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Article SUPREME GRAND LODGE. ← Page 2 of 4 →
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Supreme Grand Lodge.
more than twelve months bas taken place on the part of the Grand Lodge of Maine in making its reply to my communications . Now , with regard to the main question , ive , of course , fully admit the supreme Masonic jurisdiction possessed by all regularly established Grand Lodges within their respective territories , more especially withreference ^ to theformation of new lodges , or the making of Masons therein ; but we cannot recognise a power extending beyond such territoriesnor over who are not Masons The Grand
, persons . Lodge of Maine claims that it has , " by speeiale nactment , secured to is subordinate lodges the exclusive privilege of initiating into Masonry all the inhabitants of that state who desire to enter the Order . I think that you will agree Avith me that the Grand Lodge of Maine possesses po such power . If an English gentleman A'isiting Edinburgh , Dublin , or Paris , ivere to be initiated into Masonry there , and the Grand Lodge of England were to complain
that the initiation of such a person was an invasion of its " territorial jurisdiction , " and a violation of the privileges which , by special enactment , it had secured to English lodges , I need not tell you that its position would be untenable . This is precisely 'the case of the Grand Lodge of Maine , through whose whole argument there runs the fallacy , that , claiming supreme authority within their own territory—ivhich authority nobody questions—they seek to impose laws the subordinate bodies of other Grand Lodges
upon , and claim authority , not only over Masons , and over those ivho are within their own territory , but , indirectly , over those who are not Masons , and who are not within their territory . It is said that hostility and border ivarfare will be the results of admitting candidates without reference to their residence . I trust that such terms are quite inapplicable to the conduct of those who would carry out the true principles of Freemasonry . I think that Masters of
lodges cannot be too particular in making the most strict inquiry into the character of candidates , who , being non-residents , may apply for admission , in order that it may be ascertained whether there be anything objectionable against them as to prevent their gaining admission into lodges in the places where they reside . I would earnestly impress upon all colonial lodges that they should be especially careful to avoid any just cause of offence , and to endeavour to live in harmony ivith neighbouring lod holding under
ges , other jurisdictions ; but n-hilst I do this , I cannot recommend Grand Lodge to interfere with the privileges hitherto possessed by private lodges , nor to impose restrictions with reference to the residence of candidates for admission , because I believe that to do so would be an arbitrary interference with the rights of private lodges , would interfere with the universality of Freemasonry , ancl would tend rather to the aggrandisement of particular Grancl "
Lodges than to the advantage of the Order generally . We should seek to introduce amongst our members those ivho will do honour to our Institution by their mental , moral , and social qualifications ; but I do not think that ifc would be consonant with our dignity , or conducive to our respectability , that we should enter into a competition as to ivhich Grand Lodge should possess them . I have given this subject my very attentive consideration , and the Grancl Lodge is in
now possession of my view of the matter . In order to a full and fair expression of opinion , ancl in order that the Grand Lodge of Maine may be satisfied as to the action of the Grand Lodge of England , I have directed the Grancl Registrar to prepare a resolution , ivhich I now call upon him to move , and upon which any brother will have a full opportunity of expressing his opinion . The M . W . Grand Master , who had been repeatedly interrupted by applause during the reading of his statement , resumed bis seat amidst loud cheers .
