constitution of the amorc new york 1917.pdf

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CONSTITUTIONOF THE

A y M y O y R y C y

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CONSTITUTIONO F

A y M v O y R y C y



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T H E v .

C O N S T I T U T I O NO F T H E

A v HI v © v & v (EvO F N O R T H A M E R I C A

A d o p te d and R a tifie d by al l L o d g e s of this Order, Represented at the First National Convention,

Held in Pittsburgh, Pa., July 31-Aug. 4, 1917

TO WHICH IS ADDED

S P E C I M E N B Y - L A W S F O R A L L L O D G E S

W

With Introductory pages, containg the First American

Charter, the Fir t̂ American Pronunziamento, a Chart of

the Official Symbols and Seals, Record Blanks of

Initiation, Advancement and Membership, also a Li3t of

the Supreme Executive Officers for the year 3270 R. C.

PRINTED IN THE PRINT SHOP OF THE SUPREME GRAND

LODGE, WITH TH E AP PROV AL OF THE DEPARTMENT

OF PUBLICATION

N E W Y O R K

MCMXVII

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Copyright, 1917, by

Department of Publication

Supreme Grand Lodge

A Y M Y O Y R Y C Yof North America

©CLA4 8 0 7 7 6



SUrarii of Jmttatian

lijic it kttmim by this personal Memorandum that

I.

with the Divine privilege of our God, and at the

invitation of ..............

was duly Initiated into the

STtrjst uf % V ® V t t

Crossed the Threshold of the

................................................................ Lodge,

on the evening of ................. ......................

in the year .............

And, by virtue of a decree by the Master of the

Lodge, I was duly Initiated into the

Srgrtff of Lodge

m ....

and into the

B?gn>r of

on

Lodge

in on

at which time I received the official Latin name of



f c m b t r 0 l j t p IR ero rb

This is to recall the pleasant occurrence of my

Initiation into the

of our Order, at which time I received the Official

Certificate of Membership sealed and signed by

the Officers whose names are given below:

Date of 4th Degree Initiation ..... ...

Name of Lodge .................. .. ....... ........

Location ............ , (B

Master’s Name\

Secretary’s Name ......... .......

Chaplain’s Name

Names of some Brothers and Sifters present:

q c r /



S U ra rii— <stnntimn?b

Initiated into the Fifth Degree

Lodge

Location

Initiated into the Sixth Degree

Lodge........................ .......

LocationInitiated into the Seventh Degree

Lodge....................................... ..

Location.......................

Initiated into the Eighth Degree

Lodge ..................

LocationInitiated into the Ninth Degree

Lodge ......... .................

Location

Initiated into the Tenth Degree

Lodge

LocationInitiated into the Eleventh Degree

Lodge ........... ............................

Location ...

Initiated into the Twelfth Degree

Lodge

Location......... ..



I 3 n Sttljj A s s e m b le

W e, the undersigned Men and Women, of New York City,

were formally constituted members of the 1

SUPREME AMERICAN COUNCIL

of the

ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ORDER

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1

of the

S o H j? d r n 0 B

in accordance with the Ancient Rites and Cere

monies, under the direction and approval of the

M O S T W O R S H I PF U L

G R A N D M A S T ER G E N E R A L OF A M E R I C A

TTTtytvtfav? be tt kmrntn tljat: we hereby pro

claim the establishment of the

iRnsimtrian (Writer in Ammra

and recognize such Officers of its Grand Lodge as

are hereunto subscribed as being duly appointed, in

conformity with the FIRST A M E R IC A N M A N I

FESTO.

/igned this 1st day of April, in the year 1915.

H. SPENCER LEWIS,

Grand Master General.

N ICHOLAS STORMS,

Deputy Master General.

