Difference between revisions of "MassachusettsEdicts"

Revision as of 19:28, 13 September 2012

EDICTS

The Grand Masters of Masons in Massachusetts have frequently offered opinions and made declarations from the Oriental Chair of Grand Lodge which have the force of Masonic law within the jurisdiction. These pages list those that appear in the pages of the Proceedings. Thanks to R.W. Bro. Steven Cohn for hard work on this database.

Living Past Grand Masters in Bold Italic.

Edicts and Rulings before 1850

• John Cutler: 1794
• Isaiah Thomas: 1803 1809
• Timothy Bigelow: 1806
• Francis Oliver: 1818
• John Dixwell: 1822
• John Abbot: 1826
• John Soley: 1827
• Joseph Jenkins: 1832
• Augustus Peabody: 1843 1844 1845
• Simon W. Robinson: 1847 1848
• Edward A. Raymond: 1849

• Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine:
  • 1844

Edicts and Rulings from 1850-1899

• Edward A. Raymond: 1851
• George M. Randall: 1854
• John T. Heard: 1858
• William Parkman: 1863 1864 1865
• Charles C. Dame: 1866
• William Sewall Gardner: 1869 1870 1871
• Sereno D. Nickerson: 1872 1873 1874
• Percival L. Everett: 1876 1877
• Charles A. Welch: 1878
• Abraham H. Howland, Jr.: 1885
• Edwin B. Holmes: 1895

Edicts and Rulings from 1900-1949

• Baalis Sanford: 1904
• Melvin M. Johnson: 1914 1915 1916
• Leon M. Abbott: 1917 1918 1919
• Arthur D. Prince: 1920 1921 1922
• Dudley M. Ferrell: 1923 1924 1925
• Frank L. Simpson: 1926 1927 1928
• Herbert W. Dean: 1929 1930 1931
• Curtis Chipman: 1932 1933 1934
• Claude L. Allen: 1935 1936 1937
• Joseph Earl Perry: 1939 1940
• Albert A. Schaefer: 1941 1942 1943
• Arthur W. Coolidge: 1944
• Samuel H. Wragg: 1945 1946 1947
• Roger Keith: 1948 1949

Edicts and Rulings from 1950-1974

• Roger Keith: 1950
• Thomas S. Roy: 1951 1952 1953
• Whitfield W. Johnson: 1954 1955 1956
• Andrew G. Jenkins: 1957
• Laurence E. Eaton: 1960 1961 1962
• A. Neill Osgood: 1963 1964 1965
• Thomas A. Booth: 1966 1967 1968
• Herbert H. Jaynes: 1969 1970 1971
• Donald W. Vose: 1972 1973 1974

Edicts and Rulings from 1975-1999

• Stanley F. Maxwell: 1975 1976 1977
• Arthur H. Melanson: 1978 1979 1980
• J. Philip Berquist: 1981 1982 1983
• David B. Richardson: 1984 1985 1986
• Albert T. Ames: 1987 1988 1989
• Edgar W. Darling: 1990 1991
• David W. Lovering: 1993 1994 1995
• Arthur E. Johnson: 1996

Edicts and Rulings from 2000 and after

• Fred K. Bauer: 2000 2001
• Donald G. Hicks, Jr.: 2002 2003 2004
• Jeffrey B. Hodgdon: 2005 2006 2007
• Roger W. Pageau: 2008 2009 2010
• Richard J. Stewart: 2011 2012

EDICTS AND RULINGS BY SUBJECT

This is a partial index of edicts and rulings by subject.

A

• "Adam's Rib" program, 1987 (Ames)
• Alcohol and drug abuse program, 1986 (Richardson)
• Anniversary Medals, 1982 (Berquist)
• Anti-Masonic propaganda, 1952 (Roy); see also the Address; 1985 (Richardson)
• Applicants
  • Age Requirement, 1973 (Vose); 2003 (Hicks)
  • Investigation, 1937 (Allen); 1953 (Roy)
  • Names in Lodge notice, 1926 (Simpson)
  • New process, 2005 (Hodgdon)
  • Pre-application procedure, 1937 (Allen)
  • Pre-application statement, 1937 (Allen)
  • Right of Initiation, 1952 (Roy)
  • Withdrawal of, 1926 (Simpson)
• Approaching the East and photographs, 2002 (Hicks)

