STROLLS AMONG THE WORK MEN.

NO.11.

DEAR BR. MOORE-The duties and privileges of Deputy Grand Masters have elicited quite an interest in some of the jurisdictions in this country, and the debates have brought more clearly to view the anomalous position which that officer bears to the fraternity. The subject, however, is not generally understood, as its investigation has been confined, principally, to those whose position in the Order seems to demand a more perfect knowledge of its peculiarities. There are thousands of others, although well acquainted with the ritual, and the leading principles of the Institution, and are familiar, it may be, with the laws and regulations in general practice, and the routine of Lodge duties, who, having no occasion to do so, have never investigated the ancient general rules and their bearings, nor examined the fundamental principles upon which the Institution is based, and which impart to it its present strength and symmetrical form. In filling the various offices in the Grand Lodge, many are necessarily chosen from the latter class, but neither of the subordinate offices has assumed the same degree of importance as that of Deputy Grand Master; and none possess so weak a basis for such a position. Many of those who have occupied the office, have seemed scarcely to comprehen led the relative position they held to the Grand Master and the Craft, nor the true significance of the office to which they had been chosen. Flushed by their advancement, they were inclined to ignore the idea of the supreme and indivisible functions peculiar to the Grand Master's office. We are indebted to the indiscretions of such, whose erroneous exercise of authority has produced bitter and acrimonious feelings, in some instances, for a more critical examination into the origin and characteristics of the office, and which has resulted in the curtailment of their undefined privileges. It is a pity that the details of these investigations are not in a form more accessible to the Brotherhood.

At one time Committees on Foreign Correspondence bid fair to be the medium for communicating to the Craft the principal features of the mooted points in Masonic jurisprudence; but these reports have become so ponderous that it is a matter of impossibility, in many instances, for the bodies to which they are reported, to find time for their proper consideration. They are often extended to an unreasonable length; too much space is occupied with personal compliments and reciprocatory acknowledgments. That admirable tint of modesty which throws self in the shade, loses its freshness by continued neglect. Instead of sharing the honors received, with the body they represent, it often occurs that the chairman of these committees not only takes the credit belonging to himself as chairman, but openly assumes the whole responsibility of the sentiments therein avowed. Doubtless this assumption is sometimes forced upon him in consequence of the inability of the Grand Lodge to investigate the subjects and propositions discussed. Were the documents of a readable length, however, their sentiments might have the sanction of the Grand Lodge, and would then carry with them the weight and importance which attach to a deliberate act of a Grand Lodge. As it is, they possess no force but that which may be imparted to them by the eminence or position which the writer himself occupies, and is,

after all, but the opinion of one individual. The means afforded every Mason for acquiring Masonic knowledge, were never greater than at the present day. Works of the most elaborate and intellectual character are in the possession of the fraternity, and although many of them are not within the reach of every Brother, the means afforded by our periodicals supply their place to a great extent, and give increased facilities for the acqnirement of Masonic knowledge. Many of the subjects in which the Brethren feel a lively interest, are found in the reports herein referred to, and which, but for their length, might be conveyed to the Craft through the medium of these valuable periodicals. Through this channel they would be more profusely disseminated and become accessible to the masses.

But I am indulging too long in this digression. I have no doubt that many of our Brethren are deceived in their impressions regarding the duties and prerogatives of a Deputy Grand Master. Indeed, oftentimes the officer himself is deluded into the belief that he possesses the inherent rights of a Grand Master by virtue of his office. This opinion is erroneous. According to our present organization, he occupies a position but one degree removed above a Senior Grand Warden, and has no more right to assume the prerogatives of a Grand Master than has the Grand Warden, unless by a special regulation, which may be enlarged or circumscribed, according to the necessities of a jurisdiction. A Dep uty Grand Master possesses no inherent rights. The office is of modern origin, and created for the convenience and assistance of the Grand Master. Of course his acts are lawful while in the performance of any duty under the authority of the Grand Master, either special or general, and so would be the acts of any other Grand Officer, when under the same instructions. The modern constitution of Freemasonry makes him the next successor in turn to the Oriental chair, in case of the death, absence or inability of the Grand Master, or a vacancy in the office. His proximity to the highest office in Masonry leads many erroneously to suppose him to be an integral part of the executive department of the Masonic government. There is no point in our general government more clearly set forth than that which defines the duties and position of a Deputy Grand Master, nor is there any about which there is such misapprehensions. The subject, however, is narrowed to an obvious limit, and may be contained in a nut shell. In every case where his duties and privileges are not particularly mentioned, in the local regulations, he has no powers except such as are especially imparted to him by the Grand Master.