T HOR K I IMAL EHT O

Sceretary General

T H E F I R S T A M E R I C A N C H A R T E R

(Signed by nineteen men and women)



R V C V S Y M B O L I S M

T H E S Y M B O L S A N D S E A L S S H O W N B E L O W

A R E T H E O N L Y T R U E E M B L E M S O F T H I S

O R D E R , A N D D I S T I N GU I S H TH I S O R D E R

F R O M A L L O T H E R S

wG E N E R A L S Y M B O L

O F T H E O R D E R I N

T H E W O R L D

M A R K O F T H E

D E P A R T M E N T

O F

P U B L I C A T I O N

T H E G R E A T S E A L O F T H E O R D E R

I N A M E R I C A

C2 3

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T H E R O S A E C R U C I S

M E M B E R S

T H E S E A L O F T H E

F O U N D E R

T H E S E A L O F T H E

S U P R E M E G R A N D

S E C R E T A R Y

S A C R E D I N S I G N I A O F

T H E I M P E R A T O R

S U P R E M E

G R A N D M A S T E R



3Firat Antmratt iprammziamrtttn

Issued by the Charter Members of the Supreme Grand

Lodge as Founders of the Order in America.

The Ancient and Mystical Order Iiosae Crucis in the

United States of America its Territories and Dependencies,

shall be an independent organization operating under its

own Constitution.

Its purposes shall be the same as those of the “ Order

Iiosae Crucis" throughout the world, and its Constitutionshall be identical in spirit with that which guides and di-

rects this Order in other lands. The Order in America,shall, however, retain its fraternal and spiritual relation

with this Order in other countries, regardless of its inde-

pendent jurisdiction and shall maintain its adherence to

the 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 the

Order in America shall adopt strictly autocratic principles

of government, but because of the necessary division of

America into many jurisdictions operating under one Ameri-

can Constitution, the said Constitution shall embody such

changes or modifications as will properly meet the require-

ments of this jurisdiction.

Therefore it is declared that the attached Constitution of

which 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, and

was finally approved and adopted by the Charter Members

of 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 Grand

Lodge or the Imperator of the Order in America.

3 * 5

Decreed and Issued June, 1015, at a meeting of the First

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



l^uprFmp lExpruttvp ($ffu?rs

nf tit? ($rii?r

fnr Nortl i Antrrtra

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

LOUIS LAWRENCE, K. R. C„

Supreme Grand Treasurer

W V G V M V THOR KIIMALEHTO, K. R. C„Illustrious Sovereign InspedtorGeneral

of the Ancient Sovereign Chapters of

the Illuminati Amenhotpii



Artirlr ©ur

OFFICIAL n a m e s a n d SYMBOLS.

Section 1

The name of the Order inAmerica shall b e : “ The An -cient and Mystical OrderItosae Crucis.” In abbreviat-ed form the name shall be“ A.M.O.R.C. of North Amer-ica.”

Section 1a

The members shall be knownas “ Brothers” and “Sisters”or by such honorary or ritual-istic titles as may be con-ferred upon them 01* herein-after described, or as “ Rosaecrucians.” And the doctrines,philosophies and teachingsshall be known as “Rosaecrucianism.”

Section 2

The Official Symbols shallhe the same as those used byLodges of this identical Orderin other lands and in accord-ance with the dictates of theAmerican Supreme Council.Each Lodge in the American

Jurisdictions 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 of the 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 twothirds 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 newin America at the time theywere adopted by the Ameri-

can Supreme Council andwere not in use by any simi-lar 01* other organizationgroup or Lodge in America,and were not a simulationof any other secret ordersymbols.



Cdnnatitutian ttf tli? QDrfcn*

Artirlr Stan*

THE GOVERNMENT OF THEORDER

_ Section 1

The Government of the Or-der in North America shallrest 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 be

more efficiently, expedited inthis manner.

Section 2 The said American Supreme

Council 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 of the Imperator.,

Section 3 This Constitution shall con-

stitute the ww king. laws of the 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.

Artirlr ©tjrrp

FORM OF ORGANIZATION.

Section 1In order that the dictates

of the American SupremeCouncli and the purposes of the 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 Lodge

Jurisdiction as fo llow s: EachState, Territory or Depen-dency of the United States of America shall be made aGrand Lodge Jurisdiction :each and every other country,dependency or possession in-cluded in the North American

Jurisdiction as heretofore de-scribed, shall be made a sep-arate Jurisdiction in like man-ner by decision of the Ameri-can Supreme Council.

