Amorc - Constitution Of The Amorc 1917

CONSTITUTION OF THE

A y My Oy Ry Cy

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T H E

CONSTITUTION OF

THE

A v M V (§ V 11 v (E v OF

NORTH

AM ERICA

A d o p te d and R a tifie d by all L o d g e s of this Order, Represented at the First National Convention, Held in Pittsburgh, Pa., July 31-Aug. 4, 1917 T O W H IC H

IS A D D E D

SPECIMEN B Y - L A W S FOR A L L LODGES

V 1.. 7

V

With Introductory pages, containg the First American Charter, the Fir^t American Pronunziamento, a Chart of the Official Symbols and Seals, Record Blanks of Initiation, Advancement and Membership, also a Li£t of the Supreme Executive Officers for the year 3270 R. C. P R IN T E D IN T H E P R IN T S H O P O F T H E S U P R E M E G R A N D L O D G E , W IT H T H E A P P R O V A L O F T H E D E P A R T M E N T O F P U B L IC A T IO N

N E W

Y O R K

M C M X VI1

Emirfc of Jmttatum l' it U11nut 11 by this person al M em orandum that I,

with the Divine privilege of our G o d , and at the invitation of w as duly Initiated into the Ifftot 0 e g w o f tip A *.

\ ‘ ® *.. *II VC E V

C rossed the T hreshold of the L o d ge , in Copyright, 1917, by Department of Publication Supreme Grand Lodge A Y M Y O Y R Y C Y of North America

on the evening of in the year A n d, by virtue of a decree by the M aster of the L o d ge, I w as duly Initiated into the Drrtrrr of in

L o d ge on

and into the SJtjirft Urrjrrr of in

Lodge on

at which time I received the official Latin nam e of

■Q) Cl. A ■! 8 (! V

iln tt h fr a ljtjj

IS e ro rh

T h is is to recall the p leasan t occurrence of my Initiation into the 3 F n u rtli

Initiated into the Fifth D egree L o d ge Location

of our Order, at which time I received the O fficial Certificate of M em bership sealed and signed by the O fficers w hose n am es are given below :

Initiated into the Sixth D egree

D ate of 4th D egree Initiation

Initiated into the Seventh D egree

L o d ge Location Lodge

N am e of L o d g e

Location Initiated into the Eighth D egree

Location

Lodge

M aster’s N am e

Location Initiated into the Ninth D egree

Secretary’s N am e

Lodge Location

C h ap lain ’s N am e 1

N am es of som e Brothers and Sifters p re se n t:

Initiated into the T enth D egree Lodge Location Initiated into the Eleventh D egree

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L o d ge Location Initiated into the Tw elfth D egree Lodge Location

Jfit iltettttg lith j KBmmhhb We, the undersigned Men and Women, of New York City, were formally constituted members of the

S U P R E M E A M E R IC A N C O U N C IL of the

A N C IE N T A N D M Y S T IC A L O R D E R of the

f R iw (Urnsa in accordance with the Ancient Rites and Cere­ monies, under the direction and approval of the MOST W ORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER GENERAL OF AM ERICA

bt tt ktt0tttu tfyat: we hereby proclaim the establishment of the

iRnstrntriatt <®rhrr in Antmra and recognize such Officers of its Grand Lodge as are hereunto subscribed as being duly appointed, in conformity with the FIRST AM ERICAN M A N I­ FESTO. S ign ed this 1st day of April, in the year 1915. H. SPENCER LEWIS, Grand Master General. NICHOLAS STORMS, Deputy Master General. TH O R KIIM ALEH TO Sceretary General.

TH E

FIRST

AMERICAN

CHARTER

(Signed by nineteen men and wom en)

R V C V SYM B O L I S M THE 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 THI S O R D E R , A N D D I S T I NG U I S H TH I S O R D E R FROM A L L O T H E R S

GENERAL SYMBOL O F T H E O R D E R IN THE W O R L D

M AR K O F T H E DEPARTMENT OF PUBLICATION TH E G R E A T S E A L O F THE O R D E R IN A M E R IC A

C23

Issued

by the C h arter M em bers o f the Supreme L od ge as Founders o f the O rder in Am erica.

Grand

T h e A n cien t and M y s tic a l O rder Rosae Crucis in the United; States o f A m erica its T e rrito rie s and Dependencies, shall be an independent organ iza tion o p eratin g under its own C onstitution. Its purposes shall be the same as those o f the “ O rder Uosae C rucis’ * throughout the w orld, and its C onstitution shall be iden tica l in sp irit w ith th a t w hich guides and d i­ rects th is O rder in oth er lands. T h e O rder in A m erica, shall, how ever, retain its fra te rn a l and sp iritu al rela tion w ith this O rder in oth er countries, regardless o f its ind e­ pendent ju risd iction and shall m ain tain its adherence to the tra d itio n a l principles and law s o f the an cien t Rosaecrucians. Since both the ancient and m odern fo rm o f govern m en t o f the O rder is a u tocra tic in nature, the govern m en t o f the O rder in A m erica shall adopt s tr ic tly a u tocra tic principles o f governm ent, but because o f the necessary division o f A m erica into many ju risd iction s o p eratin g under one A m e ri­ can C onstitution, the said C on stitu tion sh all em body such changes or m odifications as w ill prop erly m eet the requ ire­ m ents o f this ju risdiction . T h erefo re it is declared th at the attached C onstitu tion o f which this Pron unziam ento is a p a rt w as prepared a fte r consu ltation o f a ll possible a u th orities and w ith prop er d is­ cussion by a ll the Fou nders o f the O rder in A m erica, and was fin ally approved and adopted by the C h a rter M em bers o f the Suprem e Grand L od ge in A m erica and shall be adopted and ratified by a ll L od ges now organ ized or h ere­ a fte r to be organ ized and C hartered by the Supreme Grand L od ge or the Im p era to r o f the O rder in A m erica.

