constitution of the amorc new york 1917

7/30/2019 Constitution of the AMORC New York 1917

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CONSTITUTIONOF THEA-.-M-.-O-.-R-.-C/

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CONSTITUTIONOFAyMvOyRyCv


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DEC 24 1917


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Copyright, 1917, byDepartment of PublicationSupreme Grand LodgeAYMVOYRYC V

of North America

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SUroro of StttttattonT it UttOttUt by this personal Memorandum that

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with the Divine privilege of our God, and at theinvitation ofwas duly Initiated into the

3Urst i*gn* nf% A mM \ '( \ *&V0I \ *Crossed the Threshold of the

Lodge,in

on the evening of ...in the year

And, by virtue of a decree by the Master of theLodge, I was duly Initiated into the9*rand Itegr*? of Lodgeinand into theSH|tri> Urgrrr of

on

Lodge


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Hemhtfrsfjip lUrorfc

This is to recall the pleasant occurrence of myInitiation into the

3Fourtt| i?grerof our Order, at which time I received the OfficialCertificate of Membership sealed and signed bythe Officers whose names are given below:Date of 4th Degree InitiationName of LodgeLocationMaster's NameSecretary's NameChaplain's Name

Names of some Brothers and Sisters present


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MtmbtTB^ip j&ttatb(BantitvaeitInitiated into the Fifth DegreeLodgeLocationInitiated into the Sixth DegreeLodgeLocationInitiated into the Seventh DegreeLodgeLocationInitiated into the Eighth DegreeLodgeLocationInitiated into the Ninth DegreeLodgeLocationInitiated into the Tenth DegreeLodgeLocationInitiated into the Eleventh DegreeLodgeLocationInitiated into the Twelfth DegreeLodgeLocation

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Eninnnii

3n Utettttg Sulij AssembleWe, the undersigned Men and Women, of New York City,were formally constituted members of the

SUPREME AMERICAN COUNCILof the

ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ORDERof the

JR00? dr000in accordance with the Ancient Rites and Cere-monies, under the direction and approval of the

MOST WORSHIPFULGRAND MASTER GENERAL OF AMERICA

TTrtytttfaV? ll tt tutDttm tljat: we hereby pro-^^ claim the establishment of theHostmtrian GDrfor in Ammraand recognize such Officers of its Grand Lodge asare hereunto subscribed as being duly appointed, inconformity with the FIRST AMERICAN MANI-FESTO.

gunci

Signed this 1st day of April, in the year 1915.H. SPENCER LEWIS,Grand Master General.

NICHOLAS STORMS,Deputy Master General.THOR KIIMALEHTO

Sceretary General

THE FIRST AMERICAN CHARTER(Signed by nineteen men and women)


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RVCV SYMBOLISMTHE SYMBOLS AND SEALS SHOWN BELOWARE THE ONLY TRUE EMBLEMS OF THISORDER, AND DISTINGUISH THIS ORDERFROM ALL OTHERS

GENERAL SYMBOLOF THE ORDER INTHE WORLD tARK OF THEDEPARTMENTOFPUBLICATIONC23

THE GREAT SEAL OF THE ORDERIN AMERICA

)J.THE SEAL OF THEFOUNDERV

HE SEAL OF THESUPREME GRANDSECRETARY

EMBLEM WORN BY THEMEMBERS THE ROSAE CRUCIS

GREAT SEAL OF THESUPREMEGRAND MASTERSACRED INSIGNIA OFTHE IMPERATOR


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3Firat Antmratt PrnnuttziantPtttnIssued by the Charter Members of the Supreme Grand

Lodge as Founders of the Order in America.The Ancient and Mystical Order Ilosae Crucis in the

United States of America its Territories and Dependencies,shall be an independent organization operating under itsown Constitution.

Its purposes shall be the same as those of the "OrderIlosae Crucis" throughout the world, and its Constitutionshall be identical in spirit with that wThich guides and di-rects this Order in other lands. The Order in America,shall, however, retain its fraternal and spiritual relationwith this Order in other countries, regardless of its inde-pendent jurisdiction and shall maintain its adherence tothe traditional principles and laws of the ancient Rosae-crucians.

Since both the ancient and modern form of governmentof the Order is autocratic in nature, the government of theOrder in America shall adopt strictly autocratic principlesof government, but because of the necessary division ofAmerica into many jurisdictions operating under one Ameri-can Constitution, the said Constitution shall embody suchchanges or modifications as will properly meet the require-ments of this jurisdiction.

Therefore it is declared that the attached Constitution ofwhich this Pronunziamento is a part was prepared afterconsultation of all possible authorities and with proper dis-cussion by all the Founders of the Order in America, andwas finally approved and adopted by the Charter Membersof the Supreme Grand Lodge in America and shall beadopted and ratified by all Lodges now organized or here-after to be organized and Chartered by the Supreme GrandLodge or the Imperator of the Order in America.

&*>Decreed and Issued June, 1915, at a meeting of the First

American Supreme Council held in the City of New York,X. Y.


