lation, in the Grand Lodge of England, that if a Brother, clothed in his regalia, attend a funeral procession, without permission of the G. Master, "he shall not only be forever incapable of being an officer of a Lodge, but even of Tyling, or attending on a Lodge." It is true that the distinction is here only incidentally made; but it is, nevertheless, we think, sufficiently marked to show that the Tyler was not at that period reckoned among the officers of a Lodge; nor do we understand that his position has since been changed.

The Constitutions require that the Tyler shall be a Master Mason; but they do not require that he shall be a member of the Lodge that he tyles; nor do they prohibit his tyling a Lodge of which he is not a member.

In cities and large towns where there are several Lodges, it is usual, as our correspondent suggests, for one Brother to serve them all as Tyler. So far as there is any regulation on this subject, it is against the Brother being a member of the Lodge that he tyles. The second article of the General Regulations, as revised in 1754, is as follows:

"A Brother Master Mason should be appointed the Tyler, to look after the door; but he must be no member of the Grand Lodge."*

We know not why the principle here established is not as essential to a private Lodge as it is to the Grand Lodge. If the Brother who tyles the Grand Lodge is not allowed to be a member of that body, there is no just reason why he should be required to be a member of the private Lodge that he tyles. He should of course be a member of one Lodge, before he is appointed Tyler at all; and being a member of one, he may tyle as many Lodges as see fit to employ him.

GRAND LODGE

CERTIFICATES.

THE following resolution was adopted by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, in 1797, and has never been repealed:

Resolved, That the Grand Secretary shall procure a copper-plate, and canse to be struck on parchment, at the expense of the Grand Lodge, such number of certificates as will be necessary to furnish all the members of the several Lodges under this jurisdiction, who may apply for the same; which certificate shall be expressed in the English and French languages, showing that the bearer is a member of a regular Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, and shall have the seal of the Grand Lodge affixed and be attested by the Grand Secretary, and every member of any Lodge under this jurisdiction, whose name is returned to the Grand Secretary as such, shall be entitled to receive a certificate as aforesaid, upon paying to the Grand Secretary, for the use of the Grand Lodge, the sum of 75 cents.

*If the appointment of G. Tyler conferred on him the character of an officer, it would of course make the Brother receiving it a member of the Grand Lodge; but it does neither. And the principle holds good in its application to private Lodges.

APPEALS BEFORE THE G. LODGE OF MISSISSIPPI.

357

APPEALS BEFORE THE GRAND LODGE OF

MISSISSIPPI.

THERE were an unusual number of appeals from the decisions of subordinate Lodges in cases of discipline, brought before the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, at its last annual communication. The following summary may be of service to our readers in that State, who feel an interest in the final result of any of the cases named.

The petition of J. Callaghan, for a rehearing on his appeal from Grand Gulf Lodge, was referred to the committee on complaints and appeals, which committee subsequently reported that there was nothing in the case requiring the interference of the Grand Lodge.

On the petition of Jeremiah Cooper, the same committee reported, that there was not sufficient information before them to justify any conclusion in the case, and recommended that Carrollton Lodge be called upon for the charges and specifications against said Jeremiah Cooper, and that the parties be cited to appear before the Grand Lodge, at its next annual communication.

In the case of John F. Wray, the committee reported the following resolution : Resolved, Unanimously, by this Grand Lodge, that John F. Wray, former Master of Pontotoc Lodge, U. D., be, and he is hereby expelled from all the benefits, rights, and privileges of Freemasonry, for gross unmasonic conduct.

In the case of Thomas J. Johnston, the committee reported as follows: Resolved, That Thomas J. Johnston, P. G. J. W., be and he is hereby expelled from all the benefits, rights, and privileges of Freemasonry, for gross unmasonic conduct.

In the case of Richard Northcross, the committee reported the following resolution:

Resolved, That Richard Northcross, of Salem Lodge, No. 45, be re-admitted to the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, and be re-invested with all the privileges of a Brother.

In the case of Benj. C. Oppelt, against De Kalb Lodge, No. 64, the committee represented that the appeal of said Oppelt was not sustained, and recommended the adoption of the following:

Resolved, That the decision of DeKalb Lodge, No. 64, against Benj. C. Oppelt, be confirmed.

In the case of George W. Rodgers, appellant, vs. Vannatta Lodge, No. 68, there not being sufficient evidence before the Committee to enable them to come to any conclusions, they recommended that citations be issued to the parties in the case to appear at the next Grand Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.

In the case of Salem Lodge, No. 45, by petition, praying the restoration of H. L. Machin to all the privileges of Masonry, the Committee presented the following resolution, granting the prayer of the petitioners:

Resolved, That H. L. Machin be and is hereby restored to all the privileges of Freemasonry.

