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ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. 1826.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, January 12, A. D. 1826.
Present—M. W. WILLIAM SWAN, G. Master.
R. W. CHARLES FOX, D. G. Master.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, S. G. Warden.
R. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JAMES CODMAN, G. Treasurer, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Secretary.
R. W. JAMES L. CHILD, Cor. G. Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal, p. t.
R. W. Rev. JONA. GREENLEAF, G. Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL RAND, G. Chaplain.
R. W. BENJAMIN D. BARTLETT, S. G. Deacon.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, J. G. Deacon, p.t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, G. Steward.
R. W. AMOS NOURSE, G. Steward.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.PAST GRAND OFFICERS.
R. W. SIMON GREENLEAF Esq.
District Deputy Grand Masters from the first, second and fourth Districts.
The following Lodges were represented:
Portland, No. 1 A. Land-Mark, No. 17 Hermon, No. 32
Lincoln, No. 3 Oxford, No. 18 Waterville, No. 33
Hancock, No. 4 York, No. 22 Somerset, No. 34
Amity, No. 6 Freeport, No. 23 Casco, No. 36
Eastern, No. 7 Belfast, No. 24 Washington, No. 37Page 127
United, No. 8 Temple, No. 25 Harmony, No. 38
Saco, No. 9 Village, No. 26 Morning Star, No. 41
Rising Virtue, No. 10 Adoniram, No. 27 Freedom, No. 42
Cumberland, No. 12 Tranquil, No. 29 Piscataquis, No. 44
Orient, No. 15 Blazing Star, No. 30 Central, No. 45
St. George, No. 16 Union, No. 31
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayers were offered by the Senior Grand Chaplain.
The Committee on Finance submitted their annual Report, as follows:
| There was a balance in the Treasury at the annual settlement of the Treasurer's account, January, 1825, | $764.30 |
||
| There has been paid into the Treasury since that period by the D. D. G. Masters, viz: | |||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the 1st District, | $221.37-1/2 | ||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the 2d District, | 66.12-1/2 | ||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the 3d District, | $354.38 | ||
| And for arrearages due from Temple Lodge for the years 1822 and 1824, | 52.12-1/2 | 406.50-1/2 | |
| By the D. D. G. Master of the 4th District, | 262.49-1/2 | ||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the 6th District, | 90.00 | ||
| Received for charter to Piscataquis Lodge, | 80.00 | ||
| Deduct applied to Charity Fund, | 10.00 | 70.00 | |
| $1,880.80 | |||
| There has been paid by the Treasurer since the last annual settlement, and for which satisfactory vouchers were produced, the following sums, viz : | |||
| To increase the Charity Fund, being half the amount of balance in the Treasury on settlement, January, 1825, in conformity to the By-Laws, | 382.15 | ||
| Amount of donation to the Charity Fund by the Grand Treasurer, being the sum allowed him for services, | 30.00 | ||
| Amount paid the Rec. Grand Secretary as allowed him for his services for 1824, | 50.00 | ||
| Amount paid the Grand Tyler for services. | 6.00 | ||
| Amount paid premium for Insurance on furniture &c., | 2.88 | ||
| Amount paid Hall rent up to January 1826, | 40.00 | ||
| Amount paid for printing, stationery and postage, | 65.14-1/2 | ||
| Amount paid the Grand Stewards' bill for furniture &c., | 54.14 | ||
| Amount paid for parchment for Diplomas, | 92.98 | ||
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| Amount paid for printing Diplomas, | 57.41 | ||
| Amount paid York Lodge dues for 1824 and 1825, remitted by vote of Grand Lodge in consequence of misfortune by fire, | 37.50 | ||
| Amount paid accounts of D. D. G. Masters for actual expenses in the discharge of their official duties as follows: | |||
| D. D. G. Master of First District, | 25.96 | ||
| D. D. G. Master of Second District, | 6.00 | ||
| D. D. G. Master of Third District, | 17.27-1/2 | ||
| D. D. G. Master of Fourth District, | 6.75 | ||
| D. D. G. Master of Sixth District, | 5.55 | $61.53-1/2 | |
| Balance remaining in the Treasury Jan. 1826, and carried to new account, | 1001.11 | ||
| $1880.80 | |||
| The Charity Fund of Grand Lodge consists of | |||
| 10 shares in Bank of Portland, | 1000.00 | ||
| 10 shares in Casco Bank, | 1000.00 | ||
| Sundry Notes of hand well secured on interest, | 650.00 | ||
| Balance unapplied in hands of Treasurer, | 89.64 | ||
| Interest accumulated on Notes and Bank Stock since last dividends to this period, estimated at | 71.75 | ||
| One half of bal. of Treasurer's account, conformable to the By-Laws, | 500.55-1/2 | ||
| $3311.94-1/2 | |||
The Committee have settled the Grand Treasury Account, exhibiting the above balance due the Grand Lodge of $1001.11. They have also examined the books of the Grand Treasurer and Recording Grand Secretary, and with pleasure state that they have been kept with great correctness and neatness, and the duties of these officers have been performed with fidelity and satisfaction to the Committee, who recommend as a compensation for their services the past year, to the Grand Treasurer the sum of thirty dollars, and to the Recording Grand Secretary the sum of fifty dollars. They also recommend as a compensation to the Grand Tyler, the sum of eight dollars for his services during the same period.
