only be given by a Noble-Grand or Chief-Patriarch to the members of their own bodies respectively; but when brothers are called from home suddenly, without time to make personal application for their visiting cards, it is customary to accompany the card, when sent to the brother, by a letter, over the seal of the Lodge or Encampment, from the principal officer of the body granting it, to the Noble-Grand or Chief-Patriarch of some Lodge or Encampment in the place where the travelling brother is temporarily resident, conveying (through said letter) a request that the T. P. W. be communicated to the brother, who will, of course, be entitled to receive it in such manner.. CARDS. BROTHER who may desire to visit other or who may wish to withdraw from his Lodge or Encampment, receives a card, certifying that he is entitled to the privileges and advantages of an Odd-Fellow. Any brother who may wish to withdraw from the Order, can at any time do so by offering to his Lodge a written resignation; he is not bound, in such case, to take a card of withdrawal. If he shall take a withdrawal card, which is always good for one year, (during which time he may become a member of any other Lodge or Encampment,) he is amenable during that year to the Lodge or Encampment whence the card emanated, "whose duty it is to watch over his conduct."* These cards are fur *The Lodge or Encampment granting a visiting or withdrawal card, has power to recall or annul the same for good cause. DIGEST, p. 37. nished by the Grand Lodge of the United States, and are signed by the Secretary of that body. They are also signed by the Noble-Grand and Secretary of a Lodge, or the Chief-Patriarch and Scribe of an Encampment, granting them. And they must always be signed, also, in the margin, by the name of the brother receiving them. The wife or widow of a member of a subordinate Lodge may, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, receive a card, expressly adapted for her use, by the Grand Lodge of the United States, which is to be signed in manner above noted, with the addition of the signature of the Vice-Grand. Such card, granted to the wife of a member, cannot remain in force more than one year; but if granted to a widow, it continues valid during her widowhood. The following is the form of this card: "Friendship, Love, and Truth. "INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. "TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING: "This certifies that Mrs. E. C., whose name is endorsed on the margin of this card in her own proper handwriting, is the wife [or the widow] of our well-beloved brother, who is [or was] a member of Lodge No.-, held at blank, and working under authority of a charter duly granted by authority of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the State of blank. We therefore recommend her to your friendship and protection wherever she may be, throughout the world, for the space of blank, and no longer. "In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names, and affixed the seal of our Lodge, this blank day of blank, in the year L. 8. of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and blank. "G. F., Secretary." "A. B., NOBLE-GRAND. "C. D., VICE-GRAND. The object of furnishing this recommendation is one which must commend itself to the approbation of all She who possesses it is entitled to receive the friendship and protection of those who claim the privilege of watching, not only over their brethren, but also over all who are near and dear to those brethren. BROTHERS TRAVELLING. BROTHER travelling, who may desire to visit a Lodge or Encampment, must be in possession of a card and the T. P. W. He pre sents himself at the door, and sends his card to the presiding officer, who appoints a committee of three O examine the visitor. In a Lodge, one member of this committee must be either the Noble-Grand himself, the Vice-Grand, or a brother known to be in possession of the T. P. W., and the other two members must be of the Scarlet Degree. In an Encampment, one member must be either the Chief-Patriarch himself, the Senior Warden, or a Patriarch* known to be in possession of the T. P. W., and the other members must be of the Royal-Purple Degree. These committees examine the brother in the T. P. W., and in the degree in which the Lodge or Encampment is open; and, if satisfied, introduce him to the meeting. Brothers can visit Lodges or Encampments without this form, if introduced by a Grand Repre sentative, or other elective Grand officer, of the jurisdiction under which they wish to visit. In no other way, except as above stated, can a brother enter a Lodge or Encampment to which he is not attached, unless it be located in the State or jurisdiction in which his own Lodge or Encampment is working. It is important that this fact be well understood by the members * Members of Encampments are called Patriarchs. Permanent Secretary-Treasurer-Secretary. Supporter-VICE-GRAND-Supporter. Warden, with Conductor, with {-CHAPLAIN-white rod. axe. Supporter-NOBLE-GRAND-Supporter. MUSIC. (Subordinate Encampments* as follows:-) Marshal. Guardian. Junior Warden. First W.-Senior Warden-Second W. *The Encampment branch has usually been considered as more exalted than the subordinate, and precedence is generally given to the Patriarchal Degrees. This, however, may be controlled by cir cumstances; as, for example, where the procession is organized under and in behalf of a single subordinate Lodge. In that case, precedence is usually given to the body under and on whose behalf e procession is organized.—Decision G. L. U. S., session 1852. Patriarchal Degree Members. Scribe and Treasurer. G. T.-HIGH-PRIEST-G. T. Third W.-CHIEF-PATRIARCH-Fourth W. (The Grand Encampment, as follows:-) Marshal. Grand Sentinel. Grand Junior Warden. Grand Senior Warden. Members of the Grand Encampment. Deputy Grand Sentinel. Grand Scribe and Grand Treasurer. Supporter-GRAND HIGH-PRIEST-Supporter. Fast Grand Patriarch. GRAND PATRIARCH Past Grand High-Priests. Past Grand Patriarchs. Past Grand Patriarch. (The Grand Lodge as follows:-) Deputy Grand Marshal. Grand Guardian. Grand Warden and Grand Conductor. Members of the Grand Lodge. Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer Supporter-DEPUTY GRAND-MASTER-Supporter. Supporter-GRAND CHAPLAIN-Supporter. *Heralds on all occasions save those of funerals. |