B

• Balloting
  • Action by Master, 1926 (Simpson)
  • By mail, prohibited, 1926 (Simpson)
  • Factious balloting, 1940 (Perry); 1943 (Schaefer); 1946 (Wragg); 1951 (Roy); 1956 (W. Johnson)
  • On multiple candidates, 1957 (A. Jenkins); 1961 (Eaton); permitted, 2009 (Pageau)
  • Procedure, described, 1936 (Allen)
  • Tyler's right to vote, 1951 (Roy)
• Begging letters, prohibited, 1923 (Ferrell)
• Bible passages, 1915 (M. Johnson)
• Bonding of officers, 1949 (Keith)

C

• Campaign For Masonry, 2003 (Hicks); 2004 (Hicks)
• Canal Zone, District Grand Lodge, 1979 (Melanson)
• Candidates
  • Accelerated degree program, 2006 (Hodgdon)
  • Advancement, 1869 (Gardner), 1874 (Nickerson), 1877 (Everett), 1926 (Simpson)
  • Aprons for, 1866 (Dame)
  • Definition, 1863 (Parkman)
  • Dress, 1980 (Melanson)
  • Education, 1943 (Schaefer)
  • Instuction, 1995 (Lovering)
  • Initiation on night of election, 1928 (Simpson); 1929 (H. Dean)
  • Kits, 2011 (Stewart)
  • "Particular Procurement", 1979 (Melanson)
  • Presentation of Diploma, 1930 (H. Dean)
  • Proficiency of, 1925 (Ferrell); 1926 (Simpson); 2001 (Bauer)
  • Sales tactics aimed at, 1934 (Chipman)
  • Signing by-laws, 1937 (Allen); 2006 (Hodgdon)
  • Stopped candidates, 1952 (Roy)
• Cell phone use, 2011 (Stewart)
• Chain Letters, 1916 (M. Johnson); 1917 (L. Abbott); 1920 (Prince); 1930 (H. Dean); 1935 (Allen); 1951 (Roy); 1952 (Roy); 1954 (W. Johnson); 1964 (Osgood)
• Charters
  • Fee for restoration, 1858 (Heard)
  • Restoration of, 1844 (Peabody)
  • Signatories to, 1872 (Nickerson)
• Cipher
  • Candidate, 1952 (Roy)
  • Official, 1944 (A. Coolidge)
  • Unofficial, 1952 (Roy)
  • Use in Lodge, 1952 (Roy); 1975 (Maxwell)

D

• Debts of lodges, 1832 (J. Jenkins)
• Degrees
  • Conferral on the same day, 1843 (Peabody), Moore 1844; 1915 (M. Johnson)
  • Conformance, 1921 (Prince)
  • Costumes, 1956 (W. Johnson); 1956 (W. Johnson); 1967 (Booth); 1977 (Maxwell)
  • Decorum during, 1916 (M. Johnson); 1961 (Eaton); 2011 (Stewart)
  • Degree teams, 1946 (Wragg); 1947 (Wragg); 1947 (Wragg); 1975 (Maxwell); 1981 (Berquist); 2009 (Pageau)
  • Directives regarding symbolic work, 1952 (Roy)
  • First Degree lectures, 1972 (Vose); 1975 (Maxwell); 1975 (Maxwell)
  • Floor work, 1936 (Allen)
  • Interruption of work, 1939 (Perry)
  • Interval between, 1964 (Osgood); 1966 (Booth)
  • Kneeling, 1948 (Keith)
  • Master's jewel, 1935 (Allen)
  • Omission of Lectures prohibited, 1919 (L. Abbott)
  • Parodies of work, 1931 (H. Dean)
  • Participation, 1947 (Wragg)
  • Presentation, 1948 (Keith)
  • Requirement to perform, 1935 (Allen)
  • Ritual changes, 1952 (Roy); 1955 (W. Johnson)
  • Symbolic penalties, reference in presentation, 1939 (Perry); removal from obligation, 1978 (Melanson)
• DeMolay, 1952 (Roy); 1953 (Roy); 1954 (W. Johnson); 1964 (Osgood); 1966 (Booth); 1968 (Booth); 1974 (Vose); 1975 (Maxwell); 1978 (Melanson); 1979 (Melanson); 1987 (Ames); 2008 (Pageau)
• Dimits and Certificates of Clearance, 1927 (Simpson); 1955 (W. Johnson); 1968 (Booth); 1972 (Vose); 1975 (Maxwell); 1976 (Maxwell)
• Disability, as a physical disqualification, 1806 (Bigelow); 1971 (Jaynes)
• Discrimination, 1976 (Maxwell)
• Dispensations
  • For degrees, 1914 (M. Johnson)
  • General, 1941 (Schaefer); 1948 (Keith); 1948 (Keith); 1960 (Eaton); 1978 (Melanson); 1980 (Melanson); 2011 (Stewart)
  • Wartime considerations, 1945 (Wragg)
• District Deputies, meetings of, 1858 (Heard)

