Origin Of Grand Masonic Bodies.

ORIGIN OF GRAND MASONIC BODIES .

OF the origin of Grand Masonic Bodies , history informs us that none of them were spontaneous , that is , that none sprang into being by their own force or energy , aud therefore are not autocratic , sinco they have no self-derived , independent power , bnfc are accountable for their acts . On the contrary , the same history relates their genesis in this

wise : conventions are called , and representatives or delegates or local bodies assemble to frame a Constitution and Code , elect Grand Officers , and also cause their doings to be transmitted to the bodies represented and others of the same Order , for adoption . When three or more report

assent , their representatives—which may be the firsfc or newly elected ones—again meet , and after reporting approval , the Officers elected aro installed , and the new Grand Body is started , with the power and authority granted it , while the bodies whose representatives made

the grant , and others not represented who assent to the Constitution and Code , become constituents ; thereafter those bodies which in the same jurisdiction have received dispensations from said Grand Body , and subsequently Warrants of Constitution , become on receipt of the latter also constituents .

In support of this we quote from Mackey , on the relation of Lodges . After mentioning the steps taken to bring a Lodge into being by dispensation , he says : "At the next meeting of tho Grand Lodge it expires and is

surrendered to Grand Lodge , which , if there is no objection , will issue a charter , technically called a Warrant of Constitution , whereby fche body is permanently established as a Lodge and as one of the constituents of tho Grand Lodge . "

In another article he says : " Until a Lodge is legally constituted it forms no component of the constituency of the Grand Lodge . " Again : " Tbe voice of the Grand Lodge is nothing else than the voice of the Craft expressed by their representatives . "

Lastly : " When the appearance of the brethren of each Lodge in Grand Lodge was limited to its Master and Wardens , the Grand Lodge became thenceforth a strictly representative body , composed of the three firsfc Officers of fche subordinate Lodges . "

Such in substance is the language of several distinguished Masonic jurists and writers , and if it is correct rcspoctingLthe relations of Grand and tbe so-called

Subordinate Lodges in a designated jurisdiction , as theie can be no doubt , ifc is equally so when applied fco similar Capitular organisations and the relations which immediately follow .

And this brings ns to consider the definitions of the word constituent both as a noun adjective and as a noun substantive ; as a noun adjective , it means to form ;

component ; element ; having power to elect or appoint ; as a noun substantive , a person or thing which establishes ; component part ; one who assists to appoint or elect a representative .

. Now ifc is obvious fchafc more than one of these definitions warrant the application of constituent to characterise the relation of Lodges , Chapters , & c , to their respective Grand Bodies .

As to the import of fche word component , it may bo remarked that as a noun adjective , it denotes comprising ; serving or helping to form ; constituting ; and as a noun substantive , a constituent part .

From these meanings it is relevant to observe that Lodges , Chapters , & e ., are components of , and , therefore , constituents of the Grand Bodies , which they recc-gniso as superiors , to which they defer , whose recommendations they heed , whose mandates they obey .

Wiiile agreeing with Comp . Henderson that subordinate , as expressive of tho relation of Lodges , Chapters , & c , to their several Grand Bodies , is nofc in harmony with the

phraseology used by the constituents of Republican Governments , when speaking of their relations as citizens , yefc we do not conceive thafc it indicates anything Ike alavishness . Let ns for a moment consider the meanings

of subordinate . As a noun adjective , besides the definitions quoted by Comp . Henderson , it signifies , placed in a lower class or order ; holding a lower position ; and a noun substantive , one wbo stands in order or rank below another . Now , we think , after reflecting on tho import of these definitions , Comp . Henderson will concede—which , in

Origin Of Grand Masonic Bodies.

fact , he implicitly does , as will be seen by reference to tho last paragraph above quoted—that a Lodge , Chapter , Ac ., may be a constituent of a Grand Body , and yet occupy a lower position , since its delegates represent only a fraction of the Brotherhood , while the Grand Body represents the

entire fraternity of a definite jurisdiction . The word represent and the derivatives representing , representation , and representative appear not only in our own Constitutions and Codes , but in those of other Grand Masonic

Bodies , in Grand Addresses and in reports of Grand Committees , and are understood to imply precisely what is meant by them when employed in speaking or writing of civil affairs or civil government .

Of course , where there is representation thero must bo a body more or less concrete represented , and ifc makes no difference if , in the meetings of Grand Masonic Bodies , those who are authorised to exercise the functions of

representatives are predesignated and that they only , or their proxies legally qualified , can be components of such meetings , for , notwithstanding such limitatiou , they aro truly representatives of constituent ; bodies , competent fco legislate upon all subjects within the purview of the Grand Constitution and Code .

Lastly , ifc adds not a little to the Tightness of this position , as tho reader will readily perceive , that whenever it proposed to revise Constitutions or substitute new ones ,

the propositions in either instance must be submitted to and approved by a prescribed majority of the Lodges , Chapters , & a . —aaid approval to be duly certified to the proper Grand Body—before they can become valid .

J . he words sovereign and sovereignty , considered with exact reference to their chief definition . * , are more objectionable than subordinate , seeing that all claims fco sever

eignty were repudiated by the Revolutionary patriots , many of whom were Masons—while laying the foundations of representative government and fighting in their defence , nearly one hundred and fourteen years ago .

They alleged thafc the people were the only sovereigns , an opinion which has since become a parfc of fche law of the land ; that h , that the people are the supreme source

of all governmental power or authority . And as they are so , so too are all the members of each Masonic fraternity the source of all power or authority exercised by their respective Grand Bodies .

But tho words objected to aro not necoasary ; that this is true , let us glance afc Grand , which is a connotative term , and include *? as attributes , relatively great ; greatest ; chief ; principal . Understanding that Graud implies theso

moaning ;* , it is just too term to contradistinguish tho chief assemblies of Masons from the ordinary meetings of the Fraternity , and to denote the superiority ofthe former to the latter in extent of power and authority .

If , however , ifc be insisted thafc tho words sovereign and sovereignty be retained , let ifc be declared that it is so because the body to which thoy are applied is permitted

to exercise stated powers aud authority conceded to it by constituents , in virtue of whicb , as the representative of the whole Order in a specified jurisdiction , it legislates for and exercises supervision over the entire fraternity .

Finally , in respect to tho autonomy of constituents . In tho main , we agree with Comp . Henderson ; but to make some additions and place them plainly before our readers , we enumerate them as follows : —1 . They have the unconditioned right to bold regular and special meetings ; 2 . To

elect members and confer on them the designated degrees ; li . To require members to contribute to the support of the bodies to which they belong ; 4 . To prefer charges against any member , and try any ono so charged , except the first Officer , and in case of conviction , to pronounce sentence ; 5 . To

waive jurisdiction over any resident within the limits of fcho constituent body ; 6 . To complete any work once begun ; 7 . To adopt a Constitution ancl Bye-Laws nofc derogatory to those of fcho Grand Body which they recognize ; 8 . To choose and instal their own officers , and when thoso

designated are about to act as representatives in Grand Assemblies , to instruct them , if they see fit , providing there is no positive law forbidding such instruction ; should such a law exist , ifc should be proraply abrogated , since it would nullify the right of constituents and subject them to the rule of au irresponsible oligarchy .

These rights are properly said to be inherent , since constituent * have not derived them from anybody ; have iiover surrendered them to , nor shared them with , their several Graud Bodies ; aud so firmly are tiey planted thafc the hitter cannot thin or uproot them .