Difference between revisions of "MassachusettsGC2012 PART IV"

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(Sec. 401. APPLICATIONS FOR INITIATION: APPLICATION COMMITTEE AND STATEMENT)
 
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* '''Additional Regulations 1801''' includes the following sections:  
 
* '''Additional Regulations 1801''' includes the following sections:  
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1792#ARTICLE_3RD Article 3rd], I-192; "From and after the first day of January next, the price for making, Crafting and Raising Masons throughout this Jurisdiction shall not be less than eighteen dollars, including the payment hereafter to be made to the Grand Lodge — fifteen dollars of which shall be paid at Initiation, and not less than three at Crafting and Raising. And out of the sum of fifteen dollars paid at initiation, two dollars shall be paid for the use of the Grand Lodge. And the Master of every Lodge in each District shall cause a return to be made of all the Masons made in his Lodge from the second Monday of March next to the time when the Assistant Grand Master shall visit his Lodge; and at the annual visit thereafter ''forever'', the same to be certified by the Secretary of the Lodge and delivered to the District Deputy Grand Master with two dollars for every initiation made in said return, together with all Quarterages then due from his Lodge to the Grand Lodge."
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** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1792#ARTICLE_3RD Article 3rd], II-192; "From and after the first day of January next, the price for making, Crafting and Raising Masons throughout this Jurisdiction shall not be less than eighteen dollars, including the payment hereafter to be made to the Grand Lodge — fifteen dollars of which shall be paid at Initiation, and not less than three at Crafting and Raising. And out of the sum of fifteen dollars paid at initiation, two dollars shall be paid for the use of the Grand Lodge. And the Master of every Lodge in each District shall cause a return to be made of all the Masons made in his Lodge from the second Monday of March next to the time when the Assistant Grand Master shall visit his Lodge; and at the annual visit thereafter ''forever'', the same to be certified by the Secretary of the Lodge and delivered to the District Deputy Grand Master with two dollars for every initiation made in said return, together with all Quarterages then due from his Lodge to the Grand Lodge."
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1792#ARTICLE_10TH Article 10th], I-194; "That the fee of fifty cents, now paid for every making, shall cease upon the adoption of the foregoing Regulations."
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** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1792#ARTICLE_10TH Article 10th], II-194; "That the fee of fifty cents, now paid for every making, shall cease upon the adoption of the foregoing Regulations."
 
* '''GC1811''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1811#Section_3_6 Chapter III, Section 6], II-521; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for initiating, crafting and raising shall not be less than nineteen dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge."
 
* '''GC1811''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1811#Section_3_6 Chapter III, Section 6], II-521; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for initiating, crafting and raising shall not be less than nineteen dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge."
 
* '''Committee Report''', 03/09/1812, II-509, includes the following text: "Taking notes for initiating ought to be discountenanced; it is giving credit, perhaps, where it ought not to be given."
 
* '''Committee Report''', 03/09/1812, II-509, includes the following text: "Taking notes for initiating ought to be discountenanced; it is giving credit, perhaps, where it ought not to be given."
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* '''GC1819''' contained the following sections:  
 
* '''GC1819''' contained the following sections:  
 
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=ByLaws1819#Section_10_3 Chapter 5, Section 10], III-233; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for initiating, crafting and raising shall not be less than nineteen dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; but the initiation fee may be remitted to all Clergymen, or persons approbated by competent authority to preach the Gospel, who shall be received into the order; and the Grand Lodge will remit their initiation fee to the lodge wherein such clergymen were received."
 
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=ByLaws1819#Section_10_3 Chapter 5, Section 10], III-233; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for initiating, crafting and raising shall not be less than nineteen dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; but the initiation fee may be remitted to all Clergymen, or persons approbated by competent authority to preach the Gospel, who shall be received into the order; and the Grand Lodge will remit their initiation fee to the lodge wherein such clergymen were received."
*** ''Amended 03/11/1840 to read: "The fee demanded a Lodge, for initiating, crafting and raising a Mason shall not be less than nineteen dollars including the fee to the Grand Lodge." (IV-496)''
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*** ''Amended 03/11/1840, IV-496, to read: "The fee demanded a Lodge, for initiating, crafting and raising a Mason shall not be less than nineteen dollars including the fee to the Grand Lodge." ''
 
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=ByLaws1819#Section_11_2 Chapter 5, Section 11], III-233; "No lodge under this jurisdiction shall hereafter take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor."
 
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=ByLaws1819#Section_11_2 Chapter 5, Section 11], III-233; "No lodge under this jurisdiction shall hereafter take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor."
 
* '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 09/14/1842, IV-561; on the doings of the National Masonic Convention, the committee observed "Another subject embraced in the doings of the convention is the reprehensible practise of taking promissory notes for the fees of conferring the degrees. The Grand Lodge of this State, saw the evils arising from the practise alluded to. many years ago. & prohibited it by the 11th Section of the 5th. Chapter of the By-Laws."
 
* '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 09/14/1842, IV-561; on the doings of the National Masonic Convention, the committee observed "Another subject embraced in the doings of the convention is the reprehensible practise of taking promissory notes for the fees of conferring the degrees. The Grand Lodge of this State, saw the evils arising from the practise alluded to. many years ago. & prohibited it by the 11th Section of the 5th. Chapter of the By-Laws."
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_8_3 Part Fourth, 3:8], IV-649; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for the the initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, shall not be less than twenty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; and no Lodge under this jurisdiction, shall take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor."  
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_8_3 Part Fourth, 3:8], IV-649; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for the the initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, shall not be less than twenty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; and no Lodge under this jurisdiction, shall take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor."  
 
** ''Amended 06/13/1866, VII-79 (1866-15), raising the fee to twenty-five dollars.''
 
** ''Amended 06/13/1866, VII-79 (1866-15), raising the fee to twenty-five dollars.''
** ''Proposed 09/14/1892, 1892-108, amended 12/14/1892, 1892-189, to read: "All Lodges located in Boston shall demand as the fee for initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. The fee demanded by a Lodge for the the initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, shall not be less than twenty-five dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; and no Lodge under this jurisdiction, shall take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor." ''
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** ''Proposed by committtee 06/08/1892, 1892-56, discussed 09/14/1892, 1892-108, amended 12/14/1892, 1892-189, to read: "All Lodges located in Boston shall demand as the fee for initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. The fee demanded by a Lodge for the the initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, shall not be less than twenty-five dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; and no Lodge under this jurisdiction, shall take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor." ''
 
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_11_2 Part Fourth, 3:11], proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-17, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-65; "All Lodges in Boston shall demand, as the fee for initiating, crafting, and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. Two or more Lodges located in any city or town, except Boston, shall agree upon a minimum fee of not less than twenty-five dollars; and in case they cannot agree, the fee shall be fixed by the Grand Master. No reduction shall be made in the fees for degrees required by a Lodge, excepting by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall charge less than twenty-five dollars for the degrees, or take a note of hand for the fees, or grant any tune of Credit therefor, or confer any degree gratuitously or without the regular charge therefor, or return any fees after the three degrees have been conferred."
 
** [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_11_2 Part Fourth, 3:11], proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-17, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-65; "All Lodges in Boston shall demand, as the fee for initiating, crafting, and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. Two or more Lodges located in any city or town, except Boston, shall agree upon a minimum fee of not less than twenty-five dollars; and in case they cannot agree, the fee shall be fixed by the Grand Master. No reduction shall be made in the fees for degrees required by a Lodge, excepting by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall charge less than twenty-five dollars for the degrees, or take a note of hand for the fees, or grant any tune of Credit therefor, or confer any degree gratuitously or without the regular charge therefor, or return any fees after the three degrees have been conferred."
 
* '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 06/10/1891, 1891-61, and 09/09/1891, 1891-82, to raise the fee to fifty dollars for any city and forty dollars in any town; an extensive report of the committee was provided and a discussion permitted. The proposal was postponed.
 
* '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 06/10/1891, 1891-61, and 09/09/1891, 1891-82, to raise the fee to fifty dollars for any city and forty dollars in any town; an extensive report of the committee was provided and a discussion permitted. The proposal was postponed.
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* ''1920-90, 03/10/1920, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Solicitation_of_New_Members_2 remarks] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMPrince Prince] regarding solicitation for membership. He said in part, "It should be borne in upon the minds of our members, old and young, that solicitation is strictly forbidden. While not a landmark, the law against solicitation is so ancient that it takes on the full force of one." ''
 
* ''1920-90, 03/10/1920, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Solicitation_of_New_Members_2 remarks] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMPrince Prince] regarding solicitation for membership. He said in part, "It should be borne in upon the minds of our members, old and young, that solicitation is strictly forbidden. While not a landmark, the law against solicitation is so ancient that it takes on the full force of one." ''
 
* ''1936-23, 03/11/1936, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAllen Allen] regarding information on applicants prior to admission. He says in part, "I have reason to believe that in too many cases applicants for the degrees do not clearly understand the nature, meaning and purpose of Freemasonry. Its deeper moral and spiritual aspects and aims have not been made clear to them. Through no fault of their own, they do not understand what Freemasonry is . . . they do not understand that it is a Brotherhood whose members are pledged to work together for the building of character. . . Some of our sister Grand Jurisdictions have prepared a statement to be placed in the hands of prospective petitioners intended to clear away these misunderstandings before their applications are acted upon . . . The petitioner is required to certify that he has read and understands the statement. This material is being carefully studied with a view to the preparation of something of a similar general nature for use in this Grand Jurisdiction." ''
 
* ''1936-23, 03/11/1936, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAllen Allen] regarding information on applicants prior to admission. He says in part, "I have reason to believe that in too many cases applicants for the degrees do not clearly understand the nature, meaning and purpose of Freemasonry. Its deeper moral and spiritual aspects and aims have not been made clear to them. Through no fault of their own, they do not understand what Freemasonry is . . . they do not understand that it is a Brotherhood whose members are pledged to work together for the building of character. . . Some of our sister Grand Jurisdictions have prepared a statement to be placed in the hands of prospective petitioners intended to clear away these misunderstandings before their applications are acted upon . . . The petitioner is required to certify that he has read and understands the statement. This material is being carefully studied with a view to the preparation of something of a similar general nature for use in this Grand Jurisdiction." ''
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* ''1937-81, 06/09/1937, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Pre-Application_Statement.29 remarks] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAllen Allen] regarding the statement to be filed with the Pre-Application Committee. The full text of this statement appears on Page 1937-82.''
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** ''1937-128, 09/08/1937, refers to his further [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Pre-Application_Procedure.29 remarks] on pre-application procedure.''
 
* ''1953-63, 03/11/1953, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1950-1999#Investigating_Committees remarks] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRoy Roy] regarding investigations of candidates. "An applicant for the degrees was reported on favorably by the committee of investigation and elected to receive the degrees, in spite of the fact he had both court and jail records. . .  One of the most important items of information that should be secured is this: regardless of his apparently blameless character, is the applicant the kind of person who, when he becomes a member, will use the ballot box to avenge himself on one personally objectionable to him. The success of Masonry is determined by the quality of men we take into our membership. We cannot be too careful in screening." ''
 
* ''1953-63, 03/11/1953, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1950-1999#Investigating_Committees remarks] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRoy Roy] regarding investigations of candidates. "An applicant for the degrees was reported on favorably by the committee of investigation and elected to receive the degrees, in spite of the fact he had both court and jail records. . .  One of the most important items of information that should be secured is this: regardless of his apparently blameless character, is the applicant the kind of person who, when he becomes a member, will use the ballot box to avenge himself on one personally objectionable to him. The success of Masonry is determined by the quality of men we take into our membership. We cannot be too careful in screening." ''
  
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** ''Amended 06/11/1856, VI-27, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:" (the form of petition appears on VI-28).''
 
** ''Amended 06/11/1856, VI-27, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:" (the form of petition appears on VI-28).''
 
** '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 12/09/1863, VI-483 (1863-24), on the powers of District Deputy Grand Masters, a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1850-1899#Candidates report] provided a definition of a candidate, and recommended the following directive: "Ordered: That it shall not be regular hereafter for any Lodge, which does not usually issue written or printed notification of its meetings to ballot upon any application for the degrees where there is a dispensation therefor, at any but stated monthly meetings without written or printed notifications to the members of the Lodge, with the name of their Candidate borne thereon." ''Note: at some point this text was incorporated into [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_1_19 Part Fourth, 3:1].''
 
** '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 12/09/1863, VI-483 (1863-24), on the powers of District Deputy Grand Masters, a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1850-1899#Candidates report] provided a definition of a candidate, and recommended the following directive: "Ordered: That it shall not be regular hereafter for any Lodge, which does not usually issue written or printed notification of its meetings to ballot upon any application for the degrees where there is a dispensation therefor, at any but stated monthly meetings without written or printed notifications to the members of the Lodge, with the name of their Candidate borne thereon." ''Note: at some point this text was incorporated into [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_1_19 Part Fourth, 3:1].''
** ''Proposed 12/09/1874, 1874-11 and amended 03/10/1875, 1875-22, to replace the application entry for "age" with "date of birth" and "place of birth", and the insertion of the words "My full name is".''
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** ''Proposed 12/09/1874, 1874-111 and amended 03/10/1875, 1875-22, to replace the application entry for "age" with "date of birth" and "place of birth", and the insertion of the words "My full name is".  (Note that this is spuriously noted as 1874-11).''
 
** ''Amended 12/12/1877, 1877-276, to include the name and date at which a candidate might have previously applied for admission in the candidate application.''
 
** ''Amended 12/12/1877, 1877-276, to include the name and date at which a candidate might have previously applied for admission in the candidate application.''
 
** ''Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:" (form as on VI-28) "No candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly Communication, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly Communication to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for. It shall not be regular hereafter for any Lodge, which does not usually issue written or printed notification of its meetings to ballot upon any application for the degrees where there is a dispensation therefor, at any but stated monthly Communications, without written or printed notifications to the members of the Lodge, with the name of their Candidate borne thereon." ''
 
** ''Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:" (form as on VI-28) "No candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly Communication, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly Communication to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for. It shall not be regular hereafter for any Lodge, which does not usually issue written or printed notification of its meetings to ballot upon any application for the degrees where there is a dispensation therefor, at any but stated monthly Communications, without written or printed notifications to the members of the Lodge, with the name of their Candidate borne thereon." ''
** ''Amended 09/12/1894, 1894-62; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:"; contains the then-current Application form.''
+
** ''Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-14, amended 09/12/1894, 1894-62; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:"; contains the then-current Application form.''
 
* '''GC1918''': ''see [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC2012#Sec._401._APPLICATIONS_FOR_INITIATION:_APPLICATION_COMMITTEE_AND_STATEMENT Section 401] above.''
 
* '''GC1918''': ''see [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC2012#Sec._401._APPLICATIONS_FOR_INITIATION:_APPLICATION_COMMITTEE_AND_STATEMENT Section 401] above.''
 
* '''GC1930''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1930#Section_401 Section 401], 1930-130; ''See above, including modifications on 09/09/1931 (1931-173), 12/08/1937 (1937-271), and 09/13/1944 (1944-156).''
 
* '''GC1930''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1930#Section_401 Section 401], 1930-130; ''See above, including modifications on 09/09/1931 (1931-173), 12/08/1937 (1937-271), and 09/13/1944 (1944-156).''
 
* '''GC1953''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1953#Section_402 Section 402]; 1953-48; approved 1953-197; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing over the signature of the applicant and in the following form:" (''form included in '''GC1953''''') "An application for initiation shall not be read to a Lodge until all the papers required for the application shall be on file with the Secretary: namely, the pre-application statement signed by the applicant, the petition signed by both the applicant and his sponsor, the triplicate questionnaire for the use of the investigating committee, and any waiver required for a non-resident applicant or for an applicant previously rejected in another Lodge."
 
* '''GC1953''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1953#Section_402 Section 402]; 1953-48; approved 1953-197; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing over the signature of the applicant and in the following form:" (''form included in '''GC1953''''') "An application for initiation shall not be read to a Lodge until all the papers required for the application shall be on file with the Secretary: namely, the pre-application statement signed by the applicant, the petition signed by both the applicant and his sponsor, the triplicate questionnaire for the use of the investigating committee, and any waiver required for a non-resident applicant or for an applicant previously rejected in another Lodge."
 
** ''Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-174, 09/11/1974; changed to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing over the signature of the applicant and on the blank furnished therefor by the Grand Lodge. This form must be entirely filled out by the applicant in his own handwriting." ''
 
** ''Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-174, 09/11/1974; changed to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing over the signature of the applicant and on the blank furnished therefor by the Grand Lodge. This form must be entirely filled out by the applicant in his own handwriting." ''
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* '''GC1989''': ''In this revision, the text is the same as '''GC1953'''.''
 +
** ''Proposed ?, amended 12/14/2005, 2005-127, to the current language.''
  
 
==== References ====
 
==== References ====
  
 +
* ''MFM, Vol. VI, No. 12, Page 384, 10/01/1847; see above section.''
 +
* ''MFM, Vol. IX, No. 7, Page 202, 05/01/1850; see above section.''
 +
* ''MFM, Vol. X, No.7, Page 200, 05/01/1851; see above section.''
 
* ''1866-66, 12/27/1866, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame#PROPOSING_CANDIDATES portion of the address] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame Dame], in which he discusses the matter of petition paperwork. ''
 
* ''1866-66, 12/27/1866, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame#PROPOSING_CANDIDATES portion of the address] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame Dame], in which he discusses the matter of petition paperwork. ''
 +
* ''MFM, Vol. XXXII, No. 10, 10/01/1873, Page 305; see above section.''
 +
* ''1909-177, 12/08/1909, refers to a report on the recommendations of the Conference of Grand Masters regarding requirements, prerequisites and paperwork for candidates for initiation.''
 
* ''The Builder, 1917-134, refers to an [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=BuilderLodgeCandidate article] about the reception of candidates by lodges.''
 
* ''The Builder, 1917-134, refers to an [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=BuilderLodgeCandidate article] about the reception of candidates by lodges.''
 
* ''1918-23, 03/13/1918, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Solicitation_of_New_Members ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding solicitation. "I am impressed that our Brethren ought to be reminded that it is one of our most sacred traditions that no one shall be solicited or invited to join our Fraternity. A candidate's appliction must come of his own free will and accord, of his own initiative, and unbiased and uninfluenced by any member of the Craft. Our Order occupies an enviable position in the eyes of the world. It is regarded as a pioneer in advancing civilization, a bulwark of civic righteousness, liberty loving and God serving. Such a reputation has been earned and won by generations of constant loyalty and devotion to the traditions, purposes and fundamental teachings of Masonry. The prohibiting of proselyt[iz]ing and importuning of men to join our ranks has been a great contributing factor in the enduring success of our organization. Quality not quantity is our life blood. Every newly admitted member should be early advised by the Master, Officers, or Committee of Instruction as to the duty of every Mason with respect to applicants and new members. This is all-important. I am laying especial emphasis upon this charge to you because of recent and intimate knowledge of the need, and of an innocent transgression of this exclusive precept of Freemasonry." ''
 
* ''1918-23, 03/13/1918, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Solicitation_of_New_Members ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding solicitation. "I am impressed that our Brethren ought to be reminded that it is one of our most sacred traditions that no one shall be solicited or invited to join our Fraternity. A candidate's appliction must come of his own free will and accord, of his own initiative, and unbiased and uninfluenced by any member of the Craft. Our Order occupies an enviable position in the eyes of the world. It is regarded as a pioneer in advancing civilization, a bulwark of civic righteousness, liberty loving and God serving. Such a reputation has been earned and won by generations of constant loyalty and devotion to the traditions, purposes and fundamental teachings of Masonry. The prohibiting of proselyt[iz]ing and importuning of men to join our ranks has been a great contributing factor in the enduring success of our organization. Quality not quantity is our life blood. Every newly admitted member should be early advised by the Master, Officers, or Committee of Instruction as to the duty of every Mason with respect to applicants and new members. This is all-important. I am laying especial emphasis upon this charge to you because of recent and intimate knowledge of the need, and of an innocent transgression of this exclusive precept of Freemasonry." ''
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* ''1937-129, 09/08/1937, refers to the revised Pre-Application [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Pre-Application_Procedure.29 Procedure] outlined by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAllen Allen]. ''
 
* ''1937-129, 09/08/1937, refers to the revised Pre-Application [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Pre-Application_Procedure.29 Procedure] outlined by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAllen Allen]. ''
 
* ''1952-112, 03/12/1952, refers to the [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1950-1974#Applicants_.28Right_of_Initiation.29 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRoy Roy] regarding initiates' paperwork. "An application for initiation shall not be read to a Lodge until all papers required for the application shall be on file with the Secretary. These papers are the pre-application statement signed by the applicant, the petition signed by both the applicant and his sponsor, the triplicate questionnaire for the use of the investigating committee, and any waiver required for a nonresident application for an applicant previously rejected in another Lodge." ''
 
* ''1952-112, 03/12/1952, refers to the [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1950-1974#Applicants_.28Right_of_Initiation.29 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRoy Roy] regarding initiates' paperwork. "An application for initiation shall not be read to a Lodge until all papers required for the application shall be on file with the Secretary. These papers are the pre-application statement signed by the applicant, the petition signed by both the applicant and his sponsor, the triplicate questionnaire for the use of the investigating committee, and any waiver required for a nonresident application for an applicant previously rejected in another Lodge." ''
* 2005-127
 
  
 
'''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassPreApplication Pre-Application Statement]'''
 
'''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassPreApplication Pre-Application Statement]'''
Line 138: Line 146:
 
==== Earlier Revisions ====
 
==== Earlier Revisions ====
  
 +
* '''GC1792''', adopted 12/11/1797, II-112; ''see Section 406.''
 
* '''Vote of Grand Lodge''', 03/11/1799, II-139; ''see above section.''
 
* '''Vote of Grand Lodge''', 03/11/1799, II-139; ''see above section.''
 
* '''GC1811''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1811#Section_5_3 III:5], II-521; "No person residing in a town within this Commonwealth, wherein a Lodge is held, shall be admitted a candidate by a Lodge in any other town without the approbation of the Master and Wardens of a Lodge in the town of his residence."
 
* '''GC1811''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1811#Section_5_3 III:5], II-521; "No person residing in a town within this Commonwealth, wherein a Lodge is held, shall be admitted a candidate by a Lodge in any other town without the approbation of the Master and Wardens of a Lodge in the town of his residence."
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* ''VI-298, 09/11/1850, refers to a jurisdictional dispute between [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsLodge Massachusetts] and [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Constellation Constellation] Lodges.''
 
* ''VI-298, 09/11/1850, refers to a jurisdictional dispute between [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsLodge Massachusetts] and [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Constellation Constellation] Lodges.''
 +
* ''VII-69, 03/14/1865, refers to a jurisdictional dispute between [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Thomas Thomas] and [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=DaySpring Day Spring] Lodges.''
 
* ''1872-62, 06/12/1872, refers to a complex jurisdictional dispute between Massachusetts lodges, who had rejected a candidate that was then admitted in New Hampshire.  "No citizen of ours, who has been rejected here, may lawfully receive the degrees in another State, or in a foreign jurisdiction, without the consent of our own Grand Master; nor are we permitted in our Lodges to receive a citizen of any State which contains a Grand Lodge, without the permission of the Grand Master of such State." ''
 
* ''1872-62, 06/12/1872, refers to a complex jurisdictional dispute between Massachusetts lodges, who had rejected a candidate that was then admitted in New Hampshire.  "No citizen of ours, who has been rejected here, may lawfully receive the degrees in another State, or in a foreign jurisdiction, without the consent of our own Grand Master; nor are we permitted in our Lodges to receive a citizen of any State which contains a Grand Lodge, without the permission of the Grand Master of such State." ''
 
* ''1872-250, 12/11/1872, refers to an extended report to Grand Lodge regarding the changing boundaries of towns and their effect on lodge jurisdiction.''
 
* ''1872-250, 12/11/1872, refers to an extended report to Grand Lodge regarding the changing boundaries of towns and their effect on lodge jurisdiction.''
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** ''On Page 1920-98, the committee member form is listed.''
 
** ''On Page 1920-98, the committee member form is listed.''
  
''Investigations:''
+
===== Investigations =====
 +
 
 
* ''1919-58, 03/12/1919, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding committees of investigation. "Again I desire to urge in the strongest possible manner the most careful and painstaking investigation of every applicant for degrees and membership. . . I have had submitted to me in one or two cases a form of questionnaire which it was proposed to send applicants for degrees and membership with the request that written answers be furnished. . . I think that such a form of inquiry is not elastic enough to cover individual cases and that it is apt to discourage a fair and careful investigation by the investigating committee which should always include a personal interview. Some admirable letters of instruction have been recently given out in some Lodges . . . I can see no objection to these letters of instruction or suggestion provided the investigating committee thoroughly understand that they are not limited to the suggestions or advice given." ''
 
* ''1919-58, 03/12/1919, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding committees of investigation. "Again I desire to urge in the strongest possible manner the most careful and painstaking investigation of every applicant for degrees and membership. . . I have had submitted to me in one or two cases a form of questionnaire which it was proposed to send applicants for degrees and membership with the request that written answers be furnished. . . I think that such a form of inquiry is not elastic enough to cover individual cases and that it is apt to discourage a fair and careful investigation by the investigating committee which should always include a personal interview. Some admirable letters of instruction have been recently given out in some Lodges . . . I can see no objection to these letters of instruction or suggestion provided the investigating committee thoroughly understand that they are not limited to the suggestions or advice given." ''
 
* ''1919-351, 12/10/1919, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding candidate investigation. "No more serious danger threatens in these days when such large numbers are applying for admission than that of neglect in the proper investigation of these applicants. We must maintain our high standards and fully and firmly protect against the pollution of our membership through the admission of those whose character does not entitle them to the high privileges and responsibilities with which every member of our great fellowship is clothed." ''  
 
* ''1919-351, 12/10/1919, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding candidate investigation. "No more serious danger threatens in these days when such large numbers are applying for admission than that of neglect in the proper investigation of these applicants. We must maintain our high standards and fully and firmly protect against the pollution of our membership through the admission of those whose character does not entitle them to the high privileges and responsibilities with which every member of our great fellowship is clothed." ''  
Line 306: Line 317:
 
** ''Amended 06/08/1825, III-538 to read: "They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons, and elect or appoint none as permanent Officers but members. They shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting and who shall not have stood so proposed for one lunar month, without obtaining a dispensation therefor, nor without making strict enquiry into his moral character."''
 