Your Committee have no knowledge of any outstanding debts due by the Grand Lodge.
As it is the duty of the Committee to make a faithful report of the financial concerns of the Grand Lodge, it is with much pleasure that they observe a great degree of punctuality in many of the District Deputy Grand Masters, and the Lodges within their respective districts, in paying their dues and settling their accounts with the Grand Treasurer; it is at the same time with much regret that they observe and report a want of this punctuality in others. In the first, second, fourth and sixth districts, the returns have all been made
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and the dues paid into the Treasury. In the third district the returns have been made and the dues paid in, except from the following Lodges:—Northern Star, at Anson, stands indebted on the books of the Treasurer for the year 1820, the sum of fifty dollars, and for the year 1821, the sum of thirty dollars. There has not been any returns or dues received from this Lodge for the years 1824 or 1825, nor has there been any returns or dues received from Waterville Lodge in this district for 1824. From the fifth district there has not been any returns or dues received for the year 1825. Ligonia <sic> Lodge, at Surry, and Penobscot Lodge, at Garland, in this district, did not make any returns or pay any dues for the year 1824.
It is the express duty of every Lodge to make their returns and pay their dues annually to the D. D. G. Masters, a part of whose duty it appears to be to receive those returns and make their remarks thereon. If this was more generally attended to, it might show to the Grand Lodge the prosperous or declining state of Masonry and the reasons why Lodges are in arrears. If Lodges have not the ability to pay their dues, they ought either to petition the Grand Lodge for a remission of such dues, or surrender their charters until they have the ability to pay them.
Your Committee would suggest the expediency of delinquent Lodges obtaining a loan from the funds of the Grand Lodge, and paying up their dues. By this means the pernicious custom of suffering arrearages to accumulate might be avoided, as also their liability of incurring the penalty contained in the 5th section of the 4th chapter of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge.
Your Committee would further suggest for the consideration of the Grand Lodge, the propriety of amending the By-Laws so as to preclude any Lodge from being represented, or having a vote in Grand Lodge, until all dues are paid or canceled.
CHARLES FOX,
SAMUEL FESSENDEN,
ELEAZER WYER,
Committee on Finance.
Which Report was read and accepted.
That part of the Report of the Committee on Finance which suggests an amendment in the By-Laws, was committed to R. W. Amos Nourse, James L. Child and Robert Kendall.
The Committee on the petition of St. George Lodge was discharged.
The Grand Lodge proceeded to the election of officers.
M. W. William Swan, at a previous communication of the Grand Lodge, declined being a candidate for re-election to the office of Grand Master.
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The following R. W. Brethren were chosen a Committee to sort and count the votes for Grand Officers, viz: Samuel Emerson, Amos Nourse and Daniel Granger, which Committee reported the following Brethren to be duly elected, viz:
M. W. CHARLES FOX of Portland, Grand Master.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN of Portland, Senior Grand Warden.
