thought expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree leaving their particular opinions to themselves." To the Christian, the Volume of the Sacred Law is the Holy Bible, and upon it he should be obligated. The Christian religion is the prevailing religion of our Lodges and, therefore, the Holy Bible, as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is and must always be part of the furniture of each Lodge. Its sanctity, however, does not appeal to the Islamite, and the ceremony of initiation would lose much to him in binding effect if his obligation should be taken thereon. While the Holy Bible should not be removed from the Lodge, the conscientious Islamite who so desires may be permitted to take his obligation upon the Koran; the Hindu, otherwise qualified and accepted, may be permitted to have the Vedas spread open before him; and the rite of initiation may be so far adapted to the conscience and religious belief of a candidate as to permit his taking the obligation in a manner and form regarded by him as sacred and binding, and upon that work which to him is the Volume of the Sacred Law, providing always that such Volume of the Sacred Law teach Monotheism. Such are the views of your Grand Master upon this serious and important matter. I regard it as such a momentous question, however, that I prefer to take the judgment and advice of this Grand Lodge thereon and, therefore, raise a special committee consisting of Most Worshipful Edwin B. Holmes, Senior Past Grand Master, Right Worshipful Roscoe Pound, LL.D., Deputy Grand Master and Professor of Jurisprudence in the Harvard University Law School, Right Worshipful Leon M. Abbott, Past Senior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful and Rev. Frederick W. Hamilton, D.D., LL.D., Grand Secretary and Past Deputy Grand Master, and Worshipful and Rev. R. Perry Bush, D.D., Grand Chaplain, to take under consideration the fourth and fifth questions above presented, and to report to Grand Lodge for such action thereon as may seem advisable. Definite and final determination of these questions should now be recorded and promulgated for future guidance. Meanwhile, having resolved at least the first three and essential questions in favor of the petitioners, in July last, I issued the dispensation prayed for to the following breth ren: GEORGE A. DERBY, P.D.D.G.M. Sinim Lodge, Shanghai. JOHN R. HYKES, P.D.D.G.M., Ancient Landmark Lodge, Shanghai. WILLIAM S. STRONG, Coronation Lodge, Tientsin. CHOW TSZ-CHI, Federal Lodge No. 1, Washington, D.C. C. J. SHINN, St. John's No. 618, Hongkong, S.C. Federal Lodge No. 1, Washington, D.C. P.M., No. 1951, English Constitution. E. C. CLARKE, Coronation No. 2931, E.C. MONUMENT TO JEREMY GRIDLEY. Rt. Wor. William M. Blecher moved: That the M.W. Grand Master and the Board of Directors be, and they hereby are authorized to erect a suitable monument over the grave of M.W. Jeremy Gridley if in their judgment such action should appear expedient. The motion was adopted. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CHARTERS AND BY-LAWS. The Committee on Charters and By-Laws submitted the following report: IN GRAND LODGE, BOSTON, September 8, 1915. To the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Wardens, and Members of the Grand Lodge: The Committee on Charters and By-laws have examined the amendments submitted by the following named Lodges and have approved the same without change: June 10. July 14. July 14. and with changes: WARREN, of Amesbury.-Full Code. SHANGHAI, of Shanghai, China.-Full Code. Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL HAUSER, ROSCOE E. LEARNED, CHARLES A. HATFIELD, Committee. No further business appearing, the Grand Lodge was closed in AMPLE FORM at 3 o'clock P.M., prayer being offered by Rev. and R.W. Frederick W. Hamilton. A true abstract of the Record. Attest: FREDERICK W. HAMILTON, Grand Secretary. A SPECIAL COMMUNICATION AT WOLLASTON. OCTOBER 19, A.L. 5915. DEDICATION OF MASONIC APARTMENTS. SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS was held at Wollaston, in the City of Quincy, on Tuesday, the nineteenth day of October, A.L. 5915, A.D. 1915, for the purpose of dedicating the new Masonic Apartments of Wollaston Lodge. |