MASONIC TRIALS
MiICHIGAN DIGEST:
A TREATISE UPON THE
saw and VrtItie of -Waooutir  tial,
WITH FORMS AND PRECEDENTS.
CONTAINING ALSO
A DIGEST OF THE DECISIONS OF THE GRAND MASTERS OF
MICHIGAN, APPROVED BY THE GRAND LODGE; THE RES OLUTIONS, ORDERS AND EDICTS, CONSTITUTION AND
BY-LAWS OF THE GRAND LODGE; A HISTORY OF
THE GRAND LODGE OF MICHIGAN; A COMPLETE
ROLL OF GRAND OFFICERS, FROM THE ORGANI     ZATION OF THE GRAND LODGE TO THE PRES     ENT  TIME; THE ANCIENT LANDMARKS
ANCIENT CONSTITUTIONS, CHARGES AND
REGULATIONS, AND AN APPENDIX OF
GENERAL FORMS.
BY HENRY M. 0OOK,
Put master; G. V. and L. of ichigan; E. T.
PONTIAC, MICH.:
PRNSS OF RANN & TURNER, GAZETTE OPmOI.
1869.
A
AND
0
o. 
Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1869,
BY HENRY M. LOOK,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for
the Eastern District of Michigan.
ERRATA.-On page 81, seventh line from the top, for "aentence,"
read decision.
On page 158, bottom line, for "reject," read recommend. 
TO THE
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE
OF
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
OF THE
STATE OF MICHIGAN,
I
DEDICATE THIS VOLUME
AS A
MARK OF ESTEEM FOR ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS,
OF
GRATITUDE FOR ITS FAVOR AND SUPPORT,
AND OF
V ENERATION FOR THOSE SUBLIME PRINCIPLES
WHICH IT HAS
ALWAYS
STEADFASTLY MAINTAINED.
f.,..           -,,~ t
-,       t... 
i,'. a, "  I? 
,, V    I,',,
I5 
t 
PREFACE.
In presenting to the Masonic fraternity a treatise upon
the LAW  AND PRACTICE OF MASONIC  TRIALS,  I have
attempted to supply what every intelligent craftsman
has long felt to be an absolute neces8ity. Established system
is everywhere necessary; and especially is it essential in the
administration of justice. To aid in securing this most
important result in the adjudication of Masonic causes,
and to systematize, to some extent, the modes of practice
and procedure in Masonic tribunals, is the object of this
volume. By a general adherence to a uniform practice
in the conduct of trials in subordinate lodges, a majority ot
the appeals which annually go up to the Grand Lodge, to
engross its time and encumber its records, would undoubtedly be prevented; for by far the greater number of them are
made for irregularity in practice, and not upon the merits.
The FORMS given in this work constitute one of its most
important features. They have been prepared with much
care, and have been made to conform to the most reliable
precedents, except where the former rule has been changed
by subsequent enactments; in which case they have been
adapted to the legislation of our Grand Lodge as now in
force.
The MICHIGAN DIGEST, which follows the treatise upon
Masonic Trials, comprehends all the settled and important
written legislation of this jurisdiction, with the decisions of 
PREFACE.
the Grand Masters and the rulings of the Grand Lodge in
the most important cases. By thus for the first time placing
our local law in the hands of the craft in a convenient and
orderly form, I trust I have contributed somewhat to their
convenience and profit, as well as lightened in some measure
the arduous labors of the Grand Masters, whose patience is
so often tried by the constant repetition of questions that
are already well settled.
The History of our Grand Lodge, and the Roll of Grand
Officers, have been prepared with especial reference to exactness of detail.
The Ancient Landmarks, Constitutions, and Charges, I
have deemed an essential adjunct to a work of this nature.
Soon after the preparation of this volume was begun, I
learned that Past Grand Master S. C. Coffinbury was contemplating a similar work.  I immediately, with a view of perfecting a mutuai understanding, opened a correspondence
with him, in the course of which I said to him, that my respect for his greater age and attainments prompted me to
leave the adjustment of the matter entirely to him, and that
I should yield a cheerful conformity to his wishes, however
he might decide. To this he responded with a courtesy and
magnanimity which I take pride in recording,
"I most cheerfully surrender to you the field.  You are
comparatively young: I am closing a life, and have preform
ed my part, as well as I could, in the Order. I could not reconcile myself in interposing obstacles in the way of your
laudable efforts. Therefore proceed with your publication,
and may success attend it."
Upon this I continued my labors; but I should be ungrateful if I failed here to properly acknowledge that
kindness of spirit and nobleness of heart which have
touched not me alone, but all the craft; which have
cheered so often the social circle, brightened the mystic
VI. 
PREFACE.
bonds of fraternity, and shone with no borrowed lustre from
the Oriental Chair.
My acknowledgements are due to Grand Master A. T.
Metcalf, tbr many valuable suggestions; to Grand Secretary
James Fenton, for his kindness in l)lacing at my disposal the
records of the O,'der, and his patient assistance in searching
their more difficult portions; to P. G. H. P. Cudworth, for
many ancient works and documents; and to various distinguished brethren for numerous other Masonic and literary
favors.
The principal works which have been consulted are those
of Oliver, iMorris, M tickey, Pike, Chase, Mitclell, Lockwood,
Wel)b, and Sickels, and the minutes of the principal Grand
Lodges.
And now into your hands, my Brethren, I commit the
fruit of a season of pleasant labor, with the hope that that
labor shall prove to hlave been not altogether in vain. Some
of the subjects here treate I are surrounded with peculiar
difficulties. To assume that they have all been handled
without error, would be to claim what no mortal ever yet
achieved. I only ask for this volume such favorable judgment as you shall deem, after impartial examination, it justly merits. I especially request that you will not base your
opinion upon a few detached paragraphs, or a single chapter,
but judge of it as a whole. The arch is never complete until the key-stone is in place; and no book can be properly
judged until its last chapter is read, and compared with all
that precedes it, that the complete idea of the writer may
appear.
HENRY M. LOOK.
PONTIAC, November 22d, 1869.
vn. 
CONTENI'S.
MASONIC TRIALS.
PRELIMINARY CHAPTER......................................... 11
I. OF THE OFFENSE..................................... 14
What are Masonic Offenses, 14.  Of what  offenses Masonry
will, and of what it will not, take cognizance. 14-16-27. At   torney at Law, 16. Specification of particular offenses, 17-18.
II. OF THE TRIBUNAL............................................ 20
What are Masonic Tribunals, 20. How and of whom  they
must be constituted. 20-21-28. At what communication and
upon what deg. trial must begin and proceed, 21. Presence
of visitors, 21. Powers of W. M. in trials, 20-2-23. Powers
of Wardens, 23. Who may preside, 23.
III. OF THE JURISDICTION........................................  25
What it is, 25. Territorial jurisdiction, 25. Personal juris   diction, 26. W. M. exempt, 26. G. M. exempt, 27. Lodge
has exclusive jurisdiction as to violations of by-laws, etc., 27.
E. A. and F. C., 27. Reference to lodge of which offender is
a member, 27. Non- affiliants 25-26. Sojourners, 28  Mason
under suspension, 28. Punishment by court of law no bar.
28.  No wrong without a remedy, 29.
IV. OF THE CHARGES............................................ 30
Must be written, 30. Must be clear and certain, 30. Oral
charges unlawful, 31. Amendment of charges, 31. Who may
prefer, 31-32. When to be read, 30. Who subject to, 33. W.
M. may dismiss, 33. Form of, 33-35-36. For non-pa) ment of
dues, 36. Service of summons and copy on accused, 37-38-39.
Form of summons, 37. Certificate of service, 38. Accuser
may choose, or W. M. appoint counsel, 39. Who may act as
counsel, 39-45. Status of Mason under charges, 39.
V. OF THE ANSWER........................................... 40
Should be in writing, 40. May deny jurisdiction, 41. Form 
CONTENTS.
of denial, 41. Miay denlly validity of charges, 40. Formn of
dlenial, 42. Answer as to mierits, 43-44-45, Forms ofAnswercs,
43-44-45. Accused may choose, or W. M. apl)point counsel    who mluay be counsel, 45.  Mason under suspension can only
appear by agent or counsel, 46.
V I. OF TIIE PPoors..................................................................... 4
May be before lodge or Commissioners, 47.  Notice to Cont    missioners, 47. Objection to, and removal of Comrmissioners,
48. Notice to attend before Commissioners, 49. Rules of ev    idlence, 49-50-51.  Summtns to wvitness, 52-53.  Proofs to be
written, 48-53.  Who competent witness, 51-52. Report of
Commissioners, 53-54 —5. Accused may explain, 56.
VII. Or THE Aoru..tExT............................................................. 5,
VIII. OI TIFE DEL IB              ERTIO...................................................... 59
IX. Or TiHE JU-DG.E.NT................................................................ 62
Who may be present, 62. Vote should be by ballot, 62. Ilow
ballot take, 63. Two-thirds niajority required to convict, 64.
X. OF THE PEFA                LTY.....................................................................
The three Masonic penalties, 65. Expulsion, and its effects,
66. Suspension, and its effects, 68. Reprimiand, 69. No pun    ishment lawful without due trial, 70-71. Striking from roll
unlawful, 71. Exclcion, 1.  Orlder of blaliot, 72. i3ajori    ties requirecd, 72. Penalty im discretion of lodge, 72. Effect
of failure to inflict anypenalty, 73. 1.ecoIrding of vote, 73-74.
Notice of judgumeut and sentence, 74-f. Notice to (. L., 74.
XI. OF APELs.......................................................................... 76
Right of Appeal, o6. AVheb  to be t ken, 7.  Notice of, 77.
Secretary's return, 7,S. Foim oi appeaI, (S.  Answer to up
peal, 80. No apipcal fiom Al. M. to lodge, 81-82-83. No al    peal froum ballot for degreesor   iembership, 84. Trial ofap    peal in G. L., 1. Mattoes  forms, S).  New evidence onl
appeal, 86.  Notice of new proof, 8. Coturt of appeals, 87.
Appeal front G. M. to G. L. 8  Action of (. LT. or appeal.
89. Status of accused in certsin cts, i 8.
XII. OF N~.w TrIL.................................................................. 0
When ordered, 90. Procecdiigsn upo,   91-9 i -9A..M. nmay
dlismiss case if not prosecuted,t 9.-).  fow nuew trial obtain    e(l, 93. H-ow lodge may graLt, (,.
XIII. Or RESTORIATION................................................................ 94
Wlhat it is, and how granted, 94. By act of law, 9t.  By act
of the lodge, 95. Petition for, 97. By act of G. I., 99.
XIV. OF GA.NO LonC- oE TRIALS..................................................   105,
L.,,  bhow eemposed, is body corporate, 100,,.[urisdlietion of
IX. 
G. L., l  1.  Charg   against a lodg,,e, 10$.  Char ges again,st
W. M., 108.  Order of G. M. arresting charter, 110.  Order of
G. M. suspending W. M., 111.  Proofs, counsel, 111. Appli   cation for new trial, 113.  Order of G-. M. for new trial, 114.
SITPPLE.IENTARY CIIAPTER.......................................................... 5
Powers of G. MI. in trials and apl)peals, 115. Review of the
ancient law, 116 to 121.  Inl what cases appeals may be taken
to 6        n. M., and when to 6. L. 121-122.
MIICHIGAN DIGEST.
)DECISION'S oT' TItE G.AND MASTERS..........................a.................. 1
Explanatory note, 125.  G. M. Wni. M. Fenton, 126.  G. M.
J. Adams Allen, 127.  G. M. Francis Darrow, 137.  G.  M.
Lovell Moore, 137. G. M. S. C. Coffinbury, 14-12.
STAXNDING RE-SOTTTTON,'S, F':TC., OF G. L. OF MICT...................... 149
CONSTITU TION.......................                                   161l
BY-L  wS......................1. 17
ROLL OF OFFTCETIS.............................. 181
AN,CIEN-T LAND.ARK:S Orl FREF.-MiASONRY...................................... 194
ANCIENT CO-STITUTION.S................................................ 204
AxCIENT CH.nrsGE....................................................................... 212
APPENDI-x OF (oFE'AL Fou-Ms..................................................... 221
X,
OT Y ~T.N - 
MASONIC TRPIALS.
PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.
This work is not designed as a commentary UpO]
the general system of AIasonic Jurisprudence, but
upon a particular departmient of that system.  It is
to the La(iv of -31tsoiic Offenses, and of Practice and
Procedtre i)t llasoitic Trials, that  the author will
confine his present inquiries; and in this field he
dlesignis to be as concise as shall be consistent withl
thoroughlness.  As incident to the miain subject, lhe
niust necessarily treat of all those principles, rules,
formis and proceedings which relate to the Offense,
the Tribunal, the Trial and the Punishment.
WYIhile a multitude of books have beeln wvritten
upoIn Masonic Law, the subject of 3fasonic Trials
has never been treated in detail.  The  powers of
Lodges and of Grand Lodges, the prerogatives of'
3Iasters and WTardens, the qualifications of candidates, 
MASONIC TRIALS.
and all questions of executive and legislative policy,
have been elaborately and ably considered, while this
vastly important and interesting department has been
scarcely touched. It has generally been disposed of
in a single chapter, occupying, in some instances, but
a single page.
As a consequence, the most painful uncertainty and
confusion have prevailed in the conduct of Masonic
trials. No settled system of practice and procedure has
been adhered to, for the reason that there has been no
systematic treatise upon the subject. Yet there is no
portion of our system upon which more vital interests
depend than this, for upon the proper administration
of Masonic justice, hang the honor and well-being of
the Order. To this end a full understanding of the
nature and definition of Masonic offenses is not alone
necessary; settled rules of practice and procedure,
and well defined forms and precedents, as well as a
knowledge of the rules of evidence, and methods of
proof, are also required.
It is therefore with a view to systematize, in some
degree, our Masonic Judiciary, by placing in the
hands of the craft a convenient book of reference in
this regard, that this treatise is undertaken. No
attempt will be made to press the individual opinions
of the author, except as they shall be sustained by
established law and usage.  No principle or rule will
be asserted except uponI authority of the ablest
authors, or the decision of the highest Masonic
tribunals.  T( collect, collate, and reduce to some
12 
PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.
definite form and order that learning which is now
floating here and there in indiscriminate fragments,
will be the main object of the writer.
The subject naturally falls into the following order,
and will accordingly be so treated, viz:
1. Of the Offense.
2. Of the Tribunal.
3. Of the Jurisdiction.
4. Of the Charges.
5. Of the Answer.
6. Of the Proofs.
7. Of the Argument.
8. Of the Deliberation.
9. Of the JudgTment.
10. Of the Penalty.
11. Of Appeals.
12. Of New Trials.
13. Of Restoration.
14. Of Grand Lodge Trials.
All the forms necessary to be used in the course of
Masonic  trials are inserted  in  their appropriate
connection in the body of the work.  The advantage
of their being thus placed in immediate relation to
the text will, it is believed, be apparent to every one.
13 
I.
OF THE OFFENSE.
Every violation, by a MIason, of his Masonic
obligations, or of the established laws, usages and
customs of the fraternity, every violation of the moral
law, and  every violation  of  the  municipal  law
involving moral turpitude, is a Masonic offense, for
which the offender may, upon due conviction, be
subjected to such lawfiil punishment as the tribunal
having jurisdiction in the case shall adjudge.
But Masonry will not takle  cognizance of those
offenses which are merely ecclesiastical or political in
their nature, because, as ali institution, she ignores
all sectarian opinions and controversies, and all
questions of state policy. She recognizes every de
facto government, gives the freest latitude to partisan
and political sentiment, and dwells a peaceful subject
under the flag of every civilized nation upon earth.
She accords the same freedom to every man's religious
opinions, so long as he acknowledges the existence
and  sovereignty of  God, and  yields  a practical
1. 
O)   TI L    O']FE.N7 E.
obedience to the moral law; biut that liimit he sitst )lot
pa,s, under pen-altv of banishment from the Order.
Theref{clre herelsy, schis indin  apostasy, are not
Atasonic offenses, iunless they amounut to a violation of
one or more of the three great duties which a Mason
owes to his God, his neighbor and himself.  Neither
are treasoln andlcl rebellion, in and of themselves, subjects
of Masonic discipline, for the reason that they are of
a purely political character.  Unless they also involve
9ioial tt?i)it-,tde, the  Masonic jurisdiction will not
attach.  It was this principle, -which has been so long
settled and so universally adhered to, that saved
from dissolution the lodges of England, France and
Germany,  during  their  intestine  struggles,  and
the various Colonial lodges during the American
Revolution.  Otherwise every Mason in the United
Colonies in 1776 would have been subject to expulsion,
and every lodge to a forfeiture of its warrant by the
Grand Lodges of Eingland and Scotland, under whose
jurisdiction thley were at the time. The spirit of
Freemasonry dwells in a region above and beyond
the ambition of kings and the craft of politicians;
in a region whlere miere forms of government are
ullheeded, where the wrangling of parties is not heard,
and the soound of battle never comes.  Yet disloyalty
and rebellion are always to be discountenanced, and
every mason is enjoined to" conform with cheerfulness
to the government of the country in which he lives."
(See the Ancient Charges of 1722, No. 2.)
Masonry wvill not take cognizance of a breach of
15 
I MAS$ONIC TRIALS.
contract or agreement between a Mason and a l)rolfaine,
nor between one Mason and anothler, unless involving
moral turpitude in the offender.  Masonic tril)unals
do not assume to adjust mere legal rights.
A violation of the municipal Jawr, or tlhe lat of the
land, is a Masonic offense, provided it be i'Ul) ti', so,
and not merely naluim p)rohibitton -it must be anl evil
in itself, and not merely wrong because prohibited by
law.  For instance, murder, arsonl, assault, larceny,
adultery, forgery and  counterfeiting,  are Masonic
offenses, because they are not only violations of the
municipal law, but are also evils in themselves.  But
a violation of the game laws, practicing a profession
without license, or issuing unstamped notes or receipts,
although in direct violation of the public statutes, are
offenses of which Mlasonry will take no cognizance, Ibr
the reason that they are only   1),a lprohibita.
Masonry  punishes  certain  public  crimnes  and
misdemeanors, not because they are violations of the
law of the land, but because they are violations of
the law of Masonry.  The MIasonic tribunals do not
assume, in any sense, to administer the public criminal
code. Our Masonic Criminal Jurisprudence is based
solely upon the peculiar laws and landmarks of the
Masonic institution, and upon that sublime system of
morality given by God Himself.
An attorney at  law, who  is a Mason,  is not
chargeable with unmasonic conduct if, in instituting
proceedings against a brother, whether affiliant or
non-affiliant, he fails to forewarn the brother of the
16 
OF TIIE OFFENSE,
same.  He has no  rilght to prejudice the lawful
interests of his client, which might be the result in
numerous cases, if the opposite rule should prevail.
There is no rule of Masonic usage which prohibits a
Mason, who is an attorney, from taking a fee and
conducting a suit or prosecution against a brother
Master Mason.  A MIaster Mason is not bound, in
any instance, to protect or shield a brother in'wrong
or dishonesty, especially not in crime. (Decisions of
G. M. Nos. 50 and 79.)
The following are some (but by no means all) of
the more flagrant Masonic offenses, viz:
All public crimes and nmisdemeanors involving
moral turpitude.
Gambling and profligacy.
Drunkenness.  (Coust. of G. L., Art. 6, Sec. 13.)
Profanity and blasphemy.
Slacnder and backbiting.
Fighting and brawling.
Duelling.
Improper revelations.
Undue solicitations for candidates.
Over-zealous arguments with tle enemies of Masonry.
Disobedience of superiors, or contemptuous lan
guage toward them.
Expression of contemptuous opinioins of the institution of Masonry.
All counteinance of impostors.
17 
M  ASONIC TRIALS.
MaIsonic  commuinion with  clandestine  Masons.
(CoIst. of G. IL., Art. 6, Sec. 16.)
Visiting irregiilar or (lanIdestine lodoes.
Unlseemilly conduct in tile lodge.
Aluse of thie ballot.  (Decisions of G. MI. No. 87.)
Atalfeasance in office.
D)efrauiding, or wronging a Mason, or a Masonic
lodg,e.
Adul'tery, aind all lascivious association, whether
witl  thie relative of a  Master  Miason, or with  a
strangei.  (Decisions  of G. M. No. 78.)
An,y \violation whatever of the technical p)arts or
points of the several  tasonic obligations.
Vi)latio,n o' tlie particular  injunctions  of  the
r'tual, oi of any of tihe Laindmarks of Masonry.
Viol ation of the Constitutition, laws, edicts, rules,
1)-aws  or regulatLions of the Grand  Lodge, or of a
nibordiiiate iodg'e by a m-ember thereof.
Visiting, or attemp)ting  to visit, a lodge, while
under sentence of suspension or expulsion.
Use of intoxicating liquors in lodge-rooms, or at
lodg,e commiunications.   (Const. of G. L., Art. 6, Sec.
14.)
Non-1paylcent of d(lues.
Cruiel treatiment of wIife, chilh-, or other memnber of
one's family.
Inunihumnlty to iniferiors and dcependents, whether
i1asons or not.
Contempt for God and religion.
Athleism.
1-8 
OF THE OFFENSE.
Other particular Masonic offenses might be specified
almost without limit, but the general rules and priinciples already laid down, with the various specifications
given, will, we think, be sufficient to enable any
brother having a tolerable knowledge of those fundamental ideas upon which our Masonic institution is
based, to determine at once whether any given act is
or is not a Masonic offenlse.
19 
II.
OF THE TRIBUNAL.
