IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) !.0 I.I 1.25 m m ^ m 12.2 -V 2.0 !8 14 IIIIII.6 - 6" V] <^ % /}. TW ^. ^l .^ ^ > /S^ V PhotograDhic Sciences Corporation # ■1>^ iV ^^ :\ \ •4^ 1> ^mpreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, seion lo cas. Tous les autres axemplaires originaux sont filmis en commengant par !a premiere page qui comporta una empreinta d'impression ou d'illustration at en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporta una telle empreinta. Un das aymboles suivants apparattra snr la dernidre image de chaque microfiche, selon la cas: le symbole -^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film^s & des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour etre reproduit an un seul clich6, il est film6 t partlr de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche h droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustreht la mdthode. ata elure, 6 ~J i2X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 g I / V i I I'!l INTRODUCTION, BYLAWS AND RULES, I OF Sff®.. a 9 PROVINCE OF CANADA, OF THE I. 0. OF O. F. AS ADUPTED ON ITS ORGANIZATION. A^-^ -^\P, LOVE AlVo ^ % > • MONTREAL : BROTHERS MATTHEWS^ HARDIE, AND RODDfiN. 1843. ■ ', > . ' I w 4, / VSf INTRODUCTION. Anything that has for its object tlie ad- vanceiiient of human happiness or human in- tellect; anything that tends to the amelioration of the condition of mankind, or to lessen the ills and miseries incident on human life ; any- thing that draws closer the ties of mutual sympathy, and strengthens the bonds of brother- hood between man and man, is not only worthy of approbation, but of the warmest support and admiration. That such are the objects of Odd Fellowship, none who have taken the trouble to investigate its principles and operations, will at- tempt to deny. When the Almighty Architect of the universe spake, and this sphere which we inhabit burst into light and loveliness, every fundamental principle on which our Order is based, was stamped with the signet of Omnipo- tence upon her young and unstained being, there to remain in legible and enduring charac- ters, as constituent elements of her perpetuity and existence. Friendship then wove her silken bonds ; Lov£ breathed forth her strains of mutual sympathy and confiding tenderness ; while TftUTH — above — around — beneath — shed forth her blaze of living light, as pure and un- : . i I ■ sullied as the rays that emanate from the throne of the eternal God. Upon these three pillars rests tlie structure of our Order — around th(;ni cluster our brightest hopes and fondest auticipa- lions. We shall endeavour to prove that Odd Fel- lowship is calculated for the most extensive moral good. It is evident, that in order to col- lect an assemblage of persons, and continue and increase them as a body, there must be two powerful motives of action : first, curiosity to collect ; secondly, pleasure and some useful end in view to continue them. The singularity of the title of « Odd Fellow," is better adapted to excite curiosity than any other: it iills the mind with a desire to know what is meant by it, and such desire is seldom appeased until the mystery is unravelled by becoming a Brother. As it is an odd name without the Lodge, so the manners are perfectly odd when introduced within the awful stillness of the odd, instructive ceremony, when judiciously conducted ; the odd appearance of the Lodge when its officers are seated in their respective stations; the odd si- lence and decorum which prevails; the odd mode of honour and respect paid to the Chair ; and the three powerful odd links which bind us together— Friendship, Love and Truth, all combine to fill the mind of every new member with satisfaction and surprise, far exceeding his most sanguine expectations. WMl»»H^W aH ,,*»l.< l vt« i,.- throne pillars i t lie 111 Id Fel- teasive to col- ue and 36 two sity to ful end rity of dapted ills the t by It, itil the rother. 80 the :>duced ructtve he odd ^rs are jdd si- le odd Chair ; ind us tember ng hi» 5 Some useful end in view to continue them. The principles of Odd Fellowship are those of humanity and religion ; its object is to promote the general good of mankind, aiul spread abroad the lights of morality and knowledge; it not only benefits the common cause of philanthropy, but ensures to its members in the hour of ad- versity and tribulation, a source of safety and comfort, that none, save the arm of Omnipo- tence, can destroy. A parent's affection may change; the friend- ship of the world may turn to hatred, and even love may be transformed to loathing and disgust, but the ties that bind usr together are never sun* dered ; our claims of brotherhood are