MassachusettsGC2012 PART VI

GRAND CONSTITUTIONS, PART VI

PART VI: GRAND CHARITY

• GC1918: Sections Section 601 through Section 612 are labeled BOARD OF MASONIC RELIEF.

Sec. 600. MASONIC EDUCATION AND CHARITY TRUST

Whereas, the Grand Lodge has accepted "An Act to establish and incorporate the Masonic Education and Charity Trust," enacted by the General Court of Massachusetts, and approved May 8, 1884, the following regulations are adopted by the Grand Lodge to aid in carrying out the provisions of said Act:

• (a) The Grand Lodge shall elect one Trustee for said Trust at each Annual Communication and may fill vacancies at any Quarterly Communication, or at any Special Meeting called for this purpose. A Trustee may serve his eight year term, but one year must elapse before he is eligible for reelection. An elected Board Member is allowed no more than 25% unexcused absences each year. Exceeding this automatically ends his term.
• (b) It is the sense of this Grand Lodge that the M.W. Grand Master for the time being should be the President of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust.
• (c) The annual income, less premium on investments, hereafter generated by the Grand Charity Fund and of such additions as may be made to it by the Grand Lodge and by gifts and bequests or otherwise, all held in trust by the Masonic Education and Charity Trust, shall annually be added to the Grand Lodge Charity Fund, except in the case of special funds where the expenditure of income is given to said Trustees by the will, deed, or other instrument creating the trust.
• (d) Income of funds in the hands of the Trustees shall be disposed of as the Grand Lodge shall from time to time direct except in the case of specific funds where the expenditure of income is given to said Trustees by the will, deed, or other instrument creating the trust.

Earlier Revisions

• Vote of St. John's Grand Lodge: 01/14/1757, I-403: "As the Number of Free and Accepted Masons in North America are daily increasing and it is thought Proper to raise a fund for Charity to relieve distress'd Brothers, for Regulations thereof, and to make so noble a part of our Institution the more effectual, The Committee appointed on this behalf Propose the Following Articles, Vizt.:
  • "First. THAT it be recommended to the Several Lodges within our Jurisdiction that every member of any regular Lodge subscribe his name in the Lodge he belongs to, for the quarterly payment of what sum he pleases during his pleasure towards a fund of General Charity, and that it be not expected any Brother should pay in more than one Lodge, though he belongs to more.
  • "Second. THAT the money received for Charity shall be paid Quarterly by the Treasurers of the Several Lodges to the Grand Treasurer, and the Grand Treasurer shall give every Treasurer a receipt for the Money so received and enter it in the.Grand Lodge Accounts.
  • "Third. THAT every Lodge shall be Credited for Moneys sent by them for Charity and every member that regularly Contributes his name shall he Registered in the Grand Lodge Book with the Sum he contributes, and he in case of any unfortunate accident to himself and family shall be intitled to all the Moneys he from time to time shall have contributed for the use of Charity aforesaid and as much more as the Committee appointed for that Purpose shall think proper, provided their be Interest in Stock.
  • "Fourth. THAT the Moneys received from the Treasurers of the Several Lodges when the Sum so receiv'd exceeds Twenty Pounds Lawfull Money in the hands of the Grand Treasurer, shall be putt out at Interest and shall not till further order be lent to any Person without the approbation of the Grand Lodge who annually shall choose a Committee to regulate this particular article, which Committee shall report every Quarterly Communication that every Lodge may know in what manner the Money is disposed off.
  • "Fifth. THAT none of the Stock shall be expend'd on Charity unless such accidents happens as represented in the third Clause, but when the Stock brings in any Interest then the Interest arising from the money lent may be given away by the Members of the Grand Lodge at every quarterly Communication provided any Poor Brethren or family applys for this Charity which must be done in writing unless the Member is present, if any should apply before the Interest is Sufficient to help them its hoped the Brethren will be generous enough to relieve the distressed either by Subscription or otherways.
  • "Sixth. THAT the Borrower of any Money let at Interest shall give Bond and Land Security to the Grand Treasurer & Committee appointed for that purpose for the disposal and use of the Grand Lodge, and to preserve harmony in the Lodge, its order'd that no Mason shall have any of the Money let at Interest or be Bondsmen for those that have.
  • "Seventh. THAT there shall also be kept a Book to Register the Names of all Visiting Brothers that frequent any Lodge within our direction and if any visiting Brother will be generous enough to give anything to this generous and Laudable fund of Charity, he shall always be intitled in Case of distress to, the Sum he contributes, which shall be registered in the Grand Lodge Accounts, and these Regulations shall be sent to all the Lodges in our district as Opportunity offers, and shall be laid on the Table every time the Lodge meets, as Licensed & directed by the Grand Master that every Member may see how the Stock stands and in what manner the contribution succeeds in all the Lodges which are desired to report every Quarterly Communication.
  • "Eighth. As the Lodges at New Hampshire, Newport, Conneticutt, and Nova Scotia within our district may Contribute to the universal Charity they are always intitled as if Present in Boston and shall have the same Relief by application from the Master and Wardens of any Lodge within our district as if Present.
  • "Nineth. THAT the Grand Treasurer shall be annually Chosen by the Grand Lodge and whosoever is nominated shall not be appointed unless Two thirds of the Votes of the members Present are in his Favour."
• Vote of Grand Lodge, 03/11/1793, II-37: "Every Lodge under this Jurisdiction shall pay two dollars quarterly for the use of the Grand Lodge."
• Vote of Grand Lodge, 01/17/1798, II-123, 124: "That a committee be appointed to draw up Regulations for the disposal of Charity; and for the profitable and worthy appropriation of the funds of the Grand Lodge."; "That a committee be appointed for the distribution of

charity and the Rev. Bro. Harris, Samuel Dunn, Paul Revere, Esq., William Little and Benjamin Russell be appointed for that purpose."

