CHAPTER II - The Constitution
The constitution, adopted as the first item of business after the installation of the Grand Chapter officers, was published in 1870. Theopening paragraph says, "The Style and Title of the Grand Chapter shall be The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Nova Scotia"and a few features may well be noted. There was a Grand Janitor, not a Grand Tyler; there was no Grand Chaplain as Companion Brown thought them "unnecessary"; the title of Most Excellent was given to the Grand High Priest, to the Grand King, the Grand Scribe and the High Priests of the constituent chapters; all officers were elected; a sitting High Priest was eligible for the office of Grand High Priest; an applicant must be a Master Mason of six months standing; collars were tricolor, with purple, crimson and pale blue for Grand Officers and crimson for chapter officers; the sash was tricolor for Grand Officers, usual for other Companions; a High Priest must be a Past Master of a Craft lodge.
The next amended constitution was published in 1873. Exhibition of emblems for business purposes was prohibited; officers below Grand Secretary were appointed, not elected; Grand Chaplain, Grand Pursuant, Grand Tyler were added and Grand Janitor dropped;duties of officers and Committee of General Purposes were defined and a statement made on the selection of the latter; per capita tax of 25c was adopted.
In 1874 a motion requiring that an applicant be a subscribing member of a Craft lodge was lost, and in 1878 a similar fate befell an effort to elect all Grand Chapter officers. In 1880 the special conditions in Newfoundland were recognized by the appointment of a Grand Superintendent, the name being changed later to Representative of the Grand High Priest, and carrying the rank of Hon. P.G.S. This continued until the inception of the Grand Superintendent system throughout the jurisdiction in 1921.
Another revision in 1880 permitted constituent chapters to return as "Missing" any member whose address was unknown for three years, and on these no per capita tax was levied by Grand Chapter; it also became necessary for Grand High Priest, Grand King and Grand Scribe to be High Priests of a constituent chapter.
On June 10th, 1890, another revision was presented by a committee which with slight alterations was passed clause by clause and printed in the proceedings. This edition was divided into Articles and Sections and properly numbered, and was formally approved a year later. Among the additions were: no chapter in the future would be named for a living person; every chapter must assemble at least four times a year; the Committee of General Purposes became the Board of General Purposes, with the same composition and authority.
In 1891 an attempt failed to remove the Installed Master qualification of a High Priest. The same proposal was rejected again in 1894, in 1900 and in 1909.
The Board of General Purposes in 1895 was directed to prepare a revision of the constitution. This was presented in 1896 and passed with a few changes. It then appeared in the Proceedings. The few changes included adopting a charge of one dollar for the Order of High Priesthood certificate; fees could not be refunded, remitted, or returned; a member suspended for nonpayment of dues could no longer be reinstated merely by paying his back dues; more time was given for appeals.
In 1898 the Board of General Purposes offered several recommendations which seem to have been approved. The trimming of aprons with gold lace was reserved to present and past Grand High Priests, Grand Kings and Grand Scribes; the jewels of present and past Grand Officers are to be suspended by a collar of purple not of tricolor; the tricolored sash is retained but without gold fringe for subordinate officers; the Scottish Rite is added to the list of recognized degrees; no chapter is to use more than one substitute without a dispensation from the Grand High Priest.
Changes approved in 1906 include elimination of Grand Marshal, Organist and Pursuivant; confirming suspension of Royal Arch Masons by Grand Lodge; confirming rank of companions hailing from another jurisdiction; clarifying matters for chapters under dispensation; the duties of Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary are defined more fully; payment of fees is divided between degrees; and fees of clergymen may be remitted. It is interesting to note that the office of Grand Organist was not restored until 1935.
In 1914 it was provided that Grand Chapter could meet where it wished and the elected members of the Board of General Purposes became appointive.
Chain collars of gold or gilt over purple ribbon were authorized in 1915, and the jewels of Past Grand Officers ordered worn on the left breast by Past Grand Officers.
