Mysteria Mystica Maxima
Constitution of British Section
Article I
| SECTION I. |
Under the style and title: ANCIENT ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS, an organization,
formerly known as: "The Hermetic Brotherhood of Light", has been reorganized
and reconstituted. This reconstituted association is an international organization.
This present Constitution is for the Mysteria Mystica Maxima which is the British
Section of the Order in Great Britain and Ireland (hereinafter referred to as the
"M.M.M.") and is given by order and seal of the National Grand Master General
of such section pursuand to authority and order under the seal of the Outer Head of the
Order dated the 1st day of June A.D. 1912 A.O. 794 at London. |
Article II
| SECTION I. |
The M.M.M. declares that the Brotherhood of ALL THINGS CREATED is a Fact in Nature. |
| SECTION II. |
The principle purpose of the M.M.M. is to teach Brotherhood, and to make
it a living power in the Life of humanity. |
| SECTION III. |
The subsidiary aims of the M.M.M. are: (a) to spread the knowledge of Hermetic
Science, and to initiate its members in the Secret Doctrines of Hermetic Science,
(b) to establish and administer schools, lodges, etc. where Hermetic Science is
taught: (c) to build, establish, found, manage and administer Homes, Colonies,
Settlements, etc. where initiated members may live according to the tenets of the
M.M.M. |
Article III
| SECTION I. |
The M.M.M. is part of that great and universal hermetic movement which has been
active in all ages. |
| SECTION II. |
Organizations throughout Great Britain and Ireland adopting this Constitution
become integral parts of the M.M.M. upon receipt of official notification of their
acceptance as such. All such joining organizations to be subject to whatever
conditions the authorities of the M.M.M. may impose. |
| SECTION III. |
The Central Office of the M.M.M. is at present at Number 33, Avenue Studios,
Fulham Road, South Kensington, England, but may be removed to any other address. |
Article IV
| SECTION I. |
There shall be one Supreme Office in which shall be vested paramount authority
regarding all matters which concern the welfare and administration of the M.M.M. |
| SECTION II. |
The title of the person filling this office shall be "National Grand Master
General for Great Britain and Ireland" (hereinafter referred to as the
"National Grand Master General"). |
| SECTION III. |
The first person filling this office shall be the Right Worthy Brother Aleister
St. Edward Crowley and he shall serve for life or until his resignation. |
| SECTION IV. |
The person filling this Office shall appoint his or her succesor and such
successor (male or female) filling this office shall serve for life, or until his
or her resignation. In default of such appointment the Executive shall appoint a
successor. |
Article V
| SECTION I. |
The National Grand Master General shall be the Supreme Executive Officer
of the M.M.M. |
| SECTION II. |
The National Grand Master General shall have the Sole power of appointing
the Supreme Council from among the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the
Seventh Degree and of filling all general offices by appointing persons to occupy
the same, and shall have the power of removing any Member of the Supreme Council
or any general officer at will. |
| SECTION III. |
The National Grand Master General shall have power to declare the policy of
the M.M.M. and to direct and manage the affairs of the M.M.M. and to issue, alter
and withdraw such Rules, Conditions and Regulations as he in his discretion may
from time to time deem expedient. |
| SECTION IV. |
The National Grand Master General shall have the right to cancel or suspend
the Charter of any subordinate organization (lodge etc.) in Great Britain or
Ireland and shall also have the right to suspend or dissolve the membership of
any person whenever such action is, in his or her opinion, for the interest of
the M.M.M. |
Article VI
| SECTION I. |
There shall be an Executive Council (hereinafter referred to as the Executive)
consisting of the National Grand Master General, the Grand Secretary General and
the Grand Treasurer General whose duty shall be to administer the affairs of the
M.M.M. The National Grand Master General shall be President of the Executive. |
| SECTION II. |
Subject as herein provided the Executive shall have full charge and control of
the finances and property of the M.M.M. with full powers to administer the same and
in particular to sell, dispose of, realize, or otherwise deal with the same, and to
purchase any property of whatsoever nature and invest any moneys in such a manner
as they in their absolute discretion shall think fit and generally to exercise all
the powers of absolute owners. |
| SECTION III. |
The Executive may from time to time nominate and appoint trustees of any property
belonging to the M.M.M. and Agents for any purposes and at any tinme remove any
trustee or trustees agent or agents so appointed and may delegate any powers to
trustees and agents so appointed and at any time revoke such powers or any of them
but subject to any such delegations trustees so appointed shall hold any property
vested in them upon trust to deal with the same as the Executive shall direct. The
Executive or any of them may themselves act as such trustees. |
| SECTION IV. |
The Insignia and Regalia and chattels of a like nature belonging to the M.M.M.
