Masonic trials and Michigan digest: a treatise upon the law and ...

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ...the Grand Lodge. Whence, then, arises that practice (which, by long usage and wide-spread recognition, has acquired the force of law) of appealing from those decisions of the lodge pertaining to work or general business, directly to the Grand Master himself, during the recess of the Grand Lodge? Is it dependent solely upon immemorial custom for its legality? or is it based upon some positive enactment? Though appeals from the lodge to the Grand Master may be of rare occurrence in this jurisdiction, yet in many others they occur continually, and as a matter of course; and their legality is not questioned by any authority that I have been able to consult. We find the powers of the Grand Master to be derived from two sources; namely, from prerogative and from grant. Those derived from the former source are inherent in his office, and pertain to it indefeasibly, independent of any authorization or sanction by the Grand Lodge, or by any body of Masons whatever. Those derived from the latter source are delegated to him by act of the General Assembly or Grand Lodge. In the enumeration of the several branches of the prerogative of the Grand Master we find the following, viz: " To exercjse a general supervision and government of the fraternity in his jurisdiction, during the recess of the Grand Lodge." By common consent of all Masons throughout the world this has been from time immemorial an unquestioned branch of his prerogative. In the sixteenth of the General Regulations of 1721 it is provided that, " the Grand Wardens, or any others, are first to advise with the Deputy about the affairs of the lodge or of the brethren, and not to apply to the Grand Master without the knowledge of the Deputy, unless he refuse his concurrence in any certain necessary...