Reprinting of the constitution was carried out in 1917. It was issued as a separate booklet and included sections giving Standing Regulations, a Digest of Decisions by W. M. Black, P.G.H.P., and Regulations for the Government of the Order of High Priesthood, all indexed.
An Archives Committee was named in 1922, which soon led to the appointment of a Grand Archivist. In the same year an annotated constitution was issued largely through the interest and effort of Companion R. V. Harris, later to become a Grand High PriThe constitution, adopted as the first item of business after the installation of the Grand Chapter officers, was published in 1870. Theopening paragraph says, "The Style and Title of the Grand Chapter shall be The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Nova Scotia"and a few features may well be noted. There was a Grand Janitor, not a Grand Tyler; there was no Grand Chaplain as Companion Brown thought them "unnecessary"; the title of Most Excellent was given to the Grand High Priest, to the Grand King, the Grand Scribe and the High Priests of the constituent chapters; all officers were elected; a sitting High Priest was eligible for the office of Grand High Priest; an applicant must be a Master Mason of six months standing; collars were tricolor, with purple, crimson and pale blue for Grand Officers and crimson for chapter officers; the sash was tricolor for Grand Officers, usual for other Companions; a High Priest must be a Past Master of a Craft lodge.
The next amended constitution was published in 1873. Exhibition of emblems for business purposes was prohibited; officers below Grand Secretary were appointed, not elected; Grand Chaplain, Grand Pursuivant, Grand Tyler were added and Grand Janitor dropped;duties of officers and Committee of General Purposes were defined and a statement made on the selection of the latter; per capita tax of 25c was adopted.
In 1874 a motion requiring that an applicant be a subscribing member of a Craft lodge was lost, and in 1878 a similar fate befell an effort to elect all Grand Chapter officers. In 1880 the special conditions in Newfoundland were recognized by the appointment of a Grand Superintendent, the name being changed later to Representative of the Grand High Priest, and carrying the rank of Hon. P.G.S. This continued until the inception of the Grand Superintendent system throughout the jurisdiction in 1921.
Another revision in 1880 permitted constituent chapters to return as "Missing" any member whose address was unknown for three years, and on these no per capita tax was levied by Grand Chapter; it also became necessary for Grand High Priest, Grand King and Grand Scribe to be High Priests of a constituent chapter.
On June 10th, 1890, another revision was presented by a committee which with slight alterations was passed clause by clause and printed in the proceedings. This edition was divided into Articles and Sections and properly numbered, and was formally approved a year later. Among the additions were: no chapter in the future would be named for a living person; every chapter must assemble at least four times a year; the Committee of General Purposes became the Board of General Purposes, with the same composition and authority.
In 1891 an attempt failed to remove the Installed Master qualification of a High Priest. The same proposal was rejected again in 1894, in 1900 and in 1909.
The Board of General Purposes in 1895 was directed to prepare a revision of the constitution. This was presented in 1896 and passed with a few changes. It then appeared in the Proceedings. The few changes included adopting a charge of one dollar for the Order of High Priesthood certificate; fees could not be refunded, remitted, or returned; a member suspended for nonpayment of dues could no longer be reinstated merely by paying his back dues; more time was given for appeals.
In 1898 the Board of General Purposes offered several recommendations which seem to have been approved. The trimming of aprons with gold lace was reserved to present and past Grand High Priests, Grand Kings and Grand Scribes; the jewels of present and past Grand Officers are to be suspended by a collar of purple not of tricolor; the tricolored sash is retained but without gold fringe for subordinate officers; the Scottish Rite is added to the list of recognized degrees; no chapter is to use more than one substitute without a dispensation from the Grand High Priest.
Changes approved in 1906 include elimination of Grand Marshal, Organist and Pursuivant; confirming suspension of Royal Arch Masons by Grand Lodge; confirming rank of companions hailing from another jurisdiction; clarifying matters for chapters under dispensation; the duties of Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary are defined more fully; payment of fees is divided between degrees; and fees of clergymen may be remitted. It is interesting to note that the office of Grand Organist was not restored until 1935.
