Difference between revisions of "MassachusettsGC2012 PART V"

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* ''V-92, 09/09/1846, refers to the case of the clandestine [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsNegroFreemasonry#.22UNITED_BRETHREN.22_CASE.2C_SEPTEMBER_1846 United Brethren] Lodge in 1846.''
 
* ''V-92, 09/09/1846, refers to the case of the clandestine [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsNegroFreemasonry#.22UNITED_BRETHREN.22_CASE.2C_SEPTEMBER_1846 United Brethren] Lodge in 1846.''
* 1927-31
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* ''1927-31, 03/09/1927, procedure adopted by Grand Lodge by vote 1927-70, 03/09/1927; the Grand Secretary will notify each alleged delinquent by registered mail, at least thirty days before taking action; that if the Brother does not appeal for a hearing, his case will be handled by the Board of Commissioners of Trials; if no address is available, the Grand Lodge should deal with each case 'ex parte'. ''
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Revision as of 13:34, 29 March 2014

Contents

GRAND CONSTITUTIONS, PART V

PART V: BRETHREN

Sec. 500. VISITING: PRIVILEGES AND ENTRY INTO LODGE

It is the privilege of every affiliated Mason, in good and regular standing, to visit any Lodge when not engaged in the transaction of private business unless objection is made by a sitting member of the Lodge to the admission of such visitor, in which event such visitor shall not be admitted during the meeting. Such objection may not be made to the Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master, the District Grand Master, the Lodge's District Deputy Grand Master, nor to one who has been appointed by the Grand Master to represent the Grand Master, nor to a visitor who is a member of a suite accompanying any of the foregoing.

A candidate may visit another Lodge provided the lodge is then open upon a degree which has been conferred upon the candidate and the candidate is accompanied by and vouched for by a Master Mason who was present at the conferring of such degree upon the candidate.

Except for the Grand Master, District Grand Master, or a District Deputy Grand Master acting under his warrant, and their Marshals or suite, every one who enters a Lodge while it is at labor must approach to the west of the Altar and there salute the Master. Under no circumstances whatever may any visitor (save only the Grand Master, a District Grand Master or a District Deputy Grand Master) be covered while in the Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

  • Letter to St. John's Grand Lodge: 02/25/1774, I-416: "The Master of no Lodge in this City can permit a Visitor to stay in the Lodge after he has received the Civilitys of a Mason, if his Company be disagreeable to any one Member."
  • Vote of Grand Lodge: 09/13/1797, II-109: "The Grand Lodge will not hold communication or correspondence with, or admit as visitors, any Masons residing in this State who hold authority under, and acknowledge the supremacy of, any Foreign Grand Lodge or who do not by their representatives communicate and pay their dues to this Grand Lodge."
  • Vote of Grand Lodge: 12/14/1870, 1870-228: "Resolved, That it is the privilege of every affiliated Mason, in good and regular standing, to visit any Lodge, when not engaged in the transaction of private business; but that it is also the right of a sitting member of the Lodge, to object to the admission of a visitor, giving his reasons therefor, if required by a majority-vote of the members to do so; or, as the alternative, declaring, upon his honor as a Mason, that his reasons are such that he cannot with propriety disclose them to the Lodge."
  • GC1918: Section 501, 1918-389; "It is the privilege of every affiliated Mason, in good and regular standing to visit any Lodge when not engaged in the transaction of private business; but it is also the right of a sitting member of the Lodge to object to the admission of a visitor, giving his reasons therefor if required by a majority vote of the members to do so; or as the alternative declaring upon his honor as a Mason that his reasons are such that he cannot with propriety, disclose them to the Lodge."
    • On 09/08/1926, the phrase "on complying with the requirements of Section 502" was added after "in good and regular standing" in the first sentence. (1926-318)
  • GC1930: Section 500, 1930-141; "It is the privilege of every affiliated Mason, in good and regular standing, to visit any Lodge when not engaged in the transaction of private business unless objection is made by a sitting member of the Lodge to the admission of such visitor, in which event such visitor shall not be admitted during that meeting."
  • GC1953: Section 500; 1953-51; approved 1953-197; "It is the privilege of every affiliated Mason, in good and regular standing, to visit any Lodge when not engaged in the transaction of private business unless objection is made by a sitting member of the Lodge to the admission of such visitor, in which event such visitor shall not be admitted during that meeting. A candidate does not have the right to visit another Lodge. Even though he has received the third degree, he may not enjoy the right of visiting until he has qualified for membership and has signed the By-Laws, except that a candidate of a Lodge Under Dispensation who has qualified for membership by attaining suitable proficiency and receiving the required instruction in all three degrees may obtain from the Grand Secretary a special card which will permit him to visit other Lodges. Such card shall become void and must be surrendered as soon as the Lodge Under Dispensation shall have received its Charter. Except for the Grand Master himself, or a Deputy acting under his warrant, and their Marshals or suite, every one who enters a Lodge while it is at labor must approach to the West of the Altar and there salute the Master. Under no circumstances whatever must any visitor (save only the Grand Master or his Deputy) be covered while in the Lodge."

References

  • III-314, 12/13/1820: refers to a memorial by Bro. Eleazer Kingsbury, who had been rejected by Meridian Lodge which "gave no notice of that transaction to any other lodge"; the Brother was initiated by Good Samaritan Lodge and crafted and raised by Middlesex Lodge, but who was rejected as a visitor by Meridian. The Grand Lodge determined that "Meridian Lodge were well acquainted when they denied him admission as a brother. Upon this statement it is natural to remark, that however laudable caution may be in the admission of persons to the benefit of our honorable Craft, some better reason ought to be assigned for their rejection, than private animosity . . . The door of Masonry must be opened at the knock of every one who has been duly initiated into its Mysteries, till he is expelled by a competent power from the privileges of the Masonic Institution."
  • 1870-88 refers to an inquiry sent to Grand Master Gardner in February 1870, which referenced the above ruling from 1820. The questions and answers are as follows:
    • 1st. Does a Master Mason in good standing in his Lodge possess the inherent right of visiting any Masonic Lodge wherever he may go?
      • To the first question I reply by the following quotation from Mackey's Masonic Jurisprudence, page 29 : — LANDMARK FOURTEENTH. — The right of every Mason to visit and sit in every regular Lodge is an unquestioned Landmark of the Order. This is called the "right of visitation." This right of visitation has always been recognized as an inherent right which inures to every Mason as he travels through the world,' " &c. Every writer of any eminence on masonic subjects, whose works have come under my notice, expresses the same idea; and I believe it is not questioned anywhere. I have, therefore, no difficulty in replying affirmatively to that question.
    • 2d. It has been claimed that a Master Mason may object to a visiting Brother — the reasons to be determined solely in his own conscience. Does a Master Mason possess the unqualified right of objecting to the presence of a visiting Brother in his Lodge?
      • To your second question I reply as follows : — A Master Mason who is a member of a Lodge has an unqualified right to object to the admission of a visiting Brother into the Lodge of which he is a member. 'The great object of all Masonry,' says Brother Mackey (Jurisprudence, page 209), 'being the preservation of harmony among the brethren, which our ritual properly declares to be " the support of all well-regulated institutions," it has been deemed by many excellent authorities to be the prerogative of any member of a Lodge to object to the admission of a visitor, when his relations to that visitor are of such a nature as to render it unpleasant for the member to sit in the Lodge with the visitor. This principle in Masonry has been settled by some of the most learned arid reliable Masons in the United States, as well as by Brother Mackey.
    • 3d. If a Master Mason objects to a visiting Brother sitting in the Lodge, is he accountable to the Lodge, and is it his duty to give reasons for such objection?
      • To your third question I reply — That, in my opinion, the objecting Brother is accountable to the Worshipful Master and the Lodge for his objections, and is bound, if required, to give his reasons therefor. In the article from which I have already quoted (Mackey's Jurisprudence, page 29), he says, — speaking of the right of visitation — 'This right may of course be impaired or forfeited on special occasions, by various circumstances; but when admission is refused to a Mason in good standing who knocks at the door of a Lodge as a visitor, it is to be expected that some good and sufficient reason shall be furnished for this violation of what is in general a masonic right founded on the Landmarks of the Order!' In addition to this, the fact is well known to all well-informed Masons, that the entire responsibility of refusing admission to a visiting Brother rests on the Master of the Lodge; for, when a Brother objects, it is for the Master to decide whether the objection shall deprive the visitor of his right. Brother Mackey says (Jurisprudence, page 216) 'The right of visit is a positive right which inures to every affiliated Master Mason always. It may be forfeited for good and sufficient cause, while for the Master of any Lodge to deny it without such cause is to do a masonic wrong to the Brother claiming it, for which he will have his redress upon complaint to the Grand Lodge,' &c. To bring this dictum of Brother Mackey to the case under consideration, I will state it: Brother G, who, it is admitted, is a regular Master Mason, affiliated with a Lodge in Scotland, knocks at the door of Lebanon Lodge and asks to be admitted as a visitor. A member of the Lodge rises and objects to his admission, and Brother G is informed, outside of the door, that he cannot be admitted. The onus of refusal, so far as Brother G is concerned, rests entirely on the Worshipful Master, and he is amenable to the Grand Lodge, if Brother G thinks proper to make complaint to that Body. Can it then be that the Master is not to know the reasons of objection, so as to be able to show sufficient cause for denying the applicant-his inherent right to visit? An affirmative answer to this question would clothe any member of any Lodge with arbitrary power to cause the rejection of every visitor who applies for admission! It cannot, with any reason, be for a moment sustained!
    • 4th. If a Master Mason has sufficient reason for objecting to a Brother visiting his Lodge, is it not his duty to prefer charges, so as to bring the objectionable brother under discipline, and give him an opportunity to vindicate his character?
      • To your fourth question I reply — That, when the objecting Brother gives his reasons, if the Lodge deem them of sufficient weight to sustain charges, it is its duty to direct the Junior Warden to prefer them to the Lodge, that the Brother may be dealt with.
    • 5th. If a Master Mason shall hear the statement of his friend affecting the character of a brother Master Mason, would he be justified in objecting to the presence of such Brother in his Lodge upon an 'ex parte' statement?
      • The fifth question propounded by you is, in my opinion, one to which no general principle can be applied; it must depend entirely on the nature of the statement made by the friend.
  • MFM, Vol. XXIX, No. 10, 08/01/1870, refers to an essay on the right to visit. It contains the extensive reply by the Grand Master given above.
  • 1878-36 refers to a proposal to add to the Miscellaneous Regulations as follows: "All persons who have received only the degrees of E.A. and F.C., seeking admittance to a Lodge, shall furnish the Tyler with a card stating their name, the degree of Masonry to which they have attained, and the Lodge by which conferred, which card shall be sent to the W.M., and receive his approval before such visitor shall be admitted." The committee objected to the infringement of the right of the Master to impose such a regulation; it was declined by the Grand Lodge.
  • 1886-182, 12/08/1886, refers to a portion of Grand Master Howland's address, referring to the right of objection to visitors. "Does the right to object to the admission of a visitor, conferred upon a sitting member of a Lodge, by the resolution adopted by the Grand Lodge, December 14, 1870, apply to a Brother acting officially as a member of the suite of a District Deputy Grand Master, or any other Brother or Brothers specially authorized, by the Grand Lodge, Grand Master, or District Deputy Grand Master, to visit a Lodge? It is the universal custom in this jurisdiction for the District Deputy Grand Master, when visiting a Lodge officially, to be accompanied by one. or more past or present Grand Officers, past or presiding Masters, or other Brethren acting in some official capacity. Part I., Article VIII., Section X., provides that the District Deputy Grand Masters shall visit the Lodges in their respective Districts, and perform certain other prescribed duties; but no authority is given, nor provision made, for any accompanying officers, notwithstanding usage, has recognized the official presence and standing of such officers. The absence of this provision in our Constitutions furnished the basis of action for the objecting parties in the case to which reference is here made."
  • 1914-153, 06/10/1914, refers to Grand Master Johnson's ruling on salutation by visitors when a Lodge is opened. "While a Lodge is at labor, every one who enters must approach to the West of the Altar and there salute the Master. The only exception is when the entrant acts by or under the authority of the Grand Master, i.e. the Grand Master, himself, or a Deputy acting under his warrant; their Marshals and suite, while in actual attendance. . . It applies not only to visiting Lodge delegations, but must be strictly observed also at "Military Nights," so-called, and other similar occasions. There is no objection to visitors being received in procession provided proper formation and halt is made West of the Altar for Masonic salute."
  • 1916-585, 12/13/1916, refers to remarks by Grand Master Melvin Johnson, in which he discusses the authority of the Grand Lodge. "The high prerogative to suspend a Brother from the rights and privileges of Masonry, thereby unseating him from all bodies of all rites, resides in no other Masonic authority whatever except the Grand Lodge itself. This prerogative may be exercised within or without a tyled door wherever or whenver the Grand Master comes to knowledge of sufficiently grave 'dereliction of duty, or other unmasonic conduct.' "
  • 1916-847 and 1916-850 refer to excerpts from the lecture on Masonic Jurisprudence by Rt. Wor. Roscoe Pound regarding Masonic common law.
  • 1952-112, 03/12/1952, refers to the ruling by Grand Master Roy regarding the right of visit by candidates. ". . . a candidate has no such right. The right of visitation is for members only, and a candidate does not become a member until he has signed the by-laws."
  • 2008-167

