The clarion., 1886-04-21
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MASONIC LAW.

MASONIC LAW.
For the benefit OF the large number 0
the Masonic fraternity who read Tn
CLARION, We have condensed the Decision
Of the Grand Master, and the Reports o
Committee on Law and Jurisprudence, a
made 10 the Grand Lodge that convened il
Jackson in February last. They will b.
good reading even for the uninitiated
!. In answer TO query: j. it Masonic Il
rent out the stores on the first floor of !
building owned by tie Lodge, and th.
third story OF which is used as a Lodg,
room, for The retail Of Uin9us and spirit,loaa
Eqaorsf
ANswER-T Grand Master knows oil
no reason why any commercial business Oi
the country, recognized by the law o.
the land as lawful, should not be permitted
40 far as Masonic law is affected, in Tho
rooms owned by the Craft. Yei
the Grand Master would prefer that none
Of the Lodges in this Grand Jurisdiction
would permit their property to be used fnl
purposes from which harm to the public
morality does frequently result-Grand
Master j. b. Morgan.
=. When the Master votes and there j.
tie, he cannot vote again. When he
does not vote, and there is tie, he gives
the casting vote. p. II. We concur H.
the general statement Of the case, regard
ing the lrivilege If the Master, TO cast the
casting vote when there il tie vote in tn,
Lodge but in our Judgment, the Master il
not authorized 10 vote unless there is a tie
by voting when there is not tie, ht
defeats the objects to be attained by giving
to him the casting vote.
3. Proxies are not permitted in the bus
mess affairs OF a Lodge.
4. Any member representing an accused
brother, under Sec. 9, Rules for Trials,
must vote when the ballot is taken.
D. The degrees OF +. A. should not be con-
ferred on person elected to receive same.
where charge OF "swindling and lying"
has been preferred against the candidate.
by Master Mason. The charge should
be investigated. When report is made,
retake the ballot. If elected. proceed to
confer the degree otherwise, not.
8. A Masonic Body can meet in a hall
owned by different Order, aud il can own
a hall in conjunction with another or other
Bodies.
= A Masonic Body can permit other
Orders to meet in its hall, without dis
pensation.
s. The Senior Warden cannot call a
hittiiAIS Oi the lFthSt WITH sl hoASi lS-
fuses to do 20. This would put the 5. w.
above the w. NJ, and reverse every prin
ciple of Masonry.
9. The Master can refuse 10 call the
Lodge together when requested by several
brethren. This il c0nhded TO his discre-
tion.
10. A. b. was rejected ten years ago by
c. ID. Lodge Can he be elected by +. r.
Lodge and receive the degree without the
consent of G. ID. Lodge? This Grand
Lodge has held that he cannot.
II. "What Ladies are entitled To receive
the Daughters Degree?"
ANswER-The Grand Master is of the
opinion that there are no Ladies' De-
grees" known to Masonry, and when such
are given or conferred by Lodges. all per
sons should be given clearly to understand
that they have no connection with
Masonry.
H. Jurisdiction over an initiate cannot
be waived.
I3. A dimit connot be granted
on condition to be performed. The
granting OF dimit to brother on eondi
ton of removal to Texas was void, and
his membership was not affected thereby.
IL. When a Master Mason's daughter
or sister niarries a profane, she is entitled
w tllt HiOtNAAiNh NhN VI
joyed previous 10 marriage.
10. A Chapter Past Master is not au-
thorized 10 install the officers of a Lodge.
Chapter Past Masters are not recognized
by the Lodge.
16. The fact that the Master elect of a
Lodge has received the degree called
Past Master" in a Chapter, does not ex
empt him from compliance with all the
prerequisites TO installation as Master. Al
Blue Lodge Masons, we know nothing
whatever regarding the Chapter degrees.
IL. Section 4, BY Laws, requires officers
20 be installed on the Festival Of st. John,
the Evangelist, or as soon threafter as may
be practicable, or it may be done at an
Emergent Communication.
IS A member in refusing to attend his
Lodge, and using unmasonlc language, In
response 10 such request, has rendered
himself liable TO discipline Tor the I'M
proper lar rguagc. If summoned, and he
refused, he is liable to 6ecipl.ne on that
account also.
IL. A member under charges is entitled
TO vote on petition for membership. lie
loses none of his rights OF benefits until he
is found gully, and the penalty Is fixed By
vote of the Lodge.
20 Venue cannot be changed until the
case is "made up" This includes taking
the evidence of all the witnesses who can
not be admitted into the Lodge, and those
who are absent, so that their dpositions
have to be taken.
2I The Committee on Complaints and Of-
fences cannot judge of the competency or
relevancy OF testimony. All testimony oil
witnesses before them must.be taken down
and reported TO the Lodge.
% When a case is made up Tor trial, a
motion to acquit il not in order. The
trial should proceed, unless It is apparent
that no further proceedings ought TO be
had. when a motion To dismiss would be
permissible.
23 A brother under charges of having
attacked the motives of one of the Commit
tee on Complaints and Offences, and as
sailed him with improper Language, should
he not be required to retract IN open
Lodge or disciplined for unmasonic con-
duct? Answer: Ii the conduct and lam
guage was unmasonic, additional charges
should be preferred and the offender dis
ciplined. The brother, however. could
not be compelled to appear before the
Lodge and make retraction, but II he
chose to voluntarily appear before and
make amends for his misconduct the Lodge
would be the Judge as TO whether the ends
OF Masonic discipline were met by pro-
ceeding no further with the matter.
"a. A non affiliate who refuses to ap-
pear and testify at Masonic trial, on be
ing duly summoned, should hays
charges preferred against him, and i
found guilty, punishment should be IN
nicted according TO the offending.
25. A verdict Of acquittal is final, unless
appealed from, and the time for an apPeA
having expired, the brother acquitted can
not be re tried for the same offense. III M
persists in repeating slanderous statements
il would constitute a new oftense, and fo
that he may be tried.
&c. A Lodge does not forfeit its charte
by failure to meet Tor three successive
months.
27. Is it permissible for numSer o
brethren to meet outside of a regula
Lodge room and open Lodge Tor me pur
nose az instruction and to exemPiify IN
rork9 ASswER-If Is the privilege o
brethren to recife to each other the work au'
lectures. and make such physical illnstrs
s;ons ~ NAV be necessary for mutual in
.truetion. but there can be no organization
Of Macon. for that purpose. We under
stand the word aexemplification' az apptl
cable u Masonry, to be used In the sense
,ap.iIlnstration by example, and not merei
= reeital of the words. We did not TIM,
thar AN ersmp ;foafion other than a. aoov
indicated SHOULD be practiced except ~
part OF regular Lodge work under ~
direction OF responsible officers.
"a We-TCommitfee on Law and ; Jurii
prudtpce1--do not think that it would
wise or expedient to reduce the numb:
ne,esssrs 10 constitute q quorum IN ca'
ord;nata I>odre from seven TO three, wnle