Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois - University Library

Tuesday. | GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, I. 0. O. F. 349
Nov. 18, 1913. f
"Section 2. No person shall be entitled to admission to the Order
except free, white males of good moral character, who have arrived at
the age of eighteen years, and who believe in a Supreme Being, the
Creator and Preserver of the Universe; provided, that in Australia,
New Zealand and other countries not on the continent of North
America, in which the Order has been or may hereafter be established
and a Grand Lodge or Grand Lodges formed, the qualifications be left
to local legislation."
Signed by Representatives from three Grand Bodies.
Representatives Rinehart, of Florida; Trautmann, of New York,
and Eastin, of Missouri, laid on the table the following proposed
revised Constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge:
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.
General Provisions.
Section 1. Title.—This Lodge shall be known by the name, style
and title of "The Sovereign Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows."
Sec. 2. The Source of all Legitimate Odd Fellowship.—It is the
source of all true and legitimate Odd Fellowship and possesses final
and superintending jurisdiction over the whole brotherhood.
Sec. 3. Powers.—It shall have exclusive power and jurisdiction
as follows:
1. To regulate and control the unwritten work of the Order, and
to fix and determine the customs and usages in regard to all things
which appertain thereto.
2. To provide and establish suitable lectures and other written
work for the Order.
3. To prescribe the forms of all cards, certificates and ceremonies,
to designate the style, material, shape and size of all jewels, and to fix
the design of all regalia.
4. To determine the qualifications for membership in the Order.
5. To introduce the Order into such countries, domestic or
foreign, as it may deem advisable, to charter Lodges, Encampments,
and Rebekah Lodges in such countries and to retain exclusive control
of such Lodges, until Grand Bodies shall be legally organized and
chartered therein.
6. To organize and issue charters to Grand Lodges and Grand
Encampments with such power and jurisdiction as the Sovereign