• Vote of Grand Lodge, 01/30/1811, II-465: "The committee appointed to devise the Ways and Means for a permanent Charity Fund and to report a system for the government thereof, beg leave to recommend that the Grand Lodge pass the following resolutions." The following pages contained the text, the contents of which was included in GC1811.
• GC1811: Chapter V, Section 1, II-524: "The Charity Fund established by the Grand Lodge shall be styled 'The Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.'"
• GC1811: Chapter V, Section 3, II-524: "One-half of all the donations made to the Grand Lodge, not specifically appropriated by the donors, shall be added to said Fund.
• GC1819 includes the following sections:
  • Chapter 2, Section 1, III-219; "The Charity Fund established by the Grand Lodge shall be styled The Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts."
  • Chapter 2, Section 2, III-219; "This Fund shall be increased annually by adding thereto one-fourth part of annual fees, and one third part of all initiation fees paid the Grand Lodge by the Lodges under its Jurisdiction."
  • Chapter 2, Section 3, III-219; "One-half of all the donations made to the Grand Lodge not specifically appropriated by the donors, shall be added to said Fund."
  • Chapter 2, Section 7, III-220; "The interest arising annually from the fund shall be appropriated as the Trustees shall direct, for the relief of such poor and distressed brethren, their widows and orphans, as they may consider worthy of assistance; but all interest unappropriated at the end of the year, shall be added to the principal."
• GC1843 includes the following sections:
  • Part Second, 1:1, IV-631; "The Charity Fund established by the Grand Lodge shall be styled 'The Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.'"
    • Revised 12/12/1860 by adding the words "and shall consist of Fifty thousand dollars." (VI-335)
  • Part Second, 1:2, IV-631; "This Fund shall be increased annually, by adding thereto one fourth part of annual fees, and one dollar of all initiation fees, paid the Grand Lodge by the Lodges under its jurisdiction."
    • Revised 12/12/1860 to read: "The Charity Fund shall be held in the name of the Grand Lodge, and shall be under the direction of a Board of Trustees. And said Board shall be styled The Trustees of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts." (VI-335)
  • Part Second, 1:3, IV-631; "The Charity Fund shall be held in the name of "the Master, Wardens and Members of the Grand Lodge"; but shall be under the direction of a Board of Trustees, consisting of the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer, Recording Grand Secretary, and six Brethren, who are not acting officers of the Grand Lodge, to be elected by ballot, for the term of three years, and to constitute, during that term, a permanent part of the Board; and provided a vacancy should occur from death, resignation, or any other cause, it shall be reported to the Grand Lodge, at the next quarterly Communication, at which time the vacancy shall be filled. The Board of Trustees thus constituted, shall be styled "The Trustees of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts" who shall invest the accruing funds in the manner they shall deem most likely to be productive; and no donations to charity shall be made from the principal of said fund, until the income thereof, at the rate of six per cent. shall amount to the sum of three thousand dollars per annum."
    • Revised 06/11/1856 by replacing "but" with "and" in the first sentence. (VI-335)
    • Revised 12/12/1860 to read: "The interest arising annually from this Fund, shall be appropriated as the Grand Lodge shall direct, for the relief of such poor and distressed Brethren, their widows and orphans, as may be deemed worthy of assistance; but all interest unappropriated at the end of each year shall be paid over by the Trustees to the Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, provided nevertheless, that if this Fund shall at any time be reduced below the sum specified in Section 1, all such unappropriated interest shall be added yearly to the principle [sic], until it shall again amount to Fifty Thousand Dollars."
• GC1918: Section 600, 1918-399; In this revision, the following text is different: The second sentence of section (a) is not included; section (c) reads as follows: "(c) The annual income less premium on investments, hereafter to accrue, of the Grand Charity Fund, and of such additions as may be made to it by the Grand Lodge, and by gifts and bequests or otherwise, all held in trust by the Masonic Education and Charity Trust, shall annually be divided into three equal parts: one part to be added to the Grand Charity Fund; one part to be applied to the support and maintenance of the Masonic Home; and one part to be available for the general charities of the Grand Lodge."
• GC1930: Section 600, 1930-151; In this revision, the text is the same as in GC1918.
• GC1953: Section 506; In this revision, the text is the same as in GC1918.

References

• VII-290 refers to an address by Grand Master Gardner in March 1869, which includes the following with regard to the Charity Fund: "I am unable to state in what condition this Fund is, or to make you any report in relation to it, No report has been made to this Grand Lodge for many years concerning it. I can not inform you of whom the Board of Trustees consists, if such a Board is in existence. The Article of the Constitutions is plain, explicit, and direct, and I recommend that a Committee be appointed into the state and disposition of this Fund, and of the interest accruing from it. and report thereon, with the number and names of the Trustees, and of the vacancies, if any, in the Board."
• 1915-321
• 1878-48
• 1878-87
• 1884-36
• 1884-78
• 1884-87
• 1884-106
• 1884-109
• 1884-112
• 1884-177
• 1884-281
• 1885-175
• 1910-47
• 1910-216
• 2009-55
• (b):
  • 1910-216
• (c):
  • 1910-216
  • 1989: 96
• (d):
  • 1910-47
  • 1910-216
  • 1918-323

• 1857-27 is spurious; there is nothing regarding the charitable funds on this page.
• 1869-20 is possibly spurious, as it deals primarily with financial matters and does not discuss the charities of Grand Lodge.

