CHAPTER XIV.

OF DEGREE LODGES, OR COMMITTEES, ETC., AND THEIR

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OFFICERS.

VARIOUS modes have been adopt

ded in the several States for conbus ferring degrees. Some Lodges

open, work, and close in the initiatory degree, then dismissing those not qualified, open in the first degree, confer it, and close. Dismissing those not further qualified, it opens in the second degree, and so on, regularly, through all the degrees required to be conferred. In this case the regular officers of the Subordinate Lodge, or persons selected by them, officiate. In some Lodges a Lecture Master, appointed by the D. D. G. Master, calls qualified brethren to his aid, and confers the degrees awarded by the Lodge, usually soon after the Lodge closes; in others, a Committee of the officers and qualified members of the Lodge, usually P. Grands, confer the degrees at stated seasons; but as in all these modes the same duties are performed that occur in a Degree Lodge, we have thought proper to present our general directions in treating of that organization and its officers.

§ 1. Constitution of Degree Lodges.

The legality of Degree Lodges is recognized by the Grand Lodge of the United States, but their establishment is left to the option of the State Grand Lodges, who, again, leave the matter to the discretion of their subordinates and fifth degree members. The price for degrees is left to the control of State Grand Lodges.

When the requisite number of scarlet degree members of any locality wish to establish a Degree Lodge, they will proceed to organize informally, and petition their Grand Lodge for a charter, as directed in the case of a Subordinate Lodge. This charter empowers them to confer the five degrees on those who present the proper certificates, to elect as members all fifth degree members in good standing, who apply for admission, to receive the prescribed fees for conferring degrees, and for membership; but to impose no dues, pay no benefits, hold no property beyond what is necessary for performing their work, and enjoy no representation in the Grand Lodge. It opens. in the fifth degree, and can transact no business (save conferring degrees) in any other.

§ 2. Conferring Degrees.

Too little care and attention, generally, has been bestowed on this important portion of instruction. They are generally conferred at the close of the ordinary Lodge-meeting, when members are tired, and desire to go home to rest, and few therefore remain to give the work due effect. In Degree Lodges, also, the attendance is generally thin, and the work is too much treated

with indifference, and hurried through as a thing more. desirable to be rid of than to perform. The offices not being legal qualifications for other stations beyond, having no official degrees when passed, and no special honors or emoluments attached, are frequently poorly filled and irregularly served. Frequent absences require frequent changes in temporary supplies, many of whom are but imperfectly acquainted with the written and unwritten work, and therefore differ considerably from each other in their instructions to the candidates. All these evils combined, in some sections, tend greatly to mar the beauty and harmony of the instructions of our subordinate degrees.

The evil suggests its own remedy: let it be applied wherever possible. If conferred by the Subordinate Lodge, let it set aside one evening every month to confer degrees, omitting initiations and all other than absolutely necessary business. Let them be conferred deliberately; by none other than good readers; and have the candidates carefully and correctly instructed by a competent Teacher. If by a Committee, let them secure a good attendance of well qualified brethren. If by a Degree Lodge, let it secure competent and zealous officers, who will perform their duties correctly. And if the number of candidates is too great, as frequently happens in large cities, let them meet oftener, that the work may be well and understandingly performed.

§3. Officers and their Duties.

The officers of a Degree Lodge, as prescribed by the Lectures, are a Noble Grand, a Deputy Noble Grand, an Assistant Noble Grand, a Vice Grand, a Past Grand, a Conductor, and an Inside and an Outside Guardian, to

which are added, for the transaction of its business, a Secretary or Scribe, and a Treasurer. In Pennsylvania, where these Lodges originated, the ancient names are retained of High Priest, Deputy, and Assistant High Priest, Warden, &c.

The jewels, regalia, and robes of these offices are not prescribed by law, and consequently vary more or less in nearly every Degree Lodge. In Pennsylvania, generally, they approximate closely toward those of Encampment offices; in other States, those of the Subordinate Lodge, except that the colors are for the fifth degree.

The duties of the several officers correspond generally to those of similar officers in the Subordinate Lodge. Where there is any deviation, it is clearly noted in the book of Lectures. The Assistant and Deputy of the principal officer are seated, respectively, at his left and his right hand. The stations of the others correspond precisely to the stations of the corresponding offices of the Lodge.

The Principal and his Assistants should be good, ready readers, as should the Vice Grand (or Warden) and the Past Grand. If the Conductor is to instruct the candidates, as is sometimes done, he should be thoroughly instructed himself, and regular in attendance. But the chief officer should perform that duty in person, aided (if need be) by his Assistant.

The same remarks, as to reading and instruction, apply to a Lecture Master. And great care should be used to impress the candidate with the importance of remembering the mode of proving strangers, and our rule in regard to challengers.

The Scribe should be required to notify each Lodge what degrees are conferred on its members, and when they were conferred, that the Secretary may enter the

information on his books for the use of the Subordinate Lodge.

CHAPTER XV.

OF PAST OFFICIAL DEGREES.

THESE belong properly to the Grand Lodge, but we introduce them here for convenience. They can be conferred only by some one specially authorized to confer them by the Grand Lodge itself; usually some Grand Officer, and the D. D. Grand Masters; sometimes, but rarely, by a Degree Lodge.

They are conferred only for services rendered, save, in the case of a new Lodge, the first N. G. may receive the Past V. G.'s and the P. Secretary's degree; and the first V. G. the Past Secretary's. In some States they are made requisite to holding office in the Grand Lodge.

The Past Official Degrees for the Encampment were abolished years ago; and as there are no prescribed lectures to accompany these, they might as well have been treated in the same manner. Seldom do al? remarks accompany the imparting of the unwritten language. We have therefore but few comments to offer.

§1. Past Secretary's Degree.

If with proper integrity you have recorded the proceedings of your Lodge, you are entitled to receive the honors of this degree, and the S. and P. W. by which to