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Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 4 →
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Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Pear Sir ajtd Brother , —The special Grand Lodge , held on the 19 th Nov ., was a remarkable meeting in many respects , but chiefly noticeable for the almost galvanic energy with which the Most Worshipful Grand Master seemed to be suddenly imbued . Influenced by this newly-found vigour , his lordship arbitrarily refused permission for any discussion of a question involving the rights and privileges of Grand Lodge , contenting himself with a statement of his own views , an
[ The Editob does not Ttold himself responsible for any opinions entertained by Correspondents . ] '
explanation of the reasons why he had arrived at certain conclusions , and why he had determined on a certain course of action ; not allowing these to be questioned , and therefore compelling Grand Lodge perforce to be content therewith also . The only way , then , in wdiich justice can be done to those who felt themselves obliged to differ from the Grand Master in respect to his ruling , both as to the
validity of the proceedings at the adjourned Grand Lodge of the 1 st October , and as to the means by which a decision as to such validity should be arrived at , is by appealing for space in your columns to lay before the Brethren at large , however imperfectly , the grounds upon which they have formed their opinion , and upon which they would have based their arguments , had they been permitted an opportunity for doing so .
On the question of adjournment they admit the Book of Constitutions is silent , and they deem rightly so , as it is quite unnecessary formally to set forth the possession of a power which they hold to be inherent in every legislative and deliberative assembly . That the power of adjournment , which they claim for Grand Lodge , is not
contrary to any landmark , is proved by the fact , that in the year 1854 , Grand Lodge was summoned for the express purpose of doing that which it is now stated it has not the power to do . In Grand Lodge alone resides the power of enacting laws and regulations for the government of the Craft , and also of repealing and abrogating them ; and therefore what Grand Lodge has sanctioned and approved , Grand Lodge alone can annul .
The Book of Constitutions , passim , recognises the supremacy of Grand Lodge in every matter , and nowhere gives power to the Grand Master to interpret its Jaws as he thinks proper . No language can well be stronger than this : " All matters are to be decided by a majority of votes , each member having one vote , and the Grand Master two votes ; unless the Lodge , for the sake of expedition , think proper to leave any particular subject to the determination of the Grand Master . "
Grand Lodge has the same authority whether presided over by the Grand Master or by any other Brother Who , in consequence of the absence of the Grand Master is tailed upon to preside , in the maimer provided by the Book of Constitutions . It cannot be considered disrespectful for Brethren to dissent from the ruling of an authority , however exalted , and in every case of disputed jurisdiction Grand Lodge is expressly invested with the power of finally deciding . Under the head " Of Appeal / ' p , 88 , Book of Constitutions , I read as follows : — " As the Grand
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Pear Sir ajtd Brother , —The special Grand Lodge , held on the 19 th Nov ., was a remarkable meeting in many respects , but chiefly noticeable for the almost galvanic energy with which the Most Worshipful Grand Master seemed to be suddenly imbued . Influenced by this newly-found vigour , his lordship arbitrarily refused permission for any discussion of a question involving the rights and privileges of Grand Lodge , contenting himself with a statement of his own views , an
[ The Editob does not Ttold himself responsible for any opinions entertained by Correspondents . ] '
explanation of the reasons why he had arrived at certain conclusions , and why he had determined on a certain course of action ; not allowing these to be questioned , and therefore compelling Grand Lodge perforce to be content therewith also . The only way , then , in wdiich justice can be done to those who felt themselves obliged to differ from the Grand Master in respect to his ruling , both as to the
validity of the proceedings at the adjourned Grand Lodge of the 1 st October , and as to the means by which a decision as to such validity should be arrived at , is by appealing for space in your columns to lay before the Brethren at large , however imperfectly , the grounds upon which they have formed their opinion , and upon which they would have based their arguments , had they been permitted an opportunity for doing so .
On the question of adjournment they admit the Book of Constitutions is silent , and they deem rightly so , as it is quite unnecessary formally to set forth the possession of a power which they hold to be inherent in every legislative and deliberative assembly . That the power of adjournment , which they claim for Grand Lodge , is not
contrary to any landmark , is proved by the fact , that in the year 1854 , Grand Lodge was summoned for the express purpose of doing that which it is now stated it has not the power to do . In Grand Lodge alone resides the power of enacting laws and regulations for the government of the Craft , and also of repealing and abrogating them ; and therefore what Grand Lodge has sanctioned and approved , Grand Lodge alone can annul .
The Book of Constitutions , passim , recognises the supremacy of Grand Lodge in every matter , and nowhere gives power to the Grand Master to interpret its Jaws as he thinks proper . No language can well be stronger than this : " All matters are to be decided by a majority of votes , each member having one vote , and the Grand Master two votes ; unless the Lodge , for the sake of expedition , think proper to leave any particular subject to the determination of the Grand Master . "
Grand Lodge has the same authority whether presided over by the Grand Master or by any other Brother Who , in consequence of the absence of the Grand Master is tailed upon to preside , in the maimer provided by the Book of Constitutions . It cannot be considered disrespectful for Brethren to dissent from the ruling of an authority , however exalted , and in every case of disputed jurisdiction Grand Lodge is expressly invested with the power of finally deciding . Under the head " Of Appeal / ' p , 88 , Book of Constitutions , I read as follows : — " As the Grand