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>upr?m? lExrruttup ($ffu?ranf tit? GProrr

for Nnrtli Amrrtra

HARVE SPENCER LEWIS, F. R. C,Imperator

CONRAD H. LINDSTEDT, K. R. C,Supreme Grand Master

ALBERT B. BRASSARD, K. R. C,Supreme Grand Secretary

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LOUIS LAWRENCE, K. R. C,Supreme Grand Treasurer t

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W / G V M V THOR KIIMALEHTO, K. R. C,Illustrious Sovereign Inspector-Generalof the Ancient Sovereign Chapters ofthe Illuminati Amenhotpii

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Arttrir urOFFICIAL NAMES ANDSYMBOLS.

Section 1The name of the Order inAmerica shall be : "The An-

cient and Mystical OrderItosae Cruris." In abbreviat-ed form the name shall be"A.M.O.R.C. of North Amer-ica."

Section 1aThe members shall be knownas "Brothers" and "Sisters"

or by such honorary or ritual-istic titles as may be con-ferred upon them or herein-after described, or as "Rosae-crucians." And the doctrines,philosophies and teachingsshall be known as "Rosaecru-cianism."

Section 2The Official Symbols shallbe the same as those used byLodges of this identical Order

in other lands and in accord-ance with the dictates of theAmerican Supreme Council.Each Lodge in the AmericanJurisdictions shall adopt asymbol or seal incorporatingthe essential features of thenational symbols adopted bythe Order in this Country. Allsuch seals or symbols shall bedistinctly different in some es-

sential so as to make separateregistration possible with theSupreme Grand Lodge.(The Official Symbol ofthe Order in its exotericform in America, as adoptedby the Supreme GrandLodge, consists of an equi-

lateral triangle with itspoint downward. In thecentre of this triangle shallbe a cross formed of oneperpendicular line risingfrom the lower point andrising to the horizontal lineof the top of the triangle,and meeting it to form rightangles therewith. This up-right line shall be crossed,about two-thirds above thepoint of the triangle with ahorizontal line touching thetwo sides of the triangle.)NOTE.The names andsymbols thus adopted andgiven in the above para-graphs were absolutely new

in America at the time theywere adopted by the Ameri-can Supreme Council andwere not in use by any simi-lar or other organizationgroup or Lodge in America,and were not a simulationof any other secret ordersymbols.


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Arttrl* Stm*THE GOVERNMENT OF THEORDER

Section 1The Government of the Or-der in North America shall

rest with, and be exclusivelyin the hands of, the Imperator.He shall be the highest au-thority, the autocratic execu-tive and the- court of last ap-peal in all matters pertainingto the work of the Order,both spiritual and material. Athis discretion he may desig-nate certain powers to his ad-visory Council known as theAmerican Supreme Council, orto various officers as herein-after stated ; or he may leaveto their consideration, vote ordecision such questions, rul-ings or laws as he may deemproper, and which may bemore efficiently expedited inthis manner

Section 2The said American SupremeCouncil shall constitute anominal executive board forthe administration of theOrder in America, and eachLodge shall have similar Coun-

cils for the purpose of fulfill-ing the laws and decrees of theImperator, the Supreme GrandMaster or the American Su-preme Council subject alwaysto the autocratic rulings ofthe Imperator.Section 3

This Constitution shall con-stitute the working laws ofthe Order in America bywhich the Imperator, the Su-preme Grand Officers, allGrand Masters, Masters andCouncils shall be guided. Allofficial Decrees, rulings, laws,

proclamations and announce-ments conforming to the saidConstitution shall be issued inthe form of Pronunziamentosby the Imperator, the SupremeGrand Master, the AmericanSupreme Council, Grand Mas-ters, or Masters in autocraticform and shall be obeyed byall members of this Order.

Attitlt E^tttFORM OF ORGANIZATION.

Section 1In order that the dictates

of the American SupremeCouncli and the purposes ofthe Order itself may be moreefficiently executed in theNorth American Jurisdiction,the said North American Ju-risdiction, consisting of theNorth American Continent andall territories, dependenciesand colonies or possessions be-longing to or under the direc-tion of every other country ornation on the North AmericanContinent, including the WestIndia Islands, shall be sub-divided into Grand LodgeJurisdiction as follows : ItaehState, Territory or Depen-dency of the United States ofAmerica shall be made aGrand Lodge Jurisdiction :each and every other country,dependency or possession in-cluded in the North AmericanJurisdiction as heretofore de-scribed, shall be made a sep-arate Jurisdiction in like man-ner by decision of the Ameri-can Supreme Council.

Section 2The North American Juris-

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diction shall consist, therefore,of fifty (50) or more GrandJurisdictions having definitegeographical boundaries andunited only in submission tothis Constitution and the gov-ernment of the Order for theNorth American Jurisdiction.

