SECTION V.

THE GRAND SECRETARY.
The Regulations of 1721 had described the duties to be performed by the Grand Secretary ;f but from
perhaps by the appointment of the one, and. with the consent and approba- tion of the other. — Ander., second edit. p. 138.
* His duties are very fully defined in the Regulations of 1721, art. xiil, see ante p. 70.
t " There shall be a book kept by the Grand Master, or his Deputy, or rather by some brother whom the Grand Ledge shall appoint fcr Secretary.*' —Iteq. 1721, art. xiii.
47 8 GRAND SECRETARY.
the o realization of the Grand Lodge in 1717. to the year 1723, no such officer had been appointed. In the hast mentioned year, however, Bro. William Cowper was chosen by the Grand Lodge. The office was therefore first an elective one, but Ander- son, in his edition of 1738, says that "ever since, the new Grand Master, upon his commencement, ap- points the Secretary, or continues him by returning him the books."* This usage is still pursued by the modern Grand Lodge of England ; but in every jurisdiction of this country, the office of Grand Secretary is an elective one.
The functions, the discharge of which is intrusted to the Grand Secretary, are of the most important nature, and require no ordinary amount of talent. It is his duty to record all the proceedings of the Grand Lodge with the utmost fidelity and exactness. He is also the official organ of the Grand Lodge, and in that capacity conducts its correspondence. He is, besides, the recipient of the returns ar.d dues of Lodges, which amounts he pays over to the Grand Treasurer, so that each of these officers acts as a check upon the other.
The Grand Secretary is also in this country the keeper of the seal of the Grand Lodge, which he affixes to all documents that require it. His signa- ture is considered as essential to the validity of any document which emanates from the Grand Lodge. f
* Andehson, second edit. p. 161.
t The duties which in other countries are divided among several officers. are in America concentrated in the GrawJ Secretary, who i$ henoe a much
GEAND CHAPLAIN. 479
Like the Grand Treasurer, lie was permitted by the old Regulations to appoint an assistant, who did not, however, by such appointment, become a mem- ber of the Grand Lodge. The Regulation is still in force in several of the American jurisdictions.