several state grand chapters, shall not extend beyond the limits of the state in which they shall respectively be holden. ARTICLE III. Of the subordinate Chapters and al arch Masons, with a power in said warrant to open and hold a a lodge of most excellent, past, and mark master Masons, the high priest, king, and scribe, for the time being, of such chapter, shall be the master and wardens in said lodges, according to seniority. SECT. 4. All applications for the exaltation or advancement of candidates, in any chapter or lodge, under this jurisdiction, shall lie over, at least one meeting, for the consideration of the members. SECT. 1. All legally constituted assemblies of royal arch Masons are called chapters; as regular bodies of mark masters, past masters, and most excellent masters, are called lodges.* Every chapter ought to assemble for work, at least once in every three months; and must consist of an high priests, king, scribe, captain of the host, principal sojourner, royal arch captain, three grand masters, secretary, treasurer, and as many members SECT. 6. No chapter shall be reas may be found convenient for work-moved without the knowledge of the ing to advantage. SECT. 5. No Mason shall be a member of two separate and distinct bodies, of the same denomination, at one and the same time. high priest, nor any motion made for that purpose in his absence: but if the high priest be present, and a mo SECT. 2. Every chapter of royal arch Masons, and lodge of mark master Masons, throughout this jurisdiction is made and seconded for remov ing the chapter, to some more convenient place (within the limits prescribed in their warrant) the high priest shall forthwith cause notifications to be issued, to all the members, informing them of the motion for re tion shall have a warrant of constitution, from the grand chapter of the state in which they may respectively be holden, or a warrant from one of the general grand officers. And no chapter or lodge shall be deemed legal without such warrant; and Masonicmoval, and of the time and place communication (either public or pri- when the question is to be determinvate) is hereby interdicted and for-ed: which notice shall be issued at bidden, between any chapter or lodge under this jurisdiction, or any member of either of them, and any chapter, lodge, or assembly, that may be so illegally formed, opened, or holden, without such warrant, or any or either of their members, or any person. exalted, or advanced in such illegal chapter or lodge. But nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any chapter or lodge which was eatablished before the adoption of the grand royal arch constitution, at Hartford, on the 27th day of January, A. D. 1798. SECT. 3. Whenever a warrant is issued for instituting a chapter of roy least ten days previous to the appointed meeting. But if the high priest (after motion duly made and seconded as aforesaid) should refuse or neglect to cause the notices to be issued as aforesaid, the officer next in rank, who may be present at the next regular meeting following, (upon motion made and seconded for that purpose) may in like manner issue the said notices. SECT. 7. All mark master Masons' lodges shall be regulated, in cases of removal, by the same rules as are prescribed in the foregoing section for the removal of chapters. SECT. 8. The high priest, and other officers, of every chapter, and the officers of every lodge of mark master Masons, shall be chosen annu * The subordinate degrees of Masonry, are Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These are also called lodges.ally, by ballot. 13 SECT. 9. The high priest of every || the degree of mark master Mason, chapter, has it in special charge, as appertaining to his office, duty, and dignity, to see that the by-laws of his chapter, as well as the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the grand chapter, be duly observed; that all the other officers of his chapter perform the duties of their respective offices faithfully, and are examples of diligence and industry to their companions; that true and exact records be kept of all the proceedings of the chapter by the seCretary; that the treasurer keep and render exact and just accounts of all the monies belonging to the chapter; that regular returns be made by the secretary, annually, to the grand chapter of all admissions of candidates or members; and that the annual dues to the grand chapter be regularly and punctually paid. He has the special care and charge of the warrant of his chapter. He has the right and authority of calling his chapter at pleasure, upon any emergency or occurrence which in his judgment may require their meeting, and he is to fill the chair when present. It is likewise his duty, together with his king and scribe, to attend the meetings of the grand chapter (when duly summoned by the grand secretary) either in person, or by proxy. and royal arch Mason, upon any bropast master, most excellent master, ther, for a less sum than twenty dollars. And no lodge of mark master Masons shall advance a brother to that degree for a less sum than four dollars. SECT. 13. When either of the officers or members of the general grand chapter, or of any of the state tend their respective meetings, they grand chapters, cannot personally atconstitute a proxy, which proxy shall shall severally have the authority to have the same right to a seat and vote as his constituent. SECT. 10. For the preservation of secrecy and good harmony, and in order that due decorum may be observed while the chapter is engaged in business, a worthy royal arch Mason is to be appointed from time to time fixed for tyling the chapter. His duty is by custom, and known in all regular chapters. He may be elected anually, but is to continue in office unly during good