Section 3Lodges shall be established

in these Jurisdictions as here-inafter provided under the fol-lowing general classificationand w;th the following- formof regulation:(a) A Supreme Grand Lodge

shall be composed of tin 1Supreme Grand Master,the Supreme Grand Offi-cers, the American Su-preme Council and an un-limited number of Broth-ers and Sisters. It shallhe the Supreme SpiritualBody for the North Amer-ican Jurisdiction. It maybe located in any city ofand Jurisdiction* of thisOrder.

(l) Grand Lodges shall befounded and maintainedin every Grand Jurisdic-tion of this Order inNorth America to thenumber of one GrandLodge for each GrandJurisdiction. They shallbe granted Charters underthis Constitution by theImperator in the name ofthe Grand Master of eachGrand Lodge. Such GrandLodges shall be subser-vient to the Imoerator.the American SupremeCouncil and this Constitu-tion.

(c) Subordinate Lodges shallbe founded and main-tained in every GrandJurisdiction of this Orderin North America to an

indefinite number ofLodges for each Grand.Jurisdiction. They shallbe granted Charters bythe Grand Lodges of theirrespective Jurisdictions is-sued by the Grand Mas-ters of said Grand Lodgeswith the approval of theGrand Councils of saidGrand Lodges. Such Su-bordinate Lodges shall besubservient , to this Con-stitution, their respectiveGrand Lodges and indi-rectly to the Imperatorand the American Su-preme Council.

Artirte 3fattrNATIONAL EXECUTIVEOFFICERS

Section 1THE IMPERATOR : Heshall be the Supreme Auto-cratic Executive of the Orderin North America. His dutiesand powers shall includethose defined throughout thisConstitution and in anyamendments thereto. He shallbe subservient to the SupremeR. C. Council of the Worldconsisting of a duly electedbodv of Imperators or GrandMasters General of the variousJurisdictions of this Order asnow established or which maybe established in the variouscountries of the world.The present Imperator.Harvc Spencer Lewis, holdsthis exhalted office by virtueof his election by the SupremeGrand Lodge of North Americaand which election is ratifiedby the ratifi cation and adop-

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tiou of this Constitution by allLodges now existing in NorthAmerica.Furthermore, the presentImperator, Harve SpencerLewis, was granted the distinc-

tion and burdened with the re-sponsibility of being the FirstAmerican 11. C. Imperator be-cause of his Initiation into theOrder in foreign lands for thepurpose of bringing the Orderto America, and because of thehonors bestowed upon him bythe Grand Master of our Orderin Fiance, which honors, in-cluding those of : Prelate ofthe Order in France, Fellow ofthe Rosaecrucian Illuminati ofFrance, and Supreme Digni-tary of the Order for America,are granted and set forth in aFrench Pronunziamento num-bered "li. F., II. C, No. 987,-432 and sighed by the GrandMaster and the Officers whoconducted his initiation intothe sublime mysteries andteachings of our twelve de-grees, and which documentand its declarations of spon-sorship have been amended andverified by communications tothis Order in America ad-dressed to the various officersof American Supreme Council.

The present Imperator ofthe Order in North Americashall hold this position andoffice until his transition tothe higher realms, or until hisresignation is officially accept-ed by the American SupremeCouncil, or until he is excom-municated or retired by anyrecognized and active SupremeR. C. Council of the World.

His successor, and all futureTmperators of the Order inNorth America, shall be electedby a two-thirds vote of allthe Grand Lodge Masters inNorth America and the mem-

bers of the American SupremeCouncil of North America, dulyassembled in a National Con-vocation, called especially forsuch purpose within sevendays after the vacancy of theOnice. Such successors mustbe elected within thirty daysafter the vacancy of the Im-perator's office and position,from among* those Brothers' ofthe Order who are in thehighest degree of the Order inNorth America. The term ofOffice of each Imperator suc-ceeding the present Imperatorshall be the same as applies tothe present Imperator, and hisduties and powers shall be thesame.

Section 2The Supreme Grand Master :He shall be the Master of theSupreme Grand Lodge and assuch shall be the Chief Execu-

tive of the Material and Spir-itual work of the SupremeGrand Lodge, including theRitualistic work of said Lodge,and shall preside over theAmerican Supreme Council inall its meetings.He may also be the Imper-ator of the Order in NorthAmerica holding both offices atthe same time. But when notImperator he shall be subser-vient to the Imperator in allmatters pertaining to the Ex-ecutive work of the SupremeGrand Lodge.He shall be elected to hisOffice by a majority vote ofthe Supreme Grand Council,for a term of not less than twoyear-;, and not more than tenvears. Uoon retiring he shallbe dignified by the title of"Past Supreme Grand Master.*'

Section 3Supreme Grand Secretary-General; He shall be in

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charge of all national recordsof the Order, shall conduct orsupervise all correspondencebetween the Supreme GrandLodge, American SupremeCouncil, the Grand and LocalLodges and their Officers, andthose having official businesswith the national organizationwork or with the SupremeGrand Lodge.He shall likewise fill the du-ties of Secretary in the Rit-ualistic work of the SupremeGrand Lodge, and shall be cus-todian* f the National seal andof the seal of the SupremeGrand Lodge.He sliall be elected to Officeby the Supreme Grand Councilby a two-thirds vote for aterm of one year, and may besuccessively re-elected for fouradditional years. When hisduties so Avarrant he mayhave one or more assistants atthe discretion of the AmericanSupreme Council. Upon hishonorable retirement he shallbe known as "Past SupremeGrand Secretary-General."