Sec. 501. VISITING: REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY

Except on a duly authorized public occasion, no visitor shall be admitted into a tyled Lodge, unless he produces a duly authorized uniform card showing the payment or remission of this Grand Lodge and particular Lodge dues for the current fiscal year, or for the next preceding year if the card be presented within six months after the expiration date thereof, or, if he be a member of a Lodge under the jurisdiction of a regular Grand Lodge other than this Grand Lodge, produces a receipt for the payment of his particular Lodge dues for the next preceding or current fiscal or calendar year, as may be the custom of such jurisdiction, and complies with one of the following conditions:

  • 1st: Being vouched for in writing by a Brother present who, if not a member, shall himself be vouched for at the time by a member of the Lodge and who shall, if required, state in writing when and where he sat with the visitor in a tyled Lodge, and the degree upon which such Lodge was then open.
  • 2nd: Producing a certificate or diploma of a regular Grand Lodge, and passing a satisfactory examination. A certificate under seal of the Secretary of a regular Lodge may be accepted in lieu of the Grand Lodge certificate, but the acceptance of such a certificate or of a Grand Lodge certificate dated more than three years previous to the date of the visit, shall be at the discretion of the Master of the Lodge visited. If the required uniform card or receipt presented by the visitor bears his signature attested by the Secretary of the Lodge of which the visitor is a member, the Master of the Lodge visited may waive the production of a certificate or diploma of a regular Grand Lodge.

Every Lodge shall keep and preserve a record of visitors in the form prescribed by the Grand Lodge or by the Grand Master for the time being.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843 includes this section: Part Fifth, Section 15, IV-652; "No Mason, not a member of some subordinate Lodge, shall allowed to visit the same Lodge, in the place where he resides, more than twice, without the permission of the Master, or vote of the Lodge."
  • Grand Master's Address, 12/27/1857, 1857-46; "I have availed myself of the opportunity which my visits to our Lodges afforded, to bring to their notice the regulation of this Grand Lodge in relation to visitors from the Jurisdiction of New York, adopted December 14, 1853, by which such visitors shall, previously to their examination, furnish to the examining Committee of the Lodge they desire to visit, a Diploma, or Certificate, under the seal of the Grand Lodge and the signature of its Grand Secretary, that they were regularly made Masons and that they are now in good standing as such. This requirement does not appear to have been known to much extent, and there is reason to believe that much visiting has taken place in violation of its provisions. . . It is for you to determine whether further regulations are needed on this subject, or whether the powers of the Grand Master are already adequate to prevent the entrance of improper persons into our assemblies."
  • Grand Master's Address, 12/27/1858, 1858-38; "In consequence of information, reliable but confidential, that clandestine proceedings had taken place, at a point designated in this jurisdiction highly prejudicial to the well-being of Freemasonry . . . I ordered on the 10th of April last a circular to be issued from the office of the Recording Grand Secretary . . . in which it was 'requested and desired' of the Lodges 'not to examine or admit as visitors . . . (unless personally known to, and avouched for, by some Brother present,) any person or persons who do not at the time of application for admission, present the Certificate or Diploma of the Grand Lodge of this Commonwealth; or, if from a distant State, the Certificate or Diploma of the Grand Lodge of said State, properly authenticated, certifying that the bearer has been lawfully made a Mason in a regularly constituted Lodge, and that he is now in good standing as a member of our Institution." The Grand Master in this address revoked this requirement, "leaving it to the Masters of Lodge to require Certificates or Diplomas of visitors, or not, as circumstances may in their judgment seem to demand."
  • Grand Master's Address, 12/08/1875, 1875-414; In his remarks, the Grand Master commented regarding impostors. "Our only safeguard, besides a rigid examination, is to demand that strange visitors show their diploma. The Master of a Lodge, at his installation, promises that no visitor shall be received into his Lodge without due examination, and producing proper vouchers of his having been initiated in a regular Lodge. These vouchers should be critically examined. It is sometimes annoying to a Brother to be refused admission because he has not his diploma with him; but if he has a spark of the true spirit of Masonry in him, he will see the justice of this requirement. The Masters of Lodges are therefore hereby directed not to admit visitors unless they produce their diploma, and pass a thorough examination, or can be vouched for by a Brother who has sat in a Lodge with them."
  • Grand Master's Address, 12/10/1879, 1879-99; "Among the official directions given by one of my predecessors was one, directing that no person should be admitted into a Lodge who was not properly known to be a Mason in good regular standing, unless he was vouched for by some well-known Brother, or produced the certificate of some Grand Lodge, and passed a strict examination. This regulation, which requires both an examination and a certificate, is dated Feb. 8, 1872, was reported to the Grand Lodge at the Quarterly Communication in March, 1872, in an address made by the Grand Master, and has never been rescinded. I have reason to believe that some Masters of Lodges, not being aware of this regulation, have not always conformed to it; and your attention is therefore called to it, and you are desired to enforce it strictly. Complaints have sometimes been made to me byMasons from other jurisdictions that they were excluded from our Lodges, and the privileges of Masonry, by this rule; but it is no good reason for the non-enforcement of a regulation or for its rescission that it sometimes operates with hardship upon individuals; all rules do so at times; the general good is the matter to be considered and legislated for; and in these days, when impostors abound, and it is not impossible for them to acquire a sufficient knowledge to enable them to pass an examination, the written certificate is perhaps a better, certainly as good a safeguard as the examination. Both together, with the visitors' book added, should be used to keep off the cowan and eavesdropper. If a Mason from another State or country comes here to remain an3r length of time, and cannot, for satisfactory reasons, procure a certificate or diploma application should be made to the Grand Master, who will, when in his power, satisfy himself as to the Masonic character of the applicant, and, if on examination the case requires it, provide a remedy."
  • GC1843: Part Fifth, Section 26; proposed 1885-206, 12/09/1885, adopted 03/10/1886, 1886-36; Note that this was originally reviewed by a Grand Lodge committee on 1885-21, 03/11/1885, and discussed on 1885-59, 06/10/1885 and 1885-84, 09/09/1885.
    • "Except on a duly authorized public occasion, no visitor shall be admitted into a tyled Lodge, unless he complies with one of the following conditions : —
      • "1st. Being vouched for by some Brother present.
      • "2d. Producing a certificate of some Grand Lodge and passing a satisfactory examination.
      • "3d. Being personally known to and recommended for examination by some Brother present and passing such examination."
    • Proposed 06/12/1895, 1895-128, adopted 09/11/1895, 1895-222, replacing the phrase "of some Grand Lodge" with "of some Grand Lodge, or accounting to the satisfaction of the Master of the Lodge for the non-production of such certificate"; renumbered Section 25.
    • Proposed 06/08/1904, 1904-70; votes adopted 1904-109, 09/14/1904; amendment proposed 1904-177, 12/14/1904 and adopted 1905-19, 03/08/1905:
      • Except on a duly authorized public occasion no visitor shall be admitted into a tyled Lodge, unless he complies with one of the following conditions:
        1. Being vouched for in writing by a Brother present, who, if not a member, shall himself-be vouched for at the time by a member of the Lodge, and who shall, if required, state in writing when and where he sat with the visitor in open Lodge.
        2. Producing a certificate or diploma of a regular Grand Lodge, and passing a satisfactory examination. A certificate under seal of the Secretary of a regular Lodge may be accepted in lieu of the Grand Lodge certificate, but the acceptance of such a certificate, or of a Grand Lodge certificate dated more than three years previous to the date of visit, shall be at the discretion of the Master of the Lodge visited.
      • Every Lodge shall keep and preserve a record of visitors in the form prescribed by the Grand Lodge, or by the Grand Master for the time being.
  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 09/09/1903, 1903-87; "Upon motion of the Grand Secretary it was unanimously voted, That this Grand Lodge earnestly recommends to the Grand Lodges throughout the country the adoption of a regulation requiring of every visiting Brother the production of a Grand Lodge certificate as a preliminary to examination; and that the Grand Secretary be authorized to request that in all other jurisdictions orders may be issued requiring the production of such a certificate from all Brethren hailing from Massachusetts, as a preliminary to the compliance with all local regulations now existing."
  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 12/14/1910, 1910-214; a proposal to revise the visitation requirements was rejected by Grand Lodge. "Your Committee feel that the matter of admission of visitors is sufficiently covered at present."
  • GC1918: Section 502, 1918-389;
    • "Except on a duly authorized public occasion, no visitor shall be admitted into a tyled Lodge, unless he complies with one of the following conditions:
      • "1st. Being vouched for in writing by a Brother present who, if not a member, shall himself be vouched for at the time by a member of the Lodge and who shall, if required, state in writing when and where he sat with the visitor in a tyled Lodge, and the degree upon which such Lodge was then open."
      • "2d. Producing a certificate or diploma of a regular Grand Lodge, and passing a satisfactory examination. A certificate under seal of the Secretary of a regular Lodge may be accepted in lieu of the Grand Lodge certificate, but the acceptance of such a certificate, or of a Grand Lodge certificate dated more than three years previous to the date of visit, shall be at the discretion of the Master of the Lodge visited."
      • "Every Lodge shall keep and preserve a record of visitors in the form prescribed by the Grand Lodge or by the Grand Master for the time being."
    • Proposed 06/09/1926, 1926-259, report 1926-315, amended 09/08/1926, 1926-322, changing the first paragraph to read: "Except on a duly authorized public occasion, no visitor shall be admitted into a tyled Lodge, unless he produces a duly authorized uniform card showing the payment or remission of this Grand Lodge and Particular Lodge dues for the next preceding or current fiscal year, or, if he be a member of a Lodge under the jurisdiction of a regular Grand Lodge other than this Grand Lodge, produces a receipt for the payment of his Particular Lodge dues for the next preceding or current fiscal or calendar year, as may be the custom of such jurisdiction; and complies with one of the following conditions:"
    • Proposed 06/09/1926, 1926-259, report 1926-315, amended 09/08/1926, 1926-322, changing the third paragraph to read: "2d. Producing a certificate or diploma of a regular Grand Lodge, and passing a satisfactory examination. A certificate under seal of the Secretary of a regular Lodge may be accepted in lieu of the Grand Lodge certificate, but the acceptance of such a certificate, or of a Grand Lodge certificate dated more than three years previous to the date of visit, shall be at the discretion of the Master of the Lodge visited. If the required uniform card or receipt presented by the visitor bears his signature attested by the Secretary of the Lodge of which the visitor is a member, the Master of the Lodge visited may waive the production of a certificate or diploma of a regular Grand Lodge. (1926-319)
  • GC1930: Section 501, 1930-141; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
    • On 09/10/1952, the text "produces a receipt for the payment of his particular Lodge dues for the next preceding or current fiscal or calendar year" was revised to read: "for the current fiscal year, or for the next preceding fiscal year if the card be presented within six months after the expiration date thereof". (1952-214)
  • GC1953: Section 501