THE SEAL OF THE FOUNDER

TH E S E A L O F TH E SUPREME GRAND SECRETARY

Jflirai Anti'watt Prmtutt2tamrntit

SACRED INSIG N IA OF T H E IM P E R A T O R SUPREME G R A N D MASTER

Decreed and Issued June, 1915, a t a m eetin g o f the F ir s t Am erican Supreme Council held in the C ity o f N ew Y ork , N. Y.

§>itpremr lExerutute GDfftrera o f tlip (§ r fc p r

fu r N nr t h A m r r i r a

A rttrlr (S)ur O F F IC I A L N A M E S SYM BO LS.

H A R V E S P E N C E R LEW IS, F. R. C., Im perator C O N R A D H. L IN D ST E D T , K. R. C., Suprem e G rand M aster A L B E R T B. B R A S S A R D , K. R. C., Suprem e G rand Secretary LO U IS L A W R E N C E , K. R. C., Suprem e G rand Treasurer

W V G V M V T H O R K IIM A L E H T O , K. R. C., Illustrious Sovereign Inspedtor-General of the A ncient Sovereign C hapters of the Illuminati A m enhotpii

AND

Section 1 T h e name o f the O rder in A m erica shall b e : “ The A n ­ cient and M y s tic a l O rder Itosae C rucis.” In a b b revia t­ ed form the name shall be “ A.M .O .R.C. o f N orth A m e r­ ica.” Section 1a T he members shall be known as “ B roth ers” and “ S isters” or by such h on orary or ritu a l­ istic title s as m ay be con­ ferred upon them o r herein­ a fte r described, or as “ Rosaecrucians.” A n d the doctrines, philosophies and teachings shall be known as “ Rosaecrucianism .” Section 2 T h e O fficial Sym bols shall be the same as those used by L odges o f this iden tica l O rder in oth er lands and in a ccord­ ance w ith the dictates o f the A m erican Supreme Council. Each L od ge in the A m erican J u risdictions shall adopt a symbol or seal in corp ora tin g the essential featu res o f the n ational sym bols adopted by the O rder in th is Country. A ll such seals or symbols shall be d is tin ctly d ifferen t in some es­

sential so as to make separate registration possible w ith the Supreme G rand Lodge. (T h e O fficial Sym bol o f the O rder in its exoteric fo rm in A m erica, as adopted by the Suprem e Grand Lod ge, consists o f an equi­ la te ra l tria n g le w ith its point dow nw ard. In the centre o f this tria n g le shall be a cross form ed o f one perpendicu lar lin e risin g from the lo w er poin t and rising to the h orizon tal line o f the top o f the tria n g le, and m eetin g it to fo rm rig h t angles th erew ith . T h is up­ righ t line shall be crossed, about tw o-th ird s above the point o f the tria n g le w ith a h orizon tal lin e touching the tw o sides o f the tria n g le .) N O T E .— T h e names and sym bols thus adopted and given in the above pa ra ­ graphs w ere a bsolutely new in A m erica a t the tim e th ey w ere adopted by the A m e ri­ can Suprem e Council and w ere n ot in use by any sim i­ la r or oth er o rgan iza tio n group o r L o d g e in A m erica, and w ere not a sim ulation o f any oth er secret order symbols.

(CmtBtilntimi o f the ODrftrr

(CnmitUutum o f thr GDrifcr

proclam ations and announce­ ments conform ing to the said C onstitution shall be issued in the form o f Pron u im a m en tos by the Im perator, the Supreme* Grand M aster, the A m erican Supreme Council, Grand M a s ­ ters, or M asters in au tocra tic form and shall bo obeyed by a ll members o f this Order.

A r t ir lr ©nut T H E G O V E R N M E N T OF T H E ORDER Section 1 T h e G overnm ent o f the O r­ der in N orth A m erica shall rest w ith, and be exclu sively in the hands of, the Im perator. l ie shall be the highest au­ th o rity , the a u tocra tic execu­ tiv e and the court o f last ap­ peal in a ll m atters perta in in g to the w ork o f the Order, both sp iritu al and m aterial. A t his discretion he m ay desig­ nate certain powers to his a d­ visory C ouncil known as the A m erican Supreme Council, or to variou s officers as herein­ a fte r stated : or he m ay leave to th eir consideration, v o te or decision such questions, ru l­ ings or law s as he m ay deem proper, and w hich m ay be more efficiently expedited in this manner.

W A r t ir lr FO RM

C Etirrc

O F O R G A N IZ A T IO N .

Section 1 In order th at the dictates of the A m erican Supreme Council and the purposes o f the O rder its e lf may be m ore efficiently executed in the N orth Am erican Jurisdiction, the said N orth A m erican Ju­ risdiction, consisting o f the N orth Am erican C ontinent and a ll territories, dependencies and colonies or possessions be­ lon gin g to or under the direc­ tion o f every other country or nation on the X ovtli Am erica u C ontinent, including the W est India Islands, shall be sub­ divided into Grand L od ge J u risdiction as fo llo w s : Each State, T e r rito r y or D epen­ dency of the U nited States o f Am erica shall be made a
Section 2 T h e said Am erican Supreme Council shall constitu te a nominal execu tive board fo r the adm in istration of the Order in A m erica, and each Lod ge shall have sim ila r Coun­ cils fo r the purpose o f fu lfill­ ing the law s and decrees o f tin* Im pera tor, the Supreme Grand M aster or the A m erican Su­ preme Council subject a lw ays to the au tocratic rulings o f the Im perator. Section 3 Th is C onstitution shall con­ stitu te the w ork in g law s o f the O rder in A m erica by which the Im pera tor, the Su­ preme Grand Officers, all Grand M asters, M asters and Councils shall be guided. A ll official Decrees, rulings, laws,

Section 2 The N orth A m erican

16

Juris-

indefin ite number of L od ges fo r each Grand J u risdiction. T h ey shall be gran ted C harters by the Grand Lod ges o f th eir respective Ju risdiction s is­ sued by the Grand M as­ ters o f said Grand Lodges w ith the a p p rova l o f the Grand Councils o f said («ra n d Lodges. Such Su­ bord inate Lod ges shall be subservient to this Con­ stitu tion , th eir respective (iran d Lod ges and in d i­ rec tly to the Im p era to r and the A m erican Su­ prem e Council.

