Ar01100

meetings—call them by what name we like—till it has transacted the business before it , is conclusively shown by the fact that no motion was discussed at the last meeting of G . L ., though there were several of the greatest importance on the paper , merely for want of time . Till this power is recognized , if it exist , or established

if it do not , it is impossible that G . L . can efficiently exei'cise the functions of Government vested in it by the Constitutions . If it is necessary that G . L . should meet at all , it is equally necessary that it should fulfil the purpose for which it is created—the transaction of business ; and if this cannot be completed at one

meeting it is clearly necessary that others should be held ; and it is just as reasonable that the M . W . the G . M . should be able to prohibit the assembling of G . L . altogether , as that he should virtually be able to prevent the transaction of business by it when it has met , by

refusing his assent to continuous meetings necessitated by the mass of business before it . Let the power of summoning G . L . ' sof Emergency—when an emergency arises—remain , by all means , in the hands of the M . W . the G . M ., but let G . L . possess the power of doing its

own work at as many meetings as may be found necessary for its completion . There are three notices of motions to effect , this .

The more Precedents are examined , and the Constitutions studied , the more clearly will it appear that Grand Lodge has the inherent right to hold special or adjourned meetings for the transaction of any business that may remain over from the Quarterly Communication ; and these meetings are altogether distinct from

the " G . L . ' s of Emergency , " provided for in the Book of Constitutions . The circular which summoned the G . L . on the 26 th of April , 1854 , stated expressly that it was "in order to adjourn until Saturday the 39 th , " and a motion to that effect was " moved , seconded , and

carried unanimously . " The Constitutions , however , neither give to G . L . nor to the G . M . this power of adjournment , and it can only rest on the " undoubted right" of " the majority of the members present at any Lodge duly summoned , to regulate their own

proceedings " ( p . 75 ) . Another instance occurred in September , 1840 , when the Duke of Sussex being in the chair , " Bro . Davis moved that an especial G . L . should be held on the 30 th of October . Bro . Thomas seconded the resolution , " which was put and carried . In both these cases the consent of G . L . was asked , which conclusively shows that the special or adjourned meetings

then held were not " Lodges of Emergency which are summoned by the M . W . the G . M . alone . And if it is maintained that the consent of the G . M . is necessary for such a special meeting being held , we reply that the Constitutions nowhere say so , but they do say that , " all poiuers and authorities for the government of the G . L .

shall be used and exercised by the officers authorized to preside in the absence of the G . M ., as fully to all intents and , pin-poses as if such substitute officers were specified in every law in which any powers or authorities are given to the principals ; " and that when G . L . is opened " only in form" ( i . e . in the absence of the G . M . ) yet it is " with the same authority . " ( p . 22 ) .

Ar01101

WE have the greatest desire that the services of our worthy and enlig htened Brethren on the Dais should be fully appreciated—at their proper value . Their care of Grand Lodge is almost paternal , and quite equalso far as we can remember—to that of our great-grandmothers in the sweet days of childhood .

They have , perhaps , an antiquated prejudice against our knowing too much—or as they would say , becoming too knowing—but a little learning , as we are all aware , is a dangerous thing , and upon this principle no doubt it was , that , although in September 1848 , G . L . ordered

a pocket edition of the Book of Constitutions to be published , the Grand Registrar—who kindly consents to act . as dry-nurse to the Craft in general , as well as conscience-keeper to the M . W . the G . M . in particular , contrived to smother the little innocent , so that it became

to all intents and purposes defunct , and had to be resuscitated in March , 1855 . It was upon this latter occasion that Bro . Herveyif we mistake not—remarked with that foresight and sagacity which seems to attach inherently to Past Grand Officers , that the greatest misfortunes might be

anticipated so soon as the Craft began to study the Constitutions ; as though they were a tree of knowledge , an acquaintance with whose fruit would result in the loss of bliss—the bliss of ignorance . Ornithologists have often graphically described the lamentations of the maternal hen , when her ducklings

first begin to shift for themselves ; she , however , generally finds that her fears are groundless , and they usually survive . Such , we trust , will be the ease with Bro . Hervey and G . L . The motion for printing the business paper , so that