The Principles of Masonic Law A Treatise on the Constitutional Laws, Usages and Landmarks of Freemasonry

The moral character is intended to secure the respectability of the Order, because, by the worthiness of its candidates, their virtuous deportment, and good reputation, will the...

The penalties of suspension and expulsion are terminated by restoration, which may take place either by the action of the lodge which inflicted them, or by that of the Grand Lodge.

The officers of a Grand Lodge may be divided into two classes, _essential_ and _accidental_, or, as they are more usually called, _Grand_ and _Subordinate_. The former of these...

When a Mason has reached the third degree, he becomes entitled to all the rights and privileges of Ancient Craft Masonry. These rights are extensive and complicated; and, like h...

In respect to the powers and privileges possessed by a lodge working under a warrant of constitution, we may say, as a general principle, that whatever it does possess is inhere...

Four officers, at least, the ancient customs of the craft require in every lodge; and they are consequently found throughout the globe. These are the Master, the two Wardens, an...

The safety of the minority, the preservation of harmony, and the dispatch of business, all require that there should be, in every well-regulated society, some rules and forms fo...

The old charges define a Lodge to be "a place where Masons assemble and work;" and also "that assembly, or duly organized society of Masons." The lecture on the first degree giv...

Having occupied the last chapter in a consideration of what constitute masonic crimes, it is next in order to inquire how these offenses are to be punished; and accordingly I pr...

Having thus discussed the penalties which are affixed to masonic offenses, we are next to inquire into the process of trial by which a lodge determines on the guilt or innocence...

In presenting to the fraternity a work on the Principles of Masonic Law, it is due to those for whom it is intended, that something should be said of the design with which it ha...

The foundation-stone, upon which the whole superstructure of masonic authority in the Grand Lodge is built, is to be found in that conditional clause annexed to the thirty-eight...

Grand Lodges under their present organization, are, in respect to the antiquity of the Order, of a comparatively modern date. We hear of no such bodies in the earlier ages of th...

I have already discussed the right of Past Masters to become members of a Grand Lodge, in a preceding part of this work,[87] and have there arrived at the conclusion that no suc...

In an inquiry into the rights of Entered Apprentices, we shall not be much assisted by the Ancient Constitutions, which, leaving the subject in the position in which usage had e...

An unaffiliated Mason is one who is not connected by membership with any lodge. There can be no doubt that such a position is contrary to the spirit of our institution, and that...

The division of wrongs, by the writers on municipal law, into private and public, or civil injuries and crimes and misdemeanors, does not apply to the jurisprudence of Freemason...

It is an indisputable fact that the "General Assembly" which met at York in 926 was composed of all the members of the fraternity who chose to repair to it; and it is equally ce...

It is evident, from what has already been said, that there are two kinds of lodges, each regular in itself, but each peculiar and distinct in its character. There are lodges wor...

The topic to be discussed in this section is, the answer to the question, How shall a Grand Lodge be established in any state or country where such a body has not previously exi...

Affiliation is defined to be the act by which a lodge receives a Mason among its members. A profane is said to be "initiated," but a Mason is "affiliated."[91]

To demit from a lodge is to resign one's membership, on which occasion a certificate of good standing and a release from all dues is given to the applicant, which is technically...

The penal jurisdiction of a lodge is that jurisdiction which it is authorized to exercise for the trial of masonic offenses, and the infliction of masonic punishment. It may be...

Every Mason, who has been tried and convicted by a lodge, has an inalienable right to appeal from that conviction, and from the sentence accompanying it, to the Grand Lodge.

In ancient times there were undoubtedly many rights attached to the second degree which have now become obsolete or been repealed; for formerly the great body of the fraternity...

Section I. Of the Moral Qualifications of Candidates. Section II. Of the Physical Qualifications of Candidates. Section III. Of the Intellectual Qualifications of Candidates. Se...

Section I. Of the Grand Master. Section II. The Deputy Grand Master. Section III. Of the Grand Wardens. Section IV. Of the Grand Treasurer. Section V. Of the Grand Secretary. Se...

Section I. Of the Order of Business. Section II. Of Appeals from the Decision of the Chair. Section III. Of the Mode of Taking the Question. Section IV. Of Adjournments. Section...

Section I. Of the Right of Membership. Section II. Of the Right of Visit. Section III. Of the Examination of Visitors. Section IV. Of Vouching for a Brother. Section V. Of the R...

Section I. Of the Officers in General. Section II. Of the Worshipful Master. Section III. Of the Wardens. Section IV. Of the Treasurer. Section V. Of the Secretary. Section VI....

Section I. General View. Section II. Of the Legislative Power of a Grand Lodge. Section III. Of the Judicial Power of a Grand Lodge. Section IV. Of the Executive Power of a Gran...