Ihe GEAND REGISTEAB , in obedience to the command of the W . "H . Grand Master rose ivith great pleasure to move a resolution founded upon the correspondence , the length of which they mi < rht judge of from one letter lie held in his hand [ exhibiting a soodly sized pamphlet ] and cf which the Grand Master had given tbem a full and fiiir epitome , and for which he considered tbey were much indebted to his lordship . It was evident that from the first the Grancl Lodge of Maine had proceeded on a fallacyancl confounded
, territorial with personal jurisdiction , acting upon the principle that if a man once belonged to the territory , they could follow the man . There could be no doubt that the Grand Lodge of Maine , bad tbe exclusive right cf establishing lodge ? , and of r . iakins-Masons through those ; lodges within their own district ; but tbey had no right of following a man merely because be had once lived within that district , when he removed to another }) laee ; because , if they did
so , they exercised a personal ancl not a territorial jurisdiction ; and it being a well known and recognised principle in England that a man might be made a Alason when ancl where he liked , without regardto his place of residence . It was no doubt most desirable that when a man was proposed for initiation in a lodge distant from his _ place of residence , whilst there were lodges in ihe district in which he resided , that most close and careful " inquiries should be made why he was not initiated within bis own district ; but these being properly explained , and there appearing nothing against his
character , there was no reason ivhy he should not be initiated in the lodge of his choice . ( Cheers . ) He would not detain Grand Lodge at greater length , but at once proceed to propose his resolution , the whole matter having beeu so fully and succinctly brought before them by the Grand Master . The learned Brother concluded by moving— - " That this Grand Lodge fully admits the supreme jurisdiction of all regularly established Grancl Lodges within their respective
territories , more especially in reference to the formation of lodges and the making of Masons therein ; but it fully concurs in the opinion expressed by the M . W . G . M . ; ancl thinking it undesirable to interfere with the privileges possessed by private lodges , declines to depart from its ancient practice , which has hitherto imposed no restrictions in reference to the residence of candidates who seek admission into the Order . "
Bro . STEBBING rose with peculiar pleasure to second the motion , feeling sure that the M . W . G . M . ivould find a ready response from the brethren to the opinions he had so ably expressed ; and that upon all constitutional questions—apart from those minor questions of policy upon which they sometimes disagreed—his lordship would alway s receive ready and full support from the Craft . ( Cheers . ) He had made it his business to go through the whole of the correspondence most carefullto see how far he could support the
resoy , lution to be brought , before them , and he agreed ivith the Grancl Registrar that the Grand Lodge of Maine had throughout proceeded on a fallacy , ancl misunderstood the principles ivhich had ever guided Grand Lodges with regard to thoir jurisdiction . His Lordship had most aptly alluded to the cases of Northumberland aud Scotland , it being precisely such a case as that brought forward by the Grand Lodge of Maine . They statedhoweverin reply
, , , that the cases in the Colonies ancl the , TJnited States were not analogous with those of the United Kingdom , as there the jurisdiction was guarded by ocean boundaries—an argument which would not hold in answer to his lordship's statement , as there were no ocean boundaries between England ancl Scotland . If the rule were adopted as laid clown by the Grand Lodge of Maine , it would give rise to
endless confusion . Many Frenchmen ivere now initiated in Jersey and Guernsey ,- American captains and others were made in Hampshire ; and other foreigners resident in this country-were frequently —either in consequence of business , social or other ties—initiated Avithout in any Avay interfering with the rights of foreign Grand Lodges , The question being a territorial one , he repeated that the Grand Lodge of Maine had misunderstood ifc , ancl they had gone so far as to appeal to Vattel ancl Grotius in support of their
arguments , whilst their very authorities drew a wide distinction between territorial ancl personal jurisdiction . Further reference had been made to the case of the Grand Lodge of England releasing the American Lodges from their allegiance to the Masonic authority of their mother country on the establishment of the independence of tbe United States ; but that ivas a pure transference of territorial rights , ivithout in any way affecting personal jurisdiction . They likewise stated , that the making a Mason in a jurisdiction within
which he did not reside was contrary to the 6 th article of the Universal Masonic Convention ; but that article , as quoted by the Grand Lodge of Maine themselves , would not bear out tbeir argument , for it in no way affected tbe right to initiate a candidate from another jurisdiction or country , all it said being , "Before jiroceeding in the initiation of a non-resident , inquiry shall be made of the authorities of the country to which the candidate owes allegiance
, except in well authenticated cases of emergency . " The onlyquestion thereby raised they would readily see ivas one of the fitness of the individual for initiation . Again—with regard to territorial or personal jurisdiction . In 1725 the Grand Master of England was accused of so trenching , on tbo authority of the Grand Lodge of York , by creating lodges in Lancashire and other places within the jurisdiction of the latterand an estrangement occurred
, between the northern and southern Masons ,- but there was never any claim set up with regard to personal jurisdiction , and all evidence beiug against the claim now brought forward by the Grand Lodge of Maine , he . felt great pleasure in seconding the resolution of the Grand Registrar . The motion was then put and carried unanimously .
TEiiniONIAL TO BRO . JENNINGS , P . G . D . C . The M . W . GEAND 3 LISXEH then rose aud said , —It would be iu the recollection of the brethren that at the Grand Lodge in June a jeivel was unanimously voted to Bro . Jennings for bis able and efficient services in Grand Lodge during a jieriod of 25 years . It now became his pleasing duty to present the jewel , which had been most fully earned ; and he could assure Bro . Jennings that he entertained the highest opinion of the services which he had performed
to Grand Lodge , and he must congratulate him on the presentation of so marked an appreciation of his services by Grand Lodge . On the reverse of the jewel was this inscription : — " By the unanimous vote of Grancl Lodge , this jewel ivas presented ' to Bro . Richard
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Supreme Grand Lodge.