References

  • IV-560, 09/14/1842: Commentary on National Masonic Convention in 1842, regarding the identification of strangers (here presumably it refers to the privilege of Masonic burial: "Another measure recommended by the Convention, is that the several Grand Lodges 'advise, if they do not deem it necessary to require, their subordinate Lodges to demand certificates of the good standing of brethren who are strangers, which certificate should emanate from the Grand Lodge from the jurisdiction of which they hail.' We concur in opinion with the Convention, that such certificates would be 'an additional safeguard against the abuse of Masonic privilege by the unworthy.' & that they would 'furnish the orphans & widows of deceased brethren the best evidence of their claims upon the fraternity.'
  • IV-607, 09/13/1843: Commentary on National Masonic Convention in 1843, regarding funeral services: "This is an entire new arrangement and appears to the Committee to be in this respect appropriate, and in essentials free from all exceptionable matter, but they would add, that the greater portion substituted by the Convention is in no respects superior to the excellent one laid down in Webb's Monitor from Preston. The language, is more inflated and rather poetical for a funeral service and the sentiments certainly in no better taste than those which have so long received the sanction of the Fraternity in this solemn ceremonial."
  • 1872-19 refers to a letter sent by Grand Master Nickerson regarding impostors attempting to gain admission. "it is hereby ordered that no one be admitted into any of our Lodges who is not known to be a Mason in good and regular standing, unless he is vouched for by some well known Brother, or produces the Certificate of some Grand Lodge and passes a strict examination. Masters of Lodges are enjoined to enforce this regulation stringently, and to caution the Brethren that in order to vouch for any one it is necessary to have sat in a Lodge with him and to be able to tell the Degree upon which the Lodge was working at the time."
  • 1883-47, 06/13/1883, refers to an extensive report on the recognition (and refusal of recognition) of foreign Grand Lodges granting charters within a specific territory.
  • 1891-58, 06/10/1891, refers to the review of the 1890 Address by Grand Master Wells regarding the suggestion of allowing membership in more than one Lodge. The committee noted "many objections . . . to the change suggested. It is impossible to be a faithful servant to more than one master at one and the same time. The proposed change might lead to an infringement of that ancient regulation which forbids one Lodge to interfere with another . . ."
  • 1926-78, 03/10/1926 refers to comments by Grand Master Simpson regarding a uniform receipt for dues. "I have become satisfied that the conditions under which visiting takes place in our Lodges are far from satisfactory, and that the present safeguards against the admission of those who have ceased to be in good standing are not adequate . . . a uniform receipt for dues has been determined upon, and is now in process of being printed. . . This uniform receipt for dues certifies upon its face to the payment of Lodge and Gand Lodge dues to a certain date specified therein, and bears upon its back an attested certification . . . It is my belief that the use of a uniform receipt for dues, similar to the one described above, by all the Grand Jurisdictions of this country, would be of very great advantage in extending and strengthening the safeguards against the admission of impostors claiming membership in another jurisdiction."
  • 1926-242, 06/09/1926; refers to comments by Grand Master Simpson; he appointed a committee to consider amendment to the Grand Constitutions regarding the requirement of a uniform receipt of dues as a condition of visiting.
  • 1926-244, 06/09/1926, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson, regarding inter-jurisdictional visitation. "When a Lodge in this jurisdiction is invited or desires to visit a Lodge under the jurisdiction of another Grand Lodge, application should be made for a warrant or dispensation therefor. This warrant or dispensation will not issue except after request to the Grand Master of the jurisdiction sought to be visited and receipt of his consent thereto. Visiting Lodges from other Grand Jurisdictions should not be received unless and until application has been made for dispensation therefor and receipt by the Lodge of such dispensation. In the event that work is performed by a visiting Lodge, the work should be in accordance with the ritual prescribed by the jurisdiction of the visiting Lodge and upon a candidate of that jurisdiction."
  • 1927-343, 12/14/1927, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson, regarding duties of Tylers regarding proof of membership. "It is doubtless unnecessary for me to point out that a Brother who visits a Lodge other than one of which he is a member without producing his receipt [for dues], or a Tyler who permits such a Brother to enter such a Lodge without producing his receipt, commits a violation of the Grand Constitutions and hence a violation of his Obligations."
  • 1928-204, 09/12/1928, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson regarding the Uniform Receipt for Dues. He says in part, "I have not deemed it advisable to require the Lodges to impress their seals upon the Receipts. . . I am not inclined to recommend any other or further requirements of form than that suggested to me . . . Under the circumstances, I am not disposed to require the seals of the several Lodges be impressed upon the Receipt, and doubt if sufficient benefit would be derived by so doing to compensate for the amount of effort required annually to comply with such a requirement."
  • 1936-154, 09/09/1936, refers to a recommendation of Grand Master Allen concerning visitors to Lodges. He stated in part "it is of course necessary that he {a visitor} be vouched for in writing or that he produce a diploma or certificate from a regular Lodge, or certificate under seal of a secretary of a regular Lodge, and in addition that he pass a satisfactory examination. I fear that considerable laxity exists in certain Lodges in reference to these requirements, and it is the duty of the Masters of the Lodges to see that they are complied with. It is entirely possible that a visitor may present himself to a Lodge and be recognized by the Tyler, who possibly recalls some prior visit of this Brother. Possibly the Tyler may consider this a sufficient identification and authorization for the admittance of the Brother without anything further, but this is not so."

Sec. 502. VISITING: RIGHT TO EXAMINE CHARTER

A visiting Brother, having produced his Grand Lodge Certificate or Diploma, shall have the right to call for the Charter of the Lodge he desires to visit.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, Section 12, IV-651; "A visiting Brother, having produced his Grand Lodge Certificate, or Diploma, has a right to call for the Charter of the Lodge he desires to visit."
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-51, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, replacing "has a right to call . . ." with "shall have the right to call . . ."
  • GC1918: Section 503, 1918-390
  • GC1930: Section 502, 1930-142
  • GC1953: Section 502

References

none.


Sec. 503. INTERJURISDICTIONAL VISITING

When a Lodge in this jurisdiction is invited or desires to visit a Lodge under the jurisdiction of another Grand Lodge, application should be made for a warrant or dispensation therefor. This warrant or dispensation will not issue except after request to the Grand Master of the jurisdiction sought to be visited and receipt of his consent thereto. Visiting Lodges from other Grand Jurisdictions should not be received unless and until application has been made for dispensation therefor and receipt by the Lodge of such dispensation. In the event that work is performed by a visiting Lodge, the work should be in accordance with the ritual prescribed by the jurisdiction of the visiting Lodge and upon a candidate of that jurisdiction.

Visiting by teams of Massachusetts Masons to a Lodge under the jurisdiction of other Grand Lodges must be governed by the procedure hereinbefore described.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Regulations, Section 14, IV-652; "The removal of a Brother into another jurisdiction does not, of itself, authorize his name to be stricken from the roll of the Lodge of which he is a member."
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-51, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, replacing "does not, of itself" with "shall not, of itself".
  • GC1953: Section 503; 1953-52; approved 1953-197

References

  • 1877-285, 12/12/1877, refers to the case of a Brother representing himself as the Past Master of a lodge in Québec, who gained admission to and pecuniary assistance from a lodge in Massachusetts; the Board of Commissioners of Trials determined this to be false representation and recommended that the Brother be expelled.
  • 1926-244, 06/09/1926, refers to comments by Grand Master Simpson regarding interjurisdictional visiting.

Sec. 504. SUSPENSION FROM MEMBERSHIP

A Brother who has been suspended for non-payment of dues, even by a Lodge in another jurisdiction, shall have no right to attend the meetings of any Lodge until the amount due the suspending Lodge has been paid or remitted.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:4, IV-639; "No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall suspend or expel a member from the rights of Masonry, for nonpayment of dues. The penalty for such delinquency, shall be forfeiture or suspension of membership."
    • Amended 03/08/1876, Part Third, 4:5; "No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall expel or suspend a member from the rights of Masonry."
  • GC1843: Amendment to Part Third, 4:6, 03/09/1910, 1910-47; "A Brother whose membership has been forfeited or suspended for non-payment of dues shall have no right to visit any Lodge in this jurisdiction until his dues have been paid or remitted."
    • Amended 12/14/1910, 1910-212: Change the last sentence to read: "A Brother whose membership has been forfeited or suspended for non-payment of dues shall have no right to attend the meetings of that or any other Lodge in this jurisdiction until the amount due that Lodge has been paid or remitted."
  • GC1918: Section 504, 1918-390; In this revision, the section includes the text: "A brother who has been discharged or suspended . . ."
  • GC1930: Section 504, 1930-143; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 504; 1953-53; approved 1953-197

References

  • IV-130, 06/11/1828: Report of Committee on resolutions submitted 03/14/1827: "That said Resolution contemplates an inquiry into 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."
  • IV-562, 09/14/1842: Report of Committee on the doings of the National Masonic Convention; "Your Committee learn from the proceedings of the Convention that great diversity of opinion & practise exists in different parts of the country in relation to delinquent members of subordinate lodges. Under the jurisdictions of some of the Grand Lodges the delinquent is suspended for non-payment of his dues; under others he is expelled; while under others again, he only forfeits his membership. The practise last named has been adopted & pursued in the Lodges within this Commonwealth, & your Committee recommend its continuance."
  • MFM, Vol. XXVI, No. 9, 07/01/1867, Page 257, refers to an extended discussion of suspensions, including contemporary citations from various Grand Lodges on the subject.
  • 1926-239, 06/09/1926, refers to commentary by Grand Master Simpson, on the status of members suspended in other jurisdictions. "In case a Brother who is a member of a Lodge in this jurisdiction and also of a Lodge in this jurisdiction is suspended for non-payment of dues in the other jurisdiction, his case falls under the provisions of Section 504 and not those of Section 517: that is to say, his case is treated exactly as if the suspension occurred in another Lodge in this jurisdiction."
  • 1926-438, 12/08/1926, refers to a commentary by Grand Master Simpson regarding a candidate did not sign the By-Laws of his Lodge within the required time, designating him as an unaffiliated Mason.
  • 1943-115, 09/08/1843, refers to extended remarks by Grand Master Schaefer on suspensions.
  • 1974-176

Sec. 505. DEMITS: ISSUANCE AND ENTITLEMENT

Any member of a lodge who has paid his dues to the Lodge and the Grand Lodge is entitled to a demit upon application therefor. Such demit should date from the receipt of the application by the Secretary and should be reported to the next succeeding meeting of the Lodge for record. If a Brother who is a member of two or more Lodges in this jurisdiction wishes to withdraw from membership in one or more Lodges in this jurisdiction while still retaining his membership in some Massachusetts Lodge, he is entitled to withdraw provided he is clear on the books of the Lodge from which he desires to withdraw. In such cases a certificate of clearance should be issued instead of a demit.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: An amendment to Part Fifth, Section 13, proposed 12/12/1900, 1900-207, adopted 03/13/1901, 1901-27, to read: "No Brother shall hold more than one office in the same Lodge, or in Grand Lodge, at the same time, except as a Director."
  • GC1930: Section 504, 1930-143; In this revision, the section reads: "Any member of a Lodge who has paid his dues to the Lodge and the Grand Lodge is entitled to a dimit upon application therefor. Such dimit should date from the receipt of the application by the Secretary and should be reported to the next succeeding meeting of the Lodge for record."
  • GC1953: Section 505; 1953-53; approved 1953-197

References

  • 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. (see next section). This was considered by a committee reviewing the address on 06/10/1891, 1891-58.
  • 1893-162, adopted 1894-13, refers to an amendment to Part Fifth, Section 13, to permit plural membership without demit; this is a revision to Section 420.
  • 1895-128 and 1895-221 contain no reference to this section.
  • 1926-438, 12/08/1926, refers to commentary by Grand Master Simpson regarding a candidate did not sign the By-Laws of his Lodge within the required time, designating him as an unaffiliated Mason.
  • 1927-342, 12/14/1927, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Simpson regarding dimits and certificates of clearance. "In appropriate situations, a Brother in good standing and having paid all dues and assessments is entitled, as a matter of right, to a dimit or a Certificate of Clearance, as the case may be. No action by the Lodge is required, nor, indeed, should action by the Lodge be had. The Lodge does not grant the certificate, nor can it withhold one. . . If the Brother making application is not in good standing or is in arrears in dues or assessments, the application must be denied."

Sec. 506. DEMIT: RIGHT TO VISIT

A Brother who holds a demit is entitled to visit Lodges, subject to the constitutional provisions for visiting, for one year from the date of issue and no more. If he remains for more than one year without being affiliated with some regular Lodge, he shall not of right be entitled to any of the benefits or privileges of Masonry, except that he may at any time petition for affiliation.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Regulations Section 15, IV-652; "No Mason, not a member of some subordinate Lodge, shall allowed to visit the same Lodge, in the place where he resides, more than twice, without the permission of the Master, or vote of the Lodge."
  • GC1918: Section 507, 1918-391; In this revision, the section includes the text: "A Brother who holds a demit or a certificate of good standing . . . "
  • GC1930: Section 506, 1930-143; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 506; 1953-53; approved 1953-197; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-175, 09/11/1974; changed by removing the text "or a certificate of good standing" from the first sentence.

References

  • VI-3, 03/12/1856, Committee reviewing 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. Having this view of the subject, we do not recommend any action by the Grand Lodge."
  • MFM, Vol. XXV, No. 2, 12/01/1865, Page 64, contains the following text: "Charges against a non-affiliated Mason may be preferred to the Lodge in whose jurisdiction the accused resides."
  • MFM, Vol. XXVI, No. 8, 06/01/1867, Page 237, refers to an address by the Grand Master of Georgia at the annual communication in October 1866 on the subject of non-affiliated Masons. It says, in part, "What are non-affiliated Masons? What relation do they, or should they, sustain in the Fraternity . . . They do not pay the small pittance of annual dues, for the support and maintaining the dignity of the Institution, and, I fear, do not regard their obligations . . . That class of Masons who are able to contribute, and refuse to do so, and suffer themselves to be indefinitely suspended, or stricken from the roll of members for non-payment of dues, deserve a much severer punishment; they are unworthy to be known as Masons."
  • 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, 1917-134, refers to a table on the criteria for dimits in the various American jurisdictions.
  • 1918-322, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.
  • 1919-60, 03/12/1919, refers to comments by Grand Master Leon Abbott regarding unaffiliated Masons. "Through the change in our Grand Constitutions adopted last December a Master Mason who has voluntarily remained for more than one year without being affiliated with some regular Lodge has no right to visit any Lodge within this jurisdiction. As the law now stands a voluntarily unaffiliated Mason is not of right entitled to any of the benefits or privileges of Masonry or to visit a Lodge if he has been unaffiliated for more than a year."