shall be delivered to and held by the Executive as Trustees for the use of the M.M.M.
and its Officers as such and with power for the Executive to nominate special
trustees under the power herein before contained but neither the Executive nor such
other trustees shall alienate or deal with the same or any part thereof except with
the consent in writing of the National Grand Master General. |
| SECTION V. |
The receipt of the Treasurer General shall be a good and sufficient discharge
to any purchaser or other person for any moneys or property payable or transferable
or belonging to the M.M.M. |
| SECTION VI. |
The National Grand Master General shall be the custodian of the archives
and the Library of the M.M.M. |
| SECTION VII. |
All official acts of the Executive shall be void and of no effect when
disapproved and disallowed by the National Grand Master General. |
Article VII
| SECTION 1. |
There shall be a Supreme Council of Nine members appointed from among the
Sovereign Grand Inspectors General. The National Grand Master General shall
be the President of the Council (ex officio) and all the other Members
of the Executive shall also be ex officio members of the Supreme Council
which shall act as an advisory Committee. |
Article VIII
| SECTION 1. |
Should any vacancy occur in the Supreme Office of the M.M.M. the Executive
shall have power to perform the duties of that office until the successor to that
office takes possession of the same. |
Article IX
| SECTION I. |
Any person of full age (male or female) who has signed the preliminary pledge
form and has been approved of by the National Grand Master General may become a
member of the M.M.M. |
| SECTION II. |
Every application for admission must be sent in writing to the Central Office,
whether in England or elsewhere or to one of the authorized local organizations. |
| SECTION III. |
Applications for diplomas and charters must be accompanied by a remittance
covering the prescribed fees and dues. All diplomas and charters must be issued
under the hand and seal of the National Grand Master General. |
| SECTION IV. |
Three or more members may apply for a charter to form a subordinate lodge
or organization. |
| SECTION V. |
No person may be a member of two lodges at the same time. |
Article X
| SECTION I. |
Every subordinate Lodge or organization shall have the right to conduct its
own affairs according to its own wishes and bye-laws provided that its acts and
bye-laws are not contrary to the letter or the spirit of this Constitution. |
| SECTION II. |
The Bye-Laws of subordinate organizations, lodges, etc. must be submitted for
approval to the National Grand Master General and are null and void unless approved
by the National Grand Master General |
Article XI
| SECTION I. |
A Congress of the M.M.M. may be called by the National Grand Master General
to assemble at such place and time as that officer may designate. |
| SECTION II. |
Each subordinate organization, lodge, etc., shall be entitled to One Vote
in the Congress for its first three members, and one additional vote for each
succeeding ten members. |
| SECTION III. |
The National Grand Master General shall have power to prevent the discussion
of or action on any subject which in the judgement of that officer is against the
welfare of the M.M.M. |
Article XII
| SECTION I. |
It shall be the duty of the Executive to provide Bye-Laws for the M.M.M.
and its subordinate organizations. |
| SECTION II. |
No Bye-Laws shall become operative until approved by the National Grand
Master General. |
Article XIII
| SECTION I. |
This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourth vote of a Congress. But
no amendment shall take effect and become law until approved by the National
Grand Master General. |
Article XIV
| SECTION I. |
This Constitution is subject to the general constitution of the Oriental
Templars Order and to the powers of the Outer Head of the Order thereunder. |
The above Constitution has been approved of and is now issued under my hand and Seal.
LONDON Feby. 15th A.D. 1913.
(Signed)Aleister St. Edward Crowley
National Grand Master General
Baphomet X°, 33°, 90°, 96°
This constitution was promulgated in February of 1913 by Crowley. It is adapted
from the 1906 O.T.O. constitution issued by Reuss in London, a
revised version of which was issued in 1917.
Key entry, HTML coding and notes by Frater T.S. for Sunwheel Oasis, O.T.O.
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