant a card to a wife or widow of any of its members, upon application therefor ; to be signed by the officers of the Lodge and countersigned by the recipient, to be voted, in the case of a wife, for one year, in the case of a widow, during her widowhood. — Jour. 808, 814. 2. The Grand Lodge of the United States has declined to prepare a plate for such purpose. — Joue. 1942, 1955, 1965. CARD FOR DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH. 1 . A form of card to be granted to Daughters of Rebekah recom- mended, but the Grand Lodge of the United States declined to issue such card.— Jour. 2902, 2929, 2964. 30 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS 0]? THE CHARGES IN THE WORK. 1. No Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment can use or suffer to be used within its jurisdiction any charges, lectures, &o. other than those prescribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — By-Laws, Aetiole XX. CHARGES— PENAL. 1 . Any member or officer of the Grand Lodge of the United States may, by a majority vote, be impeached and tried by that Body, and if convicted, may be expelled by a two-third vote ; pro- vided the charges shall have been furnished to the accused at least three days before the trial.— Constitution, Akticle XI, Section 1. 2. A member under charges, if he plead guilty, may receive his punishment without trial.— Jouk. 776, 805, 806. 3. If a member refuse to stand trial upon charges duly preferred, he cannot, in his absence, be tried, but he may be expelled for contempt.— Jour. 776, 806, 1400, 1440. 4. The punishment to be inflicted upon an officer who is arraigned for official misconduct, depends upon the nature of the offence. If guilty of conduct unbecoming an Odd-Fellow, charges may be preferred and suspension or expulsion awarded ; if other- wise, the punishment must be regulated by the local laws. — Jour. 1286, 1318. 6. If an unworthy person should be initiated, his initiation cannot be declared void ; he can only be expelled after a proper trial upon charges duly preferred and investigated. — Jour. 1406, 1455, 1475, 1511. 6. When charges are preferred against a suspended member, he must be temporarily admitted to his Lodge for the purpose of making his defence. — Jour. 1575, 1655. 7. Pending the decision on the granting of a withdrawal card, charges may be preferred against the applicant, and the vote on granting the card should not be taken until the charges are withdrawn or trial had.— Jour. 1992, 2115, 2170. 8. A member under charges, during the investigation thereof by the Lodge, is still entitled to participate in the work of the Lodge ; the only effect of undecided charges being to deprive a brother of the right to take a visiting or withdrawal card, and where the charges bear upon the right to benefits, to sus- pend the payment thereof untu a final decision. — Jour. 2132, 2174, 2859, 2926, 2963. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 31 CHAKGES— PENAL— CONTINUED. 9. If a brother guilty of an offence whicli would subject him to punishment by his Lodge, purposely absent himself before charges are preferred, or after charges are preferred but before notice thereof shall have been served upon him, he may be ex- pelled for contempt.— Jour. 2463, 2483, 2504. 10. When charges are preferred against a brother who shall have absconded or concealed himself, so that the charges or notice of trial cannot be personally served upon him, the Lodge or Encampment may regularly proceed to trial upon proof of the fact rendering such personal service impracticable, and on the further proof that a copy of the charges and notice of trial have been deposited in the post-office nearest the last known residence of such brother, directed to him, postpaid, and that a copy of the charges and notice of trial have been left at his last place of residence, if the same be known ; provided that such papers shall be deemed to have been served upon the brother only from the time when such constructive service is complete ; and provided further, that if such brother return after the trial, not having been present thereat either in person or by attorney, and ask for a new trial, it shall be granted.- — JooR. 2606, 2522, 2531. 11. A brother holding a withdrawal card unexpired, retains the right to prefer charges for unworthy conduct against a member of his Lodge during the year for which his card extends. — Joue. 2561, 2629. 12. Where the Treasurer of a Lodge, becoming involved, makes a mortgage to secure the Lodge from loss, which the Lodge, in final settlement with him accepts, it is improper for the Lodge • to bring charges against the brother, no design to defraud the Lodge, on the part of the Treasurer, appearing. — Jous. 3262, 3268. CHARTER, WARRANT. 1. The Grand Lodge of 'the United States is the only legitimate authority from which charters can emanate for opening Lodges or Encampments on the American continent, whether within or beyond the limits of the United States. — Constitution, Ar- ticle I, Section 2. 2, By virtue of charters, granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States all State, District and Territorial Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments exist ; and with it rests the power, by a vote of two-thirds, to deprive such State, District or Territorial Grand Bodies of their charters for a violation of its laws.^ Constitution, Article I, Section 3. •il A DIGEST OP THE LAWS OF THE CHARTER, WARRANT— CONTINUED. 3. No more than one Grand Lodge and one Grand Encampment can be chartered in any State, District or Territory, except in the State of New York, where by law there now are chartered two Grand Lodges and two Grand Encampments. — Constitu- tion, Akticle I, Section 3. 4. Upon the petition of five brothers in good standing, a warrant to open a Subordinate Lodge in a State, District or Territory where no Grand Lodge has been established, may be granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, or during the recess by the Grand Sire. — ^By-Laws, Article I. 5. A warrant for a Subordinate Encampment in a State, District or Territory where no Grand Encampment exists, may be granted upon the petition of seven members in good standing, who must have attained the Royal Purple degree. — Bt-Laws, Au- ncLE II. r 6. A warrant for a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment in a State, District or Territory where , no such Grand Body exists, may be granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, or in the recess by the Grand Sire upon the petition of ten or more Sub- ordinate Lodges or five or more Subordinate Encampments, as the case may be. — Constitution, Article I, Section 7, Ar- ticle IV, Section 1. By-Laws, Article IV. 7. The Lodge ot Encampment petitioning must contain at least seven Past Grands or seven Past Chief Patriarchs in good standing. — By-Laws, Article IV. S. All applications for charters for Grand Lodges or Grand En- campments must be in the manner directed and in the form prescribed. — By-Laws, Article V. 9. All applications for charters for Grand or Subordinate Lodges or Encampments must be accompanied by the fee for the same, (thirty dollars,) which shall be returned if the charter be not granted. — Constitution, Articl'b XIV, Sec. 1. By-Laws, Article VII. ' 10. When a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment has been duly chartered in any State, District or Territory, all Subordinate Lodges or Encampments, as the case may be, within its terri- torial limits, pass under the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment. — ^By-Laws, Article XIII. il. The charters of Subordinate Lodges or Encampments working under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, which fail to make returns for one year, are for- feited, and it is the duty of the Grand Sire to reclaim them, — By-Laws, Article XXVII. GRAND liODSE 01 THE UNITED STATES. 33 CHARTER, WARRANT— CONTINUED. 12. The Grand Lodge of the United States will not grant a warrant or confirm a charter for a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment unless the Subordinates petitioning shall have paid up their dues. The Grand Secretary must advise the committee on pe- titions on tlus point before the petition is considered. — Jour. 232, 600. * 13. Upon the establishment of a Grand Lodge or Grand Encamp- ment, the application for the renewal of the warrant of a Sub- ordinate within its jurisdiction, which h'ad previously become extinct, must be made to the Grand Lodge of the United States with the sanctidn of .the appropriate Grand Body of the State, District or Teiritbry.— Jour. 799. 14. The Grand Lodge of the United States has no power to alter the charter of a Grahd Lodge or Grand Enbampmeiit ivithout the consent of such Grand Body. — Joub. 1063, 1090. 15. Petitions for charters for Subordinate Lodges or Encampinents, made to their appropriate Grand Bodies, caniiot be considered unless accompanied by the withdrawal cards of the petitioners. —Jour; 1294. .' 16. Brothers residing in ope county of a State may apply to its Grand Lodge for a charter to open a Lodge in another couuty of the same State where no Lodge is established. — Joue. 1638, 1639. 17. Upon the forfeiture or annulment of the charter' of a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment or a Subordinate Lodge or En- campment working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, it must surrender to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States its charter, books, documents, available and unavailable funds and property, to. be returned to it upon its resuscitation. — Jour. 954, 2860,. 2926, 2963; 18. Whether a Subordinate' Lodge that has ceased to pay benefits^to- its members from aii exhausted treasury can retain its charter,. is a subject for local legislation.. — Jour. 2770, 2831. 19. To deprive a SuTDOrdiiiate of its charter without a trial, is unjust anvi contrary to the' spirit and usage of the Order,' and though at one timfe' admitted as one of the prerogatives of a Grand Lodge, in a Mter case" declared to be illegal and revessed.. — JouK. 812, 1919, 1932, 1961, 2959, 2981. 20. A District Deputy Grand Sire has no power to reclaim charters. JouR. 2661, 2629; 2664. 3 34 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE (CHARTER, WARRANT— coNTiNTJEi). 21. There is no provision to furnish a Subordinate Body with a second charter except in cases where the original charter has become mutilated or destroyed. If a duplicate charter be granted, the granting power cannot change or vary the phraseology of the original. A duplicate charter granted to replace one mutilated or destroyed, must be signed by the officers granting such du- plicate, with an endorsement setting forth the fact and the date of the original thus replaced. — Jotjr. 2699, 2764, 2810. COMMITTEES. 1. In the Grand Lodge of the United States all committees a,re ap- pointed by the Grand Sire unless otherwise ordered. — Consti- tution, Article IV, Section 1. Rule of Order No. 9. 2. All members appointed on committees are required to serve un- less excused by the Grand Lodge. — ^Rule of Order No. 34, 3. The standing committees of the Grand Lodge of the United States are composed of five members each, and are as follows : Committee on the State of the Order ; Legislative Committee ; Committee on Correspondence ; Committee on Finance ; Com- mittee on Appeals; Committee on Constitutions; Committee on Petitions ; Committee on Returns ; Committee on Printing ; Committee on Mileage and Per Diem ; Committee on Grand Bodies not represented. — ^Rulb of Order No. 9. 4. Special committees annually appointed : Committee on Creden- tials ; Committee on Allotment of Seats ; Committee on Un- finished Business. — Jour, passim. 5. A committee appointed at one session to perform a duty, are re- quired to report, although some of the members thereof have ceased to be members of the Body. — ^Rule of Order No. 32. 6. The Grand Sire shall call for the committees ai the opening of each daily session in the order of their appointment, and no matter shall be considered until the committees have had an opportunity of presenting their reports, — Rule of Order No. 31. 7. No report of a committee can be considered on the day of its presentation except the Committee on Credentials; provided that subjects improperly referred may, without suspension of the rules, be referred to the appropriate committee. — Rule of Order No. 36. 8. A general relief committee, composed of all the junior Past Grands of a city, established for the purpose of affisrding re- GRAND LODGE 6F THE UNITED STATES. 35 CHARTBE, WARRANT— CONTINUED. lief to brothers from other jurisdictions, being a voluntary or- ganization, cannot be compelled to adopt for its government such constitution and by-laws as the State Grand Lodge within whose jurisdiction it may exist, shall prepare.— Joue. 3030, 3083, 3113. CONSTITUTION OP GRAND LODGE UNITED STATES. 1. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States and the laws made in pursuance thereof, are the supreme law of the Order, and are binding on all State, District and Territorial Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments. — Constitution, Ar- ticle XX. 2. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States can- not be altered or amended unless upon a proposition made in writing at an annual session, by one or more representa- tives from three different States, entered upon the printed jour- nal of such session and adopted at the next annual session by the affirmative votes of three-fourths of the members present on a call of the yeas and nays. — Constitution, Article XXI. 3. Any proposition so made and adopted shall become a part of the Constitution . — ^Ibid . 4. Propositions for the amendment of the Constitution of the Graiid Lodge of the United States, made in conformity with the twenty-first Article of the Constitution, may be made and en- tered upon the Journal, as a matter of course, without any action of the Grand Lodge. — Rules of Order, No. 38. 5. All propositions offered in amendment of the Constitution must be written out in full in the precise words in which it is pro- posed the article shall read if the amendment is adopted — Jour. 2143, 2182. 6. Under the new or revised Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States, there is no provision requiring State Grand Bodies to pass laws prohibiting their Subordinates from initiating persons at places remote from their residences while Lodges and Encampments are located in their immediate neighborhood. The whole subject is left for local legislation. — JooR. 2560, 2626, 2664. 7. The Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States are paramount to the laws of all State Grand Bodies, which must yield so far as they come in conflict with them. — JouR. 2860, 2926, 2963. 36 A DIGEST or THE LAWS OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF STATE GKAND BODIES. 1. The Constitutions of all Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments must, on their adoption, be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of the United States for approval. — By-Laws, Article IX. 2. Neither Constitutions of Subordinate Grand Bodies, nor amend- ments thereto are binding until approved by the Grand Lodge of the United States.— Jour. 1030, 1058, 1151, 1289. 3. The Grand Lodge of the United States has power to direct any Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment to remove from its Con- stitution or By-Laws any clause or article which may conflict • with the fundamental laws of the Order, even though said Constitution or By-Laws may have been previously approved. —Jour. 1063, 1090. 4. A new form of Constitution, as revised by a special committee appointed for that purpose, must be submitted and adopted in accordance with all the formalities prescribed for amending the • Constitution for which it is proposed as a substitute. — Jouk. 2103, 2116, 2170. 5. While the Grand Lodge of the United States does not assume the right to dictate to the State Grand Bodies the particular form in which they shall frame their organic laws or Constitutions, it is held to be proper that whatever form may be adopted, its provisions should be as simple, concise and comprehensive as possible, without unnecessary prolixity, and free from any clauses, sentences or paragraphs that are imperfect or incom- plete in themselves, and incapable of being understood without resorting to other and entirely distinct enactments of other and entirely distinct Bodies or authorities. — Jour. 3268, 3269, 3270. CONSTITUTIONS OP SUBOKDINATE BODIES. 1. Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments have the right to make uniform Constitutions for their Subordinates. — Jour. 1235, 1236. 2. The Constitutions of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments should contain the fundamental laws of the Order. — Jouk. 1271. 3. When the Grand Lodge of the United States shall have passed a law, or promulgated a decision providing or declaring that a Subordinate Lodge shall have power to do certain things which are forbidden by a clause in its Constitution, framed some years before, the Lodge may disregard such prohibitory clause, and do those things expressly allowed by the Grand Lodge of the GRAND LODQE OF THE UNITED STATES. OT CONSTITUTIONS OF SUBORDINATE BODIES— continued. United States without rendering itself amenable to the laws of its immediate Grand Lodge. But in assuming to decide a question of conflict between the laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States and those of its own Grand Body, a Subordinate would act at its own peril, its immediate Grand Body being the pro- per tribunal to determine the legality of its action, subject to the protection which the Grand Lodge of the United States will, iipon appeal properly taken, afford to such Subordinate. — Jour. 2860, 2926, 2963, 3061, 3109, 3124. CONTEMPT. 1. The refusal or wilful neglect of a member of a Subordinate Lodge to appear and answer to charges preferred against him consti- tutes contempt under the laws of Odd-Fellowship, and subjects the offender to punishment therefor. — Jour. 1400, 1502, 1513. 2. If a member under charges wilfully absent himself for the pur- pose of avoiding service of charges and notice of trial, he may be expelled for contempt.— Jour. 2463, 2483, 2504. CONVENTIONS. 1. Grand Bodies may organize conventions for the purpose of de- vising and reporting a Constitution ; but such conventions can only be regarded as consultative bodies, and have no power to pass laws — neither Past Grands nor Grand Lodges having power to delegate their legislative authority. — Jooe. 1109, 1199, 1289. 2. Subordinate Lodges cannot assemble in convention for legislative purposes without obtaining the previous consent of their Grand Lodge.— Jour. 1711, 1712, 1766, 1786, 1807. 3. A convention of Past Grands representing their respective Sub- ordinate Lodges, held with a view of redressing an alleged local grievance, is illegal, and the voice of such a convention cannot be heard in a Grand Lodge.— Jour. 2215, 2264, 2327. CREDENTIALS. 1. A newly elected Representative cannot be regarded as a member, or be permitted to participate in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the United States until that Body shall have received his credentials, and aokiiowledged his right to a seat. — Jouk. 1829, 2700, 2764, 2810. 2. The Committee on Credentials are restrained from reporting fa- vorably on the certificate of the Representative of any Grand Body that is indebted to the Grand Lodge of the United States 38 A DIGEST or THE LAWS OF THE CREDENTIALS— CONTINUED. — and the Grand Officer must furnish said committee with a statement of all Grand Bodies that are in arrears at the opening of each session, to enable the committee to make their report in conformity with the eleventh Article of the By-Laws. — JouE. 2381, 2530. 3. The certificate of a Past Grand or Past Chief Patriarch is only prima facia evidence of qualification for a seat in the Grand Body to which it is properly directed. If the Grand Body shall ascertain that the facts asserted in the certificate are in- correctly stated, the certificate may be set aside and the seat founded thereon vacated.— Jour. 2460, 2482, 2504. 4. Immediately after the election of a Grand Representative, it shall be the duty of the Grand Secretary or Grand Scribe of the Body which he is to represent, to forward to the R. W. Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States a duplicate copy of said Representative's credentials. — Jodk. 2733, 2768, 2811. DEBATE. 1. In the Grand Lodge of the United States, no member is permit- ted to address the body without leave, unless he be a Represen- tative or Past Grand Sire, or an elective officer. The elective officers shall have the power of debating and making motions, but cannot vote unless they be Representatives. The appointed officers, unless they be Representatives, cannot speak or vote ex- cept permitted by the majority of the body. — Constitution, Article III, Section 5. 2. No motion is subject to debate until it has recieved a second and is stated by the Chair. — 13th Rule of Order. 3. The previous question called precludes debate. — 15th Rule op Order. 4. The reading of a paper when called for shall be determined with- out debate. — 16th Rule of Order. 5. No debate is in order after the Grand Sire has risen to put a ques- tion. — 17th Rule of Order. 6. No member is permitted to speak, unless clothed in regalia suit- ed to his station, and occupying his stand at the place designated for him. — 19th Rule of Order. 7. During the progress of a ballot, no motion can be entertained — no debate or explanation permitted. — 20th Rule of Order GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 39 DEB ATE— CONTINUED . 8. The Chair shall determine the right to the floor, and no member shall interrupt another while speaking, unless to call him to or- der. — 23d Rule of Oeder. 9. No member shall speak more than twice on the same question, while ethers desire the floor. — 26th Rule of Order. DEFUNCT LODGES AND ENCAMPMENTS. 1. When the charter of a Lodge or Encampment has been surrender- ed or reclaimed, its efiects must be placed in the keeping of its appropriate Grand Body.— Jour. 93, 351, 1283, 1284. 2. When a Lodge or Encampment becomes extinct, either by disso- lution or expulsion, the name and number of such Lodge or En- campment cannot be granted to any other Lodge or Encampment, as the privilege of resuscitating the defunct body and resuming its title belongs to a sufficient number of its original members. —Jour. 93, 1201, 1247. 3. The Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States is required to furnish withdrawal cards to the members in good standing of Lodges and Encampments under its immediate ju- risdiction that have become extinct. — Jour. 1059. 4. Withdrawal cards duly granted by a Lodge or Encampment, that has since the grant become extinct, suspended or expelled, may be received on deposit on application for renewal of membership, but visiting cards under like circumstances cannot be recognized, as the right of the holder expires with his Lodge. — Joue.1398, , 1470, 1484. 5. The resuscitating of a defunct Lodge, on application of a portion of its original members, does not restore to membership all its former members, who were in good standing at the time of its dissolution. — Jour. 1477, 1512. 6. A Grand Body/ or its presiding officer in the recess, has full power to grant a card to a member of a defunct subordinate, although the member is at the time in arrears to his subordinate ; a dis- cretionary power implying a wise and judicious investigation of the circumstances of each case presented. — Jour. 2561, 2629, 2664. 7. In case of the extinction of a Subordinate Lodge or Encampment, in which an officer or member of the Grand Lodge of the Uni- ted States holds membership, the seat of such officer or Rep- resentative shall not be vacated thereby, provided he shall, with- in one month, connect himself with some other Lodge or En- campment as the case may be. — Jour. 2811. 40 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE DEFUNCT LODGES AND ENCAMPMENTS— oontinueb. 8. When a Subordinate Lodge or Encampment has become extinct, and lias duly surrendered its charter and effects, any member thereof, on payment of dues and satisfaptory evidence of good character, may receive from the Grand officer of his Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, as the case may be, or from the Grand Sire and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States, or from such other authority as may be prescribed by the laws of the respective jurisdictions, a card of with- drawal, which shall have the same value as a card issued by a subordinate in good standing.— Jour. 2860, 2910, 2927, 2962, 296T, 3028, 3087, 3088, 3113. 9. District Deputy Grand Sires have no power to issue withdrawal cards to members of defunct Lodges. — Jona. 3031, 3083, 3118. 10. A Grand Lodge cannot be held liable for advances made by a Subordinate Lodge of another jurisdiction to a member of one of its defunct subordinates, unless assets to the amount of the claim shall have been received by said Grand Lodge from such defunct subordinate. — Jode. 3107, 3123. 11. The laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States, prohibiting the signing of any diploma, card, &c. , not issued by that body, by any officer of a State Grand Body, shall not be so constru- ed as to apply to certificates granted by Grand Officers under existing provisions to members of defunct Lodges and Encamp- ments.— Jour. 3247, 3248. DEGEBES— SUBOKDINATE. 1. No Lodge can confer degrees upon a member of another Lodge, except with the consent of his own Lodge given under seal. — By-Laws, Article XII. 2. The fees received by any Lodge under a violation of the preced- ing law must be paid to the Lodge of which the recipient was a , member. — Jour. 314. 3. State Grand Lodges are required to conform to the numerical or- der of the degrees. — Jour. 346. 4. The prices to pe paid for degrees are to be regulated by the local jurisdiction. — Jour. 811. 5. The time, place and manner of conferring the degrees, are proper subjects for local legislation.— Jour. 1080, 1124, 1400, 1502, 1513. 6. Applicants for degrees must be balloted for by the Lodge when open in, and by the members of, the degree applied for. — Joub. 1080, 1124, 2214, 2264, 2327, 2400, 2481, 2503. GKAND LODGE OE THE UNITED STATES. 41 DEGREES— SUBOKDINATE— continued; 7. The time of probation in membership before a brother can re- ceive the several degrees, and the period between a rejection and a re-application for degrees, are matters properly belonging to the legislation of the State Grran^ Lodges or their subordi- nates.— Jour. 1268. 1297, 1399, 1449,' 1479, 2729, 2768, 2811. 8. The proceedings had by Lodges, when open in a particular degree, whether for the'purpose of balloting for or conferring degrees, are distinct from the ordinary Lodge proceedings, and must be recordjed in a separate and distinct minute book, and not simply on a separate page of the regular minute book. — Jouk. 2214, 2251, 2264, 2327, 2404, 2450, 2481, 2503, 2729, 2768, 2811, 8512, 8558, 3587. DEGREES- PATRIARCHAL. 1. The Royal Purple degree, the most exalted degree- in the Order, is a necessary qualification for Representatives to the Grand Lodge of the United States.— Constitution, Article IX, Sec- tion 3. ' 2. The Patriarchal degrees can only be regularly conferred in Sub- ordinate Encampments, and in certain cases by dispensation of the Grand Sire. They cannot be conferred in Grand Encamp- ments, as such bodies work only in the Grand Encampment degree.— Jour. 410, 498, 1200, 1247. 3. Grand Encampments cannot, by dispensation or otherwise, cause scarlet members to be elevated to the Patriarchal degrees, to qualify them as petitioners for a new Encampment. — Jour. 410, 1395, 1724, 1797. 4. Applicants for charters to open Subordinate Encampments must be in the possession of the Royal Purple degree. — Jour. 484. 5. The prayers are an integral part of the Patriarchal degrees, and cannot be dispensed with. — Jour. 1031, 1034. I 6. Each Grand Encampment has power to determine for itself whether its suboi^dinates shall ballot separately upon conferring of each degree.— Jour. 1401, 1451, 1481. 7. The attainment of the Patriarchal degrees cannot be made a ne- cessary qualification to membership or office in a State Grand Lodge, as such a body cannot judicially know any other degrees than those which belong to its jurisdiction, and cannot legislate or apply tests in regard to them. — Jour. 1843, 1921, 1957, 2480, 2487, 2508, 2508, 2520, 2816, 2831. 42 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OP TIIB DEGREES— PATRIARCHAL— CONTINUED. 8. A brother who has received the Patriarchal degree only, is en- titled to the semi-annual password. — Joim. 2103, 2145, 2171. 9. The charge in the Royal Purple degree succeeding the obligation, cannot be conferred on more than one Patriarch at the same time.— JouE. 2125, 2176. 10. A Grand Patriarch may, by dispensation, authorize a remote En- campment to elevate an applicant to the Patriarchal degrees, the only Encampment nearer the residence of the applicant having assented thereto.— Joub. 2215, 2264, 2327. 11. The propriety of giving two of the Patriarchal degrees on the same night, is to be determined by local legislation. — JonR. 2404, 2450, 2481, 2503. 12. It is improper to confer any of the Patriarchal degrees upon one holding a withdrawal card from a Lodge. — Joue. 2404, 2450, 2481, 2503. 13. Grand Patriarchs and their Deputies are authorized to confer the degrees of a Subordinate Encampment on Scarlet members of Subordinate Lodges, for the purpose of organizing a new En- campment, provided there be no Subordinate Encampment lo- cated within thirty mUes of such Encampment. — Jouk. 2588, 2630, 2664. 14. Membership in the Encampment and the obligations to pay dues commence with the Patriarchal degree. — Joue. 3031, 3083, 3113. DEGREES— PAST OFFICIAL. 1. No Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment can confer degrees upon a member of another Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, without the consent of the Body to which the brother belongs given under its seal. — Constitution, Aeticle XII. 2. The Grand Lodge degree and the Grand Encampment degree cannot be conferred for a pecuniary consideration, or for any consideration other than the regular performance of the duties of the principal chair in a legal Lodge or Encampment, as the case may be. — By-Laws, Article XXIII. 3. Service during a majority of the nights of a term in any office, is necessary to entitle a brother to the past official degree of said office, except in the case of the Noble Grand and Vice Grand of a new or revived Lodge, the first being entitled to aU the past official degrees, the other to those of Past Vice Grand and GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 43 DEGREES— PAST OFFICIAL— continued. Past Secretary. In no other case can they be conferred except for service actually performed. — Jodb. 404, 411, 795, 1063, 1083, 1613, 1638. 4. Eepresentatives in the Grand Lodge of the United States are en- titled to receive from its presiding officer the Grand Encamp- ment degree, and all side degrees that may be necessary to the discharge of their duties in that Body. But the degrees thus ob- tained do not confer any rank or privilege on the brothers re- ceiving them in their own jurisdictions or elsewhere. — Jouk. 491, 571, 665, 1148, 1291, 1316. 5. The Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment degrees can Be regu- larly given only during the session of such bodies respectively, and in the room in which such Grand Body is assembled ; but by special permission either of said degrees may be conferred in some contiguous room. — Joue. 1091. 6. Grand Lodges may authorize a District Deputy Grand Master to confer the past official degrees (except the Grand Lodge de- gree) at any time upon qualified brothers, or may direct said degrees to be conferred in any other manner. — Jouk. .1091. 7. The character of the certificate or evidence necessary to au- thorize the conferring of the Grand Lodge or past official de- grees is a matter for State legislation. — Joue. 1202, 1248. 8. A brother who resigns his office before the expiration of the term is not entitled to receive the past official degree pertaining to such office. — Joue. 1613, 1638. 9. A Noble Grand who is absent a majority of the nights of a term is not entitled to the past official degree pertaining to such term.— Jouk. 1845, 1886, 1898, 1949, 1952, 2859, 2926, 2963. 10. Certificates entitling members to past official degrees for faithful service in office must be given without a vote of the Lodge. — Jouk. 1902, 1953, 3358, 3359, 3360, 3379. 11. The Grand Lodge degree cannot be conferred upon any Past Grand until he becomes a member of the Grand Lodge ; but the past official degrees may be conferred at any proper time and place upon those who by proper service have earned them and who present the proper certificates. — Jouk. 2124, 2134, 2176. 12. A Grand Master of one jurisdiction may confer the past official degrees on a qualified Past Grand of another State, upon the 44 A DIGEST or THE LAWS OF THE DEGREES— PAST OFFICIAL— continued. written request of tlie Grand Master and tte consent of the Grand Lodge thereof; but the Grand Lodge degree must be conferred by a Grand Lodge in session. — Jour. 2254, 2308, 2345. 13. An officer detained by sickness from his Lodge a majority of the nights of a term, does not thereby forfeit the honor of the past official degree pertaining to such office. — Jour. 2309, 2345. DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 1. The degree of Rebekah is an honorary degree, to be conferred upon such scarlet members and their wives as may desire to receive it.— Jour. 1841, 1883, 1898, 1952, 2214, 2251, 2264, 2327. 2. The degree of Rebekah is a necessary qualification for office in all Lodges that are in possession of it.- — -Joue. ibid. 3. The annual password of the degree must be given by ladies at the outer door.— Jour. 1933, 1962. 4. A Lodge may at its option sing an ode at the time ladies are in- troduced into the Hall for instruction in the degree. — Jouk. IBID. 5. A State Grand Lodge does not possess the power of authorizing its Subordinates to require any pecuniary consideration for con- ferring the degree of Rebekah, the wife of any scarlet mem- ber in good standing being entitled to receive it. — Joua. 2561, 2593, 2626. 6. The regalia to be worn by the Daughters of Rebekah is specially described in the provisions of the degree as found on the pages of the secret journal and in the degree book, and a State Grand Lodge has no authority to make any addition thereto. — Jour. 2622, 2623, 2663. 7. The degree of Rebekah is conferred on the wives of scarlet mem- bers in good standing as a matter of course ; it is therefore not legal to ballot upon applications for the degree. — JouR. 3181, 3234, 3266. 