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Sec. 601. REPRESENTATIVES TO THE MASONIC HOME

There shall also be a Board of Representatives to the Masonic Home composed of the following;

• (a) One District Representative chosen by and from each Masonic District in Massachusetts. It shall be the duty of the Masters of the Lodges in each District, under the direction of the District Deputy Grand Master, to annually elect a District Representative for their respective District.
• (b) Each Lodge at its Annual Communication may elect a Lodge Representative; and in the event of the failure of any Lodge to elect, the Master of the Lodge shall appoint a Lodge Representative, who shall hold office during the year of his appointment.

MEETINGS

The Representatives to the Masonic Home shall meet twice a year at the Masonic Home in Charlton; usually in the fall and spring. Additional meetings may be called by the Grand Master, who is to be Chairman of the Board. Due notice in writing of all meetings shall be sent to all Representatives.

DUTIES

It is expected that each Representative will attend the Board meetings, report to the Lodges the happenings at the Masonic Home, assist the Director of the Home in the processing of applications when requested, and perform such other duties as the Grand Master may from time to time direct.

Earlier Revisions

• GC1918: Section 601, 1918-400; ACTIVE MEMBERS: The Board of Masonic Relief shall be composed of the Grand Master ex officio, of twelve other active members, all of whom shall be members of Lodges in this Commonwealth, and of associate members as hereinafter provided.
  • On 03/09/1927, the section was revised to read: There shall be a Board of Masonic Relief which shall be the Charity Committee of the Grand Lodge and which shall be composed of active and associate members, all of whom shall be members of Lodges in this Commonwealth. The active members shall consist of the Grand Master ex officio, one member chosen for each District, and twelve other members-at-large elected by the Grand Lodge, as hereinafter provided. (1927-51)
• GC1918 also includes the following sections:
  • "Section 605. MEETINGS. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, regular meetings thereof shall be held, without notice, at the Masonic Temple in Boston, at two o'clock in the afternoon of the Tuesday next preceding the second Wednesday of each calendar month, except that at least two meetings of said Board in each year shall be held at the Masonic Home in Charlton. Special meetings may be called on notice to the active members." (1918-401) This was revised on 03/09/1927, replacing the phrase "on notice to the active members" with "by the Grand Master. Due notice in writing of all meetings shall be sent to members of the Board." (1927-52)
  • "Section 606. QUORUM. Five active members shall constitute a quorum of said Board for the transaction of business; except that no officer or committee shall be removed nor shall any general rule be adopted, amended or repealed except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the active members." (1918-401) This was revised on 03/09/1927 to read: "Ten of the active members of the said Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business." (1927-52)
• GC1930: Section 601, 1930-153; In this revision, the section is labeled BOARD OF MASONIC RELIEF and reads: "REPRESENTATION. There shall be a Board of Masonic Relief which shall be the Charity Committee of the Grand Lodge. The Board of Masonic Relief shall be composed of
  • (a) Twelve Representatives at large, elected by Grand Lodge as hereinafter provided.
  • (b) One District Representative chosen by and from each Masonic District in Massachusetts.
  • (c) One Lodge Representative chosen by and from each Lodge in Massachusetts.
• GC1930 also includes the following sections:
  • Section 603, 1930-153; "LODGE REPRESENTATIVES. Each Lodge at its Annual Communication may elect a Lodge Representative; and in the event of the failure of any Lodge to elect, the Master of the Lodge shall appoint a Lodge Representative, who shall hold office during the year of his appointment. All Representatives shall have all the rights and privileges at the meetings of the Board of Relief."
  • Section 604, 1930-153; "ORGANIZATION. The Grand Master shall be President, ex-officio, of the Board, which shall elect its own Clerk. The Grand Master is requested to employ a Standing Committee of at least six members of the Board. The Grand Master shall be ex-officio member and Chairman of the Standing Committee. The Board may adopt rules for its own government subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge. The Standing Committee, with the approval of the Grand Master, shall annually appoint a Relief Commissioner."
  • Section 605, 1930-153; "MEETINGS. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, regular meetings thereof shall be held at the Masonic Temple in Boston, at two o'clock in the afternoon of the Tuesday next preceding the second Wednesday of each calendar month, except that at least two meetings of said Board in each year shall be held at the Masonic Home in Charlton. Special meetings may be called by the Grand Master. Due notice in writing of all meetings shall be sent to members of the Board."
  • Section 606, 1930-153; "QUORUM. Ten members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business."
• GC1953 includes the following sections:
  • Section 602; "REPRESENTATION. There shall be a Board of Masonic Relief which shall be the Charity Committee of the Grand Lodge. The Board of Masonic Relief shall be composed of
    • (a) Twelve Representatives at large, elected by Grand Lodge as hereinafter provided.
    • (b) One District Representative chosen by and from each Masonic District in Massachusetts.
    • (c) One Lodge Representative chosen by and from each Lodge in Massachusetts.
  • Section 603; "LODGE REPRESENTATIVES. Each Lodge at its Annual Communication may elect a Lodge Representative; and in the event of the failure of any Lodge to elect, the Master of the Lodge shall appoint a Lodge Representative, who shall hold office during the year of his appointment. All Representatives shall have all the rights and privileges at the meetings of the Board of Relief."
  • Section 604; "ORGANIZATION. The Grand Master shall be President, ex-officio, of the Board, which shall elect its own Clerk. The Grand Master is requested to employ an Advisory Committee of at least six members of the Board. The Grand Master shall be ex-officio member and Chairman of the Advisory Committee. The Board may adopt rules for its own government subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge. The Advisory Committee, with the approval of the Grand Master, shall annually appoint a Relief Commissioner. "
  • Section 605; "MEETINGS. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, regular meetings thereof shall be held at the Masonic Temple in Boston, at two o'clock in the afternoon of the Tuesday next preceding the second Wednesday of each calendar month, except that at least two meetings of said Board in each year shall be held at the Masonic Home in Charlton. Special meetings may be called by the Grand Master. Due notice in writing of all meetings shall be sent to members of the Board."
  • Amended 12/13/1961, 1961-176, changing "at least two meetings of said Board in each year shall" to "at least two meetings of said board in each year may".
  • Section 606; "QUORUM. Ten members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business."

