XXXVI. But if the Brother, whom the present Grand

Master shall nominate for his successor, or whom the ma- jority of the Grand Lodge shall happen to choose by ballot, is, by sickness or other necessary occasion, absent from the grand feast, he cannot be proclaimed the new Grand Master, unless the old Grand Master, or some of the Masters and Wardens of the Grand Lodge can vouch, upon the honour of a Brother, that the said person, so nominated or chosen, will readily accept of the said office ; in which case the old Grand Master shall act as proxy, and shall nominate the Deputy and Wardens in his name, and in his name also receive the usual honours, hcmage and congratulation.