8. The degree of Rebekah is not an integral part of the work of the Order, but a mere side degree or personal privilege, owing its existence and continuance to the will of a majority of the Grand Lodge of the United States. It is therefore neither ex- pedient nor proper to establish Lodges to confer the degree. — Jour. 1793, 3203, 3210, 3211, 3243; GEAND LODGE OE THE UNITED STATES. 45 DEaREB OF REBEKAH— CONTINUED. 9. The degree of Rebekah may be conferred upon the widows of Odd-Pellows who were in good standing at the time of their death, upon application therefor in open Lodge. — Jour. 3204, 3230, 3265. 10. The form of a card for the Daughters of Rebekah is recom- mended ; but it is declared inexpedient for the Grand Lodge of the United States, to issue such card. — Joue. 2929, 2964. DEGREE LODGES. 1. The legality of Degree Lodges was recognized by the Grand Lodge of the United States in 1846. — Joub. 868, 951. 2. No title or honorary distinction can be conferred on the officers of Degree Lodges, as such. — Jour. 1402, 1476, 1511. 3. The qualifications for office in a Degree Lodge is a subject for local legislation. — Jour. 1400, 1502, 1513. 4. When the degrees are conferred by a regular Degree Lodge separate from the Subordinates, applications for degrees must be acted upon in the applicant's Subordinate Lodge and by such members only as have taken the degree applied for. If the application is granted, a certificate of the fact is given to the applicant, which authorizes the Degree Lodge to confer the degrees.— Jour. 3180, 3234, 3266. 5. A Subordinate Lodge does not become a Degree Lodge although it confers the first five degrees on its members ; all its powers are derived from its charter as a Subordinate Lodge. Never- theless the ' '/orm" adopted by the Grand Lodge of the United States for opening and closing Degree Lodges and Lodges toorJcing in the degrees must be used in all Lodges when opened for the purpose of balloting or conferring degrees. — Joue. 3563, 3564, 3588. DIPLOMAS. 1. All diplomas must be signed by the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and when issued to mem- bers of the Order by State Grand Lodges or Encampments or Subordinate Lodges or Encampments, must be further authen- ticated by the signatures of the presiding officer and Record- ing Secretary or Scribe of the Body by which they are issued. —Jour. 327, 800. 2. Members of the Order desiring diplomas must obtain them from their State Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments, or from 46 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE DIPLOMAS CONTINUED. Subordinate Lodges and Encampments under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States if mem- bers thereof.— JouE. 327, 357, 574. 3. The Grand Secretary has discretionary power during recess to print diplomas as they may be needed from time to time. — JouE. 657. 4. State Grand Officers .and Officers of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments are prohibited from signing any diploma, &c. , not issued by the authority of the Grand Lodge of the United States and properly authenticated by the name of the Grand Corresponding Secretary written or engraved on the margin thereof. AR diplomas, &o., not issued by the authority of the Grand Lodge of the United States, which may have been signed by a State Grand or Subordinate Officer are void and of no force. — JouE. 3135. 6. This law shall not be so construed as to apply to certificates gj-anted by State Grand Officers to members of defunct Lodges as authorized by law.— Joce. 3247, 3248, 3267. 6. The laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States do not pro- hibit thfe officers of Grand and Subordinate Lodges from sign- ing diplomas when procured from that Body, which alone has the authority to issue them. — Jouk. 3420, 3477. DISPENSATION. 1. During the recess of the Grand Lodge of the United States the Grand Sire, Deputy Grand Sire and Grand Secretary have power to grant dispensations to open Grand or Subordinate Lodges or Encampments, subject to the approval and confirma- tion of the Grand Lodge of the United States at its next ses- sion.— Joue. 319, 321, 423. 2. The Grand Sire is authorized, during the recess, to issue dis- pensations for conferring the three Encampment degrees upon scarlet members petitioning the Grand Lodge of the United States for an Encampment, so as to qualify the petitioners to receive the warrant ; provided there be no Encampment in the same State or Territory in which the petitioners can conveni- ently receive the degrees. — Joxie. 498. 3. Grand Encampments have no power, by dispensation or other- wise, to cause scarlet members to be elevated to the Encamp- ment degrees to qualify them as petitioners for a new Encamp- ment.— Joue. 410, 1395, 1518, 1724, 1797. QBAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 47 DISPENSATION— CONTINUED. 4. A G-rand Patriarch is authorized to issue a dispensation for a more remote Enoampmeilt to elevate an applicant to the Patri- archal degrees, the only nearer Encampment having assented thereto.— JouE. 2215, 2264, 2327. 6. A dispensation by a Grand Master or Grand Lodge to dispense with the regular meetings of a Lodge, is illegal and improper, as the laws of the Order confer no such privilege or power to either a Grand Lodge or its officer.- Jotje. 2725, 2781, 2818. 6. Neither a Grand Master nor a Grand Lodge has any authority, under the laws of the Order, to grant a dispensation to a Sub- ordinate Lodge to suspend payment of weekly benefits.' — Jocr. 2770, 2831. 7. In any State, District or Territory where a Subordinate Encamp- ment but no Grand Encampment exists, the District Deputy Grand Sire has the same power to grant dispensations to bro- thers wishing to obtain the Patriarchal degrees out of the jurisdiction as a Grand Patriarch has under similar circum- stances. —JouE. 2910, 2962. 8. The Grand Sire has no power, by dispensation or otherwise, to authorize a Grand Body, even by a unanimous vote, to adjourn to a place not authorized by its constitution or to do any thing in violation of its organic law. — Jour. 3182^ 8234, 3266. DONATIONS. 1 . A wise and prudent dispensation of donations is an integral por- tion of the objects of this Order. The reversionary interest a Grand Lodge has in the funds of its Subordinates gives it an undoubted right to limit their disbursements to purposes within the Order, and to prohibit a partition of their funds or other property among their members. But to subject their acts of charity within the Order to the ordeal of an approval by a Grand Lodge, or Grand Master during vacation, would be in- consistent with th^ recognized right of Lodges, and would fre- quently by the delay occasioned defeat the object in view — the speedy relief of distressed brethren. — Joue. 2772, 2812 DUES AND FEES.' 1. Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments are required to pay to the Grand Lodge of the United States seventy-five dollars per annum for each vote they are entitled to in that Body. — Con- stitution, Akticlb XIV, Section 2. 48 A DIGEST OP THE LAWS OF THE DUES AND FEES— CONTINUED. 2. Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments are required to forward their dues to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States with their annual return, and no Grand Body in arrears for dues and fees due and owing to the Grand Lodge of the United States, can be allowed to vote in that Grand Body by its Representatives. — By-Laws, Articles X, XI. 3. The fee due to the Grand Lodge of the United States for a war- rant to open a Grand or Subordinate Lodge or Encampment is thirty dollars, and must accompany the petition for a charter. — Constitution, Aeticle XIV, Section 1. By-Laws, Ar- ticle vn. 4. The dues of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments working under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, are ten per cent, on their receipts. — Constitu- tion, Article XIV, Section 3. By-Laws, Article HI. 5. The dues of a Lodge should be fixed at some stated rate in its constitution or by-laws. They accrue weekly, and it is the right of a member otherwise in good standing to pay them at any time. But if one who is debarred from benefits by the nonrpayment of dues should pay them during sickness, he does no.t thereby become entitled to benefits during such sickness. — Jour. 1290, 1318, 2311, 2346. 6. The regulation of dues and fees to be paid by members of Sub- ordinate Lodges and Encampments belongs peculiarly to the legislation of State Grand Bodies.— -Jocr. 1248, 1403, 1450, 1480, 1896, 1952. 7. If a Patriarch loses his membership in an Encampment by the suspension of his Lodge, and he is afterwards restored to mem- bership in consequence of the reinstatement of his Lodge, the Encampment cannot charge hiin with dues during the suspen- sion of his Lodge. — Jour. 1392. 8. Members under suspension for imprdper conduct are liable for dues during the period of suspension ; but in cases of suspen- sion for the non-payment of dues the matter is left to local law. —Jour. 1505, 1513, 2724, 2736, 2764, 2773. 9. A member is not in good standing while his note is held for dues — ^the note only changing the form of, but not discharging the debt.— Jour. 1775, 1806. GRAND LODG^ OF THE UNITED STATES. 49 DUES AND FEES— CONTINUED. 10. If a member of an Encampment who has obtained a withdrawal card from bis Lodge, refuses to pay his dues to the Camp, the Camp is without redress save to refuse him a card. — Jouk. 1709, 1720, 1781, 1797. 11. The right of a Lodge to enact by-laws requiring the payment of higher dues from members going out of the State where the Lodge is located than from those residing in the State, is a matter for the legislation of State Grand Bodies. — Jour. 1888, 1895, 1952. 12. Subordinate Lodges may make such arrangement in regard to accumulated arrears of dues as will enable the reinstatement of members who have lost their membership by disuse. — Jouk. 1884,'1948. 13. Members may be either suspended or expelled for the non-pay- ment of dues if the local law so provides. But the infliction of the punishment of expulsion for that which may be the re- sult of mere misfortune, is held by the Grand Lodge of the United States to be impolitic and unjust. — Jour. 2224, 2264. 2327, 2330, 2347. > 14. Subordinate Lodges may settle by compromise their claims against such of their members suspended for non-payment of dues as have established their residence in another State, and may grant them clearance cards. — Jour. 2496, 2620, 15. The right to charge a fee for visiting or withdrawal cards in regulated by local laws, and where the local law authorizes the charge, the Lodge or the officer whose duty it is to issue the card, has the right to require payment therefor before deliver- ing it.— Jour. 2460, 2482, 2504. 16. The right of a Lodge to discriminate against suspended mem- bers by charging them an increased rate of dues during sus- pension, is peculiarly a matter for local legislation. — Joub. 2732, 2780, 2818. 17. Dues in the Encampment accrue and are to be charged from the date of thiS receipt of the Patriarchal degree. — Jour. 3031, 3083, 3113. 18. Where the by-laws of a Lodge require the dues of members tO' be paid to the Secretary, a payment to the Treasurer of the • Lodge will not bind the Lodge Jour. 8031, 3083, 3113. 4 50 A DIGEST OP THE LATIS OF THE EFFECTS. 1. When an expelled Lodge or Encampment has surrendered its effects, it may appeal to the Grand Lodge of the United States without the consent of its State Grand Body. — Constitdtion, Article I, Section 4. 2. When the charter of a Lodge or Encampment has been surren- dered or reclaimed, its books and effects must be placed in the keeping of its proper Grand Body. — Joue. 93, 351, 1283. 3. The effects of a Lodge or Encampment embrace its jewels, em- blems, furniture, &c., as well as its working and other books. —Jour. 1248. 4. A Lodge surrendering its charter and effects should also relin- quish into the custody and control of the Grand Lodge its available and unavailable funds. — Jour. 2860, 2925, 2963. ELECTIONS. 1. Elections for ofBcers in the Grand Lodge of the United States are held biennially on the second day of the session, and must be by ballot, a majority of all the votes cast being necessary to a choice. — Constitution, Article III, Section 1; Article Xni, Section 5. 2. The nomination and election of Grand Officers takes place on the same day. ' The nominatioiji for each office is immediately succeeded by the election for the same, and before the nomi- nation and election for the next office. — Constitution, Article XV, Section 2. 8. Grand Kepresentatives are elected by their respective State, Dis- trict or Territoriajl Grand Bodies for two years, the Grand Lodge of the United States being the judge of their creden- tials and qualification, and Ijaving the power of deciding all contested elections. — Constitution, Article IX, Sections 1, 5 ; Article XIII, Section 2. 4. In elections for Grand Officers, a Grand Eepjesentative has no right to deposit a ballot for his absent colleague. — By-Laws, Article XI. « 5. In cases of contested election brought before 4he Grand Lodge of the United States,..the successful claimant only is allowed mileage and per diem. — Jour. 2166. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 51 EMBLEMS. 1. The emblems of the Order cannot be used for business purposes in connection with any advertisement or public display not ap- pertaining to the wants of the Order. — Joue. 1401, 1471, 1485. 2, A Grand Patriarch, as a part of the superintending authority incident to his office, has the right to prohibit any public dis- play of the secret emblems and working costumes of the En- campment branch of the Order; unless by constitutional provision that power is vested in the Grand Lodge alone. — Jode. 3030, - 3083, 3113. ENCAMPMENTS— GRAND. 1 . Grand Encampments exist by virtue of warrants duly granted or confirmed by the Grand Lodge of the United States, and are within their respective limits supreme for all local legisla- tion and appellate jurisdiction, except as provided by the Con- stitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Consti- tution, Aeticle I, Section 3. 2. Only one Grand Encampment can exist in any State or Terri- tory, except in NeW York, where by law two Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments have been chartered. — Ibid. 3. Warrants for the establishment of Grand Encampments may be issued by the Grand Sire or by the Grand Lodge of the United States, on the petition of five or more Subordinate Encamp- ments located in a State or Territory where no Grand Encamp- ment exists. — Constitution, Aeticle IV, Section 1. By- Laws, Articles IV, V. 4. Every Grand Encampment must pay the expenses of the Grand Officer upon whom is devolved the duty of opening it and in- stalling its officers. — By-Laws, Aeticle VI. 6. Each Grand Encampment must have a seal, an impression whereof in wax must be sent tothe office of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — By-Laws, Article VIII. 6. Must immediately upon its adoption send tp the Grand Lodge|ftf the United States its constitution, for approval. — By-Laws, Aeticle IX. 7. Must make annual returns to the Grand Corresponding and Re- cording Secretary one month previous to the sitting ef the Grand Lodge of the United States, with dues thereon. — By- Laws, Aeticle X. 52 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THB ENCAMPMENTS— GRAND— CONTINUED. 8. Must pay annually to the Grrand Lodge of the United States seventy-five dollars for each Grand Kepresentative it is entitled to send to that Body. — Constitution, Article XIV, Sec- tion 2. 9. Must furnish its Representative with the certificate required by law, and with all documents necessary to the discharge of bis duty. — Constitution, Article IX, Section 4. By-Laws, Article XVII. 10. Is entitled to one Representative, and if containing within its jurisdiction more than one thousand members, two Representa- tives to the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitution , Article IX, Section 2. 11. Is entitled to two copies of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the United States for each Subordinate under its jurisdic- tion. — By-Laws, Article XVIII. 12. May submit to the decision of the Grand Lodge of the United States, or to the Grand Sire in recess, any question relating to the laws and usages of the Order. — Constitution, Article IV, Section 1. By-Laws, Article XXIX. 13. Is required to enforce upon its Subordinates a strict adherence to the prescribed work, and is held responsible for any irregu- larities allowed within its jurisdiction. — By-Laws, Article XX. 14. A Grand Encampment cannot confer a degree on a member of another Grand Encampment without its consent given under seal — nor can it confer the degree for any consideration other than due official service. — Jouk. 562, 581. 15. Grand Encampments for which warrants are issued during re- cess, are not entitled to representation or liable for the repre- sentative tax until their charters are confirmed by the Grand Lodge of the United States.— Jour. 600, 776, 808. 16. Grand Encampments consist of. all Past Chief Patriarchs and Past High Priests, or (if their constitutions so provide) of all Past Chief Patriarchs only within their respective jurisdic- ^ tions, but no person can be a member of more than one Grand ^ Encampment'at the same time. — Jour. 958, 1114, 1115, 1124, 1712, 1770, 1805, 1806, 1808. 17. Grand Encampments work in the Grand Encampment degree, which can be regularly conferred only during the session and ■ in the room of the Grand Encampment. By special permis- sion the degree may be conferred in a contiguous room. -—Jouk. 487, 490, 1016, 1032, 1091. QRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 53 ENCAMPMENTS— GRAND— CONTINUED. 18. On all occasions where precedence is to be observed, Grand En- campments rank below Grand Lodges, which are the legislative heads of the Order within their respective jurisdictions. — Jour. 491, 496. 19. A Grand Encampment may terminate the indefinite suspension of a member for the non-payment of dues ; and upon the reversal of the decision of a Subordinate, may reinstate a sus- pended or expelled member without the consent of his En- campment. — Jour. 952, 953. 20. Each Gr?ind Encampment has control over all Subordinate En- campments within its jurisdiction. It has power to grant char- ters and open Encampments ; to enact a uniform constitution or other laws for the government of its Subordinates ; to pre- scribe the forms of their returns, and to require of them the payment of dues to defray its expenses. It enforces its laws upon its Subordinates, and may, for cause, annul or suspend a charter. In case of a forfeiture or annulment of a charter it takes possession of the books and effects of the Subordinate, which, with the name and number of the Subordinate, can only be assigned to a sufficient number of the former members. Jour. 1198, 1245, 1724, 1797. 21. Grand Encampments have no power to elevate or cause scarlet members to be elevated to the Patriarchal degrees to enable them to petition for a new Encampment. — Jour. 1290, 1247, 1395, 1724, 1797. 22. They may prescribe the qualifications of their respective Grand Patriarchs. They may instruct their Grand Representatives in matters relating especially to themselves, but not in things that concern the Order generally. They may organize con- ventions for the purpose of devising and reporting constitu- tions, but cannot delegate .to such conventions their legislative functions, which can only be surrendered to the Grand Lodge of the United States. They may appropriate money for other than the purposes of the Order, if their constitutions do not prohibit.— Jour. 1062", 1109, 1114, 1199, 1250, 1723, 1797. 23. They cannot continue in membership a member of a suspended Lodge, nor admit as a member or visitor any brother wht) kas come into possession of the Grand Encampment degree only by virtue of service in the Grand Lodge of the United States. —Jour. 1148, 1291, 1316. 24. They must furnish their officers with the jewels appertaining to their rank and station, and when in session their members muFt be clothed in proper regalia. — Jour. 1290. 54 A DIGEST Oy THE LAWS OF TEE ENCAMPMENTS— GRAND— CONTINUED. 25. Grand Encampments may determine in their constitutions and by-laws where their sessions shall be held. — Jouk. 1759, 1763, 1766, 1803, 1804. 26. "Where there are two halls in the same city in which a Grand Encampment has held its session, it is the duty of the Grand Patriarch, in the absence of any legislation on the subject, to call the next meeting in that hall in which the last session was held, unless there be some proper cause for a change to the other hall.— Jour. 2859, 2925, 2963. 27. The place designated in the charter or constitution of a Grand Encampment can be changed by a vote of the State Grand Body with the same facility that a by-law or rule of order can be altered; provided it be done in. conformity with the rules laid down in its constitution for such change. — Jour. 2859, ^ 2925, 2963. ENCAMPMENTS— SUBORDINATE. 1. Subordinate Encampments exist by virtue of warrants duly granted by competent authority within whose jurisdiction they are established. If there be a Grand Encampment within the State or Territory where it is proposed to establish a Subordi- nate Encampment, application for a charter must be made to such Grand Encampment, but if no Grand Encampment therein, then petition must be made to the Grand Lodge of the United States or to the Grand Sire in recess. — Constitu- tion, Article I, Section 7; Article IV, Section 1. 2. The petition for a Subordinate Encampment must he according to the prescribed form, accompanied with the fee of thirty dol- lars, and be signed by seven members of the Royal Purple degree in good standing. — By-Laws, Articles II, VII. 3. If the warrant is granted, the Encampment is opened by the Grand Sire or a qualified Deputy, who delivers the warrant and charge books and imparts the necessary instructions. If denied, the fee is returned. — By-Laws, Articles II, VII. 4.' Encampments chartered by the Grand Lodge of the United States are required to submit their constitutions to that Body for its approval, and to make semi-annual returns to that Body with their dues, viz : ten per centum of their receipts ; and in , default of such returns for one year their charters are forfeited. — Constitution, Article XIV, Section 3. By-Laws, Ar- ticles m, iX xxvn. QRANB LOBGB^OF THE UNITED STATES. 55 ENCAMPMENTS— SUBORDINATE— CONTINUED. 5 In case of the establishment of a Grand Encampment in a State or Territory, all Subordinate Enoampihents therein pass under the jurisdiction of such Grand Encampment. — By-Laws, Ae- TicLB xni. 6. Encampments cannot initiate or admit to membership a person who is a resident of another State, without the previous con- sent of the Grand Encampment or Grand Patriarch of the State in which the applicant resides. — Constitution, Aeticle XVI, Section 3. 7. No Encampment can confer degrees on a member of another Encampment without the consent of such other Encampment, under its seal. — By-Laws, Article XII. 8. The business of an Encampment must not be a,llowed to inter- fere with the business of a Lodge. — Jour. 281. 9. The terms of Subordinate Encampments are six months. In case of a new or revived Encampment, if there be more than thirteen weeks between the time of its institution and the ter- mination of the regular term, they are considered a full term ; if there be thirteen weeks or less, they are added to the next term, and with it constitute but one term. — Jour. 491, 794. 10. If the number of members of a Subordinate Encampment be reduced below its constitutional quorum, viz : seven members, its charter is forfeited and its books and effects must be surren- dered to the Grand Body under which it exists ; but the char- ter cannot be surrendered by a majority of its members if there be a constitutional quorum desiring to retain and work under it.— Jour. 410, 799. 11. If a Subordinate Encampment created by the Grand Lodge of the United States becomes extinct, and subsequently a Grand Encampment is established in the State or Territory within which it is located, a sufficient number of the original mem- bers may, with the consent of such Grand Encampment, apply to the Grand Lodge of the United States for the restoration of its charter and effects. — Jour. 799. 12. A uniform constitution for Subordinates adopted by a State Grand Encampment, will supercede the constitution of any of its Subordinates which may have been approved by the Grand Lodge of the United States prior to the tranfer of jurisdiction. -Jour. 1286, 1317. 56 A DIGEST OF THE LA^VS OF THE ENCAMPMENTS— SUBORDINATE— CONTINUED. 13. Subordinate Encampments must furnish their officers with the jewels appertaining to their rank and station, and when in ses- sion must require their members to be clothed in suitable re- galia. — Jour. 1290. 14. A member who has received the Patriarchal and Golden Rule degrees is entitled to the semi-annual password. — Jodb. 2103, 2145, 2177. 15. The charge of the Royal Purple degree succeeding the obliga- tion must be delivered to but one Patriarch at a time. — Jour. 2135, 2176. 16. A Subordinate Encampment cannot assume to try a member for words spoken in his Lodge if the ' 'words spoken!' are only of- fensive to the Lodge for being spolcen therein. But if the "words spoken" are offensive in themselves, if they evidence conduct unbecoming an Odd-Fellow or th,e like, an acquittal by the Lodge affords no bar to a prosecution and trial in the Encampment. Although the act may be single, the offence may be several, but the place where offence is committed must in general be immaterial. — Jour. 3118, 3134. 17. When an Encampment is regularly opened, no person except the Junior Warden and the candidate for initiation can enter or leave the room before the Encampment closes without, the usual ceremonies.— Jour. 3180, 3234, 3266. 18. A Subordinate Encampment, with the consent of its Grand En- ", campment, and where there is no Grand Encampment, with the consent of the Grand Lodge of thfe United States, may hold but one meeting a month ; but the official term of the offi- cers will be thereby extended to twelve months. — Jour. 3181, 3234, 3266. 19. The location of a Subordinate cannot be changed from one town to another by dispensation of a Grand Patriarch ; that power belongs to the Grand Encampment in session. — Jour. 3181, 3234, 3266.. 20. The eight questions propounded to the Chief Patriarch of an Encampment at his installation, with the answers thereto, im- pose obligations which cannot be neglected or violated with impunity.— JouK. 3181, 3234, 3266. 21 . When an Encampment fails to avail itself of its right to proceed' against a member suspended by his Lodge, resting upon the action and punishment inflicted by the Lodge, when that pun GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 57 ENCAMPMENTS— SUBORDINATE— CONTINUED. ishment is by the action of law terminated, and the party returns to his privileges as a member of his Lodge, the En- campment is obliged to receive and readmit him. —Jour. 3357, 3379. 22. An Encampment which works in the German and English lan- guages may have two sets of charge books, one in each lan- guage.— Jouk. 3513, 3558. EVIDENCE. 1 . Ex parte statements are sufficient evidence to warrant a Lodge in placing a brother on his trial, but cannot be introduced as tes- timony on his trial. — Jour. 655, 656. 2. A wife should not be admitted as a witness against her husband. — Jour. 655, 656. 3. The character of a certificate or other evidence necessary to au- thorize the conferring of past official degrees or the degrees of Grand Bodies, is a matter for State legislation. — Jour. 1248. 4. If a woman be divorced "a vinculo matrimonii," she is a com- petent witness against her former husband, but if the divorce be "a mensa et thora," the separation is not complete, and she cannot testify against him. — Jour. 1400, 1502, 1513. 5. Whenever a Lodge or Encampment, or a member of the Order authorized by existing laws . to introduce testimony upon the trial of charges or other proceeding, shall desire to have the testimony of a, witness or witnesses whose personal presence cannot be had before the tribunal trying such charge or enter- taining such proceeding, the deposition of such absent witness may be taken in the following manner : The party desiring to take the deposition shall file with the Secretary of the Lodge, or the Scribe of the Encampment, the interrogatories he wishes propounded to the witness or witnesses, naming them. The Secretary or Scribe shall immediately deliver or cause to be de- livered to the opposite party a copy of the interrogatories. The latter party, within one week from such service, may file coun- ter or cross interrogatories with the Secretary or Scribe, if he think proper. At the expiration of a week, or sooner if counter interrogatories are sooner filed, the Secretary or Scribe shall forthwith forward them to the Noble Grand of a Lodge near the witness, with a communication requesting him to take the de- position of the witness or witnesses named. The Noble Grand receiving such interrogatories shall, as soon as possible, take or cause the depositions of the witnesses named to be taken by some 5S A DIGEST OF THE HAWS OF THE EVIDENCE— CONTINUED. competent member of the Order, causing every interrogatory to be put to the witness or ■witnesses, and the answer to each to be reduced to writing in the presence of the witness ; and when the deposition is completed shall cause each witness to sign the same — and the Noble Grand or person taking the same shall certify the same to be correctly taken ; and such certificate shall be verified by the seal of the Lodge. The deposition shall then be sealed in an envelope and transmitted by mail to the Lodge or Encampment before which the trial or proceeding is pending. Depositions thus taken may be read in evidence in the cause or proceeding to which they relate. — Jour. 2725, 2738, 2774, 2885, 2909, 2962. EXPULSION. 1. A Grand Lodge may expel a member from its own Body, but possesses no power to expel a member from the Order. The power lies with the Subordinate Lodge, which may be required by its Grand Lodge to bring a brother to trial. — Jonik. 1062, 1089. 2. The expulsion of suspension of a Lodge should be made known to it as soon as practicable, and takes effect from the time it is so proclaimed. — Jotrn. 1149, 1291, 1316. 3. Expulsion severs a member's connection with the Order, and he cannot be reinstated by any Lodge or in any jurisdiction with- out the consent of the Lodge which expelled him. If reinstated without such consent, he is neither a member of his Lodge nor of the Order.— JouK. 1775, 1806. 4. A Subordinate Lodge may expel a member for non-payment of dues, if the law of its State Grand Lodge authorize such ac- tion, but such a law would be impolitic and unjust, as it would be visiting misfortune with the extreme penalty designed only for criminal ofi'ences.— JouR. 2214, 2361, 2327, 2330, 2347. 5. To "publish," in the proper sense of the term, the name of a member expelled from the Order, is a violation of the secrecy required by the laws of the Order in dealing with its members. —Jour. 2214, 2261, 2327. 6. A Subordinate Lodge violating the laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States may be expelled, and the Grand Master of the jurisdiction may demand its charter in the recess of its Grand Lodge.— Jour. 2408, 2450, 2481, 2503. 7. When upon a trial of a member for immoral conduct, all of the diffisrent grades of punishment are before the Lodge at the same GBAND LQDGB OF THE UNITED STATES. 59 EXPULSION— CONTINUED. time, and a majority vote against expulsion, that being the highest grade of. punishment known to the law, it is not compe- tent for the Lodge to entertain the question of expulsion the second time. — Jour. 262, 2650. FINANCE. 1. The revenue of the Grand Lodge of the United States, is de- rived from the following soources, viz : 1. A fee of thirty dollars for every warrant to open a Grand or Subordinate Lodge or Encampment. — Constitution, Ak- TicLE XIV, Section 1. 2. A Representative tax of seventy-five dollars per annum upon State, District, or Territoral Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments, for each vote they are entitled to in the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitution, Ar- ticle XIV, Section 2. 3. Dues from Subordinate Lodges and Encampments working under its immediate jurisdiction being ten per centum of their receipts. — Constitution, Article XIV, Section 3. 4. The proceeds of books, cards, diplomas, odes and certificates, (the exclusive right of printing which is reserved by that Grand Body to itself.) — Constitution, Article XIV, Section 4. 2. No money can be drawn from the treasury of the Grand Lodge of the United States, unless in pursuance of appropriations made by that Grand Body, and all orders on the Grand Trea- surer must be signed by the Grand Sire, and attested by the Grand Secretary under the seal of the Grand Lodge. — Consti- tution, Article VII, Sections 1, 2. 3. All monies due the Grand Lodge of the United States, must be paid to the Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and by him immediately paid over to the Grand Treasurer. — By- Laws, Article XIX. 4. The fiscal year of the Grand Lodge of the United States com- mences on the first day of July and ends on the thirtieth day of June. — By-Laws, Article XXVI. 5. A tabular statement of all monies received by the Grand Secre- tary is required to be made in parallel columns, so as to show the amount received for each specific purpose, and from what jurisdiction received. — Jour. 2520. 60 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE FINANCE— CONTINUED. 6. The Grand Secretary is required to open an account with eac'i specific appropriation, charging said .appropriation with the amount authorized and crediting the same with all payments made on account thereof — the payments on no particular ac- count to exceed the amount of the appropriation, and no trans- fer of appropriation to be made without the consent of the Grand Lodge of the United States. -^our. 2515, 2521. FINES. 1. The propriety of imposing fines for non-attendance at funerals is a subject for local legislation. — Jour. 1934, 1962. 2. The spirit of the Order is opposed to the policy of fines for non- attendance in Subordinate Lodges, but there is no general law which forbids the imposition of such fines. — Jour. 2215, 2264, 2327. 8. A Lodge cannot enforce by fine the performance of the duties of Chaplain.— Jour. 2461, 2491, 2508. FUNERALS. 1. Whether the full regalia to which a brother is entitled may be worn at funerals in lieu of or in connection with the funeral regalia prescribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States, is a matter to be determined by the respective Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments of the United States. — Jour. 1239, 1240, 2462, 2483, 2504. 