GRAND SECRETARY.
the organi.lation of the Grand Lodge in 1717, to the year 1723, no such officer" had been appointed. In the last mentioned year, however, Bro . William Cowper was chosen by the Grand Lodge. The office was therefore first an elective one, but Ander.. IOn, in his edition of 1738, says that" ever since, the new, Grand Master, upon his commencemen~,appoints the Secretary, or continues him by returning him the books."* This usage is still pursued by the modern Grand Lodge of England; but in every Jurisdiction of this country, the office of Grand Secretary is an elective one. The functions, the discharge of which is intrusted to the Grand Secretary, are of the most important nature, and require no ordinary amount of talent. It is his duty to record all the proceedings of the Grand Lodge with the utmost fidelity and exactness. He is also the official organ of the Grand¡ Lodge. and in that capacity conducts its correspondence. He is, besides, the recipient of the returns ar;.d dues of Lodges, wkich amounts he pays over to the Grand Treasurer, so that each of these officers acts as a check upon the other. The Grand Secretary is also in this country thp keepp.r of the seal of the Grand Lodge, which he affixes to all documents that require it. His signa.. ture is considered as essential to the validity of any Jocument which emanates from the. Grand Lodge.1' • .!.ND:mRSON~ second
edit. p. 161..
t The duties which in other countries are divided among sev&l:'al ofticers;
an tD America. CQncentra.~d in the Grand SEcretary. whc is be!1C(t B. mJI"b