Sec. 507. REINSTATEMENT BY LODGE

A Brother who has been suspended by a Lodge for non-payment of dues and whose dues have been paid or remitted to the date of his suspension is entitled to a demit upon application therefor, or he may be reinstated at a regular meeting of the suspending Lodge, provided that his petition for reinstatement has been read at one meeting and duly notified to the members for the meeting at which the vote is to be taken. If his petition for reinstatement is made to the Lodge within five years after the date of suspension, he may be reinstated by a majority vote of the members present; otherwise a clear and unanimously favorable ballot shall be required. The vote for reinstatement shall be taken in secret. If not reinstated, he is entitled to a certificate of prior membership in the Fraternity, and he may at any time petition for affiliation in any Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1918: The following sections appear in this revision:
    • Section 508. "A Brother who has been suspended for non-payment of dues and whose dues have been paid or remitted may be reinstated by a majority vote of those present at a regular meeting of the suspending Lodge. If not reinstated, he is entitled to a certificate of good standing in the Fraternity." (1918-391)
    • Section 509. "A Brother who has been discharged for non-payment of dues may, by ballot as provided in Section 409, be admitted to membership in the same or any other Lodge, provided his dues have been paid or remitted; subject, however, to all the formalities usually attending admission to membership, except that if readmitted by the discharging Lodge no membership fee shall be demanded unless required by its By-Laws. The receipt or certificate from the Secretary of the Lodge of which the applicant was last a member shall be satisfactory evidence that his dues have been liquidated." (1918-391)
  • GC1930: Section 507 and Section 508, 1930-143; In this revision, the text of these sections is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 507; 1953-53; approved 1953-197; "A Brother who has been suspended for non-payment of dues and whose dues have been paid or remitted to the date of his suspension is entitled to a dimit upon application therefore, or he may be reinstated by a majority vote of those present at a regular meeting of the suspending Lodge, provided that his petition for reinstatement has been read at one meeting and duly notified to the members for the meeting at which the vote is to be taken. If his petition for reinstatement is made to the Lodge within five years after the date of his suspension, he may be reinstated by a majority vote of the members present; otherwise a clear and unanimously favorable ballot shall be required. The vote for reinstatement shall be taken in secret. If not reinstated, he is entitled to a certificate of good standing in the Fraternity. prior membership in the Fraternity, and he may at any time petition for affiliation."
    • Proposed 06/09/1955, 1955-235, amended 12/14/1955, 1955-375, by the addition of the following text as the last two sentences of the section: "If his petition for reinstatement is made to the Lodge within five years after the date of his suspension, he may be reinstated by a majority vote of the members present; otherwise a clear and unanimously favorable ballot shall be required. The vote for reinstatement shall be taken in secret. If not reinstated, he is entitled to a certificate of good standing in the Fraternity."
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-175, 09/11/1974; amended by changing the last sentence to read: "If not reinstated, he is entitled to a certificate of prior membership in the Fraternity, and he may at any time petition for affiliation."
  • GC1953: Section 508; 1953-53; approved 1953-197; "A Brother who has been discharged for non-payment of dues may, by ballot as provided in Section 423, be admitted to membership in the same or any other Lodge, provided his dues have been paid or remitted; subject, however, to all the formalities usually attending admission to membership, except that if readmitted by the discharging Lodge no membership fee shall be demanded unless required by its By-Laws. The receipt or certificate from the Secretary of the Lodge of which the applicant was last a member shall be satisfactory evidence that his dues have been liquidated."
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-175, 09/11/1974; this section was stricken by vote of the Grand Lodge.

References

  • 1887-170, 12/14/1887, refers to the review of the by-laws of Isaac Parker Lodge, in which a section is redrafted by the committee because it impinges on this section's requirement to re-admit a member discharged from membership by unanimous election.
  • 1895-127 and 1895-221 contain no reference to this section.
  • 1916-172, 06/14/1916, refers to remarks by Grand Master Melvin Johnson regarding suspended Brothers. "If a Brother has been suspended for non-payment of dues he may at any time pay the amount which was due the Lodge at the time of his suspension. He is then clear upon the books. . . If the Lodge does not issue printed or written notices the Lodge should be advised of the application for reinstatement at one meeting and the matter should lie over until the next regular meeting. . . If he desires to regain his membership in the Lodge he must apply for such membership de novo. His application is then dealt with just as if it had come from one who was never a member of the Lodge. All the formalities usually attending admission to membership must be observed, as in the case of any candidate."
  • 1931-36, 03/11/1931, refers to remarks by Grand Master Herbert W. Dean regarding suspension and reinstatement. "A member suspended by the Lodge may be reinstated on payment of back dues by a majority vote of the Lodge. Reinstatement by Grand Lodge is much more difficult, and only places the Brother in the position of an unaffiliated Mason who must make a regular application before he can join any Lodge. . . I would urge the Lodges by the use of the Service Committee to have a personal interview with all those Brethren whom it is possible to reach before taking any action which might not be fair to the member. I would call the attention of the Masters to the fact that it is their duty to see that all amounts collected for Grand Lodge dues which are on hand on April 1st and June 1st should be sent in so that we may properly finance the affairs of the Grand Lodge."
  • 1936-121, 06/10/1936, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Allen regarding reinstatement of Brethren suspended for non-payment of Grand Lodge dues. He stated in part: "There would seem to be no valid reason why a Brother who has been suspended by Grand Lodge for non-payment of Grand Lodge dues and who has subsequently been restored by Grand Lodge to the rights and privileges of Masonry should not also be reinstated to his former membership in any Lodge to which he belonged at the time of his suspension upon the same terms as he can be reinstated following suspension by the Lodge for non-payment of Lodge dues; namely, a majority vote of his Lodge."
  • 1943-121, 09/08/1843, refers to extended remarks by Grand Master Schaefer on reinstatements.
  • 1955-234, 09/14/1955, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Whitfield Johnson on demits and certificates of clearance.
    1. "No Demit or Certificate of Clearance hereafter issued pursuant to the provisions of Sections 505 or 507 of the Grand Constitutions shall be valid unless the Masonic record of the Brother named therein has been entered thereon and has been certified by the Grand Secretary under the seal of the Grand Lodge.
    2. "No Certificate of Good Standing hereafter issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 507 of the Grand Constitutions shall be valid until the Masonic record of the Brother named therein has been entered thereon and has been certified by the Grand Secretary under the seal of the Grand Lodge.
    3. "No application for affiliation under the provisions of Section 423 of the Grand Constitutions shall hereafter be balloted upon until the Lodge shall have secured a certified copy of the Masonic record of the applicant over the signature of the Grand Secretary which certified copy shall be retained with the application and the report of the investigating committee in the files of the Lodge."

Sec. 508. MASONIC BURIAL

No Mason shall be interred with the formalities of the Order, unless it be at his own special request, made known to the Lodge during his lifetime or communicated to its officers after his death by a family member, an intimate friend, or other credible person, nor unless he has been advanced to the degree of Master Mason and was in good standing at the time of his death, without a Dispensation from the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fifth, Section 7, IV-651; "No Mason can be interred with the formalities of the Order, unless it be at his own special request, without a dispensation from the Grand Master; nor under any circumstances, unless he has been advanced to the degree of a Master Mason."
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-50, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87, replacing "can be" with "shall be".
  • GC1918: Section 510, 1918-392; "No Mason shall be interred with the formalities of the Order, unless it be at his own special request, without a Dispensation from the Grand Master; nor under any circumstances unless he has been advanced to the degree of Master Mason."
  • GC1930: Section 509, 1930-143; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 509; 1953-54; approved 1953-197; "A Brother who has been discharged for non-payment of dues may, by ballot as provided in Section 423, be admitted to membership in the same or any other Lodge, provided his dues have been paid or remitted; subject, however, to all the formalities usually attending admission to membership, except that if readmitted by the discharging Lodge no membership fee shall be demanded unless required by its By-Laws. The receipt or certificate from the Secretary of the Lodge of which the applicant was last a member shall be satisfactory evidence that his dues have been liquidated."
    • This section was deleted 09/11/1974, 1974-175.

References

  • I-33, 07/01/1754, describes the formalities attending the Masonic burial of Grand Master Thomas Oxnard.
  • I-118, 09/11/1767 and after describes the formalities attending the Masonic burial of Grand Master Jeremy Gridley.
  • I-174, 08/09/1769, describes the formalities attending the Masonic burial of Past Grand Warden James Forbes.
  • MFM, Vol. V, No. 12, Page 353, 10/01/1846, contains a lengthy article on Masonic Burial.
  • MFM, Vol. VII, No. 4, Page 99, 02/01/1848, contains responses to a number of questions on this subject:
    1. Do members in good standing have a right to Masonic interment or is it an honor conferred by his Lodge if it sees fit? - Usage varies by jurisdiction, but lodges generally may judge the propriety of such a request.
    2. Does a Lodge act unmasonically in interring one who is neither a sojourner, a foreigner, nor a member of any Lodge? - No; "the rule . . . does not restrict the privilege of Masonic burial to members of Lodges, foreigners and sojourners, but permits of its being extended to all Brethren who have rendered themselves worthy of it." The request may come from family or friends as well as from the Brother prior to his decease.
    3. What evidence of a deceased brother's "character and grade" is sufficient to warrant Masonic interment? - "Unimpeachable moral character, and a reputable standing among the Brethren and the community. . . Neither the character of the Lodge, nor the solemnity of the ceremony, must be put at hazard" by performing it on an unworthy Brother.
    4. Is any Mason required to participate if he feels the subject is unworthy? - No. "No Mason is bound to act the hypocrite; nor are his Brethren at liberty to force him into a situation where he cannot do otherwise."
    5. If the Worshipful Master orders that members participate, are any visitors also required to participate if the Master orders it? - No, unless there is some "special provision in the By-Laws of the Lodge, making it imperative upon him, we know of no regulation by which his attendance can be coerced . . . he cannot be compelled to violate his conscience by participating in solemn religious ceremonies to the honor of one whom he believes to be unworthy of them." Also, "The Master of the officiating Lodge has not any power to compel" members of other Lodges to attend or participate.
  • The reference to MFM, Vol. XXXII, may be spurious.
  • NEF, Vol. I, No. 5, 05/1874, refers to a situation in which a Master Mason who was also an Odd Fellow was to be interred with the rites of both orders; Brother Nickerson decries this practice, as the combination would result "generally in a ridiculous farce or a confused jumble, and almost invariably giving rise to jealous and ill-feeling, and leading to mutual crimination and re-crimination." The commentary argues that the Lodge's control of the proceedings should be absolute if it is to participate at all.
  • 1916-305, 09/13/1916, refers to remarks by Grand Master Melvin Johnson regarding the right of Masonic Burial. "It has been shown that the Right of Burial exists only when the request has been made by the decedent and communicated to his own Lodge. The Privilege of Burial exists in two other cases, viz.: First. If a Lodge, other than his own, is requested and voluntarily consents to perform the service: and Second. If the request has not been made by the decedent but does come from his family." Responses to inquiries appear on 1916-308, and further discussion appears on 1916-592, 12/13/1916.
  • 1920-181, 06/09/1920, refers to remarks by Grand Master Prince regarding the obligation of Lodge officers to perform Masonic funeral and burial services. He says in part, "The officers of a Lodge should consider it a solemn duty and sad privilege to officiate at the funeral of one of our Brethren. They should consider attendance upon this duty as binding as any other and the Brethren ought at least to show their respect for the Institution by giving a few moments of their time in attendance on the last rites over one whom they have been pleased to call their Brother."
  • 1930-279, 06/11/1930, refers to remarks by Grand Master Herbert W. Dean regarding a case in which a lodge had refused to perform a burial service. "The Master said he understood that the Brother had requested a Masonic funeral . . . The Master, instead of complying with the request as was his duty, told the Brother that it was almost impossible to get the Brethren to attend Masonic funerals . . . In attempting to justify his course, the Master stated his understanding that the Brother was not in good standing . . . Your Grand Master has spent many anxious and thoughtful hours considering whether or not it was his duty to suspend the Master . . . Mature deliberation has induced the decision not to do so but, instead, to withhold the Past Master's Diploma."
  • 1991-78, 06/12/1991, refers to remarks by Grand Master Darling regarding Masonic burials. "Always remember – a funeral service is to remember a departed Brother. Let his family know we care and share their grief and stand ready to help them in their hour of sorrow. It is not an ego trip for any Brother to be on before the public. Because many Lodges and members have the idea they should stand in front of the casket and block the view of those seated in the church or funeral parlor and thus exclude the family from seeing the service, I am requesting from now until further notice that only six Brothers be at the casket. Three at the head and three at the foot. All others should be seated or stand in the rear behind the mourners so as to not block their view."

