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A DIGEST 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Masonic Law of North Carolina, 
 
 1841 to 1906, 
 
 AS CONTAINED IN THE RESOLUTIONS, EDICTS 
 AND DECISIONS OF THE GRAND LODGE AND 
 ITS SEVERAL GRAND MASTERS DURING THAT 
 
 i"^il«r\.Iv_J.LJ. &?* (^* c^* «(5* t^ 1 * c£* ^* t^ 1 * (^* w* 
 
 COMPILED BY 
 
 Alexander B. Andrews, Jr., 
 
 A PAST MASTER OF WILLIAM G. HILL LODGE, No. 218, 
 RALEIGH, N. C. 
 
 Printed by Order of the Grand Lodge. 
 
 OXFORD, N C: 
 
 PRINTED AT OXFORD ORPHAN ASYLUM. 
 
 1907. 
 
v0 
 
 TO 
 FABIUS H. BUSBEE, 
 
 PAST GRAND MASTER, 
 
 A personal and faithful friend, whose thirty-four years 
 of active service in the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, 
 Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, first beginning as 
 Junior Warden of Hiram Lodge, No. 40, in 1872, and later 
 being honored with the exalted station of Grand Master in 
 1885 and 1886, and still continues an active member, during 
 which service he has most acceptably filled many important 
 positions and stations, twenty-five years of which as a mem- 
 ber of the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, now serv- 
 ing his thirteenth year as its chairman, frequently consulted 
 with by succeeding Grand Masters, whose ripe knowledge 
 of Masonic law and principles is so often reflected in these 
 pages, this Digest of Masonic Law of North Carolina is ded- 
 icated by the compiler, whose early professional career 
 began in his law office, as a slight token of esteem and 
 
 friendship. 
 
 A. B. Andrews, Jr. 
 
 Raleigh, N. C, October ij, 1906. 
 
" // is the boast of the Common Law that whatever new cases, or 
 new questions arise, they may be settled by an application of its princi- 
 ples. 
 
 " So it is with Masonic Law; the Landmarks and principles as old as 
 the Landmarks arc sufficient for the decision of at I of these questions.'''' 
 
 fOSLAH H. DRUMMOND, 
 
 Past Grand Master of Maine, 
 Report on Foreign Correspondence , 186S. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 To the Masonic Fraternity of North Carolina: 
 
 In presenting herewith the Digest of Masonic Law of the Grand 
 Lodge of North Carolina, it is due to the Grand Lodge that a brief 
 resume should be given of the amount of work involved and the cause 
 for the length of time taken in its compilation. 
 
 As a compilation of Masonic Law it is as accurate as the compiler 
 could make it, each paragraph of Masonic law having been copied by 
 hand by the compiler from the volume of printed Proceedings, which 
 rendered the work very tedious and necessitated consuming a great 
 deal of time, which might have been used in arranging a proper index 
 digest so that the usefulness and quick handling of the digest might 
 have been greatly improved. Such transcribing was necessary, as it 
 was out of the question to get copies of the Proceedings from which to 
 clip the several paragraphs and then paste them together, as several 
 suggested the work could have been done, owing to so very many of 
 the Proceedings being entirely out of print. As it is the Digest only 
 goes back to 1841, as that was as far back as the bound files of the 
 Grand Lodge could be found. Very probably the earlier Proceedings 
 were borrowed by some zealous brother for historical purposes, who has 
 so far omitted to return them as he intends to do. 
 
 After the work of transcribing was done, the far more important 
 work of indexing was quite laborious. Using the card system for the 
 purpose of making an index, it required making 2,354 cards for the 594 
 paragraphs, which then had to be distributed alphabetically, and then 
 each letter arranged by subjects, and that followed by each subject 
 being properly arranged by, as far as practicable, grouping the items in 
 proper arrangement, omitting repetitions in titles, consolidating when 
 practicable, arranging the index by subject matter rather than by page 
 letters (which was not carried out under the title "Lodge", which see) 
 and a number of other small but tedious details. 
 
 All of the labor in the compilation of this Digest up to its delivery 
 to the printer has been done by your compiler personally, the time 
 required for it having been odd moments taken from a busy life, in the 
 hope that it might be a work that would be not only useful to the Grand 
 Lodge, but also of service to the sixteen thousand Master Masons in our 
 State, who in their lodge work are oftentimes faced with puzzling 
 problems of Masonic law. These have very naturally been puzzling, 
 to them, for they have perplexed several of our Grand Masters to render 
 an intelligent decision, and upon which several Grand Masters have 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 disagreed. It is no small wonder then that so many and numerous 
 questions annually come to the Grand Master for his decision, as the 
 Masters of the three hundred and sixty lodges have not had the tools 
 with which to work. It would have heen just as well to have expected 
 a lawyer to decide intricate and knotty questions of law correctly 
 solely from his own reasoning, unassisted hy a reference to any work 
 on that particular subject. No wonder then that so many absurd pro- 
 vincial questions have been presented to the Grand Lodge upon appeal; 
 in one instance a controversy about a dog, in another a dispute about 
 the sale of a still, etc., all of which were returned to the lodges with the 
 statement that they were not proper subjects of Masonic inquiry. 
 
 As a Masonic lodge is a representation of the world, so it is that the 
 individual Masons are citizens of the world, and through their history 
 and actions may be traced the habits and thoughts of the world as it 
 appears through the printed Proceedings of the Grand Lodge, from 
 which these decisions have been compiled, which any Mason will find 
 of a great deal of interest, and this subject is now commended to some 
 Masonic student of history as a field well worthy of investigation. 
 
 As men's thoughts are reflected in their actions, and what is written 
 and committed to print cannot be erased or varied by spoken language, 
 so it is in the reports and addresses we have various incidents shown up, 
 which now seem to us of the Twentieth Century quite novel and odd. 
 
 While the earlier Proceedings could not be had, it is well known 
 that lotteries were numerous in the latter part of the Eighteenth and 
 early part of the Nineteenth Centuries, and besides several academies, 
 churches and educational institutions being benefited by the proceeds 
 of chance institutions, we also find the Masonic fraternity using such to 
 assist some of their worthy objects. The period from 1830 to 1850 may 
 be grouped as the time following the panic of 1837, during which so 
 many citizens lost their small accumulations, many of whom lost with it 
 their moral sense of obligation to pay a debt, while others emigrated to 
 the new countries of Indiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and 
 other then sparsely settled sections of the Union; this is reflected in the 
 Grand Lodge Proceedings by the exceedingly large number of lodges 
 being delinquent in their dues and returns to the Grand Lodge. The 
 decade of 1S50 to i860, when the great work of internal improvement 
 was going on in our State, when the State aided in building railroads 
 from Beaufort Harbor through New Bern, Raleigh, Hillsboro, Greens- 
 boro and Salisbury to Charlotte, a distance of 320 miles, also had 
 assisted in building from Wilmington to the Roanoke River on the 
 Virginia line, a distance of 162 miles, which at the time of its comple- 
 tion was the longest railroad in the world, under a single management, 
 as well as assisting in numerous other railroads and works of internal 
 improvements. Then were established the State asylums for the insane, 
 the deaf, the dumb and the blind; then the State University was at its 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 ante-bellum height of prosperity; the State banks were all prosperous 
 and their wealth aggregated many millions; this is reflected in the 
 action of the Grand Lodge in establishing St. John's College at Oxford, 
 as the Masonic offering for the good of the education of the State. The 
 period of i860 to 1880 shows' the recovery from the civil war and its 
 demoralizing effects; many unworthy men who were addmitted during 
 that tempestuous time had to be expelled for many and varied offenses; 
 lodges surrendered their charters, some because of a dearth incident to a 
 loss of members, others from factional fights within itself, and breaches 
 between friends which could never be healed. This was also the 
 beginning of many enterprises, a few of which could survive the awful 
 panic of 1873. Then it was, during that panic, that the Masonic 
 Temple, which the Grand Lodge so proudly looked forward to, failed so 
 signally. In the enthusiasm a Masonic Temple Corporation, had pur- 
 chased a lot, which was partly paid for with a mortgage only, and begun 
 preparations for work with no definite subscriptions in sight, but only 
 the encouraging words of enthusiastic Masons, "Go ahead, the Grand 
 Lodge will stand behind you," but in the panic of 1873, when the rev- 
 enues fell off and the expected subscriptions from these and other 
 enthusiastic brethren did not come in, nor were the subscriptions 
 being paid as expected, then fell the enterprise, what little had been 
 paid upon the lot having been eaten up by interest. With that experi- 
 ence of the Grand Lodge, it speaks well for the present Masonic Temple 
 Committee that they have hesitated to begin work until they are assured 
 that they run no risk, not only of involving the Grand Lodge in debt, 
 but also, of not losing one cent of what the Grand Lodge has entrusted 
 to them. This they have done in the face of almost hostile criticism 
 which has seemed to blame them for not beginning the work. But with 
 the failure of the home for the Grand Lodge in the panic of 1873, there 
 came an institution which has far surpassed the hopes of its most ardent 
 and enthusiastic friends. In 1872 was established upon- the ruins and 
 blasted hopes of St. John's College at Oxford, the Oxford Orphan 
 Asylum, whose noble work, now caring for 270 orphan boys and girls, 
 many of whom, without the protecting care of this institution, would 
 grow up to become inmates of workhouses and penitentiaries, or lead 
 lives of shame and become outcasts from society. The successful history 
 of that institution is indelibly written upon the character of the over 
 two thousand citizens of this and other States, whose lives of usefulness 
 and their benefit to society and their communities, tell far more elo- 
 quently than any feeble words of man can speak. 
 
 From 1880 to 1900 we see the steady growth of Masonry in interest, 
 in numbers and in enthusiastic brethren, interrupted as it is when the 
 State suffered during the panic of 1893. During that period we see 
 reflected the patriotism which led the Grand Lodge to observe the 
 Centennial at Tarboro in 1897, and other anniversaries to be fittingly 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 observed. From 1900 to the present, when our State is so rapidly 
 growing and developing, it is reflected in the erection of magnificent 
 halls for the Order such as at Wilmington, at Winston and other places, 
 while the plans are maturing and work is almost ready to begin upon 
 the Grand Lodge Masonic Temple at Raleigh. 
 
 Other instances of the reflected actions of the times might be mul- 
 tiplied and very readable would they be, but that work is for Masonic 
 historians, or future compilers of digest, who may have or find the 
 time to intelligently narrate such facts, and array them in such pleasing 
 manner as delights discerning readers. 
 
 The idea of this Digest suggested itself to the compiler in 1899, as a 
 work that could be done at odd intervals and be of service to the Craft, 
 and the matter was mentioned to Grand Master Noble and also Grand 
 Master Royster, who succeeded him, although nothing was done on the 
 subject until after the Grand Lodge meeting of 1902, when the compiler 
 undertook the work, which has proved a far more herculean task 
 than was anticipated, yet with it is the satisfaction that it will last for 
 several years to come. 
 
 Said Grand Master Noble in his address in 1900: 
 
 "I would suggest that a committee of one (or three) beappointed to 
 look up all the decisions made by the Grand Masters for the past 
 thirty-five (35) years, and copy them into a book to be kept by the 
 Grand Master for reference. It would be of great benefit to him in his 
 work." (1900 Proceedings, Page 24). 
 
 The Committee on the Grand Master's Address (Past Grand Mas- 
 ters John W. Cotten, F. M. Moye and Walter E. Moore), recognized 
 the vahie of such a work, but the time was not deemed ripe for it to be 
 undertaken and they disposed of it as follows: 
 
 "As to the suggestion of the Grand Master that the decisions of 
 Grand Masters for the past thirty-five years be looked up and copied in 
 a book for the use of the Grand Masters, we would say that if the same 
 could be done it would be a great help to Grand Masters in the dis- 
 charge of their duties and very useful to Masters of Subordinate Lodges, 
 but recommend that the same be not done now, as it would entail consid- 
 erable expense on the Grand Lodge." (1900 Proceedings, Page 61). 
 
 In 1902, Grand Master B. S. Royster, with whom the matter had 
 been talked, made the following recommendation: 
 
 "In addition to the foregoing decisions, a great many questions 
 were asked by the brethren which w 7 ere answered by referring them to 
 some section of the Code, or a decision approved by the Grand Lodge. 
 In this connection permit me to say that it is very difficult for the 
 Grand Master to make decisions when he is entirely in the dark as to 
 what the Grand Lodge has said upon similar questions. Some means 
 ought to be provided whereby the Grand Master could have the benefit 
 of what the Grand Lodge has decided to be the law in certain cases. 
 The cost of a digest of the decisions of the Grand Masters and the action 
 thereon by the Grand Lodge would not be very great and its benefit is 
 apparent to everyone who wishes to be posted as to the law of the 
 Order." ( 1902 Proceedings Page 21). 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 - "My interest in the welfare and more extensive spread of the influ- 
 ence of Masonry prompt me to call your attention to one or two matters 
 that should be considered at this session. * * * * * 
 
 "Second. The laws and decisions of the Grand Lodge should be care- 
 fully codified and published inconvenient and inexpensive form. A book 
 of this kind would be of incalculable benefit to the Craft and the Grand 
 Masters would have something to guide them in the discharge of the 
 duties of their office." (1902 Proceedings, Page 25) . 
 
 The Committee on the Grand Master's address (Past Grand Masters 
 John W. Cotten and F. M. Moye) recommended this work to be under- 
 taken: 
 
 "We heartily approve the recommendation of the Grand Master as 
 to the codification of the laws and decisions of the Grand Lodge." 
 (1902 Proceedings, Page 79) . 
 
 Action was taken that same session on this recommendation, and 
 we find: 
 
 "Bro. R. N. Hackett introduced the following resolution in regard to 
 the codification of the laws and decisions of the Grand Lodge, as recom- 
 mended in the report of the Grand Master. On motion, the resolution 
 was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence: 
 
 " Resolved, That a commission of three be appointed to codify the 
 laws and prepare a digest of the decisions of the Grand Masters, and 
 report to the next Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge." (1902 
 Proceedings, Page 85) . 
 
 The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence (Bros. E. F. Lamb, T. 
 B. Womack, W. B. McKoy, J. H. Fleming, S.J. Calvert, W. B. Gaither, 
 and F. P. Hobgood, Jr.), approved the report: 
 
 "That they recommend that the Grand Master appoint a committee 
 of three members of the Grand Lodge to prepare a digest of the deci- 
 sions and laws of the Grand Lodge as a supplement to the Code. (1902 
 Proceedings, Page 108) . 
 
 "In compliance with the above report, the Grand Master appointed 
 the following committee to codify the decisions and laws of the Grand 
 Lodge: T. B. Womack, P. M. Pearsall and A. B. Andrews, Jr." (1902 
 Proceedings, Page 109) . 
 
 At the Annual Communication of 1903 the Committee made the fol- 
 lowing report: 
 
 "We, the undersigned, a Special Committee appointed by the Grand 
 Lodge of North Carolina, A. F. & A. M., at its Communication in Janu- 
 ary, 1902, to revise and codify the Masonic law of this jurisdiction, beg 
 leave to respectfully report that Bro. A. B. Andrews, Jr., was appointed 
 a sub-committee to prepare the work and submit the same to the Com- 
 mittee for its approval, before reporting it to the Grand Lodge. 
 
 "It has been found that this requires much more labor than was 
 originally contemplated, and hence a longer time is required to do it. 
 Considerable progress has been made. 
 
 "We respectfully recommend that the Committee be continued for 
 another Masonic year." (1903 Proceedings, Page 56). 
 
 In 1904 the Committee made the following report: 
 
 "Your Committee to codify the decisions of the Grand Masters beg 
 to report that some progress has been made by the Committee (through 
 its Sub-committee) on the work, but that it is unable to make report 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 now, and ask that the Committee l>e reduced to one, Bro. A. B. Andrews, 
 Jr., and be continued until next Communication." (1904 Proceedings, 
 Page 91). 
 
 In 1905 the Committee was continued upon the following report: 
 
 "Your Committee to codify the decisions of the Grand Masters beg 
 to report that their work has not been completed, and they therefore 
 ask that they be continued until the next Annual Communication." 
 (1905 Proceedings, Page 99). 
 
 The haste of the brethren to have the decisions to refer to, if neces- 
 sary at the expense of the completing of the compilation and indexing 
 of the same is shown in the Grand Master's address in 1906, who stated 
 in his address: 
 
 "Yet in this connection it might be well to suggest that the Com- 
 mittee appointed four years ago to codify the laws and prepare a digest 
 of the decisions of the Grand Masters and report to the next Annual 
 Communication of the Grand Lodge, should perform its work, and 
 make a report, in order that in rendering decisions a Grand Master may 
 refer to approved precedents." (1906 Proceedings, Page 21). 
 
 The Committee's report to the Grand Lodge of its work will be 
 found in the proceedings of that same evening, where they report as 
 follows: 
 
 "Your Special Committee, appointed to collect, codify and index 
 the decisions of the Grand Masters and the several points of Masonic 
 jurisprudence, as set forth in the committee reports of the Grand Lodge, 
 beg tp report the following: 
 
 "1. Beginning with 1850, all the decisions of the Grand Masters 
 and the several points of Masonic jurisprudence have been digested and 
 copied off in consecutive order, they being 5S5 separate items of 
 Masonic law, and making a manuscript of nearly 250 pages. 
 
 "2. The work still lacks an index, which has not yet been made, 
 owing to the press of business of your Committee, as a large part of the 
 work of transcribing and codifying had to be done at odd times, taken 
 from a busy life. 
 
 "3. The preparation of an index, so that it will be of use to the 
 Fraternity, is something that should be carefully done, and this your 
 Committee can have prepared and the manuscript delivered to the 
 printer in sixty or ninety days, at the farthest. 
 
 "4. Your Committee would respectfully recommend that the 
 Grand Lodge would direct the printing of fifteen hundred copies of this 
 digest, and that three copies thereof be sent by the Grand Secretary to 
 each lodge in this Jurisdiction, for the use of their officers, the remain- 
 der to be delivered to the Grand Secretary." 
 
 The recital of the foregoing resohitions look like the Committee 
 took an interminable long time to prepare their work and were very 
 slow in doing so, 3 r et whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, if it 
 is to be of service to anyone, and that idea has been carried out in this 
 compilation work, even at the risk of being criticised for remissness in 
 not doing the work, for it had to be done at odd times, and like all 
 labors it must not displace a man from his bread-winning occupation 
 and consume the time that others are compensating him for pecuniarily 
 to attend to work .for them. Such has been the history of the compib 
 
PREFACE, XI 
 
 ing of this book, and the indexing was delayed beyond the estimated 
 ninety days, as demands on my time, six weeks being occupied in the 
 trial of one contested case, prevented my devoting the required time to 
 this labor of love for the good of Masonry and Masonic law. 
 
 During the compiling of- this monograph several times are there 
 found references to this work having been undertaken at prior times by 
 zealous Masons, none of which (excepting alone the Code revision by 
 Bro. Donald M. Bain) were ever brought to a successful end, and 
 references to some of these are not out of place here. 
 
 In the Proceedings of 1842 appears the following resolution: 
 
 "Whereas-, At the communications of this Grand Lodge, various 
 resolutions of importance to Masonry, and the workings of the Grand 
 Lodge and its Subordinate Lodges, have been adopted; and whereas, it 
 is important that said resolutions should be embodied for reference and 
 information, therefore 
 
 "Resolved, That in publishing the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge 
 at it,s present communication, the Secretary be required to collect from 
 the records all resolves, etc., of the Lodge and publish the same with 
 the Proceedings ; and in case of any conflict of said resolves, that he 
 submit the same to the decision of the Most Worshipful Grand Master." 
 
 Again in the Proceedings pf 1849 appears the following: 
 
 "Bro. R. G. Rankin's resolution was called up and adopted as 
 follows: 
 
 "Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare a 
 Digest of all the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge now in force, 
 since its organization; and that said Digest be published with the Pro- 
 ceedings of this communication. Bros. William J. Clarke, R. G. Rankin 
 and C. P. Mendenhall compose that Committee." (1849 Proceedings, 
 Page 32) . 
 
 That Committee made report the succeeding year, reporting thirty 
 nine resolutions, making five pages of the Grand Lodge Proceedings, 
 which comprised from 1809 to 1849. (1850 Proceedings, Pages 28^333). 
 
 The same year Bro. W. T. Bain (Page 43) has an announcement of a 
 proposed digest to be issued by him, which is to be a handbook of North 
 Carolina Masonry and not a Digest of Masonic Law. 
 
 Again in 1854, the Committee on the Grand Master's address 
 (Bros. W. K. Blake, H. I. Macon and Jos. A. Houston) reported as 
 follows: 
 
 "Your Committee being favorably impressed with the utility of 
 arranging a digest of the Laws and Resolutions of the Grand Lodge 
 now in force; also of the propriety of employing some suitable person or 
 persons to prepare an historical sketch of the Order in this State, under 
 the administration of the successive Grand Masters, since its organiza- 
 tion to the present time, would recommend that these subjects be 
 referred to a special committee." (Page 20). This was referred to a 
 committee. 
 
 In 1855 we find the following resolution. (Page 50). 
 
 Bro. W. K. Blade submitted the following resolution, which was 
 adopted: 
 
 "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a 
 
Xll PREFACE, 
 
 Digest of the Resolutions and Regulations of the Grand Lodge now in 
 
 force, and that the Grand .Secretary be instructed to have the same, 
 together with the Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge, and the 
 form adopted, to he ohserved in the conduction of trials, printed in 
 pamphlet form, and distributed among the Subordinate Lodges in the 
 State. It is further 
 
 " Resolved, That this Committee be required to report to tlie Most 
 Worshipful Grand Master at an early period after the close of this 
 Grand Communication, who after a careful supervision, shall forward 
 the same to the Grand Secretary for publication." 
 
 Bros. Blake, Smith and Adams are the Committee on the above 
 resolution. 
 
 This Committee performed their work, and the compilation of the 
 Standing Resolutions, and the Forms Governing Trials, as well as the 
 Constitution and By-laws, were printed and distributed, they appearing 
 as an Appendix of 31 pages to the Proceedings of that year, of which 
 the permanent resolutions embrace six pages. Prefatory to the pam- 
 phlet appears the following letter from Grand Master P. A. Holt to 
 Grand Secretary W. T. Bain: 
 
 "I herewith transmit you for publication the Digest of the 'Resolu- 
 tions and Regulations of the Grand Lodge now in force, together with 
 its Constitution and By-laws,' as reported! by the Committee appointed 
 for that purpose. The labor imposed on the Committee was much more 
 onerous than was anticipated, and has consequently rendered the delay 
 in making their report unavoidable. I have given it a careful supervi- 
 sion and believe it to be as correct in all particulars as it is possible, at 
 present, to render it, and much hope the valuable Masonic Law it con- 
 tains will amply compensate Subordinate Lodges, for the delay in 
 receiving it." 
 
 In 1859 appears the following Resolution. (Page 27). 
 
 "Bro. L. S. Williams, Grand Master elect offered the following res- 
 olution, which was unanimously adopted, viz: 
 
 "Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to have the Resolutions 
 now appended to the By-laws, together with those passed at the Sessions 
 of 1855, '56, '57, '58 and '59 collected and printed in the Proceedings of 
 this Grand Communication." 
 
 The Committee, under the above resolution, consisting of H. C. 
 Lucas and A. M. Campbell immediately made report, their revisal com- 
 prising slightly more than six pages, as they culled out such as were 
 not effective. , 
 
 In 1865 (Page 16) we find the following resolution relative to a 
 Digest of Masonic Law: 
 
 Bro. H. E. Colton introduced the following resolution: 
 
 "Resolved, That the Grand Master appoint two brethren who, with 
 himself, shall constitute a Committee to prepare a Digest 
 of Masonic Law in the form of questions and answers, which they shall 
 have published for the use of the Subordinate Lodges, especially for 
 trials, said Digest to be condensed from the works of Bros. Mackey, 
 Mitchell and other Masonic writers." 
 
 In 1866 this Committee was continued (Page 38) and Bros. T. B. 
 Carr and Alfred Martin appointed to act with them: 
 
PREFACE. JS111 
 
 " Resolved, That the Resolution on Page 16 of the Proceedings of 
 1865 relative to the Digest of Masonic Law be continued in force during 
 the present year." 
 
 Printed with the Proceedings of 1866 are the Constitution, By-Laws, 
 etc., of the Grand Lodge, together with eight page? of standing Reso- 
 lutions, which have been revised up to that time. 
 
 In 1867 (Page 15) the Committee reported recommending that the 
 larger number of these resolutions be omitted, as they were not then in 
 force. 
 
 At that same Communication, we find the work of the Committee 
 again referred to in the following resolution. (Page 49) . 
 
 By Bro. M. L. Winston: 
 
 " Whereas, This Grand Lodge in 1865 appointed a Committee to pre- 
 pare and publish a Digest of Masonic Law. and this Committee was con*' 
 tinued at the last Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge, and 
 
 " Whereas, We have published within our Masonic Jurisdiction, two 
 Masonic journals, and as we all desire light and to have the same gen- 
 erally diffused, therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That portions of the report of said Committee be pub- 
 lished in the 'Masonic Sun' and the 'Square and Compass,' respect- 
 ively, from time to time as the Committee may be enabled to prepare it, 
 without expense to the Grand Lodge." 
 
 As an appendix to the Proceedings of that year is a 34 page pamph- 
 let, prepared by the Grand Secretary or the Committee herinbefore 
 named, which is very good and embraces decisions as well as resolutions, 
 the Masonic law part comprising fourteen pages. 
 
 In 1868 the Committee made the following report: 
 
 "Your Committee, appointed at the communication of your Grand 
 Body in 1865 and continued at the last Annual Communication, with 
 additional instructions, to prepare and publish a 'Digest of Masonic 
 Law in the form of questions and answers,' have during the past year 
 bestowed much time and labor in the performance of the duty imposed 
 upon them, and have in accordance with the instructions of the last 
 communication, published portions of their report in the 'Masonic Sun' 
 and 'Square aud Compass,' respectively, from time to time, as the Com- 
 .mittee were enabled to prepare it. 
 
 "They regret that they have as yet been enabled to perform but a com* 
 paratively small portion of the duty assigned them, and are therefore 
 constrained to ask. further time for the completion of their report." 
 (Page 25) , The report being signed by R. W. Best, Alfred Martin and 
 Thos. B. Carr. 
 
 In 1873 this matter of the preparation of a Masonic Digest is again 
 presented to the Grand Lodge, this time by the Grand Master, (Wor. 
 Bro. John Nichols), who in his annual address said: 
 
 "In this connection, I will also call your attention to another matter 
 which I consider of much importance to the Craft in this State, viz: The 
 preparation of a Digest of the decisions of the several Grand Masters, 
 which have not been overruled by the Grand Lodge. These decisions, 
 until so overruled, have all the force of Masonic law in this Jurisdiction; 
 but they are scattered through so many volumes of the Proceedings that 
 they cannot be readily referred to even by those having complete sets, 
 
XIV PREFACE. 
 
 and very few lodges have complete files of our Proceedings. The new- 
 lodges, which especially have need of the law, are unable to obtain it, 
 and are forced to grope in darkness, or apply to the Grand Master for 
 decisions which have been rendered again and again. A. small hand- 
 book, containing the Constitution and By-laws and edicts of the ('.rand 
 Lodge, with a digest of the decisions of the Grand Masters now in force, 
 rides for conducting Masonic trials, forms nsefnl and necessary for 
 transacting lodge business, with a copious index, would be invaluable 
 to the officers of our »Subordinate Lodges — would greatly tend to system 
 and uniformity, and not only save the Grand Master much labor, but 
 would greatly contribute to the dissemination of Masonic knowledge in 
 our midst, and thus save much valuable time to the committees of the 
 Grand Lodge. I am confident if such work were placed in the hands of 
 the officers of each Subordinate Lodge in the State, that the lnisiness 
 of this Grand Lodge could be dispatched in one-half the time now 
 required, and the remainder of the session could be most profitably spent 
 in the exemplification of the work, and discussion of such Masonic 
 questions as might be presented. Such work would add greatly to the 
 dignity of this- Grand Body, and delegates would return home with a 
 sense of greater satisfaction than at present, then the larger part of the 
 Grand Lodge is consumed in the discussion of frivolous ca<e-. 
 which well-informed Subordinate Lodges could easily have determined. 
 
 "For these and other reasons, not necessary to state, I recommend 
 that the duty of preparing such a digest as that suggested be assigned 
 either to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, or to a special com- 
 mittee appointed for that purpose." (1873 Proceedings, Page 10.) 
 
 On this Committee was appointed Bros. R. W. Best, P. G. M., 
 Solomon Pool and A. A. Mclver. (Page 37). 
 
 This Committee made the following report at that same session of 
 the Grand Lodge: 
 
 "Your Committee, to whom was referred so much of the M. W. 
 Grand Master's address as relates to Masonic decisions, etc., beg leave 
 to submit the following report: 
 
 "We heartily concur in the opinion of the Grand Master, and 
 recommend that a special committee of three be appointed by the Grand 
 Master, whose duty it shall be to prepare and have printed handbooks, 
 containing the Constitution, By-laws and Edicts of the Grand Lodge, 
 with a digest of the decisions of the Grand Masters now in force, rules 
 for conducting Masonic trials, useful and necessary forms for the trans- 
 action of business, with copious index. Said book to be called 'Masonic 
 Digest' 'North Carolina,' and when so published, shall be sold to the 
 lodges and individual Masons and others at such price as shall be 
 agreed upon by said Committee, and the proceeds paid to the Grand 
 Treasurer. (1873 Proceedings, Page 47.) This report was laid over 
 until the succeeding year. 
 
 Again in 1874 this subject is brought up by Grand Master John 
 Nichols, who in his address says: (Page 13.) 
 
 "DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 "The necessity of a digest of the law of this Jurisdiction is manifest. 
 Laws and decisions undigested, though important in their nature, are 
 obsolete, from the fact that being unknown, they are unobserved by the 
 lodges. As this subject will come before you at the present communica- 
 tion as unfinished business, I call your attention to that part of the 
 Grand Secretary's report in reference to it." (Page 13.) 
 
PREFACE. XV 
 
 Said Grand Secretary Donald W. Bain, in his report: 
 
 "MASONIC DIGEST. 
 "Realizing the great importance, if not actual necessity, of having 
 a digest of the law of this Jurisdiction, including the decisions in force 
 of Grand Masters, together with the necessary various forms, it 
 was my purpose to prepare such a work during the past year and pre- 
 sent it to this Grand Body, but owing to its magnitude it remains 
 unfinished. If it be the pleasure of this Grand Lodge to accept the work 
 for publication, it will be equally my pleasure to complete and pub- 
 lish it after examination and endorsement by a committee that may be 
 appointed for that purpose. The Grand' Lodge would, no doubt, be 
 reimbursed for any expense of printing, by subscription from lodges. 
 
 "Should this work not be prosecuted at the instance of the Grand 
 Lodge, I suggest that it is necessary to have printed a new edition of 
 the Constitution, By-laws and Standing Resolutions of this Jurisdiction, 
 as the last edition is nearly exhausted and not equal to the demand." 
 (Page 24). 
 
 That same year, we find the Grand Lodge adopts the following: 
 "Bro. W. R. Cox introduced the following resolution: 
 ''Resolved, That the Grand Secretary is hereby requested to pre- 
 pare the Digest of Masonic Law mentioned in his report, and that 
 P. G. M., Win. G. Hill, with two other brethren, be appointed a Com.- 
 mittee to examine and revise the same, and said Committee, with the 
 Grand Secretary, are authorized to have it published in book form on 
 the most favorable terms, for the use of the Grand Lodge. 
 
 "The resolution was adopted, and the Grand Master (Bro. G. W. 
 Blount) subsequently appointed Bros. W. R. Cox and J. B. Neathery to 
 act with Bro. W. G. Hill as the Committee therein provided." (Page 57) . 
 The work of this Committee, which was to examine the work of 
 Bro. D. W. Bain, who compiled the Regulations and By-laws, is shown 
 in 1875, when we have the following from the address of the Grand 
 Master (G. W. Blount). (Page 18): 
 
 "This work is the final result of a resolution introduced several 
 years ago, looking to the compilation of a handbook for the guide of 
 lodges in Masonic law. I cannot better say than has Bro. Bain what 
 the volume contains. He says in the preface: 'It embraces the Consti- 
 txition and Laws of the Grand Lodge, the Ancient Constitution and 
 Charges, all public ceremonies, and necessary blanks used by lodges.' 
 "it will be seen at a glance that it was a work involving a great 
 labor, research and knowledge of Masonic law. He has from past legis- 
 lation of the Grand Lodge, from its By-laws and resolutions eliminated 
 the law as now existing, arranged the various subjects under appropri- 
 ate sections, and perfectly digested the crude mass into intelligible, 
 legal and Masonic phraseology, and with the index we may, with readi- 
 ness, turn to any subject. Too high praise cannot be awarded for the 
 faithfulness with which the work has been done, and I might say, the 
 exquisite taste in its arrangement and order. 
 
 "It will relieve Masters and other officers of lodges of much work 
 in the performance of their duties, and save the trouble of correspond- 
 ence with the Grand Master, and to a very great extent aid the Grand 
 Master. Let it be adopted by the Grand Lodge as the law, and then let 
 every lodge, Master and intelligent Mason obtain copies, and make the 
 work a handbook indeed." (Page 18). 
 
XVI PREFACE. 
 
 Said Grand v Secrelary Bain in Ins report: 
 
 "MASONIC CODK. 
 
 "This work has been prepared and published under the authority 
 given by the Grand Lodge at its last Animal Communication. .Much 
 care was taken to make it entirely reliable. It was examined by the 
 Committee appointed by the Grand Lodge to revise it, and received 
 their endorsement before publication. It being designed for a hand- 
 book as well as a Code of Jurisprudence, the various public ceremonies 
 and blank forms used by lodges, and other important matter are com- 
 prised in it. 
 
 "After consultation with the Grand Master and Committee, its price, 
 was fixed at one dollar. The residue of the proceeds of its sale, after 
 paying the expenses of its publication and distribution, will be paid into 
 the Grand Treasury. One thousand copies were printed. It was a work 
 of pleasure, and was cheerfully performed under a due appreciation of 
 the need of the Fraternity in this Grand Jurisdiction of such a compila- 
 tion." (Page 27) . 
 
 The Committee made the following report: 
 
 "Your Committee, appointed at the last Annual Communication to 
 examine the Code of Masonic Law, then in preparation by the Grand 
 Secretary, beg leave to report that, upon the completion of the compila- 
 tion by the Grand Secretary, he submitted the manuscript to us. Your 
 Committee carefully read and corrected (wherever correction was 
 deemed necessary) the entire work, and take pleasure in bearing testi- 
 mony to the able and faithful manner in which the work has been per- 
 formed by Bro. Bain. One thousand copies have been printed, and the 
 price fixed at one dollar per copy — a little more than sufficient to pay 
 expenses of compilation and publication. 
 
 "1. Your Committee recommend that the Code be adopted as the 
 law of this Grand Lodge, and that Subordinate Lodges and Masons in 
 this Grand Jurisdiction be required to recognize and treat it as such. 
 
 "2. That the title in said Code be considered the property of. Bro. 
 D. W. Bain, and that, after paying the expenses of publication, he be 
 authorized to retain any further sums received by him from the sale 
 thereof as a compensation for his services in its preparation and publi- 
 cation." (Page 76) . 
 
 Valuable as was, ami the revised edition still is, to the Masonic 
 Craft, we see that in a few years there is another demand by the Fra- 
 ternity for a digest of the "Grand Master enacted law" as well as 
 having the written law, and at the Communication of 1S80 we find 
 Grand Master William R. Cox making the following recommendation 
 in his annual address: 
 
 "While I rendered many decisions in regard to matters in this 
 Jurisdiction, they have been, in the main, anticipated by rulings of my 
 predecessors anil our Masonic Code. Hence I will not encumber your 
 records with them. It is manifest that the officers of many of our 
 lodges eithe'r have not the facilities, or else do not seek, to familiarize 
 themselves with such matters. I recommend, therefore, that the Com- 
 mittee on Masonic Jurisprudence be directed to digest the decisions of 
 the Grand Masters, and that the Grand Secretary be instructed to pub- 
 lish them, with such changes of our Masonic Code as may have been 
 made since its adoption. By furnishing the lodges with copies of this 
 publication the correspondence of this office w r ould be diminished, and 
 the subordinate officers greatly benefited. The disposition usually 
 
PUP: FACE. XV11 
 
 manifested at our Grand Communications to modify and abrogate our 
 organic law should not be encouraged. No changes should be made 
 unless the necessity is manifest, for it more often tends to embarrass 
 than prove beneficial." (Page 8). 
 
 On this report, there was appointed a Committee consisting" of 
 Bros. J. C. McRae, E. A. Wright and C. S. Wooten (Page 25), which 
 Committee reported as follows: 
 
 "The undersigned, a Committee appointed by your Most Worship- 
 ful Body upon a digest of the decisions of the Grand Masters, respect- 
 fully report the following resolution, and recommend that it be adopted: 
 
 "Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to digest the 
 decisions of the Grand Masters, and publish the same with such changes 
 of our Masonic Code as may have been made since its adoption, and 
 that the Subordinate Lodges be furnished with copies of the said publi- 
 cation." 
 
 The following year Bro. D. W. Bain reported the following: 
 "DIGEST OF DECISIONS AND EDICTS. 
 
 "The following resolution was adopted at the last Annual Com- 
 munication: 
 
 "Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to digest the 
 decisions of the Grand Masters, and publish the same with such 
 changes of our Masonic Code as may have been made since its adoption, 
 and that the Subordinate Lodges be furnished with copies of said 
 publication. 
 
 "It was further ordered that the Committee on Jurisprudence be 
 Advisory Committee of the Grand Secretary in the preparation of the 
 digest. 
 
 "The digest has been prepared and submitted to the Committee, 
 by whom it has been carefully revised. It contains such decisions of 
 the Grand Masters, and edicts of the Grand Lodge, as have not a solu- 
 tion in the Code, and such as are in addition to, or amendatory of, the 
 Code." (Page 18). 
 
 [This is evidently the revisal of the Code, as the compiler has 
 never seen such a digest.] 
 
 In 1S92 (Page 50) a resolution was adopted directing the publication 
 of a new edition of the Code, which was carried out. 
 
 At that same Communication, the permission was granted to Bro. 
 C. F. Bahnson to publish his Manual, with the approval of the Grand 
 Master and Grand Lecturer. (Page 50) . 
 
 In T896 a resolution was adopted directing the reprinting of the 
 Code, with a revision to bring it up to date, which resulted in the 
 revision printed in 1897. 
 
 In this compilation, the aim has been to transcribe correctly, and 
 properly index the several points of Masonic law, and in several 
 instances will be found conflicting decisions, which will have to be 
 reconciled by the Grand Master, as your Committee was not authorized 
 to do so. 
 
 Many of the decisions are obscure in their meaning, as for instance 
 sometimes the word "candidate" is used almost indiscriminately by a 
 Grand Master and may mean "petitioner fqr the degrees," "petitioner 
 
XV111 PREFACE. 
 
 for affiliation" or "petitioner for advancement," and quite a number of 
 them should be re-written. Your compiler took the liberty of re-writing 
 a few of them, as they were too long to copy without culling down what 
 was written, and the same was done by omitting the names of any per- 
 sons or lodges in the compilation, as the Grand Lodge desired simply a 
 record of the principle of Masonic law laid down and approved by the 
 Grand Lodge in years past. 
 
 It is with regret that I announce that this work does not go back of 
 1841 (and omits 1843 as the Proceedings coidd not be had) yet it is the 
 intention of your compiler at some future date to begin a revision of 
 this work, and at that time he hopes to have access to a library contain- 
 ing a full set of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, 
 at which time this will be made complete, as well as a good deal of what 
 is herein contained being made more readable. 
 
 With the hope that this may lessen the work of the Grand Masters, 
 and also assist Masters of Lodges to decide questions presented to them, 
 in which the compiler has had experience, this work is presented to the 
 Craft. Fraternally, 
 
 A. B. Andrews, Jr. 
 
DIGEST. 
 
 i. Resolved, That the Grand Master be requested to 
 direct the Grand Secretar3 T to lay before him all the com- 
 munications received during the recess of the Grand Lodge, 
 in due time, previous to Annual Communication of this 
 Grand Lodge such abstracts therefrom as he may deem 
 proper for their consideration. (Res Dec. 21st, 1809.) 
 
 2. Resolved, That all Masons under the jurisdiction 
 of the Grand Lodge, shall henceforth, at funeral solemni- 
 ties, appear dressed in the badges which are peculiar to their 
 Masonic rank. (Res. Uec. 1828.) 
 
 3. Resolved, That when an applicant for initiation is 
 rejected in any Subordinate Lodge, it shall be the duty of 
 such lodge to inform all the other lodges in the State of 
 the same; and it shall be deemed irregular in any lodge to 
 receive a candidate who resides nearer another lodge. 
 [Now obsolete as to notification of rejections.] (Res. Dec. 
 1828.) 
 
 4. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge, 
 that no Subordinate Lodge can try a Master on- any charge 
 brought against him during his continuance in office, he 
 being only amenable to the Grand Lodge of the State. 
 (Res. Dec. 1828.) 
 
 5. Resolved, That whenever any complaint shall be 
 made to the Grand Master against the Master of any Sub- 
 ordinate Lodge for any Unmasonic conduct, by a Master 
 
 Mason, it shall be his duty to appoint a committee of 
 
 discreet and worthy Master Masons, who shall examine and 
 require into the truth of the charges made, after giving the 
 Master so charged notice of the time and place of the in- 
 vestigation, who shall report to the Grand Master the result 
 
2 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 of the proceedings of such investigation ; and if they shall 
 report that the charges are true, the Grand Master shall for- 
 ward the report to a neighboring lodge, which shall be 
 authorized to proceed to pass such sentence upon said Mas- 
 ter as is just and conformable to the usages of Masonry. 
 [Changed as to any but Grand Lodge trying a Master. | 
 (Res. Dec. 1829.) 
 
 6. Resolved, That on complaint being made to the M. \V. 
 Grand Master, against the Master of a Subordinate Lodge, 
 for Unmasonic conduct, the Grand Master may order the 
 said Master to be tried by the members of his lodge, and 
 shall appoint a brother of skill and prudence to preside at 
 the trial, who shall exercise all the powers of Master of the 
 said lodge until the former Master shall be reinstated, or 
 a new one regularly appointed. [Is now entirely different.] 
 (Res. Dec. 1829.) 
 
 7. Resolved further, That incase the Master be convicted 
 of the charges preferred against him, he shall stand sus- 
 pended until the Regular Communication of the Grand 
 Lodge. (Res. Dec. 1829.) 
 
 8. That the Grand Lodge feel it a duty, which they 
 owe to themselves, as -well as to the whole Masonic frater- 
 nity, to declare while its individual are left to the free unmo- 
 lested enjoyment of their sentiments, upon the various sub- 
 jects connected with religion and politics, and the right 
 to judge of men and their actions; they hereby, most sol- 
 emnly declare, that Masonic bodies have not the right to 
 connect the institution with the sectarian or parties views 
 of either: that any attempt thereat, is a gross innovation 
 upon these principles, which among God and correct Ma- 
 sons, are universally acknowledged and should be practiced 
 upon. (Res. Dec. 1835.) 
 
 8a. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge do at this time, 
 as they have hitherto done, declare to the world, that the 
 object of their associations and motives for contimiing 
 therein are founded upon the principles of Brotherly Love, 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 3 
 
 Relief and Truth. They disclaim the right of Masons to 
 inflict corporal punishments and acknowledge no other 
 right to enforce from its members than reprimand, suspen- 
 sion and expulsion. 
 
 9. Resolved, That whereas various errors and informal- 
 ities have crept into the ceremonies of many of the Subordi- 
 nate Lodges of the State, thereby creating material dis- 
 crepancies in the mode of working in different lodges, which 
 ought not to exist ; Be it therefore resolved, That the Grand 
 Master appoint one or more Grand Lecturers, whose duty it 
 shall be, to visit the several Subordinate Lodges of this State, 
 and establish a more uniform working of the same, accord- 
 ing to the ancient customs and usages of Free Masons. 
 (Res. Dec. 1837.) 
 
 10. Resolved, That from and after this time, the price 
 of dispensation, granted by this Grand Lodge or by the 
 Grand Master, be five dollars, and that the price of a charter 
 be ten dollars, and that the same be received by the Grand 
 Secretary when he delivers over the dispensation or charter. 
 [Now dispensation is ten, and charter twenty dollars.] (Res. 
 Dec. 1837.) 
 
 11. Resolved further, That the Grand Secretary be 
 entitled to retain out of the monies received for every dis- 
 pensation or charter hereafter granted by this Grand Lodge 
 or by the Grand Master, one dollar for his fee for making 
 up and filling out his form; and that he pay balance over to 
 the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge. (Res. Dec. 
 1837.) 
 
 12. Resolved further, That a price of a diploma granted 
 by this Lodge or by the officers thereof, shall be five dol- 
 lars; and that the same shall accrue to, and be a part of the 
 perquisites of, Grand Secretary. Resolved further, That 
 the Grand Secretary have dispensations, charters and diplo- 
 mas printed from time to time, as they may be needed, and 
 that the cost of the same be paid out of the funds of the 
 Grand Lodge. 
 
4 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 13. Resolved, That the said Grand Lecturers, shall 
 attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge, and in the recess 
 of said meetings, shall lecture on the first three degrees in 
 Masonry. (Res. Dec. 1838.) 
 
 14. Resolved, That from and after the adjournment of 
 this Grand Lodge, it shall be discretionary with the several 
 Subordinate Lodges of this State, to establish any ratio of 
 fees they may think proper, for conferring the several 
 degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master 
 Mason ; provided the same shall not be less than the rate 
 fixed by the Grand Lodge at its last Annual Communica- 
 tion. (Res. Dec. 1839.) 
 
 15. Resolved, That Grand Secretary be directed to get 
 together copies of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge for 
 as many years as he can collect; and that he have them 
 stitched together in three volumes, with a copy of the Con- 
 stitution in each volume; and that the same shall be pre- 
 served by the Grand Secretary for the use of the Grand 
 Lodge. (Res. Dec. 1840.) 
 
 1 6. Resolved, That it shall from this time forth, be the 
 duty of the Grand Treasurer, at each Annual Communica- 
 tion of the Grand Lodge, to file with the Grand Secretary a 
 statement of the amount of monies and other funds of the 
 Grand Lodge in his hands, which statement the Grand 
 Secretary shall file among his papers, and preserve for the 
 use of the Grand Lodge. (Res. Dec. 1840.) 
 
 17. Resolved, That the M. W. Grand Master be 
 requested to appoint a general Lecturer, suitable and quali- 
 fied for the station, whose duty it shall be to attend the 
 Grand Lodge when in session; to perfect himself in the 
 lectures, as recommended by the National Convention ; to 
 co-operate with the other Grand Lecturers, and to visit any 
 Subordinate Lodge requiring his services, provided such 
 lodge afford him reasonable compensation. (Res. Dec. 
 1844.) 
 
 18. Resolved, That hereafter the Committee of Foreign 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 5 
 
 Communications and Proceedings of Grand Lodges be 
 required to make their report at the meeting of the Grand 
 Lodge next succeeding their appointment. (Res. Dec. 
 1847.) 
 
 19. Resolved, That Brother L. L. Stephenson's work 
 be received as the work of the Craft in this State, and that 
 the Subordinate Lodges conform thereto. (Res. Dec. 1849.) 
 
 20. Resolved, That hereafter the election of the Grand 
 Officers, shall take place the second night of each Annual 
 Communication. (Res. Dec. 1850.) 
 
 21. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the Grand 
 Tyler to take charge of the apparel, furniture and other 
 effects of the Grand Lodge, and preserve the same. (1841. 
 Res. 13.) 
 
 22. We therefore recommend that the above views be 
 communicated to the Grand Steward, and that he regulate 
 himself accordingly ; and that the Subordinate Lodges under 
 the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, be recommended to 
 discontinue the use of such refreshments, and that we, as 
 well as they, employ our minds in the elevating pursuants 
 of the Masonry, and so conduct ourselves, both within and 
 without the lodge, that '"our good be not evil spoken of." 
 (1842. Res. 19.) 
 
 23. Whereas, It is believed that the By-law r s of some 
 of the Subordinate Lodges, under the jurisdiction of this 
 Grand Lodge, require expulsion from the right and privil- 
 eges of Masonry, for a neglect to attend the meetings of said 
 lodge, or for omission or refusal to pay the dues that may 
 be required: and whereas in the opinion of this Grand 
 Lodge, such punishment is wholly disproportionate to the 
 offence: Be it therefore, 
 
 [ 1 ] Resolved, That all the Subordinate Lodges under 
 the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, which may have any 
 provision incorporated in their By-laws be requested to 
 alter or abolish it. 
 
 [ 2 ] Resolved, That in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, 
 
(> DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 no expulsion from the rights and privileges of the Masonry 
 
 ought to take place, but for gross misdemeanor as a Mason, 
 or for some heinous and disgraceful crime. 
 
 [3 J Resolved, That in all cases of expulsion of any mem- 
 ber or Mason, hereafter, from the rights and privileges of 
 Masonry, the cause for such expulsions shall be stated in 
 the communications made to the Subordinate Lodges and in 
 the returns to this Grand Lodge. (1842. Res. 22.) 
 
 24. Whereas, Great regularity and culpable negligence 
 is manifested by many of the Subordinate Lodges, in omit- 
 ting to make their annual returns and to pay their contri- 
 butions to the funds of the Grand Lodge. Be it therefore, 
 
 [1 J Resolved, That hereafter no lodge shall be entitled 
 to a representative in this Grand Lodge, unless by special 
 permission, until the returns are made and filed with the 
 Grand Secretary and all arrearages of dues fully paid up. 
 
 [2] And be it further resolved, That if any lodge under 
 the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge shall hereafter neglect 
 or refrain from making their returns and paying their dues 
 for two years, it shall be the duty of the Grand Secretary to 
 inform them that they are under censure for such omission, 
 and unless they appear and show cause to the contrary, their 
 charter and jewels and other effects shall be forfeited to the 
 Grand Lodge; and the Grand Master is hereby directed to 
 appoint an agent to take charge of the same for the benefit 
 of the Grand Lodge, to be disposed of as they may here- 
 after direct. (1842. Res. 22.) 
 