None  but a strictly Masonic tribunal can take
judicial cognizance of a Masonic offense. The only
judicial tribunals known in ancient craft Masonry,
are Lodges and Grand Lodges. True, the Grand
Master and the Worshipful Master have certain important prerogatives, some of them of a semi-judicial
nature, which they may exercise when the regular
body is not in session; but every act which either of
them may perform in that behalf is subject to review
by the body whose instrument they are. Neither of
them is in any sense a court. He cannot adjudicate;
he cannot try, sentence nor punish. Whatever action
he may take in his single official capacity, as touching a li,asonic trial, is only of a preliminary, incidental
or interlocutory character. It does not and cannot
reach the merits of the case. The ultimate judicial
power rests only in the Lodge or the Grand Lodge.
A lodge must be regularly chartered and duly
constituted, its officers elected and installed, and in all 
OF THIFE TRIBUNAL.
respects a regular working lodge, before it can hear
or determine a Masonic trial. Lodges under dispensation have no judicial powers whatever. (Decisions
of G. M., Nos. 44 and 68.)
Charges cannot be presented nor received, nor any
proceedings taken in a Masonic trial at any other
than a regular communication, and the lodge must be
open upon the highest degree to which the accused
has attained. The trial must begin at a regular
communication; but after it is thus begun it may
continue at special communications called for that
purpose, which would, in such case, be considered only
as a continuation of the regular. Some authors hold
that the trial may begin at a special communication
called for that purpose, but the weight of authority is
in favor of the rule as above stated. (Res. of G. L.,
No. 23.)
The presence of visitors ought not to be permitted
during any portion of a Masonic trial, and certainly
not during the consideration and discussion of the
charges.
The lodge, while sitting for the trial of a cause, is
in every sense a judicial body, of which the Worshipful Master is the presiding head. No business of a
general or legislative character should be introduced
while the trial is under immediate consideration.
Every member of the lodge in good standing is authorized to sit upon the trial, and ought to be present.
While so sitting he should remember that he is acting,
not in his ordinary Masonic capacity, but as one of a
21 
TMASONITC TRIALS.
bench of judges.  In his hands are placed, for the
time being, the dearest and most vital interests of the
accused, and every trace of prejudice or partiality
should be banished from his breast until the case
shall reach its final conclusion. If, on account of
any deep personal interest in the case, or any peculiar
enlistment of his passions, he thinks himself unable
to hear and judge with the strictest impartiality, he
should so state; and thereupon the lodge may, by vote,
excuse him from sitting in the case.
The Worshipful Master presides at the trial, as at
every other lodge proceeding. He has authority to
decide all points of order, and all questions relating
to the legality or regularity of any service, paper or
proceeding in the case, to allow or forbid amendments
and continuances, to admit or exclude evidence, and
control debate. No appeal can be taken from his
decision to the lodge, in case he shall rule erroneously,
but he is responsible to the Grand Lodge for any
abuse of these powers, as in all other cases.  He may
take the sense of the lodge as to each of the matters
aforesaid, if hle so prefer, but their vote will be only
advisory, and the power to decide will still be with
himself.
But let it be remembered that the exercise of these
powers of the Worshipful Master cannot be so far
extended as to touch the merits of the case.  His
prerogative extends to all incidental matters, but the
merits must be left to the mnain body of the court,
namely, the lodge.
22 
OF THE TRiBUNAL.
It is also the right of the Worshipfuil Master to
appoint all committees, commissioners or counsel that
may be required in the course of the trial, and to
preside at all meetings of said commissioners or
committees.  The accused may, either in person or by
his counsel, object to any appointment so made, and
the Worshipful Master shall decide upon the sufficien cy of such objection.
The tribunal must consist solely of Master Masons;
and from this rule there can be no departure.
The Master may call any Past Master temporarily
to the chair during a trial, and such brother, while
in the chair, may exercise all the powers of the
Master; he being considered, during that time, the
immediate agent of the Master.
In case of the absence, death or inability of the
Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden succeeds to
all his powers and duties. In case of the absence,
death or inability of both the Master and Senior, the
Junior Warden succeeds to the chair in like manner.
The acts of either of the Wardens are in such case
the acts, in legal contemplation, of the Worshipful
Master; the Warden so acting is, for the time being,
the Worshipful Master. But if the Master and both
Wardens be absent, no lodge can be opened, nor any
proceedings whatever taken. A Warden has no right
to call a special communication of the lodge, open
the same and proceed to business, while his superior
officer is at home in the same village; (Decisions of
G. M., No. 74.) but any action he may take in any
2'o' 
4MASONIC TRIALS.
trial or lodge proceeding by the lawful direction of
his superior, will be lawful.
A Past Master cannot open the lodge and preside
unless either the Worshipful Master or one of the
Wardens be present; nor then without the direction
or consent of the proper officer.
24 
III.
OF THE JURISDICTION.
The penal jurisdiction of a lodge is that power
which it constitutionally possesses to take judicial
cognizance of Masonic offenses, and to prosecute andl
punish for the same. This jurisdiction is two-fold;
territorial and persotal.  It is territorial, as existing
within certain geographical limits; and personal, as
attaching to certain persons, wheresoever they may
he dispersed.
The territorial jurisdiction of a lodge is bounded by
the geographical center between it and conItiguous
lodges, except in cities and villages having more than
one lodge, and in case of lodges adjacent to state
lines. Where there are two or more lodges in any
city or village, they have concurrent jurisdiction,
extending at least to the limits of such city or village
(Const. of G. L., Art. 5, Sec. 5;) and in no case does
the territorial jurisdiction of a lodge extend beyond
the boundary of the state. A lodge has penal jurisdiction over all Masons within these limits, whether
I 
-IASONIC TRIALS.
affiliated or non-affiliated, no matter of what lodge
they may be members.  (Const. of G. L., Art. 5,
Sec. 13.)
The personal jurisdiction of a lodge extends to
every one of its own members, wheresoever he may
be upon the face of the globe. The allegiance of a
Mason to his own lodge is indefeasible; and so long
as his membership continues, he is amenable to its
laws and subject to its power.  Thus a Mason who
resides beyond the jurisdiction of his own lodge is
subject to two concurrent jurisdictions, namely, the
territorial jurisdiction of the lodge where he resides,
and the personal jurisdiction of his own lodge. But
trial, conviction and punishment under either of
these jurisdictions would exempt him from the like
proceedings under the other; upon the principle that
a Mason cannot be twice punished for the same Masonic offense.
But there is one person who is absolutely exempt
from the penal jurisdiction of his lodge. That person
is the Worshipful Master.  He cannot be tried by his
lodge. IHis lodge cannot resist his orders nor questionl his authority in its own body. Its only redress
is by preferring charges against him in the Grand
Lodge. To that supreme body, and to that alone,
(or to the Grand Master in the interim) he is responsible for his acts while in office.  Not only is he
exempt from discipline in his own lodge while in
office, but his lodge cannot, after his retirement fromn
office, try or punish him for any act committed by
26 
OF TIIE JURISDICTION.
him while ill office.  The Grand Lodge holds perpetual jurisdiction over his official term.
The Grand Ataster, lwhile in office, is also in like
nanner exempt from the penal jurisdiction of the
hubordinate lodge of which he is a member.
Every lodge has exclusive jurisdiction in all eases
of violation of its own by-laws  and  regulations.
This is a portion of its own personal jurisdiction,
which never becomes concurrent with that territorial
jurisdiction which a foreign lodge acquires by-the
residence of a Mason within its limits.
Although  our Grand  Lodge has recommended
(18.)87) that in cases where the jurisdiction is territorial merely, the subject be referred to the lodge of
which the offending brother is a member, yet such
reference is merely a matter of courtesy, and may be
made or not, as circumstances shall require. But
notice should always be given to such lodge of any
proceedings actually taken.
A lodge has the same jurisdiction over Entered
Apprentices and Fellow Crafts that it has over
Master Masons.  Every lodge of Master Masons has
authority over all the degrees which it has power to
confer; and as it makes Entered Apprentices and
Fellow Crafts, it may, upon sufficient cause, try and
expel them.
Masonry takes no judicial cognizance of the acts
or offenses of a candidate committed before his initiation. If, after his initiation, he demeans himself
worthily and honorably, Masonic charity veils the
27 
IFASONIC TPIALS.
past, and rejoicingly aids ill his reformation.  (Decisions of G. MA., No. 23.)
A Mason under sentence of suspension is still sutbject to the penal jurisdiction of the lodge.  For a
repetition of the offense for which he was suspended,
or for any other unimasonic conduct, hlie miay be tried,
and (if the offense justify it) expelled from all the
rights and benefits of Masonry, by the lodge having
jurisdiction over him.
Sojourners, whether affiliated or not, are subject
to penal jurisdiction inii like manner as other MaSOis.
There are but three ways by whi,ch a Masoii caii be
placed beyond the reach of Mlasoniic discipline; namely, b) death, by insanity (which is mental death) and
by expulsion.
WThere a trial is likely to result in expulsion, it
should be prosecuted in the lodge in preference to the
higher bodies, for the reason that a sentence of expulsion in the lodge has the effect of expelling the
culprit froim the lodge itself, aiid also from all the
deg,rees and bodies of Masonry above the lodge;
whereas the same sentence, if passed by a higher
body, would not affect his standing in the lodge, but
only in the body where it was passed, and those above.
The punishment of a Miason for crime by a court
of law, wvill not bar a Masonic prosecution for the
same crime.  The two jurisdictions are strangers to
each other. The legal tribunal, as has been intimated,
inflicts a legal punishment for the public offense; the
28  
IV.
OF THE CIHAPRGES.
The preliminary questions as to the Offense, the
Tributnal and the Jurisdiction having been settled,
the  C'haryges are next to be considered, and will
demand our careful and somnewhlat protracted attention.
The charges (or every portion thereof proper to le
written) must always be made in writing, sign     ed by
the accuser, filed with the Secretary of the lodge, and
read by that officer at the next regrular communication
after such filing.
The offense mnust be charged with clearness and
certainty, and time, place, persons and particulars
must be distinctly specified; for every defendant is
entitled to know  with definiteness the nature and
substance of the accusation against him, in order that
he may prepare for his defense.
A  general charge of unmiasonic conduct, without
specifications, ought not to be entertained by the
Worshipfil Master.  Pencil  writing, if clear and 
OF THE CHARGES.
distinct, mtay be admissible, but as a general rule in
matters of such Masonic importance it should be
exclTuded. A loose, vague and general charge ought
not to be received even in writing. If the case
appears one of probability, the Master may direct
that proper charges be preferred. (Decisions of G.
M., No. 26.)
Mere oral charges can never be received in any
case. Every particular of the offense proper to be
written must be embodied, filed and read in due form,
and upon the appearance of the accused those portions improper to be written must be fully stated and
explained to him in open lodge, in order that he, as
-well as the lodge, may be particularly informed as to
the whole matter.
After the charges have been read as aforesaid by
the Secretary they become the property of the lodge,
and they cannot thereafter be amended either in
word or spirit except upon consent in open lodge, and
with the full knowledge and consent of the accused.
It is far better, if the charges be materially defective,
to begin the prosecution de novo, by the filing of new
Charges, than to exercise any doubtful powers of
amendment.  True, the ruling of the Worshipful
Mlaster, however erroneous, is law for the time being;
but in case of review upon appeal to the Grand Lodge,
a vast amount of trouble and inconvenience might
result from his not being sustained.
Charges for offenses committed while the lodge is
at labor, sh-ould be introduced by the Senior Wardell;
31 
MASONIC TRIALI,S.
those for offenses committed at any other time, by the
Junior Warden; but should either of said officers
neglect to introduce the charges, they may be introduced by any member of the lodge in good standing.
The charges ought to be preferred by a member of
the lodge, whether the by-laws so require or not.
Although this is not in all the states an absolute
requirement, yet it is the almost universal practice,
and by far the better one.
A profane cannot prefer charges against a Mason;
neither can a Masonll who is under sentence of suspension or expulsion, or non-affiliated. (Res. of G.
L., No. 34.) The accuser must always be a Master
Mason in good standing.  (Decisions of G. M. No. 86.)
If facts are known to a profane, or to a Mason not
qualified to prefer charges, involving an offense for
which charges ought to be introduced, they may be
communicated to any Mason who is qualified to prefer
charges, and who, upon such information, may prepare and introduce the charges in due form; or the
Worshipful Master may instruct one of his Wardens
so to do.
If charges are p)referred, or complaint made to the
WVorshipful AMaster, against an officer of the lodge,
for unmasonic conduct, the Master may, in his discretion, suspend the accused at once from his office;
and if the offense is an aggravated one, as gross
intoxication or immorality, or a high crime or misdemeanor, he ought to do so.  (Decisions of G. M.,
:No. 43.)
32 
OF THIE CHARGES.
Charges may be preferred against a Mason who is
under sentence of suspension, and upon such charges
he nmay be tried by his lodge for offenses committed
subsequent to the sentence, or for a repetition of the
offense for which he was suspended, and, if found
guilty, expelled.  It is not necessary that the delinquent be re-instated in order to enable the Lodge to
take this action.  (Decisions of G. M., No. 83.)
The AVorshipful Master has the right, after charges
are preferred in writing, and after examining them
carefully, to declare them insufficient, and refuse to
proceed to trial upon them.   He ought not to entertain frivolous charges, or such as do not showv clearly,
if proven, a Masonic offense.  (Decisions of G. M.,
No. 90.)  If he is in doubt  as to the sufficiency or
competency of charges, it is proper for him to take
the opinioni of the lodge upon the subject by a vote;
but such opinion is merely advisory, and is of no legal
force upon  the WAVorshipful Master, who  is alone
responsible in the premises.   He is acting as the
presidinog head of a legal tribunal.  (Decisions of G.
M., No. 91.)
FORMI OF CHAPGES.
To the Worshipful M'aster-, Wardens and Brethren
ofi...... Lodge, No...., of Free and Accepted Masons.
Brother A. B., a Master Mason (or F. C., or E. A.')
of (here state the residence, membership, affiliation,
non-affiliation, or other  masonic  standing of  the
accutsed) is hereby charged with unmasonic conduct,
ill this, to-wit:
33 
rAsoNic TRIALS.
pecifiecatiol  1-That the said A.  B., on the......
day of......A. L. 58..., at the town (village or city)
of...... ill the county of....., State of....., did violently assault and strike Brother C. D.
Specification 2-That the said A. B., on the day
and at the place aforesaid, did speak and use toward
the said Brother C. D. the following scandalous and
insulting language, to wit: (here set out the words
used.)
Specification 3-That the said A. B., on the day
and at the place aforesaid, did, in presence and hearing of several persons, speak and utter of and
concerning the said Brother C. I)., the following
slanderous and malicious words, to wit: (here set out
the words.)
All of which acts of the said A. B. were in violation of his duties and obligations as a Mason, and to
the injury of the said C. D., as well as to the scandal
and disgrace of the Masonic fraternity; wherefore it
is demanded that the said A. B. be put upon trial
therefor, aud dealt with according to Masonic law
and usage.
Dated.........A. L., 58...
C.......D.......... Accuser.
If the charges are introduced by either of the
Wardens, they should sign them  in their official
capacity.
All names should be written in full, if known.
Specifications should be added for each separate
state of fatcts constituting a Masonic  offense, with
reasonable certainty as to time, place, and other
particulars.
34 
FOR.If OF SPECIFICATIONS FOR DRUN]ENNF,q.
1. That the said A. B., on the....day of......, A.
L. 58.., at....., in the county of....., State of.....
was in a state of gross intoxication, from the initemperate use of spirituous and intoxicating liquors.
2. That the said A. B., on the......day of....., A.
L. 58..., at......in the county of....., State of.....
and for a long time previous thereto, to wit: for......
yealrs last past, and at divers other places in the said
county and State, and notwithstanding the frequent
warnings and admonitions of the officers and brethren
of this lodge, was addicted to the excessive use of
intoxicating liquors, and to the evil habit of frequent
and gross intoxication and drunkenness.
FORM OF SPECIFICATION FOR THEFT.
That the said A. B., on the......day of......, A. L.
58..., at......, in the county of....., State of....., di(l
wilfully steal and take from Brother C. D. (or Mr.
C. D.) of....., twenty dollars in money.  (If the
theft be of other property than money, describe the
property.)
FORM OF SPECIFICATION FOR FRAUD.
That the said A. B., on the......day of....., A. L.
58..., at......, in the county of....., State of'...., did
wilfully cheat, wrong and defraud Brother C. D. hy
making to said C. D. certain false and frauduleut
representations concerning a certain horse which lie
then and there sold to the said C. D., and which the
said C. D. was by means of said false representations
then and there iniduced to buy, and to pay therefor a
large sum of money, to wit: the sumi of oie hulldred(
dollars; which   eil)reseltations were  that the sai(d
OP  TH-', C'ITARGA. —q 
QMASONIC TRIALS.
horse was sound, true and kind, when in fact the said
horse was not such, as the said A. B. well knew.
Where the offense is non-payment of dues, regular
charges must be preferred in the usual manner.  A
mistaken impression prevails in the minds of many
\fasons, that for inon-payment of dues a brother may
be suspended simply by a vote or resolution of the
lodge, without the introduction of charges or any
formi of trial. Charges must be preferred, and due
trial and conviction had, the same as for any other
MAasonic offense.  (Res. of G. L. No. 19; Decisions
of G. M. No. 52.)
FORMf OF CIIARGES FOR NON-PAYMENT OF DUES.
To the WAVorshipftil Maaster, Wardens and Brethren
(f.....Lodge, No..., of Free and Accepted Mlasolhs.
Brother A. B., a Mlaster iAlason, and a member of
this lodge, is hereby charged with unmasonic conduct
i il fiwfulv lviolating Section...... of the By-Laws of
Illiis lodge, in this, to wit:
,S})ccificatioit-That  the said A. B., being jutstly
ilnd(el)ted to this lodge for his anInual dues, accruing
under said section, for the years...... and......, and
l)eing  able to p)ay the same, has  neglected and
refilsed, and still neglects and refuses to pay the
same, or any part thereof, although payment of the
samie has been often demanded.
All of which is in violation of his duties and obli,itions as a Maison, and to the wrong and injury of
this )lod(ge; ihlerefore it is demanded that the said A.
B. bI)e put  l)upon his trial therefor, and dealt witl
acecor(ling to 3[asonic law and usage.
1)ated.........A. LJ. 58....
('.)......., Acuser.
i
36 
OF TIIE CHARGES.
When charges are preferred for violation of any
provision of the Constitution or by-laws, the article
or section violated should be specified with particularity, as well as the facts of the violation.
The charges and specific,,tions having been filed
with the Secretary, and read by him  at the next
regular communication thereafter, a true copy thereof
is to be served upon the accused, together with a
sumnmons requiring him to appear and answer.  A
resolution to that effect having been duly passed, it
is the duty of the Secretary to make the copy an(l
i.luc the sumlons; which summons may be Illae(l
returnable at any subsequent regular communicatioln,
as the lodge shall determine.
FORM OF SUMMONS, TO BE ACCOMIPANIEI) WLITII  A
COPY OF TIIE CHARGES AND SPECIFICATION.i.
To Brother A. B., of......
You are hereby summoned and required to appear
at the regular communication of..... Lodge, No..., of
Free and accepted Masons, to be held at its Lodge
Room at......, in the county of.....State of....., oil
-the......day of....., A. L., 58..., at......o'clock P. M.,
theni and there to make answer to charges and specifications now onl file against you in said lod(ge, a trutc
copy of which charges and specifications is hereto
annexed.
Dated.........A. L. 58...
By order of the Lodge,
.- E F.........., Secretarv.
Seal 
of the
Lodge. )
37 
M MASONIC TRIALS.
Tile  summolis and copy may be served by ainy
MIaster Mason, but it is the common practice for the
Secretary to make the service, unless there are reasons
to prevent.  The service must be made at least ten
days previous to the day of trial (or return) mentioned
in the summons, and a written certificate of such
service, specifvinig the time and place thereof, should
be filed by the person making the same.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.
1, G. H., do hereby certify that onl the......d (ly of
......, A. L. 58..., at.....in the county of....., State
of......, I served personally (or at his last known
place of residence) upon Brother A. B. a true copy
of the charges and specifications filed against him iii
...... Lodge, No...., of Free and Accepted MAasons, on
the......    day of....., A. L. 58..., by C. D., accuser,
accompanied by the summons of said lodge, under
the seal thereof; requiring him to appear and answver
said charges and specifications at the regular communication of said lodge to be held onl the......day
of.....A. L. 58...
Dated.... A. L. 58...
G.........
If the charges and summons are served by the
Secretary, he should execute the foregoing certificate
in his official capacity.
The service must be personal if the residence of
the accused is known to the Secretary, or can be
found upon due inquiry; but if his residence is not
known, or cannot be ascertained, then the service may
be at his last klnown place of residence.  When the
38 
OF THE CHARGES.
accused resides beyond the jurisdiction of the lodge
in whlich the charges are filed, the service may  be
made by the Secretary of the lodge within whose
jurisdiction the accused resides at the time; and the
certificate of such Secretary, under the seal of his
lodge, is legal evidence of due service.
The foregoing certificate of service can easily be
varied so as to meet the case of service by a foreign
Secretary, and a copy of the proper certificate slho)uld
be sent to him in blank, enclosed with the charges
and summons, in order that he may execute it under
the seal of his lodge, and return it to be placed on file
as evidence of the service made by him.
The accuser may choose any Master Mason as his
counsel, to assist in the prosecution.  If he does not
appear, or chooses no counsel, the Worshipfiil Master
may appoint such counsel in his discretion; which
counsel must be a Master Mason in good standiing.
The status of a Mason under charges is not affected
until after sentence.  He is presumied to be innocent
until proven to be guilty; and he may, at all times
before the passing of sentence, vote upon all matters
not involved in the charges and specifications pending
against him.
39 
V.