2. In funeral processions a Grand Representative is not entitled to precedence of the other officers or members of a Grand Lodge, but must occupy such position as is assigned to his tank by the laws of his Statfi Grand Body.— Jour. 2214, 2264, 2327\ 3. The imposition of fines for non-attendance at funerals is a mat- ter for local legislation. — Jour. 1934, 1962. FUNERAL BENEFITS.— See Benefits, No. 26, 33. 1. The commission of suicide by a brother does not divest his family of their right to funeral benefits. — Jour. 807. FUNERAL EXPENSES.— See Benefits, No. 33. FUNERAL HONORS. 1. The propriety of extending funeral honors to brothers in arrears, but against whom no charges for unworthy conduct are pend- ing at the time of death, is a matter for local legislation. — Jour. 2732, 2780, 2818. ORAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 61 GOOD STANDING. 1. The term "gdod standing," as known to the Order, signifies first, contributing merabership in a Subordinate Lodge and freedom from charges regularly preferred according to the provisions of the constitutions of the proper Grand Lodge. Secondly, legal possession of duly authenticated cards from Subordinate Lodges legally authorized by the Grand Lodge of the United States or any State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge working under its jurisdiction. — Jouk. 497, 1299, 1340. 2. No member is in good standing while his note is held for dues, that being only a new form of indebtedness, without discharg- ing it.— Jour. 1176, 1806. 3. Freedom from any disability by reason of non-payment of dues of every kind, is one of the requisites of good standing. — Jour. 1775, 1806. 4. Good standing in a Lodge is essential to membership in an En- campment. — Jour. 3412, 3463. GBAND LODGE OP THE UNITED STATES. 1. The Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the United States is the source of all true and legitimate Odd-Fellowship in the United States of America; and its authority extends also to such L(jdges and Encampments as may be organized under its char- ter in foreign countries. — Constitution, Article I, Section 2. 2. ■ It possesses such powers and jurisdiction over the whole brother- hood as are provided in the Constitution and Bitual.of the Or- der. — Ibid. 3. It has exclusive power to create Grand and Subordinate Lodges and Grand and Subordinate Encampments in any part of the world, delegating to such Bodies so much of its authority as is necessary to the exercise of their respective functions. — Con- stitution, Article 1, Sections 3, 6, 7. By-Laws, Articles I, II, IV, V. 4. It has power to recall or annul any charter or warrant or dis- pensation issued by its authority ; and no Lodge or Encamp- ment, Grand or Subordinate, can lawfully exist without its continued sanction and approval. — CoNSiiinTiON, Article 1, Section 3. 5. It is the supreme and ultimate tribunal to which contreyverBies and disputes in the Order may be referred.-^ — Constitution, Article I, Section 4. 62 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF TEtB GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES— continued. 6. It will entertain an appeal by a Subordinate Lodge or Encamp- ment from a decision of its appropriate Grand Body, if pre- sented with the consent of such Grand Body — and in the case of an expelled Subordinate, without such consent, provided the expelled Subordinate has submitted to the judgment of its Superior Body and surrendered its effects. — Constitution, Article I, Section 4. 7. It will entertain an appeal from the action of a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment when presented by a member or members thereof, ^ee Appeals, Section 20. — ■Constitution, Article T, Section 4. 8. It has exclusive power to make, alter and regulate the work, lan- guage and regalia of the Order; to pass all laws for the govern- ment of the fraternity, and to declare the usages and customs of the Order, and to enforce obedience to its laws. — 'Constitu- tion, Aktiole I, Sections 5, 8. By-Laws, Article XX. 9. It is composed of officers duly elected or appointed. Representa- tives chosen by the several State, District, or Territoral Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments, and Past Grand Sires. — I Constitotion, Articles II, X. 10. Its elective officers are : Most Worthy Grand Sire, Right Worthy Deputy Grand Sire, Right Worthy Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and Right Worthy Grand Treasurer, who are elected biennially by ballot and by a majority of all the votes cast, and who are installed on the last day of the session at which they are elected. — Constitution, Article II ; Article III, Section 1. 11. Its appointed officers are: Right Worthy Grand Chaplain, Right Worthy Grand Marshal, Right Worthy Grand Guardian and Right Worthy Grand Messenger, nominated by the Grand Sire and approved by the Grand Lodge, and installed immediately after the installation of the elective officers. — Constitution, Article II ; Article III, Section 2. 12. It is the sole judge of the certificates or returns, and of the qualifications of its own members. — 'Constitution, Article XIII, Section 2, 13. It meets annually on the third Monday in September, at such place as it may from time to time determine. It may also meet on its own adjournment, or upon a special call of the Grand Sire, after three months' notice stating the object of the meet- ing. — Constitution, Article XII. GllAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES, 63 GRAND LODGE OP THE UNITED STATES— continded. 14. It will not entertain any inquiry conoerning the laws and usages of the Order unless it be brought before the Body on appeal, or presented by a State Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment. — By-Laws, Article XXIX. 15. It will entertain an appeal from an individaal member of a Sub- ordinate Lodge or Encampment working under its immediate jurisdiction, but will not entertain an appeal from a member of a Subordinate Lodge or Encampment working under a State Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment.— Jouk. 119, 120, 131, 170, 750. 16. It works and transacts all its business in the Royal Purple de- gree, the most exalted degree in the Order.— Jour. 360. 17. It has no power to alter the charter of a State Grand Lodge without its consent, but may require it to expunge any part of its constitution or by-laws that conflicts with the fundamental laws of the Order.-^ouR. 1063, 1090. GRAND REPRESENTATIVES. 1 . Grand Representatives must be chosen by their respective Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments for the term of two years. Vacancies occurring during the recess of the Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment of the jurisdiction in question, shall be filled as provided by the constitution of the Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment to be represented. — ■Constitution, Ar- ticle IX, Section 1. 2. Grand Representatives are apportioned as follows : each Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment having under its jurisdiction one thousand contributing members or less, is entitled to one Representative ; every Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment having under its jurisdiction more than one thousand con- tributing members in good standing, is entitled to two Repre- resentatives. No Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment is entitled to more than two Representatives. — 'Constitution, Ar- ticle IX, Section 2. 3. Every Grand Representative must be a Past Grand in good standing, in possession of the Royal Purple degree, and must be a member of a Lodge and Encampment, both of which are in good standing. He must reside within the jurisdiction of the Grand Body he represents; he can represent but one Grand Body at the same time. — Constitution, Article IX, Section 3. 4. Grand Representatives must be furnished by their proper Grand Bodies with proper credentials. — Constxtution, Article IX, Section 4. 64 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THS G RAND EEPRESENTATIVES— CONTINUED. 5. Special Grrand Representatives chosen or appointed by any foreign jurisdiction which is recognized by the Grand Lodge of the United States, may be received and permitted to participate in its deliberations, but cannot vote therein — Constit0ti6n, Ar- ticle XVIII. 6. A Grand Representative may, upon a vote of a majority of the Grand Lodge of the United States, be impeached and tried, and if found guilty may, by two-thirds of the votes cast, be expelled ; provided a copy of the charges preferred shall have been furnished to him at least three days prior to the trial. — Constitution, Article XI, Section 1. 7. A Grand Representative under trial upon impeachment is de- barred the privilege of his membership, but may be heard in his defence. — Constitution, Article XI, Section 2. 8. Grand Representatives shall receive compensation for their ser- vices, to be fixed by law and paid out of the treasury of the Grand- Lodge United States. — Constitution, Article XVII. 9. A Grand Representative has authority within his jurisdiction to introduce a brother without a card or password. — Constitu- tion, Article XIV. 10. Grand Representatives are subject to examination by the Deputy Grand Sire as to their qualifications previous to being admitted to their seats, and when admitted must be furnished with the constitution, rules of order and laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitution, Article XVI. Rule of Order No. 2. 1 1 . Grand Representatives must be furnished by their constituent Grand Bodies with all documents necessary to the discharge of their duties. — Constitution, Article XVII. 12. Grand Representatives from Grand Bodies in arrears are pro- hibited from voting in the Grand Lodge of the United States. — By-Laws, Article XI. 1-3. No Grand Representative is permitted to vote for an absent col- league on a ballot for Grand Officers. — ^By-Laws, Article XI. 14, Grand Representatives are entitled to receive from the Grand Sire the Grand Encampment degree and all side degrees ne- cessary to the discharge of their duties in that Body, but de- grees thus conferred entitle the recipient to no rank or privilege of such degrees in their respective States or elsewhere. — Jour. 491, 571, 1148, 1291. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 65 GRAND REPKBSENTATIVES— CONTINUED. 15. A Grand Representative while attending the sessions of the Grand Lodge of the United States is relieved from any dis- qualification in his own jurisdiction on account of such absence. — JouK. 820. 16. It is the duty of a Grand Representative, on returning to his jurisdiction, to instruct his constituent Grand Body in the work of the Order.— Jour. 1295. 17. Alternate Grand Representatives are not recognized, but Grand Bodies may vest their officers with the power to fill vacancies in the office of Grand Representative. — Jour. 1401, 1470, 1484. 18. Grand Representatives are privileged to examine the diagrams of the secret work during the sessions of the Grand Lodge of the United States, while in the custody and charge of the Deputy Grand Sire.— Joub. 1438, 1710. 19. Grand Representatives, while the Grand Lodge is in sessiou. must be clothed in appropriate regalia and occupy their proper seats, determined by lot at the opening of the session. — Jotjr. 1522, 1789. 20. A Grand Representative elect is not regarded as a member of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and cannot participate in its proceedings until his credentials are received and hia right to a seat therein acknowledged. — Joub. 1829. 21. A Grand Representative from a Body that is entitled to two votes may vote for an absent colleague on questions of legisla- tion, but not in elections for Grand Officers. — Jour. 1889, 3207, 3237. 22. Grand Representatives elected for the constitutional term of two years, and duly admitted to seats in the Grand Lodge of the United States at the annual session succeeding their election, are recognized as members of that Body at the opening of its next session, unless notice is received of subsequent disqualifi- cation. — Joub. 1983. 23. A Grand Representative duly elected and commissioned for a full term, who fails to take his seat in the Grand Lodge of the United States at the first session of his term, does notthereby forfeit his right to a seat at the next session ; he may, how- ever, be arraigned and removed for neglect of duty by his own Grand Body if its penal laws so provide. — Jour. 1992, 2114, 2169. 66 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE GRAND REPRESENTAT-IYES— CONTINUED. 24. A Grand Representative occupies in funeral processions such position as the laws of his jurisdiction assign to his station ; but in processions organized by the Grand Lodge of the United States he takes position with that Body and consequently one of precedence over the officers and members of State Grand Bodies.— JoDR. 2214, 2264, 2327. 25. A Grand Representative forfeits his office and position by taking a withdrawal card, unless the card be immediately deposited with his State Grand Body accompanying a petition for a new charter — or, in case of a change of residence, unless the card be deposited within one month in a Subordinate near his new residence ; and while holding such card or until such new char- ter is granted and such new Subordinate is instituted, no offi- cial act can be performed by him. — Jour. 2403, 2460, 2481, 2503, 2560, 2628, 2665, 2674, 2798, 2799. 26. Grand Representatives are elective officers and legislative mem- bers of their Grand Lodges, when the local laws so provide. — Jour. 2467, 2501. 27. A Grand Representative who is interested in the decision of an appeal from his own Grand Lodge may nevertheless vote thereon in the Grand Lodge of the United State. — Jour. 2504. 28. "Representative" is the term by which members of the Grand Lodge of the United States are properly addressed or referred to in the debates and proceedings of that Grand Body. — Jour. 2517. 29. The right of a Grand Representative to introduce a visiting brother does not exceed in extent the similar privilege accorded to other elective officers of State Grand Bodies, and is there- fore'confined to that branch of the Order which he represents. —Jour. 2560, 2627, 2664. 30. A Grand Representative elect is not a Grand Representative in fact, and. does not hold any official position to be vacated by the taking of a withdrawal card, until his credentials have been accepted and recognized by the Grand Lodge of the United States. He may be held disqualified and refused his seat ; he is therefore not entitled to wear the regalia of a Grand Representative until thus recognized as such. — Jour. 2700, 1 2732, 2764, 2781, 2810. 31. But if accredited and recognized by the Grand Lodge of the United States, a Grand .Representative is entitled to wear his official regalia, although he may not have been present at the session of that Grand Body. —Jour. 2781, 2818. grand lodge op the united states. 67 GRXND representatives— continued. 32. It is necessary that a candidate for the office of Grand Repre- sentative should have all the requisite qualifications at the time of the election — he should therefore at that time be a Royal Purple member.— JouK. 2732, 2765, 2810. ' 33. Duplicate credentials of Grand Representatives are required to be forwarded by the Grand Secretaries or Grand Scribes of the Bodies they represent to the Grand Corresponding and Re- cording Secretary. — Jour. 2768, 2811. 34. The seat of a Grand Representative is not vacated by the ex- tinction of his Subordinate Lodge or Encampment, if within one month membership is obtained by him in some other Lodge or Encampment, as the case may be. — Jour. 2811. 35. A State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encamp- ment may declare vacant the seat of a Grand Representative who does not return to his jurisdiction on or before the first day of January following the annual session of the Grand Lodge of the United States at which he shall represent such Grand Body, unless he shall have been prevented by sickness or unavoidable accident, of which the State Grand Body shall be judge.— Jour. 3055, 3068, 3112. HONORS OP THE ORDER. 1. A Grand Master, when visiting a Subordinate Lodge in an offi- cial capacity, is entitled to be received with the honors of the Order ; but when visiting in his individual character as a mem- ber of the Order, he is not so entitled. It is only when he announces himself as Grand Master that his visits become offi- cial.— Jour. 2562, 2629, 2664. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. 1. It is inconsistent with the principles of equality upon which the Order is founded, to admit of two distinct classes of members — beneficial and non-beneficial. Honorary membership can- ,not therefore be recognized or admitted. — Jour. 777, 811, 2493, 2600, 2521, 3531, 3560. INITIATION. I. Initiation into a Subordinate Lodge in good standing is the only mode by which membership in the Order can be primarily ac- quired, and membership in such a Lodge is necessary to mem- bership in any other branch or division of the Order. — Jour. 777, 811, 954. 68 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE INITIATION— CONTINUED. 2. Persons holding cards issued by the Manchester Unity of Great Britain can only be admitted by initiation. — Jouk. 1070, 1074. o. The name of a candidate for initiation may be ■vrithdrawn after having been referred to a committee and before report made thereon ; but when a report has been made, even if it be re- committed, the name cannot be withdrawn. — Jour. 1150, 1291, 1316. 4. A brother who has been illegally initiated (innocently on hi.>s part) in, a Lodge in good standing, does not, for that reason, forfeit his membership, but is entitled to all the rights enjoyed by other members of similar rank. — Joue. 1280, 1710, 1723, 1797. 5. Any initiation by a suspended or expelled Lodge is null and void, and cannot be healed by an act of a Grand Lodge.- — ■ JouK. 1391, 1440. 6. Kegularly no person should be initiated in a place of which hfr is only a temporary resident, or in a jurisdiction in which he does not reside, without the consent of the Grand Lodge or Grand Master of his own State, District or Territory. But a citizen of a State or Territory in which there is no Lodge may be initiated in an adjoining State. — Jour. 1316, 1400, 1402, 1502, 15;2, 1513. 7. The initiation of an unworthy person cannot be declared void. If error or fraud be discovered before initiation, a new ballot may be ordered or his election may be declared void ; but if not discovered until after initiation, the party must be regarded as a member, and can only be expelled upon regular trial. — Jour. 1406, 1475. 1511, 2103, 2146, 2177, 2276, 2310, 2346. ■8. Whether the consent of a Lodge is necessary to the withdrawal of the name of a candidate for initiation before the committee reports, is a question to be determined by State Grand Bodies —Jour. 1743, 1798. , 9. A brother who is a member in good standing in a Subordinate Lodge in one State and a resident in another State, is a proper candidate for initiation into an Encampment at his place of residence.— Jouk. 1841, 1897, 1952. 10. A Noble Grand can deliver the Past Grand's charge at initia- tion if there be no Past Grand present, but the Vice Grand eannot.— Jour. 1845, 1895, 1952. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 69 INITIATION— CONTINUED . 11. Persons claiming to be members of the Order, who are unable to establish their claims satisfactorily, can only be re-admitted by initiation ; and such persons must set forth in their peti- tions or applications that they have never been suspended or expelled from any Lodge, and that they are unable to obtain evidence of their former connection with the Order. — Jour. 1921, 1956. 12. An ode may be sung by a Lodge when introducing ladies into the Hall for initiation into the degree of Eebekah. — Jour. 1933, 1962. 18. When a candidate presents himself for initiation in pursuance of notice from a Lodge, the condition of his health cannot be in- vestigated except in the manner required by the charge book. —Jour. 2104, 2147, 2177. 14. If an individual allows himself to be initiated into the Order by an assumed name, and is known by that name throughout the records of the Lodge and in the community where he holds membership, he must abide the consequences of his own wrong. It is not in the power of a Grand Lodge to enact a law author- izing the Subordinate Lodge to grant him a card by any other name.— Jour. 2891, 2924, 2963. See Ballot, Membership, Residence. INQUIRIES. 1. Inquiries upon questions as to the laws and customs of the Or- der (except questions arising out of the constitutions of State Grand Bodies) may be presented to the Grand Sire, during recess, by Grand Masters, Grand Patriarchs, Grand Repre- sentatives and State Grand Bodies, and by Subordinates work- ing under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of ■ the United States ; and his decisions thereon are binding until reversed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Consti- tution, Article IV, Section 1. 2. The Grand Lodge of the United States will neither entertain nor consider any inquiry as to what are the laws or usages of the Order, unless brought before the Body upon an appeal or presented by a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment. — By- Laws, Article XXIX. INSTALLATIOj^. 1. The officers of the Grand Lodge of the United States are in- stalled at the close of the session at which they are elected or appointed. — Constituojion, Article III, Section 1. 70 A DIGEST or THE LAWS OF THE INSTALLATION— CONTINUED. 2. If any elective officer of the Grand Lodge of the United States fails to appear at the time of installation, his office is declared vacant and a new eleotiontakes place. — Constitution, Akticle m, Section 3. 3. It is the duty as well as the privilege of a Grand Master to in- stall the officers of Subordinate Lodges under his jurisdiction or to cause them to be installed by a proper officer. — Jour. 919. ' 4. In the absence of a Grand Master and all Past Grand Masters, the Senior Past Grand cannot install the officers of a Grand Lodge. — JouK. 1085. 5. In the absence of the appropriate Grand Officer and his Deputy and all other Past Officers, a Noble Grand or Chief Patriarch, as the case may be, may install his successor. — Jouk. 1202, 1246. 6. A Grand Lodge may open in the Scarlet degree for the installa- tion of its officers.— Jour. 18'87, 1888, 1892. 7. A District Deputy Grand Sire has authority to appoint a quali- fied brother or brothers to install the officers of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments within his jurisdiction during his necessary temporary absence therefrom ; but if the officers of any Lodge or Encampment should be regularly installed by any qualified brother not thus appointed, such installation is valid, and no legal or valid installation can be vitiated. — Jour. 1992, 2114, 2170, 2180. 8. If a brother deputed to install officers shonld fail to attend, the ceremony, rather than be deferred, should be performed by a qualified member in attendance. If the brother deputed should present himself and his authority be disregarded by the Lodge, the proper remedy lies in arraigning the Lodge for misconduct. Jour. ibid. 9. If a Noble Grand elect should fail to appear, for installation and thereby forfeit his office, the member elected and installed in his place is Noble Grand of the Lodge. — Jour. 2403, 2481, 2503. 10. When visiting for installation purposes, a Grand Master is en- titled to take the chair of the Noble Grand, but when other- wise visiting, he is not entitled to that chair of right. — Jour. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 71 INSTALLATION— coNTiNufiD. 11. Officers of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments shall not be installed or furnished with the semi-annual password unless the reports, returns and payments due to their respective su- perior jurisdictions be actually made and in the hands of the proper officers, or actually in transit to their proper destina- tion.— Joub. 2634, 2643, 2667. 12. Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments are authorized to con- fer upon their Subordinates the right to install their officers in public ; provided the ceremony be conducted by one or more of the elective Grand Officers of such Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment or a District Deputy Grand Master, and provided they use the form prescribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States.— Jour. 2725, 2806, 2829, 2945, 2970, 2971. 13. Under the law authorizing public installations, an elective Grand Officer, being superior in rank, has precedence over a District Deputy Grand Master in conducting the ceremony. — Joub. 3031, 3083, 3113. INSTITUTION. 1 . Each Subordinate Lodge receiving a warrant from the Grand Lodge of the United States, shall be instituted by a Past Grand of the Order, regularly deputed by the Grand Sire, who shall deliver the warrant and charge books and give all necessary instruction. — By-Laws, Aeiiolb I. 2. Each Encampment receiving a warrant from the Grand Lodge of the United States shall be instituted by the Grand Sire or a qualified Patriarch, who shall deliver the warrant and charge books and give necessary instructions. — By-Laws, Article II. 3. When a charter for a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment is granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, such Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment shall be instituted by the Grand Sire or some qualified brother or Patriarch whonuhe shall de- pute for that purpose. — By-Laws, Abticlb IV. 4. All traveling and other expenses of the Grand Sire or the Past Grand or Patriarch deputed by him to institute a Grand or Subordinate Lodge or Encampment, must be paid by such Lodge or Encampment. — By-Laws, Article VI. 5. If any of the brothers to whom a dispensation is granted upon deposit of their cards creating a new Lodge, shall fail to be present when such Lodge is instituted, they Qan only gain ad- mittance to membership by withdrawing their cards from the hands of the Grand Officers and applying in the usual mode for admission by card.— Joub. 2250, 2265, 2327. 72 A DIGEST OP THE LAWS OF THE INSTRUCTION. 1. The G-rand Sire or the Past Grand or Patriarch appointed by him to institute a Lodge or Encampment, is required at the time of institution to give all necessary instructions in the work and laws of the Order. — By-Laws, Articles I, II. 2. The right of Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments to instruct their Eepresentatives in the Grand Lodge of the United States in matters pertaining especially to their own jurisdiction, is recognized and admitted ; but in matters of general interest to ■ the entire Order, it is held to be highly inexpedient. — JouR. 1199, 1250. 3. It is held to be the duty' of Grand Representatives in their re- spective jurisdictions to give to their Grand Bodies correct in- struction in the work of the Order, (to aid in which duty the book of diagrams is annually placed in the hands of the Deputy Grand Sire, during session, for their inspection.) — Jour. 1295. JOURNAL. 1 . A Journal of its proceedings is required to be kept and published annually by the Grand Lodge' of the United States, except such proceedings as are had in secret session. — Constitution, Article VI ; Article XIII, Section 4. 2. A Journal of its proceedings in secret session (called the Secret Journal) is required to be kept by the Grand Secretary and preserved for the private use of the members.- — Constitction, Article VI. 3. Each State, District or Territorial Grand Body is entitled to re- ceive from the Grand Lodge of the United States copies of its Journal sufficient to supply one to each Subordinate under its jurisdiction and an equal number for its own use ; and each Subordinate working under the Grand Lodge of the United States is entitled to a copy. — By-Laws, Article XVIII. 4. Proposals for printing the Journal of the Grand Lodge of the United States are required to be invited by the Grand Secre- tary, by public advertisement, four weeks prior to each annual session, and the bids received shall be filed away and submitted to the Standing Committee on Printing, who shall examine and decide thereupon, reporting their decision for the confirmation of the Grand Lodge. — By-Laws, Article XXVIII. 5. A Grand Lodge may omit from Its Journal such proceedings &» are not proper to be recorded. — Jodr. 1916, 1956. GRAND LODGE OF THB TTNITED STATES. 73 LECTURES. 1. The delivery of lectures on Odd-Fellowship, either In Lodges or in public, is not consistent with the duties of brethren of the Order unless they are .specially authorized by the State Grand Bodies within whose jurisdiction the lectures are to be deliv- ered ; and all enactments of Grand Bodies granting such privi- lege should expire by limitation within some reasonable time. JoaR. 660, 661. LODGES— STATE, DISTRICT OR TERRITORIAL GRAND. — Their relations to the Grand Lodge United States. 1. State, District or Territorial Grand Lodges exist by virtue of charters granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States — subject to be annulled or reclaimed for violation of the laws of that Grand Body. — Constitution, Article I, Section 3. 2. No more than one Grand Lodge can be chartered in any State, District or Territory except in the State of New York, where by law there now exist two Grand Lodges. — Ibid. 3. A Grand Lodge cannot be chartered unless on the petition of ten or more Subordinate Lodges that have complied with the laws regulating the subject, and the petition must be in the prescribed form and accompanied by the fee of thirty dollars. — Constitution, Article XIV, Section 1. By-Laws, Ar- ticles IV, V, VII. 4. Every Grand Lodge must defray the expenses incurred by the Grand Officer appointed to open the same and install the offi- cers. — By-Laws, Article VI. 5. Each Grand Lodge must have a seal, an impression of which, in wax, must be deposited with the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — By-Laws, Article VIII. 6. The constitution of each Grand Lodge must immediately upon its adoption be sent to the Grand Lodge of the United States for approval. — By-Laws, Article IX. 7. Annual returns of the condition of the Order within its juris- diction shall be made by each Grand Lodge to the Grand Lodge of the United States one month prior to the annual session of that Grand Body. Said returns must be in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by its proper dues. — By-Laws, Ar- ticle X. 8. Each Grand Lodge is entitled to one Representative in the Grand Lodge of the United States. If there be over one thousand li A DIGEST 01' THE LAWS OP THE LODGES— STATE GRAND— coktinued. members in good standing under its jurisdiction, two Repre- sentatives. No Grand Lodge is entitled to more than two Representatives. — Constitution, Akticle I, Section 2. 9. Grand Lodges must furnish their Representatives with proper credentials. — Constitution, Akticle IX, Section 4. 10. Each Grand Lodge must pay annually to the Grand Lodge of the United States the sum of seventy-five dollars for each vote it is entitled to in that Body. — Constitution, Akticle XIV, Section 2. 11. No Grand Lodge which is in arrears for money due the Grand Lodge of the United States is allowed to vote by its Repre- sentatives in that Body. — By-Laws, Akticle XI. 12. Each Grand Lodge is entitled to receive from the Grand Lodge of the United States copies of the Journal of that Body suf- ficient to supply each of its Subordinates with one, and an equal number for its own use. — By-Laws, Article XVIII. 13. Every Grand Lodge is responsible to the Grand Lodge of the United States for any irregularity in the work which may be allowed within its jurisdiction. It shall not adopt or use, nor suffer to be adopted or used within its jurisdiction, any charges, lectures,, degrees, ceremonies, form of installation or regalia, other than those prescribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States.' — By-Laws, Article XX. 14. No Grand Lodge has any right to print any of the books, cards, diplomas or odes of the Order. — JouR. 588, 914, 956. 15. Grand Lodges for which warrants are issued during the recess, are not entitled to representation nor liable for the representa- tive tax until their warrants are confirmed by the Grand Lodge of the United States.— Jour. 600, 680, 776, 808, 809. 16. A Grand .Lodge cannot be instituted until all the Subordinates within the State or Territory in which it is to be located have paid up all arrearages to the Grand Lodge of the United States. —Jour. 600, 1584, 1653. 17. The Grand Lodge of the United States has power to require to be expunged any part of the constitution or by-laws of a Grand Lodge which conflicts with the fundamental laws of the Order, but it has no power to aker the charter of a Grand Lodge without its consent. — Jour. 1063, 1090. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. (0 LODGE S— S TATE GKAN D.— Their internal government mid economy. 1. No Grand Lodge can admit to membership therein any Past Grafid who is at the time a member of another Grand Lodge. — By-Laws, Article XII. 2. Grand'Lodges must confer the Grand Lodge degree without pe- cuniary compensation upon brethren who have performed the necessary service in a Subordinate Lodge, and upon none others. — By-Laws, Article XXIII. 3. The quorum of a Grand Lodge consists of five or more members. If there be less than five members, it becomes disqualified to work ; its warrant or charter is at once forfeited, and its Subor- dinates pass under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States.. — Joub. 115, 116. 4. Grand Lodges cannot, by their laws, disqualify their officers or members on account of their absence from their jurisdictions while attending the sessions of the Grand Lodge of the United States.— Jour. 820. 5. Each Grand Lodge consists of all the Past Grands in good stand- ing within its jurisdiction ; but it may, by its constitution, re- strict its legislative power to such representative basis as it may deem best for the transaction of business. It cannot however deprive its members or Past Grands of the privileges apper- taining to their rank, viz : their right to past official degrees, their eligibility to office, the precedence belonging to their grade, the privilege of attending the meetings of their Grand Lodges, and their right to vote for Grand Officers. — Jour. 1084, 1119, 1120, 1289, 1321, 1736, 1737. 6. Grand Lodges transact their business in the Grand Lodge de- gree, which can only be conferred during the session of the Grand Lodge.— Jour. 1090, 1091. 7. A Grand Lodge may expel a member from its own Body, but possesses no power to expel him from the Order. It may how- ever require his Subordinate Lodge to try him. — Jour. 1062, 1089. 