diction shall consist, therefore, o f fifty (5 0 ) or more Grand Ju risdiction s having definite geogra p h ical boundaries and united only in submission to this C onstitution and the g o v ­ ernm ent o f the O rder fo r the N orth Am erican Jurisdiction. Section 3 Lodges shall be established in these J u risdiction s as h ere­ in a fter provided under the fo l­ low in g general classification ;iud w ith the fo llo w in g form « Grand Lodges shall In* founded and m aintained in every Grand Ju risdic­ tion of this O rder in N orth A m erica to the number of one Grand L od ge fo r each Grand Jurisdiction. T h e y shall be granted C harters under this C onstitution by the Im p era to r in the name o f the (ira n d M a ster o f each Grand Lodge. Such Grand Lodges shall be subser­ vien t to the Im neratpr. the A m erican Supreme Council and this C on stitu ­ tion. (<•) S ub ord in ate Lodt/cs shall be founded and m ain­ tained in every G rand J u risdiction o f this O rder in N o rth A m erica to an

Arttrlr X A T 1(>X A L E X E C U T IV E O F F IC E R S Section 1 TH E IM P E R A T O R : lie shall be the Slip eme A u to ­ cra tic E x ecu tive o f the O rder in N orth A m erica. H is duties and powers shall include those defined throughout this C onstitu tion and in any am endm ents thereto. li e shall be subservient to the Supreme R. (\ Council o f the W orld consisting o f a duly elected bodv o f iin p erators or Grand M asters G en eral o f the various Ju risdiction s o f this O rder as now established or which may 1m* established in the various countries o f the world. The present Im perator, H a rv e Spencer L ew is, holds this exhalted office by virtu e o f his election by the Supreme (iran d L o d ge o f N orth Am erica and which election is ratified by the ratification and adop-

17

(Emtfltttittimt u f tljr ODrfcrr

hers o f the Am erican Supreme Council o f N orth A m erica, duly assembled in a N ation a l Con­ vocation, called especially fo r such purpose w ith in seven days a fte r the vacancy o f the Ohice. Such successors must be elected w ithin th irty days a fte r the vacancy o f the Imperator's office and position, from am ong those B roth ers o f the O rder w ho are in the highest degree o f the O rder in N orth A m erica. T h e term o f Office o f each Im p era to r suc­ ceeding the present Im p era to r shall be the same as applies to the present Im perator, and his duties and powers shall be the same.

tion o f this C onstitution by all Lodges now ex istin g in N orth Am erica. Fu rtherm ore, the present Im perator, H a rve Spencer Lew is, was gran ted the distin c­ tion and burdened w ith the re­ sponsibility o f being the F irs t A m erican It. C. Im p era to r be­ cause o f his In itia tio n in to the O rder in foreign lands fo r the purpose o f bringing the O rder to Am erica, and because o f the honors bestowed upon him by the Grand M a ster o f our Order in France, w hich honors, in ­ cluding those o f : P re la te o f the O rder in France, F e llo w o f the Rosaecrucian Illu m in a ti o f France, and Supreme D ig n i­ tary o f the O rder fo r Am erica, are granted and set fo rth in a French Pron unziam ento num­ bered “ It. I<\, It. G., No. 987,432 and sighed by the Grand M aster and the Officers who conducted his in itia tio n into the sublime m ysteries and teachings o f our tw e lv e de­ grees, and which document and its declarations o f spon­ sorship have been amended and verified by com m unications to this O rder in A m erica a d­ dressed to the variou s officers of Am erican Supreme Council. Th e present Im p era to r o f the O rder in N orth A m erica shall hold this position and office until his tra n sition to the higher realms, or u ntil his resignation is officia lly accept­ ed by the Am erican Supreme Council, or until he is excom ­ m unicated or retired by any recognized and a ctive Supreme R. C. Council o f the W orld , j Ilis successor, and all fu tu re Im perators o f the O rder in North Am erica, shall be elected by a tw o-thirds vo te o f all the Grand L od ge M asters in N orth A m erica and the mom?

Section 2 The Suprem e Grand M a s te r : He shall be the M aster o f the Supreme Grand Lod ge and as such shall be the C h ief Execu­ tiv e o f the M a teria l and S p ir­ itual w ork o f the Supreme Grand Lodge, including the R itu alistic w ork o f said Lodge, and shall preside ov er the Am erican Supreme Council in a ll its m eetings. H e m ay also be the Im p er­ a tor o f the O rder in N orth America holding both offices at the same time. But when not Im p era to r he shall be subser­ vient to the Im p era to r in all m atters pertain in g to the E x ­ ecutive w ork o f the Supreme (iran d Lodge. He shall be elected to his Office by a m a jo rity v o te o f the Supreme Grand Council, fo r a term o f not less than tw o years, and not more than ten vears. TToon retirin g he shall be dignified by the t itle o f “ P a st Supreme Grand M a ster.” Section 3 Suprem e Grand S ecre ta ry G enera l; He shall be in

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(Smtstttutum n f il|r ODrtor

charge o f a ll national records o f the O rder, shall conduct or supervise a ll correspondence between the Supreme Grand L od ge, Am erican Supreme Council, the G rand a n d' L ocal Lodges and th eir Officers, and those h a vin g official business w ith the national organ iza tion w ork or w ith the Supreme (iran d Lodge. H e shall likew ise fill the du­ ties o f S ecretary in the R it ­ u alistic w ork o f the Supreme Grand Lod ge, and shall be cus­ todian o f the N ation a l seal and o f the seal o f the Supreme (ira n d Lodge. H e shall be elected to Office by the Supreme Grand Council by a tw o-th irds vote fo r a term o f one year, and m ay be successively re-elected fo r fou r addition al years. W hen his duties so w a rra n t he m ay haVe one or m ore assistants at the discretion o f the Am erican Supreme Council. Upon his honorable retirem en t he shall be known as “ P a st Supreme ( ira nd S ecretar v-G eneral.”