Section 2 The North American Juris



(Emtstitutum o f the (Dritrr

diction shall consist, therefore,of fifty (50) or more Grand

Jurisdictions having definitegeographical boundaries andunited only in submission tothis Constitution and the gov-ernment of the Order for theNorth American Jurisdiction.

Section 3

Lodges shall be establishedin these Jurisdictions as here-inafter provided under the fol-

lowing general classificationand w?th the following formof regulation:(a ) A Supreme d r and Lo dge

shall be composed of theSupreme Grand Master,the Supreme Grand Offi-cers, the American Su-preme Council and an un-limited number of Broth-ers and Sisters. It shallbe the Supreme SpiritualBody for the North Amer-ican Jurisdiction. It may

be located in any city of and Jurisdiction of this Order,

(b ) Grand Lodges shall befounded and maintainedin every Grand Jurisdic-tion of this Order inNorth America to thenumber of one GrandLodge for each Grand

Jurisdiction. They shallbe granted Charters underthis Constitution by theImperator in the name of

the Grand Master of each Grand Lodge. Such GrandLodges shall be subser-vient to the Imneratpr.the American SupremeCouncil and this Constitu-tion.

(c l Subordinate Lodges shallbe founded and main-tained in every Grand Jurisdiction of this Orderin North America to an

indefinite number of Lodges 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.

A r t i r l t 3 b ro r

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

OFFICERS

Section 1

THE IM PE R ATO R : Heshall be the Supreme Auto-cratic Executive of the Orderin North America, ilis 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 electedlmdv of Imperators or Grand

Masters General of the various Jurisdictions of this Order asnow established or which maybe established in the variouscountries of the world.

The present Imperator,Harve Spencer Lewis, holdsthis exhalted office by virtueof his election by the SupremeGrand Lodge of North Americaand which election is ratifiedby the ratification and adop



(Ermstitntitm uf tlj? ©rlirr

tioii of this Constitution by allLodges now existing in NorthAmerica.

Furthermore, the presentImperator, llarve SpencerLewis, was granted the distinc-tion and burdened with the re-sponsibility of being the FirstAmerican 11. C. Im perator be-cause of his Initiation into theOrder in foreign lands for thepurpose of bringing the Orderto America, and because of the

honors bestowed upon him bythe Grand Master of our Orderin France, which honors, in-cluding those o f : Prelate of the Order in France, Fellow of the Rosaecrucian Illuminati of France, and Supreme Digni-tary of the Order for America,are granted and set forth in aFrench Pronunziamento num-bered “ If. F,., It. C., No. 987,-432 and sighed by the GrandMaster and the Officers whoconducted his initiation into

the 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 of the Order in North Americashall hold this position andoffice until his transition tothe higher realms, or until his

resignation 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.

Ilis successor, and all futureImperators of the Order inNorth America, shall be electedby a twothirds 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 theOffice. Such successors mustbe elected within thirty daysafter the vacancy of the Imperator's office and position,from among those Brothers of the Order who are in thehighest degree of the Order inNorth America. The term of Office of each Imperator suc-ceeding the present Imperatorshall be the same as applies tothe present Imperator, and hisduties and powers shall be thesame.

Section 2

The Supreme Grand M aster : 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.

lie shall be elected to hisOffice by a majority vote of the Supreme Grand Council,for a term of not less than twTo years, and not more than tenvears. Unon ret iring he shallbe dignified by the title of “ Past Supreme Grand Master.”

Section 3Supreme Grand Secretary-

General: He shall be in



(Cnnatitutiun nf tljr (JDrfcrr

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.

ITe shall likewise fill the du-ties of Secretary in the Rit-ualistic work of the Supreme

Grand Lodge, and shall be cus-todian*^ the National seal andof the seal of the SupremeGrand Lodge.

He shall be elected to Officeby the Supreme Grand Councilby a twothirds vote for aterm of one year, and may besuccessively reelected for fouradditional years. When hisduties so warrant he mayhave one or more assistants atthe discretion of the AmericanSupreme Council. Upon his

honorable retirement he shallbe known as “ Past SupremecI ra nd Secrota r yG eneral. *’

Section 4Supreme Grand Treasurer-

General: He shall have chargeof 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 GrandSecretaryGeneral, and for asimilar term. Upon his hon-orable retirement he shallhave the honorary title of

•‘Past Supreme Grand Treas-urerGeneral.”

