-
Articles/Ads
Article THE MASONIC MIRROR. Page 1 of 14 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Mirror.
THE MASONIC MIRROR .
A question of some interest has arisen in Grand Lodge , and which is most material to its government , as involving the power possessed by the members . As no new business can be brought forward after eleven o ' clock at night , Bro . Warren , at the meeting of September , finding at half-past ten that not one third
GRAND LODGE , Oct . 1 .
of the business could be got through , moved the adjournment of the Lodge until the 1 st of October , —a motion which was unanimously carried . On the
reassembling of Grand Lodge on the day named , Bro « Beadon , Bro . Havers , and other Grand officers , protested against the business being proceeded with ; on the plea that the Grand Lodge had no power to adjourn ; Bro . Beadon resting his argument upon the ground that there was no precedent for such a course ; and Bro . Havers , on the clause in the Book of Constitutions , which says , " The Grand
Master , in his absence the pro Grand Master ^ the Dep . Grand Master , or in his absence the Grand Wardens , may summon and hold Grand Lodges whenever the good of the Craft shall in their opinion require it . " To deal with the argument of Bro . Beadon first , we confidently assert the precedent does exist . The 26 th of April , 1854 , was the day appointed for holding the Grand Festival , but the general
Fast being fixed for that day , an adjournment became necessary . Accordingly the Brethren were called together under the authority of the Grand Master for that purpose , thereby clearly showing that the power vested in the Grand Lodge itself . Upon that occasion it was moved and seconded , " That this Grand Lodge do now adjourn until Saturday , the 29 th inst ., at four o ' clock , then to meet for the
despatch of Masonic business . " The minute further goes on to say , " Upon the question being put , it was unanimously carried in the affirmative . " With regard to the argument of Bro . Havers it is clear that it only applies to the calling together of Lodges of Emergency , and not to the powers of Grand Lodge when called together . The Brethren do not profess to have the power of calling Lodges of Emergency any more than the House of Commons can meet of its own will . The sovereign must call Parliament together ; but when met , it has the power of
adjourning from time to time for the transaction of business ; and in the same manner we contend that Grand Lodge , or one convened by the proper authorities , has the same power , —the Grand Master and the Dep . Grand Master having repeatedly informed Grand Lodge that its proceedings are governed as nearly as possible in conformity with the regulations which govern the House of
Commons . After a long discussion the R . W . Bro . Willett , Prov . G . M . for Dorsetshire , who presided on the occasion , decided that the Brethren had the Power of adjournment ; and Bros . Beadon , Havers , the Be v . J . E . Cox , Patten , Biggs , and other Grand officers retired . The business was then proceeded with ; but as it is not improbable the question will be again raised in December , it behoves every member of Grand Lodge to ho early in attendance to support the deci-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Mirror.
THE MASONIC MIRROR .
A question of some interest has arisen in Grand Lodge , and which is most material to its government , as involving the power possessed by the members . As no new business can be brought forward after eleven o ' clock at night , Bro . Warren , at the meeting of September , finding at half-past ten that not one third
GRAND LODGE , Oct . 1 .
of the business could be got through , moved the adjournment of the Lodge until the 1 st of October , —a motion which was unanimously carried . On the
reassembling of Grand Lodge on the day named , Bro « Beadon , Bro . Havers , and other Grand officers , protested against the business being proceeded with ; on the plea that the Grand Lodge had no power to adjourn ; Bro . Beadon resting his argument upon the ground that there was no precedent for such a course ; and Bro . Havers , on the clause in the Book of Constitutions , which says , " The Grand
Master , in his absence the pro Grand Master ^ the Dep . Grand Master , or in his absence the Grand Wardens , may summon and hold Grand Lodges whenever the good of the Craft shall in their opinion require it . " To deal with the argument of Bro . Beadon first , we confidently assert the precedent does exist . The 26 th of April , 1854 , was the day appointed for holding the Grand Festival , but the general
Fast being fixed for that day , an adjournment became necessary . Accordingly the Brethren were called together under the authority of the Grand Master for that purpose , thereby clearly showing that the power vested in the Grand Lodge itself . Upon that occasion it was moved and seconded , " That this Grand Lodge do now adjourn until Saturday , the 29 th inst ., at four o ' clock , then to meet for the
despatch of Masonic business . " The minute further goes on to say , " Upon the question being put , it was unanimously carried in the affirmative . " With regard to the argument of Bro . Havers it is clear that it only applies to the calling together of Lodges of Emergency , and not to the powers of Grand Lodge when called together . The Brethren do not profess to have the power of calling Lodges of Emergency any more than the House of Commons can meet of its own will . The sovereign must call Parliament together ; but when met , it has the power of
adjourning from time to time for the transaction of business ; and in the same manner we contend that Grand Lodge , or one convened by the proper authorities , has the same power , —the Grand Master and the Dep . Grand Master having repeatedly informed Grand Lodge that its proceedings are governed as nearly as possible in conformity with the regulations which govern the House of
Commons . After a long discussion the R . W . Bro . Willett , Prov . G . M . for Dorsetshire , who presided on the occasion , decided that the Brethren had the Power of adjournment ; and Bros . Beadon , Havers , the Be v . J . E . Cox , Patten , Biggs , and other Grand officers retired . The business was then proceeded with ; but as it is not improbable the question will be again raised in December , it behoves every member of Grand Lodge to ho early in attendance to support the deci-