**I'ast Supreme urer-G eneral.’ *

Grand

T reas­

W A rtirlr JFiur Section

1

T H E A M E R IC A N S U P R E M E C O U N C IL . T h is body shall consist o f the Officers o f the Suprem e Grand L odge, and such addition al B roth ers and Sisters o f the O r­ der, in any Lodge, as m ay be selected by the Im p era to r or the Suprem e G rand M aster to m ake a to ta l o f tw en ty -five Suprem e G rand Councilors. Section 2 Th ese shall be appointed fo r a term o f one year, and m ay be re-appointed fo r successive a d d ition a l years. T h ey shall be subject to a ll laws o f this C onstitution as are the Officers and the B roth ers and Sisters o f the Order.

Section 4 Suprem e Grand T re a s u re rG e n e ra l: H e shall have charge o f the national finances and all m oneys received by the Su­ preme Grand Lodge, Am erican Supreme Council or its Offi­ cers, from a ll sources in con* nection w ith official w ork. H e shall keen correct records, and i f it is found necessary, shall have assistance in a u d itin g the records or m ain ta in in g a fund in legal manner. He shall also fill the duties o f T reasu rer in the Supreme Grand Lodge. H e shall be elected in like m anner as the Supreme Grand Secretary-G eneral, and fo r a sim ila r term . Upon his hon­ orable retirem en t he shall have the hon orary t itle o f

Section 3 T h is Council shall ex ist as an a d vis ory board to the Im ­ perator and the Suprem e G rand M aster. I t shall a s­ semble under the. direction o f the Suprem e Grfthd M aster. I t shall decide or vo te upon such questions as a re subm itted to it by the Suprem e G rand M as­ te r or Im perator. I t shall con­ sider w ays and means o f pro­ p a g atin g the O rder and its w ork ami make recom m enda­ tions in the form o f resolu­ tions to the Supreme Grand M a ster or the Im perator. Section 4 I t shall pass upon the a p p li­ cations fo r new Grand Lodges,

19

(Eunntitutiim n f ttye ODrtor CBimatitirtUm n f ifjr (Drfor join the O rder, and who a re ev en tu ally duly elected to the O rder and pass through its In ­ itia tio n in sin cerity and hu­ m ility . Am endm ent 1. Special dis­ pensation m ay be granted, how ever, by the Grand M as­ ters o f each S tate or d istrict, or by the Im perator, fo r the adm ission o f an applican t o f eith er sex over 18 years o f age and under 21 years, w hose application has been dul v ex­ amined and approved by the presidin g membership com m it­ tee o f any subordinate or (iran d L od ge in th eir Ju risdic­ tion. Such members shall not hold, how ever, any office until o f legal age.

and make recom m endations in regard th ereto to the Im p er­ ii tor. I t shall sign a ll L a w s it inav pass w ith tne a pproval o r desire o f the Supreme (iran d M aster or Im p era to r, and shall adopt, approve and sign all such M anifestoes, D ecrees or Pronunziam entos as shall l)e issued by the A m erican Su­ prem e Council and w hich re­ quire the signatures o f the C ouncilors and the Seal o f the Am erican Supreme Council. Section 5 I t m ay have w ith in its body an execu tive com m ittee known as the M in istra ro. the M in is­ ters o f w hich shall be selected by the Im perator. T h e M in ­ istra ro shall w ork under such la w s and rules o f efficiency* as it m ay adopt.

Section 2 Each L od ge shall adopt its own rules as to procedure fo r in v estig a tin g applicants, and fo r th eir election into the O r­ der fo r In itia tion . Such rules shall be established and m ain­ tained by the Council o f each Lodge, w hich shall appoint a Mem bership Com m ittee and in ­ struct it to pass upon and rec­ ommend applicants.

Section 6 The Am erican Supreme Council shall a,dopt and estab­ lish such “ Rules o f Proced u re” as m ay be necessary to con­ duct properly its a ffa irs and exped ite the m atters which m ay come before it.

Section 3 The “ C olom be” of each Lod ge shall be the only ex­ ception to the rules o f age fo r admission.

A rtirU g>ix

Section 4 A com plete L od ge shall con­ sist o f not more than 144 ac­ tiv e members and 14 Officers, m aking a to ta l o f 158 a ctive members.

M E M B E R S H IP . Section 1 M em bership to the O rder shall be stric tly lim ited to men and women, 21 years o f age or over, who are o f good m oral habits, w ho meet the necessary requirem ents as to character and occupation, w ho openly profess and declare th eir be­ lie f in Cod, w ho submit to in ­ vestigation a fte r in v ita tio n to

Section 5 Mem bers may become nona ctiv e by non-attendance to the regu lar convocations and lectures or degree work, and by not paying dues regu larly.

20

In such case they sh all re­ main non-active u n til re-ad­ m itted to such degree, in any L odge, as th ey la st attended and u n til they pay regu lar dues and a tten d a ll w ork again, provided there is a va cancy in the L od ge to which they a pply fo r admission. Section 6 Mem bers m ay be tra n sferred to oth er Lod ges upon the w r it ­ ten recom m endation o f th eir M aster, and provided th ere is a vacancy in the a c tiv e m em ­ bership lis t o f the L o d ge to w hich they desire to be tra n s­ ferred. Such tra n sferred m em ­ bers shall take precedence o v er a ll applican ts in being a d ­ m itted. Section 7 A ll m embers shall be classed as eith er a c tiv e or non-active, and in eith er class must be o f good rep ort and record, o th er­ w ise th ey can not rem ain as members. Section 8 Each Grand L o d ge shall have a Council consisting o f 14 officers and 11 oth er m em ­ bers appointed bv the M aster, to serve one year, and m ay be reappointed. Each Subordi­ nate L o d ge shall have a Coun­ cil consisting only o f the a c­ tiv e officers. Such Councilors shall be selected by the M a s­ ters o f the Lodges.