In 1914 it was provided that Grand Chapter could meet where it wished and the elected members of the Board of General Purposes became appointive.
Chain collars of gold or gilt over purple ribbon were authorized in 1915, and the jewels of Past Grand Officers ordered worn on the left breast by Past Grand Officers.
Reprinting of the constitution was carried out in 1917. It was issued as a separate booklet and included sections giving Standing Regulations, a Digest of Decisions by W. M. Black, P.G.H.P., and Regulations for the Government of the Order of High Priesthood, all indexed.
An Archives Committee was named in 1922, which soon led to the appointment of a Grand Archivist. In the same year an annotated constitution was issued largely through the interest and effort of Companion R. V. Harris, later to become a Grand High Priest.
The year 1926 was important in that a compulsory examination for candidates was introduced and the principle of dependent membership was adopted, but a greater forward step was taken in the appointment of a Board of Ritual, thus providing for a better interpretation of the standard ritual distributed two years earlier.
The expenses of the Grand High Priest, up to $200.00, were approved in 1927. Previously all who had served in that important office had done so at their own expense, thus sometimes limiting the numbers of 'those willing or free to accept election.
In 1928 regulations governing the appointment of Grand Representatives of Foreign Jurisdictions were adopted and the duties defined.
The Constitution was re-printed and brought up to date in 1947. Further amendments were printed as an insert in 1953. Among other matters dealt with was provision for a presiding officer in the absence of the High Priest, King and Scribe. In 1953 the procedure was outlined for conferring degrees upon candidates from another Grand Chapter for a nominal fee.est.
The year 1926 was important in that a compulsory examination for candidates was introduced and the principle of dependent membership was adopted, but a greater forward step was taken in the appointment of a Board of Ritual, thus providing for a better interpretation of the standard ritual distributed two years earlier.
The expenses of the Grand High Priest, up to $200.00, were approved in 1927. Previously all who had served in that important office had done so at their own expense, thus sometimes limiting the numbers of 'those willing or free to accept election.
In 1928 regulations governing the appointment of Grand Representatives of Foreign Jurisdictions were adopted and the duties defined.
The Constitution was re-printed and brought up to date in 1947. Further amendments were printed as an insert in 1953. Among other matters dealt with was provision for a presiding officer in the absence of the High Priest, King and Scribe. In 1953 the procedure was outlined for conferring degrees upon candidates from another Grand Chapter for a nominal fee.
The next amended constitution was published in 1873. Exhibition of emblems for business purposes was prohibited; officers below Grand Secretary were appointed, not elected; Grand Chaplain, Grand Pursuant, Grand Tyler were added and Grand Janitor dropped;duties of officers and Committee of General Purposes were defined and a statement made on the selection of the latter; per capita tax of 25c was adopted.
In 1874 a motion requiring that an applicant be a subscribing member of a Craft lodge was lost, and in 1878 a similar fate befell an effort to elect all Grand Chapter officers. In 1880 the special conditions in Newfoundland were recognized by the appointment of a Grand Superintendent, the name being changed later to Representative of the Grand High Priest, and carrying the rank of Hon. P.G.S. This continued until the inception of the Grand Superintendent system throughout the jurisdiction in 1921.
Another revision in 1880 permitted constituent chapters to return as "Missing" any member whose address was unknown for three years, and on these no per capita tax was levied by Grand Chapter; it also became necessary for Grand High Priest, Grand King and Grand Scribe to be High Priests of a constituent chapter.
On June 10th, 1890, another revision was presented by a committee which with slight alterations was passed clause by clause and printed in the proceedings. This edition was divided into Articles and Sections and properly numbered, and was formally approved a year later. Among the additions were: no chapter in the future would be named for a living person; every chapter must assemble at least four times a year; the Committee of General Purposes became the Board of General Purposes, with the same composition and authority.
In 1891 an attempt failed to remove the Installed Master qualification of a High Priest. The same proposal was rejected again in 1894, in 1900 and in 1909.
