The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-03-14

- VI = A<odzSs S1pyEGbs hAAlseAl 70 AoaF
Tdiscipline.
territory passes TO sister Lodges.
IL. II is the duty Of Lodge to give
brother Masonic burial who died from Tn
excessive use of intoxicating liquors. proc,
ded the brother was member of the Lodg
IN good standing at the time Of his death
and had short time prior to his decease, o
MS family Immediately after that event re
quested Masonic burial If Lodge fail
TO enforce its regulations against its mem
bers, for drunkenness, while living, it is too
late to begin it when they are dead.
Y. A Lodge he's the right to confer tn.
| third degree on a candidate on whom It haC
regularly (and but recently conferred the
former degrees, although the candidate had
removed into the Jurisdiction of sister
Lodge prior to taking the third degree
IL. A candidate for the +. 9. Degree, who
cannot write, must not be passed.
IA. A Worshipful Master should not ex-
clude a visiting brother from the Lodge upon
| the mere statement of a member that he OBJ
jects, unless the objecting brother is IN the
L0dge at the time of the ruling. TO war
rant such action upon the part of presi-
ding officer of a Lodge in the absence OF the
real objeetor, it is requisite that the reasons
upon which the objection is based must be
/ ESD''~DoANAA
deemed by him sufficient to exclude the APP
plicant.
| NoTE.-The foregoing Decisions are by the
Grand Master, approved by The Grand Lodge.
| TIE following are from the several reports Of
the Committee on Law and Jurisprudence.
Is. A w. NJ who has retired from
office, cannot sign any warrant, receipt or
| other paper, officially, although the order
was passed by the Lodge while he was pre-
VDak, H.
by the old officers, as they are presumed To
be made out on the 9th December.
16. In case where one member of
Lodge had killed another, the w. NJ. of
the Lodge was instructed to investigate the
matter at once, under Rule 1, and, if the
facts warrant, the brother should be sus-
pended, under Secs. II, u, without waiting
for the action of the courts. Masonic Lodges
should not be governed by the action of
courts Of law. 1t is the moral turpitude of
crimes that Masonry deals with, and not
with the technical decisions of courts. Many
guilty persons escape punishment through
bubbles, technicalities and uncertainties of
the law who would be unfit to be Masons.
IL. A Lodge cannot admit non-affiliate
to sit in it who has not paid dues to any
Lodge.
Is. The payment of one years dues can
not reinstate for five years delinquency.
49, Where a non-affiliate pays dues, the
Lodge may extend him the benefit of funer
al honors. If he does not so contribute, the
Lodge cannot bury him with Masonic hon
ors.
49, The families of nOn-affiliates have no
claims on the Lodge for charity. Those who
claim benefits must bear an equal share of
the burdens, or show willingness to do so.
20 1t is the prerogative of a Lodge, and
it is proper, to adjust personal difficulties be-
tween non-afiiliates arising within its Juris-
dction, even if they neglect or refuse to
contribute to the funds of the Lodge an
amount equal to the annual dues. Nom
affiliates are not held in very high esteem by
the Grand Lodge, nor by its subordinates;
still, under existing law, they are subject
while residing within our jurisdiction, to
discipline, and cur own self-respect requires
that the laws should be enforced against
them for crime or immoral conduct
81 If the W.. M. informs the Committee
on Complaints and Otfenses of an otense, 1t IS
their duty to investigate it, and if found to
be Of sufficient Importance, report 1t and
prefer charges The w. NJ. does not, en-
o11fcio, possess the right TO order them to
reach a conclusion. 1t is not the province
of the Committee to try the cause or
to pronounce sentence one way or the
other but simply to investigate the ma
ture Of the O4Iepse, and II probable cause
is found to exist, and they are regard
ed of sufficient Importance to report. The
Committee should be slow to discharge a
COMPLAINT made to it, so as to prevent q
trial IF Of a trivial character, or one
founded in malice, c. too small to be noticed,
they may well ignore it, but, rs a general
rule, il would be best to lay the mates De
fore the Lodge, that the parties to the diff
Guilty might be heard. If entirely innocent,
an Investigation would place the party, un-
Justly accused, in a proper light before the
fraternity. The Committee can prefer
charges simply on the assertion OF the Wor'.
Master.
% Testimony, taken in the absence of
an accused party is not legal, unless he had
notice of the time and place, or waived his
privilege
%. If the W.. M. is the accuser, be
cannot preside on the trial, and rule on tes-
tiInony,
"a. When charges are preferred without
investigation, a motion to refer back to the
Committee is in order 1t is the duty of
tbs Lodge to see that legal trial is had.
25. If eiectiopeering has been carried on
to prejudice the minds of the members
against brother accused, can he claim
change of venue? The accused I4ay ask
change of venue, and the Lodge should re-
a change of venue as right. Rule V lays
down the causes and conditions on which a
change of venue can be ordered.
%. A Master Mason's widow has pecuni-
ary transactions with a member of Lodge,
and believes that he does not act fairly with
her, and complains to the Committee on
COMPLAINTS and Offenses. 1t is the bounGea
duty OF the Committee to take cognizance of
the matter, to investigate the complaint
thoroughly, and see that justice Is done to
widow. She is helpless, and the surviving
brethren of the deceased husband should see
that she is not wronged.
81. An Entered Apprentice who has lost
an eve may be advanced. A person de-
priyed of either of the human senses of see
ing, feeling or hearng,is physically dlsqual-
fled for receiving the degrees in Masonry.
But the loss of one eye is said by opticians
and psychologists to strengthen the other
The rule should be construed literally, as we
deal in speculative Masonry only. If the
subject is capable of performing all the
duties and functions required OF HIM IN the
ritualistie theoretic and practical workings
of our Order, he ought to be permitted to
advance.
%. Can Lodge open and go ten miles and
bury a brother, and close without the char
ter being present? 1t is often done, and
no harm grows out of it. The charter Is
constructively present.
%. A w NJ. appointed to preside over
ALodge L. D., has not the right to preside
oY his own Lodge, after it has been char
tereN or any other Lodge, upon invitation,
ne ne n having been elected to preside over
q charteed Lodge. But under Sec. "A,
q Master 9lV arden presiding may invite any
L fompetent rotheT TO his assistance, but the
II * NJ or Warden is responsible for what
4 me.
I, Who What shield be done with Masons
e 80 Il in any nannar connected with q