several state grand chapters, shall not extend beyond the limits of the state in which they shall respectively be holden. ARTICLE III. Of the subordinate Chapters and SECT. 1. All legally constituted assemblies of royal arch Masons are called chapters; as regular bodies of mark masters, past masters, and most excellent masters, are called lodges.* Every chapter ought to assemble for work, at least once in every three months; and must consist of an high priests, king, scribe, captain of the host, principal sojourner, royal arch captain, three grand masters, secretary, treasurer, and as many members as may be found convenient for working to advantage. SECT. 2. Every chapter of royal arch Masons, and lodge of mark master Masons, throughout this jurisdiction shall have a warrant of constitution, from the grand chapter of the state in which they may respectively be holden, or a warrant from one of the general grand officers. And no chapter or lodge shall be deemed legal without such warrant ; and Masonic communication (either public or private) is hereby interdicted and forbidden, between any chapter or lodge under this jurisdiction, or any menber of either of them, and any chapter, lodge, or assembly, that may be so illegally formed, opened, or holden, without such warrant, or any or either of their members, or any person. exalted, or advanced in such illegal chapter or lodge. But nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any chapter or lodge which was eatablished before the adoption of the grand royal arch constitution, at Hartford, on the 27th day of January, A. D. 1798. SECT. 3. Whenever a warrant is issued for instituting a chapter of roy The subordinate degrees of Masonry, are Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These are also called lodges. al arch Masons, with a power in said warrant to open and hold a lodge of most excellent, past, and mark master Masons, the high priest, king, and scribe, for the time being, of such chapter, shall be the master and wardens in said lodges, according to seniority. SECT. 4. All applications for the exaltation or advancement of candidates, in any chapter or lodge, under this jurisdiction, shall lie over, at least one meeting, for the consideration of the members. SECT. 5. No Mason shall be a member of two separate and distinct bodies, of the same denomination, at one and the same time. SECT. 6. No chapter shall be removed without the knowledge of the high priest, nor any motion made for that purpose in his absence: but if the high priest be present, and a motion is made and seconded for removing the chapter, to some more convenient place (within the limits prescribed in their warrant) the high priest shall forthwith cause notifications to be issued, to all the members, informing them of the motion for removal, and of the time and place when the question is to be determined: which notice shall be issued at least ten days previous to the appointed meeting. But if the high priest (after motion duly made and seconded as aforesaid) should refuse or neglect to cause the notices to be issued as aforesaid, the officer next in rank, who may be present at the next regular meeting following, (upon motion made and seconded for that purpose) may in like manner issue the said notices. SECT. 7. All mark master Masons' lodges shall be regulated, in cases of removal, by the same rules as are prescribed in the foregoing section for the removal of chapters. SECT. 8. The high priest, and other officers, of every chapter, and the officers of every lodge of mark master Masons, shall be chosen annu ally, by ballot. the degree of mark master Mason, past master, most excellent master, and royal arch Mason, upon any brother, for a less sum than twenty dollars. And no lodge of mark master Masons shall advance a brother to that degree for a less sum than four dollars. SECT. 13. When either of the officers or members of the general grand chapter, or of any of the state grand chapters, cannot personally attend their respective meetings, they shall severally have the authority to constitute a proxy, which proxy shall have the same right to a seat and vote as his constituent. ARTICLE IV. Of constituting new Chapters. SECT. 1. When a warrant of constitution is granted, by either of the general grand officers, or either of the state grand chapters, for constituting a new chapter of royal arch Masons, the grand officers, respectively, shall appoint a day and hour for constitu SECT. 9. The high priest of every chapter, has it in special charge, as appertaining to his office, duty, and dignity, to see that the by-laws of his chapter, as well as the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the grand chapter, be duly observed; that all the other officers of his chapter perform the duties of their respective offices faithfully, and are examples of diligence and industry to their companions; that true and exact records be kept of all the proceedings of the chapter by the secretary; that the treasurer keep and render exact and just accounts of all the monies belonging to the chapter; that regular returns be made by the secretary, annually, to the grand chapter of all admissions of candidates or members; and that the annual dues to the grand chapter be regularly and punctually paid. He has the special care and charge of the warrant of his chapter. He has the right and authority of calling his chapter at pleasure, upon any emergency or occurrence which in his judgment may require their meet-ting the same, and installing the new ing, and he is to fill the chair