R. W. GEORGE THACHER of Saco, Junior Grand Warden.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH of Portland, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD of Portland, Recording Grand Secretary.
R. W. William Swan, Samuel Fessenden and Eleazer Wyer, were chosen a Committee on Finance.
M. W. Charles Fox, Grand Master elect, was duly invested by R. W. William Swan, Past Grand Master.
The M. W. Grand Master was pleased to appoint R. W. Samuel Fessenden to the office of Deputy Grand Master, and he was duly installed as such.
Voted, That we now proceed to the choice of a Senior Grand Warden, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the appointment of R. W. Samuel Fessenden to the office of Deputy Grand Master.
R. W. George Thacher declined, through R. W. Daniel Granger, accepting the office of Junior Grand Warden.
R. W. George Thacher was then chosen Senior Grand Warden.
Voted, That we now proceed to the choice of a Junior Grand Warden.
R. W. Robert P. Dunlap was elected to that office.
R. W. Brother Joseph M. Gerrish presented the Grand Lodge with the sum of thirty dollars, being the amount allowed him for his services as Grand Treasurer the past year, and recommended that the same be given as a donation to our aged Brother William Stevens, Grand Tyler.
On motion,
Voted unanimously, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge be presented to R W. Bro. Joseph M. Gerrish, for this renewed instance of his liberality.
The Grand Lodge adjourned to Friday evening next, January 13.
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Mason's Hall, Portland, Jan. 13, 1826.
The Grand Lodge met by adjournment from January 12, 1826.
Present—M. W. CHARLES FOX Esq., G. Master.
R. W. JAMES L. CHILD Esq., S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP Esq., J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH Esq., G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal, p. t.
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL RAND, G. Chaplain.
R. W. ROBERT KENDALL, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. ARTHUR SHIRLEY, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, G. Steward.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, G. Steward.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. JOHN LEACH, G. Tyler, p. t.PAST GRAND OFFICER.
R. W. WILLIAM SWAN Esq.
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
Prayers were offered by the Grand Chaplain.
The Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer and Recording Grand Secretary were duly installed, either by themselves or proxies.
The M. W. Grand Master then made the following appointments for the ensuing year, which were announced by the Grand Marshal, viz:
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER of Portland, Cor. Grand Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL K. GILMAN of Hallowell, Grand Marshal.
R. W. Rev. JONA. GREENLEAF, of Wells, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL RAND, of Portland, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. ASA MEAD, of Brunswick, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. BENJAMIN D. BARTLETT,.of Bath, Senior Grand Deacon.
R. W. ISAAC LINCOLN, of Brunswick, Junior Grand Deacon.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R. W. OLIVER GRISWOLD, of Fryeburg, Grand Steward.
R. W. JOSEPH CHANDLER, of Augusta, Grand Steward.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, of Gorham, Grand Sword Bearer.Page 132
R. W. SETH CLARK, of Portland, Grand Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, of Portland, Grand Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, of Portland, Grand Tyler.
The above named officers were severally installed by the M. W. Grand Master, either by themselves or proxies.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
First District—R. W. Rev. Reuben Nason, of Gorham.
Second District—R. W. Reuel Washburn Esq., of Livermore.
Third District—R. W. Amos Nourse Esq., of Hallowell.
Fourth District—R. W. John Miller Esq., of Warren.
Fifth District—R. W. David J. Bent Esq., of Bangor.
Sixth District—R. W. Libbeus Bailey Esq., of Eastport.
The following Brethren compose the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund :
M. W. Charles Fox Esq., Grand Master, ex officio.
R. W. Samuel Fessenden Esq., Deputy Grand Master, ex officio.
R. W. George Thacher Esq., Senior Grand Warden, ex officio.
R. W. Robert P. Dunlap Esq., Junior Grand Warden, ex officio.
R. W. William Lord, Rec. Grand Secretary, ex officio.
R. W. Simon Greenleaf Esq.
R. W. Albion K. Parris Esq.
R. W. Daniel Granger Esq.
R. W. Peleg Chandler Esq.
R. W. Robert Boyd Esq.
R. W. Thomas Browne Esq.
The committee appointed to consider the subject of a Grand Lecturer, submitted the following Report,- viz :
To the Grand Lodge of Maine.