8. Grand Lodges may organize conventions for the purpose of de- vising and reporting constitutions ; but as Grand Lodges have no power to delegate their legislative functions, (which can only be surrendered to the Grand Lodge of the United States,) such conventions can only be regarded as consultative bodies, without authority to pass laws.— Jour. 1109, 1110, 76 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE LODGES— STATE GEAND— continued. 9. Grand Lodges have the right, by a constitutional provision, to provide for determining constitutional questions otherwise than by the votes of their Past Grands present.^ — Jodr. 1125, 1126. 10. It is as imperative upon Grand Lodges to furnish their oflSoers with the jewels pertaining to their rank and station, as it is that the members thereof must be clothed in suitable regalia. —Jour. 1290. 11. A Grand Lodge may reconsider and reverse its own action on appeal.— JouE. 1405, 1476, 1511. 12. Grand Lodges may, at their discretion, when not restrained by their constitutions, make appropriations of money for objects not immediately connected with the Order. — Jour. 1723, 1797, 2175. 13. Grand Lodges may make laws allowing Past Grands to vote for Grand Officers without being obliged to be present at the ses- sions of their Grand Lodges. — Jouk. 1737, 1754, 1803. 14. Grand Lodges may, by their constitutions or by-laws, determine where their sessions shall be held ; and in the absence of any such constitutional provision may determine the same question by resolution.— Jouk. 1737, 1754, 1803, 1839, 1897, 1899, 1952, 1953. 15. The uniform term of service for officers of State Grand Lodges is one year. — Jour. 1897, 1952. 16. A Grand Lodge may open in the Scarlet degree for the purpose of installing its officers. — Jour. 1888, 1952. 17. A Grand Lodge may omit from its Journal such of its proceed- ings as in its judgment should not appear upon record. — JouR. 1916, 1956. 18. Each Grand Lodge has the power to establish a system of repre- sentation, and is the proper legislature to regulate such a sys- tem for its own government. — Jour. 1919, 1933, 1962. 19. A Grand Lodge cannot transfer its legislative functions to a committee. — Jour. 1936, 1962. 20. The attainment of the Encampment degrees is not a necessary qualification for seats in a Grand Lodge, and a Grand Lodge cannot make the attainment of the Royal Purple degree a ne- cessary qualification for Grand Master.— Jour. 1921, 1957, 2480, 2503. GRAND LODGE OF THE tISITED STATES. I I LODGES— STATE GRAND— continued. 21. Grand Lodges which do their legislative business upon a repre- sentative basis, have power to confer upon their elective officers the privilege of speaking and voting, but such officers are iint entitled to these privileges ex-officio. — Jour. 2265, 2468, 2501. 22. Th8 certificate by which a Past Grand is admitted to a Grand Lodge is only prima facie evidence of his qualifications, and upon proof of its incorrectness or falsity in facts stated therein may be set aside and the seat of the brother vacated. — Jonii. 2461, 2482, 2504. 23. Although Past Grands cannot be deprived of their right to vote for Grand Officers, yet it is competent for a €frand Lodge, which by its constitution is a representative body, to limit the right of voting to Representatives in the Grand Lodge after the Past Grands of the jurisdiction have had an opportunity of voting in their respective Lodges and have failed to elect. — Jour. 2774, 2775, 2900, 2953, 2967. 24. When the constitution of a State Grand Lodge determines the number of representatives a Subordinate Lodge is entitled to send to the Grand Lodge, upon a call for a vote by Lodges, any number of members present in the Grand Lodge may cast the entire vote to which the Lodge is entitled, and a majority of the Representatives present may determine what the vote shall be.— JouK. 2965, 2966, 2981. 25. When xhe constitution of a Grand Lodge provides for the elec- tion of Representatives in and from its Subordinates, and de- clares that "the members of the Grand Body shall be Past Grands who have been duly and regularly elected in conformity with its requirements as Representatives of Lodges respec- tively," upon a call for a vote by Lodges, Past Grands or past officers (no matter what their standing in the Grand Lodge) who have not been duly elected and certified as Representatives of their Lodges, have no right to cast the vote or votes of their Lodges.— JouE. 3090, 3091, 3114. 26. Where the constitution of a State Grand Lodge requires a vote of two-thirds to change the organic law, unless it expressly de- clares and requires two-thirds of the entire jurisdiction, it is to be construed as meaning two-thirds of the Lodges present at the time of taking the vote. — Jour. 3092, 3115. LODGES— STATE GRAND.— r^eiV relations to their oicn Svh- ordinates. 1. When a Grand Lodge is duly established in any State or Terri- tory, all the Lodges previously existing in such State, District or Territory pass under the juriBdiction of such Grand Lodge. — By-Laws, Article XIII. 78 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE LODGES— STATE GKAND— coktinued. 2. The decisions of a State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge are final and conclusive until reversed by the Grand Lodge of the United States upon direct appeal therefrom. No Lodge can appeal from such decisions without the consent of its Grand Lodge, save in the case of an expelled Lodge that has surren- dered its effects. — Constitution, Akticlb I, Seoti'^ 4. 3. Each Grand Lodge must enforce upon its Subordinates a strict adherence to the work of the Order according to the forms fur- nished by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — By-Laws, Aeticle XX. 4. Each Grand Lodge is the legislative head of the Order in its ju- risdiction. It has power to grant or refuse charters to Lodges. It may enact laws for the government of its subordinates. It may establish the form of returns from Subordinates, and fix the period when they shall bfe made, and may impose dues upon its Subordinates necessary to defray its expenses. — Jour. 496, 578, 1784, 1786, 1807. 6. Each Grand Lodge has power, upon appeal, to hear and deter- mine upon matters of grievance between members and Lodges within its jurisdiction. It may grant a new trial to a member of a Subordinate Lodge on the ground of informality or un- fairness, or the discovery of new testimony. It has power of interference in matters of difference between one of its own Subordinates and a Subordinate of another jurisaiction. — Jour. 655, 817. 6. Grand Lodges are required to enact laws restricting processions and public displays in regalia within their jurisdictions, and to regulate the delivery of lectures upon matters connected with the Order.— Jour. 601, 804. 7. Each Grand Lodge is possessed of full executive power over its Subordinates. It enforces their obedience to the laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States, as well as its own laws. It may suspend or annul the charter of a Lodge for sufficient cause, but cannot restore it to any but its original holders. It cannot compel a Subordinate Lodge to meet in a particular room, but may prohibit it from meeting in a room obviously ' unsuitable.— Jour. 782, 812. 8. A Grand Lodge may terminate the indefinite suspension of a member of a Subordinate Lodge for non-payment of dues, and upon reversal of the decision of a Subordinate may reinstate a suspended or expelled member without the consent of his Lodge.— Jour. 809, 810, 904, 953. GKANB LODGli OP THE UNITED STATES, 79 LODGES— STATE GRAND— continued. 9. A Grand Lodge cannot expel a member from the Order, but may require his Subordinate Lodge to subject him to trial, and the Subordinate must obey the Oriler. — Jouk. 1062, 1089. 10. The power of a Grand Lodge to deprive a Subordinate of its charter without trial, has been frequently admitted as among the prerogatives of a Grand Body, though the exercise of such power has always been held to be contrary to the spirit of the Order, and in the latest case the act was declared to be unjust . and was reversed.— Jour. 1198, 1245, 1919, 1932, 1961, 2959, 2981. 11. Grand Lodges have the right of making uniform constitutions for their Subordinates, and of enacting general laws for their government, but in exercising this power, the local wants of the Subordinates should be considered. — Jouk. 1235, 1817, 1724, 1784, 1786, 1797, 1807. 12. A Grand Lodge cannot elect an officer for a Subordinate Lodge. —Jouk. 1404, 1476, 1511. 13. The fixing of rates for depositing cards and of periods within which the depositors become entitled to benefits, are subject.? belonging to the legislation of State Grand Lodges. — Jour. 1403, 1450, 1480. 14. A Grand Lodge may permit its Subordinates 'to hold semi- monthly or monthly instead of weekly meetings ; but in such case the term of the office is extended, as twenty-six Lodge nights form a term.— Jouk. 1444, 1492, 2167, 2179. 15. The consent of a Grand Lodge is necessary to enable its Subor- dinates to assemble in convention for legislative purposes, and Grand Lodges are required to prohibit all such assemblies with- out consent first had and obtained. — Jour. 1711, 1721, 1766, 1785, 1807. 16. Grand Lodges may determine whether the consent of the Lodge is necessary to the withdrawal of an application for member- ship prior to a report thereon. — Jour 1743, 1798. 17. All legislation necessary to regulate the payment of dues and fees by members of Subordinate Lodges is confided to State Grand Lodges.-^ouR. 1896, 1952. 18. A Grand Lodge may permit Lodges working in foreign lan- guages within its jurisdiction to dispense with an English copy of their records ; provided that such Lodges may be required to furnish extracts from their minutes, translated into English, whenever called for by the Grand Lodge or its proper executive officer.— Jour. 2106, 2113, 2131. 80 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THB LODGES— STATE GRAND— continued. 19. Grand Lodges may enact laws regulating the manner of annul- ling cards, provided they be not in conflict with the laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States.— Jodk. 2105, 2145, 2177. 20. A Grand Lodge has power to determine whether, on funeral oc- casions within its jurisdiction, the usual regalia shall be worn with pr as a substitute for the mourning badge. — Jour. 2462, 2483, 2504. 21. A Grand Lodge has full power to grant a withdrawal card to a brother to allow him to join a Lodge, although the brother may be largely in arrears to a defunct Lodge ; a right based upon the plenary power a Grand Lodge has over the Subordinates and members within its jurisdiction ; a discretionary power, however, implying a wise and judicious investigation of the 'facts in each case.— Jour, 2561, 2629, 2664. 22. A Grand Lodge has full power to assess upon its Subordinates a per capita tax or assessment for its support, if required. The power to levy this assessment directly upon the individual mem- bers of the Order within the jurisdiction is disclaimed. The assessment is to be made upon the Subordinate Lodges accord- ing to the number of their members respectively. — JouR. 2885, 2925, 3413, 3470, 3490. 23. It is not within the power of a Grand Lodge to change the name of a member or to authorize a Subordinate Lodge to grant him a card by any other name than the name by which he was in- itiated and by which he is known on the records of the Lodge. — Jour. 2924, 2963. 24. A Grand Lodge cannot be held responsible for advances made by a Subordinate of another jurisdiction to. a member of one of its defunct Subordinates, unless. assets to the amount of the claim have been received by said Grand Lodge from such de- funct Subordinate.- Jour. 3107, 3123. '25. Grand Lodges whose territorial jurisdictions are contiguous or adjacent are empowered to pass laws permitting Lodges in other jurisdictions to initiate or admit to membership persons whose residence, though not in the same jurisdiction, is nearest the location of the Lodge they desire to become members of. — Jour. 3452, 3485. 26. Grand Lodges are empowered to pass such laws as they may deem expedient, changing the commencement and ending of the terms of their Subordinates so that they may commence with April and October instead of January and July. — Jodb. 3489. ^ " GRAND LODGE OF T^E UNITED STATES. 81 LODGES— SUBOKDINATE.—rAeiV responsibility to Grand Lodges. 1. Subordinate Lodges derive their powers from tlie authority by which they are created, and are restricted to the exercise of such powers as are conferred by their warrants and the laws of their respective Grand Lodges. They are subject at all times to the supervision and control of their Grand Lodges, and may be subjected to punishment for any violation of law or neglect of duty.^ They have no legislative authority whatever, except to make by-lawsi for their own internal government. — Joub. 812, 1235, 1724, 1784, 1797, 1807. 2. A Subordinate Lodge can ask for relief only through its Grand Lodge or Grand Master, from which authority it must obtain ■ the prescHbed certificate; — Jour. '860, '906. 3. The location of a Subordinate Lodge is designated by its char- ter, and it cannot remove without the sanctioii of its Grand Lodge.— Jour. 659, 782, 812. 4. Whisn the charter of a Subordinate Lodge has been surrendered or reclaimed, its books and effects, together with its available and unavailable funds, must be placed in the keeping of the Grand Lodge. Its charter, name and number can only be re- stored to a sufficient number of its original members. — Jour. 93, 851, 2860, 2926, 2963. ,, 5. Lectures on Odd-Fellowship in Subordinate Lodges are pro- hibited unless sanctioned by the authority of their Grand Lodges. — Jour. 664. ,6. Subordinate Lodges have no right to' assemble in convention to legislate with regard to the affairs of Grand Lodges ; neither can they assemble in convention for any purpose of legislation without the consent of their Grand Lodges. — Jour. 1077, 1711,1721,1766,1785,1807., 7. Subordinate Lodges have no authority to correspond with or ask advice or counsel from any Body or officer other than the Grand Lodge by which they are governed or its officers.- — Jour. 1455. 8. A Subordinate Lodge is liable to arraignment for insubordina- tion if it permits its ofScers t6 disregard , official instructions a;*- to the work of the Order ; but its officers cannot be summarily removed by a Grand Master, as his official relations are not with the officers, but with the Lodges themselves in their Lodge capacity. — Jour. 1839, 1897, 1952. 82 A DIGliST OF THIS LAWS OF THE ' " LODGES— SUBORDINATE— CONTINUED^ ' ' 9. It is unjust and contrary to the spirit of the Order to deprive a Subordinate Lodge of its charter without trial. See Grand . Lodges, relations to Subordinates I ijNo. 10. — Jour. 1919, 19.32, . 1961, 2959, 2981, ■■■ 10. A Subordinate Lodge cannot appeal to the Grrand Lodge of the United States without the consent of its Grand Lodge, unless in case of an expelled Lodge that has isurrendered its effects. — CoNSTiTDTiON, Article I, Section 4, ' ' ' :. 11. Subordinate Lodges working in a foreign language were origin- . ally required to keep their minutes of proceedings in English, but may now be permitted by their Grand Lodges to dispense with such record upon condition that they furnish extracts from their minutes, translated into English, when required. — Joub. 2106, 2121, 2131, 12. A Subordinate Lodge violating the laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States, may be expelled^ and the Grand Master of the State may, in the recess of the Grand Lodge, demand its ^charter.,— JoDK. 2403, 2481, 2503. ..,■,. 13. The officers of a Subordinate Lodge cannot be installed nor fur- nished with the term password until their returns and payments are actually made to the proper officers of their Grand Lodges or actually in transit to their proper destination. — Jour. 2643, 2667. ' '- ' ■ ■ ■■ ■'■'-' ■'■ ■ '■\''' • ■ 14. Where the Grand Lodge of the United States shall have passed a law or promulgated a decision providing or declaring that a Subordinate Lodge shall have power to do certain things denied to it by a clause in its constitution framed years before, the Lodge may disregard the prohibitory clause and do those things ' expressly allowed by the Grand Lodge: of the United States without becoming amenable to the laws of its Grand Lodge ; but a Subordinate Lodge would violate a law of its Grand Lodge a,t its own peril, the Grand Lodge of the United States afford- ing due protection to the Subordinate upon appeal, properly taken.— Jour, 2860, 2926, 2963, 3109,, 3124.: 15. Subordinate Lodges are liable to, and must pay to their Grand Lodges such assessments as the Grand Lodge may find, it ne- cessary' to leVy for their support, and such assessments may be made upon the Lodges according to the number of their mem- bers respectively. -^oui. 2885, 29^5, 3413, 8470, '3490. 16. The by-laws of a Lodge in conflict with the general laws of the jurisdiction are a nullity. — Jour. 3415, 3463. '■ GEA»D LODGE OF THE tNITEfi STATES. Co LODGES— SUBORDINlTE—cbNTiNTJED. '■•■'"'•''' '' ' ■ 17. Siibordind,ie'Lo(l;^es working under the imjnediatQ jurisdiction of the Grand Lodg^ of the, United States are required ' to make semi-annual retiirnk to thit Grand Body according to the forms prescril^ed, , which returns shall be; accompanied by their dues, being ten p^^ ,ci3ntiim 'of , their receipts in |Current money. — Coj!STiT0TioN, Article XIY, Section 3. ■ By-Laws, Articles III, X. Vi , ■;>,■! '.',.■•:•;' '-.'i" '' :'■ ■ ..'',"' 18. The constitutions of Sujjqrdinate Lodges working under ^the im- . mediate jurisdiction of the;Grand Lodge of the United States, must be submitted to that Body for^ approval. — By-Laws, Ar- ticle I^. 19.; Subordinate Lodges working;. under; the' inmiediate jurisdiction of ithe Grand:' Lodge of the -United, States who fail to make the returns dubifrom them for one year, forfeit their. charters, and the Grand Sire is required to enforce this law^H-BY-LAws, Ar- ticle XXVII. LODGES— SUBORblNATB. — Inierticd go^ernmerU, and chartered duties and privileges, 1. A Subordinate; Lodge' cannot confer degi-ees' upon a rh ember' of - another Lodge' without the consent of the' Lodge to which he . ■' berdngs.^JotiR.-312,314V571.''' ' ; '-'■' ■ '' 2. The charter of a Subordinate Lodge cannot be surrendered by a '.majority of its members, but remains in force so long as the A constitiitional number, of worthy members, are willing to work ■ under ii.— Jour'. 4ip; " ' " ' ' - | '■ S. TJie books of ,a.Sub6rdinafle,-Lodge pr^'scribe the nature of the business to be transacted by them;' the order of 'taking it up as. laid down therein is-aot compulsory, but; may be ^hanged when the convenience of the 'Lodge requires. iti.---^ouR. 1034, 1064. -;,j.. ;,..,;;. ./ ■ I 4. The meetings of a Subordinate Lodge are held weekly, but with ■ ■' ' ' the ' 'p'ermission of its Grand'Tjodge'^they-'majf be HeTd seimi- f mbn'thlyor monthly-; but in such case the oiBcial term of their 1 • officers niust be' extended;' as twenty-six Lodge nights compose a term:'!'-: Thfe same -rule applies in the case of a Lodge work- ing iii tw6 languages with tw6f sets 'of officers. — Jour. 1070, lip4,, 1232, 1444, 1492, 1512. , ,, 5'. Subordinate Lodges have regular nights for meetirig;'''and have no powei- to adjourn a session to any other time, but must close iu due form ; and if an extra meeting be required, it must be 84 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE. , LODGES---SUBORDINATE— coNTiNDED. ;,;.,.; , •;, called in the , manner prescribed , by their by-laws ; but a mo- tion to close the Lodge while a discussion is in progress is in , , order,— JouK. 1236, 1237, '1846, 1886, 1959. 6^ The officers of a Subordinate Lodge are merely its executive ' agdnts,,; and have no right, to use its se^l nriless ordere'd by the Lodge br unless it be used' in accordance with the' enactments of its Grand Lodge.— Joue. 1286, 1317, 1318.' ' ' 7. It is the imperative duty of Lodges'to' furnish their officers with the jq'wels pertaining to their'stationg,' 'and to cause their mem- bers to be clothed in suitable regalia.'— ^'Jd"UE. ,1290.' ■ 8. The opening of Subordinate Lodges in the absence of the Noble Grand, Vice Graidd and aU its Past Grands, is regulated, to a certain' eitent, by the obligations and charges' of its officers; ■ beyond this' it is within the custody of looallegislatibn; — Jour. ■1400^1450;^ - ■'' ■" ''' ' ■: '•' '•■ -> : " '■, '^■'- • 1; 9. A brother holding a withdrawal card has no right to join the procession of a Lodge without its consent. — Jour. 1401, 1471, 1485, 1503, 1518: '• ' ' ' \ '''■' '' ' '-' '^ ' 10. A visiting , brother, duly qualified with proper credentials, , and correct), in the usual, forms, cannot, be, refused admission, even if he was not legally initiated. ^Jotjk, 1710, 1723, 1797, 1844, 1885, 1948. 11. Subordinate Lodges have no right to refuse benefits to their mem- bers; who go , to, a dangerous climate, unless their sickness be occasioned by immoral living ; but with the approval of their Grand Lodge they may enact by-laws requiring higher dues of members leaying the Stat^ in whichi they are located. — JonR. ,1885, i"888', 1896, 1948, 1952, 2661, 2860, 2926, 2963. 12. In the.abseiiee of the two principal officers, a Lodge may trans- act' business with a Past Grand in the Noble Grand's chair and a scarlet member in the Vice Grand's chair. — ^Jour. 1840, 1897, 1952. 13. When a Lodge is in possession of the degree of Eebekah by the authority of its State Grand Lodge, it ia imperative that its two principal officers (the Noble Grand and Vice Grand) shall , be in possession of the degree before they are, installed into office.— Jour. 1841, 1898,1952, 2214, 2264^ 232J., ■■ ; ,i ■:_;! f Lj i ': , . ■'', I 14. A Lodge cannot grant an elective officer leave of absence for a , ; majority of the nights of a term without a forfeiture of the. honors of the terra to such officer.— Jour. 1845, 1886, 1898, ; 1949,. 1952. , ' .. ■ ;, '-, , ,;< ' GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 85 LODGES— SUBORDINATE— coNnNTJBiJ. '' "' ' '' 15. Cards must be applied for in open Lodge; the officers have no right to gfiint them in the recess.— Jqub. 1847, ISST, 1949. 16. Subordinate Lodges in reinstating members suspended for non- payment of dues, or in granting cards to such as may bave re- moved to' other States, have the' power to settle by compromise or remit in whole or iii part the dues that have accumulated against siich member:— JoTJK. 1885, 1948, 2496, 2520,2860, 2926, 2961 17. Lodges have no right, when a withdrawal , card is presented for deposit, io niutilate such card by endorsing the word ''rejected" . thereupon.— Jour. 1920, 1932, 1961, 1963. . . 18. Subordinate Lodges transact their business m the initiatory de- gree. The Grand Lodge of the United States has repeatedly refused t9 authorize or require a change of this usage. — Jour. , 2247,: 2352, 2486) 2504. ' ., :, , 19. Subordinate Lodges are not required by the Grand Lodge of the United States to make return of their monies and investments. —Jour. 1911, 1940, 1954. 20. When a new Lodge is instituted it is not necessary that all the petitioners, in whose names the warrant is issued, shall be pre- sent, provided there are present a sufficient iiumber to consti- tute a legal working Lodge.— Jour. 2250, 2265, 2387.., 21. Subordinate Lodges have power to regulate and! control their own financial affairs ; a delicate, sacred; and highly pherished prerogative, with which the Grand Lodge of the, United States will not unwisely interfere.— Jour. 2496, 2520, 2706,' 2831. 22. Subordinate Lodges cannot require the duties of Chaplain to be performed under penalties. — Jour. 2461, 2490, 2508. ,• ■ )/ ' 'i ■ '1 ■ ' ' . .' : ' 23. A Subordinate Lodge has a right to examine a. visiting brother every night he may present himself, but it iS not imperative upon the Lodge- to make the examination after the first visit with the same card. -Jour. 2561, 2629, 2664, 2885, 2923, 2963. , _ ._ .,,■,- - •! 24. It is not within the jurisdiction of one Lodge to try the members of another Lodge, much less to declare sentence of exclusion ' without trial. It is not competent therefore for a Lodge to pass a resolution denying to a member of another Lodge the right of visitation, or repudiating correspondence with, him as a member of a committee of his own Lodge. The only proper 86 A DIGEST,, Oy THE LAWS 0|' THE LODGES— SUBORDINATE— CONTINUED. . , .,,,. ,. ...,., ,,,, course in cases where members of other Lodges are, regarded , ,1 , ,'; as unworthy, ip tpj prefer oliarges against them, in pursuance 'of the well established laws of the Order'.—JotiR. 2759^ 2773. 25. If a brother improperly pttain the' A, T. P.:"V?','aiid tHe'reupon obtairi relief from a Lodge, of .which 'he is' not a 'member, he is guilty of a double fraud 'iippn the 0rder and should be sub- jected to pondigii ,punlshinent y-. but.'jt would' lipt 'be proper to hold his Lodge responsible for funds ihus fraiiduleritly obtained. — JouB. 2776, 2826, 2832. ' - ' ''■ - '26. K. Subordinate Lodge ' may visit a' gist'er todge ' in a body' when iioconipanied by'ohe of it's .two principar officers, who' niay in~ troduce the Lodge in the "maiiner prescribed for the iiitroduc- tion of visitors by elective grand officers. — Jour. 2792, 2828, ; ■299;0".';, .'._,:^;,;. .;;. ;;, ',; ' " /' ,",' ' ' ' ^\'^'' " y' 27. The authority of a Subordinate' Lodge' ti> comperisate -its officers out of the funds of the Lodge is a subject for^ local legislation. — JoDB. 3117, 3124,^3125. ; , , , 28.' A Subordinate' Lodge carihdt compel a inember to 'submit his matters of account against a lirother to the arbitfaiiient of the ,, members of the Lodge, nor .prevent him from resorting, to his ' legal remedies undfer'ih'e law^'of the ciyil jurisdiction i—Joua. 3252;^3267..' ' ''.';'""',■', .'' '.' . ,,',' ' '■'' ''[,.."" '^."/"' '' ' 29. When a Ltidge accepf^'al'inortgage'from its Treasurer in settle- ^. nientof| the amount due.froni him as suoh,: it is ,impr.pp_er af- terwards 'to, 'bring 'charges against the brother, npiintention to '. (iefraud the liodge appearing. See Charges, No'. l2.— Jouk. , ,.';. 3262, ^^g.,'-'., ,:,:;' z,;^, ' '';',.; ■ .; /^^, ' ,, , ,;.';^ 560 Absence, By-Laws, Benefits, Cakds, Initiation, Installation, ''' 'Memb]seship, OFrfdE-ES;'''"^'' ' '".'■■;■'■ "■,'"'' "" ""; '■ ' -- MANCHES,™R UNITY. ,,, ,j ;, ..^,: „„: ,; , , .,„. .„■, ,. ,.,- * 1. Persona Ijolding cards, granted by the Manchjestet .Unity of Great Britain, can enly be admitted to our: Lodges by initiation. — JouB, 1,070, 1074^ i.r. ,: .,! __.: ,,. 2. Persons who retain their connection with the Manchester Unity were, for many years excluded from admission, to this; Order, but ib-w, by recent, legislation). Grand or Subordinate Lodges under th'e j'u¥isdictioii qf 'the Grand Lodge of tte "United States are empowered io jreceive into their 'membership, by initiation, persons who iretaija m'embership ■ m the Manohester .^nity of Odd-Fello'w^.— JpuR. 35^3, '3592,' 8593.. „/ ,, ' ; ,' GEAND LODGE OFi THE UNITED STATES. 87 MEMBEESHIP— In the Order. 1. No person caabe admitted to membership in any Lodge unless lie be a free white male, of good moral character, who has ar- rived at the age of , twenty-one years, and who believes in a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe. — ■ CONSTITDTION, ARTICLE XVI, SECTION' 2. 2. Persons who hold membership in the Order in any State, Dis- trict or Territory, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, are entitled to admission into Lodges or Encampment^ i;i any other . State, District or Territory, upon < proving themselves according to the, established work of the Order, and the production of a proper card. — Constitution, Article XVI', Section 1. 3. A person suspended or expelled frorn membership in any Lodge in any State, District, or Territory, cannot be readmitted to membership in any other State, District or Territory, without the previously obtained consent of the Lodge or Encampment by which he was suspended or expelled. — Constitution. Arti- cle XVI', Section 4. 4. No citizen of a State, District or Territory, wherein Lodges or Encampments are established, can be admitted to membership in aiiother State, District or Territory^ without the previous consent of the Grand Lodge or the Grand Encampment or Grand Master or Grand Patriarch of the Stated District or Territory whereof such citizen is a resident^— Constitution, Article XVI, Section 3. ' 5. No brother can hold membership in two Lodges or Encampments, either Grand or Subordinate, at the same time. — By-Laws, Article XII. 6. Membership in the Order can only be primarily acquired by ini- tiation into a Subordinate Lodge, in good standing, and mem- bership in such a Lodge is a prerequisite to membership in any other branch or division in the Order. — Joue. 777, 811, 954, 1391, 1440i 1907, 1915, 1954, 2258; 2266, 2327. 7. Membership in good standing signifies' a contributing member against whoia no charges iare' peiiding under the penal laws of his Lodge, and who* is free from any disability on account of indebtedness to his Lodge.— Joue. 481, 497, 1299, 1340, 1775,, 1806. 8. To admit a person to membership without the payment of the usual fees is inconsistent with the principles of equality upon which the Order is founded. Honorary membership is there- fore prohibited.— JoDB. 777, 811, 2493, 2500, 2621, 3531, 3560. S'8 A DIGEST or THE LAWS OF THE MEMBERSHIP— CONTINUED. 9. No peculiar religious views are necessary tO' membership in the Order, but persons who do not believe in tlid existence of ;i Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of the' Univers;', cannot be admitted.— JouK. 658, 1198, 1246, 1404. 1503, 1513, 2249, 2260, 2266, 2327. - ■ ' 10. Indians, Chinese and Polynesians are not recognized as being ■ of that class of persons included in the terni' ' [/ree white males,''' used in Article XVI. Section 3, of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and are therefore not eligible to membership in the Order.— Jour. 1082,' llOl, 1400, 1502, 1513,2779,2915,2948,2952,2973,2974. ' ' 11. Applications for membership are determined, by ballot, which, when unfavorable, cannot be. reconsidered, except under special circumstances. See BaUot, No. 9. — Jour. 1147, 1305, 1341, 2403, 2450, 2481,, 2503, 2619, 2643. 12. A brother cannot be admitted to membership in a Subordinate Lodge upon an Encampment card, nor into an Encampment upon a card granted by a Lodge. — Jour. 1150, 1291, 1316. 13. Persons who from no fault of their own are illegally initiated, cannot be discharged or deprived of their membership, for that reason, but are entitled to all the privileges enjoyed by other members of similar rank. But membership cannot be obtained by initiation into a suspended or expelled Lodge, as all the acts of such a Body are null and void, and cannot be healed by the act of a Grand Lodge.— Jour. 1280, 1391, 1406, 1440, 1475, 1511, 1710, 1723, 1797. 14. Blind, deaf and dumb persons, being incapable of reciprocating the signs and language of the Order, aie not admissible to membership. ^ouR, 1398, 1470, 1484. 15. Membership ceases upon the granting of a withdrawal card, but a quasi membership is recognized in a brother who holds such a card for twelve months from its date, and full membership is resumed upon deposit of the card in a legal Lodge within the twelve months.— Jour. 1401, 1476, 1511, 1722, 1797, 1841, 1883, 1897, 1952. , , 16. Membership may be regained by holders of withdrawal cards after twelve months from their date, or by persons who have left the Order by written resignation, upon proving themselves in the work, by application for admission as Ancient Odd-Fel- lows.— Jour. 1841, 1883, 1892, 1897, 1952, 1992, 2115 2170, 2560; 2627, 2664, 2737, 2ff73. GEANB LODGE OF THE TTNITED STATES. 89 MEMBERSHIP— CONTINUED. i i 1 1 ■ , . / 17. A persbii who has lost his connection with the Order by disuse • ' of his privileges can only be reinstated in his itiembership by application to the Lodge of which he was a member. The Lodge having authority- to adjust the payment of arrears so, as lio enable the reinstatement. — Jouk. 1885, 1S|58, 2667, 2673. 18. Persons claiming to have been members of the Order who are unable to establish satisfactorily' their claims, can only be re- admitted by initiation, and such persons must set forth in their petitions for membership that they have never been suspended or expelled from any Lpdge, and that they are unable tp obtain evidence of their former connection with the Order. — Jouu. , 1921/ 1956. , ' , 19. If a person be illegally elected to membership through fraud or mistake, (as to his health or otherwise,) a majority Df the Lodge can previously to his initiation order a new ballot: but if the fraud be not discovered untQ after his initiation, the party must be regarded as a member,, and can only be, expelled upon regular trial.— Jodk. 2103, 2146, 2177. 20. Whether membership commences from the time of the appli- cant's election, or from the time of his signing the constitution and by-laws of the Lodge, is a question properly left to local legislation.^JouE. 2103, 2146, 2177, 2900,: 2954, 2976. 21. The local jurisdictions have authority to prescribe ceremonies for introducing brothers who have been elected to membership on cards.— JouE. 2103, 2146:, 2177. ' 22. An applicant for membership by. card must be properly examined a^ to the degress he claims to have received, and as to hi.s knowledge of the A. T. P. W., which under the terms of the fourteenth article of the by-laws he must be in possession of. — JoijE. 2104, 2147, 2177, 3336, 3353, 3461, 3479, 3480. 23j When an applicant for membership has been duly elected and appears in the ante-room in pursuance of notice from the Lodge . for the purpose of initiation, it is improper for the Lodge then and there to make a personal examination into the condition of his health, except as provided in the Charge' Book. — Jour. - 2104, 2147, 2177. 24. ,The State Grand Bodies are clothed with the authority of deter- mining within their respective jurisdictions what length of time shall intervene between the rejection of an applicant for membership by card and a renewal of the application, and also the number of times the proposition may be renewed. — Joue. 2162, 2171, 2180, 2560, 2626, 2664. 90 A DIGEST OB THE LAWg Or ; TUB • MEMBERSHIP— coNTiNDED. ,:;-:, •»• i; 26. The expiration of a definite term of suspension restores a })rother , to, his membership without a vote of the Lodgej. — Joub. 2162, 2171,,218d., 2562, 2629, 2664., ,. \ , , ,, ,26. A brother- suspended for ^ specified time (whether for npn-pay- Daent of dues or otheirwise) cannot be restored' to membership until the specified time, has fully expired, unless by the action of a Grand Lodge.