References

• 1914-87
• 1910-91
• 1910-138
• 1918-325
• 1926-104
• 1926-254
• 1927-344
• 1983-146
• 1989-96

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Sec. 602. MASONIC SERVICE COMMITTEE

MEMBERS

The Masonic Service Committee, consisting of the Zone Committeemen, appointed annually by the Grand Master, shall meet in the Grand Lodge building on the mornings of the Quarterly Communications of the Grand Lodge and at such other times as the Chairman or Grand Master shall direct. This Committee shall be the Charity Committee of the Grand Lodge.

OFFICERS

The Chairman of the Committee will be appointed by the Grand Master. They will elect their own clerk.

DUTIES

The Committee shall supervise and direct the service and charity activities of Grand Lodge, in concert with the Director of Masonic Service.

Earlier Revisions

• GC1811: Chapter V, Section 4, II-524; "The Charity Fund aforesaid shall be under the direction of a Board of Trustees, consisting of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Grand Treasurer, and four Brethren, who are not acting officers of the Grand Lodge, to be elected by ballot, and to constitute, during good behavior, a permanent part of the Board; and provided a vacancy should occur from death, resignation or any other cause, it shall be reported to the Grand Lodge at the next Quarterly Communication, at which time the vacancy shall be filled."
• Vote of Grand Lodge, 12/27/1813, II-582; "That a committee of three, to be nominated by the Chair, be considered as a Standing Committee on petitions for charity." (A committee was voted at that communication, and also at the December 1814 communication, II-609.)
• GC1819 includes the following sections:
  • Chapter 2, Section 4, III-219; "The Charity Fund shall be held in the name of the Master, Wardens and Members of the Grand Lodge but shall be under the direction of a Board of Trustees, before named, and six Brethren, who are not acting officers of the Grand Lodge, to be elected by ballot, for the term of three years, and to constitute, during that term, a permanent part of the Board; and provided a vacancy should occur from death, resignation or any other cause, it shall be reported to the Grand Lodge, at the next quarterly Communication, at which time the vacancy shall be filled. The Board of Trustees thus constituted, shall be styled "The Trustees of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts" who shall invest the accruing funds in the manner they shall deem most likely to be productive; and no loans or donations shall be made from the principal of said Fund until the income thereof shall, at the rate of six per Cent. shall amount to the sum of three thousand dollars per annum."
  • Chapter 2, Section 6, III-220; "The Board of Trustees shall appoint a Secretary, whose duty it shall be to make a correct record of their proceedings, and report the same to the Grand Lodge at every quarterly communication; and each report made to the Grand Lodge shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board: the Recording Grand Secretary shall keep a separate book, in which shall be recorded all the proceedings of the Trustees that shall be recorded by the Secretary of the Board."
    • Amended 09/12/1821; replace quarterly with annual, to read: "... and report the same to the Grand Lodge at every annual communication ..." (III-366)
• GC1918: Section 602, 1918-400; In this revision, the section reads: "ELECTION: The active members shall be classified in respect of the time for which they shall severally hold office by dividing them into three classes, each class consisting of four. At each Annual Communication, the successors to the members of the class whose term shall expire in that year shall be elected to hold office for the term of three years, so that the term of office of one class of members shall expire in each year."
  • On 03/09/1927, the section was revised to read: Immediately upon the adoption of this amendment, the active members-at-large shall be elected by Grand Lodge, - four for a term expiring at the next Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, four for a term expiring at the following Annual Communication, and four for a term expiring two years from the next Annual Communication after their election. As the terms of the members thus expire, there shall be elected four for the term of three years, and at each Annual Communication, the successors of the class whose term shall expire in that year shall be elected to hold office for the term of three years, so that the term of office of one class of active members-at-large shall expire in each year. It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Masters of the Lodges in each District annually to elect an active member of the Board for their respective District. (1927-51)
• GC1918 also includes the following section:
  • Section 610. VACANCIES. Vacancies in the active membership of the Board may be filled at any Regular Communication of the Grand Lodge for an unexpired term." (1918-402) This was revised on 03/09/1927 to read: "Vacancies in the active membership of the Board may be filled by the Grand Master." (1927-52)
• GC1930: Section 602, 1930-153; In this revision, the section is labeled BOARD OF MASONIC RELIEF and reads: "ELECTION. Four representatives at large shall be elected by Grand Lodge at each Annual Communication for a term of three years, so that the term of office of one class of four representatives at large shall expire in each year. It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Masters of the Lodges in each District annually to elect a District Representative for their respective District."
• GC1930 also includes the following section:
  • Section 610. VACANCIES. Vacancies in the active membership of the Board may be filled at any Regular Communication of Grand Lodge." (1930-154)
• GC1953: see sections above. This revision also includes the following section: Section 610. VACANCIES. Vacancies in the Representatives at large may be filled election at any regular Communication of Grand Lodge.

References

• 1914-87
• 1910-91
• 1910-138
• 1914-88
• 1926-105
• 1926-256
• 1927-49
• 1983-146
• 1989-96

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Sec. 603. DIRECTOR OF MASONIC SERVICE

A Director of Masonic Service shall be appointed by and act under and be subject to the direction of the Grand Master.