Sec. 509. TRIALS: JURISDICTION OF LODGES FOR TRIAL

The Grand Lodge has original jurisdiction in all matters of Masonic discipline. A Lodge has concurrent original jurisdiction to institute proceedings before the Board of Commissioners of Trials: against a Brother who is a member thereof, or when the offense is alleged to have been committed against a member of said Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fifth, Section 4, IV-650: "Any Lodge may take cognizance of the conduct of any sojourning Brother or Brethren, not attached to any particular Lodge, upon a charge of unmasonic conduct."
  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:1, added 03/08/1876, 1876-11; "Any Lodge may, notwithstanding the provisions of this Article, proceed to try any Brother, subject to its jurisdiction, against whom such an accusation as is therein contemplated has been made, provided such Lodge, by a majority vote, at the next Stated Communication after the accusation shall have been presented, shall decide in favor of such a trial. In such case all the proceedings in respect to service upon the respondent, the time, place and method of trial, including the sentence, the record and the report to the Grand Lodge, shall conform to the foregoing rules, so far as the same shall be applicable."
  • GC1918: Section 511, 1918-392; "A Lodge has original jurisdiction to entertain proceedings against a Brother when
    • "(a) He is a member thereof;
    • "(b) The offense is alleged to have been committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lodge and the accused Brother is not a member of any Lodge having concurrent territorial jurisdiction; or
    • "(c) Service is made upon the accused Brother within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and it does not affirmatively appear that he is a member of a Lodge within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
  • GC1930: Section 510, 1930-144; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 510; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-175, 09/11/1974; amended by revision of (b) to "The offense is alleged to have been committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lodge" and the removal of (c).

References

  • IV-22, 06/14/1826, from a report regarding incorporation by lodges: "The Grand Lodge is the parent, the subordinate Lodge its child. These are different parties, though they may be considered in the full exercise of all the masonic affections, from the necessity of the case appear on the ground of equality of right before a tribunal of the uninitiated and uninformed; the Lodge to advocate its wishes and objects, the Grand Lodge to see that nothing is done directly subversive of the principles of masonry."
  • IV-37, 09/13/1826, from a report of a committee regarding consideration "whether any and if any what measures ought to be adopted to authorise the several subordinate Lodges of this jurisdiction to call to account any members of the Masonic fraternity who may be guilty of misconduct, and who are not members of any particular Lodge"; an indication that the Grand Lodge has jurisdiction over unaffiliated Masons, but that "the power always has existed — and always must exist — with all Lodges of Master Masons to take cognizance of the crimes and misdemeanors of any members of the masonic fraternity whether they be members of Lodges or not and that it is inexpedient for the Grand Lodge to make any law on the subject or to prescribe any rules for the government of the subordinate Lodges when they shall be called on to exercise this power, deeming it more advisable to leave it to the discretion of the Lodges, as the Grand Lodge has the supervising power and a final decision in all cases and provided there should be any inordinate exercise of power, the injured party have their remedy in the final decision of the Grand Lodge."
  • MFM, Vol. VI, No. 10, Page 303, 08/01/1847, refers to an inquiry regarding a Lodge's right and obligation to investigate charges of unmasonic conduct. The correspondent asks the following: "A Mason, who was for some time a member of this Lodge, demitted and has not since joined any other, is charged with unmasonic conduct toward this Lodge and some of its members; has been summoned to attend an investigation. He refuses to be tried by this Lodge, and claims to be under the jurisdiction of another, although his residence is the same as when a member of this. The censurable conduct is in reference to this Lodge, - the evidence is here. . . under the above circumstances, can we take the matter in hand, or shall we have to make our complaint known to the other Lodge, and require them to do so for us?" Brother Moore's answer was in part: "When you discharged the Brother in question from membership, or when you allowed him to 'demit', or withdraw, you . . . surrendered all control over him to the Lodge within whose jurisdiction he resides. . . Your most correct course is to prefer charges against him before the Lodge nearest his residence; or, the offence being against your Lodge, and he not being a member of any Lodge, you may carry the matter up tot he Grand Lodge, and ask to have a special commission appointed to try the charges."
  • MFM, Vol. VIII, No. 12, Page 355, 10/01/1849, refers to an inquiry regarding the power of a Lodge under Dispensation to conduct a trial for disorderly conduct. Brother Moore's response said, in part, that a Lodge under Dispensation is given the authority to "form and open a Lodge, after the manner of ancient free and accepted Masons, and therein to admit and make Masons," and nothing else; that if a petitioner becomes 'disorderly', the Grand Master could remove him, or he could be tried by a nearby chartered Lodge or the Grand Lodge.
  • MFM, Vol. XXIV, No. 11, 09/01/1865, Page 325, refers to the following comment on jurisprudence: "Lodges under Dispensation have no jurisdiction to try charges against the members composing it. Such charges must be presented to the Lodge from which the petitioners hailed at the time of issuing Dispensation, or the Grand Master."
  • 1916-861 refers to a portion of the lecture on Masonic Jurisprudence by Rt. Wor. Roscoe Pound regarding Masonic charges.
  • 1934-125, 09/12/1934, refers to commentary by Grand Master Chipman on Masonic offenses.
  • 1940-234, 09/11/1940, refers to commentary by Grand Master Perry on Masonic discipline. "Because of its tenets of mutual help and charitable tolerance it owes some duty to an erring Brother beyond its tenet of strict justice . . . {if} some discipline is required, it still must avoid an attitude of vindictiveness or inflexible retribution, and may need to give aid even in mitigation of unavoidable discipline. . . However, a spirit of charitable tolerance cannot safely be carried to a point which might be construed as condonation . . . The disciplinary machinery of the Lodge, or of the Grand Lodge, should be invoked very sparingly, and then only for the clear benefit of Freemasonry. Neither private interest nor public clamor should be allowed either to cause or to prevent Masonic discipline . . . No disciplinary act should be taken merely as an act of retribution."

Sec. 510. TRIALS: COMMISSIONERS OF TRIALS

The Grand Master is requested to appoint annually a Board of five Masons who are Past or Presiding Masters of Lodges and/or members of the Bar authorized to practice law within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to be styled Commissioners of Trials; but he may in his discretion appoint a Special Board of Commissioners for the trial of any given cause. The first-named of said Board shall be the Chairman thereof, and three members shall constitute a quorum. The vote of a majority of the members present shall suffice for the determination of any matter brought before the Board. A single member may take testimony. In the absence of the Chairman, the Board shall elect a Chairman pro tempore.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:1, IV-637; see following sections. Slightly modified 06/12/1878, 1878-49.
    • Vote of Grand Lodge, 03/10/1875, 1875-27; "That a committee of five be appointed to consider and report upon the expediency of adopting some plan whereby all Masonic trials shall be had before some Board or Commission of the Grand Lodge." The final version of this article was approved 03/08/1876, 1876-11, and includes the following text: "The Grand Master shall annually appoint a Board of five members of the Grand Lodge, to be styled Commissioners of Trials; but he may in his discretion appoint a Special Board of Commissioners for the trial of any given cause. All Commissioners shall be Past or Present Masters. The first named of said Board shall be the President thereof, and three members shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of the President the Board may elect a President pro tempore. Whenever a member of a Lodge, or a Brother under this jurisdiction, shall be accused of any offence, which, if proved, would subject him to expulsion or suspension from the rights and privileges of Masonry, the proceedings in the premises shall be conducted agreeably to the following rule (detailed in the article).
  • GC1918: Section 512, 1918-393; "The Grand Master is requested annually to appoint a Board of five Past or Present Masters of Lodges, to be styled Commissioners of Trials; but he may in his discretion appoint a Special Board of Commissioners for the trial of any given cause. The first-named of said Board shall be the President thereof, and three members shall constitute a quorum. A single member may take testimony. In the absence of the President, the Board shall elect a President pro tempore."
  • GC1930: Section 511, 1930-145; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918, with the addition of the following text: "The Grand Master is requested to appoint annually a Past Master of a Lodge to be styled Judge Advocate to perform such duties as may be delegated to him by the Grand Master. The Judge Advocate shall receive for his services, and for necessary expenses, such compensation as the Grand Master shall determine."
  • GC1953: Section 511; "The Grand Master is requested annually to appoint a Board of five Past or Present Masters of Lodges, to be styled Commissioners of Trials; but he may in his discretion appoint a Special Board of Commissioners for the trial of any given cause. The first-named of said Board shall be the President thereof, and three members shall constitute a quorum. A single member may take testimony. In the absence of the President, the Board shall elect a President pro tempore. The Grand Master is requested to appoint annually a Past Master of a Lodge to be styled Judge Advocate to perform such duties as may be delegated to him by the Grand Master. The Judge Advocate shall receive for his services, and for necessary expenses, such compensation as the Grand Master shall determine."

References

  • 1875-57, 1875-112, 1875-414 and 1875-421 refer to debates and proposals regarding the establishment of the Board of Commissioners of Trials, as detailed in the article referenced above.
  • 1876-8, 03/08/1876, refers to the report of the committee on the Grand Master's Address of December 1875; they noted that "The Grand Master has, in his address, alluded very fully to the matter of Masonic trials, the constantly increasing frequency of them, as the number of Lodges and the members of the Fraternity increase, and has pointed out the difficulties which seem necessarily to attend the trials of accused Brethren in their own Lodges; and we think that the members of the Grand Lodge must fully agree with him that some remedy for these difficulties is desirable."
  • 1910-47: see following sections.
  • 1918-323, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.
  • 1924-322, 06/11/1924, refers to the dismissal of a complaint by Roswell Lee Lodge against a Brother. It contains a statement "on principles and practice governing the conduct of hearings before the Commissioners."

Sec. 511. TRIALS: JUDGE ADVOCATE

The Grand Master is requested to appoint annually a Mason who is a Past or Presiding Master of a Lodge and/or a member of the Bar authorized to practice law within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be styled Judge Advocate, to perform such duties as may be delegated to him by the Grand Master. It shall be the responsibility of the Judge Advocate to prepare and present all matters of discipline brought before the Board of Commissioners of Trials. The Judge Advocate shall receive for his services, and for necessary expenses, such compensation as the Grand Master shall determine and allow upon the certificate of the Judge Advocate.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1930: The substance of this section is included in the preceding one in this revision.
  • GC1953: The substance of this section is included in the preceding one in this revision.

References

none.