 25. Whereas, At the communications of this Grand 
 Lodge various resolutions of importance to Masonry, and the 
 workings of the Grand Lodge, and its Subordinate Lodges 
 have been adopted ; and whereas, it is important that said 
 resolutions should be embodied for reference and 
 information ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That in publishing the proceedings of the 
 Grand Lodge, at its present Annual Communication, the Sec- 
 retary be required to collect from the records all resolves, 
 etc. of the Lodge, and publish the same with the proceed- 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 7 
 
 ings: and in case of any conflict of said resolves, that he 
 submit the same to the decision of the Most Worshipped 
 Grand Master. (1842. Res. 26.) 
 
 26. Resolved, That the Subordinate Lodges be, and 
 they are hereby instructed to write the names in full of all 
 persons, in their returns to the Grand Lodge, who have 
 been admitted, initiated, passed, raised, withdrawn, died, 
 suspended, expelled or rejected in their lodges since their 
 last return, that they may be published with the proceed- 
 ings of the Grand Lodge, so that the Subordinate Lodges 
 under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge may thereby be 
 informed of the names of any brother or brothers who may 
 be under Masonic censure, and of the names of applicants 
 who have been rejected at sister lodges, and that the Secre- 
 taries in each and everyone of the Subordinate Lodges 
 under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, be and they are 
 hereby directed to inform all adjacent sister lodges of the 
 name or names of all applicants who have been rejected at 
 these several lodges; and the names of all persons who may 
 be suspended, expelled, immediately on their rejection, sus- 
 pension or expulsion. [Now changed by Code as to notice, j 
 (1841. Res. 31.) 
 
 27. Resolved, That the Grand Master be requested to 
 direct the Grand Secretary to lay before him all the com- 
 munications received during the recess of the Grand Lodge, 
 in due time, previous to the Annual Communication of this 
 Grand Lodge, so that the Grand Master may lay before 
 this Grand Lodge such abstracts therefrom as he may deem 
 proper for their consideration. (1842. Res. 33.) 
 
 28. The Committee beg leave to report that they can 
 discover no justifiable grounds upon which to recommend 
 the adoption of the resolution as to the propriety and 
 expediency of the Grand Lodge empowering the Subordinate 
 Lodges to confer the Past Master's degree; on the contrary, 
 the researches of the Committee have only strengthened 
 them in the conclusion to which they have arrived. 
 
 The Committee will not try your patience by entering 
 
8 DIGEST OK MASONIC LAW. 
 
 into a labored argument to prove the impropriety and inex- 
 pediency of the measure proposed, but will content them- 
 selves by simply stating the grounds of their objection 
 which must be evident to every one who has taken the 
 higher degrees of Masonry: 
 
 i st. It is inexpedient, because it is competent for any 
 Past Master, with suitable assistance, to qualify and install 
 the Master elect of any lodge, who thus duly installed, 
 himself becomes qualified to install his successor. But the 
 power of a Past Master, in conferring" the degree extends 
 not beyond what is here set forth. The degree of Past 
 Master pertains to the Chair alone ; and so far as the Blue 
 Lodge is concerned, can only be conferred on whoever is 
 regularly elected to that seat. 
 
 2nd. Royal Arch Chapters are recognized as legally 
 constituted Masonic bodies, and this degree is embraced 
 within their charters; to transfer it to the Blue Lodges, 
 would be an unjustifiable infringement of the rights of the 
 Chapters, and have a tendency to bring the Lodge and 
 Chapter in collision. 
 
 3rd. The last and strongest ground of objection is the 
 fact that it would be an innovation, as clearly set forth in 
 the Articles of Union between the Grand Lodges of York 
 and London, which may be found in Moore's Magazine, Vol. 
 3, page 271, in the words following: — "Article 2 declares 
 and pronounces, that pure Ancient Masonry consists of 
 three degrees, and no more." This language would seem 
 to be strong and explicit enough to settle the question. 
 
 Should it be insisted upon as a matter of expediency, it 
 is at best but an honorary degree; and if such degree might 
 be added, where would be the end of the innovations? 
 Should it even be urged, the practice of other lodges, 
 whether in our own or other countries, it is no precedent 
 for us to follow, more especially if it be, as believed by your 
 Committee to be, radically wrong. The Committee would 
 therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolu- 
 tion : 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. g 
 
 Resolved, That this Grand Lodge deem it inexpedient 
 and improper, if not illegal, to authorize the conferring of 
 the Past Master's degree by the Subordinate Lodges. (1844. 
 Rep. 15.) 
 
 29. Representative system has met with approval of 
 nearly all the Grand Lodges which have taken any action 
 in relation to that subject, and your Committee would rec- 
 ommend its adoption by your body. (1844. Res. 20.) 
 
 30. Resolved, That from and after this communica- 
 tion, there shall annually be appointed a committee, con- 
 sisting of two members, whose duty it shall be to examine 
 the records of the Grand Lodge, and see that its proceed- 
 ings have been faithfully recorded by the Grand Secretary. 
 (1844. Res. 29.) 
 
 30a. A lodge can not meet alternately at two separate 
 places several miles apart. (1845. Dec. 32. Fanning, G. M.) 
 
 31. The Committee also recommended that the Subor- 
 dinate Lodges send to this Grand Lodge the names of 
 Masons residing in the vicinity of their lodges, who may not 
 be members; but their names will not be published with 
 those returned as members. (1845. Res. 37.) 
 
 32. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the General 
 Grand Lecturer, to be appointed by the Grand Master, to 
 visit, lecture and instruct all the Subordinate Lodges in the 
 State, and to attend to such other acquirements as may be 
 imposed upon him by this body, or the Most Worshipful 
 Grand Master thereof. (1845. Res. 46.) 
 
 ^t,. Resolved, That the Subordinate Lodges under the 
 jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, be, and are hereby 
 required to forward, in connection with their annual returns, 
 a list of the names of transient brethren, residing within 
 their jurisdiction, and that the Grand Secretary keep a rec- 
 ord of such names, not to be published. (1845. Res. 49.) 
 
 34. Therefore resolved, That the Grand Secretary, 
 under the direction of the Most Worshipful Grand Master 
 2 
 
co DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 have printed a suitable number of Grand Lodge certificates 
 
 in proper form, to be furnished to Subordinate Lodges in 
 such quantities as may be required, at 50 cts. apiece; one- 
 half of which amount shall be as a fee for the Grand Secre- 
 tary, and the other half as funds of the Grand Lodge. (1845. 
 Res. 49.) 
 
 35. Masons not members of a lodge but residing in 
 the jurisdiction, can be called to account, suspended or 
 expelled, for cause. (1846. Rep. 37.) 
 
 36. Resolved, That a belief in the authenticity of the 
 Holy Scriptures is essential to the fulfilment of the duties 
 required by the order of Masonry, in all Christian coun- 
 tries, and that a denial of the same is in conflict with the 
 principles of our institution, calling for reprobation. (1846. 
 Res. 55.) 
 
 37. Grand Lodge expelled a Master of a lodge for 
 base Unmasonic conduct, which was satisfactorily known to 
 one of the committee, he having fled to parts unknown, and 
 beyond the limits of their notice or citation. (1847. Res. 
 53-) 
 
 38. Resolved, That hereafter that no individual shall 
 act as proxy more than three lodges at the same time in the 
 session of this Grand Lodge. (1848. Res. 19.) 
 
 39. Resolved, That from and after this Grand Com- 
 munication no person shall represent any Subordinate Lodge 
 in the Grand Lodge, other than the legal authorized officers 
 by the Constitution, either as a delegate or as a proxy, 
 unless he produces a written authority therefor from the 
 lodge. (1848. Res. 45.) 
 
 40. Upon the petition for the degrees a single black- 
 ball rejects the applicant: a second ballot may be called for 
 to be satisfied there is no mistake. (1849. Com. Res. 16.) 
 
 41. Resolved, That a committee of resident brothers 
 be appointed to examine and close, as far as practicable, the 
 Grand Secretary's book, and report to the next Annual 
 Communication. (1849. Res. 19.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. I I 
 
 42. Resolved, That all Masters of Subordinate Lodges, 
 shall be hereafter required, in all cases, to open a Master 
 Mason's Lodge first, and all business connected with the 
 lodge be transacted in the degree, except the conferring of 
 the degrees or lectures, which appertain to the Fellow 
 Craft or Entered Apprentice degree. (1849. Res. 25.) 
 
 43. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge do hereby 
 instruct all Subordinate Lodges, working under its jurisdic- 
 tion, to receive no Ancient Mason as a member, who does 
 not produce a Certificate of Withdrawal from the lodge to 
 which he last belonged. (1849. Res. 26.) 
 
 44. Resolved, That upon balloting upon a petition, the 
 applicant is balloted for to be a Master Mason. It is, how- 
 ever, proper, if a brother shall desire it, to demand a second 
 ballot upon his application for passing and raising. (1850. 
 Res. 26.) 
 
 45. A petitioner can be kept back from the degrees of 
 Masonry, after having taken one degree, upon evidence of 
 improper conduct prior to initiation. A petitioner can not 
 demand an investigation by the lodge of this conduct, but 
 can demand it investigated by a committee out of the lodge. 
 Although the applicant is admitted by one ballot to the 
 degrees, a brother can demand a separate ballot upon "pass- 
 ing" and "raising." (1850. Res. 27.) 
 
 46. Where the By-laws of a Subordinate Lodge require 
 the presence of two-thirds of its members to alter the 
 By-laws, the Grand Lodge can permit their amending or 
 changing without the presence of the two-thirds. (1850. 
 Res. 35.) 
 
 47. Subordinate Lodges should not impose fines for 
 non-attendance. (1851. Dec. 13. Jenkins, G. M.) 
 
 48. Subordinate Lodges do not adjourn; they are 
 closed or called from labor to refreshment. (185 1 . Dec. 13. 
 Jenkins, G. M.) 
 
 49. Subordinate Lodges cannot ballot for initiating 
 and raising a candidate at the same meeting. (1851. Rep. 20.) 
 
12 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 50. A petition praying- merely for the E. A. degree 
 should not be received or acted upon, it should be a petition 
 for the benefits of Masonr}-. (185 1. Rep. 20.) 
 
 51. Lodges should not call from labor to refreshment 
 in the Master's degree and forthwith opening in a lower 
 degree. ( 1 85 r . Com. Report. 20.) 
 
 52. Lodges do not adjourn [they close. J ( 185 1. Com. 
 Report. 20.) 
 
 53. Resolved, That the Worshipful Grand Master be 
 requested to set apart one day at each Grand Communica- 
 tion, to lecture and exemplify the work; and that he call to 
 his aid such brethren as he thinks proper. [Now provided 
 for by Art. 3, Sec. 7, Constitution P. 16. J (1851. Res. 26.) 
 
 54. Resolved, By the Grand Lodge of the State of North 
 Carolina, that, upon the death of any Master Mason, in good 
 standing, and who is a member of any lodge under this Juris- 
 diction, it shall be the duty of such Subordinate Lodge to 
 furnish the widow or orphans of such deceased member a 
 certificate, under the seal of the lodge, of his membership, 
 standing and death, without any application or charge 
 therefor. (1851. Res. 36.) 
 
 55. Resolved, That no lodge shall be removed without 
 the Master's knowledge; that no motion be made for 
 removal during the Master's absence; and that if the motion 
 be seconded, the Master shall order summons to every 
 individual member, specifying the business, and appointing 
 a day for hearing and determining the affair, at least ten 
 days before it is to take place; and the determination shall 
 be made by the majority, provided the Master be one of that 
 majority. But if he be of the minority against the remov- 
 ing, the lodge shall not be removed, unless the majority 
 consist of full two-thirds of the members present. But if 
 the Master refuse to direct such summons, either of the 
 Wardens may do it; and if the Master neglect to attend on 
 the day fixed, the Wardens may preside in determining the 
 affair, in the manner prescribed. But the)" shall not in the 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 13 
 
 Master's absence, enter upon any other cause, than what is 
 particularly mentioned in the summons. If the lodge be 
 thus regularly ordered to be removed, the Master or Warden 
 shall send notice thereof to the Secretary of the Grand 
 Lodge, for publishing the same at the next communication. 
 
 No lodge shall be deemed regularly moved until the 
 removal thereof be approved by the Grand Master, or his 
 deputy, for the time being. 
 
 No lodge shall be regularly removed unless the laws 
 retaining to removals be strictly complied with; and that 
 the same may be duly ascertained, it is necessary that the 
 books of every lodge, intended to be removed, be particularly 
 inspected by the Grand Secretary before any removal takes 
 place. (185 1. Res. 40.) 
 
 56. Resolved, That any Mason of good standing as a 
 citizen, whose lodge has become dormant, upon satisfying 
 any lodge in his immediate neighborhood, may be entitled 
 to become a member of such lodge, by and with their con- 
 sent, upon such terms as other Masons are admitted. (185 1. 
 Res. 48.) 
 
 57. Resolved, 1st, That the Grand Lodge of North 
 Carolina will not recognize but one Grand Lodge as having 
 jurisdiction over the same territory in the United States. 
 
 Resolved, 2dly, That we recognize the Grand Lodge 
 over which M. W. John D. Willard was elected Grand 
 Master, and of which M. W. Oscar Coles is at present Grand 
 Master, as the only legal Grand Lodge in the State of New 
 York. 
 
 Resolved, 3dly, That we regard the Grand Lodge over 
 which Isaac Phillips was elected Grand Master in June, 1849, 
 as illegal and clandestine, and that we hereby prohibit all 
 Masonic intercourse between the Masons of North Carolina 
 and those who adhere to the Phillips Grand Lodge of New 
 York. 
 
 Resolved, 4thly, That all Subordinate Lodges in this 
 State be prohibited from receiving as visitors an}^ Masons 
 
14 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 from New York until satisfactory evidence is given by them 
 that they are adherents of the Grand Lodge of which M. \Y. 
 Oscar Coles is Grand Master. (1851. Rep. 70.) 
 
 58. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge prohibit all 
 
 Masons under its jurisdiction from visiting Pythagoras 
 Lodge in New York City, or from having any Masonic 
 communication with its members. 
 
 That no member of the Pythagoras Lodge in New 
 York City, shall be permitted to enter any lodge under this 
 Jurisdiction, or receive any of the benefits of Masonry. 
 
 That no Mason made under the jurisdiction of the 
 Grand Lodge of Hamburg, or hailing from any lodge under 
 her jurisdiction, shall be recognized as a Mason; nor shall 
 he receive any of the benefits or protections of Masonrv of 
 North Carolina. 
 
 That no German Mason hailing from the Grand Lodge 
 of Hamburg, who may be already in this State, shall hence- 
 forth be regarded as such, unless he has already become 
 affiliated with some lodge under this jurisdiction. (1851. 
 Rep. 78.) 
 
 59. Resolved, That the action of the body styling itself 
 the Supreme Council, 33d Degree, Scottish Rite, of the 
 Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, in establishing 
 lodges of the Scottish Rite, within the jurisdiction of the 
 Grand Lodge of Louisiana, is reprehensible in the extreme. 
 
 That the Grand Lodge of North Carolina recognize but 
 one body in Louisiana, bearing the power to organize lodges 
 of any rite, whatever, and that body is the Grand Lodge of 
 Louisiana, of which M. W. John Gedge is at present Grand 
 Master. 
 
 That we hold all other bodies, claiming such power, 
 whether in Louisiana or elsewhere, as illegal and dangerous 
 to the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 That we hold all lodges organized by the body claiming 
 to be the Supreme Council, 33d, Southern Jurisdiction of 
 the United States, as clandestine, and all those in any man- 
 ner connected with them, as clandestine Masons, and 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 1 5 
 
 Masonic communications or intercourse is hereby forbidden 
 between the Masons of North Carolina and all such lodges 
 and members thereof. 
 
 That we hold as clandestine Masons, all who recognize 
 said lodges, established by the self-styled Supreme Council. 
 33d, Southern Jurisdiction, as regular lodges; and that we 
 hold as clandestine, all Masons who recognize more than one 
 body, having the power to establish lodges, of any name, 
 denomination or rite whatever, in any state or territory in 
 the United States, where a regular Grand Lodge exists; and 
 all Masonic intercourse with such Masons is hereby pro- 
 hibited. (185 1. Rep. 90.) 
 
 60. It is Unmasonic to appeal from a Master's 
 decision, and where an appeal is taken, the Master should 
 never permit it to be put to the lodge. The only appeal 
 that can be taken is directly to the Grand Lodge, as the 
 Master is amenable to it, not to his lodge, for his official 
 acts. (1851. Rep. 101.) 
 
 61. Voting in lodges should be by the show of hands 
 or by ball ballots, and not by ayes and nays. (1S51. 
 Rep. 101.) 
 
 62. No lodge has the right to try its Master; for the 
 Master being amenable only to the Grand Lodge, the lodge 
 of which he is a member, and over which he presides, has 
 no jurisdiction over his actions, no more than it would over 
 the actions of a member of another lodge. If a lodge finds 
 itself oppressed or wronged by its Master, in any way, or if 
 it is, in any way, dissatisfied with him — if he does not 
 choose to resign — the only remedy left is to make complaint 
 to the Grand Master, who, upon sufficient cause shown, will 
 order him to suspend his official duties, and appear before 
 the Grand Lodge at its next communication, to answer the 
 charges made against him. (1851. Rep. 101.) 
 
 63. A Grand Lodge has sole and exclusive jurisdiction 
 over the state, territory or district in which it is located 
 and no two lodges can have concurrent jurisdiction in the 
 same territory, excepting only where there is no Grand 
 
l6 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 Lodge; and there all Grand Lodges have concurrent juris- 
 diction. A Subordinate Lodge has exclusive jurisdiction 
 over all persons or candidates residing nearer its place of 
 meeting than any other; and should any lodge receive a 
 candidate, residing nearer some other lodge, and confer the 
 degrees upon him, the fees therefor are forfeited to the 
 lodge nearest to where the candidate resides. (185 i. 
 Rep. 102.) 
 
 64. If a Subordinate Lodge expel a member, he stands 
 merely suspended until the next session of the Grand 
 Lodge, to which body the action of the Subordinate Lodge 
 must be sent up, when, if the action below is confirmed, the 
 individual stands expelled; but if the decision below be 
 reversed, then the individual continues a Mason, in as full 
 standing as before, with the exception that the Grand Lodge, 
 by reversing the decision below, cannot compel it to again 
 receive him as a member; he must stand expelled, as to that 
 lodge, until it sees fit to reinstate him. Much has been said 
 by the expulsion from one Masonic body, upon the indi- 
 vidual membership in other bodies, of a higher or lower 
 grade. We look upon Craft Masonry, or Blue Lodge 
 Masonry, as all the pure Masonry in the world, and he who 
 denies this proposition, must admit that Masonry is a pro- 
 gressive and accumulative science. If a Mason be expelled 
 from a Chapter or Council, or Encampment, that, of itself, 
 does not affect his standing in a lodge, in the least. (1851. 
 Rep. 102.) 
 
 65. Maimed candidates are admitted in North Carolina, 
 under the same instructions and requirements as other can- 
 didates, provided their loss or infirmity will not prevent 
 them from making full proficiency in Masonry. (1S51. 
 Rep. 106.) 
 
 66. Grand Master has the right to make Masons at 
 sight. (1851- Rep. 106.) [This is reversed by Art. XII, 
 Sec. 7, By-laws, P. 42.— A. B. A., Jr. J 
 
 67. Lodges working under dispensation possess only 
 limited powers, and for a limited time. We have often 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 1 7 
 
 heard the question asked, What is dispensation ? What does it 
 mean? We think we can answer the question satisfactorily. 
 A dispensation to open a lodge signifies that some of the old 
 forms and usages have been omitted, for the time being; or, 
 in other words, they have been dispensed with. Originally 
 no lodges were opened without charters from the Grand 
 Lodge; and, as these only issue when the Grand Lodge was 
 in session, it often worked great inconvenience to brethren. 
 To remedy this inconvenience the charter was dispensed 
 with for a time, and the lodge opened upon the private per- 
 mission of the Grand Lodge, and worked until the next 
 session of the Grand Lodge, at which time a charter must 
 be obtained, for it could be dispensed with no longer. 
 Lodges under dispensation cannot elect officers; the Grand 
 Master appoints a Master and Wardens, and the Master 
 appoints the other officers. They can make Masons, and 
 that is all the Masonic work they can do; for, as they are 
 working under the express directions of the Grand Master, 
 they can do nothing that his written authority does not 
 permit them to do. They cannot, strictly speaking, make 
 charitable donations from their lodge funds, for the funds 
 of a lodge under dispensation, together with everything 
 appertaining to it, belong to the Grand Lodge. We know 
 that these rules are violated repeatedly, and that many 
 lodges under dispensation take as much authority and power 
 as chartered lodges. We have even heard and known of 
 lodges under dispensation holding public celebrations; but 
 it is all wrong. To speak in the language of the world, 
 they are apprenticed to the trade, and during their appren- 
 ticeship the)^ have nothing to do but to work at their trade, 
 and that is to make Masons. If they are successful in 
 learning the trade, their indentures of apprenticeship are 
 cancelled, and they at once go into business on their own 
 responsibility. We see that many Grand Lodges permit 
 lodges under dispensation to be represented ; this is most 
 palpably wrong; the old Grand Lodges were composed of 
 the representatives "of all the particular lodges on record," 
 or of "chartered lodges." Representatives to our Grand 
 3 
 
l8 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 Lodge from lodges under dispensation are invited to a seat in 
 Grand Lodge as visiting brothers, until their work has been 
 examined, when, if charters are granted, they are permitted 
 to represent their lodges, and not before. (1851. Rep. 108.) 
 
 68. The Grand Master should appoint all regular or 
 standing committees, and when special committees are to 
 be appointed, the Grand Lodge should make the appoint- 
 ment; the same rule prevails in Subordinate Lodges; this 
 we believe to be the true Masonic usage; although fre- 
 quently departed from. (1851. Rep. in.) 
 
 69. The Wardens, when acting as Master in his 
 absence, are qualified to perform all the duties of the 
 Master. (1851. Rep. 112.) 
 
 70. After a petition has been referred to a committee, 
 it cannot be withdrawn. (1851. Rep. 112.) 
 
 71. The By-laws of every lodge should designate the 
 time of the annual election of officers, and the time so 
 designated is the only time at which an election can take 
 place. Should any casualty occur to prevent an election at 
 that time, the old officers must hold over for another year. 
 If the office of Master become vacant by death, removal 
 or otherwise, the Senior Warden succeeds to the Master's 
 chair for the remainder of the unexpired term — the Junior 
 Warden succeeding to the Senior Warden's office — and the 
 office of Junior Warden must be filled pro tempore. In 
 case the offices of Master and Senior Warden become vacant, 
 the Junior Warden succeeds to the Master's chair, and fills 
 the offices of Wardens pro tempore. In case the offices of 
 Master and both Wardens become vacant, a brother who 
 has passed the Master's chair may discharge the duties of 
 the Master, and in case there is no Past Master in the lodge, 
 a special dispensation from the Grand Master must be 
 obtained, empowering some Master or Past Master of a 
 neighboring lodge to open it and hold an election. Many 
 lodges have a clause in their By-laws stating that if a 
 vacancy should occur in any of the offices, the same may be 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 19 
 
 filled at any regular meeting thereafter. This is unconsti- 
 tutional, and every lodge having such a provision in its 
 By-laws should at once strike it out. (1S51. Rep. in.) 
 
 72. Resolved, That we believe it to be inconsistent with 
 the principles of Ancient Free Masonry for any lodge to 
 hold its regular, or any other, meeting on the Holy Sabbath, 
 for the purpose of initiating, passing or raising a candidate, 
 or any other business, except on funeral occasions, or 
 cases of charity. (1852. Rep. 33.) 
 
 73. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge recognizes the 
 authority of the different Grand Lodges in the United 
 States over the jurisdiction claimed by them, and do not 
 recognize the authority of any other body whatever, claiming 
 jurisdiction which interferes or conflicts with theirs. (1852, 
 Rep. 56.) 
 
 74. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge does not con- 
 sider that "the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand 
 Inspectors General of the 33d Degree of the Scottish Rite," 
 can lawfully constitute Lodges of Symbolic Masonry in the 
 State of Louisiana, within the jurisdiction of the Grand 
 Lodge of Louisiana. [Note. — This is not the Supreme 
 Council Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, of the 33d 
 Degree, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, over which General 
 Albert Pike and Dr. Mackey presided, but is the so-called 
 Cerneau Rite which did establish Symbolic Lodges in the 
 State of Louisiana. ] (1852. Rep. 56.) 
 
 Resolved, That the fact that they are constituted as 
 lodges of the Scottish Rite will make no difference. (1852. 
 Rep. 56.) 
 
 75. Resolved, That lodges so constituted are not 
 entitled to be recognized as legally constituted, and the 
 members of such lodges, and those initiated therein, are 
 not lawful brothers, nor entitled to visit and communicate 
 with this Grand Lodge and its constituent lodges. (1852. 
 Rep. 56.) 
 
 76. Resolved, That the practice of publishing the 
 
20 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 names of rejected applicants for Masonic honors be discon- 
 tinued by this Grand Lodge. (1852. Rep. 56.) 
 
 77. Resolved, That an expulsion from an Encampment 
 (now called a Commandery) does not affect the standing of 
 the individual in any Blue Lodge to which he may belong: 
 (1852. Rep. 57.) 
 
 78. Resolved, That the constitution of this Grand 
 Lodge be so amended that it shall read: "Whenever this 
 Grand Lodge shall reverse or abrogate a decision of a 
 Subordinate Lodge, expelling a brother, and shall restore 
 him to the benefits of Masonry, he shall not thereby be 
 restored to membership within the body from which he was 
 expelled without its unanimous consent." (1852. Rep 57.) 
 
 79. x\n election can not be held on any regular meet- 
 ing to fill a vacancy, but such can be filled only at the 
 regular election. (1853. Res. 40.) 
 
 80. A lodge can not provide that a member may be 
 suspended for neglect of dues, as this punishment is second 
 in degree embraced in the Masonic Code for crimes, but 
 they may dismember for such neglect. (1853. Res. 41.) 
 
 81. A question as to the right of membership, after 
 the expiration of the time for which a member has been 
 suspended, having been submitted to your Committee, the)" 
 are of opinion that when the time has expired the 
 brother so suspended is entitled to all the rights and privil- 
 eges that he enjoyed before his suspension, and if he was a 
 member of the lodge by which he was suspended a ballot is 
 not necessary to restore him to that privilege. (1853. 
 Res. 56.) 
 
 82. Whereas, The Grand Lodge of the State of North 
 Carolina has received from the Grand Lodge of New York, 
 official information that the Grand Master of Hamburg has 
 issued a charter to a lodge called Pythagoras Lodge, within 
 the territorial limits of New York, without the consent and 
 against the remonstrance of the Grand Master of the State 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 2 1 
 
 of New York; and whereas, The Grand Lodge of New York 
 desires an expression of the sentiments of the general 
 Grand Lodges of the United States in reference thereto, 
 be it, 
 
 Resolved, That the act complained of is a gross and 
 indecent invasion of the Masonic rights of our sister Grand 
 Lodge, of the State of New York; that such an interference 
 with the jurisdiction of a sister Grand Lodge, by a sister 
 Grand Lodge, whether domestic or foreign, is highly 
 Unmasonic, and necessarily mars the harmony of the work, 
 and cannot be countenanced by this Grand Lodge. 
 
 Resolved, That all Masonic intercourse between this 
 Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Hamburg cease 
 until the surrender or recision of the charter of the said 
 Pythagoras Lodge, and that this resolution of non-inter- 
 course embrace the said Pythagoras Lodge. (1854. 
 Res. 49.) 
 
 83. A Mason can not be arraigned and tried for 
 Unmasonic conduct generally. (1856. Rep. 57.) 
 
 84. A Mason under sentence of suspension can not, 
 before expiration of the term of his suspension, be brought 
 before the lodge for Unmasonic conduct during the term of 
 his suspension. (1854. Rep. 57.) 
 
 85. A Mason must be arraigned and tried by the lodge, 
 and not by a committee of the lodge. (1854. Rep. 58.) 
 
 86. Masonic trials can not be conducted while the 
 lodge is at refreshment. (1854. Rep. 58.) 
 
 87. Resolved, That all lodges hereafter chartered shall 
 be numbered according to the dates of their charters, and 
 that, in future, numbers rendered blank by death of lodges 
 shall not be filled. (1854. Rep. 59.) 
 
 88. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge recommend to 
 the vSubordinate Lodges to protect themselves from the 
 intrusion of non-affiliating Masons, by imposing some 
 amount for them to pay — which amount shall be discre- 
 tionary with each lodge; provided, no lodge imposes a sum 
 greater than the annual fee. (1855. Res. 53.) 
 
22 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 89. It is not correct for a lodge By-law to provide for 
 the vacancies in case of death, resignation or removal, to be 
 filled at next regular meeting, which we believe to be 
 contrary to the principles of Masonry; believing that in the 
 case of the Master's office becoming vacant that the Senior 
 Warden is to fill his station until the regular time of election, 
 the Junior Warden to fill the Senior Warden's station, 
 and the Junior Warden's station to be filled pro tern., unless 
 by dispensation from the Most Worshipful Grand Master. 
 (1856. Rep. 42.) 
 
 90. The accused was convicted by his lodge for having 
 violated his word after giving it as a Master Mason, to two 
 Master Masons, without showing justifiable reasons therefor 
 that did not exist at the time the promise was made, to the 
 prejudice and injury of two Master Masons. Sentence was 
 approved. (1856. Rep. 45.) 
 
 91. In the case of a brother who was suspended from 
 all the rights and benefits of Free Masonry for three years, 
 upon the charge of having lost his character as a man of 
 truth, and for having threatened to expose the secrets of 
 Free Masonry upon being reprimanded by a brother Mason 
 for his Unmasonic conduct, your Committee respectfully 
 recommend that the proceeding be approved. (1856. 
 Rep. 45.) 
 
 92. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge consider the 
 words "due proficiency," used in Art. 4, Sec. 10, of the 
 By-laws, to mean such an acquaintance with the work, 
 lectures, signs, passwords and grips, as would enable the 
 candidate to work his way into any lodge where he might 
 not be known as a Mason. (1857. Res. 40.) 
 
 93. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge defray all the 
 necessary expenses of the Grand Master incurred while 
 engaged in the business of the Grand Lodge. (1857, 
 Res. 42.) 
 
 94. It is not a Masonic offense for a brother to employ 
 counsel to defeat the application of a Mason applying to 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 23 
 
 the county court for license to retail ardent spirits, he 
 alleging that by such action he had been prevented from 
 following his regular business and thereby suffered loss. 
 Such a brother commits no Masonic offense, but the actiun 
 of the party preferring charges and arraigning him was 
 irregular and Unmasonic. (1857. Rep. 44.) 
 
 95. Resolved, That when an appeal is taken from the 
 decision of any Subordinate Lodge in Masonic trials, and 
 the decision of the lodge below is disaffirmed by reason of 
 any technical irregularity or uniformity in their proceedings 
 (without reference to the merits of the cause) the same 
 shall be certified to the lodge below, and a new trial shall 
 be had. (1857. Res. 45.) 
 
 96. Resolved, That the expenses of the Chairman of 
 the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, be defrayed, as 
 in the case of the three highest officers in the lodge. (1857. 
 Res. 49.) 
 
 97. A lodge has power to arraign and try a brother 
 residing within their jurisdiction, although he is affiliated 
 with another lodge in this jurisdiction. (1858. Rep. 45.) 
 
 98. Resolved, That when all matters in dispute between 
 the Grand Lodge of England and that of Canada shall be set- 
 tled, either by a recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada on 
 the part of the Grand Lodge of England, or a return of the 
 former to her allegiance, we will be happy to recognize our 
 brethren of that province, and to open communication with 
 them ; and that we fully concur in the report of our Grand 
 Master concerning Masonry in Canada. (1858. Rep. 57.) 
 
 99. That it is not in the power of the Worshipful 
 Master; at a regular meeting, to appoint a special meeting 
 to receive and act upon a petition for the degrees. (1858. 
 Dec. 58. Martin, G. M.) 
 
 100. A party claiming no particular place as a residence 
 is, in my judgment, as much a sojourner, wherever he 
 applies for the honors of Masonry, as he who hails from an 
 
24 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 acknowledged jurisdiction would or should be considered, if 
 he made application in any other. The one is a sojourner 
 wherever he may apply, and the other anywhere out of his 
 own jurisdiction. (1858. Dec. 59. Martin, G. M.) 
 
 101. Minutes of meeting of lodge should be read and 
 approved before lodge closes, and not left open for approval 
 at next communication. (1859. Dec. 11. Martin, G. M.) 
 
 102. Conviction by lodge of passing counterfeit money 
 is properly sustained as Unmasonic conduct. (1859. 
 Rep. 25.) 
 
 103. A defendant's own testimony should not be taken 
 on his trial, yet he may, in the argument of his case, make 
 a statement in relation to the matter, and the lodge can 
 receive it as its members think proper, attaching more or 
 less importance to it. (1859. Rep. 26.) 
 
 104. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Grand 
 Lodge, the precedent recently adopted by some of our sister 
 Grand Lodges, appointing a representative to attend the 
 Annual Communications of other Grand Bodies, meets our 
 decided commendation ; that such an interchange of fra- 
 ternal courtesies is eminently calculated to maintain and 
 promote reciprocal regard and harmonious feeling, prom- 
 inent characteristics which should ever exist between sister 
 Grand Bodies. 
 
 Resolved. That the Grand Master be authorized to 
 appoint a representative of this Grand Lodge, near the 
 Grand Lodge of any other jurisdiction of this Union, who 
 may indicate a willingness to reciprocate the courtesy. 
 (1859. Res. 35.) 
 
 105. An aider or abettor cannot be held to answer a 
 charge for a Masonic offense until the principal has first 
 been convicted. (1859. Rep. 39.) 
 
 106. It is a Masonic offense for a member of a defunct 
 lodge not to deliver up the property of such defunct lodge 
 when claimed on behalf of the Grand Lodge. (1859. 
 Rep. 39-) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 25 
 
 107. That such brother, when summoned by the 
 Grand Master, under the seal of the Grand Lodge, to 
 appear at its Annual Communication is guilty of disobeying 
 a legal summons, and was properly expelled by the Grand 
 Lodge. (1859. Rep. 39.) 
 
 108. I would take occasion here to incidentally refer to 
 a growing evil in our Jurisdiction. — That of inserting 
 Masonic cards in newspapers, and prefixing Masonic 
 emblems to all kinds of advertisements, and placing the 
 same on various species of merchandise, as a prostitution of 
 our noble Order to sordid and selfish ends, and would urge 
 all Masons to discountenance a practice unworthy of men 
 who seek our Order with a sincere desire to be serviceable to 
 mankind, (i860. Dec. 9. Williams, G. M.) 
 
 109. A Grand Lodge having the power which charters 
 and establishes Subordinate Lodges, and undertakes to 
 exercise lawful jurisdiction over a given territory in which 
 lodges are located, has the pow r er to settle the jurisdiction 
 of each lodge on equitable principles; and further, that the 
 power of determining jurisdiction is not the prerogative of 
 Subordinate Lodges, nor have they the right to initiate a 
 person, whom they may even deem a fit and proper recipient 
 of our favor, without considering where his residence may 
 be. (i860. Dec. 9. Williams, G. M.) 
 
 no. Resolved, That hereafter the Subordinate Lodges 
 who have suspended any member of a lodge and informed 
 sister lodges of the same, and should afterwards reinstate 
 the brother, they should afterwards be required to inform 
 sister lodges that said brother has been reinstated and is in 
 full fellowship, and entitled to all the benefits of Masonry. 
 (i860. Res. 21.) 
 
 in. We do not deem the degree of Past Master as 
 essential to the Master in presiding over a lodge, (i860. 
 Rep. 24.) 
 
 112. We would recommend that all correspondence 
 regarding jurisprudence between Subordinate Lodge mem- 
 4 
 
26 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 hers and the Grand Master, come through the Secretary, 
 with the seal of the lodge attached, (i860. Rep. 24.J 
 
 113. Whether a Master of a lodge, who has absconded 
 and fled the country,. can be tried at the first communication 
 of the Grand Lodge to which the charges are preferred, 
 your Committee submit to this Grand Lodge, though they 
 believe in analogy to trials in Subordinate Lodges, he can 
 be. (i860. Rep. 26.) 
 
 1 14. After a vote of acquittal a lodge cannot reconsider 
 and find the brother guilty, when a number of brethren had 
 left. No reconsideration after an acquittal can be had, 
 unless it is to correct a mistake in fact. (i860. Rep. 26.) 
 
 115. Grand Lodge has power to suspend a Worshipful 
 Master from his office pending investigation of charges 
 preferred against him. (1861. Rep. 15.) 
 
 116. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Grand 
 Lodge, dispensations to hold lodges might with propriety 
 be granted to regiments of war troops; but not to troops 
 serving for a less period of time. (1861. Rep. 17.) 
 
 117. Resolved, That every Mason ought to belong to 
 some particular lodge, and comply with its By-laws and the 
 general regulations in relation to the payment of dues and 
 contributions to the charity funds. And any Mason who 
 does not contribute to the funds, or belong to some lodge, 
 is not entitled to visit a lodge, while he remains non-affili- 
 ated, or to join in procession or to relief or Masonic assist- 
 ance or burial. 
 
 2nd, That nothing in the foregoing resolution shall be 
 so construed as to prohibit any Subordinate Lodge from 
 permitting a non-affiliated Mason to visit a lodge once. 
 (1862. Rep. 16.) 
 
 118. I have declined to grant either of the dispensa- 
 tions (military lodges in regiments serving out of the 
 State — one in South Carolina and one in Virginia) for 
 reasons which I think are sufficiently strong, believing, in 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 27 
 
 fact, that my jurisdiction and right to establish lodges was 
 strictly confined to the limits of North Carolina, and that 
 my compliance with the request of the petitioners would 
 have been an infringement upon the jurisdiction and rights 
 of the Grand Masters of those states respectively. I know 
 some of the Grand Masters in the Southern States differ 
 with me on this point, and Brother Fellows, G. M. of 
 Louisiana, exercises the prerogative to grant dispensations 
 for opening lodges in other jurisdictions, but at present I 
 leave this subject to be decided by an impartial judgment 
 of the Masonic fraternity. (1863. Dec. 7. Watson, G. M.) 
 
 119. Frequent application having been made to me 
 during the past Masonic year, in regard to one of the land- 
 marks of the Order, I deemed it due the members of this 
 body that I should call your attention to the same, this is, the 
 qualification of candidates for initiation during the revolu- 
 tion that now exists. Many of our worthy young men have 
 been disabled and maimed for life, and yet many of them, 
 after returning home, have been and are still applying for 
 admission into the lodge. We regret that those who are 
 true and trusty, and have served their country with such 
 fidelity, should, by such misfortune, be debarred from 
 entering our portals and enjoying the lights which Masonry 
 affords, but such is the nature of our institution, without a 
 violation of one of its most important landmarks, which plainly 
 tells us that the candidate must have "no maim or defect 
 about his body that may render him incapable of learning 
 the art." Thus are excluded, the blind, the deaf, the dumb, 
 and those having but one foot, and those having but one 
 hand, as none of them can learn and teach the rituals of the 
 Order. This landmark being of such plain interpretation, 
 you may think it entirely unnecessary on my part to call 
 the attention of so intelligent a body as this to the subject, 
 but, when considered in its true light, you, I think, will 
 agree with me that its importance is a sufficient reason for 
 your attention being called to the subject, hoping thereby 
 to cause to be avoided by Subordinate Lodges an infringe- 
 ment of the same. (1863. Dec. 8. Watson, G. M.) 
 
2<S DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 1 20. That they approve his declining' to give dispen- 
 sations to form lodges beyond the limits of North Carolina, 
 in the army; 1st, Because it is beyond his jurisdiction, 
 and 2nd, Because, except in extraordinary cases, they 
 doubt the propriety of forming "traveling lodges," inas- 
 much as few cases can arise in which an applicant can not be 
 initiated in a stated lodge, when at home on furlough, 
 or before his entering the army, when the several degrees 
 can be much more safely conferred, and the evidence much 
 more surely preserved; and inasmuch as every facility is 
 afforded Masons in the army for conversation and instruc- 
 tion, without a lodge as with it. (1863. Rep. 11.) 
 
 121. That while all our sympathy, as men, is with 
 those who have been maimed in the service of their country, 
 and while the benevolence of our Order reaches every 
 human being who needs our assistance, yet we are obliged 
 to say that the views of our Grand Master are in accordance 
 with the ancient principles and the universal practice of our 
 institution. (1863. Rep. 12.) 
 
 122. The Committee to whom was referred the resolu- 
 tion "to report to this Grand Lodge the course to be 
 pursued by Subordinate Lodges, in receiving the petitions 
 of candidates when absent from home in the army, " beg 
 leave to report that they have investigated the subject, and 
 deem it only necessary to refer to Art. IV, Sec. 12, of the 
 By-laws of this Grand Lodge for the law on the subject. 
 The only question is, whether the absence of a man in the 
 army, temporarily, changes his residence. The opinion of 
 your Committee is that it does not. 
 
 Your Committee is further of the opinion that it would 
 be unsafe and highly injurious to our institution to adopt 
 the practice of admitting transient persons, except in strict 
 accordance with Masonic law and usage. (1863. Rep. 16.) 
 
 123. A Mason can not petition another lodge for 
 affiliation until he has secured a demit from the lodge to 
 which he then belongs, for the reason that a Mason can not be 
 a member of two lodges at the same time. (1863. Rep. 17.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 29 
 
 124. Whereas, It is the opinion of the Grand Lodge 
 that lodges working under dispensation have no right to 
 affiliate members; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That all lodges who have been working under 
 dispensation be requested to re-ballot on the petitions of all 
 members they have received by demit during the period of 
 such dispensation. (1864. Res. 7.) 
 
 125. Whereas, This Grand Lodge, by a resolution of 
 1861, recommended the Grand Master to issue dispensations 
 to military lodges, and whereas, The question of jurisdiction 
 has been admitted; therefore, be it 
 
 Resolved, That this Grand Lodge claims Masonic juris- 
 diction over all troops belonging to the State of North 
 Carolina, wherever they may be. 
 
 Resolved, 2nd, That no military lodge under the 
 jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge shall have the power to 
 confer the degrees upon any person other than such as by 
 the laws of North Carolina are entitled to vote in the State 
 elections held in the army. (1864. Res. 21.) 
 
 126. Three Masons were, by their respective lodges, 
 expelled for desertion from the army, wdiich in the opinion 
 of the Committee is a political and not a Masonic offense. 
 While we, as citizens, express our entire condemnation of 
 desertion, and deplore such conduct, whether by Masons or 
 the profane, we would recommend that for the future, 
 Subordinate Lodges do not attempt to deal with their 
 members on the simple charge of desertion. "Although all 
 the most ancient and universally received precepts of the 
 institution inculcate obedience to the civil powers, and 
 strictly forbid any mingling in plots or conspiracies against 
 the peace and welfare of the nation, yet no offense against 
 the State, which is simply political in its character, can be 
 noticed by a lodge. Once introduce this subject into the 
 lodges, and open the door for the introduction of politics 
 and religion, subjects which are stringently forbidden to be 
 introduced into Masonry, and we undermine the very 
 foundation of our time-honored institution." (1864. Rep. 
 
 21.) 
 
$o DIGEST OF MASONIp LAW. 
 
 127. Whereas, Doubts have arisen as to the right of 
 the Grand Master to make Masons at sight, 
 
 Be it therefore R 'solved, That the deeision of this Grand 
 Lodge, at its communication of 1851, is hereby affirmed. 
 (1865. Res. 16.) 
 
 128. Resolved, 1, That the Most Worshipful Grand 
 Master be requested to correspond with the Most Worship- 
 ful Grand Master of New York in regard to the reported 
 organization of negro lodges in North Carolina, and 
 earnestly remonstrate against the same. 
 
 Resolved, 2, That this Grand Lodge will, and the Fra- 
 ternity in North Carolina are instructed to, regard all such 
 lodges as clandestine, and the members thereof as spurious. 
 (1865. Rep. 21.) 
 
 129. Our relations with our sister Grand Lodges are of 
 the most satisfactory and fraternal character. The onlv 
 disturbance threatened was with the Grand Lodge of New 
 York. At our last communication we had information, 
 upon which we reasonably relied, that the Grand Lodge of 
 New York had sent an emissary into the State to establish 
 negro lodges, and that a negro lodge had been established 
 at Newbern. I have corresponded with the Grand Master 
 of New York, and I am happy to say that it was not so. It 
 seems that there is a negro grand lodge in the State of New 
 York, and that it w T as the negro grand lodge which had sent 
 out the emissary. The only ground of complaint which we 
 can have against the Grand Lodge of New York is, that she 
 did not warn us of the existence in her midst of a negro 
 grand lodge. The excuse for this is, as I judge from my 
 correspondence with the Grand Master, that they regard it 
 as "perfectly harmless." But so it is not regarded among 
 us. Among a population so degraded and ignorant as the 
 negro population of the South, our institution, so powerful 
 for good when properly guarded, would be as powerful for 
 mischief when thus abandoned. Indeed a spurious body of 
 Masons, whether black or white, is a matter of serious 
 alarm, ought never to be considered as "perfectly harmless" 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 3 I 
 
 and the Craft ought instantly to be put on their guard. And 
 this we say, not in a spirit of acrimony, but in the freedom 
 of friendly counsel. (1866. Dec. Reade, G. M.) 
 
 130. We have examined the proceedings of this lodge, 
 and find them kept in a neat manner, but object to their 
 rule of approving their minutes at a subsequent meeting. 
 We think this should be done before the lodge closes, for 
 many reasons which will be apparent to every brother. We 
 find the Master's signature to the minutes wanting. (1866. 
 Rep. 26.) 
 
 131. It is contrary to Masonic law for a lodge under 
 dispensation to affiliate Masons, they can do nothing but 
 make Masons. (1866. Rep. 29.) 
 
 132. We also object to the brethren using in their 
 minutes such expressions as — "initiated into the mysteries 
 of the Fellow Craft's degree," and others of like Unmasonic 
 expressions. (1866. Rep. 29.) 
 
 133. We object to any lodge having every meeting as 
 a day of election. (1866. Rep. 29.) 
 
 134. Nor do we think the approval by the members of 
 a lodge necessary to the appointment of any committee by 
 the Worshipful Master. (1866. Rep. 29.) 
 
 135. We also suggest that our brethren approve their 
 proceedings on the day of their occurrence. (1866. Rep. 29.) 
 
 136. Resolved, That it be enjoined upon the Masters 
 and Wardens of the Subordinate Lodges to require a more 
 strict and faithful observance of the Constitution and 
 By-laws of this Grand Lodge, and to see to it that Sec. 10, 
 Art. IV, of the By-laws be strictly enforced, especially that 
 part which declares that more than one degree shall not be 
 conferred in the same day unless due proficiency be 
 manifested in open lodge. (1866. Rep. 34.) 
 
 137. Resolved, That the Grand Lecturers be required to 
 examine the records and proceedings of the lodges they 
 may visit, and report in what manner these are kept and 
 
32 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 conducted, as well as whether due obedience is paid to the 
 Constitution, laws and teachings of Masonry. (1866. 
 Rep. 34.) 
 
 138. Resolved^ That the Grand Secretary and Grand 
 Treasurer be appointed a standing committee to procure 
 portraits of the Grand Masters of this State beginning with 
 the year 1866, and all living Past Grand Masters whose 
 portraits can be obtained, and the same when procured be 
 suitably framed and hung up in the Grand Lodge Hall. 
 (1866. Res. 3 S.) 
 