W

A r t i c l e Untie

Section 1

THE AMERIC AN SUPREME

COUNCIL.

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 twentyfiveSupreme Grand Councilors.

Section 2

These shall be appointed fora term of one year, and maybe reappointed for successiveadditional years. They shall

be subject to all laws of thisConstitution as are the Officersand the Brothers and Sistersof the Order.

Section 3 This Council shall exist as

an advisory board to the Im-perator and the SupremeGrand Master. It shall as-semble under the. direction of the Supreme Grand Master. Itshall 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,



(Eimsttttttum o f tl\v (Writer

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

Section 5

It may have within its bodyan executive committee knownas the Ministraro, the Minis-ters of which shall be selectedby the Imperator. The Ministraro shall work under suchlaws and rules of efficiency# asit may adopt.

Section 6

The American SupremeCouncil shalC aylopt and estab-

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

W

A r t t r l ?

MEMBERSHIP.

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 Cod, who 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 of either sex over 18 years of age and under 21 years, whose

application has been dulv ex-amined and approved by thepresiding membership commit-tee of any subordinate orGrand Lodge in their Jurisdic-tion. Such members shall nothold, however, any office untilof legal age.

Section 2

Each Lodge shall adopt itsown rules as to procedure forinvestigating applicants, andfor 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 3 The “ Colombe,? of each

Lodge shall be the only ex-ception to the rules of age foradmission.

Section 4

A complete Lodge shall comsist of not more than 144 ac-tive members and 14 Officers,making a total of 15S activemembers.

Section 5

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



(Eimaiitutum uf itje ODrihT

In such case they shall re-main nonactive until read-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 6

Members 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 nonactive,and in either class must be of good report and record, other-wise they can not remain asmembers.

Section 8

Each Grand Lodge shallhave a Council consisting of 14 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.

W

A r t i r l r S ’pnpn

LODGE OFFICERSSection 1

Every 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. (A ll the

foregoing Officers, except “Matre” and “Colombe” may befilled by either Brothers orSisters of the Order.)

Section 3

The Master, Secretary and Treasurer of all Lodges shallbe elected, in the case of aLodge, at the expiration of their terms, or wrhenever ariofficial vacancy occurs. In thecase of a Master, he shall bereelected 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 4

Officers for new Lodges maybe elected by the FoundationCommittee. In such case the.election must be approved bythe new Lodge’s superiorCouncil.

Section 5

Officers in the SupremeGrand Lodge shall be titledwith the wrords “ SupremeGrand” preceding their officetitle. In Grand Lodges by theword “ Grand,” and in Subor-dinate Lodges by the word“ Worthy.”

Section G The duties of Masters, Dcpu



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, and Treasurers in other organiza-tions.

Section 7

Ritualistic Officers for eachLodge, including the Supreme(iiand 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 of the Office vacant. All Officersmay be reappointed for suc-cessive terms.

•' Section 8

The 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 0

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

Section 10 The Treasurer of each op-

erating Lodge shall be bondedin an amount specified by theCouncil of each Lodge and thePond is to be made payableto the Supreme Grand Lodge.

Artirlr fEtgljtCONVOCATIONS

Section 1

The 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 andOfficers in accordance with the“ Secret Mandamuses” and thedictates of the American Su-preme Council as issued by theImperator of the Order inNorth America.

Section 3 The “ 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, Assem-blies, 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 all

members of his Lodge.

Arttrlr Ntnr

ANNUAL BUSINESS

MEETING.Section 1

The Annual Business Meet-



(SmtBtitutum uf tlje GDrfcer

ing of the Supreme GrandLodge shall be held on thefirst Thursday of March of each year, in the Temple of the 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 2 The 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 of

the Lodge, who shall have theprivilege of inviting othersfrom other Lodges to attend.

Artirlt ®enANNUAL ELECTIONS.