Section 4Supreme Grand Treasurer-General: He shall have charge

of the national finances andall moneys received by the Su-preme Grand Lodge, AmericanSupreme Council or its Offi-cers, from all sources in con-nection with official work. Heshall keep correct records, andif it is found necessary, shallhave assistance in auditing therecords or maintaining a fundin legal manner. He shall alsofill the duties of Treasurer inthe Supreme Grand Lodge.He shall be elected in likemanner as the Supreme GrandSecretary-General, and for asimilar term. Upon his hon-orable retirement he shallhave the honorary title of

Past Supreme Grand Treas-urer-General."

Arttrlr W\x&Section 1

THE AMERICAN SUPREMECOUNCIL.This body shall consist of the

Officers of the Supreme GrandLodge, and such additionalBrothers and Sisters of the Or-der, in any Lodge, as may beselected by the Imperator orthe Supreme Grand Master tomake a total of twenty-fiveSupreme Grand Councilors.

Section 2These shall be appointed for

a term of one year, and maybe re-appointed for successiveadditional years. They shallbe subject to all laws of thisConstitution as are the Officersand the Brothers and Sistersof the Order.

Section 3This Council shall exist asan advisory board to the Im-perator and the SupremeGrand Master. It shall as-semble under the direction ofthe Supreme Grand Master. It

shall decide or vote upon suchquestions as are submitted toit by the Supreme Grand Mas-ter or Imperator. It shall con-sider ways and means of pro-pagating the Order and itswork and make recommenda-tions in the form of resolu-tions to the Supreme GrandMaster or the Imperator.

Section 4It shall pass upon the appli-cations for new Grand Lodges,

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and make recommendations inregard thereto to the Imper-ator. It shall sign all Laws itmav pass with tae approval ordesire of the Supreme GrandMaster or imperator,. and shalladopt, approve and sign allsuch Manifestoes, Decrees orPronunziamentcs as shall beissued by the American Su-preme Council and which re-quire the signatures of theCouncilors and the Seal of theAmerican Supreme Council.

Section 5It may have within its bodyan executive committee known

as the Ministraro, the Minis-ters of which shall be selectedby the Imperator. The Min-istraro shall work nnder suchlaws and rules of efficiency* asit may adopt.

Section 6The American SupremeCouncil shall adopt and estab-

lish such "Rules of Procedure*'as may be necessary to con-duct properly its affairs andexpedite the matters whichmay come before it.

Artirk &xxMEMBERSHIP.

Section 1Membership to the Order

shall be strictly limited to menand women, 21 years of age orover, who are of good moralhabits, who meet the necessaryrequirements as to characterand occupation, who openlyprofess and declare their be-lief in God, wTho submit to in-vestigation after invitation to

join the Order, and who areeventually duly elected to theOrder and pass through its In-itiation in sincerity and hu-mility.Amendment 1. Special dis-pensation may be granted,however, by the Grand Mas-ters of each State or district,or by the Imperator, for theadmission of an applicant ofeither sex over 18 years ofage and under 21 years, whoseapplication has been duly ex-amined and approved by thepresiding membership commit-tee of any subordinate or(rand Lodge in their Jurisdic-tion. Such members shall nothold, however; any office untilof legal age.

Section 2Each Lodge shall adopt itsown rules as to procedure forinvestigating applicants, and

for their election into the Or-der for Initiation, Such rulesshall be established and main-tained by the Council of eachLodge, which shall appoint aMembership Committee and in-struct it to pass upon and rec-ommend applicants.

Section 3The "Colombe" of eachLodge shall be the only ex-ception to the rules of age foradmission.

Section 4A complete Lodge shall con^sist of not more than 144 ac-

tive members and 14 Officers,making a total of 158 activemembers.Section 5

Members may become non-active by non-attendance tothe regular convocations andlectures or degree work, andby not paying dues regularly.

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In such case they shall re-main non-active until re-ad-mitted to such degree, in anyLodge, as they last attendedand until they pay regulardues and attend all workagain, provided there is a va-cancy in the Lodge to whichthey apply for admission.Section 6Members may be transferredto other Lodges upon the writ-ten recommendation of their

Master* and provided there isa vacancy in the active mem-bership list of the Lodge towhich they desire to be trans-ferred. Such transferred mem-bers shall take precedence overall applicants in being ad-mitted. Section 7

All members shall be classedas either active or non-active,and in either class must be ofgood report and record, other-wise they can not remain asmembers.Section 8

Each Grand Lodge shallhave a Council consisting of14 officers and 11 other mem-bers appointed bv the Master,to serve one year, and may bereappointed. Each Subordi-nate Lodge shall have a Coun-cil consisting only of the ac-tive officers. Such Councilorsshall be selected by the Mas-ters of the Lodges.

