To make such By-Laws as may be necessary for their good government and not inconsistent with this Constitution. And to do all things heretofore accustomed to be done by other Grand Lodges, which are within the ancient landmarks and usages of the Craft" No alterations shall take place in this Constitution, except in the manner following: Every amendment shall be proposed in writing at a regular. Communication of the Grand Lodge, a fair copy of which shall be sent by the Grand Secretary to each of the subordinate lodges, who shall pass or reject the same, and certify their proceeding to the next regular. Communication; when, if it appear that two-thirds of the subordinate lodges have agreed to路 pass the same, it shall become a part of. this Constitution.
This Constitution 'Nas signed by the Committee: William Bates, Nathaniel Simonds and Edward Bates. A few prominent facts and matters of interest are found in this first Constitution" The name, of the organization is:
THE GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI, OF ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASIONS. The honorary title of "Most Worshipful," so often used at .the present time, was not applied to路 the name of the Grand Lodge. It will be noted that among the list of elective officers the name of "Deputy Grand Master" does not appear. This office was by the by-laws made an appointive one, by the Grand Master, and in the event of incapacity of the Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master succeeded to the office of Grand Master and was recognized, not as "Acting Grand Master," but as the Grand Master, and entitled to all of the honors. It will also be noted that this Constitution was so framed that it was almost impossible to amend it by making it obligatory that all amendments thereto must be sent to the subordinate Lodges for their approval and if approved by twothirds of the Lodges, the amendment became a part of the Constitution. A r~ferendum that blocked all efforts to amend this路 instrument for more than seventy-five years. This preliminary convention of February 22, 1821, was folxiii