Past-Official Degrees, etc.

AST-OFFICIAL Degrees are con ferred on the Past Secretary, Past Vice-Grand, and Past NobleGrand. They are called the SideDegrees. If properly rendered, they may be made impressive, though, usually, the instructor makes short work of them. The GrandMaster, or his deputy, are the proper persons to explain these degrees. But the G. M. may depute a Grand-Lodge officer or member for this purpose. In order to become qualified to receive the P. O. Degrees, a brother must have served a regular term of six months as Secretary, V. G., and N. G. The Secretary's and V. G.'s Degrees are sometimes conferred on a brother who has served as the first N. G. of a Lodge.

The Grand Lodge Degree is conferred by the Grand Warden, usually in the Grand Lodge-room. Any brother who has passed the higher chair of his Lodge is entitled to it. It is uniform to all Grand Lodges. In order obtain it, a brother must present a certi ficate, under seal of his Lodge, showing that he has served as Noble-Grand.

The Grand Encampment Degree may be conferred (by the Grand High-Priest) on all P. C. Patriarchs, and in some States also on Past High-Priests. They must produce certificates from their Encampments, showing that they have passed the chairs.

Part Third.

REGULATIONS, RULES, CEREMONIES, ETC. OF THE

ORDER.

THE JEWELS AND REGALIA OF THE ORDER.

HE Jewels and Regalia worn by Odd-Fellows have been made the subject of much remark by those who do not understand their object. They have been called "a useless expense," a "token without meaning," "an ostentatious display for the purpose of catching the eye." We shall not argue in this place the propriety of the use of regalia and jewels by the Order of Odd-Fellows, but will merely say that there is a significance attached to them which the uninitiated can neither understand nor appreciate. Yet we will take occasion to remark to our brethren, that an ostentatious display of these matters is indicative of a weakness which the world, and especially the opponents of our Order, will be apt to construe to the prejudice of our institution.

In describing the jewels and regalia, we shall commence with those of the Grand-Sire and members of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and proceed with those of the several Grand and subordinate bodies down to the Lodge.

JEWELS AND REGALIA OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES.

1. Jewel of a Grand-Sire, and of P. Grand-Sires.-A medal of yellow metal, three inches in diameter, on one side of which is the coat-ofarms of the United States, surrounded by an ornamental edging of silver. Regalia.-Collar of purple velvet, four inches in width, with a roll of scarlet velvet on the

upper edge around the neck; trimmings of yellow metal. The collar to be united in front with three links, from which must be suspended the medal.

2. The Regalia of officers, representatives, past officers, and past representatives of the Grand Lodge of the U. S., is similar to the above. Representatives and past representatives may wear medals of the size and style of that of the Grand-Sire, signifying the coat-of-arms of the State represented in the Grand Lodge of the U. S.

JEWELS AND REGALIA OF A STATE GRAND LODGE.

1. Jewel of a Past Grand-Master.-Sun, of white metal; heart in hand. Regalia.-Scarlet sash, (or collar,) and white apron, trimmed with scarlet, or scarlet apron, trimmed with white. Both sash (or collar) and apron may be trimmed with silver lace or

fringe.* The regalia for all officers and members of a Grand Lodge is as above. [That of the chaplain is an exception; at least we have made it so.]

2. Jewel of a Grand-Master.Sun, exhibiting the scales of Justice. Of white metal. Regalia.As above.

3. Jewel of a Deputy Grand-Master.-Half-moon. Of white metal. Regalia.-As above.

4. Jewel of a Grand Warder. -Crossed gavels. Of white metal. Regalia.-As above.

*Past Grands of the R. P. Degree may have trimmings of yellow metal; but the colors of the regalia of the officers of a State Grand Lodge should be uniformly scarlet and white.

6. Jewel of a Grand Treasurer.— Crossed keys. Of white metal. Regalia.-As above.

Re

7. Jewel of a Grand Chaplain.The Bible. Of white metal. galia.-A white sash and apron, trimmed with scarlet.

8. Jewel of a Grand Marshal.-A

baton. Of white metal.

Regalia.

Scarlet collar or sash, and a white apron, trimmed with scarlet; or a scarlet apron, trimmed with white.