** ''Amended 06/08/1825, III-538 to read: "They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons, and elect or appoint none as permanent Officers but members. They shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting and who shall not have stood so proposed for one lunar month, without obtaining a dispensation therefor, nor without making strict enquiry into his moral character."''
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_2_19 Part Fourth, 3:2], IV-647; ''see above section.''
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_2_19 Part Fourth, 3:2], IV-647; ''see above section.''
 +
** ''Proposed 03/13/1893, 1893-15, rejected 06/14/1893, 1893-48, an amendment to exclude the names of petitioners from notices by lodges. "We claim that our Lodge is our Masonic home, or family, and we ought certainly to be permitted to say who shall sit with us here, and become our Brethren in Free Masonry. So it seems to us that every reasonable means should be employed to inform each and every Brother what is proposed to be done in his Lodge. The addition of the proposed clause to our Constitution will, in our opinion, open the door for the application and admission of those who will be no ornament to our Fraternity. It cannot be expected that every member of a Lodge will be present at all meetings, and unworthy men may be admitted when those who best know their. faults will not be aware of their application." ''
 
** ''Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-15, amended 09/12/1894, 1894-63, to read: "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Communication and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Communication to another; and in Lodges usually issuing written or printed notifications, the names of candidates must be borne upon the notifications of the Communication at which they are to be balloted for. No candidate shall be balloted for at any but a Regular Monthly Communication, in any Lodge, unless a Dispensation therefor shall have been obtained, and then only when written or printed notifications of the Communication, bearing the name of the candidate to be balloted for, shall have been sent to all the members. This applies to Lodges which do not usually issue written or printed notifications, as well as to others." ''
 
** ''Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-15, amended 09/12/1894, 1894-63, to read: "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Communication and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Communication to another; and in Lodges usually issuing written or printed notifications, the names of candidates must be borne upon the notifications of the Communication at which they are to be balloted for. No candidate shall be balloted for at any but a Regular Monthly Communication, in any Lodge, unless a Dispensation therefor shall have been obtained, and then only when written or printed notifications of the Communication, bearing the name of the candidate to be balloted for, shall have been sent to all the members. This applies to Lodges which do not usually issue written or printed notifications, as well as to others." ''
 +
* '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 12/10/1863, VI-477: [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1850-1899#Candidates On District Deputy Powers and Candidates], refers to discussion of the right of District Deputies to grant dispensations on candidate applications.''
 
* '''GC1918''':  [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1918#Section_407 Section 407], 1918-382; "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Meeting and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Meeting to another; and in Lodges usually issuing written or printed notifications the names of candidates must be borne upon the notifications of the Meeting at which they are to be balloted for."
 
* '''GC1918''':  [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1918#Section_407 Section 407], 1918-382; "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Meeting and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Meeting to another; and in Lodges usually issuing written or printed notifications the names of candidates must be borne upon the notifications of the Meeting at which they are to be balloted for."
** ''On 12/10/1919, 1919-401, the following text was added: "An application that has been received by a Lodge may not be withdrawn, but must go to ballot. If the ballot is favorable, the application may then be withdrawn with the consent of the Lodge, in which case the status of the applicant is the same as before the application was presented." ''
+
** ''Amended 12/10/1919, 1919-401, adding the following text: "An application that has been received by a Lodge may not be withdrawn, but must go to ballot. If the ballot is favorable, the application may then be withdrawn with the consent of the Lodge, in which case the status of the applicant is the same as before the application was presented." ''
 
* '''GC1930''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1930#Section_407 Section 407], 1930-133; ''In this revision, the text is the same as '''GC1918''', including the 1919 amendment.''
 
* '''GC1930''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1930#Section_407 Section 407], 1930-133; ''In this revision, the text is the same as '''GC1918''', including the 1919 amendment.''
 
* '''GC1953''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1953#Section_408 Section 408]; 1953-49; approved 1953-197; "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Meeting and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Meeting to another; and the full names and residential addresses of candidates, including street and number if any, must be borne upon the notification of the Meeting at which they are to be balloted for. An application that has been received by a Lodge may not be withdrawn, but must go to ballot. If the ballot is favorable, the application may then be withdrawn with the consent of the Lodge, in which case the status of the applicant is the same as before the application was presented."
 
* '''GC1953''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1953#Section_408 Section 408]; 1953-49; approved 1953-197; "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Meeting and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Meeting to another; and the full names and residential addresses of candidates, including street and number if any, must be borne upon the notification of the Meeting at which they are to be balloted for. An application that has been received by a Lodge may not be withdrawn, but must go to ballot. If the ballot is favorable, the application may then be withdrawn with the consent of the Lodge, in which case the status of the applicant is the same as before the application was presented."
 +
* '''GC1989''': ''In this revision, the text is the same as '''GC1953'''.''
 +
** ''Proposed ?, amended 12/14/2005, 2005-128, to the current language.''
  
 
==== References ====
 
==== References ====
Line 321: Line 336:
 
* ''1889-192, 12/11/1889, refers to a report on an appeal to the Grand Lodge over a ballot that was improperly held, since the candidate's name was properly borne upon the notification of the meeting; the committee recommended a new ballot, which was confirmed.''
 
* ''1889-192, 12/11/1889, refers to a report on an appeal to the Grand Lodge over a ballot that was improperly held, since the candidate's name was properly borne upon the notification of the meeting; the committee recommended a new ballot, which was confirmed.''
 
* ''The Builder, 1917-70, refers to a table on the criteria for balloting in the various American jurisdictions.''
 
* ''The Builder, 1917-70, refers to a table on the criteria for balloting in the various American jurisdictions.''
* ''1917-227, 09/13/1917 and 1917-308, 12/13/1917 refers to comments by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding dispensations.''
+
* ''1917-227, 09/13/1917 and 1917-308, 12/13/1917, refer to comments by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLAbbott Leon Abbott] regarding dispensations.''
 
* ''1926-437, 12/08/1926, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Withdrawal.29 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson] regarding withdrawal of applications. "If by reason of non-residence, minority, physical disability, or any other cause, the Lodge has no jurisdiction over an applicant, his application must be withdrawn or dismissed without ballot. It may be added that what has been said has no reference to applications for affiliation. Section 407 has no application to such petitions, which may be withdrawn before they are balloted on upon request of the petitioner." ''
 
* ''1926-437, 12/08/1926, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Withdrawal.29 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson] regarding withdrawal of applications. "If by reason of non-residence, minority, physical disability, or any other cause, the Lodge has no jurisdiction over an applicant, his application must be withdrawn or dismissed without ballot. It may be added that what has been said has no reference to applications for affiliation. Section 407 has no application to such petitions, which may be withdrawn before they are balloted on upon request of the petitioner." ''
 
* ''1927-43, 03/09/1927, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Waivers_of_Jurisdiction_3 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson], regarding irregularity of initiations. "Irregularities in the initiation of candidates, particularly errors in the publication of the names of candidates for initiation upon Lodge notices have become so frequent that I deem it proper to call this matter to the attention of the Grand Lodge. . . the consequence of failure to follow the prescribed procedure . . . is that the initiation is irregular and due regards for the rights of the Brother thus irregularly made demands that the irregularity be declared and that the Brother be healed in order that there may be no defect in his Masonic standing. Such a declaration of irregularity does not necessarily involve and imputation against the Brother himself, nor even against the officers of the Lodge in which the irregularity took place." ''
 
* ''1927-43, 03/09/1927, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Waivers_of_Jurisdiction_3 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson], regarding irregularity of initiations. "Irregularities in the initiation of candidates, particularly errors in the publication of the names of candidates for initiation upon Lodge notices have become so frequent that I deem it proper to call this matter to the attention of the Grand Lodge. . . the consequence of failure to follow the prescribed procedure . . . is that the initiation is irregular and due regards for the rights of the Brother thus irregularly made demands that the irregularity be declared and that the Brother be healed in order that there may be no defect in his Masonic standing. Such a declaration of irregularity does not necessarily involve and imputation against the Brother himself, nor even against the officers of the Lodge in which the irregularity took place." ''
 
* ''1929-117, 06/12/1929, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Irregular_Masons ruling] regarding irregular Masons. "I have . . . devised a different procedure which will heal the irregularities (which must not be allowed to stand) with much less discomfort to the innocent victims of the mistakes of others. I urge upon the Masters the importance of seeing that every precaution is taken by careful proof-reading and otherwise to secure absolute accuracy in the preparation of notices, and I enjoin upon them never to allow any name to go to ballot without assuring themselves that such name appears upon the notice correctly to the last particular." ''
 
* ''1929-117, 06/12/1929, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Irregular_Masons ruling] regarding irregular Masons. "I have . . . devised a different procedure which will heal the irregularities (which must not be allowed to stand) with much less discomfort to the innocent victims of the mistakes of others. I urge upon the Masters the importance of seeing that every precaution is taken by careful proof-reading and otherwise to secure absolute accuracy in the preparation of notices, and I enjoin upon them never to allow any name to go to ballot without assuring themselves that such name appears upon the notice correctly to the last particular." ''
 
* ''1941-48, 03/12/1941, refers to  [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Dispensations commentary] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSchaefer Schaefer] regarding dispensations. GMs have dispensing power. He points out that there might be requests due to Selective Service conditions to allow a candidate to be balloted upon the night he is proposed. He said that he would grant dispensation in certain circumstances where the candidate had been investigated and expected to be called up shortly.'' ''
 
* ''1941-48, 03/12/1941, refers to  [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Dispensations commentary] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSchaefer Schaefer] regarding dispensations. GMs have dispensing power. He points out that there might be requests due to Selective Service conditions to allow a candidate to be balloted upon the night he is proposed. He said that he would grant dispensation in certain circumstances where the candidate had been investigated and expected to be called up shortly.'' ''
* 2005: 128
 
  
 
<hr>
 
<hr>
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==== Earlier Revisions ====
 
==== Earlier Revisions ====
  
 +
* '''GC1819''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=ByLaws1819#Section_7_4 Chapter 5, Section 7], III-232; see previous section.
 +
** ''Amended 06/08/1825, III-538; "They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons and elect and appoint none as permanent Officers but members. They shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting and who shall not have stood so proposed for one lunar month without obtaining a dispensation therefor nor without making strict inquiry into his moral character." ''
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_1_19 Part Fourth, 3:1], IV-642; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and no candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly meeting to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for."
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_1_19 Part Fourth, 3:1], IV-642; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and no candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly meeting to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for."
 
** ''Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50; see section above.''
 
** ''Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50; see section above.''
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==== References ====
 
==== References ====
  
* ''06/08/1825 (III-538) is an amendment to '''GC1819''': "They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons and elect and appoint none as permanent Officers but members. They shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting and who shall not have stood so proposed for one lunar month without obtaining a dispensation therefor nor without making strict inquiry into his moral character."
 
* ''IV-486: see previous section.''
 
* ''12/27/1855 may be spurious.''
 
 
* ''1878-126, 12/11/1878, refers to a section of Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWelch Welch]'s address, in which he advises care in the granting of new charters. He says in part: "Under the present condition of things we should hesitate to grant dispensations for new Lodges, unless the necessity is very apparent. The Brethren who desire to form a new Lodge are apt to underestimate the expenses and other difficulties connected with its formation, and in consequence the new Lodge, when chartered or under dispensation, is obliged, for the sake of gaining strength and meeting its liabilities, to admit persons who would under other circumstances have been rejected." ''
 
* ''1878-126, 12/11/1878, refers to a section of Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWelch Welch]'s address, in which he advises care in the granting of new charters. He says in part: "Under the present condition of things we should hesitate to grant dispensations for new Lodges, unless the necessity is very apparent. The Brethren who desire to form a new Lodge are apt to underestimate the expenses and other difficulties connected with its formation, and in consequence the new Lodge, when chartered or under dispensation, is obliged, for the sake of gaining strength and meeting its liabilities, to admit persons who would under other circumstances have been rejected." ''
 
* ''1880-123, 12/08/1880, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWelch Welch], regarding dispensations for ballots. "I have been obliged to refuse requests made to me by Brethren whose opinions and wishes were entitled to the utmost respect; but the granting of those requests would have obliged me to break the rules which I had laid down for the government of my official conduct . . .  it has been my wish that no Dispensation should be granted to confer the three degrees within one month; the utmost that I have intended should be allowed by the District Deputies or myself has been the conferring of the third degree within the authorized time of one month after the second. That this rule may in some very peculiar cases have worked hardship is possibly true, but it has seemed to me best to adhere strictly to it. I can only assure my Brethren that it has caused me more pain to refuse their requests than the refusal has cost them." ''
 
* ''1880-123, 12/08/1880, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWelch Welch], regarding dispensations for ballots. "I have been obliged to refuse requests made to me by Brethren whose opinions and wishes were entitled to the utmost respect; but the granting of those requests would have obliged me to break the rules which I had laid down for the government of my official conduct . . .  it has been my wish that no Dispensation should be granted to confer the three degrees within one month; the utmost that I have intended should be allowed by the District Deputies or myself has been the conferring of the third degree within the authorized time of one month after the second. That this rule may in some very peculiar cases have worked hardship is possibly true, but it has seemed to me best to adhere strictly to it. I can only assure my Brethren that it has caused me more pain to refuse their requests than the refusal has cost them." ''
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* ''1926-241, 06/09/1926, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Names_In_Notice.29 ruling] by Grand Master Simpson, regarding the printing in the notice of candidates to be balloted upon. "The provision of this Section is that the candidates shall be balloted for ... only when written or printed notification of the Meeting, bearing the name of the candidate to be balloted for, shall be sent to all the members. This language, taken in connection with other provisions of our Constitutions, seems to me to require the names of candidates to be written or printed on the notice." ''
 
* ''1926-241, 06/09/1926, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Applicants_.28Names_In_Notice.29 ruling] by Grand Master Simpson, regarding the printing in the notice of candidates to be balloted upon. "The provision of this Section is that the candidates shall be balloted for ... only when written or printed notification of the Meeting, bearing the name of the candidate to be balloted for, shall be sent to all the members. This language, taken in connection with other provisions of our Constitutions, seems to me to require the names of candidates to be written or printed on the notice." ''
 
* ''1926-241, 06/09/1926, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Balloting_.28Action_By_Master.29 ruling] by Grand Master Simpson, regarding action on balloting. "The Worshipful Master of a Lodge is not obliged to take a ballot upon a candidate whose name appears upon the notice of the meeting. If he decides not to take action at that meeting he should so state and should not call for the report of the committee. It is not proper after the report of the committee has been read for the Master of the Lodge to decide by vote or otherwise to postpone the ballot until a later meeting. If the report of the investigating committee is read, the Lodge must immediately proceed to ballot and the acceptance or rejection of the applicant must be settled without postponement or the intervention of any other business." ''
 
* ''1926-241, 06/09/1926, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Balloting_.28Action_By_Master.29 ruling] by Grand Master Simpson, regarding action on balloting. "The Worshipful Master of a Lodge is not obliged to take a ballot upon a candidate whose name appears upon the notice of the meeting. If he decides not to take action at that meeting he should so state and should not call for the report of the committee. It is not proper after the report of the committee has been read for the Master of the Lodge to decide by vote or otherwise to postpone the ballot until a later meeting. If the report of the investigating committee is read, the Lodge must immediately proceed to ballot and the acceptance or rejection of the applicant must be settled without postponement or the intervention of any other business." ''
 +
 +
* ''IV-486 is spurious; the amendment proposed is to another section.''
  
 
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* ''MFM, Vol. X, No. 7, 05/01/1851, Page 230, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts_MFM1851_1855#Balloting resolution] approved by the Grand Lodge of Vermont at its Annual communication; it was decided that a Lodge could not compel a member to disclose his reasons for casting a black ball or stating his opposition to a candidate. "Should he voluntarily state his reasons, then he makes them the property of the Lodge, who, in that case only, have the right to judge of their Masonic validity." ''
 
* ''MFM, Vol. X, No. 7, 05/01/1851, Page 230, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts_MFM1851_1855#Balloting resolution] approved by the Grand Lodge of Vermont at its Annual communication; it was decided that a Lodge could not compel a member to disclose his reasons for casting a black ball or stating his opposition to a candidate. "Should he voluntarily state his reasons, then he makes them the property of the Lodge, who, in that case only, have the right to judge of their Masonic validity." ''
 
* ''VI-294 (1860-5), 03/14/1860, refers to a report to Grand Lodge on proceedings in [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MountHermon2 Mount Hermon] Lodge, in which a candidate was rejected due to a factious ballot. Note that in '''GC1843''' there was no injunction against this behavior.''
 
* ''VI-294 (1860-5), 03/14/1860, refers to a report to Grand Lodge on proceedings in [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MountHermon2 Mount Hermon] Lodge, in which a candidate was rejected due to a factious ballot. Note that in '''GC1843''' there was no injunction against this behavior.''
* ''1860-33 is spurious; it is contained within the Grand Master's address, and does not address this issue.''
 
 
* ''VI-367 (1861-10), 03/13/1861, refers to a report concerning improper proceedings in [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=KingSolomon King Solomon's] Lodge.''
 
* ''VI-367 (1861-10), 03/13/1861, refers to a report concerning improper proceedings in [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=KingSolomon King Solomon's] Lodge.''
 
* ''1866-66, 12/27/1866, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame#LOCAL_MATTERS_-_REJECTIONS portion of the address] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame Dame], in which he discusses factious balloting, calling it "a cowardly means of gratifying a personal pique or a revengeful spirit." ''
 
* ''1866-66, 12/27/1866, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame#LOCAL_MATTERS_-_REJECTIONS portion of the address] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame Dame], in which he discusses factious balloting, calling it "a cowardly means of gratifying a personal pique or a revengeful spirit." ''
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* ''1928-380, 12/12/1928, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Candidates_.28Initiation_on_Night_of_Election.29 comment] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson] in which he says, "Initiation on the night of election has almost disappeared and the time has come when it seems proper that that practice is in violation of Section 413 of the Grand Constitutions." ''  
 
* ''1928-380, 12/12/1928, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Candidates_.28Initiation_on_Night_of_Election.29 comment] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson] in which he says, "Initiation on the night of election has almost disappeared and the time has come when it seems proper that that practice is in violation of Section 413 of the Grand Constitutions." ''  
* ''1929-33 03/13/1929, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Candidates_.28Initiation_on_Night_of_Election.29_2 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMHDean Herbert W. Dean], regarding initiation of candidates. "There still seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the question of initiating candidates on the night of election. Until such time as it may be be clarified by a change in the Grand Constitutions, I hereby rule that it is a violation of Section 413 of the Grand Constitutions to initiate any candidate on the night of his election." ''
+
* ''1929-33, 03/13/1929, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Candidates_.28Initiation_on_Night_of_Election.29_2 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMHDean Herbert W. Dean], regarding initiation of candidates. "There still seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the question of initiating candidates on the night of election. Until such time as it may be be clarified by a change in the Grand Constitutions, I hereby rule that it is a violation of Section 413 of the Grand Constitutions to initiate any candidate on the night of his election." ''
 
* ''1956-398, 12/12/1956, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1950-1999#Balloting commentary] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWJohnson Whitfield Johnson] regarding factious balloting. "I have been concerned about the future of two lodges in which the improper use of the ballot has come to my attention. . . casting a black cube factiously and without just cause is a Masonic offense, for which a member is subject to Masonic punishment. The word 'factious' is defined as meaning 'addicted to raising dissension.' . . By vindictive balloting I refer to the use of the ballot to square a personal grudge against a worthy applicant. . . Such use of the ballot is entirely unworthy of a Mason. Where it is established, it will subject the guilty member to Masonic discipline and to the contempt of his fellow members. . . Discriminatory balloting is a more common and difficult problem to deal with. . . The most common manifestation of discriminatory balloting is in the rejection of applicants of a different economic, social or racial group than most of the members of the Lodge. Discriminatory balloting is un-Masonic and evidences a narrow and bigoted attitude which we as Masons try to overcome by our philosophy and teachings, but it seldom evidences a malicious or malevolent attitude. . . Retaliatory balloting is, in my opinion, the most reprehensible type of factious balloting. . . its practitioners say in effect that until applicants whom they sponsor are allowed to pass the ballot box, no other applicant, regardless of how worthy he is, will be permitted to do so. . . Neither the Grand Lodge nor the Grand Master is powerless to deal with such a situation, regardless of how reluctant they might be to exercise their power to do so. If sufficient information is available to identify the guilty Brother, he can be summarily suspended. If the guilty Brother cannot be identified, or if he is identified and suspended and his cause is taken up by his friends, the Charter of the Lodge can be suspended. . . It is my earnest prayer that those creating these situations will be enlightened by the principles which we so earnestly try to instill in the hearts of our Brethren will realize how indefensible their position is and will desist from causing further damage to the Lodge and to the Craft which they profess to cherish." ''
 
* ''1956-398, 12/12/1956, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1950-1999#Balloting commentary] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWJohnson Whitfield Johnson] regarding factious balloting. "I have been concerned about the future of two lodges in which the improper use of the ballot has come to my attention. . . casting a black cube factiously and without just cause is a Masonic offense, for which a member is subject to Masonic punishment. The word 'factious' is defined as meaning 'addicted to raising dissension.' . . By vindictive balloting I refer to the use of the ballot to square a personal grudge against a worthy applicant. . . Such use of the ballot is entirely unworthy of a Mason. Where it is established, it will subject the guilty member to Masonic discipline and to the contempt of his fellow members. . . Discriminatory balloting is a more common and difficult problem to deal with. . . The most common manifestation of discriminatory balloting is in the rejection of applicants of a different economic, social or racial group than most of the members of the Lodge. Discriminatory balloting is un-Masonic and evidences a narrow and bigoted attitude which we as Masons try to overcome by our philosophy and teachings, but it seldom evidences a malicious or malevolent attitude. . . Retaliatory balloting is, in my opinion, the most reprehensible type of factious balloting. . . its practitioners say in effect that until applicants whom they sponsor are allowed to pass the ballot box, no other applicant, regardless of how worthy he is, will be permitted to do so. . . Neither the Grand Lodge nor the Grand Master is powerless to deal with such a situation, regardless of how reluctant they might be to exercise their power to do so. If sufficient information is available to identify the guilty Brother, he can be summarily suspended. If the guilty Brother cannot be identified, or if he is identified and suspended and his cause is taken up by his friends, the Charter of the Lodge can be suspended. . . It is my earnest prayer that those creating these situations will be enlightened by the principles which we so earnestly try to instill in the hearts of our Brethren will realize how indefensible their position is and will desist from causing further damage to the Lodge and to the Craft which they profess to cherish." ''
  
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* ''1926-241, 09/08/1926, refers to publishing the names of those to be balloted upon, and that a Master may decline to call for a ballot on an applicant whose name is published in the notice. It also contains a ruling on the refusal to waive jurisdiction. So this is probably spurious.''
 
* ''1926-241, 09/08/1926, refers to publishing the names of those to be balloted upon, and that a Master may decline to call for a ballot on an applicant whose name is published in the notice. It also contains a ruling on the refusal to waive jurisdiction. So this is probably spurious.''
 
* ''1926-438, 12/08/1926, refers to release of jurisdiction over a rejected candidate applying to another Lodge. Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson] indicated the relevance of this section to a case involving such release of jurisdiction.
 
* ''1926-438, 12/08/1926, refers to release of jurisdiction over a rejected candidate applying to another Lodge. Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMSimpson Simpson] indicated the relevance of this section to a case involving such release of jurisdiction.
* ''1940-233, 09/11/1940, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#.22Perpetual_Jurisdiction.22 ruling] by http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMPerry Perry], on 'perpetual jurisdiction'. ''
+
* ''1940-233, 09/11/1940, refers to a [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#.22Perpetual_Jurisdiction.22 ruling] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMPerry Perry], on 'perpetual jurisdiction'. ''
  
 
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==== Earlier Revisions ====
 
==== Earlier Revisions ====
  
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_2_18 Part Fourth, 3:2], IV-647; "And if any Mason knowingly assist, or recommend for initiation, to any lodge whatever, any candidate rejected as aforesaid, who may not have obtained a recommendation as before provided, such Mason shall be expelled from the Institution."
+
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_2_18 Part Fourth, 3:2], IV-648; "And if any Mason knowingly assist, or recommend for initiation, to any lodge whatever, any candidate rejected as aforesaid, who may not have obtained a recommendation as before provided, such Mason shall be expelled from the Institution."
 