E

• Education, 1983 (Berquist); 1987 (Ames); 2009 (Pageau)
• Electronic communications, 2003 (Hicks); 2009 (Pageau)
• Entertainment, 1924 (Ferrell); 1930 (H. Dean); Chipman (1932)
• Exemplifications, 1956 (W. Johnson)
• Expulsion, 1848 (Robinson)

F

• False Representation, 1877 (Everett)
• Foreign languages, use of, 1854 (Randall)

G

• Games of chance and gambling, 1924 (Ferrell); 1932 (Chipman); 1935 (Allen); 1939 (Perry); 1951 (Roy); 1954 (W. Johnson); 1963 (Osgood); 1965 (Osgood); 1966 (Booth); 1971 (Jaynes); 1972 (Vose); 1975 (Maxwell); 1977 (Maxwell); 1986 (Richardson); 2002 (Hicks); 2003 (Hicks)
• George Washington Masonic Memorial, 1960 (Eaton); 1979 (Melanson)
• Grand Constitutions, requirement of familiarity, 1924 (Ferrell)
• Grand Lodge appointments, confidentiality of, 1976 (Maxwell)
• Grand Lodge business manager, 1987 (Ames)
• Grand Lodge Communications, attention to, 1920 (Prince)
• Grand Lodge Dues, delinquency, 1925 (Ferrell); 1983 (Berquist); 1984 (Richardson); 1985 (Richardson); 1985 (Richardson)
• Grand Lodge Programs, 1987 (Ames)
• Grand Lodge Protocol, 1980 (Melanson); 1987 (Ames); 2010 (Pageau)
• Grand Lodge Relief Funds, 2000 (Bauer)
• Grand Lodge Scholarships, 1994 (Lovering)
• Grand Master
  • Powers of, 1849 (Raymond); 1873 (Nickerson)
  • Precedence of, 1916 (M. Johnson)
• Grand Master's Award, 1981 (Berquist); 1987 (Ames)

H

• Healing
  • Fee for, 1871 (Gardner)
  • Petitions for, 1874 (Nickerson), 1878 (Welch); 1980 (Melanson)
• Henry Price Medals, 1916 (M. Johnson); 1980 (Melanson)
• Honorary Members of Grand Lodge, 1845 (Peabody)

I

• Information on Masonic standing, 1916 (M. Johnson)
• Innovations in degree presentation, 1895 (Holmes); 1956 (W. Johnson)
• Installations, 1953 (Roy); 1963 (Osgood)
• Instruction of Lodge representatives in Grand Lodge, 1950 (Keith)
• Internet service providers, 2000 (Bauer)
• Investigation of Applicants, 1922 (Prince); 1922 (Prince); 1923 (Ferrell)
• Irregular Masons, 1929 (H. Dean)

J

• Jurisdiction
  • Concurrent jurisdiction, 1973 (Vose)
  • Of Grand Lodge, 1794 (Cutler); 1851 (Raymond); 1870 (Gardner);
  • Perpetual jurisdiction, 1940 (Perry)
  • Territorial jurisdiction, 1962 (Eaton)
• Jurisdiction over soldiers and sailors, 1920 (Prince)

K

• Ku Klux Klan, 1922 (Prince)