more than twelve months bas taken place on the part of the Grand Lodge of Maine in making its reply to my communications . Now , with regard to the main question , ive , of course , fully admit the supreme Masonic jurisdiction possessed by all regularly established Grand Lodges within their respective territories , more especially withreference ^ to theformation of new lodges , or the making of Masons therein ; but we cannot recognise a power extending beyond such territoriesnor over who are not Masons The Grand
, persons . Lodge of Maine claims that it has , " by speeiale nactment , secured to is subordinate lodges the exclusive privilege of initiating into Masonry all the inhabitants of that state who desire to enter the Order . I think that you will agree Avith me that the Grand Lodge of Maine possesses po such power . If an English gentleman A'isiting Edinburgh , Dublin , or Paris , ivere to be initiated into Masonry there , and the Grand Lodge of England were to complain
that the initiation of such a person was an invasion of its " territorial jurisdiction , " and a violation of the privileges which , by special enactment , it had secured to English lodges , I need not tell you that its position would be untenable . This is precisely 'the case of the Grand Lodge of Maine , through whose whole argument there runs the fallacy , that , claiming supreme authority within their own territory—ivhich authority nobody questions—they seek to impose laws the subordinate bodies of other Grand Lodges
upon , and claim authority , not only over Masons , and over those ivho are within their own territory , but , indirectly , over those who are not Masons , and who are not within their territory . It is said that hostility and border ivarfare will be the results of admitting candidates without reference to their residence . I trust that such terms are quite inapplicable to the conduct of those who would carry out the true principles of Freemasonry . I think that Masters of
lodges cannot be too particular in making the most strict inquiry into the character of candidates , who , being non-residents , may apply for admission , in order that it may be ascertained whether there be anything objectionable against them as to prevent their gaining admission into lodges in the places where they reside . I would earnestly impress upon all colonial lodges that they should be especially careful to avoid any just cause of offence , and to endeavour to live in harmony ivith neighbouring lod holding under
ges , other jurisdictions ; but n-hilst I do this , I cannot recommend Grand Lodge to interfere with the privileges hitherto possessed by private lodges , nor to impose restrictions with reference to the residence of candidates for admission , because I believe that to do so would be an arbitrary interference with the rights of private lodges , would interfere with the universality of Freemasonry , ancl would tend rather to the aggrandisement of particular Grancl "
Lodges than to the advantage of the Order generally . We should seek to introduce amongst our members those ivho will do honour to our Institution by their mental , moral , and social qualifications ; but I do not think that ifc would be consonant with our dignity , or conducive to our respectability , that we should enter into a competition as to ivhich Grand Lodge should possess them . I have given this subject my very attentive consideration , and the Grancl Lodge is in
now possession of my view of the matter . In order to a full and fair expression of opinion , ancl in order that the Grand Lodge of Maine may be satisfied as to the action of the Grand Lodge of England , I have directed the Grancl Registrar to prepare a resolution , ivhich I now call upon him to move , and upon which any brother will have a full opportunity of expressing his opinion . The M . W . Grand Master , who had been repeatedly interrupted by applause during the reading of his statement , resumed bis seat amidst loud cheers .