Arttrlr 1$?\xmLODGE OFFICERS

Section 1Every Lodge of this Ordershall have the customary 14

Officers as outlined in the"Secret Mandamuses."Section 2

The Officers of each Lodgeshall consist of Master, Depu-ty Master, Secretary, Treas-urer, and ten other RitualisticOfficers. The Deputy and theten Ritualistic Officers of eachLodge shall be appointed or- re-appointed by the Master at theAnnual Election. (All theforegoing Officers, except "Matre" and "Colombe" may befilled by either Brothers orSisters of the Order.)

Section 3The Master, Secretary andTreasurer of all Lodges shallbe elected, in the case of aLodge, at the expiration of

their terms, or whenever artofficial vacancy occurs. In thecase of a Master, he shall bere-elected or another electedat the expiration of such termas is decreed in his Charter.No Master may be elected andinstalled in any Lodge with-out the approval of thatLodge's superior Council.

Section 4Officers for new Lodges maybe elected by the FoundationCommittee. In such case the

election must be approved bythe new Lodge's superiorCouncil.

Section 5Officers in the SupremeGrand Lodge shall be titledwith the words "SupremeGrand" preceding their office

title. In Grand Lodges by theword "Grand," and in Subor-dinate Lodges by the word"Worthy."Section 6

The duties of Masters, Depti-

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ties, Secretaries and Treas-urers in each Lodge, shall be,aside from Ritualistic work,those which usually pertain tothe Offices of Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Secretaries, andTreasurers in other organiza-tions.

Section 7Ritualistic Officers for eachLodge, including the SupremeGrand Lodge, shall be appoint-ed by the Master of the Lodge.

Each officer shall be appointedfor a term of one year fromthe date of such appointmentexcept in the case of an ap-pointment to fill a vacancy,when the term shall be for theunexpired part of the term ofthe Office vacant. All Officersmay be reappointed for suc-cessive terms.

Section 8The titles, conditions of ap-pointment, duties, etc., of all

Ritualistic Officers shall be asdefined in the ""Secret Man-damuses" of the Order as ob-tain in all Lodges of thisOrder.Section 9

All Ritualistic Officers, in-cluding the Deputy Master,Secretary and Treasurer, shallsign an Official "Officer'sOath" in the presence of theMaster pledging their allegi-ance to the Order and theImperator.

Section 10The Treasurer of each op-erating Lodge shall be bonded

in an amount specified by theCouncil of each Lodge and theBond is to , be made payableto the Supreme Grand Lodge.

AttitU EtglftCONVOCATIONS

Section 1The regular Ritualistic Con-vocations of the Order shall beheld by each Lodge at leasttwice a month, in some Tem-

ple especially arranged oradapted to the Ritualisticwork and having the Officialequipment.Section 2Such Convocations shall beconducted by the Master and

Officers in accordance with the"Secret Mandamuses" and thedictates of the American Su-preme Council as issued by theImperator of the Order inNorth America.Section 3The "work" in the Lodges,consisting of lectures, teach-

ings"; ceremonies, initiations,examinations, tests, experi-ments, etc., shall likewise bein accordance with the "SecretMandamuses" or as modified orimproved by the decrees of theAmerican Supreme Council andissued by the Imperator of theOrder in North America.Special Meetings, Assentbites, or Convocations of a Na-tional nature may be called bythe Imperator and the Masterof each Lodge may call similarmeetings of a local nature atany time with due notice to allmembers of his Lodge.

Arttt1*> NittrANNUAL BUSINESSMEETING.

Section 1The Annual Business Meet-

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ing of tlie Supreme GrandLodge shall be held on thefirst Thursday of March ofeach year, in the Temple ofthe Supreme Grand Lodge. Itshall be presided over by theSupreme Grand Master and hemay summon to this meetingsuch officers or members of theOrder in North America or in-vite others from the Order inother Countries, as he mayfind advisable, necessary orfitting.

* Section 2The Annual Business Meet-ings of all grand and subordi-nate Lodges shall be held onor about the date of the An-nual Business Meeting of theSupreme Grand Lodge, prefer-ably prior thereto, in orderthat its report may be sent tothe Annual Business Meetingof the Supreme Grand Lodge.Such meetings shall be pre-sided over by the Master ofthe Lodge, who shall have the

privilege of inviting oth(-.\sfrom other Lodges to attend.

Artirl* S*uANNUAL ELECTIONS.

Section 1An annual election day shallbe established by each Lodgein accordance with the dateof the election and appoint-ment of its first Officers. Suchannual election shall be heldby the Council of each Lodge.Nominations shall be offeredon the same evening as elec-tion, and the installation ofnow Officers may be held thesame evening as the election,or at a special meeting of the

entire Lodge on another night,or just preceding the Convoca-tion at the next regular Con-vocation of the Lodge or anydegree thereof.

Section 2The Deputy Master and Rit-

ualistic Officers shall be ap-pointed by the Master at suchelection.