DUTIES

The Director of Masonic Service, and the Masonic Service Committee, shall be responsible for acting on applications for relief and financial assistance, the Grand Lodge Blood Program, widows program, and hospital visitation. He will also perform such other duties as the Grand Master may from time to time direct.

APPLICATIONS

Applications for service or financial assistance shall be processed by the Director of Masonic Service, who shall make, or cause to be made, such investigation thereof as may be directed by the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

• Vote of St. John's Grand Lodge: 04/13/1750, I-11; "The Lodge being Open, That the Grand Committee of Charity (Consisting of such Members as are appointed in the new Printed Regulations) do meet at least Eight Days before every Quarterly Communication."
• Remarks by Grand Master Rowe before St. John's Grand Lodge: 01/28/1774, I-212; "The Right Worshipful Grand Master informed the Lodge the necessity we were under to form a well regulated plan, that our Brethren in distress may always find Relief by applying to this Lodge; for which purpose he proposed, and recommended, that Monies be raised and made into an aggregate Fund, for the Relief of such regular Brethren, their Widows, and Orphans, who, by the Providence of the Almighty Architect may be reduced to low Circumstances and need assistance; That he had drawn his designs for the Work, and doubted not of its being finished in such a masterly manner, as to last while Charity shall be a Virtue. The beautiful fabrick of Masonry is Benevolence! The Pillars which have been and ever will be its support, are Brotherly Love, Belief and Truth; The design being examined, the Lodge saw from it a prospect of lasting Honor, and Emolument . . ." The extensive regulations for the creation of the charity fund appear on the following pages.
• GC1811: This revision includes the following sections regarding the Grand Lodge Charity Fund:
  • Chapter V, Section 4, II-524; "The Charity Fund aforesaid shall be under the direction of a Board of Trustees, consisting of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Grand Treasurer, and four Brethren, who are not acting officers of the Grand Lodge, to be elected by ballot, and to constitute, during good behavior, a permanent part of the Board; and provided a vacancy should occur from death, resignation or any other cause, it shall be reported to the Grand Lodge at the next Quarterly Communication, at which time the vacancy shall be filled."
  • Chapter V, Section 5, II-524; "The Board of Trustees shall hold their meetings on the Monday preceding each Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge, and at such other times as may be thought expedient; and a majority of the Board shall be necessary for every act, except that of adjournment."
  • Chapter V, Section 6, II-524; "The Board of Trustees shall appoint a Secretary, whose duty it shall be to make a correct record of the proceedings of the Board, and report the same to the Grand Lodge at every Quarterly Communication; and each report made to the Grand Lodge shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board: the Grand Recording Secretary shall keep a separate book, in which shall be recorded all the proceedings of the Trustees that shall be recorded by the Secretary of the Board."
  • Chapter V, Section 7, II-525; "The Charity Fund shall be always in the safe keeping of the Grand Treasurer, under the direction of the Board of Trustees; and he shall vest the same in such stock as shall be most productive; and no loans or donations shall be made from the principal of said Fund until the income thereof shall amount to three thousand dollars per annum."
  • Chapter V, Section 8, II-525; "The Grand Treasurer shall have power to retain a year's interest arising from said Fund, to be appropriated, by the Board of Trustees, to the relief of such poor and distressed Brethren, their widows and orphans, as they may consider worthy of assistance; but should there be any interest unappropriated at the end of the year, it shall be vested as heretofore provided, and ever after be considered as principal of said Fund."
  • Chapter V, Section 9, II-525; "The Grand Treasurer shall report to the Grand Lodge at every Quarterly Communication an account of all money received and appropriations made to the Charity Fund; and of all donations and expenditures therefrom which have arisen during the quarter."
• GC1819: Chapter 2, Section 5, III-220; "The Trustees of the Charity Fund shall hold their meetings on the Monday preceding each Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge, and at such other times as may be thought expedient; and a majority of the Board shall be necessary for every act, except that of adjournment."
  • Amended 09/12/1821 to read: "The Trustees of the Charity Fund shall hold their meetings on the Monday preceding the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in December." (III-366)
• GC1843 includes the following sections:
  • Part Second, 1:4, IV-632; "The Trustees of the Charity Fund shall hold their meetings on the Monday preceding the annual communication of the Grand Lodge in December, and at such other times as may be thought expedient. A majority of the Board shall be necessary for every act, except that of adjournment."
  • Part Second, 1:6, IV-632; "The Treasurer of the Grand Lodge shall be ex officio, Treasurer of the Grand Charity Fund, unless the Trustees shall determine by vote to elect a Special Treasurer, in which case the Treasurer so elected shall give such bonds for the faithful discharge of his duties as the Board may require."
  • Part Second, 1:7, IV-633; "The Board of Trustees shall appoint a Secretary, whose duty it shall be to make a correct record of their proceedings, and report the same to the Grand Lodge at every annual communication; and each report made to the Grand Lodge shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board."
    • Revised 06/11/1856, replacing "and report the same to the Grand Lodge" with the text "and report the same with a statement of the financial condition of the Charity Fund to the Grand Lodge." (VI-26)
  • Part Second, 1:5, IV-633; "The interest arising annually from the fund, shall be appropriated as the Trustees shall direct, for the relief of such poor and distressed Brethren, their widows and orphans, as they may consider worthy of assistance; but all interest unappropriated at the end of the year, shall be added to the principal."
• GC1918: Section 603, 1918-401; In this revision, the section reads: "'ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: Each Lodge may annually elect an associate member of the Board. The associate members shall have ail the rights and privileges of active membership, except that if a roll-call be demanded, the roll of active members shall be called, and their action shall be decisive.