In the case of C. H. Saunders, vs. Greensboro' Lodge, No. 53, for the want of proper testimony, the Committee recommended that citations issue to the parties concerned to appear at the next Grand Annual Communication.

The resolutions and recommendations of the Committee were all adopted by the Grand Lodge.

The report in the case of Isaac N. Kent, expelled by Raymond Lodge, which was laid upon the table at the last annual coinmunication, was called up, and with the following resolutions, adopted:

Resolved, That the case of I. N. Kent be referred to Silas Brown Lodge, No. 65, of the City of Jackson, and that said Lodge be requested to proceed in the trial of said Kent upon the charges preferred against him in Raymond Lodge, No. 21, de novo.

Resolved, That all Masons desiring an inquiry into the decrees of their subordinate Lodges, in cases of suspension or expulsion, must give the Subordinate Lodges due notice of their intention to appeal; and a copy of the record and all other matters pertaining to the case, shall be sent up to this Grand Lodge, at its Grand Annual Cominunication, after said appeal.

The decision of Grenada Lodge, against Y. W. Stokes, was confirmed by the Grand Lodge.

The following resolution was adopted in the case of J. W. Mann:

Resolved, That the case of J. W. Mann, against Marion Lodge, No. 62, with the papers in the same, be returned to said Lodge, as informal, and that the said case be referred to Macon Lodge, No. 40, for final action, agreeably to the prayer of the petitioner, and to the recommendation of the Committee on Complaints and Appeals; and that Marion Lodge be ordered to furnish the accused, and also Macon Lodge, with a copy of the charges and specifications; and that said Macon Lodge, appoint a time of trial immediately, and cite the parties to a final hearing

AT the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, in 1845, several important resolutions were adopted, which, when published, gave dissatisfaction to a portion of the Lodges. At the last communication of the Grand Lodge, the representative from Bodley Lodge, presented a series of resolutions passed by said Lodge, instructing him to use his influence to effect a repeal of the objectionable resolutions. These were referred to a committee, who subsequently submitted the following able and interesting report:

To the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Illinois:

The select committee to which have been referred certain resolutions from Bodley Lodge, No. 1, having had the same under consideration, respectfully beg leave to report: That the said resolutions embrace matters of the highest importance to the Masonic Fraternity, and in relation to which widely different opinions are doubtless honestly entertained by worthy members of the Craft. This is believed to be more paticularly the case with the first resolution, inserted on page 57 of the published proceedings of the last annual communication of this Grand Lodge, the repeal of which is earnestly urged by Bodley Lodge, No. 1. With unaffected diffidence in their ability to arrive at a just and truly Masonic conclusion upon the momentous question submitted to them, and with due deference to the high authority from which the resolution objected to emanates, your committee humbly state, that, in their judgment, the said resolution was adopted hastily, and without sufficient caution, and that the good of the Masonic Institution requires that its operation should be suspended until an expression of the opinion of the subordinate Lodges can be had thereon.

G. LODGE OF ILLINOIS.- -QUESTIONS OF PRACTICE.

BELIEF IN THE DIVINE AUTHENTICITY OF THE BIBLE, AS A TEST.

66

359

We heartily believe the Bible to be the first Great Light of Masonry; and that it is, and should be, the constant guide of the Christian Mason; yet, being aware that at the period of the institution of the Order by King Solomon, only a small portion of the Holy Scriptures was in existence, and that Masonry is designed to be universal in the extension of its benefits, and to embrace within its ample bosom all, whether Jews or Gentiles, Christians or Pagans, who avow a steadfast belief the existence and perfections of Deity," we are unwilling to close the door against those whom our first and most illustrious Grand Master would have admitted, by imposing a test which would exclude from the Lodge every person not a professor of Christianity. According to our understanding of our ancient land-marks, the imposition of such a test might be a dangerous innovation upon the well established principles of Masonry-one that may sever the mystic tie which binds together all the Craftsnien, wheresoever scattered over the surface of the globe; and confine to a comparatively small portion of the human family benefits obviously designed for the whole race. It is not unreasonable to suppose, that if "a distinct avowal of a belief in the Divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures"-including, of course, the New as well as the Old Testament-be deemed indispensable to admission to the privileges of Masonry, and, as a necessary consequence, operate to the exclusion of the descendants of the original founders and patrons of the Order, it may hereafter be found practicable to introduce other tests, requiring "a belief" in one of the numerous creeds into which the Christian world is now divided, and rejecting all others. Besides, if the door of the Masonic Temple be resolutely closed against all such as do not avow the required" belief," how are the persons thus deprived of the Great Light of the Bible-the study of which is solemnly and repeatedly enjoined within the portals of the Lodge-to profit by the instructions of the Sacred Volume? Is it right to refuse to those who do not believe "in the Divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures," and consequently stand most in need of the precepts they inculcate and the consolations they impart, the opportunity-perhaps the only one they may ever be favored with-of making themselves acquainted with the contents of the Blessed Book? Your committee believe that it is not. But, unwilling to trespass farther upon the patience of this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, by presenting additional arguments in support of their opinions, they will proceed to notice, very briefly, the other points embraced in the document referred to them.