Ihe GEAND REGISTEAB , in obedience to the command of the W . "H . Grand Master rose ivith great pleasure to move a resolution founded upon the correspondence , the length of which they mi < rht judge of from one letter lie held in his hand [ exhibiting a soodly sized pamphlet ] and cf which the Grand Master had given tbem a full and fiiir epitome , and for which he considered tbey were much indebted to his lordship . It was evident that from the first the Grancl Lodge of Maine had proceeded on a fallacyancl confounded
, territorial with personal jurisdiction , acting upon the principle that if a man once belonged to the territory , they could follow the man . There could be no doubt that the Grand Lodge of Maine , bad tbe exclusive right cf establishing lodge ? , and of r . iakins-Masons through those ; lodges within their own district ; but tbey had no right of following a man merely because be had once lived within that district , when he removed to another }) laee ; because , if they did
so , they exercised a personal ancl not a territorial jurisdiction ; and it being a well known and recognised principle in England that a man might be made a Alason when ancl where he liked , without regardto his place of residence . It was no doubt most desirable that when a man was proposed for initiation in a lodge distant from his _ place of residence , whilst there were lodges in ihe district in which he resided , that most close and careful " inquiries should be made why he was not initiated within bis own district ; but these being properly explained , and there appearing nothing against his
character , there was no reason ivhy he should not be initiated in the lodge of his choice . ( Cheers . ) He would not detain Grand Lodge at greater length , but at once proceed to propose his resolution , the whole matter having beeu so fully and succinctly brought before them by the Grand Master . The learned Brother concluded by moving— - " That this Grand Lodge fully admits the supreme jurisdiction of all regularly established Grancl Lodges within their respective
territories , more especially in reference to the formation of lodges and the making of Masons therein ; but it fully concurs in the opinion expressed by the M . W . G . M . ; ancl thinking it undesirable to interfere with the privileges possessed by private lodges , declines to depart from its ancient practice , which has hitherto imposed no restrictions in reference to the residence of candidates who seek admission into the Order . "
Bro . STEBBING rose with peculiar pleasure to second the motion , feeling sure that the M . W . G . M . ivould find a ready response from the brethren to the opinions he had so ably expressed ; and that upon all constitutional questions—apart from those minor questions of policy upon which they sometimes disagreed—his lordship would alway s receive ready and full support from the Craft . ( Cheers . ) He had made it his business to go through the whole of the correspondence most carefullto see how far he could support the
resoy , lution to be brought , before them , and he agreed ivith the Grancl Registrar that the Grand Lodge of Maine had throughout proceeded on a fallacy , ancl misunderstood the principles ivhich had ever guided Grand Lodges with regard to thoir jurisdiction . His Lordship had most aptly alluded to the cases of Northumberland aud Scotland , it being precisely such a case as that brought forward by the Grand Lodge of Maine . They statedhoweverin reply
, , , that the cases in the Colonies ancl the , TJnited States were not analogous with those of the United Kingdom , as there the jurisdiction was guarded by ocean boundaries—an argument which would not hold in answer to his lordship's statement , as there were no ocean boundaries between England ancl Scotland . If the rule were adopted as laid clown by the Grand Lodge of Maine , it would give rise to
endless confusion . Many Frenchmen ivere now initiated in Jersey and Guernsey ,- American captains and others were made in Hampshire ; and other foreigners resident in this country-were frequently —either in consequence of business , social or other ties—initiated Avithout in any Avay interfering with the rights of foreign Grand Lodges , The question being a territorial one , he repeated that the Grand Lodge of Maine had misunderstood ifc , ancl they had gone so far as to appeal to Vattel ancl Grotius in support of their
arguments , whilst their very authorities drew a wide distinction between territorial ancl personal jurisdiction . Further reference had been made to the case of the Grand Lodge of England releasing the American Lodges from their allegiance to the Masonic authority of their mother country on the establishment of the independence of tbe United States ; but that ivas a pure transference of territorial rights , ivithout in any way affecting personal jurisdiction . They likewise stated , that the making a Mason in a jurisdiction within
which he did not reside was contrary to the 6 th article of the Universal Masonic Convention ; but that article , as quoted by the Grand Lodge of Maine themselves , would not bear out tbeir argument , for it in no way affected tbe right to initiate a candidate from another jurisdiction or country , all it said being , "Before jiroceeding in the initiation of a non-resident , inquiry shall be made of the authorities of the country to which the candidate owes allegiance
, except in well authenticated cases of emergency . " The onlyquestion thereby raised they would readily see ivas one of the fitness of the individual for initiation . Again—with regard to territorial or personal jurisdiction . In 1725 the Grand Master of England was accused of so trenching , on tbo authority of the Grand Lodge of York , by creating lodges in Lancashire and other places within the jurisdiction of the latterand an estrangement occurred
, between the northern and southern Masons ,- but there was never any claim set up with regard to personal jurisdiction , and all evidence beiug against the claim now brought forward by the Grand Lodge of Maine , he . felt great pleasure in seconding the resolution of the Grand Registrar . The motion was then put and carried unanimously .
TEiiniONIAL TO BRO . JENNINGS , P . G . D . C . The M . W . GEAND 3 LISXEH then rose aud said , —It would be iu the recollection of the brethren that at the Grand Lodge in June a jeivel was unanimously voted to Bro . Jennings for bis able and efficient services in Grand Lodge during a jieriod of 25 years . It now became his pleasing duty to present the jewel , which had been most fully earned ; and he could assure Bro . Jennings that he entertained the highest opinion of the services which he had performed
to Grand Lodge , and he must congratulate him on the presentation of so marked an appreciation of his services by Grand Lodge . On the reverse of the jewel was this inscription : — " By the unanimous vote of Grancl Lodge , this jewel ivas presented ' to Bro . Richard