Section 3The Council of each Lodge

shall embody in its B -Laws,rules and regulations regard-ing the nomination, electionand installation of new Offi-cers, consistent with this Con-stitution.

Arttrlr Ebn^nANNUAL CELEBRATIONDAYS.

Section 1There shall be held two Spe-

cial Assemblies each year inNorth America. One shall bethe New Year Feast and theother shall be the OutdoorFete. These shall be held byall Lodges.

Section 2The New Year Feast will oc-cur about the 21st of each

March the exact date beingproclaimed by a Pronunzia-mento issued by the Imperatorevery February. It is to cele-brate the New RosaecrucianYear which begins on the min-ute when the sign "Aries"rises on the horizon on thatday in March when the "Sun"just enters the sign of "Aries."(The year 1016 A. D. corre-sponds to the Rosaecrucian

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year of 3269, which begins onMarch 21, 1916, at 1 :06 A. M.Eastern Time.) Such NewYear Celebrations shall beheld in the Temples of theLodges and attended by theCouncil, Officers and membersof the Lodge and by such es-pecially invited guests as arevisiting members of the Orderand whose presence the Mas-ter desires for reasons goodand sufficient unto himself.There shall be a symbolicalfeast consisting principally ofcorn, or its products, salt, orthat which tastes moststrongly of it, and wine, inthe form of unfermented grapejuice, and any other delicaciesor refreshments suitable to theoccasion. All Officers shallwear their full regalia and allothers their aprons or other in-signia. There shall be onlysacred music, symbolical ad-dresses and sincere rejoicingfor the New Year.

Section 3At this New Year Feast ithas been customary for theMaster to bestow such honor-ary titles on his members ashe mav contemplate, to makenew appointments to fill vacan-cies, etc. Section 4

All other regular or specialConvocations or meetings ofeach Lodge are to be post-poned in order that the NewYea^ Feast may be held onthe day decreed by the Imper-ator. Section 5The Annual Outdoor Fetemay be held by the discretionof the Master of each Lodge,on or about the 23rd day ofSeptember of each year, theoxact day being decreed by theTmperator. It shall be thatday when the Sun enters thesign of Libra.

Section 6This Annual Outdoor Feteshould be held by each Lodgeindependently, to celebratethe laying of the foundationstones of the Great Pyramid

in America. Each Lodge shallarrange to go on this day (orthe following one, should itrain or be stormy) to an openspace in the suburbs of suchLodge, and with prayer andaddresses, have each memberof the Lodge deposit in onesmall pile a simple little stoneor pebble, symbolical of "plac-ing a stone for the foundationof the Great Pyramid inAmerica." Full regalia andinsignia must be worn by allofficers and members. Se-crecy of the. Fete need not bemaintained, but the public orthe unitiated must not begiven, in the prayers or ad-dresses, any of the secret"work," signs or symbols ofthe Order. Such a Fete maybe held at sundown if desired.

THE ESTABLISHMENTLODGES. OFSection 1

Lodges may be establishedin any city, town, or localityof North America under thefollowing conditions :GRAND LODGES.

Section 2These may be formed by 48(forty-eight) sincere seekersfor light and truth submitting

to the Supreme Grand Lodgethrough the Supreme Secre-tary General, signed officialapplication blanks with the re-

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quest that the 48 applicants,desiring to organize or found aGrand Lodge, be granted aCharter.Section 3

Such Grand Lodges may befounded in any jurisdiction ofNorth America, having noGrand Lodge at the time theapplications are submitted, orwhere an existing GrandLodge is about to disband, dis-solve or be withdrawn : provided such proposed GrandLodge 4 to be located in oneof the principal cities of an es-tablished jurisdiction.Section 4

SUBORDINATE LODGES.It shall require 36 (thirty-

six) signed Official Applica-tion Blanks accompanied by arequest to form a SubordinateLodge. Such request is to bedirected to the Secretary ofthe Grand Lodge of the Juris-diction in which such proposedSubordinate Lodge is to be sit-uated.

Section 5Those desiring to organize orfound Lodges in their cities ortowns may secure permissionand instruction from the Su-preme Grand Secretary-Gen-

eral at the Supreme GrandLodge in New York City, bymail or in person, after sub-mitting to such investigationas the Supreme Grand Secre-tary-General and the Imper-ator desire. When permissionis granted, the person towhom it is granted is to formin his or her city or town aFoundation Committee of 5(five) men and women, with aFoundation President, Founda-tion Secretary and FoundationTreasurer included in theCommittee.

Section 6The said Foundation Com-mittee shall then submit theirnames and references to theSupreme Grand Secretary-General who may, at the dis-cretion of the Imperator,issue to such Committee com-plete "Instructions for Organ-izing a Lodge." Such Com-mittee shall have authority toorganize under the direction ofthe Lodge in charge of theJurisdiction in which the pro-posed Lodge is situated.Section 7

Charter will be granted tosuch member of the Founda-tion Committee (after either36 or 38 applications are se-cured as indicated in Section2 or 4 of this Article) as mayseem proper and fitted for theOffice of Master of said pro-posed Lodge.