WW A rtirir l& m tn L O D G E O F F IC E R S Section 1 E v ery L o d ge o f this O rder shall have the cu stom ary 14

Officers as outlined In “ S ecret M andam uses."

the

Section 2 T h e Officers o f each L od ge shall consist o f M aster, D epu­ ty M aster, S ecretary, T r e a s ­ urer, and ten oth er R itu a lis tic Officers. T h e D eputy and the ten R itu a lis tic Officers o f each L od ge shall be appointed or- re­ appointed by the M a ster a t the Annual E lection. (A ll the fo re g o in g Officers, except ‘ *Ma tre ” and “ C olom be” m ay be filled by eith er B roth ers or Sisters o f the O rder.) Section 3 T h e M aster, S ecretary and T reasu rer o f a ll L od ges shall be elected, in the case o f a L odge, a t the ex p iration o f th eir term s, or w henever an official vacancy occurs. In the case o f a M aster, he shall be re-elected or a nother elected a t the ex p iration o f such term as is decreed in his C harter. No M a ster m ay be elected and in stalled in an y L od ge w ith ­ out the a pproval of th at L o d g e ’s su perior Council. Section 4 Officers fo r new L od ges m ay be elected by the Foundation Com m ittee. In such case the election m ust be approved by the new Lodge’s superior Council. Section 5 Officers in the Suprem e Grand L o d ge shall be titled w ith the w ords “ Supreme G ran d” preceding th eir office title. In Grand L od ges by the w ord “ G ran d,” and in Subor­ din ate L od ges by the w ord “ W o rth y .” Section 0 T h e duties o f M asters, Depu-

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(Cnnstitutinn nf tlj* (Writer

ties, S ecretaries and T re a s ­ urers in each Lodge, shall be, aside from R itu a lis tic work, those which, usually pertain to the Offices o f Presidents, VicePresidents, Secretaries, and Treasu rers in oth er org a n iza ­ tions. Section 7 R itu a lis tic Officers fo r each Lodge, including the Supreme (ira n d Lodge, shall be a ppoin t­ ed by the M a ster o f the Lodge. Each officer shall be appointed fo r a term o f one year from the d a te o f such appointm ent except in the case o f an ap­ pointm ent to fill a vacancy, when the term shall be fo r the unexpired pa rt o f the term o f the Office vacant. A ll Officers m ay be reappointed fo r suc­ cessive terms.

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Artirir lEtgljt C O N V O C A T IO N S Section 1 Th e regu lar R itu a lis tic Con­ vocation s o f the O rder shall be held by each L od ge a t least tw ic e a month, in some T e m ­ ple especially arranged or adapted to the R itu a lis tic w ork and h avin g the O fficial equipment. Section 2 Such C onvocations shall be conducted by the M aster and Officers in accordance w ith the “ Secret Mandam uses” and the dictates o f the Am erican Su­ preme Council as issued by the Im p era to r o f the O rder in N orth Am erica. Section 3 Th e “ w ork ” in the Lodges, consisting o f lectures, teach­ ings' ceremonies, in itiation s, exam inations, tests, ex p eri­ ments, etc., shall likew ise be in accordance w ith the “ Secret Mandam uses” or as modified or im proved by the decrees o f the Am erican Supreme Council and issued by the Im p era to r o f the O rder in N orth America. Special M eetings, Assem ­ blies, or Convocations o f a N a ­ tion a l nature m ay be called by the Im p era to r and the M a ster o f each L od ge may call sim ilar m eetings o f a local nature at any tim e w ith due notice to all members o f his Lodge.

Section 8 T h e titles, conditions o f ap­ pointm ent, duties, etc., o f all R itu a lis tic Officers shall be as defined in the “ S ecret M a n ­ damuses*’ o f the O rder as ob­ tain in all Lod ges o f this Order. Section 9 A ll R itu a lis tic Officers, in ­ cluding the Deputy M aster, S ecretary and Treasurer, shall sign an Official “ Officer’s O ath ” in the presence o f the M a ster pledging th eir a lle g i­ ance to the O rder and the Im perator. Section .10 ' T h e T reasu rer o f each op­ era tin g L od ge shall be bonded in an amount specified by the Council o f each L od ge and the Rond is to. be made payable to the Supreme Grand Lodge.

W Arttrlr Ntttr A N N U A L B U S IN E S S M E E T IN G . Section 1 Th e A nnu al Business Meet-

d n n atitu tu m n f tlje ODrfcer

in g o f the Supreme Grand L od ge shall be held on the first Th ursday o f M arch of each year, in the Tem ple o f the Suprem e G rand Lodge. I t shall be presided over by the Suprem e Grand M a ster and he m ay summon to this m eeting such officers or members o f the O rder in N orth Am erica or in­ v ite others from the O rder in other C ountries, as he m ay find advisable, necessary or fitting. Section 2 T h e Annual Business M e et­ ings o f a ll grand and subordi­ nate Lod ges shall be held on or about the date o f the A n ­ nual Business M eetin g o f the Supreme Grand L od ge, p re fer­ ably p rior thereto, in order th a t its rep ort m ay be sent to the A nnu al Business M eetin g o f the Supreme Grand Lodge. Such m eetings shall be pre­ sided ov er by the M a ster o f the L od ge, who shall have the p riv ile g e o f in v itin g others from oth er Lod ges to attend.

W

A r t t r l r Q tru A N N U A L E L E C T IO N S . Section 1 An annual election day shall be established by each L od ge in accordance w ith the date o f the election and a p p o in t­ m ent o f its first Officers. Such annual election shall be held by the Council o f each Lodge. N om ination s shall be offered on the same evenin g as elec­ tion, and the in s ta llation o f new Officers m ay be held the same even in g as the election, o r a t a special m eeting o f the

en tire L od ge on a nother night, or ju st preceding the C onvoca­ tion at the next regu lar C on­ vocation o f the L od ge or any degree thereof. Section 2 T h e D eputy M aster and R it ­ u alistic Officers shall be ap­ pointed by the M a ster at such election. Section 3 T h e Council o f each L od ge shall em body in its B .-L a w s, rules and regu lations reg a rd ­ in g the nom ination, election and in sta lla tion o f new Offir eers, consistent w ith this C on­ stitution.