 139. On complaint of St. John's Lodge No. 1, of 
 Wilmington, against Athol Lodge No. 65 and Keith Lodge 
 No. 36 or 61, Halifax, Nova Scotia, working under the 
 jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England, the Committee 
 have made some investigations relative to this matter, and 
 find, that in the year 1865 a vessel left the port of Wilming- 
 ton, running the blockade, and in her voyage touched at 
 Halifax, Nova Scotia, for three days. That during these 
 three days thirteen persons aboard the blockader, whose 
 names we know, and there were others also, but their 
 names are not known, applied to and received from Keith 
 
 Lodge No. 65 and Athol Lodge No. , the three degrees 
 
 of Ancient Craft Masonry. These thirteen men were citi- 
 zens of Wilmington, N. C, residing within the jurisdiction 
 of St. John's Lodge No. 1, of this Grand Lodge, and a 
 majority of them had been rejected by said lodge. One of 
 the number, in taking his degree, was so drunk that he did 
 not go through, but he had to be helped through. A 
 brother from this Jurisdiction objected to the proceedings 
 as a gross violation of the jurisdiction of St. John's Lodge 
 No. 1 and this Grand Body. The reply was, "that they 
 worked the Scottish Rite and could do as they pleased." 
 This action of these two Nova Scotia lodges, your Commit- 
 tee cannot but regard as a palpable violation of the juris- 
 diction of this Grand Body, and is no less a violation of the 
 spirit and design of Masonry. Could we, for one moment, 
 look with approval upon any lodge which would pick up 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 33 
 
 any wanderer, sojourner or straggler through the world, 
 and clothe him in the habiliment of Masonry. Could any 
 Mason having decent self-respect look upon the indiscrim- 
 inate crowding into the Temple by mere adventurers, with 
 anything but reprobation? ***** 
 
 The general rules and regulations of Masonry, the 
 great common love of Masonry, forbid any such. For who 
 ever heard of lodges introducing those who had no resi- 
 dence ? These adventurers had no idea of settling in 
 Halifax; much less did they settle. The animus revert cndi 
 was always present ; their design was, as soon as loaded 
 with freight, to return to Wilmington. Yet with all these 
 lights before them, the two lodges of Halifax, N. S., 
 clothed them with the garments of the Order and sent them 
 back to their Wilmington brethren, saying by their actions: 
 "These men had their residence in Wilmington, you black- 
 balled them, they came over the water to us, we judged 
 them and found them good and true and fit for the Temple. 
 You judged w^rongly; you of Wilmington could not see 
 these men in their virtue and purity, but we can ; and we 
 send them back to you to rebuke you, and place material in 
 your Temple which you had rejected." We do not wonder 
 that the Wilmington Lodge called the attention of this 
 Grand Body to this fact, for what lodge could view such 
 actions without indignation. ****** 
 
 The action of the Masonic congress at Paris expressly 
 laid down as a principle that petitioners for the honors of 
 Masonry must have a fixed residence, and it does seem 
 strange that legislation should ever have been necessary on 
 that point. For no one at all conversant with the principles 
 and designs of Masonry could for a moment tolerate such 
 a practice. Did St. John's Lodge lose her jurisdiction of 
 these men when they had left the port of Wilmington, with 
 the design and intention of returning soon? Certainly not. 
 Their residence was in Wilmington, and St. John's Lodge 
 alone could entertain their petition. Whenever they had 
 moved their residence to another place then the jurisdiction 
 of the lodge would attach in which they had settled and 
 
34 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 taken a fixed plaee of residence. And this practice of 
 admitting sojourners has so often been prohibited by this 
 Grand Lodge that the world is supposed to know that while 
 she would not suffer South Carolina to receive such persons, 
 and remonstrates to that Grand Body in a case precisely 
 similar to this, and the Grand Lodge of South Carolina 
 called the Subordinate Lodge to account — neither will this 
 Grand Body suffer the Halifax lodges to do the same thing 
 without being called to account, and this Grand Lodge 
 entering her protest against any such proceedings. The 
 fact that Nova Scotia is further off than South Carolina 
 makes no difference in the principle. The decisions of this 
 Grand Lodge, made time and again, set that matter at rest, 
 and have surely fixed the principle that this Grand Lodge 
 claims jurisdiction over every man within the limits of 
 North Carolina who has a residence in the State, and that 
 she claims that jurisdiction, no matter where the person 
 may go, until he changes his residence. And as to the 
 right of admitting sojourners, this Grand Lodge has never 
 for one moment tolerated any such idea. Your Committee 
 would only call attention to decisions of that Grand Lodge 
 relative to these matters, as sustaining the views herein 
 advanced by your Committee. (G. L. Pro. 1858. p. 15 and 
 58. G. L. Pro. 1852. p. 51, etc.) Your Committee would 
 therefore offer the following resolutions : 
 
 Whereas, A paper writing containing information as to 
 a violation of the jurisdiction of this Grand Body from St. 
 John's Lodge, No. 1, Wilmington, N. C, alluded to above, 
 has been laid before this Grand Lodge, 
 
 Therefore, be it resolved, By the Grand Lodge of North 
 Carolina, in Grand Communication assembled, That this 
 
 Grand Body views the action of Keith Lodge No. , and 
 
 Athol Lodge No. , in the premises as violating the 
 
 jurisdiction of this Grand Body, and that the action, by 
 those Subordinate Lodges, is at variance with the funda- 
 mental principles of Masonry, and subversive of its best 
 interests. 
 
 Resolved further, That this Grand Body direct the 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 35 
 
 Grand Secretary to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolu- 
 tions to the G. L. of England. (1866. Rep. 39.) 
 
 140. We find that the brethren of Lodge 
 
 receive and ballot on petitions at the same meeting, which 
 your Committee think is wholly Unmasonic. (1866. Rep. 45.) 
 
 141. Like all other lodges under dispensation, they 
 insert and persist in saying that the lodge was opened or 
 was closed in due form, which can not be true unless some 
 grand officers were present to do so. (1866. Rep. 45.) 
 
 142. We protest against the great length of the 
 By-laws of this lodge, re-enacting too many laws of the 
 Grand Lodge and re-iterating many things which are as old 
 as Masonry itself. (1866. Rep. 46.) 
 
 143. In the case of Bro. W., we find that during the 
 year 1862 he applied to his lodge for a dimit, which was 
 granted. Ypr some cause he did not receive the dimit 
 from the Secretary. In the meantime he removed from R., 
 and was absent some time. Returning to R. in 1863 he made 
 application to the Secretary for the dimit granted to him in 
 1862, but was refused on the ground that during the interim 
 his habits and conduct had become such that the lodge was 
 unwilling to receive him and issue the dimit ordered in 
 1862. The case having been brought before the Grand 
 Lodge at its last Annual Communication, it decided that the 
 dimit ought to be furnished him, and this was done. It is 
 the opinion of your Committee, after a careful investigation 
 of the matter and the hearing of testimony, that the lodge 
 should prefer charges against Bro. W. and, if acquitted, to 
 grant him a regular dimit. (1866. Rep. 46.) 
 
 144. Your Committee examined a communication from 
 
 the W. M. of C Lodge, in which he sets forth that 
 
 M Lodge has received the petition of a candidate 
 
 living within the jurisdiction of C Lodge, and that 
 
 his statement is confirmed by the W. M. of H Lodge. 
 
 These being the facts, it is the opinion of your Committee 
 
36 [)k;kst of masonic law. 
 
 that M Lodge has committed an impropriety (it may 
 
 be unintentional) and that M Lodge should pay the 
 
 fees for initiating, passing and raising, to C Lodge, 
 
 and make an apology for trespassing on the jurisdiction of 
 C Lodge. (1866. Rep. 46.) 
 
 145. The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence ask 
 
 leave to report that they have considered the case of C 
 
 Lodge No. , and are of the opinion that the proceedings 
 
 by which that lodge was assembled, and officers appointed, 
 were in all respects irregular, and that the action of the W. 
 M. of W Lodge No. , in making such appoint- 
 ments, has exposed himself to censure of the Grand Lodge, 
 and your Committee do recommend that all the operations 
 
 of C Lodge be suspended by the Grand Master, until 
 
 application be regularly made to him for a dispensation to 
 elect officers. (1866. Rep. 49.) 
 
 146. The proceedings of this lodge are neatly kept, 
 but we find many irregularities therein. They close their 
 E. A. Lodge in "due form," consider too many cases as 
 emergent, and are too careless, we fear, generally. One 
 other irregularity we think too grave to be passed over in 
 silence — the records show, time and again, that a "W. M. 
 pro tern." opened the lodge, but fail to state whether the 
 Junior Warden, the only officer present, called him to the 
 chair, after having opened the lodge himself; in fact, the 
 minutes show that their pro tem. Masters act in every 
 instance as the lawful Master. We protest against such 
 action. (1866. Rep. 50.) 
 
 147. Your Committee believe that there is a large 
 majority of the lodges in this Grand Jurisdiction whose 
 By-laws, as they now stand, have never been approved by 
 this Grand Lodge. Having been once approved they have 
 been amended or altered from time to time, perhaps in 
 many important particulars, without ever having obtained 
 the sanction of the Grand Lodge to such amendments 
 or alterations. (1867. Rep. 16.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. T>1 
 
 148. In reference to a violation of the jurisdiction of 
 this Grand Lodge by Keith Lodge No. 36, and Athol Lodge 
 No. 65, Nova Scotia, we are satisfied that the Grand Lodge 
 of England is in no way responsible for the same ; but those 
 lodges having transferred their allegiance from the Grand 
 Lodge of Scotland to the recently constituted Grand Lodge 
 of Nova Scotia, w r e recommend that the Grand Secretary be 
 instructed to call the attention of the latter Grand Body to 
 this subject, expressing the hope and belief that everything 
 will be done by it, necessary and proper, to guard against 
 like occurrences in the future. (1867. Rep. 35.) 
 
 149. Our By-laws require due proficiency, in each 
 preceeding degree, to be manifested in open lodge, before 
 the advancement of candidates. (1867. Rep. 35.) 
 
 150. Overture No. 1 is as follows, viz, : A man 
 worthy and well qualified was elected to receive the degrees 
 of Masonry, and was initiated as an E. A. He then, in the 
 discharge of his duty, received a wound that deprived him 
 of his right arm. Is it proper and right to pass and raise him 
 to the sublime degree of Master Mason? Your Committee 
 report that they are of the opinion that it is not. Such a 
 candidate is not, in the language of the ancient Constitu- 
 tions, "A perfect youth, having no maim or defect in his 
 body that may render him incapable of being made a 
 brother, and then a Fellow Craft in due time, etc." (1867. 
 Rep. 35.) 
 
 151. Overture No. 2. A man applies to be initiated 
 into the mysteries of Masonry, by petition in the usual form, 
 except that being unable to w T rite his name it is appended 
 with his mark, and the Worshipful Master rejects the 
 petition because the petitioner can not write his name. Is 
 the reason for the rejection of the petition a proper one? 
 The Committee report their opinion to be that this question 
 should be answered in the affirmative. [This report was 
 submitted to the G. L. , page 38, which amended it by 
 striking out "affirmative" and inserting "negative," so that 
 the Committee was reversed.] (1867. Rep. 35.) 
 
38 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 152. We recommend that the By-laws of NT- 
 Lodge be amended in Article fifth, Section second, by 
 striking' out the words "suspended or expelled," and insert- 
 ing- "excluded from membership," also that Section third 
 of the same Article be stricken out, and that Article seventh, 
 Section first, be so amended as to allow a member to with- 
 draw at pleasure by paying all his dues to the lodge, when 
 in good standing. (1867. Rep. 38.) 
 
 153. Your Committee find upon examination of the 
 resolution of the Grand Lodge, passed at its Annual Com- 
 munication in 1851, that Subordinate Lodges are restricted 
 from initiating ministers of the gospel free of charge. 
 (1867. Rep. 43.) 
 
 154. When a brother has been expelled, and the 
 expulsion confirmed by the Grand Lodge, he may be 
 restored by a unanimous vote of the lodge so expelling him. 
 (1867. Rep. 43.) 
 
 155. Resolved, That a copy of the Charter of this 
 Grand Lodge, and also of the Act of Incorporation, be 
 hereafter appended to the proceedings. (1867. Rep. 44.) 
 
 156. Reports of suspensions and expulsions made to 
 the Grand Lodge must be accompanied by the evidence 
 taken. (1867. Rep. 45.) 
 
 x 57- Q- Can a Subordinate Lodge hold the election 
 for an officer or officers at any other meeting than that 
 specified by the By-laws, without a dispensation from the 
 Grand Master or his deputy? 
 
 A. No. Elections can only be held at the time 
 prescribed in the By-laws. If any lodge shall fail to 
 elect its officers at the time designated ; for good cause 
 shown, the Grand Master or his deputy may grant a 
 dispensation for an election, or to fill a vacancy occurring 
 in any elective office. (1868. Dec. 12. Best, G. M.) 
 
 158. Q. If a member of a Subordinate Lodge be sus- 
 pended or expelled, and does not appeal to the Grand 
 Lodge, is it the duty of the Secretary to notify the lodges 
 
DIGEST OF iMASONIC LAW. 39 
 
 of such suspension or expulsion immediately, or wait until 
 after the meeting of the Grand Lodge? 
 
 A. The By-laws of the Grand Lodge, previous to 1865, 
 required notice of all suspensions and expulsions to be 
 immediately transmitted to all the lodges in the State ; but 
 'at the Annual Communication in 1865, the following proviso 
 was adopted: "That if the expelled or suspended party, as 
 the case may be, by the next regular meeting, or in one 
 month, appeal from the decision of the lodge to the Grand 
 Lodge, then no notices shall be sent to the Subordinate 
 Lodges until after the final action of the G. L. in the case." 
 Therefore, when there is no appeal in one month, notices 
 must be sent. (1868. Dec. 12. Best, G. M.) 
 
 159. Q. Has a Subordinate Lodge the right to remit 
 quarterly dues of ministers of the gospel? 
 
 A. No. At the Annual Communication of the Grand 
 Lodge in 1862, the following resolution was adopted, viz. : 
 "That every Mason ought to belong to some particular 
 lodge, and comply with its By-laws and the general regula- 
 tion in relation to the payment of dues and contributions to 
 the charity fund. * * * * * :: " Now every set of By-laws 
 for the government of Subordinate Lodges fixes an amount 
 to be paid by each member quarterly, or annually, as the 
 case may be, and the case is very conclusive to our mind 
 that it is improper and a violation of the edict above quoted 
 for the dues of a minister to be remitted simply because he 
 is a minister. (1S68. Dec. 12. Best, G. M.) 
 
 160. Q. Does a candidate who has been initiated, 
 passed and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, 
 become a member of the lodge simply upon his being 
 raised? 
 
 A. No. If he is raised by the lodge in which his 
 petition was acted upon, he must sign the By-laws of that 
 lodge; and by so doing becomes a member. If the degrees 
 are conferred by the request of another lodge, he must sign 
 the By-laws of the lodge making the request. This is 
 a matter very often neglected, and the Masters of lodge 5 
 
40 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 should always have it attended to at the proper time. 
 (1868. Dec. 12. Best, G. M.) 
 
 x6x. , Q. Is it proper for one Subordinate Lodge to 
 notice a communication from another lodge, giving notice 
 of the suspension or expulsion of a member, if the Secre- 
 tary's name be printed, or if he fails to attach the seal of 
 the lodge? And would it not be proper for such communi- 
 cation to bear the date of the meeting at which the suspen- 
 sion or expulsion occurred, and also the date of the issue of 
 the notices? 
 
 A. A communication in order to receive attention should 
 bear the signature of the Secretary and the seal of the lodge. 
 No other is legal. The notice should have the date of the 
 meeting, and also the date of the issue of the notices. The 
 By-laws of the Grand Lodge, Article 4, Section 34, requires 
 notices to be transmitted after the expiration of one month, 
 if no appeal has been taken to the Grand Lodge, and it is, 
 therefore, necessary that both the dates should appear on 
 the notices, that other lodges may see that the law has been 
 complied with. (1868. Dec. 13. Best, G. M.) 
 
 162. Q. What is the proper course for the Secretary 
 to pursue in case the member suspended or expelled does, 
 or does not, appeal to the Grand Lodge? 
 
 A. If there is an appeal taken to the G. L., then the 
 notices are not sent out ; but if no appeal be asked for, at 
 the expiration of one month, the Secretary will issue the 
 notices. In either case the Secretary will make out a 
 transcript of the whole proceedings and send up to the next 
 succeeding Grand Lodge (See Art. 4, Sec. 34, By-laws G. L.) 
 and in this connection we publish the section referred to 
 entire. 
 
 "Whenever a lodge shall suspend or expel a brother, 
 notice of the same shall, after the expiration of one month, 
 be transmitted to the other lodges in the State, and to the 
 Grand Secretary, unless the party so suspended or expelled 
 shall, within that time, have appealed to the Grand Lodge, 
 in which case the notice shall be withheld until the action of 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 4 1 
 
 the lodge shall have been confirmed. And when the Grand 
 Lodge shall refuse to confirm such proceedings by reason of 
 any technical informality or irregularity therein (without 
 reference to the merits of the case) the same shall be 
 certified to the lodge, and a new trial shall be held. When 
 notice of the suspension or expulsion has been issued, and 
 the brother so suspended or expelled shall be subsequently 
 reinstated, notice of the same shall be given to all the 
 Subordinate Lodges. The charges and proceedings in the 
 case shall, indispensably, be sent up to the ensuing Grand 
 Lodge for final action. (1868. Dec. 13. Best, G. M.) 
 
 163. Q. What is meant by "lawful information," 
 when applied to visitors? 
 
 A. This information is derived from a personal 
 knowledge, which can only be obtained from "strict trial 
 and due examination," or from having sat in a regular lodge 
 of Master Masons with him. Second, from the declaration 
 of a known Master Mason, that the visitor is a Master 
 Mason. (1868. Dec. 13. Best, G. M.) 
 
 164. Q. Is a Mason who has taken the Past Master's 
 degree in a Royal Arch Chapter known in the Blue Lodge 
 as a P. M. ? 
 
 A. No. Not unless he has been regularly installed 
 Master of a Blue Lodge. Past Masters are of two classes, 
 viz. : Actual and Virtual. 
 
 Actual Past Masters are those who have been regularly 
 installed as Masters of a Blue Lodge. 
 
 Virtual Past Masters are those who have received the 
 degrees in a Chapter, but have never been installed as 
 Master of a Blue Lodge. (1868. Dec. 14. Best, G. M.) 
 
 165. Q. Is it right for the Master of a lodge to per- 
 mit a petition to be withdrawn after one or two unfavor- 
 able ballots have been taken, or can a petition be with- 
 drawn at any time after it is in the possession of the lodge? 
 
 A. There are but two instances only, in our judgment, 
 when the Master may permit the petition to be withdrawn. 
 1st, If the petition of a person living beyond the 
 6 
 
42 DIGKST OK MASONIC LAW. 
 
 jurisdiction of a lodge should be received, and the lodge 
 was not aware that the applicant was not in her jurisdiction, 
 then it might be returned, if no ballot has been taken. 
 (1868. Dec. 14. Best, G. M.) 
 
 166. Q. Is it obligatory upon the W. M. to sign the 
 minutes of all communications? 
 
 A. No. The minutes should be read, and (if necessary 
 altered or amended) approved before the lodge is closed 
 and attested by the Secretary. (1868. Dec. 14. Best, G. M.) 
 
 167. Q. A man petitions a lodge for the Masonic 
 degrees, a ballot is taken and he is declared duly elected. Be- 
 fore he comes forward to be initiated, a personal difficulty 
 arises between him and a Mason, can the Mason demand a 
 second ballot, and stop him from taking the degrees on 
 account of such difficulty, without giving reason to the 
 lodge for so doing? 
 
 A. A ballot can be had at any time and a candidate 
 stopped at any stage of the proceedings previous to the 
 conferring of a degree. The lodge has no right to question 
 a member for exercising the right of ballot. Among the 
 standing resolutions adopted by the Grand Lodge of North 
 Carolina, we note the following: 
 
 "That upon balloting upon a petition, the applicant is 
 balloted upon to be a Master Mason. It is, however, proper, 
 if a brother shall desire it, to demand a second ballot upon 
 his application for passing or raising." (1868. Dec. 14. 
 Best, G. M.) 
 
 168. Q. In the above case, may not the lodge demand 
 the reason, and decide whether it is valid? 
 
 A. No. No one has a right to know how another has 
 cast his ballot, if he has, it is not secret. The Old Regula- 
 tions of 1 77 1 says: 
 
 "But no man can be entered a brother in any particular 
 lodge, or admitted a member thereof, without the unani- 
 mous consent of all the members. ****** ^ OT j s ^g 
 inherent privilege subject to a dispensation, because the 
 members of a particular lodge are the best judges of it, and 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 43 
 
 if a factious member should be imposed on them, it might 
 spoil their harmony, or hinder their freedom ; or even break 
 and disperse the lodge, which ought to be avoided by all 
 good and true brethren." (1868. Dec. 15. Best, G. M.) 
 
 169. Q. In such a case may not the lodge turn the 
 whole matter over to a sister lodge to decide as it seems 
 best? 
 
 A. No. If the ballot is demanded and the applicant 
 rejected in the case mentioned above, then the matter 
 drops. Each lodge has the sole right to determine whom it 
 will admit as members, and no other lodge can decide this 
 question for it. (1868. Dec. 15. Best, G. M.) 
 
 170. Resolved, That the making or using of any letter or 
 cypher to the true Masonic work and mysteries is not 
 authorized by the ancient customs of the Order, is contrary 
 to the principles and teachings, and can not, therefore, be 
 sanctioned by this Grand Lodge. 
 
 Resolved, That the true Masonic mysteries should be 
 taught and handed down by oral teaching alone, as has been 
 done from remote ages, and that any departure from this 
 principle is fraught with danger to the Institution. (1868. 
 Rep. 29.) 
 
 171. R Lodge indefinitely suspended Brother 
 
 P., upon the charge of Brother A. that said P. .did, without 
 the knowledge or consent of a certain person (a lady) use 
 her name for the purpose of making a fraudulent conveyance 
 of his property, to the injury of a brother Mason, etc. The 
 Committee, from the papers submitted to them in the case, 
 are at a loss to perceive how such a harsh punishment could 
 have been inflicted upon the allegation and proofs. How 
 any human being, of ordinary capacity, could have been fooled 
 or cheated, by the fraudulent use of a lady's name, we fail to 
 see ; much less do we fail to perceive how the swindle was 
 perpetrated, from the papers and proofs before us. 
 
 If the papers laid before us are designed to be a true 
 
 record of what occurred in the trial of Brother P. in R 
 
 Lodge, then we have no earthly hesitation in saying that 
 
44 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 they are wholly informal and ought not to be respected or 
 entertained for a moment by this Grand Body. (1868. 
 Rep. 31.) 
 
 172. Resolved, That profanity and drunkenness are 
 among the highest Masonic crimes. 
 
 Resolved, That Subordinate Lodges in this Jurisdiction 
 are directed to vindicate the law in relation thereto. (1868. 
 Res. 64.) 
 
 I 73- Q- What relation does the daughter of an 
 expelled Mason sustain to the Order? 
 
 A. Her Masonic rights are lost with her father's. 
 (1869. Dec. 9. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 174. Q. Can a brother be excluded by the effect of a 
 By-law without notice? 
 
 A. He can not; notice must be given to a brother in 
 arrears to appear and show cause. (1869. Dec. 10. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 I 75- Q- Can an officer be installed if absent? 
 A. It is customary, and may be done by proxy. 
 (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 176. Q. Is it as improper to disclose the ballot upon 
 a dimit as though upon a petition of a profane; and is it a 
 breach of Masonic privilege to so divulge a ballot? 
 
 A. Undoubtedly; both points are Uiimasomc, and 
 equally so. (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 177. Q. Must a Subordinate Lodge receive a notice 
 of expulsion, without a legal seal? 
 
 A. Yes, if the Secretary certifies that the lodge has no 
 seal. (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 178. Q. When a Deputy Custodian gives a brother a 
 certificate, and the Grand Master commissions as Grand 
 Lecturer, how long is the commission in force? 
 
 A. One year has been the general period. (1S69. Dec. 
 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 179. Q. Can a Deputy Custodian order a ballot and 
 confer the degrees out of the regular course? 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 45 
 
 A. He can not; he may exemplify the work by a sub- 
 stitute. (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 180. Q. Can a man be made a Mason who has lost an 
 arm or a leg"? 
 
 A. According to the decision of the Grand Lodge he 
 can not. (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 181. Q. Does "exclusion" from a particular lodge 
 impair the standing of a brother with the Fraternity at 
 large? 
 
 A. It does not; it leaves him a "non-affiliated Mason. " 
 (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 182. Q. Does a lodge receiving a duplicate charter 
 (the original being destroyed) retain its old members? 
 
 A.- Undoubtedly so; it is not a lodge U. D. (1869. 
 Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 183. Q. Does the dispensation of the Grand Master 
 for a new lodge necessarily transfer the membership of the 
 petitioners? 
 
 A. It does not; they must dimit when the charter is 
 granted. (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 184. Q. Can a brother "sign" the By-laws through an 
 attorney duly authorized? 
 
 A. A brother in good standing with the Craft, being 
 elected to membership, and unavoidably absent, may give 
 another brother a power of attorney to sign for him. 
 
 This was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence, 
 who reversed the same, stating as follows: The only 
 question of material importance submitted for our decision 
 was one from Wm. G. Hill Lodge No. 218, as follows: 
 Where a dimitted Mason has petitioned in regular form for 
 membership, and been received, but who left the State 
 before signing the By-laws of the lodge, can he empower 
 another brother, by power of attorney, to sign the By-laws 
 for him? Our decision was that he could not — that the 
 signing of the By-laws of a lodge was an act that must be 
 
46 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 performed in person, and that the power to do so could not 
 be delegated by one brother to another. (1869. Dec. 10. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 185. Q. Is it Masonic to hold balls (dancing parties) 
 in the lodge hall, or to play cards therein? 
 
 A. Dancing and card playing are not taught in the 
 ritual or landmarks. They had better be practiced else- 
 where, if at all. (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 186. Q. Can an officer in a chartered lodge hold office 
 in a lodge U. D. ? 
 
 A. He may until the charter is issued. (1869. Dec. 
 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 187. Q. A difficulty exists between two brothers — one 
 is expelled; can the other be tried? 
 
 A. Yes. (1869. Dec. 10. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 188. Q. Can a member be expelled for non-payment 
 of dues? 
 
 A. He can not justly or lawfully. (1869. Dec. 10. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 189. Q. Has a lodge the right to remit dues for 
 cause, say poverty or distress? 
 
 A. It has; there is no By-law forbidding it. (1869. 
 Dec. 11. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 190. Q. Can a lodge proceed to the trial of a member 
 guilty of gross Unmasonic conduct, whose address is 
 unknown? 
 
 A. The charge and specifications must be served upon 
 the accused, either in person or by mail; if his address is 
 known; if not, proceed ex parte. (1869. Dec. 11. Vance, 
 G. M.) 
 
 191. Q. Can an installed officer relinquish or resign 
 his office before his successor is installed? 
 
 A. He can not. (1869. Dec. 11. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 192. Q. Can a petition for membership, or for the 
 degrees, be withdrawn? 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 47 
 
 A. Only by consent. It is the property of the lodge. 
 (1869. Dec. 11. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 193. Q. How long does a rejected petitioner have to 
 wait before applying again? 
 
 A. Twelve months. (1869. Dec. n. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 194. Q. How often can a non-affiliated Mason visit a 
 lodge? 
 
 A. Only once, as provided for in the resolution of 
 the Grand Lodge of 1862. (1869. Dec. 11. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 195. Q. A brother acts as agent for a Mason's widow ; 
 collects money of hers; does not pay over; sends her a 
 bankrupt notice as one of his creditors; is it a Masonic 
 crime? 
 
 A. It certainly is, and deserves speedy punishment. 
 (1869. Dec. 11. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 196. Q. What shall be done with a lodge that has 
 worked up the material of another and refuses to pay over 
 the fees? 
 
 A. Inform the Grand Master, and if, after he has 
 reminded them of their duty, the brethren still refuse, let 
 their charter be arrested. (1869. Dec. 11. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 197. Q. How shall an expelled Mason be restored? 
 A. By petition and a clear ballot. (1869. Dec. 11. 
 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 198. Q. Is drunkenness- or profanity a sufficient rea- 
 son for a blackball? 
 
 A. Either is sufficient. (1869. Dec. 11. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 199. Last year, information was given to this body of 
 a clandestine body of men within the jurisdiction of the 
 Grand Lodge of Louisiana, styling themselves "Scottish 
 Rite Masons." Later intelligence brings us tidings that this 
 spurious body has been recognized by the Grand Orient of 
 France, contrary to all law and usage. The Grand Lodge 
 of North Carolina should at once sever all fraternal relation 
 between the two, until the Grand Orient ceases to counten- 
 
4<S DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 ance- clandestine and spurious Masonry. (1869. Dee. 13. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 200. Action of P — - Lodge in the case of L. was 
 disapproved for the reason that it does not appear that the 
 brother was regularly served with a summons to appearand 
 answer the charges preferred against him, and Committee 
 recommend that a new trial be granted him, and that the 
 
 papers be returned to P Lodge for that purpose. 
 
 (1869. Rep. 31.) 
 
 201. Resolved, 1st, That this Grand Lodge can not, 
 hereafter, recognize any other mode of making Masons 
 than the one sanctioned by the immemorial usage of the 
 Craft, namely: "In a regular lodge, after previous notice 
 and due inquiry into character. " 
 
 2nd, That this Grand Lodge can not, and does not, 
 recognize any inherent right or power, or prerogative in 
 Grand Masters, to make Masons at sight or will, out of a 
 regular lodge; and must regard the exercise of such power 
 not only as arbitrary, but in violation of the plain and 
 unmistakable provisions of the ancient charges and Consti- 
 tutions of Masonry. 
 
 3rd, That these makings by Grand Masters, heretofore, 
 are hereby declared legal, and the Masons so made entitled 
 to all the rights and privileges of the Craft. (1869. Res. 34.) 
 
 202. Resolved, That the Master and Wardens of any 
 Subordinate Lodge that shall fail to take action against 
 the members for disobedience of summons, are guilty of a 
 grave misdemeanor; and any failure in this matter shall be 
 considered sufficient cause for arrest of charter. (1869. 
 Res. 49.) 
 
 203. Resolved, That a written or printed notice, by 
 order of the Worshipful Master, signed by the Secretary 
 and attested by the seal of the lodge, shall be considered a 
 legal notice. (1869. Res. 49.) 
 
 204. In the matter of the Grand Orient of France, 
 your Committee recommend that the Grand Lodge approve 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 49 
 
 the action of the Grand Lodge of France, and take similar 
 steps. The action of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana is con- 
 tained in the following resolution: 
 
 Resolved, That all Masonic correspondence and fra- 
 ternal relations between the Grand Lodge of Louisiana and 
 the Grand Orient of France cease and be discontinued, and 
 no Mason owing allegiance to that Grand Body is recognized 
 as such in this Jurisdiction. 
 
 Resolved, That a duly authenticated copy of the above 
 report and resolution be transmitted to the Grand Orient of 
 France, and to all regularly constituted American and 
 European Grand Lodges. (1869. Rep.' cxvii, cxxv.) 
 
 205. Where two lodges agree upon an arbitrary line 
 marking the territorial jurisdiction of each lodge, the Grand 
 Lodge will approve the same. (1870. Rep. 34.) 
 
 206. The Committee to whom were referred certain 
 claims mentioned in the report of the directors of St. John's 
 College, beg leave to submit that, from the best informa- 
 tion they have been able to get, they do not think this 
 Grand Lodge is legally liable for any of said debts, and 
 they think this Grand Lodge should be careful how it 
 assumes the payment of debts upon moral or charitable 
 grounds. Each debt thus claimed should be canvassed and 
 settled on its own merits— and none of them have been can- 
 vassed before us. (1870. Rep. 36.) 
 
 207. Q. Can a Mason be a member of a lodge in 
 Virginia, or any other State, and in North Carolina at the 
 same time? 
 
 A. He can not. See Section 24, Article 4, By-laws of 
 this Grand Lodge. The Committee are unanimously of the 
 opinion that a lodge U. D. is a lodge within the meaning of 
 Section 24, above referred to. (1870. Rep. 37.) 
 
 208. Your Committee recommend that the Grand 
 Master be requested not to grant a dispensation to open any 
 new lodge hereafter, unless the application is accompanied 
 by the dimits of at least seven Master Masons. (1870. 
 Rep. 38.) 
 
50 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 209. (J. A borrows money from B. B calls upon A 
 for a return of the money. A refuses and publicly abuses 
 B, who prefers charges, and A is acquitted. Can B appeal 
 to the Grand Lodge? 
 
 A. The Ancient Charges say: "And if any of them 
 (brethren) do you injury, you must apply to your own or 
 his lodge; and from thence you may appeal to the Grand 
 Lodge at the Quarterly Communication, and from thence to 
 the Annual Grand Lodge, as has been the ancient laudable 
 conduct of our forefathers in every nation." (1870. Dec. 
 iii. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 210. Q. Can a lodge confer the degrees upon a man 
 who can not speak or understand the English language? 
 
 A. It may be done through an interpreter, but due 
 caution should be had in such cases. (1870. Dec. iii. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 2ii. Q. Whose duty is it to notify a brother when 
 charges are preferred against him? 
 
 A. It is the duty of the Secretary, who should attach 
 the seal of the lodge. (1870. Dec. iii. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 212. Q. What rules govern the removal of a lodge? 
 A. 1, Notice must be given in the presence of the 
 
 Master. 2, Summons all the members and fix a day. 3, 
 The majority rules if the Master concurs. 4, If the Master 
 does not concur, it requires two-thirds of the lodge; and, 5, 
 the Grand Master's approval. (1870. Dec. iii. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 213. Q. On funeral occasions, when a number of 
 brethren are present in a Master's Lodge, clothed as Royal 
 Arch Masons, must the Secretary record their names? 
 
 A. He must, or the record is faulty. (1870. Dec. iii. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 214. Q. At a special meeting a brother is suspended 
 for six months, can a motion to reconsider be properly had 
 at the next meeting? 
 
 A. It can not unless made by one who voted affirma- 
 tively, and all the members present who were there at the 
 time of trial. (1870. Dec. iii. Vance, G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 5 1 
 
 215. Q. What is meant by "Mock Masonic burials," 
 as forbidden by the Grand Lodge? 
 
 A. Mock Masonic funerals, as disapproved of, are in 
 cases where the deceased has already been buried otherwise. 
 Lodges of Sorrow T are not condemned. (1870. Dec. iii. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 216. Q. Is the Master's summons, at a regular meet- 
 ing, a legal notice? 
 
 A. It is. (1870. Dec. iii. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 217. Q. Can a lodge receive a petition from a party 
 who has not resided in is jurisdiction twelve months? 
 
 A. No. (1870. Dec. iv. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 218. Q. Can a lodge admit a strange visitor without 
 requiring him to take the Tiler's O. B. ? 
 
 A. Certainly not. (1870. Dec. iv. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 219. Q. How shall the jurisdiction of lodges be deter- 
 mined? 
 
 A. By an air line. (1870. Dec. iv. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 220. Q. When an appeal is prayed from a Subordi- 
 nate Lodge must the grounds be stated in writing? 
 
 A. Yes. See By-laws of Grand Lodge. (1870. Dec. 
 iv. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 221. Q. Has every Mason in good standing an inher- 
 ent right of visitation? 
 
 A. He has, according to Landmark No. 14. (1870. 
 Dec. ii. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 222. Q. Has a brother of a lodge an unqualified right 
 to object to the admission of a visiting brother? 
 
 A. He has, in order to preserve harmony. (1870, Dec. 
 ii. Vance, G M.) 
 
 223. Q. Must the objecting brother give his reasons? 1 
 A. The Worshipful Master has the right to the rea- 
 sons, that he may judge of their propriety. (1870. Dec. iii. 
 Vance, G. M.) 
 
 224. Q. Is it the duty of the lodge to prefer charges 
 against a visiting brother who is objected to? 
 
52 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 A. Charges should be made. If the visitor is worthy 
 let him establish the fact, if unworthy it should be known 
 to the Fraternity. (1870. Dec. iii. Vance, G. M.) 
 
 225. Committee on Jurisprudence beg leave to report 
 that they differ with the M. W. Grand Master in his answer 
 
 to the question, "Has a Mason in good standing the right 
 to visit any lodge?" They decide that he has no such right; 
 he has the right to ask to be allowed to visit, and the lodge 
 may grant it or not, and he can not be admitted if one 
 brother objects. (1870. Rep. 47.) 
 
 226. The fact is, the moral law is the Masonic law; and 
 he who violates the one violates the other. Hence, the 
 most eminent Masonic jurists, submitting themselves to 
 the guidance of the Masonic Ritual and Charges, assert, 
 without hesitation or compromise, that every transgression 
 of the moral law is an offense against the Masonic law. 
 And, therefore, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, with 
 a fidelity to the laws and principles of the Institution that 
 should provoke emulation in all other jurisdictions, declares 
 that profanity and drunkenness, being among the most 
 flagrant violations of the moral law, are among the highest 
 Masonic crimes. (1871. Dec. 9. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 227. Transcript of proceedings in Masonic trials should 
 show by name that a requisite number of officers and 
 brethren were assembled, and also that the accused was 
 served with the ten days' notice as prescribed. (1871. 
 Rep. 37.) 
 
 22S. Transcript containing neither charges nor speci- 
 fications is incomplete, and will be remanded for correction. 
 (1871. Rep. 37.) 
 
 229. Transcript not containing evidence will be 
 remanded for correction. (1871. Rep. 36.) 
 
 230. Transcripts in cases of expulsions must show that 
 two-thirds of those present voted for expulsion. (187 1. 
 Rep. 37.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 53 
 
 231. Resolved, That all Subordinate Lodges in this 
 Grand Jurisdiction be allowed the privilege of enacting such 
 additional By-laws to the Code adopted by this Grand 
 Lodge as may be deemed proper by such lodge. Provided, 
 That such additions do not conflict with the Ancient Regu- 
 lations, Charges and Constitutions of Masonry. 
 
 Resolved, That all such By-laws shall be submitted to 
 this Grand Lodge for approval, and such amendments shall 
 be inoperative until so approved. (1S71. Res. 39.) 
 
 232. Resolved, That whenever a dispensation is granted 
 by the Grand Master, for the formation of a new lodge, the 
 Masons to whom such dispensation is granted become mem- 
 bers of such new lodge, and that their membership ceases 
 in the lodges in which they were formerly members, 
 wmether the)' have been regularly dimitted or not. (187 1. 
 Res. 42.) 
 
 233. Grand Lodge may, where evidence does not sup- 
 port finding, reverse judgment of Subordinate Lodge. 
 (1871. Rep. 51.) 
 
 234. In the appeal of , your Committee find 
 
 that the accused offered in the Subordinate Lodge to file 
 his answer to the charges, and to verify the same, which 
 was refused by the lodge. Your Committee are of the 
 opinion he had a right to file his answer, and the refusal of 
 it was wrong. (187 1. Rep. 51.) 
 
 235. In the appeal of , the Committee find the 
 
 ground of the appeal by the appellant, who is prosecutor, 
 to be (1) too much sympathy for the accused, and (2) too 
 much prejudice against him, both of which grounds we hold 
 untenable. (187 1. Rep. 51.) 
 
 236. Resolved, That hereafter no number of brethren 
 who apply for a dispensation to form a lodge, or who apply 
 for a charter after having worked under dispensation, shall 
 name their respective lodge or lodges after the name of any 
 living man, profane or brother, to the end that Masonry 
 may not be brought into reproach by perpetuating the name 
 of an unworthy man or Mason. (187 1. Res. 54.) 
 
54 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 237. It is error for a lodge to make a joint charge 
 against several brethren for an individual and not joint 
 offense. [In this case several were jointly charged with 
 disobeying a summons. ] (187 1. Rep. 55.) 
 
 238. Reso/ved, That Subordinate Lodges be urged to 
 vigilance in the suppression and prevention of profanity 
 and drunkenness, and that after admonition and due warn- 
 ing, if the perpetrators of these vices and crimes against 
 the moral law still persist in their committal, then it is the 
 duty of Subordinate Lodges to deal with such offending 
 members, and inflict such punishment as the magnitude of 
 the offense demands, but the officers are required to pro- 
 ceed in this respect with great caution and circumspection. 
 (1871. Rep. 57.) 
 
 239. What vote is necessary to reinstate an indefinitely 
 suspended Mason? Suspensions are definite and indefinite. 
 A majority can inflict either, and have the right to fix the 
 time instanter, or leave it to be fixed at some future period. 
 If a majority, then, has full power over the question of time 
 permanently, and can fix it instanter, or leave it to be fixed 
 at some future period, can any possible reason be given 
 why, when that period arrives, it can not fix it then. The 
 circumstances being the same, it does seem that the same 
 power can accomplish next week what it can accomplish 
 today. Besides, I am not disposed to conclude there is no 
 difference, save in name, between indefinite suspension and 
 expulsion, which would be the case if an unanimous vote 
 was necessary to restoration. Does it require an equal 
 power to restore suspended animation and to bring the 
 dead to life? For these reasons, briefly stated, I gave the 
 opinion that, under existing law, which clothes a majority 
 with power to suspend, a majority may reinstate. (1872. 
 Dec. 211. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 240. Resolved, That a vote of two-thirds of the mem- 
 bers present is necessary to restore a suspended member to 
 the rights and benefits of Masonry. 
 
 Resolved, That a unanimous vote of the members 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 55 
 
 present is necessary to reinstate a suspended Mason to 
 membership. (1872. Rep. 229.) 
 
 241. By-laws of a Subordinate Lodge can not have 
 provision inflicting fines for non-attendance. (1872. Rep. 
 2 37-) 
 
 242. That a delegate to the Grand Lodge appointing 
 another delegate his proxy must do so in writing; that a 
 mere verbal appointment, or request, to act as such proxy, 
 was not valid, and that the party requested to act as such 
 proxy was not entitled to cast the vote of the delegate making 
 the verbal appointment. (1872. Dec. 240. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 243. Resolved, That suspension does not deprive a 
 Mason of membership in his lodge. 
 
 Resolved, That a majority vote is sufficient to restore a 
 suspended Mason to the rights and benefits of Masonry. 
 (1872. Res. 243.) 
 
 244. In the case of P, from C Lodge, the tran- 
 script is fatally defective, in that no charges or specifica- 
 tions appear on the record of the Subordinate Lodge ; and 
 that it does not appear that the said P was notified to attend 
 when depositions affecting his case were taken, in order 
 that he might cross-examine the witnesses, an informality 
 affecting one of the most sacred rights of a Mason, that of 
 impartial trial. (1872. Rep. 249.) 
 
 245. In the case of K, the transcript does not show the 
 specifications; does not show that defendant had been 
 served with legal notice. Visitors were allowed at the trial, 
 which should not have been. (1872. Rep. 249.) 
 
 246. Masonry in this State is amply protected against 
 the imposition of non-affiliated Masons by Standing Resolu 
 tion No. 77, which provides that "any Mason who does 
 not contribute to the funds, or belong to some lodge, is not 
 entitled to visit a lodge while he remains non-affiliated, or 
 to join in procession; or to relief; or Masonic assistance or 
 burial." 
 
5 ) DIGES r of masonic LAW. 
 
 I fully accord in the sentiment and admonition con- 
 tained, in the Ancient Charges, that "every Mason ought to 
 be a member of a lodge," yet each individual should be left 
 free to determine that for himself; as the Ancient Charge is 
 admonitory not mandatory, yet it lays down no rule by 
 which a member of a lodge may be eompelled to remain, or 
 any one who is not a member be compelled to join, against 
 his will; nor does the Ancient Charge impose any penalty to 
 enforce the one or the other, but it is left to each Mason to 
 determine, in view of the obligation resting upon him. 
 ([873 Dec. 12. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 247. The ancient law says: "No brother can be a 
 Warden until he has passed the part of a Fellow Craft, nor 
 a Master until he has acted as Warden." Art. 2, Sec. 7, of 
 the Constitution of this Grand Lodge says: "The Grand 
 Master enjoys all the powers and prerogatives conferred by 
 the Ancient Constitutions and usages of the Craft. * * * * 
 He may also grant dispensations on all proper occasions, 
 and do all such other acts and deeds as are warranted or 
 required of him by the Regulations and ancient usages of tlu 
 Fraternity.''' 
 
 It is evident, therefore, that it was not proper to grant 
 the dispensation asked for, namely, to legalize the election 
 of a brother as a Master who had not served as a Warden. 
 (1873. Dec. 14. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 248. One of the perplexing questions in this Juris- 
 diction is the status of Masons dismembered for the non- 
 payment of dues, and how one so dismembered can regain 
 his standing in the lodge? The right to dismember is 
 clearly given the Subordinate Lodge in Art. 4, Sec. 35, of 
 the By-laws of the Grand Lodge, which says: "That no 
 lodge can rightfully suspend or expel a Mason for disregard 
 of any special regulations, conditioned on membership — 
 such as the non-payment of dues, arrears, etc., the severest 
 penalty for which is dismembership. " When a Mason 
 becomes a member of a particular lodge he enters into a 
 contract with the lodge, and that contract is its By-laws, 
 
DIGEST OK MASONIC LAW. 57 
 
 which he is required to sign. The Grand Lodge having 
 made no provision for the regaining of membership by one 
 who has been dismembered for the non-payment of dues, 
 evidently intended to leave the question to the Subordinate 
 Lodges themselves. Each Subordinate determines the 
 amount of dues to be charged its members, the terms of 
 payment, etc., and, according to the law above referred to, 
 clearly has the right to inflict any punishment on its mem- 
 bers for a non-compliance with its regulations, provided it 
 be not severer than that allowed by the Grand Lodge. 
 
 I have, therefore, decided in the several cases submitted 
 for an opinion, that a Mason dismembered for the non-pay- 
 ment of dues can regain his membership only in the way and 
 manner prescribed in the recognized By-laws of the lodge 
 dismembering. (1873. Dec. 14. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 249. Have lodges U. D. territorial jurisdiction? A 
 case involving this question was submitted for my decision 
 during the year. I decided it in the negative, for the fol- 
 lowing reasons: The Grand Lodge holds and exercises 
 jurisdiction over the entire State, and I gave it as my 
 opinion that it alone could sub-divide that territory. Dis- 
 pensations are obtained as follows: Seven or more Master 
 Masons wish to form a new lodge. They make that fact 
 known to the nearest chartered lodge, and ask that lodge to 
 recommend them to the Grand Master as persons suitable 
 and in every way qualified to rule and govern a new lodge. 
 The chartered lodge gives the recommendation, and on that 
 the Grand Master issues them a warrant, authorizing them 
 to initiate, pass and raise, but such a lodge possesses no 
 powers except those specially delegated by the Grand 
 Master. A lodge U. D. can not try or discipline the 
 Masons composing it, nor those living nearer it than to 
 another lodge. It can not frame By-laws, and can not 
 affiliate Masons. These prerogatives belong only to char- 
 tered lodges. 
 
 It is required that each lodge U. D. shall send up a 
 specimen of its skill to the Grand Lodge, and, if the work 
 
58 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 is approved, a charter is granted by that bod)-, and then 
 takes the position as a lodge with powers and privileges 
 equal to those of any other lodge in the Jurisdiction. 
 
 The question recurs: If a lodge U. D. does not possess 
 territorial jurisdiction, where is it to obtain material with 
 which to work? It is answered: The recommendation of 
 
 the nearest chartered lodge, on which the warrant is issued, 
 is a permit authorizing the lodge L T . D. to enter its quarry, 
 and appropriate to its own use, and work up such material 
 as it there finds unappropriated. (In some jurisdictions no 
 dispensations to form new lodges can be issued without the 
 recommendation of all the lodges whose jurisdiction shall 
 be affected by such dispensation. I am not sure but this is 
 the correct view, yet it is not the law in this State.) The 
 lodge U. D. can not use any material already received or 
 rejected by chartered lodges, and being in a sense a tenant 
 by courtesy, it cannot object if the chartered lodges continue 
 their work in the same quarry; for they have prior rights, 
 and may still use any material not rejected or received by 
 the lodge U. D. 
 
 The Grand Master is the supreme head of the Masons 
 in the State; but, in my opinion, he has no power to add to 
 or reduce the territorial jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, or 
 of any Subordinate Lodge, and cannot, therefore, by a dis- 
 pensation, divide the territory of a chartered lodge, by giv- 
 ing a part of such territory to a lodge U. D. The Grand 
 Lodge alone possesses and has a right to exercise exclusive 
 jurisdiction within its territory, and it alone may sub-divide 
 that territory. (1S73. Dec. 15. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 250. After a candidate has been balloted for, and 
 received the first degree, has a member of the lodge the 
 right to object to his advancement without giving *-he rea- 
 sons therefor? And is not the member so objecting bound 
 to prefer charges against the candidate? 
 
 Objections may be made at any period of advancement, 
 and the member objecting is not bound to prefer charges, 
 nor to give his reasons for such action There is no law in 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 59 
 
 the Masonic Code more clearly denned or better settled than 
 this; yet we find many in this enlightened day who ser- 
 iously question this right, and many instances occur where 
 objections are made which cause a great confusion among 
 the Craft, and I regret to say in some instances produce 
 unkind feelings, and seriously disturb that harmony which 
 ought to prevail in every lodge. 
 
 If our brethren would study law more, and be influenced 
 by personal prejudice less, much of the trouble which arises 
 from this subject would cease, and sources of discontent 
 and feuds be forever removed. A distinguished Masonic 
 writer truly says: "The members of the Fraternity are 
 expected heartily and freely to extend the right hand of 
 fellowship to all, and all are expected as warmly and cor- 
 dially to receive the fraternal grip. This state of things 
 can not exist if any may be admitted contrary to the will of 
 any one of its members. " (1873. Dec. 16. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 251. The Uniform Code of By-laws, Art. 5, Sec. 3, 
 says that "every petition for the degrees of Masonry or 
 membership shall be referred to a committee," etc., "who 
 shall report to the lodge at the first Regular Communication 
 thereafter." Art. 4, Sec. 10, By-laws Grand Lodge says, 
 that "every petition shall lie over at least one month, "etc. 
 Where a lodge meets twice in each month, can a petition be 
 acted on at the "first regular meeting" after its reception, 
 or must it lie over one month? 
 
 A petition must lie over one month. The Constitution 
 and By-laws of the Grand Lodge are the supreme Masonic 
 law in North Carolina, and can not be repealed or annulled 
 by the By-laws of a Subordinate Lodge. (1873. Dec. 16. 
 Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 252. Has the Master of a lodge the right to grant 
 a new trial to a brother after the trial has been held and the 
 lodge closed ? 
 
 He has not. After due trial, if a brother is dissatisfied 
 with the result thereof, he has the right, any time within 
 one month, to appeal to the Grand Lodge, which can order 
 
60 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 a new trial if there has been any irregularity or defect in 
 the proceedings below. (1873. Dec. 16. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 253. Can one lodge try, for a Masonic offense, a Mason 
 residing in its jurisdiction, but who is a member of another 
 lodge? 
 
 It can. The penal jurisdiction of a lodge extends to all 
 Masons residing in its territorial jurisdiction, whether thev 
 be its own members, members of other lodges, or non-affil- 
 iated Masons. See Art. 4, Sec. 15, By-laws Grand Lodge. 
 (1873. Dec. 17. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 254. If a Mason, a member of a lodge, commits suicide, 
 is he entitled to Masonic burial? 
 
 Every Mason, dying in good standing in his lodge, is 
 unquestionably entitled to Masonic burial. After a brother 
 is dead, it is too late to go into an investigation of his char- 
 acter. If he was addicted to any vice which might so impair 
 his mind as to cause him to commit so unnatural an act, his 
 lodge should have dealt with him while living. However 
 unpleasant our duty to the living, by arraigning those who 
 deviate from the paths of rectitude, and permit them to 
 continue in their immorality, until they meet a suicide's 
 death, we must suffer the consequences, and not attempt to 
 screen our short-comings behind the earthly remains of an 
 erring and fallen brother. (1873. Dec. 17. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 255. A party applies to A lodge for the Masonic 
 degrees, and is rejected. He afterwards applies to B lodge, 
 which obtains permission of A lodge to act on the petition, 
 where he is again rejected. A change of residence brings 
 the petitioner within the jurisdiction of C lodge, where he 
 applies again. 
 
 Should the latter lodge apply to A lodge or B lodge for 
 permission to act on the petition? 
 
 To A lodge. That having original jurisdiction, and B 
 lodge having refused by ballot to receive the applicant, 
 the jurisdiction reverts to A lodge, where it remains until 
 again transferred by its own act. (1873. Dec. 17. Nichols, 
 G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 6 1 
 
 256. Is it proper to dismember a Mason for non-pay- 
 ment of dues without first notifying him to appear and show 
 cause why it should not be done? 
 
