From this course of action has risen the erroneous opinion of some persons, that the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge is only appellate in its character.

Such is not the case.

The Grand Lodge possesses an original jurisdiction over all causes occurring within its limits.

It is only for expediency that it remits the examination of the merits of any case to a subordinate lodge as a _quasi_ committee.

It may, if it thinks proper, commence the investigation of any matter concerning either a lodge, or an individual brother within its own bosom, and whenever an appeal from the decision of a lodge is made, which, in reality, is only a dissent from the report of the lodge, the Grand Lodge does actually recommence the investigation _de novo_, and, taking the matter out of the lodge, to whom by its general usage it had been primarily referred, it places it in the hands of another committee of its own body for a new report.