Section 8Charters for Subordinate

Lodges will be granted to theselected Master for a "periodof one year, renewable eachyear thereafter for three suc-cessive years, and transferableor revokable upon sixty daysnotice" by the superior Coun-cil under whose Jurisdictionthe proposed Lodge shall exist.Special Dispensation may begranted for SubordinateLodges for a limited period oforganization work prior to thegranting of a Charter.

Section 9Grand Lodges shall receivea Charter granted to the se-lected Master of each Lodgefor a "Period of one year, re-newable each year for four ad-ditional successive years,transferable or revokable upon60 (sixty) days notice." fromthe American Supreme Councilor by the Imperator.

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Section 10All necessary "work" and in-structions will be given toeach Lodge after the Charteror Special Dispensation isgranted by the Superior bodygranting the Charter or Spe-cial Dispenastions.

Arttrlr StytrfrrnFEES AND DUES.

Section 1All Lodges of the Order

shall establish a standard ofInitiation Fees and Dues. Theminimum Initiation Fee shallbe $5.00. All members shallpay the regular dues in orderto maintain the Lodge, andwhen such dues are not paidthe members in arrears shallbe deemed "non-active." (SeeSection 5 of Article 6.) Suchmembers may not attend lec-tures or Convocations of any-kind. Associate members duesshall be fixed by the Masterof the Lodge with which themember is associated.

Section 2Each Lodge shall establish

in its By-Laws certain laws re-garding the period duringwhich members may havetheir dues in arrears withoutlosing privileges of activemembership ; but in no caseshall a longer period than 6(Six ) months be permitted fora r rears of dues. When thearrears exceed this period themember shall he suspendedfrom all membership standing.

Section 3Monthly dues shall not be

less than 50 (fifty) cents andnot Over $5.00 (five dollars.)

Section 4Officers may be exempt frompaying regular monthly duesduring their term of Office ; orif the Council of any Lodge sodecrees by unanimous vote, Of-ficers of that Lodge may paythe same dues as the membersfor such period as decreed bythe Council.

Section 5Initiation Fees shall becharged by all Lodges. The

fee for the First Degree shallbe not less than $5.00 (fivedollars) payable at the time ofInitiation or prior thereto. Itmay be raised to any higheramount as membership in theLodge increases. Such in-crease in Initiation Fee (forFirst Degree) must be byunanimous vote of the Lodge'sCouncil.

Section 6Each Lodge may, by decreeof the Council, charge Initia-

tion Fees at the time memberspass from First Degree to theSecond, and from the SecondDegree to the Third, etc. Notless than .$1.00 (one dollar)shall be so charged, and notover $50.00 (fifty dollars) forthe last or Twelfth Degree.

Arttrlr JfamrirrttROYAL SUPPORT.

Section 1Each Lodge of the Orderholding a true and legitimatepatent or Charter in the name

of its Master under this Con-stitution, shall contribute tothe Royal Support of this Or-der, as follows :

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Section 2 Section 4Subordinate Lodges shall re- No member shall use formit monthly to the Grand trade purposes any title,Lodge of its jurisdiction. honor, degrees, or emblems ofthrough the Treasurer, of the the Order.Grand Lodge, a Royal Supportof 25% of all Initiation Fees Wnd Dues received during themonth. Section 3Grand Lodges shall remit to Ariirlr >txt**uthe Supreme Grand Lodge ofNorth America through the PUBLICITY AND PUBLICA-Supreme Grand Treasurer, theRoyal*Support of 25% of all TION.Initiation Fees and Dues re- Section 1ceived during the month from The general propagandaGrand Lodge members and work of the Order shall be Of-also shall remit the Supremo ficially conducted by the Su-Grand Treasurer 25% of the preme Grand Lodge, its Coun-Grand Lodge Royal Support cil and its Officers ; assistedfrom its Subordinate Lodges by a National Progagandareceived during the month. Committee.

Section 2WW Local propaganda work maybe conducted by any Lodge,Foundation Committee or Of-Krtxclt Jffiftmi ficer only by following thegeneral methods of the Su-

REGALIA AND EQUIPMENT. preme Grand Lodge. All lit-erature 1 or other matter usedSection 1 in this war must be submitted

Every Lodge shall have theproper and Official Regalia andto the Publication Committeeof the Supreme Grand Lodgeand be approved by the saidEquipment for its Officers andTemple as decreed by the Su- ( 'ommittee.preme Grand Lodge in its ''Se- Section 3

cret Mandamuses." All books, pamphlets, trea-Section 2 tises, lectures, expositions, andNo change shall be made in

Regalia or Temple Equipmentby any Lodge except by per-mission of the Imperator.

interpretations issued by anyLodge. Lodge Committee, Of-ficer or individual, purportingto be truly "Rosaecrucian" orto contain the ideals, prin-Section 3 ciples or laws of this Order,Regalia and Insignia, as shall be first submitted to the

well as all Emblems, for any said National Publication Com-use whatever, shall be of an mittee for approval, ami if ap-Official design and make, and proved or deleted, will receive

shall be purchased only from the Official Imprint of saidofficial Rosaecrucian Supply Committee, vouching for itsBureaus, Official Correctness.