behaviour, and is to be paid for his services. Secr. 11. All lodges of mark Baster Masons are bound to observe the two preceding articles, as far as Whey can be applied to the government of a lodge. SECT. 12. No chapter shall confer ARTICLE IV. Of constituting new Chapters. SECT. 1. When a warrant of con stitution is granted, by either of the state grand chapters, for constituting general grand officers, or either of the the grand officers, respectively, shall a new chapter of royal arch Masons, appoint a day and hour for constituting the same, and installing the new officers. On the day and hour appointed, the grand or deputy grand high priest, [or the presiding officer for the time being,] with his officers, meet in a convenient room, near to the place where the new chapter is to be constituted. The officers of the the deputy grand high priest, or some new chapter are to be examined by companion appointed for that purpose; after they are approved, they are to return to the hall, and prepare for the reception of the grand chapter. When notice is given, by the grand several stations on the left; the ne- the chair, and the ceremony commen ces by performing an anthem or ode, adapted to the occasion. The officers and members of the new chapter ! then form in front of the grand high priest. The deputy grand high priest then informs the grand high priest, that " a number of companions duly instructed in the sublime mysteries, being desirous of promoting the honour of the art, have applied to the grand chapter for a warrant to constitute a new chapter of royal arch Masons, which having obtained, they are now assembled for the purpose of being constituted, and having their officers installed in due and ancient form." The grand high priest then directs the grand secretary to read the warrant, which being done, he asks the members of the new chapter if they still approve of the officers nominated therein; this being signified accordingly, the grand high priest rises and says, "By virtue of the high powers in me vested, I do form you, my worthy companions, into a regular chapter of royal arch Masons; from henceforth you are authorized and empowered to open and hold a lodge of mark masters, past masters, and most excellent masters, and a chapter of royal arch Masons; and to do and perform all such things as thereunto may appertain; conforming in all your doings to the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the state grand chapter; and may the God of your fathers be with you, guide and direct you, in all your doings." Grand Honours. ags The furniture, jewels, implements, utensils, &c. belonging to the chapter, (having previously been placed in due form, covered, in the centre,) are then uncovered, and the new chapter is dedicated, in ancient manner and form, as is well described in the most excellent master's degree. The deputy grand high priest then presents the first officer of the new chapter to the grand high priest, saying, "Most Excellent Grand High Priest, I present you my worthy companion -, nominated in the warraut, to be installed high priest of this new chapter: I find him to be skilful in the royal art, and attentive to the moral precepts of our forefathers, and have therefore no doubt but he will discharge the duties of his office with fidelity." The grand high priest then addresses him as follows: "Most Excellent Companion, I feel much satisfaction in performing my duty on the present occasion, by installing you into the office of high priest of this new chapter. It is an office highly honourable to all those who diligently perform the important duties annexed to it; your reputed Masonic knowledge, however, precludes the necessity of a particular enumeration of those duties; I shall therefore only observe, that by a frequent recurrence to the constitution, and general regulations, and a constant practice of the several sublime lectures and charges, you will be best able to fulfil them; and I am confident, that the companions who are chosen to preside with you, will give strength to your endeavours, and support your exertions. I shall now propose certain questions to you, relative to the duties of your office, and to which I must request your unequivocal answer. 1. Do you solemnly promise that you will redouble your endeavours, to correct the vices, purify the morals, and promote the happiness of those of your brethren who have attained this sublime degree. 2. That you will never suffer your chapter to be opened unless there be present nine regular royal arch Ma sons. 3. That you will never suffer either more or less than three brethren to be exalted in your chapter at one and the same time. following, or some other suitable prayer: 4. That you will not exalt any "Most holy and glorious Lord, one to this degree, who has not shown | God, the great High Priest of Heaven a charitable and humane disposition; and earth. or who has not made a considerable proficiency in the foregoing degrees. We approach thee with reverence, and implore thy blessing on the com 5. That you will promote the gen-panion to preside over this new aseral good of our order, and en all pro-sembly, and now prostrate before per occasions be ready to give and receive instructions, and particularly from the general and state grand offi cers. thee; fill his heart with thy fear, that his tongue and actions may pronounce thy glory. Make him steadfast in thy service; grant him firmness of mind; animate his heart, and strengthen his 6. That to the utmost of your power you will preserve the solemni-endeavours; may he teach thy judgties of our ceremonies, and behave, in open chapter, with the most profound respect and reverence, as an example to your companions. 7. That you will not acknowledge or have intercourse with any chapter that does not work under a constitutional warrant or dispensation. 