only dis* solved by death — no, not even death can rend them — they descend to the widow and the orphan. The language of our Order is more potent than any strain of eloquence that ever fell upon the human ear. A stranger, penniless and friendless, in a foreign land, breathes its tones, and his necessities are relieved. Sickness comes and lays its paralyzing hand upon him, and though no friends or relatives are near, a brother of the ** mystic tie** administers to his wants and soothes his distresses. The «ick amongst our own brethren, are not left to the cold hand of public charity ; they are visited, and their wants are provided for out of the funds they themselves have contributed to raise^ and which, in times of need, they can honorably b of su(;ing for claiiT), withniiL (he humiliatioi parochial oi- individual rtliel' — IVum which the fret bonj miiui tTcoiU with disdain, until over- whelmed in insufferable want and misery. We B.v(i obllj^ated, if need be, to |:erform the last solemn offices to the remains of any departed brotiier, and see them consigned with respectful decency, to the bosom of our mother earth. To the living, our fraternal solicitude is no less ex- ercised. It is our enjoined duty to watch over the conduct of our brethren, even in their com- mon intercourse with men, as well as one with another ; and to remonstrate with those who wander from the paths of rectitude, or trespass upon the rules of morality. In all age» and in all countries, our Order has stood forth the champion of liberty and religion ; and wherever she has erected an altar she has also dedicated a teuiple to science and refinement. It is not necessary to go back and trace the progress of our Order, from its establishment down to the present period, or point out, in minutia, its deeds and history. Suffice it to say, that thousands of years ago, the Egyptian astrologer found in our temple tlie secrets of Astronomy ; and the Chaldean shepherd, in his midnight watch, as he gazed upward to the starry heavens, drew from our oracles the sublime truth, that there were worlds unknown, incal- culable and immense, and that over all pre- sided an unknoivn and mysterious, yet Omnipo- tent power. Since tliat time, during succeeding c< ntiiries, we behold the Eastern Magi — tl»e devout Jew — the intellei^tual and versatile Greek — the proud and haughty lloinan — bending at its 8hrine« and burning incense upon its iliuo. Emerging from the gloom of the middle a^eis, we see it the animating spirit in the revoluliuu that succeeded, and rolling onward with the tides of science and civilization — from nation to nation, from country to country — it has crossed the Atlantic, and found on this soil, a fos- tering hand and genial clime* True it is, tluu storms have howled around ; and, at time;*, we beheld it glimmering like the pale star of morn, " betwixt light and darkness, on the horizon's verge;*' yet the storm has passed away, and again it has burst forth in renewed strength and beauty. Protected by the shield of Omnipo- tence, it has set at defiance the power of despo- tism, the machinations of bigotry, and the wily intrigues of the fawning hypocrite. It has been said that ours is a secret Order, and that secrecy is disconsonant with innocence. True it is, that we are, in part, a secret society but is secrecy a crime ? The world itself, the universe, the God of eternal truth, are sur- rounded with an impenetrable veil that no mor- tal eye ever pierced ; and shall it be denied that these exist, because their arcana are not revealed at our bidding ? Shall we pronounce them evil, because their operations are hidden from our 8 I I view, and above our comprehentiion ? Again : who can define the mind? who unfotd its con- 6titiient elet^ients and liiddm sj)riiii^s ? The earthquake — at whose shock nations tr('iiil)ie, and countries become desolate— has been ac- cuuuted I'ur, and its most secret particles reveal- ed and analyzed. The lightening that plays in bright yet fearful beauty amid the storm, has been traced home to tlie bosom of the cloud from which it left, and its minutest principles investi<;ated and developed, but who ha traced to its home the lightening of the mind ? Who analyzed those mental earthquakes, that have shaken the moral world to its very centre, and diifused light and knowledge amid the abodes of ignorance and superstition? And shall the emanations of genius ; the music of the pott'i$ lyre ; the conceptions of the gifted intellect ; the tones of spirit-stirring eloquence, be rejected, because the source whence they emanated are hidden from our view, and beyond the reach of our intellect ? So far from secrecy being an objection to our Order, we claim it as a recom- mendation. It is the mystic tie that binds us to- gether in indissoluble brotherhood ; prompting us to deeds of virtue and benevolence ; it comes and entwines itself around our fraternity, like the refreshing yet invisible breeze, that, at sum- mer noontide, fans our burning forehead, invigo* rating the system with its coolness, and gladden- ing our hearts with its freshness and purity. In 9 If lliia re.