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Arltrl* &rtttittmtAMENDMENTS.

Amendments to this Consti-tution shall be made only bya two-thirds vote of the" Of-ficial Delegates of all Lodgesrepresented at a National Con-

vention of the Order for NorthAmerica.(Such Amendments as arehereafter adopted will be print-ed in such form that they canbe attached to this book inthis section. Such printed

slips will be furnished by theSupreme Grand Secretary.

KmmbmtntBKmtnbmmt 2fa* 2

It has been so decreed byAmerican Supreme Councilthat all Grand Lodges inNorth America shall withinone year from the time theirCharter is granted make ap-plication to the proper legalauthorities within their juris-diction for the incorporatingof said Lodges as religious or-ganizations founded and oper-ating according to this Con-stitution of this Order.

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I>p?rimett Sg-lEatasThis form of By-Laws, with

necessary modifications and ad-ditions, shall be adopted by allLodges in the North AmericanJurisdiction.

The Imperator.NAME AND SEAL.

The name of this Lodgeshall beLodge of the A. M. O. R. C. ofNortli America.

Its Official Seal shall be asimpressed herewith and filedwith the Supreme Archivist ofthe Supreme Grand Lodge.PURPOSES.The purposes shall be toconduct regular and officialconvocations, rituals, lecturesand meetings of the A. M. O.

R. C. in our own Jurisdictionand within the terms and lim-itations of the Charter underwhich this Lodge exists.

ALLEGIANCE.Because we are duly Char-tered by our superior Lodge ofthe A. M. O. R. C, and be-cause we exist, as a Lodge byvirtue of such Charter, we arepledged by its conditions toobey and adhere to the Con-

stitution of the A. M. O. R. C.of North America, and alsobound by Oaths and sacredpromises to heed, obey, respectand promulgate the decrees,rules, pronunziamentos and de-cisions of our Superior Lodge,the Supreme Grand Master,the American Supreme Counciland the Imperator of the Or-der, of which Order we are apart, and to the autocraticgovernment of which we, as aLodge, subscribe and declareour allegiance.

JURISDICTION.The Jurisdiction in whichthe powers of this Lodge and

its Officers are to be exercisedis that which is stated in ourCharter ; and such powersshall be those defined by saidCharter and by the Constitu-tion of the Order and itsAmendments.

MEETINGS.The regular meetings or lec-tures of this Lodge shall bethose decreed by the Council

of this Lodge. Special meet-ings or convocations shall becalled by the Master of thisLodge at his reasonable discre-tion or by our Superior Lodge.

MEMBERSHIP.Membership in this Lodge

shall be limited to 144 activemembers in addition to thefourteen Officers. Conditionsof Membership shall be accord-ing to the Constitution of theOrder. (Methods of passingupon applications and votingupon Candidates shall be fullyset forth in this Section.)ELECTION OF OFFICERS.New Officers for this Lodge

for any regular term, or to fillany vacancy, shall be electedor appointed in accordancewith the Constitution of theOrder.The regular election of Of-

ficers for this Lodge shall beheld each year on : (anniver-sary of the date of the Lodge'sCharter).(Laws for the nomination

of officers, calling of meetingfor election, and method ofvoting shall be fully set forthin this section.)

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OFFICERS AND TERMS.The Officers of this Lodge

shall be a Master, Deputy Mas-ter, Secretary and Treasureras executive officers, and thenecessary ritualistic officers asstated in the Constitution ofthe Order. Their terms of of-fice shall be as follows : (statefully here, after consulting theConstitution).THE LODGE COUNCIL.The advisory Council of thisLodge shall consist of: (24members for a Grand Lodgeand 14 members for a sub-ordinate Lodge), including allexecutive and ritualistic of-

ficers. The Council shall ad-vise the Master in the per-formance of his duties or thesolving of any problem whenhe seeks or requires its as-sistance. Its unanimous voteon any rule, law, order ofdecree of the Master shall beduly considered by him, andif he shall veto such unani-

mous decision of the Council,said Council may appeal tothe Master of its SuperiorLodge.In the matter of issuing ex-communications, pronunzia-mentos and decrees, the Mas-ter of the Lodge shall haveautocratic power consistentwith the Constitution of theOrder.(Additional articles may beadded to the By-Laws adoptedby the Lodge, and these should

be as specific and completeas possible. It is recommendedthat each Lodge adhere, in itswork of the Council, to theparliamentary laws set forthin Robert's Rules or some sim-ilar guide. The adoption ofthe By Laws should be a mat-ter for an evening's session ofthe Lodge Council, and eachArticle should be fully dis-cussed and voted upon. Ad-ditions to the By Laws, orAmendments, should be votedupon by the Lodge Councilin like manner.)

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

022 172 315 6

constitution of the amorc new york 1917

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