Although it may be customary, it does not follow that it is obligatory upon the Grand Master to select the Deputy for the performance of an official act, nor would its execution be any more effective than if performed by any other Grand officer under his direction. I am clearly of the opinion that the powers of a Grand Master cease only with his death. His duties may be performed by others, if he is at any time unable to perform them himself; but wheresoever he may be, or in whatever circumstances he may be placed, his authority as Grand Master remains unimpaired. I can, however, imagine a case in which it would be in the power of the Craft to depose a Grand Master.

My object in making these reflections is to call the attention of the Craft to the

position they give to a Deputy Grand Master, by making this office an elective one, and also that we may receive the benefit of the labors of those of our Brethren who have sufficient leisure to give the subject a more careful investigation. Had I the time and the facilities for the undertaking, these articles are necessarily too short to admit of a proper discussion of the subject; consequently I can do but little more than advance an opinion, leaving to others the task of testing its orthodoxy. A committee on Masoaic jurisprudence of the Grand Lodge of Viginia reported a most valuable and interesting document, setting forth the origin of the office of Deputy Grand Master, and expressing its opinion in the shape of a resolution, to the effect, that the office should be discontinued. They propose to meet the case of a vacancy in the office of Grand Master in the following manner: viz. Resolved, that in case of death, resignation or permanent disability of the Grand Master, the person or officer indicated as his successor by election or law shall be duly installed in like manner before entering upon the duties of Grand Master." In connection with this subject the committee say: **** “The Masonic question which presents itself in connection with this investigation is, can the Deputy Grand Master be invested with any quasi installation which would constitute him Grand Master? If this were done, it would only be by creating a degree in Masonry to be called the 'Past Grand Master;' for, as it is evident there cannot exist, Masonically speaking, two Grand Masters of the same Grand Lodge jurisdiction at the same moment, at this day; and by this day' we mean since 1717, or the year when the first constitutional Grand Lodge was solemnly constituted, without the interposition of regal authority. From time immemorial, in all Kingly governments, the incumbent of the throne, when a Mason, was Grand Master of the Craft, by royal prerogative, so acknowledged in Masonry, and so proclaimed in history; but as all their time was occupied in matters of pressing state emergency, as war, politics and religion, each appointed his Deputy, who thereupon became, and assumed the title of Grand Master of the Lodge of working Masons, with his Wardens under him. He was therefore, Deputy of the King for certain purposes, and as such, Grand Master of the Lodges, not Deputy Grand Master. When the Colonies imported Masonry into America, being subjects of the King of that government from whence they obtained it, and in many instances availing themselves of the services of Deputy Grand Masters appointed for the purpose, it is not a matter of surprise that in their organization they adopted the Masonic anomaly of Deputy Grand Masters, also appointed by their Grand Masters. But when Republican America, the genius of whose government is utterly opposed to all sinecures, and repudiates all honors at second hand, came together to form Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons according to Masonic rituals, we may be excused for expressing some little astonishment that they did not repudiate this off-shoot or water-spout upon the body of Masonry." *

*

I cannot say that I am prepared to go to the extent proposed by our enlightened Brethren in Virginia, in abolishing entirely the office of Deputy Grand Master. Taking the conservative ground, I should prefer continuing the office, and permit the Grand Master to fill it by appointment at his option, should occasion arise requiring the services of such an officer. He can then give him either a

