Footnotes

[1] They will be found in Oliver’s edition of Preston, p. 71, note, (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 58), or in the American edition by Richards, Appendix i., note 5.

[2] Found in Ol.  Preston, n. 3 (p. 162.  U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 134).

[3] In all references to, or citations from, Anderson’s Constitutions, I have used, unless otherwise stated, the first edition printed at London in 1723—­a fac simile of which has recently been published by Bro.  John W. Leonard, of New York.  I have, however, in my possession the subsequent editions of 1738, 1755, and 1767, and have sometimes collated them together.

[4] The Gothic Constitutions are that code of laws which was adopted by the General Assembly at York, in the year 926.  They are no longer extant, but portions of them have been preserved by Anderson, Preston, and other writers.

[5] Preston, book iv., sec, 2., p. 132, n. (U.M.L.,vol. iii., p. 109).

[6] General Regulations, art. xxxix.

[7] Chancellor Walworth, in his profound argument on the New York difficulties, asserted that this fact “does not distinctly appear, although it is, pretty evident that all voted.”—­p. 33.  The language of Anderson does not, however, admit of a shadow of a doubt.  “The Brethren,” he says, “by a majority of hands, elected,” &c.

[8] Opinion of Chancellor Walworth upon the questions connected with the late masonic difficulties in the State of New York, p. 37.  There is much historical learning displayed in this little pamphlet.

[9] Preston, p. 131, n., Oliver’s Edit. (U.M.L., vol. iii.,p. 109).

[10] Of the thirty-six Grand Masters who have presided over the craft in England since the revival of Masonry in 1717, thirty have been noblemen, and three princes of the reigning family.

[11] Article xxxiv.

[12] His most important prerogatives are inherent or derived from ancient usage.

[13] Proceedings G.L.  Maryland, 1849, p. 25.

[14] Art. xxxix.

[15] The word “time” has been interpreted to mean communication.

[16] And this is not because such past officer has an inherent right to the mastership, but because as long as such an one is present and willing to serve, there does not exist such an emergency as would authorize a dispensation of the law.

[17] What further concerns a lodge under dispensation is referred to a special chapter in a subsequent part of the work.

[18] It is well known, although it cannot be quoted as authority, that the Athol Constitutions expressly acknowledged the existence of this prerogative.  See Dermott’s Ahiman Rezon.

[19] Book of Constitutions, edit. 1767, p. 222.

[20] Book of Const., p. 233.

[21] Book of Const., p. 313.

[22] Book of Constitutions, p. 319.

[23] Preston, p. 237, ed. 1802, (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 223).