OF THE ANSWER.
The chlarges having( been properly introduced an(d
served, and the accused dulvs summoned, it is his dutv
to appear and answer.
The answer should be ini writing.  If the accused
answer orally, his answer should be reduced to writiiig by the Secretary, and made a part of the files in
the case, so that no misunderstanding, may afterwvar(ls
arise as to its exact import.
Before answering as to the merits of the case, the
accused mnay, if he have sufficient grounds, attack the
proceedings incidentally.   In so doing he mav
1. Deny the jurisdiction, or
2. Deily the validity or regularity of the charg,es.
In either case his proposition should be mad(le ini
writing, and should set forthl clearly the grotiund(s up(o!l
whichl it is based(l.  The following formns will sufficiently
illustrate this branchl of the sil)ject. 
O)F TtHE AN,WN ER.
FOil3[ OF DENIAL, OF JUI1ISD1CTION.
To thle AVor.ipl)fhil MIaster, AN'a,r(le,1s and Bretlhriie
of..... Lode, o       of Free and Accel)ted Maasons.
Inii the matter of the chlarges and specifications introd(luced in said lodg(re on the...... day of.....A. L.
58..., by C. D., against A. B., comies lhe said A. B.
ill person (or by Y. Z. his counsel) and denies the
jurisdiction of said lodge ill the premises, for the
fillowing reasons, to wit:
1. Because the said A. B. (lid not, at the time of
the introduction of said charges and specifications,
reside within the territorial jurisuiction of said lodge
neither was he at that time a mnember of said lodge.
2. Because the acts alleged in said charges and
specifications, if thev were ever committed  by the
said A. B., were colmmitted before his initiation in
any lodge of Masoins.
WVherefore the said A. B. requests that  the said
charges and specifications be dismissed, and thlat he
be excused from answering thlereto.
Dated...... A. L. a8...
A..........13........., Accuse(d.
Any other facts which would d(efeat the jurisdiction
should be alleged in like mianner.   Upon  the filiig
and reading of such denial of jurisdiction, it is the
privilege of the accused to introduce, and the duty of
the lodge to receive, any proper p)roofs of the facts
thlerein alleged; after whicl  they should  at once
either sustaii the jurisdiction or dismiss the case, as
Masonic law and usa,ge may require.
If the jurisdiction is sustained, or not denied(l, the
accused may, if he think best, deny the validitv or
regularity of the chlarges ant  spl)ecifications.
41
'A 
M ASONITC TRTALS.
FOR3I OF DENIAL OF VALIDITY OR REGULARITY OF
THiE CHIIARGES AND SPECIFICATIONS.
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren
of.....Lodge, iNo.., of Free and Accepted Masons.
In the matter of the charges and specifications
introduced in said lodge on the...... day of... A. L.
58..., by C. D., against A. B., comes the said A. B.
in person (or by Y. Z. his counsel) and denies the
validity and regularity of said charges and specifications, for the following reasons, to wit
1. Because the said C. D., the accuser, by whom
said charges and specifications were introduced, was
not, at the time of introducing the samne, a Master
Mason, (or was not a Master Mason in good standing,
le being then under sentence of suspension [or exp'ilsion] for unmasonic conduct.)
2. Because the acts alleged in the said charges and
specifications are of a purely sectarian (or political)
character, and do not in themselves constitute a
Masonic offense.
3. Because the time (or place, or both) of the
commission of the acts alleged is not set forth in said
charges and specifications with reasonable distinctness.
Wherefore the said A. B. requests that the said
charges and specifications be dismissed, and that he be
excused from answering thereto.
Dated.... A. L. 58...
A......B........., Accused.
Under the latter, as under the former denial, the
accused  may  make  proof of any matters  of fact
therein alleged.
If the jurisdiction, and the validity and regularity
of the charg,es and specifications are sustained, or not
42 
OF THE ANSWER.
denied, the accused must then answer as to the merits;
and in so doing he may put in either one of four
different answers.
1. He may answer "guilty," which is an unqualified
admission of the entire accusation.
2. He  may answer " not guilty," which is an unqualified denial of the entire accusation.
3. He may answer " guilty" as to a part, and "ntot
guilty" as to another part.
4. He may admit the facts charged, and set up
certain other facts or circumstances in justification or
extenuation of his acts.
ANSWER OF "NOT GUILTY."
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren
of...Lodge, No...., of Free and Accepted Masons.
In the matter of the charges and specifications
introduced in said lodge on the......day of....., A.
L., 58..., by C. D. against A. B., comes the said A.
B. in person (or by Y. Z. his counsel) and says that he
is not guilty of the said charges and specifications,
nor of any of them.
Dated......A. L. 58...
A......B........., Accused.
The answer of " guilty" is similar to the above,
simply substituting the word guilty for not guilty,
and omitting the words "nor of any of them."
ANSWER OF "GUILTY" AS TO A PART, AND "NOT
GUILTY" AS TO ANOTHER PART.
To the WorshipfLil Master, Wardens and Brethren
of..... Lodge, No..., of Free and Accepted Masons
43
F, 
MASONIC TRIALS.
In the matter of the charges and specifications
introduced in said lodge on the......day of......, A.
L. 58..., by C. D. against A. B., comes the said A.
B. in person (or by Y. Z. his counsel) and answers as
follows, namely:
As to specification first, he says that he is guilty.
As to specification second, he says that he is not
guilty.
As to specification third, he says that he is not
guilty.
Dated.... A. L. 58...
A........B........., Accused.
The  next following forml of  answver has been
fi'ramed in direct response to the form of charges laid
down on page 33 of this work, in order thus to afford
the most practical illutstration possible of the principles involved.  It should therefore be read in connection with those charges.
ANSWER ADMITTING THIE FACTS CHARGED, AND
SETTING UP OTHER FACTS IN JUSTIFICATION
AND EXTENUATION.
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren
of..... Lodge, No...., of Free and Accepted Masons.
In the matter of the charges and  specifications
introduced in said lodge on the......day of....., A. L.
58..., by C. D. against A. B., comes the said A. B. in
person (or by Y. Z. his counsel) and answers as follows, namely:
As to specification first, he admits that he did
assault and strike the said C. D.; but he alleges that
he did the same in necessary defense of his own person, (family or property) the said C. D. having then
and there first assaulted him; and he further alleges
44' 
OF THE ANS'FER.
that be used nlo mlore force tlhan was necessary to
repel the injury whilch the said C. D. then and there
attempted against him.   (Here insert any other material facts inll justification.)
As to specification second, he admits that he did
use toward the said C. D. the words therein specified;
but he alleges that he was greatly provoked thereto
by violent and abusive language then and there used
toward him by the said C. D., which language was
as follows: (here set forth the language, and ally
other material facts in extenuation.)
As to specification third, he says that hlie is not
guilty.
Dated..... A. L. 58...
A.........B......., Accused.
The accused may choose any Master Mason to act
as his counsel, and to assist him in his defense.  If
the Worshipfutl Master has appointed, or the accuser
has chosen, counsel for the prosecution, the accused
miay, for any good cause, object to such counsel; and
vice verse. The Worshipful Master should thereupon,
if he deems such objection well taken, remove the
counsel thus objected to, and appoint, or allow to )be
chosen, other counsel in his stead.
All counsel in Masonic trials, whethlier for the
prosecution or defense, must always be of the degree
of Master Mason, and( in good standing.  (Decisions
of G. M., No. 86.)
If the accused do inot appear in person nor by
counsel, the Worshipful Master may appoint counsel
for the defense in his discretion, whose duty it will be
to see that the trial is fairly conducted, and the rights
'*45
7w, 
)IrASONIC TRIALS.
of the accused not imperilled.  A Mason under suspension cannot be admitted into the lodge; he must,
therefore, appear and answer (if at all) by agent or
attorney. (Decisions of G. M., No. 85.)
46 
VI.
OF THE PROOFS.
If the charges are denied by the accused, proofs
must be taken as to the facts involved.
By the affirmation of the charges and specifications
on one side, and their denial on the other, an issue is
raised; and that issute can only be decided upon evidence.
The proofs may be taken before the lodge, or
before conmmissioners appointed for that purpose.  If
the latter course be pursued, the Worshipfuil  Master
appoints the commissioners (usually three in number)
before whom, or a majority of them, all the proofs in
the case should be taken. Each of the commissioners,
unless preseut at the time of his appointment, should
be immiediately notified of the same by the Secretary.
NOTICE TO COMiISSIONERS.
To Brothers G. H., I. J., and  K. L., of.....Lodge,
No..., of Free and Accepted Masons.
7-77 
'fASONIC TRIATS.
Please take notice, that at a regular comiiunicationI of said lodge, held on the...... day of..., A. L.
58..., you, and each and every of you, were appointed
commissioners to take proofs in the matter of certain
charges introduced in said lodge on the..... day of
......, A. L. 58..., by Brother C. D. against Brother
A. B.; and you, or a majority of you, are hereby
directed to proceed to take all the proofs pertaining
to said matter, and report the same in writing, with
your  doings, to said lodge, with all convenient speed.
By order of the lodge.
Dated......, A. L., 58...
E......... F........., Secretarv.
(Seal)
of the
Lodge.
The accused may object to either or all of the conmmissioners, and the Worshipful Master must decide
upon the sufficiency of the objection. The commissioners should appoint a time and place of meeting
for the purpose of taking testimony, of which the
accuser and accused, or their counsel, must have due
and reasonable (usually five days) notice. At all
such meetings of commissioners the Worshipful Master has the right, ex officio, to be present and to
preside.
In all cases the whole of the testimony, of a nature
proper to be written, must be reduced to writing, and
carefully preserved in the archives of the lodge.
If there be material testimony of such a nature
that it cannot be produced at the place where the
lodge is located, or the meetings of the commissioners
48
l — 
OF THE PROOFS.
held, the same may be taken by either party at any
other reasonable time and place, upon permission of
the Worshipful Master; due notice being first given
to the opposite party, and to the Master or Secretary
of the lodge.
Both the accuser and the accused, with their counsel, have the right to be present at the taking of all
testimony.
NOTICE TO PARTIES TO ATTEND BEFORE COMIMIS                      SIONERS.
To Brother C. D., accuser, and Brother A. B.,
accused, (or their counsel, as the case may be.)
Take notice that the undersigned commissioners
will meet at the hall of.....Lodge, No..., of Free and
Accepted MAasons, at......, on the......day of....., A.
L. 58..., at...... o'clock in the...... noon, for the purpose of taking proofs relating to the charges preferred
by Brother C. D. against Brother A. B., now pending
ill said Lodge; at which time and place your attendance is requested.
Dated...... A. L. 58...
G......... H.........
I.......J.........,   Commissioners.
K......... L.........,.
The testinmony for the prosecution must first be
taken, and after the accuser shall have closed his
proofs the accused may introduce the proofs for his
defense.  If any new matter be brought out or any
new questions raised by the testimony for the defense,
the prosecution nmay rebut the samie, but cannot enter
49
T 
MASONIC TRIALS.
into any new matters, unless the accused be allowed
to reply to the same by counter proofs.
The official books and records of the lodge are
evidence in themselves; so also are the charter, constitution and by-laws of the lodge.
But the certificate of the Worshipful Master or
Secretary, in the absence of entry upon the approved
records of the lodge, is not sufficient evidence of the
transactions of the lodge.  A lodge is bound by the
records which it has duly approved, and no further.
It has power to amend its records, upon such evidence
as is deemed sufficient; and such amended record,
duly attested, has all the force and effect of an original
record.  But neither the Grand Lodge nor sister
lodges are warranted in receiving as evidence  to
control their action, statements or allegations froni
any source, presuming the inaccuracy of said records;
unless, indeed, the lodge be put upon trial before the
Grand Lodge for falsifying its records, which brings
up quite another matter. (Decisions of G. M., No. 25.)
The best evidence of which the circumstances of
the case admit must always be produced, if possible.
If the production of the best evidence be shown to be
inmpracticable, then secondary evidence may be offered.
A witness cannot be compelled to criminate himnself.
All testimony that is relevant to the facts in issue
should be admitted.  That which is irrelevant should
be excluded.  As a general rule, hearsay evidence
should be excluded.  Although many of those technical rules of evidence which apply in courts of law
o0
!I 
OF THE PROOFS.
are not recognized in Masonic tribunals, yet there are
certain fundamental principles of proof which must
apply to all human investigation, without which
rights cannot be protected and truth elicited, and
among them are the few above mentioned.
Both parties have the right of cross-examination.
Either party may object to any proofs offered by the
other, and the Worshipful Master must decide the
sufficiency of such objection. If the proofs are before
commissioners, and the Worshipful Master be absent,
then the commissioners may decide as to the admissibility of proofs, as the representatives, for the time
being, of the Master; but if the Master be present he
has power to decide.
Any discreet person is a competent witness. The
testimony of a Mason may be taken upon his Masonic
honor; for Masonry regards no obligation to speak
the truth more binding than its own. The testimony
of profanes must be upon oath, duly administered by
any officer competent under the law to administer
oaths.  If the testimony of a profane is to be-taken
before the lodge, then the lodge must be called from
labor to refireshlment, and sit as a committee, during
his introduction and examination.
The testimony of an Entered Apprentice or a Fellow Craft, if taken in open lodge, must be upon the
degree corresponding to the rank of the witness;
after which the lodge should be closed upon the
inferior degree, and opened upon the degree of Master Mason.
51 
M  IASONIC TRIALS.
During the taking of testimony before the lodge,
either the Worshipful Master or any member of the
lodge may put such questions as hlie pleases to any
witness; but in case of a question being put by any
member of the lodge, either party to the trial may
object to such question, and the Worshipful Master
shall decide upon the objection, either admitting or
excluding the testimony as he may think proper; lbut
no objection can be interposed to any question put by
the Master.
A person under sentence of expulsion from all the
rights and benefits of Masonry cannot testify upon
his Masonic honor, for hlie has none. He has no part
nor lot in anty of the privileges of the Order.
The attendance of witnesses who are Masons is
enforced by summons.  Wilful disobedience of such
summons, or a refusal to testify while under examination as a witness, is a Masonic offense, which subjects
the offender to discipline.
SUMMONS FOR WITNESS TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE
LODGE.
To Brother M. N.
You are hereby summoned and required to attend
as a witness, at the hall of..... Lodge, No..., of Free
and Accepted Masons at......, on the......day of.....
A. L. 58..., at......o'clock in the...... noon, then and
there to testify what you may know in the matter of
the charges now pending before said lodge against
Brother A. B.
Dated.... A. L. 58...
O..........., W. Master.
.52
010 
OF THE PROOFS.
SUMM.TONS FOR WITNESS TO TESTIFY BEFORE ('OM                    MIISSIONERS.
To Brother M. N.
You are hereby summoned and required to attend
as a witness before Brothers......, commissioners by
me  appointed, at the hall of.....Lodge, No..., of
Free and Accepted Masons, at......, on the......day
of....., A. L. 58..., at......o'clock in the......noon,
then and there to testify what you may kniow in the
matter of the charges now pending before said lodge
against Brother A. B.
Dated......A. L. 58...
O......... P........., WAV. Master.
All summonses are to be issued by the Worshipfuil
Master, uponI application to him by either party, or
his counsel.
If the witness will attend without summons, none
need be issued; and no summons should in any case
he issued to a profane, as he is not in any manner
subject to Masonic jurisdiction.
The Secretary should carefully and particularly
record all the proceedings taken in the trial.  The
testimony need not be entered at large uponI the
record, but lmust always be carefully preserved by the
Secretary.
If the proofs are taken before commissioners, they
should keep full minutes of all their proceedings, and
report them, together with all the evidence, to the
lodge.
It is not proper for the commissioners to report
their opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the
a t
Mom
r. 
MrASONIC  TRIALS.
accused; they ought simply to report their doings,
with the testimony taken by them, for the action of
the lodge.  (Rep. of Com. on Masonic Law, in G.
L., 1869.)
P.EPORT OF COMMISSIONEP.S.
To the WAorshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren
of..... Lodge, No..., of Free and Accepted Masons.
The undersigned commissioners, heretofore appointed to take proofs in the matter of the charges
and specifications introduced in said lodge onl the
......day of....., A. L. 58..., by Brother C. D., against
Brother A. B., have discharged that duty, and beg
leave to report as follows:
After five days written notice to the parties (or
their counsel) the commissioners met at......, on the
...... day of... A. L. 58..., at......o'clock in the
...... noon. Present, Brothers G. H., I. J. and K. L.,
commissioners, the Worshipful Master being also
present and presiding.  Brother..... was chosen clerk
of the commission.
The accuser appeared in person, without counsel.
The  accused appeared in person,  with......as his
counsel.
The charges and specifications and the answer were
then read.
Brother...... was then introduced as a witness in
support of the charges. The accused, by his counsel,
objected to said witness being allowed to testify upon
his honor as a Mason, for the reason that he was
under sentence of expulsion. The fact of expulsion
being made to appear, the Worshipful Master sustained the objection, and the witness was then sworn
by Brother......, a Notary Public, and testified as
follows:
,54
p 
OF THE PROOFS.
I am  a Master MAasoni, not in good standing.
(Here insert the language of the witness in full.)
The witness was then cross-examined by the counsel for the accused, and testified as follows: (Insert
his language.) The accuser then announced that he
had no further proofs.
The commissioners then adjourned to meet at the
same place on the......day of....., A. L. 58..., at....
o'clock in the......noon.
(Date.)
Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment.  Presenit, Brothers G. H., I. J. and K. L., commissioners.
The Worshipfuil Mlaster not being present, Brother G.
H. acted as chairman.
The accuser and accused appeared as before.
Brother......was then introduced as a witness for
the accused, and testified upon his Masonlic honor as
follows:  (Here insert the testimony in full.)
The official record of..... Lodge, No..., of Free
and Accepted M,asons, of the date of...... A. L. 58...,
was then introduced and read in evidence, which
record is as follows: (Here set out that portion of
the record put in evidence in full.)
Both the accuser and accused then announced that
they had no further proofs.
The proofs being closed, the commissioners adjourned without day.
Hereto annexed are the charges and specifications
and the answer aforesaid, heretofore referred to the
commissioners.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
G......H....)
I.......J........ Commissioners.
K...... L....
Dated......A. L. 58...
If the accused does not appear, proof of service of
niotice uponl him, or any other ficts pertaining thereto,
55
r 
MASONIC TRIALS.
must be made before the commissioners, and embodied
by them in their report. All objections, motions and
rulings made by or before the commissioners must be
set out in full in their report, in order that either party
may take the benefit of an appeal, if he so desire.
If the accused answers that he is guilty of the
charges and specifications, nothing remains but for
the lodge to determine by ballot the degree of punishment to be inflicted, all necessity for the taking of
proofs being obviated by such answer.
The accused should be allowed to make any statemnient or explanation he may choose before the lodge.
Such statement or explanation is for the lodge to
consider, and they may give it such credit, in whole
or in part, as under all the circumstances they think
it entitled to.  But he cannot be cross-examined uponi
any statement he may make, without his consent;
and if questions are put to him, he may answer them
or not, as he pleases. He cannot be summoned nor
subjected to examination as a witness in the case.
56 
VII.
OF THE ARGUMENT.
Upon the closing of the proofs before the lodge, or
the reception of the report of the commissioners, the
accuser and accused have the right, either in person
or b)y counsel, to argue the case before the lodge.
The usual order of discussion should be followed.
The accuser, having the affirmative of the issue, opens
the argument; the accused, having the negative,
replies to the case made by the accuser, and urges all
proper points in his own defense; the accuser then
closes the argument by replying to the arguments of
the accused; but the accuser should not be allowed,
in closing, to raise any new questions or urge any new
matters, unless leave be also given the accused to reply.
The Worshipful Master has the right to limit the
parties in their argument to such time as he may
think proper; but if he intends enforcing any limit he
should give the parties notice before the opening of
the argument; otherwise great inconvenience might
bie siuffered.
p 
TASON'IC   TPTIAT,,.
The parties should be confined in the argument
strictly to the subject matter; and no personal abuse,
unmerited accusations, or violent and improper language of ally kind should'be allowed.
Either party may call the other to order in the
argument, (as also may any member of the lodge)
and when such call to order is made, the party speaking must stop, and remain silent until the point of
order is decided by the Worshipful Master; and if
the point of order is sustained, the party must proceed
in his argument in accordance with such direction as
the Worshipful Master shall give.  For a refusal to
comply with such direction, the Worshipful Master
may seat the refractory party or counsel, or, if his
conduct be grossly improper, may cause him to )be
immediately conducted from the lodge.
It should be remembered that the relation of parties
and counsel in a Masonic trial is still that of brethren,
and differs materially from that of parties and counsel
in an action before a court of law. In any Masonic
proceeding, of whatever nature, truth, candor and(
courtesy are never to be forgotten.  Passion, invective, or recrimination ought never to be indulged,
and when manifested from army source, at aniy period
of the trial, should be promptly checked by the
Worshipful Master; and especially should the Master
be minldful of his own conduct in these particulars.
1)8
w-_
-W 
VIII.
OF THE DELIBERATION.
Upon the conclusion of the argumiient (or, if there
be no  argument, then upon  the conclusion of thle
testimony) the accuser and accused, with their counsel, and every other person not authorized to vote
upon the final decision of the ease, must retire from
tlile lodge.  The doors should then be closed for deliberation, and no brothler should be allow,-ed to wiithdraw  until after the sentence, except  for urgent
reasons.