— Jour. 2162, 2171, 2180. ; i, ,1 27. If a brother who has deposit^sd his withdraVarcafd witb a Grand Lodge or its Grand Officers' 'as a, petitioner for a 'hew Lodge fails to be present 'at the institutidn of sucli new Lodge, he cannot be deethed ^'nieniber thereof, biifmust recbyer Ws card and obtain admission in the usual form. — Joiir. 2250, 2265, 2327. ,, , „; , ;.• :■ : , ;j .,, 28. If subsequently to the ielectioii of a candidate for -membership, and before initiation,' a Lodge discovers the' jiarty'td be un- worthy, the electioi may be annulled by i vO'te of two-thirds ' • of the iflembers prese'nt.^^JouR. 2276, 2310, 2346; 29. Eesidence is an elementary qualification for membership in the Order, and as an individual Oaa have but one legfil residence, he cannot' be- initiated at anyplace of which he is merely a temporary resident-; and where an applicant is a citizen or sub- ject of a foreign pow'er and only a temporary resident within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, he caiinot be initiated into, the Ordei-.— -Jour. 2461, 2482, 2504. 50. No change of membership from: one: Subordinate, Lodge to another can take place, nor can any Lodge admit to mem- bership oiie who has been suspended ' by' another Lodge for non-pay^inent of dues, without the usual deposit of an authen- ticated clearance card.*— Jour. -2496, 2520, 2495', 2496, 2520. -'!-', '■ . ■ : ■ ' ' ' ■ ■ ■' '' 51. A brother is not entitled to admission by card in a Lodge or En- campment in another State, he remaining a citizen of the State ! in which the card was granted, without the previous consent of. the appropriate Grand Body or Grand! Ofiicer of his own State; but Grand; Lodges and Grand Encampments whose ter- ritorial; jurisdictions are contiguous or adjacent are empowered to pass laws permitting Lodges and Encampments in other ju- risdictions to initiate or admit to membership persons whose residences, though not actually in said jurisdictions, are.iiearest the places of location, of such Lodges or Encainpliients' as they may desire to become members of.— JouR. 2560'^, 2626, 2664, 3485.' ,■'■.'■'' ,'•■'■■■ "*-A temporary proTisioB for the'benefit of the Order on the Pacific coast wa' made in 1857.— See Jodr, 2663, 2777-8-9, GaAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES, 91, MEMBERSHIP— CONTINUED. l M'^-I'n/'. " 32. A brother suspended from membership in his Lodge is thereby '' ciit'off from al| benefits and privileges,' and in case of,his death ';the Lodge incurs no new liability on acebuiit of his decease.— ■ ■'" '" JoDK- 2561;; 2629, -2^4 f. 'J' ''^", '''ZA^'T^l^tr!^- 33. Membership acquired in^ a.fiOdge p| an,, ^djpining jurisdiction witb the consent of the Grand Lodge or; Grand M^ister of his . ' •'' own State, entitles a brotber to all the privileges, and honors , " accorded lo members of Lodges in Ms o^n-State. — Jouk. 2674, ■':'; ;28i'r.283i;;,,,;''';;,;;,,,^ /:;_•/;;:;:: ;.;,;,; ^;;;;,„, 34. On application for. mepibephip .by, several ,pej;spns. at the same ., i timie,jon deposi(; of -cards, a separate Fallot mfl,st,, be had on ,(,., "eaok.,-rJ9pB,27P0, [2764, 2810,, ,', ]„.,-(, .j.'- ., .,/', 35. Where, membership, has beep ..obtained by. a,, party, under a false or assumed name,! it is not in the .competency of a Grand Lodge to pass an act authorizing bis Subordinate Lodge to grant ' ; • '■ Mm a card by-any other name than 'that by which be is inown i ■ ■ ' throughout the records of ithe 'Lodgls and iflthe- community in ; '■: which he-holds memberships— Joua. 2924;^ 2963;! ' ; 36. Itisnot ooinpetentfor a'Lodge or an Encampment to insert in its constitution 'si,; provision .that.a ttiember "who may withdraw by card shall have the privilege of depositing the card in the same Lodge or Enctopment within a specified time by k sim- ,,i,.| pie vote, of , the, Body without a ballot.;,] Tbe,laT^s of , the Order clearly definp; the ;n},qde ,iri which, mpmber.ship , may be ;regained by card, from which no Subordinate Body has authority to de- '. ' !' pairt;' But if membership be're-obtained by a brother *under ■ any such illegal provision, he cannot be 'summarily -ejected. •■•!. The la^ whioh forbids' thp summary 'ejection ' of persons who from no fault of their own obtain membership illegally, acts , with strong force in such i^ case^— Jour., 3182,, 3234, 3266^ See' Bablot, Gaeds', Defunct, Initiati6iU, Lodges', Residence, MBMBERSHIPUxlNSTAir Grand LoDGfi.^ii- - 1. Membership iil'twtt Grand Lodges cannot be held, at the same time.— Jour. 285, 311, 312. 2. Membership^ in a 'Grah^'Lbdge ii' acquired by feervioe' in" the '■ principal chair'bf 'a' Subordinate Lodge foi- one teriil after a ■' regular 'a'nd^ fegal ' election thereto. ^ Grand Lodges tikrmoi at- tach a pecuniary consideration thereto, biit they may, 'by con- stitutional provision,, restrict the, legislative authority of their I members to a representative- basis.— JouR, 648, 67t, 692, '. 1084.1119.1289.1321.1785. 92 ' A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THJ MEMBERSHIP— CONTINUED. ■ ; I ', , , : . ! u I ■' . '' 3. A mem"ber of a Grrarid Lodge removing from one, Stiate to an- other, does ^ not, as a' matter' 'of right, by reason , of previous meinbersliip, ^become a mem'tier of .the Grand Lodge of, his new jurisdiction.— Jour. 958, 1712, l770, 1805. " 4. The eerti^catfii iipon whici' a Past Graii'd procures admittance to his Grand Lodge Js met Aj prima facie evidence of his qu^Iifi- \ cation:' If after he has taken his seat it ' shall lae ascertained that the certificate i^ false or incorrect, it may pe sei aside and the seat accorded upon it vacated. — Joub. ^461, 2482, 2504. 5. It is not competent to make the Encanipmeht degrees a ofualifi- cation for eithe^ membership or' office lii a Grand Lodge, be- cause such a body cannot judicially 'tnow anything'' of other degrees than those which belong to its o^n jurisdiction or branch of the Ordei-, and'carino't le^islate'or apply tests in re- ' gard to thein.— Jour. 1843,. 1922,' 1957, 2480; 2503., 6. Contributing membfership in,a Subordinate. Lodge is necessary to membership; in a Grand Lodge, which islost by the .taking of a withdrawal 'card, .but i may be restored by iramediatte deposit of the card with a petition for a new Lodge, or, upon a change of residencei by deposit of card in another Lodge within one . month.— Jour. '2560, 2627,, 2629y 2664, 2665; 2798. MEMBEiRSHIP — ^In the Patriarchal ORbiiR. . -, ' ., , 1 . No person can hold membership in more' than Oufi' Encainpment at the same time.^^BY-LAws, Artic£e Xn.'" , 2. Contributing members of Subordinate Lodges ini good standing having advanced to the scarlet degree (and none others) are eligible to mem,bership in a Subordinate Encampment. ^Jodr. .777, 811,;954..:-,;. ■;... ■ . :'- i ; 3. The granting of a withdrawal card by a Subordinate Lodge to one of its; members, who i§ also a membet pC an Encainpment, severs his connection with the Encampment at once, but the renewal of his membership in a Subordinate Lodge within' one month restores his membership in the Encampment. -p^JopR. 955,956; '", ■;;! '■ ]' , :,."_] "'•, ' ['■:'' ' 4. By the renewal of membership, in a Lodge on deposit of .p, card, membership in the Encampment, is ipso facto renewed, and if th^ Patriarch wishes to withdra;(?f, he must, pursue the usual course.— J:6ur.. 1029 ',',1058. , ;' ',', ,! 5. A brother who removes his residence from onti Stale' to another without taking a withdi'awal'card, is eligible' to membership in an Encampment in the place of his new residence. ^ — Jour. 1029, 1058, 1841, 1883, 1897, 1952. GKAN1> L0D9I! OF THE UNITED,, STATES. »o MEMBERSHIP— ooNTii^uEi), .,,, j.-ii^i u' 9. When membership in an Encampipent has been suspended by reason'of thesuspensioii of abrother by.his Lodge for punish- ment, (thS Encampment failing' 'i6 avail itself of its' right to proceed , against the brother,) sp SQon as the punishment in- flicted' by the Lodge is by the iotifah of law terminated, and the brother returns to hi^' privileges as a member of the Lodge, his 'membership m the Encampment reyives',' atid he must be admitted therein, his dueS to the Encampment having in the meantime been regularly paid. ^ — JouR. 3357, 3358, 3379. 10. Grobd standing of a Lodge and of membership therein is abso- lutely essential to maiiitain' good standing in ah Encampment. — JdDK. 3412.' MEMBEIISHIP--IN Gkand Enoampmej^ts.* 1. Any Patriarch who shall have been duly elected to and served one term in the principal office (or, if the local laws so pro- vide, in either of the two principal, offices) of his Subordinate Encampment, is entitled, to become a aiem^er of his State Grand Encampment.— Jote. 684, 653, 677, _692, 1084, 1119. MEMBBRSHIP^In Grand Lodge op the United States. 1. Membership in the Grand Lodge of the United States can only be. acquired .by election or appointment to office therein or by ; being elected or appointed to representa State, District or Ter- ritorial G'Tand Lodge or Grand Encampment therein. — Gonsti- TUTiON, Article II; Article III, Sbetions 1, 5. See Grand Representatives. MILEAGE AND PER DpiM;. 1. A Committee on Mileage and Per Diem is appointed by the Grand Sire at the opening of each annual communication of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Rule of Order, No, 9. *' Most of the laws applicable to Past Grands and membership in Grand Lodges apply to Past Cbief Patriarchs and membership in Grand Bncampmenta. ^4 ■ A DIGESt tiF 'THE tAWS 'Ot 'TltE-' MILEAGE AND PEK DIEM—coNTmuEii • !l! ' i';!<'. . 2. Tlie' mileage and Jer diem allowed to- bffi«eris and' members of the ' • (r'rand Lodge of th^ tJriifed States iBd'etermiiied'by 'resolution at each session of that Grand Body.— Joub. 2491, 25i62, 2598, . ,, 2599, 2898i, 2899, 3064, 8066, 3216, 3333,. 3871^ 3483, ', , j 3483,i3542. ,,'.. ,/ '. ';;''';;,;'; ''i ''' . . ,;,■,,",', 3. No per diem is alio Wed for Suliday when the sessloB i does not hold- over from one week to another.;— -Joue. 2301.. 4.,,No .allowance .of mileage and per diem is, made- to a committee sitting in the recess without .special instructions.— Joraj. 2494, 2531. 5- In ease of contested elections, mileage and per, diem is allowed ',! -to the, su,ccessfut. claimants only,,^JpnR. ,2166.,, ^, OFFICEIIS QE; GttAl^D LODGE UNI^feD STATES.. ,,; 1. .The,' electiv.e, officers are :the iMost, 'W'flrthy; Grand: Sire, Right ! , .Worthy Deputy ■.' i-'' 90 . A DIGEST or THE LAWS OP THE OFFICERS— GRAND SIRE., i , , ■ , , t , i , . . , ; ; 1. The Grand Sire is required to preside at all meetiugs of the Grand Lodge-! of the United States; to preserve order therein, and enforce the laws thereof; to nominate the appointed officers of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; to appoint all com- mittees of the body, unless ■ otherwise specially ordered; to gi\-e the casting vote whenever the Grand Lodge is equally divided ; to sign all orders on the Treasurer authoriised by a vote of the Grand Lodge ■; and to decide all questions of order in the Grand Lodge, subject to an appeal to the' Grand LddgeJ^CoNSTiTU- TroN, Article IV, Section 1. Rules of Order, Nos. 24, 25. , .;. ■ 2. He is required to exercise, during the recess of the Grand Lodge of the Utiited States, a general superintendence over the interests of the Order, giving advice aiid instruction, when called on, to all Grand Lodges and Grand Ehcampin'ents, and to the Subor- dinate Lodges and Encampments working under the. Grand Lodge of the United States, upon all' subjects connected with the Order, its laws, usages and ciistdms. — CoNST[TnTiON, Arti- cle IV, Section 1. 3. He is empowered to hear and decide such appeals as inay be submitted to him by Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments, or by Subordinate Lodges or Subordinate Encampments working under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; also to hear and decide such questions other than questions arising out of their constitutions, ^s may be sub- mitted either by Grand Bodies, Grand Masters, Grand Patri- archs, Grand Representatives, or by Subordinate Bodies under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States — -his decision in each case so submitted to be binding upon the body or persons submitting it until the same be re- versed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitd- TiON, Article IV, Section 1. ■4. It is his duty to reclaim the charters of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments working under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States which fail to make returns for four successive quarters. — By-Laws, Article XVII. 5. He is empowered to receive petitions and grant warrants for the opening of new Lodges and Encampments, Grand or Subordi- nate, in places where Grand Bodies do not exist, and all war- rants so granted are of force until recalled by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitution, Article IV, Section 1. 6. He is required to open or cause to be opened every Lodge or Encampment, whether Grand or Subordinate, that receives a GRAND LODGE 01 THE UNITED STATES, 97 OFFICERS— GRAND SIRE— continued. warrant from the Grand Lodge of the United States, and to visit the Subordinate Lodges and Encampments so chartered at least onee a year, either personally or by deputy. — Bt-Laws, Arti- cles I, n, III, ly. 7. All traveling and other expenses incurred by himself or his de- puty at the opening of a Grand or Subordinate Lodge or En- campment, are to be paid by such Lodge or Encampment. — By-Laws, Article VI. 8. He is required to appoint all District Deputy Grand Sires, and is empowered to call special meetings of the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Constitution, Article IV, Section 1; Ar- ticle xn. 9. He is required at the opening of every annual session to obtain from the Grand Secretary an exhibit of the indebtedness of any Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, and place the same in possession of the Committee on Credentials, to enable them to report in conformity with the law which denies the right of vo- ting to Representatives from Bodies which are in arrears for money due the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Jour. 2530. 10. He is required at every annual session to make a report of his acts and doings in his office. — Constitution, Article IV, Sec- tion 1. 11. He is not allowed to vote, except when the Grand Lodge is equally divided. — Constitution, Article IV, Section 1. 12. He cannot hold any elective office in any State, District or Ter- ritorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment. — Constitution, Article IV, Section 2. 13. The Grand Sire has no power, by dispensation or otherwise, to authorize a Grand Body, even by a unanimous vote, to adjourn to a place not authorized by its constitution or to do anything in violation of its organic law. — Joue, 3182, 3234, 3266. 14. The Grand Sire has no right to authorize a Grand Master to communicate the A. T. P. W. to a member of a Subordinate Lodge.— Jour. 3513, 3558, 3587. OFFICERS— DEPUTY GRAND SlRE. 1. The Deputy Grand Sire is required to open and close all the sessions of the Grand Lodge ; to examine the Representatives as to their qualifications before they take their seats, and make 98 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE OFFICERS— DEPUTY GRAND SIRE— continued. report to the Grand Sire ;_ to support tlie Grand Sire by his ad- vice and assistance, and in his absence to preside ; and in caso of the removal, death, disqualification, or refusal to serve of the Grand Sire, to perfor&. the duties of that officer until the next stated meeting. — Constitution, Article V. By-Laws, Article XVI. Rule of Order No. 2. OFFICERS- GRAND SECRETARY. 1. The Grand Secretary is required to make a just and true record of all the proceedings of the Grand Lodge ; to keep the Jour- nal of all secret sessions, the evidences of the unwritten work and such alterations as may from time to time be made therein, and all other records pertaining to the work of the Order, and the explanations and lectures relative thereto ; to keep the ac- counts of the Grand Lodge of the United States with the bodies under its jurisdiction ; read all petitions, reports, and communications ; write all letters and communications ; carry on, under the direction of the Grand Lodge or Grand Sire, its correspondence ; and to lay before the Grand Lodge all official communications transmitted or received by him. — Cokstitu- TioN, Article VI. 2. He is required to receive the returns of the Grand and Subor- dinate Lodges and Encampments under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; to receive all moneys for the Grand Lodge, make' a record thereof, and forthwith pay the same over to the Grand Treasurer ; to summon the mem- bers to attend all special meetings ; to furnish each Grand Representative, when he takes his seat, with a copy of the Constitution, Laws and Rules of Order of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; and to distribute, as soon as possible after the close of each annual session of the Grand Lodge of the United States, the printed Journal of its proceedings — one copy of which is sent to each member of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; one copy to each Subordinate Lodge and each Subordinate Encampment immediately under the jurisdic- tion of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; and to each Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment twice as many copies as it has Subordinates under its jurisdiction, the one^half of them to be for its own use, and the other half to be distributed by each amongst its Sulaordinates. — Constitution, Article VI. By-Laws, Articles III, XVIII. 3. He is required to furnish the Grand Sire, at the opening of each annual session, with ah exhibit of all Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments that may be in arrears for money due the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Jour. 2530. GEAND LODGE OF THE tINITED STATES. 99 OFFICERS— GRAND TREASURER. * 1. The Grand Treasurer is required to keep the monies and all evidences of debt, choses in action, deeds, &c. of the Grand Lodge ; to pay all orders drawn on him by the Grand Sire, attested by the Grand Secretary, under the seal of the Grand Lodge ; to lay before the Grand Lodge, at its annual session, a full and correct statement of his accountSj and to fui-nish in advance a copy thereof to the Grand Secretary, to accompany the annual report of the last named officer. — Constitution, Article VII, Section 1. 2. He receives for his services such compensation as the Gra.nd Lodge from time to time determines, and before his installation he is required to execute a bond for the faithful performance of his trust.— Constitution, Article VII, Section 1. OFFICERS— GRAND CHAPLAIN. 1. The Grand Chaplain is required, at the opening and closing of the Grand Lodge, to address the Supreme Ruler of the Uni- verse in prayer, and perform such other duties in the line of his office as may be required. — Constitution, Article VIII, Section 1. Rule of Order No. 2. OFFICERS— GRAND MARSHAL. 1. The Grand Marshal is required to perform the several duties of that office, and to assist the Grand Sire in such manner as may be from time to time required. — Constitution, Article VHI, Section 2. OFFICERS— GRAND GUARDIAN. 1. The Grand Guardian is required to prove every brother before admitting him to enter the Grand Lodge, and to allow no one to retire without the usual formality. — Constitution, Articlt-: Vin, Section 3. OFFICERS— GRAND MESSENGER. 1. The Grand Messenger is required to perform such duties ae the Grand Lodge may from time to time. require for the convenience and comfort of the members. — Constitution, Article VIII, Section 4. OFFICERS- DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND SIRES. 1. The Grand Sire is required to appoint, at every annual session,- a District Deputy Grand Sire for each State, District, or Terri- tory where there are not a Grand Lodge and a Grand Encamp- ment. — By-Laws, Article XV. 100 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE OFFICER^— D. D. GRAND SIRES— continued. 2. To qualify a brother for the appointment of District Deputj Grand Sire he must be a regular contributing member of a Subordinate Lodge and Encampment, and must have attained the rank of Past Grand and of the royal purple degree, and in a jurisdiction where a Grand Encampment exists he must also be a member of such Grand Encampment. — By-Laws, Arti- cle XV. 3. District Deputy Grand Sires are required, as the special agents of the Grand Lodge, to do and perform whatever the Grand Lodge or Grand Sire may order to be done in their respective districts ; to exercise a general supervision over all Subordinate Lodges and Encampments, (in their respective districts,) which work under charters granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States ; to act as the agents of the Grand Secretary, and obey the special directions of that officer ; and to make semi-annual reports of their acts and doings to the Grand Sire. — By-Laws^ Article XV. 4. District Deputy Grand Sires are not permitted in any case to in- terfere with the Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments ; they are appointed for one year, but their commissions may be re- voked by the Grand Sire at any time, for cause. — By-Laws, Article XV. 5. A District Deputy Grand Sire, in absenting himself temporarily from his jurisdiction, has authority to appoint a qualified bro- ther or brothers to install the officers of Lodges and Encamp- ments during his necessary absence. — JonR. 1992, 2114, 2170, 2180. 6. A District Deputy Grand Sire has no right, by virtue of his of- fice, to issue warrants for Lodges or Encampments or to re- claim charters of Lodges or Encampments which persist in irregular work ; he must report irregularities to the Grand Sire, who alone, under the authority of the Grand Lodge of the United States, can reclaim' or recall charters granted by that Grand Body.— Jonii. 2561, 2629, 2664. 7. A District Deputy Grand Sire has no right to introduce visitors whose cards are out of date. That power belongs to elective Grand Officers only.— Jour. 2859, 2926, 2963. 8. In a State, District or Territory where a Subordinate Encamp- ment but no Grand Encampment exists, a District Deputy Grand Sire has the same power to grant dispensations to bro- thers wishing to obtain the Patriarchal degrees out of the ju- risdiction as a Grand Patriarch has where a Grand Encampment exists.— Jour. 2910, 2962. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 101 OFFICERS— D. D. GKAND SIRES— continued. 9. A District Deputy Grand Sire has no power to grant tcithdrawal cards to members of defunct Lodges or Encampments. — Jour. 3031, 3083, 3113. OFFICERS OF STATE GRAND LODGES. 1. The elective officers of a State Grand Lodge are : Most Worthy Grand Master, Right Worthy Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Grand Warden, R. W. Grand Secretary and R. W. Gra^d Treasurer. The appointed officers are : Worthy Grand Mar- shal, W. Grand Chaplain, W. Grand Conductor, W. Grand Guardian and W. Grand Herald. If the wants or convenience of a Grand Lodge should require other officers, they may be elected or appointed as the Grand Lodge shall provide. — Digest or 1847, page 46. Jour. 1404, 1476, 1511. 2. No brother can hold office in more than one Grand Lodge at the same time. — By-Laws, Article XII. 3. An elective Grand Officer has authority, within his own juris- diction, to introduce visiting brethren without the usual ex- amination.— By-Laws, Article XIV. 4. An officer who has been installed cannot be displaced for non- attendance merely, in the absence of any constitutional pro- vision or by-law on the subject. — Jour. 1146, 1290, 1316. 5. By voluntarily withdrawing from the duties of an office, a bro- ther forfeits the honors thereof, and his successor who fills the unexpired time becomes entitled thereto ; but if the office be a salaried office he does not forfeit the compensation for the pe- riod of service performed. — Jour. 1198, 1245, 1840, 1897, 1952, 2268, 2828. 6. The uniform term for officers of State Grand Lodges is one year. Less service will not entitle an officer to the honors of the of- fice, except in the case of a brother who is elected and performs the duties of an office for the remnant of a term made vacant by the voluntary resignation of the regular officer. — Jour. 1840, 1897, 1920, 1952, 1956. 7. An officer is liable to charges as other members and to impeach- ment for official misconduct, and such punishment as the local laws prescribe. — Jour. 1286, 1318. 8. The holding of office does not deprive a member of any of his rights or privileges in the Lodge, such as debating or voting ; but officers, whether elective or appointed, are not ex officio 102 A DIGEST or THE LAWS Or THE OFFICERS OF STATE GRAND LODGES— continued. entitled to vote, unless the local law confers that privilege — and if the Grand Lodge be by its constitution a representative body, they are not (unless they be Representatives) entitled to vote at all except for Grand Of&cers. — Jouk. 776, 803, 1404, 1503, 1513, 2249, 2265, 2327, 2468, 2501. 9. It is not compatible with law to make the Encampment degrees a qualification for office in a State Grand Lodge. — JonR. 1843, 1924, 1927, 2480, 2503. 10. Officers of State Grand Lodges, when visiting Subordinate Lodges within their own jurisdiction, must give at the outer door the same password as required of other members. — Jouk. 1992, 2114, 2170. 11. The first Noble Grand of a newly instituted Lodge being law- fully entitled to and in possession of the honorary degrees of Past Vice Grand and Past Secretary, is eligible to office, in his Grand Lodge to the same extent as if he had performed actual instead of constructive service. — Jour. 2452, 2468, 2501. 12. An officer of a State Grand Lodge vacates his office by taking a withdrawal card from his Lodge, unless the card be immedi- ately deposited with the petition for a new Lodge ; or, in case of a change of residence, unless the card be deposited in a Subordinate Lodge at his new residence within one month ; and while holding such card, or until such new Lodge be in- stituted, he can perform no official act. — Jour. 2560, 2628, 2665, 2674, 2798, 2799, 3000. 13. Upon occasions of installation of the officers of a Lodge, an elective Grand Officer being superior in rank takes precedence of a District Deputy Grand Master in performing the cere- mony.— Jour. 3031, 3083, 3113. 14. A member in good standing may he elected to office in a State Grand Body to which his Lodge or Encampment is subordi- nate, although he does not reside within the State where such Grand Body is located, provided there be no local prohibition. — JoDR. 3113, 3558, 3587. 15. A Grand Master has powers and duties prescribed by the charge books of the Order, and performs such duties as are required of him by his Grand Lodge. He has supervisory power over the Order within his jurisdiction, and must check the introduc- tion of subjects foreign to the purposes o"f the Order, and he is required to enforce the law suppressing the illegal publica- tion of the work, cards and diplomas, as directed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — Digest or 1847, page 46. Jour. 956. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 103 OFFICERS OF STATE GRAND LODGES— continued. 16. A Grand Master has no power by virtue of his oflSce to grant dispensations for opening Lodges, but it is competent for bis Grand Lodge to confer tbat power upon him. It is his duty to install the officers of Subordinate Lodges, or to cause them to be installed by a competent officer or Past Grand. — Jour. 866, 919. 17. A Grand Master must furnish written authority to a Subordinate Lodge when permission is granted it by the Grand Lodge to ask relief of other Subordinates. — Jodr. 860, 896. 18. During the recess of a Grand Lodge the Grand Master is to some extent necessarily its substitute and representative ; but during its sessions he does not form an independent part of the legislative power. He should therefore not deny appeals from his decisions, for if unconstitutional action should result there- from, the wrong can be remedied by appeal to the Grand Lodge of the United States. ^-Jour. 1108. 19. A Grand Master has no power summarily to remove an officer of a Lodge, as his official relations are not with the officers of Lodges but with the Lodges themselves in their Lodge capacity, and therefore if a Noble Grand persist in permitting improper work in violation of his instructions, the Grand Master should require the Lodge to enforce the obedience of its officer under penalty of being dealt with for insubordination. — Jour. 1839, 1897, 1952. 20. When visiting for instaliation purposes' a Grand Master is enti- tled to take the chair of the Nqble Grand, but when visiting upon other occasions, he is not entitled to that chair of right. Jour. 2403, 2481, 2508. 21 .• A Grand Lodge cannot make the attainment of the Royal Purple degree a qualification for the office of Grand Master. — Joue. 2480, 2487, 2503, 2507, 2508, 2520. 22. Upon principle a Grand Master should not hold office in a Sub- ordinate Lodge or Degree Lodge ; but the subject being a mat- ter for local legislation, in the absence of any local prohibition he may hold such office as will not interfere with his official duties.— Jour. 2858, 2925, 2993. 23. A Grand Master when visiting a Subordinate Lodge in an official capacity is entitled to be received with the honors of the Order. But when visiting in his individual character as a member of the Order he is not so entitled. It is only when he announces himself as Grand Master that his visits become official. — Jour. 2562, 2629, 2664. 104 A DIGEST OP THE LAWS OF THE OFFICERS OF STATE GRAND LODGES— continued. 24. The power of a Grand Master to act under a resolution of his Grand Lodge conferring authority upon him, pending a motion to reconsider such resolution, is undoubted. Whether the pen- dency of a motion to reconsider should induce a suspension of action is a matter for the discretion of the officer. — Jour. 2724, 2748, 2774. 25. A Grand Master has no power to dispense with the regular meet- ings of a Subordinate Lodge, nor to grant dispensations to sus- pend the payment of benefits.— Jour. 2770, 2787, 2818, 2830. 26. A Grand Master having entire supervision of the Order in his jurisdiction, has power to suspend a Subordinate Lodge for any act of insubordination of which he must necessarily be the judge. And the right of a Grand Lodge to raise revenue for its support by assessments upon its Subordinates having been I recognized and enforced by the Grand Lodge of the IJnited States, a Grand Master may suspend a Subordinate for refusing to comply with its pecuniary obligations. The suspension however is but temporary until the meeting of the Grand Lodge. The infliction of the penalty, the ultimate and perm- anent deprivation of the Lodge of its chartered rights lies with that Grand Body after due trial. — Jour. 3413, 3414, 3415, 3463. 27. The mode of reaching a Grand Master to obtain his decision upon a point of law is a matter for local legislation, and is generally on appeal from the decision of a District Deputy Grand Master.— Jour. 3415, 3463. 28. A Grand Master cannot take the chair of a Noble Grand to prevent that officer from putting an illegal motion. The officer must be reached through the Lodge with which (and not with the Noble Grand) the official relations of the Grand Master obtain. See Section 19.— Jour. 3512, 3558, 3587. 29. The Deputy Grand Master and other elective and appointed officers of Grand Lodges have powers and duties as prescribed in the Charge Books. — Digest oe 1847, page 47. 30. When a Grand Lodge appears in procession or at installations, it is the duty of the Grand Marshal to take charge of the same. —Jour. 1392. OFFICERS OP SUBORDINATE LODGES. 1.' The officers of a Subordinate Lodge are Noble Grand, Vice Grand, Secretary, (Permanent Secretary if necessary,) and Treasurer ; who are elected by the Lodge ; Warden, Conductor, Outside Guardian, Inside Guardian, Right and Left Supporters GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 105 OFFICEKS OP SUBOEDINATB LODGES— continued. of the Noble Grand, Right arid Left Scene Supporters, who' are appointed by the Noble Grand ; and Eight and Left Sup- porters of the Vice Grand, who are appointed by that ofiSeer. —Digest of 1847, Page 49. Jour. 1847, 1887, 1949. 2. They have duties and powers as prescribed by the charge books of the Order, and the laws of their respective Grand Lodges. — Ibid. 3. The officers of a Subordinate Lodge are installed by the Grand Master of their jurisdiction, or by a competent Deputy, accord- ing to the forms prescribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — JouK. 919. 4. The regular term of official service in a Subordinate Lodge is six months.— Jour. 853, 899, 912, 1066. 6. The officers of a newly instituted or a revived Lodge, instituted or revived during the first moiety of a term, who have served a majority of the nights of the term, are entitled to the full honors of their respective offices. — Jour. 794, 913, 952. 6. An officer who resigns before the expiration of his term forfeits the honors of the office, which pass to his successor, who serves for the remnant of the term. But if there be a salary attached to the office, the officer does not, by his resignation, forfeit a pro rata compensation for the time of actual service. — Jour. 1198, 1245, 2208, 2328. 7. The term of the officers of a Subordinate Lodge must be corres- pondingly extended whenever the privilege of holding monthly or semi-monthly instead of weekly meetings is granted to a Subordinate Lodge by a Grand Lodge, as twenty-six Lodge nights, "whether lield weekly, monthly or at longer periods, are necessary to complete a full term. The same rule applies to a Lodge working in a foreign language with two sets of officers. —Jour. 1100, 1444, 1492, 2725, 2781, 2818. 8. The station of an installed officer of a Subordinate Lodge cannot be vacated for non-attendance, unless the local laws so provide. —Jour. 1146, 1290, 1316, 2216, 2264, 2327. 0. The officers of a Lodge cannot grant cards to officers or members in the recess of its meetings. The application must be made in open Lodge.-JouR. 1200, 1249, 1847, 1848,-1885, 1921, 1948, 1957, 1966, 2173. 10. The officers of a Subordinate Lodge are only its executive offi- cers. They have no right to use its seal, unless authorized by the Lodge, or in compliance with some enactment of their Grand Lodge.— Jodr. 1286, 1318. 106 A DIGEST OP THE LAWS 01 THE OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES— continued. 11. Officers cannot be elected by, or installed in, a Lodge which is under suspension or expulsion.' Nor can the honors be be- stowed upon officers whose terms expire when the Lodge is in that condition.— Jour. 1391; 12. Officers of Subordinate Lodges wear the regalia prescribed for their offices, irrespective of the degrees they have taken ; and whenever a brother, whether a Past Grand or otherwise, occu- pies temporarily a Subordinate office, he should wear the regalia appropriate to such station. — Jour. 1443, 1475, 1511, 2144, 2175. i3. Officers of a Subordinate Lodge cannot be elected by a Grand Lodge.