r'' ■■ ■ ■ "^ ' ' ANNEX : LIBRARY B k. 1 ^ 049168, 14' omsB CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY CONSTITUTION "^vmi ^mmmi^v% (r^ K«igW$ f ^»jl»^ PENNSYLVANIA. TOGETHER WITH THE llesoltttions, §HXBianB, anir Jforms. FTIBLIBBED Bjr Authority of tlie Grand Coramandery, Aa per Resolution adopted at ita Annual Setaion of Jvnu, 1863, R. B. Sib H. STANLEY GOODWIN, G. Commander, E. 8m ALFRED CREIGH, G. Recorder. HABBISBUEG : THBO. F. SCHEFPER, PRINTER 4 BOOKSELLER. 1863. P^l A 3 A.^3? V3? CONSTITUTION or TBI OF PENNSYLVANIA, AS AMENDED AT BEADING, JUNE 23, A. D. 1860, A. O. 742. ARTICLE I. 0/ the State Grand Commandery . SECTION I.— How Constituted. The Grrand Commandery of Pennsylvania is constituted as follows : I. The Right Eminent Grand Commander. II. The Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander. III. The Eminent Grand Generalissimo, ly. " " Captain General. V. " " Prelate. VI. " '' Senior Warden. VII. " " Junior Warden. VIII " " Treasurer. IX. " " Recorder. X. " " Standard Bearer. XI. " " Sword Bearer. XII. " " Warder. XIII. " " Captain of the Guards (or Sentinel). Lilcewise, XIV. All Past Grand Commanders (and Grand Masters). xV. All Past Deputy Grand Commanders (and Deputy Grand Mas-] ters). XVI. All Past Grand Generalissimos. XVII. All Past Grand Captain Generals. So long as they remain members of the Subordinate Command- eries under this State jurisdiction. Likewise, XVIII. The Eminent Commander. XIX. " Generalissimo. XX. " Captain General. Of each chartered Subordinate Commandery working under this Grand Commandery. Likewise, XXI. All Past Eminent Commanders of the Subordinate Command- eries working under this State Grand Commandery, so long as they remain members of Subordinate Commanderies under this jurisdiction. Each of the individuals enumerated in this section shall be entitled, when present, to one vote. No person shall be eligible to o£5ce in this State Grand CommaDdeiy unless he shall be at the time a member of some Subordinate Com- mandery, working under this Grand Commandery, and who has filled, or is at present time filling, one of the first three offices in his Com- mandery : Provided, That no person shall be eligible to either of the first four offices of the Grand Commandery, who is not a Past Kmi- nent Commander, or Past Grand Master, of a Subordinate Commandery. SECTION 2.— Peoxies. Any officer specified in the first section, save and except Past Com- manders, may appear and vote by proxy ; said proxy being, at the time of service, a member of the same Subordinate Commandery as his prin- cipal, and producing a certificate of his appointment. SECTION 8.— MsEMNQs. 1. The annual conclave of the Grand Commandery shall be holden on the second Tuesday of June, in each and every year, and be opened at 8 o'clock P. M., and shall be held alternately east and west of the Alleghany Mountains, at such place as may be directed at the pre- ceding meeting. 2. Order of Business at Stated Meetings. — The minutes of the proceedings of the last annual Conclave, and of any special Grand Conclaves, are to be read, unless dispensed with. 3. After the minutes are approved, the Grand Commander shall appoint a Committee on Credentials, composed of three' Sir Knights who shall report the names of the members present, as soon as prac- ticable. • 4. The following Standing Committees, each to consist of three Sir Knights, shall also be appointed, who shall report upon the several matters referred to them during the session of the Grand Commandery. 1. On the Doings of the Grand Officers. 2. On Dispensations and Charters. 3. On By-Laws. 4. On Finance. 5. On Grievances. 6. On Designating the next place of meeting 7. On Unfinished Business. 8. On Mileage and Pay of Representatives. 9., On Landmarks 10. On Foreign Correspondence, which shall make report at as early a period during the next session as may be practicable. This Committee shall be appointed by the Grand Commander immediately after his iestallation. The election of Grand Officers shall be held on the morning of the second day of the session, after 10 o'clock. The Grand Commander shall exemplify, or cause to be exemplified, the work of the Orders during the meeting of the Grand Conclave. Special Meetings. — Special meetings may be called by the Grand Commander, at his discretion. No business shall be transacted at the special meetings, save that which was specified in the original summons. The several Grand Officers shall hold their respective offices until their successors shall be duly elected and installed. All questions shall be determined by a majority of votes, except