 • Every member should be duly notified before the lodge 
 proceeds to take action against him. None should be debar- 
 red the right of being heard, if he desires it, in vindication 
 of his own conduct. (1873. Dec. 17. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 257. Does an unfavorable report stop further action, 
 or must the petition be balloted on? 
 
 An unfavorable report does not stop further action. 
 There is but one way of receiving a candidate, and but one 
 way of rejecting one, and that is by the secret ballot. 
 Every application for the degrees, or for membership, it 
 matters not what the report of the committee may be, must 
 be submitted to the ballot. (1S73. Dec. 17. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 258. Should any charge be made for degrees conferred 
 by one lodge at the request of another, especially when the 
 candidate has paid for all the degrees in advance to the 
 lodge acting on the petition? 
 
 Certainly not. It is simply an act of courtesy on the 
 part of one lodge toward another^ and no lodge actuated by 
 true Masonic principles would ever think of making such a 
 charge. (1873. Dec. 17. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 259. A non-affiliated Mason makes application for 
 membership and is rejected. What is his status? When 
 and where can he apply again? 
 
 His status is precisely what it was before he made 
 the application, with the exception that he can not be 
 arraigned as a "wilful non-affiliate," because he has shown 
 by his application that his "non-affiliation" is not "wilful." 
 He can apply again as soon as he wishes, and where he 
 desires. (1873. Dec. 18. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 260. After a candidate has been balloted for and 
 rejected, and a second ballot taken to be sure of no mistake, 
 is it proper for the Master to entertain a motion to recon- 
 sider? 
 
()2 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 It is not. The' candidate stands rejected, and can not 
 again petition until after the expiration of twelve months. 
 (1873. Dec. 18! Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 261. In the case of Brother M., from C Lodge, 
 upon a charge of gross Unmasonic conduct, specification 
 "selling intoxicating liquors indiscriminately," this party 
 appeared in person, and admitted he was guilty of the 
 specification to the extent of selling intoxicating liquors by 
 the quart to all who were able to pay for them. The lodge 
 found him guilty and expelled him. Afterwards they 
 reflected upon the dread penalty, and upon his confessing 
 his fault and promising sincerely to cease the traffic in 
 intoxicating liquors, and otherwise cheerfully conform his 
 deportment to the rules and regulations of the lodge, .they 
 have recommended mercy in this case. We cheerfully 
 recommend that he be restored to all the rights and privil- 
 eges of a Master Mason, and that he make application forth- 
 with to the lodge for restoration. (1873. Rep. 41.) 
 
 262. In a case from Lodge, charges were pre- 
 ferred for "Unmasonic conduct," with two specifications: 
 1, "In allowing dues to remain unpaid, after being repeat- 
 edly notified to pay the same; and, 2, that in contempt of 
 the authority and dignity of the lodge, refused and neglected 
 to obey its summons, properly communicated, and attend 
 its meetings and settle up." In this case the lodge expelled 
 him, which decision we recommend be reversed, and sug- 
 gest "indefinite suspension" instead. (1873. Rep. 54.) 
 
 263. In a case from Lodge, a charge of "a 
 
 refusal to obey a legal summons legally served, and also of 
 having spoken disparagingly and disrespectfully of 
 this lodge," was found guilty on both specifications, where- 
 upon the lodge voted unanimously for expulsion. In which 
 decision we concur. (1873. Rep. 54.) 
 
 264. In the case of a brother charged with habitual 
 drunkenness and harsh language in reference to a brother 
 of the same lodge, accusing him of theft and bribery. The 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 63 
 
 lodge did not sustain the first specification— that of drunk- 
 enness, but found the accused guilty of the charge, as con- 
 tained in the second and third specifications, and voted 
 "expulsion," which meets with our hearty concurrence. 
 (1873. Rep. 54.) 
 
 265. In the case from - Lodge, the lodge on 
 
 appeal decided that it required a two-thirds vote to find 
 guilty on charges, it was accordingly decided that the 
 accused was not found guilty, the vote standing eleven for 
 conviction against seven votes. Whereupon the accused 
 was declared acquitted, from which appeal was taken to the 
 Grand Lodge. Your Committee are of the opinion that a 
 majority voting for conviction carried conviction. Your 
 Committee, therefore, recommend that the error of the 
 lodge be certified to the end that it may proceed to pass 
 sentence; the evidence warrants the severest punishment of 
 the accused. (1873/ Rep. 60.) 
 
 266. In the case from Lodge, we decide that 
 
 the evidence does not sustain the charge, and the action of 
 the lodge is overruled, and we recommend the restoration 
 of the brother to all the rights and privileges of Masonry. 
 The charge against the brother was gross Unmasonic con- 
 duct; specification — forgery of a paper writing against one 
 S. The paper produced as evidence to sustain the charge 
 was claimed by the brother to be a copy of an original in the 
 hands of S., which S. did not deny. It was only produced 
 as evidence of a contract with S., who refused to produce 
 the original. The civil courts sustained the brother in 
 exculpating him from wrong in using the copy. (1S73. 
 Rep. 71.) 
 
 267. In reference to the resolution of Bro. C. C. Clark, as 
 to what is the proper mourning for Masons, we report that, 
 upon burial occasions, Masons should appear clothed in 
 black as nearly as practicable, with white gloves and aprons, 
 officers with jewels, and all with black crape upon the left 
 arm, above the elbow. 
 
 According to the ancient tisages, Master Masons have 
 
64 DIGEST OF .MASONIC LAW. 
 
 the right, in their discretion, to wear, in addition thereto, a 
 piece of blue ribbon overlaid with a narrow black ribbon, 
 upon the lapel of the coat; but this is left to individual 
 choice, and is no part of the present uniform. (1873. 
 Rep. 64.) 
 
 268. In the case from Lodge, against a brother, 
 
 charged with Unmasonic conduct, with usual specifications. 
 The finding appears, and the vote was regularly taken, 
 and the brother was acquitted. The ease ought not to be 
 here at all, and would not have been here, but for the fact 
 that some individual member of the lodge -seems to have 
 wanted to have his say about it, and appealed from the 
 decision of the lodge, which is contrary to all law governing 
 the proceedings in our courts, and in the courts of England 
 or any civilized country known to us, and if recognized in 
 Masonic trials, it is high time the right, if such it is, is 
 abolished. Of course, common sense dictates that we affirm 
 the action of the lodge. (1873. Rep. 67.) 
 
 269. That Subordinate Lodges have the right to estab- 
 lish any fee for conferring the several degrees, and the 
 apportionment of such sum to the degrees, respectively, 
 provided the total amount shall not be less than the 
 price fixed by the Grand Lodge. The Grand Master thinks 
 it not only proper to apportion the sum charged, to the 
 several degrees, but highly important that it be done, even 
 where the whole fee is required in advance, for the reason 
 that in case a candidate is stopped at any stage of the pro- 
 ceedings there may be no misunderstanding in regard to 
 the amount to be refunded. (1S73. Dec. 70. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 270. Let no one pass into the East but through the 
 West, and then not until the lodge is satisfied that he has 
 zeal enough for the Institution to prompt him to do his 
 work well and faithfully. A Master should not only be 
 qualified to confer the degrees well, but he should be well 
 versed in Masonic law. Especially should he be conversant 
 with the By-laws of his lodge, and the Constitution, Bv-laws 
 and Standing Resolutions of the Grand Lodge. (1874. Dec. 
 15. Nichols, G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 65 
 
 271. The question arose in several lodges, during- the 
 year, whether a Mason was chargeable with dues from the 
 time his dimit was granted until he affiliated with some other 
 lodge? I decided in the negative, because from the time 
 the dimit is granted until the holder thereof is admitted 
 into another lodge, or returns the dimit to the lodge grant- 
 ing it, he is, to some extent debarred of lodge privileges. 
 He cannot, by right, take part in the proceedings of the 
 lodge — can not vote on petitions or on any other questions 
 that may arise; and being thus deprived of lodge privileges, 
 he should not be taxed with lodge dues. (1874. Dec. 16. 
 Nichols, G. M.) 
 
 272. In the appeal from Lodge, we find the 
 
 papers forwarded to this body, purporting to be transcripts 
 of the proceedings in said cases, in such condition that no 
 reasonable judgment, as to the merits of the cases, can be 
 derived therefrom. The Committee deem it their duty, 
 however, to call special attention to the condition of these 
 transcripts and their defects, some of the most important 
 of which are : 
 
 r, That the seal of the lodge does not appear upon any 
 of the papers, nor is there any reason offered for the 
 omission. 
 
 2, That the evidence is not taken by question and 
 answer. 
 
 3, That the pleas of the persons tried are not entered. 
 
 4, That the Master of the lodge acted as counsel for 
 the prosecution, raised questions of law, argued and decided 
 them himself. 
 
 5, That the testimony of profanes was taken by a 
 committee without notice to the accused of the time and 
 place of taking the same. 
 
 6, A part of the proceedings is written in pencil. 
 While your Committee admit the impossibility of an 
 
 intelligent judgment on the merits, they recommend that 
 the cases be remanded to the Subordinate Lodge for a new 
 trial, on the ground that these proceedings are so irregular 
 as to be an actual nullity. (1874. Rep. 43.) 
 
 9 
 
66 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 273. Resolved, That any member of a Subordinate 
 Lodge who shall apply for a dimit, it shall be granted him 
 upon producing the Secretary's receipt that he has paid all 
 lodge dues, if there be no charges against him. Provided, That 
 any Mason who thus becomes non-affiliated, by his action 
 distinctly releases all members of lodges from any and all 
 Masonic ties between himself and them, retaining no 
 Masonic right except that of petitioning any lodge for mem- 
 bership. (1874. Res. 44.) 
 
 274. In the case from Lodge, we rind that a 
 
 brother was tried by a committee of his lodge, whose inves- 
 tigation was conducted with open doors, and in the pres- 
 ence of the profane, and without further trial by said lodge, 
 was suspended. 
 
 We furthermore find that he immediately craved an 
 appeal, which was denied him. We, therefore, recommend 
 that said alleged trial be declared null and void, and, for 
 this and other matters disclosed upon the investigation, 
 that the Grand Master be directed to call on said lodge to 
 show cause, within sixty days, why their charter should not 
 be forfeited. (1874. Rep. 47.) 
 
 275. In the case from Lodge, a brother charged 
 
 with Unmasonic conduct in slandering a brother Mason, we 
 recommend the sentence of expulsion be affirmed; but as 
 the parties have amicably settled and compromised their 
 difficulty satisfactorily to themselves and the lodge, ) r our 
 Committee would recommend to said lodge to restore the 
 brother to membership in the lodge. (1874. Rep. 49.) 
 
 276. In the case from , against a brother charged 
 
 with Unmasonic conduct, who was expelled, we recommend 
 that it be sent back to the lodge for a new trial, as it appears 
 that no ballot was taken on the charges and specifications 
 as to guilty or not guilty, but that the brother was expelled 
 without being convicted. (1874. Rep. 49.) 
 
 277. In the case from Lodge, where the brother 
 
 was indefinitely suspended, we recommend it be not con- 
 
DIGEST OK MASONIC LAW. 67 
 
 firmed, as we think the penalty too severe, but would 
 recommend a suspension for six months as a sufficient pen- 
 alty for the offense charged, as shown by the testimony. 
 (1874. Rep 49.) 
 
 278. In the case from Lodge, where the brother 
 
 was expelled, we recommend that the action of the lodge be 
 not sustained. He is charged w T ith "Unmasonic conduct," 
 specification, "disobeying legal summons." He did not 
 appear at the lodge on the day set for trial. The proof was 
 that he told a brother that he would not appear for the rea- 
 son that he had connected himself with the Roman Catholic 
 Church, and that he w v as opposed to secret societies. Your 
 Committee unhesitatingly say that Masonry knows no sect. 
 creed or opinion, and we recommend that the brother ought 
 to be permitted to withdraw from the lodge honorably, if 
 his conscience does not permit him to belong to the Masonic 
 fraternity. (1874. Rep. 51.) 
 
 279. In the case from Lodge, a brother was charged 
 
 with Unmasonic conduct, and the sentence of the lodge was 
 indefinite suspension. In the judgment of the Committee 
 the action of the lodge was too hasty. The suspended 
 brother was absent, the lodge acted cx-parte, and the lodge 
 in possession of a letter from him asking for further time to 
 make his defence. We, therefore, recommend that he be 
 granted a new trial; and w r ould further recommend to the 
 Subordinate Lodge that if the charges preferred against 
 him be sustained, he be expelled from all the rights, bene- 
 fits and privileges of Masonry. (1874. Rep. 52.) 
 
 280. In the case from Lodge, a brother was 
 
 indefinitely suspended for Unmasonic conduct. We recom- 
 mend that the action of the lodge be confirmed, and recom- 
 mend that he be expelled by the Grand Lodge for conduct 
 since his suspension. (1874. Rep. 52.) 
 
 281. The Committee on Jurisprudence beg to report 
 in the matter of the communication of Brother F, relating 
 to maimed candidates, referred to them by the Grand 
 
68 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 Master, that Art. IV of Anderson's Constitutions, which we 
 consider the highest written authority on Masonry, fully 
 defines the ancient law and usage on this subject, to-wit: 
 "Only candidates may know that no Master should take an 
 apprentice unless he has sufficient employment for him, and 
 unless he be a perfect youth, having no maim or defect in 
 his body that may render him incapable of learning the 
 art," etc. (1874. Rep. 53.) 
 
 282. In the case from Lodge. This purports 
 
 to be an appeal from a judgment of not guilty by the prose- 
 cutor, in a case which seems to have been tried with great 
 patience and fairness, and in which the prosecution was 
 evidently malicious. If there could be such an appeal, this 
 is a case above all others in which it should not be allowed. 
 
 Your Committee recommend that the appeal be dis- 
 missed, and the Master of the lodge be instructed that a 
 lodge can not appeal from an acquittal, nor allow a spiteful 
 accuser to use its name and machinery to gratify his malice. 
 (1874. Rep. 58-) 
 
 283. In the case from Lodge, against a Fellow 
 
 Craft, your Committee recommend that the decision be 
 reversed and the accused brother restored to his rights as a 
 Fellow Craft of said lodge. 
 
 Your Committee are aware that this recommendation is 
 somewhat unusual, but they see no grounds for a new trial 
 in the case, the finding being simply a matter of error upon 
 the part of the Master of the lodge. It is a matter of doubt 
 with your Committee whether all of the specifications, if 
 fully sustained, would constitute a Masonic offense, or at 
 least a violation of the Fellow Craft's obligation. In addi- 
 tion to this, however, he w r as found not guilty upon all but 
 one of the specifications, and upon this there was a tie vote, 
 the W. M. voting as a member of the lodge. There was 
 then a vote on the charge, which was also a tie vote. After- 
 wards the W. M. declared the tie vote on the specification a 
 vote of guilty, and the tie vote upon the charge a vote of 
 not guilty. Thereupon the lodge proceeded to sentence. 
 Your committee think there are two evident errors of law : 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 69 
 
 i st, The Master having voted as a member of the 
 lodge, had no right to cast another vote in case of a tie, but 
 a majority having failed to convict, should have declared a 
 verdict of not guilty. 
 
 2nd, Having been declared not guilty on the charge, 
 the accused could not have been sentenced whatever might 
 have been the findings on the specifications. (1874. 
 Rep. 58.) 
 
 284. A dispensation can be asked for only by the 
 lodge or the W. M., and if not asked for by them it is wrong 
 for the Secretary to affix the seal to such request or any 
 other paper, except by their order. (1S74. Rep. 65.) 
 
 285. A Secretary has no right to issue a summons 
 for a suspended Mason, or any other Mason, without order 
 of the Master. (1874. Rep. 65.) 
 
 286. A Master not only has a right, but it is his duty, to 
 exclude a suspended Mason from his lodge. His action, 
 therefore, in declining to open the lodge while such 
 suspended Mason was in the room was eminently proper, 
 and he has a right to explain such action to the lodge mem- 
 bers before opening. For such, either before the opening 
 or while in session, the S. W. has no right to call the W. 
 M. to order. (1874. Rep. 65.) 
 
 287. Where the Grand Master suspends, the 'Worship- 
 ful Master of a lodge, pending an investigation of charges 
 against him, which the Grand Lodge does not sustain, the 
 Grand Lodge may reinstate him to all the privileges he 
 might have enjoyed had these charges never been made. 
 (1874. Rep. 65.) 
 
 288. Whereas, The names of non-affiliated Masons in 
 this Grand Jurisdiction appear in the returns of Subordinate 
 Lodges, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That hereafter none but the names of regu- 
 lar affiliating members be published in the Proceedings. 
 (1874. Res. 67.) 
 
 289. That no man so maimed as to be unable to learn, 
 
70 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 teach and exemplify the work, could be made a Mason. 
 Hence the loss of leg, or arm, the sense of seeing, hearing 
 or feeling would disqualify. (1875. Dec. 12. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 290. A non-affiliate has no Masonic right save that of 
 petitioning a lodge for affiliation. (1875. Dec. 12. Blount, 
 G. M.) 
 
 291. That dimits granted before the passage of the 
 resolution regarding non-affiliates by the Grand Lodge of 
 1874, with condition precedent as before required, did not 
 sever the connection of the brother with it until the condi- 
 tion had been complied with. That his membership still 
 existed, intact, with the lodge granting, which carried 
 mutual obligation of the member to the lodge and the lodge 
 to the member. (1875. Dec. 12. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 292. That a Mason, having taken a dimit before the 
 last session of the Grand Lodge with the intent to affiliate 
 with a lodge nearer his place of residence, or to join in 
 petition for dispensation for a new lodge, is not debarred of 
 any right he may have of preferring charges, or having 
 difficulty between himself and a member of the lodge with 
 which he proposes to affiliate investigated before he offers 
 to affiliate. (1875. Dec. 12. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 293. A Mason dimitted since last Grand Lodge can 
 not prefer charges against an affiliate, but he may give 
 information which should be acted upon by the lodge, if 
 the nature of the offense be such as to work scandal or 
 reproach upon the Fraternity; but not if the charge be to 
 gratify a private animosity or avenge a personal pique or 
 individual quarrel. (1875. Dec. 12. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 294. To several inquiries answer was made that the 
 Worshipful Master, Senior or Junior Warden, after instal- 
 lation, could not resign or dimit, and in one case, where 
 the Worshipful Master had done so, I declared his action 
 contrary to law, and that of the lodge in accepting and 
 granting as null and void, and directed that the record 
 be expunged. The Master so acting did so, I am satisfied, 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 7 1 
 
 believing his action was warranted by law, and for the 
 best interests of the Craft, and was influenced by circum- 
 stances which he deemed justifiable. He is one for whom 
 I have high personal regard, and whose Masonic work is 
 well known and has been recognized by this Grand Lodge. 
 He protests against my action. (1875. Dec. 12. Blount, 
 G. M.) 
 
 295. That a motion to "lay on table" is admissable in 
 Masonic bodies according to invariable precedent and gen- 
 eral parliamentary law. (1875. Dec. 13. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 296. That lodge rooms should be used exclusively for 
 Masonic purposes. Their use for balls, parties, etc., should 
 be forbidden. Joint proprietorship with other societies is 
 not favored, though this may be regulated by each lodge, 
 according to its circumstances and surroundings. (1875. 
 Dec. 13. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 297. That a Subordinate Lodge may proceed to 
 receive and act upon the petition for affiliation of a Master 
 Mason whose lodge has become defunct, without the cer- 
 tificate of the Grand Secretary, as provided by resolution, 
 on satisfactory evidence from the Grand Secretary that such 
 certificate can not be given by reason of loss of the records 
 by fire, or otherwise. (1875. Dec. 13. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 298. That the jurisdiction of lodges, in adjoining vil- 
 lages is, in respect to the villages, confined to their own 
 corporate limits. As to material outside and beyond the 
 town lines, the rule as to proximity by nearest route of 
 travel prevails, e. g., the lodge situate in Salem can not 
 use material resident in Winston (an adjoining town) with- 
 out the consent of the lodge in Winston. (1875. Dec. 13. 
 Blount, G. M.) 
 
 299. Non-payment of a debt, from one brother to 
 another, unaccompanied with any fraudulent intent, is not 
 sufficient ground on which to base Unmasonic conduct. The 
 unfortunate circumstances of a brother should call for com- 
 miseration rather than a visitation of punishment. (1875. 
 Dec. 13. Blount, G. M.) 
 
72 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 300. Accused can not testify in his own behalf, the 
 lodge may hear his statement, giving it such weight as it 
 
 .deserves. The testimony of a freedman is competent, taken 
 as the testimony of other profanes. As to the credibility of 
 any testimony the lodge must be the judge, from the char- 
 acter of the witness, his demeanor, and the general bearing 
 on the stand. (187 5. Dec. 13. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 301. That testimony taken in a civil suit is not com- 
 petent, and can not be read in evidence against one accused 
 of Masonic crime in a trial by a lodge, nor can the letters of 
 a non-resident, in answer to questions touching the case, 
 unless by the consent of the accused and the lodge. Con- 
 viction by the civil courts does not, of course, carry con- 
 viction by the lodge. The Mason under charges must be 
 tried according to Masonic usages. (1 875. Dec. 13. 
 Blount, G. M.) 
 
 302. That a petition for the degrees must be presented 
 at a regular meeting and lie over a month, under reference 
 to the usual Committee of Enquiry into Character. Being 
 about to travel, to be absent several months, is not such an 
 emergency as would justify the suspension of the law by 
 dispensation, except, perhaps, in the case of a young man 
 who had just attained majority. The sudden discovery of 
 a ''favorable opinion of the Ancient Institution, "on the eve 
 of a journey, smacks rather much of a desire for the secrets 
 of Masonry for other purposes than a desire for knowledge. 
 Masonry is designed for the education and enlightenment of 
 its votaries, and not for convenience solely. (1875. Dec. 
 14. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 303. That a unanimous ballot was necessary to restore 
 an expelled or suspended Mason. He should not expect 
 higher privileges than one holding in his hand a certificate 
 of his being in good standing in his former lodge. (1875. 
 Dec. 14. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 304. That the marriage of a Mason's widow annuls her 
 claims as such to Masonic charity, but does not affect the 
 rights of the children. (1875. Dec. 14. Blount, G. M.) 
 
DIGEST -OF .MASONIC LAW. 73 
 
 305. That no one has a right to question a brother's 
 vote on petition for degrees or membership, no one has a 
 right to know how another voted. It is Unmasonic to dis- 
 close how any one voted or to exhibit his ballot that it may 
 be known. (1875. Dec. 14. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 306. Non-age of applicant, good ground for adverse 
 report of Committee of Enquiry, petition filed and referred, 
 must take the regular course, it cannot be withdrawn. 
 (1875. Dec. 14. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 307. A levy of a tax by way of contribution for a 
 benevolent object is not unconstitutional. (1875. Dec. 14. 
 Blount, G. M.) 
 
 308. The resolution forbidding Mock Masonic burial 
 has been repealed. It should not be favored except under 
 peculiar circumstances. (1875. Dec. 14. Blount, G. M. ) 
 
 309. A charge once preferred and filed by the lodge, 
 over the signature of a Master Mason, .must take the regu- 
 lar course of trial prescribed ; the subsequent preferring of 
 charges against the Master Mason signing the first does not 
 hinder the prosecution. (1875. Dec. 14. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 310. In a Masonic trial the lodge should be opened on 
 the third degree, and should be called off when the evidence 
 of two profanes was being taken to sustain the charges. 
 (1875. Rep. 43.) 
 
 311. An appeal from the findings of a Subordinate - 
 Lodge must state the grounds upon which an appeal is 
 prayed, in writing, and must be filed with said lodge within 
 thirty days from the day the issue is decided by the lodge. 
 (1875. Rep. 48.) 
 
 312. Where a brother wilfully and confemptuously 
 refuses to obey a legal Masonic summons, he was properlv 
 expelled. (1875. Rep. 50.) 
 
 313. That the arrest of the charter of a lodge does not 
 work any detriment to the Masonic character of the indi- 
 vidual member, any more than temporary voluntary cessa- 
 
 10 
 
74 DIGEST OF .MASONIC' r.AW. 
 
 tion of work by a lodge would, and hence the individual 
 members of a lodge under such disability might visit and 
 enjoy the other rights and privileges of a Mason. (1876. 
 Dec. 16. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 314. A member of such lodge may petition for affilia- 
 tion in other lodges, the certificate of the custodian of the 
 books to the effect that such member was in good standing 
 at the time of the arrest of the charter and clear of the 
 books, answering for dimit from working lodge — or the 
 certificate of the Grand Secretary as to the defunct lodge. 
 (1876. Dec. 16. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 315. A was tried and convicted by his lodge and sen- 
 tence voted ; he takes an appeal to the Grand Lodge. The 
 Grand Lodge sustains the appeal, finding that the charge 
 was frivolous, not affecting Masonic character, and reverses 
 the judgment of the lodge; what is the status of A? 
 
 I answer that he stands acquitted and entitled to the 
 privileges of his lodge as though no trial had been had. 
 The appeal vacates the judgment, and the sustaining of the 
 appeal by the Grand Lodge is vindication of the accused. 
 It is a mistake to suppose that this is a restoration by the 
 Grand Lodge, for until approved by the Grand Lodge, after 
 appeal, the action of the lodge is not complete. Restora- 
 tion implies deprivation previously existing. If a brother 
 is tried and expelled, and the sentence is confirmed, the law 
 says he may be restored by the lodge expelling or by the 
 Grand Lodge, upon his own petition and such evidence of 
 penitence and reformation as to it may appear satisfactory. 
 If he choose to apply to the Grand Lodge and is restored, 
 this action of the Grand Lodge does not work a restoration 
 to membership in his lodge. To obtain that he must peti- 
 tion regularly for affiliation, and be admitted by unanimous 
 ballot. (1875. Dec. 16. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 316. That a Past Master, on the invitation of the 
 Master, might legally open a lodge and conduct the busi- 
 ness of the meeting, if one of the principal officers was pres- 
 ent and assenting. (1876. Dec. 16. Blount, G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 75 
 
 317. That a Master must have first served as Warden, 
 and in two instances I refused to grant dispensation to in- 
 stall as Master such as had not served as Warden ; though 
 the appeals in behalf of such action were strong, setting 
 forth eminent qualification, high social position, great 
 Masonic learning and great benefit to the lodge. I hope 
 yet to hear of the installation of these brethren as Masters, 
 and that they may be instrumental in spreading the true 
 light of Masonry from the seat in the East. (1876. Dec. 
 17. Blount, G. M.) 
 
 318. That it is not necessary for the purposes of a 
 Masonic trial, under Article XIV, Section 2, Code, that the 
 members of a lodge be served with legal Masonic summons. 
 It is sufficient that they be "notified" of the character of 
 the special meeting, and the date. The Master may, in 
 his discretion, order legal Masonic summons to issue, and 
 he should do so if the importance of the case for trial, or 
 the delinquency of members in attendance upon lodge meet- 
 ings, is such as to warrant it. (1876. Dec. 17. Blount, 
 G. M.) 
 
 319. In the case from Lodge, of expelling a 
 
 brother charged with Unmasonic conduct in refusing to pay 
 a brother a debt of seventeen dollars and fifteen cents, we 
 recommend it be reversed. In this case, the Master refused 
 to permit a gentleman, who was not a Mason, to appear as 
 counsel for the accused. 
 
 The lodge erred in taking jurisdiction over a simple case 
 of debt due from one member to another. A lodge is not a 
 court for the collection of debts, and has no right to inflict 
 any penalty, much less the severe one of Masonic 
 death, upon a brother whose poverty or bad fortune may 
 have rendered him temporarily unable to comply with his 
 business contracts. (1876. Rep. 38.) 
 
 320. In the case from Lodge, against two 
 
 brothers, who were charged with Unmasonic conduct, with 
 specifications, 1st, Disobedience of legal summons; and, 
 2nd, non-payment of dues; who were found guilty and a 
 
76 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 sentence of indefinite suspension imposed, your Committee 
 report that the above mentioned punishment is unconstitu- 
 tional and void, because it does not appear that the dis- 
 obedience of summons was wilful, and recommend that the 
 case be referred back to the lodge that it may impose the 
 proper punishment, and call attention of the lodge to 
 By-laws, Article XIII, Section 9. (1876. Rep. 42.) 
 
 321. A motion seconded and stated by the presiding 
 officer, is the property of the lodge, and can not be with- 
 drawn without their consent. (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, 
 G. M.) 
 
 322. All members, in good standing, are entitled to 
 vote, even if it be on their own petition for dimission. 
 (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 323. A member, in good standing, has the right of 
 speaking to any question before the lodge, unless a point of 
 
 .order be raised, which must be decided by the Master. 
 (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 324. Members present at a Regular Communication 
 decide questions coming before the lodge ; and such decision 
 is legal, notwithstanding the whole membership is not 
 present. (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 325. All members present are obliged to vote. If they 
 do not so desire, the Master can permit them to retire until 
 after the vote is taken. (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 326. A motion seconded and stated by the presiding 
 officer must be put, unless properly withdrawn, the Master 
 can not ignore it. (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, G. M.) (3.) 
 
 327. A brother, in good standing, cannot be restrained 
 from balloting, even if he has declared his intention of 
 blackballing the candidate. (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 328. Illicit distilling is sufficient ground upon which 
 to base charges against a brother, and no hesitancy should 
 be had in acting accordingly. (1877. Dec. 14. Munson, 
 G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 77 
 
 329. Financial difficulties between Masons should, if 
 possible, be adjusted amicably, but it is not Unmasonic, 
 when other means fail, to bring an action at law. (1877. 
 Dec. 15. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 330. A Master has the power to summon orally, but 
 otherwise the summons should be issued through the Secre- 
 tary, in writing, with seal of lodge attached. (1877- Dec. 
 15. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 331. A certificate of dimission is not legal unless it 
 bears the seal of the lodge by which it is issued. (1877. Dec. 
 15. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 332. No certificate of dimission 'should be granted a 
 brother against whom it is proposed to bring charges ; if 
 their validity is not sustained, then the certificate may be 
 granted. (1877. Dec. 15. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 333. The law does not specify when summonses shall 
 or may be issued, that power being discretionary with the 
 Master. (1877. Dec. 15. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 334. A notice with seal of lodge and signature of the 
 Secretary, mailed through the postoffice to a brother's sup- 
 posed or last known place of residence, is a legal notice. 
 (1877. Dec. 15. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 335. Two persons, one a Mason, the other a profane, 
 having differences of a private character antecedent to the 
 initiation of the latter, remain unreconciled, when it comes 
 to the knowledge of the initiate that the brother proposes to 
 use the blackball when he applies for advancement, the 
 initiate being a man of irreproachable character and good 
 citizen, the lodge generally being exceedingly desirous for 
 his advancement, ask what to do. A brother has the right 
 to object without a question, and such objection, till 
 removed, acts as a barrier to such advancement. Though 
 unwise, it is not Unmasonic to declare what he will do in cer- 
 tain cases proposed. The criminality lies in declaring the 
 act performed; for instance, you can not try a Mason for 
 saying he will blackball a candidate; but if after he is black- 
 
7<S DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 balled, he makes the declaration that he has done so, he 
 violates an edict of the Grand Lodge, and he is liable to prose- 
 cution. (1877. Dec. 15. Munson,G. M.) 
 
 336. Dispensation asked, to entertain the petition of a 
 profane belonging to the jurisdiction of another lodge, with 
 the assurance that said lodge woiild sanction such arrange- 
 ment. Dispensation refused; let the petitioner apply to 
 the lodge in whose jurisdiction he properly belongs. If 
 elected, and they desire you to confer the degrees, the fees 
 can be arranged between you. (1877. Dec. 15. Munson, 
 G. M.) 
 
 337. A. B. filed a petition for the degrees, and was 
 elected ; but before conferring, heard he had been rejected 
 in another lodge, what is my duty in the case? Obtain per- 
 mission of the rejecting lodge to entertain the petition ; if 
 refused, return the petition, with fees. (1877. Dec. 16. 
 Munson, G. M.) 
 
 338. A. B. was initiated an Entered Apprentice, peti- 
 tioned for the second degree, and was rejected. At a sub- 
 sequent meeting a reconsideration was had, he was elected 
 and notified to present himself for advancement. At the 
 next regular meeting, upon a reading of the minutes, a 
 brother objected to the advancement of the candidate, con- 
 sidering the reconsideration illegal, and moved to lay the 
 matter before the Grand Master — objection sustained. No 
 reconsideration of a ballot is legal, the proper mode being 
 a repetition. (1877. Dec. 16. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 339. A lodge desires a remittal of the dues of a brother 
 who wishes to affiliate with it, giving reasons therefor — 
 said dues owing the lodge to which he formerly belonged, and 
 which had become extinct. Held that the Grand Master 
 had no power to act in the premises, the remedy, if any, to 
 be applied by the Grand Lodge . (1877. Dec. 16. Munson, 
 G. M.) 
 
 340. Has a W. M. the power to place a P. M. in the 
 East to confer degrees, when the Senior Warden and the 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 79 
 
 Junior Warden are present and willing to serve? He has, 
 provided he is present while the chair is so filled, he being 
 the best judge of the qualifications of his Wardens ,(1877. 
 Dec. 16. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 341. If a brother presides in the Worshipful Master's 
 presence, who is to wear the jewel of his office? The 
 brother occupying the East must be recognized as the Wor- 
 shipful Master, and wear the jewel appertaining to the 
 office. (1877. Dec. 16. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 342. It is necessary to reinstall reelected officers, 
 because being elected for one year only, their obligation 
 does not extend beyond that period. (1877. Dec. 16. 
 Munson, G. M.) 
 
 343. Any Past Master in good standing is competent 
 to act as installing officer. (1877. Dec. 16. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 344. Any Master Mason in good standing can preside 
 in the East, being called thereto by competent authority, 
 such authority remaining present while the East is so filled. 
 (1877. Dec. 16. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 345. No brother can be admitted to membership while 
 residing in another Grand jurisdiction, our Masonic pro- 
 gress being barred by State lines. (1877. Dec. 16. Mun- 
 son, G. M.) 
 
 346. Officers elect and absent at the time of installa- 
 tion can not be installed by a representative, unless said 
 officer assents thereto, because an obligation taken by one 
 person can not be binding upon another. (1S77. Dec. 16. 
 Munson, G. M.) 
 
 347. Resolved, That the Committee on Jurisprudence 
 be required to report at this Grand Communication whether 
 a Mason who has been an officer of the Grand Lodge, but is 
 at present non-affiliated, is entitled to a seat in the Grand 
 Lodge? 
 
 Your Committee beg to report that in their opinion the 
 Past Grand Officers mentioned in Article I, Section 1, of 
 
So DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 the Constitution, are entitled to membership in the Grand 
 Lodge so long as they comply with Article XIII, Section ;, 
 of the ,By-laws of the Grand Lodge, and the other rules and 
 regulations prescribed for the government of the Craft. 
 (1877. Rep. 36.) 
 
 348. A petition comes from a number of the members 
 of former Lodge, now defunct, asking for the restor- 
 ation to the rights of Masonry of a brother who was suspended 
 over two years ago. The petition takes no official form ; does 
 not state that the petitioners constitute a legal majority of 
 the lodge; does not mention the offense for which he was 
 suspended, nor whether there has been reparation or 
 reformation, nor application on the part of the suspended 
 member for restoration. We, therefore, recommend 
 that the petition be returned for amendment, and to be 
 sent up in a more regular form, if desired by the lodge. 
 (1877. Rep. 43-) 
 
 349. In a case from Lodge. A very singular 
 
 case. There appears to be no charge against Mr. Smith's 
 moral character, but in open lodge he stated that he had 
 conscientious scruples against being a Mason ; that he had 
 derived no benefit from it; that he would never sit in 
 another lodge or obey another summons; and that he 
 believed its teachings were contrary to the Bible. Upon 
 the trial he reiterated these opinions, and said he desired to 
 be cut off from the lodge, and much of the same import. 
 From the whole case, it strikes the Committee that a disin- 
 clination to pay dues had much to do with Mr. Smith's 
 scruples. Expulsion by the lodge confirmed. (1877. 
 Rep. 45-) 
 
 350. In the case from Lodge, charged with 
 
 gross Unmasonic conduct, upon a specification of failure to 
 obey a legal summons, the party not only failed to obey the 
 summons, but said that the lodge might do what they 
 pleased, he would pay no attention to it, we recommend 
 that the sentence of expulsion be affirmed. (1877. 
 Rep. 45-) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. hi 
 
 351. In a case from Lodge, where a brother 
 
 was charged with a single act of drunkenness, and suspended 
 for six months, the Master sends up an appeal for mercy, 
 the brother having expressed contrition for his offense, and 
 the Committee approve the appeal, and recommend the sen- 
 tence be changed to a private reprimand by the Master. 
 (1877. Rep. 45-) 
 
 352. In the case from Lodge, the brother was 
 
 tried upon several specifications, the first of which is strong 
 enough to warrant the sentence, and the evidence raises a 
 strong suspicion of guilt, but, unfortunately, it is purely 
 hearsay testimony, and the lodge can not properly act upon 
 it. The same thing is true of the third specification. As 
 to the second specification, which is for failing to pay a 
 draft, though able, the Committee are of the opinion that 
 the assistance of Masonry to collect debts should be rarely 
 invoked, if ever, and we should hesitate to have the sen- 
 tence of indefinite suspension affirmed upon the least 
 important of the specifications. If the accused had collected 
 money for a distressed Master Mason's widow and failed to 
 pay it over, let him be tried for that; let the witnesses be 
 examined by the lodge, which can be temporarily called off 
 if the witness is a woman or a profane; and if he is found 
 guilty, let him be suspended or expelled. We, therefore, 
 recommend that this case be returned to the lodge for a new 
 trial. (1877. Rep. 45.) 
 
 353. In the case from Lodge, who expelled a 
 
 brother for violating his obligation, in that he used low and 
 abusive language concerning a Master Mason, and that he 
 struck a Master Mason, the said blow not being in self- 
 defense, we recommend it be affirmed. (1877. Rep. 49.) 
 
 354. In the case from Lodge, who expelled 
 
 for receiving ten dollars from a profane to be paid 
 
 to the lodge as a part of the fees for the three degrees, and 
 converting the same to his own use and not paying the same 
 to the lodge, we recommend that it be affirmed. (1877. 
 Rep. 50.) 
 
82 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 355. In the case from — — Lodge, a transcript is sent 
 up which is fatally defective in the following particulars : 1 st, 
 It does not appear that the charges and specifications were 
 ever properly made. 2nd, It does not appear that the 
 accused was served with a copy of the charges and specifica- 
 tions ten days before the day appointed for trial. 3rd, A 
 deposition taken before the coroner's jury was the only evi- 
 dence before the lodge, and this not set out. The charge 
 was murder, and we recommend that the transcript be 
 returned to the lodge, and that a new trial be ordered. 
 (1877. Rep. 50.) 
 
 356. Resolved, That the Committee on Jurisprudence 
 be instructed to define the rights of a Master Mason, whose 
 dimit and petition for affiliation have been filed with a 
 lodge, pending the action of the lodge on the petition for 
 membership. 
 
 Your Committee have had the same under considera- 
 tion, and beg leave to report that your Committee are of 
 opinion that the status of such Mason is that of a non-affil- 
 iated one. He has withdrawn from the lodge of which he 
 was formerly a member, and does not become a member of 
 the lodge receiving the petition until a vote has been had 
 under the prescribed rules of the Craft, and a favorable 
 result declared thereon. (1877. Rep. 51.) 
 
 357. The Committee, to whom was referred that por- 
 tion of the Grand Master's address, which alludes to the 
 fact that the great fundamental principle which underlies 
 Masonry, to- wit: the belief in the God of the Bible, has 
 been stricken from the constitution of a body of men who 
 claim to be Masons, recommend the adoption of the follow- 
 ing: 
 
 Resolved, That we denounce this innovation upon one 
 of the Ancient Landmarks of Masonry as a blot upon civiliza- 
 tion, the entering wedge by which Masonry will be brought 
 into disrepute, and ultimately be made a by-word and 
 reproach to Christianity; that the seal of condemnation of 
 this Grand Body should be put upon this movement in its 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAM'. 83 
 
 incipiency, not to explain the belief of this Grand Lodge, 
 but that those who are to come after us shall be apprised of 
 the unmistakable position taken upon this question, and 
 have the benefit and support of those who have gone before 
 them. (1877. Rep. 57.) 
 
 358. The passages from the Bible, published in our 
 Masonic charts and read during the introductory ceremonies 
 of conferring the degrees, are intended, and when impress- 
 ively read, well calculated to convey lasting impressions on 
 the minds of the candidates, and, as a rule, should not be 
 omitted, but the substituting of music, either vocal or 
 instrumental, especially when the Scriptures are paraphrased 
 so as to be chanted or sung, as is almost the invariable rule 
 in Masonic music, is a matter for the discretion and good 
 judgment of intelligent Masters of lodges, where we think 
 it may be safely intrusted. (1877. Rep. 62.) 
 
 359- Q- Would the testimony of an expelled Mason 
 be admissible in a Masonic trial? 
 
 A. It would not under certain circumstances. If 
 expelled on account of a violation of his O. B., he would 
 not hesitate to falsify his word. (1878. Dec. 8. Munson, 
 G. M.) 
 
 360. Q. Can a Secretary use the seal of the lodge 
 without authority from the lodge? 
 
 A. He can, by order of the W. M. If he uses it other- 
 wise, and it is made apparent, the lodge can apply the 
 remedy. (1S78. Dec. 8. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 361. Q. Can matters in the hands of the Reference 
 Committee be withdrawn, and acted upon before they report? 
 
 A. A lodge can at any time withdraw any matter from 
 the hands of any committee, and act independently there- 
 upon. (1878. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 362. Q. If officers are elected, and installed in oppo- 
 sition to the law of the Grand Lodge, is such a lodge duly 
 constituted, and are its acts legal? 
 
 A. Such an election and installation is illegal, and the 
 
84 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 acts of a lodge so constituted are null and void. (1878. 
 Dec. 8. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 363. Q. Can a candidate who has lost part of his 
 shoulder bone be elected to take the degrees? 
 
 A. If he can comply with Sec. 1, Chap. 10, of the 
 Masonic Code, and make the signs, he can. (1878. Dec. 9. 
 Munson, G. M.) 
 
 364. Q. At a regular meeting of our lodge, a brother 
 was elected Senior Warden, to which position he was sub- 
 sequently installed by proxy. He declines the office, 
 refuses to serve, and asks a dimit. What shall be done? 
 
 A. If the Senior Warden elect did not accept the 
 position to which your lodge elected him, and give his 
 assent to an installation by proxy, said installation is null 
 and void, and he can not be compelled to serve the lodge in 
 that capacity. If he has complied with the By-laws of your 
 lodge, and no charges appear against him, he is entitled to 
 a dimit. (1878. Dec. 9. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 365. Q. A. B., an expelled Mason petitions for restora- 
 tion, but before the next regular meeting of the lodge, 
 wants to withdraw his petition; can it be done? 
 
 A. If the petition has not been presented to the lodge 
 in regular meeting, the W. M. has the power to order its 
 return; but if it has been so read, it is the property of the 
 lodge, and must, like all other petitions, take the regular 
 course. (1878. Dec. 9. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 366. Q. Is there any way an expelled member can be 
 restored to all the rights, benefits and privileges of Masonry, 
 except by the lodge which expelled him? 
 
 A. Yes; the Grand Lodge can grant such restoration, 
 but the lodge only from which he was expelled can confer 
 membership. (187S. Dec. 9. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 367. Q. When charges are brought against a member, 
 and he submits and asks clemency, is not the lodge bound 
 to grant it without an investigation and trial? 
 
 A. A trial would be superfluous, because the brother 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 85 
 
 submits; but it is discretionary with the lodge whether or 
 not it will grant the clemency desired. (1878. Dec. 9. 
 Munson, G. M.) 
 
 368. Q. Can a lodge legally elect officers at any other 
 time than that prescribed in the Masonic Code? 
 
 A. They can not, unless by a dispensation of the 
 Grand Master. (1878. Dec. 9. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 369. Q. Has the W. M. the power to order a false 
 entry to be made in the minutes? 
 
 A. He may assume the authority, but he has no legal 
 right. (1878. Dec. 9. Munson, G. M.) 
 
 370. In the records of Lodge, we find that they 
 
 seem to adopt the minutes of each meeting at the next suc- 
 ceeding meeting, when the regular custom is to adopt the 
 minutes of each meeting before the lodge is closed. We 
 also find that, on one occasion, balloting was done while 
 the lodge was open in the E. A. degree, and that a F. C. 
 was examined in proficiency in a Master Mason's lodge. 
 (1878. Rep. 24.) 
 
 371. Where a transcript does not show that the speci- 
 fications and charges were filed at a Regular Communication, 
 or that the accused was served with a copy thereof ten days 
 before trial, the evidence was irregularly taken, and set out 
 obscurely, and no certificate is attached by the Secretary, 
 it will be returned to the lodge for correction. (1878. 
 Rep. 36.) 
 
 372. In the case of a brother from Lodge, who 
 
 was charged with being in a state of intoxication on the 
 public streets, the evidence shows that the accused was con- 
 siderably under the influence of liquor on a certain day. It 
 is not shown that he was ever intoxicated before that day, 
 or that he persisted in the practice of getting drunk "after 
 due admonition and warning." He was indefinitely 
 suspended. We do not think the offense justified the sen- 
 tence of the lodge. It is recommended that the decision of 
 the lodge be reversed, and that the accused be brought 
 before the lodge and reprimanded. (1878. Dec. 46.) 
 
86 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 373. In a case from Lodge, a brother was 
 
 accused with falsely charging a brother Master Mason with 
 adulterating liquor, and that the brother (tried) endeavored 
 to extort money from said brother Master Mason by threat- 
 ening him with a prosecution in the federal court and 
 incarceration in the Albany penitentiary; also charged with 
 grossly slandering said brother Master Mason on divers 
 occasions. The evidence fully warranted the finding and 
 the sentence, and we recommend the action of the lodge be 
 affirmed. (1878. Rep. 46.) 
 
 374. In the case from Lodge, the accused was 
 
 charged with slaying a fellow man, without due provocation 
 or sufficient excuse, and was indefinitely suspended. The 
 evidence fully warranted expulsion, and the accused has no 
 right to complain of the lodge. We recommend that the 
 sentence be affirmed. (1878. Rep. 47.) 
 
 375. The memorial from Lodge, asking the 
 
 Grand Lodge to define the jurisdiction of Subordinate 
 Lodges, has also been examined by your Committee. The 
 question involved in the memorial is, by what rule should 
 the territorial jurisdiction of lodges be determined, by an 
 air line, or by the most convenient routes of travel? We 
 think an air line is the best. While there are many instances 
 and many localities where boundaries other than air lines 
 would be more convenient, yet, to avoid all possible compli- 
 cations and misunderstandings, it is best to be governed by an 
 unchangeable rule. We, therefore, recommend that in 
 determining the jurisdiction of Subordinate Lodges, the 
 rule shall be by an air line. Wherever difficulties of this 
 kind may exist, they may be easily obviated, either by a 
 dispensation from the Grand Master, or by the consent of 
 the lodges whose jurisdiction may be affected by such 
 departure from established rules. (1878. Rep. 54.) 
 
 376. The Committee to whom was referred that por- 
 tion of the Grand Master's address touching the proposition 
 of the Grand Orient of France, to establish lodges in Ameri- 
 ca in whose workings the existence of a Supreme Being will 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 87 
 
 be ignored and denied, recommend the adoption of the fol- 
 lowing resolutions: 
 
 Resolved, That the Subordinate Lodges of this Grand 
 Jurisdiction be and they are hereby forbidden to receive, 
 acknowledge or aid any person belonging to a lodge wherein 
 the existence of a Supreme Being is ignored or denied. 
 
 Resolved, That any lodge or lodges established in this 
 Grand Jurisdiction by the Grand Orient of France, will be 
 clandestine lodges, and must be so treated by the members 
 of the Lodge Subordinate Lodges working under this Grand. 
 (1878. Rep. 57.) 
 
 377. A profane applies for admission into a lodge in 
 this State and is rejected. He goes on a visit to his native 
 land, Scotland, and while there receives the degrees. Upon 
 his return to his home he presents his credentials and 
 applies to enter the lodge. 
 
 The lodge should not receive him. He was a 
 sojourner while abroad, and could only have been admitted 
 into the lodge in Scotland by withholding important infor- 
 mation, to- wit: the fact of his application and rejection in 
 North Carolina. Surely he could not have been initiated 
 had this been communicated to the lodge in Scotland, 
 unless that lodge had been strangely unobservant of the 
 common law of Freemasonry, that is, a candidate must 
 apply for the degrees where he resides and is.best known, 
 and that one brother shall not supplant another in his work. 
 (1878. Dec. 9. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 378. A receives the E. A. degree and thereafter the 
 lodge in which he is initiated forfeits its charter. The 
 members of that lodge then become the material of the 
 nearest lodge. A certificate by the Secretary of the defunct 
 lodge, reciting the fact that A had taken the E. A. degree, 
 and requesting a more distant lodge to confer the remaining 
 degrees, is entitled to no consideration. (1879. Dec. 9. 
 Cox, G. M.) 
 
 379. A, residing near the State line, desires a dimit to 
 join a nearer lodge in a neighboring State, and wishes still to 
 
88 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 retain his connection with the Grand Lodge of this State. 
 The jurisdiction of our lodges is determined by vState lines, 
 and this can not, therefore be allowed. (1879. Dec. 9. 
 Cox, G. M.) 
 