It is proper, at this stag e of the proceediings, for
any brother to express his views of the case, and  of
the law acnd facts involved.   A full and fi'ee initerchange of ideas is often of thle highest benefit at suchll
a time.  The members of the lodge are then acting
Ias a bench of judges, to whom  the pleadings and
proofs have been finally submitted.   They are deliberatiing, upon their final judgmlent ill thle ease, and
each one has a right to whatever light and knowvledge
his l)rethlreIn mav possess.  False notions are often
C
. l — 
MASONIC TRIALS.
thus eradicated, errors of fact corrected, or prejudices
overcome; the result of which is the harmonious settlement of the collective mind of the lodge upon a
just and equitable judgment.
Not only should the facts be carefully canvassed,
but every principle of law connected with the case
should be distinctly understood by every brother
before the vote is taken. If there be doubt or misunderstanding as to a question of law, the best
authorities should be at once consulted.
The Worshipful Master may, and should, for the
information of the brethren, give his opinion as to
the law; yet his judgment cannot control theirs.
Each one must act independently, and upon his own
individual judgment, guided by the best light which
l-i can obtain.  All are judges, and all are equal.
W'hen every fact, interest and principle involved
in the case shall have been deliberately canvassed,
and when every brother shall have distinctly compre bended the issue in all its bearings, then, and not till
then, the lodge will be prepared to vote upon the
question of the guilt or innocence of the accused.
Let no one deem that we attach too great import ance to this stage of the trial, for it is the very crisis
of the case. No member should allow himself to
become impatient, nor treat with indifference the
slightest interest involved; but let him remember
that it is his brother who is upon trial; and let him
devote to the subject all that patient investigation and
careful solicitude which he would wish that brother
60
pf — 
OF THE DELIBERATION.
to devote, if himself and the accused were to exchange
positions. Let that noble admonition which is so
eloquently given in the Middle Chamber be borne in
every heart, that in the decision of every trespass
each one may judge with candor and reprehend with
justice.
61 
IX.
OF THE JUDGMENT.
Final judgment upon the guilt or innocence of the
accused can only be passed in a 3{aster Masonl's lodge.
None can be present but those lawfully qualified to
vote 1upon the case; nlamnely, all members of the lodge
iii good stanlding, except the accuser and accused, and
their counsel.
An honorary member, who is not also an actual
member, cannot vote nor be present.  (Decisions of
G. MI. No. 49.) But the fact of an actual member
having been also elected an honorary member, does
not abridge his rights in any respect as an' actual
member.  If he holds both relations to the lodge, he
may exercise all the rights of both; if he holds but
one, then he has only the rights of that one.
The simple question of the guilt or innocence of
the accused is the one upon which tlhe vote of the
lodge is first to be taken.
The vote should be by ballot.  In some states the
vote is required to be taken vivca loce; but the ballot
rA 
__v —,     J. iii.,.~ }tLa1 at(tl ) arc.n   illany iilustauclc
,'_'!'atlv  i1),; air.;IUl,d sc 4(,i  i   — j're t.ii(   tbcai) 
,,tteyi (efatcdt.;A    i ~l-'.\  tloh    nLrmv1....
a-im  mos1t.  l;oiobei ~  rea'sons 3r conicealing  his Yote
r,-tik,.    n eev,d' n.'3,ivlif     it   oli!te b....c:',.,z//,/i n-t~:,.5shI'"f;  hiH.: t~ d,o..'(;-Iff by':t.-:e,i*L,,k!,J
11  r~~~~~~~~~~~~~~t(1i
~~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~ -(      I). /{; 
I,.,i,8 l~,wev)t3.itf' t/t;1"~ }iit:- ~l~l t f'{  f-X~t( tire  -'oi'r.'v.- 1    > J
:[il'I,~: v,,t:- i l,:,-j,, l.olld    [   -"i'- tl. a t ] -:,i.  L I('-t,:L.III   I,'
sl~o:ilt'-[sti,'~ s,,,:ItrateiLv    lu.:t t~l;-ttl..,', l imit\ ez':tt ilats~l itor
on'lic't ulpoI-  t part or all of the cliarecs au(d specit cations, as they miay deemii just.
The particular  miethod of balloting lies in the (1dis cretion of the Worshipfidl  Mtaster; though  thle ball
l)ailot is inore strictly 3Iasonic.   If it be by ball ballot,
the usual practice is to cast black for " guilty,",and
iilite for " Inot guilty"; if lpaper ballots are cast, the
words " not guilty," or " guilty," should  be plainly
iwritten, and the l)allots so folded that they cannot be
read(l as they arc cast.
TIc  AWorsbipfuLl  3iaster  aind  Wardens  are  the
pl)rol)er oficers to) inspect anld declaie the ballot.
L 
.4IASONIC TRIALS.
Two thirds of all the votes cast are required to
convict.
There being no possibility of a tie where a majority
of two thirds is required, the Worshipful Master has
the same vote as any other member, and-no more.
The result of the ballot upon each charge or specification should be recorded by the Secretary in regular
order, with the numbers severally cast for "guilty"
and "not guilty."
No brother can be excused from voting except by
the unanimous consent of the lodge.
If it appear, upon counting the ballots, that less
than two thirds are cast for "guilty," the accused
stands acquitted, and the judgment of the lodge
must be so recorded and declared forthwith.
Upon a judgment of acquittal, the proceedings are
absolutely terminated, and the case is closed, so far as
regards any further action by the lodge. There can
be no reconsideration of the vote, nor repassing of
the ballot. The only remedy is by appeal to the
Grand Lodge.
But if the accused be convicted upon any or all
of the charges and specifications, the question imme  diately arises as to the penalty that shall be inflicted.
To the consideration of Masonic penalties, their
nature and consequences, the attention of the reader
will be directed in the next chapter.
64 
X.
OF THE PENALTY.
The accused having been found guilty, in the
manner set forth in the preceding chapter, it only
remains for the lodge to inflict such lawfill penalty
as, under all the circumstances, shall be deemed most
just.
But three penalties are known to Masonic jurisprudence, viz:
1. Expulsion.
2. Suspension (either definite or indefinite.)
3. Reprimand.
The first is an absolute dissolution of all Masonic
ties; an utter destruction of all Masonic rights. It
is Masonic death.
The second is a temporary deprivation of the
privileges of the Order, for a period during which the
Masonic rights of the offender are held in abeyance,
or suspense, but are not entirely destroyed.
r 
_i - 11           L1-l  r   -- "I  - -  -  -- -i  - -   -
jttitl.edl to anv I',aonic relief  }liatever.  tIe is, -
'Io'iier slbjec. t tble  i()enal urisd]ctio' of. tfhe ]odg(.
lieC cannot -s-it aylo 1odgCe, ot be:,.ecognl,ized( f'!- -
,.ally bT  ainv indivi,dua l  Ilasoti nior joil il i,OV
.\,,ci,i. i)roeess],,),t ",xremon),'nor * )r, 4;t:~'cW e.h'r?;
,i l:liv ":..i: rt,li:k I:, a'. - Mast.l   l lj.stit.iliit.
. tll'l-...
Exl)ulsioin fromiiimlic lodge exlpels, -wkith t i'uLrtht'l
action, from all other Masonic bodies with which the
accused  may  be coninectecdwhetlher a chapter of
Royal Arch  Masons, a council of Royal and Select
M asters,  or a cominandery  of  Kinights Temlpllar.
But expulsion from any snperior body-as from a
chalpter, council, or comnandery-does not expel
firom  the lodge, nor firom  any degree or body  in
Masonry  below the one in which the sentence is
passed.  The three degrees which every lodge con fers are the foundation upon which Freemasonry, in
o'( its degrees and departmaents, rests.  WThen this
; 
OF TIIE tENXALTY.
foundation is removed, the entire Masonic  edifice
must fall.  But thle removal of ally portion of the
superstructure does not, for evident reasons, affect
that w-hich lies beneath.  A further and most conclu  sive reason for this rule is also found in the obligation
of thle third degree.
The penalty of expulsion being of so severe a nature,
it should only be inflicted after thle clearest proof,
and for the greatest offenses.  Yet in cases which
reI)der it nlecessary, it should be promptly and firmly
lIi istered. No false ideas of mnercy should be
allowied to overbear the well-beinig and safety of the
,-whole so)cietv, for these are to be maintained at every
hazard; " tlhat thle honor, glory and reputation of the
institution may be firmly established, and the world
at large convinced of its good effects."  The cause of
justice, the dignity and authority of the law, and thie
fair ftame of the Order, are matters of far greater
imoment than any personal interests of the offender.
It is the theory of the law in this country, as well
as in England, that the subordinate lodge has power
to try the delinquent, and upon conviction, to pronounce the sentence of expulsion,  but  that  the
sentence must be confirmred by the Grand Lodge, to
iiake it final.  This confirmation is given (except in
ease of appeal) by the silent reception of the report
of the Secretary of the subordinate lodge; and, by
Mtasoniic usage, the sentence of thle lodge stands in
fiull force in Oil ccs.es, until formlally revokled by the
CGrand Lodge.  (Decisions of G. M., No. 20.)
67
Ei 
MASONIC TRIALS.
Suspe)tsiot, whether definite or indefinite, subjects
the offender, for the time being, to nearly the same
disabilities as expulsion, except that those disabilities
are temporary instead of permanent. During the
period of his actual suspension, he is prohibited from
the exercise and enjoyment of any of his Masonic
privileges. His rights are placed in abeyance-or,
as the sentence implies, susp)ension —and he can neither
visit or join other lodges, nor hold Masonic communication, nor receive fraternal relief or fellowship
from any Masonic body or brother whomsoever,
during the period of his suspension. But he is still
a Mason. He is still subject to the penal jurisdiction
of the lodge. His Masonic relations are not lost nor
destroyed, but only temporarily interrupted; to be re sumed in their fullness as soon as the period of his
suspension shall expire, or his sentence be revoked.
Definite and indefinite suspensions are precisely
similar in their immediate effects, and differ only as
regards the time of their continuance and the manner
of restoration from their disabilities.
Definite suspension ceases upon the expiration of
the period for which it was declared, being termina  ted by mere lapse of time.
Indefinite suspension continues, as the term indi  cates, indefinitely; that is, until the lodge interposes
by its act of restoration; being terminated, not by
lapse of time, but by the positive action of the
tribunal by whose sentence it was inflicted.
A singular conflict of authority exists among the
68 
OF THE PENALTY.
various jurisdictions of the United States upon the
question of definite and indefinite suspension. While
some Grand Lodges hold that definite suspension is
illegal, and that indefinite suspension alone is legal,
others hold with equal tenacity to the exact contrary,
declaring that indefinite suspension is illegal, and
that definite suspension alone is legal.  Amidst  all
this confusion I find by far the greater weight of
opinion, as well as of usage, sustaining the legality of
both of these penalties, and upholding the right of
lodges to inflict either of them, in their discretion;
ranking indefinite suspension as the severer penalty
of the two, and consequently first in order upon the
ballot.
The consideration of the second point of distinction  between  definite  and  indefinite  suspension,
namely, the several methods of restoration from their
disabilities, will be deferred until a subsequent chlapter.
A delinquent under sentence of suspension, whether
definite or indefinite, (or of expulsion) is not liable
to pay dues. Lodge dues are paid for the enjoymelnt
of certain rights which pertain to membership, and
payment for the privileges of membership  is suspended upon the suspension or cessation of that
membership. It would certainly be against all principles of equity to compel payment of dues, vwhile
the very consideration of those dues was withheld.
lRepri)rand is the mildest form of Masonic punishment, and consists in a formal reproof, administered
69
I" 
MTASO\IC'RTIA.I.,S.
by the Worshipfuil Master in open lodge, in pursuance
of a sentence of the lodge to that effect.  It does not
in any way affect the Masonic standing of the accused.
It deprives him of no privileges, and abridges none
of his rights.
The terms to be used in the infliction of this penalty are of course left to the discretion of the
Worshipful Master, but he should remember that the
punishment consists in the fact that the reprimand
has been ordered, and not in any particular severity
of language, and should therefore avoid any  un courteous remarks.  No  mnere words can add any thing to the ignominy of the sentence.
The distinction whiclh some writers endeavor to
make between public and private reprimand, and
between reprimand and censure, is not warranted by
Masonic law nor sanctioned by any correct usage.
It but serves as an illustration of those distinctions
without difference, the only tendency of vwhich is to
darken the subject which they are designed to elci  date.
It is an inflexible principle of Masonic law that 1no
5[ason can be suspended nor expelled, nor in any
way punished, nor deprived of any Masonic right or
privilege whatsoever, without ch'arges and specifica  tions regularly  filed, and  due trial  and  la\wful
conviction thereupon, with opportunity to tlhe accused
to appear and defend.  (Res. of G. L., No.  19.)
This principle has been affirmned with one unanimous
voice by Grand Lodges a(nd leadiong Masonic jurists
7t
t — 
&OF THE PEN,ALTY.
throughout the world; and yet there is an opinion in
the minids of thousands of Masons that for nonpayment of dues, and some other delinquencies, the
name of the delinquent may  be stricken from the
roll, and his membership thereby temporarily suspenided, by a mere resolution of the lodge, without
any charges, notice or  trial whatever;  and the
erroneous practice actually prevails in many lodges.
The so-called penalty of "strikiy from the roll,"
or "exclistio~i," is in direct violation of Masonic law,
unknoiwn to correct Masonic usage, and should not
be considered for an instant within the walls of any
well regulated lodge. The WTorshipful Master has
the power, by his prerogative, to exclude any one
from the lodge, upon such reasons as may seem to
him sufficient; but it is a power incident only to his
office. It is not in the nature of a penalty, but a
protection; and with the exercise of that power the
lodge neither has nor can have anything whatever to
do, either by its by-laws or by any judicial action.
Neither can membership be suspended or termina ted, nor any other deprivation or penalty inflicted by
the mere operation of a by-law, without opportunity
to defend or explain; and any by-lawv to that effect
is absolutely void, as being in conflict with the con  stitution of Masonry.  No  )etnalty whatever can be
inflicted except after due trial and lawful conviction.
The infliction of fines as a penalty upon refiactory
members or brethren is also inconsistent with ancient
Iasonic law and usage.  (Res. of G. L., No. 15.)
71~ 
MASONIC TRIALS.
After the ballot by which the accused is convicted,
the vote must be taken upon the penalty in the
following order, beginning with the highest and
descending to the lowest, until the requisite vote is
given to declare the sentence; viz:
1. Expulsion.
2. Indefinite Suspension.
3. Definite Suspension.
4. Reprimand.
The vote should be by ballot, and the same rules
regulate the ballot here as in passing judgment upon
the question of guilt or innocence.
A two thirds vote is required for sentence of ex pulsion or suspension. (Const. of G. L., Art. 6, Sec. 4.)
Sentence of reprimand may be passed by a major ity vote.
The severity of the penalty is not regulated in the
Masonic, as in the municipal law, by the particular
offense committed, but rests solely in the discretion of
the lodge having jurisdiction in the case. Any one
(but oit!y one) of the three Masonic penalties may be
inflicted for any Masonic offense, unless there be
special provisions of law to the contrary; all the
facts and circumstances being taken into consideration by the lodge in fixing the sentence. But when
special constitutional or legal provisions are laid
down (Const. of G. L., Art. 6, Sec. 13.) those provisions must of course be followed; and if, as is the
case in some lodges, the by-laws provide a particular
one of the three Masonic penalties for a particular
72
r 
OF TIIE PENALTY.
offiense (as for instance, that the penalty for non-payment of dues shall be limited to suspension) the lodge
must be governed by the limitation so provided.
But if the by-laws provide a penalty or proceeding
unknown to Masonry;  as, for example, a fine, or
striking from the roll, or exclusion from the lodge, or
forfeiture of office; such provision is null and void,
and should be so treated, for though every lodge has
the power to regulate its internal police by the
adoption of by-laws, yet such by-laws must be coInsistent both with the Constitution of the Grand
Lodge and with the ancient landmarks and usages
of Masonry.  (Const. of G. L., Ait. 6, Sec. 6.)
If the case shall seem to warrant such a course,
the lodge may refrain from inflicting any penalty
whatever; in which event the Masonic standing of
the accused will not in any way be affected.  Although
the judgment of conviction will still stand against
him, yet his legal relations to the Order will remain
unchanged; for the loss of Masonic rights is the
result of thee sentence, and not of the convictioi1. It
is the petnaty of expulsion or suspension, and not the
judlcgmenitt of "guilty," that changes the status of the
delinquent.
If, in voting upon all the Masonic penalties in their
proper order, there shall not be obtained the requi site vote for the infliction of any penalty whatever,
the lodge cannot reconsider its action and inflict
punishment by a subsequent vote.
The result of the vote upon each penalty should
73
r
ff-. 
DIATONIC TRIALS.
be entered at large upon the record, with the number
of votes p)ro and cot in each instance, and in thle order
in which the proceedings occur.
After the lodge has completed its action, the accuser and  accused, -with their counsel, should  be
re-admitted, and the result announced to them by the
Worshipful Master.
If not present, they should at once be officially
notified of the action of the lodge by the Secretary.
NOTICE OF JUCDGMIENT AND SENTENCE.
To Brotlhers A. B. and C. D. (or to either of' the
)arties or their counsel, as the case may be.)
Take notice that in the matter of' the charges and
specifications introduced in......Lodge, No..., of Free
and Accepted Masons on the......day of'......A. L.
58..., by Brother C. D. against Brother A. B., the
said lodge did onl the...... day of....., A. L. 58...
adjudge the said A. B. guilty of said charges, and of
specifications Nos. 1 and 2 u made thereunder; but of
specification No. 3 it did adjudge him not guilty; and
thereupon the said lodge did pass sentence of.....
(state the penalty particularly) against the said A.
B., which sentence now stands recorded against him
in said lodge.
Dated......A. L. 358...
E........, F......... Secretary.
If no senltence was passed, let the notice so specify.
All cases of expulsion, except for noni-payment of
dues, are required to be reported iforthwith to the R.
A. Gran,d Secretary of the Grand Lodge.  (Coust.
of G. L., Art. 6, Sec. 8.)  If the personi expelled or
74 
a 
XI.
OF APPEALS.
Any brother deeming himself aggrieved by the
decision of his lodge, or of the Master tbereof, may
appeal, in writing, to the Grand Lodge. (Ancient
Landmarks, No. 13; Const. of G. L., Art. 6, Sec. 5.)
This great right is inalienable and indefeasible;
and it is not in the power of any Grand Lodge, nor
of any body of Masons whomsoever, to deny, abridge,
repeal or modify it. It extends as well to Fellow
Crafts and Entered Apprentices as to Master Masons;
it includes within its protection the rights of the
humblest and the weakest, as well as of the highest
and the strongest. AWhosoever is subject to Masonic
jurisdiction, is entitled to his redress by appeal to the
tribunal of last resort.
The features of a Masonic appeal are that it may
be taken by either party, and without regard to
whether the accused were acquitted or convicted upon
the trial. It applies as well in questions of law as in
questions of fact, and lies from any erroneous action,
GE 
OF APPEALS.
ruling or decision, whether of the lodge, of the
Worshipful Master, or of commissioners. It is, in
short, the method, and the only method, whereby any
error whatsoever (except as hereinafter mentioned)
may be taken from the lodge to the Grand Lodge for
review and correction.
The appeal must be taken, and notice thereof given
in writing to the subordinate lodge by filing the same
with the Secretary thereof, within ninety days after
the appellant shall have received official notice of the
decision from which the appeal is taken; otherwise
the appeal will not be entertained by the Grand
Lodge. (Res. of G. L., No. 17.)
NOTICE OF APPEAL.
To......Lodge, No..., of Free and Accepted Masons.
Take notice that I intend to appeal from the action
(or decision) of said lodge (or of the Worshipful
Master of said lodge, or of the commissioners appointed to take proofs, or all of them,) in the matter
of the charges preferred against me by Brother C. D.,
whereby I was convicted of said charges, and sentence
of.....passed against me;  (or set forth any other
decision from which appeal is taken) and you are
hereby requested to make out and forward to the
Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons of the State of Michigani certified
copies of all papers, proofs, records and proceedings
pertaining to said matter, preparatory to the trial of
said appeal at the next annual communication of the
said Grand Lodge.
Dated......A. L. 58...
A....... B....
71
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OF APPEALS.
y1) C. D., whereby this appellant was convicted of
tle said  chlarges and specifications, and sentence of
suspension passed against himr; and he specifies the
following as the ground of his appeal, viz:
1. That the charges and specifications are vNague,
unlcertain and insufficient.
2. That the commissioners erred in refusing to admIit the sworn affidavit of J. IK.
3. That the AWorshipful Master erred in allowing
O. S. to act as counsel for the accuser, the said 0. S.
being at the time under sentence of suspension.
4. That the proofs were not sufficient to warrant
the colnYictioll.
o. That the severity of the penalty is disproportioilate to the oflense proven.
;. That the lodge erred ill passing sentence of suspenlsion by a majority -vote.
. That judguieut andcl sentence were passed whlaile
the lodcge was open  upon the second degree of MIasonrv.
All of whicllh will more fully appear friom  the
records, proofs and proceedings in tlhe case.
I)ated.... A. L. -8...
A......B........., Appellant.
Anlly  other mnatters  upon  which  the  appeal is
grounded should be set forth in like mannier, care
bgeiing taken to specify them definitely and in order.
The appeal imay be taken generally, upon all matters involved  inI the case; or specially, uponl any
decision  or decisions, irregtularity or irregularities,
occurring in the course of the proceedings.
The appeal should be filed wAith the Grand Seeretarly, which filing completes the steps to be taken hy
the appellant until the Gradl Lodge shall convene.
79, 
MASONIC TRIALS.
No copy or notice of the appeal is required to be
served upon the appellee. The notice to the lodge
becomes, when filed, a part of the record in the case,
of which the appellee is bound to take notice.
No formal answer to an appeal is necessary, although
one is sometimes put in; and for the convenience of
those who may desire to follow that practice, the following general form is given:
ANSWER TO APPEAL.