— Jour. 1404, 1476, 1511. (.4. An officer of a Lodge who is absent a majority of the nights of his term, even with the consent of the Lodge, forfeits the honors of his office ; but this penalty does not apply to absence occa- sioned by sickness.— Jour, 1S45, 1886, 1898, 1949, 1952, 2309, 2345. 15. If an officer elect of a Subordinate Lodge absent himself on in- stallation night without proper excuse, the installing officer may require the Lodge to proceed immediately to another elec- tion.— Jour. 2215, 2264, 2327. 16. The officers of a Subordinate Lodge cannot be installed until the returns and payments due from it to its Grand Lodge are ac- tually made and in the hands of the proper officer, or actually in transit to their proper destination.— Jour. 2643, 2667. 17. An officer whose regalia is in his chair in the Lodge room must enter the room clothed in regalia suited to his degree in the Order, and at his chair exchange it fo'r his official regalia. — Jour. 2699, 2764, 2810. 18. The officers of a suspended or expelled Lodge who filled the chairs at the time of suspension or expulsion, are, by the resti- tution or revival of the Lodge, restored to their former official positions.— Jour. 2701, 2764, 2810. 19. Service in the Yice Grand's chair for one term is in general a necessary qualification for the office of Noble Grand. But if a vacancy occur in the office of Noble Grand, and all qualified members of the Lodge decline to accept the office, a scarlet member may be elected to fill the vacancy, provided a dispen- sation for that purpose be first had from the proper authority of the jurisdiction to which the Lodge belongs. — Jodr. 1017, 1080, 1124, 1297, 2275, 2280, 2328, 2470, 2494. 2503, 2515, 2521, 2561, 2629, 2664. GKAND LODGE OP THE UNITED STATES. 107 OPFICEKS OF SUBGKDINATE LODGES— continued. 20. The Noble Grand as presiding officer of a Subordinate Lodge alone has power to call it together. A Grand Master has no power to do so. — Jour. 1085, 1120. 21. In the absence of the Grand Master or his Deputy and of all Past Grands, a Noble Grand may install his successor. — Jour. 1246. 22. A Noble Grand is vested with the power of appointing all the "appointed officers" of a Lodge except the supporters of the Vice Grand, who are chosen by that officer.— -Jour. 1847, 1887, 1949. 23. In the absence of the two principal officers on a regular night of meeting, a Lodge may be opened for business with a Past Grand in the Noble Grand's chair and a scarlet member in the Vice Grand's.— JouE. 1840, 1842, 1897, 1952. 24. A Noble Grand may, in the absence of all Past Grands, deliver the Past Grand's charge at initiation. — Joue. 1845, 1895, 1952. 25. If a Noble Grand elect fails to appear for installation and forfeits (under the local law) his office, the member elected and in- stalled in his place is Noble Grand of the Lodge. — Jour. 2403, 2450, 2481, 2503. 26 "Where a Lodge is in possession of the work of the degree of Eebekah by authority of its State Grand Lodge, the possession of that degree is a necessary prerequisite to the installation of the Noble Grand into office.— Joue. 1841, 1898, 1952, 2214, 2264, 2327. 27. The laws of the Order require the Noble Grand always (when present at the meetings of the Lodge) to preside ; and he can- not waive his right and place a Past Grand in the chair except upon occasions of initiation or the conferring of degrees, when a Past Grand may be invited to take the chair. This law does not apply to a temporary absence from the chair during the hours of a session.— Joue. 2611, 2650, 2676, 3536, 3540. 28. If a Noble Grand obtain leave of absence for three months and overstay his time so as to forfeit his office, and a Past Grand be chosen to fill the vacancy, he cannot after his return, upon resignation of the Past Grand, by being re-elected for the re- mainder of the term, be made Noble Grand entitled to the honors.— JouK. 2859, 2926, 2963. 108 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OP THE OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES— continued. 29. When a brother without the term password shall apply for ad- mission to his own Lodge, it is the duty of the Noble G-rand after he shall have ascertained from the proper financial officer that the brother is not disqualified from receiving the password, to direct his admission to the Lodge. — Jodr. 3067, 3108, 3124. 30. The sitting Noble Grand of an expiring term cannot certify himself a Past Grand, for he holds no such position. The semi-annual return of the Lodge is to be made lay the officers of that term, and as the officers of the Lodge for the Succeed- ing term cannot be installed until the report is despatched, the Noble Grand of the term is still Noble Grand and not Past Grand. A separate schedule of the officers elect is required. —Jour. 3205, 3209. 31. Twenty-six nights' service in an inferior office is a sufficient qualification for the office of Vice Grand of a Subordinate Lodge, provided the brother has attained to sufficient degrees and is otherwise competent. — Jour. 1067. 32. In the absence of the Noble Grand the Vice Grand is de facto Noble Grand. It is not only his right but his duty to preside and to exercise all the powers and functions of the superior officer, and to wear the regalia of the chair he thus temporarily fills. He cannot waive his right and place a Past Grand in the chair except upon occasions of initiation or the conferring of degrees, when a Past Grand may be invited to take the chair.— JouB. 1016, 1068, 1443, 1475, 1511, 2611, 2650, 2676, 3536, 3540. 33. If a Vice Grand temporarily fills the Noble Grand's chair for the remnant of a term, without having been elected thereto, he is not entitled to the honors of the superior chair. — Jouk. 1443, 1475, 1511. 34. A Vice Grand cannot, before he has served to the end of a legal term, be elected to the chair of the Noble Grand if there be any Past Grands belonging to the Lodge. — Jour. 1443, 1475, 1511. 35. If a Noble Grand elect should fail to appear for installation for some time after the regular period, the discharge of his duties and the appointment of the subordinate officers devolves upon the Vice Grand, and under such circumstances, if the local law provide for vacating an office for non-attendance, the Lodge may treat the Noble Grand elect as installed and vacate the superior office.— Jour. 22l6, 2264, 2327. ghand lodqe of the united states. 109 OFFICEKS OF SUBOEDmATE LODaES— continued; 3G. A Vice Grand cannot, under any circumstances, deliver tte Past Grand's charge at initiation. — Jode. 1845, 1895, 1932. 37. When a Lodge is in possession of the work of the degree of Eebekah by authority of its State Grand Lodge, it is impera- tive that the Vice Grand shall be in possession of that degree before he is installed into office. — Joun. 1841, 1898, 1952, 2214, 2264, 2327. S8. The-duties of a Secretary of a Subordinate Lodge, whether Re- cording or Permanent Secretary, are prescribed in the charge books of the Order. — Digest oe 1847, page 49. 39. The Secretary of a Lodge, when supplied with a list of its mem- bers that belong to an Encampment, is required, in the event of the suspension or expulsion of, or the taking of a withdrawal card by either of them, to give notice to the Scribe of the En- campment thereof. — Jo'uk. 1250. 40. A Secretary has no right to withhold a card which has been granted by his Lodge ; and for so doing he is liable to arraign- ment, even if withheld upon the ground of alleged discovery of crime on the part of the recipient ; but if the local law re- quires payment for a card, the officer may withhold the card until payment therefor is made. — Joub. 1840, 1898, 1952, 2460, 2482, 2504. 41. The Junior Past Grand is not strictly an officer of a Lodge, but it is his duty to occupy the Past Grand's chair for one term, and to deliver the Past Grand's charge at initiation. It is therefore improper to elect him to any other office in the Lodge ; he may be elected a Representative to his Grand Lodge. — Jour. 867, 1089, 1113, 1286, 1317, 3512, 3558, 3587. 42. A Lodge has no right to require the Junior or Sitting Past Grand to perform the duties of Chaplain, or to fine him for refusal. — Jour. 2461, 2491, 2508. OFFICERS OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS. 1. The officers of a Grand Encampment are Most Worthy Grand Patriarcb, Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Right Worthy Grand Senior Warden, Right Worthy Grand Scribe, Right Worthy Grand Treasurer and Right Worthy Grand Junior Warden, who are elected; and Grand Sentinel, who is ap- pointed by the Grand Patriarch. — Digest of 1847, pace 55. 110 A DIGEST OF TUB LAWS OP THE OFFICERS OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS— contintieii. 2. The Grand Patriarch and other elective officers of a Grand En- campment have power and duties as prescribed in the charge books of the Order. The Grand Patriarch has supervisory authority over the jurisdiction of his Grand Encampment; and each, elective officer may introduce visiting brethren to En- campments under their jurisdiction without the usual exami- nation. — Digest op 1847, page 56. 3. A Grand Patriarch may, by dispensation, authorize a remote Encampment to elevate an applicant to the Patriarchal Degrees, the only Encampment nearer the residence of the applicant having assented thereto.— JonR. 2215, 2264, 2327. 4. Grand Patriarchs and their deputies are authorized to confer the degrees of a Subordinate Encampment on Scarlet members for the purpose of organizing a new Encampment, provided there be no Subordinate Encampment located within thirty miles of such proposed new Encampment. — Jour. 2588, 2630, 2664. 5. The power of a Grand Patriarch to suspend a Subordinate during the recess of the Grand Encampment is a matter to be deter- mined by the local law.— Jour. 2700, 2764, 2810. 6. A Grand Patriarch, as a part of the supervisory authority inci- dent to his office, has the right to prohibit any public display of the secret emblems and secret working costumes of the Encampment branch of the Order, unless by constitutional provision that power is vested in the Grand Encampment alone.— JouE. 3030, 3083, 3113. 7. A Grand Patriarch has no power to grant a dispensation to au- thorize a Subordinate Encampment to change its location from one town to another. That power belongs exclusively to tbe State Grand Body.— Jour. 3181, 3234, 3266. S. A Grand Patriarch is responsible to his Grand Encampment if he tolerates an illegal act of his deputy, or of a Subordinate Encampment under his jurisdiction! The Grand Scribe is bound to obey the behests of the Grand Patriarch where they do not conflict with the prescribed and legitimate duties of hig office. The Grand Patriarch, being amenable to his Grand Encampment for any wrong he may commit or permit, it is not the province of the Grand Scribe to traverse the action of the Grand Patriarch.— Jour. 3413, 3463. Note. — The ofScers of a Grand Encampment are governed by the same laivg (so far as they nre applicable) as the officers of Grand Lodges. GKAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. Ill OFFICERS OF SUBOEDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 1. The officers of a Subordinate Encampment are Chief Patriarch, High Priest, Senior A¥arden, Scribe, Treasurer and Junior Warden, who are elected ; Guide, Sentinel, first, second, third and fourth Watches, who are appointed by the Chief Patriarch ; and first and second Guards of the Tent, who are appointed by the High Priest. — Digest op 1847, page 58, 2. The duties of the Chief Patriarch are prescribed in the charge books. He and the Senior Warden are entitled to the pass- word, and they are required to superintend the introduction of visiting brethren. — Joub. 664, 904, 942. 3. The Chief Patriarch may install his successor in the absence of the Grand Patriarch or his Deputy, and of all Past Chief Patriarchs. — Jouk. 1246. 4. The Junior Warden may preside in the absence of the Chief Patriarch and Senior Warden, if the local laws do not prohibit it.— JouK. 1113. 5. In the absence of the High Priest, if no Past High Priest be present, any Royal purple member may perform the duties of that ofScer, if the local laws do not forbid it. — JouK. 1113. 6. It is the duty of the Scribe of an Encampment to notify Secre- taries of Subordinate Lodges of the names of such of their members as are members of his Encampment. — Jodr. 1202, 1266. 7. The officers of an Encampment cannot grant cards in the reces.'S of the Body, but where a Patriarch has taken a card from his Lodge, and thereby severed his connection with the Encamp- ment, it is the duty of the officer of the Camp to furnish him with a card and report the same at the next meeting, provided he be in good standing and has complied with the laws of the Camp respecting cards. — JouE. 1034, 1113. 8. A brother holding office in an Encampment vacates that office by taking a withdrawal card from his Lodge, even if he renew his membership within a month. — JouE. 1034, 1036, 1113. 9. The eight questions propounded to a Chief Patriarch at his in- stallation, with the answers thereto, impose obligations which cannot be neglected or violated with impunity. — Jour. 3181, 3234, 3266. Note. — The officers of Subordinate Encamptnents are goTerned by the same laws (so far as they are applicable) as officers of Subordinate Lodges. 112 A DH3EST Of the LAWS OP THH- OKDER— DEOISIONS ON POINTS OP, ■ _ - . 1. When a quorum of the. Grand Lodge is not present the Grand Sire' may refuse an appeal from his decision decliijing to enter- tain business in the absence of a quorum. — Jour. 210. 2. The adoption of a resolution acconapanyihg the report of a com- mittee does not imply the acceptance of the report so as to give it a place on the Journal. — JouK. 285, 286. \ 3. Any resolution which, if adopted, would effect an alteration of ' ' the Constitutioil, rnust lie over as a proposed amendment of the Gonstitution.^^JouK. 342j 910. 4. A vote adcipting an amendment of the Constitution, of any other vote may be received at any time during the session at which it is adopted.. — Jour. 420, 421. - -■/ 5. The consideration of an amendinent to the Constitiition may be , . indefinitely postponed. ^-Joue. 641. 6. A proposed amendment to the By-Laws, when it comes up for consideration, may be amended. — Jouk. 670. 7.' At a special session, called for a specific purpose, an appropria- tiod of money may be made to carry into effect the proper legislation of such session. — Jodr. 731, 733. 8. When a pending amendment to the Constitution comes up for consideration it cannot be amended. — Jouk. 863. 9. In elections for Grand Officers every ticket deposited, whether blank or otherwise, is to be counted. — Jour, 871. ' ■ ' . ' ' . '' ' ' ' 10. A resolution proposing the repeal of a By-Law must lay over one day, — Jour. 1100.. , 11. One part of the Constitution being, amended so as to require additional revenue, presupposes and authorizes further legisla- tion in the way of ordinary enactment to carry such amendment into effect, even if such additional legislation be inconsistent with another, part of the, article which has been amended. — Jour. 1499. '^ r , 12. A substitute for an original proposition may be offered when an amendment to such proposition is pending., — Jour. 1499. 13. The legal existence of a Grand Lodge having been recognized by the Grand Lodge of the United States^ a form of Constitu- tion purporting to emanate from said Body may be received and referred before the Body has been formally instituted. — Jour. 1507,. 1508, ■ • ;;■';• "■;,;' ' ' -V' . GKAND LODGE OF TUB UNITED STATES. 113 ORDER— DECISIONS ON POINTS OF— ooNTiHnED, 14. The ordering of the yeas and nays does not preclude debate, nor the introduction of any new proposition bearing upon the sub- ject under consideration. — Jour. 1573., 15. Appeals froin the decisions of the chair cannot be taken after the intervention of other business. ^Jouk. 1620. 16. A printed pamphlet purporting to be the proceedings of a Grand Body,"cannot be received as an official paper unless authenti- caied''by the seal and the' signatures of the officers of that Body.— Jour. 1712. ' ' - \ ' " " '/' 17. When a proposition has been divided, and its first braiich adopted, the other remaining branch or branches are still open to discus- sion and amendment, unless the previous question be pending. — Jour. 1717.' '"■" ■" ^' '' "" "" 18. A resolution which proposes to initiate legislation by withdraw- - ing'a paper from a standing committee and referring it to a special committee, is not a privileged question.. ^Jour. 1718. 19. After the chair has announced the result of a viva voce vote a , division of; the . Grand^ Lodge cannot be caUed. — Jour. 1719. 20. When a motion for the indefinite pbstporiement of a proposition is alone pending, if the previous question be ordered it brings the body to a direct vote upon the original proposition.— Jouk. i746:;,/'":j,;\;:::^ w ^ ' ' ..r'^-,^^^ ,.\.r'. ' ' 21. A motion to refer being debatable under the riiles, cannot claim precedence of the previous question; the object and use of ,' which is to control debate. t— Jour. 1768. •- >/ ' 22. A proposed' amendmeiit of the Constitution which has laid over for one year must be considered, even if a similar proposition has been rejeoted.-^JouR. 1774. i '! 23. A proposition which has been rejected cannot be renewed at the same session. — Jour. 1784, 1785, 1791. :■ i . , .^ i ' 24. The, degree of Rebelsah taying been adopted by a majority vote as a mere sid0, degree orj privilege, and hot as an amendment to the I regular, work of the Ord(2r, may at anytime be es- 'punged by a majority vote,— Jour. 1793, 1794'. 25. A newly elected Representative, unless he be a Past Grand Sire, cannoit be' recognized as a member oi" be allowed to take part in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the United States, until his credential^, have been received and hi^ right to a seat tliereinis^ acknowledged by that Grand Body. — Joue. 1829, „,.*-,.; I'j)'.':.' s :. \ -.,■;... 8 114 ' A DIGEST OF THE LAWS "oF THE ' ' OKDER— DECISIONS ON POINTS OF-^^oontinued.' "'-.,,''' ' 26; Past Grand Sires bein^ permanent members of the Grrand' Lodge of tie United States are '(when in attendance |on tbat Grand Body) competent' to serve' oii"committees and perforrA'any other .. ,,, djities.that may be assigned,,tbem,by;tliei Grand. Lodge before their credentials as .Grand.Repriegentatives have .been reported on. — JoTTK. 1830. 27. A Grand Representatiy;e, .ele,oted, for two years and admitted to . his seat at the first session of: his, term may resume his seat at the next annual session, unless the feand Lodge. ofith^ United States shall have been informed that he has since incurred dis- • rM|./ qualification. ^^JouE. 19'83.f> /^o-f-; ■'.i-'i n"iti.-,fur.rt.| a ,i'h\ li . • 28. TVien there is a motion before the Grand Lodge a motion to suspend the rules is not in order. — Jour. ,2162. ,, j,. . 29. A motion, to die on the table is a priviledged; question, and the ,, previous question does not take precedence ofit.— Joun. 2263. ' I ■• !■ ■ ...'•■..' ! " • .' ' >;i ■ ■■ . ■■■ ';,''■ 30. The question being on a motion to reconsider, debate on the r;-/ merits of ,the subject is not in order. — Jour. 2467. ;; / 31'. The'^ Representative of a Grand' Lodge which is a party to an jj;;,, appeal,, may vote on the appeal, the Representative being him- ,,..;,; self.. interested, ill the questioii, — ^Jotra. 2504., ..nn ,: ,; 32." A Resolution that'all State, District and Territorial i&rand Lodges shall have jurisdiction over all suspended members' residing within their respective lirdits, and'jnayi'prescribe.th'e terms upon ' fi) which they may be reinstated, is; not ini older,- being in conflict with Article X¥I," Section 4, of the Constitution. — Jotjr. 2612. 33. A protest from members of a Grand Body against the eligibility i;i-. of a brother ^claiming to be its; Representative is in the nature of an appeal, and may be considered,- althoiigh there is' no con- testant of the seat claimed. — Jour., 2668. .b .'- l\,-i,'-3i!'jz -J'' i'iLfr.-J ! >i ~ . '- li'Dtl '.'A. !'pi;!7? ai:.'i. ".qOT..; /. 'J 34. A motion to strilie out- S,'pendiii''g 'resolution and insert' a substi- tute, or to adopt a substitute in lieu of a pendingj resolution, '" ' ■ ' ' although' tbe substitute covers the whole"' ground ' o? the ' original . ''', resolutio'n if 'it pr'eyaiU' does not avoid the necessity of acting ■■ ' tipb'n tbq. substitute, but oiily places the'substi,tute before the Body for its a'ction irisi!ead of the original resolution.— 2669. 35. On , -all; questions .other than the. election ,of Gra,ndj.OiEcers a ,i. Representative may vote for his absent colleague.— 7--JonK. 3237. 36.'' A resolution ^0 give the honors , of th6 Order to District Deputy - ' Grand" Mlas't'ers 'being a prop'osiiibft ' to' 'cfiange the |?^^,et work , requires a unanimous vote of the Grand Lodge.— ^our. 3256. '., QEAND LODGE OP THE UNITED STATES. 115 ORDEE— DECISIONS' ON' POINTS t»F— continued/ '''' • ' '- i "Stl It is noi competent for the chair to decide any question iiivolving the coDstraJtion of the 'Coiastitution-of a State Grand Lodge. ■ ' '— -JouB. 3266;'"':'' "^ '■ '"."■"■■' ™' "'' '"■"' '■■"" ''-">'■ '■' III ; i'):>Z'. " l-;,ii.j;i U,mhiv, i[-y:v.i-s\y.'\ \t'i,.i' \ -n^ 38. A proposition in the 'affirmative form ha-vingi been' rejected, the same proposition in a,n6gative form is not in order. — Jour. ;/ ';326§, 3270; ,„ ;; ,:,,„,;;■,:,;.,.,,,,,;,,,;,:,,;:,;■■ f,o9i It is not competent for theiGrand Lodge of the, tTmied States to ■,| .|^^ incur' expenses fo|J)^,3,ssess6djupoii.Grand Representatives. — I JouE. 333'8;'' " "',' ■''''',',' ''f "/',"!' / "I' -"-' ■•'"•"', L' ■'/!: -!, .:i ■ :; r;1i,'i 'iiili' ) -f.' !.|il;l r) A''U,/\ '■]',< jv,;, lii; ») PASSWOED— ANNUAL- iTRAVELINGvr .,;•„■ ..'i ..,{ v,:™- 1. 'The, A. T. P) W; was' adopted for'th^ protection Of the Order, and is one of the tests by'which 'traveling brothers are tried. '■''' ■''' _ It is selected by the'Grand''Sirfe,-ahd'gbes''into use on the first of- Januairy, ahniiallyl-^DiGES'T or 1847, page 84,' '35. .M..;; ."''. ; 2. It is the duty of the Gi^and Sire to communicate the A.^ T. P. W. .', . , ,' .'to the Grand Re^r'esentatiTfeS of the several jurisdictions at each ' ■ annual session 'of the Grand' Lodge ^'o^; the United Slates; and '_ ' ', '' it is the dWy of the Grand Representatives to impart it to the ,' ' Grand Masters and Grand Patriarchs of thieir resj)ective States and Territories.' ', If st' State be without a Grand' 'Representative the Grand Sire iiiHsli.trans'mit th'e word iri dii'^ season, through some safe channel^ to the State authorities', (if there be any,) ',,,' , or, to the N9ble; Grand of, each -Lodge and Chief Patriarch of ,,, I, j;,., each Encampnie,nt,;(vorking.under the jurisdiction of the Grand ,, , . ,., Lodge, of the tjnitei.iState^.-pDiGEST or 1847,, page 35. .l-ji,'.;- ;■:■ >.■ ,, . ■• --...r^^ 3. The A. T. P. W. is designed only for the use of brothers travel- • .jr ingibeyqndijthe limits of jtheir ,oyn jurisdictions;, and in order ,;; ivi .: that such brotherg-may be properly insfcructeji ;iJiit, |Cind visiting brothers from other jurisdictions properly examine4,,the Noble Grand and Vice Grand of each Lodge, and the Chief Patriarch and Senior Wardep of pach Bncampnient are priyately put in possession of i^ai their irisfallation, that they may be qualified '' to give or receive ifc The Grand Master and Grand Patriarch ' ' of a Statci,' and their depiitie's, -should also bfe in pbsse'ssion of it. —By-Laws,' Article XILY'."'' '<^''- •■['■' : m,;--,!, --f 4." Nb''ibrother can- bei' permitted fo''visit' or deposit his'card in a Lod^e or Encafapment out of the State iir' which he resides 'witHoiit proving himself in A. T. P.' Wi', atid in the degree in ■Which the Lodge is 'open.- But'- elective Grand' - Officers or Gir'and Representatives may in'trOd-iiee visiting btetbren without the 'password' or card.— B-j-'L'iwS, Article XI¥; '■■''■ 116 . ^ DIGEST OF THE LAWS OP THE PASSWOED— ANNUAL TEAVELING— continued. 5. It is the duty of chief officers of Subordinate Lodges and En- campments to give the A. T. P. W., or cause it to be given, to such members as are entitled to receive it. A Grand Master or Grand Patriarch cannot impart it except in the mode pre- scribed in their oflScial duties.^ — Jour. 1199, 1251. 6. As a general rule the A. T. P. W. can only be given by a Noble Grand or Chief Patriarch to the members of their ovrn Bodies respectively. But upon presentation of a proper card, with a letter of request in the form prescribed from the Noble Grand or Chief Patriarch, under the seal of the Lodge or En- campment to which the brother who presents them belongs, it is the duty of the Noble Grand or Chief Patriarch, as the case may be, to whom the same are presented, to give to such bro- ther the A. T. P., W.„ and he cannot refuse to confer it unless in some extreme case, of when the traveling brother is known to have committed some criininal act subsequently to the date of the card.— Jour. 1029, 1058, 2103, 2146, 2177, 3537, 3560, 3561. 7. The Noble Grand of a Lodge should examine an applicant for membership by card as to his knowledge of the A. T. P. W., unless he shall have been previously examined therein as a visiting brother, or by the cominittee to whom his application has jseen. referred; and under the terms of the fourteenth arti- cle of the By-Laws it is, necessary he should be in possession of it.— JoDR. 2104, 2147, 2177, 3461, 3479, 3480. 8. A brother holding a withdrawal card from a Lodge is entitled to the A. T. P. W. in use at the time the card is granted, and retains the right to visit with the same password for one year. —Jour. 2560,2626, 2664. . , - , . „ 9. Th|, Grand Sire has no legal right to authorize a Grand Master to give the A. T. P. W. to a brother holding a withdrawal card:— Jour. 3513, 3558, 3587. PASSWOED— SEMI-ANNUAL OE teem:. ' 1. State Grand Lodges may change their term password quarterly instead of semi-annually, whenever in their judgment it shall be deemed expedient to do so. — Jour. 1400, 1518. 2. A Noble Grand has no right to admit a member of another Lodge in his State jurisdiction without th^ term password, but he may admit a member of his own Lodge without said, word if not , disqualified under- the local law by arrears of dues. And whenever a member of his own Lodge presents himself at the door of the Lodge without the. word it is the duty of the Noble GEAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 117 PASSWORD— SEMI-ANNUAL OR TERM— continued. Grand, after he shall have ascertained from the proper financial officer that the brother is not disqualified from receiving it, to direct his admission.— Jour. 1840, 1897, 1952, 3067, 3108, 3124. 3. The Grand Officers of State Grand Lodges, when visiting Sub- ordinate Lodges under their own jurisdiction, must give at the outside door the same password that is required of other bro- thers, for the reason that it is impossible the Grand Officers can be personally known to the entire brotherhood of any State jurisdiction.— Jour. 1992, 2114, 2170. 4. Past Grands deputed to officiate as Grand Officers at the instal- lation of the officers of a Subordinate Lodge, and such other members of a Grand Lodge as may assemble to aid in those ceremonies, are required to give before entering the ante-room the same password demanded' of other brothers. But after the Lodge has been duly informed by the Grand Marshal of the presence in the ante-room of the installing officer, no password should be required of them at the inner door,^-JouR. 1840, 1897, 1952. 5. A member of an Encampment who has received only the Patri- archal degree is entitled to the semi-annual password of that branch of the Order.-^ouK. 2103, 2145, 2177. 6. The term password must be given in the Lodge room to any brother temporarily acting as Warden by authority of the pre- siding officer, whether such brother be clothed in the Warden's regalia or not. — Jour. 2144, 2175. 7. The local law must determine whether a member of a Subordi- nate Lodge must have his account settled up to the last day of the past term to entitle him to receive the password of the current term, and also whether, if he is in arrears, he has a right to' sit in his own Lodge prior to suspension without the password.— Jour. 2461, 2483, 2504! 8. If a member of a Lodge improperly obtain ^.the semi-annual password, and thereupon obtain relief of a Lodge of which he is not a member, he is guilty of a double fraud upon the Order, and should be required to refund the money and be subjected to punishment. But it would not be proper to hold a Lodge responsible for funds thus fraudulently obtained. — Jouk. 2776, '.^826, 2832. 7. The officers of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments cannot be installed, nor the term password imparted to them until the returns and payments due from them to their respective Grand liS: .A.DJQES^ 01^ THE LAWS OF THE ^ PASSWOKD— SEMI-ANNUAL OR TERM— oontinuei), , ,r^,_. Bodies are actually made and in the hands, of, the proper offi- cers, or actually in transit to their proper destination. — JouR. - 2643, 2667| .ris,.;" 4^\ '.. ,..[.. -,[..■ ,.-,'! PASSWORD OF THE LADIES' DEGREE. 1 . The ; annual password of the Ladies' Degtee must b'e given by the ladies' at the'oiiter door. — JduR. 1933, 19'62. ' ' '■ ,,/■;'■;'■'' / ■■ ■' . " . -^'='1 ■■■•■■ ■■■ ■"■ ■■ ■ '-■■■; PAST GRaMs AND, OTHER, PAST OEEICE^^^^^^^ , 1 . State Grand Lodges ! are' prohibited frorcf , conferring ; the Past Grand's or Grand Lodge degree for a pecuniary consideration, ' 'or for any consideration: 'other' th'an the'regular perforinanoe of '"' seT-viob in the Noble' Grahd's chair. ^— By-Laws, iAExiGLEXXIII. ill" ': III - .; ! II ■■ - , ■ Ml' -,.. ^ .1 ;..,!,,, ..,;;,,,, ,.„(|,, ,_^ 2. Serviee-as Noble Grand, for a full, tei^iii, «r for .the remnant of a ' ' term to fill a vacancy created by the resignation. of, the regular ' of&ber,! or for a majority of the nights of a .term in a ngw or re- . - vived Lodge, entitles a brother, to the rank of , Past Grand, and to a 1 seat in his Grand Lodge;-HJo,t[B,-. ,649,,,794^ 913, 952, 1198, 1245, 1443, 1475, 1511. ' ' ' ' ' ^,,m .71 - ,' 3. AU: Past, Grands in. good;. standing are. entitled to, seats in their : Grand- Lodges j I though their right to, vote on. matters, of legis- lation mliyibe restricted, to a Representa,tive,|)asis.i.,,,They can- not however be deprived of the privileges belonging to their ; rank; viz':' their 1 right to visit their, Grand Lodges jtheirright W vote for Grand, Officers; ■ their eligibiUty to office, and their -.; fight Ito. past official degrees.— Jour. 1084, 1097, 1119, 1289, 1321, 1756, 1785, 1803.: .J ! rj , .,' .tr,,, ,,, ..'i "4. Past'. Grands of' other' p&st officers on whom. devolve legislatTve '.'■'■ powers and other privileges, cannot surrender them to any other ' ' Bodyinthe'Order'.— JOTJK. il99rl289. 111! ! ^ ,; 5. A Junior^ Past Grand is, not strictly an lofficer of a Lodge, but may be elected a Representative to his Grand Lodge, and being required to occupy the Past Grand's cbair for one term, and to ' deliver t]je Past Grand's. charge atinitiatioiis, it is notiproper to elect hitn to any office in the Lodge, — Joue. 1118, 1286, i' 1317, '3512, 3:558, 3587:., . : i, ' : -I ■,.„',,, ,, , ' ; ;,,r , , : ;(l I , ■■ , ..'■■'•■,_ 6. Past (brands may b^ elected to the chairs of Degre'e Lodges, unless the 'local, la^s prohibit it.— Jour, 1E!39, 1449, 1479. 7. State Grand Lodges may at their discretion make laws allowing Past Grands (who, , are iii good standing) to vote for Grand Officers :ff;ithout teing .present ' at the sessions of their Grand Lodges!— JouK.' 17^6,. 1754, 1803. ', ', ' /.V QKANi:(-lI.ODfi;E .OF, THE UNITED STATES. 11^. PAST GEANDS AND OTHEK PAST, OPEICERS— continubp,. 8., Anj.Pagt ;Graiid;Wlio isa i^ontributing member of a ^^ubio^-dinate Lodge and Subordinate Encampment, and iA [possession of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment Degrees, is eligible to the office of Grariji Sire'.— JoueI 1781, 192Si •■' ' '■!' ' ''■'-' i *- - . • 1' Ti. ,:•. 13. Past, Grands, havg no right .to vote by proxy;-^JouB. 313.3, .v^,,3134.,,, ;,.;„, ..i,,|.,;.r .„,, ,.;.!) ^ i.. ... = ..'-• ^•:.-'! ■ 14. A' Past Gr^nd'i' right -to his eertifieate of 'servicfe', after faithful performance of his 'diities during the term, cannot be subjected v,r„. tp the, ordeal, of a, ballot. — Joue, ,3359. I ^r^. ,.i :[ .j PAST OFFICERS. H -win b t.-w ,„. ,i, ■•. ..( i.. - i.,pnipm,,.' 1. Brothers Cannot be recognized as Past Officers, unless they pro- duce satisfactory proof of service ; and no brother is entitled to the honors of an office unless he shall have, served in such office to the end of the period for which he was elected.^ — Joue. ' " 410;'1198,'1245V :'-■ ' ' "■'' "^ :.i i ' ..■■' ./li "i ; 2. The degrees pertaining to Past Officers, are not to be conferred for any considei-ation other than actual service. — Jour. 562, 581. 3. Past Officers of every descriptiorij wh«ii visitirig Grand or Sub- ordinate Lodges, are .entitled, to wear the, regalia and jewels 120 A DIGEST 01' THE LAWS OP THE PAST OFFICERS— CONTINUED. ■' '•■' • ' pertaining to the highest rank they have attained in the Order. — JoDR. 943, 966'. ' 4. Past Officers may receive their official degrees (hut not the Grand Lodge degree) from a District Deputy Grand Master, or in any other manner authorized by a G-rand Lodge. — Jour. 1016, 1032, 1091. ''■■■', 5. State Grand Lodges are competent to decide as to the amount and character of the evidence to be required before conferring degrees on Past Officers.— Jour. 1202, 1248. • PAST CHIEF PATRIARCHS. " 1. See Past Grands,' as the laws and decisions in regard to Past Grands, so far as they are applicable, equally obtain in the case of Past Chief Patriarchs^ PAST HIGH PRIESTS. 1. Past High Priests are or are not entitled to seats in their Grand Encampments, as their State constitutions may provide". — Jour. 395,660,958,1034,1114,1770,180,5. , 2. A Past High Priest who has been a member of a Grand Encamp- ment under the constitution of one State, is riot thereby qualified^'to becorqe a member of a like Body, on removing to a State whose constitution does not recognize this class of mem- bers.— Jour. 958, 17;70, 1805, ■ ' '■ ■ ' 3. Past High Priests are eligiblei as members of conventions to petition for Grand Encampments. — By-Laws, Article V. PAST GRAND SIRES. 1. Past Grand Sires are members for life of the Grand Lodge of the United States ; but unless they are Representatives their ex- penses are not paid, nor have, they the privilege of voting.