  • On 03/09/1927, the section was revised to read: Each Lodge at its Annual Communication may elect an associate member of the Board of Masonic Relief; and in the event of the failure of any Lodge to elect, the Master of the Lodge shall appoint an associate member, who shall hold office during the year of his appointment. The associate members of the Board shall have all the rights and privileges of active members at the meetings of the Board of Masonic Relief, except that if a roll call shall be demanded the roll of active members only shall be called, and their action shall be decisive. (1927-52)
• GC1918 also includes the following sections:
  • "Section 607. POWERS. The Board of Masonic Relief, in the absence of specific directions by the Grand Lodge, shall have full management and control of the dispensation of charity and benevolence by the Grand Lodge and shall have the right to solicit and collect funds for such purposes. It shall have no management or control of the principal of any funds in the hands of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust nor, except as appropriated by the Grand Lodge, of the income thereof."
    • On 03/09/1927, this was revised to read: "All applications for relief and for admission to the Home shall be examined by the Relief Commissioner who shall make, or cause to be made, such investigation thereof as may be directed by the Grand Master or by the Standing Committee. The Relief Commissioner shall, under the direction of the Grand Master, submit all applications, together with his recommendations thereon and such data relating thereto and such data as the Board may require, to said Board, and no applications shall be acted upon by said Board until hereinbefore provided. The said Committee shall annually cause an audit to be made of the books of the Board of Relief and shall report at the annual meeting of said Board. The Relief Commissioner shall act upon and subject to the direction of the Grand Master, whose orders, in any case, shall be sufficient warrant for any act covered thereby." (1927-52)
    • On 09/12/1928, the text was further revised by the addition of the words "and the Hospital known as Juniper Hall" after the words "admission to the Home".
  • "Section 608. MASONIC HOME. In the absence of specific directions by the Grand Lodge, the Board of Masonic Relief shall have the entire charge of the Masonic Home in Charlton and of the general business pertaining thereto, including admissions and discharges."
    • On 03/09/1927, this was revised to read: "The Board shall act upon applications for Masonic Relief provided the same are within the appropriations previously made therefor by the Grand Lodge and shall determine the qualifications of applicants for admission to the Masonic Home; provided, however, that no appropriations nor expenditures shall be made or authorized by the Board except upon recommendations of the Standing Committee of said Board as provided in Section 607, unless such appropriation or expenditure is carried by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting."
    • On 09/12/1928, the text was further revised by the addition of the words "and the Hospital known as Juniper Hall" after the words "admission to the Masonic Home". (1928-230)
  • GC1930 also includes the following sections:
    • Section 607, 1930-153; "POWERS. All applications for relief and for admission to the Home and the Hospital known as Juniper Hall shall be examined by the Relief Commissioner who shall make, or cause to be made, such investigation thereof as may be directed by the Grand Master or by the Standing Committee. The Relief Commissioner shall, under the direction of the Grand Master, submit all applications, together with his recommendations thereon and such data relating thereto as he has obtained to the Standing Committee. It shall be the duty of the Relief Commissioner to submit all such applications, together with the recommendations of the Standing Committee thereon and such data as the Board may require, to said Board, and no applications shall be acted upon by said Board until they have been submitted to said Standing Committee as hereinbefore provided. The Relief Commissioner shall act upon and subject to the direction of the Grand Master, whose orders, in any case, shall be sufficient warrant for any act covered thereby."
    • Section 608, 1930-153; MASONIC HOME. The Board shall act upon applications for Masonic Relief provided the same are within the appropriations previously made therefor by the Grand Lodge and shall determine the qualifications of applicants for admission to the Masonic Home and the hospital known as Juniper Hall; provided, however, that no appropriations nor expenditures shall be made or authorized by the Board except upon recommendations of the Standing Committee of said Board as provided in Section 607, unless such appropriation or expenditure is carried by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting."
• GC1953 includes the following sections:
  • Section 607; "POWERS. All applications for relief and for admission to the Home and the Hospital known as Juniper Hall shall be examined by the Relief Commissioner who shall make, or cause to be made, such investigation thereof as may be directed by the Grand Master or by the Advisory Committee. The Relief Commissioner shall, under the direction of the Grand Master, submit all applications, together with his recommendations thereon and such data relating thereto as he has obtained to the Advisory Committee. It shall be the duty of the Relief Commissioner to submit all such applications, together with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee thereon and such data as the Board may require, to said Board, and no applications shall be acted upon by said Board until they have been submitted to said Standing Committee as hereinbefore provided. The Relief Commissioner shall act upon and subject to the direction of the Grand Master, whose orders, in any case, shall be sufficient warrant for any act covered thereby."
  • Section 608; "MASONIC HOME. The Board shall act upon applications for Masonic Relief provided the same are within the appropriations previously made therefor by the Grand Lodge and shall determine the qualifications of applicants for admission to the Masonic Home and the hospital known as Juniper Hall; provided, however, that no appropriations nor expenditures shall be made or authorized by the Board except upon recommendations of the Advisory Committee of said Board as provided in Section 607, unless such appropriation or expenditure is carried by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting."