W W A r t i r i r E lr n r n A N N U A L C E L E B R A T IO N D AYS. Section 1 T h ere shall be held cial Assem blies each N orth Am erica. One the N ew Y e a r F east other shall be the F ete. These shall be a ll Lodges.

tw o Spe­ yea r in shall be and the O u tdoor held by

Section 2 T h e N ew Y ea r F ea st w ill oc­ cur about the 21st o f each M arch the exact date being proclaim ed by a Pronunziam ento issued by the Im p era to r ev ery F ebru ary. I t is to cele­ brate the N ew Rosaecrucian Y ea r w hich begins on the m in­ ute when the sign “ A rie s ” rises on the horizon on that day in M arch when the “ Sun’ ’ ju st enters the sign o f “ A rie s .” (T h e yea r 1910 A. D. corre­ sponds to the Rosaecrucian

i;i 'i i; i1

I

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11iTnintiHnr mm

r (Simatitutum uf tlyp ODrfter

(CnitHtitution n f li|r (Writer

Section 6 Th is Annual Outdoor F e te should be held by each L od ge independently, to celebrate the la y in g o f the foundation stones o f the G reat P y ra m id in Am erica. Each L od ge shall arrange to go on this day (o r the fo llo w in g one, should it rain or be storm y ) to an open space in the suburbs o f such Lodge, and w ith pra yer and addresses, have each member o f the L od ge deposit in one small pile a sim ple little stone or pebble, sym bolical o f “ plac­ ing a stone fo r the foundation of the G reat Pyra m id in A m erica.” F u ll regalia and insignia must be worn by a ll officers and members. Se­ crecy o f the . F e te need not be m aintained, but the public or the u nitiated must not be given, in the prayers or a d­ dresses, any o f the secret “ w ork,” signs or symbols o f the Order. Such a F ete m ay 1)0 hold at sundown i f desired.

year o f 3260, w hich begins on M arch 21, 1916, a t 1 :06 A. M. Eastern T im e .) Such N ew Y ea r C elebrations shall be held in the Tem ples o f the Lodges and attended by the Council, Officers and members o f the L od ge and by such es­ pecially in v ite d guests as are v is itin g members o f the O rder and w hose presence th e M a s­ te r desires fo r reasons good and sufficient unto him self. T h ere shall he a sym bolical feast consisting p rin c ip a lly o f corn, or its products, s a lt, or th at w hich tastes m ost stron gly o f it, and w ine, in the form o f unferm ented grape juice, and any oth er delicacies or refreshm ents suitable to the occasion. A ll Officers shall w ear th eir fu ll rega lia and a ll others th eir aprons or oth er in ­ signia. Th ere shall be only sacred m u s ic ,. sym bolical ad­ dresses and sincere rejoic in g fo r the N ew Year. Section 3 A t th is N ew Y e a r F ea st it has been custom ary fo r the M aster to bestow such hon or­ a ry title s on his m embers as he m av contem plate, to make new appointm ents to fill vacan ­ cies, etc. Section 4 A ll oth er regu lar or special C onvocations or m eetings o f oach L o d ge are to be post­ poned in order th a t the N ew Yea*' F east m ay be held on the day decreed by the Im p er­ ator. Section 5 Th e Annual Outdoor F ete m ay be held by th e discretion o f the M a ster o f each Lodge, on or about the 23rd day o f Septem ber o f each year, the oxact day being decreed by the Tm perator. I t shall be that day when the Sun enters the sign o f Libra.

Article STntrlttr TH E

E S T A B L IS H M E N T LO D G E S .

OF

Section 1 Lodges m ay be established in any city, tow n, or lo c a lity o f N orth A m erica under the fo llo w in g conditions : G R A N D LO D G ES. Section 2 These m ay be form ed by 48 (fo rty -e ig h t) sincere seekers fo r lig h t and tru th subm itting to the Supreme Grand L od ge through the Supreme Secre­ tary General, signed official application blanks w ith the re-

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quest th at the 48 applicants, desiring to organ ize or found a Grand Lodge, be gran ted a Charter. Section 3 Such G rand Lod ges m ay ho founded in any ju risd iction o f N orth A m erica, h a vin g no Grand L od ge a t the tim e the applications are subm itted, or w here an ex istin g Grand L od ge is about to disband, d is­ solve or be w ithd raw n ; pro­ vided such proposed Grand L od ge is to be located in one o f the principal cities o f an es­ tablished ju risdiction .

Section 6 T h e said F o u n d a tion C om ­ m itte e shall then subm it th eir names and references to the Suprem e G rand S ecretaryG eneral w ho may, at the d is­ cretion of the Im pera tor, issue to such C om m ittee com ­ p lete “ In stru ction s fo r O rgan ­ izin g a L o d g e .” Such C om ­ m ittee shall have a u th o rity to organ ize under the direction o f the L od ge in charge o f the Ju risdiction in which the p ro ­ posed L od ge is situated. Section 7 C h a rter w ill he gran ted to such mem ber o f the Fou nda­ tion C om m ittee ( a ft e r eith er 36 or 38 a pplication s a re se­ cured as indicated in Section 2 or 4 o f this A r t ic le ) as m ay seem proper and fitted fo r the Office o f M a s te r o f said p ro­ posed Lodge. Section 8 C h arters fo r Subordinate L od ges w ill be granted to the selected M a s te r fo r a “ period o f one year, renew able each y ea r th e re a fte r fo r three suc­ cessive years, and tra n sfera b le or revokable upon six ty days n otice” by the su perior C oun­ cil under whose Ju risdiction the proposed L od ge shall exist. Special D ispensation m ay be g r a n t ed fo r Subordinate L odges fo r a lim ited period of o rgan iza tio n w ork p rio r to the g ra n tin g o f a C harter. Section 9 G rand L od ges shall receive a C h a rter gran ted to the se­ lected M a ste r o f each L od ge fo r a “ P e riod o f one year, re­ newable each yea r fo r fo u r a d ­ d ition a l successive years, tra n sfera b le o r revokable upon 60 (s ix t y ) days notice,” from the A m erican Supremo Council o r by the Im pera tor.

