Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Grand Lodge Of England, And The Representative System.
in precisely the same way as the public press and newspapers of the country draw the attention of the public , and of our legislators , to such amendments in our public laws as from time to time require revision , so as to make the laws of the land consonant with the times . In taking a short review of the origin of the present laws of Freemasonry , it will be found indisputably authenticated , particularly by the Book of Constitutions of the year 173 Sthat it was subsequent to the year 1700 that
non-, operative Masons were for the first time admitted into the society , and that in the year 1717 the first assembling of a Grand Lodge took place , consisting of the members of four Lodges , all of which met in London , and were all the Lodges then in existence in the south of England . The oldest Master Mason was there , and then voted into the chair , and a resolution to meet every quarter was carried . It was also arranged " that the privilege of assembling as Masonswhich had hitherto been
, unlimited , should be vested in certain Lodges or assemblies of Masons , convened in certain places , and that every Lodge being hereafter convened , except the four old Lodges at this time existing , should be legally authorized to act by a warrant from the Grand Master for the time being , granted to certain individuals by petition , with the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge in communication , and that without such warrant no Lodge should be hereafter deemed regular or constitutional . "
In consequence of this regulation several new Lodges were soon after convened in different parts of London and its environs , and the Masters and Wardens of THESE LODGES were commanded to attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge , make a report of their proceedings , and transmit to the Grand Master a copy of any bye-laws they might form for their
own government . Here then is the germ of the representative system , excellent in itself , and well arranged for the time and purpose it was intended to serve , but wholly inadequate to the subsequent extent of the fraternity , which has become spread over the habitable globe , while the laws have not been equally extended to suit the alteration in the state of the society . That such alteration is required , will be seen by the words of the constitution of the society itself , " that the affairs of the society are governed ba eral representation of all private Lod on
y gen ges record ; " and yet the three hundred and eighty-seven Provincial Lodges are unrepresented , the seventy-eight Canadian Lodges are unrepresented , the fifty-six East Indian Lodges are unrepresented , the thirty-one West Indian Lodges are unrepresented , " & c . & c- It is not necessary to swell this list of Lodges , which are not , and in very many instances by the present arrangement cannot , be represented . The provinces can ( it must be admitted ) send one or more of the members of each Lodge to attend
the meetings of the Quarterly Communications , or the especial Grand Lodges , but the possibility of a country Lodge doing so is somewhat lessened by the time and expense attendant upon such proceeding ; this is so evident , that it would be mere waste of time to enlarge upon it ; but while they have the right , the power , and the inclination—the means , and the individual to send , may be entirely wanting ; but they ought not to be deprived of their share of the honour or of the disgrace of
legislating upon the matters that come before the assembled representatives , many of which may seriously interfere with their interests and privileges , and yet of such legislating they would know nothing until promulgated to them as laws that are in force . Need instances of recent occurrence he adduced to show that this may take place , or have taken place ?—certainly not ; every country Mason knows the fact , and waits
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Grand Lodge Of England, And The Representative System.
in precisely the same way as the public press and newspapers of the country draw the attention of the public , and of our legislators , to such amendments in our public laws as from time to time require revision , so as to make the laws of the land consonant with the times . In taking a short review of the origin of the present laws of Freemasonry , it will be found indisputably authenticated , particularly by the Book of Constitutions of the year 173 Sthat it was subsequent to the year 1700 that
non-, operative Masons were for the first time admitted into the society , and that in the year 1717 the first assembling of a Grand Lodge took place , consisting of the members of four Lodges , all of which met in London , and were all the Lodges then in existence in the south of England . The oldest Master Mason was there , and then voted into the chair , and a resolution to meet every quarter was carried . It was also arranged " that the privilege of assembling as Masonswhich had hitherto been
, unlimited , should be vested in certain Lodges or assemblies of Masons , convened in certain places , and that every Lodge being hereafter convened , except the four old Lodges at this time existing , should be legally authorized to act by a warrant from the Grand Master for the time being , granted to certain individuals by petition , with the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge in communication , and that without such warrant no Lodge should be hereafter deemed regular or constitutional . "
In consequence of this regulation several new Lodges were soon after convened in different parts of London and its environs , and the Masters and Wardens of THESE LODGES were commanded to attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge , make a report of their proceedings , and transmit to the Grand Master a copy of any bye-laws they might form for their
own government . Here then is the germ of the representative system , excellent in itself , and well arranged for the time and purpose it was intended to serve , but wholly inadequate to the subsequent extent of the fraternity , which has become spread over the habitable globe , while the laws have not been equally extended to suit the alteration in the state of the society . That such alteration is required , will be seen by the words of the constitution of the society itself , " that the affairs of the society are governed ba eral representation of all private Lod on
y gen ges record ; " and yet the three hundred and eighty-seven Provincial Lodges are unrepresented , the seventy-eight Canadian Lodges are unrepresented , the fifty-six East Indian Lodges are unrepresented , the thirty-one West Indian Lodges are unrepresented , " & c . & c- It is not necessary to swell this list of Lodges , which are not , and in very many instances by the present arrangement cannot , be represented . The provinces can ( it must be admitted ) send one or more of the members of each Lodge to attend
the meetings of the Quarterly Communications , or the especial Grand Lodges , but the possibility of a country Lodge doing so is somewhat lessened by the time and expense attendant upon such proceeding ; this is so evident , that it would be mere waste of time to enlarge upon it ; but while they have the right , the power , and the inclination—the means , and the individual to send , may be entirely wanting ; but they ought not to be deprived of their share of the honour or of the disgrace of
legislating upon the matters that come before the assembled representatives , many of which may seriously interfere with their interests and privileges , and yet of such legislating they would know nothing until promulgated to them as laws that are in force . Need instances of recent occurrence he adduced to show that this may take place , or have taken place ?—certainly not ; every country Mason knows the fact , and waits