when officers. On the day and hour appresent. It is likewise his duty, to- pointed, the grand or deputy grand gether with his king and scribe, to at-high priest, [or the presiding officer tend the meetings of the grand chap- for the time being,] with his officers, ter (when duly summoned by the meet in a convenient room, near to grand secretary) either in person, or the place where the new chapter is to by proxy. be constituted. The officers of the new chapter are to be examined by the deputy grand high priest, or some companion appointed for that purpose; after they are approved, they are to return to the hall, and prepare for the reception of the grand chapter. When notice is given, by the grand marshal, that they are prepared, the grand chapter walks in procession to the hall, when the officers appointed for the new chapter, resign their seats to the grand officers, and take their several stations on the left; the necessary cautions are then given from the chair, and the ceremony commen ces by performing an anthem or ode, adapted to the occasion. The officers and members of the new chapter SECT. 10. For the preservation of secrecy and good harmony, and in order that due decorum may be observed while the chapter is engaged in business, a worthy royal arch Mason is to be appointed from time to time for tyling the chapter. His duty is fixed by custom, and known in all regular chapters. He may be elected annually, but is to continue in office only during good behaviour, and is to be paid for his services. SECT. 11. All lodges of mark master Masons are bound to observe the two preceding articles, as far as they can be applied to the government of a lodge. SECT. 12. No chapter shall confer "Most Excellent Companion, The grand high priest then directs the grand secretary to read the warrant, which being done, he asks the I feel much satisfaction in performmembers of the new chapter if they ing my duty on the present occasion, still approve of the officers nominated by installing you into the office of therein; this being signified accord-high priest of this new chapter. It ingly, the grand high priest rises and says, 66 By virtue of the high powers in me vested, I do form you, my worthy companions, into a regular chapter of royal arch Masons; from henceforth you are authorized and empowered to open and hold a lodge of mark masters, past masters, and most excellent masters, and a chapter of royal arch Masons; and to do and perform all such things as thereunto may appertain; conforming in all your doings to the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the state grand chapter; and may the God of your fathers be with you, guide and direct you, in all your doings." Grand Honours. The furniture, jewels, implements, utensils, &c. belonging to the chapter, (having previously been placed in due form, covered, in the centre,) are then uncovered, and the new chapter is dedicated, in ancient manner and form, as is well described in the most excellent master's degree. The deputy grand high priest then presents the first officer of the new chapter to the grand high priest, saying, is an office highly honourable to all those who diligently perform the important duties annexed to it; your reputed Masonic knowledge, however, precludes the necessity of a particular enumeration of those duties; I shall therefore only observe, that by a frequent recurrence to the constitution, and general regulations, and a constant practice of the several sublime lectures and charges, you will be best able to fulfil them; and I am confident, that the companions who are chosen to preside with you, will give strength to your endeavours, and support your exertions. I shall now propose certain questions to you, relative to the duties of your office, and to which I must request your unequivocal auswer. 1. Do you solemnly promise that you will redouble your endeavours, to correct the vices, purify the morals, and promote the happiness of those of your brethren who have attained this sublime degree. 2. That you will never suffer your chapter to be opened unless there be present nine regular royal arch Ma sons. 3. That you will never suffer either more or less than three brethren fo be exalted in your chapter at one and the same time. 4. That you will not exalt any one to this degree, who has not shown a charitable and humane disposition; or who has not made a considerable proficiency in the foregoing degrees. 5. That you will promote the general good of our order, and on all proper occasions be ready to give and receive instructions, and particularly from the general and state grand offi cers. 6. That to the utmost of your power you will preserve the solemnities of our ceremonies, and behave, in open chapter, with the most profound respect and reverence, as an example to your companions. 7. That you will not acknowledge or have intercourse with any chapter that does not work under a constitutional warrant or dispensation. 8. That you will not admit any visiter into your chapter who has not been exalted in a chapter legally constituted, without his being first formally healed. 9. That you will observe and support such by-laws as may be made by your chapter, in conformity to the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the grand chapter. 10. That you will pay due respect and obedience to the instructions of the general and state grand officers, particularly relating to the several lectures and charges, and will resign the chair to them, severally, when they may visit your chapter. 