Section 4 S U B O R D IN A T E L O D G E S . I t shall require 36 (th ir ty s ix ) signed O fficial A p p lic a ­ tion Blanks accom panied by a request to fo rm a Subordinate Lodge. Such request is to be d irected to the S ecretary o f the G rand L od ge o f the J u ris­ diction in which such proposed Subordinate L od ge is to be s it­ uated. Section 5 Th ose desirin g to organ ize or found L od ges in th eir cities or tow ns m ay secure permission and in stru ction from the Su­ preme Grand S ecretary-G en­ eral a t the Supreme Grand L od ge in N ew Y ork C ity, by m ail or in person, a fte r sub­ m ittin g to such in v estig ation as the Suprem e Grand Secre­ tary-G eneral and the Im p er­ a tor desire. W hen permission is granted, the person to whom it is granted is to form in his or her city o r tow n a Foundation C om m ittee o f 5 (fiv e ) men and women, w ith a F ou ndation President, F ou n da­ tion S ecretary and F ou ndation Treasu rer included in the C om m ittee.

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(HmtntUutum o f Ilf? (Writer

(EmtBittittUm of \-------—

Section 10 A ll necessary “ w o rk ” and in ­ structions w ill be given to each L od ge a fte r the C h arter or Special D ispensation is granted by the Superior body g ra n tin g the C h a rter or Spe­ cial Dispenastions.

Section 4 Officers m ay be exem pt from paying regu lar m onthly:, dues du ring th eir term o f Office ; or i f the Council o f any L od ge so decrees by unanimous vote, O f­ ficers o f th at L od ge m ay pay the same dues as the members fo r such period as decreed by the Council. Section 5 In itia tio n Fees shall be charged by a ll Lodges. The fee fo r the F ir s t D egree shall be not less than $5.00 (fiv e d o lla rs) payable a t the tim e o f In itia tio n or p rior thereto. I t m ay be raised to any higher amount as membership in the L od ge increases. Such in ­ crease in In itia tio n F ee ( fo r F irst D eg ree) must be by unanimous vo te o f the L o d g e ’s Council. Section 6 Each L o d ge may, by decree o f the Council, charge In it ia ­ tion Fees a t the tim e members pass from F ir s t D egree to the Second, and from the Second D egree to the T h ird , etc. N o t less than $1.00 (one d o lla r ) shall be so charged, and not over $50.00 (fif t y d o lla rs) fo r the last or T w e lfth Degree.

Arttrlr Slrirtrrn F E E S A N D DU ES. Section 1 A ll Lod ges o f the O rder shall establish a standard o f In itia tio n Fees and Dues. T h e minimum In itia tio n F ee shall i>e $5,00. A ll members shall pay the regu lar dues in order to m aintain the Lod ge, and when such dues a re not paid the members in arrears shall be deemed “ non -active.” (S ee Section 5 o f A rtic le 6.) Such members m ay not attend lec­ tures o r C onvocations o f any kind. A ssociate members dues shall be fixed by the M a ster o f the Lod ge w ith w hich the mem ber is associated. Section 2 Each Lod ge shall establish in its B y-Law s certain la w s re^ga rd in g the period during which members m ay have th eir dues in arrears w ith o u t losing p rivileges of a ctive m em bersh ip; but in no case shall a longer period than 6 (s ix i months be p erm itted fo r a rrears o f dues. W hen the a rrears exceed this period the member shall be suspended from a ll m embership standing. Section 3 M o n th ly dues shall n ot be less than 50 ( f if t y ) cents and r io t 'o v e r $5.00 (fiv e d o llars.)

Arttrlr 3Fo«rtrr« ROYAL

SU PPORT.

Section 1 Each L od ge o f the Order holding a tru e and leg itim ate patent or C h arter in the name o f its M a ster under this Con­ stitution, sh all contribute to the R o ya l Support o f th is O r­ der, as fo llo w s :

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ODrtor

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Section 2 Subordinate L od ges shall re­ m it m onthly to the Grand L od ge of its ju risd iction , through the Treasurer, o f the Qrand Lodge, a R o ya l Support o f 25% o f a ll In itia tio n Fees and Dues received du ring the month. Section 3 G rand Lod ges shall rem it to the Supreme Grand L od ge o f N orth A m erica through the Supreme Grand Treasurer, the R o ya l Support o f 25% o f all In itia tio n Fees and Dues re­ ceived du ring the m onth from Grand L od ge members and also shall rem it the Supreme G rand T reasu rer 25% o f the G rand L od ge R o ya l Support from its Subordinate Lod ges received du ring the month.

Section 4 N o mem ber shall use fo r trade purposes any title , honor, degrees, or emblems o f the Order.

Ariirli* §>bet??tt P U B L IC IT Y

AND T IO N .

P U B L IC A ­

Section 1 The general propaganda w ork o f the O rder shall be O f­ fic ia lly conducted by the Su­ preme G rand Lodge, its Coun­ cil and its O ffic e rs ; assisted by a N a tion a l Progagan d a Com m ittee. Section 2 L o c a l propaganda Work m a y 1 be conducted by any Lodge, Foundation C om m ittee or Of-: ficer on ly by fo llo w in g the general m ethods o f the Su­ prem e Grand Lodge. A ll l i t ­ eratu re or oth er m a tter used in this w a v must be subm itted to the Pu blication C om m ittee o f the Suprem e Grand L od ge and be a pproved by the said Com m ittee. Section 3 A ll books, pam phlets, tre a ­ tises, lectures, expositions, and in terp re ta tio n s issued by any Lod ge, L o d ge Com m ittee, O f­ ficer or in d ividu a l, pu rporting to be tru ly “ R osaecru cian” or to contain the ideals, p rin ­ ciples or la w s o f this O rder, shall be firs t subm itted to the said N a tio n a l Pu blication C om ­ m ittee fo r a pproval, and i f ap­ proved or deleted, w ill receive the O fficial Im p rin t o f said C om m ittee, vouching fo r its Official C orrectness.