<(p€ct we bave the tanclion ui age^. We challenge any ^ne to point ont a ulngle nation or people, whose career is &kt>tched on the pfige oi history, among whom there did not exist se- cret institutions. To go farther, there is not an tiilightened government now existing on the globe, that does not permit its legislative cuuu- cils to resolve themselves into a secret <^onclave, for the purpose of concocting iiKU'^iirps of vitnl importance — and should any member oi tii- to hid whom books, office Sec, 4}. A permanent Secretary shall bo elected annually at tiie last regular meetini^ in December, whose duty it shall be to keep'^'the accounts between the Lodge and its members receive all moneys due the Lodjro, and immedi- ately pay the same over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor. He shall, four weeks after the expiration of each quarter, notify every member who is thirteen weeks in arrears, of the amount due from him to the Lodge. He shall close the accounts of the Brothers at the end of each quarter. He shall procure all stationery for the use of the Lodge, and shall at the end of each term, make out for the Lodge a statement of all moneys received and paid by him to the Treasurer, and deliver up to his successor in office, or to any committee whom the Lodge may specially appoint, all books, papers, or other property belonging to his office and the Lodge, and for the faithful performance of his duties, he shall receive twenty-five dollars per annum payable quarterly. Sec, 5. The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of all moneys of the Lodge ; he shall pay all orders drawn on him by the N. G., under direction of the Lodge; he shall make such investments of the funds as the Lodge mav direct ; he shall keep the accounts in a fair and legible manner, exhibiting the sources and amount of receipts, the purposes, and amounts of disbursements. His books shall be open for inspection of members at every regular meeting, and he shall lay before the Lodge monthly state- ments of its funds, and at the end of each quarter, he shall have his accounts closed and reported to the Lodge. He shall, previous to his installation, execute to the N. G., V. G., and P. S., ill irniht^ a bond with sureties to be aj>- : f 14 proved by tliem, for the faithful performance of his trust, and shall deliver up, when legally- called upon, money.s books, papers, &c., belong, ing to his office or the Lodge, to his successor in office or to any committee whom the Lodge may specially appoint. Sec. 6. The Warden shall take charge of the properties of the Lodge, and shall report any damages done to them to the N. G. ; he shall place the regalia for the use of the members at the opening of the Lodge, and at iU close, he shall collect and preserve them in a careful way; he shall canvass all votes on motions and resolu- tions, and when the vote of the Lodge shall be taken on the admission of a candidate, he »hall collect the ballots of the members and bear them to the N. G., and thence to the V. G. He shall also be the messenger of the Lodge. Sec, 7# All officerti must be clear of the books at the time of installation. I 8 e s I t 1 i c i 15 ARTICLE III. MODE OF ELECTIONS, mite* I. At the elections the Secretary shall provide written ballots for each candidate. It shall be the duty of the Warden to distribute a •et of ballots to each member entitled to vote, and he shall then receive their votes as the names of the members are respecrively called by the Secretary ; it shall then be the duty of the N. G. to appoint two tellers, who with the War- den, shall canvass the votes* given, and declare the result to the N. G., by whom it shall be an- nounced to the Lodge: any candidate to be elected^ must receive a majority of the votes given. ii 1^ ('5 I I 16 ARTICLE IV. FINANCE AND VISITATION COMMITTEES. Sec, 1. The N. G., on the night of his in^ stallation, shall appoint three members as a Committee of Finance, whose duty it shall be to audit the accounts of the R S. and Treasurer, as to the receipts or expenditures of the money o\ tlie Lodge, whose duty it shall be to report at the first regular meeting in the succeeding Sec, % The N. a shall, on the night of his installation, appoint five members, to be selected with reference to their location, in different sections of the city, whose duty it shall be to assist the N. G. and V. G., in visiting brothers reported to be sick. Every sick brother to be visited by some of them within twentv-four hours after receiving information of his case, and to have all necessary assistance rendered during the continuation of such sickness, io accordance with the Constitution aod By-Laws 01 this Lodge. 