special or general commission, removable at pleasure. The office would then be what it was originally intended to be, and what its title indicates it should be, viz: " one that transacts business for another, a lieutenant, a viceroy, one sent on an especial mission." If he is appointed to the office by the Grand Master, and not placed there by election, he would then be absolutely and de facto his agent. Upon a critical examination of the subject, there appears to be an inconsistency in creating an elective officer with such a title. Taking the Master Masons' Lodge as the standard, which must be, of course, coeval with the exist ence of Freemasonry itself, and which can be safely identified with "Ancient Craft Masonry," we find no such officer as Deputy in the Lodge. In many of the jurisdictions the business of the Grand Lodge is transacted in the Master Mason's degree. There being no officer in a Master Mason's Lodge of that grade or title, the presumption is that none such can be lawfully created who would supercede either of the officers of the Lodge in their inherent right of succession to the chair during the temporary absence of the first presiding officer. The fact of prefixing "Grand" to the title of the Lodge, and its officers, cannot change the character of the one, or the rights and privileges of the other. If a Grand Lodge opens in the Master Mason's degree, it is bona fide a Master Mason's Lodge, and only such officers as are peculiar to the Lodge, can properly be recognized.*

Yours, truly and fraternally,

D.

CONDITION OF MASONRY IN MASSACHU.

SETTS.

[From the official Reports of the District Deputy Grand Masters, made to the Grand Master in December, 1861.-Continued from page 177.] FOURTH DISTRICT.

To the M. W. WM. D. COOLIDGE,

Blackstone, Dec. 31st, 1861.

Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts

DEAR SIR-The time for which I was appointed District Deputy having expired, I herewith present you a brief statement of the condition of the several Lodges composing the Fourth Masonic District; all but one of which I have visited, one or more times, during the year; and am pleased to report progress in all of them.

Montgomery Lodge, Milford; Olive Branch Lodge, Millbury; Solomon's Temple Lodge, Uxbridge, and Blackstone River Lodge, Blackstone, are all harmonious, and perform their work in conformity to the standard adopted by the Grand Lodge.

Franklin Lodge, Grafton, although I did not have an opportunity to witness the

*We do not of course hold ourself responsible for, nor do we wish to be understood as concurring, in all respects, in the views adduced by our intelligent correspondent, though his opinions are generally conservative and sound, and always stated with great candor and clearness.-Editor.

conferring of the Degrees when making my annual visit to this Lodge, yet should judge from what I saw, that they did their work well.

Webster Lodge, Webster, this Lodge has made some improvement in the work and lectures during the year. I also notice great improvement in the Records, and they are now neatly and correctly kept.

Oxford Lodge, Oxford, although being the youngest chartered in the District, (this being the first year it has worked under a Charter,) I am happy to say is one of the best in this District, and has, during the past year, admitted to Masonry, men who will reflect honor upon the Fraternity.

The Lodges that compose this Masonic District are mostly located in Manufacturing villages, and their prosperity has been materially affected by the trou bles which have unhappily existed in our national affairs. The number of candidates initiated in the seven chartered Lodges, during the past year is fortyeight, a decrease of thirtysix from last year. I have, during the year, granted two Dispensations for the conferring of Degrees in less time than is required by the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge. Thanking you for the honor conferred in ap. pointing me to the office of District Deputy of the 4th Masonic District. I remain, truly and Fraternally yours,

DANIEL W. TAFT.

M. W. WM. D. COOLIDGE,

FIFTH DISTRICT.

Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts—

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER-Another Masonic year having closed, it becomes necessary that I should present for your consideration a Report of the condition of the Lodges composing the Fifth Masonic District.

There has been no material changes in the Lodges during the year. Sixtyeight have been initiated by the chartered Lodges in the District.

Plymouth Lodge, at Plymouth, of which I had much to encourage me a year ago, has not attained that position in Masoary of which it then gave promise. Misfortune seems to attend them; the Brother selected by the Lodge at that time as its Master, was one who it was thought would honor the office, harmonize the Lodge, and improve its work, but unfortunately the Brother did not give that attention to his duty which the interests of the Lodge demanded, consequently the members lost interest; the meetings were thinly attended, and but for the exertions of a few would have ceased entirely. What the final result will be, time alone will reveal. With this exception, harmony prevails throughout the District, and I hope that ere another year has passed, that this may not be an exception.

Early in the year, by your permission, a Lodge of Instruction was formed in the District, under the honored name of Paul Dean Lodge of Instruction, for the Fifth Masonic District. It has been under the instruction of Brother Nourse, Senior Grand Lecturer, and has been the means of improving the work throughout the District.

I have visited all the Lodges in the District, with the exception of Orient