alterations of this Constitution, which shall require two-thirds present. The presiding officer, for the time being, shall have one vote. In case of the votes being equally divided, he shall also give the casting vote. No appeal shall lie to the Grand Commandery from the decision of the Grand Commander. This Grand Commandery shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the Templar and Appendant Orders in this State; grant charters, decide appeals, and settle all controversies that may arise between Subordinate Commanderies; authorize a uniform ritual and work, and do all things necessary to promote the good, well-being and perpetuation of Templar Masonry; but subordinate to the Grand Encampment of the United States, so long as this Grand Commandery shall be connected therewith. SECTION IV.— Duties of Opfiobes. 1st. The Right Emvhent Grand Commomder shall preside over all stated and special meetings, exercise a watchful supervision over all the Subordinate Commanderies, and see that all the constitutional enact- ments, rules and edicts of the Grand Encampment of the United States, and of this State Grand Commandery, are duly and promptly observed. He shall have power, during the recess, to grant letters of dispensation to nine or more petitioners, possessing the constitutional qualifications, empowering them to form and open a Commandery; this dispensation to cease at the next annual meeting, or continue by order of the Grand Commandery. No dispensation shall be issued, unless the petition shall be recom- mended by the nearest Commandery, and the petitioners give satisfac- tory evidence of good standing, of suitable place of meeting, of pos- sessing or having ability to procure proper furniture and dress for the use of the Commandery, and of being competent to conduct intelli- gently the ceremonies, work and government of their Commandery. lie may visit and preside at any Commandery, and give such in- structions and directions as the good of the institution may require; but always adhering to the ancient landmarlss. It is his duty, either in person or by proxy, to attend all meetings of the Grand Encampment of the United States. 2d. The Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander. The Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander, in the event of the death, removal, or physical incompetency of his superior, shall act as the Grand Commander. At all other times, he shall perform such duties as may be assigned him by the Grand Commandery or the Grand Commander. It is his duty, either in person or by proxy, to attend all meetings of the Grand Encampment of the United States. 3d. Eminent Grand Generalissimo and Grand Captain General. In the absence of their respective superiors, they shall severally act as Grand Commanders, in order according to rank. At all other times they shall perform such duties as may be assigned them by the Grand Comma,nder, or sucli as are traditioDally appropriate to their respective stations. 4th. Eminent Grand Recorder. The Eecorder shall make an atinnal report to this Grand Com- mandery of the returns of the Subordinate Comnianderies, showing their elected oflSeera, the increase and nuu:bers of each Subordinate, and the amount paid or due by each ; ulso, such other matters as may conduce to the general good of the order. He shall keep a true record of the proceedings of this Grand body, and receive and collect nil moneys due to this Commandery, and pay the same over to the Grand TreasNirer. Hfc shall mail to the Grand Master and Grand Eecorder of the Grand Encampment of the XInited States; also, to the Grand Commander and Grand Eecorder of each State Grand Commandery; also, to the Eminent Commander and Eecorder of each subordinate under this jurisdiction, copies of our annual proceedings; also, of all expulsions or rejections within this jurisdiction Also, shall advise the Eecorder of each Commandery within the State of every suspension or expulsion in any subordinate therein. Also, he shall open and keep in a suitable book a register of each Subordinate Commandery— showing the present and past officers and members of each ; also, of all rejections, suspen- sions And expulsions. 5th. Eminent Grand Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and keep in charge all the money and property of this Grand Commandery. He shall pay only such orders as may have been passed by vote of this Grand Commandery, signed by the Eecorder and countersigned by the Grand Commander. He shall, at each annual or special meeting, present an accurate report of the state of the Treasury. SECTION 5 —Fees, Does asd Finances. The revenue of the Grand Commandery shall be derived as follows For every dispensation, to be paid before the same ' is issued, ■■■■■■■ ^IVl When the charter is issued, the further sum of . 