** ''Amended 06/11/1856, VI-28, changing the last sentence to read: "such Mason shall be expelled from the Institution or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see cause to impose." ''
 
** ''Amended 06/11/1856, VI-28, changing the last sentence to read: "such Mason shall be expelled from the Institution or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see cause to impose." ''
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_5_7 Part Fourth, 3:5], proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-16, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-64; "Any candidate whose application has been rejected, who shall, at any time while residing in this State, be initiated in any other Lodge, or who shall within seven years after removal from the State, be initiated in any Lodge, without the recommendation, aforesaid, shall be deemed a clandestine Mason, and all Masonic intercourse with him is forbidden: ''provided, however'', that whenever it shall appear to the satisfaction of the M. W. Grand Master that any person deemed a clandestine Mason under the provisions of this Section has received the degrees solely by the fault or mistake of the Lodge conferring the same, or of any officer or member of such Lodge, the Grand Master may at his discretion cause such person to be healed. Every Mason, residing within this State, who, knowing of such rejection, shall advise or assist in such initiation, or in the recommendation or proposal therefor, shall be expelled from the Institution, or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see fit to impose."
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_5_7 Part Fourth, 3:5], proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-16, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-64; "Any candidate whose application has been rejected, who shall, at any time while residing in this State, be initiated in any other Lodge, or who shall within seven years after removal from the State, be initiated in any Lodge, without the recommendation, aforesaid, shall be deemed a clandestine Mason, and all Masonic intercourse with him is forbidden: ''provided, however'', that whenever it shall appear to the satisfaction of the M. W. Grand Master that any person deemed a clandestine Mason under the provisions of this Section has received the degrees solely by the fault or mistake of the Lodge conferring the same, or of any officer or member of such Lodge, the Grand Master may at his discretion cause such person to be healed. Every Mason, residing within this State, who, knowing of such rejection, shall advise or assist in such initiation, or in the recommendation or proposal therefor, shall be expelled from the Institution, or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see fit to impose."
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** ''Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, by the replacement of "then shall he apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and it shall be the duty of such Lodge to . . ." with "he shall apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and such Lodge shall . . ." ''
 
** ''Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, by the replacement of "then shall he apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and it shall be the duty of such Lodge to . . ." with "he shall apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and such Lodge shall . . ." ''
 
** ''Proposal, 09/08/1886, 1886-106, to permit the vote of the Lodge to replace the recommendation of the Master, Warden and two members when recommending a petitioner to a Lodge outside of his place of residence. The committee stated, in part, that "While in some few instances the present regulation may have operated rather severely, your committee feel that with its general workings for many years the Craft have been well satisfied. They, therefore, recommend that the proposed Amendment be not adopted." The amendment was rejected.''
 
** ''Proposal, 09/08/1886, 1886-106, to permit the vote of the Lodge to replace the recommendation of the Master, Warden and two members when recommending a petitioner to a Lodge outside of his place of residence. The committee stated, in part, that "While in some few instances the present regulation may have operated rather severely, your committee feel that with its general workings for many years the Craft have been well satisfied. They, therefore, recommend that the proposed Amendment be not adopted." The amendment was rejected.''
 +
** ''Amended 09/12/1894, 1894-63, to read: "Any candidate whose application has been rejected, who shall, at any time while residing in this State, be initiated in any other Lodge, or who shall within seven years after removal from the State, be initiated in any Lodge, without the recommendation, aforesaid, shall be deemed a clandestine Mason, and all Masonic intercourse with him is forbidden: ''provided, however'', that whenever it shall appear to the satisfaction of the M. W. Grand Master that any person deemed a clandestine Mason under the provisions of this Section has received the degrees solely by the fault or mistake of the Lodge conferring the same, or of any officer or member of such Lodge, the Grand Master may at his discretion cause such person to be healed. Every Mason, residing within this State, who, knowing of such rejection, shall advise or assist in such initiation, or in the recommendation or proposal therefor, shall be expelled from the Institution, or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see fit to impose." ''
 
** ''Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47, replacing the word "a clandestine" with the words "an irregularly made". ''
 
** ''Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47, replacing the word "a clandestine" with the words "an irregularly made". ''
 
* '''GC1918''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1918#Section_416 Section 416], 1918-386; ''in this revision, the words "in this jurisdiction" do not appear.''
 
* '''GC1918''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1918#Section_416 Section 416], 1918-386; ''in this revision, the words "in this jurisdiction" do not appear.''
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* '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 03/12/1856, VI-4; on the Grand Master's address from December 1855: "The subject of non-affiliated masons has occasioned much perplexity to the Gd. Lodges which have hitherto attempted to deal with it. No successful result has yet been attained. We have doubts whether such result can be obtained through the exercise of legitimate power by any Gd Lodge, If brethren feel so little interest in Masonry, that they forbear to take membership when it does not involve manifest inconveniences if they stand aloof and thus discountenance the efforts of the faithful: — the question may well arise whether they are to be regarded as worthy brethren and whether they would come within the prescribed rule, in a case of emergency. Their case however, we apprehend, is one which, if curable, must be treated, by moral suasion, rather than by legal enactment, if they be convinced that their present position is unmasonic and ask membership, of their own free will and accord, we might hope for mutual advantage. But compulsory membership, even if practicable, gives very slight promise of benefit to either party."
 
* '''Grand Lodge Committee Report''', 03/12/1856, VI-4; on the Grand Master's address from December 1855: "The subject of non-affiliated masons has occasioned much perplexity to the Gd. Lodges which have hitherto attempted to deal with it. No successful result has yet been attained. We have doubts whether such result can be obtained through the exercise of legitimate power by any Gd Lodge, If brethren feel so little interest in Masonry, that they forbear to take membership when it does not involve manifest inconveniences if they stand aloof and thus discountenance the efforts of the faithful: — the question may well arise whether they are to be regarded as worthy brethren and whether they would come within the prescribed rule, in a case of emergency. Their case however, we apprehend, is one which, if curable, must be treated, by moral suasion, rather than by legal enactment, if they be convinced that their present position is unmasonic and ask membership, of their own free will and accord, we might hope for mutual advantage. But compulsory membership, even if practicable, gives very slight promise of benefit to either party."
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_11_2 Part Fourth, 3:11], adopted 03/08/1893; "The fees for initiating, crafting and raising shall entitle the applicant to membership in the Lodge in which the application is made, without further charge or ballot."
+
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_11_2 Part Fourth, 3:11], adopted 03/08/1893, 1893-15; "The fees for initiating, crafting and raising shall entitle the applicant to membership in the Lodge in which the application is made, without further charge or ballot."
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_13_2 Part Fifth, Section 13], proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-17, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-95; "No Brother shall be a member of more than one Lodge, nor shall he hold more than one office in the same Lodge, or in Grand Lodge, at the same time."
 
* '''GC1843''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1843#Section_13_2 Part Fifth, Section 13], proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-17, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-95; "No Brother shall be a member of more than one Lodge, nor shall he hold more than one office in the same Lodge, or in Grand Lodge, at the same time."
 
** ''Amended 03/14/1894, 1894-13, to read: "No Brother, excepting members of Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge located in foreign countries, shall be a member of more than one Lodge in this Commonwealth." ''
 
** ''Amended 03/14/1894, 1894-13, to read: "No Brother, excepting members of Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge located in foreign countries, shall be a member of more than one Lodge in this Commonwealth." ''
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* '''GC1930''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1930#Section_420 Section 420], 1930-135; ''In this revision, the text is the same as '''GC1918'''.''
 
* '''GC1930''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1930#Section_420 Section 420], 1930-135; ''In this revision, the text is the same as '''GC1918'''.''
 
* '''GC1953''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1953#Section_421 Section 421]; 1953-50; approved 1953-197; "The fees for initiating, passing, and raising, shall entitle the candidate to membership in the Lodge which accepts his application and confers the degrees, without further charge or ballot if the candidate signs the By-Laws within one year from the date of raising; and the right of objection is reserved to any member to such signing, for cause, the sufficiency of which shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at a Regular Monthly Meeting. If, after receiving the third degree, a candidate dies before the expiration of the time required for signing the By-Laws, he shall be considered as having been entitled to all the rights and privileges of Masonry at the time of his death; otherwise no candidate shall be in good standing in the Lodge to which he is elected until he has signed the By-Laws, and he shall not be permitted to sign the By-Laws until he shall have obtained suitable proficiency, and shall have received the required instruction, in all three degrees. Should the candidate fail to sign the By-Laws within the required year, he may obtain membership in the Lodge to which he was elected, or in some other Lodge, or in some other Lodge, as provided in Section 423."
 
* '''GC1953''': [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC1953#Section_421 Section 421]; 1953-50; approved 1953-197; "The fees for initiating, passing, and raising, shall entitle the candidate to membership in the Lodge which accepts his application and confers the degrees, without further charge or ballot if the candidate signs the By-Laws within one year from the date of raising; and the right of objection is reserved to any member to such signing, for cause, the sufficiency of which shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at a Regular Monthly Meeting. If, after receiving the third degree, a candidate dies before the expiration of the time required for signing the By-Laws, he shall be considered as having been entitled to all the rights and privileges of Masonry at the time of his death; otherwise no candidate shall be in good standing in the Lodge to which he is elected until he has signed the By-Laws, and he shall not be permitted to sign the By-Laws until he shall have obtained suitable proficiency, and shall have received the required instruction, in all three degrees. Should the candidate fail to sign the By-Laws within the required year, he may obtain membership in the Lodge to which he was elected, or in some other Lodge, or in some other Lodge, as provided in Section 423."
 +
* '''GC1989''': ''In this revision, the text is the same as '''GC1953'''.''
 +
** ''Proposed ?, amended 06/11/2008, 2008-90, to the current language.''
  
 
==== References ====
 
==== References ====
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* ''1937-84, 06/09/1937, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Candidates_.28Signing_By-Laws.29 commentary] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAllen Allen]. "Under the provisions of the Grand Constitutions, the candidate has the right to become a member of the Lodge if he signs the by-laws at any time within one year from his raising. Ordinarily there should be no occasion for any great delay after the date of raising in learning the lecture of the third degree and signing the by-laws. In my judgement, two months should be ample for this purpose. . . I hereby request the Masters of Lodges to use all reasonable diligence and exert every possible effort to see that their candidates learn the lecture of the third degree and sign the by-laws within sixty days from the date of raising." ''
 
* ''1937-84, 06/09/1937, refers to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Candidates_.28Signing_By-Laws.29 commentary] by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAllen Allen]. "Under the provisions of the Grand Constitutions, the candidate has the right to become a member of the Lodge if he signs the by-laws at any time within one year from his raising. Ordinarily there should be no occasion for any great delay after the date of raising in learning the lecture of the third degree and signing the by-laws. In my judgement, two months should be ample for this purpose. . . I hereby request the Masters of Lodges to use all reasonable diligence and exert every possible effort to see that their candidates learn the lecture of the third degree and sign the by-laws within sixty days from the date of raising." ''
 
* ''1945-41, 03/14/1945, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWragg Wragg] on [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Lodges_of_Instruction_.28Procedures.29 Procedures for the Lodge of Instruction]; Details are provided on the then-current LOI Procedure, and requirements to be met before signing the By-Laws.''
 
* ''1945-41, 03/14/1945, refers to remarks by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWragg Wragg] on [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsEdicts1900-1949#Lodges_of_Instruction_.28Procedures.29 Procedures for the Lodge of Instruction]; Details are provided on the then-current LOI Procedure, and requirements to be met before signing the By-Laws.''
* 2008-90
 
 
* ''12/27/1855 may be spurious.''
 
  
 
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[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC2012 2012 Grand Constitutions Main Page]
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[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsGC2016 2016 Grand Constitutions Main Page]

Latest revision as of 18:29, 29 June 2016

Contents

GRAND CONSTITUTIONS, PART IV

PART IV: CANDIDATES

Sec. 400. INITIATION FEES

All Lodges in this jurisdiction shall demand as the fee for initiating, crafting and raising a Mason not less than Fifty Dollars, including the fee to Grand Lodge.

No reduction shall be made in the fees for degrees required by a Lodge, excepting by a two-thirds vote of Grand Lodge. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall charge less than Fifty Dollars for the degrees, or take a note of hand for the fees, or grant any time of credit therefor, or confer any degree without the regular charge having been paid, or return any fee after the three degrees have been conferred.

Earlier Revisions

  • Additional Regulations 1801 includes the following sections:
    • Article 3rd, II-192; "From and after the first day of January next, the price for making, Crafting and Raising Masons throughout this Jurisdiction shall not be less than eighteen dollars, including the payment hereafter to be made to the Grand Lodge — fifteen dollars of which shall be paid at Initiation, and not less than three at Crafting and Raising. And out of the sum of fifteen dollars paid at initiation, two dollars shall be paid for the use of the Grand Lodge. And the Master of every Lodge in each District shall cause a return to be made of all the Masons made in his Lodge from the second Monday of March next to the time when the Assistant Grand Master shall visit his Lodge; and at the annual visit thereafter forever, the same to be certified by the Secretary of the Lodge and delivered to the District Deputy Grand Master with two dollars for every initiation made in said return, together with all Quarterages then due from his Lodge to the Grand Lodge."
    • Article 10th, II-194; "That the fee of fifty cents, now paid for every making, shall cease upon the adoption of the foregoing Regulations."
  • GC1811: Chapter III, Section 6, II-521; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for initiating, crafting and raising shall not be less than nineteen dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge."
  • Committee Report, 03/09/1812, II-509, includes the following text: "Taking notes for initiating ought to be discountenanced; it is giving credit, perhaps, where it ought not to be given."
  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 12/13/1813, II-573; "The committee appointed to take into consideration the expediency of remitting, in any case, the fees payable to the Grand Lodge on initiations, have attended to the duty assigned them and ask leave to report: That from the best information they have been able to obtain, it appears to have been customary upon the application of ordained and permanently settled clergymen, for initiation, to remit the usual fee. Your committee are therefore of opinion that in such cases, and such only, the fee payable to the Grand Lodge, on initiation, may in future be remitted."
  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 03/12/1815, II-621; "The committee to whom was referred the motion of Bro. Zach. G. Whitman, for the appointment of a committee to enquire into the expediency of enacting some Article which shall prohibit subordinate Lodges from taking notes from, or granting credit to, initiates for initiating fees, have attended to the duty assigned them and respectfully ask leave to report: That the following votes, with the preamble prefixed, be adopted as one of the laws of the Grand Lodge, and be inscribed in the next printed Annual Communication of the M.W. Grand Lodge, for the information of all subordinate Lodges under their jurisdiction, vizt:
    • "Whereas great inconveniences have arisen, by several of the Lodges, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, taking notes of hand from initiates for their initiating fees, whereby they have been unable to discharge their dues to the Grand Lodge promptly; and persons that were unworthy have obtained the degrees by reason of a credit allowed them for said fees, which have been finally lost and the cause of charity suffer'd thereby:
    • "Now to prevent, in future, the aforesaid inconveniences. VOTED, That no subordinate Lodge under this Jurisdiction shall, hereafter, take notes of hand from initiates for their initiation fees, or grant any time of credit therefor; and all such fees shall be paid to said Lodge at the time any candidate shall receive the degrees." (Note that this vote was confirmed on 12/11/1815, III-13).
  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 12/11/1815, III-7 on a petition by Ancient Landmark and Portland Lodges;
    • "The proposition for an Amendment of the Constitution of the Gd. Lodge, in the 7th Section of Chapter 3rd so far as that instead of three dollars now exacted for each initiate, only one dollar be required — cannot in our opinion be complied with, consistently with the true interests of the Craft in general, and especially of the M. W. Grand Lodge — and that for the following reasons:
      • "First. Because we fear that diminishing the demands of the Gd. Lodge for initiates may operate in some lodges as an inducement for lessening the fees for Initiations, and thus render the access to the privileges of Freemasonry too easy and make the Institution undervalued by its cheapness.
      • "Second. Because it would be reducing to a scanty rill those streams which are pouring their needed supplies into the fountain of Charity, the replenishing of which is an Object most desirable and most important. —
      • "Third. Because We do not consider the provision for the general Charity-fund by any means incompatible with the measures adopted by individual Lodges, for the increase of their own private funds: & regret that there should be supposed any interfering Claims: for we believe that both may be provided for, without unduly taxing the benevolence, or encroaching upon the separate interests of Lodges.
    • "The Consideration of this subject has led us to fear that the Object of the Grand Charity Fund, is either not well understood, or that some of the subordinate lodges suspect that the period for its operation is too distant to afford them the benefit which they have too eagerly anticipated; or that the future Application of its resources will be too limited to reach their individual interests. — But we conceive that these are mistaken & unfounded apprehensions. We look forward with enlivened Confidence to the time when this General fund will have attained the means of effecting its noble purposes, and diffuse its beneficial influences to every lodge within this Jurisdiction, and to every suffering member of the masonick Family, for whose assistance or relief, we are in any degree responsible;
    • "And, therefore, hope that no reluctance will be felt in Contributing to its augmentation; and that no measures may be adopted which shall diminish its supplies."
  • GC1819 contained the following sections:
    • Chapter 5, Section 10, III-233; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for initiating, crafting and raising shall not be less than nineteen dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; but the initiation fee may be remitted to all Clergymen, or persons approbated by competent authority to preach the Gospel, who shall be received into the order; and the Grand Lodge will remit their initiation fee to the lodge wherein such clergymen were received."
      • Amended 03/11/1840, IV-496, to read: "The fee demanded a Lodge, for initiating, crafting and raising a Mason shall not be less than nineteen dollars including the fee to the Grand Lodge."
    • Chapter 5, Section 11, III-233; "No lodge under this jurisdiction shall hereafter take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 09/14/1842, IV-561; on the doings of the National Masonic Convention, the committee observed "Another subject embraced in the doings of the convention is the reprehensible practise of taking promissory notes for the fees of conferring the degrees. The Grand Lodge of this State, saw the evils arising from the practise alluded to. many years ago. & prohibited it by the 11th Section of the 5th. Chapter of the By-Laws."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:8, IV-649; "The fee demanded by a Lodge for the the initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, shall not be less than twenty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; and no Lodge under this jurisdiction, shall take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor."
    • Amended 06/13/1866, VII-79 (1866-15), raising the fee to twenty-five dollars.
    • Proposed by committtee 06/08/1892, 1892-56, discussed 09/14/1892, 1892-108, amended 12/14/1892, 1892-189, to read: "All Lodges located in Boston shall demand as the fee for initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. The fee demanded by a Lodge for the the initiating, crafting and raising a Mason, shall not be less than twenty-five dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge; and no Lodge under this jurisdiction, shall take notes of hand for fees, or grant any time of credit therefor."
    • Part Fourth, 3:11, proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-17, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-65; "All Lodges in Boston shall demand, as the fee for initiating, crafting, and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. Two or more Lodges located in any city or town, except Boston, shall agree upon a minimum fee of not less than twenty-five dollars; and in case they cannot agree, the fee shall be fixed by the Grand Master. No reduction shall be made in the fees for degrees required by a Lodge, excepting by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall charge less than twenty-five dollars for the degrees, or take a note of hand for the fees, or grant any tune of Credit therefor, or confer any degree gratuitously or without the regular charge therefor, or return any fees after the three degrees have been conferred."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 06/10/1891, 1891-61, and 09/09/1891, 1891-82, to raise the fee to fifty dollars for any city and forty dollars in any town; an extensive report of the committee was provided and a discussion permitted. The proposal was postponed.
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 06/08/1892, 1892-56, to raise the fee to fifty dollars in certain cities as specified, and any city or town with two or more lodges, thirty dollars; and no less than thirty dollars elsewhere. Also, to create concurrent jurisdiction for the lodges in Boston. Note amendment above, which restricted the amendment to lodges in Boston after "a prolonged and animated discussion."
  • GC1918: Section 400, 1918-377; "All Lodges in Boston shall demand as the fee for initiating, crafting, and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. Two or more Lodges located in any city or town except Boston, shall agree upon a minimum fee of not less than twenty-five dollars; and in case they cannot agree, the fee shall be fixed by the Grand Master. No reduction shall be made in the fee for degrees required by a Lodge, excepting by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall charge less than twenty-five dollars for the degrees, or take a note of hand for the fees, or grant any time of credit therefor, or confer any degree gratuitously or without the regular charge therefor, or return any fees after the three degrees have been conferred."
  • GC1930: Section 400, 1930-130; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 400; "All Lodges in Boston shall demand as the fee for initiating, crafting, and raising a Mason, not less than fifty dollars, including the fee to the Grand Lodge. The Lodges located in any city or town except Boston, shall agree upon a minimum fee of not less than twenty-five dollars; and in case they cannot agree, the minimum fee shall be fixed by the Grand Master. No reduction shall be made in the fee for degrees required by a Lodge, excepting by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall charge less than twenty-five dollars for the degrees, or take a note of hand for the fees, or grant any time of credit therefor, or confer any degree gratuitously or without the regular charge therefor, or return any fees after the three degrees have been conferred."

References

  • 1864-83, 12/27/1864, refers to a portion of Grand Master Parkman's address at the Feast of St. John, in which he suggests that it has become too common to request dispensation from the Grand Master to grant "initiation under any circumstances whatever." He suggests a possible regulation: "From and after date no person shall hereafter receive the three degrees of Freemasonry by Dispensation, except upon payment of ten dollars for the three degrees, if at one time; or the sum of four dollars for each degree so received separately - the above named fee in addition to the regular fees for degrees in the Lodge where proposed; and one half of such extra fee to be paid into the hands of the District Deputy for the use of the M. W. Grand Lodge." There is no indication that this regulation was considered, and it was never adopted.
  • 1870-165, 09/14/1870, refers to a review of the by-laws for a lodge applying for a charter; the section that reads "Every initiate of this Lodge shall be entitled to a diploma, by paying one dollar to the Secretary" was objected to; "Inasmuch as Grand Lodge diplomas are furnished gratuitously to the subordinate Lodges, it would seem just and proper, they should be furnished to the initiate without expense to him; and if a fee to the Secretary be exacted, it should come from the Lodge and not from the candidate: they recommend, therefore, the striking out the words, 'by paying one dollar to the Secretary.' "

Sec. 401. APPLICATIONS FOR INITIATION: APPLICATION COMMITTEE AND STATEMENT

An application for initiation shall not be accepted by a Lodge until the applicant and his sponsor shall have appeared before an application committee of not less than three members of the Lodge, of which the Master or a Warden shall be one, for a preliminary examination as to his fitness. The applicant shall also be required to read, sign, and file with the Secretary such an application statement as shall have been approved by the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: see following section.
  • Ruling by By-Laws Committee, 06/08/1870, 1870-117; In the by-law revisions for James Otis Lodge, the following section was rejected: "any Brother who recommends an applicant for the degrees, may withdraw such application previous to balloting, with the unanimous consent of the Lodge."
    • Amended 09/12/1894, 1894-62; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:"; contains the then-current Application form.
  • GC1918: Section 401, 1918-377; In this revision, the section includes the then-current Application form.
  • GC1930: Section 401, 1930-130; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
    • On 09/09/1931 (1931-173), 12/08/1937 (1937-271), and 09/13/1944 (1944-156), the form of application was amended as indicated in the section.
  • GC1953: Section 347; 1953-47; approved 1953-197; "An application for initiation shall not be given to an applicant until he shall have appeared before a pre-application committee, of which the Master shall be one, for a preliminary examination as to his fitness. The applicant shall also be required to read, sign, and file with the Secretary such a pre-application statement as shall have been approved by the Grand Master."
  • GC1989: In this revision, the text is the same as GC1953.
    • Proposed ?, amended 12/14/2005, 2005-127, to read: "An application for Initiation shall not be accepted by a Lodge until the applicant and his sponsor shall have appeared before an application committee of not less than three members of the Lodge, of which the Master or a Warden shall be one, for a preliminary examination as to his fitness. The applicant shall also be required to read, sign and file with the Secretary such an application statement as shall have been approved by the Grand Master."

