Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-07-13
MAsoNIc INTELLTaFNCE.
rEmpLAR IUnIsPRUDEScE.

beelslals li th5 1titnu Jolliiianuer OF 4Lilhoi-
II. c. Ranney.l
Elections must be held at time speei-
fed in the bylaws, nor is it competent
for majority 10 change the time Of hold
ing elections, save IN the manner pre-
seribed by the bylaws themselves.
By-laws TO be valid, must be approved
by the superior body, and no amendment
is valid until 90 approved.
II an election is held at any other time
than that prescribed by the bylaws, il is
illegal and void, and the old officers must
hold over until the next annual conelave,
unless the Grand Commander sees TT to
authorize special election.
Amendments TO bylaws must lay over
from one regular meeting 10 another, and
if adopted, are not legally binding until
approved by the Grand COmmandeTy.
The only exception 70 the latter part Of
this rule relates to revenue, a Command
cry having the right to amend their by
laws, regarding fees for the orders, pro-
yided they do not conflict with the Con-
stitutional charge; and they may also
advance or reduce their yearly dues,
without the approval of the superior
body
a commandery q. D. has no nem-
bers; it is not required to pay dues on
| Sir Knights other than those created
aud strictly speaking has no bylaws
until the form on which they unite is
approved by a superior body. Previous
to that approval, they are more apprO-
Z priately termed rules and regulations Z"
( But few of them are needed.
In reply to an inquiry from a Com
maader, There are here three worthy
r. A. MasOns who are desirous of receiv-
ing the orders of Knighthood. They
were raised in the Jewish faith, but do
not practice its rites or ceremonies, and
can hardly be called Jews"
Sir Knights, this Order We have been
taught is a Christian Order, founded
upon the Christian religion, and the
practice of the Christian virtues. In
olden times, and at present in the grand
cOnclave of England and Wales, it was
and is held, as the first requisite for ad-
mission, that candidate must believe
Z in the Holy and undivided Trinity.
Unfortunately, when the present
system of Templarism was cooked
up by the illustTiOus Masonic inventor,
| Thomas Smith Webb, this requisi-
/ ton was abolished, and almost
anybody can now take these Orders.
How any man protesting faith in Sod,
without believing in His only Son, our
blessed Lord, our Savior, Mediator, and
I Intercesscr, can take upon themselves
/ the VOWS Of this Order Of Knighthood,
J has always been q mystery TO me. My
decision was, " Ask them if they now
profess Christianity? If they believe
7 that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the
+ Savior Of man? II they cannot answer
/ these questions in the Affirmative, they
cannot enter our asylum. For no man
/ can consciously promise to draw his
less he is a Christian himself aud be-
lever in the Divinity of its founder"
Another query: Il am again elected
b Commander who is to install the Off
7 GERS in the absence Of a Past Cumman-
der Is it necessary that ! be rein
stalled 2" My own opinion, and so de-
cided, that although it was desirable that
/ the ceremony Of installation should be
carried out ia full when it could be con-
veniLntly, yet the reinstallstiOn Of one
who is already Commander is not abso-
luteiy Necessary or essential the former
vow Of office being binding on him until
. his successor is elected and installed. It
is sn anomaly 70 say that man can be
his own successor. Install your officers
just the same as il yOG bad been rein
stalled.
"Is it necessary for officers under dis
peusati0n to take an obligation and be
Installed ?" No obligation required, no
installation until a Commsndery is con-
stituted
In reply to another query, I simply re-
iterate an opinion already given, and
law in this Jurisdiction. That a Dlen-
Der Of q chartered Cummandery, who is
also q petitioner for a Commandery U.
D., is not required to take a dimit but
when a charter is granted he has a right
to select the Csmmandery in which be
wishes TO retain membership if he
selects the new, notice Of his Intention
to the Ola COmmSndery virtually dimits
him, provided, always, that his dues are
paid up. The chartered COmuandery is
liable for dues to the Grand GOmman-
dery on all petitioners.
Can clergyman receive the Orders of
KnighthoOd without charge2 an
swered, Grand Master Hubbard in
bis decision, which was approved by the
Grand EnCampment, says: Past eXpe-
FienEe has convinced the older Sir
Knights gensrslly, that it is impOlitic to
confer the Orders Of Enighthood upon
ministers of the Gospel ia preference to
others, free of charge And in this
opinion 1 most cordially coincide my
own experience is decidedly opposed to
it,"
4 request for dispensation to receive
petitions out Of the regular time, 1 de-
cided adversely to, " on the ground that
the precedent would be bad, and inju-
rioUs 10 the best interests OF the Order,
and at the same time a violation of our
statutes and regulations
Another, for permission 10 receive a
petition on the recommendation of
Commander without reference to the
Commandery, / decided that the con-
sent Of the Commandery must first be
obtained. | have no power, nor has the
Commander, 10 usurp their rights.n
Has q aCOmmandery ". y. power to elect
officers before the meeting of the grand
bOdy2 The answer, " No" is too evi,
dent to admit OF any other remarks.
" Has the GrSnd Commander power to
make a Templar at sight?n l answered
mo" The petition must 90 before the
Csmmandery nearest his place of resi-
dence, and be acted upon as prescribed
by the bylaws.
Some diversity exists in this state as TO
the manner Of electiug candidates. The
only proper way is by the ballot, and /
have instructed all new Communicates
% vote by the ballot p @. NJ Hubbard
and French are very plain on this par
ticular. The latter says, " The ballot
must be secret and it must be sacred"