10 00 (for the use of the Eecorder.) For every Knight Templar, receiving either or both orders of Knighthood, . . • • 3 00 For annual dues, For Grand Commandery diploma, . • ■ ''00 8 ARTICLE VII. ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS. Every proposed alteration or amendment of this Constitution, shall be made at the annual meeting, and shall require a majority of two- thirds of all present. ARTICLE Vin. SUBORDINATE OOMMANDERIES. Subordinate Commanderies shall not confer the Orders of Knight- hood upon any one but a Royal Arch Mason, nor for a less sum tlian twenty dollars. Every application must be recommended by a member of the Com- mandery, and inclose the whole amount of fee. Applicants for the Orders of Knighthood must reside within the jurisdiction of this Grand Commandery; or, if sojourners, they must have the consent of the Commandery nearest to their place of residence. Every Commandery shall meet at least quarterly forbusinesp. Each Commandery shall hold its annual election at the stated meeting in March, and the installation of officers shall take place on or before the second Tuesday of June. No dispensation for constituting a Commandery of Knights Templar shall issue, except upon the petition of nine Sir Knights of the Order, which petition shall be recommended by the Commandery nearest to the place where such nevf Commandery is proposed to be established. Every Commandery shall, before the 9th day of May in every year, transmit to the Grand Recorder, in such form as shall be furnished, its annual returns, accompanied by the fees and dues to the Grand Commandery. Any Commandery neglecting or refusing to make its annual returns, accompanied by fees and dues, shall be notified thereof; and .if, after three months' notice, it fails to pay, it shall be suspended until restored by the edict of the Gran* Commander. Any Commandery which shall have omitted to make its annual returns and payments on or.before the second Tuesday of June, shall thereby be deprived of its representative in -the Grand Comnjandery. When a Commandery is disbanded, or dissolved, by neglecting to make its returns, or neglecting to pay its dues, or by unknightly con- duct, or by the death or resignation of its members, it is the duty of the last Commander and p,ecprder, withiij thr^e jponths afte^ ^ts dis- solution, to surrender tp the Grand Recorder, the warrafl|t, ,hopks and papers, jewels, furniture, and funds of such Commanderyj and the last CommaDder is to transmit to the Grand Recorder an inv^entory thereof. No Sir Knight of such Commandery shaj^ ,be adjjnittefl into any other Commandery, nor entitled to the benefits of Templar Masonry, ^ntil ^e shall have paid to the Grand Recorder all arrears due from him to such Commandery. ARTICLE IX. The Rules of Order and general regulations of the Uuited States Grand Encampment shall govern the proceedings of this Grand CJom- mandery. ARTICLE X. In all oases of degradation or suspension, an appeal shall lie to the Grand -Commandery. DECISIONS. MADE BY R. K. SIB BENJAMIN PAEKE, QRAND COMIMANDER. PETITIONEKP. 1857, July 16.— In Masonry, by constitutional regulations in Penn. sylvania, the petitioners for a new Lodge must "not be members of any Lodge" at the time of petitioning. In Knighthood there is no such law Any Sir Knight, being a resident of this State, may be one of the petitioners for a new Commandery, and act in it, while ;t is under dispensation. When such new Commandery obtains a charter, the petitioner should withdraw from one or the other; though I know of no law requiring him to do so. qONFERKING ORDERS. 1857, Av^ust 24.-There is no statute in our (jh-der giving power to the Grand Commander to issue dispensations for oopfe"-g ^J Orders of Knighthood, out of the usu^l course, or waiv,ng the provi- 10 sions of By-Laws. A reason for this may be that no such power is necessary to accomplish the object you seek. There is no law of our Order which prohibits conferring the Orders at the time of the applied' tion, with the unanimous consent of all the members present. Unless, therefore, your By-Laws prohibit it, you can confer, the Orders at the time you desire. MEMBERSHIP. 1857, September 21. — It is not necessary to a membership in a Commandery, that a Sir Knight should belong to either a Blue Lodge or Chapter in Masonry. Templarism, or Christian Masonic Knight- hood, as an organization, is entirely independent of Masonry. Its only constitutional alliance therewith, is the requisition that the Orders of Knighthood shall not be conferred upon any but a Royal Arch Mason. BALLOTING. 