 380. In Masonic trials truth is the object aimed at ; 
 verbal technicalities and objections are not favored, and 
 should never be permitted to obstruct the ends of justice. 
 The accusation should be clearly set forth and distinctly 
 met. (1879. Dec. 9. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 381. When the accused employs counsel for his 
 defense, the accuser may, with the consent of the lodge, 
 employ counsel to prosecute. (1879. Dec. 9. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 382. Charges should always be preferred in writing, 
 but if a brother, anticipating that charges will be preferred, 
 asks a dimit, and another brother rises and verbally states 
 the substance of the charges he intends to prefer, a reason- 
 able time will be given for the preparation of the charges 
 before the application for dimit is acted upon. (1879. 
 Dec. 10. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 383. It is not necessary for. the Committee on Orphan 
 Asylum to report when they have collected nothing ; but 
 their next report or remittance must include the time not 
 accounted for. It is difficult, however, to discover why 
 there is nothing to remit, if there has been a communica- 
 tion. (1879. Dec. 10. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 384. A Master Mason, under sentence of indefinite 
 suspension, can be tried for gross Unmasonic conduct com- 
 mitted since his suspension, and, if his conduct deserve it, 
 be expelled. (1879. Dec. 10. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 385. A Master Mason dismembered for non-payment 
 of dues is entitled to be restored upon petition accompanied 
 by the payment of his arrears. (1879. Dec. 10. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 386. A lodge cannot entertain a petition from a minis- 
 ter for initiation unless accompanied by the fee ; it can be 
 returned to him if it be a genuine case of charity — not oth- 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 89 
 
 erwise. There is no distinction of callings or profession. 
 (1879. Dec. 10. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 387. During the year I received a dispatch from a Past 
 Grand officer inquiring whether I could issue a dispensation 
 to bury with Masonic honors a highly esteemed citizen and 
 physician who through inadvertance suffered his name to be 
 dropped from the roll of his lodge. I replied that if it 
 arose from inadvertance I could grant the relief. The dis- 
 pensation, however, was not applied for and none was 
 issued. 
 
 The attention of the Grand Lodge is especially directed 
 to this ruling, inasmuch as some highly respected brothers 
 differ with me, and regard this an innovation, contending 
 that our Code provides that non-affiliates are excluded in all 
 cases from the rite of Masonic burial. I concede that the 
 Grand Master can do nothing which the Grand Lodge for- 
 bids him to do, in accordance with the Ancient Landmarks, 
 but he can do all things else which long usage has recog- 
 nized, even though there be no express law of the Grand 
 Lodge granting the power. In other words, he should exer- 
 cise a supervising care and guardianship over the Craft, and 
 may do all things which are not positively forbidden in order 
 to promote the well being of the Fraternity. Mitchell says 
 in his Digest: "When the Grand Master is apprised of the 
 existence of an error, evidently the result of ignorance, or 
 even when a known law has been transcended under a firm 
 conviction that the interests of Masonry imperatively demand 
 it, he, in the recess of the Grand Lodge, not only has the 
 power, but it becomes his duty to act." For example, if a 
 lodge has acted without law the Grand Master may, in some 
 instances, validate its action. Just as a court may set aside 
 a judgment involving important rights, if obtained through 
 "the inadvertance, surprise or excusable neglect" of another, 
 so Masonry, ever seeking to administer the highest equity, 
 should establish no more arbitrary rule or take advantage of 
 the inadvertance of a brother. It is not claimed that the 
 Grand Master can restore to membership, or can in any 
 12 
 
(jo DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 manner interfere with the rights of Subordinate Lodges, 
 but at the request of the brethren he may grant a dispensa- 
 tion in a case like the one under consideration. I am con- 
 firmed in this ruling by our eminent brother Albert Pike, 
 who says in a letter to me: "If your Code is not preemp- 
 tory, to the effect that one becoming non-affiliate shall not 
 have Masonic burial, I think the expression 'not entitled to 
 it' should only be taken to mean that such burial is not a 
 matter of strict right, but can only be had when under the 
 circumstances the party is not justly chargeable with having 
 so neglected the duties of Masonry as nOt to have deserved 
 the honor of Masonic burial." (1879. Dec. 10. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 388. In the case of the appeal of Bro. - - and ten 
 
 others from the decision of Lodge in acquitting 
 
 Bro. , and asking that a new trial be ordered, we rec- 
 
 ommend that the appeal be dismissed for the following 
 reasons: 1, Because the appeal being substantially against 
 the Master or the lodge is not signed by a majority of the 
 members of the said lodge, as required by Section 1, Arti- 
 cle XVII, of the Masonic Code. 2, Because the remedy, 
 if any, is by bringing charges against the Master in accord- 
 ance with Section 2 of Article XVII of the Masonic Code. 
 (1879. Rep. 40.) 
 
 389. Visitors should not be admitted at trials except 
 as counsel or witnesses. (1879. Rep. 46.) 
 
 390. One who is dismembered for non-payment of 
 dues is entitled to be restored to membership upon his pav- 
 ing the amount that is due ; that his application cannot be 
 rejected unless charges are preferred against him, which 
 may be done for causes which have arisen during his term 
 of dismemberment. (1880. Dec. 8. Cox, G. M.) 
 
 391. In a case from - — Lodge, the Grand Lodge 
 approved the finding of guilty against a brother charged 
 with gross Unmasonic conduct. The sentence of twelve 
 months suspension was set aside, and the lodge directed to 
 change the sentence from suspension to expulsion. (1880. 
 Rep. 38.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 91 
 
 392. A Master Mason of moderate means, who has a 
 wife and children dependent on him for support, can not be 
 tried and suspended or expelled for not preventing his 
 mother becoming a county charge. (1881. Dec. 9. Grainger, 
 G. M.) 
 
 393. A petitioner whose leg has been amputated below 
 his knee is ineligible to take the degrees. (188 1. Dec. 9. 
 Grainger, G. M.) 
 
 394. A petitioner whose knee is so stiff as to be 
 unable to conform to the ceremonies of initiation, passing 
 and raising, is ineligible to receive the degrees. (1881. Dec. 
 9. Grainger, G. M.) 
 
 395. A was initiated an E. A. in a lodge in South Car- 
 olina; his lodge became defunct; he afterwards moved to 
 this State and applied to a lodge here for the second and 
 third degrees. He is the property, Masonically, of the 
 Grand Lodge of that State, and his petition can not be 
 acted upon without the consent of that Grand Lodge, or its 
 Grand Master, properly certified. (1881. Dec. 9. Grainger, 
 G. M.) 
 
 396. In a case from Lodge, the charge was 
 
 "speaking evil of a brother Master Mason," and the speci- 
 fication was "Telling things to one R., a road master, etc., 
 that were calculated to injure S., a Master Mason, and sec- 
 tion master, with a view of having him (S.) discharged. " 
 The specification does not set forth the language used, the 
 date of the offense, nor the place where the offense was 
 committed. 
 
 The accused appeared as his own counsel, and was 
 asked if he had reported S. with an intent to have him dis- 
 charged. This he refused to answer. If he had not bv his 
 plea of "not guilty" denied the charge, this might have 
 been taken as evidence against him. The other evidence 
 introduced was a statement made by the accused before a 
 committee of the lodge, which did not bear out the charge. 
 The verdict was guilty and the sentence expulsion. The 
 
92 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 charge was not sustained, and the decision of the Subordi- 
 nate Lodge should be reversed, and the accused restored to 
 all the rights of Masonry. (1881. Rep. 34.) 
 
 397. The Grand Lodge has authority to modify the 
 decisions of all Subordinate Lodges. (1881. Rep. 35.) 
 
 398. In the case from - - Lodge of Bro. 
 charged with taking cotton held by attachment, for which 
 he was convicted and expelled, it is recommended that the 
 proceedings of the lodge be set aside, the sentence re- 
 versed, and the brother restored to the rights of the Order, 
 because; 1, It nowhere appears that the brother was not 
 entitled to the possession of the cotton, or that taking the 
 same was in any way an immoral or Unmasonic act, and the 
 attempt of the lodge to adjudicate the validity of the process 
 issued by the magistrate was entirely unwarranted. 
 
 2, It is not the duty of lodges to interfere with the 
 action of parties in the courts, or to adjust any rights 
 obtained therein ; but in cases where a brother has been 
 convicted by a court of some criminal offense, which would 
 render him an unworthy member of the Order, it would be 
 proper for a lodge having jurisdiction to try him, and, if 
 found guilty, inflict the proper penalty. In the case before 
 us no trial by a civil court was had, and of course, no pen- 
 alty inflicted. 
 
 3, The sentence of expulsion is wholly unwarranted bv 
 the facts produced on the trial, and out of proportion to the 
 offense, admitting it to be one of a Masonic character. (1881. 
 Rep. 41.) 
 
 399. While instances may occur justifying and requir- 
 ing the Grand Master to exercise his high prerogative in 
 the face of a positive enactment, I am, after a service of 
 two years as such, more than ever convinced that he should 
 exercise it only in extreme cases and always with very great 
 caution. Where the w r ill of the law-making power has been 
 regularly and properly ascertained it ought not to be disre- 
 garded or set aside, unless the circumstances are such as to 
 satisfy him that the law-making power, acting thereon with 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 93 
 
 a knowledge of all the facts and circumstances, would 
 reverse its action as to that particular matter. During the 
 year I have had several very strong appeals for its exercise. 
 I mention only a few. One, a request to allow a lodge to 
 receive and act upon the petition of a preacher who had not 
 resided twelve months within its jurisdiction; another, from 
 a different lodge to allow it to confer the degrees upon a 
 preacher without charging the fees required by law. I have 
 a profound respect and very high regard for that worthy and 
 honorable class of our fellow citizens, but our law is so plain 
 that both were declined. Another lodge has balloted upon 
 the petition of a very good man who w T as blackballed — the 
 lodge desired to act upon the petition again before the expi- 
 ration of the twelve months — declined. I will mention only 
 one more. A non-affiliated Mason died — he had been ex- 
 cluded for non-payment of dues — his family wished the 
 lodge to bury him with Masonic honors, and offered to pay 
 his back dues for that purpose. I sympathized with his 
 stricken and bereaved family. By his own act he had for- 
 feited that right. The law declared he should not have such 
 honors. I felt it my painful duty to enforce it and did so. 
 (1882. Dec. Grainger, G. M.) 
 
 400. By Article X of the Constitution, "no new charter 
 shall be granted but upon the petition of at least seven 
 known and approved Master Masons." By Sec- 1, Art! VI of 
 the By-laws and Edicts of the Grand Lodge ' 'dispensations for 
 any new lodges may be granted upon petition to the Grand 
 Master, or the Deputy Grand Master, of not less than seven 
 worthy Master Masons." Seven worthy and approved 
 Master Masons being the smallest number to whom the 
 Grand Lodge can grant a charter, or the Grand Master or 
 Deputy Grand Master a dispensation for a new lodge, it fol- 
 lows that whenever the membership of any lodge is reduced, 
 by any cause, below seven, its legal existence thereupon 
 ceases, and it cannot thenceforth do any work, or transact any 
 business whatever. Its property, furniture, jew T els, funds, 
 etc., become forfeited to the Grand Lodge, to be taken and 
 
94 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 disposed of as directed in cases of suspension or demise of a 
 lodge. (1881. Dec. 33. Grainger, G. M.) 
 
 40 r. In the case from Lodge, where a brother 
 
 was charged with refusing to pay for a still, we recommend 
 that the proceedings of the lodge be set aside, the sentence 
 reversed, and the brother restored to the rights of the Order, 
 because we do not think it a subject for Masonic investiga- 
 tion. (r88i. Rep. 39.) 
 
 402. Upon all such questions within proper jurisdiction, 
 the best judgment and conscience of the Grand Master are 
 the proper criteria of action. The facts and circumstances 
 being in his possession he alone is best qualified to judge of 
 the question of propriety. Upon this view of the case we 
 sustain the action of the Grand Master in the premises, 
 while a contrary decision and action upon equal conscien- 
 tious motives would have been equally correct. Masonic 
 law embraces not only the lex script a but lex non script a. 
 The latter includes in its circle the Grand Master's prerog- 
 atives, one of which is the power of dispensation ; and when 
 properly determined, is as sacred and inviolable as the for- 
 mer. The Grand Master is the custodian in the several 
 jurisdictions of Masonic tradition. It is his duty to transmit 
 this code as pure as he received it. (1881. Rep. 42.) 
 
 403. A lodge U. D. and the nearest chartered lodge 
 shall have concurrent jurisdiction over candidates for 
 degrees, just as two chartered lodges in the same town 
 have; for, if the absence of "territorial jurisdiction" be con- 
 strued to include jurisdiction over candidates, the very pur- 
 pose for which the embryonic lodge gets a dispensation 
 may be defeated, and no report of those "initiated, passed 
 and raised," which the face of the dispensation requires, 
 can be made. This decision was suggested by the claim 
 which a chartered lodge made of jurisdiction over a candi- 
 date who was in the prospective jurisdiction of a lodge U. D., 
 and who had petitioned for the degrees to be conferred by 
 said lodge. (1884. Dec. 8. Bingham, G. M.) 
 
 404. It is irregular for a lodge to have a special meet- 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 95 
 
 ing called to adjust differences between two brothers, and 
 then prefer charges against one, and try him upon these 
 charges at the same meeting. The Code expressly pro- 
 vides how and when such charges shall be preferred. 
 (1884. Rep. 49.) 
 
 405. Where a brother had dimitted from a lodge four 
 years before the trial of charges preferred against him, and 
 at the time of the trial was a resident of another State, his 
 former lodge in this State has no jurisdiction over him. 
 (1884. Rep. 49.) 
 
 406. In the case of Brother , from Lodge, 
 
 your Committee beg leave to report: 
 
 1st, That, in the judgment of the Committee, the 
 action of the lodge in suspending the accused indefinitely 
 •should not be sustained, for the reason does not show he 
 was guilty of any Masonic offense, but rather that it was a 
 simple and quiet controversy concerning the ownership of a 
 dog. 
 
 Wherefore, your Committee recommend that the sen- 
 tence of the lodge in said case be reversed, and they further 
 suggest that the said lodge should be censured for placing 
 upon trial any one of its members upon specifications mani- 
 festly so trivial. (1885. Rep. 29.) 
 
 407. Resolved, That it is the sense of the Grand Lodge 
 that a dimit take effect at the time the application for the 
 same is acted upon by the Subordinate Lodge, and that the 
 time of its actual delivery by the Secretary has no bearing 
 on its status. (1885. Res. 42.) 
 
 408. A member of a lodge was adjudged a lunatic in 
 1 86 1, and was sent to the asylum. The Secretary, without 
 any action by the lodge, dropped his name from the rolls. 
 He has recently been discharged from the asylum as cured. 
 Held, that neither the Secretary, nor, it would seem, the 
 lodge, had any right to drop his name. He remains a mem- 
 ber of the lodge, and it requires no vote to reinstate him. 
 As for his dues during the period of his insanity, it is not 
 
()() DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 * 
 
 to be presumed that any lodge would seek to exact them. 
 Insanity is a disease, and does not alter the relation of 
 a Mason, thus afflicted, to his lodge; except that no lunatic 
 can enter the lodge room. (1886. Dec. 8. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 409. A Mason becomes a member of a lodge when he 
 signs the By-laws. If, after he is raised, a Mason refuses 
 to sign the By-laws, or, after he is warned, neglects to do so, 
 he becomes non-affiliate and not entitled to Masonic bene- 
 fits. A member of a lodge excluded for non-payment of 
 dues, and afterwards reinstated, upon payment, is not 
 required to sign the By-laws a second time. (1886. Dec. 
 9. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 410. An Englishman (or other alien) not naturalized, 
 resident in this Jurisdiction for twelve months or more, is 
 eligible to initiation and membership. (1886. Dec. 9. 
 Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 411. A Master of a chartered lodge during the year 
 for which he was elected, whether he has changed his resi- 
 dence or not, cannot be appointed Master of a lodge under 
 dispensation. (1886. Dec. 9. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 412. A deacon, being an installed officer, under the 
 North Carolina Code, cannot receive a dimit for the year for 
 which he was appointed. (1886. Dec. 9. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 413. A failure to attend a lodge in answer to a sum- 
 mons requiring a delinquent to appear and show cause why. 
 he should not be dismembered for non-payment of dues, is 
 an admission of the justice and propriety of the dismember- 
 ment. Unless there are unusual circumstances attending 
 the case it does not warrant the lodge in trying the delin- 
 quent for wilful disobedience of summons. Especially is 
 this true when the delinquent is a non-resident. (1886. 
 Dec. 9. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 414. A Mason is indicted for murder, convicted, 
 granted a new trial in the appellate court, re-tried, convicted 
 of manslaughter and sentenced. Charges were preferred 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 97 
 
 against him and the trial postponed to await the verdict in 
 the courts. Held, that the notes of evidence in the courts 
 were not evidence against him, unless admitted by consent; 
 but that upon a charge that he had been guilty of a felony 
 a record of his conviction would be prima facie evidence, 
 and unless rebutted to the satisfaction of the lodge would 
 justify a verdict of guilty. (1886. Dec. 9. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 415. After a favorable ballot upon a petition for the 
 degrees in the usual form, and the initiation of the candi- 
 date, any member of the lodge may demand the ballot upon 
 the advancement of the candidate, and cannot be questioned 
 as to his reasons or motives. This is the law in North Car- 
 olina; the practice is not uniform in all the jurisdictions, 
 some requiring reasons to be stated, and others allowing 
 no ballot after the general one. (1886. Dec. 9. Busbee, 
 G. M.) 
 
 416. A dispensation should not be granted to permit a 
 candidate to be balloted for who has not resided within the 
 jurisdiction of the lodge for twelvemonths; in such case the 
 consent of the lodge having jurisdiction in the place from 
 which the candidate removed should be obtained. (1886. 
 Dec. 9. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 417. A Mason who had become non-affiliate by non- 
 payment of dues (his failure to pay arising partly from 
 want of means caused by ill-health), desires to" be reinstated, 
 and had slowly accumulated, by day labor, money to pay his 
 dues. He was taken ill and died before reinstatement. 
 Upon a petition by the lodge for a dispensation to burv him 
 with Masonic honors. Held, that as it was stated that if the 
 facts had been fully known the Mason would not have been 
 dismembered, it was one of the rare cases in which a dis- 
 pensation should be granted to bury a non-affiliate with 
 Masonic honors. (1886. Dec. 9. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 418. That portion of the Grand Master's address marked 
 as Decision No. 10 having been referred to them, they are 
 of opinion that the action of the Grand Master should be 
 
 13 
 
98 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 sustained an'd approved, owing to the peculiar circumstances 
 attending the case considered by him. 
 
 In rendering this opinion your Committee have looked 
 to the motives which evidently influenced our Grand Master 
 in this seeming departure from the law as we have hereto- 
 fore understood it. In the exercise of his discretion he has, 
 in our opinion, shown the high regard in which he holds 
 the privileges, as well as the rights, of a Master Mason. 
 
 But your Committee desire particularly and emphatically 
 to call the attention of the members of the Grand Lodge to 
 the fact that this decision should not be viewed in the light 
 of a precedent. 
 
 The penalty of non-affiliation is clearly and unequivo- 
 cally prescribed by law, and rare indeed should be the case 
 which warrants its remission. (1886. Rep. 43.) 
 
 419. No dispensation will be granted to permit a 
 lodge under dispensation to work with less than seven mem- 
 bers of the lodge. (1886. Dec. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 420. In no case from a general verdict of not guilty, 
 can an accuser or any Master Mason take an appeal to the 
 Grand Lodge. In the Committee's opinion, such a verdict 
 ends the case, and the brother accused cannot afterwards in 
 any manner be placed in jeopardy of his Masonic life upon 
 the same charge. In connection with the decision reported, 
 the minority report asks the question : "Can an accuser," on 
 the trial of a brother for Unmasonic conduct, or any other 
 charge, appeal from the decision of the lodge on a general 
 verdict of not guilty?" which they answer: "It is the sense 
 of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina that an accuser shall 
 have the right of appeal from a general verdict of not 
 guilty to the Grand Lodge," which minority report was 
 voted down. (1886. Rep. 31.) 
 
 421. Respecting the case of a brother from 
 
 Lodge, the Committee are of the opinion that the evidence 
 does not disclose such facts as would warrant a sentence so 
 severe, and recommend that the sentence be revoked and 
 the judgment of expulsion be reversed. The charge is for 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 99 
 
 drunkenness, and the evidence does not show that the 
 accused is an habitual drunkard, nor does it show that 
 milder measures were first adopted for his reformation. 
 The evidence being so slight, your Committee have not felt 
 themselves warranted in even recommending the infliction 
 of a punishment less in degree than expulsion. (1886. Rep, 
 38.) 
 
 422. Respecting the case of ■ — Lodge vs. — - — , 
 
 your Committee are of opinion that the judgment of Subor- 
 dinate Lodge should be set aside and the sentence revoked. 
 This is a case in which the brother was accused of drinking 
 intoxicating liquors, selling spirituous liquors and abandon- 
 ing his family. At a Special Communication appointed 
 for his trial, he, although notified, failed to appear. At the 
 next Regular Communication a specification was added that 
 he had failed to obey a lawful summons. Another Special 
 Communication was ordered, and the accused was tried upon 
 the last named specification and was declared expelled. 
 There appears no evidence in the transcript furnished your 
 Committee, proof of this specification, under the circum- 
 stances does not support the charge of Unmasonic conduct. 
 And further, it is not shown by the transcript that any 
 copy of this last specification was ever furnished the 
 accused. Before leaving this case, your Committee desire 
 to intimate that, in their view, the accused- may still be 
 tried upon the charge, supported by evidence establishing 
 the truth of the specification that he has abandoned his fam- 
 ily, or upon a charge of habitual drunkenness, if by proper 
 and convincing evidence it can be made to appear that he 
 is an habitual drunkard. (1886. Rep. 38.) 
 
 423. A Mason applying for membership, with a dimit, 
 does not come within the operation of the section of the 
 Code, Art VI, Sec. 8, which requires twelve months pre- 
 vious residence before the petition can be entertained. 
 (1887. Dec. 10. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 424. A Mason was elected Treasurer; after his elec- 
 tion, but before his installation, it was discovered that his 
 
TOO DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 financial record towards his creditors was very unsatis- 
 factory, but the lodge did not care to prefer charges upon 
 this account. The advice was given to pass a By-law 
 requiring the Treasurer to give a bond. (1887. Dec. 10. 
 Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 425. When a petitioner had been rejected by one of 
 the two lodges in a town, and after twelve months applied 
 to the other, and consent of the first lodge was sought by 
 the second to entertain the petition. Held, that it required 
 only a majority vote to grant such permission to the second 
 lodge. A clear ballot was not required. (1887. Dec. 10. 
 Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 426. A dispensation to elect a Secretary in the place of 
 one who has removed to Chicago. The duties of Secretary 
 must be performed until the end of the Masonic year by a 
 Secretary pro tem. So a Tiler appointed to fill a vacancy 
 caused by death is a pro tem. Tiler, and need not be installed. 
 (18S7. Dec. 10. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 427. A non-affiliated Mason has no right to visit any 
 lodge ; but may be invited to visit any lodge once. The fee 
 of a non-affiliate upon a petition for membership is only the 
 fee for membership, not for the degrees. (1887. Dec. 10. 
 Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 428. A Senior Warden presiding has no right to call a 
 Special Communication if the Worshipful Master is within 
 the jurisdiction of the lodge. The call is the act of the 
 Worshipful Master and not of the presiding officer. (1887. 
 Dec. 11. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 429. A petitioner who has lost his right thumb and 
 part of two of his fingers can not be elected to receive the 
 degrees. No dispensation can be issued authorizing it. 
 (1887. Dec. 11. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 430. An officer elect can be installed by proxy when 
 he is unavoidably absent, but not against his protest. A 
 brother can not be elected against his wishes, installed by 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. IOl 
 
 proxv and forced to serve. An installation under such 
 circumstances is void. (1887. Dec. n. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 431. "Assessments upon the members of a lodge for 
 Masonic charity are not unconstitutional." As to what is 
 charity, in ordinary cases, the lodge must decide. Decision 
 of 1885, Page 90, affirmed. (1887. Dec. 11. Busbee, G. M.) 
 
 431a. Where a profane lives six months in the juris- 
 diction of one lodge, and the other six months of each year 
 he resides in the jurisdiction of another lodge, he may peti- 
 tion either lodge. (1S87. Rep. 43.) 
 
 432. The solid foundation on which we build is belief 
 in God. "No atheist can be made a Mason." Belief in God 
 carries with it the belief in His control of the universe and 
 the direction of all affairs, and this involves a belief in our 
 individual responsibility to Him, and the duty of conform- 
 ing to His moral law r . There is no place in our Order for 
 anarchists or conspirators against government and law; 
 the teachings of Masonry accord with the law of God. (1888. 
 Address. Robinson, G. M.) 
 
 433. Every wilful violation of the criminal law of the 
 land by a Mason is a Masonic offense, regardless of the fact 
 that the person against whom it is committed be not a 
 Mason. (1888. Dec. 11. Robinson, G. M.) 
 
 434. Can a lodge dimitting a member bring charges 
 against him for an offense alleged to have been committed 
 before the dimit was granted? Held, that it can. [Mitch- 
 ell's Digest, Vol. 2, page 577.] (1888. Dec. n. Robinson, 
 G. M.) 
 
 435. No Mason can be called to account for the vote he 
 has deposited. No enquiry on this subject can be enter- 
 tained, no information can be received. [Mackey's Masonic 
 Jurisprudence.] (1888. Dec. 11. Robinson, G. M.) 
 
 436. A petition for degrees must be signed by the 
 petitioner; cannot be signed by a proxy. (1888. Dec. 11. 
 Robinson, G. M.) 
 
102 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 437. A Subordinate Lodge tried and indefinitely 
 suspended three of its members, and these suspended 
 brethren appealed to this Grand Lodge. They then claimed 
 the right to visit the lodge as usual, on the ground that the 
 appeal vacated the judgment. 
 
 Article XIV, Section 7, as amended in 1886, is as follows : 
 "A Mason whose appeal from the sentence of a lodge is 
 sustained by the Grand Lodge is acquitted, and entitled 
 to the privilege of his lodge as though there had not been a 
 trial; the appeal vacates the judgment, and the sustaining 
 of the appeal is a vindication of the accused." I do not 
 understand this to allow suspended Masons the privileges 
 of the lodge until the appeal is heard and decided, and I 
 instructed the Master to keep them out of his lodge. (1889. 
 Dec. 9. Robinson, G. M.) 
 
 438. The Committee on Jurisprudence, to which was 
 referred the decision of the Grand Master relative to the 
 right of a Mason expelled or suspended, but wmo has 
 appealed to the Grand Lodge, to visit the lodge pending 
 the appeal, beg leave to report that, in the opinion of the 
 Committee, the decision of the Grand Master is in accord- 
 ance with Masonic law and usage. (1889. Rep. 29.) 
 
 439. In the case from Lodge, your Committee 
 
 recommend that judgment be reversed, for the reason that 
 summons is illegal, not having seal of the lodge, and not 
 specifying charges as required by Code, and for the further 
 reason that it appears in evidence returned with appeal that 
 the lodge commenced the trial an hour earlier than time 
 indicated in summons. (1889. Rep. 37.) 
 
 440. In this connection it may not be amiss to empha- 
 size some facts which are occasionally overlooked. It is not 
 in the power of the Grand Master to reverse a ballot, to 
 permit a second ballot to be taken upon a petition at a sub- 
 sequent meeting, to allow an application for degrees to be 
 entertained until twelve months have elapsed since such 
 application was rejected, to grant a dispensation to entertain 
 a petition from a sojourner or non-resident. Requests of 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 103 
 
 this character have been received by me, and have been 
 unhesitatingly refused. The same Masonic law governs 
 the humblest Entered Apprentice and the Grand Master. 
 The highest prerogative of the Grand Master is to expound 
 the law, and set an example to the Craftsmen and lodges 
 over whom he presides, by a faithful, unwavering adher- 
 ence to its tenets. (1890. Dec. 10. Smith, G. M.) 
 
 441. No candidate should be advanced until he has 
 made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree. (1891. 
 Rep. 19.) 
 
 442. A Mason convicted in a Subordinate Lodge is 
 entitled to no Masonic privileges during the pending of the 
 appeal. (1891. Rep. 37.) 
 
 .443. The highest exponent of Masonic law in North 
 Carolina is the Grand Lodge. From its decision there is no 
 appeal. 
 
 It can make, and, if desirable, construe the law. 
 
 Every Mason is bound by a most solemn obligation to 
 respect and "obey the edicts of the Grand Lodge." 
 
 When this tribunal says, thou shalt, or thou shalt not, 
 I know of no power to avoid a rigid observance of its man- 
 dates, nor indeed should we desire to do so. Hence, I have 
 refused to authorize by dispensation anything plainly for- 
 bidden in our Code. 
 
 To illustrate, the law says a petition shall lie over one 
 month. I have been asked to allow lodges for reason, not 
 expressly mentioned as an exception, to act before the 
 expiration of the month. This I have refused, because I 
 had no power to act. (1892. Dec. 11. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 444. Dispensation refused to permit a Mason to be 
 elected Master who had not served as a Warden. (1892. Dec. 
 
 11. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 445. Dispensation refused to permit a lodge to enter- 
 tain the petition of a sojourner not having permission from 
 the Grand Jurisdiction from which he hails. (1892. Dec. 
 
 12. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
ro4 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 446. Dispensation refused to re-ballot before the 
 expiration of twelve months from date of rejection. (1X92. 
 Dec. T2. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 447. Dispensation refused to allow a lodge to act upon 
 a petition at a special meeting. (1892. Dec. 12. Gudger, 
 G. M.) 
 
 448. Dispensation refused to permit a new, or second, 
 ballot after the meeting closed at which the applicant was 
 rejected. (1892. Dec. 12. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 449. Dispensation refused to allow an officer to resign 
 and install another in his stead. (1892. Dec. 12. Gudger, 
 G. M.) 
 
 450. If a lodge has acted on a petition for degrees and 
 conferred one or more degrees, not having raised the candi- 
 date, or if the candidate has been elected only and the 
 lodge discovers that it has no jurisdiction, it should not pro- 
 ceed further without the written consent of the lodge hav- 
 ing jurisdiction. (1892. Dec. 12. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 451. A candidate having a stiff knee is physically dis- 
 qualified for the degrees; so also a man with only one leg. 
 (1892. Dec. 12. Gudger, G. M. See also P. 48.) 
 
 452. The meeting of a lodge at any other hour than 
 that fixed by the By-laws is not a regular meeting. (1892. 
 Dec. 12. Gudger, G. M*) 
 
 453. A lodge having jurisdiction of a candidate may 
 grant permission to another lodge to entertain the petition 
 of such candidate for the degrees by a unanimous vote; a 
 majority vote is not sufficient. (1892. Dec. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 454. A man who can not read or write is eligible to 
 the degrees of Masonry, if otherwise qualified. (1892. Dec. 
 12. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 455. A lodge can entertain a petition of a dimitted 
 Mason for membership, whether he lives in the jurisdiction 
 or not. (1892. Dec. 12. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 456. If a member of a lodge objects to the initiation, 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 105 
 
 passing or raising of a candidate, it is the duty of the lodge 
 to arrest proceedings until such objection has been with- 
 drawn ; and if the member that objects takes his dimit from 
 the lodge such act has the effect of withdrawing the objec- 
 tion. (1892. Dec 12. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 457. Cerneauism has not yet made its appearance in 
 this Grand Jurisdiction, though I have reason to suspect 
 that efforts will be made to introduce it. 
 
 In the absence of Grand Lodge action, I have deter- 
 mined to interdict it. Now that the Grand Lodge is in 
 session, I present the question to you for consideration. In 
 my judgment this Grand Lodge should emphatically con- 
 demn it. It has given much trouble in some of our sister 
 jurisdictions; in one (Iowa) going so far as to invoke the 
 assistance of the civil courts to more substantially enforce 
 its establishment. And in Ohio it has gone so far as to set 
 up a Grand Lodge of its own, and impudentl} T asked the 
 Supreme Court of the State to decide that it was an inde- 
 pendent body. Such conduct is reprehensible in the 
 extreme, shows a rebellious spirit and a total disregard of 
 the very fundamental principles of Masonry. While our 
 actions on all matters should be of a conservative character, 
 it should, in this instance, be firm and decided, and it 
 should be a Masonic offense for a Master Mason to join 
 them. (1892. Dec. 13. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 458. The Committee to whom was referred that part 
 of the Grand Master's address relating to Cerneauism, sub- 
 mit the following report and recommendations: 
 
 Whereas, The Grand Lodge of North Carolina is the 
 sole custodian of the whole system of symbolic Masonry in 
 the State of North Carolina, and 
 
 Whereas, After investigation, your Committee finds 
 that the organization known as the Cerneau body has, in 
 other jurisdictions, been productive of discord and disturb- 
 ing the peace and harmony of the Craft, and interfered 
 with the legitimate jurisdiction of the established Grand 
 Bodies in other States and has held communication with the 
 14 
 
lo6 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 Grand Orient of France, an atheistic clandestine Grand Body, 
 therefore, your Committee respectfully recommend the 
 adoption of the following resolutions: 
 
 i, No lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction shall recognize 
 or hold communication with any Cerneau body, or its mem- 
 bers, and shall discountenance the establishment of any of 
 its branches in this Jurisdiction. 
 
 2, That in the Tiler's O. B. be included, "I am not a 
 member of, or in communication with, any body of the 
 so-called Cerneau Scottish Rite." (1892. Rep. 46.) 
 
 459. In the face of the clearly set forth fact that the 
 Grand Master possessed no prerogative to set aside the 
 plainly written statutes of the Grand Lodge, application for 
 this purpose has been made to me. These I have invariably 
 refused. The Grand Lodge is the law-making power, and 
 I still feel there is no excuse or reason for disobeying its 
 mandates. Indeed, I believe it would be a Masonic crime 
 to do so. The law is made to govern every Mason, and 
 applies to the Grand Master just as it does to the humblest 
 Master Mason. (1893. Dec. 15. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 460. Where a lodge attempted to suspend a member, 
 but there was no charge and no specifications, and the 
 whole case irregular, I decided that the proceedings were 
 null and void, and did not affect the standing of the brother. 
 (1893. Dec. 15. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 461. A lodge working under dispensation used mate- 
 rial of a sister lodge. This lodge must have known it had 
 no jurisdiction. As a punishment I withdrew the dispensa- 
 tion. (1893. Dec. 15. Gudger, G. M.) 
 
 462. In the By-laws of Lodge, your Committee 
 
 find a provision: "Any member who shall enter the Lodge 
 in a state of intoxication shall stand excluded ipso facto." 
 In lieu of this, your Committee recommend a provision that 
 such misconduct, when admitted or proven on a trial for 
 the offense, shall exclude the parties charged. He is enti- 
 tled by the Code to notice of the charge and trial. In the 
 same By-laws your Committee find provision that no 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. IO7 
 
 brother shall be tried except upon charges preferred by the 
 Vigilance Committee, which provision is in conflict with 
 Section, i, Article XIV, of the By-laws of the Grand 
 Lodge governing the conduct of lodges in trials. Your 
 Committee respectfully recommend that the By-laws of 
 this lodge be amended by providing that charges may be 
 preferred by any Master Mason or by the Vigilance Com- 
 mittee. (1893. Rep. 38.) 
 
 463. The communication from the Grand Lodge of 
 North Dakota as to the regularity of a dimit granted by a 
 lodge in this jurisdiction to an Entered Apprentice, has 
 been considered by us. The law is not explicit, but your 
 Committee are of opinion that a dimit can regularly issue 
 only to a Master Mason and they so hold. (1893. Rep. 39.) 
 
 464. In a Masonic trial the evidence of a brother who 
 was Worshipful Master of a lodge in another Grand Juris- 
 diction, and who could not be present at the trial, being 
 necessary, held that it was proper to send a committee to 
 take the evidence of this brother, to be afterwards submitted 
 to the lodge, the accused brother being given ample notice 
 of this action, and to be present in person or by counsel 
 when the evidence is taken which he so desires. (1894. 
 Dec. 21. Gotten, G. M.) 
 
 465. A lodge wishing to enact an additional By-law, 
 the approval of the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, 
 when the Grand Lodge is not in session, is sufficient, and 
 makes said By-law of full force and effect. 
 
 Article XVI, Section 9, of the Code, is I think, very 
 clear in regard to this matter, but as it has been questioned 
 by a very distinguished brother I submit it to you for your 
 consideration. (1894. Dec. 22. Cotten, G. M.) 
 
 466. In my opinion, whenever a Mason is elected to 
 any position and accepts the same he thereby in honor 
 commits himself to the proper performance of the duties 
 attached thereto, and if he is unwilling or unable to properly 
 attend to them he should resign. (1894. Dec. 22. Cotten, 
 G. M.) 
 
io8 digest of masonic law. 
 
 467. The undersigned, to whom was referred the mat- 
 ter of jurisdiction, beg leave to report that, in the interest 
 of comity and good fellowship, the following ought to be 
 adopted as a guide to the action of our lodges on the line 
 of sister Grand Jurisdictions of other vStates. 
 
 1, That the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of North 
 Carolina is exclusive over all territory in the State of North 
 Carolina, and subject only to the paramount obligation of 
 preserving the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry; the 
 Grand Lodge of North Carolina possesses sovereign author- 
 ity over all Masons and lodges within the State of North 
 Carolina. That limitations of her jurisdiction are ceded in 
 a spirit of comity and fraternity to her sister Grand Lodges, 
 but with a reservation of right at any time to recall the 
 concession. 
 
 2, That any lodge in an adjoining State, working 
 under a charter from a Grand Lodge in correspondence 
 with the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, may entertain the 
 application of a citizen of this State residing by air line to 
 such lodge nearer to such lodge than to any lodge in this 
 State, and may confer the degrees upon such applicants, 
 and may admit them to membership, as if such lodge was 
 duly chartered by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and 
 that lodges of sister States of about equal air line distance 
 may have concurrent jurisdiction of material of the State 
 of North Carolina, provided that its own Grand Lodge con- 
 cedes the same privileges to the lodges of North Carolina. 
 
 3, That it is recommended that in all cases where an 
 application is made by a citizen of an adjoining State that 
 special inquiry be made of the lodge of the adjoining State 
 having jurisdiction, as to the fitness of the applicant to 
 become a Mason, and if there be any local objection to the 
 entertaining of the application. (1894. Res. 42.) 
 
 468. The penal jurisdiction of a lodge was equal to and 
 corresponded with its territorial jurisdiction, and that a 
 lodge has a right to arraign and try any Mason living in its 
 jurisdiction. (1895. Gotten, G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. I09 
 
 469. That a Mason who dimits from, his own lodge, 
 moves into the jurisdiction of another lodge, petitions for 
 membership, is rejected, can not apply for membership in 
 an)- other lodge without the consent of the lodge which 
 rejected him, as long as he lives in that jurisdiction. [Over- 
 ruled by Number 491. J (1895. Dec. 36. Gotten, G. M.) 
 
 470. A lodge can not try its Master, and 
 charges having been preferred against him by a member 
 and spread upon the minutes, I ordered the same to be 
 expunged from the record, the matter in controversy having 
 been settled by the Grand Lodge. (1S96. Dec. 16. Move, 
 G. M.) 
 
 471. Dimitted Masons and members of lodges which 
 have forfeited their charters are on the same footing, and 
 have no right to visit a lodge. [This does not prevent one 
 visit by a non-affiliate. Committee on Jurisprudence, Page 
 66.] (1896. Dec. 17. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 472. Business affecting the general interests of the 
 Craft should properly be transacted at a Regular Communi- 
 cation of the lodge. (1896. Dec. 17. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 473. A man who has white swelling, one leg being 
 shorter than the other, is eligible to be made a Mason, it 
 appearing that he is in sound health and has good means of 
 support. (1896. Dec. 17. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 474. A majority of the members present, and not of 
 
 those voting, was necessary to elect the Treasurer of 
 
 Lodge, the same being a matter of controversy among the 
 members. (This was approved by the Jurisprudence Com- 
 mittee, P. 67, with this addition): The decision that it 
 requires a majority of the members present to elect an offi- 
 cer is correct, if the attention of the lodge is directed to the 
 presence of non-voting members before the announcement 
 of the result. If members are present not voting, it would 
 seem to be the better practice to require them to vote 
 before declaring the result. If their presence is made 
 manifest, and they do not vote, we approve the decision 
 
IFO DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 that it requires a majority of all members present to elect. 
 (1896. Dec. 17. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 475. Having been officially requested to construe the 
 words "due proficiency" in the law relating to the advance- 
 ment of candidates, in order to establish a uniform practice 
 in all the lodges regarding the same, which at present does 
 not exist, I decided, as I believed for the good of the Order, 
 that candidates before advancement should be proficient in 
 all of the first section of the preceding degree. (1896. 
 Dec. 17. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 476. A Mason is not entitled to recognition in a Blue 
 Lodge as Past Master by virtue of having received the 
 Past Master's degree in a Royal Arch Chapter. (1H97. Dec. 
 19. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 477. A Mason's widow, having married one not a 
 Mason, forfeits all claim upon the Order for assistance. 
 (1897. Dec. 19. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 478. The Grand Lodges of North Carolina and Vir- 
 ginia having adopted resolutions mutually agreeable touch- 
 ing the question of concurrent jurisdiction, a lodge in North 
 Carolina may entertain the petition of a candidate living in 
 Virginia whose residence is nearer said lodge than any 
 lodge in his own State. (1897. Dec. 19 Moye, G. M.) 
 
 479. The minutes should be read and approved at the 
 close of each meeting. I find that some of the lodges defer 
 this until the following meeting, which is illegal. (1897. 
 Dec. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 480. A lodge exercises penal jurisdiction of a personal 
 nature over its own members and no matter where their 
 place of residence may be, can arraign and punish them 
 when guilty of wrong doing. (Com. on Jurisprudence 
 added) : The Grand Master means that a Lodge has both a 
 geographical and personal jurisdiction. With this we agree. 
 (1897. Dec. 19. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 48 1. A lodge must first be opened on the third degree, 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. Ill 
 
 and a Special Communication called for the purpose only 
 of conferring either of the other degrees, furnishes no 
 exception to the rule. (1897. Dec. 19. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 482. I find to my surprise that the question of lawful 
 age which I had supposed was well understood, is a subject 
 of discussion in some of the lodges. While in certain coun- 
 tries it is different, in the United States the usage is gen- 
 eral that a candidate shall be not less than twenty-one years 
 of age at the time of his initiation. (1S97. Dec. 19. Moye, 
 G. M.) 
 
 483. . There is no law exempting ministers of the Gos- 
 pel from the fees for the degrees. The fees must be paid 
 by all alike, and shall be held sacred for charitable or edu- 
 cational purposes unless the necessity should exist requiring 
 their use in providing suitable accommodations or essential 
 fixtures. (1897. Dec. 20. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 484. The latter clause of Article 6, Section 6, (of the 
 By-laws for the Government of Subordinate Lodges) does 
 not apply to a candidate who having received the first 
 degree fails to present himself for advancement within six 
 months afterwards. He can do so at any time, subject 
 however to a ballot if demanded by a member of thi 
 Lodge. (1897. Dec. 20. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 485. While profanity and drunkenness are declared to 
 be high Masonic crimes, I know of no law to punish a 
 Mason for the manufacture or sale of intoxicating drinks, 
 but if in conducting said business he acts in such a manner 
 as to constantly and openly violate every principle of moral 
 law, and by continued association with low, vile men, 
 brings reproach upon his lodge and shame upon the Order, 
 he would for these reasons be guilty of a grave Masonic 
 offense, and ought to be arraigned and punished for the 
 same. (1897. Dec. 20. Moye, G. M.) 
 
 486. If a lodge becomes dormant and surrenders its 
 charter, its members at once become non-affiliated, and at 
 any time before that lodge resumes labor, can petition 
 
112 DIGKST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 another lodge (having jurisdiction) for membership, but 
 when the dormant lodge has its charter properly restored 
 and resumes labor, that restores all members to the same 
 standing in the lodge they had when the lodge became dor- 
 mant, who have not in the interim become members of, or 
 had charges preferred, been tried, and sentence passed by 
 other lodges. (1898. Dec. 23. Moore, G. M.) 
 
 487. After a candidate has been elected to the degrees 
 and has taken one or two degrees, his failure to present 
 himself for the remaining degree or degrees does not affect 
 his right to have the same conferred, lapse of time alone 
 does not debar him, but any member has a right under the 
 Code of 1892, Section 14, Article X, to call for a ballot on 
 his application to be passed or raised. (1898. Dec. 22. 
 Moore, G. M.) 
 
 488. I have been called upon to construe this Section 
 as to whether a member can call for a ballot on a can- 
 didate who has been elected to the degrees, when 
 he presents himself for the Entered Apprentice degree. 
 I decided he could not as Section 14 of Article X 
 of the Code of 1892 applied only to passing and raising. 
 I am fully aware that this decision runs counter to the 
 decision of Past Grand Master Gudger, in Proceedings of 
 1892, Page 12. I have always considered that what the 
 statute does not authorize in plain terms it prohibits. I 
 have*' construed this Section strictly and take it that if the 
 Grand Lodge intended to apply it to an Entered Appren- 
 tice it could easily have inserted the word "initiation." 
 (1898. Dec. 23. Moore, G. M.) 
 
 489. I have been requested to grant dispensations to 
 allow lodges to act on petitions for the degrees, without 
 having lain over one month on the ground that it was a case 
 of pressing emergency, that the candidate was about to jour- 
 ney abroad, and on investigation found that the candi- 
 date was simply moving out of the jurisdiction of the lodge 
 and not out of this Grand Jurisdiction. I refused the dispen- 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. I 13 
 
 sation and decided that the word "abroad" meant beyond 
 the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. (1898. Dec. 23. 
 Moore, G. M.) 
 
 490. A Mason in a sister jurisdiction who was tried, 
 convicted and expelled for illegal intercourse with a brother 
 Mason's daughter, afterwards moved into this Grand Juris- 
 diction and petitioned a Subordinate Lodge for membership, 
 and I was asked to decide if his Masonic crime followed 
 him into this Jurisdiction. I, without hesitation, mental 
 reservation, or evasion, decided that it did and should follow 
 him to the ends of the earth. (1898. Dec. 23. Moore, 
 G. M.) 
 
 491. Whereas, At the Regular Annual Communication 
 of this Grand Lodge in 1895, Most Worshipful Grand 
 Master, in his address reported the following decision made 
 by him : 
 
 ''That a Mason who dim its from his own lodge, moves 
 into the jurisdiction of another lodge, petitions for 
 membership, is rejected, cannot apply for membership in 
 any other lodge without the consent of the lodge which 
 rejected him, as long as he lives in that jurisdiction." 
 
 And whereas, This decision, without being referred to 
 the Committee on Jurisprudence for consideration, was 
 inadvertently approved by the Grand Lodge,- 
 
 And whereas, It has been made to appear to the satis- 
 faction of the Grand Lodge that the decision is not in 
 accordance with well established Masonic law and custom ; 
 therefore, be it 
 
 Resolved, 1st, That the approval of the decision afore- 
 said is revoked, and the said decision disapproved and 
 declared to be contrary to law. 
 
 Resolved, 2nd, That it is the opinion of this Grand 
 Lodge and it so declares, that it is the right and privilege 
 of a Master Mason who has received a dimit from his lodge 
 to apply for membership to any other lodge as often as he 
 may be rejected. (1898. Rep. and Rep. 59. 63.) 
 
 15 
 
114 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 492. In the appeal from - Lodge, your Commit- 
 tee find : 
 
 1 st, That the charges set forth in specification first of 
 the bill of charges is not sustained by the evidence, and 
 shoidd have been dismissed. 
 
 2nd, That specification second is defective in that it 
 fails to set forth any specific charges upon which to base a 
 judgment. 
 
 3rd, That the trial was irregular and illegal, in that a 
 visiting brother was allowed to remain in the lodge when 
 the ballot was taken for suspension, Article 14, vSection 5. 
 
 Therefore recommend that action of the lodge in 
 indefinitely suspending the brother be not sustained. (1 898. 
 Rep. 72.) 
 
 493. Petition from Lodge to entertain petition 
 
 for the degrees from a man with left hand off from birth 
 was denied. (1899. Rep. 61.) 
 
 494. Grand Lodge acted adversely on amendment 
 reading: "When an applicant for degrees, who has lost a 
 left hand or either foot, and is otherwise physically sound 
 and morally upright, shall be eligible to receive the degrees 
 of Masonry." (1899. Rep. 68.) 
 
 495. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge 
 that the ceremony of laying a cornerstone should be held in 
 open lodge, called and announced as being held for that 
 purpose alone. (1899. Rep. 72.) 
 
 496. An E. A. or F. C. Lodge cannot be opened at a 
 called meeting for the purpose of conferring the E. A. or 
 F. C. degree, without first opening in the Master's degree. 
 Every lodge must first be opened in the Master Mason's 
 degree, then labor dispensed with in the Master Mason's 
 degree for the purpose of opening a lodge on the first or 
 second degree for work and instruction. (1900. Dec. 13. 
 Noble, G. M.) 
 
 497. I have been asked several times for a dispensa- 
 tion to allow a man without a hand or foot to be given the 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 115 
 
 degrees of Masonry. I have refused them in every case, 
 and have referred them to the proceeding's of the Grand 
 Lodge of 1899, which says: "In either form we regard 
 the amendment as an attempted innovation upon the Ancient 
 Landmarks, and we recommend that it do not pass." (1900. 
 Dec. 13. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 498. A member of A Lodge, then defunct, petitioned 
 B Lodge for affiliation and was rejected August 2nd. At 
 the succeeding communication, on August 16th, the same 
 petition w r as called up and acted upon favorably. What is 
 the status of the brother? Held, that the brother was a 
 member of B Lodge; that while the action of the lodge was 
 irregular, it was no fault of the brother that the lodge did 
 not proceed regularly. (1900. Dec. 14. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 499. A certain lodge received a petition for member- 
 ship and acted upon it favorably at the same meeting. The 
 brother attended the lodge for some months as a member, 
 when it was suggested that the brother had not been 
 received regularly, and that he ought to send in another 
 petition, which he did, and was rejected. What was his 
 status? Held, that he was a member of that lodge; that he 
 should not be made to suffer for the irregular action of the 
 lodge, as he acted in good faith. (1900. Dec. 14. Noble, G.M.) 
 
 500. I was asked how many ballots can be taken when 
 balloting on a candidate for the degrees. Ans. Two. 
 (1900. Dec. 14. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 501. Has an officer the right to say how many black- 
 balls there are in a ballot? Ans. No. (1900. Dec. 14. 
 Noble, G. M.) 
 