Section 1An annual election day shall

be 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 of new 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 2 The Deputy Master and R it -

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

Section 3

The Council of each Lodge

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

Arttrlr fcltwn ANNUAL CELEBRATION

DAYS.Section 1

There 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 2 The New Year Feast will oc-

cur about the 21st o f each

March the exact date beingproclaimed by a Pronunziamento 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 1010 A. D. corre-

sponds to the Rosaecrucian



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 of corn, or its products, salt, orthat which tastes moststrongly of it, and wine, inthe form of unfermented grape

juice, and any other delicaciesor refreshments suitable to theoccasion. A ll 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 it

has 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 4All other regular or special

Convocations or meetings of each Lodge are to be post-poned in order that the NewYea*'' Feast may be held on

the day decreed by the Imper-ator.

Section 5 The Annual Outdoor Fete

may be held by the discretionof the Master of each Lodge,on or about the 23rd day of September of each year, theexact day being decreed by theImperator. I t shall be thatday when the Sun enters thesign of Libra.

Section 6 This Annual Outdoor Fete

should be held by each Lodgeindependently, to celebratethe laying of the foundationstones of the Great Pyramidin 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 member

of 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 of the Order. Such a Fete maybe held at sundown if desired.

Article EmHxt? THE ESTABLIS H M ENT OF

LODGES.

Section 1

Lodges may be establishedin any city, town, or locality

of North America under thefollow ing conditions :

GRAND LODGES.

Section 2 These may be formed by 48

(fortyeight) sincere seekersfor light and truth submittingto the Supreme Grand Lodgethrough the Supreme Secre-tary General, signed • officialapplication blanks with the re



(Ecmatituttmt u f tlyr GDrtor

quest that the 48 applicants,desiring to organize or foundaGrand Lodge, be granted aCharter.

Section 3

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

Section 4

SUBORDINATE LODGES.

It shall require 36 (thirtysix) signed Official Applica-tion Blanks accompanied by arequest to form a SubordinateLodge. Such request is to bedirected to the Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the Juris-

diction in which such proposedSubordinate Lodge is to be sit-uated.

Section 5 Those desiring to organize or

found Lodges in their cities ortowns may secure permissionand instruction from the Su-preme Grand SecretaryGen-eral at the Supreme GrandLodge in New York City, bymail or in person, after sub-mitting to such investigation

as the Supreme Grand Secre-taryGeneral 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 Foundation

Treasurer included in theCommittee.

: n

Section 6 The said Foundation Com

mittee shall then submit theirnames and references to theSupreme Grand SecretaryGeneral 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 of the Lodge in charge of the

Jurisdiction 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 each

year thereafter for three suc-cessive j^ears, and transferableor revokable upon sixty daysnotice” by the superior Coun-cil under whose Jurisdictionthe proposed Lodge shall exist.Special Dispensation may beg r a n t ed for SubordinateLodges for a limited period of organization work prior to thegranting of a Charter.

Section 0Grand Lodges shall receive

a 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.



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 Dispermstions.

Arttrlr (Flurtppn

FEES AND DUES.Section 1

Al l Lodges of the Ordershall establish a standard of Initiation 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 “ nonactive.” (SeeSection 5 of Article 6.) Suchmembers may hot attend lec-tures or Convocations of anykind. Associate members duesshall be fixed by the Masterof the Lodge with which themember is associated.

Section 2Each Lodge shall establish

in its ByLaws certain laws re-garding the period duringwhich members may havetheir dues in arrears withoutlosing privileges of active

membership; but in no caseshall a longer period than 6(six) months be permitted forarrears of dues. When thearrears exceed this period themember shall be 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 from

paying 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 5

Initiation Fees shall becharged by all Lodges. The

fee for the First Degree shallbe not less than $5.00 (fivedollars) payable at the time of Initiation 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 decree

of 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.

Artirlr Jfattrtroi

ROYAL SUPPORT.

Section 1Each Lodge of the Order

holding a true and legitimatepatent or Charter in the nameof its Master under this Con-stitution, shall contribute tothe Royal Support of this Or-der, as follows :



(Hmtstitutunt o f tty? GDrftn*

Section 2Subordinate Lodges shall ‘re-

mit monthly to the GrandLodge of its jurisdiction,through the Treasurer, of theGrand Lodge, a Royal Supportof 25% of all Initiation Feesand Dues received during themonth.