— Constitution, Article X, B,y-LAWS^ Article ,Xyn,, , 2. Past Grand. Sires being perinanent members of the' Grand Lodge of the United States, are (when present) competent to serve on committees or perform any other duties assigned them before , their credentials as Representatives have been reported on. — Jour. 1830,. ' ,, > PATRIARCHAL ORDER. , 1 . The precedence which has been usually given to the Patriarchal as the most exalted branch of the Order may be departed from under certain circiimstances, so as to confer it upon the Body under whose auspices, or" on whose behalf a procession is or- ganized.^ Jour. 1920, 1932, 1961. See Encampments— Grand and Subordinate. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 121 PENALTIES— FORFEITURES— PINES. 1. The charter of any State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment may be forfeited by a violation of the laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and may bo annulled by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast in that Grand Body^ — Constitution, Article I, Section 3. 2. Any elective officer of the Grand Lodge of the United States failing to appear at the time of installation, forfeits the office to which he has been elected, which must be declared vacant and filled by a new election. — Constitdtion, Article III, Section 3. 3. Any officer or member of the Grand Lodge of the United States may be impeached and tried for unworthy conduct, and if found guilty, may be expelled from office or membership therein ; provided a copy of the charges be furnished to him at least three days before the trial. And while under trial he is debarred the exercise of the duties of his office or the privi- leges of his membership, but may be heard in his own defence. Constitution, Article XI, Sections 1, 2. 4. The Representatives of any Grand Lodge or Grand Encamp- ment that shall be in arrears for dues to the Grand Lodge of the United States, are debarred the privilege of voting in that Grand Body. — By-Laws, Article XI. 5. Subordinate Lodges and Encampments working under the im- mediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, which fail to make their returns for one year, forfeit their char- ters, and the Grand Sire is required to enforce this law.^ — By- Laws, Article XXVIII. 6. An officer cannot be deprived of his office for non-attendance , merely, in the absence of any specific law to that effect. — ' Jour. 1146, 1290, 1816; 1992, 2114, 2169. 7. A member of a suspended or extinct Lodge cannot retain mem- bership in an Encampment nor in any Grand Body. — Jour. 1148, 1291, 1316, 2701, 2804. 8. The punishment to be inflicted upon an officer for official mis- conduct depends upon the nature of his offence. If it be con- duct unbecoming an Odd-Fellow, charges may be preferred and suspension or expulsion awarded ; if otherwise, the local law must determine it. — Jour. 1286, 1318. 9. The abuse of intoxicating drinks has always been condemned by the Order, but a Lodge cannot enact a by-law making the use of them a penal offence. — Jour. 1404, 1503, 1513. 122' A,piGES:5 QI' 'T^E LAWS OF THE PENALTIES— FOEFEITUBES—lINES--GON,TiNraD.. ,, ; ; /', 10. IlodgeSi and , Enpampments violating the .generd, laws, of thair i;jiirisfJfetion;may;be subjected to, such; censure or punishment as , their respective. Grand bodies may inflict. — ^Joue. 1723, 1797. 11. An officer, who -resigns , his statiop- forfeits all it's honors, and his successor, who performs the duties for tlie unexpired term, is ;■ entitled' to ifhe'm ; but if the ofBce b'e a salaried- 'office, the bri3- >'•■ ther by resigning does not forfeit ! the emoluments thtereof for the time of actual service J— Joub. lM0!ii;1897, 1952,;2268, ^! 2328!.''- ,-.r>'M,,. , 1 - ,;.,;:.,,!., rni u vi ; -..lil bin; 12. The propriety of imposing- fines for non-attendance at funerals '-'is a matter, for local Jegislation;, — tJoub. , 1934,, 1962,. ,,,/ ;; 13i The spirit of the Order is opposed to the policy of imposin'g fines , ; for , non-attendance in Subordinate Lodges, but the're' is no : general law, forbidding the imposition of such fines.— Jouii. ,22i5;2264, 2327'. :''"'. ', ' ^ " '•;": '"\ 14. A'member under charges is not prohibited from participating in the work of a Lodge. The only effect- of undecided chatges is to deprive a brothe^ of his right to a card; and where the charged 'bear upon his right to 'benefits, to' siispend tile pa;^ ment of beni^fits until the final. decisioni^^oijE. 2132, 2174;' 2859, '292'6,' 2963'. '-■ '"' " ''■ '' " " " '■ ' ■ •■ n"'-' '-'ii 15. An officer of the. Qrand Jjodge, of the United ,States,.or a Grand I Ilepresentative, or;' an officer of a, State Grrand Body forfeits ;., liis' offic^.-by^taiing a, withdrawal -card^'^ the card be im- mediately deppsj;tec[ in his Grand Lodge,' accompanyiilg'a peti- tion for a new Lodge, or in caseof, a change of residence',' unless the card be deposited in som'e Subordinate Lodge hear his ..r^^new plage _pf residence, within one month^.from its date, and. in the meantime the exercise of his official functions is' suspended. — Jo'uR. ' 240.3, . .2460,; . 2481, 2504, 2560, 256'8, 2665,' 2674, 2798, 2799,' 3000. " " '" ' '- '" ' '' " " 16. A Suborjlinate Lodge violating and-refiising to obey the, laws of the Grand Lodge of the United State?, may be expelled there- for, and the Grand Master may demand its charter in the re- eesfe of the Grand Lodge.— Joua; 2404, 2481, 2503. i"!' - 17. A LodgQ , cannot , enforce,, by finei the performance, of the duties of Chaplain, r-JoTJB. 2,4,61,. 2491, 250§. ,,.,,., ;,;,;, 18. Any Subordinate 'Lodge or Encampment violating the pi'ovisions of Article, sixteen; Section, three,, of- the, Constitution; of the , , ! ; ' iGrand Lodge , of the United, St%t0s, upon convictioii i .thereof before, itg appropriate Grand Body,, shall forfeit ancjfpay to the GRANfl, J-ODGE OF THE. UNITED STATES. 123- PENALTIES— EORPEITUKES— FINES— CONTINUED. . , , , Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment mtliin whose jurisdiction . . . ., the person or persons thus illegally^ admitted to membership shall reside, all initiation and degree charges received from such person or persons up to the'"date"bf such conviotiioii.'— Jour. 1 2672. !,:•[ ,„: ',i:il 'Vif/, U:-n;:Ui\]rii i- ^ni •,'! r.ifi:^-''! ' 19. Whether a Lodge failing to pay benefits because of an\exhaustcd treasury thereby forfeits its charter, is a question for local legislatidn.-^ouit.- 2770,2831.--i v!^:, ,« -.■,- h,v,,'i 20. |A Subordinate -Lodge, in assuming to deterinine upon a conflict . ;, between jthe, laws of the Grand Lodge, of the. United States and the laws of its own jurisdiction, and to act upon such determi- ,_,... ^ nation,; wiU.yiplate a^law of it^ own Grand Lodge at its peri^ — ,. , the Grand Lpdge of the,. .United States affording to, such Subor- dinate due, protection upon appeal properly taken. — JouR. 2860, 2926, 2963, 3109, ^124: ,;;,,;,- ,, . i :■,',', ' ,':; See Benefits, Cards, Chaepes,i,Expuisioh-,, Ofitcees,, Suspension, ■ ;, Trial. ■,,,; . ;, .; ,,1:,. >,., j]',,,!^ -j; i) .^-..i;:^ ' -'I: .;riul.-- ,-,i('.:t [,i:i;(:i •, ,--> ■ ,.hiyn : 'm:. ^m-^Ih PRAYER. :..;;i; .!-.■„<• 1. The sessions of the Grand Lodge, of the United States are re- quired to be opened and closed with prayer. — Rules oe Order , ...,,,Nos. 2, 12. r,,:, „,,.„ .„,,,^, , ^„,.,, „, ,,,,„.,;„,,;, ,j ■ 2. All Grand and Subordinate Lodges and Encampments under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United State's 'may, at "'""all times, open andolose their meetings with prayer.— By-Laws, ■ Article' XXL ;■ ■ '" '"''= '"'• ' ' '' ' " ' " " ^y ' '■''■'" 3: Each Subordinate Lodge and Bncampiaent may ' determine for , ■ itself upon, the practicability of opening and closing its sessions ■ with prayer, and may determine upon the form to be used. — Jour. 685, 1032, 1033. ' ' '■ 4. In conferrmg^^egrees in in .Encampment, prayer is an integral part of the work, and cannot be dispense^ with.^JouR. 784, 914, 957, 965, 1033, 2461, 2491, 2508. ' ""■-'-'' ' 5. It isidesirable and eminently proper that a.11, Lodges shquld open and close with prayer — but a Lodge' cannot require the per- formance of the duties- of Chaplain under penalties. — Jour. 2461,2491,2508. ll\r.W{ PROCESSIONS.' !""■;;';':'"" '■ ■' '•';'-•■-'" '■''-' '[' i 1.. The order of arrangement for a, funeral procession is prescribed by law. — iJouR. 961, 962. See Form in Appendix. , 124 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OP THE PEOCESSrONS— CONTINUED. 2. The same arrangement as that prescribed for funeral occasions must be observed in otter processions of the Order as far as it is practicable.— JouE. 962. 3. A brother holding a withdrawal card has no right to join the procession of a Lodge without its consent. — Jodr. 1401, 1471, 1485, 1503, 1513. , 4. Precedence is usually given in processions of the Order to the Patriarchal as the most exalted braiich, but this custom may be departed froni when a procession is organized under and in behalf of a Subordinate Lodge.— JouK. 1920, 1932, 1962. 5. In funeral processions a Grand Representative is not entitled to . precedence over the other officers or members of his Grand Lodge, but niusf; occupy such position as is' assigned to him by the laws of his Grand Body.— Jouk. 2214, 2264, 2327. 6. In processions organized by the Grand Lodge of the United States, that Body and its members take precedence of the officers and members of State Grand Bodies. — Jodr. 2214, 2264, 2327. QUORUM. ' . ' , 1. Representatives from a majority of the whole number of Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments under its jurisdiction are necessary to form a quorum of the Grand Lodge of the United ; States for the transaction of business ;, but a smaller, number may adjourn from day to day, and may receive and act upon credentials, except in cases of contested elections. — Constitu- tion, Article XIII, Section 1. : . 2. Five or more Past Girahds form a quOrum of a Grand Lodge. — Jour. 115, 116. 3. Five or more members form a quorum of a Subordinate Lodge, and seven or more Patriarchs form a quoruni of a Subordinate Encampnient.-— Jour. 410. ' ,' .'[ 4. A majority of a Lodge or Encampment cannot surrender its charter while a quoruni of its members remain willing to work. —Jour. 410. ' REGALIA. 1. All State, District and Territorial Grand Lodges, and Grand Encampments are required to prohibit within their jurisdiction the use of any regalia other than that prescribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. — By-Laws, Article XX. GKAND LODGE OF THE- UNITED STATES. 125 REGALIA — CONTINUED. 2. The regalia of a member of the initiatory degree is a plain white apron, without collar or any other badge of distinction ; of the five degrees of a Subordinate Lodge, white aprons and white collars trimmed, for the first degree, with white ; for the second degree, with pink; for the third degree, with blue; for the fourth degree, with green ; and for the fifth degree, with scar- let. — By-Laws, Article XXII. 3. AH inembers of a Subordinate Lodge may wear rosettes display- ing the colors of the degrees they have taken. — ^By-Laws, ibid. 4. The official regalia of a Noble Grand is a scarlet collar trimmed with white or silver, and white apron trimmed with scarlet ; of Vice Grand, blue collar trimmed with white or silver, and white apron trimmed with blue ; of Secretary and Treasurer, green collars trimmed with white or silver, and white aprons trimmed with green; of the supporters of Noble Grand and Outside Guardian, scarlet sashes and white aprons trimmed with scarlet ; of supporters of Yice Grand and Inside Guardian, blue sashes and white aprons trimmed with blue ; of the War- den and Conductor, black sashes and white aprons trimmed with black ; of the Chaplain and Scene Supporters, white sashes and white aprons trimmed with white. ^By-Laws, ibid. 5. The regalia of Past Grands is a scarlet collar and white apron trimmed with scarlet, or scarlet apron trimmed with white or silver. If of the royal purple degree the trimming may be of yellow metal.^— By-Laws, ibid. 6. The regalia for members of the patriarchal and golden rule de- grees in the Encampment is black gloves and black aprons. For members of the royal purple degree, black gloves, black aprons and purple collars, trimmed with gold lace or fringe. P. C. Patriarchs wear purple collars or sashes, and aprons as ^ aboye described. — By-Laws, ibid. 7. Thfe regalia of a Grand Eeprese'ntative is a purple velvet collar, not over four inches wide, with a roll of scarlet velvet — the trimmings of white and yellow metal — the collar united in front by three links, to which may be suspended such jewel as the member is entitled to wear. — By-Laws, ibid. 8. Past Grand Kepresentatives and officers, and Past Officers of the '■' Grand Lodge of the United States wear the same regalia as Grand Eepresentatives.— Bt-Laws, ibid. 9. The jewel of a Grand Eepresentative or Past Grand Representa- tive is a medal three inches in diameter, having on one side the coat of arms of his State, surrounded by an ornamental edging of silver.— By-Laws, ibid. • -1'26 ■■'J' ADIGESi OP TUE LAWS OF THE'' REG-ALIA— CONTINUED. '•'■' ' ' ' ' '' '■ ' ^'' '-''' ' :> lO.'The jewel bf a Grtod Sire or Past Grrati&'Sire'is tlie same as' that '■' - of a Grand Eepreseritative, except tHat tlie' coat of atms of the !■•'■■• '" United :'Stat^y''is''r^fc'rkeiited'''bn^'6iie'- side of the mfe'dal.— Bv- !-"^- Latv^s, ibidC 'i''-" ■'■^'^'>^' '■■■■■'■ -"'^ •!"* ,1/Mi.i.i;;, -Tulu," ,f|( i,'i .'i);(.| I'li'rii .■ri-r-'i!; !"riili -;ij ■".! ; ;it;. 127G, "■■"'■111'' 1 rch"i' ■" "■' '"'■ -'"'■'■"^ ' "'"■■' ■'" ..■imA*?"?'!,!' ''id' i,!I.;-wl 'K/iV. ■i(,;vl"MO.iclIJ'-'l.. .-.■'Ui-rt-i ;:"V 13. .The. jewel of a Grand' Patmrch,, Grand Higbjljfiest.and other [^ . '. officers of a. Grand Encampment ikadouble ^ri^ngle„of yellow ' " metal,', with 'a representation; in, th«i jCentre thereof; o^ an altar ' and' cross crooks for a Grand Patriarch, a ibreast plate for Grand , (111- ,1, High; Priest, .crossed crooks, for. Grand Senior Wardfeii, single ,, lu!,',- crook for ;Grand Junior; Wardettj.: bross pens for;Grand Scribe, ,j 1,1 ,-,, cross keyK for Grand Treasurery, tsrossed swoMs for .Grand Sen- tinel. The jewels for, officers of ra, Suhordinate' Encampment I I are single triangles; and in, other , respects distinguished as for "'" ■""■' those of aiGrandEiicWpment'.—JoTO., '^52^943, '965', 966. '"''' r4. Filiieral regalia consistsJ'bf'a'black crape' rosette 'having a centre ■'-"''' of the color of the highest d'egre'6 iii which' the' Nearer has at- -■'' ■■"''''!' tainted, to be worn on the left 'b?east, with a sprig of evergreen above, and such jew^r'dr 'je'wdls" as the brother may be entitled III) i' tdweai^jjsuspended; below;. [..Grand Lodges may, at their dis- .1 ti cretion,. permit' the ordinary regalia to be; worn at funerals, '.j...; 'h either, in' coniiection with or aS a substitute for this .simple re- Mi; '. ! galia;.— JotJR; 784, 961, 962, 1115, 1126, 1194,. 1239, 1243, 2462, 2483, 250.4J-/a-'-. ■.;;'/,■/ ..i !..!;, .■;!■. -.i . -'uii-i , , : 15. The ordinary mourniflg. badge to, b.e worn, by brothers in .memory t ;.-, of a deceased brother. is a strijf of black qrapjfe passed through one button-hole, of, the. leftjlappel of the coat; tied, with a nar- row ribbon of the color of the highest degree the wearer has -'.'ii--''" attained.— iBib: ■.■■i^-)rr.-,i'j'>;! !.<("■;;•>■ ;. -.vru, "!' .;;.,;.; [, iro -:i,':' I.:'! " i'"M;f(;i' i;: ^.•■i!-iin ■ "DiiJ l.'.'.'^.u i -.r i.n !.'f'il6. Past Officers and inembers'of the Encampment degrees, and all other members of the Order when' visititfg Graiid orSubordi- GRAND LODGiE OP THE UNITED S'tATES. -127 REGALIA— coNTiNOED. \y:.'.\',A'\ .: -.z;;;] ' ''"'l'- ''hate Lodges or Encampments, are entitled to wear the regalia ""'I'' ''and jewels'' pertaining to. tHe Highest degree they have taken. '^■■"i'l'^ "'i4^y^liiWgi"AtiTl!eLB XXIV.' ■"-''•' ^-^ Mifi ; , .-;/;.,, ,' ,ZiiI-l Vvn-,-.'/) .^•jJIiJf', li'jiiM I ■,:\', 'ii 'J_'jvi.l ill'l/jl.) wH I'i 17. Grand Representatives cannot he recognized in tkeGi'and Lodge of the. United StateSj nor permitted to speak or vote therein, ." • ' ■ ' unless clothed in regalia appropriate to their rank and station . — " ^' ■' Rules ot'OEDER Nos. 2, 91 /" , ■'■; ' ' ■' " ;-''- -'■', ■■ 18.' The Encalapiil'ent regalia" (except by visitors) ban only be worn ' ■ in an Bricampment-; but inembbrs of a' Grand Lodge' who have received the Royal ■ Purple degree may -wear' the colors of the , Encampment in a Grand Lodge.— Joue. 254, 276, 281. 19. Grand Lodges are required to enact laws restricting processioDS ' ' and public displays in regalia within their jurisdictions. — Jour. 392, 661, 777, 804; ' l''M '•' '" v- ' '■-' . 20. All Grand and Subordirlate Lodges and Encainpmeilts are re- quired to fui-nish their officers with-the jewels appertaining to their stations, and while in session to require their members to '; '• " Fe"clothed in' suitable regalia. — Jouk. 1290.' '''-''' ''''■' 21. The emblems of the Order catinot be used in connection with ■" ■'■■" a'iiy advertisement or'publid display that does, hot appertain to " ' -' i • I the wants of the 'Order ;—JouB.: 1401, 1471, 1485.- 22. A Vice Grand who temporarily occupies the chair of the Noble ■' "'-0 Grand is not only entitled but is required to wear the regalia ■ i' ': "'of that officer.— JouR. 1443, 1475:, 15il>-: ^i: tu '•'IL' I .11: :;iiii; jijuf— .:!■! .1 Liun^ - 'to 23. Any brother, whether a Past Grand or otherwise, when occupying ; jj > 1 1"'.' temporarily a subordinate station in a Lodge,, should'/wear the '' f'l! i regali^ appropriate" to such station ; but if a .Past Grand thus ', i ■.,;-"' acting temporaTily as Warden should, not,' be clQthed in the "Warden's "regaliai' & brotheriwotdd'not.bd:ijuStified;in refusing to sive him the password. — JouR. 2144, 2175. )...„,. M-^, ,-. , ■: :,.>!,! Ai:. -,.'.,.,.,! 'I,, ■:.,„ A, sn ■„;? ' 24. All' officer whose regalia is' in his chair must enter the room clothed ill regalia suited to.his degrfie in the Order, and at his chair exchange it for his official regalia. — Jour. 2699, 2764, "■' ''''2810.-' ■' ' ■.■■h''I" ■i-'Uv-Hs. Article XIV. 2. When a visiting brother presents himself at the door of a Lodge or Encampment he must send in his card by the Guardian or Sentinel. If the card be authentic, the presiding officer ap- points a committee of three to examine the visitor, one of whom must be an officer known to be in possession of the A. T. P.W., the others of the Scarlet or Royal Purple degree, as the case 140 A DIGESl' OP THE LAWS OF THE VISITORS AND VISITING— continued. may be. The visitor shall be examinediby the proper member of the committee in the A. T. P. W., which must be lettered, the visitor bominencing, and afterwards in the degree in which the Lodge or Encampment is open. — Jouk. 690. 3. If the examining committee be satisfied they will introduce the brother into the Lodge or Encampment without further cere- mony.— Jour. 912, 1086, 1114, i 4. A test oath or other obligation is no part of the mpde of examin- ing a visiter, and any. Lodge or Encampment introducing such requirement is liable to censure.— : Jour. 1070, 1074. 5. Brothers who have obtained the Grand Encampment degree by • service in the Grand Lodge of the -United States only, are not thereby entitled to be admitted as visitors to a Grand Encamp- ment.— Jour. 1148, 1192, 1316-. ... 6. Brothers are not entitled to visit Lodges upon cards issued by Encampments — neither can they visit Encampments upon cards granted by Lodges.— Jour. 1150, 1291, 1316. 7. Visitors cannot be introduced until the Lodge or Encampment is regularly opened.^ — Jour. 1197, 1244. : ; i- 8. A brother presenting proper "credentials is entitled to be adinitted as a visiter, and cannot be denied admittance to other Lodges if cdri^edt'^in the work,' upon the ground of illegal initiation. If his conduct is unbecoming or objectionable, his Lodge should be informed of it, and charges preferred against him.^ — Jour. 1710, 1723, 1797, 1844, 1885, 1948, 2730, 2756, 2788, 2787, 2818. "" ' ' : • '--■ ^. ■ ' 9. Visitors may be examined every ni|ht they present themselves, but it is not imperative upon the Lodge to make the examina- tion after the first visit with the same card. — Jour. 2561, 2629, 2928, 2963, 2990. 10. A Subordinate Lodge may visit another Lodge in a body when accompanied by one of its two principal ofiScers, who shall in- troduce the members in t^e rnanner provided for the introduc- tion of visiting brethren by elective Grand Officers. — Jour; ' 2792, 2828, 2910, 2990. ^ ^ See Cards — Visiting and 'Withdrawal — Password. GKANlJ LODGE OP THE UNITED STATES. 141 VOTES AND VOTING— Is the Gkand Lodge of the United ■ States. ' I ' ' ' 1. A unanimous vote in the Grand Lodge of the United States is required to amend the unwritten work, and a vote of four-fifths is' required to change or amend the written work of the Order. , — CoNSTiTDT^ibN, Aeticle I, Section 5; 2. In the Grand Lodge of the United States all propositions to amend the Constitution require a three-fourths vote, upon a call of the yeas and nays, and all propositions to amend the By-Laws ai two-thirds vote to adopt them. — Constitotion, Ar- ticle" XXI. ' ' ' . - ' 3. All other questions in the Grand Lodge of the United States are decided by a majority vote.— Constitdtion, Article XIII, Section 6'.' 4. Voting for officers in the Grand Lodge of the United States is by ballot, a majority of all the votes cast being necessary to a choice ; all other voting is viva voce or by yeas and nays, as the Grand Lodge may determine. — ^Constitution, Article III, Section 1 ; Article XIII, Section 5. 5. The yeas and nays may be ordered in the' Grand Lodge of the United States by one-fifth of the members present, and when ordered are required to be entered on the Journal. — Constitu- tion, Article Xm, Section 5. ■(.' H I 6. On all questions arising in the Grand Lodge of the United States every duly authorized Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment is entitled to one vote by its Representative, and if it have over one thousand members in good standing under its jurisdiction, ' two votes.— -Constitution, Article IX, Section 2. 7. No officer of the Grand todge of the United States is entitled V to vote therein except the Grand Sire, and he only in case of a tie vote. — Constitution, Article HI, Section 5. 8. Past Grand Sires, though permanent members of the Grand Lodge of the United States, have no privilege of voting therein unless they be Representatives.— CoNSTiTUTioN, Article X. 9. N^o Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment which is in arrears for monies due the Grand Lodge of the United States is allowed to vote therein by its Representatives. — Bt-Laws, Article ;: XL, , ;■„,,; ,_, ,, ,'',""■ ' ^ - 10. Ill the Grand Lodge of the United States no Representative is allowed to vote unless clothed in appropriate regalia and at the seat assigned to him, — Rule or Order No. 19. 142 A DIGEST OS IHE LAWS OF THE VOTES AND. VOTING— CONTINUED. , ., , 11. After the result of a vote is announced by the 0rand Sire no Representative can cast his vote .except by unanimous consent. — EuLE OF Order No. 36. , , 12. Any membei? who voted with tke majority may call for a recon- sideration of a vote at the same session, and if sustained by a : 1 majority of all the votes, the reconsideration shall be carried. ■— Rul;b of Order No, 30. 13. Every member of the Grand Lodge of the United States is bound to vote unless excused by a vote of the Body. — Rule of Order No. 34. 14. In voting for; officers in the Grand Lodge of the Ufiiited States, the practice of dropping the candidate wto receives the lowest number of votes is not recognized. — Jour. 1907. 15. A Representative from a Grand Body that is entitled to two votes may vote for an absent colleague on questions of legislation, but not in elections for Grand Officers. — Jour. 3207, 3237. VOTES AND VOTING— In State Graud Bodies, 1. A State Grand Lodge may enact a constitutional provision re- quiring votes to be taken at its discretion by individual Past Grands or by Representatives of Lodges. — Jour. 1125, 1126. 2. Grand Lodges may make laws allowing Past Grands to vote for Grand Officers without being present in their Grand Lodge. — Jour. 1737, 1754, 1803. - ' . ■ i . ' " ' , 3. A revised forni of constitution for a Grand Body prepared by a special committee can only be adopted by such proportionate vote and other forpalities as is required to amend the consti- tution it proposes to displace. — Jour. 2103, 2116, 2170, 2173. 4. A resolution prescribing the manner in which an article in a constitution shall be construed ckn only be passed by the same proportionate vote and by the same formalities required to adopt an amendment to the constitution, because its effect would be equivalent to such an amendment. — Jour. 2103, 2118, 2170, 2172. ' '■■"',,,'■ 5. Grand Lodges in organizing for legislative business upon a re- presentative basis, may confer upon their elective officers the privilege of speaking and voting upon all questions that may arise therein, but such officers are not entitled to this privilege ex-qfftcio.—JovR. 2249, 2265, 2327, 2468, 2501. GRAND LODGE OP THE tMJlTED STATES, 143 VOTES AND VOTING— ooNTimjED. 6. Although Past Graiids cannot be deprived of their right to vote for Grand Officers, it is nevertheless competent for a Grand Lodge, which by its Constitution is a representative body, to limit the right of voting to Representatives in the Grand Lodge after all the Past Grands of the jurisdiction have had an oppor- tunity of voting in their respective Lodges and have failed to make an election.— Jouk. 290a, 2953, 2967, 2974, 2975, 7. Where -the Constitution of a State Grand Lodge determines the number of Representatives a Subordinate Lodge is entitled to send to the Grand Lodge, upon a call for a vote by Lodges, any number of Representatives present may cast the entire vote to which the Lodge is entitled, and the majority of those present may determine what the vote shall be. — Jouk. 2965, 2966, 2981. 8. When the constitution of a State Grand Lodge declares ' ' The members of this Grand Lodge shall be Past Grands who have been in conformity to this constitution duly and regularly elected as representatives of Lodges respectively, or chosen as proxies," Past Grands who have not been elected and certified as repre- sentatives of their Lodges, (no matter what their standing in the Order,) are not entitled upon a call for a vote by Lodges to vote for their Lodges upon a proposition to amend the constitu- tion.— Jour. 3090, 3091, 3114. . 9. Where the Constitution of a State Grand Lodge requires a ma- jority of two-thirds to adopt an amendment thereto, but does not expressly declare it shall be a vote of two-thirds of the en- tire jurisdiction, a majority of two-thirds of the Lodges pre- sent, upon a vote by Lodges, is sufficient to adopt a proposed amendment. — Jouk. 3092, 3115. ,^ VOTES AND VOTING— In Suboedinate Bodies. 1. The holding of office in a Grand Lodge does not deprive a mem- ber of his privilege of voting in his Subordinate Lodge. — Jour. 776, 803, 1404, 1503, 1513. 2. If charges are preferred against a brother applying for a with- drawal card, the vote on the application should not be taken Until the charges are withdrawn or a trial had upon them. — Jour. 1992, 2115, 2170. 3. When the Constitution of a Lodge requires a majority of the votes cast to elect to office, blank votes must be counted, and the candidate, to be successful, must have a majority of all the ballots or votes, blank votes included. — Jour. 2859, 2926, 2963. 144 A DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE VOTES AND VOTINa— CONTINUED. 4, When the By-Laws of a Lodge require that the candidates on a second ballot shall be confined to the two highest on the first ballot, all votes cast for other candidates on the second ballot are illegal and void, and must be excluded from the poll. — ■ Jour. 2928, 3121, 3135. 5. Where the local law requires a vote of two-thirds to expel a member, members actually present but excused from voting must be reckoned in the count, and as voting in the negative. —Jour. 8091, 3092, 3115. See Ballot, Cards, Lodges, Membership, OrriCERS. WITHDRAWAL. 1. The name of an applicant for membership cannot be withdrawn after the investigating conmiittee have made their report, nor after the report has been recommitted, if a recommittal is found necessary. — Jour. 1150, 1291, 1316. 2. Whether the consent of the Lodge is necessary to the \Tithdrawal of the name of an applicant for membership before the report ' of the investigating committee is made is a question for the legislation of State Grran4 Lodges. — Jour. 1743, 1798. 3. Any member in good standing may withdraw from his Lodge or Encampment by taking a withdrawal card, or by written resig- nation. If by withdrawal card, he retains a quasi membership for twelve months. If by resignation, his connection with the Order is entirely severed, and he becomes at once an ancient Odd-Fellow.— Jour. 1398, 1401, 1449. 1476, 1511, 1722, 1797, 2859, 2696, 2963. 4. A brother who has applied for a withdrawal card may withdraw the application at any time before the vote on granting it is taken.— Jour. 1634, 1655. , , See Ancient Odd-Pellows, Withdrawal Cards, Membership. WITNESS AND WITNESSES. 1. A wife, cannot be admitted as a witness against her husband. — J6uR. 655, 656. 2. A woman divorced a "wwcuZi m(x2 RULES OF ORDER. 12. The above order of business may be dispensed with at the dis cretion of the Lodge ; when the business is concluded, the Grano Chaplain shall offer a prayer, and the Deputy Grand Sire shall proclaim the Grand Lodge duly closed. 13. No motion shall be subject to debate until it has been seconded anil stated by the Chair. — It shall be reduced to writing at the request of any member. 14. When a question is before the Lodge no motion shall be re- ceived — unless it be to adjourn, to lie on the table, the previous ques- tion, to refer, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a certain time, or to amend ; and the motions just enumerated shall take precedence in the order of enumeration. The first three shall be decided without debate. 15. On a call of Representatives of three States, Districts, or Terri- tories, a majority of the Lodge may demand that the previous question shall be put, which shall always be in this form : '■'■Shall the main question he noio put ? " and, until it is decided, no further debate shall take place, and the vote shall be taken, first, on any amendments that may be pending, and next, on the final question. 16. When the reading of any paper or other matter is called for, and the same is objected to by any member, it shall be determined by vote of the Lodge, without debate. 17. Before putting a question the presiding oflicer shall ask, "Is the Lodge ready for the question ?" If no member rise to speak, and a majority of the Lodge are ready for the question, he shall rise and put it. While the presiding officer is putting a question, or addressing the Lodge, none shall walk out of or across the room, nor entertain pri- vate discourse ; and after he shall have risen to put it no member shall speak upon it. 18. The presiding officer, or any member doubting the decision of a question, may call for a division of the Lodge, but a division cannot be called for after the Chair has announced the result of a vote. 19. No member shall be permitted to speak or vote unless clothed in regalia according to his rank and station, and occupying his seat at the place designated for him. 20. During the progress of a ballot for an officer no motion can be entertained, or debate or explanation permitted. 21. Every officer and member shall be designated by his proper title or office, according to his standing in the Order. ' 22. Every member, when he speaks or offers a motion, shall rise and respectfully address the presiding officer; and while speaking he shall confine himself to the question in debate, avoiding all personali- ties and indecorous language, as well as all reflections upon the Lodge or any of its members; 23. Should two members rise to speak at the same time, the Chair shall decide which is entitled to the floor. And no member shall inter- rupt or disturb another while speaking, unless to call him to order for words spoken. 24. If a member while speaking shall be called to order, he shall at RULES OF ORDER. 23 the request of the Cha.it take his seat until the question of order is determined, when, if permitted, he may proceed again. 25. The decisions of the Chair on points of order may be appealed from by any member, which point-of order shall be reduced to writing and handed to the Chair; and in such cases the question shall be, "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Lodger" 26. No member shall speak more than twice on the same question, until all the members wishing to speak have had an opportunity to do so. 27. When a ' petition, memorial, or communication is presented, a brief statement of its contents shall be made by the introducor or the Chair ; and, after it has been read, a brief notice of its purport shall be entered upon the journal. 28. When a blank is to be filled, the question shall be taken first upon the highest sum or number, and the longest or latest time pro- posed. 29. Any member may call for the division of a question when the isense will admit. 30. Any member who voted with the majority may call for a recon- sideration of a vote at the same session at which it was passed ; and, if sustained by a majority of all the votes, the reconsideration shall be carried. 31. No matter shall be considered at any morning session of the Grand Lodge until all the committees shall have had an opportunity of presenting reports; and the Grand Sire shall call for the reports of committees in the order of their appointment. 32. A committee appointed at one session to perform a duty are bound to report, although some of the members of the committee have ceased to be members of this body. 33. Any member has a right to protest, and to have his protest spread upon the journal. 34. Every member is bound to vote, serve on committees, and ac- cept nominations, unless excused by vote. 35. No member shall be allowed to cast his vote after a ballot has been announced by the Chair unless by unanimous consent. 36. The report of no committee shall be acted upon on the day of its presentation, except reports from the Committee on Credential's ; provided that subjects improperly referred may, without a suspension of this rule, be referred to the appropriate committee. 37. No more than two amendments to a proposition shall be enter- tained at the same time; that is, an amendment, and an amendment to an amendment^ and the question shall be first taken on the latter. 38. Propositions for the amendment of the Constitution, made in conformity with article twenty-one of the Constitution, may be made and entered on the Journal as a matter of course, without any action of the Grand Lodge. This rule shall also apply to all such report.