References

  • MFM, Vol. VI, No. 12, Page 384, 10/01/1847, refers to a note from Brother Charles W. Moore in response to inquiry; it says in part, "one written petition is all that can properly be required of any candidate for all the degrees conferred in a Lodge, - presuming, of course, that he wishes to receive all the degrees in one Lodge, and in regular time."
  • MFM, Vol. IX, No. 7, Page 202, 05/01/1850, refers to a note from Brother Charles W. Moore in response to inquiry; it says in part, that there is no uniform practice (at the time) regarding the status of rejected applicants; he recommends that the Lodge should keep the matter in its own hands, since "it might happen that the reason for which a candidate had been rejected could be satisfactorily explained and removed within the next twenty-four hours after the rejection." Furthermore, any member can propose that a Lodge receive a petition; but if there is an objection, the lodge must vote by majority to accept it - but not to vote on the admission: that is still by unanimous ballot.
  • MFM, Vol. X, No.7, Page 200, 05/01/1851, refers to an inquiry regarding the proposal of a candidate under age. The answer in part is that "The candidate cannot be received before he is of the full age of twentyone years. His age is required to be stated in the petition. This is the general rule. If the petition states the age of the applicant to be under twentyone years, the Lodge cannot, in strict propriety, entertain it." Brother Charles W. Moore does note, however, that an underage candidate can be "verbally proposed" and that the petition can be dealt with when the petitioner is of lawful age.
  • VI-483 (1863-22), 12/09/1863, refers to a commentary by Grand Master Parkman regarding the power of the Grand Master to make Masons at sight. This power, he notes, does not extend to District Deputies. "This prerogative empowers the G. Master to enter any Lodge within his jurisdiction, and make masons of persons into whose character no inquiry has been made by the Lodge, and whose name has not been placed upon the notices for the meetings, and of whom no member of the Lodge has ever heard, and without any ballot whatever. . . its exercise is a very different thing from, making masons, after notice to all the brethren, a strict inquiry by the Lodge into the Candidates moral character, and a clear ballot, none of which can the Dis. Dep. dispense with."
  • 1872-289, 12/27/1872, refers to a report by the Committee on Charters and By-Laws, in which the committee modified the by-laws of a lodge to include dispensations for certain actions.
  • MFM, Vol. XXXII, No. 10, 10/01/1873, Page 305, refers to a set of General Rules of Masonry.
  • 1875-22 refers to revisions to the candidate application; see following section.
  • 1877-275, 12/12/1877, refers to the inclusion in the candidate application of the name and date at which a candidate might have previously applied for admission.
  • 1894-14, 03/14/1894, refers to a draft of a revision of the form of petition. A further revision of this form appears in the report beginning on 1894-59, 09/12/1894.
  • 1897-92, 06/09/1897, refers to a Masonic trial in which two Brothers; one of the specifications was "That one of the respondents used his prestige as Master of the Lodge to mislead and wrongly instruct his Brethren as to their duties and responsibilities as Masons and as members of the Lodge; and that the other had advised a person not to make application to Mariners' Lodge."
  • 1909-177, 12/08/1909, refers to a portion of Grand Master Flanders' annual address, regarding recommendations made at a conference of Grand Masters of the original colonies and also including Maine, Vermont and Nova Scotia held in Philadelphia in June. "The following recommendation was unanimously made: 'A petition to be made a Mason should state that the petitioner has never before petitioned a Lodge of Masons to be made a Mason: or, in cases where the petitioner has before petitioned to be made a Mason, he should state the name, number, location and jurisdiction of the Lodge previously petitioned, and the date, as near as may be, of such petition.' "
  • 1920-90, 03/10/1920, refers to remarks by Grand Master Prince regarding solicitation for membership. He said in part, "It should be borne in upon the minds of our members, old and young, that solicitation is strictly forbidden. While not a landmark, the law against solicitation is so ancient that it takes on the full force of one."
  • 1936-23, 03/11/1936, refers to remarks by Grand Master Allen regarding information on applicants prior to admission. He says in part, "I have reason to believe that in too many cases applicants for the degrees do not clearly understand the nature, meaning and purpose of Freemasonry. Its deeper moral and spiritual aspects and aims have not been made clear to them. Through no fault of their own, they do not understand what Freemasonry is . . . they do not understand that it is a Brotherhood whose members are pledged to work together for the building of character. . . Some of our sister Grand Jurisdictions have prepared a statement to be placed in the hands of prospective petitioners intended to clear away these misunderstandings before their applications are acted upon . . . The petitioner is required to certify that he has read and understands the statement. This material is being carefully studied with a view to the preparation of something of a similar general nature for use in this Grand Jurisdiction."
  • 1937-81, 06/09/1937, refers to remarks by Grand Master Allen regarding the statement to be filed with the Pre-Application Committee. The full text of this statement appears on Page 1937-82.
    • 1937-128, 09/08/1937, refers to his further remarks on pre-application procedure.
  • 1953-63, 03/11/1953, refers to remarks by Grand Master Roy regarding investigations of candidates. "An applicant for the degrees was reported on favorably by the committee of investigation and elected to receive the degrees, in spite of the fact he had both court and jail records. . . One of the most important items of information that should be secured is this: regardless of his apparently blameless character, is the applicant the kind of person who, when he becomes a member, will use the ballot box to avenge himself on one personally objectionable to him. The success of Masonry is determined by the quality of men we take into our membership. We cannot be too careful in screening."

Sec. 402. APPLICATIONS FOR INITIATION: PAPERWORK

All applications for initiation shall be made in writing over the signature of the applicant on the blank furnished therefor by the Grand Lodge.

An application may be read in a Lodge but not acted upon until all papers required for the application shall be on file with the Secretary: namely, the application statement signed by the applicant, the petition signed by both the applicant and his sponsor, three copies of the questionnaire for the use of the investigating committee, and any waiver required for a non-resident applicant or for an applicant previously rejected in another Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 03/11/1799, II-139: "The sense of this Grand Lodge that the 12th Article of the 10th Section of the Constitutions, respecting the recommendation of candidates from the Brethren within five miles of his place of residence should be construed as relating to the character of the candidates."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:1, IV-647; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and no candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly meeting to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-27, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:" (the form of petition appears on VI-28).
    • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 12/09/1863, VI-483 (1863-24), on the powers of District Deputy Grand Masters, a report provided a definition of a candidate, and recommended the following directive: "Ordered: That it shall not be regular hereafter for any Lodge, which does not usually issue written or printed notification of its meetings to ballot upon any application for the degrees where there is a dispensation therefor, at any but stated monthly meetings without written or printed notifications to the members of the Lodge, with the name of their Candidate borne thereon." Note: at some point this text was incorporated into Part Fourth, 3:1.
    • Proposed 12/09/1874, 1874-111 and amended 03/10/1875, 1875-22, to replace the application entry for "age" with "date of birth" and "place of birth", and the insertion of the words "My full name is". (Note that this is spuriously noted as 1874-11).
    • Amended 12/12/1877, 1877-276, to include the name and date at which a candidate might have previously applied for admission in the candidate application.
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:" (form as on VI-28) "No candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly Communication, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly Communication to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for. It shall not be regular hereafter for any Lodge, which does not usually issue written or printed notification of its meetings to ballot upon any application for the degrees where there is a dispensation therefor, at any but stated monthly Communications, without written or printed notifications to the members of the Lodge, with the name of their Candidate borne thereon."
    • Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-14, amended 09/12/1894, 1894-62; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:"; contains the then-current Application form.
  • GC1918: see Section 401 above.
  • GC1930: Section 401, 1930-130; See above, including modifications on 09/09/1931 (1931-173), 12/08/1937 (1937-271), and 09/13/1944 (1944-156).
  • GC1953: Section 402; 1953-48; approved 1953-197; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing over the signature of the applicant and in the following form:" (form included in GC1953) "An application for initiation shall not be read to a Lodge until all the papers required for the application shall be on file with the Secretary: namely, the pre-application statement signed by the applicant, the petition signed by both the applicant and his sponsor, the triplicate questionnaire for the use of the investigating committee, and any waiver required for a non-resident applicant or for an applicant previously rejected in another Lodge."
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-174, 09/11/1974; changed to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing over the signature of the applicant and on the blank furnished therefor by the Grand Lodge. This form must be entirely filled out by the applicant in his own handwriting."
  • GC1989: In this revision, the text is the same as GC1953.
    • Proposed ?, amended 12/14/2005, 2005-127, to the current language.

References

  • MFM, Vol. VI, No. 12, Page 384, 10/01/1847; see above section.
  • MFM, Vol. IX, No. 7, Page 202, 05/01/1850; see above section.
  • MFM, Vol. X, No.7, Page 200, 05/01/1851; see above section.
  • 1866-66, 12/27/1866, refers to a portion of the address by Grand Master Dame, in which he discusses the matter of petition paperwork.
  • MFM, Vol. XXXII, No. 10, 10/01/1873, Page 305; see above section.
  • 1909-177, 12/08/1909, refers to a report on the recommendations of the Conference of Grand Masters regarding requirements, prerequisites and paperwork for candidates for initiation.
  • The Builder, 1917-134, refers to an article about the reception of candidates by lodges.
  • 1918-23, 03/13/1918, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Leon Abbott regarding solicitation. "I am impressed that our Brethren ought to be reminded that it is one of our most sacred traditions that no one shall be solicited or invited to join our Fraternity. A candidate's appliction must come of his own free will and accord, of his own initiative, and unbiased and uninfluenced by any member of the Craft. Our Order occupies an enviable position in the eyes of the world. It is regarded as a pioneer in advancing civilization, a bulwark of civic righteousness, liberty loving and God serving. Such a reputation has been earned and won by generations of constant loyalty and devotion to the traditions, purposes and fundamental teachings of Masonry. The prohibiting of proselyt[iz]ing and importuning of men to join our ranks has been a great contributing factor in the enduring success of our organization. Quality not quantity is our life blood. Every newly admitted member should be early advised by the Master, Officers, or Committee of Instruction as to the duty of every Mason with respect to applicants and new members. This is all-important. I am laying especial emphasis upon this charge to you because of recent and intimate knowledge of the need, and of an innocent transgression of this exclusive precept of Freemasonry."
  • 1918-321, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.
  • 1937-82, 06/09/1937, refers to [commentary by Grand Master Allen. "I am of the opinion that a considerable number of applicants still seek admission to the Fraternity with a false notion as to what Masonry means, what they are expected to contribute to it, and what they may fairly expect to receive from it. . . after the preliminary examination of the candidate by the committee and before he is been given an application for the degrees . . .the applicant should be required to read, sign, and file with the pre-application committee a statement."
  • 1937-129, 09/08/1937, refers to the revised Pre-Application Procedure outlined by Grand Master Allen.
  • 1952-112, 03/12/1952, refers to the ruling by Grand Master Roy regarding initiates' paperwork. "An application for initiation shall not be read to a Lodge until all papers required for the application shall be on file with the Secretary. These papers are the pre-application statement signed by the applicant, the petition signed by both the applicant and his sponsor, the triplicate questionnaire for the use of the investigating committee, and any waiver required for a nonresident application for an applicant previously rejected in another Lodge."

Pre-Application Statement


Sec. 403. JURISDICTION (RESIDENCE)

At the time of application for initiation the petitioner shall have last acquired a Masonic residence in this Jurisdiction by residing therein at least six months continuously.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1792, adopted 12/11/1797, II-112; see Section 406.
  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 03/11/1799, II-139; see above section.
  • GC1811: III:5, II-521; "No person residing in a town within this Commonwealth, wherein a Lodge is held, shall be admitted a candidate by a Lodge in any other town without the approbation of the Master and Wardens of a Lodge in the town of his residence."
  • GC1819: Chapter 5, Section 11, III-233; "No person residing in a town within this Commonwealth wherein a Lodge is held, shall be admitted a candidate by a lodge in any other town without the approbation of the master and wardens of a lodge in the town of his residence."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:5, IV-649; "No person residing in a town within this commonwealth, wherein a Lodge is held, shall be admitted a candidate by a Lodge in any other town, without the approbation of the Master and Wardens of a Lodge in the town of his residence. Nor shall any candidate be received from any other State, (he being a resident thereof,) when a regular Grand Lodge is established, without the written permission of the Grand Master of such state."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-28, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made to the Lodge in the town where the petitioner resides, if there be a Lodge in such town; but if there be none, then shall he apply to the Lodge nearest his residence: And no person residing in a town where there is a Lodge, shall be initiated in any other town, without the consent and approbation of the Master and Wardens of that Lodge. Nor shall any candidate be received from any other State, (he being a resident thereof,) where a regular Grand Lodge is established, without the written permission of the Grand Master of such state."
    • Amended 12/12/1860, VI-337, to read: "Applications for initiation shall be made to the Lodge in the town or city where the petitioner resides, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none, then shall he apply to the Lodge most convenient to his residence, and it shall be the duty of such Lodge to make due and careful inquiry as to the moral standing of the petitioner, of some respectable and reliable person or persons living in the place of his residence, before he be initiated. And no person residing in a town where there is a Lodge, shall be initiated in any other town or city, without the written consent and recommendation of the Master, one Warden, and two members at least of each Lodge in the town or city where he resides; provided however, that where there are more than two Lodges in any town or city; such consent and recommendation shall not be required of more than two of them. Nor shall any candidate be received from any other State, (he being a resident thereof,) where a regular Grand Lodge is established, without the written permission of the Grand Master of such state."
    • Amended 09/11/1867, VII-89, by the addition of the following text: "And any person leaving his place of residence within this State, who shall be initiated in any Lodge in any other State or Territory without having first obtained the consent of the Lodge having jurisdiction, shall be deemed a clandestine Mason, and shall not visit any Lodge within this jurisdiction, without first being formally healed."
    • Amended 06/10/1874, 1874-51, by the replacement of the words "most convenient" with the word "nearest".
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, by the replacement of "then shall he apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and it shall be the duty of such Lodge to . . ." with "he shall apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and such Lodge shall . . ."
    • Proposal, 09/08/1886, 1886-106, to permit the vote of the Lodge to replace the recommendation of the Master, Warden and two members when recommending a petitioner to a Lodge outside of his place of residence. The committee stated, in part, that "While in some few instances the present regulation may have operated rather severely, your committee feel that with its general workings for many years the Craft have been well satisfied. They, therefore, recommend that the proposed Amendment be not adopted." The amendment was rejected.
    • Amended 12/11/1907, replacing the words "acted upon" with "granted".
    • Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47, replacing the word "a clandestine" with the words "an irregularly made".
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 03/14/1866, VII-69; a jurisdictional dispute between Day Spring and Thomas Lodges; candidates presented a statement indicating that they were the judges of what constituted the most convenient lodge to their residence; the committee noted that it "cannot concede for a moment the right of an applicant for the degrees of Masonry to decide what Lodge is "most convenient" to his residence. This G. Lodge alone has power to decide that question." The Grand Lodge made a judgment on the case.
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 06/13/1866, VII-89; jurisdictional disputes, regarding the establishment of residence for candidates. The Grand Lodge directed that fees be paid from the lodges that conferred the degrees to the ones rightfully claiming jurisdiction.
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 09/11/1889, 1889-115; a jurisdictional dispute between Star of Bethlehem and Converse Lodges regarding the meaning of the term 'residence'; the committee noted "they have concluded that the Constitutions do not mean a temporary residence, but that the language should be understood as meaning what is known in law as a domicile. . . It is desirable, therefore, that in questions of Masonic jurisdiction the Grand Lodge should have. the benefit of the carefully considered decisions of the courts of common law. This view of the matter, that residence should be considered the same as legal domicile, is in accordance with the-views of the complainants . . . Starting with this view, we find that the courts have laid down two propositions bearing on this case ; one that a man cannot have two domiciles at the same time; the second that he retains his domicile of origin until he legally acquires a new one."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:8, proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-16, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-64; "Application for initiation shall, be made to the Lodge in the town or city where the petitioner resides, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none he shall apply to the Lodge nearest to his residence. No person, residing in a town or city where there is a Lodge, shall be balloted for in any Lodge located in any other town or city, without the written consent and recommendation of the Master, one Warden and two members of each Lodge in the town or city where he resides: provided; however, that where there are more than two Lodges in any town or city, such consent and recommendation shall not be required of more than two of them. Nor shall any candidate residing in any other State, where a regular Lodge is established, be balloted for without the written permission of the Grand Master of such State."
    • Proposed 03/13/1907, 1907-30, adopted 12/11/1907, 1907-189, to read:
      • Application for initiation shall be made to the Lodge in the town or city where the petitioner resides, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none he shall apply to the Lodge nearest to his residence.
      • No person, residing in a town or city where there is a Lodge, shall be balloted for in any Lodge located in any other town or city, without the written consent and recommendation of the Master, one Warden and two members of each Lodge in the town or city where he resides: provided; however, that where there are more than two Lodges in any town or city, such consent and recommendation shall not be required of more than two of them, but one of the two shall be a Lodge where a regular place of meeting is as near the dwelling of the applicant as any other Lodge which has jurisdiction. The name of the applicant for the degrees and of the Lodge in whose behalf the release is asked, shall be borne upon the notice for a Monthly Communication, if the Lodge usually issues such notices, and the release shall not be granted before the close of that Communication; in the meantime, any Brother, having reasons for objections to granting the request, may make them known to the Lodge whether or not the request is granted, and shall cause the same to be noted on the Record.
      • When such consent is granted, the Secretary shall make the following endorsement upon it:
      • The above request for release has been borne upon the notice for a Monthly Communication of _____ Lodge, and this release has been entered upon the Record. Attest: _____, Secretary.
      • and he shall attach thereto the Seal of the Lodge.
      • In Lodges which do not usually issue written or printed notifications, the request for release shall not be granted before the close of the next Monthly Communication, and the Secretary's endorsement shall be as follows:
      • The above request for release has read in open Lodge at a Monthly Communication and is granted after the close of the next Monthly Communication, and this release has been entered upon the Record. Attest: _____, Secretary.
      • and he shall attach thereto the Seal of the Lodge.
      • Nor shall any candidate residing in any other State, where a regular Lodge is established, be balloted for without the written permission of the Grand Master of such State.
    • Amended 06/14/1911, 1911-88, the first paragraph to read: "Application for initiation shall be made to a Lodge in the town or city in which the petitioner has resided for at least six months continuously next preceding the date of his application, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none, the petitioner shall apply to a Lodge in an adjoining city or town, and if there be none such, he shall apply to the Lodge whose usual place of meeting is nearest to his dwelling. Distances, for the purposes of this Section, shall be measured in a straight line."
  • GC1918: Section 402, 1918-378; "Application for initiation shall be made to a Lodge in the town or city in which the petitioner has resided for at least six months continuously next preceding the date of his application, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none, the petitioner shall apply to a Lodge in an adjoining city or town, and if there be none such, he shall apply to the Lodge whose usual Place of meeting is nearest to his dwelling. Distances, for the purposes of this section, shall be measured in a straight line."
    • This revision also includes the following section: "Section 403:
      • (a) No person residing in a town or city where there is a Lodge, shall be balloted for in any Lodge located in any other town or city, without the written consent of the Master, one Warden, and two members of each Lodge in the town or city where he resides: provided, however, that where there are more than two Lodges in any town or city, such consent shall not be required of more than two of them, but one of the two shall be a Lodge whose regular place of meeting is as near the dwelling of the applicant as that of any other Lodge which has jurisdiction.
      • (b) The name of the applicant for the degrees and of the Lodge in whose behalf the release is asked, shall be borne upon the notice for a Monthly Meeting, if the Lodge usually issues such notices and the release shell not be granted before the close of that Meeting; in the meantime, any Brothers having reasons for objection to granting the request may make them known to the Master and Wardens. The Master shall report to the Lodge whether or not the request is granted shall cause the same to be noted on the Record. When such consent is granted, the Secretary shall make the following endorsement upon it:
        • The above request for release has been borne upon the notice for a Monthly Meeting of ------ Lodge, and this release has been entered upon the Record.
        • Attest: ------ Secretary. and he shall attach thereto the seal of the Lodge.
      • (c) In Lodges which do not usually issue written or printed notifications, the request for release shall be read at a Monthly Meeting, and the release shall not be granted before the close of the next Monthly Meeting, and the Secretary's endorsement shall be as follows:
        • The above request for release has been read in open Lodge at a Monthly Meeting and is granted after the close of the next Monthly Meeting, and this release has been entered upon the Record.
        • Attest: ------ Secretary. (and he shall attach thereto the seal of the Lodge.)
      • (d) And provided further, that in case a Lodge so requested refuses to release jurisdiction over an applicant and the Lodge requesting such release feels that an injustice is done the applicant or the Lodge, the Lodge requesting such release of jurisdiction shall have the right to appeal to the Grand Master. Such appeal may be finally determined by the Grand Master or may be referred by him to the Commissioners of Trials who shall thereupon have full power and authority to make a full and careful enquiry into all the circumstances and to report to the Grand Master whether Masonic justice demands dismissal of the appeal or authorization for the requesting Lodge to act upon the application. Such report shall be subject to confirmation or modification by the Grand Master and his action thereon shall be final.
  • GC1930: Section 402, 1930-131; "Application for initiation shall be made to a Lodge in the town or city in which the petitioner has resided for at least six months continuously next preceding the date of his application, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none, the petitioner shall apply to a Lodge in an adjoining city or town, and if there be none such, he shall apply to the Lodge whose usual Place of meeting is nearest to his dwelling. Distances, for the purposes of this section, shall be measured in a straight line."
    • This revision also includes the following section: Section 403: "No person residing in a town or city where there is a Lodge or where any Lodge or Lodges have jurisdiction under the provisions of Section 319 shall be balloted for in any Lodge located in any other town or city, without the written consent of the Grand Master or District Grand Master for the District Grand Master for the District of the balloting Lodge, written application for such consent having been made by the Master of the Lodge receiving the application for the degrees."
  • GC1953: Section 403; 1953-48; approved 1953-197; "Application for initiation shall be made to a Lodge in the municipality in which the petitioner has last acquired a Masonic residence by residing therein at least six months continuously, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none, the petitioner shall apply to a Lodge in an adjoining municipality, and if there be none such, he shall apply to the Lodge whose usual place of meeting is nearest to his Masonic residence. Distances, for the purposes of this section, shall be measured by the most convenient route of travel."
    • This revision also includes the following section: Section 404: "No person residing in a municipality where there is a Lodge or where any Lodge or Lodges have jurisdiction under the provisions of Section 319 shall be entertained by any Lodge located in any other municipality, without the written consent of the Grand Master, written application for such consent having been made in duplicate by the Master of the Lodge receiving the application for the degrees. If an applicant for whom a waiver of jurisdiction has been granted shall be rejected, the Lodge or Lodges in the municipality in which the applicant has his Masonic residence shall retain territorial jurisdiction over him."
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-174, 09/11/1974; Section 403 changed to read: "At the time of application for initiation the petitioner shall have last acquired a Masonic residence in this jurisdiction by residing therein at least six months continuously." and by deleting Section 404 entirely.

References

  • VI-298, 09/11/1850, refers to a jurisdictional dispute between Massachusetts and Constellation Lodges.
  • VII-69, 03/14/1865, refers to a jurisdictional dispute between Thomas and Day Spring Lodges.
  • 1872-62, 06/12/1872, refers to a complex jurisdictional dispute between Massachusetts lodges, who had rejected a candidate that was then admitted in New Hampshire. "No citizen of ours, who has been rejected here, may lawfully receive the degrees in another State, or in a foreign jurisdiction, without the consent of our own Grand Master; nor are we permitted in our Lodges to receive a citizen of any State which contains a Grand Lodge, without the permission of the Grand Master of such State."
  • 1872-250, 12/11/1872, refers to an extended report to Grand Lodge regarding the changing boundaries of towns and their effect on lodge jurisdiction.
  • 1874-81, 09/09/1874, refers to a jurisdictional dispute between Trinity and Wilder Lodges.
  • 1906-120, 09/12/1906, refers to the appointment of a committee to consider the issue of Releases of Jurisdiction. The committee was granted more time 12/12/1906, 1906-187; it is unclear whether it ever reported.
  • 1910-191, 12/14/1910, refers to commentary by Grand Master Flanders regarding jurisdiction. "My attention has been called upon several occasions to the invasion of the jurisdictions of other Lodges by Lodges accepting applications for the degrees from those who were not residents in their territory. . . If the applicant - as is frequently the case - has good and sufficient reasons for applying to a Lodge other than in the municipality or in the neighborhood where he resides; upon a satisfactory showing of such reasons, and in the interest of having our membership affiliated agreeably and pleasantly, I think releases should be granted. If, however, the application to other than the Lodge located in his neighborhood is made because of the fact that he cannot pass the requisite investigation and ballot, then I consider it the duty, as well as the privilege, of the Lodge the decline to release. I am, however, decidedly opposed to colonizing for the purpose of obtaining candidates, and I condemn as utterly un-Masonic the encouragement of a misrepresentation of the facts regarding a candidate's residence. . . It may be necessary, or desirable, to present for the consideration of the Grand Lodge some definite statement and requirement in regard to this matter in the shape of an amendment to our Grand Constitutions."
  • 1912-37, 03/13/1912, refers to a petition on jurisdictional grounds that arose due to the annexation of Hyde Park by the city of Boston.
  • 1912-219, 12/11/1912, refers to a jurisdictional dispute between Norfolk and Meridian Lodges; the committee concluded, in part, that "Owing to the apparent conflict in some of the provisions of the Grand Constitutions and the amendments thereof, it appears to the Committee desirable, and they therefore recommend that the whole question of the jurisdiction of subordinate Lodges throughout the State be submitted to a committee with power to investigate, report and recommend." A committee was appointed for this purpose.
  • 1926-241, 06/09/1926, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson regarding waivers of jurisdiction. "A request for waiver of jurisdiction was received, borne upon the notice of the Lodge, and the refusal to waive was announced in proper form by the Worshipful Master. The question was raised whether he might reverse his decision and announce the reversal at the next meeting of his Lodge, the name of the applicant not being borne upon the notice. I ruled that such procedure would be improper. The transaction was closed by the announcement of the Worshipful Master's decision. If the decision is to be reversed there must be a new application, and the name must be borne upon the notice of the meeting at which it is to be acted upon."
  • 1926-438, 12/08/1926, refers to comments regarding release of jurisdiction over a rejected candidate applying to another Lodge. Grand Master Simpson indicated the relevance of this section to a case involving such release of jurisdiction.
  • 1927-42, 03/09/1927, refers to comments by Grand Master Simpson, on the procedure for release of jurisdiction.
  • 1954-90, 06/09/1954, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Whitfield Johnson regarding residence of applicants. "I . . . rule that a Lodge does not have jurisdiction to confer the degrees on an applicant who has a residence within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lodge unless such residence constitutes the applicants legal domicile."

Sec. 404. MASONIC NON-RESIDENTS

No candidate residing in any other recognized jurisdiction shall be balloted for without the written permission of the Grand Master of such jurisdiction, except as provided in the following Section.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:6, IV-649; "No Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft, initiated or passed in any Lodge within the United States, shall be passed or raised in any Lodge under this jurisdiction, without the consent of the Master and Wardens of the Lodge in which he was first admitted, or a dispensation from the Grand Master."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:9; adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-65; "No Entered Apprentice or Fellow-Craft, initiated or passed in any Lodge within the United. States, shall be passed or raised in any Lodge under this jurisdiction, without the consent of the Master and Wardens of the Lodge in which he was first admitted, except by Dispensation from the Grand Master."
    • Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47, removing the words "of the Master and Wardens".
  • GC1918: Section 404, 1918-381
  • GC1930: Section 404, 1930-132
  • GC1953: Section 405

References

  • V-373, 03/10/1852, refers to the case of St. Paul Lodge in Groton, which conferred degrees on a candidate from New Hampshire.

