THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

however, most of the Grand Lodges have altered this regulation, and the
Wardens succeed according to seniority to the chair of the absent Grand
Master and Deputy, in preference to any Past Grand Officer.
Section IV.
_Of the Grand Treasurer._
The office of Grand Treasurer was first established in 1724, in
consequence of a report of the Committee of Charity of the Grand Lodge
of
England. But no one was found to hold the trust until the 24th of June,
1727, when, at the request of the Grand Master, the appointment was
accepted by Nathaniel Blackerby, Deputy Grand Master. The duties of the
office do not at all differ from those of a corresponding one in every
other society; but as the trust is an important one in a pecuniary
view,
it has generally been deemed prudent that it should only be committed
to
"a brother of good worldly substance," whose ample means would place
him
beyond the chances of temptation.
The office of Grand Treasurer has this peculiarity, that while all the
other officers below the Grand Master were originally, and still are in
England, appointed, that alone was always elective.
Section V.
_Of the Grand Secretary._
This is one of the most important offices in the Grand Lodge, and
should
always be occupied by a Brother of intelligence and education, whose
abilities may reflect honor on the institution of which he is the
accredited public organ. The office was established in the year 1723,
during the Grand Mastership of the Duke of Wharton, previous to which
time the duties appear to have been discharged by the Grand Wardens.
The Grand Secretary not only records the proceedings of the Grand
Lodge,
but conducts its correspondence, and is the medium through whom all
applications on masonic subjects are to be made to the Grand Master, or
the Grand Lodge.
According to the regulations of the Grand Lodges of England, New York
and
South Carolina, the Grand Secretary may appoint an assistant, who is
not,
however, by virtue of such appointment, a member of the Grand Lodge.
The