17 ■JEES. his itt' '& as a ili be to asurer, money report reeding t of his elected fferent be to 'Others to be y-four » case» idered essf in •Laws ARTICLE V. BENEFITS. Sec, 1. Every brother who has been a member of this Lodge three months, or who has attained the Scarlet Degree, shall be qualified to receive the benefits of this Lodge. Sec, % Every brother who is qualified by the first Section of this Article, and not dis- qualified by Article VIII. of these By-Laws, shall in case of being rendered incapable, by sickness or accident, of following his usual occupation, be entitled to, and receive out of the funds of this Lodge, if a member of the scarlet degree, £l 5s. per week; if of the initiatory degree, i5s, per week, during the remainder of his sickness or disability, dating not more than one week anterior to hisj being reported to the Lodge. Provided always such sickness or disa- bility does not proceed from immoral conduct on his part. Sec, 3. On the death of any brother who is not disqualified by Article VIIL of these By- Laws, the sum of £7 10s., shall be allowed as a Funeral Benefit, which shall be disposed of as provided for by Clause 3d, Section 2a, Article IL of the Constitution ; and the Secretary shall give notice in the public prints, or if that is im- practicable, shall notify every member of this Lodge, of the death of a worthy brother, in order that they may attend the funeral* wearing a Ribbon and Sprig. Sec, 4. On the demise of the wife of a bro- ther who is qualified according to the first section of this Article, he shall be entitled to, and shall receive £5, Sec, 5. Residing at a distance from the city of Montreal, shall not disqualify a brother c i I 18 from receiving benefits, provided he is not dis- qualified by Article VII L of these By-Laws. It will be necessary for a brother so situated, to send to the N. G. a true statement of his case, attested by the N. G., under seal of the nearest Lodge to the place where he may be ; or if no Lodge be near, his case, complaint and circum- stances shall be certified by a justice of the peace or a respectable physician. Sec, 6. If a member from a distant Lodge apply to this Lodge for relief, on the presenta- tion ofhis^ard, his case shall be referred to a committee l)f three members to investigate his circumstances and report to the Lodge, when, by a motion, a sum not exceeding one week's benefit, may be voted for the relief of the bro- ther, unless the case be one of extreme necessity, when the amount may be increased by the unanimous vote of the Lodge. Sec, 7. The N. G. shall have a correct roll of the members of this Lodge for the use of the visiting committee, and if circumstances require it, the visiting committee shall notify a sufficient number of the members in rotation as they stand on the roll, to attend each sick member during the night, to administer such assistance as may be in their power: Provided, always, that the disease be not contagious, infectious, or dangerous to others, of which two respectable physicians shall be judges. Sec, 8. If a deceased brother shall leave a family unprovided for, without a protector or guardian, it shall be the duty of the Visiting Committee to endeavour to place them in a situ- ation where they may be made comfortable, and be preserved from vice and infaniv. ' 1 19 not dis- 3y-Laws. uatedy to his case, i nearest or if no circum- 3 of the It Lodge )resen ta- red to a igate his e, when, i week's the bro- ecessity, by the rect roll e of the require ufficieot as they member sistance always, tious, or pectable leave a ictor or Visiting fi a situ* ble, and ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP. SeCn 1, It shall be the duty of the members of a committee appointed to investigate the character of a candidate for membership, to re- port at the next regular meeting ; and in ballot- ing for candidates, the ballot shall be examined by the N* G., and the result announced by the V. G. Sec, 2. Every member on being admitted, shall sign the Constitution and By-Laws of this Lodge, and thereby agree to support the same ; and pay all legal demands against him so long as he remains a member* He shall also furnish the Secretary with his residence or place of business, and in case of changing or removing it, he shall notify the Secretary thereof within three weeks. Sec, 3. When anv member desires to with- draw from the Lodge, he shall signify his desire in open Lodge, and if he is clear of the books he shall be entitled to a card ; and when anv brother may desire a visiting or travelling card, he shall be entitled to the same on paying up his dues, &c., to the end of the time to which it shall extend. Sec, 4. Any btother who shall be admitted to membership by deposit of card from another Lodge, shall pay £1 5s. Sec, 5, Any brother who shall be admitted to membership as au Ancient Odd Fellow, shall pay £1 5s. Sec, 6. Every member of this Lodge shall pay to the funds of the lodge at the rate of 78. 