Sec. 405. SERVICEMEN

While in active service, any merchant-mariner, or any soldier, sailor, or employee of government whose duties under official orders in ordinary course require his absence for indefinite and extended periods from his legal residence, whose application has never been rejected and who (at the time of application) has not actually resided continuously for six months within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, may apply to any Lodge within this jurisdiction.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: an additional paragraph added to Part III, 3:8, proposed 1916-45, 03/08/1916, amended 09/12/1917, 1917-243; "Officers and men of the United States army and navy and of the merchant marine, having no definite Masonic residence, may apply for the degrees in any Lodge having jurisdiction over their posts, stations, or regular ports of call without regard to the requirement of six months previous continuous residence: provided, however, that in addition to the usual requirement of investigation as to the character and fitness of the applicant for the degrees satisfactory evidence shall be required by the Committee as to previous residence and application for degrees in other jurisdictions."
  • GC1918: Section 405, 1918-381; In this revision, the final phrase reads: "may apply to any Lodge having jurisdiction over a port, post, or station where he is officially commorant."
  • Ruling of Grand Master, 03/09/1921, 1921-46, regarding the possibility of waiving the jurisdiction of lodges over applicants from the military, allowing members of the military to apply to any lodge, not merely the ones with jurisdiction over the place they are stationed. Grand Master Prince ruled that the section "is to be interpreted strictly and literally and that . . . Such persons may apply in the places specified, but not elsewhere."
  • GC1930: Section 405, 1930-132; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 406; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-174, 09/11/1974; changed to the text above.

References

  • II-585 and II-597, 12/27/1814, refer to proceedings involving Oriental Star Lodge and the making of a Mason of a man in military service previously rejected by another lodge; numerous difficulties were noted, including conferral of multiple degrees without dispensation, and accepting an applicant previously rejected. The lodge was severely reprimanded but its charter was not forfeited.
  • 1918-321, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.
  • 1943-32, 03/10/1943, refers to comments by Grand Master Schaefer. "When, as has happened by dispensation, all three degrees are conferred within a few days, it is obviously impossible for the candidate to acquire that proficiency which we require and expect in more normal times. Nevertheless, the candidate is not only entitled to receive, but is, in most instances, definitely in need of sufficient instruction in order that he may make himself known as a Mason in foreign jurisdictions. If in seeking admission as a visitor in some Lodge he finds that he is unable to convince an examining committee of his qualifications, he will not be disposed to think favorably of the officers of his home Lodge who have sent him forth so inadequately equipped. Careful preparation are his right and privilege; to deny it to him is to deprive him of a most valued and often much needed possession."

Sec. 406. COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION

A committee of investigation, consisting of three or more members of the Lodge, shall be appointed by the Master at the time when an application for the degrees is received by the Lodge. The names of the committee shall be entered on the record of that meeting, but shall not be put on the notices, nor shall they be read in open Lodge. Each member of the committee shall be immediately notified of his appointment by the Secretary.

It shall be the duty of the committee carefully and thoroughly to investigate the moral character and standing of each applicant, and in no case to make a favorable report to the Lodge without feeling reasonably certain that the character of the applicant will warrant such a report. No ballot shall be taken on any application until at least a majority of the committee shall have reported to the Lodge in person or in writing over their own signatures.

Earlier Revisions

  • Vote by Grand Lodge: 12/11/1797, II-112; "Resolved, it is the opinion of this Grand Lodge that every Lodge under this Jurisdiction, before they proceed to ballot for any person to be made a Mason — it shall be their duty to make strict enquiry, what town in the State such candidate belongs to; and if it appears that he is a citizen of any town in this Commonwealth, where a regular Lodge is constituted, or if he lives within five miles of a constituted Lodge, other than the one to which he is proposed, it shall operate as an exclusion, without a recommendation of the Master and Wardens of the nearest Lodge where he belongs; for no person's character can be so well known as in the town or neighborhood where he belongs. And it shall be the duty of Masters of Lodges, when a character is rejected for the want of such a recommendation as a free Mason ought to have, to direct their respective secretaries to acquaint the Masters of the adjacent Lodges, with the name and circumstances of the person rejected and also the like information to the Grand Lodge."
  • GC1811: Chapter III, Section 3, II-521; "They {the Lodges} shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a previous meeting, without obtaining a dispensation therefor, nor without making strict enquiry into his moral character."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:1, IV-647; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and no candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly meeting to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-27, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, over the signature of the applicant, and in the following form:" {Form of Petition appears on page VI-28.}
    • Proposed 03/14/1890, 1890-50, added 09/10/1890, 1890-84: "A Committee of Investigation, consisting of three or more members of the Lodge, shall be appointed by the Master upon each application for the degrees at the time it is received by the Lodge; the names of the committee shall be entered on the Record of that Communication, but shall not be put on the notices, and each member shall be immediately notified of his appointment by the Secretary. A report from at least a majority of the committee, either in person, or over their own signatures in writing, shall be heard by the Lodge before balloting on the application."
    • Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-15, amended 09/12/1894, 1894-63, to read: "A committee of investigation, consisting of three or more members of the Lodge, shall be appointed by the Master at the time when an application for the degrees is received by the Lodge. The names of the committee shall be entered on the Record of that Communication, but shall not be put on the notices. Each member of the committee shall be immediately notified of his appointment by the Secretary. It shall be the duty of the committee to carefully and thoroughly investigate the moral character and standing of each applicant, and in no case to make a favorable report to the Lodge without feeling reasonably certain that the character of the applicant will warrant such a report. No ballot shall be taken on an application until at least a majority of the committee shall have reported to the Lodge, in person, or in writing over their own signatures."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 09/09/1857, VI-127 (1857-21), on the December 1856 address of the Grand Master regarding investigation of candidates; "The words of caution which the G. Master was pleased to offer respecting the qualification of candidates to our order are wise and timely and it is devoutly to be hoped they will be duly heeded; that the moral and social fitness, of candidates is two often overlooked, cannot be denied. The hot haste with which they are sometimes passed through the various degrees, induces the belief that the fee is regarded as paramount and all other qualifications as of minor importance. Such practices are the bane of the Institution, merit the severest reprehension, and, in fact, justify the revocation of Charters. The investigation of character is frequently so imperfectly performed, that it is of no practical use, whatever, If nothing is found in the character of applicant decidedly bad, although there is nothing known to be positively good he is recommended as a suitable person for the honors of Masonry. And oft times when there are some glaring defects of character, he is introduced into the order, in the hope, that the moral influence of the Institution will reclaim him, and lead him in paths of Virtue and Innocence. Although a reformation may sometimes be achieved in this way, yet it is a dangerous experiment and should be wholly discountenanced. The Lodge was never designed to be a hospital for moral delinquency. None should be permitted to pass its threshold whose moral character will not stand the test of the severest scrutiny. No defective material should be used in the construction of our Masonic Edifice. Your committee would therefore recommend that greater care be enjoined upon the working Lodges in the admission of Candidates to the Order, and that the term of probation be scrupulously observed."
  • Address of the Grand Master, 12/28/1857, 1857-44; "As the welfare and permanency of our institution depend upon the good character of its members, I cannot refrain from the expression of a fear that sufficient discrimination is not always exercised in respect to candidates. It has not escaped my observation that there is loo great laxity by the committees of inquiry in their investigations, and that the duties reposed in them is often looked upon by them rather as a matter of form than as the most responsible which we are called upon to perform; and therefore it sometimes occurs, in contravention of our rules, that a candidate is balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made. The utmost vigilance should be exerted in the inquiry; which should extend, not alone over a few months or years of his life, but from his youth up. And that should not be deemed a sufficient investigation which elicits nothing unfavorable to his reputation merely ; it should not cease until the most satisfactory evidences are obtained that he is affirmatively and positively a moral man. But the moral qualification of an applicant for the privileges of Freemasonry is not the only one which he must possess; for, as it is one of our objects to cultivate the social virtues, it is necessary that he should be companionable, and readily disposed to mix in friendly and fraternal intercourse with our members. One of the Constitutions of our Older declares that no person shall be admitted a member of it unless he be of good report; of sufficient natural endowments, and the senses of a man; with an estate, office, trade, occupation, or some visible way of acquiring an honest livelihood, and of working in his Craft, as becomes the members of this most ancient and honorable Fraternity, who ought, not only to earn what is sufficient for themselves and families, but likewise something to spare for works of charity, and supporting the true dignity of the royal Craft. And again the same authority asserts that No Brother shall propose, for admission into this ancient and honorable society, any person, through friendship or partiality, who does not possess the moral and social virtues, a sound head and a good heart; and who has not an entire exemption from all those ill qualities and vices which would bring dishonor on the Craft. "
  • Address of the Grand Master, 12/12/1860, 1860-38, regarding applicants; "Let me urge upon you to make the standard of admission so high, that the composition of your lodge is such, as to reflect honor on the institution . . . I beg you, for your peace, to regard the disposition of the applicant. See to it that it is courteous, amiable, free from acrimony and causticity, temperate in discussion, cautious in the imputations of wrong intentions; in short, that it depart not by word or deed from the sphere of the gentleman and the Brother. He who has not his passions in due subjection among his Brethren, may prove a firebrand in the Lodge, inflaming and destroying the sacred edifice by the unhallowed torch of an uncontrolled and devastating passion. To such a one a fool is preferable, for there is no general suffering from his stupidity, while the first may point a shaft of poisoned words to wound the whole of your enemies."
  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 06/14/1893, 1893-37; "The Recording Grand Secretary presented a petition from Massachusetts Lodge, of Boston, for permission to print upon the regular Lodge notices the names of Committees on Applications. As the Grand Lodge in September, 1890, adopted an Amendment to the Grand Constitutions expressly prohibiting the printing of the names of Committees on Applications, and as -no reason was presented for making an exception to this rule in the case of Massachusetts Lodge, it was voted that the petitioners have leave to withdraw."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 06/14/1893, 1893-48, a report on an amendment to authorize the omission of candidates' names from notices of Communications at which they are to be balloted for; the committee was strongly opposed to the amendment, and it was rejected by the Grand Lodge.
  • GC1918: Section 406, 1918-381; In this revision, the text "nor shall they be read in open Lodge" does not appear.
  • GC1930: Section 406, 1930-133; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 407; 1953-49; approved 1953-197; "A committee of investigation, consisting of three or more members of the Lodge, shall be appointed by the Master at the time when an application for the degrees is received by the Lodge. The names of the committee shall be entered on the Record of that Meeting, but shall not be put on the notices. Each member of the committee shall be immediately notified of his appointment by the Secretary. It shall be the duty of the committee carefully and thoroughly to investigate the moral character and standing of each applicant, and in no case to make a favorable report to the Lodge without feeling reasonably certain that the character of the applicant will warrant such a report. No ballot shall be taken on any application until at least a majority of the committee shall have reported to the Lodge in person or in writing over their own signatures, nor shall they be read in open Lodge."

References

  • At the 03/10/1920 Quarterly Communication, Grand Master Prince supplied sample forms to be furnished to the Committee of Investigation.
    • On Page 1920-96, the applicant form is listed, providing questions to be answered by the applicant in writing. The questions are preceded by the following text: "For the protection of the Fraternity it is necessary that careful inquiries should be made concerning all applicants for admission. To facilitate such inquiries you are requested to fill out this blank in triplicate and file the three copies with your application." It includes blank lines for school and business associates as well as neighbors to be consulted as references.
    • On Page 1920-98, the committee member form is listed.
Investigations
  • 1919-58, 03/12/1919, refers to remarks by Grand Master Leon Abbott regarding committees of investigation. "Again I desire to urge in the strongest possible manner the most careful and painstaking investigation of every applicant for degrees and membership. . . I have had submitted to me in one or two cases a form of questionnaire which it was proposed to send applicants for degrees and membership with the request that written answers be furnished. . . I think that such a form of inquiry is not elastic enough to cover individual cases and that it is apt to discourage a fair and careful investigation by the investigating committee which should always include a personal interview. Some admirable letters of instruction have been recently given out in some Lodges . . . I can see no objection to these letters of instruction or suggestion provided the investigating committee thoroughly understand that they are not limited to the suggestions or advice given."
  • 1919-351, 12/10/1919, refers to remarks by Grand Master Leon Abbott regarding candidate investigation. "No more serious danger threatens in these days when such large numbers are applying for admission than that of neglect in the proper investigation of these applicants. We must maintain our high standards and fully and firmly protect against the pollution of our membership through the admission of those whose character does not entitle them to the high privileges and responsibilities with which every member of our great fellowship is clothed."
  • 1920-258, 09/08/1920, refers to remarks by Grand Master Prince regarding a movement in public to "blacken the reputations" of men seeking admission to the Fraternity. He admonished lodges and Brethren to undertake careful investigations of each applicant and to make sure "that all stories against his character should be followed to their sources." He noted that "While we must guard our entrances carefully, we must be equally sure that no campaign of this sort shall militate against the admission of good men."
  • 1921-49, 03/09/1921, refers to remarks by Deputy Grand Master Allen regarding investigation of candidates. "Much has been said recently about the necessity for particular care in the investigation of applicants for the degrees. . . . A member of our Fraternity has reported to the Grand Lodge that on a recent occasion he overheard in a street car a conversation between four young men who were returning from a meeting of an organization known to be hostile to Freemasonry. They were discussing Freemasonry and one of them made the remark that when he had gained sufficient courage he was going to try to get into the Masons. It is by no means impossible that members of this organization may endeavor to obtain membership in our Fraternity for purposes of their own. It is needless to remark that such membership would be extremely undesirable. While the Masonic Fraternity has no reason to fear the hostility of any organization, whether exercised through open antagonism or concealed treachery, nevertheless the presence of hostile intruders would be to say the least disagreeable. This report does not indicate a danger to be feared, but emphasizes the necessity for the careful investigation of all applicants."
  • 1921-252, 09/14/1921, refers to remarks by Grand Master Prince regarding investigation. "During the past year the members of the Trial Commission have given much time to hearing cases which, if proper investigation had been made when the original petitions for the degrees were presented, would never have reached the point where charges and trial were necessary. . . After a year's experience with the questionnaire, I feel fully justified in urging its adoption in every Lodge. . . The questionnaire puts the committeeman in possession of facts which would cost hours of independent investigation. . . The questionnaire gives a more comprehensive report, obtained more easily, and has proved effective in practical use. . . Another aid to investigation, when completed, will be the list of rejections in Massachusetts Lodges for the past five years. The list will be placed in the Grand Secretary's office where reference can be made on application."
  • 1922-200, 06/14/1922, refers to remarks by Grand Master [1] regarding applicant investigation. "Information and complaints in increasing numbers are being brought to the Grand Master's office, which show beyond question that investigation 'of the characters of applicants' is sadly neglected, and in some cases definite protest against certain applicants is utterly disregarded. The result is that unworthy men are admitted who are almost certain, sooner or later, to bring the Fraternity into disrepute, to say nothing of the disagreeable process of cleaning house which is brought upon us by our own carelessness."
  • 1922-433, 12/13/1922, refers to further remarks by Grand Master [2] regarding applicant investigation. "One of the most serious dangers that threaten our institution is the lack of interest displayed by members of investigating committees when they are assigned to the duty, the very important duty, of looking into the character of applicants for the degrees in Freemasonry. . . The work of our Commissioners of Trials would be greatly reduced and the necessity of washing so much dirty linen in our Grand Lodge meetings would be avoided if only investigations could be performed with a moderate amount of thoroughness.""
  • 1923-318, 09/12/1923, refers to remarks by Grand Master Ferrell regarding investigating committees. "Most of the difficulties that meet us in administrating the affairs of the Craft, are not faults of our system of administration nor due to vagueness in the wording of our Constitutions, or difficulty in interpreting the regulations which are our law. They come either from the ignorance or carelessness of our members, often in an attempt to perform some service for their Lodge; and there is no occasion which permits a greater display of ignorance or carelessness on the part pf the Brethren than when a Committee of Investigation makes a report upon an applicant."
  • 1937-20, 03/10/1937, refers to commentary by Grand Master Allen. ""It would seem . . . that the names of the investigating committee should not be disclosed to the members generally. It has recently come to my attention that the purpose of this provision has been largely nullified in some Lodges . . . Obviously this should never be done, for the same reason that the names should not appear on the notice, and I hereby direct that in future the names of members of the investigating committee shall not be read in open Lodge."
  • 1937-120 is completely spurious.
  • 1937-128 makes reference to the pre-application procedure given by Grand Master Allen and is covered in Section 402.

Sec. 407. NOTICE AND WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATIONS

Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Meeting and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Meeting to another; and the full names and residential addresses of candidates, including street and number if any, must be borne upon the notification of the Meeting at which they are to be balloted upon.

An application that has been received by a Lodge may be withdrawn by written request and over the signature of the applicant at any time prior to the meeting at which his application is to be balloted for. If the application is withdrawn the status of the applicant is the same as before the application was received and all fees collected shall be returned.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1811: Chapter III, Section 3, II-521; "They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons and elect or appoint none as permanent officers but members; they shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a previous meeting, without obtaining a dispensation therefor, nor without making strict enquiry into his moral character."
  • GC1819: Chapter 5, Section 7, III-232; "They shall admit as members such only as are master masons, and elect or appoint none as permanent officers but members. They shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a previous meeting, without obtaining a dispensation therefor, nor without making strict enquiry into his moral Character."
    • Amended 06/08/1825, III-538 to read: "They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons, and elect or appoint none as permanent Officers but members. They shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting and who shall not have stood so proposed for one lunar month, without obtaining a dispensation therefor, nor without making strict enquiry into his moral character."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:2, IV-647; see above section.
    • Proposed 03/13/1893, 1893-15, rejected 06/14/1893, 1893-48, an amendment to exclude the names of petitioners from notices by lodges. "We claim that our Lodge is our Masonic home, or family, and we ought certainly to be permitted to say who shall sit with us here, and become our Brethren in Free Masonry. So it seems to us that every reasonable means should be employed to inform each and every Brother what is proposed to be done in his Lodge. The addition of the proposed clause to our Constitution will, in our opinion, open the door for the application and admission of those who will be no ornament to our Fraternity. It cannot be expected that every member of a Lodge will be present at all meetings, and unworthy men may be admitted when those who best know their. faults will not be aware of their application."
    • Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-15, amended 09/12/1894, 1894-63, to read: "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Communication and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Communication to another; and in Lodges usually issuing written or printed notifications, the names of candidates must be borne upon the notifications of the Communication at which they are to be balloted for. No candidate shall be balloted for at any but a Regular Monthly Communication, in any Lodge, unless a Dispensation therefor shall have been obtained, and then only when written or printed notifications of the Communication, bearing the name of the candidate to be balloted for, shall have been sent to all the members. This applies to Lodges which do not usually issue written or printed notifications, as well as to others."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 12/10/1863, VI-477: On District Deputy Powers and Candidates, refers to discussion of the right of District Deputies to grant dispensations on candidate applications.
  • GC1918: Section 407, 1918-382; "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Meeting and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Meeting to another; and in Lodges usually issuing written or printed notifications the names of candidates must be borne upon the notifications of the Meeting at which they are to be balloted for."
    • Amended 12/10/1919, 1919-401, adding the following text: "An application that has been received by a Lodge may not be withdrawn, but must go to ballot. If the ballot is favorable, the application may then be withdrawn with the consent of the Lodge, in which case the status of the applicant is the same as before the application was presented."
  • GC1930: Section 407, 1930-133; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918, including the 1919 amendment.
  • GC1953: Section 408; 1953-49; approved 1953-197; "Candidates must be proposed at a Regular Monthly Meeting and stand proposed from one Regular Monthly Meeting to another; and the full names and residential addresses of candidates, including street and number if any, must be borne upon the notification of the Meeting at which they are to be balloted for. An application that has been received by a Lodge may not be withdrawn, but must go to ballot. If the ballot is favorable, the application may then be withdrawn with the consent of the Lodge, in which case the status of the applicant is the same as before the application was presented."
  • GC1989: In this revision, the text is the same as GC1953.
    • Proposed ?, amended 12/14/2005, 2005-128, to the current language.

References

  • II-105, 06/26/1797, is a part of the charges against Harmonic Lodge; it asserts that they advanced candidates without the specified waiting period.
  • II-585 and II-597, 03/14/1814, refer to proceedings involving Oriental Star Lodge and the making of a Mason of a man in military service previously rejected by another lodge; numerous difficulties were noted, including conferral of multiple degrees without dispensation, and accepting an applicant previously rejected. The lodge was severely reprimanded but its charter was not forfeited.
  • VII-112 (1866-38), 12/13/1866, refers to a provision included in the proposed by-laws for a lodge seeking a charter "provided, that the Lodge by unanimous consent of its members, may dispense with the provision that a candidates application must lie over one month before a ballot can be taken. It is hardly necessary to state that this dispensing power exists alone in the G. Master and his Deputies and that a Lodge has no right even by unanimous vote, to dispense with any of the requirements of the G. Constitutions."
  • MFM, Vol. XXXII, No. 10, 10/01/1873, Page 305, refers to a set of General Rules of Masonry.
  • 1885-196, 12/09/1885, refers to a detailed report on a petition from a lodge that had admitted a candidate by having avoided certain constitutional requirements that his name appear in communications with members who might not have balloted in his favor. The committee's report was accepted on 03/10/1886, 1886-44, and the actions of the lodge to admit the candidate were deemed null and void (though it was noted that "the Lodge itself is the only tribunal to try and determine the matter."
  • 1889-192, 12/11/1889, refers to a report on an appeal to the Grand Lodge over a ballot that was improperly held, since the candidate's name was properly borne upon the notification of the meeting; the committee recommended a new ballot, which was confirmed.
  • The Builder, 1917-70, refers to a table on the criteria for balloting in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1917-227, 09/13/1917 and 1917-308, 12/13/1917, refer to comments by Grand Master Leon Abbott regarding dispensations.
  • 1926-437, 12/08/1926, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson regarding withdrawal of applications. "If by reason of non-residence, minority, physical disability, or any other cause, the Lodge has no jurisdiction over an applicant, his application must be withdrawn or dismissed without ballot. It may be added that what has been said has no reference to applications for affiliation. Section 407 has no application to such petitions, which may be withdrawn before they are balloted on upon request of the petitioner."
  • 1927-43, 03/09/1927, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson, regarding irregularity of initiations. "Irregularities in the initiation of candidates, particularly errors in the publication of the names of candidates for initiation upon Lodge notices have become so frequent that I deem it proper to call this matter to the attention of the Grand Lodge. . . the consequence of failure to follow the prescribed procedure . . . is that the initiation is irregular and due regards for the rights of the Brother thus irregularly made demands that the irregularity be declared and that the Brother be healed in order that there may be no defect in his Masonic standing. Such a declaration of irregularity does not necessarily involve and imputation against the Brother himself, nor even against the officers of the Lodge in which the irregularity took place."
  • 1929-117, 06/12/1929, refers to a ruling regarding irregular Masons. "I have . . . devised a different procedure which will heal the irregularities (which must not be allowed to stand) with much less discomfort to the innocent victims of the mistakes of others. I urge upon the Masters the importance of seeing that every precaution is taken by careful proof-reading and otherwise to secure absolute accuracy in the preparation of notices, and I enjoin upon them never to allow any name to go to ballot without assuring themselves that such name appears upon the notice correctly to the last particular."
  • 1941-48, 03/12/1941, refers to commentary by Grand Master Schaefer regarding dispensations. GMs have dispensing power. He points out that there might be requests due to Selective Service conditions to allow a candidate to be balloted upon the night he is proposed. He said that he would grant dispensation in certain circumstances where the candidate had been investigated and expected to be called up shortly.