^ of standing committees as are required to lie on the table one day, by rule thirty-six. 24 RULES OP ORDER. / 39. When a report of the Committee of Appeals, or a resoluiioii accompanying the same, is regularly before the Lodge, and action is being had thereon, the statement of facts contained in the report of the cotiimittee and in the record of appeal shall be deemed conclusive, and it shall not be in order to make any statement in debate thereon inconsistent with the facts so stated in such record or report. This rule shall not apply when action is had upon a motion to recommit such report with instructions. i 40. Any proposition offered for reference to any standing committee of this body, which shall require an entry in full upon the Journal, shall be submitted in duplicate, either in print or in manuscript ; and, if in writing, they shall be on paper not less in size than half a page of 'oolscap. FORMS Or Diplomas, Petitions, Warrants, Commissions, Cards Returns, Sec, and also the Funeral Ceremonies. JVo. 1. — Diploma. We, the Most Worthy Grand Sire, Right Worthy Deputy Grand Sire, < )fficers and Members of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows of the United States of America and jurisdiction thereunto belonging: Do HEREBY CERTIFY that our Well beloved brother is a member of , under the jurisdiction of the Grand , and that iie is a li-ue and worthy member of our Order. is TESTIMONY WHEREOF We grant him this certificate, and recom- mend liim to the friendship of all the brethren of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows throughout the globe. And that the same may not be of use to any other persort, we have caused him in our presence '-t> sign lis name in the margin. A: B , Grand Stre. C D , D. Grand Sire. E F , G. C.and R. S: JVo. 2. — Representative's Diploma. We, the Most Worthy Grand Sire, Right Worthy Deputy Grand Sire, Officers and Members of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Ordei of Odd-Fellows of the United States of America and jurisdiction thereunto belonging: In Grand Lodge assembled, present a Representation from Maryland, Massachusetts, Southern New York, Pennsylvania, District of Co- lumbia, Delaware, Ohio, Louisiana, New Jersey, Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, Connecticut, Texas, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermont, Iowa, Ar- kansas, Northern New York, and Florida, have unanimously presented to our well beloved brother , the R. W. Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of , this Diploma, as an evidence of his regular communion and fellowship with the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and in appreciation of his zeal and devotion to the welfare of our beloved Order. ' Done at the City of Baltimore, on the day of , in the year of our Order in the United States . . . ., and of our Lord 18 . . . , A B , Grand Sire. C D , jD. Grand Sire. E . F , G. C. and R. S. 26 FO.IMS. JYo. 3. — Certificate of Grand Representative. FEIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TKUTH. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States of flie Independent ■ Order of Odd-Fellows . This Certifies,, That P. G, ..,.,, ,,, „ has been duly elecieo (or appointed) Representa,tive from the Grand Lodge (or Grand En- campment) of to the Grand Lodge of the United States. Witness our hands and the seal of the Grand , this . . . day of A B .' . . . ., G?. Master, (or G. Patriarch.) C ..... D , G. Secretary, (or G. Scribe.^ j\o. 4. — Petition for a Warrant of a Subordindte Lodge. To the Grand Sire, Officers, and Members of the Grand Lodge of the United States : The Petition' .of the undersigned, holding withdrawal Cards from Lodges legally recognised by your R. W. Body, respectfully represents that it woiild be consistent with the advantage of the Order to establish a Subordinate Lodge to be located at' . '. .'. ., in the State of Wherefore ^'our Petitioners pray that a Warrant may duly issue in pursuance of the laws of your R. W. Rody. Dated at ..... this . . . .'.' day of . . . . , JVo. 5. — Petition for, a Warrant of a Subordinate Encampment. To the Grand Sire, Officers, and .Members , ,:, of the Grand Lodge of the United States : Tlie Petition of thei undersigned Patriarchs, holding withdrawal Cards from legal Encampments, (or instructed in the Encampment Degrees under commission of the Grand Sire,) .respectfully represents that it would be consistent with the advantage of the Order to establish a Subordinate Encampment to be located., at .;. . . ., in the State of. : . .' . Wherefore your Petitioners pray that a Wa,rj:ant may duly issue in pursuance of the laws of your R.. W. Body. • Dated at this day of .... . ., ■ ^, , JVb. 6. — -Petition for a Grand Lodge or Grand Ericampmlent. To the Grand Sire, Officers, and Members of the Grand Lodge of the United . States :. The petition of. ... . Lodge, (or Encamjiment,) No'. !',■ . .• . ; . No, 2, No. .5, of. .' .'. ., respectfully represents that at present they work under warrants gi-anted by your R. W. Body, and at present they have' . . . . . Past Grands (or Past Chief Patriarchs) in good standing. They are of opinion that it would be of advantage to the FORMS. 27 Order to eslabjish a Grand Lodge (or Grand Encampment) in the They therefore pray your R. W. Body to grant a charter for a Grand fiodge (or Grand Enbariipment) in the ...... to be located at Witness our hands and seals tjiis day of , 18 . . . , A . . . . . B . . ; ^ ., Representative of J^o. 1. C . . . '.'\ D. ..'.., Representative of JYo, 2. E . . 1' . . F . .' . .'., Representative of JYo. 3. JVo. 7. — Warrant for a Lodge or Encampment. I. O. 0. F. To all lehom it may concern . I, . . . . .j Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows of the .United States of America, and the jurisdiction of the Order thereunto belonging: miENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TEUTH. Know y6, that, by virtue of the powers in me vested, I do hereby authorize and empower our trusty and well beloved brethren , and their successors duly and legally elected, to constitute a in the of and State of ..... ., to be known and hailed by the title of And I do further authorize and empower our said trusty and well-beloved brethren and their successors to admit and make Odd-Fellows according to the ancient usages and customs of the Order, and not contrarywise ; with full power and authority to hear and determine all and singular matters and things relating to the Order within the jurisdiction of the said ...... according to the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Provided always, that the said above named brethren and their successors pay due respect to the Grand Lodge of the United States and the ordinances thereof, otherwise this Dispensation to be of no force or effect. Given under my hand and the Seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, at the City of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, this day of .... . and of our Order the [seal.] By iJie Ch-and Sire. C T> ...,., R, and C. S. JYo. 8. — Warrant for a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment. I. O. 6. F. To all whom it may concern .• ' I, . ; . . ., Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of the independent Order of Odd-Fellows of the United States of America. and the jurisdiction of the Order thereunto belonging: ' rEIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH. Kn-iw ye^that, b'y virtue of the powers in me vested, I do hereby au*.b Dhze and empower our trusty' and well beloved to constitute 'J8 FORJIS. a in the ..... of .... . and State of , to be known ano hailed by the title of . . . ! . And I do further authorize and empower our said trusty and well beloved . . . ; . to hear and detemiine all ^nd singular matters anil things relating to the Order within the jurisdiction of the said , according to the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Provided always, that the said ..... pays due respect to the Grand Lodge of the United States, and the ordinances thereof; and provided, also, this Dispensation shall be ap- proved at the next session of the said Grand Lodge of the United States, otherwise to be of no force or effect. Given under my hand and the Seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, at the City of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, this day of , and of our Order the [seal.] a ..... B .... ., Grand Sire. C D ,C.S. o JVo. 9. — Commission to open a Lodg^ or Encampment. I, , Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Independent ; Order of Odd-Fellows in and for the United States of America, and the jurisdic- tion of the Order thereunto belonging:. To our Worthy Brotlier ...... Greeting: Reposing special confidence in your zeal and ability, I do, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, hereby authorize and em- power you to call to your assistance a sufficient number of known, approved, and diily qualified ...... in the. .... of .... . and Stite of , to open and constitute a new' ..... to be held there, and to proceed to the installation of our Worthy Brother who shall be elected and other the officers of a new . ... there to be established and constituted, to be hailed and known by the title of .■ . . . ., accord- ing to the most ancient and honcirable custom of the Order, and not contrary wise ; and make report to me hfereunto annexed of your pro- ceedings. , ' This Dispensation to remain in full force for three months from the date hereof, and no longer. Given under my hand and seal, at the ...... in the of , this day of [seal.] By the Grand Sire. C D ,R.andC.S. ; — ° JVo. 10. — Commission to confer Encampment Degrees. Whereas . . . . ., residing at the ..... of ... .., have by petition lequested to be enabled to open an Encampment of Patriarchs, at the, nlaee aforenamed, and have produced' to me sufficient testimony of their, regular connexion in the Order; Therefore I, , Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Independent ■.Order of Odd-Fellows in and for the United States pf America, and the nirisdiction thereunto belonging, by virtue of the power and aiithoritv FORMS. 29 in me vested, do by these presents hereby authorize and empower our worthy and well beloved Patriarch , in whom I repose special confidence, to call to his aid such number of known, approved, and duly qualified Patriarchs as maybe disposed to assist, in the . . . . . of . . . . and of , and there to initiate the above named brethren into the mysteries of the Encampment Branch of the Order, conferring upon them the several degrees thereunto appertaining, according to the most ancient and honorable custom of our Order, and not contrary wise : so as to enable said. Brethren to make petition in due and lawful form as I'atriarchs of the Ordet for a charter for an Encampment to be located in said ...... And the said Patriarch to whom this commission is entrusted is hereby required to make full and imrnediate report to me of his proceedings. This Dispehsatioii tb remain in force for three months from the date hereof, and no longer. Given under my hand and the Seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, at the ...:. of ...... in the of .... ., this day of [seal.] By the Grand Sire. C . . . D , C.and R. S. o JVb. ] I. — Form of Dispensation to continue operations where a Charter has heen destroyed. I, . ; . . ., Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Independent Order of Odd- Fellows in and for the United States of America, and the jurisdiction of the Order thereunto belonging: Tb the . . 1 . . of '. . l . ., No. . ., held in the of , in tha State of , these Presents, In FniEnrsHiP, Love, and Trtjth, CoTne Greeting: Whereas it has been represented to me that the of your has been destroyed by , and suiHcient proof has been given that there is no illegal concealment nor wilful destruction of the same: Now, therefore, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, I do hereby authorize, empower, and request you^ the present and succeeding officers and members of the said ..... No. . ., to continue yoiir labors in the same full and complete manner, to all intents and purposes, as you could or might legally have done if your said had not been destroyed, and was still in existence, agreeably to all the usages, rules, and regulations of Odd-Fellowship, and especially to those of our Most Worthy Grand Lodge of the United States, and not contraiywise. This dispensation to continue in force until the next Annual Com- munication of our said Most Worthy Gran4 Lodge, and until its pleasure in the premises shall have been made known to you. Given under my hand and seal, at the of ... . ., in the ... . of ... . ., this ..... day of in [seal.] By the Grand Sire. C . D ,C.andR.S. 30 PORMS JVb. 12. — Commission forDistrict Deputy Grand Sire. I, , Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Independent Order of Odd- Fellows of the United States of America, and the jurisdiction thereuntc- belonging, to our weU beloved brother , and to all whom it may concern, send greeting: , , Know ye, that, reposing special confidence in your knowledge and discretion, I do, by virtue of the power, and authority in me vested, hereby appoint and commission you, the ^aid , our District Deputy for , the of , to be entitled "Worthy District Deputy Grand Sire of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows of the , (Tnited States for the of ?'. ■ , And as our District Deputy Grand Sire for said ..... you are em- powered and directed to act as the Special Agent of the Grand Lodge of the United States, in relation to the matters herein specified, viz : To act for the Grand Sii;e, and by his directions to do and perfonn whatever may have beea ordered to be done and performed by the Grand Lodge of the United States in your To act as the Representative of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and do and perform all such matters relating to the Order in your as the Grand Sire shall direct. You shall obey all special instructions of the G. Sire, in relation to any thing which that officer is required to do for the "Good of the Order." Yo'ii are to act as the Agent of the Grand Secretary, and obey the special directions of that Officer. You are to have the general supervision oyer all Subordinate Lodges and Encampments in yotir which work under charters granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, , It is your, duty to see that the Work, of the Order is performed uniformly by such Subordinates ; to install or cause to, be installed by a P. G. or P. C P., in regular form, at the periods designated by the regulations, of the Grand Lodge of the United States, the officers duly elected and appointed in the several Subordinates in your jurisdiction; to confer, the Past Official Degrees on Past Officers, upon the presenta- tion of proper certificates from their respective ; to make reports during the montlis in which installations take place, of the officers installed and the amount of dues from each Subordinate, to the Grand' Lodge of tKe United States; and to make to the office of the Grand Secretary a full report during the month of July in each year of your acts and doings, and of the work, condition, and prospects of the Order in your ..,..,,,,,. , ,^ You are ,requu-ed to make SemirAimual reports of your acts and doings to the Gi-and Sire. You are in no case to interfere, as an Officer of the Grand Lodge of the, United States, yith Grand Lodges or Encamprdents. This Dispensation shall go into effect from the day of the date' Iiereof, and remain in full force for and during the period of one year, unless sooner revoked by the Grand Sire. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand' and affixed the seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, this day of . -: . . By the Grand Sire. A . .'.B.... .', G: C. Sl FORMS. 31 JVo. 13. — Visiting Card. FBIEND3HIP, LOVE, AND TKUTH. To all whom it may concern : This Certifies that , whose name is written on the margin of this card in his own proper hand-writing, is a member in good standing of No. . ., held at , and working under a charter duly granted l)y authority of the Right Worthy Grand of the State of We therefore recommend him to your friendship and pro- tection, and admission into all regular of Odd-Fellows, for the space of . . J . . from the date hereof, and no longer. In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names and affixed the seal of our this day of , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and [seal.] o JVo. 14. — Withdrawal Card. r«IENDSHIP, LOVE, AKd' TKUTH. Tc all whom it may concern : This Certifies that our well beloved Brother , whose signature, written by himself, is properly situated on the margin of this card, was regularly admitted a member of our by on the day of , 18 . ., and has paid all demands against him up to this day, and is under no charge whatever. We therefore recommend him to your friendship and protection, and admission mto any regular of Odd-Fellows to which he may apply within one year from the date hereof. ■ ' , This Card is granted by No. . ,, which vyas duly instituted at on the day of ...... 18 . ., by authority of the Right Worthy Grand of the State of In witness whereof, we subscribe hereto our hands and afiix the seal of our , this day of , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and [seal.] JVo. 15. — Form of Card presented to Wife or Widow of an Odd-Fellow. , rRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TKUTH. To all to wlwm these presents shall come, Greeting : i This Certifies that , whose name is endorsed on the margin of this Card in her own proper hand-writing, is the wife of our well- beloved Brother , who (is) a member of Lodge No. . ., held at .... ., and working under authority of a charter duly granted by authority of the Right Worthy Grand' Lodge of the We therefore recommend her to your friendship and protection wherevei she may be, throughout the world, for the space of . . . ., and no longer. In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names and affixed the seal of our Lodge, this .... day of , in the year one thousand eighc hundred and 32 FORMS JVo. 1 8.^ — Form of Funeral Procession and Regalia, 1. Rtsolvti, That the Regalia to be worn by all brothers of ths >rdnr, when attending the funeral of a deceased brother, be as follows : A black ci&pe rosette, having a centre of the cplor of the highest Degree :to which the wearer may have attained, to be worn on the left breast; above it ft sprig of evergreen, and bel'ov^r it (if the, wearer be an Ekctix^e or Past Officer) the jewel or jewels which as such he may be ■Miiti tiled to, wear. ; , 2. Rssolted, That the ordinary mourning badge to be worn by brothers in memory of a deceased brother, be a strip of black crape passed through one buttonhole only of the left lapel of the coat, and tied with a narrow ribbon of the color of the highest Degree to which the wearer may have attained.* ,, , , 3. Resolved, That the order of procedure at the funeral of a deceased brother be as follows : At the appointed hour the Subordinate Lodge of which such brother was a member shall meet at its Lodge room, and shall open in the Initiatory Degree, and the N. G. shall appoint a marshal and such number of assistant marshals as may be required. The Lodge shall thereupon close, and the brothers shall pass in procession from the lodge-rpom to the place from which the funeral may have been ap- pointed to start, in the following order: ' L The marshal, wearing a black scarf, and bearing a baton bound with a band of black crape. 2. The O. G. bearing a red staff, in like mourning. 3. The Scene Supporters bearing white wands, in like mourning. 4. Members of the Initiatory Degree, in order of juniority, two abreast. 5. Members of the White, Pink, Royal Blue, Green and Scarlet Degrees, respectively, in like order. 6. Members of the Lodge having the Patriarchal, G. R. and R. P. Degrees, respectively, in like order. 7. The I. G., bearing the regalia and insignia indicative of the rank in the Order of the deceased brother. 8. The Treasurer, Assistant, Permanent or Financial Secretary or Secretaries, and the Secretary of the Lodge. 9. The V. G., supported by his R. and L. Supporters each bearing his wand of office, bound with a band of black crape. 10. The Chaplain, wearing a white scarf, and supported by the Warden and Conductor, each bearing his staff of office, in like mourning. 11. The N. G., supported by his R. and L. Supporters, each bearing his wand of office, in like mourning. 12. The Past Grands of the Lodge, in order of juniority. 13. Brethren of invited Lodges, those of each Lodge arranged in the order above prescribed; the Lodges, when more than one may be represented, arranged in order of juniority. , On arriving at the place appointed for the starting of the fiineral, tl- brothers shall take position in the above order immediately before the corpse, and shall precede it to the place of interment. *A subsequent ennctment provides thnt the faevera! State Grand Lod|;ee and Grand Encamp- meiitB miiy, at their diBcrelion, permit the usual regalia of the Order to be, worn at fanerala either In mmncKi'>n with or ne a suh^jtitule for the simple regalia above described. FORMS. 33 ::: Om 'anising at such place of mterjoient, the brothers shal open to the right and left, and allow the corpse, mourners, &.c. to pass through, the brothers, on eith'er.side standing uncovered, the hat held in the left handi of each, and joining hands >rith each other., .And after the passing of theicojpsej mournei;^^;&c. between the two lines, the brothers shall re^brmi in procession a.fter them, in reversed order, and close the procession into land- within the place of mterment. After the .performance ©f such religious service as the friends of the deceased may cause to be there performed, and before the final closing of'the>gEW(e,,thie brothers shall .form silently, and as nearly as may be according, to. the order abpve , set forth, uncovered, the hat in the left hand of each^ and joining hands with each other, in one or more circles, as regular as the nature of the ground may admit, around the grave, when the Chaplain, or in default of a Chaplain, the N. G. may address the brothers and offer up a prayer, or may address the brethren with- out the offering of a prayer; and after such address or prayer, or both, or if there be no address or prayer, then after a pause suited to the solemnity of the occasion, the N. G. shall advance singly to the head of the grave, and cast into it with the right hand the sprig of evergreen from his regalia, and shall return to his place; whereupon the brothers from left to right in regular succession, and in such num- bers at a time as not to cause confusion, shall advance to the grave, shall cast info it (each with the right hand) the sprig of evergreen from their regalia, and shall return to their place. And after aU have done this, and the grave shall have been filled up or closed, the brothers shall silently re-form into procession according to the order observed in coming to the place of interment, and shall return in such order to the Lodge room, where the N. G. shall declare the funeral ceremonies to be closed. 4. Resolved, That if at the time of his death the deceased brother was a member of an Encampment, or of a State, District, or Territorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, or of the Grand Lodge of the United States, the Chaplain and highest Officer or Officers present of such Encampment, or Grand Body or Bodies, supported each by two mem- bers thereof) shall take position in the funeral procession next after the Chaplain and If. G., respectively, of the Subordinate Lodge of the deceased, and shall take precedence of such N. G., and of each other, according to their respective rank, in conducting the ceremony of interment, as above set forth. 5. Resolved, That in other processions of the Order the rules of pre- cedence above set forth, so far as they may admit of being followed, shall be adhered to. FUNERAL SERVICE. We are assembled, my bretliren, to render the last office which the living may minister to the dead. Man is born to die. The coffin, the grave, the sepulchre, speak to us in language that caimot be misunderstood, however unheeded it may be, of "man's latter end." Youth, in its harmlessness and com- parative innocency, and manhood, with its wonted vigor and pride of strength, are not more exempt than decrepid and tottering age from the 34 FORMS. fixed law of being, which dedicates all that is mortal to decay and death. . ' This tnitii is inscribed in the great volume of Nature upon its every page. The beautiful and the sublime which the handiwork of the Creator displays on our every side, fearfully associate the unerring certainly of thie end of all things, amid the vividness of the moral which .they are ever suggesting to the contemplative mind. Day after day, we are called lipbn to follow our fellow creatures to that bourne wh'encte no ti-aveller returns: but from the house of mourning we go forth again to mingle in the crowded world, heedless perhaps of the precarious tenure of life and the certainty of that end to which all flesh is rapidly tending.' ' He who gives the vigor of body, without warning paralyzes the stout heart and strikes down the athletic frame. The living'of to-day become the dead of the morrow. Men appear uppn and disappear from the stage of life, as wave meets wave and parts upon the troubled waters. "In the midst of life we are in death." He whose lips now echo these tones of solemn warning, in turh will be stilled in the cold and cheerless house of the dead, and in the I'rdvidence of God none may escape. Lei us then sb far improve the ' lesson as to be prepared for that change which leads to life eternal. ' ' ., PRAYER. Our Father and our God, who art the resurrection and the life, in whom whosoever believeth shall live though he die, and whosoever iiveth and believeth in thee shall not die— hear, we beseech thee, the voice of thy creatures here assembled, and turn not away from our supplications. We humbly beseech Thee so to imbue us with a conviction of our entire', helplessness and dependence upon thee, that we may be brought to meditate upon the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death. In the dispensation of thy Providence, thou hast summoned from amongst us our brother, and we the surviving monuments of thy mercy are gathered together to commit his remains to the earth. Give, O Goil, we beseech thee, thy Holy Spirit to us, whom thou hast spared; increase our kribwledge, and confirm our faith in thee, forever; [Bless and comfort, we pray thee, those whom it has pleased thee to add to the number of the disconsolate; buoy them up under this heavy stroke, sustain them against despondency. O ! wilt thou be their Father and their God, and pour down froni oil high thy blessings upon their heads.] Bless, O Heavenly Father ! the brethren here as- sembled; imbue them with the wisdom of thy laws, and draw them unto thee by the cords of thy inestimable love; impress them with tlieir duty to each other as brethren, and their obligations in the various relations of hiiman life; and, finally, bless our beloved Order throughout the globe. Preserve ,its principles and its purposes froiii innovation ; sustain it from the shafts of emnity — protect it from self-immolation, and shield it from all evil, and unto Thee we shall render the praise, forever — Amen. ' ^ , ___^ The Form of Pr.nviT ndopted Willi Fuiifral Aihlri'ss niul iIip CiTi'toony ie left optional with toC'S <"■ Bncnmpincnts wl.rtli.T llicy us.; il ..r M.,i„', lli- fi.rm prp.-crilir.l to lit .i.sed, if ar»-. ■ 35 Annual Report of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the , /. O. 0. f ., to the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, com- mencing July 1, 18 ... , and ending June 30, 18 . . . No. of Lodges No. of initiations No. of rejections No. admitted by card No. withdrawn by card No. of reinstatements No. of suspensions, and cause '. .. No . of expulsions, and cause No. of deattis , No. of members No. of brothers relieved i No. of widov/ed families relieved Amount paid for the relief of brothers A.mount paid for the relief of widowed families. Amount paid for the education of orphans Amount paid for burying the dead Amount of the annual receipts In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and the seal of the Grand Lodge of the , this day of , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and [l. s.] Grand Master. Grand Secn'ctary. Time and Place of Meeting. Names of Grand Officers. Post Office Address. H^ Annual returns shall be made by each State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, in which they shall give the names of Grand Officers, number of Lodges, and the aggregate number of members in good standing in all Subordinate Lodges, and the aggregate number of initiations, of reinstatements, rejections, suspensions and cause, expul- sions and cause, admissions by card, withdrjlwals by card, of brothers relieved, of widon^ed families relieved, deaths, amount expended for relief of brothers, amount expended for educa- tion of orphans, amount paid for burying the dead, and the whole amount of receipts ; forms for which shall be furnished by this Grand Lodge. Said returns shall be made to the Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary at least one month previous to the annual meeting of this body, and shall be accompanied with the dues thereon, in money current at par in the place where the meeting of this body is held. And in default of such returns being made, and the dues thereon paid within ten days prior to the annual meeting of this body, the Represen- tatives from such delinquent Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments shall not be admitted to a seat in such annual meeting. — Article X Bt-Laws. Resolved, That it is hereby made the duty of the Scribes .and Secretaries of Grand En- campments and Grand Lodges, atthe time of making their annual returns to the Grand Cor- responding and Recording Secretary of this Grand Lodge, to furnish therewith the post office addresses of their respective Grand Patriarchs, Grand Scribes, Grand Masters, and Grand Sec- retaries. Resolved, That Grand Secretaries and Grand Scribes he also instructed to furnish the times and places of the annual sessions of their Grand Bodies. — Journal 1857, page 2734. 36 POEMS. Annual Report of ilie R. W. Grand Encampment of the /. O. O. F., to the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, com- mencing July 1, 18. . ., and ending June 30, 18. . . No. of Encampments No. of initiations No. of rejections No. admitted by card No. withdrawn by card , No. of reinstatements... No. of suspensions, and cause No. of expulsions, and cause No. of deaths , No. of members No. of Patriarchs relieved No. of widowed families relieved Amount paid for the relief of Patriarchs .....'. Amount paid for the relief of widowed families Amount paid for the education of orphans Amount paid for burying the dead Amount of the annual receipts In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and the seal of the Grand Encampment of the this day of , in the year of our Lord one thousand eijrht hundred and [L.S.] Grand Patriarch, Grand Scribe. Time and Place of Meeting, Names of Grand Officers. Post Office Address. E^~ Annual returns shall be made by each State, District or Territorial Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, in which they shall give the names of Grand Officers, number of Lodges, and the aggregate number of members in good standing in all Subordinate Lodges, and the aggregate number of initiations, of reinstatements, rejections, suspensions and cause, expul- sions and cause, admissions by card, withdrawals by card, of brothers relieved, of widowed families relieved, deaths, amount expended for lelief of brothers, amount expended for educa- tion of orphans, amount paid for burying tlic dead, and the whole amount of receipts ; forms for which shall be furnished by this Grand Lodge. Said returns shall be made to the Grand Corresponding and Recordiug Secretary at least one month' previous to the annual meeting of this body, and shall be accompanied with the dues thereon, in iponey current at par in the place where the meeting of this body is held. And in default of sucli returns being made, and the dues thereon paid witliin ten days prior to the annual meeting of this body, the Represen- tetives from such delinquent Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments shall not be admitted to a seat in such annual meeting. — Aeticj-e X Bt-Laws. Resolved, That it is hereby made the duty of the Scribes and Secretaries of Grand En- campments and Grand Lodges ; at the time of making their annual returns to the Grand Cor- responding and Recording Secretary of this Grand Lodge, to furnish therewith the post office^ addresses of their respective Grand Patriarchs, Grand Scribe's, Grand Masters, and Grand Sec- retaries. Re&olved, That Grand Secretaries and Grand Scribes be also instructed to furnish the times and places of the annual sessions of their Grand Bodies. — Journal 1857, page 2734. ' Names of persons initiated. Names of brothers admitted by Card. Names of applicants rejected. Names of brothers withdrawn. Names of brotliers suspended. Cause of suspension Names of brotliers expelled.' Cause of expulsion. Names of brothers reinstated. Names of brothers deceased. ^ o a 3 g O O Si H cp g p) > 5 o k! J.3 1^ CO CM Tl (1) S- dp 1 R fO FT &- CB en F3- ?3 o ^ O D Cb l-l CI- I'i ^ ^ C p Ci p -1 rr 03 y 2-3? ■ p 3". ;•-" P5-§i Oc-o 3" >« o H 03 S- J^ Dollars. Cents. g 38 [ Names of brothers initiated. Names of Patriarchs exalted. Names of Patriarchs admitted by card. Names of apphcants rejectecL Names of Patriarchs withdrawn. Names of Patnai-chs suspended. Cause of suspension. Names of Patriarchs expelled. Cause of expulsion. N^ajiies of Patriarchs reinstated. Names of Putriarclis deceased. g a o p3 a sp ?i w > s' S.S 1- i ^ : o > SI F:n> ■^dfe! o Dollars. Cents. 3 S 5:3 O o: 2 S • al- to o t S^ Annual Report of the R. W. Grand Encampment of the , /. O. O. F., to the R. TV. Grand Lodge of the United Slates, com- mencing Julii 1, IS . ., and ending June 30, 18 . . Xo. of Encampments Ko. of initiations Xo. of rejections No. admitted by card No. withdrawn by card No. of reinstatements No. of suspensions, and cause No. of expulsions, and cause No. of deaths No. of members No. of brothers relieved No. of widowed families relieved Amount paid for the relief of patriarchs Amount paid for the relief of widowed families. Amount paid for the education of orphans Amount paid for burying the dead Amount of the annual receipts In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and the seal of the Grand Encampment of the , this day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and A B Grand Patriarch. L^- ^-i C D Grand Scribe. {Ji^-The names of patriarchs suspended for causes other than non-payment of dues and the names of e.xpelled members, and the cause of expulsion, shall he appended, and attested under the hands of the Grand Patriarch and Grand Scribe, together with the seal of the Grand Encampment. Names of Grand Officers.