THE FIRST GRAND LODGE IN MISSOURI
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ardize the ritual. Again, the matter of representation in Grand Lodge was a potent factor in forcing actions. The distance to Tennessee or Indiana was too great, in the days of poor transportation, to permit the lodges to be represented at the Annual Communication, and without this personal contact, lodges did not thrive or receive the inspiration necessary to make them successful. The danger attached to communication by letter, or the transmission of money by mails, was an additional reason. And then, there was p-robably that other reason, not usually mentioned except in a low breath-the desire to be a Grand Officer--and very few
of the membership had ever seen such an official! The leading officers in Missouri Lodge No. 12 were undoubtedly responsible for the preliminary steps taken; invitations were sent to the surrounding lodges asking them to. meet in a preliminary convention on February 22, 1821) for the purpose of organizing a Grand Lodge. It is very doubtful if such an invitation was sent to any lodges but Nos. 25 and 28,. Accordingly, there assembled in the hall of Missouri Lodge No. 12, on Elm Street, between Main and Second Streets, on the date mentioned, representatives from the three lodges under Tennessee charter. The only