1857, December 11. — There is no law in Masonic Knighthood pre- scribing or requiring the "ballot box," or even a "ballot," as the mode of ascertaining the opinions of the members of a Commandery, upon a proposition or petition for the Orders of Knighthood. Neither was there any such law in Masonry under the "ancient charges," which simply provided that the members " are to signify their consent or dis- sent, in their own prudent way, either virtually or in form, but with unanimity. The Constitutions or regulations of Grand Lodges gene- rally prescribe the "ballot," and general usages, in both Masonry and Knighthood, is in favor of the use of the "ballot box," with white and black balls; which, being so well understood and so convenient, I re- commend to be used in our Commanderies, especially and in all cases when it is asked for by any member present. But if, when the appli- cant was proposed, unanimous consent was given by all the members present, no one expressing a dissent, or asking for a ballot, he was le- gally elected, and you were right in conferring the Orders upon him. PAYMENT OF DUES. 1858, April 6. — The dues to be paid by the Subordinate Command- cries to the Grand Commandery, are the sum of two dollars (now ?3.,) for each Initiation, and the further sum of one dollar for every member of said Subordinate Commandery. The number of members are taken at the time the return is made. No difference between those made twelve months or twelve days before the return day. So, if any mem- 11 bera had withdrawn, or been suspended or degraded, at any time before the return day, they are not counted in the number of members fot whom dues are to be paid. OFFICERS TINDER DISPENSATION. 1858, April 28. — A petition for dispensation need not nominate oiScers, though it is usually done. The officers of a Commandery under dispensation are the appointment of the R. E. Grand Commander. The usage, in this State, has been for Commanderies under dispensa- tion to adopt By-Laws and elect of&cers, to be named in their charter when granted. These By-Laws, together with all their proceedings, are returned to the next Grand Commandery. If they are approved, and a charter granted, the of&cers named therein, if present, are in- stalled, and take their seats in the Grand Commandery as members thereof. OHAEOES AGAINST A SIB KNIGHT. 1858, June 2. — Neither charges preferred against a Sir Knight in a Masonic Lodge or Chapter of which he is a member, nor his suspension or expulsion therefrom, upon a trial of those charges, will, of them- selves, without a trial by his Commandery, deprive him of membership therein; nor do I think the legal doctrine of "res judicata" can be admitted in its full extent, in regard to the judgment of such Lodge or Chapter, so as to preclude the necessity or bar the right of a full investigation by the Commandery, upon the merits of the case. The strong presumption in regard to the proceedings should probably be that the trial was regular and the judgment right; but as it might turn out there was a mistake, or that some extraneous or undue bias had influ- enced or colored the proceedings, they ought not to be considered con- clusive. Every Sir Knight is entitled to a fair trial by his peers in Knighthood, the social and moral code of which is, that of the highest style of Christian morality, a conformity to the whole moral law and the precepts of Him who gave us the great central rule of moral action, "As ye would that men do to you, do ye even so to them." MADE BY E. E. SIK WM. H. ALLEN, GRAND COMMANDEB. DUES AND FEES. I860 Jvm 22.— Commanderies wider dispensation owe no annual dues to the Grand Commandery, but must pay the usual fees for per- 12 sons receiving the orders of Knightliood in them before receiviog tn^r chartets. MADE BY R. E. SIR CHR. P. KNAPP, GRAND COMMANDER. HERMAN YERKES. 1860, June 22. — That Sir Herman Yerkes cannot visit Command- eries under this jurisdiction, until he shall be formally healed. MADE BY R. E. SIR E. H. TURNER. SUSPENDED SIR KNIGHTS. 1863, Jume 10. — That when a Sir Enight is suspended for non-pay- ment of dues, the Grand Recorder being notified of it, the payment of his dues will restore him to good financial position in his Commandery; but to restore him to membership, he must make application in writing, which application shall take the usual course, and by a majority vote he shall be restored to membership. RESOLUTIONS. REPRESENTATIVE. 