11. That you will support and observe the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the grand royal arch chapter under whose authority you act. following, or some other suitable prayer: Most holy and glorious Lord, God, the great High Priest of Heaven and earth. We approach thee with reverence, and implore thy blessing on the companion to preside over this new assembly, and now prostrate before thee; fill his heart with thy fear, that his tongue and actions may pronounce thy glory. Make him steadfast in thy service; grant him firmness of mind; animate his heart, and strengthen his endeavours; may he teach thy judgments and thy laws; and may the incense he shall put before thee, upon thine altar, prove an acceptable sacrifice unto thee. Bless him, O Lord, and bless the work of his hands. cept us in mercy; hear thou from Heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive our transgressions. Ac Glory be to God the Father; as it was in the beginning, &c." Response, "so mote it be." All the companions except high priests, and past high priests, are then desired to withdraw, while the new high priest is solemnly bound to the performance of his duties; and after the performance of other necessary ceremonies, not proper to be written, they are permitted to return. The grand high priest then addresses the new high priest, as follows: "Most Excellent Companion, In consequence of your cheerful acquiescence with the charges and regulations just recited, I now declare you duly installed and anointed high priest of this new chapter; not doubting your determination to support the reputation and honour of our sublime order. I now cheerfully deliver unto you the warrant under which you are to work; and I doubt not you will govern with such good order and reginularity, as will convince your companions that their partiality has not been improperly placed." Do you submit to all these things, and do you promise to observe and practice them faithfully ?" These questions being answered the affirmative, the companions all kneel in due form, and the grand high priest or grand chaplain, repeats the The grand high priest, then clothes and invests the new high priest with various implements and insignia of the order, with suitable charges to each of them. The grand high priest then installs the several subordinate officers in turn; and points out to them the duties appertaining to their respective offices: after which he pronounces a suitable address to the new chapter, and closes the ceremony, with the following benediction: "The Lord be with you all; let brotherly love continue; be not forgetful to entertain strangers; now the God of peace, our supreme High Priest, make you perfect to do his will. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace and good will to men. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be," &c. SECT. 2. At the institution of all lodges of mark master Masons, under this jurisdiction, the same ceremonies as are prescribed in the foregoing section, are to be observed, as far as they will apply to that degree. SECT. 3. Whenever it shall be inconvenient for the general grand officers, or the grand or deputy grand high priests, respectively, to attend in person, to constitute a new chapter or lodge, and install the officers, they shall severally have power and authority, to appoint some worthy high priest, or past high priest, to perform the necessary ceremonies. SECT. 4. The officers of every chapter and lodge under this jurisdiction, before they enter upon the exercise of their respective offices, and also the members of all such chapters and lodges, and every candidate his upon admission into the same, shall take the following obligation, viz. "I, A. B. do promise and swear, that I will support and maintain the general grand royal arch constitution.” a general grand chapter, begun and holden at New-York, in the state of New-York, on the 6th day of June, A. D. 1816. At the last septennial meeting of the general grand chapter of the United States, held at St. John's Hall, in the city of New-York, in September last, the grand chapters of the states of Ohio and Kentucky, were regularly recognized; and the general grand secretary, was authorized, upon his receiving official information of the organization of a grand chapter in the state of New-Hampshire, to issue a circular, recognizing the same. A committee, appointed to consider whether any amendments to the constitution were necessary, after due consideration, reported in the negative, and the report was accepted. A communication was received, on the subject of forming a grand chapter in the state of New-Jersey, which was referred to a committee who reported unfavourably to the measure, on the ground that there were but two royal arch chapters in the state, acknowledging the jurisdiction of this general grand chapter. The report was accepted. The following most excellent companions, were elected general grand officers for the ensuing seven years: M. E. DE WITT CLINTON, of Albany, New-York, general grand high priest. M. E. HENRY FOWLE, of Boston, Massachusetts, deputy-general grand high priest. M. E. JOHN SNOW, of Worthington, Ohio, general grand king. M. E. PHILIP P. ECKEL, of Baltimore, Maryland, general grand scribe. M. E. JOHN ABBOT, of Westford, Massachusetts, general grand secretary. I hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of the General Grand M. E. PETER GRINNELL, of ProviRoyal Arch Constitution for the United States of America, as altered, dence, Rhode-Island, general grand amended, and ratified, at a meeting of || treasurer. |