Sec. 408. TIME FOR BALLOT

No candidate shall be balloted on at any but a Regular Monthly Meeting in any Lodge unless a dispensation therefor shall have been obtained. The Master of a Lodge is not obligated to take a ballot upon a candidate whose name appears on the notice of the meeting. If he decides not to take action at that meeting, he shall so state at the beginning of the business of balloting and shall not call for the report of the committee on that candidate. It is not permitted after the report of the committee has been read for the Master of the Lodge to decide by vote or otherwise to postpone the ballot until a later meeting. If the report of the investigating committee is read, the Lodge must immediately proceed to ballot and the acceptance or rejection of the application must be settled without postponement.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1819: Chapter 5, Section 7, III-232; see previous section.
    • Amended 06/08/1825, III-538; "They shall admit as members such only as are Master Masons and elect and appoint none as permanent Officers but members. They shall not ballot for any candidate for initiation who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting and who shall not have stood so proposed for one lunar month without obtaining a dispensation therefor nor without making strict inquiry into his moral character."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:1, IV-642; "All applications for initiation shall be made in writing, under the signature of the applicant, and no candidate shall be balloted for who has not been proposed at a stated monthly meeting, and who shall not have stood so proposed from one regular monthly meeting to another, without a dispensation therefor; nor shall a candidate, in any event, be balloted for, into whose moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, and whose name has not been borne on the notifications for the meeting at which he is to be balloted for."
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50; see section above.
    • Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-15, amended 09/12/1894, 1894-63; see section above.
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 03/12/1856, VI-4; on the Grand Master's address from December 1855: "The subject of non-affiliated masons has occasioned much perplexity to the Gd. Lodges which have hitherto attempted to deal with it. No successful result has yet been attained. We have doubts whether such result can be obtained through the exercise of legitimate power by any Gd Lodge, If brethren feel so little interest in Masonry, that they forbear to take membership when it does not involve manifest inconveniences if they stand aloof and thus discountenance the efforts of the faithful: — the question may well arise whether they are to be regarded as worthy brethren and whether they would come within the prescribed rule, in a case of emergency. Their case however, we apprehend, is one which, if curable, must be treated, by moral suasion, rather than by legal enactment, if they be convinced that their present position is unmasonic and ask membership, of their own free will and accord, we might hope for mutual advantage. But compulsory membership, even if practicable, gives very slight promise of benefit to either party."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 09/09/1857, VI-127 (1857-21), on the December 1856 address of the Grand Master regarding investigation of candidates; "Your committee would therefore recommend that greater care be enjoined upon the working Lodges in the admission of Candidates to the Order, and that the term of probation be scrupulously observed."
  • Address of the Grand Master, 12/18/1857, 1857-46; "The power of Dispensation, by which the terms of probation that our regulations require of candidates, may be intermitted, should be most rarely exercised. To dispense with the time that should be devoted to the investigation of character, is, of course, a more serious and responsible act than that of dispensing with the intervals of lime required, subsequently, in the course of advancement, from one step to another, in the knowledge of our art. There can seldom occur a case entitled to so great a privilege as that first referred to, and it should never be allowed, except when it promises some signal advantage to the fraternity."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 12/09/1863, VI-483 (1863-24); see previous section.
  • GC1918: Section 408, 1918-382; "No candidate shall be balloted for at any but a regular Monthly Meeting, in any Lodge, unless a Dispensation therefor shall have been obtained, and then only when written or printed notifications of the Meeting, bearing the name of the candidate to be balloted for, shall have been sent to all the members. This applies to Lodges which do not usually issue written or printed notifications, as well as to others."
  • GC1930: Section 408, 1930-133; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 409; "No candidate shall be balloted for at any but a regular Monthly Meeting in any Lodge unless a Dispensation therefor shall have been obtained. The Master of a Lodge is not obliged to take a ballot upon a candidate whose name appears on the notice of the meeting. If he decides not to take action at that meeting, he shall so state at the beginning of the business of balloting and shall not call for the report of the committee on that candidate. It is not proper after the report of the committee has been read for the Master or the Lodge to decide by vote or otherwise to postpone the ballot until a later meeting. If the report of the investigating committee is read, the Lodge must immediately proceed to ballot and the acceptance or rejection of the application must be settled without postponement."

References

  • 1878-126, 12/11/1878, refers to a section of Grand Master Welch's address, in which he advises care in the granting of new charters. He says in part: "Under the present condition of things we should hesitate to grant dispensations for new Lodges, unless the necessity is very apparent. The Brethren who desire to form a new Lodge are apt to underestimate the expenses and other difficulties connected with its formation, and in consequence the new Lodge, when chartered or under dispensation, is obliged, for the sake of gaining strength and meeting its liabilities, to admit persons who would under other circumstances have been rejected."
  • 1880-123, 12/08/1880, refers to remarks by Grand Master Welch, regarding dispensations for ballots. "I have been obliged to refuse requests made to me by Brethren whose opinions and wishes were entitled to the utmost respect; but the granting of those requests would have obliged me to break the rules which I had laid down for the government of my official conduct . . . it has been my wish that no Dispensation should be granted to confer the three degrees within one month; the utmost that I have intended should be allowed by the District Deputies or myself has been the conferring of the third degree within the authorized time of one month after the second. That this rule may in some very peculiar cases have worked hardship is possibly true, but it has seemed to me best to adhere strictly to it. I can only assure my Brethren that it has caused me more pain to refuse their requests than the refusal has cost them."
  • 1889-192, 12/11/1889, refers to a report on an appeal to the Grand Lodge over a ballot that was improperly held, since the candidate's name was properly borne upon the notification of the meeting; the committee recommended a new ballot, which was confirmed.
  • 1901-173, 12/11/1901, refers to remarks by Grand Master Gallagher regarding the conferral of degrees. "I recognize that, of necessity, the present methods of industrial and manufacturing business frequently require applicants to devote a great deal of their time away from their homes where they may wish to apply for the degrees, and that therefore Dispensations are found necessary; that Lodges at times can economize by working candidates in advance of their limited time; and that many proper reasons are continually arising for the exercise of the executive prerogative. But the applications have been so frequent and numerous that I have required in each case a reason sufficient to satisfy the Deputy of the District before granting it, and in many cases the reasons have been found to be rather those of convenience than of exigency; and in cases where granted I have required as far as possible that the candidate be instructed carefully in each degree before proceeding. In every case I have found most willing cooperation by the Lodges, but before the custom may become abused I call the attention of the Lodges to it for their consideration."
  • 1926-241, 06/09/1926, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson, regarding the printing in the notice of candidates to be balloted upon. "The provision of this Section is that the candidates shall be balloted for ... only when written or printed notification of the Meeting, bearing the name of the candidate to be balloted for, shall be sent to all the members. This language, taken in connection with other provisions of our Constitutions, seems to me to require the names of candidates to be written or printed on the notice."
  • 1926-241, 06/09/1926, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson, regarding action on balloting. "The Worshipful Master of a Lodge is not obliged to take a ballot upon a candidate whose name appears upon the notice of the meeting. If he decides not to take action at that meeting he should so state and should not call for the report of the committee. It is not proper after the report of the committee has been read for the Master of the Lodge to decide by vote or otherwise to postpone the ballot until a later meeting. If the report of the investigating committee is read, the Lodge must immediately proceed to ballot and the acceptance or rejection of the applicant must be settled without postponement or the intervention of any other business."
  • IV-486 is spurious; the amendment proposed is to another section.

Sec. 409. UNANIMOUS BALLOT REQUIRED

A clear and unanimously favorable ballot shall be necessary to the election of a candidate.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:3, IV-648; "The general rule which governs the Order in the admission of members, is, that such admission is to be sanctioned by entire unanimity; and so sacred and fundamental does the Grand Lodge conceive this rule to be, that no Candidate shall be initiated in any Lodge, under this jurisdiction without a clear and unanimous vote in his favor."
    • Part Fourth, 3:6; proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-16, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-64; "No candidate shall be initiated in any Lodge under this jurisdiction without a clear and unanimous vote in his favor. Every member present shall vote on the application, unless excused by the Lodge."
  • GC1918: Section 409, 1918-383
  • GC1930: Section 409, 1930-134
  • GC1953: Section 410

References

  • MFM, Vol. VIII, No. 3, 01/01/1849, Page 65, refers to the reconsideration of a previous vote in a Lodge. In the cited case, a balloting matter is considered.
  • VI-294 (1860-5), 03/14/1860, refers to a report to Grand Lodge on proceedings in Mount Hermon Lodge, in which a candidate was rejected due to a factious ballot. Note that in GC1843 there was no injunction against this behavior.
  • VII-111 (1866-39), 12/13/1866, refers to the petition by King Philip Lodge for its charter; in the review of the submitted by-laws it was found that applicants for affiliation required a two-thirds vote for admission; the committee noted: "No brother should be admitted to the privileges of membership without the unanimous consent of the members of the Lodge. Any other rule might tend to disturb the peace and harmony of the brethren. One third of the members of this Lodge might vote against an applicant for membership, and still he could be admitted to the rights privileges and communion of the Lodge. He might be personally obnoxious to those who voted against him, and the result of his admission would probably lead to the withdrawal of one-third of the members. It is therefore determined by masonic authority that to preserve the peace and harmony of the Lodge, no one can be admitted a member thereof without the unanimous consent of the brethren."
  • 1866-65, 12/27/1866, refers to a portion of the address by Grand Master Dame, in which he discusses the matter of rejections.
  • 1869-157, 12/28/1869, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Gardner regarding objections to advancement.
  • 1877-194, 06/13/1877, refers to a regulation adopted by Grand Lodge; see Section 411 below.
  • 1882-160, 06/14/1882, refers to a report by the Board of Commissioners of Trials, reinforcing this section.
  • 1885-164, 12/09/1885, refers to a portion of Grand Master Howland's address regarding balloting. "I have earnestly desired the Brethren to preserve sacred and inviolate their right of ballot upon applications, and to guard the manner of exercising the same. The custom of passing the ballot-box to the Brethren in the Lodge has in some eases been abused, and improper advantage has been taken on account of opportunities offered by the practice. I have recommended as a safeguard to the rights of every member that the ballot-box be placed upon the altar, or upon some support near by, to which place every member of the Lodge present shall repair and deposit his ballot, unless by vote of his Lodge be be excused. Our Constitutions provide that 'Every member present shall vote on the application unless excused by the Lodge.' "
  • 1918-321, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.

Sec. 410. TOTAL BALLOT REQUIRED

Every member of the Lodge present at the time of the ballot shall vote unless excused by the Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

References

  • MFM, Vol. IV, No. 8, Page 227, 06/01/1845, refers to the following inquiry: "Can a member of a Lodge and an officer, being present at a balloting for a candidate for the mysteries of Freemasonry, refuse to cast his vote, when the petition has been regularly received, and the person refusing to vote having no constitutional scruples as to the proceedings, and no objection to the candidate?" Brother Moore replies, in part: "When a Brother joins a Lodge, he does it with the understanding and under an obligation to support the regulations, and to render his best services in performing the duties of the Lodge. One of these duties is the balloting for candidates for initiation. . . The Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts contain a corresponding regulation. They declare that 'every member present shall vote on the application of a candidate for initiation, unless excused by the Lodge.' And this we hold to be a conversate and correct Masonic rule."
  • MFM, Vol. V, No. 6, Page 167, 04/01/1846, refers to an inquiry regarding the reconsideration of a ballot on the admission of a candidate. Bro. Moore notes that "The constitutional regulation requires unanimity . . . The ballot was to ascertain whether this unanimity existed among the members. If it did not, there was an end to the matter. No motion could be made to reconsider after the ballot was declared. If there were but one black ball, a second ballot would have been in order. A second ballot would also have been regular, against two black balls, if either were cast through mistake, and so declared to be by the Brother casting it; and it would have been admissible, if requested by a member of the Lodge, on the presumption that both might have been cast by mistake. A second ballot, however, settles the question; as does three negatives on the first ballot."
  • MFM, Vol. VIII, No. 3, 01/01/1849, Page 65, refers to the reconsideration of a previous vote in a Lodge. In the cited case, a balloting matter is considered.
  • MFM, Vol. IX, No. 8, 06/01/1850, Page 225, refers to a series of questions about balloting. Bro. Moore responds to these questions in detail.
  • MFM, Vol. IX, No. 12, 10/01/1850, Page 363, refers to a series of questions on admission of candidates. Bro. Moore responds to these questions in detail.
  • MFM, Vol. X, No. 7, 05/01/1851, Page 230, refers to a resolution approved by the Grand Lodge of Vermont at its Annual communication; it was decided that a Lodge could not compel a member to disclose his reasons for casting a black ball or stating his opposition to a candidate. "Should he voluntarily state his reasons, then he makes them the property of the Lodge, who, in that case only, have the right to judge of their Masonic validity."
  • MFM, Vol. XIII, No. 9, 07/01/1854, Page 257, refers to a series of questions about suspension of a ballot, or a Master declining to declare a ballot not clear.
  • MFM, Vol. XV, No. 2, 12/01/1855, Page 45, properly belongs to Section 411 below.
  • MFM, Vol. XXVI, No. 5, 03/01/1857, Page 129, refers to a question regarding the submission of a blank ballot during election of officers. Bro. Moore describes the various forms of voting in great historical detail, and indicates that unlike the ballot for candidates, a blank ballot is considered as having been no vote at all.
  • MFM, Vol. XXVIII, No. 5, 03/01/1869, Page 149, refers to a report presented to the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1869, reinforcing the protection of anonymity in the ballot.
  • 1916-357, 09/13/1916, contains the original By-Laws of First Lodge in Boston, including a provision for balloting at "a private night by dispensation from the Master & Wardens."
  • 1930-489, 12/10/1930, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Herbert W. Dean regarding the tyler's right to vote.
  • 1931-41, 03/11/1931, is a further ruling by the same Grand Master.


Sec. 411. BUSINESS OF BALLOTING

Immediately before the business of balloting is commenced, the Master shall permit the entrance of any members of the Lodge who have presented themselves to the Tyler seeking and prepared for admission. The entire business of balloting shall then be continuous without the intervention of any other business; and during the balloting on any one candidate, from the commencement of the report of the investigating committee until the declaration of the ballot on the candidate under consideration, none shall be permitted to enter or leave the Lodge except only in case of extraordinary emergency.

In balloting for degrees or membership, the Worshipful Master may allow three ballotings, at his discretion, but no more.

The ballot must in each case be presented to the South, West, and East for inspection and report before the applicant may be declared accepted or rejected.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Rule XI, adopted 06/13/1877, 1877-194; "In balloting for degrees or membership, the Worshipful Master may allow three ballotings, at his discretion; but when the balloting has been commenced it must be concluded, and the candidate declared accepted or rejected, without the intervention of any other business whatever."
  • GC1918: Section 411, 1918-383; "Immediately before the business of receiving the reports of investigating committees is commenced, the Master shall permit the entrance of any members of the Lodge who have presented themselves to the Tyler seeking and prepared for admission. During the period from the commencement of the report of such a committee until the declaration of the ballot on the candidate under consideration, no one shall be permitted to enter or leave the Lodge except only in case of extraordinary emergency. During such period, no other business whatever shall be transacted, except only that while the ballot is being taken, the Master, in his discretion, may call for and receive the report of such committee on the application upon which the ballot is next to be taken."
    • This revision also includes the following section in by-law rules: "Rule XI, 1918-418. In balloting for degrees or membership the Worshipful Master may allow three ballotings at his discretion: but when the balloting has been commenced it must be concluded, and the candidate declared accepted or rejected, without the intervention of any business whatever."
  • GC1930: Section 411, 1930-134; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918, with the following addition: In balloting for degrees or membership, the Worshipful Master may allow three ballotings, at his discretion, but no more. When the balloting has been commenced it must be concluded, and the candidate declared accepted or rejected, without the intervention of any other business."
  • GC1953: Section 412; 1953-50; approved 1953-197;

References

  • MFM, Vol. XIII, No. 9, 07/01/1854, Page 257, refers to a series of questions about suspension of a ballot, or a Master declining to declare a ballot not clear.
  • MFM, Vol. XIV, No. 8, 06/01/1855, Page 227, refers to a series of questions about improper use of the ballot.
  • MFM, Vol. XV, No. 2, 12/01/1855, Page 45, refers to a series of questions regarding balloting and the casting of black balls. Brother Moore notes that only the Master can call for a new ballot, and only in the case of one black ball; that lodges cannot "reconsider" a ballot; and that no Brother can be required to state his reason for casting a particular ballot.
  • 1866-66, 12/27/1866, refers to a portion of the address by Grand Master Dame, in which he discusses the incorrect procedure of re-proposing candidates which have been rejected.
  • The Builder, 1917-70, refers to a table on the criteria for balloting in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1917-198, 06/13/1917, refers to an appeal to the Grand Lodge from a decision by the Master of St. John's Lodge of Newburyport, regarding the admission of a candidate.
  • 1930-489, 12/10/1930, refers to commentary by Grand Master Herbert Dean regarding the Tyler's right to vote. He made further remarks on 1931-41, 03/12/1931.
  • 1936-24, 03/11/1936, refers to Grand Master Allen's ruling on procedure for balloting, including the accepted methods of balloting and inspection.
  • 1940-335, 12/11/1940, refers to extended remarks by Grand Master Perry on the worthiness of applicants.
  • 1951-188, 09/12/1951, refers to commentary by Grand Master Roy regarding balloting procedure; he reiterated the text of this section and added, "This has been interpreted by many to cover the entire period of balloting on all candidates to be balloted on. It applies, however, to one ballot only. After each ballot, and before the report of the investigating committee on the next applicant, members may be permitted to enter or retire."
  • 1957-86, 06/12/1957, refers to direction by Grand Master Andrew Jenkins regarding balloting on each candidate separately. "This practice, in my opinion, is contrary to Masonic usage and quite improper. I have therefore directed that this practice be discontinued in the following language: 'I am therefore officially advising you to instruct ________ Lodge Masters and Secretaries that no ballot upon an application for initiation or affiliation or reinstatement, or even on a nomination for honorary membership, should be taken on more than one person at a time. Each Ballot should be secret and on only one candidate.' " This ruling was reiterated by Grand Master Eaton on 1961-27, 03/08/1961.
  • 1960-141, 06/08/1960, refers to commentary by Grand Master Eaton regarding balloting procedure. "If the Constitutions are not followed and it comes to my attention, I must declare the ballot illegal. The Constitutions specify just how a ballot shall be taken and the routine to be followed. Before balloting, the door should be tyled to see if any Brethren are present in the ante-room desiring admittance. No one should then enter or leave unless in extreme emergency until the ballot has been completed. All the members must vote, unless excused by the Lodge, not by the Master, and this would mean a vote to excuse an individual Brother, not a vote to excuse those not wishing to vote. The Master should announce that all the Brethren should vote."

Sec. 412. FACTIOUS BALLOT

Casting a black ball factiously and without just cause is a Masonic offense for which a member is subject to Masonic punishment.

Earlier Revisions

References

  • MFM, Vol. X, No. 7, 05/01/1851, Page 230, refers to a resolution approved by the Grand Lodge of Vermont at its Annual communication; it was decided that a Lodge could not compel a member to disclose his reasons for casting a black ball or stating his opposition to a candidate. "Should he voluntarily state his reasons, then he makes them the property of the Lodge, who, in that case only, have the right to judge of their Masonic validity."
  • VI-294 (1860-5), 03/14/1860, refers to a report to Grand Lodge on proceedings in Mount Hermon Lodge, in which a candidate was rejected due to a factious ballot. Note that in GC1843 there was no injunction against this behavior.
  • VI-367 (1861-10), 03/13/1861, refers to a report concerning improper proceedings in King Solomon's Lodge.
  • 1866-66, 12/27/1866, refers to a portion of the address by Grand Master Dame, in which he discusses factious balloting, calling it "a cowardly means of gratifying a personal pique or a revengeful spirit."
  • 1884-195, 12/10/1884, refers to a report of the Board of Commissioners of Trials regarding accusations of factious balloting by a member of a lodge. The committee stated in part: The ballot is intended to show the individual wish and judgment of each Brother. Those who vote in favor may have no personal information in regard to the candidate, but act in accordance with the favorable opinion of the committee. Those who vote in the negative may have no personal knowledge, but may act on the opinions of other members of the Lodge. The committee is presumed to act in good faith and in accordance with the highest rules of Masonic honor . . . In order that each Brother in the Lodge may vote in accordance with the dictates of his own judgment . . . the ballot is intended to be secret. No Brother is justified in seeking, by direct or indirect means, to ascertain how another Brother has voted. No Brother should be censured or condemned for any vote given by him, unless it can be shown beyond a reasonable doubt that he has been actuated by malice, personal spite, or private animosity. To require every member of a Lodge to vote in accordance with the recommendation of a committee would be . . . destructive of all freedom of action and liberty of conscience." Since no evidence of improper motive was found, the charges were dismissed.
  • 1887-19, 03/09/1887, refers to a report by the Board of Commissioners of Trials regarding accusations of factious balloting by a member of a lodge.
  • 1919-206, 06/11/1919, refers to a report of the Board of Commissioners of Trials regarding accusations of factious balloting by a member of a lodge.
  • 1940-337, 12/11/1940, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Perry, on factious balloting.
  • 1941-64, 03/12/1941, refers to commentary by on Grand Master Schaefer on factious balloting. A committee report stated that "the Masonic law in this Jurisdiction . . . is not sufficient to restrain recurring instances of its abuse." It recommended legislation to meet the following objectives: "It should aim to preserve the complete autonomy of the Lodges to determine for themselves whom they shall admit to membership . . . it should aim to protect the Lodges from the dissension which naturally grows out of the conviction or belief . . . that worthy candidates have been rejected from improper motives or without adequate cause. Finally it should aim to afford some measure of protection to applicants . . . reported worthy and whose applications have been acted upon favorably." It suggested a procedure where two negative votes would constitute rejection; a single negative vote would cause an immediate second ballot, and if again a single negative appeared the application would stand over until the next regular communication; if a single negative then appeared, a majority vote would permit acceptance. The report was granted further time 1941-183, 06/11/1941. It appears to have been never adopted.
  • 1943-84, 06/09/1943, refers to commentary by Grand Master Schaefer. "I pray that every member of every Lodge may sometime be fully impressed with a clear understanding that he has not only a duty to express his reasoned opinion as to the qualifications of all petitioners upon whose applications he is entitled to vote. . . in the exercise of his franchise he must allow no unworthy motive to influence his vote, but solely to determine and to act in accordance with his well considered decision as to the qualifications of the applicant."
  • 1944-305, 12/27/1944, refers to a decision by Grand Master Arthur W. Coolidge. He voided a ballot in which factious balloting was suspected, and directed that a new ballot take place. "We have no desire or intention to alter or change the result of any ballot. We are interested only in the procedure under which the balloting is conducted. We must always register the unbiased conviction of each Brother voting upon the desirability of admitting the applicant to Masonry, uninfluenced by personal petty, trivial or unmasonic prejudices."
  • 1946-250, 09/11/1946, refers to a decision by Grand Master Wragg. "During recent months, several instances of rejections at the ballot have been called to my attention, where the Lodge officers have felt that personal animosity had influenced the balloting adversely. . . But in only one instance was it possible to establish a clear case of improper motive. . . I appreciate the reaction of the Lodge officers to a situation of this kind, and sympathize with their feelings in such an unfortunate outcome. A charge of factious balloting is a serious matter, and a member of one of our Lodges would reflect seriously on the consequences before lightly doing anything that might endanger his standing and reputation as a Mason. A greatly increased number of applicants is knocking at our doors, and if we would keep our standards high, we must be thorough and diligent in screening this material."
  • 1951-139, 06/13/1951, refers to commentary by Grand Master Roy regarding factious balloting. "Using the ballot box to pay off a personal grudge is a contemptible act and merits the disapproval of every man worthy of the name of Mason."

Sec. 413. ELECTED CANDIDATES

Every candidate elected to receive the degrees shall be notified thereof by the Secretary in writing. The notice shall specify the time and place at which he may present himself to receive the first degree, which time shall not be the meeting at which he is elected, and, if through his own fault or neglect, he does not receive the degree within one year from that time, the ballot by which he was elected shall be void and all fees he has paid shall be forfeited to the Lodge. Such a candidate shall be considered as not having filed an application. This provision shall be borne in full upon the notice to the candidate.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:4, adopted 03/11/1911, 1911-19; "Every candidate elected to receive the degrees shall be notified thereof by the Secretary. The notice shall specify the time and place at which he may present himself to receive the first degree and if, through his own fault or neglect, he does not receive the degree within one year from that time the ballot by which he was elected shall be void and all fees he has paid shall be forfeited to the Lodge, and this provision shall be borne in full upon the notice. Every candidate whose application for the degrees is rejected shall be notified thereof by the Secretary, and all fees he has paid shall be returned to him. The notice shall specify the date of the rejection and the constitutional period which must elapse before the candidate can apply again to that Lodge and shall specify also the period which must elapse before he can be balloted for in any Lodge within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge without the consent and recommendation of the Lodge which has rejected his application."
  • GC1918: Section 413, 1918-384; In this revision, the words "in writing" do not appear in the first sentence.
  • GC1930: Section 413, 1930-135; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 412; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.

References

  • 1928-380, 12/12/1928, refers to a comment by Grand Master Simpson in which he says, "Initiation on the night of election has almost disappeared and the time has come when it seems proper that that practice is in violation of Section 413 of the Grand Constitutions."
  • 1929-33, 03/13/1929, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Herbert W. Dean, regarding initiation of candidates. "There still seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the question of initiating candidates on the night of election. Until such time as it may be be clarified by a change in the Grand Constitutions, I hereby rule that it is a violation of Section 413 of the Grand Constitutions to initiate any candidate on the night of his election."
  • 1956-398, 12/12/1956, refers to commentary by Grand Master Whitfield Johnson regarding factious balloting. "I have been concerned about the future of two lodges in which the improper use of the ballot has come to my attention. . . casting a black cube factiously and without just cause is a Masonic offense, for which a member is subject to Masonic punishment. The word 'factious' is defined as meaning 'addicted to raising dissension.' . . By vindictive balloting I refer to the use of the ballot to square a personal grudge against a worthy applicant. . . Such use of the ballot is entirely unworthy of a Mason. Where it is established, it will subject the guilty member to Masonic discipline and to the contempt of his fellow members. . . Discriminatory balloting is a more common and difficult problem to deal with. . . The most common manifestation of discriminatory balloting is in the rejection of applicants of a different economic, social or racial group than most of the members of the Lodge. Discriminatory balloting is un-Masonic and evidences a narrow and bigoted attitude which we as Masons try to overcome by our philosophy and teachings, but it seldom evidences a malicious or malevolent attitude. . . Retaliatory balloting is, in my opinion, the most reprehensible type of factious balloting. . . its practitioners say in effect that until applicants whom they sponsor are allowed to pass the ballot box, no other applicant, regardless of how worthy he is, will be permitted to do so. . . Neither the Grand Lodge nor the Grand Master is powerless to deal with such a situation, regardless of how reluctant they might be to exercise their power to do so. If sufficient information is available to identify the guilty Brother, he can be summarily suspended. If the guilty Brother cannot be identified, or if he is identified and suspended and his cause is taken up by his friends, the Charter of the Lodge can be suspended. . . It is my earnest prayer that those creating these situations will be enlightened by the principles which we so earnestly try to instill in the hearts of our Brethren will realize how indefensible their position is and will desist from causing further damage to the Lodge and to the Craft which they profess to cherish."