1857 — June 22. Resolved, That hereafter no representative from dUy Gbmmandery under this juirisdiction, unless their returns are made to the Grand Recorder, agreeably to the Constitution, shall be entitled to speak or vote in this Commandery. MEMBERSHIP. 1858— ^Jnhb 22 Bisdliied, That while this Grand Commandery re- cognizes the right of a Sir Knight, While a member of a Subordinate Commandery, to assist, with his name and presence, in thfe formation of another Commatidery, white under Dispensation, without losing his membership in the foi-iliier;' yet. Upon the reception of a warrant by the Second Commandery, the Sir Knight should elect in which Com- mandery he will maintain his membership. DIPLOMAS. 1858 — Jime 22. Eesotved, itat the Grand Recorder is hereby au- thorized to issue a Grand Commandery certificate to any Sir Knight, 13 upofl tHe produdtion and filing with him the certificate, in proper form, of the Subordidate Commandery to which sueh Sir Knight is attached, and on the payment of the usual fee. PAY OP REPRESENTATIVES. 1858 — June 24. Resolved, That hereafter this Grand Commandery will pay but one Representative from each Commandety, (together with the actual expenses of the Grand Officers, when in attendance on each annual ConclaTe). p. QBAND COMMANDERS. 1859, June 22. — Resolved, That the necessary expenses of Past Grand Commanders, incurred in attending the meetings of the annual Conclave, be hereafter paid out of the funds of the Grand Commandery. OFFIOEES ENTITLED TO VOTE, 1862, June 10. — Resolved, That P. Grand Commanders Allen and Knapp be instructed to report whether an E. Cdmmander, 'vlrho is a Pdst Commander, is entitled to two votes ; and, also, whether a Grand officer can cast a vote as such, and another for Past Eminent Com> mander, at the same time. P. R. B. G. C. Allen made the following report on Masonic Law, which was affirmed by the vote of the Grand Commandeiy: To the R. E. Grand Commander and Eminent Sir Knights of the Grand Com- mandery of Pennsylvania. Two questions of law have been referred to the undersigned, and an opinion requested. 1st. Whether a, Commander, voting as the representative of a Subordinate Commandery in this Grand Commandery, can lawfully cast another vote as » Past Commander. 2d. Whether an officer of this Grand Commandery, after voting as such, may lawfully cast another vote as Past Commander of a Subordinate Commandery. The first section of the Constitution of this Grand Commandery contains » list of all the classes of persons who constitute this Grand Commandery. These are the Grand and Past Officers, the Commanders, Generalissimos and Captain Generals; and the Past Commanders of Subordinate Commanderies under this Grand Commandery. It is expressly declared, that each of the individuals enumerated in this Sec- tion, shall be entitled, when present, to one vote. As the word individual was evidently intended by the framers of the Consti- taiion to apply to persons and not to officera as such, the undersigned are of 14 4 upinioD that no officer or member of this Grand Cpmmandery can lawfully east more than one vote, except as holding one or more proxies for officers of his Commandery, or when the Grand Commander decides a tie vote. The undersigned answer both questions in the negative. The undersigned have found the Constitution so plain on these points, that they have deemed it unnecessary to fortify their opinion by referring to the UKage of other Masonic bodies, all of which, it is believed, allow but one vote to one member. EespectfuUy submitted, WM. H. ALLEN, C. F. KNAPP, P. G. Commanden Form of Petition for Dispensation to open a Commandery. To the Right Eminmt Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of SiughU Templar of the State of Pennsylvania : The petition of the undersigned respectfully represent, that they are severally Knights of the Red Cross, Knights Templar, and Knights of Malta, residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That they are in good standing as Knights of those illustrious Orders, and among them there are, in their opinion, a compe- tent number well qualified to form and open a Commandery of Knights Templar and the appendant Orders, and to properly discharge the various duties thereof, according to ancient usage. That they have » suitable place of meeting and ability to procure proper furniture and dress for conducting the ceremonies and work of a Commandery. Having the good of the Order at heart, and desirous to extend the benefits and blessings thereof to worthy companions, they pray for a DISPENSATION, empowering them to form, open and hold a regular Com- mandery of Knights Templar, and the appendant Orders, in the Town of county of and State of Pennsylvania, to be named Com- mandery, subordinate to, under the jurisdiction of, and to be conducted in ac- cordance with the Constitution, Rules and Edicts of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, of the Grand Encampment of the United States, and the general principles, landmarks and usages of the Order. And they beg leave respect- fully to recommend Sir Knight as the First Eminent Commander, Sir Knight as the first Generalissimo, Sir Knight as the first Captain General. Dated at A. D. 18 A. 0. 