Artirir 3Fiftmt R E G A L I A A N D E Q U IP M E N T . Section 1 E v ery L od ge shall have the proper and O fficial R e g a lia and Equipm ent fo r its Officers and Tem ple as decreed by the Su­ preme G rand L od ge in its “ Se­ cret M andam uses.” Section 2 N o change shall be made in R egalia or Tem ple Equipm ent by any L od ge except by per­ mission o f the Im perator. Section 3 R eg a lia and In sign ia, as w e ll as a ll Emblems, fo r any use w h atever, shall be o f an O fficial design and make, and shall be purchased only from official Rosaecrucian Supply Bureaus,

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(Cnmititutum u f tlj* O&rtor

^ p e rin m t Arttrlr g>rtmttrrn

vention o f the O rder fo r N orth Am erica.

AM END M ENTS.

(Such Am endm ents as are h ereafter adopted w ill be p rin t­ ed in such fo rm th at they can be attached to this book in this section. Such printed slips w ill be furnished by the Supreme G rand Secretary.

A m endm ents to th is C onsti­ tution shall be made only by a tw o-th irds vo te o f the O f­ ficial D elegates o f a ll Lodges represented at a N ation a l Con­

Ig - IC a ittB

Th is form o f B y-Law s, w ith necessary m odifications and a d­ ditions, shall be adopted by all Lod ges in the N orth Am erican Jurisdiction. Th e Im pera tor.

J U R IS D IC T IO N . T h e Ju risdiction in which the powers o f this L od ge and its Officers are to be exercised is th a t w hich is stated in our C h a r t e r ; and such pow ers shall be those defined by said C h a rter and by the C on stitu ­ tion o f the O rder and its Am endm ents.

N A M E A N D SEAL. T h e name o f this L od ge shall be ...................................... Lod ge o f the A. M. O. R. C. o f N orth Am erica. Its Official Seal shall be as im pressed h erew ith and filed w ith the Supreme A rc h iv is t o f the Suprem e G rand Lodge.

AttmtJimrnt Nn. 2 I t has been so decreed by A m erican Supreme Council th at a ll Grand Lodges in N orth A m erica shall w ith in one y ea r from the tim e th eir C h a rter is granted make ap­ plication to the proper legal a u th orities w ith in th eir ju ris ­ diction fo r the in corp ora tin g o f said Lod ges as religiou s or­ gan ization s founded and oper­ a tin g according to this Con­ stitu tion o f this Order.

M E E T IN G S . T h e regu lar m eetings or le c ­ tures o f this L od ge shall be those decreed by the Council o f this Lodge. Special m eet­ ings or convocations shall be called by the M a ster o f this L od ge a t his reasonable discre­ tion or by ou r S u perior Lodge.

PU RPO SES. Th e purposes shall be to conduct regu lar and official convocations, rituals, lectures and m eetings o f the A. M. O. R. C. in our own Ju risdiction and w ith in the term s and lim ­ itation s o f the C h a rter under w hich this L od ge exists.

M E M B E R S H IP . M em bership in this L od ge shall be lim ited to 144 a ctive members in addition to the fou rteen Officers. C onditions o f M em bership shall be acco rd ­ in g to the C onstitution o f the Order. (M eth ods o f passing upon a pplication s and v o tin g upon C andidates shall be fu lly set fo rth in th is S ection.)

A L L E G IA N C E . Because w e are duly C har­ tered by our superior L od ge o f the A. M. O. R. C., and be­ cause w e exist, as a L o d ge by virtu e o f such C harter, w e are pledged by its conditions to obey and adhere to the Con­ stitu tion o f the A. M. O. It. C. o f N orth A m erica, and also bound by Oaths and sacred prom ises to heed, obey, respect and prom u lgate the decrees, rules, pronunziam entos and de­ cisions o f our Superior Lodge, the Suprem e Grand M aster, the A m erican Supreme Council and the Im p era to r o f the O r­ der, o f w hich O rder w e a re a part, and to the au tocra tic governm ent o f w hich we, as a Lodge, subscribe and declare our allegian ce.

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E L E C T IO N

O F O F F IC E R S .

N ew Officers fo r this L od ge fo r any reg u lar term , or to fill any vacancy, shall be elected o r appointed in accordance with the C onstitu tion o f the Order. T h e regu lar election o f O f­ ficers fo r th is L o d ge shall be held each yea r on : (a n n iv e r ­ sary o f the date o f the L o d g e ’s C h a rte r). (L a w s fo r the nom ination o f officers, c a llin g o f m eeting fo r election, and m ethod o f v o tin g shall be fu lly set fo rth in this section.)

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O F F IC E R S

AND

TE RM S.

mous decision o f the Council, said Council m ay appeal to the M a ster o f its Superior Lodge. In the m a tter o f issuing excom m unications, pronunziam entos and decrees, the M as­ te r o f the L od ge shall have a u tocra tic pow er consistent w ith the C onstitution o f the Order.

T h e Officers o f th is L od ge shall be a M aster, D eputy M as­ ter, S ecretary and T reasu rer as execu tive officers, and the necessary ritu a listic officers as stated in the C onstitu tion o f the Order. T h e ir term s o f o f­ fice shall be as fo llo w s : (s ta te fu lly here, a fte r consu ltin g the C on s titu tio n ). TH E

LO D G E

(A d d itio n a l a rticles m ay be added to the B y-L aw s adopted by the Lod ge, and these should be as specific and com plete as possible. I t is recommended th at each L od ge adhere, in its w ork o f the Council, to the p a rliam en ta ry law s set fo rth in R o b ert’s Rules or some sim ­ ila r guide. T h e adoption o f the B y L a w s should be a m at­ te r fo r an even in g’s session o f the L od ge Council, and each A rtic le should be fu lly dis­ cussed and voted upon. Ad­ ditions to the B y Law s, or Amendm ents, should be voted upon by the L od ge Council in like m anner.)

C O U N C IL .

Th e a d visory Council o f this Lod ge shall consist o f : (24 members fo r a Grand L od ge and 14 members fo r a sub­ ordin ate L o d g e ), inclu d ing a ll execu tive and ritu a listic o f­ ficers. T h e Council shall ad­ vise the M aster in the per­ form ance o f his duties or the so lvin g o f any problem when he seeks or requires its as­ sistance. Its unanimous vo te on any rule, la w , order o f decree o f the M a ster shall be duly considered by him, and i f he shall veto such unani­

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