Part 9 (1/2)

The rule that a lodge cannot adjourn, but remain in session until closed by the Master, derives an authoritative sanction also from the following clause in the fifth of the Old Charges.

”All Masons employed shall meekly receive their wages without murmuring or mutiny, _and not desert the Master till the work is finished_.”

Section V.

_Of the Appointment of Committees._

It is the prerogative of the Master to appoint all Committees, unless by a special resolution provision has been made that a committee shall otherwise be appointed.

The Master is also, _ex officio_, chairman of every committee which he chooses to attend, although he may not originally have been named a member of such committee. But he may, if he chooses, waive this privilege; yet he may, at any time during the session of the committee, rea.s.sume his inherent prerogative of governing the craft at all times when in his presence, and therefore take the chair.

Section VI.

_Of the Mode of Keeping the Minutes._

Masonry is preeminently an inst.i.tution of forms, and hence, as was to be expected, there is a particular form provided for recording the proceedings of a lodge. Perhaps the best method of communicating this form to the reader will be, to record the proceedings of a supposit.i.tious meeting or communication.

The following form, therefore, embraces the most important transactions that usually occur during the session of a lodge, and it may serve as an exemplar, for the use of secretaries.

”A regular communication of ---- Lodge, NO. ----, was holden at ----; on ----, the ---- day of ----A.: L.: 58--.

Present.

Bro.: A. B----, W.: Master.

” B. C----, S.: Warden.

” C. D----, J.: Warden.

” D. E----, Treasurer.

” E. F----, Secretary.

” F. G----, S.: Deacon.

” G. H----, J.: Deacon.

” H. I----, } Stewards.

” I. K----, } ” K. L----, Tiler.

_Members._ Bro.: L. M---- M. N---- N. O---- O. P----

_Visitors._ P. Q---- Q. R---- R. S---- S. T----

The Lodge was opened in due form on the third degree of Masonry.

”The minutes of the regular communication of ---- were read and confirmed.[54]