6d. per quarter. Sec, 7. When a funeral benefit has been paid, or the lodge made liable thrrrfor, if there be a less sum tiia. 1125 in the Trea ury, each It ' 20 brother of the lodge shall be immediately as- eessed by the Permanent Secretary • (which payment shall be due and payable immediately.) if for the death of a brother, 2s. 6d., if for a brother's wife Is. 3d. ; to refund the amount necessary for the payment of the benefit. I 1 I liately as- ; (which ediately,) » if for a 3 aaiounf^ it. 21 ARTICLE VII. DEGREES, DUES, &C, Sec. 1. All persons initiated in this Lodge, jhall pay f I 5s., except when the initiate is over forty-five years of age, when he shall pay 5s. each additional year till fifty, over which age no individual will be admitted. Sec. 2. The cost of Degrees cooferred in this Lodge, shall be 58. each Degree. Sec, 3. All applications for Degrees shall be made in open Lodge, and when Degrees shall have been voted to a worthy brother, it shall be the duty of the Permanent Secretary, to furnish him with a certificate of the same under seal of the Lodge> upon his paying the amount re- quired, £1. 55. 22 ARTICLE Vm. PENALTIES. Sec. 1. Every member who shall refuse or neglect to pay his clues and arrears to the Lodge ior the space of twelve months, shall be notified thereof by the P. Secretary if practicable ; and It after four weeks notice his account shall still remain unsettled, he shall be suspended during the pleasure of the Lodge ; and if reinstated, shall pay the amount standiag against him .,t the time of his suspension, together with the whole sum to which he would have been subject had he not been suspended. Sec. 2, Should the Quarterly Secretary fail to have his books in the Lodge at the specified time, he shall forfeit the sum of 2s. 6d. for every offence. Sec, 3. Any member wlio shall in the Lodge make use of any profane or indecent lan- guage, or refuse to obey the commands of the N. G. or V. G. when called to order, or use dis- respectful expressions towards the ofHcers or members of the Lodge, shall be subject to a nne, for each offence, not exceeding 15-', Sec, 4'. Any member who shall be guilty of improper conduct in or out r i the Lodge, or who shall bring charges agains* a bio -ler wh;< h he is unable to prove, or sliail wilfully anil knowingly propose unworthy candidates for membership, shall subject himself to fine, sus • pension or expulsion, according to the enormity of the offence. Sec. 5. Any member who shall be guilty of conduct unbecoming an Odd Felbw, shall be fined, suspended, or expelled, according to the j)leasuro of the Lodge. Sec. 6. No .smoking, or refreshments, other t 1 I a t t ^ 23 ?ruse or ; Lodge notified ie ; and all still during istated, him at ith the subject than water, shall at any time be allowed i?; the Lodge Uoom, or any appartuient thereunto belonging. Sec. 7. Any of the officers, who shall be absent from the Lodge Room at the appointed time for opening, without being able to give a satisfactory reason for such absence, shad pay the following fines:— N. G. ; V. (;. ; P. S. ; T. ; W. ; C. ; O. G. ; I. G. ; each 2s. Gtj. All other appointed Olliccrs, Is. 3d. ary fail )ecified r every in the tnt lan- of the ise d is- le rs or t to tl ilty of ge, or wh,; !t y and lis for If sus- )rinitv iltv of all be :o the other 24 ARTICLE IX. FRATERNAL COURTESY. Sec, 1 It is particularly enjoined that all members of this lodge shall treat each other with delicacy and due respect ; and that all ungene- rous remarks, personal allusions or sarcastic lan- guage, by which the feelings of any brother may be wounded, be carefully avoided, and the most promment objects of our Order, (Friendship, Charity and Harmony,) be not diminished or interrupted ; and that all our discussions be con- ducted in that spirit of candor, moderation and open generosity, which lead men to the altar of concord, and good fellowship ; and it shall be the duty of the N. G. to repress every thing to the contrary, ^ ^ 25 that all lier with ungene- Jtic lan- ler may le