 502. If a Mason thinks the age of the petitioner will 
 not entitle him to the degrees of Masonry, can he cast a 
 blackball without being held up to be criticised by members 
 of the lodge? Ans. Yes. (1900. Dec. 14. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 503. It seems that Lodge took three ballots 
 
 upon a petition for the degrees. "Was the third ballot 
 
I I 6 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 legal?" The Code says: "A second ballot may be demanded 
 to be satisfied of no mistake, which ballot cannot be recon- 
 sidered." Therefore, the third ballot was illegal, and the 
 candidate was rejected. (1900. Dec. 14. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 504. Q. In a Masonic trial, where the Master is the 
 prosecutor; can he preside? 
 
 A. If present, he must preside. (1900. Dec. 14. 
 Noble, G. M.) 
 
 505. Q. Can a lodge appoint a committee to inves- 
 tigate a case out of the lodge, where the Master is the 
 defendant? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 It seems in the above two questions that behind them 
 is a question as to who is in the right, the Master or a 
 brother. (Committee on Jurisprudence adds): Charges 
 can not be preferred against a Master in a Subordinate 
 Lodge except in the manner provided for in the By-laws. 
 (1900. Dec. 14. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 506. In December, 1889, a candidate received the E. A. 
 degree in A Lodge, paying the full fees for the three 
 degrees. Four years later it merged into B Lodge, taking 
 all of the property of A Lodge. Nine years after taking 
 the E. A. degree he asks B Lodge to confer the Fellow 
 Craft and Master Mason's degrees. B Lodge asks if he 
 belongs to them and must it confer the degrees without his 
 paying for them? I answered, "Yes." That when A 
 Lodge surrendered its charter, its E. A. became the material 
 of B Lodge, and as, by agreement, B Lodge inherited all of 
 the property of A Lodge, it would seem right and proper 
 for B Lodge to assume its liabilities. If the candidate has 
 behaved himself in such a way, since his initiation as not 
 to entitle him to the other two degrees, a ballot should be 
 requested before he is passed, and stop him. (1900. Dec. 
 15. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 507. In a case from Lodge, a brother had 
 
 asked for a dimit, but as he was under a cloud, it was laid 
 
digest of masonic law, iij 
 
 over. (He was then living in another State.) Soon after, 
 the lodge received a letter from some friends of the brother 
 stating that they thought an injustice had been done the 
 brother, that he was in delicate health and wanted the dimit 
 at once. So a Special Communication was called on Tues- 
 day night, and the dimit granted, which was mailed him 
 Wednesday morning. Wednesday evening a letter was 
 received stating that the brother died Tuesday morning, 
 twelve hours before the dimit was granted. Was he a mem- 
 ber of the lodge in good standing when he died? Answer. 
 "Yes." (1900. Dec. 15. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 508. A party petitioned for membership, which was 
 referred to a committee as usual. At the next Regular 
 Communication, none of the committee being present, the 
 lodge proceeded to ballot on the petition and it was rejected. 
 Question. Could the lodge ballot on the petition without a 
 report from the committee? Answer. No. That the com- 
 mittee must report before a ballot could be taken. The 
 report of the committee must be in writing, if they are 
 absent, or it may be verbally if present; that the ballot was 
 illegal and the candidate not rejected. (1900. Dec. 15. 
 Noble, G. M.) 
 
 509. What is, in your opinion, meant by "abroad" in 
 the fifth line of Section 3, Article X, of the Code; and is it 
 within the province of the Master of a lodge to decide for 
 himself when such an emergency exists and to" act without 
 a dispensation from the Grand Master? For instance, a 
 man living in a town where there is a prosperous lodge 
 cares nothing for Masonry and does not see fit to petition 
 until he is going to move from the town or join the army. 
 Here he is about to travel "abroad"; but he is evidently 
 asking to be made a Mason in order that he may be bene- 
 fited by Masonry, not that he cares to benefit Masonry, 
 and a dispensation should be refused. In another case a 
 civil engineer who is on the move all the time, never living 
 in one place long enough to accmire Masonic residence, is 
 returning home for a vacation, desires to be made a Mason. 
 
Il8 DIGEST OF MASONIC J. AW. 
 
 This being his first opportunity he has had, and docs not 
 know how long he will be at home before he is ordered to 
 travel "abroad", a dispensation should be granted in this 
 ease. I think that the Grand Master should be asked for a 
 dispensation in all eases. (Com. on Jurisp. P. 7S, add): The 
 ruling concerning the proper meaning of the word "abroad" 
 is one which is not disapproved. Each case must rest upon its 
 individual merits. The Master has no power to act. It 
 must be referred to the Grand Master, and his discretion is 
 final. Of course it ought not to be and will not be abused. 
 It seems to the Committee that the distinction between the 
 cases is rather finely drawn, and the degrees might have 
 been conferred on the civil engineer at the request of the 
 lodge at the place of his temporary residence, but we do 
 not suggest the disapproval of the decision. (1900. Dec. 16. 
 Noble, G. M.) 
 
 510. Dispensation issued to -~ Lodge, authorizing 
 
 them to return the initiation fee to a party who, after being 
 accepted, decided that he did not want to belong to the 
 Order if the degrees were to be conferred on a person whom 
 he considered unfit. The degrees to the objectionable per- 
 son were to be given at the request of a sister lodge. (1900. 
 Dec. 21. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 511. Dispensation refused to allow a lodge to receive 
 and ballot on petition of a person who has not resided 
 within its jurisdiction the required time (twelve months), 
 and all such requests were referred to Sections 5, 6 and 7 of 
 Article X, of the Code, especially Section 5, which says: 
 "The application of a petitioner whose residence is nearer 
 to some other lodge shall not be entertained without the 
 written consent of such lodge." So when a person removes 
 from the jurisdiction of a lodge and desires to be made a 
 Mason, he should ask the consent of the lodge from whose 
 jurisdiction he has moved. As I understand it, it does not 
 take a unanimous ballot — only a majority. His vote simply 
 allows the other lodge to entertain the petition and waives 
 the rio-ht to the fee. I do not think the Grand Master has 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 119 
 
 the right to override the By-laws at will. (Committee on 
 Jurisprudence, Page 79, adds): "Your Committee approves 
 the construction placed by the Grand Master on Article X, 
 Section 5, of the By-laws of the Grand Lodge, and concurs 
 with him that the written consent of the lodge from which 
 the consent is asked to entertain the petition means a major- 
 ity consent and not a unanimous consent. This does not 
 dispense with the ballot in the lodge in which he makes 
 application. (1900. Dec. 22. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 512. There seems to be an idea that where a Fellow 
 Craft is raised by request that he is a non-affiliate and can 
 petition any lodge for membership. Such is not the case. 
 He must sign the By-laws of the lodge that accepted him. 
 See Code 1897, Page 36, Section 4, Article X. (The Com- 
 mittee on Jurisprudence, Page 79, add): We heartily 
 commend the construction placed upon Article X, Section 
 4, of the Grand Lodge By-laws that a Master Mason must 
 sign the By-laws of the lodge in which he is elected to mem. 
 bership, and a Fellow Craft, after being raised, must sign 
 the By-laws of the lodge in which he is elected to the 
 degrees — this being irrespective of the lodge that confers 
 the work. (1900. Dec. 23. Noble, G. M.) 
 
 513. Applicants for degrees who have lived all their 
 lives in a county where there are several lodges, moving 
 from the jurisdiction of one lodge to that of another in the 
 same county, are not entitled to have their applications 
 acted upon until they have resided for 12 months, next pre- 
 ceding the date of such applications, within the jurisdic- 
 tion of the lodge to which they make application. (Com- 
 mittee on Jurisprudence, Page 88, approve and add): 
 Unless written permission shall be granted by the lodge 
 from whose jurisdiction the candidate has removed. We 
 construe the provision in Article X, Section 5, concerning 
 the consent of the lodge nearest the residence of the peti- 
 tioner, to include the past residence during the twelve 
 months, as well as the present residence. (1901. Dec. 17. 
 Royster, G. M.) 
 
120 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 514. The application of an expelled Mason for resto- 
 ration must be referred to a committee, lie over for at 
 least one month, and be balloted on in like manner as peti- 
 tions for the degrees. The members of the lodge shall be 
 summoned to attend the meeting at which such petition is 
 to be acted upon. After the committee makes its report, 
 the petition can not be withdrawn, but ballot must be 
 taken. (1901. Dec. 17. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 515. One who has taken the E. A. degree can not take 
 the remaining degrees in another lodge, except by the 
 unanimous consent of the lodge in which he was elected. 
 He is still subject to the jurisdiction of the lodge which 
 elected him, and may make application to such lodge for 
 the degrees at any time. The fact of his neglecting to 
 apply for such degrees for a period of eight years does 
 not work a forfeiture of his right to apply now. (The Com- 
 mittee on Jurisprudence, Page 88, add): The Committee 
 do not interpret the decision to mean that a new ballot is 
 required unless demanded. (1901. Dec. 17. Royster, G.M.) 
 
 516. A party who removes from one part of the State 
 to another, and lives for several years, and then returns to 
 his former home, can not apply for the degrees until he shall 
 have resided for twelve months within the jurisdiction of 
 the lodge to which he makes application. (Committee on 
 Jurisprudence, Page 89, add): Unless written permission 
 shall be granted by the lodge from whose jurisdiction the 
 candidate has removed. (1901. Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 517. A brother holding a dimit is not required to pre- 
 sent the same for membership in another lodge within any 
 given time. (1901. Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 518. A party 61 years of age, receiving a pension from 
 the United States government, not physically deformed, 
 has sufficient means of support and is otherwise qualified, is 
 eligible to membership. (1901. Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 519. A Master Mason holding a dimit may apply for 
 membership in any lodge when and as often as he pleases. 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 12 1 
 
 It does not require a twelve months residence within the 
 jurisdiction of the lodge before a Master Mason holding a 
 dimit may apply for membership in such lodge. (1901. 
 Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 520. A brother making application for advancement, 
 and being rejected, may renew his application at any time 
 thereafter, and as often as he may please. (1901. Dec. 18. 
 Royster, G. M.) 
 
 521. The degrees maybe conferred on as many as five 
 at the same communication; but no more than one candi- 
 date can be received, or obligated, or raised at the same 
 time. (1901. Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 522. It does not require a unanimous vote to remove a 
 lodge from one part of a town to another part of the same 
 town. (1901. Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 523. It is the duty of a lodge to bury, with Masonic 
 honors, one of its members who commits suicide. One con- 
 victed of and executed for a capital felony should not be 
 buried with Masonic honors. (Committee on Jurisprudence, 
 Page 89, add) : In case of suicide the brother may have 
 been insane; in the case of conviction of a capital felonv, 
 approved, except in the improbable event that the lodge 
 shall have investigated the charge, and found the brother 
 "not guilty." (1901. Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 524. A party who has lost two fingers of his left hand 
 is eligible to the degrees in Masonry, provided he is other- 
 wise qualified and physically able to earn a livelihood. 
 (1901. Dec. 18. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 525. A Master Mason who has been elected to mem- 
 bership in a lodge, and acted as a member, paid dues, etc., 
 but who has not signed the By-laws, is a member of such 
 lodge. The Master, under such circumstances, would have 
 no right to declare him not a member of the lodge. (Com- 
 mittee on Jurisprudence, Page 89, add): A Mason is not a 
 member of a lodge until he shall have signed the Bv-laws. 
 
 16 
 
122 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 But after a Mason shall have been elected to membership 
 in a lodge, or shall have received the degrees of Masonry, 
 upon petition he has a right to sign the By-laws and 
 become a member* If by inadvertance he does not sign, 
 an opportunity should be given him to sign. Upon his 
 failure or refusal so to do, the Master has a right, and it is 
 his duty to declare that he is not a member. This does not 
 interfere with the right of the lodge or any member to pre- 
 fer charges against such member as a Mason residing in its 
 jurisdiction for any Masonic offense. The wilful refusal 
 of any such Mason who has for some time acted as a mem- 
 ber with all the rights and privileges of such, to sign the 
 By-laws, (as he was presumed to have done), or to attempt 
 to take advantage of his own wrong in refusing to sign the 
 By-laws, is a Masonic offense. (1901. Dec. 19. Royster, 
 G. M.) 
 
 526. The Regular Communications of a lodge are 
 fixed by its By-laws, and it cannot hold such Regular Com- 
 munications on any other days than those named in such 
 By-laws. A lodge has no right to hold its Regular Monthly 
 Communication a week in advance of the day named for 
 such communication in its By-laws. (1901. Dec. 1.9. 
 Royster, G. M.) 
 
 527. A brother against whom charges are preferred, 
 who is present at the time charges are preferred and accepts 
 service in open lodge of the notice of the time for the trial 
 of. such charges, thereby waives his right to demand that 
 such notice be served on him as prescribed in the Code. 
 (Committee on Jurisprudence, Page 89, add): But a copy 
 of the charges and specifications should be served upon the 
 accused. (1901. Dec. 19. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 528. A lodge has no right to assess its members for 
 the purpose of building a hall, and if a member refuses to 
 pay such assessment the lodge would have no right to 
 exclude him. (Committee on Jurisprudence, Page 89, add) : 
 There can be no punishment inflicted for the non-payment 
 of any assessment directed by a lodge. Any payment of 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 1 23 
 
 any such assessment must be voluntary. We find no error 
 in the ruling of the Grand Master as to the right to punish. 
 (1901. Dec. 19. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 529. A petitioner whose right leg has been amputated 
 about four inches below the knee, and who wears an arti- 
 ficial limb, cannot be elected to receive the degrees. (1901. 
 Dec. 19. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 530. A lodge can not be opened for the transaction of 
 business with six of its own members and one visitor pres- 
 ent. There must be seven members present in person to 
 constitute a quorum. (1901. Dec. 19. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 531. When candidates for advancement are to be 
 examined the lodge should be opened in the third 
 degree. Then labor is dispensed with and the candidate 
 admitted and examined as to his proficiency. The Master 
 alone passes upon the proficiency of candidates. No vote 
 is necessary. (Committee on Jurisprudence, Page 89, add): 
 This does not affect the right of any member to demand a 
 ballot upon the advancement of a candidate. (1901- Dec. 
 19. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 532. An excluded Mason may make application to the 
 lodge excluding him for restoration as often as such appli- 
 cation may be rejected, subject to the provisions contained 
 in "Report of Committee on Jurisprudence'-' adopted by 
 the Grand Lodge, 1888, on Page 46, Code 1897. (1901. 
 Dec. 19. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 533. A brother who asked for and is granted a dimit 
 by his lodge, the same becomes effective at once. The time 
 of its actual delivery, or non-delivery, by the Secretary to 
 the brother, has no bearing on its status. As soon as the 
 lodge acted upon and granted the dimit, the brother ceased 
 to be a member, and the only way by which he can regain 
 his membership is by petition in the regular manner as 
 prescribed in the Code. (1901. Dec. 20. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 534. A Mason under sentence of indefinite suspension 
 or expulsion who applies for restoration and is rejected can 
 
124 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 not apply again within one year from the date of such re- 
 jection. (Committee on Jurisprudence, Page 90, add): The 
 language of Article X, Section 13, is probably broad enough 
 to cover the case. (1901. Dec. 20. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 535. A dimitted Mason whose application for member- 
 ship is rejected has no right to demand that he be received 
 as a member, or that the lodge prefer charges against him. 
 (1901. Dec. 20. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 536. In the case from Lodge, your Committee 
 
 find: 1, that the brother was expelled for disobeying a 
 legal summons, 2, which was sent him by registered mail 
 and returned to said lodge undelivered ; hence was not 
 received by the brother; and 3, that at the time the said 
 summons was registered the brother was in a remote por- 
 tion of Florida and probably his proper address was 
 unknown to the said lodge and, 4, that the said lodge has 
 surrendered its charter, therefore, your Committee recom- 
 mend that the brother be restored by the Grand Lodge to 
 Masonry without prejudice. (1901. Rep. 75.) 
 
 538. Where a Grand Master suspends a Master of a 
 lodge from his office and causes a certified copy of his letter 
 of suspension to be given the suspended brother, it is 
 proper for the Grand Lodge to appoint a committee to pre- 
 fer charges and proceed with a trial of him on the specifi- 
 cations. (1901. Rep. 87.) 
 
 539. A party who enlisted in the Volunteer Army 
 during 1899, and who returned to his home in this State in 
 1 90 1, is eligible to the degrees. Act of Congress provides 
 that volunteer soldiers shall lose none of their rights of cit- 
 izenship. I regard Masonic and civil residence in the same 
 light. (1902. Dec. 20. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 540. A member of a lodge who produces the Secre- 
 tary's receipt that he has paid all lodge dues, and against 
 whom no charges are pending, is entitled to dimit, regard- 
 less of the fact that he does not intend to apply to another 
 lodge for membership. (1902. Dec. 20. Royster, G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 1 25 
 
 541. When the charter of a lodge is restored, all mem- 
 bers of said lodge in good standing at the time it became 
 dormant or surrendered its charter, become members of 
 such lodge upon restoration of charter, and no petition for 
 such membership is required. (1902. Dec. 20. Royster,G. M.) 
 
 542. The names of candidates whose applications are 
 to be balloted on should not be printed in notices of meet- 
 ings sent by a lodge to its members. (1902. Dec. 20. 
 Royster, G. M.) 
 
 543. When a lodge restores to membership one who 
 has been suspended, it can not thereafter rescind its action 
 restoring such member. If he be guilty of Unmasonic con- 
 duct, the proper way to deal with him would be to prefer 
 charges, and try him. (1902. Dec. 20. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 544. Every petition for initiation shall lie over for at 
 least one month before being balloted upon. This is true 
 even if a lodge meets every week, and notwithstanding the 
 provision of Section 3, Article VI, By-laws for Government 
 of Lodges. Section 3, Article X, of the By-laws of the 
 Grand Lodge controls. (1902. Dec. 20. Royster, G. M.) 
 
 545. In the case from Lodge, we find that it 
 
 does not appear that every facility was allowed the accused 
 for his defense, in that he was not permitted to be heard in 
 defense, as provided in Article XIV, Section 5, of the Code ; 
 nor does it appear that he was duly notified of the taking of 
 affidavits, which were read in evidence against him and over 
 his protest. It does appear, however, that hearsay evidence 
 was admitted against the accused. (See Article XIII, Sec- 
 tion 3, and Article XIV, Section 3, of the Code.) We, there- 
 fore, recommend that the Grand Lodge do not confirm the 
 proceedings in said case, and that a new trial be granted. 
 (1902. Rep. 91.) 
 
 546. Resolved, That the Directors of the Oxford 
 Orphan Asylum elected by the Grand Lodge, be requested 
 to attend the Annual Communications of the Grand Lodge, 
 and that their expenses be paid in the same manner as the 
 
126 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 expenses of the Grand officers are paid; that the expenses 
 of such Directors as are in attendance at this Communica- 
 tion be paid by the Grand Treasurer. (1902. Res. 107.) 
 
 547. Q. Is it obligatory for every member present in 
 the lodge room to vote for candidate? 
 
 A. Yes. (1903. Dec. 19. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 548. Q. If a candidate is elected and so declared by 
 a Master, can a member call for a new ballot, on ground of 
 irregularity, because some member present did not vote? 
 
 A. No. Every member present should have voted; 
 after the ballot was closed and results counted, it was not in 
 the power of the Master to re-open. (1903. Dec. 19. Clark, 
 G. M.) 
 
 548a. Q. Is a candidate who has a wooden leg eli- 
 gible for degrees in Masonry? 
 
 A. No. (1903. Dec. 19. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 549. Q. Can a Mason withdraw petition for member- 
 ship after same has been accepted and an investigating 
 committee appointed? 
 
 A. No. After petition has been received, it becomes 
 the property of the lodge and subject to regular course. 
 (1903. Dec. 19. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 550. Q. A member of A Lodge dimits and petitions 
 B Lodge and is rejected. What recourse has a brother? 
 
 A. He can petition that or any lodge in the jurisdic- 
 tion at their Regular Communication. (1903. Dec. 20. 
 Clark, G. M.) 
 
 551. Q. If one blackball is cast, can reason be 
 demanded? 
 
 A. No. The ballot box is sacred and absolutely 
 un questionable. (1903. Dec. 20. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 552. Q. Should a Mason dimitted from A Lodge be 
 rejected in B Lodge, and then return his dimit to A Lodge, 
 are they bound to restore his name to the roll? 
 
 A. Only by petition and election. (1903. Dec. 20. 
 Clark, G. M.) 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 127 
 
 553- Q- It ne should not petition A Lodge, what 
 and where is he? 
 
 A. Should he fail of election he belongs to that eye- 
 sore in North Carolina Masonry, Non-affiliative, and where 
 he is this deponent sayeth not. (1903- Dec. 20. Clark, 
 G. M.) 
 
 554. Q. Is an applicant wdth only one eye eligible 
 for the degrees in Masonry? 
 
 A. Yes. (1903. Dec. 20. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 555. Q. A party is made an Entered Apprentice 
 before the war, enlists in the army, and after the war 
 moves out West ; has lately returned, and now applies for 
 the other two degrees. Has he forfeited his privileges by 
 such delay! 
 
 A. No. (1903. Dec. 20. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 556. Q. A member of C Lodge dimits and applies 
 for membership in D Lodge; is rejected. Can he re-apply 
 for membership in C Lodge before the expiration of twelve 
 months? 
 
 A. Yes. The law applying to applicants for degrees 
 does not apply to a Master Mason ; he is at liberty to re-apply 
 as often as he sees fit to chance the ballot box. (1903. Dec. 
 20. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 557. Q. Can C Lodge entertain his petition at any 
 time without the consent of D Lodge while he is resident 
 nearer A Lodge? 
 
 A. Yes. Territorial limit does not apply to Master 
 Masons seeking membership as it does to applicants for 
 degrees. (1903. Dec. 20. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 558. A lodge has no right to suspend a member for 
 non-payment of dues. [Article XII, Sections 9 and 12 of 
 Code.] (1903. Rep. 108.) 
 
 559. Q. Can application for degrees be received b} T a 
 lodge from a party that is so deaf that he has to use an 
 ear trumpet? 
 
 A. No. 
 
T28 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 (Committee on Jurisprudence, P. 77, add): The Com- 
 mittee are of the opinion that total deafness, or such deaf- 
 ness as will incapacitate the applicant from properly receiv- 
 ing the degrees, would disqualify a petitioner from admission 
 to the degrees of Masonry. The use of an ear trumpet 
 would not of itself be sufficient, if the applicant could receive 
 the degrees, signs and pass words, according to the ancient 
 usages of the Craft, but would raise a strong presumption 
 of such disqualification. (1904. Dec. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 560. Q. Is an applicant who has lost his right hand 
 eligible for the degrees? 
 
 A. No. He can not conform to the requirements of 
 initiation. (1904. Dec. 16. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 561. Q. Can a lodge entertain the petition of a party 
 who has lost one arm ? 
 
 A. No. (1904. Dec. 16. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 562. Q. A brother is dismembered for non-payment 
 of dues, makes arrangements to settle them, and is ordered 
 to be reinstated at next communication; before that is held, 
 he is drowned. His widow requests Masonic funeral ; is he 
 entitled to it? 
 
 A. If the brother paid in full all dues that he owed the 
 lodge that reinstated him, he was entitled to Masonic burial, 
 if the body was recovered ; if he failed to make such settle- 
 ment, he died a non-affiliate, and was entitled to nothing. 
 Acting on the hypothesis that the body was recovered, and 
 was buried before this question was answered, I refer to 
 the case to especially place the stamp of disapproval upon 
 mock funerals, considering them a travesty upon one of the 
 most sacred rites. It is a custom growing beautifully less, 
 and should be discontinued entirely. (1904. Dec. 16. 
 Clark, G. M.) 
 
 563. Q. Is it obligatory to display charter in lodge? 
 A. No. The proper place is in the lodge room, where 
 
 it should be framed and hung on the walls, but the law 
 does not require it to be kept there. 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. I 29 
 
 (Committee on Jurisprudence, P. 77, add): Your Com - 
 ' mittee is of the opinion that when the lodge is opened the 
 charter must be present, preferably to be displayed as 
 decided by the Grand Master, and when the lodge is not 
 open it may be kept in any safe place. (1904. Dec. 16. 
 Clark, G. M.) 
 
 564. Q. A party makes application to a lodge in 
 another Grand Jurisdiction and is rejected. He subse- 
 quently moves into this Jurisdiction, apparently leads a 
 blameless life, and makes application to a lodge in this 
 Jurisdiction, making known his previous rejection. Can 
 the petition be entertained? 
 
 A. Permission to entertain or release should be secured 
 from the rejecting lodge before the lodge in this Jurisdic- 
 tion can accept petition. This decision is worthy of careful 
 consideration, and if I am reversed I shall not feel aggrieved. 
 I have simply given my construction of Article X, Sec. 13, 
 Page 39, of the Code, and was so governed because North 
 Carolina holds to the perpetual jurisdiction theory, a law 
 that I candidly think could oft times be honored in the 
 breach. This office is made to interpret the law and not 
 make it, and I have done so. 
 
 (Committee on Jurisprudence, P. 77, says): Approved, 
 and whatever doubt there is as to the expediency is for the 
 Grand Lodge. Neither the Grand Master nor this Commit- 
 tee can do otherwise than construe the law as they find it. 
 (1904. Dec. 16. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 565. Q. Can a petition be received from a party 
 under age, but will become of age before the petition is 
 acted upon? 
 
 A. No. Let him wait with patience till he is of 
 "lawful age and properly vouched for." (1904. Dec. 17. 
 Clark, G. M.) 
 
 566. Q. Can charges be preferred against a brother 
 for retailing whiskey? 
 
 A. No. The simple fact of a Mason selling whiskey 
 is no Masonic crime, and so long as he does not fracture the 
 17 
 
130 DIGEST OF Masonic LAW. 
 
 civil or Masonic law he is guilty of no offense. It is to be 
 observed, though, that Masonry discountenances the whiskey' 
 traffic, and stands boldly for sobriety and temperance. 
 (1904. Dec. 17. Clark, (J. M.) 
 
 567. Q. Can the degrees be conferred upon more than 
 one candidate at the same time? 
 
 A. But one candidate can be received and obligated at 
 a time. The explanatory lectures can be given to any num- 
 ber of candidates. 
 
 This question was, I think, very satisfactorily answered 
 by Past Grand Master Royster, and his decision having 
 been sustained by the Grand Lodge, I should not have 
 referred to it, had not one of our brightest Masons asked 
 for an official interpretation. (1904. Dec. 17. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 568. Q. Applicant is elected and initiated, and pre- 
 sents himself for advancement to the degree of F. C. A 
 member of the lodge objects. Query: Should the objec- 
 tion be made in open lodge, or the Master, in private, ask 
 for the ballot? 
 
 A. Objections should be made in open lodge; if rea- 
 sons are just and lawful, then the tiled recesses of the lodge 
 should be the objector's shield ; if they are to gratify a per- 
 sonal spite, then he should not endeavor to place the Master 
 in a position he was too timid to occupy. 
 
 (Committee on Jurisprudence, P. 77, add): Approved, 
 so far as it requires the objection to be made in open lodge. 
 While a member making the objection can not be required 
 to state his reasons therefor, still he may do so. (1904. 
 Dec. 17. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 569. Q. A Master Mason, expelled from B Lodge, 
 removes into the jurisdiction of C Lodge ; to which lodge 
 should he apply for reinstatement? 
 
 A. B Lodge having imposed the penalty, according to 
 Masonic law, he must apply to B Lodge for relief. (1904. 
 Dec. 18. Clark, G. M.) 
 
 570. In the case from Lodge, Bro. M. was 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 131 
 
 charged by Bro. P. with setting fire to his own store and the 
 town in which he lived. The evidence as certified in the 
 appeal shows that Bro. M. tried to settle the case with Bro. 
 P. ; that is, if Bro. P. would make a public retraction and 
 pay his attorney's fees. This Bro. P. refused to do, and 
 told him to crack his whip; whereupon, about five months 
 after the alleged slander, Bro. M. issued a summons from 
 the superior court in an action for slander. The charge 
 preferred against Bro. M. was for bringing an action in a 
 civil court before referring the matter to the lodge for set- 
 tlement. In the trial no attempt was made to substantiate 
 the charge that Bro. M. had set fire to his store and to the 
 town in which he lived, no brother appearing as a witness 
 against Bro. M. The lodge suspended Bro. M. for three 
 months, basing its action on the ground that for one Mason 
 to bring an action in a civil court against another Mason, 
 without first submitting the matter to the lodge, was a vio- 
 lation of Masonic law. Your Committee, after careful 
 investigation of the law as set down in the Code, and after 
 examining Mackey and Chase on Masonic law, and getting 
 the opinion of the brethren of this Grand Lodge well versed 
 in Masonic law, are unable to find any Masonic law which 
 forbids one Mason bringing an action at law against another 
 Mason without first submitting the controversy to the 
 lodge, and therefore recommend that the sentence of 
 suspension as passed against Bro. M. be set aside, and that 
 
 he be restored to full connection in Lodge. (1904. 
 
 Rep. 87.) 
 
 571. In the appeal from — Lodge, the appellant 
 
 fails to comply with Article XIII, Section 8, of the By-laws, 
 in that he has not sent up to the Grand Lodge any writing 
 setting forth his grounds of appeal, and has failed to appear 
 and prosecute his appeal ; and notwithstanding this, even 
 upon the merits of the case, the brother admitted upon trial 
 that he had embezzled funds from a Knights of Pythias 
 Lodge, and had been suspended by the Knights of Pythias 
 Lodsfe. We therefore recommend that the action of 
 
132 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 Lodge, in expelling the brother, be sustained rind the appeal 
 dismissed. (1904. Rep. 88.) 
 
 572. Resolved, That it is the sense of the Grand Lodge 
 of North Carolina that each Subordinate Lodge be requested 
 to subscribe to the second mortgage bonds of the Masonic 
 Temple Construction Company to the full extent of its 
 ability, and that each representative in this Grand Body be 
 requested to lay this matter before their respective lodges 
 on their return home, and urge upon their lodges the 
 importance of this movement. (1904. Res. 106. ) 
 
 573. Resolved, That the members of the Masonic 
 Temple Committee be, and they are hereby appointed 
 proxy for the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, to vote its 
 stock in any and all stockholders' meetings of the Masonic 
 Temple Construction Company; that they shall vote the 
 same as a majority of a quorum of the Committee may 
 determine. 
 
 Resolved, That any member of the Masonic Temple 
 Committee may act as a director or other officer of the 
 Masonic Temple Construction Company by virtue of the 
 ownership of the stock in said Construction Company by 
 the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. (1904. Res. 106.) 
 
 574. A man with an artificial leg is not eligible to 
 receive the degrees of Masonry. (1905. Dec. 16. Liddell, 
 G. M.) 
 
 575. A man with three fingers and part of the thumb 
 of the right hand missing is not eligible to receive the 
 degrees of Masonry. (1905- Dec. 16. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 576. A man with a double hair lip is ineligible to receive 
 the degrees of Masonry. (1905. Dec. 16. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 577. A person who has lost the fingers of his right 
 hand, but his thumb on his hand is all right and the knuckles 
 on his hand are saved, his right leg shorter than the left 
 and he has to walk on crutches, is not eligible to receive 
 the degrees of Masonry. (1905- Dec. 16. Liddell, G. M. ) 
 
 578. A man crippled from white swelling, walking on 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. I33 
 
 his toes, and getting worse every year, is not eligible to 
 receive the degrees of Masonry. (1905. Dec. r6. Liddell, 
 G. M.) 
 
 579. A person incapable of kneeling on the left knee, 
 one leg so short and deformed as to require the use of a 
 cork foot, is not eligible to receive the degrees of Masonry. 
 (1905. Dec. 16. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 580. A man so bow-legged as to almost amount to a 
 deformity is eligible to receive the degrees of Masonry. 
 While he could not be styled a perfect youth, there is 
 nothing that would prevent him from passing through all 
 the forms of initiation. (1905- Dec. 16. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 581. In answer to a letter asking if a man who had 
 joined a clandestine lodge, not knowing that it was such, 
 was eligible to receive the degrees in a regular lodge, I 
 replied as follows: 
 
 If a man has unknowingly gone wrong, and wants to 
 go right, there is nothing for him to do but turn around 
 and go in the right direction. If the man you write about 
 unknowingly got into a clandestine lodge, and having 
 learned of the fact, wishes to become a true Mason, I see no 
 reason why his petition should not be received and take its 
 regular course. If he is a proper candidate for Masonry, 
 the fact that he had been a member of a spurious body, not 
 knowing that it was such when he joined, should not bar 
 him from receiving the degrees. (1905. Dec. 17. Liddell, 
 G. M.) 
 
 582. I would like to have been able to have decided 
 that where a lodge had conferred the degrees by request of 
 another lodge, that at the request of such lodge the brother 
 could become a member of the lodge conferring the degrees 
 by signing the By-laws. An E. A. having received his 
 degree in the eastern part of the State, and removing to 
 the western part of the State, where the lodge there, by 
 request, confers the degrees of F. C. and M. M., should not 
 be compelled to return to the lodge where he was elected to 
 receive the degrees, to sign the By-laws, simply for the pur- 
 
134 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 pose of obtaining a dimit. I do not think the law of the 
 Grand Lodge intended this. A request from the lodge for 
 whom the degrees were conferred, to allow the brother 
 on whom the degrees were conferred by courtesy, to sign 
 the By-laws of the lodge conferring the degrees and become 
 a member thereof, should, in my opinion, be the law, and 
 not require the approval of the Grand Master. I did 
 authorize this course in two instances where the circum- 
 stances fully warranted my action. 
 
 (Committee on Jurisprudence, P. 94, add): In such 
 case can the brother become a member of the lodge confer- 
 ring degrees by signing the By-laws? 
 
 If this is not already met by the existing law your 
 Committee is of the opinion that the Code should be amended 
 by providing that in such case the brother, having been 
 elected to the degrees of Freemasonry, should be allowed 
 to sign the By-laws of his original lodge by proxy, or should 
 signify his assent in writing to receive a dimit. It seems 
 best to the Committee that the record to the lodge in which 
 the brother was elected should show that he had become a 
 member thereof by signing the By-laws, or by signifying in 
 writing his assent to the By-laws, which would be substan- 
 tially the same. He could then receive a dimit just as in 
 all other cases of a change of residence. (1905. Dec. 17. 
 Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 583. If a candidate has received the Entered Appren- 
 tice degree, having been passed upon as to character, physi- 
 cal qualifications, etc., it would seem that to stop his 
 progress charges should be preferred, but the Code 
 does not warrant this, and as the Grand Lodge meets in 
 January I will hold your letter for it to decide. 
 
 (Committee on Jurisprudence, P. 95, add): In regard 
 to the advancement of an Entered Apprentice where objec- 
 tions had been raised, the Committee endorses the decisions 
 of the Grand Master. While the practice is not uniform 
 throughout the various Grand Jurisdictions, in North Caro- 
 lina an applicant is usually elected to the three degrees of 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 135 
 
 Masonry at the same time by a single ballot. If for any 
 cause subsequently arising, or information subsequently 
 obtained by a member of the lodge, or upon information 
 already in the possession of any member who was not pres- 
 ent at the election, it would seem that any brother had 
 a right to demand a new ballot for the succeeding degrees. 
 While this might be subject to abuse, it is no more so than 
 the use of the blackball; which in every instance puts the 
 veto power in the hands of any individual brother. (1905. 
 Dec. 17. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 5S4. The construction I put upon the resolution creat- 
 ing the Board of Custodians, and appearing on Page 62 of 
 the Proceedings of 1903, is that the Board of Custodians is 
 appointed by the Grand Master to decide that the work as 
 taught is the Stevenson work, and if any changes have to 
 be made, make them at once, and then forever afterward 
 preserve the work unchanged ; that any Mason desiring to 
 become a Lecturer can demand of the Grand Lecturer, or 
 one of his assistants, to examine him and certify in writing 
 as to his proficiency. With this certificate he can appear 
 before the Custodians, who will examine into his character, 
 decide on the impression he would make as a man in the 
 discharge of his duty, pass upon his ability to impart 
 what he knows to others. They can recommend him to the 
 Grand Master, who is to be the judge as to whether or not 
 more Lecturers are needed. (1905. Dec. 18. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 585. Resolved, That hereafter the candidate shall be 
 taught that the Master Mason shall have the privilege of wear- 
 ing his apron with the corner up, and that the Fellow Craft 
 shall wear his apron with the flap down ; and that all laws 
 in conflict herewith shall be repealed. (1905. Res. 106.) 
 
 586. A Master Mason, a member of B Lodge, who 
 while in the jurisdiction of C Lodge, is guilty of immoral 
 or Unmasonic conduct, may be tried by C Lodge for such 
 offense. Article XIII, Section 1, of the Code: A Lodge 
 has territorial as well as personal jurisdiction. (1906. Dec. 
 20. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
136 DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 
 
 587. Where two lodges in adjacent municipalities exer- 
 cise concurrent jurisdiction, it must be by mutual agree- 
 ment, or else by act of the Grand Lodge. If by mutual 
 agreement it may be terminated at any time by either; if 
 by order of the Grand Lodge that body may reverse it. 
 (1906. Dec. 20. Liddell, G. M.) 
 
 588. Suspended Mason may be restored to good stand- 
 ing as a Mason by the Grand Lodge, which may or may 
 not reinstate him in the lodge from which he was sus- 
 pended. (1906. Rep. 75.) 
 
 589. 1, Resolved, That from and after the passage of 
 this resolution, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, 
 Grand Senior Warden and Grand Junior Warden, in their 
 discretion, be authorized to divide the State into such a 
 number of Masonic districts, and that the Grand Master 
 be authorized in his discretion, to appoint and commission 
 as District Deputy, some Master Mason, in good standing in 
 a lodge located within the district for which he may be 
 appointed. 
 
 2, That each District Deputy Grand. Master shall 
 exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be 
 delegated from time to time by the Grand Master to him. 
 
 3, That each District Deputy Grand Master shall 
 n\ake annual report to the Grand Master thirty days prior 
 to the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, setting 
 forth his official acts during the year, the state of Masonry 
 within his jurisdiction, the condition of the lodges in his 
 district, and suggesting such measures as to him may 
 appear conducive to the general good of the Fraternity, 
 which report shall be laid before the Grand Lodge and it 
 (or such part as the Grand Master may designate) shall be 
 published with the Proceedings. (1906. Rep. 76.) 
 
 590. Your Committee on Correspondence is induced 
 to believe that, although the Grand Lodge of Cuba and 
 Costa Rica were for a long time dominated by Supreme 
 Councils of the Scottish Rite, they are now independent of 
 these hierarchial bodies and exercise sovereign control over 
 
DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 137 
 
 the three degrees of Symbolic Masonry in their respective 
 territories. The Committee therefore recommend that 
 fraternal recognition be extended to the Grand Lodges of 
 Cuba and Costa Rico. (1906. Rep. 79.) 
 
 591. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Ancient 
 Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina extend to the 
 Grand Lodge of Queensland, Ancient Free and Accepted 
 Masons, a cordial and fraternal recognition, and that an 
 exchange of Representatives be effected as speedily as prac- 
 ticable. (1906. Rep. 81.) 
 
 592. Under Article VI, Section 6, if the applicant neg- 
 ligently fail to offer himself for initiation the fee will be 
 forfeited and the proceedings null and void. If there shall 
 be any subsequent negligence or misconduct, the right now 
 existing upon the request of any member of the lodge to 
 call for a ballot upon the succeeding degrees, sufficiently 
 guards the interests of the Order. (1906. Rep. 87.) 
 
 593. Resolved, That the Grand Master shall be author- 
 ized to appoint a Historian of the Grand Lodge of North 
 Carolina to undertake such labor of love. (1906. Res. 96. ) 
 
 594. The Committee to which was referred the resolu- 
 tion of Past Grand Master Nichols have considered the 
 same and recommend the following as a substitute: 
 
 Section 3a. When a dimit shall be applied for by any 
 member for the purpose of joining another lodge, if the 
 application shall state such purpose, his membership in 
 his lodge shall not cease until his application for member- 
 ship in the lodge to which he has applied shall be granted, 
 and that the form of application for a dimit shall be 
 amended by adding at the end in parenthesis (for the pur- 
 pose of applying for membership in Lodge, No. ) 
 
 (1906. Res. 96.) 
 
 18 
 
jlIsrDEX.| 
 
 (References are to sections, not pages.) 
 
 Abandoning Family. section 
 
 Masonic offense 422 
 
 Abroad. 
 
 What is 509 
 
 Means beyond jurisdiction of lodge 489 
 
 Absence. 
 
 Officer may be installed by proxy during 175 
 
 Abusive Language. 
 
 Should not be used 353 
 
 Accessory. 
 
 Cannot be tried until conviction of principal 105 
 
 Accused. 
 
 Absent, trial should be defended 229 
 
 Conduct since suspension, Grand Lodge may expel for 280 
 
 No Masonic privileges pending appeal 442 
 
 After conviction, pending appeal, no right to visit 437, 438 
 
 Secretary notifies of charges 211 
 
 Furnished copy of charges 422 
 
 Charges and specifications served on 527 
 
 Transcript must show notice to .-: 244, 245 
 
 Registered letter containing summons returned to lodge 
 
 undelivered is no evidence of knowledge by 536 
 
 Right to file and verify answer 234 
 
 Entitled to make statement 300 
 
 May testify 103 
 
 Must be permitted to be heard in defense 545 
 
 Must be notified of taking of any testimony 464 
 
 Must be notified to taking of depositions 244, 272 
 
 Notified of taking of affidavits 545 
 
 Individual offense should not be made joint 237 
 
 May refuse to answer question 396 
 
 May be represented by counsel, a profane 319 
 
 May employ counsel 381 
 
 Accuser. 
 
 Cannot appeal from verdict of acquittal 420 
 
2 INDEX. 
 
 Acquittal. skctiox 
 
 No appeal from 268, 282, 388, 420 
 
 Vole cannot he reconsidered 114 
 
 Action at Law. 
 
 Not Unniasonic conduct 329 
 
 Adjoining Towns. 
 
 Jurisdiction 298 
 
 Adjourn. 
 
 Lodges do not 48 
 
 Adulterating Liquor. 
 
 False charge of is Unniasonic 373 
 
 Advancement. 
 
 Candidate must make due proficiency hefore 149, 441, 475 
 
 Ballot may be had on 583 
 
 Brother may question 250 
 
 May be objected to 335 
 
 Objections to stops candidate , 456 
 
 Objections to, reasons need not be given 568 
 
 Lapse of time does not bar Entered Apprentice 555 
 
 Candidate may present himself any time 484, 487 
 
 Rejected candidate may apply any time thereafter 520 
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 Improper to use emblems on 108 
 
 Affidavits. 
 
 Accused must be notified of taking 545 
 
 Affiliate. 
 
 Must produce dimit 43 
 
 Affiliation. 
 
 When petition received, no dimit 297 
 
 Applicant need not dimit when . 594 
 
 Petitioner for is non-affiliate until accepted 356 
 
 Non-affiliate has right of petitioning 290 
 
 Non-affiliate may apply anywhere and at any time 556 
 
 Rejected petition should not be acted on at succeeding 
 
 communication 498, 499 
 
 Ballot cannot be had before committee reports 508 
 
 When consent of another lodge to be had on petition for 469 
 
 Rejected petitioner cannot demand admission, or that 
 
 charges be preferred against him 535 
 
 Petition for cannot be withdrawn 549 
 
 Petitioner need not live in jurisdiction 455 
 
 On, By-laws must be signed 184 
 
 AGENT. 
 
 Failing to account for money collected for Masonic widow 
 
 should be tried 195 
 
INDEX. 3 
 
 Air-Line. section 
 
 Governs jurisdiction of lodges 219, 375 
 
 Aliens. 
 
 Resident may petition for degrees 410 
 
 Amendments to By-laws. 
 
 Must be approved by Grand Lodge 231 
 
 Ancient Landmarks. — See Landmarks. 
 
 Answer. 
 
 Accused has right to file and verify.. 234 
 
 Appeal. 
 
 None to lodge, only to Grand Lodge 60 
 
 From lodge to Grand Lodge 209 
 
 None from Grand Lodge action 443 
 
 Cannot be denied 274 
 
 Status of suspended Mason during 64 
 
 Convicted brother no privileges pending 442 
 
 Pending, convicted Mason no right to visit 437, 438 
 
 None from verdict of not guilty... 268, 282, 388, 420 
 
 Filed in thirty days 311 
 
 Grounds stated in writing 220 
 
 Grounds must be stated 311 
 
 Grand Lodge may restore on 266 
 
 Grand Lodge may modify punishment 277 
 
 Remedy by, Master cannot grant new trial 252 
 
 Must be passed on by Grand Lodge 315 
 
 Sustained reinstates brother 315 
 
 Grounds of not sustained 235 
 
 Reversed for technicalities certified to lodge for new 
 
 trial 95 
 
 What transcript must show 227, 228, 229, 230, 272, 371 
 
 Accused offered to file answer, held error not to allow 234 
 
 Approval of Minutes. 
 
 Before lodge closes 370, 479 
 
 Apron. 
 
 Fellow Craft wears flap down 585 
 
 Master Mason wears corner up 585 
 
 Arm. 
 
 Loss of, ineligible to petition for degrees 289, 561 
 
 Army. 
 
 Service in, does not lose Masonic residence 539 
 
 Army Lodges. 
 
 Regiments for the war may form 116 
 
 Not established outside of State (reversed) 118, 120 
 
 Established outside of State 125 
 
 Can not confer degrees on any but voters in State elections 125 
 
4 INDEX. 
 
 Arrkars of Dues. section 
 
 Must be paid before restoration 385, 390 
 
 Arrest of Charter. 
 
 Does not affect Masonic standing of members 313 
 
 Articles of Union Between Grand Lodges of York and Lon- 
 don. 
 
 Forbid innovations 28 
 
 Assessment. 
 
 Lodge cannot levy 528 
 
 Masonic charity not unconstitutional 431 
 
 Assistance. 
 
 Non-affiliate not entitled to 117 
 
 ATHEIST. 
 
 Cannot be a Mason 432 
 
 ATTENDANCE. 
 
 Lodge cannot punish for failure to attend 23 
 
 Ayes and Noes. 
 
 Not voted in lodges 61 
 
 Ballot. 
 
 Candidate must have resided twelve months before 416 
 
 Single blackball rejects 40 
 
 Favorable vote of every member present necessary to elect 
 
 is upon petition for the degrees 547 
 
 Cannot be had until one month from the presentation 544 
 
 Committee must report before 508 
 
 Majority vote only necessary to give consent of rejecting 
 
 lodge 425 
 
 Unanimous necessary to waive jurisdiction 453 
 
 Cannot be questioned 168, 305, 415, 435, 551 
 
 Not provided for on initiation 488 
 
 May be had on passing and raising 44, 167, 415, 484, 487, 488, 583 
 
 For initiating and raising cannot be had same meeting 49 
 
 Unmasonic to disclose secrecy of 176 
 
 Second cannot be had after Master declares candidate 
 
 elected. 548 
 
 Cannot be reconsidered 338 
 
 Had on unfavorable report 257 
 
 Second to ascertain no mistake 40, 260, 500, 503 
 
 Second cannot be had after meeting closed 448 
 
 Officer cannot state how many blackballs 501 
 
 Cannot be renewed until twelve months elapses 446 
 
 Taken on charges and specifications 276 
 
 Unanimous to restore Mason 197, 303 
 
 Unnecessary to restore when definite suspension runs out 81 
 
 Cannot be ordered by Deputy Custodian 179 
 
INDEX. 5 
 
 Balloting. section 
 
 Cannot be had in E. A. degree 370 
 
 Brother cannot be restrained from 327 
 
 Balls. 
 
 Not to be given in lodge rooms 296 
 
 Not permitted in halls 185 
 
 Belief In God. 
 
 Taught by Masonry 432 
 
 Necessary 357 
 
 Benevolent Purposes. 
 
 Lodge may tax members for 307 
 
 Bible. 
 
 Scriptural readings may be chanted 358 
 
 Blackball. 
 
 For non-age cannot be inquired into 502 
 
 Officer cannot state how many 501 
 
 Profanity or drunkenness sufficient for.. 198 
 
 Single one rejects 40 
 
 Bow Legs. 
 
 Do not render ineligible 580 
 
 Burial. 
 
 Mock Masonic not encouraged 308 
 
 Business. 
 
 Seven members necessary to transact 530 
 
 General should be transacted at Regular Communications.... 472 
 
 Transacted in Master Mason's lodge 42 
 
 By-laws. 
 
 Grand Lodge govern when lodges conflict with 544 
 
 Must conform to Grand Lodge law 71 
 
 Cannot repeal those of Grand Lodge..... _ T 251 
 
 Grand Lodge may authorize lodge to change its 46 
 
 Must be approved by Grand Lodge 231 
 
 Must be approved by Committee on Jurisprudence... 147, 465 
 
 Re-enacting Grand Lodge laws and re-iterating Masonic 
 
 law is criticised 142 
 
 Cannot impose fine for non-attendance 241 
 
 Cannot exclude brother, must be tried 462 
 
 Candidate upon being raised, must sign 160 
 
 Failure to sign makes non-affiliate 409 
 
 What done for refusal to sign 525 
 
 May not be signed by proxy 184 
 
 Lodge electing candidates must be signed 582 
 
 Prescribe time for Regular Communications 526 
 
 Regulate hour of regular meeting 452 
 
 Must provide for notice before depriving of rights 174 
 
() INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Petitions for degrees must lie over one month 251 
 
 Cannot make every meeting an election 133 
 
 Cannot provide for elections to fill vacancies 89 
 
 May require Treasurer to give bond 424 
 
 Cam, Off. 
 
 Lodges should not in opening in lower degrees 51 
 
 Lodges call from labor to refreshment, or close 48 
 
 Candidate. 
 