7 15 To all Sir Knights of the illustrious Order of the Red Cross, and of the yaliant and magnanimous Orders of Knights Templar and Knights of Malta, to trhom these presents may come, Greetinff: This is to okbtify, That Sir Knight -^ whose name appears in the margin of this Demit, is a Knight Templar, late a member of Com- mandery, No. — . That he is in good standing in the Order and free from all charges on the books; and as such, we courteously commend him to the fra- ternal regard of all valiant and magnanimous Sir Knights, wherever dispersed around the globe. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and caused the seal of H^^ our Commandery to be affixed, this day of , in the year of 13^ our Lord 18 ^ and of the Ordei 7 Attest : ■__^, jj n RecordtT. < • < • » Jam of ^\$9mnMm to tXtst mwtm out of Xfxt To all true and courteous Sir Knighit; but more eipecially to the officers and members of Commandery, iVb. in the of Oreeting: Know te, That whereas no regular election of Ihe officers of the aforesaid Commandery, under its Charter and By-Laws, took place at the time and place as provided for in such By-Laws, to wit, for the annual election in March last: Now, tueeefobe, I, A. B., Grand Commander of the Qrand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the high powers in me vested, do hereby grant and issue this, my especial Dispensation, unto our worthy Subordinate, the aforesaid Commandery, No. , hereby authcrizing the officers and members of such Commandery, at such time and place as may be by them appointed, to wit : at a regular meeting, to proceed and' in due order elect suitable Sir Knights of their body and Commandery, to serve in the several offices provided for in their By-Laws ; and the Sir Knights BO elected, after being duly installed, to serve until the next annual election and installation of its officers, under the said By-Laws; all members to have due and timely notice of such meeting, and for the election aforesaid. And I hereby enjoin it upon the E. Commander and Recorder of such Commandery, to certify, under the seal of said Commandery, to our E. Grand Recorder, within six days after said election, the proceedings had under this Dispensation. Given under my band and seal, at , this day of A. D* 18 A. 0, 7 A. B., R. E. O. C, of 6. C. of Pa. 16 To the Grand Commnndery of the Slate of Pmmylvania : , This is to certify, That in consideration of the confidence I repose in the courtesy and magnanimity of our valiant Sir Knight — - '■ — , I have nominated and appointed, and by these presents d6 nominate and appoint the said Sir Knight , to be my proxy in the Grand Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania, then and thereto represent me and to do every act and thing agreeably to the Constitution of the Grand Commandery, as fully and completely as I could do myself, were 1 personally present. Witness my hand and seal this day of A. D. 18 A. 0. 7 (Name,) (OfSce,) Jam at ^ttitim (at tltr (&tAm ot fuialtttol To the Eminent Commander, Officers anifSir ^nighlt of Commandery, No. of Knights Ttmplar and the appendant Orders: I, tljB upd'er,signed, herebjy declare, that I aQi a Royal Ai;ch Masun in good standing; a member, 0^ Chapter, No. '' under a charter from the Grand Chapter of ; ^that I ^hivve a firm and steadfast belief in the truth of the Christian religion, and the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, as revealed in the New Testaipent; and respoctfjiUy pray that I maybe made in your Commandery a Knight of the Order of Knights Templar and appendant Orders, ap(l .become a m,eniber pf your Commandery. Should .my request be jgranted, I ^promise to conform to all the ceremonies, engagements, rule^ and statutes of ypur Order, a.s TV'pll as those qf your Commandery. .Witness my hand, this day o^ A. D. 18 Recommended and vouched for on ) the honor of a Knight, by / Cornell University Library HS757.P41 A3 1863 Constitution of the Grand Cpmmande 3 1924 030 372 944 olln.anx