most sndship, shed or be con- on and iltar of hall be ling to ARTICLE X. * EXPENDITURES AND AMENDMENTS. Sec. I, This Lodge shall by vote of the ma- jority, first authorize an expenditure or donation before the same can be made ; and all bills must be read by the Secretary in open lodge and be approved by a majority, and audited by the N. G., before the same can be paid ; and no ex- penditure shall be ordered by this lodge, exceed- ing the amount of £2 10s. without being refer- red to a committee of three, who shall report thereon at the next regular meeting of the lodge. Sec, 2. Any proposed amendment to these by-laws, shall be offered in writing to the lodge at the last regular meeting in any term, and at the next regular meeting, the action of the lodge may be taken on such amendment. Two thirds of the members present shall constitute a majority to decide upon aniendments. 26 » ARTICLE XI. Sec. 1. No member other than such as shall have previously served a term as Secretary — and have not passed the V. G/s chair— shall be eli- gible to the office of V. G., unless there h no past Secretary to nominate, in which case, any member who has served two terms in some inferior office shall be eligible, as provided by the constitution. \ a9 shall ry — anil l>e eli- 'e tit no ase, any n some ided by RULES OF ORDER. OPENING THE LODGE. Rule i. When the presiding officer takes the chair, the officers and members shall take their respective stations; and at the sound of the gavel there shall be a general silence. The lodge shall then proceed to open in ancient form. ORDER OF BUSINESS. Rule ii. The minutes of the last meeting shall be redd, and if no objection be made to any part thcieof, they shall stand approved, without vote, and the Secretary shall place them on the books of the lodge. All busi- ness then appearing before the lodge, shall be transacted under the ditferent propositions of the Order. DECORUM. Rule hi. Every officer and member shall be designated in debarc or otherivise, by \m proper olHre or title, according to his standing in the lodge. * S8 THE CHAIR. RctB IV. The N. G. while presidiog, shall •tate every question coming before the lodge, .»d ..nmediately before putting it to vote, shall wk .Is Ike Lodge ready for the Question f Should no member rise to speak, he shall rise to take the question ; and after he has risen, no member shall speak upon it. unless by consent of the N. G. He shall pronounce the vote, and decsions of the lodge on all subjects, (except on a ballot for membership, when the V. G- shall declare the result.) Hi» decisions on quesfons of order, shall be without debate, unless, entertaining doubts on the point, he «nv.te .t; and he shall have the privilege of speakmg only on such questions from the chair. When h.s decision has been appealed from, the question shall be put thus: « WiU Ou> Lodge stand by tie Chair in its desision V' DEBATE. KutB V. 1. Every member, when be speaks respectfully address the Chair; and when be ftas hoished. he shall resume his seat. While speaking, he shall confine himself to the question under debate, avoiding all personality, and in- decorous language, as well as any reflection upon the lodge, or its membei-s. 2. Should two or more members rise to speak m »g» shall e lodge, >(e, shall sstion f* II rise to isen, no consent ^^.t% and (except J V.G. ons on debate* int, he lege of 2 chair. >rn, the Lodge speaks I shall >en he While estion 'id In- upon speak 29 at the same time, the Chair shall decide who shall be entitled to the floor. 3. No member shall interrupt another in his remarks, unless to call him to order for words spoken. 4. If a member, while speaking, shall be called to order at the request of the Chair, he shall cease speaking and take his seat, until the question of order is determined, when, if permit- ted, he may again proceed. 5. No member shall speak more than once on the same question, until all the members wishing to speak shall have had an opportunity to do so ; nor more than twice, without the per- mission of the Chair. QUESTIONS AND VOTES. Rule vr. 1. When any communication, petition, or memorial, is presented.—before it is read, or any vote taken on it, a brief statement of its contents shall be made by the introducer or the Chair : and after it has been read, a brief notice of the purport shall be entered on the journal. 2. No motion shall be subject to action, until seconded, and stated by the Chair; and at the desire of any member, such motion shall be re- duced to writing, 3. When a blank is to be filled, the question shall be taken first upon the highest sum or illi ■ Muniber. and the lon^f-st or latent time proposed. 4. Any member may call for a division of a