The Committee on the subject of instruction in lectures and work, respectfully report, That they have examined Brother Samuel Kidder, and being satisfied that he was worthy, well qualified, and skilled to teach, they gave him a certificate of which a copy is herewith annexed.
SAMUEL FESSENDEN,
CHARLES FOX,
SIMON GREENLEAF,
Committee.
We the undersigned, a committee of the Grand Lodge of Maine, appointed for this purpose, do hereby certify, that we have examined the lectures and work of Bro. Samuel Kidder, in the three first degrees of Masonry, and are satisfied with the same as correct; and we recommend to the several Lodges under this Jurisdiction to avail themselves of his instruction so far as they may
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need the same, until the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge in January ensuing, at which time it is understood that the subject may receive further attention.
Signed, SIMON GREENLEAF,
CHARLES FOX.
Portland, October 25, 1825.
Which report was accepted.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence submitted the following Report, viz:
The Committee to whom were referred the communications from other Grand Lodges, have examined those which the Grand Secretary has received during the past year; and are happy to announce to the Grand Lodge that they contain indications of the continued and increasing prosperity of Masonry on this side the Atlantic.
The Committee have seen nothing which calls for more particular notice, except in the report of the Committee of Correspondence of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.
It will be recollected that in the printed report of our transactions of the last year a former decision of this Grand Lodge was very briefly adverted to, that a person " accidentally deprived of a limb," was not on that account an ineligible candidate for initiation into the mysteries of Masonry. It was not thought necessary at that time to name the particular limb of which the party in that case was deprived; but we observe with regret that the committee of the Grand Lodge of Georgia have understood our decision to be, that a man " maimed by the accidental loss of a right arm, or deformed in his limbs," was not, on those accounts, to be rejected. While your Committee are satisfied that a more strict attention to the language of the report of the last year would not have led to the inference above alluded to, they deem it proper to observe that the case upon which this Grand Lodge adjudicated was not that of a person deprived of an arm; but was a case where the party, while standing as a candidate on the books of the Lodge, was accidentally deprived of a limb, which, however, did not unfit him for any masonic labor whatever. Upon the general question respecting persons maimed or infirm, we understand the practice of this Grand Lodge and of all the Lodges under this jurisdiction to have been uniformly in exact accordance with the principle which is so clearly and vigorously expressed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in their resolution of March 7, 1825, in these words :—" That no person can be initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry, either by dispensation or otherwise, who is so far maimed or defective in his limbs or members, as to be incapable of gaining a livelihood for himself and family, or to perform all the work required of any . individual member, within the body of a Lodge."
It was to guard Masonry on this side, as well as on every other, from
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innovation, that this Grand Lodge, in the first section of our by-laws, recognized " all the ancient usages of Freemasonry," as " essential and unalterable principles."
Committee.
SIMON GREENLEAF,
CHARLES FOX,
SAMUEL FESSENDEN
Which report was accepted.
The following Report was presented :
The committee to whom was referred the report of a committee of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania of March 21, 1825, and the Resolutions of that Grand Lodge thereupon, have attended the service assigned them, and ask leave to report by way of letter addressed to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which is herewith submitted.
SIMON GREENLEAF,
CHARLES FOX,
SAMUEL FESSENDEN,
JONATHAN GREENLEAF,
Committee
GRAND LODGE OF MAINE.
Portland, Jan. 12, 1826.
To the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Brethren :—The Grand Lodge of Maine have received your communication of the 21st day of March last, and have given it that deliberate consideration which is due to such a document, from so respectable a source. In reply we will state our views of the subject with plainness and freedom, being desirous of being distinctly understood, and of preserving with you and every other Grand Lodge an interchange of the kindliest feelings.
The annually printed journal of our proceedings is primarily and mainly designed for the Lodges under our jurisdiction, and not for foreign distribution; a single copy only being sent to the Grand Lodges with whom we are in correspondence. For this reason it is not to be expected that we should in that communication state our transactions so much at large as otherwise would be necessary, since they would be generally intelligible to our own Lodges, who are represented in Grand Lodge by their proxies, and have ready access to our records and files; and there are other reasons for this brevity on certain subjects, which will always present themselves to the mind of a Mason.