Sec. 414. REJECTED APPLICANTS

Every candidate whose application for the degrees is rejected shall be notified thereof by the Secretary and all fees he has paid shall be returned to him. The notice shall specify the date of the rejection, the constitutional period which must elapse before the candidate may apply again to that Lodge, and also the period which must elapse before he may be balloted for in any other Lodge without the consent and recommendation of the Lodge which has rejected his application.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1819: Chapter 5, Section 13, III-234; "No candidate, whose application may be rejected by a lodge shall be initiated in any lodge other than the one to which he first applied, without a recommendation from six members of said lodge, of whom the master and wardens shall be three. And when the master and wardens are unwilling to recommend a candidate, who has been rejected, it shall be their duty to communicate such rejection to the Grand Lodge, to the several lodges within the masonic district, and to the two nearest lodges of any adjacent state, if such lodges be within the distance of thirty miles. And if any mason knowingly assist, or recommend for initiation, to any lodge whatever, any candidate rejected as aforesaid, who may not have obtained a recommendation as before provided, such mason shall be expelled from, or debarred the privileges of the institution."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:2, IV-647; "No candidate, whose application may be rejected by a Lodge, shall be initiated in any Lodge under this jurisdiction, other than the one to which he first applied, without a recommendation from six members of said Lodge, of whom the Master and Wardens shall be three. And when the Master and Wardens are unwilling to recommend a candidate, who has been rejected, it shall be their duty to communicate such rejection to the Grand Lodge, or to the District Deputy Grand Master, who shall immediately communicate the same to all the Lodges under his jurisdiction."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-28: Revise and add the following words at the end: ". . . from the Institution or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see cause to impose."
    • Amended 09/11/1867, VII-188: Revised to include the following: "Any candidate whose application has been rejected, who shall be initiated in any Lodge whatever without the recommendation aforesaid shall be deemed a clandestine Mason and shall not visit any Lodge within this jurisdiction, and the members of Lodges are hereby forbid [from] holding Masonic intercourse with such initiates."
    • Amended 09/14/1870, 1870-155: Add the following text: "No person who has been rejected in any Lodge in this jurisdiction, and who shall have procured his degrees in any other jurisdiction, without the recommendation prescribed in Section 2 of this Article, and without the written permission of the Grand Master, shall be admitted as a visitor in any Lodge of this jurisdiction, or be entitled to any recognition as a Mason, until he shall have been formally healed by the Grand Lodge, and notice thereof shall have been duly communicated by the Grand Secretary to all the Lodges of this jurisdiction."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:3, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-63; "No candidate whose application has been rejected by a Lodge shall be proposed in any Lodge under this jurisdiction within six months after such rejection, nor shall any candidate be proposed in any Lodge within this jurisdiction, other than the one to which he first applied, without a written recommendation from the Master, Wardens and three members of the Lodge."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:4, adopted 03/11/1911, 1911-19; see previous section.
  • GC1918: Section 414, 1918-384
  • GC1930: Section 414, 1930-136
  • GC1953: Section 415

References

  • MFM, Vol. XXVII, No. 12, 10/01/1868, Page 362, refers to a question regarding the communication of a notice of rejection. It notes that "the Secretary is the official medium of communication between a Lodge and all having any business with it. There are so many objections to the communication of the transactions of a Lodge to a profane, that every Lodge should provide by its By-Laws, that no notice of its action on a petition should be communicated to any who are not members, except by the Secretary."
  • The Builder, 1917-70, refers to a table on the criteria for balloting in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1918-322, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.

Sec. 415. JURISDICTION OVER REJECTED APPLICANTS

  • (a) No candidate whose application has been rejected by a Lodge shall be proposed in any Lodge under this jurisdiction within six months after such rejection; nor shall any candidate be balloted for in any Lodge within this jurisdiction, other than the one to which he first applied, within five years after such application, without a written recommendation from the Master, Wardens, and three members of the Lodge last mentioned.
  • (b) Such recommendation shall specify the Lodge which may receive the petition of the rejected applicant. The request for release of jurisdiction and recommendation shall be read in the Lodge to which it is presented, and borne upon the notice for a Monthly Meeting, and shall not be granted before the close of that Meeting; in the meantime any Brother having good reasons for objecting to granting the request may make them known to the Master or Wardens. The Master shall report to the Lodge whether or not the request is granted, and shall cause the same to be noted on the record.
  • (c) The word "recommendation" is to be taken in its full and complete sense, and is not to be construed as a consent or permission only.
  • (d) When a recommendation is granted, the secretary shall make the following endorsement upon it:

Entered on the Records of _____ Lodge.
Attest: ______
(seal) Secretary.

Earlier Revisions

  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 12/27/1815, III-26: "The Committee to whom was referred for amendment the report of the committee on the Subject of Br. Carrigue's Motion for preventing the initiation of rejected Candidates, having taken the same into consideration, report the following Substitute. Viz. No candidate whose application may be rejected by a lodge, shall be initiated in any lodge, other than the one to which he first applied, without a recommendation from Six members of said Lodge, of whom the Master & wardens shall be three: and it shall be the duty of every lodge, immediately to communicate all rejections, to the Grd. Lodge, to the several lodges within the masonic District, and to the two nearest lodges of any adjacent State, if such lodges be within the distance of thirty Miles.—And if any Mason, knowingly, assist, or recommend for initiation, to any lodge whatever, any candidate, rejected as aforesaid, who may not have obtained a recommendation, as is before provided, such Mason shall be expelled from or debarr'd the privileges of the Institution."
  • GC1819: Chapter 5, Section 13, III-234; "No candidate, whose application may be rejected by a lodge shall be initiated in any lodge other than the one to which he first applied, without a recommendation from six members of said lodge, of whom the master and wardens shall be three. And when the master and wardens are unwilling to recommend a candidate, who has been rejected, it shall be their duty to communicate such rejection to the Grand Lodge, to the several lodges within the masonic district, and to the two nearest lodges of any adjacent state, if such lodges be within the distance of thirty miles. And if any mason knowingly assist, or recommend for initiation, to any lodge whatever, any candidate rejected as aforesaid, who may not have obtained a recommendation as before provided, such mason shall be expelled from, or debarred the privileges of the institution."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:2, added 09/11/1867, VII-188: "Any candidate whose application has been rejected, who shall be initiated in any Lodge whatever without the recommendation aforesaid shall be deemed a clandestine Mason and shall not visit any Lodge within this jurisdiction, and the members of Lodges are hereby forbid {from} holding Masonic intercourse with such initiates."
    • Amended 03/11/1873, 1873-14, to read: "No candidate, whose application may be rejected by a Lodge, shall be proposed in any other Lodge under this jurisdiction, within six months after such rejection; nor shall any candidate be proposed in any Lodge, other than the one to which he first applied, without a-written recommendation from six members of the said Lodge, of whom the Master and Wardens shall be three. And when the Master and Wardens are unwilling so to recommend a candidate who has been rejected, it shall be their duty to communicate such rejection to the Grand Lodge, or to the District Deputy Grand Master, who shall immediately communicate the same to all the Lodges under his jurisdiction. And if any Mason knowingly assist, or recommend for initiation, to any Lodge whatever, any candidate rejected as aforesaid, who may not have obtained a recommendation, and also waited the required six months as before provided, such Mason shall be expelled from the Institution, or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see cause to impose."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:4, proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-16, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-63; "No candidate whose application has been rejected by a Lodge shall be proposed in any Lodge under this jurisdiction within six months after such rejection, nor shall any candidate be proposed in any Lodge within this jurisdiction without a written recommendation from the Master, Wardens and three members of the Lodge."
    • Proposed 03/13/1895, 1895-41, amended 06/12/1895, 1895-132, adding the phrase: "Such recommendation shall be granted only upon the application of a Lodge which has received the petition of the rejected candidate. The request for release of jurisdiction and recommendation shall be read in the Lodge to which it is presented and shall not be acted upon before the next Monthly Communication; in the meantime any Brother having good reasons for objecting to granting the request may make them known to the W. Master or Wardens. The W. Master shall report to the Lodge whether or not the request is granted, and shall cause the same to be noted on the Record. When a recommendation is granted, the Secretary shall make the following endorsement upon it: 'Entered on the Records of ____ Lodge. Attest ____ Secretary.' And shall affix the seal of the Lodge."
    • Proposed 06/12/1895, 1895-127, adopted 09/11/1895, 1895-221, replacing "release of jurisdiction and recommendation" with "release of jurisdiction".
    • Proposed 12/09/1896, 1896-373 and 03/10/1897, 1897-55, amended 03/09/1898, 1898-19, by changing the phrase "any Lodge under this jurisdiction" to "any Lodge other than the one to which he first applied".
    • Amended 12/11/1907, 1907-189, replacing the words "acted upon" with "granted".
  • GC1918: Section 415, 1918-385; This revision includes text to distinguish between lodges that issue notices and those who do not, as there was no uniform obligation to do so at this time.
  • GC1930: Section 415, 1930-136; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 412; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.

References

  • MFM, Vol. XXIV, No. 11, 09/01/1865, Page 325, refers to the following comment on jurisprudence: "Where a candidate has been rejected and a new Lodge is afterwards established having jurisdiction over his place of residence, he may present his petition to the new Lodge; but he cannot be initiated without the consent and recommendation of the Lodge that rejected him."
  • 1866-67, 12/27/1866, refers to a portion of the address by Grand Master Dame, in which he discusses re-proposing rejected candidates.
  • 1871-148, 09/13/1871, refers to a case of disputed jurisdiction between Henry Price Lodge and a lodge in New Hampshire. This was revisited on 1872-49 and 1872-54, 06/12/1872. A detailed committee report appears starting on page 1872-59, 06/12/1872. A revision to the section of the Grand Constitutions was proposed on 1872-137, 09/11/1872, with a report on 1872-265, 12/11/1872, and approved the following year as listed above.
  • 1872-22 refers to a case of disputed jurisdiction over a rejected candidate. Grand Master Nickerson directed the appointment of a committee to review the matter.
  • 1873-38, 03/12/1873, refers to a summons by the Grand Master to two Brothers to appear before the Grand Lodge for trial.
  • 1873-128, 12/10/1873, refers to a dispute between Quinsigamond and Siloam Lodges over a rejected applicant.
  • 1879-9 refers to a dispute between Republican and Harmony Lodges over a rejected applicant; the details appear on 1878-83.
  • 1885-66 refers to a dispute involving Pentucket and Tuscan Lodges regarding a rejected candidate.
  • 1886-38, 03/10/1886, refers to a dispute involving Mount Moriah (Westfield) and Hampden Lodges regarding a rejected candidate.
  • 1886-106, 09/08/1886, applies to an amendment to change the requirements for the recommendation of a petitioner for admission to a lodge not in his place of residence; this reference properly applies to section 403, above.
  • 1886-174, 12/08/1886, refers to an order issued to DeWitt Clinton Lodge with respect to the conferral of degrees upon a candidate.
  • 1892-177, 12/14/1892, refers to a portion of the address by Grand Master Wells. He said in part, "During the past year I have had my attention called in several cases to the provisions of our Grand Constitutions, which require a rejected applicant before applying for initiation in a Lodge other than that in which he was rejected, to obtain a written recommendation from six members of such Lodge, of whom the Master and Wardens shall be three. There is no limit of; time which frees an applicant from this provision, and it follows him as long as he lives. There are many cases in which this claim of 'perpetual jurisdiction' becomes an unjust burden, and I recommend for your consideration the question of limiting it to a certain term of years." This was considered on 09/13/1893, 1893-87, by a committee, which recommended: "Your committee therefore recommends the appointment of a committee to revise Article III., of Part IV. of the Constitutions, concerning 'Initiation of candidates', and to report such revision in a fresh draft."
  • 1895-216. 09/11/1895, refers to a dispute between Mount Carmel and Jordan Lodges regarding the admission in candidate
  • 1895-313, 1896-36 do not refer to a revision to this section.
  • 1910-47, 03/09/1910, does not refer to a revision of this section.
  • The Builder, 1917-70, refers to a table on the criteria for balloting in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1919-62, 03/12/1919, refers to comments by Grand Master Leon Abbott regarding release of jurisdiction. "It has been brought to my attention that in many cases where releases of jurisdiction have been requested of a Lodge within whose territory the applicant resides the releases sought for have been granted without investigation by the Lodge granting the releases. . . I cannot urge too strongly that in every case where a release is granted it should carry with it at least an implied recommendation of the applicant for admission to the Fraternity."
  • 1926-241, 09/08/1926, refers to publishing the names of those to be balloted upon, and that a Master may decline to call for a ballot on an applicant whose name is published in the notice. It also contains a ruling on the refusal to waive jurisdiction. So this is probably spurious.
  • 1926-438, 12/08/1926, refers to release of jurisdiction over a rejected candidate applying to another Lodge. Grand Master Simpson indicated the relevance of this section to a case involving such release of jurisdiction.
  • 1940-233, 09/11/1940, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Perry, on 'perpetual jurisdiction'.

Sec. 416. PENALTY FOR IRREGULAR INITIATION

Any candidate whose application has been rejected who shall, within five years after such rejection, be initiated in any Lodge in this jurisdiction, other than the one to which he first applied, without the recommendation aforesaid, shall be deemed an irregularly made Mason, and all Masonic intercourse with him is forbidden. Any Mason who, knowing of such rejection, shall advise or assist in such initiation or be a party or accessory thereto before or after the fact, shall be expelled or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see fit to impose.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:2, IV-648; "And if any Mason knowingly assist, or recommend for initiation, to any lodge whatever, any candidate rejected as aforesaid, who may not have obtained a recommendation as before provided, such Mason shall be expelled from the Institution."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-28, changing the last sentence to read: "such Mason shall be expelled from the Institution or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see cause to impose."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:5, proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-16, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-64; "Any candidate whose application has been rejected, who shall, at any time while residing in this State, be initiated in any other Lodge, or who shall within seven years after removal from the State, be initiated in any Lodge, without the recommendation, aforesaid, shall be deemed a clandestine Mason, and all Masonic intercourse with him is forbidden: provided, however, that whenever it shall appear to the satisfaction of the M. W. Grand Master that any person deemed a clandestine Mason under the provisions of this Section has received the degrees solely by the fault or mistake of the Lodge conferring the same, or of any officer or member of such Lodge, the Grand Master may at his discretion cause such person to be healed. Every Mason, residing within this State, who, knowing of such rejection, shall advise or assist in such initiation, or in the recommendation or proposal therefor, shall be expelled from the Institution, or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see fit to impose."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-28, to read: "All applications for initiation shall be made to the Lodge in the town where the petitioner resides, if there be a Lodge in such town; but if there be none, then shall he apply to the Lodge nearest his residence: And no person residing in a town where there is a Lodge, shall be initiated in any other town, without the consent and approbation of the Master and Wardens of that Lodge. Nor shall any candidate be received from any other State, (he being a resident thereof,) where a regular Grand Lodge is established, without the written permission of the Grand Master of such state."
    • Amended 12/12/1860, VI-337, to read: "Applications for initiation shall be made to the Lodge in the town or city where the petitioner resides, if there be a Lodge therein; but if there be none, then shall he apply to the Lodge most convenient to his residence, and it shall be the duty of such Lodge to make due and careful inquiry as to the moral standing of the petitioner, of some respectable and reliable person or persons living in the place of his residence, before he be initiated. And no person residing in a town where there is a Lodge, shall be initiated in any other town or city, without the written consent and recommendation of the Master, one Warden, and two members at least of each Lodge in the town or city where he resides; provided however, that where there are more than two Lodges in any town or city; such consent and recommendation shall not be required of more than two of them. Nor shall any candidate be received from any other State, (he being a resident thereof,) where a regular Grand Lodge is established, without the written permission of the Grand Master of such state."
    • Amended 09/11/1867, VII-89, by the addition of the following text: "And any person leaving his place of residence within this State, who shall be initiated in any Lodge in any other State or Territory without having first obtained the consent of the Lodge having jurisdiction, shall be deemed a clandestine Mason, and shall not visit any Lodge within this jurisdiction, without first being formally healed."
    • Amended 06/10/1874, 1874-51, by the replacement of the words "most convenient" with the word "nearest".
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, by the replacement of "then shall he apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and it shall be the duty of such Lodge to . . ." with "he shall apply to the Lodge nearest his residence, and such Lodge shall . . ."
    • Proposal, 09/08/1886, 1886-106, to permit the vote of the Lodge to replace the recommendation of the Master, Warden and two members when recommending a petitioner to a Lodge outside of his place of residence. The committee stated, in part, that "While in some few instances the present regulation may have operated rather severely, your committee feel that with its general workings for many years the Craft have been well satisfied. They, therefore, recommend that the proposed Amendment be not adopted." The amendment was rejected.
    • Amended 09/12/1894, 1894-63, to read: "Any candidate whose application has been rejected, who shall, at any time while residing in this State, be initiated in any other Lodge, or who shall within seven years after removal from the State, be initiated in any Lodge, without the recommendation, aforesaid, shall be deemed a clandestine Mason, and all Masonic intercourse with him is forbidden: provided, however, that whenever it shall appear to the satisfaction of the M. W. Grand Master that any person deemed a clandestine Mason under the provisions of this Section has received the degrees solely by the fault or mistake of the Lodge conferring the same, or of any officer or member of such Lodge, the Grand Master may at his discretion cause such person to be healed. Every Mason, residing within this State, who, knowing of such rejection, shall advise or assist in such initiation, or in the recommendation or proposal therefor, shall be expelled from the Institution, or subjected to such other penalty as the Grand Lodge may see fit to impose."
    • Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47, replacing the word "a clandestine" with the words "an irregularly made".
  • GC1918: Section 416, 1918-386; in this revision, the words "in this jurisdiction" do not appear.
  • GC1930: Section 416, 1930-137; in this revision, the words "in this jurisdiction" do not appear until the amendment of the article, described below.
    • Amended 09/09/1936, 1936-167, adding the words "in this Jurisdiction".
  • GC1953: Section 417

References

  • 1871-148, 09/13/1871, refers to a committee report on correspondence with foreign Grand Lodges regarding physical qualifications, making Masons at sight, and jurisdictional disputes.

Sec. 417. OBJECTION TO ADVANCEMENT

Any member of a Lodge may object in writing or in open Lodge to the initiation, passing, or raising by said Lodge of a candidate, at any time before the degree is conferred; and the Lodge shall investigate such objection and decide thereon by a majority vote before proceeding further with the candidate.

If the objection be sustained, the entire fee paid by the candidate shall be returned, and he then shall have the status of a rejected applicant, subject to all the disabilities thereof. A Lodge, having once voted to sustain the objection, shall not reconsider its action.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:7, IV-649; "Any member of a subordinate Lodge may object to the initiation, passing, or raising of a candidate at any time before the degree is conferred."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-29, by adding the text: "and it shall be the duty of the Lodge to investigate such objections before proceeding further with the candidate."
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, changing the final phrase to: "and the Lodge shall investigate such objections before proceeding further with the candidate."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:10, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-65; "Any member of a subordinate Lodge may object to the initiation, passing, or raising of a candidate, at any time, before the degree is conferred; and the Lodge shall investigate such objections before proceeding further with the candidate."
    • Amended 09/12/1894, 1894-65, to read: "Any member of a subordinate Lodge may object to the initiation, passing, or raising of a candidate, at any time, before the degree is conferred; and the Lodge shall investigate such objections before proceeding further with the candidate."
    • Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-48, adding after "objections" the words "and decide thereon by a majority vote".
  • Ruling by Grand Master, 12/13/1869, VII-491 (1869-157); In response to the question If a candidate is accepted by a clear ballot, and a brother afterwards objects to his advancement, what course is to be pursued?, Grand Master Gardner offered the following response:
    • "I have decided that if the candidate was regularly accepted by a clear ballot, in a Lodge where notices were sent to the members with the name of the candidate upon the notices, or in a Lodge where no notices are sent, but where the ballot was at a regular meeting, that no new ballot can be had. That if a brother objects, the W. Master has the right to refuse to confer the degrees. If the Master does not so decide, it is his duty - under Section 7, Article 3, Part 4 of our Constitutions, which provides that 'Every member of a subordinate Lodge may object to the initiation, passing, or raising of a candidate at any time before the degree is conferred; and it shall be the duty of the Lodge to investigate such objections before proceeding with the candidate - to appoint a committee to consider the objections, and to report thereon to the Lodge, and that the Lodge is to decide by a majority vote of the sufficiency of the objections. That the ballot once fairly and regularly taken, by which the candidate is accepted cannot be repeated, unless the Lodge, by vote, decide so to do."
  • GC1918: Section 417, 1918-386
  • GC1930: Section 417, 1930-138
  • GC1953: Section 418; 1953-50; approved 1953-197;

References

  • MFM, Vol. XIII, No. 3, 01/01/1854, Page 96, refers to the response to an inquiry regarding objections to advancement. Brother Moore writes in part: "It is competent for a Brother, not present at the first balloting and initiation, to object to the advancement of a candidate for good and sufficient reasons, but not from 'mere personal motives, aside from the true principles of Masonry.' "
  • 1874-84, 09/09/1874, refers to a dispute between Trinity Lodge and Wilder Lodge over jurisdiction; following the appeal of one lodge against the other, Grand Master Nickerson issued a ruling prohibiting the advancement of the Brother pending investigation.
  • 1875-71, 06/09/1875, refers to an appeal from the ruling of the Master of John Cutler Lodge regarding an objection to a candidate's advancement.
  • 1877-217, 12/12/1877, refers to a report regarding actions taken by Caleb Butler Lodge regarding the admission of a candidate who had been favorably balloted upon by the lodge. The Grand Lodge refused to overrule the actions of the lodge in this case.
  • The Builder, 1917-70, refers to a table on the criteria for balloting in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1918-322, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.
  • 1926-240, 06/09/1926, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson, on the removal of objection to a candidate's advancement. "In case an objection is made to the advancement of a candidate and sustained by a majority vote of the Lodge as provided in Section 417 of the Grand Constitutions, the Lodge may later, by a majority vote, reconsider its action and promote the candidate. In case an objection is made to the advancement of a candidate and sustained by a majority vote of the Lodge as provided in Section 417 of the Grand Constitutions, the Lodge may later, by a majority vote, reconsider its action and promote the candidate."
  • 1952-113, 03/12/1952, refers to the ruling by Grand Master Roy regarding stopped candidates. "A candidate whose advancement has been stopped by vote of the Lodge in accordance with Section 417 of the Grand Constitutions shall then have the status, of a rejected applicant, subject to all the disabilities thereof. A Lodge, having once voted to sustain an objection to a candidate's advancement, shall not reconsider its action."

Sec. 418. ADVANCEMENT OF FOREIGN MASONS

No Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft, initiated or passed in any Lodge within the United States, shall be passed or raised in any other Lodge under this jurisdiction without the consent of the Lodge in which he was first admitted, except by Dispensation from the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:6, IV-649; "No Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft, initiated or passed in any Lodge within the United States, shall be passed or raised in any Lodge under this jurisdiction, without the consent of the Master and Wardens of the Lodge in which he was first admitted, or a dispensation from the Grand Master."
    • Amended 09/12/1894, 1894-65; see section 404 above.
    • Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47; see section 404 above.
  • GC1918: Section 418, 1918-387
  • GC1930: Section 418, 1930-138
  • GC1953: Section 419

References

none.


Sec. 419. PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

If the physical deformity of any applicant for the degrees does not amount to an inability to meet the requirements of the Ritual and honestly to acquire the means of subsistence, it shall constitute no hindrance to his initiation.

