332 FREEMASONRY IN MICHIGAN. effects by fire in the year 1852, and its Grand Lodge dues were remitted on that account. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge in 1852, the revised constitution was reported by the committee having it in charge, fully discussed, then laid upon the table and a new committee appointed to prepare a draft of a constitution, have it printed and submitted to the lodges before the first of October, following and report at the next annual meeting. It was also Resolved, That in cases of suspension or expulsion by any subordinate Lodge under this jurisdiction, it shall be the duty of said Lodge to report the same to the Grand Lodge, if in session, if not, to the Grand Secretary of this Grand Lodge without delay, setting forth the nature of the charges on which the brother has been suspended or expelled upon. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary upon the receipt of official intelligence that a Brother has been suspended or expelled from any Lodge under this jurisdiction, forthwith to make a record of the same upon the Secretary's books, and also to give notice to all subordinate Lodges under this jurisdiction cautioning them to govern themselves accordingly, and each subordinate Lodge shall make a record of such suspension or expulsion. In some way this resolution has been lost from compilations of law and has not been complied with in recent years. The work of the three degrees was exemplified by the Grand Lecturer, Brother Geo. F. Gardner, assisted by the Grand Secretary. The first Masonic journal in Michigan, The Ancient Landmark, was started in 1851, by Smith and Jubenville, at Mt. Clemens. The Smith end of the firm was Brother Abner C. Smith, formerly Grand Secretary and Grand Lecturer. It received the hearty endorsement of the Grand Lodge, and the Grand Secretary was instructed to have all the Grand Lodge printing done at this office. Union Lodge of Strict Observance, at Detroit, received its charter at the 1852 meeting. It was the fiftieth Lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge, but was given the number three, that number being vacant by the forfeiture of the charter of Oakland Lodge, formerly of that number. The subject of the work of the Grand Lecturer received much attention at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1853 and 1854, and many different plans were proposed as to renumeration for his work, which, up to that time, had not been permanently fixed. Finally, in 1854, it was fixed by the following resolutions: Resolved, That the Subordinate Lodges, as well chartered as U. D. under this jurisdiction, be and are hereby directed to inform the Grand Secretary before the first Wednesday in April, of the present year, and annually thereafter at the time of transmitting their annual returns, whether they will require the services of the Grand Lecturer and Visitor, during the next ensuing year; the Grand Master shall then direct the Grand Lecturer to visit such Lodge, and such others also as he, the Grand Master, shall deem require instruction; such Lodge shall be visited and instructed as soon thereafter as practicable, and the Grand Lecturer shall receive as full compensation such proportion of the sum of six hundred dollars, as the number of Lodges visited and instructed by him shall bear to the whole number of Lodges within this jurisdiction at the close of the year for which such G. V. and L. shall have been elected-and such compensation may be drawn from the treasury of this Grand Lodge, from time to time as such services shall be performed. Resolved, That all resolutions and edicts heretofore passed relative to the G. V. and L. and his compensation therefor, be and the same are hereby rescinded. To insure the proficiency of the Grand Lecturer in his official duties, it was Resolved, That previous to entering upon his duties the Grand Visitor and Lecturer shall be examined by the Grand Master and Grand Secretary as to his competency for said duty, and if he prove himself qualified shall receive from them a certificate to that effect, and that without such certificate he shall not be entitled to any compensation. whatever, neither shall he be permitted to lecture to any Lodge in this jurisdiction. By reasons of internal disturbances and dissensions, Olive Branch Lodge, No. 14, at Albion, surrendered its charter and ceased to exist in 1852. Its name, "Olive Branch," was not sufficient to bring about the desired peace. Grand Master Backus immediately gave a new dispensation to a number of the former members of that lodge for a new one by the name of "Murat," which, at the next meeting of Grand Lodge, was given the number and property of the defunct one. At the session in January, 1854, the Grand Lodge first took decided action prohibiting the initiating of any candidate who had not been a resident of the state at least six months prior to his making application; also prohibiting lodges from holding meetings on Sunday for any business except for funeral occasions or in cases of charity. The Grand Lodge pronounced itself unmistakably in favor of the establishment of a National Grand Lodge, by adopting the report of a committee favoring the same, together with this resolution: Resolved, That the M. W. Grand Master of this Grand Lodge be and he is hereby respectfully requested to correspond with the other Grand Lodges of the Union, favorably to the organization of a National Masonic organization, with well defined and limited powers, and that in the event of the holding of such a National Convention, as is recommended by the Convention at Lexington, Kentucky; that the Grand Master be authorized and directed to appoint one suitable delegate to represent this Grand Lodge in said Convention with authority to define his duties and provide for his expenses, with the full understanding with the delegate thus appointed, that no further compensation than the actual expenses shall be paid by this Grand Lodge. A second Grand Lodge having been organized in the State of NewYork in opposition to the regular one long existing there; it was repudiated and Michigan Lodges and Masons were forbidden to hold any masonic intercourse with lodges or individuals claiming allegiance thereto. All such lodges and their members were declared clandestine and lists. were published for the information of our own lodges and their members. At the annual election of officers in January, 1854, to serve for the ensuing year, the following brethren were elected, and subsequently installed: |