It was therefore with sincere sorrow, though without any feelings of resentment, that we found your respected Grand Lodge had proceeded to pass resolutions charging us as innovators, and refusing to recognize as Masons a certain class of persons who might be initiated among us; instead of first asking us for an explanation of the very brief notice of that part of our proceedings which seems to have given offence. We were not aware that in committing to writing as much as we did on that occasion we violated any
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rule of masonry; since it is a matter of common notoriety that secrecy is enforced among us under certain obligations, which are directly alluded to in books published under the authority of various Grand Lodges—especially those of Maryland, South Carolina, and England.
We presume, from the tenor of your communication, that we were supposed to use the word "affirmation" in the sense it is used in the judicial proceedings of your State, and to dispense with all the solemn penal sanctions of our obligations. We beg leave to say that such was not the fact. The utmost latitude to which the practice of any of our Lodges has gone, as we believe, and the extent of our permission, has been to substitute the word " affirm " for the word " swear " ;—retaining every other word of the ritual. And the question before us was, whether, in cases where the party deemed it a violation of his religious principles to make use of the one word, in solemn transactions, the other might be lawfully substituted.
In discussing this subject, we examined the character of our ritual, to discern in what its attribute of immutability consisted, and what were its true " landmarks." We perceived at once that there was no immutability in the language of the lectures, since in some particulars almost every State and section of the Union has a phraseology of its own. Some lecturers are more concise in their illustrations, and all are not exactly agreed in the manner of distributing the subjects they teach. Neither have we been able to discover an unchangeable character in every part of the work. Examining and conversing with Masons from different parts of this country and of Europe, we have been made acquainted with some ceremonies used in private Lodges to which we were strangers, and which we should blush to acknowledge as legitimate parts of our mysteries. Others too of a less exceptionable character, we have found, sanctioned by officers of some Grand Lodges, and rejected by others, according as they deemed the evidence of their antiquity to preponderate. In the endeavors of other Grand Lodges also to promote uniformity of work in the Lodges under their jurisdiction, we have found proofs of the existence of great diversities of practice.
We also considered that the language in which our formulae were originally conceived is now either lost, or wholly unknown to masons; so that there exists no common standard to which, in matters of this sort, we can appeal. Neither can it be ascertained how many times they have been translated, nor through what languages they have come down to us.
But in the midst of all these diversities, resulting from causes to which we have adverted, it is happily certain, that in the great essentials all Masons are agreed.
And on this principle, we could perceive that however the language of different nations might vary, yet the signification of the word swear was the same in all those to which we had access—meaning " to obtest by some superior power"; and that an oath was nothing more nor less than any " affirmation, or
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negation, or promise, corroborated by the attestation of the Divine Being." In other words, we conclude, that while the language of different nations must of course be various, and ours has no claim to be the vernacular tongue of masonry, it is highly probable, and indeed reasonably certain, that in translating out of a foreign language into our own, the word which is usually rendered swear, may with equal propriety be rendered by any other or others, importing solemnly and religiously to declare and affirm. The essence of the oath is, to bind the conscience of the party to the performance of his engagement, by a solemn and express appeal to the Supreme Being; and where this is obtained, we did not consider it material whether the word swear or solemnly affirm was used, provided every other part of the obligation was retained.
In this view of the subject, we thought it somewhat analogous to the translation of the Holy Scriptures into our own language; where no man would be regarded as heretical who in any instance should adopt the marginal reading in our common Bible, in preference to the received text.
There are many other arguments on this side of the question, which may be drawn from other parts of our mysteries, which being not proper to be written, these hints will call to your notice.
And now, permit us affectionately to ask you, our respected Brethren, whether we are indeed guilty of removing the Ancient Landmarks which our Fathers have set ?—whether, in adopting another translation of a single word, retaining the whole force and meaning of the original, and binding the conscience of the party as firmly, by the same solemn sanctions as before, we merit the imputation of having proposed "a new mode in which the degrees of masonry can be conferred," or of introducing persons into our Order " in direct opposition to its landmarks"? For these landmarks we feel the same veneration which was expressed by your Convention on the 25th of February, 1823, and we shall be ever ready to unite with you in the adoption of all due measures for their preservation.