Sec. 512. TRIALS: PROCEDURE

Whenever a Brother shall be accused of any offense which, if proved, might subject him to expulsion or suspension from the rights and privileges of Masonry, the proceedings shall be conducted agreeably to the following rules:

  • (a) The accusation shall be made in writing, with specifications of the offense, under the signature of a Master Mason. It shall be given to the Master of the Lodge having original jurisdiction under Sec. 509 (a) if any, and if none, under 509 (b), who shall summon his Lodge to act upon the accusation.
  • (b) If the Lodge having original jurisdiction by a majority vote of its members present determines that the accusation requires investigation, the accusation and specifications, together with notice of the action of the Lodge thereon, shall be forwarded to the Grand Secretary, who shall, under the direction of the Grand Master, transmit the same to the Judge Advocate.
  • (c) If the accusation does not come within the provisions of Sec. 509 (a) or 509 (b), or if it be presented directly to the Grand Lodge, such accusation and specifications shall be presented to the Grand Master, who may in his discretion cause the Grand Secretary to transmit the same to the Judge Advocate. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, if a Brother shall be accused of un-Masonic conduct by reason of his commission of a felony or other serious crime involving moral turpitude for which he has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction, he shall be subject to such discipline as the Grand Master may, in his discretion, choose to impose. The accused shall be deemed to have waived any right to a hearing or review unless within thirty (30) days after notice of the imposition of such discipline he shall have filed with the Grand Secretary a written request for a hearing or review by the Board of Trial Commissioners, in which event the matter shall be referred to the Judge Advocate for proceedings before the Board of Trial Commissioners, pending which proceedings any discipline previously imposed shall remain in full force and effect.
  • (d) Upon receipt of the accusation and specifications the Judge Advocate shall prepare a complaint reciting the charges and specifications and undertake the presentation of evidence to the Board of Trial Commissioners. He shall forward a copy of the complaint to the Chairman of the Board of Trial Commissioners and cause and cause the Grand Secretary to serve the accused with an attested copy of the complaint together with a summons, Commissioners which may be issued by any Commissioner, to make such answer in writing to the complaint as the accused may desire prior to a return date to be named in said summons. The summons shall be served upon the accused in hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to his last known residential address at least 30 days prior to such return date. If no residence of the accused is known, or if the accused fails to answer the complaint in writing prior to the return date, the Commissioners may proceed to examine the charges and specifications ex parte. The service and the return thereof in any case where no address of the accused is known shall be according to regulations to be made by the Commissioners, and, when so made, shall be conclusive.
  • (e) The written answer to the complaint shall be served by the accused in hand or by ordinary mail upon the Grand Secretary who shall promptly forward copies thereof to the Judge Advocate and the Chairman of the Board of Trial Commissioners.
  • (f) The examination upon the complaint shall be had at some convenient place and time to be designated by the Commissioners, of which due notice shall be given to the accused by the Grand Secretary, and no visitor shall be admitted except as counsel, or witness, or stenographer for the Commissioners, or the accused, provided that such stenographer is a Mason. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commissioners, the testimony may be taken by the Chairman, or Chairman pro tempore, or any member designated by him, who shall reduce the substance of the same to writing, to be submitted to the Board. Witnesses, if Masons, shall testify on their honor as such. Other witnesses shall be duly sworn before their testimony is taken. In the discretion of the Chairman or Chairman pro tempore, the proceedings may be recorded by any convenient means, including by audio-visual means.
  • (g) Each Commissioner shall have the power to issue a summons to any Mason then present or residing within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, commanding him to appear at said time and place and testify as a witness. A summons may be served by copy delivered in hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Witnesses summoned or appearing at the request of the Board or any Commissioner shall be paid their actual necessary traveling expenses.
  • (h) Any Brother duly authorized may appear as counsel in support of, or in opposition to, the complaint during the taking of the testimony and in the argument of the case.
  • (i) A report of the proceedings and summary of the facts in each case, including the findings and recommendation of the Commissioners thereon, shall be signed by the Commissioners acting in such case and shall be submitted to the Grand Master at least seven days before the Communication of Grand Lodge at which it is to be presented. The finding and recommendation of the Commissioners, if approved by Grand Lodge shall stand as the judgment of the Grand Lodge. The finding and recommendation of the Commissioners shall be subject to correction or review by the Grand Lodge, who may order a new trial or otherwise dispose of the case.
  • (j) A Brother aggrieved by the failure of a Lodge to determine that the accusation requires investigation may appeal to the Grand Master, who may, in his discretion, cause the accusation to be transmitted through the Grand Secretary to the Judge Advocate, who shall thereafter proceed in the same manner as above provided.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: This revision contains a substantially different text regarding procedure, trial and appeal, found in Part Third, 4:1 (IV-637).
    • This article was revised 06/11/1856, VI-26; 03/12/1873, 1873-13; and 03/08/1876, 1876-11, 1878-49, 1901-26 (proposed 1900-203).
    • Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47, as follows:
      • Replace "five members of the Grand Lodge" with "five Past or Present Masters of Lodges"; remove the sentence "All Commissioners shall be Past or Present Masters."
      • Replace "given in charge to the Master thereof" with "given in charge to the Recording Grand Secretary who shall, under the direction of the Grand Master, transmit the same to the Master thereof". '
      • Replace "given in charge to the President" with "given in charge to the Recording Grand Secretary who shall, under the direction of the Grand Master, transmit the same to the President".
      • Add to Rule I: "A Lodge or Brother aggrieved by the failure of a Lodge to determine that the charges require investigation may appeal to the Grand Master, who may, at his discretion, cause the charges to be transmitted to the President or President pro tempore of the Board, and the Board shall thereafter proceed in the same manner as above provided."
  • Grand Lodge Committee Report, 12/13/1871, 1871-266, regarding evidence at a trial. "We are firmly of the opinion, that where the exigencies of a case require the testimony of the Master of the Lodge to appear as a witness, and thus to leave his station in the East and take the required obligation, that official should not undertake to preside at the trial, but should delegate the duty of presiding to a Past Master, or, if necessary, invoke the assistance of the Deputy Grand Master of his District."
  • GC1918: Section 513, 1918-393; In this revision, the text is different, though the procedure and details are largely the same.
  • GC1930: Section 512, 1930-145; In this revision, the text is different, though the procedure and details are largely the same.
    • On 09/09/1936, the last sentence of section (g), which deals with testimony of witnesses, was amended to read: "Other witnesses shall be duly sworn before their testimony is taken or stenographer for the Commissioners or the respondent, provided that such stenographer is a Mason." (1936-168)
  • GC1953: Section 512; In this revision, the text is different, though the procedure and details are largely the same.

References

  • IV-37, 09/13/1826; see section above.
  • V-87, 09/09/1846: refers to a trial held by St. John's Lodge of Br. John H. Lord, noting that "If a man is accused of many offences a just Tribunal will only punish him for those of which he is found Guilty. Freemasons should always be just, but it is their peculiar characteristic that while measuring out justice they are never unmindful of charity and mercy." The length of suspension recommended by the Grand Lodge committee was rejected, but a further vote assigning him a different period was adopted.
  • 09/09/1846 and 10/14/1846 refer to the case of the clandestine United Brethren Lodge in 1846.
  • MFM Vol. VII, No. 11, Page 321, 09/01/1848, refers to questions regarding Masonic trials and expulsions.
  • 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. X, No. 3, 01/01/1851, Page 65, refers to commentary by Brother Moore with regard to proceedings by a lodge against a Brother. A number of disparate questions as to procedure and responsibility are answered.
  • MFM, Vol. XII, No. 12, 10/01/1853, Page 354, refers to an inquiry regarding disciplinary powers of lodges.
  • MFM, Vol. XII, No. 12, 10/01/1853, Page 384, refers to a short comment by Brother Moore which reads: "In answer to the inquiry of our correspondent in Lisbon, Ark., we beg to say, that a Lodge has an undoubted right to try a Brother under suspension, on any new charge of unmasonic conduct, and expel him if the offence warrant, without waiting for the expiration of the previous sentence."
  • MFM, Vol. XVIII, No. 11, 09/01/1859, Page 352, in response to an inquiry in the magazine: "In answer to N. L. B., Northport, Ala. - H., though not a member, may prefer charges against C. before the Lodge of which C. is a member, if he has sufficient cause for doing so; or he may request the appointment of a committee by the Lodge to investigate the subject of difference between them, and to report the result for the consideration of the Lodge."
  • MFM, Vol. XX, No. 5, 03/01/1861, Page 151, refers to a report from Maryland regarding the discovery that an expelled Mason had been admitted a member of a lodge and advanced to the Master's chair. The action was noted as a demonstration of the prerogative of the Grand Master to remove the offender, suspend him, and demand that he appear before a committee.
  • MFM, Vol. XX, No. 11, 09/01/1861, Page 331, refers to a portion of the address of the Grand Master of Vermont in January 1861, in which he provided an explanation for the suspension of a presiding Master.
  • MFM, Vol. XXIII, No. 6, 04/01/1864, Page 192, refers to several notes on Masonic jurisprudence; in particular, that a Lodge can try a Master Mason under suspension without restoring him, that it cannot try a Mason who has removed to another jurisdiction but must prefer charges against him elsewhere, and that it is the duty of a Brother to prefer charges himself.
  • VII-306 (1869-26), 03/10/1869, refers to proceedings by Jerusalem Lodge against a member who was convicted of certain offenses and discharged from membership. The Grand Lodge confirmed that the Lodge acted properly and referred it back to the lodge.
  • VII-363 (1869-64), 06/09/1869, refers to proceedings by Mount Zion Lodge against a member, but irregularity was noted. The committee report found problems with the process, but as the defendant pled guilty, "is therefore not now entitled to maintain such objections as to have them interposed in his behalf. In the hope that the observations herein submitted may lead to greater care and caution on the part of the Lodges in such proceedings, your committee recommend that the sentence . . . be confirmed."
  • 1870-119 refers to a trial held in Pacific Lodge against a particular Brother, but details a number of ways in which the proceedings were contrary to established procedure; the Grand Lodge refused to endorse the outcome.
  • 1871-82 refers to a trial held in Aurora Lodge, and whether the summons to the Brother was sufficient; he had refused to appear or employ counsel.
  • 1872-138 refers to a trial held in Solomon's Temple Lodge, in which the lodge did not properly inform members or the accused; Grand Lodge remanded the case back to the lodge for a new trial.
  • 1873-40 refers to the case of a Master of Blackstone River Lodge who conferred degrees upon a candidate who had previously been rejected by Olive Branch Lodge; he was summoned to appear before Grand Lodge but could not appear, and his testimony was presented based on an earlier deposition.
  • 1873-82, 09/10/1873, refers to a trial of a Brother in which evidence was questioned because it came from non-Masons.
  • 1873-115, 12/10/1873, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Nickerson regarding the suspension of the Master of a Lodge.
  • 1873-139, 12/10/1873, refers to a trial of a Brother in which the procedure and evidence was in question. The report included a statement regarding the definition of Masonic guilt on 1873-146.
  • 1874-42 and 1874-44, 06/10/1874, refers to a trial in which certain parts of the procedure were improperly reported, but the Grand Constitutions were strictly followed; the decision of the Lodge was upheld and the Brother was expelled.
  • 1874-47, 06/10/1874, refers to a trial in which a question of whether a majority or two-thirds vote was required to sustain the verdict; the committee reported that, in absence of regulation, a majority was required. "The undoubted rule of Massachusetts Practice is that a majority vote suffices both for conviction, and for the imposition of whatever sentence a Lodge is entitled to render. Until this well-established rule shall be purposely changed by the Grand Lodge, it must stand as the law of Massachusetts."
  • 1874-72, 09/09/1874, refers to a trial in which charges against the respondent were filed but it is not indicated whether he was "duly notified of the pending of the charges"; still, he was present at the trial and represented by counsel; "The record in this case is by no means properly made, being deficient in many of the particulars necessary to constitute an accurate statement of a Masonic trial, yet inasmuch as substantial justice appears to have been done, your committee respectfully recommend that the proceedings . . . be confirmed." Grand Lodge adopted the recommendation of the committee.
  • 1875-24, 03/10/1875, refers to a trial in which the Grand Lodge committee noted the following defects: that the service of notice of the trial was insufficient, and that there was insufficient evidence that the person wronged by the accused Brother was also a Master Mason (and therefore that the specific charge, of defrauding a Brother, could be proven). The report recommended remanding the case back to the Lodge for reconsideration. The Grand Lodge confirmed this recommendation.
    • 1875-106, 09/08/1875, revised the record in this case, by amending the report to include the omitted facts, and the Brother was expelled from the rights and privileges of Freemasonry.
  • 1876-124, 12/13/1876, refers to a report by the Board of Commissioners of Trials regarding accusations of embezzlement of Lodge funds. The committee made a recommendation that a defendant in a Masonic trial could not be convicted of a charge lesser than the accusation.
  • 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.
  • 1916-861 refers to a portion of the lecture on Masonic Jurisprudence by Rt. Wor. Roscoe Pound regarding Masonic charges.
  • 1918-323, 12/11/1918, refers to changes to GC1843 recommended just before the adoption of GC1918.
  • 1934-125, 09/12/1934, refers to commentary by Grand Master Chipman on Masonic offenses.

Sec. 513. TRIALS: IMPEACHMENT OF MASTER

Any five members of a Lodge, its District Deputy Grand Master, as the case may be, may impeach the Master of said Lodge before the Grand Master, who shall conduct such investigation of the charges as he determines appropriate; and if, in his opinion, they are well founded and of a character to justify the proceeding, may suspend the accused Master of such Lodge from his office and/or summon him to appear for trial before said Commissioners or such special Commissioners as the Grand Master may appoint. The foregoing rules, as far as the same shall be practicable, shall be observed in the trial of the Master of a Lodge before such Commissioners.

