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power, without injuring the wants of those who have a prior claim on your beneficence, directing them where to find relief, and employing them if you can, or else recommending them to obtain employment, in preference to those who are not Masons.*

SECTION V.

OF BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS A BROTHER, WHETHER PRESENT OR ABSENT.

Free and accepted Masons have ever been charged to avoid all manner of slandering and backbiting of all true and faithful brethren, with all malice and unjust resentment, or talking disrespectfully of a brother's person or performance. Nor must they suffer any others to spread unjust reproaches or calumnies against a brother in his absence, nor to injure him in his fortune, occupation or character; but they shall defend such a brother, and give him notice of any danger or injury wherewith he may be threatened, to enable him to escape the same, as far as is consistent with honour, prudence, the safety of religion, morality and the laws of the country; but no farther.

SECTION VI.

CONCERNING DIFFERENCES AND LAWSUITS, IF ANY SUCH SHOULD UNHAPPILY ARISE AMONG BRETHREN.

If a brother do you injury, or if you have any difference with him about any worldly or temporal business or interest,

* On this principle, unfortunate captives in war, and sojourners accidentally cast on a distant shore, are particular objects of attention, and seldom fail to experience indulgence from Masons; and, what is very remarkable, there has not been one instance of a breach of fidelity or ingratitude where that indulgence has been extended.

apply first to your own or his Lodge, to have the matter in dispute adjusted by the brethren. And if either party is not satisfied with the decision of the Lodge, an appeal may be carried to the Grand Lodge; and it is recommended never to enter into a lawsuit, unless the matter has been previously submitted to your Masonic brethren. In case it is a matter which wholly concerns Masonry, lawsuits are to be entirely avoided, and the good advice of prudent brethren is to be followed, as they are the best referees of such differences.

But where references are either impracticable or unsuccessful, and courts of law or equity must at last decide, the general rules of the order must still be followed; avoiding all wrath, malice, rancour, and personal ill will in carrying on the suit with a brother; neither saying nor doing any thing to hinder the continuance of that brotherly love and friendship which are the glory and cement of our ancient and honourable fraternity.

Thus shall we show to all the world the benign influence of Masonry, as wise, true, and faithful brethren before us, have done from the beginning of time.

These regulations, and many others which shall be given to you (in a way that cannot be written,) you are strictly and conscientiously to follow; and that they may be the better observed, they should often be perused by every intelligent brother; and at the discretion of the Master, (whenever time will permit,) be read, for the information and instruction of every brother in a Lodge.

**

CHAPTER V.

OF GRAND LODGES IN GENERAL.

A Grand Lodge consists of the Masters and Wardens, and all Pastmasters of the regular lodges within its jurisdiction, with the following officers: The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Deacons, Treasurer, Secretary, Grand Pursuivant, Marshal, Sword Bearer, Chaplain, and other necessary officers, as will be explained in its proper place, all of whom must be Master Masons.

No officers of any new lodge are acknowledged as members of the Grand Lodge, until such new lodge is first regularly constituted, and registered in accordance with the established rules.

All Past Grand Masters, are considered as members of, and admitted to vote in, the Grand Lodge.

It is customary for all members attending the Grand Lodge, to wear the jewels they are entitled to in their subordinate lodges, and take such seats as custom has established.

All brethren, of the degree of a Master Mason, are per"mitted to be present at the meetings of the Grand Lodge, upon motion, or leave asked and given; but such brother, thus admitted, shall have no vote, nor be allowed to speak to any question, without leave, or unless desired to give his opinion.

The Grand Lodge meets usually four times a year, at stated periods, or at such other times as the Grand Master thinks it necessary.

All matters in the Grand Lodge are determined by a majority of votes, each member having one. vote; the

*

So long only as they continue members of a subordinate lodge.

Grand Master, on an equality of votes, has the right of the casting vote.

The business of the Grand Lodge, whether at quarterly communications or other meetings, is to receive the reports of the various committees, and seriously to consider the same; all expenditures must originate in that body by appropriations; transact and settle all matters that concern the prosperity of the fraternity in general; also, at stated periods, reports from all the lodges under its jurisdiction, with the number of admissions, rejections, deaths, resignations, and expulsions, which have taken place since the last yearly meetings. It also takes cognizance of all appeals, from brethren of subordinate lodges, who have been unable to heal their differences, and which are here referred to a proper committee, to be by them mutually heard, considered, and reported upon at the next ensuing meeting, or sooner, if necessity require despatch.

The Grand Master, by virtue of his office, has full power and authority to confer the degrees of Masonry on any one in his presence, in the Grand Lodge, or in whatever other place he thinks proper: provided he is accompanied by the Grand Secretary, who in such case must make a minute of the proceedings in the minute book of the Grand Lodge ;* but no individual can be made a Mason without first being proposed and submitted to the established rules of the subordinate lodges, unless by a dispensation from the proper authorities.

The Grand Lodge, at their meetings, shall consider the most prudent and effectual means of collecting and managing the funds, which cannot be disbursed except on vouchers, signed by the Grand Master, and countersigned by the Secretary.

* This, however, does not admit him as a member of any particular lodge, unless he has been regularly ballotted for

The Grand Master, accompanied by his Deputy, and officers of the Grand Lodge, shall, if possible, annually, go at least once, and visit all the lodges under its jurisdiction, examine their records, and give them instructions.

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