8. That you will not admit any visiter into your chapter who has not been exalted in a chapter legally constituted, without his being first formally healed. 9. That you will observe and support such by-laws as may be made by your chapter, in conformity to the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the grand chapter. 10. That you will pay due respect and obedience to the instructions of the general and state grand officers, particularly relating to the several lectures and charges, and will resign the chair to them, severally, when they may visit your chapter. 11. That you will support and observe the general grand royal arch constitution, and the general regulations of the grand royal arch chapter under whose authority you act. Do you submit to all these things, and do you promise to observe and practice them faithfully ?" These questions being answered in the affirmative, the companions all kneel in due form, and the grand high priest or grand chaplain, repeats the ments and thy laws; and may the incense he shall put before thee, upon thine altar, prove an acceptable sacrifice unto thee. Bless him, O Lord, and bless the work of his hands. Accept us in mercy; hear thou from Heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive our transgressions. Glory be to God the Father; as it was in the beginning, &c." Response, "so mote it be." All the companions except high priests, and past high priests, are then desired to withdraw, while the new high priest is solemnly bound to the performance of his duties; and after the performance of other necessary ceremonies, not proper to be written, they are permitted to return. The grand high priest then addresses the new high priest, as follows: "Most Excellent Companion, quiescence with the charges and reguIn consequence of your cheerful aclations just recited, I now declare you duly installed and anointed high priest of this new chapter; not doubting your determination to support the reputation and honour of our sublime you the warrant under which you are order. I now cheerfully deliver unto to work; and I doubt not you will ularity, as will convince your comgovern with such good order and regpanions that their partiality has not been improperly placed." The grand high priest, then clothes and invests the new high priest with various implements and insignia of the order, with suitable charges to each of them. The grand high priest then installs the several subordinate officers in turn; and points out to them the duties appertaining to their respective offices: after which he pronounces a suitable address to the new chapter, and closes the ceremony, with the following benediction : "The Lord be with you all; let brotherly love continue; be not forgetful to entertain strangers; now the God of peace, our supreme High Priest, make you perfect to do his will. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace and good will to men. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be," &c. SECT. 2. At the institution of all lodges of mark master Masons, under this jurisdiction, the same ceremonies as are prescribed in the foregoing section, are to be observed, as far as they will apply to that degree. SECT. 3. Whenever it shall be inconvenient for the general grand officers, or the grand or deputy grand high priests, respectively, to attend in person, to constitute a new chapter or lodge, and install the officers, they shall severally have power and authority, to appoint some worthy high priest, or past high priest, to perform the necessary ceremonies. a general grand chapter, begun and holden at New-York, in the state of New-York, on the 6th day of June, A. D. 1816. Witness, JOHN ABBOT, G. G. Secretary. At the last septennial meeting of the general grand chapter of the United States, held at St. John's Hall, in the city of New-York, in September last, the grand chapters of the states of Ohio and Kentucky, were regularly recognized; and the general grand secretary, was authorized, upon his receiving official information of the organization of a grand chapter in the state of New-Hampshire, to issue a circular, recognizing the same. A committee, appointed to consider whether any amendments to the constitution were necessary, after due consideration, reported in the negative, and the report was accepted. A communication was received, on the subject of forming a grand chapter in the state of New-Jersey, which was referred to a committee who reported unfavourably to the measure, on the ground that there were but two royal arch chapters in the state, acknowledging the jurisdiction of this general grand chapter. The report was accepted. The following most excellent companions, were elected general grand officers for the ensuing seven years: M. E. DE WITT CLINTON, of Albany, New-York, general grand high priest. M. E. HENRY FOWLE, of Boston, Massachusetts, deputy-general grand high priest. M. E. JOHN SNOW, of Worthington, Ohio, general grand king. SECT. 4. The officers of every chapter and lodge under this jurisdiction, before they enter upon the exercise of their respective offices, and also the members of all such chapters and lodges, and every candidate upon his admission into the same, shall take the following obligation, viz. "I, A. B. do promise and swear, that I will support and maintain the general grandmore, Maryland, general grand scribe. royal arch constitution." М. Е. JOHN ABвот, of Westford, Massachusetts, general grand secretary. M. E. PETER GRINNELL, of Providence, Rhode-Island, general grand treasurer. I hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of the General Grand Royal Arch Constitution for the United States of America, as altered, amended, and ratified, at a meeting of M. E. PHILIP P. ECKEL, of Balti |