Earlier Revisions

  • Committee report on the 1843 National Masonic Convention:, IV-609, 09/10/1843: "The Committee fully agree with the Convention, that a subordinate Lodge has not the right to try its Master, but that he is amenable to the Gd. Lodge alone, and would therefore recommend a concurrence with this resolution."
  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:2, IV-638; "It shall not be competent for a Lodge to try its master. Any five members of the Lodge, or the District Deputy Grand Master, may, however, impeach him before the Grand Master, who shall order an investigation of the charges; and if, in his opinion, they are well founded, and of a character to justify the proceeding, he may suspend the delinquent and sum[m]on him to appear at the ensuing meeting of the Grand Lodge, to show cause why he should not be dealt with according to the regulations and usages in such cases established."
    • Amended 03/08/1876, 1876-13, to read: "Any five members of a Lodge, or the District Deputy Grand Master, may impeach the Master of said Lodge before the Grand Master, who shall order an investigation of the charges; and if, in his opinion, they are well founded and of a character to justify the proceeding, he may suspend the delinquent and summon him to appear for trial before said Commissioners, or such special Commissioners as the Grand Master may appoint. The foregoing rules, as far as the same shall be applicable, shall be observed in the trial of a Master of a Lodge before such Commissioners."
  • GC1918: Section 514, 1918-395
  • GC1930: Section 513, 1930-148
  • GC1953: Section 513

References

  • MFM, Vol. XX, No. 5, 03/01/1861, Page 151 and MFM, Vol. XX, No. 11, 09/01/1861, Page 331; see preceding section.
  • VII-159 (1867-21), 06/12/1867, refers to the suspension of the Master of Berkshire Lodge by the Grand Master, confirmed by a vote of the Grand Lodge. This brother was called before the Grand Lodge to answer the charges on 09/11/1867, VII-175; and after a report on this suspension, he was expelled on 12/11/1867, VII-205.
  • 1873-40, 06/11/1873 refers to the trial and suspension of the Master of a Lodge by the Grand Lodge. 1873-115, 12/10/1873, refers to remarks by Grand Master Gardner in regard to this matter. "Some weeks since complaint was made to me that the Master of one of our Lodges had contracted grossly intemperate habits, and that his conduct was so notorious as to bring great reproach upon the Fraternity. After due investigation of the charges I deemed it my duty to suspend him from office, and summoned him to appear at this Communication of the Grand Lodge 'to show cause why he should not be dealt with according to the regulations and usages in such cases established.' Accompanying my order to him I sent a private letter, presenting in the strongest terms the disgrace and danger in which his conduct would involve him, and entreating him to adopt and practise resolutions of reform ; at the same time promising, in case he followed my advice, to do all in my power to shield him from further disgrace, and aid him in his restoration to the confidence of his Brethren. He informs me that he has determined to follow my advice, and that he has kept his good resolutions for a time. Under these circumstances I recommend that he be continued on probation until the next Quarterly Communication, and that the order of the Grand Master in the premises remain in force until that Communication, unless sooner revoked by him."

Sec. 514. TRIALS: EXPENSES OF COMMISSIONERS

The Commissioners shall receive for their services and for necessary expenses in each case such compensation as the Grand Master shall determine and allow upon the certificate of the Commissioners.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:3, adopted 03/08/1876, 1876-14; "The Commissioners shall receive for their services, and for necessary expenses in each case, such compensation as the Grand Master shall determine and allow, upon the certificate of the Commissioners."
  • GC1918: Section 516, 1918-396
  • GC1930: Section 514, 1930-148
  • GC1953: Section 514

References

none.


Sec. 515. TRIALS: ORIGINAL JURISDICTION IN GRAND LODGE

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prevent the Grand Lodge from taking original jurisdiction in any case and proceeding according to any method which it may adopt, provided, however, that no action shall be taken against any Brother whose address is known without reasonable notice to him and an opportunity to appear and be heard in person or by Masonic counsel.

Earlier Revisions

References

  • V-92, 09/09/1846, refers to the case of the clandestine United Brethren Lodge in 1846.
  • 1927-31, 03/09/1927, procedure adopted by Grand Lodge by vote 1927-70, 03/09/1927; the Grand Secretary will notify each alleged delinquent by registered mail, at least thirty days before taking action; that if the Brother does not appeal for a hearing, his case will be handled by the Board of Commissioners of Trials; if no address is available, the Grand Lodge should deal with each case 'ex parte'.

Sec. 516. EFFECT OF DISCIPLINE IN OTHER MASONIC BODIES

An expulsion or suspension of a Brother from its membership by any Masonic body other than a Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over such Brother shall not operate as an expulsion or suspension from Masonry or from the Lodge of which he is a member, except that any Lodge may, for cause, suspend such Brother from its membership.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:3, IV-639; "An expulsion or suspension of a Brother from a Royal Arch Chapter or an Encampment of Knights Templars, shall not operate as an expulsion or suspension from the Lodge of which he is a member."
    • Amended 03/08/1876, 1876-14, Part Third, 4:4, to read: "An expulsion or suspension of a Brother from any Masonic Body other than a Lodge of Master Masons, or a Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over such Brother, shall not operate as an expulsion or suspension from Masonry, or from the Lodge of which he is a member."
    • Amended 06/12/1878, 1878-49, revised 09/11/1878, 1878-87; change to read "An expulsion or suspension of a Brother from any Masonic body other than a Lodge of Master Masons, or a Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over such Brother, shall not operate . . ."
    • Proposed 06/12/1895, 1895-127, adopted 09/11/1895, 1895-220; replace the words "or from the Lodge" with "or by the Lodge".
  • Address by the Grand Master, 06/14/1882, 1882-86; "The gravest part of this duty of maintaining the cohesion of Freemasonry devolves upon the Grand Lodge. In this view it inquires what are Masonic Institutions other than the Grand Lodges? They are understood to be regular and duly constituted organizations for the practice of Masonic mysteries, built upon the basis of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry, admitting none to initiation who are not already initiated into Masonry under the auspices of a regular Grand Lodge, who are eligible to membership only whilst they retain their Masonic character in such Grand Lodges, and who forfeit it when expelled from such Grand Lodges. The Grand Lodge does not charter them, regulate their ritual, or prescribe their legislation. So far as they are a Chapter, an Encampment, or a Council, they are independent Bodies. Because they are independent the Grand Lodge must .consider whether the allegiance they ask from the Fraternity will be injurious to that due to itself as the sovereign representative of the Fraternity. The Grand Lodge acts upon such independent Bodies as one nation acts on another, by treaties of fraternity and peace, or by declaring non-intercourse, or by absolute embargo; but on the members of these Bodies within its jurisdiction it acts directly with all the power of the whole of Free and Accepted Masonry of the jurisdiction. It is only by the tacit or direct consent of the Grand Lodge that such independent Bodies are permitted to seek for initiates or to make proselytes among the Lodges of its jurisdiction, or that any Mason in its allegiance is permitted to. enter or remain in the ranks of such a Body. When that is cut off such a Body must die. When the conduct of such an independent institution disturbs ancient landmarks, or interferes with the policy of the Grand Lodge in a way that jeopardizes the peace, harmony, or interests of her Masonic Fraternity, it is clearly the duty of the Grand Lodge to protect her landmarks and Fraternity adequately to the injury menaced, even by denouncing any further recognition of the Body, and by expelling all of her Masons who remain in the offending Body, should such a course be thought necessary."
  • GC1918: Section 517, 1918-396; In this revision, the last sentence includes the phrase "any Lodge may, for cause, discharge or suspend such Brother from its membership."
  • GC1930: Section 516, 1930-149; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 516; "An expulsion or suspension of a Brother by any Masonic body other than a Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over such Brother, shall not operate as an expulsion or suspension from Masonry, or from the Lodge of which he is a member, except that any Lodge may, for cause, discharge or suspend from its membership."
    • Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-175, 09/11/1974; amended by the deletion of the words "discharged or".

References

  • MFM, Vol. I, No. 2, Page 33, 12/01/1841, refers to commentary on a ruling by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, which reads: "Resolved, That an expulsion or suspension from an Encampment does not suspend or expel a Brother from a Blue Lodge, under the Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge." The principle of the resolution was supported by Brother Moore's reasoning.
  • IV-652: Unclear how this applies.
  • V-330, 06/12/1851, refers to the report on the "Supreme Council of the 33°, Southern Jurisdiction" in Louisiana, forming itself into a Grand Lodge, with which the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts refused to hold any Masonic communication, considering it clandestine.
  • VI-367, 03/13/1861, refers to a report of a committee regarding proceedings in King Solomon's Lodge on the separation of a Brother from the lodge, alleging that he was the cause of numerous black balls cast in ballots for applicants. It was concluded that "this G. Lodge has no jurisdiction over the membership of members in subordinate Lodges. . . In accordance with this principle this G. Lodge has heretofore refused to interfere with the just and proper prerogatives of subordinate Lodges in the respect."
  • MFM, Vol. XXVI, No. 5, 03/01/1867, Page 148, refers to the following note: "An expulsion or suspension by a Commandery does not affect the standing of the party in a Council, Chapter or Lodge; the same by a Council does not affect standing in a Chapter or Lodge, and the same by a Chapter does not affect standing in a Lodge. An expulsion or suspension by a Lodge is an expulsion or suspension in all other orders in Masonry; the same is true in Orders above a Chapter or Council."
  • 1869-46, 06/09/1869, refers to a report to Grand Lodge concerning the dispute between the Grand Lodge of Louisiana and the Grand Lodge of France, and the effect of Scottish Rite membership on recognition.
  • 1916-533, 09/13/1916, refers to a report to Grand Lodge concerning a dispute between a Brother and Mount Hollis Lodge.
  • 1916-576, 12/13/1916, refers to comments on the precedence of the Grand Master when appearing in "subsidiary" Masonic bodies.

Sec. 517. RESERVATION TO GRAND LODGE

No Lodge shall expel or suspend a member from the rights of Masonry.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:4, IV-639; "No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall suspend or expel a member from the rights of Masonry, for non-payment of dues. The penalty for such delinquency, shall be forfeiture or suspension of membership."
    • Amended 06/11/1856, VI-26, by inserting the word "highest" before "penalty" in the second sentence.
    • Proposed 06/12/1872, 1872-118, revised 12/11/1872, 1872-246, amended 03/12/1873, 1873-13, by adding the following text: "Which penalty shall not be imposed until the delinquent has been duly notified of the time when and place where action will be taken in his case. If the residence of the delinquent is out of the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, or unknown, no notice shall be required."
    • Amended 03/08/1876, 1876-14, Part Third, 4:5, to read: "No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall expel or suspend a member from the rights of Masonry."
  • GC1918: Section 518, 1918-397
  • GC1930: Section 517, 1930-149
  • GC1953: Section 517

References

  • VI-118, 06/10/1857, report of the Committee on By-Laws: "The Com. are aware that every Brother is bound to observe all Laws — Rules & Regulations of the Lodge of which he may be a member — but the infringement of these regulations cannot be punished further than a forfeiture of Membership, which is undoubtedly all that was intended, and should be so expressed. The Lodge itself can go no further — If however the offence be of such magnitude as to deserve Suspension or Expulsion, then a regular trial must be had in conformity with the Constitution of Gd Lodge and sent up to that Body for final action."
  • VII-113 (1866-47), 12/13/1866, refers to a review of the by-laws for a lodge applying for a charter, which includes a section that deals with quarrels between members; a committee would be appointed to investigate the matter and "if either shall continue to harbor unkind feelings after the other shall have made due and proper concessions, he shall be dealt with as a majority of the Lodge think proper." It was observed that no measure could be enforced to deprive a member of his rights; "the Lodge is no inquisitorial court to sit and decide upon the kind or unkind feelings of its members."
  • MFM, Vol. XXVI, No. 9, 07/01/1867, Page 257, refers to an extended discussion of suspensions, including contemporary citations from various Grand Lodges on the subject.
  • VII-452 (1869-128), 12/08/1869, refers to a review of the by-laws for a lodge applying for a charter, which includes "an unwarranted assumption of power in suspending and expelling without trial."
  • 1870-165, 09/14/1870, refers to a review of the by-laws for a lodge applying for a charter; the section that reads 'Any member who shall slander or abuse a Brother, or speak disrespectfully of the Craft,' &c, and defining the punishment. Your committee would amend, as a guide to the Lodge, by adding the words, 'in accordance with Article 4, page 25, Grand Constitutions.'
  • 1872-20, 03/13/1872, refers to a direction given by Grand Master Nickerson to a lodge seeking to discharge a member from Masonry due to non-payment of dues. "The action of the Lodge was calculated and intended to deprive the accused of important and valuable rights and privileges. By the common law in such a case, he would have been entitled to a distinct and specific notice of the time and place of trial, that he might appear and, if possible, avoid the penalty. Masons surely should guard each other's rights even more carefully. Your By-Law upon this subject requires the Secretary to notify the delinquent of his neglect or refusal to pay the annual dues for the space of one year, after they shall have become payable, but it does not require him to notify him of the time when the Lodge will consider the subject of the enforcement of the By-Law in his case. The last named proceeding, being in the nature of a trial, should be clearly and distinctly brought to the notice of the delinquent, in order that he may excuse and defend himself." By order of the Grand Master, the Brother was restored to membership.
  • 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 "proper notice" of its action to deprive membership for non-payment of dues.
  • 1914-177, 06/10/1914, refers to a report by the Committee on Charters and By-Laws, in which the committee noted that "in a number of amendments and codes . . . the words 'expulsion' and 'expelled' are used as a penalty for non-payment of dues. We respectfully call attention of those Lodges to the fact that 'expulsion' is the term applicable to the separation of members from the rights and privileges of Masonry."