 Ballot may be had on passing and raising 488, 583 
 
 Must sign By-laws of lodge electing 512, 582 
 
 Objection to made in open lodge 568 
 
 May wait forty years between E. A. and remaining 
 
 degrees 555 
 
 Examined when labor dispensed with 531 
 
 Received, obligated and raised singly 521, 567 
 
 Rejected for advancement may apply any time there- 
 after 520 
 
 Lapse of time does not forfeit right to advancement 515 
 
 May present for advancement at any time 484, 487 
 
 Must make due proficiency 475 
 
 Advancement may be objected to 335 
 
 Degrees given man not speaking English language 210 
 
 Deputy Custodian cannot order ballot 179 
 
 Unfavorable ballot cannot be questioned 168 
 
 Ballot can be had on any degree 167 
 
 E. A. losing right arm cannot be passed 150 
 
 Due proficiency must be shown before advancement 149 
 
 Must have fixed residence 139 
 
 What is due proficiency 92 
 
 Petitions for degrees of Masonry, not one degree 50 
 
 Cannot be balloted for initiating and raising at same 
 
 meeting 49 
 
 Ballot may be had in passing and raising 45 
 
 Objection cannot be had for conduct prior to time of 
 
 taking degree, to prevent further advancement 45 
 
 Elected to the degrees of Masonry 583, 49 
 
 Must petition nearest lodge... 3 
 
 Lodges to notify other lodges of rejections 3 
 
 Loss of eyes, does not disqualify 554 
 
 Names should not be printed on notices of meetings 542 
 
 Only two ballots on petitions for degrees 500, 503 
 
 Lawful age 482 
 
 White swelling not disqualification 473 
 
 Cannot read or write eligible 454 
 
 Unanimous vote necessary to give jurisdiction to another 
 
 lodge 453 
 
INDEX. 7 
 
 SECTION' 
 
 Loss of leg ineligible 451 
 
 Stiff knee disqualifies when 451 
 
 Lodge ascertaining no jurisdiction, should get written 
 
 consent from lodge having 450 
 
 When may petition either of two lodges 43 T a 
 
 Maimed not received 119, 121, 289 
 
 Rejected can petition again in twelve months 260 
 
 Loss of arm or leg disqualifies 180 
 
 Elected to degrees of Masonry 167 
 
 Unable to write name may make mark 151 
 
 Of army lodge must be entitled to vote in State elections 125 
 
 Lodge must consider residence of applicant 109 
 
 Physical qualifications 119, 121 
 
 Card Playing. 
 
 Not permitted in halls 185 
 
 Ceremonies. 
 
 Candidate be able to conform to 394 
 
 CerneauiSm. 
 
 Masonic offense to join 457, 458 
 
 Establishes Grand Lodge in Ohio 457, 458 
 
 Interdicted 457, 458 
 
 Not recognized 199, 204 
 
 Invasion of Louisiana denounced 74 
 
 Clandestine 59, 74, 199, 204, 457, 458 
 
 Certificates. 
 
 Grand Lodge to furnish 34 
 
 Furnished widow when 54 
 
 In lieu of dimit 297 
 
 Charter of Grand Lodge. 
 
 Printed in Proceedings 155 
 
 Chapter. 
 
 Suspension by does not affect lodge standing 64, 164 
 
 Charges. 
 
 Cannot be preferred for retailing whiskey 566 
 
 Necessary to suspend a restored Mason 543 
 
 Should be preferred against Master suspended by Grand 
 
 Master 538 
 
 Rejected non-affiliate cannot demand admission or that 
 
 charges be preferred 535 
 
 With specifications must be served on accused 527 
 
 Cannot be preferred against Master 505 
 
 Not sustained by evidence case should be dismissed 492 
 
 Against Master ordered expunged from record 470 
 
 Necessary to suspend 460 
 
 19 
 
« INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Must be specified 439 
 
 May be preferred against non-affiliate for offenses prior 
 
 to bis diinission 434 
 
 Copy furnished accused 422 
 
 No appeal from acquittal 420 
 
 Cannot be tried at same meeting as presented 404 
 
 Against Master, bow brought 388 
 
 Time given to file 382 
 
 Should be in writing 382 
 
 Should beclearly set forth 380 
 
 Preferred — No trial when 367 
 
 Disobeying legal summons 349 
 
 Prevent dimit issuing 332 
 
 When preferred must be followed up 309 
 
 Preferred against accuser does not stop 309 
 
 When non-affiliate may prefer 292, 293 
 
 Majority vote convicts 265 
 
 Need not be preferred for brother stopping initiate 250 
 
 Must show on transcript 228 
 
 When preferred against visitors 224 
 
 Secretary notifies accused 21 1 
 
 Must be served when address known 190 
 
 Charity. 
 
 Assessments for not unconstitutional 431 
 
 Charter. 
 
 Price of 10 
 
 Present when lodge opens 563 
 
 Arrested, Masonic standing of members unaffected 313 
 
 Restored to defunct lodge restores all members 468, 541 
 
 New charter does not exclude old members 182 
 
 Cheating. 
 
 What is not .■ 171 
 
 Civil Suit. 
 
 Not Unmasonic conduct 570 
 
 Evidence in, not competent in Masonic trial 301 
 
 Claims for Masonic Help. 
 
 Widow remarrying forfeits 477 
 
 Clandestine. 
 
 May petition for degrees 5S1 
 
 Cernean lodges are 458 
 
 Grand Orient of France 376 
 
 Recognition of cuts off intercourse with this Grand I^odge 199 
 
 Such Masons not recognized 199, 204 
 
 Negro lodges are 128 
 
SECTION 
 
 All who recognize more than one Grand Body in State 59 
 
 Phillips Grand Lodge of New York 57 
 
 Close. 
 
 Lodges do not adjourn, but 48 
 
 Collection. 
 
 None for Orphan Asylum need not be reported 383 
 
 Masonry not a collection agency 352 
 
 COMMANDERY. 
 
 Suspension by does not affect Masonic standing 64 
 
 Commission. 
 
 For one year ...... 178 
 
 Committee. 
 
 Must report before ballot can be had 508 
 
 Cannot investigate case in which Master is defendant 505 
 
 When evidence may be taken by 464 
 
 Need not report when nothing has been accomplished 383 
 
 Lodge may withdraw matter from 361 
 
 Cannot try 85, 272 
 
 Appointed by Master, lodge need not approve 134 
 
 How appointed 68 
 
 Grand Lodge, how appointed 68 
 
 To examine G. Secretary's books 30, 41 
 
 Committee on Foreign Correspondence. 
 
 Bxpenses defrayed 96 
 
 Committee on Jurisprudence. 
 
 Approve lodge By-laws 147, 465 
 
 Communications. 
 
 Cannot act on petitions for degrees at Special 99 
 
 Minutes of need not be signed by Master.. ?■. 166 
 
 One lodge to another under seal of lodge 161 
 
 Concurrent Jurisdiction. 
 
 Lodges may arrange for 587 
 
 Extended in certain cases near State line 467 
 
 Between this and Grand Lodge of Virginia 478 
 
 Lodges U. D. and chartered lodges 249, 403 
 
 Conferring of Degrees. 
 
 Not more than five candidates at same communication 521, 567 
 
 Lodge must first be opened on Master Mason's degree 481, 496 
 
 By request, no charge for 258 
 
 Consent. 
 
 Not needed to entertain petition of rejected non-affiliate.... 557 
 
 On rejected petitioner for degrees means majority consent.. 511 
 
 Had before applying to second lodge 425 
 
 Majority vote not unanimous. 42,5 
 
IO INDEX. 
 
 Controversy Ovkr Dog. section 
 
 Lodge should not examine into ownership in such case 406 
 
 Conviction. 
 
 By civil courts does not carry same into lodge 301 
 
 Majority vote necessary for 265 
 
 Costa Rica. 
 
 Grand Lodge recognized 590 
 
 Cornerstone. 
 
 Laid in open lodge 495 
 
 Council. 
 
 Suspension by does not affect lodge standing 64 
 
 Counsel. 
 
 Employment of to prevent issuing of license to Mason to 
 
 retail ardent spirits is not Unmasonic 94 
 
 Need not be a member 389 
 
 Accused having, lodge may also have 381 
 
 May be profane 319 
 
 County Charge. 
 
 Allowing mother to become 392 
 
 Courts. 
 
 Lodge should not interfere in suits in 398 
 
 Criminal Law. 
 
 Wilful violation is Masonic offense 433 
 
 Cuba. 
 
 Grand Lodge recognized 590 
 
 Custodians. 
 
 To recommend all lecturers 584 
 
 To preserve the work 584 
 
 Cipher Work. 
 
 Forbidden 170 
 
 Daughter of a Mason. 
 
 Conviction for illicit intercourse with, follows expelled 
 
 Mason wherever he goes 490 
 
 Of expelled Mason no claim for Masonic help 173 
 
 Deacon. 
 
 Cannot dimit 412 
 
 Deafness. 
 
 Total disqualifies petitioner 559 
 
 Death of Master. 
 
 Senior Warden succeeds S9 
 
 Debt. 
 
 Masonry cannot be used to collect 352 
 
 Not subject of Masonic inquiry 319 
 
 Decision of Lodge. 
 
 May be reversed by Grand Lodge 397 
 
INDEX. It 
 
 Declaration of Known Master Mason. section 
 
 Lawful information 163 
 
 Defense. 
 
 Accused may employ counsel 38t 
 
 Defunct Lodge. 
 
 Property forfeited to Grand Lodge.. 400 
 
 Masonic offense for Mason not to deliver up property to 
 
 Grand Lodge 106 
 
 Secretary no authority to act for 378 
 
 Material belongs to nearest lodge 378 
 
 Members may join other lodges 486 
 
 Members are non-affiliate 486 
 
 Dues to, remitted only by Grand Lodge-.. 336 
 
 Member may get certificate in lieu of dimit 314 
 
 Members of not entitled to visit 471 
 
 Merging with another lodge its petitioners become property 
 
 of such lodge 506 
 
 Charter restored restores all members to good standing 486, 541 
 
 Restoration of Mason to rights 348 
 
 Petitioner for degrees not received 395 
 
 Degrees. 
 
 Grand Lecturers to lecture upon 13 
 
 Stevenson work adopted 19 
 
 Ancient Masonry consists of only three degrees 28 
 
 Royal Arch Chapters are legally constituted Masonic bodies 28 
 Master Mason's lodge must first be opened, and then de- 
 gree lodge opened 42 
 
 Conferred by request, no charge for 258 
 
 Conferred in another lodge by request of unanimous vote.. 515 
 Conferred by request candidate signs By-laws of lodge mak- 
 ing request 160 
 
 Petition for, only two ballots on 500, 503 
 
 More than one cannot be conferred unless due proficiency 
 
 shown 136 
 
 May be given to not exceeding five at same communica- 
 tion 521, 567 
 
 May be given man not speaking English language 210 
 
 Petitioner for, must present himself in six months 592 
 
 Loss of leg disqualifies 548a 
 
 Delegate. 
 
 Must appoint proxy in writing 242 
 
 Delivery. 
 
 Of dimit immaterial, effective from lodge action 407 
 
 Denial of Supreme Being. 
 
 By Grand Orient of France 376 
 
12 INDEX, 
 
 Depositions. section 
 
 Notice of taking given accused 174, 244, 272 
 
 Deputy Custodian. 
 
 Cannot order ballot 179 
 
 Desertion. 
 
 From army not a Masonic offense 126 
 
 DlMIT. 
 
 Form of conditional 594 
 
 For purpose of joining another lodge 594 
 
 Master and Wardens cannot 294 
 
 Deacon cannot 412 
 
 Can issue only to Master Mason, not to Entered Apprentice 463 
 
 Demandable when 273 
 
 Brother entitled to when 364 
 
 Matter of right when 540 
 
 Should have seal affixed 331 
 
 Not granted if charges pending 332 
 
 Not granted when notice given of charges 382 
 
 Not entitled to 143 
 
 Demandable, even if intention to join no other lodge 540 
 
 Return to lodge granting does not restore to membership ... 552 
 
 Not entitled unless acquitted of charges 143 
 
 Issue of, does not prevent trial for offenses occurring prior 
 
 to issue of 434 
 
 Member may vote on own 322 
 
 Ballot on cannot be disclosed 176 
 
 Severs connection with Fraternity 291 
 
 Takes effect from lodges acting on same 407, 507, 533 
 
 Delivery of immaterial 407 
 
 Non-affiliate not required to present in any given time 517 
 
 Member of defunct lodge may get certificate in lieu 314 
 
 Grand Secretary may issue for defunct lodge 56 
 
 Mason joining Roman Catholic Church should be permitted 
 
 to withdraw 278 
 
 Must accompany petition for lodge U. D 208 
 
 To be produced by each affiliating member 43 
 
 Must accompany petition for affiliation 123 
 
 Dimitted Mason. 
 
 Four years a non-resident cannot be tried by lodge 405 
 
 Non-affiliate pending action upon petition for affiliation 356 
 
 May apply anywhere for membership 259 
 
 Must sign By-laws on affiliation 184 
 
 Diploma. 
 
 Price of , ' 12 
 
 Dismemberment. 
 
 Lodge may for non-payment of dues 80, 25b 
 
INDEX. 13 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Failing to answer notice, admits justness of action. 413 
 
 Cannot have Masonic burial 387, 399 
 
 Charges may be preferred against during 390 
 
 Payment in full reinstates 562 
 
 How restored 248 
 
 Entitled to restoration 385, 390 
 
 Disobeying Legal Summons. 
 
 Failing to answer summons of Grand Master 107 
 
 Suspension 262 
 
 May punish for 263 
 
 Masonic offense... 202, 278, 320, 413 
 
 Individual not a joint offense 237 
 
 Properly expelled 312 
 
 Conviction for 350 
 
 Charges for 349 
 
 When brother may be restored 536 
 
 Dispensation to Form Dodge. 
 
 May issue to troops for the war 116 
 
 Forming lodge under, severs membership in chartered 
 
 lodge — 232 
 
 Does not transfer membership of petitioners 183 
 
 Dispensation. 
 
 What is -- 67 
 
 Prerogative of Grand Master 399, 402 
 
 Grand Master may grant 247 
 
 Price of 10 
 
 What is abroad 509 
 
 Granted returning money to applicant changing mind 510 
 
 Grand Master may fix jurisdiction by 375 
 
 Asked for only by Master of lodge 284 
 
 Cannot issue to permit work with less than seven 419 
 
 Cannot issue to set aside will of Grand Dodge 399 
 
 Cannot issue authorizing anything forbidden by Code 443 
 
 Cannot issue to set aside law of Grand Dodge 459 
 
 Cannot issue to vote on sojourner 440 
 
 Cannot issue to receive petition of sojourner 445 
 
 Cannot issue to initiate person who has lost right thumb 
 
 and part of two fingers 429 
 
 Refused to allow Masonic burial to dismembered Mason 399 
 
 May issue to bury non-affiliated Mason 417, 418 
 
 Refused to allow ballot before twelve months residence 
 
 acquired 39q 
 
 Not granted when candidate has lived less than twelve 
 
 months in jurisdiction 416, 511 
 
14 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Shortening time, allowed when 489 
 
 Refused where lodge in whose jurisdiction candidate lived 
 
 has not waived jurisdiction 336 
 
 Refused allowing re-ballot on petition within twelve months 399, 446 
 Refused allowing petition to be acted on at special meeting 447 
 
 Refused permitting second ballot after meeting closed 448 
 
 Refused allowing officer to resign 449 
 
 Necessary to elect officers at other than regular date. 157, 368 
 
 Refused where Master has not served as Warden 317, 444 
 
 Refused to allow election of new Secretary 426 
 
 Refused to allow lodge to receive petition of minister with- 
 out fee 399 
 
 Deputy Custodian cannot issue _ 179 
 
 Distressed Widow. 
 
 Failure to turn over money collected for, a Masonic offense 352 
 
 District Deputies. 
 
 Duties of 589 
 
 Dog. 
 
 Controversy over ownership is not subject of trial 406 
 
 Dormant Lodges. — See Defunct Lodge. 
 
 Drunkenness. 
 
 High Masonic crime 172, 226, 238 
 
 Sufficient for blackball 198 
 
 Charges should be preferred for 462 
 
 Single act, reprimand 351, 371, 421 
 
 Dues. 
 
 Dodge may dismember for non-payment 80, 152, 256 
 
 Non-payment of, must comply with By-laws 248 
 
 Cannot punish for failure to pa}' 23 
 
 Dodge cannot suspend for 558 
 
 Cannot expel for 188 
 
 Cannot be had out of lunatic 408 
 
 Non-affiliate not chargeable with 271 
 
 Minister of Gospel cannot be remitted by lodge 159 
 
 Lodge may remit for cause 189 
 
 To defunct lodge remitted by Grand Lodge only 339 
 
 Dismemberment for non-payment of dues reinstated by pay- 
 ment in full 562 
 
 Due Form. 
 
 In lodges U. D., a Grand Officer present 141 
 
 Due Proficiency. 
 
 What is 92, 475 
 
 Made in open lodge..... 136 
 
 Must make before advancement 149, 441 
 
INDEX. 15 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Passed upon by Master, not by vote of lodge 531 
 
 Duplicate Charter. 
 
 Creates no new lodge 182 
 
 Elections. 
 
 Lodge By-law for must conform to Grand Lodge law 133 
 
 Held only on date prescribed in By-laws 71, 79, 157 
 
 Grand Master may give dispensation for other date 71, 157, 36S 
 
 Must be as Grand Lodge prescribes 362 
 
 Dispensation refused where Secretary had removed 426 
 
 Embezzlement of Funds. 
 
 Of another secret order is subject of expulsion 571 
 
 Emblems. 
 
 Improper to use in advertisements 108 
 
 Emergency. 
 
 About to travel is not case of 302 
 
 Employing Counsel. 
 
 To defeat application to retail ardent spirits is not Masonic 
 
 offense 94 
 
 Entered Apprentice. 
 
 Master Masons' lodge must first be opened 42, 481, 496 
 
 Cannot dimit 463 
 
 Lapse of time does not forfeit right to degrees 515 
 
 Lapse of forty years does not forfeit right to advancement.... 555 
 Fees not forfeited, if delays longer than six months before 
 
 advancement 484, 487 
 
 Petition for solely, not to be received 50 
 
 Balloting for is improper 370 
 
 Ballot cannot be had conferring 488 
 
 Ballot may be demanded on passing ._ 44 
 
 Can be kept from passing for improper conduct 45 
 
 May be stopped by ballot 167, 250 
 
 Losing right arm cannot be passed 150 
 
 Cannot demand lodge investigate prior conduct, but may 
 
 demand committee outside 45 
 
 Cannot take F. C. and M. M. degrees in another lodge 
 
 except with unanimous consent of lodge electing 515 
 
 Of defunct lodge 395 
 
 Of defunct lodge gets degrees from nearest lodge 378 
 
 Evidence. 
 
 Not supporting charges, Grand Lodge may reverse 23 
 
 When Committee may take 464 
 
 Not sustaining charges, case should be dismissed 492 
 
 Transcript omitting, remanded 229 
 
 Reported with suspensions and expulsions 156 
 
 20 
 
1 6 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Record of conviction in courts is 414 
 
 Notes of evidence from courts not admissable 414 
 
 Testimony taken in civil courts not comj>etent 301 
 
 Affidavits taken without notice should be excluded 545 
 
 Examination of Candidates. 
 
 Labor dispensed with for 531 
 
 Exclusion From Membership. 
 
 For failure to pay dues 152 
 
 Must be after notice 174 
 
 Makes non-affiliated Mason 181 
 
 Kx-Parte Proceedings. 
 
 Lodge should not try on 279 
 
 Address unknown lodge may proceed _ 190 
 
 Expelled Mason. 
 
 Grand Lodge ma}' restore 366 
 
 Sentence follows wherever he goes 490 
 
 Children of lose rights with father 173 
 
 Restored by unanimous vote of lodge 154, 197 
 
 Petition lies over one month 514 
 
 Petition for restoration cannot be withdrawn 365 
 
 Rejected, for restoration cannot apply for twelve months.... 534 
 Removing from jurisdiction, must petition lodge for resto- 
 ration that acted in matter 569 
 
 When evidence not competent 359 
 
 Expenses. 
 
 Directors of Orphan Asylum paid attending Grand Lodge.. 546 
 
 Committee on Foreign Correspondence 96 
 
 Grand Master 93 
 
 Expressions. 
 
 Unmasonic in minutes, criticised 132 
 
 Exposure. 
 
 Threat to make, of secrets of Freemasonry is offense 91 
 
 Expulsion. 
 
 Only for gross misdemeanor, or for heinous and disgraceful 
 
 crime 23 
 
 Reported to Grand Lodge 26 
 
 Cannot be for failure to attend meeting 22, 
 
 Cannot be for failure to pay dues 23. 1S8 
 
 Cannot be had until specifications established 276 
 
 From Commandery does not affect Masonic standing 77 
 
 Transcript must show two-thirds vote 236 
 
 Disobeying summons of Grand Master 107 
 
 Embezzlement of funds of another order is grounds for 571 
 
 Falsely charging theft and bribery sufficient 264 
 
 Difficulty between two brethren and one expelled — other 
 
INDEX. 1? 
 
 SECTION 
 
 may be tried 187 , 
 
 Changed to suspension , 262 
 
 Extinct Lodges. 
 
 Grand Secretary may issue dimits for 56 
 
 Property forfeited to Grand Lodge 24 
 
 Extorting Money. 
 
 Is Unmasonic conduct 373 
 
 Eye. 
 
 Loss of does not disqualify petitioner 554 
 
 Failure to Pay Over. 
 
 Money collected for distressed Master Mason's Widow is 
 
 Masonic offense 352 
 
 Failure to Pay Debt. 
 
 No Masonic offense . 299 
 
 False Charge. 
 
 Of adulterating liquor is Unmasonic conduct 373 
 
 Family. 
 
 Abandoning, Masonic offense - 422 
 
 Fee for Degrees. 
 
 Cannot be below minimum of Grand Lodge .. 269 
 
 Dispensation to return when 510 
 
 Appropriating to own use, Masonic offense 354 
 
 Lodges may establish any ratio not less than minimum 14 
 
 Amount optional with lodges 269 
 
 May be apportioned to several degrees 14, 269 
 
 Cannot be remitted... 386, 483 
 
 Cannot be remitted for ministers 153 
 
 Must be accounted for when jurisdiction invaded 196 
 
 Should be paid by one lodge to another 144 
 
 When forfeited to nearest lodge 63 
 
 Fellow Craft. 
 
 Wears apron with flap down 585 
 
 E. A. can be stopped 250 
 
 E. A. losing right arm can not be passed 150 
 
 Ballot may be demanded on raising 44 
 
 Master's lodge must first be opened 42, 481, 496 
 
 Felony. 
 
 Conviction for, forfeits right to Masonic burial 523 
 
 Guilt may be shown by record of court's conviction 414 
 
 Fingers. 
 
 Loss of all on right hand renders ineligible 577 
 
 Loss of three and thumb on right hand renders ineligible ... 575 
 
 Fire. 
 
 Records destroyed by 297 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Foreign Correspondence. 
 
 Committee to report at succeeding Grand Lodge meetings.. 18 
 
 Foreigner. 
 
 May petition for degrees 410 
 
 Forgery. 
 
 Charge not sustained 266 
 
 France. 
 
 Grand Orient of, interdicted 357 
 
 Fraternal Relations. 
 
 Severed between so-called Scottish Masons of Louisiana 
 
 and this Grand Lodge 199, 204 
 
 Funerals. 
 
 Masons to appear in badges peculiar to their Masonic rank 2 
 
 Proper mourning for 267 
 
 Royal Arch Masons present noted as Masons 213 
 
 God. 
 
 Belief in necessary 357, 432 
 
 Government of Lodges. 
 
 By-laws must yield to Grand Lodge By-laws when conflict.. 544 
 
 Grand Lecturer. 
 
 Commissioned for one year 178 
 
 To examine lodge records 137 
 
 To visit and instruct lodges 32 
 
 To visit lodges 17 
 
 Appointed by Grand Master 17 
 
 To attend Grand Lodge and lecture on degrees 13 
 
 Established 9 
 
 Grand Lodge. 
 
 Jurisdiction of 379, 467 
 
 May divide jurisdiction as it sees fit 249 
 
 Determines jurisdiction of lodges 109 
 
 Allotment of territory 249 
 
 Will approve arbitrary line fixed between two lodges by 
 
 agreement 205 
 
 Non-affiliate cannot sit in 347 
 
 Can alone try Master while in office 4 
 
 May suspend Master pending charges 115 
 
 May expel Master fled from State to parts unknown 37 
 
 Masonic offense for Mason not to deliver property of defunct 
 
 lodge to 106 
 
 May try and expel for disobeying Grand Master's summons 107 
 
 Authority of several recognized 73 
 
 Each is exclusive in its territory 57 
 
 Sole jurisdiction in State where located 63 
 
INDEX. 19 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Expenses of Grand Master borne by... 93 
 
 Grand Representative system established 29, 104 
 
 District Deputies 589 
 
 Historian appointed by Grand Master 593 
 
 Masonic Temple Committee, proxy of 573 
 
 Lays cornerstone in open lodge 495 
 
 Officers elected second night 20 
 
 To furnish certificates 34 
 
 Discontinuance of use of refreshments 22 
 
 Directors of Orphan Asylum paid expenses attending meet- 
 ings 546 
 
 Permanent resolutions to be printed with Proceedings 25 
 
 Recognizes expulsions by lodges in other States : 490 
 
 By-laws govern when conflict with those of local lodge 544 
 
 No appeal from..... 443 
 
 Ma3 T review finding of constituent lodge. 372 
 
 May reverse lodge judgment 233 
 
 May change sentence imposed by lodge 391 
 
 May modify decision of lodge 397 
 
 May restore suspended Mason 588 
 
 Reversing sentence, reinstates brother 315 
 
 Restoration after suspension confers membership 78 
 
 Grounds of appeal to be stated in writing 220 
 
 May expel for conduct since suspension 280 
 
 Property of defunct lodges go to 400 
 
 May remit dues owing to defunct lodges 339 
 
 Not liable for St. John's College debts . 206 
 
 Masons at sight not recognized . 201 
 
 Grand Master cannot set aside laws 459 
 
 Jurisdiction over North Carolina troops wherever serving.., 125 
 
 Must act on all suspensions or expulsions 158, 162 
 
 Grand Master asked to set aside time for work exemplifica- 
 tion 53 
 
 Furniture, etc., to be cared for by Grand Tiler 21 
 
 Committees, how appointed 68 
 
 Proxy to must be appointed in writing 242 
 
 May authorize less than two-thirds to change By-laws 46 
 
 Cipher work forbidden 170 
 
 Grand Lodge (Foreign) . 
 
 Canada's dispute with England 98 
 
 Cuba recognized 590 
 
 Costa Rica recognized 590 
 
 England's union with that of York 28 
 
 Hamburg, edict of non-intercourse with 58, 82 
 
20 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Louisiana, authority recognized in that State 74 
 
 Louisiana supreme in that State 59 
 
 New York, invasion by that of Hamburg denounced 82 
 
 St. John's Grand Lodge recognized 57 
 
 Phillips Grand Lodge interdicted 57 
 
 Queensland recognized 591 
 
 Virginia concurrent jurisdiction • 467, 478 
 
 York union with England 28 
 
 Grand Orient of France interdicted 199, 204, 357, 376 
 
 Grand Master. 
 
 Lay abstracts of communications before Grand Lodge 1, 27 
 
 Power as to dispensations 247 
 
 Bound by Grand Lodge and Masonic laws 440 
 
 Dispensation is prerogative of 399, 402 
 
 Dispensation cannot issue for anything forbidden by Code 443 
 
 Cannot set aside Grand Lodge laws 459 
 
 May grant dispensation to ballot party going abroad 509 
 
 Dispensation to bury non-affiliate 417, 418 
 
 Appoints district deputies 589 
 
 Appoints Historian 593 
 
 Appoints Grand Representatives 104 
 
 Appoints Grand Lecturer 17 
 
 Decide any conflicting resolutions of Grand Lodge 25 
 
 Expenses paid by Grand Lodge 93 
 
 Declined to warrant army lodges outside of State 118, 120 
 
 May issue dispensation for election 71 
 
 May suspend Master 538 
 
 Investigate charges against Master in office 5 
 
 May direct lodge to try charges against Master 6 
 
 May summons Masons for refusing to deliver up property 
 
 of Grand Lodge to hjm 107 
 
 Commissions appointees for one year 178 
 
 Corresponds with lodge through Secretary under seal 112 
 
 May issue dispensation for lodge to elect officers 157 
 
 Cannot make Masons at sight 66, 127, 201 
 
 Grand Officers. 
 
 Elected second night of Annual Communication 20 
 
 Grand Representatives. 
 
 Resolution authorizing 104 
 
 Established ■. 29 
 
 Grand Secretary. 
 
 Lay all communications before Grand Master 1, 27 
 
 Fees of - n, 12 
 
 To keep list of transient brethren 33 
 
SECTION 
 
 Books to be examined by committee... 41 
 
 May issue dimits for dormant lodges 56 
 
 To obtain portraits of Grand Masters 138 
 
 Grand Stewards. 
 
 To discontinue refreshments 22 
 
 Grand Treasurer. 
 
 To obtain (with G. Sec'y) portraits of Grand Masters 138 
 
 To report moneys on hand 16 
 
 Grand Tiler. 
 
 To care for furniture of Grand Lodge 21 
 
 Hair Lip. 
 
 Double, renders ineligible to degrees 576 
 
 Halls. 
 
 Dancing and card playing not allowed 185 
 
 Hand. 
 
 Loss of right hand, ineligible 560 
 
 Hearing. 
 
 Doss of sense of, renders ineligible 289 
 
 Hearsay Evidence. 
 
 Not admissable 352, 545 
 
 Historian. 
 
 Appointed by Grand Master 593 
 
 Holy Scriptures. 
 
 Belief in authenticity necessary 36 
 
 Illegal. 
 
 Election of officers at other than Grand Lodge directs 362 
 
 Illegal Intercourse. 
 
 Conviction for, with Mason's daughter follows expelled 
 
 Mason : 490 
 
 Illicit Distilling. 
 
 Unmasonic conduct 328 
 
 Illiterate Man. 
 
 Eligible to degrees 454 
 
 Inadmissible. 
 
 Hearsay testimony is on trials _ 352 
 
 Indefinite Suspension. 
 
 Mason under may be tried and expelled , 384 
 
 Insane. — See Lunatic. 
 Installation. 
 
 Must be at time Grand Lodge prescribes 362 
 
 Any Past Master may install 343 
 
 By proxy when.... 346, 430 
 
 By proxy, must have assent of absent officer 364 
 
 Void when by proxy without consent 430 
 
22 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Re-elected officers must be installed 342 
 
 Installed Officer. 
 
 Cannot resign 191, 449 
 
 Intoxicating Liquors. 
 
 Employing counsel to defeat application to sell is not 
 
 Masonic offense 94 
 
 Intoxicating Drinks. 
 
 No law forbidding Mason from manufacturing or selling.... 485 
 
 Intoxication. — See Drunkenness. 
 
 JEWEE. 
 
 Master's must be worn by presiding brotber 341 
 
 Joint use of Hales. 
 
 Not favored 296 
 
 Junior Warden. 
 
 Succeeds to Senior Warden's station 89 
 
 May callW.M. pro tern, to preside 146 
 
 Jurisprudence. 
 
 Correspondence on, to come tbrougb Secretary under seal 
 
 of lodge 112 
 
 Jurisprudence Committee. 
 
 Approve lodge By-laws 465 
 
 Jurisdiction — Grand Dodge. 
 
 What is 63 
 
 Asserted 148 
 
 Only one body over same territory in United States 57 
 
 Determined by State lines 379 
 
 Authority of several Grand Lodges recognized 73 
 
 Petitioners outside of State not admitted 345 
 
 Concurrent given other Grand Lodges when 467 
 
 Grand Master declined to warrant army lodges outside of 
 
 State 118, 120 
 
 Over State troops wherever they be 125 
 
 Jurisdiction. — Constituent Lodge. 
 
 Perpetual holds in this State 564 
 
 Lodge acquiring over rejected candidate holds 255 
 
 Not acquired over non-affiliate by rejection 491 
 
 Fixed by Grand Lodge 109 
 
 Each Lodge allotted by Grand Lodge 249 
 
 When exclusive 63 
 
 Adjoining lodges may agree on arbitrary line, Grand Lodge 
 
 will approve 205 
 
 Lodges may arrange for concurrent 587 
 
 Lodges when concurrent 63 
 
 Lodge has penal as well as territorial 97, 253, 4S0, 586 
 
INDEX. 23 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Penal corresponds with territorial 468 
 
 Lodge may try resident Masons not members 35 
 
 Twelve months residence necessary 217, 416 
 
 Residing six months annually in each of two lodges, may 
 
 petition either 43 Ia 
 
 Non-affiliate, twelve months residence unnecessary 519 
 
 Petitioner for affiliation may apply anywhere ..*.. .. 455, 357 
 
 Air line governs 219, 375 
 
 When no jurisdiction, petition may be withdrawn 165 
 
 Unanimous vote required to give another lodge over peti- 
 tioner 453 
 
 Waived by majority of lodge 511, 513, 516 
 
 Lodge without, must obtain consent in writing 450 
 
 Lodge may receive petition from resident foreigner 410 
 
 Lodge has over soldier absent in the army 122 
 
 Masonic residence same as civil 539 
 
 Expelled Mason must petition lodge expelling for restora- 
 tion 569 
 
 One lodge cannot invade that of another 144 
 
 When invaded must account for fees 196 
 
 Adjoining towns 298 
 
 E- A. of defunct lodge, assent of Grand Master of that 
 
 State must be had 3g5 
 
 Lodge U. D. is concurrent with nearest chartered lodge 403 
 
 Lodge U. D. must not invade sister lodge's 461 
 
 Lodges U. D. have no territorial 249 
 
 Knee. 
 
 Loss of leg below renders ineligible 3g3 
 
 Stiff knee renders ineligible 394 
 
 Unable to bend left, renders ineligible 579 
 
 Landmarks. 
 
 Must not be infringed 119, 121 
 
 Language. 
 
 Abusive should not be used 353 
 
 Lapse ok Time. 
 
 Does not debar E. A. from remaining degrees 515, 555 
 
 Lawful Age. 
 
 Twenty-one years is 482 
 
 Petitioner must be of 565 
 
 Lawful Information. 
 
 What is 163 
 
 Lay on Table. 
 
 Proper motion in Masonic lodge 295 
 
 Laving of Cornerstone. 
 
 In open lodge 495 
 
 21 
 
24 INDEX. 
 
 Lecturers. section 
 
 To examine applicants for license to lecture 584 
 
 Recommended by the Custodians 5.S4 
 
 LEFT Hand. — See Physical Qualification. 
 
 Leg. 
 
 Loss of, renders ineligible 289, 393, 574 
 
 Legal Notice. 
 
 What fs 203 
 
 Master's summons is 216 
 
 Seal of lodge and signature of Secretary affixed 334 
 
 Library. 
 
 Grand Secretary to accumulate 13 
 
 Lie Over. 
 
 Petitions for degrees must for one month 489 
 
 Liquor Selling. 
 
 Unmasonic conduct 261 
 
 Lodges Under Dispensation. 
 
 Powers of 67 
 
 Grand Master appoints Master and Wardens 67 
 
 Can make Masons 67 
 
 Can exercise only power named in warrant 67 
 
 Cannot affiliate members 124, 131, 249 
 
 Not entitled to representation in Grand Lodge 67 
 
 Property belongs to Grand Lodge 67 
 
 Do not open or close in due form 141 
 
 Cannot hold public celebrations 67 
 
 Dispensation may issue to regiments for the war 116 
 
 Petition for must be accompanied by (limits 208 
 
 Members may continue members of chartered lodge 183 
 
 Is lodge in meaning of dual membership which is forbidden 207 
 
 Cannot try or discipline Masons 249 
 
 Officer may be officer of chartered lodge 1S6 
 
 Members of lose membership in chartered lodge 232 
 
 Cannot enact Bydaws 249 
 
 Has no concurrent jurisdiction with chartered lodge 403 
 
 Has no territorial jurisdiction 249 
 
 Must not use material of another lodge 461 
 
 Master of chartered lodge cannot be Master 411 
 
 Lodge Funds. 
 
 Brother tried for conversion to own use 354 
 
 Lodge Rooms. 
 
 Not to be used for balls, parties, etc 296 
 
 Joint use not favored 296 
 
 Lodges of Sorrow. 
 
 Not mock Masonic burials 215 
 
INDEX. 25 
 
 Lodge. section 
 
 May receive petition from man who cannot read or write. ... 454 
 
 May receive petition from pensioner sixty-one years old 518 
 
 May receive petition from clandestine Mason for degrees.... 581 
 
 May receive petition of bow-legged man 580 
 
 Cannot levy assessment 528 
 
 Cannot try for bringing civil suit, not having first submit- 
 ted to lodge 570 
 
 Cannot grant dimit to Entered Apprentice 463 
 
 Cannot receive petition from man lost left hand 493, 494, 497 
 
 Cannot receive petition from person who lost either foot 494, 497 
 
 Cannot receive, obligate or raise but one candidate at time.. 521, 567 
 Cannot entertain petition of candidate rejected in another 
 
 jurisdiction without consent 564 
 
 Cannot ballot on petition before committee reports 50S 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one totally deaf 559 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one who has lost arm 561 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one who has double hair-lip.. 576 
 Cannot receive petition from one who has lost three fingers 
 
 and part of thumb on right hand 575 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one who has lost right hand... 560 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one under age 565 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one who has lost all fingers on 
 
 right hand 577 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one crippled with white swell- 
 ing and getting worse 578 
 
 Cannot receive petition from one who has lost leg 574 
 
 Cannot receive petition from person who has lost right leg 
 
 below knee 529 
 
 Cannot receive petition of one who cannot bend left knee... 579 
 
 Penal jurisdiction of 468 
 
 Has penal and territorial jurisdiction 253, 480, 586 
 
 May receive application for restoration as often as rejected.. 532 
 Rejected petition for restoration cannot be renewed for 
 
 twelve months 534 
 
 Rejecting non-affiliate has no jurisdiction over 491 
 
 Any other lodge may be petitioned by rejected non-affiliate 550 
 
 Petition for affiliation cannot be withdrawn 549 
 
 Mason refusing to sign By-laws 525 
 
 Every member present must vote 547 
 
 Member present failing to vote does not invalidate ballot.... 548 
 
 Unfavorable ballot cannot be questioned 551 
 
 Non-affiliate may apply when and where 519 
 
 Charter must be present 563 
 
 In adjacent municipalities may arrange jurisdiction 587 
 
2() INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Dimit issued for joining another lodge 594 
 
 Majority vote of those present necessary to elect officers 474 
 
 Non-affiliate only restored hy ballot after issuing of dimit.. . 552 
 
 Ballot may be demanded on passing and raising 583 
 
 Cannot appoint Committee to investigate charges again si 
 
 Master 505 
 
 Master must preside at trial 504 
 
 Open when cornerstone is laid 495 
 
 Cannot criticise member blackballing for non-age 502 
 
 Grand Lodge may suspend 538 
 
 Cannot hold regular meetings at other times than By-laws 
 
 prescribe , 452, 526 
 
 Cannot open for business with six members and one visitor 530 
 
 Must be opened on third degree 481, 531, 496 
 
 Past Masters made in Chapters not recognized as such 476 
 
 Shall not recognize Cerneauism, or its members 458 
 
 Rejected candidate for advancement may apply any time 
 
 thereafter 520 
 
 Rejected non-affiliate cannot demand admission, or that 
 
 charges be preferred against him 535 
 
 Only two ballots on petition for degrees 500, 503 
 
 Hearsay testimony not received on trials 545 
 
 Bound by irregular election of member 49S, 499 
 
 Dispensation issued to refund fees to petitioner who objected 
 
 to person receiving degrees 510 
 
 Candidate signs By-laws of lodge electing him 512 
 
 Cannot try Master 470 
 
 Officer cannot resign 449 
 
 Minutes to be approved before lodge closes 479 
 
 Material of one not to be used by another 461 
 
 By-laws approved by Jurisprudence Committee 465 
 
 Expelling must be petitioned for restoration 569 
 
 Objection filed stops advancement of candidate 456 
 
 Objection to advancement should be made in open 56S 
 
 Accepting property of another takes its unfinished material 506 
 Cannot suspend for non-payment of dues, (it can dismember) 558 
 Nearest does not have territorial jurisdiction over non-affili- 
 ate 557 
 
 Removal to another part of same town by majority vote 522 
 
 Rejecting non-affiliate must give consent to joining any 
 
 other lodge unless removes from jurisdiction 469 
 
 When cannot refuse dimit 540 
 
 Should not print names to be balloted on in notice of meet- 
 ings 542 
 
INDEX. 27 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Must permit accused to be heard in defense 545 
 
 Cannot rescind act restoring suspended Mason 543 
 
 Petition for degrees must lie over one month, even if meet- 
 ing weekly 251, 544 
 
 Unanimous vote necessary to waive jurisdiction over can- 
 didate 453 
 
 Unanimous vote necessary to ask sister lodge to confer 
 
 degrees on candidate 515 
 
 Summoned to vote on petition of expelled Mason for resto- 
 ration 514 
 
 Dimitted Mason affiliated by ballot only 533 
 
 Dimit effective from granting 507, 533 
 
 Can only suspend on charges 460 
 
 Non-affiliate no right to visit 427 
 
 When Senior Warden cannot call Special Communication.. 428 
 
 Decides what is charity 431 
 
 Pending appeal accused has no right to visit 437, 438 
 
 Pending appeal convicted brother has no Masonic privi- 
 leges 442 
 
 Consent of rejecting lodge, how obtained 425 
 
 May pass By-law requiring Treasurer to give bond 424 
 
 Must try on specifications 422 
 
 Dispensation will not issue to permit work with less than 
 
 seven members 419 
 
 Consent of had, when petitioner has not resided twelve 
 
 months _ 416 
 
 Master of cannot be appointed Master of lodge U. D 411 
 
 Lunatic not liable for dues 408 
 
 Lunatic cannot enter ,.-. 408 
 
 Dimit effective from action of 407 
 
 No jurisdiction to try dimitted brother four years a non- 
 resident 405 
 
 Jurisdiction with chartered is concurrent for lodge U. D 403 
 
 Irregular to try at meeting when charges are presented 404 
 
 Should not try for refusal to pay for a still 401 
 
 Membership falling below seven forfeits charter 400 
 
 Should not attempt to control suits at law 39S 
 
 Decision may be modified by Grand Lodge 397 
 
 Member allowing mother to become county charge 392 
 
 Cannot bury a Mason excluded for non-payment of dues 3S7 
 
 Should allow time to file charges 382 
 
 Accuser, with consent of, may employ counsel 3S1 
 
 Material of defunc^ belongs to nearest 378 
 
 Cannot receive petition of sojourner 377 
 
2<S INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Members forbidden to visit French lodges 376 
 
 May try and expel for murder 374 
 
 Jurisdiction air line 219, 375 
 
 Should approve minutes before closing 370 
 
 Must elect officers at time fixed by Grand L,odge 36S 
 
 Need not try when 367 
 
 May restore expelled Mason 366 
 
 When petition may be withdrawn 365 
 
 Must be duly constituted 362 
 
 May withdraw matter from Committee 361 
 
 May direct use of lodge seal 360 
 
 Cannot receive petition from non-resident 345 
 
 Master may call anyone to preside over 344 
 
 Re-elected officers must be installed 342 
 
 Electing rejected material must secure assent of lodge 
 
 rejecting 337 
 
 Cannot receive petition from resident of another lodge's 
 
 jurisdiction 336 
 
 What is legal notice 334 
 
 Dimit not granted when charges pending 332 
 
 Attach seal to dimit 331 
 
 Members must be allowed to vote 327 
 
 All present must vote 325 
 
 Majority vote governs 32; 
 
 Master must decide points of order 323 
 
 Member may speak 323 
 
 All members entitled to vote 322 
 
 Motion cannot be withdrawn without consent of lodge 321 
 
 May be summoned by Master for a trial 318 
 
 Members notified of trial, not summoned 318 
 
 Master must have served as Warden 317 
 
 When Past Master may open 316 
 
 Charter arrested, Masonic standing of members not affected 313 
 
 May expel for disobeying legal summons 312 
 
 Appeal from, must state grounds 311 
 
 Opened on third degree for trial 310 
 
 May levy tax contribution to benevolent object.. 307 
 
 Jurisdiction in adjoining towns 298 
 
 When non-affiliate may prefer charges 292, 293 
 
 Names of non-affiliates not to be published 28S 
 
 Suspended Mason present sufficient reason for not opening 
 
 lodge 286 
 
 Suspended Mason cannot visit 286 
 
 May ask for dispensation 2S4 
 
 Cannot receive petition of maimed candidate 281 
 
INDEX. 29 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Must take ballot on specifications on trial 276 
 
 Must vote on specifications 276 
 
 Cannot try by Committee 274 
 
 To issue dimitwhen requested 273 
 
 Master must serve as Warden to be eligible 270 
 
 May fix fees for degrees 269 
 
 No appeal from verdict of acquittal 268, 282 
 
 Majority vote convicts in trials 265 
 
 May punish for false accusations 264 
 
 May punish for disobeying legal summons 263 
 
 May suspend for disobeying legal summons 262 
 
 Conferring degrees by request, no charge 258 
 
 Rejecting petition, must give assent on subsequent peti- 
 tion to another lodge 255 
 
 Non-payment of dues 248 
 
 Master must have served as Warden 247 
 
 Cannot fine members for non-attendance 241 
 
 Suspended member restored by unanimous vote 240 
 
 Two-thirds may reinstate 239, 240 
 
 Joint charge for individual offense is error 237 
 
 Not to be named for living persons 236 
 
 Cannot refuse accused right to file answer and verify it 234 
 
 Judgment of on trial may be reversed by Grand Lodge 233 
 
 May adopt such By-laws as desired 231 
 
 Transcript must show requisite number present 227 
 
 Mason has no inherent right to visit 225 
 
 When charges may be preferred against visitor 224 
 
 Visitor objected to, Master can inquire reasons 223 
 
 Admission of visitor may be objected to :'. 222 
 
 Visitor must take Tiler's oath 218 
 
 Twelve month's residence necessary to give jurisdiction 217 
 
 Removal of 212 
 
 May confer degrees on man not speaking English 210 
 
 Agreeing with another as to jurisdiction 205 
 
 Before trial must prefer and serve charges 200 
 
 Petitioner rejected, must wait twelve months 193 
 
 May consent to withdrawal of petition for affiliation 192 
 
 Installed officer cannot resign 191 
 
 May remit dues for cause 189 
 
 Cannot expel for non-payment of dues 188 
 
 May try one brother to difficulty after expulsion of other... 187 
 
 Officer may also be officer of lodge U. D 186 
 
 By-laws may not be signed by proxy 184 
 
 New charter does not cut off old members 182 
 
30 ' INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Communication from another, when legal 177 
 
 Officer may he installed hy proxy 175 
 
 vSole judge of who admitted as members 1^9 
 
 Does not recognize Chapter Past Masters 164 
 
 Seal should he used on communications with other lodges.... 161 
 
 Raised candidates must sign By-laws 160 
 
 Cannot remit dues of ministers of the Gospel 159 
 
 Must report suspensions and expulsions 158, 162 
 
 Can elect officers only on date By-laws prescribe 157 
 
 Send evidence with reports of suspensions and expulsions.. 156 
 
 May restore expelled Mason by unanimous vote ^54 
 
 Cannot suspend for failure to pay dues but may dismember 152 
 
 May receive petition from person unable to write name 151 
 
 By-laws must be approved by Committee on Jurisprudence 147 
 
 Master pro tern, maybecalled to chair 14ft 
 
 Can only be assembled in lawful manner 145 
 
 Initiating candidates . property of another lodge must 
 
 account for fees 144 
 
 May reftise to grant dimit when 143 
 
 Should not enact By-laws reenacting Grand Lodge laws, etc 142 
 
 Cannot act on petitions at same meeting when presented.... 140 
 
 Grand Lecturers to examine records and proceedings 137 
 
 Cannot confer degrees unless proficiency be shown 136 
 
 Need not approve Committees appointed by Master 134 
 
 Cannot have every meeting a day of election 133 
 
 Minutes should not contain Unmasonic expressions 132 
 
 Minutes approved at same meeting as when written 130, 135 
 
 Mason connot belong to two 123 
 
 May receive petitions of soldier absent in army 122 
 
 Not to receive maimed candidates 119, 121 
 
 Every Mason ought to belong to some 117 
 
 Non-affiliate not entitled to visit 117 
 
 Correspondence with Grand Master through Secretary under 
 
 seal of 112 
 
 Not essential for Master to have Past Master's degree in 
 
 presiding in 
 
 To give notice of reinstatements 110 
 
 Cannot determine its jurisdiction 109 
 
 Must read and approve minutes before closes 101 
 
 Cannot act on petition for degrees at special meeting 99 
 
 Has territorial as well as affiliated jurisdiction in trials 97 
 
 Appeal reversed for technicality, case is certified for new 
 
 trial 95 
 
 What is due proficiency 92 
 
3 1 
 
 SKCTIOX 
 
 May tax non-affiliate for visiting S8 
 
 Numbering of 87 
 
 Cannot try while at refreshment 86 
 
 Cannot try by committee S5 
 
 Cannot try siispended Mason for acts during suspension 84 
 
 Cannot try for Unmasonic conduct generally 83 
 
 Restoration by Grand Lodge confers membership 78 
 
 Expulsion from Commandery does not affect standing in.... 77 
 
 Established by Scottish Rite are illegal 75 
 
 Cannot be established by Scottish Rite 74 
 
 Cannot meet on Sunday excepting funerals and cases of 
 
 charity 72 
 
 Committees, how appointed 68 
 
 Suspended Mason restored by Grand Lodge is not a mem- 
 ber 64 
 
 Concurrent jurisdiction 63 
 
 Exclusive jurisdiction 63 
 
 Cannot try Master 62 
 
 Vote by show of hands or ballots 61 
 
 Appeal from Master's decision lies only to Grand Lodge 60 
 
 Members of Pythagoras Lodge, N. Y., cannot visit 58 
 
 How removed 55 
 
 Do not adjourn but closes _ 52 
 
 Dispense with labor in opening on lower degree 51 
 
 Must not receive candidate's petition merely for E. A. 
 
 degree 50 
 
 Cannot ballot for initiating and raising at same meeting 49 
 
 Close or call off , do not adjourn 4S 
 
 Cannot punish for non-attendance _ 47 
 
 By-laws requiring two-thirds present to amend may be 
 
 amended by permission of Grand Lodge 46 
 
 Not exceeding three to appoint same proxy 3S 
 
 May try resident Masons not members 35 
 
 To be visited and instructed by Grand Lecturers 32 
 
 Return resident Masons 31 
 
 Cannot meet alternately at two separate places 30a 
 
 Notify of suspensions, expulsions, etc 26 
 
 Not entitled to representation in Grand Lodge unless 
 
 returns made and dues paid 24 
 
 Cannot punish for failure to attend meetings or pay dues.... 23 
 
 Discontinuance of refreshments recommended 22 
 
 May establish any ratio for fees for degrees not under min- 
 imum 14 
 
 No right to inflict corporal punishment 8a 
 
 22 
 
32 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Cannot try its Master 4 
 
 Cannot receive petition for degrees from candidate resid- 
 ing nearer another lodge 3 
 
 To notify other lodges of rejections 3 
 
 Proxy must have written authority 39 
 
 LOSS OF LEG. 
 