Trusting that this reply will remove the impressions you seem to have entertained relative to our proceedings, and will lead to a repeal of your resolutions thereon, we shall not take notice of this communication in our next printed report; but we request that you will do us the favor to make this our answer as extensively known as has been the report of your committee, and the resolutions of your Grand Lodge.
And we tender to you our most respectful and affectionate salutations.
Signed by order and in behalf of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
SIMON GREENLEAF,
CHARLES FOX,
SAMUEL FESSENDEN,
JONATHAN GREENLEAF,
JOSEPH M. GERRISH,
Committee.
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"Which Report was accepted, and the same Committee were requested to sign said letter in behalf of this Grand Lodge, and cause the same to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
The Committee who were instructed to inquire into the existing condition of masonry in Palestine and the adjacent countries, ask leave further to report in part, that they had received a letter from the Rev. Pliny Fisk, which is herewith submitted.
ISAAC ADAMS, per order.
Which report was accepted, and placed on the files of the Grand Lodge with the letter from the Rev. Pliny Fisk. And the committee were instructed to prosecute their inquiries.
The committee to whom was referred the consideration of the report of the Committee of Finance, so far as it relates to a proposed amendment of the By-Laws, have attended to that service, and recommend the following resolution:
Resolved, That Section 5th, Chapter 4th of the By-Laws, be so amended as to provide that whenever any Lodge shall have failed for the space of one year to pay its dues to the Grand Lodge, such Lodge shall not be allowed a representation in the Grand Lodge until the said dues are paid or cancelled.
A. NOURSE, per order.
Read and put on file, and ordered to lie over to our next Quarterly Communication, and that a copy be forwarded to each subordinate Lodge under this jurisdiction for their consideration.
A letter from Dr. James Bates respecting the loss of a package and money received by him from Northern Star Lodge, was laid before the Grand Lodge ; read and committed to R. W. Amos Nourse, Peleg Sprague, and Joseph Chandler, with full powers to examine into this case and all others respecting said Lodge.
R. W. Eleazer Wyer, Arthur Shirley and Oliver Gerrish, were appointed a Committee to inquire into the expediency of procuring a new engraving of a Master Mason's Diploma, ascertain the expense, and report at the next Quarterly Communication of this Grand Lodge.
A Communication from the Grand Lodge of Missouri of Oct. 3, 1825, with the resolutions of that Grand Lodge, was read, and on motion,
Voted, That the committee which reported on the communication from the
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Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, on the same subject, be requested to prepare and sign a letter to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, similar to the one reported and forwarded to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.1
R. W. Amos Nourse, William Swan, and Peleg Sprague, were appointed a Committee to consider and report whether an officer of this Grand Lodge, or of any subordinate Lodge under its jurisdiction, is entitled to act as such by virtue of election merely, or whether installation either by self or proxy, is also essential.
The petition of David Smith and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge in the town of Buxton, County of York, by the name of Buxton Lodge, was read and committed to R. W. Horace Seaver, Robert Kendall and David J. Bent; which committee reported that it is expedient that the prayer of said petitioners be granted.
Voted, That the report be accepted, and that a charter be granted accordingly.
The petition of Edward Fuller and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge in the town of Readfield, County of Kennebec, by the name of Lafayette Lodge, was read and committed to the same committee as the foregoing; which committee reported that it is expedient that the prayer of the petitioners be granted.
Voted, That said report be accepted, and that a charter be granted accordingly.
A petition from Samuel B. Larkin and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge in the town of Mount Vernon, was read and committed to the same Brethren; which committee reported that it is not expedient that the petition be granted, for good and sufficient reasons offered them by brethren present.
Voted, That the report of the committee be accepted.
Resolved, That R.W. William Swan, Simon Greenleaf, Joseph M. Gerrish, Samuel Fessenden, and James L. Child, be a committee to inquire into the expediency of employing a Grand Lecturer at the expense of this Grand Lodge, and if in their opinion it be expedient so to do, that they be authorized and directed to employ such lecturer forthwith, and that they report at the next Quarterly Communication.