To the M. W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of Michigan.
In the matter of the appeal of A. B. from the
decision of.....Lodge, No...., of Free and Accepted
Masons.
Comes C. D., appellee (or the said Lodge, or O. P.,
Worshipful Master of said Lodge, as the case may be)
and in answer to said appeal denies that there was
any error in the proceedings of said lodge; (or of the
said Worshipful Master, or of the commissioners)
and further says that the same is sustained by the
evidence in the case and by the law applicable thereto.
Dated.... A. L. 58...
C......D.........., Appellee.
If any answer be made to the appeal it should be
filed with the Grand Secretary in like manner as the
appeal, but no notice thereof is required to be made
upon the appellant. Any special matters that the
appellee may desire to set up can be covered by amplification of the above form of answer.
It is lawful to appeal directly to the Grand Master
when the Grand Lodge is not in session; but inasmuch
80 
OF APPEALS.
as his decision is subject to review by the Grand
Lodge, it is preferable to make the appeal to the
Grand Lodge directly, where alone a final decision
can be had. And furthermore, any interlocutory
order which the appellant may desire to obtain from
the Grand Master, as the stay of proceedings under
the sentence, for instance, can be obtained as well
upon the filing of the alppeal and return with the
Grand Secretary as though the appeal had been made
to the Grand Master himself; for upon his attention
being called to the facts and proceedings as embodied
in the return or transcript sent up by the Secretary,
the Grand Master may make such interlocutory order
as the case shall demand; which order will beofforce
until reviewed by the Grand Lodge.
In case the appeal be made to the Grand Master
instead of to the Grand Lodge, the notice of appeal
should be framed with that view, and the appeal
should be directed to him in his official character,
otherwise following the general forms above laid
down.  The appeal and Secretary's return should in
such case be remitted to the Grand Master, instead of
to the Grand Lodge.
As has been remarked in a preceding chapter, no
appeal can ever be taken from any action, ruling or
decision of the Worshipful Master to the lodge itself.
It is the prerogative of the Worshipfutl Master to rule
and govern his lodge, answering for his conduct only
to his Masonic superiors, namely, the Grand Lodge,
or, in the interim thereof, to the Grand Master.  The
81
-K 
MASONIC TPTRIALS.
fact that this results in the vesting of dictatorial
power in the Master within his own lodge, constitutes
no real objection to the principle; for the ancient
institution of Freemasonry is not based upon those
principles of republican liberty and popular rights
which are the only sure foundation and support of
municipal governments, but upon those ideas of patri archal supremacy which pervaded the world during
the ages in which Freemasonry tookl its rise. Not withstanding the undoubted necessity of political
freedom as the basis of public peace and prosperity,
experience has proven the despotic powers of the
Master to be the very egis of our Masonic systemits sure protection against faction and discord within,
and its strong defense against invading malice from
without.  In the hour of peril, the only safety lies in
the prompt and powerful action of a single will; and
accordingly we find that in all well organized governments, whether free or despotic, the executive
power is placed in a single hand. It was the judicious
exercise of the supreme power of the Grand Masters
that saved the craft in Europe from destruction during
the terrible persecutions waged against it by the Roman Pontiff in the thirteenth century.
Yet the powers of the WTorshipftl Master are by
no means without prudent checks and balances.  His
vows and obligations are of the most sacred and
binding character, and that supreme appellate tribunal, the Grand Lodge, under whose watchful eye his
every act must be performed, wields over himl  a power
8)1
t 
OF APPEALS.
even more despotic than that which he exercises
within the narrow limits of his own subordinate jurisdiction. His responsibility is proportionate to his
power; the account which he must render is commensurate with the high charge committed to his
hands.
That able Masonic writer, Dr. Mackey, observes
that "some writers have endeavored to restrain the
despotic authority of the Master to decisions in matters strictly relatingto the work of the lodge, while
they contend that on all questions of business an appeal may be taken from his decision to the lodge.
But it would be unsafe, and often impracticable, to
draw this distinction; and accordingly the highest
Masonic authorities have rejected the theory and denied the power in a lodge to entertain an appeal from
any decision of the presiding officer." In alludingto
the safeguards that are thrown around this power, he
further says, "the appellate court of the jurisdiction
is ever ready to listen to appeals, to redress grievances,
to correct the errors of an ignorant Master, and to
punish the unjust decisions of an iniquitous one."
The Worshipful Mlaster not only may, but must,
sustain his own prerogative. He cannot, even by
courtesy, entertain an appeal to the lodge from any
decision of the chair; and to do so would be a palpable violation of a well established principle of Masonic
law.
The decision of an officer lawfully occupying the
chair pro tempore has the same force, and is gov
D
83
FM 
MASONIC TRIALS.
erned by precisely the same rules, as though made by
the Worshipful Master himself.
No appeal lies from the action of a subordinate
lodge (if regularly taken) in the admission of meinbers or the election and initiation of candidates.
The choice and regulation of its own membership is
an inherent right of the lodge, with which the Grand
Lodge has no power to interfere. "Nor is this inherent privilege subject to a dispensation; because
the members of a particular lodge are the best
judges of it." (Gen. Reg. of 1721, No. 6.) For
any irregularity in such action, as, for example, balloting upon an inferior degree, or initiation upon a
ballot found not clear, an appeal may be taken; but
not upon the question of the power and right of the
1.)d1' to admit or reject, for that is a portion of that
original control which has always been exercised, and
never delegated, by the subordinate (or "particular")
lodges.
The appeal must be prosecuted at the first regular
communication of the Grand Lodge after the time
limited for taking the same shall have expired.
(Res. of G. L., No. 17.;)
Upon the trial of the appeal the Grand Lodge
of course adopts such method as it deems most
proper; but the usual practice is to refer the appeal,
with the testimony and all matters connected therewith, to a committee, who, upon such reference, make
a fuill investigation of the case, and report all
material facts and questions involved therein, with a
84
E-k 
OF APPEALS.
recommendation of the decision which, in the opinion
of the committee, the merits of the case require.
Upon the coming in of this report the Grand Lodge
takes final action in the case, in like manner as
though the investigation of the matter had been
made by and before the whole body. If the report
be unsatisfactory or incomplete, the case may be
recommitted to the same or another committee for
further examination, or such further examination
may be made before the whole body of the Grand
Lodge, as shall be deemed most expedient.  The
G(ranld Lodge may direct the amendment of the
report of the committee in any particular, and, ill its
sovereign pleasure, may adopt, reject or vary any
recommendation embodied therein.
A case will not be reversed upon appeal for mere
matter of form, provided substantial justice shall
have been done; but any error or irregularity in any
paper or proceeding whereby any right shall have
been withheld, any privation suffered, or any wrong
or inequality caused, will be considered, and such
order made in the premises as fairness and equity
shall demand, whether it be of reversal, modification
or new trial. A reasonable adherence to forms and
precedents is necessary in every judicial proceeding,
and justice between man and man can only be
reached by systematic methods of inquiry and adjudi cation.  The moment any tribunal departs from that
established system of procedure which is sanctioned
by law and usage, that moment the rights of all
85 
IABONIC TRIALS.
parties are endangered; for where there is no stand ard  there is no protection.   Therefore a proper
adherence to those rules and forms which precedent
has sanctioned should always be enforced in subordinate jurisdictions, unless rendered absolutely
impracticable by the circumstances of the case.
Urgent necessity can alone justify a departure
from settled forms and methods, and a return to
them should instantly follow the removal of that
necessity.
The Grand Lodge, or, in the interim thereof, the
Grand Master, may order the Secretary of the lodge
from which the appeal is made to amend his report
or transcript in whatever matter shall be deemed
necessary, to the end that a complete understanding
of the whole case may be had.
It is competent for the Grand Lodge to receive any
new evidence upon the trial of the appeal, for it not
only holds appellate jurisdiction in the case, but it is
also the supreme Masonic authority, subject only to
its own Constitution and the Landmarks of the
Order; but no such evidence ought to be received by
the Grand Lodge without reasonable notice being
first given by the party desiring to take the same to
the opposite party, specifying with particularity the
nature of the evidence thus sought to be introduced.
What is reasonable notice in such case is for the
Grand Lodge to determine, and the opposite party
must have full opportunity to rebut the new evidence
thus introduced.
86
r 
OF APPEALS.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO TAKE NEW PROOFS UPON
TRIAL OF APPEAL BEFORE THE GRAND LODGE.
To......Lodge, No...., of Free and Accepted Masons.
Take notice that in the matter of the appeal from
the decision of said lodge, now pending before the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the
State of Michigan, the undersigned will, upon the
trial of said appeal, at the next annual communication of said Grand Lodge, offer the following proofs,
in addition to those already on file and of record.
(Here state the particular matters intended to be
proven.)
Dated...... A. L. 58...
A......B........., Appellant.
In some jurisdictions a Court of Appeals is established by the Grand Lodge, by and before whom all
appeals are tried.  Where this practice prevails, such
court has full power to try and determine all matters
pertaining to cases coming properly before it, under
such regulations as the Grand Lodge may adopt for
its government; and the decisions and orders of such
court, made within the established powers thereof, are
of the same binding force and authority as though
made by the Grand Lodge itself. By whatever
name such a court may be called, or with whatever
powers it may be invested, it is still, in legal effect
nothing more than a committee of the Grand Lodge.
Its action is simply the action of the Grand Lodge,
by its agent or referee. Though appeals be authori zed directly to such a court, they may still be taken
directly to the Grand Lodge; for the right to appeal to
that supreme body is a landmark of the Order, which
$7
r
Z 
.IMASONIC TRIALS.
not even the Grand Lodge can abridge or alter.  The
trial before a Court of Appeals is, then, only another method of trial by the Grand Lodge; and it is
not possible for the Grand Lodge, by vesting judicial
power in such a tribunal, to divest itself of its own
jurisdiction and responsibility in the premises.  It
may authorize, but cannot lawfully comnpel, the taking
of appeals to another bar than its own. To the
Grand Lodge itself the aggrieved appellant has still
the right to pray, and to his prayer the Grand
Lodge is still bound to listeiln.
APPEAL FROMN GRAND MASTER TO GRAND LODGE.
To the M'i. W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepte(l
Masons of the State of Michigain.
The undersigned hereby appeals to you from the
decision of the IM.'W. Grand Master, made in and
by his order of June 30thl, A. L. 58..., in the case of
the appeal of this appellant from the decision of
...... Lodge, No..., to the said Grand Master, whereby
the decision of said lodge was sustained.
For the grounds of this appeal reference is hereby
made to the particular statement of the same as
made in the appeal from said lodge to the Grand
Master; consideration of which is hereby respectfully
asked.
Dated.... A. L. 58....
A..........., Appellant.
Notice of this appeal should be given to the
Grand Master and served upon the subordinate lodge.
After a due investigation of the case, the Grand
Lodge may, by a majority vote
8 -S
r 
OF APPEALS.
1. Affirm the decision appealed from.
2. Reverse the decision.
3. Modify or change the decision.
4. Award a new trial.
If the penalty be too severe, the Grand Lodge
may inflict a milder one; if not sufficient, it may
adjudge one more severe. It may sustain the judgment and revoke or alter the sentence, or it may set
aside both together.   It has,  in short, sovereign
jurisdiction in the premises, subject only to the
limitations before mentioned.
If the decision of the subordinate lodge be affirmed,
the MIasonic standing of the accused will remain
precisely as fixed by the decision of the subordinate
tribunal.
If a new trial be awarded, the status of the accused
will be, ill the mean time, that of a Mason under
charges.
Consideration of the effect of a reversal or modification of the decision appealed from will be deferred
to the chapter upon Restoration.
9 
XII.
OF NEW TRIALS.
If the Grand Lodge is dissatisfied with the decision
made below, but is still unwilling, either from inade quacy of proof or any other reason, to make any
final order in the premises, it refers the case back to
the subordinate lodge for a new trial.
In the mean time (unless some further or different
order be made by the Grand Lodge) the Masonic
standing of the accused is that of a Mason under
charges; for inasmuch as the decision of the subordinate tribunal has been reviewed by the Grand
Lodge, and not sustained, but a new trial ordered, the
lodge must retrace its steps, and the old conviction
and sentence (or acquittal, if that were the decision)
stand for naught. The decision is annulled, though
the proceedings continue.
The new trial proceeds, unless special order be
made to the contrary, upon the charges and answer
already on file, and begins at the introduction of the
proofs. No amendments can be made of the charges
.-~ 
OF NEW TRIALS.
and specifications except under the like restrictions
as at first, and none of the answer except upon
application of the accused and permission of the
Worshipful Master.
The proofs upon the new trial may be taken before
the lodge or before commissioners, as the lodge sball
determine, without regard to which method was
formerly pursued. If they be taken before commissioners, the Worshipful Master may continue the
commissioners before appointed, or appoint new ones,
in his discretion; but in either case there is the same
right of objection as before.
In the matter of the selection of counsel, the same
rules and the same right of objection apply as in the
original trial.
From the opening of the proofs, the case proceeds
under precisely the same rules and regulations as
though it had never before been tried.
The parties are not limited to the evidence pro duced at the former trial, but either of them may
introduce any new proofs he may please, subject only
to those general rules which govern the introduction
of proofs in all Masonic trials. But the proofs must
begin and proceed de novo. The proofs taken and
recorded upon the former trial cannot be received
and considered as evidence of the facts therein
stated, unless both parties shall freely consent that
they be so considered. In other words, proofs made
upon a former trial cannot be treated as evidence in
the new trial, unless they be made and introduced
91 
MASONIC TRIALS.
anew, in like manner as at first. The parties may
stipulate to waive this rule of evidence, as they may
any other; but if any such stipulation be made, it
should be particularly minuted in the recording of
the proofs.
Upon the final decision of the case, the lodge may
acquit or convict the accused, or inflict any one of
the Masonic penalties, or none at all, as it shall deem
most just; being governed in no respect whatever by
its former action.
If, on account of some fault in the charges and
specifications, or for any other reason, it shall be
deemed unsafe or inexpedient to proceed to a new
trial, the case may be entirely abandoned, and prosecution be instituted de ntovo, by the filing of new
charges and specifications. The lodge is not obliged,
upon the case being remanded for new trial, to try it
a second time. It then stands like any other case
before the lodge, ready for the introduction of proofs,
and may be prosecuted or abandoned, as the accuser
shall desire.
If, upon new trial, the accused be a second time
convicted, he may again appeal to the Grand Lodge;
and no number of convictions or acquittals can exhaust the right of either party to appeal-a right
inalienable and indestructible in every Mason.
In case the accuser do not proceed with the prosecution within a reasonable time after the remanding
of the case for'agnew trial, the Worshipful Master
may either appoint counsel and direct that the trial
92
w_ 
OF NEW TRIALS.
proceed, or dismiss the charges, as, in view of all
the circumstances, he shall think to be proper; and
the one or the other he ought most certainly to do; for
the accused has the right here, as everywhere, to a
speedy and impartial trial by his peers, while it is
always the province of the Master to forbid a prosecution upon frivolous or insufficient charges. (Decisions of G. M., Nos. 90 and 91.) No lodge or
Master has the right to subject a brother to the
disgrace and mortification of charges pending against
him without a prospect of immediate trial. The
Worshipful Master should make it a rule to dispose of
every Masonic trial with all reasonable dispatch,
and in case of neglect or refusal to prosecute a case, to
dismiss it from the lodge.
A brother under sentence may obtain a new trial
at once, without appeal, by exhibiting satisfactory
reasons therefor to the Grand Lodge or Grand Master,
who may thereupon order a new trial. But the lodge
can only grant a new trial by an unanimous vote.
(Decisions of G. M., No. 48.)  After a new trial is
granted by the lodge, precisely the same rules govern
it as though it were granted by the Grand Lodge.
A form of petition for new trial will be found in the
chapter on Grand Lodge Trials, which can readily be
adapted for use in the subordinate lodge.
93
sa_ 
XIII.
OF RESTORATION.
Restoration is the reinstatement of a suspended or
expelled Mason to his standing in the Order, either
in whole or in part.
The effect of restoration may be the re-investment
of the delinquent with the rights and benefits of Ma sonry merely, without membership in any lodge; or
its effect may be to renew both his general rights as a
Mason and his membership in a particular lodge;
according as the nature of the case shall be.
Restoration follows as the result of one of three
different causes, viz:
1. Act of law.
2. Act of the lodge.
3. Act of the Grand Lodge.
Restoration occurs by act of law in case of definitesuspension only.. Where sentence of suspension for
a fixed and determinate period is passed against a
Mason, he is, upon the termination of that period,
instantly restored to all those rights and privileges 
OF RESTORATION.
from which he stood suspended; without any further
action either upon his own part or upon the part of
the lodge wherein the sentence was passed, but by
mere operation of law. The termination of the sentence is the termination of the suspension; and the
punishment being expressly limited by the tribunal
inflicting it, that punishment cannot be continued,
nor any deprivation of Masonic rights extended, beyond the piescribed limit. This restoration is both
to the rights of Masonry and to the rights of membership; for suspension, as already remarked in the
chapter upon Masonic penalties, is not a total destruction, but a temporary interruption, of Masonic
rights. But restoration from definite suspension does
not revive any Masonic rights which did not exist at
the time the sentence took effect. It restores the delinquent to his former position, and nothing more.
If he holds an office when sentence is passed upon
him, the sentence suspends him from his office, as
from every other Masonic franchise; and if his restoration occurs before his term of office expires, he
is restored to his office as well as to every other franchise which he enjoyed at the time of passing of
sentence upon him. If the office terminates before
the suspension, of course there is no restoration to the
office.
Restoration by act of the lodge may occur in case of
definite suspension, of indefinite suspension, or of expulsion.
If one under sentence of definite suspension shall
95 
MASONIC TRIALS.
by good behavior and apparent reformation seem to
merit a remission of some portion of the penalty
pronounced against him, the lodge may, at any time
before the expiration of the period of his suspension,
restore him to all his former rights by a two4-thirds
vote. This action may be either by the voluntary
motion of the lodge, or upon petition of the brother
under sentence. The effect of such restoration will
be precisely the same as though the period of his
sentence had elapsed, and hehad been restored by
operation of law.
The lodge may restore from indefinite suspension
in the same manner and for the same causes as in case
of definite suspension, and with the like effect: the
only difference between the two cases being, that
where sentence of indefinite suspension is passed, no
restoration can ever take place except by positive
action of the lodge or of the Grand Lodge; whereas
restoration follows a sentence of definite suspension
inevitably, and by force of law, upon the lapse of the
sentence, but may take place by act of the lodge or of
the Grand Lodge before the expiration of that time.
The lodge cannot restore in either case except by a
two-thirds vote. (Const. of G. L., Art. 6, Sec. 4.)
A suspended brother may petition his lodge for
restoration without recommendation, but to claim the
favorable consideration of the lodge it is better to be
recommended. (Decisions of G. M., No. 82.)
The lodge cannot restore from expulsion except
upon petition of the delinquent, with good recoinm
96
v
P-1 
OF RESTORATION.
mnendation.  A  unanimous vote is required for such
restoration. (Const. of G. L., Art. 6, Sec. 4.) Precisely the same steps must be taken as upon the
election of a profane. The man under sentence of
expulsion, although in possession of Masonic knowledge, is nevertheless, in contemplation of Masonic
law, as much a stranger to the fraternity as though he
had never been initiated, passed nor raised. He has
no Masonic existence whatever; and his restoration
is, in legal effect, the making of a new Mason.
An expelled offender cannot be restored upon his
verbal application merely; he must petition in writing, setting forth his present standing and his desire
for restoration, and his willing determination to abide
henceforth by the rules of the Order. A petition for
restoration, whether it be from one under sentence of
suspension or expulsion, can only be presented to and
received by the lodge wherein the trial was had and
sentence passed, or the Grand Lodge within whose
jurisdiction said lodge was held.
PETITION FOR RESTORATION.
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren
of.....Lodge, No..., of Free and Accepted Masons.
The undersigned respectfully represents that he was
formerly a member of said lodge. That on or about
the...... day of..... A. L. 58..., he was tried for unmasonic conduct upon charges preferred against him in
said lodge, and that upon due convictionl of said
charges the said lodge passed sentence of..... against
him, which sentence is now in full force and effect,
97
ik — 
MASONIC TRIALS.
That he is desirous of being restored to the rights
and benefits of Masonry, and to his membership in
said lodge, and he hereby solemnly promises upon his
honor that if such restoration shall be granted him,
he will ever yield a cheerful obedience to all the laws,
rules and customs of the fraternity.
Wherefore he respectfully prays the said lodge to
restore him to his Masonic rights and membership as
aforesaid.
Dated.... A. L. 58...
A...... B.......
Recommended by
S.T.
U..
No subordinate lodge except the one that passed
the sentence is competent to restore from any of the
disabilities attending the same.
Restoration can only be made at a regular coimmunication, and while the lodge is open upon the
third degree. It cannot lawfully occur at any special
communication, even though the same be called for
that purpose.
The vote upon restoration from sentence of expulsion must be by ballot, which ballot is subject to the
same rules as if cast for initiation.
Unconditional restoration from sentence of expulsion, if made by a subordinate lodge, restores the
delinquent to all the rights he enjoyed at the time of
his expulsion. If, at the time of his expulsion, he
was a member of the lodge, it restores him both to
Masonry and to membership; if he was not a member, it restores him to Masonry only.  But restoration
98
W 
OP RESTORAtION.
from expulsion does not in any case restore to office;
for by the sentence all personal and official rights are
not simply suspended, but utterly destroyed, and
nothing but a new election can re-invest the party
with official power.
Restoration by act of the Grand Lodge takes place
upon appeal or upon petition.
