Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-07-29
CONSTITUTION.
PREAMBLE.

For the purpose of effecting as much uni
formity as possible in the administration Of
the privileges, honors and benefits of the Or
der, within its jurisdiction, the Grand Lodge
of the state of Michigan, the supreme tribu-
nal of Odd Fellowship in this state, without
whose sanction and control no Lodge can ex-
ist within its limits, ordains the following
articles for the government of Subordinate
Lodges
ARTICLE l.
Lodges shall be constituted by at least five
members, two of whom shall have attained
the Scarlet Degree, and shall be hailed and
entitled - Lodge, No. -, I. o. o.
F., and shall possess the full power and priv
ileges of Subordinate Lodge, holding le-
gal, unreclaimed Dispensation or Charter
duly granted, and formally presented by the
Grand Lodge of the state of Michigan.
ARTICLE II-OF MEMBERSHIP.
SECTION 1-Admissions, dec.
CLAUSE /. No person shall be permitted
to become a member of any Lodge, unless
he be a free white male, not under twenty.
one years of age, of good moral character
who believes in Supreme Being, the Crea
tor and Preserver of the Universe; be free
from disease, and have some known reputable
means of support, not for a less sum thar
FIVE dollars.
CLAUSE 2. The name of person Offered
for initiation, must be proposed by member
in writing, stating his age, residence and bu
siness; which must be entered on record, anc
the subject referred to three brothers for in
vestigation, who shall report at the succeed
ing regular meeting, when the candidate
may be balloted for, with ball ballots, and i
no black ball appear against him, he shall bt
elected; but if two or more appear, he shal
be rejected and so declared. But to preven
mistakes which may occur, the balloting may
be gone into second time previous to the re
suit being declared. Should one black bal
appear the balloting shall be deferred on'
week.
CLAUSE 3. A brother who may have with
drawn from his Lodge, may be again admit
ted to membership by vote of his Lodge
and the payment of his dues from the tim,
of his withdrawal to the date of his read
mission. His card of clearance shall also b,
returned to the Lodge.
CLAUSE A. When candidate has beer
rejected, notice thereof shall be sent withou
delay to all the Lodges in the same and ad
joining counties; and no person so rejected
shall be again balloted for, in any Lodge, 70
the space of six months.
CLAUSE 5. A brother of the Order wish
ing to become member, shall present hi
card from the Lodge OF which he was
member, which shall be referred to com
mittee of three, and in all respects disposed
of as provided in Clause 2, for other appli
cants, and on being admitted, shall pay
sum not less than one dollar
CLAUSE 6. An Ancient Odd Fellow
whose card is out of date, or which ma,
have been lost, can be admitted as provided
in Clause 5, and paying into the "Lodg
Fund" sum not less than five dollars, con
forming to the Especial Directions" of tn
work of the Order, and to such other regula
tions as the N. G. may direct.
CLAUSE Z. A Lodge having elected
person to membership, who is prior to his ad
mission found to be unworthy, may refuse
initiate him--may reconsider their vote an
reject him.
SECTION 3 Contributions and Benefits.
CLAUSE /. The regular contributions t
the Lodge Fund shall not be at less rat
than ct cents per week, TO be determined b
the bylaws, as we'll as the amount for edr
cational fund and funeral tax; and the Lodg