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1 The letter sent to the Grand Lodge of Missouri being identical with that to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, except some slight variations in the language to adapt it to Missouri, it is not deemed necessary to publish it.
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R W. Simon Greenleaf, William Swan, and Samuel Fessenden, were appointed a committee to receive and examine the Foreign Correspondence for the ensuing year, and report at the Annual Communication.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund, at their meeting, January 12, 1826.
The Grand Lodge closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, April 13, A. D. 1826.
Present—M. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, G. Master, p. t.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Sec'y.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal, p. t.
R. W. Rev. JONA. GREENLEAF, G. Chaplain.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. EBENEZER SEAVER, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. JEREMIAH HASKELL, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. OLIVER GERRISH, G. Pursuivant, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.PAST GRAND OFFICER,
R. W. WILLIAM SWAN.
The following Lodges were represented, viz:
Portland, No. 1 Waterville, No. 33
A. Land Mark, No. 17 Somerset, No. 34
Oriental Star, No. 21 Casco, No. 36
Village, No. 26 Harmony, No. 88
Blazing Star, No. 30 Buxton, No. 47
Hermon, No. 32Page 140
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayers were offered by the Grand Chaplain.
A communication from Lincoln Lodge was laid before the Grand Lodge. Read and committed to Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf, Charles B. Smith, and Joseph M. Gerrish.
A communication from R. W. Robert P. Dunlap Esq., Junior Grand Warden, was laid before the Grand Lodge. Read and committed to Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf, Charles B. Smith, and Joseph M. Gerrish; which committee submitted the following report:
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from the R. W. Junior Grand Warden, having attended that service, beg leave to report.
Your Committee can see no reason why a person, coming from another State, may not receive any degree of masonry in a Lodge in this State, provided the Lodge to which he applies are satisfied with him in all other respects; believing that every subordinate Lodge will ever exercise the utmost caution in receiving candidates, especially when they come from any considerable distance; and should any person make application for the honors of masonry whose place of ordinary residence is in another State, and nearer to another Lodge than that to which he applies, the Lodge applied to ought not to proceed without satisfactory information respecting his character from those who know him better than they do themselves.
JONATHAN GREENLEAF, per order.
Which report was accepted.
The following Resolution which was submitted, at the annual communication in Jan. 1826, a copy of which has been forwarded to each subordinate Lodge under this jurisdiction, for their consideration :
"Resolved, That section 5th, chap. 4th of the By-Laws be so amended as to provide that whenever any Lodge shall have failed for the space of one year to pay its dues to the Grand Lodge, such Lodge shall not be allowed a representation in the Grand Lodge until the said dues are paid or cancelled," was taken into consideration and unanimously adopted.
REPORT.
The Committee appointed " to inquire into the expediency of procuring a new engraving of a Master Mason's Diploma, ascertain the expense," and report at this communication of the Grand Lodge, beg leave to recommend the passage of the following order:—
Ordered, That two hundred dollars be appropriated for the purpose of procuring the execution of an elegant plate for master mason's Lodges under
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this jurisdiction, and that a Committee be appointed to agree with an eminent artist to execute a plate, and that said committee be authorized to draw on the Grand Treasurer for the sum hereby appropriated.
ELEAZER WYER,
ARTHUR SHIRLEY,
OLIVER GERRISH,
Committee.
Which report was accepted, and R. W. Eleazer Wyer, Arthur Shirley and Oliver Gerrish were appointed a committee to carry the same into effect.
The Committee to inquire into the state of Masonry in Palestine, reported verbally.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Trustees of the Charity Fund, at their meeting held this day.
Prayers were offered by the Grand Chaplain, and the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, July 13, A. D. 1826.
Present—M. W. CHARLES FOX, G. Master.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. Rev. REUBEN NASON, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Secretary.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, G. Marshal, p. t.
R. W. SETH CLARK, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. JEREMIAH HASKELL, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. GEORGE L. DARLING, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. OLIVER GERRISH, G. Pursuivant, p. t.
