REPORT. THE Committee, to whom was referred the duty of drafting a CODE OF BY-LAWS, for the better regulation of the business of the Grand Lodge, and the subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction, have attended to the responsible duties of their appointment, and herewith respectfully submit their report. Experience had taught your committee the inexpediency of longer relying upon a few vague rules for the government of the Lodges, and the impossibility of enforcing regulations which have existence only in the general constitutions and usages of the Craft. They have, therefore, endeavored to embrace in the new Code, so much of what may properly be termed the common, as well as statute law of the Fraternity, as in their opinion will hereafter be found essential to a due and efficient discharge of the multifarious and important duties devolving on the administration of the Order in this Commonwealth. They do not, however, presume that they have covered the whole ground, or that they have embraced every point which it might be desirable to incorporate among the permanent regulations of the Grand Lodge. This would be a work of laborious research and reflection, requiring more time than your committee could conveniently devote to the subject. They nevertheless believe that the Code will be found to be sufficiently copious to meet all questions which are likely to arise in the ordinary transaction of Masonic business. All of which is respectfully submitted. CHARLES W. MOORE, JOHN J. LORING, JOHN R BRADFORD, S. W. ROBINSON, Masonic Temple, Boston, Sept. 13, 1843. COMMITTEE. REPORT. THE Committee to whom was entrusted the work of publishing a new edition of the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge, present to their Brethren this volume, as the report of their doings. In the preparation of this Book, they have endeavored to secure the utmost accuracy. The Committee are indebted to the Recording Secretary of the Grand Lodge, C. W. MOORE, Esq., for the able and interesting biographical papers appended to the Constitutions, which embrace a clear outline of the early history of Masonry in Massachusetts. They are under like obligations to the same accomplished pen for the elaborate tables, in the Appendix, which will add a material value to the volume, as a work of reference. The volume is embellished by a well executed lithographic likeness of the first Grand Master of Massachusetts, whose portrait adorns the walls of the Masonic Temple, in this city. In accordance with a vote of the Grand Lodge, the Committee have procured copper plate engravings, illustrating the Jewels and Regalia of the officers of the Grand Lodge, and also of the Jewels of the subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction, which they have inserted in connection with a description of the Regalia in the Constitution. For the Committee. GEO. M. RANDALL. Boston, April 10, 1857. The Compact, agreed upon at the Union of the St. John's Table of Lodges chartered by the Grand Lodges of Massa- chusetts, from 1733 to 1856, inclusive, 165 Table of Grand Masters, Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurers and Recording Grand Secre taries of the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, from the organization of St. John's in 1733, to the year 1857, Ceremony of Laying Corner Stones, 177 181 189 |