Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America
sequent discord , and returned to its fealty , and , I trust , in sincerity to that fraternal union that has heretofore existed . . . In the remarks I shall have the honour to make to you and your Command here assembled , I shall be , in the discharge of what I deem my official duty , actuated by the most kind and heartfelt fraternal feelings to all . I am satisfied from what I have heard , that erroneous impressions have been promulgated and exist , in reference to the true relation your subordinate bears to its superior , as well as to the govermental theory and principles of Templar Masonry .
The occasion is a proper one to explain to you , and all others of our subordinates , the relation they bear to their parent head , the Grand Encampment of the "United States ; and to suggest that for any real or supposed grievances , they have a remedy in an orderly and Masonic complaint or appeal to that Grand Encampment at its triennial sessions , where they would have good reason to expect a most
courteous and fraternal reception , and all that satisfaction which justice would require . Such a course I submit to you , would be in accordance With our professions , teachings , the principles of our Order , and the provisions of our Constitution ; while open rebellion against lawful and constitutional authority is necessarily anti-Masonic and indefensible .
By the constitution of Templar Masonry , by the vows and obligations of the Officers and members of each subordinate , it has no existence except in fealty , by creation from its superior , and its constant and continued relation to such superior government ; the constitution of which all have solemnly sworn to maintain and support . This same solemn obligation rested upon each individual Templar , before the organization of the subordinate of which he became a member .
The application was made to the Grand Encampment of the United States ( then called General Grand Encampment ) for authority or a charter to organize and form such State Grand Encampment or Commandery , subordinate to , and under the jurisdiction and government of that of the United States ; and when so formed , a constitution was adopted in fealty to the parental source from whence it emanated , and it became and was necessarily dependent for its existence upon that fealty and subordinate relation .
A resolution , therefore , by such subordinate , declaring itself independent of its superior , is palpably a violation of the obligation of a Templar—a violation of the constitution of such subordinate and that of the Grand Encampment of the United States—and moreover puts such subordinate out of existence . And it follows that it would be the duty of the Grand Encampment of the United States , with ail its subordinates , to have no knightly communication with those erring members . And moreover , it would be the imperative duty of the Grand Master
of Templars , forthwith , and on behalf of the Grand Encampment of the United States , not only to publicly interdict all intercourse between the faithful and true Templars in the United States and elsewhere , and such rebellious subjects ; hut also to issue his ivarrant , under the constitution of the Grand Encampment , to the chartered subordinates in the State who had remained faithful to their profession , to meet and form a Grand Commandery for the State ; and also and before such
State subordinate was formed , to individuals of nine or more of faithful Templars as occasion might require , to issue his dispensation for forming a new Commandery directly subordinate to that of the United States . And in the end , those who continued in rebellion , and without the shield and protection of our time-honoured Institution , would he seriously circumstanced in their relations to the other Orders of Ancient Craft Masonry—occupying to themselves the solitary position of irregular , if not clandestine Masons . *
It is due to my fellow Knights here assembled , and to all others throughout our jurisdiction , to state , that immediately upon my receiving the official evidence of the unfortunate action of this subordinate , in the passing of the resolutions of independence of the Grand Encampment , I prepared the papers , in discharge of my official duty , having for the result what I have before stated , but withheld
We think the conclusions of the M . E . G . M . erroneous . We cannot see how their rights aa Ancient Craft Masons could be effected . —
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America
sequent discord , and returned to its fealty , and , I trust , in sincerity to that fraternal union that has heretofore existed . . . In the remarks I shall have the honour to make to you and your Command here assembled , I shall be , in the discharge of what I deem my official duty , actuated by the most kind and heartfelt fraternal feelings to all . I am satisfied from what I have heard , that erroneous impressions have been promulgated and exist , in reference to the true relation your subordinate bears to its superior , as well as to the govermental theory and principles of Templar Masonry .
The occasion is a proper one to explain to you , and all others of our subordinates , the relation they bear to their parent head , the Grand Encampment of the "United States ; and to suggest that for any real or supposed grievances , they have a remedy in an orderly and Masonic complaint or appeal to that Grand Encampment at its triennial sessions , where they would have good reason to expect a most
courteous and fraternal reception , and all that satisfaction which justice would require . Such a course I submit to you , would be in accordance With our professions , teachings , the principles of our Order , and the provisions of our Constitution ; while open rebellion against lawful and constitutional authority is necessarily anti-Masonic and indefensible .
By the constitution of Templar Masonry , by the vows and obligations of the Officers and members of each subordinate , it has no existence except in fealty , by creation from its superior , and its constant and continued relation to such superior government ; the constitution of which all have solemnly sworn to maintain and support . This same solemn obligation rested upon each individual Templar , before the organization of the subordinate of which he became a member .
The application was made to the Grand Encampment of the United States ( then called General Grand Encampment ) for authority or a charter to organize and form such State Grand Encampment or Commandery , subordinate to , and under the jurisdiction and government of that of the United States ; and when so formed , a constitution was adopted in fealty to the parental source from whence it emanated , and it became and was necessarily dependent for its existence upon that fealty and subordinate relation .
A resolution , therefore , by such subordinate , declaring itself independent of its superior , is palpably a violation of the obligation of a Templar—a violation of the constitution of such subordinate and that of the Grand Encampment of the United States—and moreover puts such subordinate out of existence . And it follows that it would be the duty of the Grand Encampment of the United States , with ail its subordinates , to have no knightly communication with those erring members . And moreover , it would be the imperative duty of the Grand Master
of Templars , forthwith , and on behalf of the Grand Encampment of the United States , not only to publicly interdict all intercourse between the faithful and true Templars in the United States and elsewhere , and such rebellious subjects ; hut also to issue his ivarrant , under the constitution of the Grand Encampment , to the chartered subordinates in the State who had remained faithful to their profession , to meet and form a Grand Commandery for the State ; and also and before such
State subordinate was formed , to individuals of nine or more of faithful Templars as occasion might require , to issue his dispensation for forming a new Commandery directly subordinate to that of the United States . And in the end , those who continued in rebellion , and without the shield and protection of our time-honoured Institution , would he seriously circumstanced in their relations to the other Orders of Ancient Craft Masonry—occupying to themselves the solitary position of irregular , if not clandestine Masons . *
It is due to my fellow Knights here assembled , and to all others throughout our jurisdiction , to state , that immediately upon my receiving the official evidence of the unfortunate action of this subordinate , in the passing of the resolutions of independence of the Grand Encampment , I prepared the papers , in discharge of my official duty , having for the result what I have before stated , but withheld
We think the conclusions of the M . E . G . M . erroneous . We cannot see how their rights aa Ancient Craft Masons could be effected . —