It has already been remarked, in the chapter upon
Masonic Penalties, that the sentence or decision of the
lodge stands in full force in all cases, until formally
revoked by the Grand Lodge. But if, upon the trial
of an appeal, the sentence of expulsion or suspension
passed in the lodge be reversed by the Grand Lodge,
such reversal reverts to the very root of the matter,
and annuls the sentence from the beginning; so that
the case then stands as though no sentence had ever
been passed. Reversal of conviction and sentence
upon appeal, has precisely the same legal effect as a
judgment of acquittal would have had if passed by
the lodge in the first instance. It therefore follows as
an inevitable result, that upon judgment of reversal
being passed by the Grand Lodge as aforesaid, the
accused stands completely justified, and is at once
re-invested with all his rights.  He  is perfectly
restored, both to Masonry and to membership. Deprivation of membership was one of the results of the
sentence; and as that sentence stands absolutely
revoked and annulled, all of its results are revoked
and annulled with it. The effect cannot continue
without the cause. To still debar him of membership,
99
,   ~ 
MASONIC TRIALS.
would be to inflict punishment upon a man whom the
highest judicial authority has pronounced entirely
innocent. A lodge can no more deprive a Mason of
his membership without legal and sufficient reason,
than of his general Masonic rights. It is true that
each lodge has the absolute right to admit to or exclude from its membership whomsoever it pleases,
without dictation from the Grand Lodge; but this is
not obliging the lodge to admit a member who is distasteful to it; it is only saying to the lodge, "you
shall not unlawfully and unjustly eject a member
whom you have freely admitted among your number."
The question is purely judicial in its nature, and does
not touch at all the right of the lodge to admit or
reject whoever it pleases; for rejection and ejection
are widely different things.  The action which a lodge
takes in passing judgment and sentence in a Masonic
trial, and the action which it takes in balloting upon
a petition for membership or initiation, are as dissimilar as the action of a court and of a legislative body.
There is therefore no real conflict between this righteous and well-supported principle, and the principle
of that independent control which the lodge has over
the question of membership, as some have vainly
argued. Besides, the very jurisdiction which the
Grand Lodge has of the appeal, necessarily presupposes and implies the authority to determine all
matters connected therewith.
In combating the erroneous opinion, advanced by
some, that such a reversal reinstates the accused in
100 
OF RESTORATION.
Masonry only, and not in his membership, Dr.
Mackey observes: "Who will dare to say that a
lodge may thus, by an arbitrary exercise of power,
inflict this grievous wrong on a brother, and that the
Grand Lodge has not the prerogative, as the supreme
protector of the rights of the whole fraternity, to interpose its superior power, and give back to injured
innocence all that iniquity or injustice would have
deprived it of? Who will dare to say, in the face of
the great principles of justice and equity, that though
innocent, a Mason shall receive but a portion of the
redress to which he is entitled, and that he shall be
sent from the interposing shield of the supreme authority and highest court of justice of the Order, not
protected in his innocence and restored to his rights,
but as an innocent man, sharing in the punishment
which should only have been awarded to the guilty?
A doctrine so full of arbitrary oppression and injustice would be to every honest man the crying reproach
of the institution."
That eminent civil and Masonic jurist, Albert
Pike, in commenting upon this question, says: "If,
in case of trial and conviction, suspension or expulsion from the rights and benefits of Masonry is
adjudged, that includes, as a part of itself, suspension
or expulsion from membership. If, on appeal, the
Grand Lodge reverses the decision of the subordinate,
on the ground of error in the proceedings, or of innocence, that reversal annuls the judgment, and it is as
if never pronounced. Consequently it has no effect
101 
lE ASONIC TtIAL9.
whatever, and, in Masonic law, the miatter stands as
if no such judgment had ever been rendered. The
effect of reversal is, that the accused was never suspended nor expelled at all, in law; and there is no
power in the Grand Lodge, either by judgment or by
previous legislation, to give such judgment or reversal any other or less effect. These principles of
Masonic law seem to us so palpably plain and correct
as to need no argument; and if violated anywhere,
we hope to see the ancient landmarks set up again in
this respect."
The Grand Lodge restores, in the second instance,
upon the petition of one who is under sentence of
expulsion or suspension, where the legality or justice
of the sentence is not denied. In this case it is not
redress against the wrongful act of an inferior tribunal that is asked, or granted, but a favor proceeding
out of the clemency and grace of the supreme power.
It is in the nature of a pardon, or remission of a
penalty lawfiully imposed, based upon the fact that
the party has abandoned his wickedness, and given
assurance, by evident reformation, of honorable conduct for the future.
In this case the Grand Lodge may, by its prerogative of mercy, restore the petitioner to the rights and
benefits of Masonry, but not to his membership in
any lodge. The reason of this is evident. The sentence having never been questioned nor revoked, nor
its justice denied, the petitioner stands totally deprived
of his Masonic rights and membership. He comes
101-? 
OF RESTORATIO.N-.
not in the character of an appellant, but of a stranger;
not as a litigant within the Order, but as a stranger
from without. His Masonic rights and his member ship being utterly lost, or completely suspended, a
new admissio) must be granted by the appropriate
jurisdiction before he can again enjoy either. The
Grand Lodge has power to invest him with the rights
and benefits of Masonry, but not to admit to membership in any lodge. Only by consent of the lodge
itself can new members be admitted into its own
body. The Masonic standing of a brother thus
restored by the Grand Lodge is, therefore, that of an
unaffiliated Mason; and he may petition and be
admitted to membership in the lodge; for it is against
the spirit of Masonry to encourage or enforce nonaffiliation.
Thus it will be seen that a very material difference
exists between restoration upon appeal and upon
petition to the Grand Lodge. In fact, the former
can scarcely, in strict propriety, be denominated a
restoration, though it is invariably treated under that
title: it is rather the nullifying or setting aside of an
unlawful or unjust sentence; whereas the latter is
founded upon the express admission that the original
sentence was lawful and just. The former removes
every deprivation, both of fraternity and membership; the latter restores to Masonry, but not to
membership. The former is granted as a matter of
justice; the latter as a matter of grace. The former
is judicial; the latter is non-judicial. The former
103 
MASONIC TRIALS.
moves to a litigant brother within the Order; the
latter to a petitioning stranger without.
The Grand Lodge has equal power to restore,
whether the sentence be that of a subordinate lodge,
or its own; and whether it be that of expulsion, or
of definite or indefinite suspension.
A petition to the Grand Lodge for restoration
should be substantially the same as that to a subordinate lodge, a form for which is given in a former part
of this chapter. It should specify the former standing and membership of the petitioner, the lodge
wherein he was tried, the nature and date of the seutence, his purpose to abide by the rules of the Order,
and close with a prayer for restoration.  The address
should be to the Grand Lodge by its official title, and
the recommendation should be by at least two members or officers of the Grand Lodge, with an avouchment by the Master or Secretary of the lodge by
which the sentence was passed.
104
PI — 
XIV.
OF GRAND LODGE TRIALS.
The Grand Lodge is a representative body, composed of its own Grand Officers, Past Grand Masters
who are members of subordinate lodges, the Worshipful Masters of chartered lodges, or such representatives
as mnay occasionally be appointed in the room of
Masters unable to attend.   All Past  Masters of
subordinate lodges, who are in good standing, are
honorary members  of the Grand  Lodge, without
the right to vote.  (Const. of G. L., Art. 1, Sec. 2.)
It is hailed by the style and title of "THE GRAND
LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS  OF THE
STATE OF MICHIGAN." (Ibid. Art. 1, Sec. 1.)
Our Grand Lodge is a body corporate under the
laws of the State of Michigan, with full power to sue
and be sued, purchase, hold or grant real and personal
estate, make contracts, enact by-laws and regulations,
and do all other things which private corporations
may of right do. (Laws of Mich., 1849, page 313;
Do., 1869, page 115.) 
MASONIC TRIALS.
Its jurisdiction is co-extensive with the limits of
the State, and within said jurisdiction it is the
supreme Masonic authority. Its powers are plenary
and absolute, except as they are limited by the
ancient and immutable Landmarks of Freemasonry
(Gen. Reg. of 1721, No. 39); its corporate and civil
powers being of course limited by the legislative acts
of incorporation. It holds a general supervisory
control of the craft, and faithful allegiance and
implicit obedience are due to it from all subordinate
lodges and individual Masons within its jurisdiction.
The Masonic functions of the Grand Lodge are
usually considered under three heads, viz:
1. The Legislative.
2. The Executive.
3. The Judicial.
Only the judicial branch of its powers is properly
within the scope of this treatise, and hence the legislative and executive departments will not be here
considered; the reader being referred, for information
upon those topics, to those works in which the general
system of Masonic jurisprudence is elaborated.
As the supreme judicial authority, the Grand
Lodge has both appellate and original jurisdiction.
Its appellate jurisdiction extends, with certain exceptions, to the acts and decisions of every Masonic
body, tribunal and officer beneath it, and has been
already sufficiently considered under the title of
Appeals.
The original jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge is
106
W 
OF GRAND LODGE TRIALS.
either exclitsive or cocurret.  It is exclusive over
subordinate lodges and Masters of lodges, in questions
between different lodges, and in the interpretation and
enforcement of its own constitution, by-laws and
regulations within its own  body,  and among  its
own officers and agents. It is concurrent with
that of the subordinate lodges over all Masons,
affiliant and non-affiliant, (except thie Grand Master)
withlin its territorial limits, and in the construction
and enforcement of the general  laws of Masonry.
Although it is the common practice for all trials
within the purview of such concurrent jurisdiction to
have their inception in the subordinate lodge, and
although this practice is, except in some peculiar
cases, by far the more expedient, yet the Grand
Lodge may at all times exercise its original jurisdiction.  In brief, the original jurisdiction of the Grand
Lodge, as to all judicial matters, and matters of
Masonic discipline, is universal within its territorial
limits, except for violations of the particular by-laws
and internal regulations of subordinate lodges; in
which case each lodge has exclusive original jurisdiction, fromn which appeals lie to the Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge has exclusive penal jurisdiction
over the Grand Master, to be exercised according
to such regulations as shall be prescribed by the
Grand Lodge itself.  (Gen. Reg. of 1721, No. 19.)
But, with honor to our Grand Masters be it said,
there has never yet been an instance where such
interposition has been necessary; every Grand Master
E
107
Fs 
..
I, 
MASONIC TRIALS.
having borne himself in a manner worthy of the
dignity of his high office.
Charges against a lodge or a Worshipful Master
can only be preferred to the Grand Lodge, or, in the
interim, to the Grand Master, and are framed upon
the same general principles as charges preferred in a
subordinate lodge against an individual Mason.
CHARGES AGAINST A LODGE.
To the M. W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of Michigan.
...... Lodge, No..., of Free and Accepted Masons,
is hereby charged with willful violation of Section
9 of Article 6 of the Constitution of said Grand
Lo(lge, in this, to-wit:
-Specificatioi, 1. That said lodge has for more than
oie year last past neglected to assemble.
SpecificationI 2. That  said Lodge  has  for  two
years last past neglected to make returns or pay
dlues to said Grand Lodge.
All of which is contrary to Masonic law, and
tends to the wrong and injury of said Grand Lodge
anid of the craft; wherefore it is demanded that said
lodge be put upon trial therefor, and dealt with
accordiing to Masonic law and usage.
Dated...... A. L. 58....
C......D........., Accuser.
CHARGES AGAINST A MASTER.
To the M. W. Grand Lodge of Free an(l Accepted(
Masons of the State of Michigan.
O...... P......, Worshlipful Master of......Lodge, No.
..., of Free and Accepted Masons, is hereby chiarged
withl gross unmasonic conduct, in willfully violating,
108
u- 
. e.. 
I.
eee     ~ 
OF GRAND LODGE TRIALS.
Section 14 of Article 6 of the Constitution of said
Grand Lodge, in this, to-wit:
Specificationi 1. Thllat the said 0. P., while presiding
as Worshipfiil Master of said lodge, at a regular
communiication  thereof, held on the... day  of.....
A. L. 58..., did in open lodge use, and permit to be
used by brethren there assembled, distilled spirits
and intoxicating liquors.
Said 0. P. is further charged with unmasonic conduct, and with a willful violation of his official dulties
and obligations, in this, to-wit:
,Specficcatio) 2. That the said 0. P. did, at'a regular communication of said lodge, held on the... day
of'., A. L. 58..., raise one W. F. to the sululime
(.%r,ce vf a Master Mason, after the ballot for the
(~lYanlecuict of the said W. F. had been inspected
aud declared not clear, and against the protest of the
brethren.
Which  acts of the said 0. P. are in violation
of his duties and obligations as a Mason and as a
Worshipful Master, and to the scandal and disgrace
of the Masonic fraternity; wherefore it is demanded
that the said 0. P. be put upon trial before
said Grand Lodge, and dealt with according to
Masonic law and usage; and it is further demanded
and prayed that the M. W. Grand Master do forthwvith suspend the said 0. P. from his office of
Worshipful Master until the next annual comlmunication of said Grand Lodge.
Dated...... A. L. 58....
C.........D........., Accuser.
Thle charges should  be filed  with the  Grand
Secretary.  The Grand  Master, upon being made
acquainted with their contents, orders the issuing of
summonis to the accused, commanding him to appear
and ainswer within a time prescribed in the summnons,
109 
IMASONIC TRIALS.
and makes such other order as the case mnay demand.
If the charges be against a lodge, he may arrest its
charter until the trial; if against a Master, he may
forthwith suspend the accused fromn his office for a
like period.
The Grand Secretary serves the summons, accompanied by any interlocutory order which the Grand
Master may make, and a certified copy of the
charges, upon the accused, or causes the same to be
done.
ORDER OF GRAND MASTER, ARRESTING CIhARTER OF
LODGE.
Office of the Gracnd Master of MasoIns
of the State of Michiganl. 
June 13thl, A. D. 18..., A. L. 58...
In the matter of..... Lodge, }
No..., of F. and A. Masons. 
Upon the filing of charges and specifications
against said lodge by R. S., and upon good cause
appearing, by virtue of the power and authority in
me vested as Grand Master of Masons in the State
of Michigan, I do hereby order that the charter of
said lodge be and the same is hereby arrested, and
the opening and working of said lodge thereunder
forbidden until the trial and decision of said charges
and specifications by the Grand Lodge; and that the
Worshipful Master of said lodge do forthwith deliver
said charter to the Grand Secretary, to be by him
retained, subject to such order as the Grand Lodge
shall make.
Witness my hand at......, the date above written.
A. T. MA., Grand Master.
110
97 
OF (RAXD LODGE TPIALS.
ORDER OF GRAND MASTER, SUSPENDING WORSHIPFUL
MASTER FROMI OFFICE.
Office of the Grand Master of Masons 
of the State of Michigan. 
June 13th, A. D. 18..., A. L. 58... i
In the matter 
of
Brother O.... P....
Upon the filing of charges against Brother O. P.,
WTorshipful Master of..... Lodge, No..., of Free and
Accepted Masons, and upon good cause appearing, by
virtue of the power and authority ill me vested as
Grand Master of Masons in the State of Michigan, I
do hereby order that the said O. P. be and he is
hereby suspended from the functions of his office as
Worshipfutil Master, and forbidden to exercise the
same, until the trial and decision of said charges by
the Grand Lodge.
Witness my hand at......, the date above written.
A. T. M., Grand Master.
The proofs are usually taken by commissioners
appointed by the Grand Master or the Granld Lodge.
The powers of the Grand Master in connection with
a Grand Lodge trial correspond very nearly with
those of a Master uponll a trial in a subordinate lodge.
The same general rules as to counsel, proofs and
notice apply, and upon the coming in of the report of
the commissioners the steps to be taken are substantially the same as in a subordinate lodge, though the
particular method of procedure in any trial is entirely
at the optioni of the Grand Lodge. All judicial
action in the Grand Lodge is taken by a majority
11i
W 
12MASONIC TRIALS.
vote, which vote may be reconsidered at anly time
within twenty-four hours. (By-Laws of G. L. Art. 9.)
The Grand Master has power, in case of emergency,
to convene the Grand Lodge specially for the purposes of a trial.  No judicial action call be taken ill
any case unless there be present representatives from
at  least  twenty-five  subordinate  working  lodg,es.
(Const. of G. L., Art. 1, Sec. 3.)
In some jurisdictions the general judicial business
of the Grand Lodge, original as well as appellate,
is referred to a Court of Appeals for investigation
and adjudication, which is in reality only another
method of trial by the Grand Lodge itself; such
court being, the immediate agent and referee of the
Grand  Lodge.  The decisions of such court, being
in effect the decisions of the Grand Lodge itself, are
of like force as though made by that body. For
further remarks in this regard the reader is referred
to the chapter on Appeals.
Upon individual delinquents the Grand Lodge
inflicts any of the Masonic penalties, in its discretion.
A delinquent lodge is usually punished by arresting
or revoking its charter.
Upon the ground of manifest error or mistake,
newly discovered evidence, or other sufficient cause,
the Grand Lodge may, upon application of either
party, grant a new trial within its own body. If the
Grand Lodge be not in session, application for new
trial may be made to the Grand Master, who has in
the i)iterim full power to grant the same.
112
V 
OF (IAND LIODi(EL TltIALS.
APPLICATION FOR NEW TRIAI,.
To the A. AV. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
M\Iasons of the State of Michigan.  (Or to the MI. \W.
Grand Master ol, etc.)
The undersigned herebv requests that a new trial
he granted in the matter of (here (ldesignate the ease)
f)r the followiug reasons, to wvit:
1. Because he has discovered since the trial of
said matter, and is now able to produce, the following
inew  evidence, to wit:  (Here  set forth the new
evidence.)
2. Because the G(rand Lodge was misled, and great
injury wrought to the undersigned, by the testimony
of G.  I.,,whose testimony the undersi(ned is now
able to show by the testimony of B. W. and L. N.
(or anyi other testimony) was false and untrue in the
foliowving particulair s: (state in what particulars,)
which testimony of the said G. M. the ulndersigned
wa-s unable to rebul)t at the said trial.
. Because the Grand  Lodge  erred  in passing
judgmnent upon said matter  }when there vwas not a
constitutional quorum present.  (Here state the proof
of the fact.)
4. Because the decision of thle Grand Lodge was
contrary to the law and the evidence in this, to wit:
(specify the error.)
Dated...... A. L. 58...
A......B.......
A  new trial w,ill not be granted  by the Grand
Lodg,e, as a general rule, unless the application
therefor be miade within the time limiited for taking
appeals firom subordinate lodges; namely,  ninety
days from notice of judgment.  But upon good cause
being shown for the delay, new trial may be granted
1.1)
PI — 
11  MASONuC TRIALS.
at any time; anld of the sufficiency of such cause the
Grand Lodg'e or the Graind Master is the judge.
ORDEtl 1,  GRAND MASTER FOR NEW TRTIAl.
Ofice of the Grand Master of Masons)
of the Sta'te of Michigan,
June 13th, A. D. 18..., A. L.  58....
In thle matter 
of
Brother A... B... 
U"pon application of the said A. B., and upon good
cause to me  shown, by virtue of the power and
authority in me vested as Grand Master of Masons
in the State of' Michigan, I do hereby order that a
new trial be had in the said matter, and that the
same be brought on for hearing before thle Grand
Lodg,e at the next annual conmmunicationi thereof.
And further, that a copy of this order be served
upon...... within......days from the date hereof.
Witlness miy hand at......the date above written.
A. T. M., Grand Master.
The  granting of a  new trial before tle Grand
Lodge is attended with the like effects, as to the former
decision or sentence, and the Masolnic standing of tlhe
accused, as in trials before a subordinate lodge; and
the trial proceeds ulpon the same general principles as
in the first instance.
1-14
L 
SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTE1R.
POWERS OF THE GRAND MASTER RELA     TI VE TO TRIALS AND APPEALS.
There is one other subject which, although not
strictly within the purview of any of the particular divisions under which Masonic Trials are treated
in the foregoing pages, is still necessary to the proper
completion of a treatise of this nature; and it has
accordingly been reserved for separate consideration.
The  subject is that of the power of the Grand
Master as pertaining to judicial matters; including
the question of the legality of appeals to him in certain cases, as the presiding head of the craft.  The
inquiry is not without its difficulties; for notwithstanlding the importance of the principles involved, a
wide diversity of opinion exists among the most eminent Masonic jurists in regard to sonice of them; and
lhence occasion will be here taken to discuss with
W 
1IASONIC TRIALS.
particularity some points that have been only briefly
mentioned, or incidentally alluded to, in the preceding
chapters.
In the chapter upon the Tribunal it has been
already remarked  that the only judicial tribunals
known in ancient craft Masonry were Lodges and
Grand  Lodges.  In that portion of the old York
Constitutions of A. D. 926 denominiated the "Fifteen
Points," we find the followiing laid downi as the tenth
point:  " IfI a Mason live amiss, or slander his brother, so as to bring the craft to shame, he shall have no
further maintenance among the brethren, but lshall
be summoned to the next Gra,(1d Lodge; and if he
refuse to appear. he shall be expelled." Dr. Mackey,
in commenting upon the judicial powers of the Grand
Lodge says   "There is no fact in the history of
Miasonic jurisprudence more certain than that the
General Assembly, or Grand Lodge, always in ancient
times exercised an original jurisdiction and supervision over the craft;" and he might have added with
equal truth, that the exclusive power to hear and
determine Masonic trials was  anciently in the same
grand body.  AV,e nohelre find, either in the Ancient
Landmarks or in tlle Ancient Constitutions of 926,
any provision recognizing or implying the existence
of this power in the Gracnd  Iaster, nor yet in the
subordinate lodges. But by the fifth section of the
Constitutions of Eldward III, 1427-77, a portion of
that penal jurisdiction that had before rested solely
in the Grand Lodge or General Assembly, vwas dele
116 
POWERS OF GRAND MASTEPR.
gated to the subordinate lodges, in the words following:  "That at such congregations (i. e., lodges) it
shall be inquired whether any Master or Fellow has
broken any of the articles agreed to. And if the
offender, being duly cited to appear, prove rebel, and
will not attend, then the lodge shall determin)e against
him that he shall forswear (or renounce) his Masonry,
and shall no more use this craft."  And again, by
the ninth section of the General Regulations of 1721
(which, though of comparatively modern date, are
usually classed with the more ancient law of Masonry)
it is provided that, "If any brother so far misbehave
himself as to render his lodge uneasy, he shall be
tA ice duly admonished by the Master or Wardens ii
o formied lodge; and if he will not refrain his imprudence, and obediently submit to the advice of the
brethren, and reform what gives them offense, he shall
be dealt with aecording to the by-laws of that particular
lodge, or else in such a manner as the quarterly communication shall think fit; for which a new regulation may be afterwards made."  But neither by the
Ancient Landmarks, nor the Ancient Constitutions,
nor the General Regulations of 1721, is any power
to hear and determine Masonic trials conferred upon,
or recognized as existing in, the Grand Master.