 Disqualifies candidate 289 
 
 Loss of Fingers. 
 
 Two on right hand eligible 524 
 
 Lunatic. 
 
 Member adjudged, not liable for dues pending 408 
 
 Cannot enter lodge 408 
 
 Maiung. 
 
 To last address is legal 334 
 
 Maimed Candidates. 
 
 Not received : 281 
 
 When admitted 65 
 
 Majority. 
 
 Vote of members present necessary to elect officers 474 
 
 Governs action of lodge 324 
 
 Vote convicts on trials 265 
 
 Making Masons at Sight. 
 
 Not countenanced 200, 201 
 
 Grand Master can make (overruled) 66, 127 
 
 Masonic Assistance. 
 
 Widow remarrying forfeits right to 477 
 
 Mason. 
 
 Cannot be called to account for vote given... 435 
 
 Joining Catholic Church should be permitted to withdraw.... 278 
 
 Mourning 267 
 
 Suicide entitled to Masonic burial 254 
 
 No inherent right to visit 225 
 
 Chapter Masons present to be noted among Masons present 213 
 
 Cannot belong to two lodges 207 
 
 Masonic Burials. 
 
 Mock are discouraged 562 
 
 Suicide entitled to 254, 523 
 
 Convicted murderer not entitled to 523 
 
 Dispensation may issue for non-affiliate's burial when 417, 418 
 
 Cannot be had when dismembered for non-payment of dues 387 
 
 •Non-affiliate not entitled to 117, 246 
 
 Masonic Charity. 
 
 Remarriage of widow forfeits 304 
 
 Masonic Haees. 
 
 Dancing not allowed i8> 
 
INDEX. 33 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Balls not permitted 185 
 
 Masonic Intercourse. 
 
 Forbidden with Cerneau Lodges and its members 59 
 
 Masonic Law. 
 
 Applies to all Masons 459 
 
 Grand Master custodian of 402 
 
 Embraces written and oral 402 
 
 Masonic Offense. 
 
 Embezzling funds of another secret order is 571 
 
 Wilful refusal to sign By-laws is 525 
 
 Conviction for follows person wherever he goes 490 
 
 Conducting of business may be when 485 
 
 No law prohibiting Mason from engaging in manufacture 
 
 or sale of intoxicating liquor 484 
 
 May be tried by lodge in whose jurisdiction occurs 468 
 
 Every wilful violation of criminal law is 433 
 
 Abandoning family is 422 
 
 Trial must be on specifications 422 
 
 Habitual drunkenness is 421 
 
 Simple and quiet controversy over ownership of dog is not.. 406 
 
 Murder is 355 
 
 Misappropriation of money is. 354 
 
 Striking Master Mason is 353 
 
 Failure to pay over money collected for distressed widow is 352 
 
 Illicit distilling is 328 
 
 Failure to pay debt is not 299 
 
 Violations of moral law are 238 
 
 Profanity 238 
 
 Drunkenness 238 
 
 Individual should not be charged as joint offense...' 237 
 
 Violation of moral law is 226 
 
 What is not 171 
 
 Profanity and drunkenness are 172 
 
 Failure to pay over money collected for distressed widow is 195 
 Difficulty between two brethren — one expelled — other may 
 
 be tried 187 
 
 Desertion is not 126 
 
 Mason not delivering up to Grand Lodge property of 
 
 defunct lodge is guilty of 106 
 
 Principal must be tried before aider or abettor can be tried 105 
 
 Passing counterfeit money is 102 
 
 Employing counsel to defeat applicants petition to retail 
 
 ardent spirits is not 94 
 
 Threat to expose secrets of Freemasonry is 91 
 
34 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 (living word as a Master Mason and then violating same is 90 
 
 Masonic PRIVILEGES. 
 
 Convicted, has none pending appeal 442 
 
 Daughter of expelled Mason no claim on Fraternity 173 
 
 Masonic Right. 
 
 Non-affiliate none but of petitioning for affiliation 290 
 
 Notice must he given 174 
 
 Masonic Standing. 
 
 Dimit granted after death does not affect 507 
 
 Not affected by arrest of charter 313 
 
 Masonic Temple. 
 
 Committee on made proxy of Grand Lodge 573 
 
 Lodges requested to subscribe to 572 
 
 Masonry. 
 
 Knows no sect or creed 278 
 
 Cypher work forbidden 170 
 
 Master. 
 
 Cannot re-open declaration of ballot electing petitioner 
 
 because brother present failed to vote 548 
 
 Grand Master may suspend 538 
 
 Passes upon due pronciencj' 531 
 
 Committee of lodge cannot investigate 505 
 
 Must preside at trial 504 
 
 Cannot be tried by lodge 470 
 
 Must have served as Warden 444 
 
 Must call Special Communications 428 
 
 Cannot be appointed Master of lodge U. D 411 
 
 Charges against, how brought 388 
 
 Cannot have false entry made on minutes 369 
 
 May call any one to preside 344 
 
 Brother presiding must wear jewel of 341 
 
 May call any one to preside 340 
 
 Discretionary power to summons 333 
 
 May summons orally 330 
 
 Cannot ignore motion 326 
 
 May allow members not voting to retire 325 
 
 Decides points of order 323 
 
 Cannot withdraw motion without consent of lodge 321 
 
 May summons lodge for a trial 318 
 
 Must have served as Warden 317 
 
 Cannot resign or dimit 294 
 
 Reinstated by failure of charges 287 
 
 Suspended by Grand Master which Grand Lodge does not 
 
 sustain 2S7 
 
INDEX. 35 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Must exclude suspended Mason from meeting 286 
 
 Can ask for dispensation 284 
 
 Cannot make and break a tie vote 283 
 
 Musi serve as Warden.... 270 
 
 Cannot grant new trial 252 
 
 Must have served as Warden 247 
 
 May issue summons 216 
 
 Notices of removal of lodge given to 212 
 
 Signature to minutes not necessary 166 
 
 Cannot allow petition to be withdrawn , 165 
 
 Master pro tern, may be called to the chair 146 
 
 Assembling and appointing officers of another lodge liable 
 
 to censure -.... 145 
 
 Of another lodge cannot assemble and appoint officers 145 
 
 Committees named by need not be approved by lodge 134 
 
 Grand Lodge may suspend pending charges. 115 
 
 Absconding can be tried at first communication of Grand 
 
 Lodge - 113 
 
 Need not have Past Master's degree in 
 
 Cannot call Special Communication to receive or act on 
 
 petition 99 
 
 Vacancy in office Senior Warden fills 89 
 
 Death of, Senior Warden succeeds 71 
 
 Warden act, has authority 69 
 
 Of lodge U. D., appointed by Grand Master 67 
 
 How proceeded against 62 
 
 Grand Master may suspend 62 
 
 Lodge cannot try 62 
 
 No appeal to lodge from decision 60 
 
 Fleeing to parts unknown may be expelled by Grand Lodge 37 
 
 Elect may be qualified and installed by any Past Master 28 
 
 Tried by lodge and convicted stands suspended until Grand 
 
 Lodge meets. (Reversed — -lodge cannot try Master) 7 
 
 Cannot be tried by his lodge 4 
 
 Jewel of worn by presiding brother „ 341 
 
 Master Mason. 
 
 Wears apron with corner up 585 
 
 Rejected applicant afterwards receiving degrees abroad, 
 
 not recognized , 377 
 
 Striking is Masonic offense 353 
 
 Optional whether lodge member or not 246 
 
 Right of visiting 221 
 
 Must sign By-laws t6o 
 
 May be tried by lodge in whose jurisdiction resides 97 
 
36 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Injury to by going hack on word given as .such is Masonic 
 
 offense 90 
 
 Master Mason's Degree. 
 
 Lodge must first he opened on 496 
 
 Business to be transacted in 42 
 
 Material. 
 
 Belongs to nearest lodge , 249 
 
 Members. 
 
 Seven make quorum 530 
 
 Cannot be assessed by lodge 528 
 
 Lodge may try its members though residing beyond lodge's 
 
 jurisdiction 480 
 
 Of defunct lodges not entitled to visit 471 
 
 Cannot be restrained from voting ' 327 
 
 Not voting may be permitted to retire 325 
 
 Majority of those present govern lodge's action 324 
 
 May speak 323 
 
 Entitled to vote 322 
 
 Summoned on proposition to remove lodge 212 
 
 May object to admission of visitor 222 
 
 Objecting to visitor, Master can inquire into 220 
 
 Meetings. 
 
 Lodge cannot hold alternately in separate places 30a 
 
 Membership. 
 
 When ceases conditionally 594 
 
 Non-affiliate acquires in former lodge only by ballot 553 
 
 Non-affiliate cannot regain merely by returning dimit 552 
 
 Charges necessary to cut off a restored Mason 543 
 
 Restored by restoration of charter of defunct lodge 541 
 
 Cannot be enforced compulsorily 540 
 
 Ceases when dimit granted and not at its delivery 533 
 
 Irregularly obtained, holds 498, 499 
 
 Twelve months residence not required of affiliate 423 
 
 Mason must sign By-laws 409 
 
 Dimit effective from lodge's action 407 
 
 Falling below seven forfeits charter 400 
 
 Restoration to for non-payment of dues 385, 390 
 
 Lost by dimitting 291 
 
 Non-affiliate may apply anywhere for 259 
 
 Lost non-payment of dues regained as By-laws provide 248 
 
 Optional whether membership shall continue 246 
 
 Suspension does notdeprive 243 
 
 Unanimous vote necessary to restore suspended Mason to.... 240 
 
 Signing petition for lodge U. D. severs 232 
 
INDEX. 3 7 
 
 SECTION 
 
 May be in chartered lodge and lodge U. D 183 
 
 Dual forbidden 207 
 
 Restored at expiration of definite suspension... 81 
 
 Minutes. 
 
 Should be read and approved before lodge closes -J ,g' 3 ' *35 
 
 Unmasonic expressions criticised 132 
 
 Form of criticised 146 
 
 Master need not sign 166 
 
 Master cannot have false entry made 369 
 
 Ministers of the Gospel/ 
 
 Fees for degrees cannot be remitted -153, 386, 483 
 
 Dues cannot be remitted 159 
 
 Misappropriation. 
 
 Of money Masonic offense 354 
 
 Mock Masonic Burials. 
 
 Discouraged 215, 308, 562 
 
 Month. 
 
 Petition for degrees lies over one month 251, 302, 489, 544 
 
 Moral Daw. 
 
 Violation of Masonic offense 226, 238, 485 
 
 Mother. 
 
 Mason cannot be tried for allowing mother to become 
 
 county charge 392 
 
 Motion. 
 
 Suspension, when can be made 214 
 
 Must be put by Master 326 
 
 Seconded, cannot be withdrawn : _... 321 
 
 To lay on table allowable 295 
 
 Mourning. 
 
 What is proper 267 
 
 Murderer. 
 
 Convicted, not entitled to Masonic burial 52^ 
 
 Murder. 
 
 Char g e of 355 
 
 Dodge may try for 374) 4I4 
 
 Music. 
 
 May be substituted for Scriptural readings : 358 
 
 Name of Dodge. 
 
 Name of living person not to be given.....'. 236 
 
 Naturalization. 
 
 Unnecessary to qualify for petitioning 4IO 
 
 Negro Dodges. 
 
 Clandestine 128, 129 
 
 Spurious 120 
 
3<S' INDEX. 
 
 Nkw Trial. SECTION 
 
 Ordered because of defects in transcript 355 
 
 When granted 279 
 
 Cannot be granted by Master 252 
 
 Granted when no vote on specifications 270 
 
 Granted when transcript so very irregular and unintelligible 272 
 
 Non-Akfiliatk. 
 
 No right to visit 117, 427 
 
 May visit once only 117, 194 
 
 Not entitled to Masonic relief 117, 24b 
 
 Not entitled to Masonic burial 117, 246 
 
 Dispensation may issue to bury 417, 418 
 
 Exclusion makes 181 
 
 Dimitted Mason is 273, 356 
 
 Lodge may impose tax on visiting 88 
 
 Not chargeable with dues 271 
 
 Only Masonic right is that of petitioning for affiliation 273, 290 
 
 Names not to be published 288 
 
 Not entitled to seat in Grand Lodge 347 
 
 When may prefer charges 292, 293 
 
 May be tried for offense occxirring prior to dimitting 434 
 
 May be invited once to visit lodge 427 
 
 Failing to sign By-laws Mason becomes 409 
 
 Members of defunct lodges are 486 
 
 Irregularly elected membership holds 498, 499 
 
 Not required to present dim it in given time 517 
 
 Only affiliated again by ballot 533, 552 
 
 Dimit must be issued even if party intends becoming 540 
 
 Restored by restoration of charter of lodge in which mem- 
 bership existed 541 
 
 Rejected cannot demand admission or that charges be pre- 
 ferred against him 535 
 
 Rejected in lodge granting him dimit is still non-affiliate... 553 
 
 Twelve months residence is not necessary in petitioning for 
 
 membership 423 
 
 May apply anywhere for membership 259, 455, 491, 550, 557 
 
 May present petition for restoration as often as rejected 532 
 
 Rejected cannot petition another lodge unless removes 
 
 from jurisdiction 469 
 
 Can apply anywhere any time 519, 556 
 
 Non-Attendance. 
 
 Cannot be punished by fine 47, 241 
 
 Non-Payment ok Debt. 
 
 No Masonic offense 299 
 
INDEX. 39 
 
 Non-Payment of Dues. section 
 
 Cannot expel for... 188 
 
 Cannot suspend for 80, 558 
 
 May dismember 80, 256 
 
 When dismembered entitled to restoration 385, 390 
 
 Failing to answer is an admission of propriety of dismem- 
 berment 413 
 
 Excluded for, not entitled to Masonic burial 387 
 
 Payment in full reinstates 562 
 
 Can regain standing only by complying with By-laws... 248 
 
 Non-Resident. 
 
 Four years dimitted, and removed from State cannot be 
 
 tried 405 
 
 Cannot petition for degrees 345 
 
 Non-Age. 
 
 Sufficient reason for blackball 502 
 
 Ground for unfavorable report 306 
 
 Not Guii<ty. 
 
 No appeal from verdict of 268, 282, 420 
 
 On specifications cannot punish : 283 
 
 Notice. 
 
 What is legal 203, 334 
 
 When legal without seal of lodge 177 
 
 Must be given before dismemberment for non-payment of 
 
 dues 256 
 
 Given accused of taking of depositions 272 
 
 Notice of Charges. 
 
 Transcript must show service 227 
 
 Notice of Meetings. 
 
 Should not print candidates names to be balloted on 542 
 
 Notice of Trial. 
 
 May be accepted 527 
 
 Notified. 
 
 Members are, of a trial and not summoned 318 
 
 Number of Lodge. 
 
 Blanks in not to be filled 87 
 
 Determined by charter date 87 
 
 Obedience. 
 
 Enforced only by reprimand, suspension or expulsion 8a 
 
 Object. 
 
 Brother may to candidate 335 
 
 Objection. 
 
 To advancement, reasons need not be given 568 
 
 Can be raised after initiation 250 
 
 Filed to advancement of candidate stops all proceedings 456 
 
 23 
 
4o 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Considered withdrawn where brother (limits 456 
 
 Made in open lodge to advancement of candidate 568 
 
 To visiting brother sitting in lodge 222 
 
 Master can ask for to visiting brother 223 
 
 Obligation. — .See Tiler's Obligation. 
 
 Given one at a time 521, 567 
 
 Office. 
 
 Mason accepting in honor bound to fill 466 
 
 Vacancy in office, how filled 89 
 
 Officer. 
 
 Vacancy filled only at regular election 79 
 
 Cannot be forced to serve 430 
 
 May be installed by proxy 175, 346, 364, 430 
 
 Installation by prox}', when 346 
 
 Must be elected and installed 362 
 
 Re-elected, must be installed 342 
 
 Elected by a majority of those present 474 
 
 Installed, cannot resign 191 
 
 Of chartered lodge may also hold office in lodge U. D 186 
 
 Deacon, being installed, cannot dimit 412 
 
 Any Past Master may install 343 
 
 In honor bound to fill office he accepts 466 
 
 No right to tell number of blackballs 501 
 
 Old age. 
 
 Sixty-one is not 518 
 
 Opening. 
 
 Lodge must be opened on third degree 481 
 
 Opinions. 
 
 Does not attempt to control religious or political opinions.. 8 
 
 Orphan Asylum. 
 
 Directors attending Grand Lodge paid expenses 546 
 
 Committee need not report no collection 383 
 
 Other Orders. 
 
 Embezzling funds of, properly triable by lodge 571 
 
 Parties. 
 
 Not to be given in lodge rooms > 296 
 
 Passing. 
 
 Ballot may be had on 167, 415 
 
 Past Master. 
 
 Chapter — not entitled to recognition as such in lodge 164, 476 
 
 Virtual and actual 164 
 
 When may preside 71 
 
 When may open lodge 316 
 
 May install officers 343 
 
INDEX. 41 
 
 SECTION 
 
 An}- may qualify and install Master-elect 28 
 
 Past Master's Degree. 
 
 Not essential to preside over lodge ...: in 
 
 Embraced in Royal Arch Chapter 28 
 
 Cannot be conferred in Subordinate Lodge 28 
 
 Past Grand Officer. 
 
 Non-affiliate not entitled to seat in Grand Lodge. 347 
 
 Penal Jurisdiction. 
 
 Over resident Masons not members , 253 
 
 Lodge has, as well as territorial 480 
 
 Pensioner. 
 
 May apply for degrees : 518 
 
 Petition for Affiliation. 
 
 Dimit must accompany 123 
 
 Lodges U. D. cannot receive 124, 131 
 
 Withdrawn only by consent of lodge 192 
 
 Cannot be withdrawn 549 
 
 Need not live in jurisdiction 455 
 
 Rejected cannot demand that charges be preferred against 
 
 him or that he be admitted 535 
 
 Status of rejected... 259 
 
 May be presented as often as rejected 532 
 
 Rejected non-affiliate may petition that or any other lodge.. 550 
 
 Petition for Degrees. 
 
 For the three degrees of Masonry 45, 167 
 
 Cannot be withdrawn after reference to committee 70 
 
 Cannot be withdrawn 165, 306, 365 
 
 When may be withdrawn 165 
 
 Lies over one month , 251, 302, 489 
 
 Received from party who cannot write his name 151 
 
 Ministers of the Gospel must pay fees 153 
 
 Not received from non-resident 345 
 
 Cannot be received from person residing in another lodge's 
 
 jurisdiction 336 
 
 May be received from soldier absent in army 122 
 
 Candidates must have fixed residence 139 
 
 Twelve month's residence necessary 217 
 
 Cannot be acted on at Special Communication 99, 447 
 
 Wrongfully acted on, lodge should pay fees to proper lodge 144 
 
 Cannot be acted on at meeting when presented 140 
 
 Unfavorable report does not stop action 257 
 
 Single blackball rejects 40 
 
 Non-age grounds for adverse report 306 
 
 Vote on cannot be questioned 305 
 
42 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Rejected, must get lodge's consent 255 
 
 Rejected petition cannot be acted upon until consent of 
 
 rejecting lodge he had 255, 337 
 
 Rejected cannot he renewed in twelve months 193, 260 
 
 Petitioner for decrees. 
 
 Must be of full age 565 
 
 Lawful age 482 
 
 Must be twelve months a resident 416, 511, 513, 516 
 
 Must personally sign petition 436 
 
 Man who cannot read or write eligible 454 
 
 Living nearer Virginia line may petition lodge in that State 467 
 
 Virginian may petition North Carolina lodge when 478 
 
 Resident six months in two lodges may petition either 431 a 
 
 Petition lies over one month 544" 
 
 Names should not be printed on notice of meeting 542 
 
 Sojourner cannot become 377, 440, 445 
 
 Masonic residence same as civil 539 
 
 Only two ballots can be had 500, 503 
 
 Each member present must vote to elect 547 
 
 Two years enlistment in army does not affect eligibility 539 
 
 Names of rejected not to be published 76 
 
 Ministers of Gospel must pay fees for 386, 483 
 
 Clandestine may become 581 
 
 Maimed not received 281 
 
 Not of necessity a citizen 410 
 
 Elected and lodge becomes defunct, can get degrees from 
 
 successor lodge 395, 506 
 
 Jurisdiction in another lodge, must have unanimous consent 450, 453 
 
 Must present himself in six months 592 
 
 Total deafness will debar. 559 
 
 Unfavorable ballot cannot be questioned 551 
 
 Dispensation granted returning money, he objecting to 
 
 degrees being given another 510 
 
 Rejected in another lodge's jurisdiction must get consent ... 425, 564 
 
 Must be able to make signs 363 
 
 Non-age sufficient reason for blackball 502 
 
 Bowlegs do not render ineligible ... 580 
 
 White swelling does not disqualify 473 
 
 Loss of one eye does not disqualify 554 
 
 Loss of two fingers on left hand eligible 524 
 
 Pensioner, not physically deformed, sixty-one years of age, 
 
 eligible 518 
 
 Crippled with white swelling ineligible 578 
 
 Double hair lip ineligible 576 
 
INDEX. 43 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Loss of part of shoulder bone 363 
 
 Loss of leg ineligible 180, 451, 548a, 574 
 
 Loss of leg below knee ineligible 393, 529 
 
 Loss of arm, ineligible 180, 561 
 
 Loss of either foot disqualifies 494, 497 
 
 Loss of left hand disqualifies 493, 494, 497 
 
 Loss of right thumb, and part of two fingers, ineligible 429 
 
 Loss of right thumb and three fingers ineligible 575 
 
 Loss of all fingers on right hand, ineligible 577 
 
 Loss of right hand 560 
 
 Stiff knee renders ineligible 394, 451 
 
 Unable to bend left knee ineligible 579 
 
 Petition for Lodge U. D. 
 
 Dimits must accompany 208 
 
 Signers must dimit when charter granted....! 183 
 
 Signers retain former affiliation pending application 183 
 
 Petition for Restoration. 
 
 Rejected, cannot be renewed for twelve months 534 
 
 Lies over one month 514 
 
 Physical Qualifications. 
 
 Maimed candidates not received 119, 121 
 
 Maimed candidates, when admitted... 65 
 
 Loss of one eye does not disqualify 554 
 
 Bowlegs do not disqualify 580 
 
 What disqualifies 289 
 
 Total deafness debars 559 
 
 Loss of part of shoulder bone 353 
 
 Double hair lip, ineligible 576 
 
 White-swelling, one leg shorter, ineligible 473 
 
 Loss of right arm ineligible 150 
 
 Loss of arm, ineligible 180, 561 
 
 Loss of two fingers on left hand eligible 524 
 
 Loss of left hand ineligible 493, 494, 497 
 
 Loss of right thumb and two fingers ineligible 429 
 
 Loss of right thumb and three fingers, ineligible 575 
 
 Loss of right hand ineligible 560 
 
 Loss of all fingers ineligible 577 
 
 Crippled with white-swelling and getting worse, ineligible 578 
 
 Loss of either foot disqualifies 494, 497 
 
 Unable to bend left knee, ineligible 579 
 
 Stiff knee, ineligible 391, 451 
 
 Loss of leg disqualifies 180, 393, 451, 529, 548a, 574 
 
 Point of Order. 
 
 Decided by Master ,. r 323 
 
44 INDEX. 
 
 Political Offenses. section 
 
 Desertion from armj is 126 
 
 Cannot be tried in lodge 126 
 
 Political Views. 
 
 Masonry does not attempt to control 8 
 
 Portraits ok Grand Masters. 
 
 Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer to obtain 138 
 
 Preferring Charges. 
 
 How and vvben done 404 
 
 Preside. 
 
 Master may call anyone to 344 
 
 Presiding Officer. 
 
 Senior Warden cannot call communication if Master in 
 
 lodge jurisdiction 428 
 
 Present. 
 
 All must vote 325 
 
 Principles of Masonry. 
 
 Cipber work forbidden 170 
 
 Proceedings. 
 
 To contain cbarter 155 
 
 Permanent resolves of tbe Grand Lodge to be printed with 25 
 
 Procession. 
 
 Non-affiliate not entitled to join in 117 
 
 Profane. 
 
 Lodge called off when testifying. 310 
 
 Evidence of received on trials 300 
 
 Counsel maybe 319 
 
 Profanity. 
 
 High Masonic Crime 172, 226, 238 
 
 Sufficient for blackball 198 
 
 Proficiency. 
 
 Maimed candidates must be able to make 65 
 
 Must be shown in open lodge before advancement 149 
 
 Master judge of 531 
 
 Property. 
 
 Lodge taking property of defunct lodge takes candidates 506 
 
 Of defunct lodge belongs to Grand Lodge 400 
 
 Prosecutor. 
 
 Master can also preside 504 
 
 Appeal by, not sustained 235 
 
 Pro tem. Appointments. 
 
 Need not be installed 426 
 
 Proxy. 
 
 Cannot act for exceeding three lodges in Grand Lodge 38 
 
 Must be in writing 39, 242 
 
INDEX. 45 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Masonic Temple Committee proxy of Grand Lodge 573 
 
 Officer may be installed by proxy — -175, 346, 364, 430 
 
 Cannot sign petition for degrees 436 
 
 Cannot sign By-laws.. - 184 
 
 Pythagoras Lodge (G. L. of Hamburg, in N. Y. City). 
 
 Edict of non-intercourse 58, 82 
 
 Punishment. 
 
 Corporal punishment cannot be inflicted 8a 
 
 Fines cannot be imposed for non-attendance 47 
 
 Suspension three years upheld 91 
 
 Grand Lodge may reduce 277 
 
 Quorum. 
 
 Seven members of lodge 530 
 
 Queensland. 
 
 Grand Lodge of recognized 591 
 
 Raising. 
 
 One at time — - 521, 567 
 
 Ballot may be had on 167, 415 
 
 Re-Ballot. 
 
 Cannot be had after close of meeting 448 
 
 Cannot be had until twelve months expire 446 
 
 Dispensation will not issue for re-ballot on rejected candi- 
 date - - 399 
 
 Reception of Candidate. 
 
 One at a time 521, 567 
 
 Recognition. 
 
 Denied any body whose jurisdiction conflicts or interferes 
 
 with that of regular Grand Lodges 73 
 
 Reconsideration. 
 
 None of ballot 338 
 
 Of second ballot can be had 503 
 
 Definite suspension cannot be 214 
 
 None of acquittal, cannot be reconsidered 114 
 
 Records. 
 
 Destroyed by fire 297 
 
 Reference Committee. 
 
 Lodge may withdraw matter from 361 
 
 Refreshment. 
 
 Lodge at, trial cannot be had 86 
 
 Refreshments. 
 
 Discontinuance recommended 22 
 
 Regular Communication. 
 
 Had only at time prescribed in By-laws 452, 526 
 
 General business should be transacted at 472 
 
46 INDEX. 
 
 REJECTED. SECTION 
 
 For advancement candidate may apply any time thereafter 520 
 
 REJECTION. 
 
 Profanity or drunkenness sufficient for iy8 
 
 Of petition of non-affiliate no bar to applying another lodge 491, 532 
 Must get consent of lodge rejecting non-affiliate before he 
 apply elsewhere, unless removes 469 
 
 Reinstatement. 
 
 Payment of dues reinstates 562 
 
 Two-thirds vote reinstates suspended Mason 239, 240 
 
 Notice to be given 1 10 
 
 Rejected Petitioner for Degrees. 
 
 Cannot be recognized here, when receiving degrees else- 
 where 377 
 
 Consent of rejecting lodge must be had before applying to 
 
 second lodge 255, 337, 425, 564 
 
 Must wait twelve months before repetitioning 193, 260 
 
 Relief. 
 
 Non-affiliate not entitled to 1 17 
 
 RELIGION. 
 
 Belief in authenticity of Holy Scriptures 36 
 
 Lodges no right to connect Masonry with 8 
 
 Re-Marriage of Mason's Widow. 
 
 Forfeits claim for Masonic assistance 304, 477 
 
 Remitting of Fees. 
 
 Cannot be done for ministers of the Gospel 4S3 
 
 Removal of Lodge. 
 
 Majority vote removes to another part of same town 522 
 
 What governs 212 
 
 Majority with Master's assent 212 
 
 How effected — two-thirds 55 
 
 Two-thirds vote, Master's assent not nepessary 212 
 
 Removal From State. 
 
 Person resident in another State, dimitted Mason, cannot 
 be tried by former lodge here 405 
 
 Request. 
 
 No charge for conferring degrees by 258 
 
 Rescind. 
 
 Action restoring suspended Mason cannot be rescinded 543 
 
 Residence. 
 
 Not changed by absence in army 122 
 
 Twelve months necessary 217, 511, 513, 516 
 
 Masonic is same as civil 539 
 
 Party claiming no, is sojourner 100 
 
 Ma5 7 be under two lodges 431a 
 
INDEX. 47 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Immaterial in petition for affiliation 423, 455, 519 
 
 Twelve months not required for affiliation 423, 455, 519 
 
 Twelve months lacking must have consent of other 
 
 lodge 511, 513, 51 6 
 
 When Virginian may petition North Carolina lodge 478 
 
 Mailing to last place of is legal notice 334 
 
 Report. 
 
 Must be had from committee before ballot on petition 508 
 
 Reprimand. 
 
 Single act of drunkenness calls for 351, 372, 421 
 
 Resident Masons. 
 
 May be tried by nearest lodge 35 
 
 Returned by lodges but not printed 31, 33 
 
 Resign. 
 
 Mason should resign from any office he cannot fill 466 
 
 Resignation. 
 
 Officer cannot 449 
 
 Master and Wardens cannot.. 294 
 
 Resolutions. 
 
 Any conflicting permanent resolutions to be submitted to 
 
 Grand Master's decision 25 
 
 Permanent to be printed with Proceedings 25 
 
 Restoration. 
 
 Grand Todge may restore 266, 366 
 
 By Grand Lodge confers membership in lodge 78 
 
 May be to lodge or to good standing only 588 
 
 Complete when definite suspension expires 81 
 
 Petition for cannot be withdrawn 365, 514 
 
 From member of defunct lodge -.. 348 
 
 Charter restored restores members to good standing 486, 541 
 
 Cannot afterwards be rescinded 543 
 
 Non-payment of dues 248, 385, 390 
 
 Must be to lodge acting in matter, even if removed from its 
 
 jurisdiction 569 
 
 Petition lies over one month 514 
 
 Mason seeking may apply as often as desires 532 
 
 Rejected cannot be renewed for twelve months 534 
 
 Unanimous vote of lodge necessary 154, 197, 303 
 
 Returns. 
 
 What to contain 26 
 
 Made by lodges 24 
 
 Printed with Proceedings 26 
 
 Failure to make and pay dues for two years forfeits charter 24 
 
 24 
 
4^ INDEX. 
 
 Return ok Registered Letter. section 
 
 No evidence of receipt of summons, for which disol>edience 
 
 he was expelled 536 
 
 reversal of Judgment. 
 
 Grand Lodge may reverse 372 
 
 Right Leg. 
 
 Loss of four inches below knee ineligible 529 
 
 Rights of Masonry. 
 
 Grand Lodge may restore to 366 
 
 Rights and Benefits of. 
 
 Majority vote restores suspended Mason to 243 
 
 Roman Catholic Church. 
 
 Mason joining should be permitted to dimit .. 278 
 
 Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 Legally constituted Masonic bodies 28 
 
 Past Master of (virtual) not recognized as such in lodge 164, 476 
 
 Members at funerals noted as Masons present 213 
 
 St. John's College. 
 
 Resolution... 206 
 
 Scriptures. 
 
 Selections may be chanted instead of read 358 
 
 Scottish Rite. 
 
 No power to establish Symbolic Lodges in Louisiana 74 
 
 No power to organize lodges 59 
 
 Who claim power to organize Symbolic Lodges in United 
 
 States are clandestine 59 
 
 Seal of Lodge. 
 
 Affixed to correspondence with Grand Master 112 
 
 Secretary uses by order of Master 360 
 
 Affixed to letter to sister lodge 161 
 
 When need not be attached 177 
 
 Must be attached to make legal 203 
 
 Attached to notice 203 
 
 Attached to summons 330 
 
 Attached to dimit 331 
 
 Seat in Grand Lodge. 
 
 Non-affiliate not entitled to 347 
 
 Second Ballot. 
 
 Cannot be reconsidered. 503 
 
 Secrecy of Ballot. 
 
 Must be maintained 435 
 
 Unmasonic to disclose 176 
 
 Cannot be questioned 168 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Directed by Master in affixing seal 360 
 
INDEX. 49 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Should affix seal to letter to other lodges 161 
 
 No right to issue summons except hy order of Master 285 
 
 Notifies accused of charges 211 
 
 Should issue summons 330 
 
 No right to drop from roll 408 
 
 Removing, office is filled pro tern 426 
 
 Notes Royal Arch Masons at lodge meeting as Masons 213 
 
 Secrets of Freemasonry. 
 
 Threat to expose is Masonic offense 91 
 
 Sect or Creed. 
 
 Unknown to Masonry 278 
 
 Seeing. 
 
 Loss of sense of , disqualifies 289 
 
 Senior Warden. 
 
 Succeeds to Master's office S9 
 
 No right to call Special Communication, Master in jurisdic- 
 tion - 428 
 
 Sentence. 
 
 Reduced - - 277 
 
 May be changed by Grand Lodge 391 
 
 Service of Charges. 
 
 Must be made when address known.. 190 
 
 May be accepted 527 
 
 Seven. 
 
 Members a quorum 530 
 
 Lodge must have seven members 400 
 
 Shoulder Bone. 
 
 Loss of part does not disqualify petitioner 363 
 
 Signing Name to Petition. 
 
 Cannot be by proxy 436 
 
 May be by mark 151 
 
 Signing By-Laws. 
 
 Must be done when raised -.160, 512, 525 
 
 Cannot be by proxy 184 
 
 Not needed when excluded person is restored to membership 409 
 
 Must sign those of lodge electing 582 
 
 Failure to makes non-affiliate 409 
 
 Sitting in Lodge Room. 
 
 Is lawful information 163 
 
 Six Months. 
 
 Petitioner for degrees must present himself in 592 
 
 Slander. 
 
 Of brother Mason is Unmasonic conduct 275 
 
50 INDEX. 
 
 Sojourner. section 
 
 Cannot petition for degrees 377, 440, 445 
 
 Soldier in army is not 122 
 
 Resident of another jurisdiction is 100 
 
 Party claiming no residence is 100 
 
 Soldier. 
 
 Is not a sojourner 122 
 
 Speak. 
 
 Any member may 323 
 
 Special Communication. 
 
 For degree work must be opened on Master Mason's degree 481, 496 
 Cannot be called by Senior Warden, Master in jurisdiction 42S 
 
 Petition for degrees cannot be acted on at 447 
 
 Spurious Masons. 
 
 Lodges warned against 129 
 
 Not recognized 199, 204 
 
 Negro lodges are 128 
 
 Specifications. 
 
 Must show in transcript 228, 244, 245 
 
 Must be voted on 276 
 
 Vote on failing, cannot sentence 283 
 
 Standing. 
 
 Charter of lodge arrested 313 
 
 St ate Line. 
 
 Determines jurisdiction of Grand Lodge 379 
 
 Stevenson Work. 
 
 Custodian to preserve 584 
 
 Still. 
 
 Refusal to pay for is not Unmasonic conduct 401 
 
 Striking Master Mason. 
 
 Not in self defense is Masonic offense 353 
 
 Suicide. 
 
 Entitled to Masonic burial 254, 523 
 
 Suits at Law. 
 
 Not Unmasonic conduct 329, 39S 
 
 Summons. 
 
 Disobedience of, a grave misdemeanor 202 
 
 Wilful disobedience should be punished 263, 320, 413 
 
 Disobedience of 312, 350 
 
 Illegal— charges not specified 439 
 
 Need not issue for members to attend a trial, they are noti- 
 fied 318 
 
 Secretary no right to issue but by order of Master 285 
 
 By Master may be orally 330 
 
 Master may issue 216 
 
INDEX. 51 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Master has discretionary poweT as to issuing 333 
 
 Disobeying, must prove summons was received 536 
 
 Summoned. 
 
 Lodge to vote on petition of expelled Mason for restoration 514 
 
 Sundays. 
 
 Lodges meet for funerals and cases of charity alone 72 
 
 Supreme Being. 
 
 Denial of by Grand Orient of France interdicted 376 
 
 Suspended Mason. 
 
 Status during appeal 64 
 
 Restored by Grand Lodge is non-affiliate Mason 64 
 
 Restored by Grand Lodge does not confer membership in... 64 
 
 No right to visit 286 
 
 Restoration by Grand Lodge 588 
 
 When reinstated notices should be given no 
 
 Unanimous ballot necessary... 303 
 
 Afterwards restored, action cannot be rescinded... 543 
 
 Suspension of Master. 
 
 By Grand Master 53S 
 
 Charges failing is reinstated : 287 
 
 Not sustained restores to rights 287 
 
 Suspension. 
 
 Not complete without sentence approved by Grand Lodge.. 315 
 
 If affirmed by Grand Lodge 64 
 
 If reversed by Grand Lodge 64 
 
 To be reported 26 
 
 Onty after trial 462 
 
 Charges necessary for lodge action 460 
 
 Holds until Grand Lodge meets 64 
 
 By Chapter, Council of Commandery does not affect Lodge 
 
 membership 64 
 
 Grand Lodge may make it expulsion 391 
 
 For conduct since, Grand Lodge may expel 280 
 
 When definite time expires party is restored 81 
 
 Indefinite made definite 277 
 
 Mason under may be tried and expelled 384 
 
 Does not deprive of membership 243 
 
 Majority vote restores as a Mason 243 
 
 Two-thirds may reinstate 239, 240 
 
 Unanimous vote necessary to restore to membership 240 
 
 Can only be reconsidered when 214 
 
 Cannot be for non-payment of dues 80, 558 
 
 And expulsions must be reported to Grand Lodge 158, 162 
 
 Evidence to be reported to Grand Lodge 156 
 
 Cannot be inflicted for failure to pay dues 152 
 
52 INDEX. 
 
 Tax. section 
 
 For contribution for benevolent objects allowed 307 
 
 Teachings of Masonry. 
 
 In accord with law of God 432 
 
 Territorial Jurisdiction. 
 
 Lodge has 253 
 
 Right of receiving petitions 403 
 
 Testimony. 
 
 Hearsay not admissible 352 
 
 Expelled Mason, when admitted 359 
 
 Affidavits excluded wben on trial 545 
 
 Third Degree. 
 
 Lodge must be opened on 531 
 
 Labor dispensed witb to examine candidates 531 
 
 Thumb. 
 
 Loss of and tbree fingers of right hand ineligible 575 
 
 Tie Vote. 
 
 Master cannot make and break 283 
 
 Tiler's Oath. 
 
 Wben visitor must take 218 
 
 "Not a Cerneau" inserted 458 
 
 Transcript. 
 
 What must show 227, 228, 229, 230, 272, 371 
 
 Must show specifications 244, 245 
 
 Must show notice to accused 244, 245 
 
 Must show copy of charges were furnished accused 422 
 
 When remanded... 228, 229 
 
 New trial ordered because defective 355 
 
 Travel. 
 
 About to is not case of emergency 302 
 
 "Abroad " 509 
 
 Trial. 
 
 Cannot be had for Unmasonic conduct generally 83 
 
 Lodge cannot try its Master 470 
 
 For controversy over dog improper 406 
 
 Cannot be had of suspended Mason for conduct during 
 
 suspension 84 
 
 Cannot be had for threat he will blackball candidate 335 
 
 Should not be had for failure to answer' notice of dismem- 
 berment for non-payment of dues 413 
 
 Dimitted Mason removed to another State cannot be tried 
 
 by former lodge 405 
 
 Non-payment of debt not subject of Masonic inquiry 299, 319 
 
 Refusing to pay for a still should not be tried 401 
 
 Allowing mother to become a county charge 392 
 
INDEX. 53 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Can be had for blackballing petitioner 335 
 
 Cannot be had for desertion from army 126 
 
 Single act of drunkenness 372 
 
 What is not a Masonic offense 171 
 
 Secretary notifies that charges are preferred 211 
 
 Cannot be had by committee S5, 274 
 
 Vote of acquittal cannot be reconsidered 114 
 
 No appeal from acquittal 268, 282, 420 
 
 Accuser cannot appeal from acquittal 268, 282 
 
 Cannot be had by lodge at refreshment 86 
 
 Lodge judges credibility of testimony 103, 300 
 
 Must be according to Mascmic usage 301 
 
 Lodge opened on third degree 310 
 
 Lodge called off when profane testifying 310 
 
 Unnecessary when 367 
 
 Declared null and void -. 274 
 
 Individual offense should not be made joint 237 
 
 Aider or abettor cannot be tried until principal convicted.... 105 
 
 Summons must be served 200 
 
 Technicalities not favored.. 380 
 
 Accused has right to file answer and verify it 234 
 
 Accused may make statement 103, 300 
 
 Accused must be permitted to be heard in defense 545 
 
 Evidence of expelled Mason maybe admitted when 359 
 
 Master must preside 504 
 
 Lodge members should be "notified" not "summoned" 31S 
 
 Lodge may employ counsel 3S1 
 
 Counsel may be profane 319 
 
 Master, how tried 538 
 
 Master cannot grant new trial 252 
 
 Lodge has territorial as well as personal jurisdiction 5S6 
 
 Lodge may try resident Masons not members 97, 253, 468 
 
 Lodge may try members residing beyond territorial limits 
 
 of lodge 480 
 
 Disobeying legal summons subjects to 202, 262, 263 
 
 Lodge may punish for false accusations 264 
 
 Mason bringing reproach upon Order subjects himself to.... 485 
 
 Wilful refusal to sign By-laws subjects to 525 
 
 Mason may be for murder 374, 414 
 
 Lodge may try for passing counterfeit money 102 
 
 Profanity and drunkenness are high Masonic crimes 172 
 
 Liquor selling is Unmasonic conduct 261 
 
 Suspended Mason may be tried 384 
 
 May be had of non-affiliate for offenses prior to his dimission 434 
 
54 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Conviction by civil courts does not convict in lodge 301 
 
 Charges made against accuser does not stop 309 
 
 Collecting money for Mason's widow and not accounting for 
 
 should be tried 195 
 
 No visitors allowed to be present ... 492 
 
 Charges must be served when address known 190 
 
 Must be had at hour named 439 
 
 Charges and specifications must be served on accused 527 
 
 Cannot be had at meeting when charges are presented 404 
 
 Return of undelivered registered letter containing sum- 
 mons shows was never received by accused 536 
 
 Accused absent trial should be deferred 279 
 
 Pending appeal convicted Mason has no Masonic privileges 442 
 
 When committee may take evidence 464 
 
 After expulsion of one brother, other may be tried 187 
 
 Accused to be notified of taking of depositions 244, 272 
 
 Must be had on specifications 422 
 
 Specifications must be explicit 396 
 
 Specifications must be voted on 276 
 
 Charges not sustained 266 
 
 Hearsay testimony not admissible on 352, 545 
 
 Necessary for suspension 462 
 
 Charges necessary to suspension 460 
 
 Charges should be preferred 143 
 
 Majority vote convicts 265, 283 
 
 Judgment of definite suspension cannot be reconsidered 214 
 
 Cannot be earlier than time given in summons 439 
 
 May appeal to Grand Lodge 209, 252 
 
 Grand Lodge may increase or diminish sentence 391 
 
 Decision of lodge may be modified by Grand Lodge 397 
 
 Grand Lodge may reverse lodge judgment 233, 283 
 
 Upon appeal when reversed same is certified to lodge below 
 
 for new trial 95 
 
 Appeal sustained reinstates brother 266, 315 
 
 Suspensions and expulsions to be reported to Grand Lodge.. 158, 162 
 
 Grounds of appeal must be stated in writing 220, 311 
 
 New trial ordered because of defective transcript 355 
 
 New trial granted for irregularity 272 
 
 Transcript should contain 272, 371 
 
 Transcript must show two-thirds vote when expelled 230 
 
 Charges and specifications must show in transcript 22S 
 
 When transcript remanded 228, 229 
 
 Service of notice to show on transcript 227 
 
INDEX. 55 
 
 Trial (Grand Lodge). section 
 
 Grand Dodge may suspend Master pending charges 115 
 
 Can try absconding Master at first communication 113 
 
 Mason ignoring summons of Grand Master properly tried.. 107 
 
 Twelve Months. 
 
 Do not apply to rejected non-affiliate applying second time 556 
 
 Unanimous Vote. 
 
 Not necessary removing lodge to another part of same town 522 
 
 Unfavorable Ballot. 
 
 Cannot be referred to sister lodge 169 
 
 Cannot be questioned 167 
 
 Unfavorable Report. 
 
 Does not stop action on petition 257 
 
 Unmasonic. 
 
 To disclose ballot 305 
 
 Holding balls or card parties in hall 185 
 
 Disclosing secrecy of ballot 176 
 
 Placing emblems on advertisements 108 
 
 Unmasonic Conduct. 
 
 Cannot be tried for generally 83 
 
 Disobeying legal summons 278 
 
 What is not 266 
 
 Suit at law is not 329, 398, 570 
 
 Bringing suit without submitting to lodge is not 570 
 
 Drunkenness single act 351 
 
 Brother declaring how he voted 335 
 
 Refusal to pay for a still is not .... 401 
 
 Illicit distilling is 328 
 
 Liquor selling is .-. 261 
 
 Retailing whiskey is not 566 
 
 Suspended Mason may be tried and expelled for 280, 384 
 
 Charges must be preferred and served 200 
 
 Slandering brother Mason is 275 
 
 Conviction for sustained 350 
 
 Bxtorting money is 373 
 
 Charging falsely is 264, 373 
 
 Charges not sustained 396 
 
 Vacancy in Office. 
 
 By-laws cannot provide for election to fill 89 
 
 Filled only at regular elections 79 
 
 Virginia. 
 
 Grand Dodge of has concurrent jurisdiction when 467, 478 
 
 When resident here may petition lodge in 476 
 
 Visitor. 
 
 Non-affiliate no right to visit 427 
 
56 INDEX. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Dimitted Masons and members of defunct lodges not enti- 
 tled to 471 
 
 Non-affiliate may once 471 
 
 Pending appeal accused no right to 437, 438 
 
 Masons from lodges illegally established cannot 75 
 
 Visiting. 
 
 Non-affiliate may be taxed by lodge for 88 
 
 Mason has right of 221 
 
 No inherent right to visit 225 
 
 Member may object to admitting visitor 222 
 
 Non-affiliate not entitled to right of 117 
 
 Non-affiliate may visit once 117, 194 
 
 Visiting Brother. 
 
 Lodge should prefer charges 224 
 
 Visitors. 
 
 Not allowed at trials 389, 492 
 
 Must take Tiler's oath 218 
 
 Must take oath not a Cerneau 45S 
 
 Not received from lodges under Grand Orient of France 376 
 
 Objection to Master can inquire into 223 
 
 Voluntary. 
 
 Assessments must be 52S 
 
 Vote. 
 
 All members entitled 322 
 
 In lodges by show of hands 61 
 
 None on due proficiency 531 
 
 All present must 325, 547 
 
 Master cannot make and break a tie 283 
 
 Majority convicts on trial 265 
 
 Majority of those present necessary to elect 474 
 
 Majority sufficient to remove lodge to another part of same 
 
 town 522 
 
 Acquittal in trial cannot be reconsidered 114 
 
 Cannot be questioned on petitions for degrees of affiliation 305 
 
 Waiting Twelve Months. 
 
 Does not apply to rejected non-affiliate petitioning 556 
 
 Waiver of Jurisdiction. 
 
 Majority, not unanimous, vote necessary 511 
 
 Warden. 
 
 Master must have served as 247, 317 
 
 When acting Master has his authority 69 
 
 Cannot resign or dimit 294 
 
 Senior succeeds on death of Master 71 
 
 Junior succeeds on death of Master and Senior Warden 71 
 
INDEX. 57 
 
 SECTION 
 Master and both Warden's chairs vacant, there must be dis- 
 pensation to elect 71 
 
 Master may call anyone to the chair, although both War- 
 dens present 340 
 
 Elected, declining installation, may dimit 366 
 
 Of lodge U. D., appointed by Grand Master 67 
 
 Warrants. 
 
 For army lodges not given outside of State 118, 120 
 
 May issue to regiments outside of State for the war for army 
 
 lodges 116 
 
 Whiskey. 
 
 Masonry discountenances traffic in 566 
 
 Retailing is not Unmasonic 566 
 
 White Swelling. 
 
 Where getting worse petitioner ineligible 578 
 
 Does not disqualify petitioner : 473 
 
 Widow. 
 
 Furnished with certificate of husband's standing 54 
 
 Remarriage forfeits Masonic claims 304, 477 
 
 Collecting money for and not accounting should be tried.... 195, 352 
 
 Withdrawal. 
 
 Of objections to advancement of candidate 456 
 
 Withdrawal of Petitions. 
 
 For affiliation cannot be 549 
 
 Cannot be had 306 
 
 Petition for restoration of expelled Mason 514 
 
 Before reference to committee 70 
 
 Witnesses. 
 
 Living outside of State evidence may be taken by commit- 
 tee 464 
 
 May be other than members 389 
 
 Profane may be 300 
 
 May testify 300 
 
 Work. 
 
 Uniformity desired 9 
 
 Stevenson work adopted 19 
 
 Grand Lecturers to lecture on three degrees 13 
 
 Custodians to preserve 419 
 
 Due proficiency 92 
 
 Cypher work forbidden 170 
 
 Seven members must be present 419 
 
 Grand Master asked to have exemplified 53 
 
 Wooden Leg. 
 
 Ineligible to degrees 548a 
 
 Write. 
 
 Man who cannot read or, eligible 454