THE GRAND LODGE — WHAT IS IT?
The Grand Lodge — What is it? C
harles F. Stansbury, a Past Master of St. John’s Lodge No. 11, served five terms as Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia, in the Masonic years of 1862, 1871, 1872, 1873, and 1874. On the occasion of his installation on December 27, 1871, he made an attempt to clarify for the brethren his understanding of the ties which link the Grand and the constituent Lodges of this jurisdiction with these words:
Charles F. Stansbury, Past Grand Master
“The Grand Lodge consists of the officers and past officers of the constituent Lodges and their proxies. It is created for the purpose of doing for the entire jurisdiction what no constituent Lodge could do, hearing and determining appeals, and all questions of dispute between two or more Lodges, hearing and deciding all charges and complaints against the Worshipful Masters of constituent Lodges, “It is not my purpose to indulge in an extended address on granting charters, enforcing all general regulations, estabthis occasion. I have no pledges to make or new policy to lishing and maintaining a uniform system of work under lay down. As in the past, so in the future, I desire so to the sanction of the ancient landmarks and customs of exercise the authority confided to me as to interfere as litMasonry, and generally to provide for the common weltle as possible with the affairs of the constituent Lodges, fare of the jurisdiction and to act as and always in such a manner as to its representative in the eyes of the facilitate the performance of their The Grand Lodge has no fraternity at large. Masonic duties and functions, separate existence from the rather than in any way to embar“These important functions do not constituent Lodges; it has no rass and obstruct them. It would be in any way conflict with the powers a real matter of congratulation to separate property; it has no and duties of the constituent me if, at the end of the Masonic function that is not exercised for Lodges, and it is the clear Masonic year, not a case or a question had duty of these to maintain the digthe direct benefit of the arisen which had to be referred to nity and authority of the Grand the Grand Master for decision. constituent bodies; it can receive Lodge, just as it is the duty of every individual Mason in this jurisdicno benefit or honor that is not “The present communication is tion to maintain and support the intended for the sole business of immediately conferred or laws, resolutions, and edicts of this the installation of the Grand reflected upon the bodies which Grand Body. Officers, and no legislation is in constitute it. order. It is not, therefore, the “This Grand Lodge stands before proper occasion for the recommenthe world as the representative of dation of special measures. But I think the time the Masonic fraternity of the District of Columbia, and it appropriate for calling your attention for a moment to the should be the pride and pleasure of every Mason within nature and functions of the Grand Lodge, its duties, and our limits to contribute to the respectability and honor of the obligations of the craft to maintain and support its this body, and to provide liberally for its support. The offiauthority. cers and members of this Grand Lodge are equally “I do this because I find that there is a somewhat prevalent error which consists in regarding the Grand Lodge as in some sort a separate Lodge, having distinct interests from the constituent Lodges, and considering it a duty of the constituent bodies, if not to oppose the Grand Lodge in its measures, at least to regard it with jealousy, and to curtail its power and influence.
interested in maintaining and propagating correct views on this subject; and I urge upon them not to allow themselves, through a desire for a false and ephemeral popularity, to be induced to pander to any narrow and jealous policy towards the representative body of the entire jurisdiction. continued on page 29
The Voice of Freemasonry
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