R. W. ARTHUR SHIRLEY, G. Pursuivant, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.
The following Lodges were represented, viz:
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Portland, No. 1 Blazing Star, No. 30
Oriental, No. 13 Somerset, No. 34
Solar, No. 14 Harmony, No. 38
St. George, No. 16 Piscataquis, No. 44
A. Land Mark, No. 17
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayer was offered by Rev. Reuben Nason.
The petition of Joseph Lord and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge in the town of Newport, county of Penobscot, by the name of Meridian Splendor Lodge, was read and committed to R. W. Samuel Fessenden, Horace Seaver and Joseph M. Gerrish; which committee reported that it is expedient that the prayer of the petitioners be granted.
Voted, That the foregoing report be accepted, and that a charter be granted accordingly.
A communication from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was laid before the Grand Lodge. Read and committed to R. W. Simon Greenleaf, Samuel Fessenden and William Swan.
The petition of Stephen Barrows and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge in the town of Thomaston, by the name of Aurora Lodge, was laid before the Grand Lodge. Read, and committed to R. W. Samuel Fessenden, Horace Seaver and Joseph M. Gerrish.
Which committee reported, that it is expedient that the prayer of the petition be granted, and the Brethren therein named have a charter in conformity to the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge.
Voted, That the foregoing report be accepted, and that a charter be granted accordingly.
Report on a communication from Lincoln Lodge.
The Committee to whom was referred the communication from Lincoln Lodge relative to the jurisdiction of subordinate Lodges, have had the subject under consideration, and respectfully ask leave to report,
That by the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge it is provided chap. 4th, sec. 7th, that " no person residing in a town in which a Lodge is held, shall be accepted for initiation by a Lodge in any other town, without the approbation of the Master and Wardens of a Lodge in the town of his residence." This appears
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to be the only article in our By-Laws, which relates exclusively to the jurisdiction of subordinate Lodges, but it does not meet the case proposed by Lincoln Lodge. The question by them submitted is, whether a subordinate Lodge has the right to receive candidates for initiation who have passed by the place where another Lodge is held—or, in other words, whether candidates should not be obliged in all cases to apply for initiation to the Lodge nearest to the place of their residence, whether holden in the same town or not. Upon this point your committee are clearly of opinion that it is unnecessary to make any further provision. The restriction already existing in our By-Laws, has been found from experience to be a salutary and judicious one, but we can readily conceive that, should the principle be changed so as to compel candidates to apply to the Lodge nearest to their residence, it would in many cases subject them to great inconvenience; and we are not impressed with the belief that Lodges would generally be thereby any better able to guard against the admission of unworthy candidates.
It is not always the case that a man is best known to the members of the Lodge nearest to the place of his residence; his business, his intercourse with society, with connections and friends, with various other circumstances may make him better known to a Lodge more remote. We are, however, satisfied that, all other things being equal, it is more proper for candidates to make their applications to the nearest Lodges.
With these views, the Committee are of the opinion that the subject of jurisdiction is sufficiently provided for in the article aforesaid; and that Lodges have, and ought to have the right to initiate candidates applying from any town in which no other Lodge is located.
All which is respectfully submitted,
CHARLES B. SMITH, per order.
Which report was accepted.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Trustees of the Charity Fund at their meeting held this day.
Prayers were offered by Rev. Reuben Nason, and the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, October 12, A. D. 1826.
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Present—M. W. CHARLES FOX, G. Master.
R. W. GEORGE THACHER, S. G. Warden.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal, p. t.
R. W. Rev. JONA. GREENLEAF, G. Chaplain.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. SETH CLARK, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. JEREMIAH HASKELL, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER GERRISH, G. Pursuivant, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.District Deputy Grand Master from the fourth District.
The following Lodges were represented :
Portland, No. 1 Waterville, No. 33
A. Land Mark, No. 17 Casco, No. 36
Oriental Star, No. 21 Harmony, No. 38
Blazing Star, No. 30
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayers were offered by the Grand Chaplain.
The Committee appointed at the Annual Communication in January last, to inquire into the expediency of employing a Grand lecturer at the expense of this Grand Lodge, submitted their report, which was read, and the further consideration thereof referred to our next Communication.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Trustees of the Charity Fund at their meeting held this day.
Prayers were offered by the Grand Chaplain, and the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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