L

• Lewis Jewel, 2007 (Hodgdon)
• Liquor, 1953 (Roy); 1960 (Eaton); 1962 (Eaton); 1966 (Booth); 1971 (Jaynes); 1975 (Maxwell); 1975 (Maxwell); 1976 (Maxwell); 1977 (Maxwell); 1977 (Maxwell); 1978 (Melanson); 1990 (Darling); 2007 (Hodgdon); 2008 (Pageau)
• Lodges
  • Ambassadors, 2005 (Hodgdon)
  • By-laws, 1927 (Simpson); 1930 (H. Dean); 1952 (Roy); 1956 (W. Johnson)
  • Class Lodges, 1954 (W. Johnson)
  • Conduct of business on any degree, 2002 (Hicks)
  • Finances, 1933 (Chipman); 1934 (Chipman); 1956 (W. Johnson); 1960 (Eaton); 1962 (Eaton); 1963 (Osgood); 1964 (Osgood); 1993 (Lovering); 2012 (Stewart)
  • Funds, use of, 1930 (H. Dean); 1952 (Roy); 1954 (W. Johnson); 1954 (W. Johnson); 1968 (Booth); 1969 (Jaynes); 1971 (Jaynes); 1977 (Maxwell); 1987 (Ames)
  • Jurisdiction, 1954 (W. Johnson)
  • Jurisdiction over rejected applicants, 1961 (Eaton)
  • Mailings, 1936 (Allen)
  • Memorial services, 1982 (Berquist)
  • Mergers, names, 2009 (Pageau)
  • Notices, 1946 (Wragg); 1956 (W. Johnson); 1960 (Eaton); 1972 (Vose); 1975 (Maxwell); 1976 (Maxwell); 1978 (Melanson); 1985 (Richardson); 1987 (Ames)
  • Officers, 1972 (Vose); 2012 (Stewart)
  • Programs, 1966 (Booth); 1967 (Booth); 1972 (Vose)
  • Returns, through MORI, 2010 (Pageau)
  • Service, 1977 (Maxwell)
  • Solicitation of Funds, 1968 (Booth)
  • Sunday meetings prohibited, 1955 (W. Johnson); 1976 (Maxwell); 1981 (Berquist)
• Lodges of Instruction, 1940 (Perry); 1945 (Wragg); 1954 (W. Johnson); 1967 (Booth); 1968 (Booth); 1976 (Maxwell); 1985 (Richardson); 2002 (Hicks)

M

• Mailing Lists, use of, 1921 (Prince); 1934 (Chipman)
• Mandamus, writ of, 1872 (Nickerson)
• Masonic Awareness, 1989 (Ames); 1988 (Ames)
• Masonic emblems, display of, 1977 (Maxwell); 1979 (Melanson); 1987 (Ames)
• Masonic funerals, 1916 (M. Johnson); 1920 (Prince); 1923 (Ferrell); 1975 (Maxwell); 1983 (Berquist); 1989 (Ames); 1990 (Darling)
• Masonic Home, 1977 (Maxwell); 1979 (Melanson)
• Masonic honors, 1947 (Wragg)
• Masonic offenses, definition, 1869 (Gardner); 1934 (Chipman)
• Masonic utterances, by Grand Lodge exclusively, 1923 (Ferrell)
• Master of Lodge
  • Absence at installation, 1925 (Ferrell); 1925 (Ferrell)
  • Duties, 1977 (Maxwell)
  • Power of appointment, 1864 (Parkman), 1866 (Dame)
  • Power of removal, 1865 (Parkman)
  • Qualifications, 1918 (L. Abbott)
  • Right to preside, 1926 (Simpson)
• Master's Path, 2005 (Hodgdon)
• Meeting places of lodges, 1827 (Soley)
• Membership, 1968 (Booth); 1978 (Melanson); 1978 (Melanson); 1980 (Melanson); 2002 (Hicks)
• Membership, status at charter restoration, 1871 (Gardner)

N

• Negro Masonry and Prince Hall, 1969 (Jaynes); 1969 (Jaynes); 1970 (Jaynes); 1970 (Jaynes); 1970 (Jaynes); and Connecticut, 1990 (Darling), 1990 (Darling); recognition, 1995 (Lovering)

O

• Oaths of Affirmation, 1806 (Bigelow)
• Officer Training, 1963 (Osgood)
• Officers of Lodges, advancement, 1915 (M. Johnson)
• One-Day classes, 1996 (A. Johnson); 2008 (Pageau)
• Open Houses, 1976 (Maxwell)
• Operational Survey of Grand Lodge, 1986 (Richardson)

P

• Parades and public demonstrations, 1917 (L. Abbott)
• Parliamentary procedure, 1866 (Dame)
• Past Masters
  • Aprons and jewels, 1962 (Eaton); 1962 (Eaton); 1963 (Osgood); 1963 (Osgood)
  • Certificates, 1955 (W. Johnson)
  • Definition, 1864 (Parkman); 1960 (Eaton)
  • Diplomas, 1952 (Roy); 1971 (Jaynes)
  • Gifts, 1956 (W. Johnson)
• Plural membership, 1937 (Allen)
• Property of lodges, conveyance, 1847 (Robinson)
• Public relations, 1982 (Berquist); 1985 (Richardson); 1987 (Ames); 1989 (Ames)