References

• 1884-182
• 1884-344
• 1892-191
• 1892-211
• 1898-43
• 1898-357
• 1907-198
• 1908-77
• 1908-105
• 1908-206
• 1908-246
• 1909-16
• 1909-68
• 1909-196
• 1911-22
• 1911-136

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Sec. 604. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

The Masonic Service Committee shall be subject at all times to the direction of Grand Lodge and shall make a full report of its doings at each Annual Communication of Grand Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

• GC1918: Section 604, 1918-401; "In this revision, the section reads: "ORGANIZATION: The Grand Treasurer shall be Treasurer of the Board of Masonic Relief. The Board shall elect its own President and a Clerk (who may or may not be a member of the Board), and shall cause to be elected and appointed from its active or associate membership or the membership of the Lodges, such other officers, agents, and committees for the proper conduct of its affairs as it shall determine by general rule or otherwise."
  • On 03/09/1927, the section was revised to read: The Grand Master shall be President, ex-officio, of the Board, which shall elect its own Clerk. The Grand Master is requested to employ a Relief Commissioner upon such terms as shall be satisfactory to the Grand Master, provided the same are within appropriations previously made by Grand Lodge. The Grand Master is requested also annually to appoint a Standing Committee of at least six of the members at large of the Board. The Grand Master shall be ex-officio a member and Chairman of the Standing Committee. The Board may adopt rules for its own government subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge. (1927-52)''
• GC1918 also includes the following section:
  • Section 609. "REPORTS. Said Board shall make a full report of its doings at each Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge." (1918-402) This was revised on 03/09/1927 to read: "Said Board shall be subject at all times to the direction of Grand Lodge, and shall make a full report of its doings at each Annual Communication of Grand Lodge."
• GC1930: Section 609, 1930-154; In this revision, the section reads: "REPORTS. Said Board shall be subject at all times to the direction of Grand Lodge, and shall make a full report of its doings at each Annual Communication of Grand Lodge."
• GC1953: Section 609; "REPORTS. Said Board shall be subject at all times to the direction of Grand Lodge, and shall make a full report of its doings at each Annual Communication of Grand Lodge."

References

• 1910-92
• 1910-138
• 1926-106
• 1926-257
• 1983-146
• 1989-96

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Sec. 605. INITIATES' CONTRIBUTION

There shall be contributed for each initiate Five Dollars to the charitable funds of the Grand Lodge. This amount shall be added to the initiation fee by all Lodges which have not already so provided.

Earlier Revisions

• Vote of Grand Lodge: III-8, 12/09/1815, to deny a petition by AncientLandmark and Portland Lodges of Portland, Maine, to reduce the Grand Lodge fee for initiates: "The proposition for an Amendment of the Constitution of the Gd. Lodge, in the 7th Section of Chapter 3rd, so far as that instead of three dollars now exacted for each initiate, only one dollar be required — cannot in our opinion be complied with, consistently with the true interests of the Craft in general, and especially of the M. W. Grand Lodge . . . Because we fear that diminishing the demands of the Gd. Lodge for initiates may operate in some lodges as an inducement for lessening the fees for Initiations, and thus render the access to the privileges of Freemasonry too easy and make the Institution undervalued by its cheapness."
• GC1819: Chapter 5, Section 14, III-219; "Each Lodge shall pay annually towards the support of the Grand Lodge, eight dollars; and three dollars for every candidate by them initiated."
• GC1843: Part Fourth, Section 10, IV-631: "Each Lodge shall pay, annually, towards the support of the Grand Lodge, four dollars; and three dollars and fifty cents for every candidate by them initiated. And shall receive from the Grand Lodge, as many Diplomas and Grand Lodge Travelling Certificates, as they may make Master Masons."
  • Amended 09/08/1846, V-87: amended by substituting $6 as the annual fee for each Lodge instead of $4 and $5 instead of $3.50 as the fee for every candidate initiated.
  • Amended 12/08/1858, VI-211: fee for candidates reduced to $3.
  • Amended 06/13/1866, VII-79: The fee paid by each Lodge to the Grand Lodge is increased to $10 instead of $6, and the fee for initiates is raised from $3 to $5.
• GC1811: Chapter V, Section 2, II-524: "This Fund shall be increased annually by adding thereto one-fourth part of the annual fees, and one-third part of all initiation fees paid the Grand Lodge by the Lodges under its Jurisdiction.
• GC1918: Section 611; 1918-403; "There shall be contributed for each initiate five dollars to the charitable funds of the Grand Lodge. This amount shall be added to the initiation fee by all Lodges which have not already so provided. Five dollars shall likewise be contributed by each member reinstated or admitted by affiliation, unless such member shall have been initiated in a Lodge in this Jurisdiction subsequent to September 1, 1912, or shall produce a receipt showing that he has made a contribution of not less than five dollars to the said fund. This amount shall be added to the affiliation fee by all Lodges which have not already so provided. These amounts shall be collected from the Lodges by the District Deputy Grand Masters at their official visitations and remitted with the returns. The Grand Treasurer shall pay over these amounts to the Board of Masonic Relief. The Board, unless otherwise directed by the Grand Lodge, may, with the approval of the Grand Master, reserve therefrom so much thereof, but never to exceed one-half, as may be deemed by it necessary (a) for expenditures on permanent account for which no other provision is made: (b) to supply deficiencies caused by expenditures on maintenance account over available income; and (c) to be appropriated, if specifically recommended by the Grand Master, for relief for extraordinary occasions of great disaster and distress, whether within or without the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. All amounts not so reserved shall promptly be transmitted to the Trustees of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust to be added to the Masonic Home Fund."
• GC1930: Section 611, 1930-156; In this revision, the text is the same as in GC1918, with the final words of the section reading "Masonic Home and Hospital Fund."
• GC1953: Section 611; "here shall be contributed for each initiate five dollars to the charitable funds of the Grand Lodge. This amount shall be added to the initiation fee by all Lodges which have not already so provided. Five dollars shall likewise be contributed by each member reinstated or admitted by affiliation, unless such member shall have been initiated in a Lodge in this Jurisdiction subsequent to September 1, 1912, or shall produce a receipt showing that he has made a contribution of not less than five dollars to the said fund. This amount shall be added to the affiliation fee by all Lodges which have not already so provided. These amounts shall be collected from the Lodges by the District Deputy Grand Masters at their official visitations and remitted with the returns. The Board of Directors unless otherwise directed by the Grand Lodge may, with the approval of the Grand Master, reserve therefrom so much thereof as may be deemed by the Board necessary for the conduct of the charities of the Grand Lodge during the current fiscal year, (a) for expenditures on permanent account for which no other provision is made: (b) to supply deficiencies caused by expenditures on maintenance account over available income; and (c) to be appropriated, if specifically recommended by the Grand Master, for relief for extraordinary occasions of great disaster and distress, whether within or without the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. All amounts not so reserved shall promptly be transmitted to the Trustees of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust to be added to the Masonic Home and Hospital Fund."
  • Amended 09/11/1974, 1974-176, to read: "There shall be contributed for each initiate five dollars to the charitable funds of the Grand Lodge. This amount shall be added to the initiation fee by all Lodges which have not already so provided. Five dollars shall likewise be contributed for each member admitted by affiliation, unless such member shall have been initiated in a Lodge in this jurisdiction or shall have been previously admitted by affiliation to a Lodge in this jurisdiction." The rest of the section remains the same, beginning with "These amounts . . ."