The Board of General Purposes in 1895 was directed to prepare a revision of the constitution. This was presented in 1896 and passed with a few changes. It then appeared in the Proceedings. The few changes included adopting a charge of one dollar for the Order of High Priesthood certificate; fees could not be refunded, remitted, or returned; a member suspended for nonpayment of dues could no longer be reinstated merely by paying his back dues; more time was given for appeals.
In 1898 the Board of General Purposes offered several recommendations which seem to have been approved. The trimming of aprons with gold lace was reserved to present and past Grand High Priests, Grand Kings and Grand Scribes; the jewels of present and past Grand Officers are to be suspended by a collar of purple not of tricolor; the tricolored sash is retained but without gold fringe for subordinate officers; the Scottish Rite is added to the list of recognized degrees; no chapter is to use more than one substitute without a dispensation from the Grand High Priest.
Changes approved in 1906 include elimination of Grand Marshal, Organist and Pursuivant; confirming suspension of Royal Arch Masons by Grand Lodge; confirming rank of companions hailing from another jurisdiction; clarifying matters for chapters under dispensation; the duties of Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary are defined more fully; payment of fees is divided between degrees; and fees of clergymen may be remitted. It is interesting to note that the office of Grand Organist was not restored until 1935.
In 1914 it was provided that Grand Chapter could meet where it wished and the elected members of the Board of General Purposes became appointive.
Chain collars of gold or gilt over purple ribbon were authorized in 1915, and the jewels of Past Grand Officers ordered worn on the left breast by Past Grand Officers.
Reprinting of the constitution was carried out in 1917. It was issued as a separate booklet and included sections giving Standing Regulations, a Digest of Decisions by W. M. Black, P.G.H.P., and Regulations for the Government of the Order of High Priesthood, all indexed.
An Archives Committee was named in 1922, which soon led to the appointment of a Grand Archivist. In the same year an annotated constitution was issued largely through the interest and effort of Companion R. V. Harris, later to become a Grand High PriThe constitution, adopted as the first item of business after the installation of the Grand Chapter officers, was published in 1870. Theopening paragraph says, "The Style and Title of the Grand Chapter shall be The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Nova Scotia"and a few features may well be noted. There was a Grand Janitor, not a Grand Tyler; there was no Grand Chaplain as Companion Brown thought them "unnecessary"; the title of Most Excellent was given to the Grand High Priest, to the Grand King, the Grand Scribe and the High Priests of the constituent chapters; all officers were elected; a sitting High Priest was eligible for the office of Grand High Priest; an applicant must be a Master Mason of six months standing; collars were tricolor, with purple, crimson and pale blue for Grand Officers and crimson for chapter officers; the sash was tricolor for Grand Officers, usual for other Companions; a High Priest must be a Past Master of a Craft lodge.
The next amended constitution was published in 1873. Exhibition of emblems for business purposes was prohibited; officers below Grand Secretary were appointed, not elected; Grand Chaplain, Grand Pursuivant, Grand Tyler were added and Grand Janitor dropped;duties of officers and Committee of General Purposes were defined and a statement made on the selection of the latter; per capita tax of 25c was adopted.
In 1874 a motion requiring that an applicant be a subscribing member of a Craft lodge was lost, and in 1878 a similar fate befell an effort to elect all Grand Chapter officers. In 1880 the special conditions in Newfoundland were recognized by the appointment of a Grand Superintendent, the name being changed later to Representative of the Grand High Priest, and carrying the rank of Hon. P.G.S. This continued until the inception of the Grand Superintendent system throughout the jurisdiction in 1921.
Another revision in 1880 permitted constituent chapters to return as "Missing" any member whose address was unknown for three years, and on these no per capita tax was levied by Grand Chapter; it also became necessary for Grand High Priest, Grand King and Grand Scribe to be High Priests of a constituent chapter.
