by and are under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Although not subordinate to a Grand Lodge, yet they can pass no laws excepting such as may relate to the government of the Encampments. In all cases where precedence is to be observed, they rank below State Grand Lodges, which are the supreme legislative heads within their respective jurisdictions. They usually consist of all Past Chief-Patriarchs and Past High-Priests, but in some instances of Past Chief-Patriarchs only, within their respective jurisdictions. The officers of a Grand Encampment are as follows:-Grand Patriarch, Grand High-Priest, Grand Senior and Junior Wardens, Grand Scribe, Grand Treasurer, Grand Representatives to the Grand Lodge of the United States, Grand Sentinels, and Deputy Grand Patriarchs for each district. All these are elected annually, excepting the Grand Sentinels and Deputies, who are appointed annually by the Grand Patriarch. The Grand Patriarch must preside and preserve order at the sessions of the Grand Encampment; decide all questions of constitutional law; receive and act on all complaints which may be made to him against his deputies or Encampments; give such instructions in the work of the Order as may be necessary; and grant dispensations to subordinates in all such consistent matters as he may deem promotive of the interests of the institution. He has supervisory authority over the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment. The Grand High-Priest must preside in the absence of the Grand Patriarch; and in case that office become vacant, he nas the full powers of Grand Patriarch for the remainder of the term. It is his duty to assist the Grand Patriarch in giving instructions in the work. He also acts as chaplain. The Grand Senior Warden must assist in presiding, and in preserving order. In the absence of the Grand Patriarch and Grand High-Priest, he must have charge of the Grand Encampment. He is the third officer of that body: in case of a vacancy in the offices of Grand Patriarch and Grand High-Priest, he has the full power of the Grand Patriarch for the remainder of the term. The Grand Junior Warden must open and close the Grand Encampment according to the regular form. He must introduce all new members. The duties of the Grand Scribe and Grand Treasurer are similar to those of the Secretary and Treasurer of a Grand Lodge. The Grand Representatives must perform the duties of legislators in the Grand Lodge of the United States. The Grand Sentinels have charge of the doors, and must prevent the admission of any improper person. The duties of Deputy Grand-Patriarchs, in the government of their Encampments, are similar to those of Deputy Grand-Masters in the government of their Lodges. The revenue of a Grand Encampment is derivable from charter-fees and assessments on the subordinates, and is appropriated to defray necessary expenses. NOTE.-Members of Grand Lodges consist of all Past Grands in good standing in the subordinates: they are admitted on the authority of certificates granted by the Lodges of which they are members; which certificates must specify that the brothers holding them have been instructed in the five degrees, and served an eleo tive term in the office of Noble-Grand. The members of Grand Encampments consist of all Past Chief Patriarchs, and usually of all Past High-Priests also, who are admitted on the authority of certificates, specifying that such officers have served an elective term as Chief-Patriarchs or High Priests of Encampments. The Grand Lodge of the United States. HE Grand Lodge of the United any other part of the world. under its jurisdiction exists in British North America, and a subordinate Lodge in the Sandwich Islands. Grand or subordinate Lodges under its control exist in every State, district, and territory of the Union, with the excep tion of Utah and the Indian Territories. It is a body corporate. It was incorporated by the legislature of Maryland in the year 1841. It is the ultimate tribunal to which all matters of general importance to the State, district, and territorial Grand Bodies are to be referred, and its decisions thereon are final and conclusive. It possesses the power to regulate and control the work of the Order, and the several degrees belonging thereto, and to fix and determine the customs and usages in regard to all things which concern Odd-Fellowship. Its members are the Grand-Sire, Deputy Grand Sire, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, Treasurer, Marshal, Guardian, Chaplain, and the Representatives from State, district, and territorial Grand Lodges and Encampments, granted and sustained by its authority. The first five-named of these are elected biennially, except the G. Corresponding Secretaries, who may be elected during the pleasure of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Marshal, Guardian, and Chaplain are appointed by the Grand-Sire, with the approval of the Grand Lodge. These officers may all be chosen from the various State Grand Lodges and Encampments,* and need not be elected as Representatives, in order to be elevated to the positions of officers of the Grand Lodge of the United States: but none except the Grand-Sire can vote, and he in case of "tie" only. The Representatives must be from Grand Lodges and Encampments of the States, etc., and must be Past Grands in good standing, who have received the R. P. Degree. They must be elected or appointed by the Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment they represent for the term of two years. They are entitled to vote on all questions before the Grand Lodge in the manner following: Each Grand Lodge or Encampment having less than one thousand members, one vote; and each Grand Lodge and Encampment having more than one thousand members, one additional vote. * A candidate for Grand-Sire, or Deputy Grand-Sire, must be a Past Grand, and have received the R. P. Degree and Grand Encamp ment Degree. He must be a contributing member of a subordinate Lodge and a subordinate Encampment. He must be nominated by the Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments, through their Repre sentatives, by whom also the Grand officers are elected. †They receive no compensation, save five cents per mile for their travelling expenses, and three dollars per diem during the session, which usually lasts one week. It is the duty of the Grand-Sire to' preside at the sessions of the Grand Lodge, to preserve order, and to enforce the laws. He has the casting-vote in all cases of "tie." During the recess of the Grand Lodge, he has a general superintendence over the interests of the Order. He must hold no office in a subordinate Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment while acting as Grand-Sire. The Grand-Sire, as the head of the Order, has a great responsibility; and he is expected to be fully acquainted with every matter connected with the Fraternity. Those who have been elected, and have served as Grand-Sires since the establishment of Odd-Fellowship in the United States, have been eminently qualified for the office. They have performed its duties creditably, and generally for the best interests of the Institution.* The Deputy Grand-Sire must aid the Grand-Sire by his advice and assistance, and preside in his absence He must also open and close the meetings of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Secretaries (Recording and Corresponding) must keep a record of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge; keep accounts between the Grand Lodge and the Grand and subordinate Lodges and Encampments under its jurisdiction; write all letters and communications; carry on the correspondence of the Grand Lodge: and perform such other duties as may be required of them. During the recess of the Grand Lodge of the United States, the Grand * The following are the names of the Past Grand-Sires: Howell Hopkins, Philadelphia. |