References

• 1912-103
• 1917-207
• 1917-241
• 1918-326

• See Sec. 329

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Sec. 606. CONTRIBUTIONS FOR REINSTATEMENT OR AFFILIATION

Five Dollars shall likewise be contributed for each member reinstated or admitted by affiliation. This amount shall be added to the affiliation fee by all Lodges which have not already so provided.

These amounts shall be collected from the Lodges by the District Deputy Grand Masters at their official visitations and remitted with the returns.

Earlier Revisions

• GC1918: included in Section 611, listed with Section 605, above.
• GC1930: included in Section 611, listed with Section 605, above.
• GC1953: "included in Section 611; listed with Section 605, above."

References

• 1922-554
• 1923-41
• 1983-146
• 1989-96

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Sec. 607. EXPENSES FOR RELIEF

The Board of Directors unless otherwise directed by the Grand Lodge may, with the approval of the Grand Master, reserve from the amounts collected under Sec. 605 and 606 so much thereof as may be deemed by the Board necessary for the conduct of the charities of Grand Lodge during the current fiscal year,

• (a) for expenditures on permanent account for which no other provision is made;
• (b) to supply deficiencies caused by expenditures on maintenance account over available income; and
• (c) to be appropriated if specifically recommended by the Grand Master for relief upon extraordinary occasions of great disaster or distress, whether within or without the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge.

All amounts not so reserved shall promptly be transmitted to the Trustees of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust to be added to the Masonic Home Fund.

Earlier Revisions

• GC1918: See section 603, above.
• GC1930: See section 603, above.
• GC1953: See section 603, above.

References

1989-96

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Sec. 608. DISTRICT CHARITY FUNDS

Lodges without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 607. There shall, however, be contributed for each initiate and for each such affiliate as described in Sec. 605 and 606, Five Dollars to a District Charity Fund. This amount shall be added to the initiation fee by all Lodges in such Districts which have not already so provided. These amounts shall be remitted by said Lodges to the District Grand Master with the annual returns. The District Grand Master shall pay the same to a Board of Trustees, consisting of the District Grand Master as Chairman, ex-officio, three members at large to be elected by the District Grand Lodge and of one member annually to be elected by each Lodge in said District. Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Said Board of Trustees shall receive, hold, invest, reinvest the same and all gifts, devises, and bequests made either to said Board or to said District Grand Lodge upon trusts for educational or charitable purposes and relief connected with the families of deceased or living members of said District Grand Lodge and its subordinate organizations, or for the relief of distressed Freemasons, their widows, orphans, or other dependents of said District or of other states or countries, and may expend the income thereof, or principal if necessary, for such purposes, with the approval in each case of the District Grand Master. Said Trustees shall annually report the condition and investment of all funds intrusted to them, and the expenditure of the income thereof, to the District Grand Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

• GC1918: Section 612; 1918-403; "Lodges without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be exempt from the provisions in the preceding section. There shall, however, be contributed for each initiate and for each such affiliate as described in Section 611, five dollars to a District Charity Fund. This amount shall be added to the initiation fee by all Lodges in such Districts which have not already so provided. These amounts shall be remitted by said Lodges to the District Grand Master with the annual returns. The District Grand Master shall pay the same to a Board of Trustees, consisting of the District Grand Master as Chairman, ex-officio, and of one member annually to be elected by each Lodge in said District. Said Board of Trustees shall receive, hold, invest, reinvest the same and all gifts, devises, and bequests made either to said Board or to said District Grand Lodge upon trusts for educational or charitable purposes and relief connected with the families of deceased or living members of said District Grand Lodge and its subordinate organizations, or for the relief of distressed Freemasons, their widows, orphans, or other dependents of said District or of other states or countries, and may expend the income thereof, or principal if necessary, for such purposes, with the approval in each case of the District Grand Master. Said Trustees shall annually report the condition and investment of all funds intrusted to them, and the expenditure of the income thereof, to the District Grand Lodge."
• GC1930: Section 612, 1930-157; In this revision, the text is the same as in GC1918.
  • On 12/09/1931, this section was amended as follows: the sentence "The District Grand Master shall pay the same to a Board of Trustees, consisting of the District Grand Master as Chairman, ex-officio, and of one member annually to be elected by each Lodge in said District." is replaced with "The District Grand Master shall pay the same to a Board of Trustees, consisting of the District Grand Master as Chairman, ex-officio, three members at large to be elected by the District Grand Lodge, and of one member annually to be elected by each Lodge in said District. Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business." (1931-333)
• GC1953: Section 612; In this revision, the text is the same as in GC1930, including the 1931 amendment.

References

• 1915-118
• 1918-327
• 1983-146

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