On June 10th, 1890, another revision was presented by a committee which with slight alterations was passed clause by clause and printed in the proceedings. This edition was divided into Articles and Sections and properly numbered, and was formally approved a year later. Among the additions were: no chapter in the future would be named for a living person; every chapter must assemble at least four times a year; the Committee of General Purposes became the Board of General Purposes, with the same composition and authority.
In 1891 an attempt failed to remove the Installed Master qualification of a High Priest. The same proposal was rejected again in 1894, in 1900 and in 1909.
The Board of General Purposes in 1895 was directed to prepare a revision of the constitution. This was presented in 1896 and passed with a few changes. It then appeared in the Proceedings. The few changes included adopting a charge of one dollar for the Order of High Priesthood certificate; fees could not be refunded, remitted, or returned; a member suspended for nonpayment of dues could no longer be reinstated merely by paying his back dues; more time was given for appeals.
In 1898 the Board of General Purposes offered several recommendations which seem to have been approved. The trimming of aprons with gold lace was reserved to present and past Grand High Priests, Grand Kings and Grand Scribes; the jewels of present and past Grand Officers are to be suspended by a collar of purple not of tricolor; the tricolored sash is retained but without gold fringe for subordinate officers; the Scottish Rite is added to the list of recognized degrees; no chapter is to use more than one substitute without a dispensation from the Grand High Priest.
Changes approved in 1906 include elimination of Grand Marshal, Organist and Pursuivant; confirming suspension of Royal Arch Masons by Grand Lodge; confirming rank of companions hailing from another jurisdiction; clarifying matters for chapters under dispensation; the duties of Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary are defined more fully; payment of fees is divided between degrees; and fees of clergymen may be remitted. It is interesting to note that the office of Grand Organist was not restored until 1935.
In 1914 it was provided that Grand Chapter could meet where it wished and the elected members of the Board of General Purposes became appointive.
Chain collars of gold or gilt over purple ribbon were authorized in 1915, and the jewels of Past Grand Officers ordered worn on the left breast by Past Grand Officers.
Reprinting of the constitution was carried out in 1917. It was issued as a separate booklet and included sections giving Standing Regulations, a Digest of Decisions by W. M. Black, P.G.H.P., and Regulations for the Government of the Order of High Priesthood, all indexed.
An Archives Committee was named in 1922, which soon led to the appointment of a Grand Archivist. In the same year an annotated constitution was issued largely through the interest and effort of Companion R. V. Harris, later to become a Grand High Priest.
The year 1926 was important in that a compulsory examination for candidates was introduced and the principle of dependent membership was adopted, but a greater forward step was taken in the appointment of a Board of Ritual, thus providing for a better interpretation of the standard ritual distributed two years earlier.
The expenses of the Grand High Priest, up to $200.00, were approved in 1927. Previously all who had served in that important office had done so at their own expense, thus sometimes limiting the numbers of 'those willing or free to accept election.
In 1928 regulations governing the appointment of Grand Representatives of Foreign Jurisdictions were adopted and the duties defined.
The Constitution was re-printed and brought up to date in 1947. Further amendments were printed as an insert in 1953. Among other matters dealt with was provision for a presiding officer in the absence of the High Priest, King and Scribe. In 1953 the procedure was outlined for conferring degrees upon candidates from another Grand Chapter for a nominal fee.est.
The year 1926 was important in that a compulsory examination for candidates was introduced and the principle of dependent membership was adopted, but a greater forward step was taken in the appointment of a Board of Ritual, thus providing for a better interpretation of the standard ritual distributed two years earlier.
The expenses of the Grand High Priest, up to $200.00, were approved in 1927. Previously all who had served in that important office had done so at their own expense, thus sometimes limiting the numbers of 'those willing or free to accept election.
In 1928 regulations governing the appointment of Grand Representatives of Foreign Jurisdictions were adopted and the duties defined.
The Constitution was re-printed and brought up to date in 1947. Further amendments were printed as an insert in 1953. Among other matters dealt with was provision for a presiding officer in the absence of the High Priest, King and Scribe. In 1953 the procedure was outlined for conferring degrees upon candidates from another Grand Chapter for a nominal fee.