R

• Rainbow, 1968 (Booth); 1970 (Rainbow); 1970 (Rainbow); 1971 (Jaynes); 2008 (Pageau)
• Recognition of Masonic bodies, 1983 (Berquist)
• Records of Lodge
  • Master's responsibility, 1822 (Dixwell)
  • Requirements, 1864 (Parkman)
• Redistricting, 2002 (Hicks)
• Regalia, Care of Grand Lodge, 1809 (Thomas)
• Regalia, Illegal use of, 1803 (Thomas)
• Religion
  • And Freemasonry, 1993 (Lovering)
  • Roman Catholicism, 1981 (Berquist)
  • Southern Baptist Convention, 1993 (Lovering)
  • Use of sacred names in Lodge, 1951 (Roy)
• Remission of dues, 1942 (Schaefer)
• Remitted members, reading of names, 1936 (Allen)
• Restoration of membership, 1936 (Allen)
• Returns of lodges, requirement to present, 1871 (Gardner)
• Rituals, use of printed books forbidden, 1885 (Howland)
• Rookie Award, 2008 (Pageau)

S

• Salutation, on entering and exiting lodge, 1914 (M. Johnson); on exiting, 1983 (Berquist)
• Secrecy, 1920 (Prince)
• Secretary's Handbook, 1987 (Ames)
• Shrine membership, 1994 (Lovering); 2000 (Bauer)
• Sidearms in lodge prohibited, 1914 (M. Johnson)
• Solicitation of new members, 1918 (L. Abbott); 1920 (Prince)
• Street advertising, 1979 (Melanson)
• Summons
  • Form of, 1848 (Robinson)
  • Obligation to respond to Grand Lodge, 1826 (Abbot)
  • Right of, by a lodge, 1818 (Oliver)
• Suspensions and reinstatements, 1916 (M. Johnson); 1926 (Simpson); 1930 (H. Dean); 1943 (Schaefer); 1994 (Lovering)
• Sword of Bunker Hill, 1960 (Eaton)

T

• Table lodges, 1966 (Booth); 1971 (Jaynes); 1973 (Vose); 1981 (Berquist)
• Temples
  • Building, 1964 (Osgood)
  • Insurance, 1982 (Berquist); 1983 (Berquist)
  • Ownership and insurance, 1994 (Lovering)
  • Taxation, 1965 (Osgood); 1968 (Booth); 1968 (Booth)
  • Use of Word 'Temple', 1994 (Lovering)
• Toleration, 1960 (Eaton)
• Trestle-board, use of, 1937 (Allen)
• Trials
  • Charges, 1876 (Everett)
  • Contempt of Grand Lodge, 1873 (Nickerson)
  • Evidence, 1873 (Nickerson)
  • Masonic guilt, 1873 (Nickerson)
  • Testimony in, 1871 (Gardner)
  • Voting, 1874 (Nickerson)
• Tyler's right to vote, 1930 (H. Dean); 1931 (H. Dean)

U

• Uniform Receipt of Dues, 1927 (Simpson)
• Universal League of Free Masons, 1972 (Vose)

V

• Vision Statement, 1994 (Lovering)
• Visitors to lodges
  • Admission, 1904 (Sanford)
  • Candidates, 1952 (Roy)
  • Covering, 1914 (M. Johnson)
  • Duties of Tyler, 1927 (Simpson)
  • Inter-jurisdictional, 1926 (Simpson)
  • Privileges, 1870 (Gardner)
  • Requirements for, 1872 (Nickerson); 1936 (Allen); 1973 (Vose)
  • Right of Visit, Moore, 1844

W

• Waivers of Jurisdiction, 1926 (Simpson); 1926 (Simpson); 1927 (Simpson); 1961 (Eaton)
• War Relief Fund, 1954 (W. Johnson)
• Wardens, powers of, 1919 (L. Abbott)
• Wartime Conditions
  • Logistics, 1942 (Schaefer)
  • Meetings, 1945 (Wragg)
  • Public service, 1942 (Schaefer)
  • Transportation, 1943 (Schaefer)