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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Dec. 1, 1856
  • Page 12
  • CORRESPONDENCE.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Dec. 1, 1856: Page 12

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Page 12

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

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1856-12-01, Page 12” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 10 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/frm_01121856/page/12/.
  • List
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Title Category Page
ON THE RELIGION OF THE CELTS, AND THE CUSTOMS THENCE DERIVED. Article 1
LA VENDEE. A DRAMATIC POEM. Article 7
REVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS. Article 10
A LOVE-TOKEN". Article 11
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 12
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 16
METROPOLITAN. Article 28
PROVINCIAL. Article 34
EOYAL ARCH. Article 49
THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE. Article 51
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 51
MARE MASONRY. Article 52
SCOTLAND. Article 52
IRELAND. Article 57
COLONIAL. Article 59
INDIA. Article 61
AMERICA. Article 63
SUMMARY OF NEWS FOE NOVEMBER Article 64
Obituary. Article 68
NOTICE. Article 71
TO COEEESPONDENTS. Article 71
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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

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