, 1877-09-02
SECRET SOCIETIES.


Buffalo, aud the following items OF Interest
! are taken from the proceeding:
There are thirty-five Grand Chapters, and AT
| examination OF their proceedings shows that
most of them are in sound and healthy condi
tion as respects their finances. general character
Of their work, etc.
The General Grand Treasurer reported that
the total receipts from various sources were
| SG,T1.S5, and the disbursements to Aug. 20
| $4,&612, leaving balance on hand Of s., ,9945 73
Tie Committee On Jurisprudence reported
thus in the Spraguc case:
ring OF the degree npon Comp. Sp1ague, was upon
sufficient evidence to warrant their conclusion that
he resident OF Illinois, and that therefore the
degrees were lawfully conferred, with all the legal
consequences
The annexed decisions were made:
It Is contrary to the landmarks to excuse mem
Der from voting upon petition for the degrees.
1t il legally necessary that the three first officers
named in charter should DC those named in the
dispensation. =.
Upon the organization Of new Grand Chapter
old charters OF take out new ones, as the Grand
Chapter may decide.
4 Chapter nus the right to appear at funeral
invited, taking such position in the procession as
may be assigned 10 1t By those having charge.
Under the regulations Of the General Grand
Chapter, Companions receiving the Royal Arch
degree is one Of its CHAPTERS I. D., arc members
thereof, and they well affiliated members arc
eligible to be named in the charter as officers.
When dispensatian is asked for new Chapter,
the officer granting the dispelzation has the power
to determine whether the proposed location is
''wiihin reasonable distance OF another Chapter
that its recommendation Is required under Sec.
OF Art IL Of the Constitution, aud his determine
tion upon this point Ia conclusive.
Nine arc necessary to open Chapter Of r. L.
c.. but work cal be performed with five in Lodge
Of Mark Masters and seven in Lodge OF Most E1-
cellent Masters.
The following we're elected officers: G. G. Il.
F., John Frizzcll, Nashville, Tenn; D. G. G.
II. F., Robert F. Bower, keokuk, Ia; G. G K,
Alfred F. Chapman, Boston, Mass; G. G. S.,
Noble D. Larner, Washington, D. c.; G. G. T.,
John Mcclellan. Boston, Mass; G. q. s, Chris
tophcr e. Fox, Buffalo, n T.; G. G. c. OF the
H., Henry Bostwick, Covngion, KY; G. G. X.
4. C., David F. Day, Buffalo, n. Y.
vOUCMISG.
Vouching has been well defined By eminent
Masonic jurists. and by numerous Grand
Lodges, and still it worries brethren. Brother
". l. Dc Gress. OF St. Louis, thinks there ought
to be final decision Of tlis subjcc-' anu, III
the hopc-vain hope it is-of obtaining It. hn
propounds to US the following: /
CAN brother {.i) vouch for another brother fB) |
in lodge. he ~ having pecn properly vouchcd |
for to hm t!A) by brother tC1; although he lA1
has never sat in lodge with the brother {ltt for
whom he vouchcs but vouctes for him {B} on tie
l., - - - 81 0-A~A nA0tAcA w VIII
has sal IN lodge with MN:
The most we can do is to express our opinion.
and we most c1npha:icllly say we would not ad-
mn any ohc 10 lousc on the strength OF such
Vouchlng. One who youchcs Tor another as
Lis own personal Enn,r1eaa and nnt ~ 80 o. ~. ~
testimony Of third nartv rhr asscrt;a,. III -" mf
- Cs' to ''A,' that ''B" is a Muster Mason, is
good SO lar as 1t applies to those three in ordi-
nary Masonic transactions, but it is not such III
IN iodere INV ,nnrn t,,aI ~ Is noL 'alia
.ourt. The youching must he f,ircrt on nna ~" Nv
1nsjtive Enow,a1ro - -, 3s,,eSf ~ ucct anu Oh
WHAT MASONRY Is
freemasonrv is mystical system with heights
'ublime, depths protaund, aud lengths and
presume merely sor;ai r inst;tmt;ay y etaltissa i
or tue promotion Of goodfelows!in. It is mot
'uflds up one nor pulls down another political
oafty: nor e1erts itself In behalf Of this nor that
2? It is not se:tariau, as tue Pope and
us's ns tbe e'I WI. @ aof takes the Holy
,raciice and d;rtatas ~ ~ 80 ,rhst ~ aat! anu
reed he shall csnn1,se save % ,hot "at ia pf.cu'ar
n atheist, nor a disbelicyer in the immortality
i the soul, nor reflector Of the tfcory ii :
aan's accountability to tue Supreme Beiug FIR
IL his conduct. It has been defined az !. a
eaot,tu1 , system Of morality, vciled in ale
u1y 4lu ti'ust'atea ny Symbols" but, more
~. ~ - . ol morality developed