Sec. 518. NOTICE OF DISCIPLINE

Suspension from membership shall not be imposed until the Brother has been duly notified of the time when and place where action will be taken in his case. If his residence is unknown, no notice shall be required.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Third, 4:6, Adopted 03/08/1876, 1876-14 to replace a section listed above; "Forfeiture or suspension of membership shall not be imposed until the delinquent has been duly notified of the time when and place where action will be taken in his case. If the residence of the delinquent is out of the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, or unknown, no notice shall be required."
    • Amended 03/09/1910, 1910-47; add the following text: "A Brother whose membership has been forfeited or suspended for non-payment of dues shall have no right to visit any Lodge in this jurisdiction until his dues have been paid or remitted."
  • GC1918: Section 519, 1918-397; "Discharge or suspension from membership shall not be imposed until the Brother has been duly notified of the time when, and place where. action will be taken in his case. If his residence is out of the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, or unknown, no notice shall be required."
  • GC1930: Section 518, 1930-149; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 518; "Discharge or Suspension from membership shall not be imposed until the Brother has been duly notified of the time when, and place where. action will be taken in his case. If his residence is out of the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, or unknown, no notice shall be required."
    • 'Proposed 1974-43, 03/13/1974; debated 1974-126, 06/12/1974; adopted 1974-176, 09/11/1974; amended by the deletion of the words "Discharge or".

References

  • 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.
  • 1872-21 refers to the case described in the previous section. The Grand Master recommended that a committee be established to review by laws.
  • 1872-118, 1872-246: see previous section.
  • 1916-533
  • By Laws VI

Sec. 519. UNSPECIFIED PENALTIES

A Lodge or Brother offending against any Landmark, law, regulation, or ancient established custom or usage of the Craft or of this Grand Lodge, to the breach of which no special penalty is attached, shall, at the discretion of the Grand Lodge, be subject to admonition, reprimand, suspension, or expulsion.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fifth, Section 21, IV-652; "A Lodge or Brother offending against any law or regulation of the Craft, or of the Grand Lodge, to the breach of which no penalty is attached, shall, at the discretion of the Grand Lodge, be subject to admonition, suspension, or expulsion."
    • Relocated 09/11/1895, 1895-221, to Part Third, 4:7; text remains as written.
  • GC1918: Section 520, 1918-397
  • GC1930: Section 519, 1930-149
  • GC1953: Section 519

References

  • 1920-91, 03/10/1920, refers to remarks by Grand Master Prince regarding secrecy. He said in part, "Every presiding Master should impress upon the initiate in the strongest terms that proselyt{iz}ing or exposing the action of the Lodge are Masonic offenses of a serious character and would subject the one found guilty of them to severe discipline."
  • 1934-121

Sec. 520. APPEALS

Any Brother who is aggrieved by a decision or action of any Lodge or other Masonic authority, other than the Grand Master, acting under this jurisdiction, may appeal to the Grand Lodge against such decision or action. The appeal must be made in writing, specifying the particular grievance complained of, and transmitted to the Grand Secretary to be received by him within thirty days after the decision or action appealed from. A notice and copy of the appeal shall also, and at the same time, be sent by the appellant to the party against whose decision or action the appeal is taken.The appeal shall be transmitted by the Grand Secretary to the Board of Commissioners of Trials and dealt with in accordance with the following rules:

  • (a) The Board of Commissioners of Trials shall meet and consider the substance of the appeal. In so doing, they may summons witnesses, consider written exhibits and take such testimony as they deem necessary. Notice of any hearing thereon shall be given by the Grand Secretary to the appellant and the party against whose decision or action the appeal was taken by certified mail, return receipt requested.
  • (b) Hearings may be held at the call of the Chairman, or in his absence, the Chairman pro tempore.
  • (c) All relevant provisions of Section 512 (f) through (i) shall apply to the proceedings.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1792: Section 9th, Item 3, II-10; "All differences that cannot be accommodated privately or made up in particular Lodges, are to be seriously considered and decided on in Grand Lodge; and if any Brother thinks himself aggrieved by the decision, he may appear at the Annual Grand Lodge next ensuing and

leave his appeal in writing with the Grand Master, Deputy or the Grand Wardens."

  • GC1843: Part Third, 5:1, IV-639; "As the Grand Lodge, when congregated, is a representation of every individual member of the Fraternity, it necessarily possesses a supreme superintending authority, and power of finally deciding on every case which concerns the interests of the Craft. any Brother, therefore, who may feel aggrieved by the decision of any Lodge, or other Masonic authority, acting under this jurisdiction, may appeal to the Grand Lodge against such decision. The appeal must be made in writing, specifying the particular grievance complained of, and be transmitted to the Grand Secretary, ten days, at least, before the ensuing meeting of the Grand Lodge. A notice and copy of the appeal must also, and at the same time, be sent by the appellant, to the party against whose decision the appeal is made."
    • Amended 09/11/1878, 1878-88, by removing the word "As" at the beginning of the first line; change "it necessarily possesses . . ." to "and necessarily possesses . . ." .
  • GC1918: Section 521, 1918-397; "Any Brother, who may feel aggrieved by the decision or action of any Lodge, or other Masonic authority, acting under this jurisdiction, may appeal to the Grand Lodge against such decision or act. The appeal must be made in writing, specifying the particular grievance complained of, and transmitted to the Grand Secretary to be received by him within thirty days after the decision or act appealed from. A notice and copy of the appeal shall also, and at the same time, be sent by the appellant to the party against whose decision or act the appeal is taken."
  • GC1930: Section 521, 1930-150; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
  • GC1953: Section 506; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.

References

  • MFM, Vol. VI, No. 8, 06/01/1847, Page 225, refers to an inquiry regarding restoration of an expelled Brother. "The right of appeal, in cases of discipline, from the decision of a subordinate Lodge to the Grand Lodge, is guaranteed to every Mason, by the ancient usages and laws of the Fraternity. And this right implies a power in the Grand Lodge to confirm, modify, or reverse, the decision of the subordinate. The Grand Lodge may cite the parlies to appear before, its own body ; or it may order a rehearing of the case before any Lodge, or committee of Masons, specially commissioned for the purpose ; and the decision so had, if confirmed, in Grand Lodge, is binding on all the parties."
  • MFM, Vol. VII, No. 11, 09/01/1848, Page 321, refers to a series of inquiries regarding expulsion and restoration proceedings.
  • MFM, Vol. XXIII, No. 6, 04/01/1864, Page 192, refers to a series of short inquiries regarding charges and trials.
  • VII-279, 1868-55, 12/29/1868, refers to the inaugural address of Grand Master Gardner: "The Grand Lodge is the Supreme Court of Appeal in all Masonic cases: and may be addressed by appeal, petition, or memorial, Inasmuch as it is the governing power in Masonry, the high court of last resort, every facility should be afforded to the members of the craft, and to its subordinates, to lay their grievances and complaints before it in accordance with the constitutions, and to give them patient hearing."
  • 1918-125, 06/12/1918, refers to an appeal on a ruling by the Master of Gate of the Temple Lodge.

Sec. 521. EFFECT OF DISCIPLINE, OR OF REINSTATEMENT OR RESTORATION BY GRAND LODGE

A Brother who is suspended or expelled by the Grand Lodge from the rights and privileges of Masonry thereby loses absolutely his membership in any Lodge in this jurisdiction to which he then belongs. Whenever the Grand Lodge reinstates a suspended Brother or restores an expelled Brother to the rights and privileges of Masonry, he shall not thereby be restored to membership within any Lodge of which he was formerly a member without its consent expressed by ballot as provided in Section 422 upon an application for membership, but shall have the status of a demitted Brother, except that when such suspension or expulsion is for non-payment of dues he may be readmitted to membership in his former Lodge by a majority vote in the manner provided in Section 507.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Third, 5:2, IV-640; "Whenever this Grand Lodge shall reverse or abrogate the decision of a subordinate Lodge, suspending or expelling a Brother, and shall restore him to the benefits and privileges of Masonry, he shall not thereby be restored to membership within the body from which he was suspended or expelled, without its unanimous consent."
    • Proposed 06/12/1878, 1878-44, revised 09/12/1878, 1878-87, to read: "Whenever the Grand Lodge shall restore to the rights and privileges of Masonry an expelled or suspended Brother he shall not thereby be restored to membership within the Lodge of which he was a member, without its unanimous consent."
    • Amended 09/13/1911, 1911-134, to read: "A Brother who is suspended from the rights and privileges of Masonry for a definite period thereby loses absolutely his membership in the Lodge to which he has belonged. Whenever this Grand Lodge shall reverse or abrogate the decision of a subordinate Lodge, suspending or expelling a Brother, and shall restore him to the benefits and privileges of Masonry, he shall not thereby be restored to membership within the body from which he was suspended or expelled, without its unanimous consent."
  • GC1918: Section 522, 1918-398; "A Brother who is expelled or suspended by the Grand Lodge from the rights and privileges of Masonry thereby loses absolutely his membership in any Lodge to which he then belongs. Whenever the Grand Lodge shall restore to the rights and privileges of Masonry an expelled or suspended Brother, he shall not thereby be restored to membership within any Lodge of which he was formerly a member without its consent expressed by ballot upon an application for membership, but shall have the status of a dimitted Brother."
  • GC1930: Section 521, 1930-149; In this revision, the text is the same as GC1918.
    • On 09/09/1936, this section was amended by appending the following sentence: "Except that when such expulsion of suspension is for non-payment of Grand Lodge dues, he may be restored to Lodge membership by a majority vote in the manner provided in Section 507." (1936-171)
  • GC1953: Section 521; "A Brother who is expelled or suspended by the Grand Lodge from the rights and privileges of Masonry thereby loses absolutely his membership in any Lodge to which he then belongs. Whenever the Grand Lodge reinstates a suspended Brother or restores an expelled Brother to the rights and privileges of Masonry, he shall not thereby be restored to membership within any Lodge of which he was formerly a member without its consent expressed by ballot upon an application for membership, but shall have the status of a dimitted Brother. Except that when such expulsion of suspension is for non-payment of Grand Lodge dues, he may be restored to Lodge membership by a majority vote in the manner provided in Section 507."

References

  • MFM, Vol. III, No. 4, 02/01/1844, refers to decisions by the Grand Lodge of Missouri at its annual convocation in October 1843:
    • "Resolved, that the Grand Lodge has no power to restore to membership an expelled Mason, whose expulsion was by a Lodge working under the jurisdiction of any other Grand Lodge."
    • "Resolved, That every Mason from abroad, applying for membership in any subordinate Lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, shall be required to present satisfactory evidence to such Lodge, that they have taken a regular demit from the Lodge of which they had been previously a member, or that such Lodge is no longer in existence."
  • VI-139 (1857-27) refers to a ruling by the Grand Lodge regarding the right of a lodge to suspend a Brother "during the pleasure of the Lodge"; the Grand Lodge determined that the lodge could not suspend the Brother at all.
  • 1913-85, 06/11/1913, refers to proceedings related to the McGrew case, involving a dispute with the Grand Lodge of California and the use of the term "leave to withdraw". This matter was revisited by Grand Master Melvin Johnson in 1915-266, 09/08/1915 and 1915-372, 12/08/1915, at which time Brother McGrew was restored to the rights and privileges of Freemasonry.
  • 1931-36, 03/11/1931, refers to remarks by Grand Master Herbert W. Dean regarding suspension and reinstatement. "A member suspended by the Lodge may be reinstated on payment of back dues by a majority vote of the Lodge. Reinstatement by Grand Lodge is much more difficult, and only places the Brother in the position of an unaffiliated Mason who must make a regular application before he can join any Lodge. . . I would urge the Lodges by the use of the Service Committee to have a personal interview with all those Brethren whom it is possible to reach before taking any action which might not be fair to the member. I would call the attention of the Masters to the fact that it is their duty to see that all amounts collected for Grand Lodge dues which are on hand on April 1st and June 1st should be sent in so that we may properly finance the affairs of the Grand Lodge."
  • 1936-121, 06/10/1936, refers to a ruling by Grand Master Allen regarding reinstatement of Brethren suspended for non-payment of Grand Lodge dues. He stated in part: "There would seem to be no valid reason why a Brother who has been suspended by Grand Lodge for non-payment of Grand Lodge dues and who has subsequently been restored by Grand Lodge to the rights and privileges of Masonry should not also be reinstated to his former membership in any Lodge to which he belonged at the time of his suspension upon the same terms as he can be reinstated following suspension by the Lodge for non-payment of Lodge dues; namely, a majority vote of his Lodge."

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