Earlier Revisions

  • Vote of Grand Lodge, II-328, 03/10/1806; "It was moved by the M. W. Timothy Bigelow to know the opinion of this Grand Lodge, if a blind man can, or cannot, be made a Mason, such an one having applied for admission to King Solomon's Lodge at Charlestown; and on motion. VOTED, That it is inconsistent and incompatible with the Constitutions of Masonry."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:4, IV-648; "By the ancient regulations, the physical deformity of an individual operates as a bar to his admission into the Fraternity. But in view of the fact that this regulation was adopted for the government of the Craft, at a period when they united the character of operative with that of speculative Masons, this Grand Lodge, in common, it is believed, with most of her sister Grand Lodges in this country and in Europe, has authorized a construction of this regulation, as that, where the deformity does not amount to an inability honestly to acquire the means of subsistence, it constitutes no hindrance to initiation."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-28, revising the text "where the deformity does not amount to an inability honestly to acquire" to read "where the deformity does not amount to an inability to meet the requirements of the ritual, and honestly to acquire . . ."
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, to read: "If the physical deformity of any applicant for the degrees does not amount to an inability honestly to acquire the means of subsistence, it shall constitute no hindrance to his initiation."
    • Proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-16, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-64; "If the physical deformity, of any applicant for the degrees, does not amount to an inability to meet the requirements of the Ritual, and honestly to acquire the means of subsistence, it shall constitute no hindrance to his initiation."
    • Proposed 12/11/1895, 1895-312, adopted 03/11/1896, 1896-36, by replacing "nor shall any candidate be proposed" with "nor shall any candidate be balloted for".
  • GC1918: Section 419, 1918-387
  • GC1930: Section 419, 1930-138
  • GC1953: Section 420

References

  • MFM, Vol. X, No. 2, 12/01/1850, Page 55, refers to a report presented to the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1851, regarding physical qualifications. The report recommended that "hereafter it shall be considered competent for a Royal Arch Chapter to confer the Chapter degrees on a Master Mason who has but one arm."
  • MFM, Vol. X, No. 7, 05/01/1851, Page 200, refers to an inquiry regarding the proposal of a candidate under age. The answer in part is that "The candidate cannot be received before he is of the full age of twentyone years. His age is required to be stated in the petition. This is the general rule. If the petition states the age of the applicant to be under twentyone years, the Lodge cannot, in strict propriety, entertain it." Brother Charles W. Moore does note, however, that an underage candidate can be "verbally proposed" and that the petition can be dealt with when the petitioner is of lawful age. (See Section 401 above.)
  • MFM, Vol. XI, No. 7, 05/01/1852, Page 216, refers to a report on physical qualifications presented to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky; it concluded that infirmities should be no bar to entry. "When the deformity of a candidate for initiation is not such as to prevent him from being instructed . . . his admission will not be an infringement of the land-marks, but will be perfectly consistent with the spirit of our Institution."
  • MFM, Vol. XIII, No. 4, 02/01/1854, Page 118, refers to a report on physical qualifications presented to the General Grand Chapter of the United States in September 1853. It concludes in part "that it is competent and Masonically lawful for Royal Arch Chapters, as well as Blue Lodges, to confer the respective degrees of Masonry, properly conferrable by each, upon all candidates whose defects of bodily qualifications are not such as to prevent them from conforming literally to what the several degrees respectively require of them. If their physical capacities enable them to do this they are admissibly, and can comply with every requisition of the Order."
  • MFM, Vol. XXIV, No. 11, 09/01/1865, Page 350, details the history of Masonic codes regarding the initiation of "minors and maimed men".
  • MFM, Vol. XXV, No. 8, 06/01/1866, Page 225, considers the subject of physical qualifications based on the recent annual address of the Grand Master of Alabama.
  • 1871-55, 06/14/1871, refers to the Grand Master's address, regarding a proposition under consideration by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina concerning physical qualifications. 1871-137, 09/13/1871, is the report of the committee reviewing the subject; it recommended that the current regulation, Part Fourth, 3:4, be "safely left as it stands."
  • 1915-219, 09/08/1915, refers to comments by Grand Master Melvin Johnson regarding physical qualifications of a candidate. He reviewed a number of rulings given above, indicating that the committee report of 1871 should be considered "an authoritative statement of the position of the Grand Lodge on the question."
  • The Builder, 1916-7, refers to an article on Irish Freemasonry.
  • The Builder, 1917-259, refers to an article on physical requirements.
  • The Builder, 1917-273, refers to an article on physical requirements.
  • The Builder, 1917-310, refers to an article on physical requirements, listing rulings by state.

Sec. 420. LODGE MEMBERSHIP

The fees for initiating, passing, and raising shall entitle the candidate to membership in the Lodge which accepts his application and confers the degrees without further charge or ballot if the candidate signs the By-Laws on the date of his raising. Notwithstanding signing the By-Laws on the date of his raising, a candidate shall be required to demonstrate suitable proficiency in, and to receive required instruction in all three degrees; and for a period of one year thereafter, the right to objection is reserved to any member to such signing, for cause, the sufficiency of which shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at a Regular Monthly Meeting.

If, after receiving the third degree, a candidate dies before the expiration of the time required for signing the By-Laws, he shall be considered as having been entitled to all the rights and privileges of Masonry at the time of his death; otherwise no candidate shall be in good standing in the Lodge to which he is elected until he has signed the By-Laws, and he shall not be permitted to sign the By-Laws until he shall have attained suitable proficiency, and shall have received the required instruction, in all three degrees.

Should a candidate fail to sign the By-Laws within the required year, he may obtain membership in the Lodge to which he was elected, or in some other Lodge, as provided in Sec. 422, after he shall have attained suitable proficiency, and shall have received the required instruction in all three degrees.

Earlier Revisions

  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 03/12/1856, VI-4; on the Grand Master's address from December 1855: "The subject of non-affiliated masons has occasioned much perplexity to the Gd. Lodges which have hitherto attempted to deal with it. No successful result has yet been attained. We have doubts whether such result can be obtained through the exercise of legitimate power by any Gd Lodge, If brethren feel so little interest in Masonry, that they forbear to take membership when it does not involve manifest inconveniences if they stand aloof and thus discountenance the efforts of the faithful: — the question may well arise whether they are to be regarded as worthy brethren and whether they would come within the prescribed rule, in a case of emergency. Their case however, we apprehend, is one which, if curable, must be treated, by moral suasion, rather than by legal enactment, if they be convinced that their present position is unmasonic and ask membership, of their own free will and accord, we might hope for mutual advantage. But compulsory membership, even if practicable, gives very slight promise of benefit to either party."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:11, adopted 03/08/1893, 1893-15; "The fees for initiating, crafting and raising shall entitle the applicant to membership in the Lodge in which the application is made, without further charge or ballot."
  • GC1843: Part Fifth, Section 13, proposed 03/14/1894, 1894-17, adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-95; "No Brother shall be a member of more than one Lodge, nor shall he hold more than one office in the same Lodge, or in Grand Lodge, at the same time."
    • Amended 03/14/1894, 1894-13, to read: "No Brother, excepting members of Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge located in foreign countries, shall be a member of more than one Lodge in this Commonwealth."
  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 3:14; adopted 09/12/1894, 1894-65; "The fees for initiating, crafting, and raising shall, entitle the applicant to membership in the Lodge which accepts his application and confers the degrees, without further charge or ballot."
    • Proposed 03/13/1895, 1895-41, amended 06/12/1895, 1895-133, by adding the following text: "Provided, however, that he shall sign the By-Laws within six months from the date of raising; and reserving the right of objection by any member to such signing, for cause, the sufficiency of which shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at a Regular Monthly Communication."
  • GC1918: Section 420, 1918-387; In this revision, the section reads: "The fees for initiating, passing, and raising, shall entitle the applicant to membership in the Lodge which accepts his application and confers the degrees, without further charge or ballot: provided, however, that he shall sign the By-Laws within six months from the date of raising; and reserving the right of objection for such signing, for cause, the sufficiency of which shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at a Regular Monthly Meeting."
  • GC1918 also includes the following sections:
    • Section 505, 1918-391; "Voluntarily unaffiliated or non-affiliated Masons are not of right entitled to any of the benefits or privileges of Masonry."
    • Section 506, 1918-391; "A Master Mason who has voluntarily remained for more than one year without being affiliated with some regular Lodge shall be subject to the same disabilities as if under suspension for non-payment of dues."
      • This section also appears in GC1930 as Section 504, 1930-139 with the same text.
  • GC1930: Section 420, 1930-135; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 421; 1953-50; approved 1953-197; "The fees for initiating, passing, and raising, shall entitle the candidate to membership in the Lodge which accepts his application and confers the degrees, without further charge or ballot if the candidate signs the By-Laws within one year from the date of raising; and the right of objection is reserved to any member to such signing, for cause, the sufficiency of which shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at a Regular Monthly Meeting. If, after receiving the third degree, a candidate dies before the expiration of the time required for signing the By-Laws, he shall be considered as having been entitled to all the rights and privileges of Masonry at the time of his death; otherwise no candidate shall be in good standing in the Lodge to which he is elected until he has signed the By-Laws, and he shall not be permitted to sign the By-Laws until he shall have obtained suitable proficiency, and shall have received the required instruction, in all three degrees. Should the candidate fail to sign the By-Laws within the required year, he may obtain membership in the Lodge to which he was elected, or in some other Lodge, or in some other Lodge, as provided in Section 423."
  • GC1989: In this revision, the text is the same as GC1953.
    • Proposed ?, amended 06/11/2008, 2008-90, to the current language.

References

  • 1871-128, 09/13/1871, refers to a proposed amendment to Miscellaneous Regulations Section 2 to admit to membership all candidates upon the signing of the By-Laws, and to inform them of the obligations of membership; this proposal was "indefinitely postponed."
  • 1890-55, 06/11/1890, refers to a report on a dispute of a Brother's membership in Phoenix Lodge.
  • 1890-123, 12/10/1890, refers to the address by Grand Master Wells regarding membership, and a proposal to permit Masons to belong to multiple Lodges. "I desire also to call your attention to the matter of nonaffiliated Masons. With the great financial growth of our Grand Lodge and the rapid increase of the Charity Fund, it is becoming more and more a valuable privilege to be a Mason, and whoever expects to share in the benefits of the Institution should be willing to contribute to its maintenance. I would therefore recommend that Brethren who remain non-affiliated for a certain length of time, say two years, should be debarred from the benefits of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust, and from the privilege of Masonic burial. This would not prevent them from receiving temporary aid, should occasion require, from the amount appropriated for miscellaneous charity by this Grand Lodge."
  • The Builder, 1917-10 and 1917-56, refer to a table on the criteria for affiliation in the various American jurisdictions.
  • The Builder, 1917-184, refers to an article on the Ancient Charges.
  • 1918-322, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.
  • 1925-213, 09/09/1925 and 1925-439, 12/28/1925, refer to remarks by Grand Master Ferrell regarding proficiency of candidates and the granting of Lodge membership.
  • 1926-438, 12/08/1926, refers to comments by Grand Master Simpson regarding release of jurisdiction over a rejected candidate applying to another Lodge. He indicated the relevance of this section to a case involving such release of jurisdiction."
  • 1937-84, 06/09/1937, refers to commentary by Grand Master Allen. "Under the provisions of the Grand Constitutions, the candidate has the right to become a member of the Lodge if he signs the by-laws at any time within one year from his raising. Ordinarily there should be no occasion for any great delay after the date of raising in learning the lecture of the third degree and signing the by-laws. In my judgement, two months should be ample for this purpose. . . I hereby request the Masters of Lodges to use all reasonable diligence and exert every possible effort to see that their candidates learn the lecture of the third degree and sign the by-laws within sixty days from the date of raising."
  • 1945-41, 03/14/1945, refers to remarks by Grand Master Wragg on Procedures for the Lodge of Instruction; Details are provided on the then-current LOI Procedure, and requirements to be met before signing the By-Laws.

Sec. 421. HEALING

Whenever it shall appear to the satisfaction of the Grand Master that any irregularly made Mason is irregular for a reason not attributable to his own fault, the Grand Master, in his discretion, may cause such irregular Mason to be healed.

When a Mason who has been irregularly made is denied healing on account of false representation in his application, it is tantamount to expulsion; and he can acquire the privilege of applying for the degrees only by some action of Grand Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

  • Vote by Massachusetts Grand Lodge: 12/08/1790, I-375: "The Committee appointed to enquire into the state of certain persons Foreigners who call themselves Masons, and affect to hold a Lodge — reported —That in their Opinion it was Expedient to grant a Charter of Dispensation to them under such restrictions as the Grand Lodge think proper which being read was thereupon Vote'd — That a Charter of Dispensation be granted them for the term of three Years to hold a Lodge & to make Masons, provided that no person be made a Mason untill the Name of the Candidate be first given to the Grand Master with his place of Abode, and occupation & receive his Approbation, — and provided also that the said persons in presence of a Committee of this Grand Lodge, to be appointed for the purpose, take anew the several Masonic Obligations; at the end of which term if their Conduct shall warrant it they may receive a Charter at large without any further Expence."
  • Vote in Grand Lodge, 06/14/1871, 1871-75; "That a fee of fifteen dollars be hereafter required from every candidate for healing, the same to be applied towards the extinguishing of the debt of the Grand Lodge."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 09/11/1889, 1889-125; a Brother who had received two degrees in Minnesota and was refused further advancement had later taken all three degrees in a Massachusetts lodge; he petitioned for healing, supported by a certificate signed by a number of prominent Brethren. However, the investigation did not support his character, and he was declared a clandestine Mason.
  • GC1918: Section 421, 1918-388; In this revision, the second sentence does not appear.
  • GC1930: Section 421, 1930-139; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 422; 1953-51; approved 1953-197

References

  • MFM, Vol. XV, No. 6, 04/01/1856, Page 177, refers to a case where a lodge initiated and crafted a young man under age so that he could travel out of jurisdiction as a Mason. It was Brother Moore's opinion that this person had to be considered clandestine, unless healed.
  • MFM, Vol. XVI, No. 9, 06/01/1857, Page 273, refers to a discussion of the status of unaffiliated Masons, and it is unclear how it applies to this section.
  • 1870-155 refers to a case in which a lodge in New Hampshire improperly conferred degrees, but the Grand Lodge determined that the lodge, not the recipient was as fault. "He was outside of the Order, knew nothing of its internal arrangements or regulations, and could have acted only as he was directed by brethren, who were, or should have been, thoroughly informed in matters of which he was entirely ignorant. It, therefore, seems harsh, if not unjust, to punish him for the unmasonic conduct of members of the Fraternity. He has visited many Lodges in the vicinity, manifests great zeal in the interests of the Order, and has shown remarkable proficiency in acquiring the work and lectures." The Brother's standing was healed by the Grand Lodge, noted on 1871-21.
  • 1871-75, 06/14/1871, refers to a case where a number of Brothers had registered as representatives of their lodges after being elected and installed, but before report was made to Grand Lodge regarding their status; by vote of Grand Lodge these cases were formally healed.
  • 1872-35, 03/13/1872, refers to a petition for healing by a candidate rejected in Massachusetts and admitted in another jurisdiction.
  • 1872-122, 06/12/1872, refers to the case of a petitioner who received the degrees in a foreign jurisdiction after being rejected by a lodge in Massachusetts; the Grand Lodge agreed to have the Grand Master heal the petitioner.
  • 1872-131, 09/11/1872, refers to a petition for formal healing in a case where a candidate was rejected. "The difficulties arising in the present case seem to have sprung not wholly from the supposed defects of the petitioner's character, but from some local jealousies."
  • 1872-241, 12/11/1872, refers to a case of a petitioner who received the degrees in a foreign jurisdiction after being rejected by a lodge in Massachusetts; the petitioner was unaware of the need for a requirement for recommendation from the rejecting lodge.
  • 1873-23, 03/12/1873, refers to a case of a petitioner who received the degrees in a foreign jurisdiction after being rejected by a lodge in Massachusetts; the Grand Lodge agreed to have the Grand Master heal the petitioner.
  • 1873-84, 09/10/1873, refers to the case of a petitioner receiving the degrees in a New Hampshire lodge while still a resident of Lowell; it was endorsed by a number of prominent members of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and the Grand Lodge approved healing.
  • 1874-11, 03/11/1874, refers to a case of a petitioner who received the degrees in a foreign jurisdiction after being rejected by a lodge in Massachusetts; the Grand Lodge rejected the petition, since the petitioner was aware of the irregularity of his initiation. "The petitioner must show that his irregular reception of the degrees proceeded from a pardonable ignorance of our regulations, and, of course, with no intent to violate them . . . or, in other words, that his error was one of form alone.
  • 1874-32, 06/10/1874, refers to a case of a petitioner who received the degrees in another Massachusetts lodge after being rejected; the Grand Lodge agreed to have the Grand Master heal the petitioner.
  • 1874-141, 12/09/1874, refers to a case of a petitioner rejected as a "result of prejudice or misunderstanding . . . of a worthy man, unfortunately rejected." The petition was granted.
  • 1876-19, 03/08/1876, refers to a case of a petitioner rejected by Mystic Lodge who received the degrees in Alabama in 1865; he wished to be healed to regularity with Mystic Lodge; in part, the committee noted that this lodge's vote to endorse this healing "would seem to be evidence of the fact that whatever objection originally existed to receiving the petitioner into that Lodge has been removed." The Brother was healed by the Grand Master.
  • 1876-55, 09/13/1876, refers to a complex case of jurisdiction involving several lodges on the North Shore; the brother was declared clandestine, but formally healed.
  • 1877-190, 09/12/1877, refers to the case of a petitioner rejected by Ancient York Lodge who subsequently received the Masonic degrees in England; while normally this case would be rejected, the Massachusetts lodge voted to recommend that the petitioner be healed so that he could be admitted. The recommendation was adopted.
  • 1877-275, 12/12/1877, refers to the vote to include the name and date of application in the case where a candidate had applied to another lodge.
  • 1878-32, 06/12/1878, refers to a case of a petitioner from New Hampshire who had been rejected by one lodge and received the degrees from another.
  • 1910-147 is spurious; this page is part of a Special Communication for a 50th anniversary celebration.
  • The Builder, 1917-134, refers to a table on the criteria for dimits in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1929-118, 06/12/1929, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Herbert Dean, regarding irregularly made Masons, and healing. "It is the duty of every Master, (or in his absence, of the Senior Warden) to take every possible precaution to prevent the presentation of any entertainment of an objectionable character in connection with a Lodge meeting or any activity sponsored by the Lodge. He should not only investigate the character of the proposed entertainment personally, not leaving it to a committee or any Brother, but he should warn the entertainers that nothing of an objectionable character will be tolerated, and he should stop the entertainment instantly if he finds that his warning has not been headed."
  • 1932-27, 03/09/1932, refers to commentary by Grand Master Chipman. A candidate was declared to be irregularly made. On appeal for healing, the Grand Master declined; a committee "found serious misrepresentations of facts in the application . . . and recommended that the petition be denied and Grand Lodge so voted. The question now arises . . . if he may apply for the degrees to any Lodge having jurisdiction. I rule that he may not. The Committee found a condition which would have justified a recommendation of expulsion . . . To all intents and purposes the refusal of Grand Lodge to heal is tantamount to expulsion. Grand Lodge thereby decided that the petitioner is outside the Fraternity and ought to remain out. He can acquire the privilege of applying for the degrees only by some action of Grand Lodge."

Sec. 422. AFFILIATION

A Master Mason in good standing in the Fraternity or holding a demit from a regular Lodge may apply for membership by affiliation to any Lodge within this jurisdiction.

Such application must be made upon the blank furnished therefore by the Grand Lodge.

Action upon such application for membership shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 406 to 411 inclusive except that an application for membership may be withdrawn without ballot.

The provisions of Sections 414, 415, and 416 do not apply to rejected applications for membership.

If such an application be made to the Lodge from which the applicant took a demit and within five years from date of his demitting, it may be accepted by a majority vote of those present at a regular meeting of the demitting Lodge, the other provisions of the Grand Constitutions having been complied with.

If an application for affiliation is received from a member owing allegiance to another Grand Jurisdiction which does not permit dual membership, a Lodge may act upon the application but must not allow the applicant to sign the By-Laws until he has presented a demit from his former Lodge whose jurisdiction does not allow dual membership.

If an applicant for affiliation is elected to membership, he must sign the By-Laws of the Lodge within six months after the date of his election. Otherwise his election to such membership shall become void. The applicant shall be advised of this requirement when notified of his election.

Earlier Revisions

  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 06/11/1828, IV-130, regarding "the expediency of establishing an ordinance prohibiting Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, from receiving into membership any person who has been or may be expelled from membership in any subordinate Lodge, in consequence of non compliance with the By Laws, Rules and regulations of any Lodge; and requiring said Lodges to report to the Grand Lodge the name and place of residence of every person so expelled from Membership, stating in such Report whether such expulsion shall have been caused by nonpayment of dues provided for by the written rules of the Lodge from which such person is expelled." The detailed report discusses the details of this possible ordinance, and recommends that it not be adopted because of "inconvenience without any proportionate practical utility."
  • GC1918: Section 507, 1918-391; In this revision, this section reads: "A Brother who holds a demit or a certificate of good standing may at any time petition for affiliation and, if rejected, a certificate stating the date of such rejection shall be given him by the Secretary of the rejecting Lodge, under its seal. The holder thereof shall be considered as in good standing in the Fraternity for one year from his last rejection and no longer."
  • GC1930: Section 422, 1930-139; In this revision, the section reads: "A Master Mason in good standing in the Fraternity or holding a dimit from a regular Lodge may apply for membership by affiliation to any Lodge within this jurisdiction, whether or not he resides within the jurisdiction of the Lodge to which he applies. Such application must be made upon the blank furnished therefor by the Grand Lodge. Action upon such application for membership shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 406 to Section 411 inclusive except that an application for membership may be withdrawn without ballot. The provisions of Section 414, Section 415 and Section 416 do not apply to rejected applications for membership."
    • On 06/08/1938, 1938-48, the following text was added before the last sentence: "If such an application be made to the Lodge from which the applicant took dimit and within five years from date of his dimitting, it may be accepted by a majority vote of those present at a regular meeting of the dimitting Lodge, the other provisions of the Grand Constitutions having been complied with."
  • GC1953: Section 423; 1953-51; approved 1953-197; "A Master Mason in good standing in the Fraternity or holding a dimit from a regular Lodge may apply for membership by affiliation to any Lodge within this jurisdiction, whether or not he resides within the jurisdiction of the Lodge to which he applies. Such application must be made upon the blank furnished therefor by the Grand Lodge. Action upon such application for membership shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 407 to Section 412 inclusive except that an application for membership may be withdrawn without ballot. If such an application be made to the Lodge from which the applicant took dimit and within five years from date of his dimitting, it may be accepted by a majority vote of those present at a regular meeting of the dimitting Lodge, the other provisions of the Grand Constitutions having been complied with. The provisions of Section 415, Section 416 and Section 417 do not apply to rejected applications for membership. If an application for affiliation is received from a member owing allegiance to another Grand Jurisdiction which does not permit dual membership, a Lodge may act upon the application but must not allow the applicant to sign the By-Laws until he has presented a demit from his former Lodge whose jurisdiction does not allow dual membership."
  • Ruling by Grand Master, 09/14/1955, 1955-234, regarding demits and certificates of clearance. See also Sections 505 and 507.
    • Amended 12/13/1961, 1961-176, by deleting the phrase "whether or not he resides within the jurisdiction of the Lodge to which he applies" from the first sentence, and adding the following: "If an applicant for affiliation is elected to membership, he must sign the By-Laws of the Lodge within six months after the date of his election. Otherwise his election to such membership shall become void. The applicant shall be advised of this requirement when notified of his election."
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-175, 09/11/1974; the same change indicated in 1961, but it was apparently not removed from the text of the Grand Constitutions after the vote of Grand Lodge.

References

  • VII-82 (1866-17), 06/13/1866, refers to a report on the by-laws for Acacia Lodge, striking a provision that stated that one raised should be admitted a member by his own request within two months; otherwise a ballot requiring two-thirds votes to admit him would be had. This was considered improper; "Your Committee believe that the general rule in this jurisdiction, is to admit members by the ballot and that a unanimous consent is requisite to admission to his privilege . . . The rule in Masonry as to the acceptance of Candidates and admission of members is a rigorous and righteous one, and that is perfect unanimity must prevail."
  • MFM, Vol. XXVI, No. 2, 12/01/1866, Page 64, may be spurious.
  • 1916-593, 12/13/1916, refers to commentary by Grand Master Melvin Johnson on Grand Lodges that permit plural membership within the jurisdiction and across jurisdictions. "The practical conclusion as far as our Lodges are concerned is that without causing any conflict of jurisdiction they may affiliate Brethren who hold membership in Virginia, Delaware, Wyoming, Tennessee, and any of the Canadian Grand Lodges except Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick."
  • The Builder, 1917-134, refers to a table on the criteria for dimits in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1921-46, 03/09/1921, is a commentary by Deputy Grand Master Allen regarding plural membership. "I have been before referred to the matter of plural membership and the embarrassment sometimes arising from the difference in laws in this respect between this and other jurisdictions. Many cases arise where Masons who are members of Lodges outside Massachusetts apply for membership in our Lodges, but do not desire to dimit from their Mother Lodges . . . Such applications may be received without limitation, on evidence of good standing, provided the applicant is a member of a Lodge under the jurisdiction of Virginia, Delaware, Wyoming, Tennessee, England, Scotland, Ireland, or any Canadian Grand Lodge except Prince Edward Island or New Brunswick. In all other cases the applicant should be warned that his Mother Grand Lodge he takes a risk of incurring Masonic discipline on the part of that Grand Lodge from which we cannot protect him. He should also be told that joining a Massachusetts Lodge will not automatically separate him from his Mother Lodge. If after being thus clearly informed he persists in his application, his application may be received subject to the usual procedure, as no violation of our law is therein involved."
  • 1926-442, 12/08/1926, refers to commentary by Grand Master Simpson regarding petitions for affiliation from Masons from jurisdictions that do not permit dual membership. ". . . our procedure heretofore has been such that the applicant is informed of the law of the Grand Lodge to which he owes allegiance . . . If application for affiliation is made by a member of another Grand Jurisdiction, communication should be had with the Grand Secretary. If it is discovered upon inquiry . . . that the Jurisdiction of the applicant's membership does not permit dual membership, the petition for affiliation should be dismissed, and order will issue to that effect."
  • 1936-117, 06/10/1936, is a commentary by Grand Master Allen regarding affiliations. "It is desirable to increase the number of active affiliated Masons in our jurisdiction. . . In almost every community, there are considerable numbers of unaffiliated Masons." He divides them into various categories, and encourages local Lodges to consider ways to encourage these Masons to take up membership once again, and what fee (if any) they might charge. He notes, however: "Of course, it is essential that applications for affiliation should be carefully investigated, particularly where the applicants may have been dimitted for several years and are themselves of advanced age."
  • 1937-136, 09/08/1937 refers to commentary by Grand Master Allen on plural membership. "A majority of Grand Lodges in the United States do not permit plural membership. These Grand Lodges are often greatly annoyed if we permit their members to affiliate without dimits. If an application for affiliation is received from a member of a Lodge in another jurisdiction, it should be at once ascertained whether or not that jurisdiction permits plural membership. . . If it does not permit plural membership, the applicant should be advised to obtain a dimit and file it with his application. . . All affiliates should be warned that affiliation does not automatically sever connection with the applicant's other Lodge."
  • 1953-51, 03/11/1953, refers to changes to GC1918 recommended just before the adoption of GC1953.

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