Section 3Grand Lodges shall remit to

the Supreme Grand Lodge of North America through the

Supreme Grand Treasurer, theRoyal*Support of 25% of allInitiation Fees and Dues re-ceived duriug the month fromGrand Lodge members andalso shall remit the SupremoGrand Treasurer 25% of theGrand Lodge Royal Supportfrom its Subordinate Lodgesreceived during the month.

W W

A r t td r i F x ftm i

l iEEALIA AND EQUIPMENT.

Section 1Every Lodge shall have the

proper and Official Regalia andEquipment for its Officers and

Temple as decreed by the Su-preme Grand Lodge in its “ Se-cret Mandamuses.”

Section 2

No change shall be made in

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

Section 3

Regalia and Insignia, aswell as all Emblems, for anj’ use whatever, shall be of anOfficial design and make, andshall be purchased only fromofficial Rosaecrucian SupplyBureaus.

Section 4No member shall use for

trade purposes any title,honor, degrees, or emblems of the Order.

W

A r t i r l r

PUBLICITY AND PUBLICA-

TION.Section 1

The general propagandawork of the Order shall be Of-ficially conducted by the Su-preme* Grand Lodge, its Coun-cil and its Officers ; assistedby a National ProgagandaCommittee.

Section 2Local propaganda work may

be conducted by any Lodge,Foundation Committee or Of-

ficer only by folloAving thegeneral methods of the Su-preme Grand Lodge. All li t-erature or other matter usedin this wav must be submittedto the Publication Committeeof the Supreme Grand Lodgeand be approved by the saidCommittee.

Section 3All books, pamphlets, trea-

tises, lectures, expositions, andinterpretations issued by any

Lodge. Lodge Committee, Of-ficer or individual, purportingto be truly “ Rosaecrucian” orto contain the ideals, prin-ciples or laws of this Order,shall be first submitted to thesaid National Publication Com-mittee for approval, and if ap-proved or deleted, will receivethe Official Imprint of saidCommittee, vouching for itsOfficial Correctness.



(Emtstitutiott o f tty? (Writer

Arttrlr g>j>tt*nfc*rn

AMENDMENTS.

Amendments to this Consti-tution shall be made only bya twothirds 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 printedslips will be furnished by theSupreme Grand Secretary.

Amptt&ntpnt No. 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 thd^ incorporatingof said Lodges as religious or-ganizations founded and oper-ating according to this Con-stitution of this Order.



^p rr tm c tt Uy-ICauis ..

This form of ByLaws, withnecessary modifications and ad-

ditions, shall be adopted by all

Lodges in the North American Jurisdiction.

The Imperator.

NAME AND SEAL.

The name of this Lodgeshall be ....................................

Lodge of the A. M. O. It. C. of Nortlf America.

. Its Official Seal shall be asimpressed herewith and filedwith the Supreme Archivist of the Supreme Grand Lodge.

PURPOSES. The purposes shall be to

conduct 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 of the 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 sacred

promises 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 a part, and to the autocraticgovernment of which we, as aLodge, subscribe and declareour allegiance.

JURISDICTIO N.

The Jurisdiction in whichthe powers of this Lodge andits 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 Councilof 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 Lodgefor 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 : (ann iver-sary of the date of the Lodge’sCharter).

(Laws for the nominationof officers, calling of meetingfor election, and method of voting shall be fully set forthin this section.)



£>pmmrtt UxjUaum

OFFICERS AND TERMS.

The Officers o f this Lodgeshall be a Master, Deputy Mas-ter, Secretary and Treasureras executive officers, and thenecessary ritualistic officers asstated in the Constitution of the Order. Their terms of of-fice shall be as fo llow s: (statefully here, after consulting theConstitution).

THE LODGE COUNCIL.

The advisory Council of thisLodge shall consist o f : (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 of decree of the Master shall be

duly 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, pronunziamentos and decrees, the Mas-ter of the Lodge shall haveautocratic power consistentwith the Constitution of theOrder.

(Additional articles may beadded to the ByLaws 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 of the By Laws should be a mat-ter for an evening’s session of the Lodge Council, and eachArticle should be fully dis-cussed and voted upon. Ad-ditions to the By Laws, orAmendments, should be voted

upon by the Lodge Councilin like manner.)

&



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