New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-05
MASONIC DEPARTMENT
CONDUCTED Ely THE GRAND LIBRARIAN OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF NETWORK.
THE RIGHT TO VISIT AND THE RIGHT TO
SEE THE CHARTER

"a
There is much confusion among the brethren
as 10 the right TO visit. 1t could easily be dis
nosed Of in the manner that the historian of Ire
land disposes of the description of snakes in the
famous chapter There are no snakes in Ire
land" There is no vested right" to visit any
sister lodge The reception of the third degree
in just and duly constituted lodge OF Master
Nasons and being in good and regular standing
4, the craft qualities brother 70 visit any
regular lodge. but each lodge is Masonic
family it has an inherent and rlefensbe right
:, conduct its own business, maintain It's own
harmony In its own way. even to the exclusion
Of visiting brethren already seated to say moth
Ing Of those seeking admission. 1t follows that
the admission OF visiting brethren. however
worthy and however welcome, as general thing
is, when properly considered, an act OF fraternal
courtesy. which may be granted or withheld as
circumstances may warrant, precisely on the
principle that mans house is his castle. and al
though courtesy may prompt him to answer the
doorbell he Will exercise his rights in admitting
or refusing an intending visitor. and this is eX-
actly the case with every Master Mason-he may
ring the doorbell. that Is. he may ask 10 be adj
mitted to any lodge. but every member Of that
lodge, of that particular Masonic household has
the undeniable privilege to refuse admttance.
there is absolutely no right" in this matter
whatever. And now as 10 the alleged right TO
examine the charter of lodge a brother desires
TO visit. The visitor asks the privilege of joining
In the labor OF a lodge. He practically says: Il
propose to myself the pleasure of visiting you
this evening, but before introducing myself 10
YOU be good enough TO exhibit the authority by
which you are now here assembled" Just as If
some coming to visit your home should de-
mand examination Of me deed or lease by
which you hold It. or Your visitor before taking
seat In your parlor. should demand the right
&c see your receipt for last months rent. How
many Of those VINO demand 10 see the charter of
your lodge are competent to Judge as TO its regu-
larity or genuineness?
r. the reader will endeavor TO measure In his
own mind the competency Of the brotherhood
generally including. as 1t does, all grades
OF intelligence to pass upon the validity OF
document submitted for cursory examination
ne will be able to form some idea Of the abb
surd,y of the whole proceeding. Most GER
talnly very many Of these charters are DID, d.
lapidated, often egible by long service, the old
fashioned wax seals gone and forgotten" the
signatures are faded and sometimes even OBJ
liberated Who can judge of It's being a just and
legal document. issued by the Competent Au-
thority OF. etc. Masonry can do great deal for
man In the way Of moral instruction and strong
Incentives to virtuous and upright life. but 1t
cannot give him powers God and Nature have
denied him, hence the examination Of the war;
rant Is as near an absurdity as any thing can be,
and furthermore it is the business Of visitor TO
know in advance that the body he proposes to
attend is genuine and not depend wits or a
skill he may not possess to discover the fact
Warrants ere the outcome Of our present Grand
Lodge system, hence their use must be gov
erned by thu regulations made by the several
and respective governing bodies. among which
none should he found to require the exhibition Of
the charter to any or all who may wish TO look
at 1t without having the slightest method or
knowledge to prove It's validity Let this nom
sense be abandoned and abolished altogether.
When the Grand Lodge shall meet at its next
regular annual convention the revision Of the
constitution will be brought before the governing
body, and this will be excellent chance to
weed out many OF these silly proceedings which
have from time TO time crcpt in and have been
allowed to remain without rhyme The
right" to visit Is stated distinctly enough; let
this fright" Of examining the charter be dis
tnctly" done away with.