It is certain, thlen, that the only tribunals with full
judicial powers that are known in ancient Freemasonrv are lodges and Grand Lodges; for while it is true
that Grand Lodges, as at present organized, are of
comparatively modern date, (the beginning of the
117 
8MASONIC TRIALS.
18th century of the Christian era) yet from time
immemorial it was the custom of the craft to convene
annually, or oftener, in General Assembly; which
assembly was a convocation of all Masons living
within a particular district or jurisdiction, with su
preme and exclusive power, when so convened, over
all matters, whether legislative, executive or judicial,
touching the welfare of the Order; and although our
Grand Lodges are at present, for the sake of convenience and economy, composed of representatives
instead of the aggregate membership of the craft, yet
they are in every respect the regular and lawful successors of the former General Assemblies, and in them
are vested all the powers and prerogatives of those
ancient bodies, except so far as the same have been
delegated to the subordinate lodges. Hence, while the
Grand (and Worshipful) Masters have certain very
important incidental powers pertaining to Masonic
trials, yet they cannot try, sentence nor punish; and
whatever action they may take in the premises is
subject to review by the body whose instrument they
are, namely, the Grand Lodge; for they are but the
agents, in legal contemplation, of that supreme tribunal, for the administration of Masonic justice-the
Grand Lodge being the sole fountain not only of
justice, but also of all judicial power within the
Order.
Now let us consider the powers of the Grand
Master relative to appeals.  The thirteenth of the
Ancient Landmarks declares the inalienable "right
I'l-8
c 
POWERS OF GRAND MASTER.
of every Mason to appeal from the decision of his
brethren in lodge convened to the Grand Lodge, or
General Assembly of Masons." Previous to the Constitutions of Edward III. these appeals must have
been only as to decisions touching the work or general
business of the lodge; for until that time no Masonic
trials for offenses could ever occur there; the power
to hear the same not having been delegated by the
General Assembly. In the thirteenth of the General
Regulations of 1721 it is provided: "At the said
quarterly communication all matters that concern the
fraternity in general, or particular lodges, or single
brethren, are quietly, sedately and maturely to be
discoursed of and transacted. * * * * Here
also differences that cannot be made up and
accommodated privately, nor by a particutlar lodge,
are to be seriously considered and decided. And if
any brother thinks himself aggrieved by the decision
of this board, he may appeal to the annual Grand
Lodge rext en.suting," etc.  The twenty-eighth of the
same Regulations provides, as a part of the business
of the Grand Lodge, "to receive any appeals duly
lodged, as above regulated, that the appellant may be
heard," etc.  Here we find no power vested in the
Grand MAaster to hear appeals, nor any right conferred of appeal to any other tribunal than the Grand
Lodge. Whence, then, arises that practice (which,
by long usage and wide-spread recognition, has acquired the force of law) of appealing from those
decisions of the lodge pertaining to work or general
119
k-.  
MASONIC TRIALS.
business, directly to the Grand Master himself, during the recess of the Grand Lodge? Is it dependent
solely upon immemorial custom for its legality? or is
it based upon some positive enactment?  Though
appeals from the lodge to the Grand Master may be
of rare occurrence inll this jurisdiction, yet in many
others they occur continually, and as a matter of
course; and their legality is not questioned by any
authority that I have been able to consult.
WVe find the powers of the Grand Master to be derived from two sources; namnely, from prerogative
and from grant. Those derived from the former
source are inherent in his office, and pertain to it
indefeasibly, independent of any authorization or
sanction by the Grand Lodge, or by any body of
Masons whatever.  Those derived from  the latter
source are delegated to him by act of the General
Assembly or Grand Lodge. In the enumeration of
the several branches of the prerogative of the Grand
Master we find the following, viz:  "To exercise a
general supervision and government of the fraternity
in his jurisdiction, during the recess of the Grand
Lodge."  By common consent of all Masons throughout the world this has been from time immemorial an
unquestioned branch of his prerogative. In the sixteenth of the General Regulations of 1721 it is
provided that, "the Grand Wardens, or any others,
are first to advise with the Deputy about the affairs of
the lodge or of the brethren, and not to apply to the
Grand Master without the knowledge of the Deputy,
120
W — 
POWERS OF GRAND MASTER.
unless he refuse his concurrence in any certain necessary a.fiir; in which case, or in case of any difference
between the Deputy and the Grand Wardens, or
other brethren, both parties are to go by concert to the
Gr'and i3a.ster, who can easily decide the controversy,
and make up the difference by virtue of his great
authority."  Here we have a positive enactment, by
the highest Miasonic authority, which clearly and
expressly contemplates the appealing of disputed
questions concerning Athe c(ffairs of the lodge t,) the
Grand Master during the recess of the Grand Lodge.
But nowhere in the circle of Masonic jurisprudence
do we find any power in the Grand Master to entertain an appeal from the decision of a subordinate
lodge in a 2iasonic trial, had upon charges preferred
against an individual brother for a Masonic offense,
and where guilt or innocence is the question involved; nor has his prerogative of general supervision
of the craft during the recess of the Grand Lodge
ever been so construed by any ancient authority.
Yet the appealing of cases of this character to the
Grand Master is not altogether unknown, though.it is
happily rare, in the United States.
After a careful consideration of the law, the following conclusions seem to be legitimate.
1. Lodges and Grand Lodges are the only tribunals
having jurisdiction to try and punish for Masonic
offenses.
2. The powers of Masters and Grand Masters, as
pertaining to MIasoniic trials, are incidental only, and
121 
MASONIC TRIALS.
their acts in the premises are subject to review by
their superior, the Grand Lodge.
3. It is lawful to appeal to the Grand Master, in
the interim of the Grand Lodge, upon questions relating to the general affairs and business of the lodge.
(The opinions of Past Grand Master J. Adams
Allen [Decisions of G. M., Nos. 30 and 35] will be
found to go no further than this:) But the practice
of appealing to the Grand Master firom the decision
of the lodge in trials for Masonic offenses, where the
question of guilt or innocence is involved,  is of
extremely doubtful legality, and ought to be discouraged.
4. That from the decision of the Grand Master
upon anly appeal, or upon any question submitted to
him, a final appeal mnay be taken to the Grand
Lodge, the decision of that Grand body being alone
final in any case.
5. That the power of the Grand Master to make
ally interlocutory order, as of temporary suspension
from office, arrest of charter, stay of proceedings, and
the like, extends equally to original cases and to cases
comning up on appeal.
6. That ally order which the Grand Master may
make in a case will be of binding force until reviewed by the Grand Lodge; he being, during the
interim, the temporary ruler of the craft.
I am fully aware of the great conflict of authority
that exists regarding some of the propositions above
laid down;  but whenl we consider the hasty and often
122 
POWFERS OF (GI:'AND MASTER.
inconsiderate action of manay of our  Grand Lodges,
and the unsettled condition of a large portion of our
MIasonic jurisprudence, the disagreement which we
find among the most intelligent craftsmen is matter of
)utt little surprise.  To rehearse the argumentsp io
and coit would be to expand this volume to ten
times its intended size. After having laboriously
followed the arguments and fancies of many writers, I
hlave been content to cite oily the undisputed language of the fundamental law, for upon that all true
interpretation must be b)ased.
123
w 
t 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
DECISIONS OF THE GRAND MASTERS.
EXPLANATOiTnY NOTE.-The following digest of
decisions of the Grand Masters includes those, and
those only, that have been officially reported to the
Grand Lodge, and by that body formally approved
in annual communication. Thus these decisions come
to us, not simply as the individual opinions of the
several distinguished officers by whom they  were
given, but also with the additional authority of the
deliberate sanction and adoption of the Grand Lodge
of this state; whereby they are made the law of this
jurisdiction until they shall be lawfully repealed.
They are the res judicata, the adjudged cases which
stand in a like relation to our Masonic judiciary as
the reported decisions of the Supreme Court of the
State do to the courts of law. Although sonme of
them are upon points so familiar as to appear almost
uncalled for, yet very many of them touch questions
of vital importance to the craft, and settle matters
which have at times been sources of serious misunderstanding.  Heretofore they have existed only in 
XNT('MICIIGAN  DIG)CEST.
the scattered and disconnected minutes of the Grand
Lodge.  By gathering themn here for the first time in
convenient form an(l order, the compiler trusts that
he has done his brethren some service; and by thus
placing in the hands of all, a department of our local
law which before was only within reach of a very few,
and by thein seldom searched out in order, he believes
he has contributed in some degree to lighten the
arduous labors of the Grand Masters, whose patience
is so often tried by the constant repetition of questions that have been already repeatedly decided.
It will be observed that the recorded decisions
stand connected with the names of but a minority of
our Past Grand Masters.  This arises from the fact
that only those whose names here appear ever reported their decisions officially to the Grand Lodge
for its consideration.  Past Grand Master Hon. Wim.
M. Fenton was the first to set the commendable
example, and it is to be regretted that all of his distinguished compeers have not in the same manner
brought up their work for inspection, that it might
pass the overseer's square, and standc as an exanmplle
to the craft.
The decisions of our present Grand Master, M. W.
Alexander T. Metcalf, are necessarily, yet reluctantly,
omitted from this compilation.  Miany of them are of
great value, and eminently worthy of his acknowledged
ability; but inasmuch as they have not yet passed
the ordeal of the Grand Lodge, it is thought best to
withhold them until they shall receive the sanction of
that body.
GRAND MASTER WM. M. FENTON.
1. A lodge can expel a non-affiliated mason.  (January 12th, 1859.)
126 
I)ECISIONS OF GRAND MASTERS.
2. The Grand Master cannot grant a dispensation
for the election of a Junior Warden to fill vacancy
while the Master and Senior Warden remain  (Ibid.)
3. The accuser is a competent witness on the trial
of charges against a brother, but the accused is not.
(Ibid.)
4. A rejected candidate for initiation cannot apply
to another lodge within one year after his rejection
without the recommendation of the lodge by which
he was rejected.  (Ibid.-See Art. 5, sec. 6, of Const.)
5. A ballot may be taken at a special conmuinication for advancement to the second and third degrees,
after the candidate has been elected and initiated at
a regular. (Ibid.)
6. A Worshipful Master can admit or reject visiting
brethren at his own discretion, without the order or
assent of his lodge. (Ibid.)
GRAND MIASTER J. ADAMS ALLEN.
7. A Warden of a lodge under dispensation may
be elected master after the lodge receives its charter.
(January 11th, 1860.)
8. The object of the ballot for the second and
third degrees is to determine the candidate's proficiency
in the preceding degrees, and also to ascertain whether
he is still worthy. (Ibid.)
9. When the ballot for advancement to the second
or third degree is found not clear, the ballot may
pass at any subsequent communication when the
order of balloting is announced by the Worshipful
127
L 
MICHIIGAN DIGEST.
Master, unless the by-laws provide to the contrary.
(Ibid.)
10. Any candidate may  be prevencted from  advancement to the second or third degree by the casting
of a black ball, and the brother casting the same
cannot be questioned as to his motives, nor can he be
compelled to prefer charges against the rejected
brother. The secret ballot is the Mason's inalienable
right, but he is alnenable to discipline for the abuse
of that right, the same  as for any other Masonic
offense. (Ibid.)
11. The sense of the lodge in matters of business
should be taken as the by-laws prescribe.   If they
are silent, the vote should be taken by the uplifted
hand, as being in accordance with  Masonic usage.
(Ibid.)
12. When a pt-ition   has been presented, received
and referred to a committee, it cannot be withdrawn
until the committee have reported it back and the
consent of' the lodge is given. (Ibid.-See Sec. 8,
Art. 5, of Const.)
13. The committee may report back the petition to
the lodge  without  recoimmendation, but all  committees are subject to the direction of the lodge.
(Ibid.)
14. Neither the Worshipful Master nor the lodge
may admit visitors who are excluded by Constitutional provision.  (See Art. )5, sec. 13, of Const.)
The term sojourter, as used in the Constitution, does
not include noni-afliliants.  (Ibid.)
128 
DECISIONS OF GRAND MASTERS.
15. A motion to suspend a by-law cannot be entertained, unless in a mode provided for in the by-laws
themselves. (Ibid.)
16. When  the petition  of a  non-affiliant  for
membership has been rejected, he may renew his
application at any subsequent regular communicationi, unless the by-laws provide otherwise.  Unless
charges are preferred against him he is still a Mason
in good standing. Nevertheless, he must present a
new petition; the first is dead, and cannot be revived
by a vote of the lodge. (Ibid.)
17. Neither the Worshipfutil Master nor Wardens
can be dimitted, unless they remove from the jurisdiction.  It is not in the power of the Grand Lodge
to so far innovate upon the body of Masonry as to
provide for any other method of relief from the duties
of those several offices. Hence any resolution which
may have inadvertently, or otherwise, gone upon the
records of the Graind Lodge to that effect, is inull and
void.  (Ibid.)
18. A brother Treasurer cannot refuse to pay out
the finds in his hands, on due order; neither can he
pay a claim of his own without consent of the lodge.
His private account must take the same course with
others.  He has no peculiar claims.  (Ibid.)
19. A brother under charges for unmasonic conduct may vote in the lodge while under such charges,
upon all matters not involved in the charges against
him.  He  is prestumed innocent till proven guilty.
(Ibid.)
129 
IMICHIIIGAN DIGEST.
20. An appeal to the Grand Lodge does not restore
the appellant to the rights and privileges of his lodge
until decision thereupon. If this were not the case,
the party convicted might set all decisions of his own
lodge at defiance.
21. Where the ballot is regularly passed and found
not clear, a new ballot cannot be ordered upon the
ground that several brethren were excused from voting. The Worshipful Master may be subject to
censure for his decision, but the candidate is rejected.
(Ibid.)
22. Where the brother who casts the black ball by
which a candidate is rejected waives his objection,
the ballot cannot for that reason be passed a third
time. The petition is dead, and can only be renewed
by the petitioner on consent of the lodge, or as fixed
by the by-laws.  (Ibid.-See Art. 5, sec. 7 of Const.)
23. A brother was present at the receiving and
reference of a petition, but not at the balloting for
the first degree; he was also present at the initiation,
butt urged no objection. Subsequently he preferred
charges to prevent the candidate's advancement.
The brother was chargeable with unmasonic conduct in not objecting to the initiation of the candidate, if his objections could properly be made known.
But, as charges may be preferred against a Mason,
and a brother held to trial on the testimony of one
not a Mason, so it is the duty of the lodge to take
cognizance of charges from any respectable source,
involving the character of a candidate for advance
130
E: 
DECISIONS OF GRAND  fAsTFERS.
ment; particularly such charges as would, if established, show his utter disqualification.  The objecting
brother did wrong in postponing his duty, but this
can be no excuse for the lodge neglecting theirs.
Neither does this conflict with the principle that a
candidate elected notwithstanding known charges,
ought not thereafter to be tried upon them; the ballot
is their verdiet. (Ibid.)
24. The time within which a duly elected candidate
may be initiated is usually fixed by the by-laws.   If
not so fixed, Masonic usage must govern, which
limits it to twelve months. All action under such
election after that period would be unlawful. The
parties are then free from any reciprocal obligations, and the election can neither be revived  nor
annulled. The only remedy is by filing a new petition.
(Ibid.)
2.5. The certificate of the Worshipful Master, or
Secretary, in the absence of entry upon the approved
records of the lodge, is not sufficient evidence of the
transactions of the lodge.  A lodge is bound by the
records which it has duly approved, and no further.
It has power to amend its records, upon such evidence
as is deemed sufficient; and such amended record,
duly attested, has all the force and effect of an original
record.  But neither the Grand Lodge  nor sister
lodges are warranlted in receiving as evidence to
control their action, statements or allegations from
any source, presuming the inaccuracy of said records;
unless, indeed, the lodge be put upon trial befiore the
F
131 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
Grand Lodge for falsifying its records, which brings
up quite another matter. (Ibid.)
26. A general charge of unmasonic conduct, written with a pencil, and without specifications, preferred
against a brother applying for a dimit, ought not to
be entertained by the Worshipful Master. Pencil
writing, if cleal- and distinct, may be admissible, but
as a general rule in matters of such Masonic importance it should be excluded. A loose, vague and
general charge of misconduct ought not to be received
even in writing.  If the case appears one of probability, the Master may direct the usual steps to be
taken and specific charges preferred. (Ibid.)
27. The accuser need not be put under oath.
Masonry regards no obligation to speak the truth
more binding than its own. (Ibid.)
28. A dimit takes effect immediately on the deelaration of the vote by the W. M., if called for in open
lodge; if not, immediately on the approval of the
miinutes.  The Secretary's certificate is not in itself
a dimit, as it is loosely denominated; it may never be
called for, and yet the dimission be complete.  (Ibid.)
29. The ballot should be so conducted as to secure
absolute secresy. Each lodge is at liberty to determine how, in its own case, that object can be best
secured. (Ibid.)
.30. A  motion to appeal from the W. M. to the
lodge, is unmasonic, and out of order.  The W. M. is
prohibited from entertaining the motion even by
courtesy. The decision of the W. M. is only to be
132
r_l 
DECISIONS OF GRAND MASTERS.
met by an appeal to the Grand Lodge, or, in the
initerin, to the Grand Master.  The W. M. is responsible to the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master only.
A lodge has no power to insert a provision in its
by-laws for an appeal from the W. M. to the lodge.
(Ibid.)
31. It is not competent for a lodge to insert in its
by-laws a provision for a motion of the "previous
q(uestion," or to "adjourn."  It is the duty of the
WT. M. to "order the work," control debate within
proper limits, and close the lodge at his will and
ple.sure; subject only to his obligations, and the
will and decision of the Grand Lodge.  (Ibid.)
32. Any degree of mutilation or dismemberment
that will prevent a candidate firom assuming the
proper positions, and giving expression to the appropriate and necessary methods of recognition well
known to the fraternity, will disqualify him as a
candidate for Masonry. Dismemberment of a foot
or right hand is a disqualification.  Immobility of
the knee joints is equally so. A candidate should be
in the full possession of all his members and faculties
as a sound man ought to have. (Ibid.)
33. The lodge may determine the mode of election
for honorary membership, but if the ballot be chosen
it should be remembered that the effect is not the
same as an original ballot for initiation, as it may be
reconsidered. It is not proper for a lodge to elect a
non-affiliating Mason an honorary member. (Ibid.)
34. Any vote or resolution may be reconsidered,
133 
MICHIGAN'I  DIGEST.
and such action taken as the lodge shall see fit.  This
language, of course, ((oes not include rcconsideration
of the ballot. (Ibid.)
35. The W. M. has power to refuse the passage of
the ballot box for the second or third degrees, against
the wishes of the majority of the lodge; but he is
responsible for the abuse of this power to the Grand
Lodge, or, in the interimn, to the Grand Master, and
to them only. (Ibid.)
36. A  Master elect need not have received the
degree of Past Master in order to his being installed
and presiding over a lodge. The Grand Lodge of
Michigan knows nothing of the Past Master's degree,
so called. The qualifications for the Mastership arc
fully set forth in the Grand Constitutionll, and none
other are required.  (Ibid.)
37. Wlhen an Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft,
applying for advancement, is black balled, he may
renew his application at any regular communication,
unless charges of unmasonic conduct are preferred
against him, when he must of course await the decision of the lodge.  (Ibid.)
38. A lodge under dispensation can only exercise
those powers which are specifically granted.  Hence,
ill this jurisdiction, it may admit, but cannot dimit
members.  (Ibid.)
39. If an Entered Apprentice, after initiation
proves himself unworthy, he should be prevented
from advancing by direction of the W. M. or by the
black ball.  The W. M. should direct formal charges
134 
DECISIONS OF GRAND MIASTERS
to be made against him, and on conlviction he may
receive such censure or discipline as the circumstances
indicate. (Ibid.)
40. "Calling off" from one communication to
another is especially prohibited. In all cases the
lodge must be opened and closed in form.  (Ibid.)
41. If not otherwise provided in the by-laws, the
presence of the W. M. or either of the WVardens, with
two brethren of the lodge, at a regular commlunication, is sufficient  for the transaction of business,
ballotinig, etc. (Ibid.
42. Visiting brethren may  be set at work ot the
lenel with members of the lodge, but cannot vote.
They may, by permission of the W. M1., guard the
South and West, carry directions, orders, etc., but
may not properly preside in the East except as the
temporary agents of the W. M.  (Ibid.)
43. A brother who is in the habit of gross intoxication is neither fit for Tiler nor for Masonic
fraternity, inside or outside of the lodge.   When
complaint  of such  conduct is made against  any
officer, the W. M. ought at once to suspend him from
his office, and instruct the Junior Warden to prefer
appropriate charges, and deal with him thereafter as
the case may require. (Ibid.)