ALLOWING VISITORS TO VOTE ON THE ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES.

With regard to the seventh resolution, also found on page 57 of the printed proceedings of the last Grand Lodge, your committee ask leave to state that, according to the best of their judgment, the good of the Masonic Fraternity would be best promoted by its repeal. In our view, the question of the admission of every applicant may safely be left to the decision of the Lodge in which he wishes to enter, and the members of which clearly possess the right of selecting their own associates. The danger which may be apprehended from the possible admission of an improper person-who might be rejected were a visiting Brother allowed to vote-will be sufficiently guarded against by allowing, according to usage, such visitor to state his objections to the reception of the candidate in open Lodge, before the ballot is taken; and which, if well founded, will as certainly exclude him as the appearance of a black ball in the ballot-box. It moreover seems to your Committee that to allow a mere visiting Brother-one, perhaps, who, although residing within the jurisdiction of a regular Lodge, refuses or neglects to become a member, or, it may be, a total stranger to all the parties, the privilege of deciding who shall, or who shall not, be admitted into a Lodge, the door of which the objector may never before have entered, and may never enter again, is essentially wrong in principle, and should be discontinued in practice.

EXPULSIONS BY ENCAMPMENTS AND CHAPTERS.

Your committee likewise concur with Bodley Lodge, in the opinion that the

eleventh resolution, which appears on page 58 of the published proceedings of the last grand communication, should be rescinded. Although Encampments, Chapters and Lodges, are all parts of the great Masonic Institution, their organization and mode of working are nevertheless separate and distinct; and what may justly be considered a legitimate cause for suspension or expulsion in the one, is not necessarily and unavoidably liable to the same grave punishment in the other. Besides, as every Blue Lodge clearly and indisputably possessess the right of punishing any offending member within her jurisdiction, there appears to be no valid reason why she should give up this right to another tribunal, of whose proceedings she is not bound to take notice, and with whose action in the case she may be wholly unacquainted. The offender, moreover-especially if a member of the Lodge-is surely entitled to the privilege of being tried by his Brethren, and to be heard by them in his own defence; and should not be deprived of it for slight or trivial causes.

BALLOTING ON EACH DEGREE.

In relation to the resolution, inserted on pages 13 and 14 of the printed proceedings of the last Grand Lodge, your committee would also observe, that they are of the opinion, that a general compliance there with is calculated to be more injurious than beneficial to the Fraternity. It appears to us that danger is far more likely to arise from the inconsiderate admission of improper persons into the Masonic family, than from the exclusion of such as may be truly worthy. It seldom if ever happens that every member of a Lodge is present when a candidate is balloted for; and it is very possible that the only one in possession of reasons sufficient for the rejection of the applicant, may be absent when his petition is acted upon. It is, consequently, very proper, whenever such is the case, that the Brother who would have opposed his reception in the first instance, had he been present, should be allowed another opportunity for the purpose, and to have his objections removed, if not well founded, or the farther advancement of the candidate arrested, should it appear, upon mature deliberation, that he is unworthy of the privilege he seeks to obtain. Besides, it may be received as a sound maxim, that no one, who has been once admitted within the portals of the Lodge, and initiatedas an Entered Apprentice, will, on slight grounds, be refused farther light; or, that one who has been admitted to the First and Second Degrees, will be rejected on his application for the Third, except from an imperative sense of duty to the Masonic Institution. Your committee, therefore, can see no necessity for the resolution in question, and respectfully recommend its repeal.

NON-AFFILIATED MASONS.

With respect to the expediency of "requiring all subordinate Lodges to report to the Grand Lodge the names of all Master Masons residing within their respective jurisdictions," your committee would respectfully remark, that in their judgment a strict compliance with this requirement would be, for obvious reasons, very difficult, if not impracticable. As all attainable information on this subject is, however, desirable, it is believed that it should be recommended to the subordinate Lodges to procure the same, so far as it may be within their reach, and that nothing more should be required of them on this point.

Impressed, however, with a deep sense of the great importance of the matters submitted to them, and deprecating precipitate action thereon, your committee would respectfully suggest that the operation of the several resolutions referred to in the document from Bodley Lodge, No. 1, be suspended until the next annual communication of this Grand Lodge, and most respectfully recommend the adoption of the following resolutions, viz:

Resolved, That the operation of resolutions Nos. 1, 7, and 11, on pages 57 and 58, and of the resolution on pages 13 and 14, of the published proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, held at Jacksonville, in the year 1845, be and hereby is suspended, until the opinion of the subordinate Lodges be obtained;