44. A lodge under dispensation has territorial
jurisdiction upon all such matters as are expressly
granted to it in its dispensation, and no further. It
has no disciplinary power over Masons in its geographical jurisdiction, save by express grant.  (Ibid.)
.k
1 35  
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
45. A dispensation may be granted enabling a
lodge to elect a brother to the office of W. M. who
has not served as a WVarden, upon competent reasons
shown. (Ibid.)
46. A Worshipful Master has no right to know how
a brother casts his ballot, much less to ask his reasons
therefor. If the brother gives his reasons, and only
one black ball appear, the W. M. has no right to
overrule the objection and declare the candidate
elected. Under such circumstances the candidate is
rejected. (Ibid.)
47. A brother who has served as a Warden in a
foreign jurisdiction is eligible to the office of W. M.
in this.  Mastership or Wardenship, wherever Freemnasonry extends, is sufficient to answer the requirements of this jurisdiction. (Ibid.)
48. A brother who has been expelled may obtain
a new trial by exhibiting satisfactory reasons therefor
to the Grand Lodge or Grand Master, who may
thereupon order a new trial. But the lodge can only
grant a new trial by an unanimous vote.
49. Honorary membership confers the right of
visiting and of speaking, but not of voting nor
holding office in the lodge.  (Ibid.)
50. An attorney, who is a Mason, is not chargeable
with unlmasonic conduct if, in instituting legal proceedings against a brother, affiliant or non-affiliant,
he does not forewarn the brother of the same. He
has no right to prejudice the lawful interests of his
136 
DECISIONS OF GRANI) MASTERS.
client, which might be the case in numerous instances,
if the opposite rule should prevail. (Ibid.)
51. The festivals of the Saints John are regular
communuications.  Section 1 of Art. 5 of the Constitution of our Grand Lodge recognizes them as such
by necessary implication from the language employed.
The ballot may pass upon the petition of a'candidate
upon either of said festivals, provided it be more
than ten days after the same was referred.  (Ibid.)
52. Charges of unmasonic conduct should be preferred against brethren who are able and will not pay
their dues, and such discipline enforced as the case
may require or the by-laws provide.  This is by far
the preferable course, and most Masonllic. (Ibid.)
GRAND MASTER FRANCIS DARROW.
53. The Grand Lodge of Michigan cannot legally
grant warrants or charters to any body of brethren
to form and open lodges, make Masons, or in any way
to interefere within the jurisdiction of any sister
Grand Lodge. Upon the maintenance of this principle between our Grand Lodges depend their peace
and harmony;  and I have therefore refused all
applications for letters of dispensation to form and
open Military Lodges in regiments beyond the limits
of this state. (January 8th, 1862.)
GRAND M1ASTER LOVELL MOORE.
54. It is not proper to recognize as Masons persons
who have received the degrees in military lodges
137
P — 
MICHIIGAN DIGEST.
working beyond the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge
from which they received their dispensation, nor to
admit such persons into our lodges upon their passing
the usual examination. They were not made in a
"regularly constituted lodge."  No Grand Lodge or
Grand Master can legally grant a dispensation to
form a lodge and make Masons within the jurisdiction
of another Grand Lodge. (January 11th, 1865.)
55. The requisites of a petition to the Grand
Master for a special dispensation to confer degrees
are as follows, viz: it should be under the seal of the
lodge, and be signed by the W. M., or by the Secretary by his order; the name, age, residence and
occupation of the candidate, and the reasons why a
dispensation is deemed necessary, should all be fully
stated, and the Constitutional Grand Lodge fee, as
specified in the Blue Book, should be enclosed, or the
Grand Secretary's certificate for the same. (Ibid.)
56. A special dispensation to confer degrees, or for
the formation of a new lodge, granted by the Grand
Master, need not be under the seal of the Grand
Lodge nor be attested by tbe Secretary. According
to ancient usage the official signature and private seal
of the Grand Master is all that is necessary in either
case, it being his official executive act, and not the
act of the Grand Lodge. (Ibid.)
57. Where a special dispensation has been granted
to confer degrees, and the candidate is afterwards
rejected, he is not entitled to have the dispensation
fee refunded. (Ibid.)
138
C.t 
DECISIONS OF GRAND MASTERS.
58. The dispensing power is one of the prerogatives of the Grand Master by ancient usage, and he
cannot delegate it to another. He alone is made the
sole judge of the expediency of every particular
case. (Ibid.)
59. A candidate must be physically so perfect that
he can readily place himself in every position required
in conferring or receiving the several degrees, and
performing all the work of the lodge.  (Ibid.)
60. The Grand M.aster cannot under any circuinmstalnces grant a dispensationi for the initiation of a
candidate under twenty-one years of age.  (Ibid.)
61. A  lodge would not be justified under any
circumstances ill re-initiating one who  had  been
regularly initiated in another jurisdiction, for the
purpose of avoiding the necessity of procuring permission from the lodge where he was first initiated
for them to finish their work by passing and raising
the candidate; neither can the Grand Master grant
dispensation for that purpose.  (Ibid.)
62. Where A is elected and duly installed as W.
. serves one year, is then superseded by B, then
re-elected as W. M., it is necessary that A should be
again installed before he again assumes the prerogatives of W. M2.  (Ibid.)
63. WThere one is elected and  installed as W. M.,
officiates one year, and is then re-elected, it is not
absolutely necessary that he should be re-installed.
(Ibid.)
64. A lodge has no right to ii,itiate a candidate if, at
139 
MIICHIIGAN DIGEST.
the time of initiation, he resides within the accredited
jurisdiction of another lodge; but having been initiated, no matter where he removes to, it is the right of
the lodge where he was initiated to finish their work
by conferring the other degrees; and no other lodge
can deprive them of that right without their consent.
(Ibid.)
65. Where a candidate is balloted for under a
special dispensation, and is rejected, the W. MI. canniot
call another special comnmunication and receive and
act upon another petition of said candidate by virtue
of the same dispensation.  Both the petition to the
lodge and the dispensation have, by such rejection,
become null and void. (Ibid.)
66. If, after a candidate is initiated, it be discovered
that he has no sense of hearing on the right side, and
never hlad, he is thereby disqualified from taking any
further degrees; but what has been done cannot be
undone. (Ibid.)
67. Where the ballots were cast for the election of
a candidate and found not clear, and all the brethren
said it was a mistake, and that they all intended to
vote in the affirmative, the candidate is nevertheless
rejected, and the petition is dead.  The only remedy
is to commence de novo.  A dispensation could not
reach the case. (Ibid.)
68. The prerogatives of a lodge between the time
of receiving its charter from the Grand Lodge and
the time of being constituted, are as follows, viz: it
may meet, open, elect officers lunder the provisions of
140 
DECISIONS OF GRAND MASTERS.
an edict from the Grand Lodge for that purpose, and
then close. It cannot meet at any other time, nor do
any other business; its officers have no legal existence
until they are installed, and those persons named in
the charter can alone act for the purposes of said
election. (Ibid.)
69. One who has been initiated, and then loses his
right arm in battle, can take no further degrees.
(Ibid.)
70. The AV. M. may call a special communication
by giving general notice; it need not be in writing, but
should specify the particular business to be done.
(Ibid.)
71. A candidate who has beeni once rejected should
not be again balloted for except at a regular, or at
a special after due notice to all the members specifying
thie object of thle meeting.  (Ibid.)
72. Balloting at a special, for a candidate rejected
at a regular communication, is illegal. (Ibid.)
73. The necessary requisites of a petition for a
.dispensation for the formation of a new lodge are as
followis, viz: it mnust be drawn in the usual form, and
must set forth the name of the proposed lodge, and
tile tonit and corinty where it is to be located; it must
be signed by at least eiyAt Master Masons, and be
sent to the address of the Grand Master or the Grand
Secretary; it must be accompanied withi the consti tutional Grand Lodge fee, the recommendation  of
and distance from the nearest lodge, and the dimits
of all the petitioners, showing that they are all Mas
141
L-  
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
ter Masons in good and regular standing. The G.
V. and L., or some other prominent  Master Mason,
must also certify that the three first officers are competenit to discharge the duties of their respective
offices and to instruct their subordinates, and that
they have, or can procure, a good, safe lodge-room.
(Ibid.)
GRAND IMASTER SALATHIEL C. COFFINBURY.
74. A Senior Warden has no right to call a special
communication of the lodge, open the same and proceed to work, when the W. M. is at home in the same
village. (January 9th, 1867.)
75. When a summons has been served upon a
brother with a copy of the charges for unmasonic
conduct, and a copy of both left with the accused, it
is not necessary that the seal of the lodge be impressed
on the copy of the summons in order to make the
service valid. The copy is supposed to be made by
the officer who serves the process, and who, not having the custody of the seal, could not attach it.
(Ibid.)
76. A man who has a hare lip, which, by surgical
process has been closed, but who cannot articulate so
as to be understood except by those well acquainted
with him, cannot be made a Mason. (Ibid.)
77. When the Master of a lodge learns to his certain knowledge that a candidate, after he has been
elected, and before his initiation, is unworthy to be
made a Masoln, his duty is, first, to refuse to initiate
142 
DECISIONS OF GPAND MASTERS.
the candidate, second, to inform the candidate in a
courteous manner that he cannot be admitted, third,
to see that the fee accompanying the petition of the
candidate be refunded to him in due season.
As a general rule, the fee becomes the property of
the lodge upon the election of the candidate; but, as
the candidate advances his fee with the expectation
of receiving value therefor from the lodge, and as the
lodge refuses to return such value, it is unjust to retain the fee; and justice is one of the cardinal virtues
of Masonry. (Ibid.)
78. A member of a lodge may be put upon trial
before his lodge upon charges of unlawful carnal intercourse with a female who is in no wise related to
a Master Mason.  A man who is guilty of violation
of the moral law or the statute law is guilty of unmasonIic conduct, and ought to be disciplined therefor
by his lodge. (Ibid.)
79. An Attorney at Law is not liable to Masonic
punishment for giving legal advice against a brother
Master MIasonl, when he knows such Master Mason is
guilty of crime and unworthy to be called a brother.
An attorney's duty to his client is paramount.  He
must give correct legal advice.  I know of no rule of
Masonic usage -which prohibits a Mason, being an
Attorney at Law, from taking a fee and conducting
a suit against a brother Master Mason. - A  Master
Mason is not bound, in any instance, to protect or
shield a brother in wrong, or dishonesty, more especially in crime. (Ibid.)
143 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
80. Question.  Can  a candidate for initiation be
considered as having resided within the required jurisdiction of a lodge the six months as required by
sec. 6 of Art. 5 of the Constitution, who so lived
three months last year and three months thlis, without
any permanent place of residence between the two
periods?
Answer. If it were the intention of the candidate
to permanently reside at the given place where he
resided the first three months, and he was absent
visiting or on business during the intervening period,
and again returns in pursuance of his first intention,
his petition ought to be received; but if, after a three
mronths' residence, he left without any intention to return, and then formed a flew intention, and returned,
his petition ought not to be received until sik months
after such return.  (January 9th, 1868.)
81. Where a committee reports a petitioner unworthy, the candidate cannot be declared rejected
without a ballot.  The lodge may, by a two-thirds
vote, permit the candidate to withdraw his petition
without prejudice, or may require the ballot to be
passed. If the former course is taken, the candidate
may apply again at any time, while a rejection
interdicts a second petition for a given period.
(Ibid.)
82. A suspended brother may petition his lodge for
restoration without recommendation, but to claim the
favorable consideration of the lodge it is better to be
recommended. (Ibid.)
144
6-t 
DECISIONS OF GRAND MASTERS.
83. A Mason under sentence of suspension may be
tried by his lodge for offenses committed subsequent
to the sentence, or for a repetition of the offense for
which he was suspended, and if found guilty, may be
expelled. It is not necessary that the delinquent be
reinstated in order to enable the lodge to take this
action. (Ibid.)
84. A brother who has been raised or admitted to
membership upon dimit, subsequent to the sentence
of suspension, is competent to sit upon any committee
of the lodge, and to vote on all questions arising
before the lodge while acting either in a parliamentary or judicial capacity. (Ibid.)
85. A suspended brother cannot be admitted into
the lodge; he must therefore appear by agent or attorney, and such agent or attorney must be a Master
Mason.  If the accused do not so appear, it is the
duty of the W. M. to appoint a member of the lodge
as such agent or attorney, whose duty it becomes to
see that the trial is fairly conducted, and the rights
of the accused not imperiled. (Ibid.)
86. Whatever may be the relation of an unaffiliated Mason to our Order, he has no rights in connection
with our lodges.  He has not the right of visitation
of a lodge, except three times by special permission
therefore he can have io right to prefer charges again)st
a m)ember of a lodge, nor has he a right to appear as
counsel or attorney for a brother under charges.
The position of a voluntarily unaffiliated Mason is
such as he himself has sought, and he must therefore
145
PI — 
IMICHIIGAN DIGEST.
submit to its consequences and embarrassments.
(Ibid.)
87. A member who declares his intention of preventing any more initiations ill the lodge, and in
pursuance of such intention black-balls every petitioner, whereby the best citizens are rejected, and the
prosperity of the lodge greatly embarrassed, is guilty
of unmasonic conduct. Charges should be preferred
against him; he should be tried thereon, and, if found
guilty, suspended or expelled as the lodge may determine.  (Ibid.)
88. It is the privilege of any member, at any
stage of advancement of a candidate, to secretly cast
a black ball when the ballot is passed. He need not
assign his reason for so doing, and ought not to disclose who cast the black ball.  LHere ends the law.
It is the duty of every Mason who knows an  advancing brother to be guilty of unmasonic conduct
to prefer charges against him if he can make proof
of his guilt; if; however, he is unable to make such
proof, all he can do is to cast his black ball, and this,
ill such case, it is his duty to do. (Ibid.)
89. According to the usages, rules and general
practice of  Masonry, dimitted M,asolns cannot  be
accepted into a lodge while working under dispensation; but by virtue of a special edict of our Grand
Lodge they may.  (Ibid.)
90. The Worshipful MAaster has the right, after
charges have been preferred in writing, and after examining them  carefully, to declare them insufficient
146 
DECISIONS OF GRAND MIASTERS.
and refuse to proceed to trial upon them.  He ought
not to entertain frivolous charges, or such as do not
show clearly, if proven,  a Masonic  misdemeanor.
(Ibid.)
91. If the W. M. is in doubt as to the sufficiency
or competency of charges, it is proper for him to take
the opinion of his lodge upon' that subject by a vote.
But such opinion is merely advisory, and is of no legal
force Upon the W. M., who is alone responsible in the
premises. He is acting as the presiding head of a
judicial tribunal. (Ibid.)
92. A subordinate lodge (unless it be under the
Act of the State Legislature of 1865) has no legal
corporate existence, and therefore cannot be seized of
real estate. The Grand Lodge of Michigan is by
legislative enactment a body corporate and politic,
and perpetual in its existence as such. It can legally
become seized of real estate, and can legally grant
and convey the same.
The best method, therefore, for a subordinate lodge
to become seized of real estate is as follows, viz: let
the subordinate lodge take a deed from the grantor to
the Grand Lodge, in trust for the use and benefit of
its subordinate (which the Grand Lodge recognizes as
a legitimate body, although not recognized by the law
as a legal body) and for no other purpose, except that
of conveyance on request of the subordinate. This
vests the title in the Grand Lodge for certain purposes,
and divests the grantor of all estate in the realty.
Should the subordinate desire to sell or exchange, let
147 
4MICIIIGAN DIGEST.
it send a deed to the Graind Master, the legal executive head of the Granid Lodge, at any time, and his
execution of it w-ould convey the real estate to the
grantee named in the deed.  (January 13th, 1869.)
93. A Mason cannot, in form, resign his membership of the Order, withdraw hlimself from its duties,
nor discharge himself firom its obligations.  (Ibid.)
94. A lodge has not the power to discharge a Mason
from his duties as such, nor absolve him from his
Masonic obligations. Could it do so at the request of
a brother, the claims of the family of the brother
upon the Order would remain unimpaired; for acts
of either the lodge or the brother, which would compromise such claims of third parties, could have no
effect against the rights of such third parties. (Ibid.)
95. A lodge cannot absolve itself and the Masonic
brotherhood from their obligation to a brother except
by a sentence of suspension or expulsion from all the
rights and benefits of Masonry against such brother,
upon a fair trial and conviction.  (Ibid.)
96. A  brother who will not indorse the moral
theories of Masonry, and its sublime and humane
lessons, and who declares that he will not be bound by
its solemnil obligations, ought to be expelled from all
the rights and benlefits of Masonry.  (Ibid.)
1.48
--- 
STANDING RESOLUTIONS,
ORDERS AND EDICTS
OF TIIE
GRAND LODGE OF MICHIGAN.
1. Rlesolved, That no presiding officer in ally subordinate lodge, within the jurisdiction of this Grand
Lodge, is entitled to i ear any other regalia, except
that of a Master Mason; and any attempt to introduce any other is an innovation upon the long established usages of Masonry, and one that cannot receive
the sanction of this Grand Lodge, and is hereafte(rexpressly prohibited.
2.  Resolved, As the opinion of this Grand Lodge,
that any Master Mason in good standing, within the
accredited jurisdiction of any subordinate lodge, and
not a member thereof, or of any other lodge, or been
rejected by any other lodge, may become a member 
IMICHIGAN DIGEST.
of any lodge within the jurisdiction of this Grand
Lodge, if the lodge applied to shall see proper to receive him.
).  Resolved, That the W. M., or representative of
each subordinate lodge which shall be represented in
this Grand Lodge, the Grand Officers for the time
beinig,, and Past Grand Masters in attendance, be
allowed ten cents per mile for traveling fees, computing one way only by the most usually traveled route;
and three dollars per day for the time he shall actually
attend the sitting of the Grand Lodge, not to be paid
until the close of the communication.
Provided, That no representative shall be paid a
greater amount than the lodge he represents shall
have paid into the funds of the Grand Lodge, for the
current year, for dues.  And provided, also, that no
representative be paid as the representative of more
than one lodge.
4. Resolved, That it is necessary for a Master
Mason, when elected to preside over a lodge, before
entering upon the duties of his office, to receive a
proper qualification, and that qualification shall be to
bind him faithfully and impartially to discharge the
duties of a Master of a lodge, together with the ancient charges and regulations, as laid down in Webb's
Free Mason's Monitor, as compiled by R. W. Bro.
James Fenton, Grand Secretary, and nothing more;
and that any present or past Master, who has received
the aforesaid qualifications, be authorized to perform
said ceremony when requested.
10-o
V. 
RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND EDICTS.
5. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge respectfully
recommend to the M. W. Grand Master that no new
lodge be hereafter organized within the distance of ten
miles of any other lodge now at work within this
jurisdiction, unless for special causes shown.
6. Resolved, That every brother ought to be a
member of some lodge.
7.  Resolved, That the Grand Treasurer be, and he
is hereby authorized and fully empowered, in the
name of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of Michigan, to collect, by legal
proceedings or otherwise, any debt due the Grand
Lodge, whenever in his opinion the interest of the
Grand Lodge shall require such action.
8.  Resolved, That this Grand Lodge will not grant
a Charter to a new lodge, unless the petition shall be
accompanied with a  certificate from the M.  W.
Grand Master, or the R. W. Grand Visitor and Lecturer, showing that the three first officers thereof are
competent and duly qualified to perform the work
required of them respectively, and that they are colnversant with the ancient charges and landmarks, and
not without satisfactory evidence that they have or
can secure a suitable place for holding meetings.
9.  Resolved, That the following Masonic clothing
and insignia be established as the standard in this
jurisdiction; and that all lodges and brethren, hereafter procuring new clothing, be reconmnended to
151 
-3MICHIGAN DIGEST.
have the same made in conformity with the following description, to wit:
JEWELS.  The Jewels of the Grand Lodge, as well as of
subordinate lodges, shall be the same as are now in use, of a
pattern to be found in the Grand Secretary's office.
COLLARS. Of officers of subordinate lodges, to be of
light blue ribbon or velvet, four inches broad.
The collar of the Grand Ma,ster shall be of purple, four
inches broad, with narrow edge of gold lace, embroidered
with acacia and pomegranate on the outside, and ornamented
in the center with pomegranate embroidered in gold.
Other Grand Officers, present and past, wear collars of
purple ribbon, four inches broad, with narrow edging of gold
lace cord.
APRONS.   ENTERED APPRENTICE.-A plain vwhite lamub
skin or linen, from fourteen to sixteen inches wide, twelve to
fourteen inches deep, square at bottom and without ornament,
white strings, with a flap or fall to be triangular in shape.
FELLOW  CrPAFT.-Tlhe same, with the addition only of
two sky-blue rosettes at the bottom.
.IASTER iAlsoN.-The  same, with sky-blue  lining and
edging, one and-a-half inches deep, and an additional rosette
on the fall or flap, and silver tassels. No other color or
ornalment shall be allowed, except to officers of lodges, who
Imay have the emblems of their office, in silver or white, in
thle center of the ap)ron.
GRAXD OFFICERS OF TIIE GRAND LODGE, PRESENT AND
PAsT.-Aprons of the same dimensions, lined with purple,
and ornamented with gold and blue strings; they must have
the emblems of their office, in gold or blue, in the center.
The apron of the Deputy Grand Master to have the emblem of his office in gold or embroidery, in the center, and
the pomegranate and lotus alternately embroidered in gold
on the edging.
The apron of the Grand Master is ornamented with the
blazing sun, embroidered in gold, in the center; on the edging, the pomegranate and lotus, with the seven-eared wheat
152 
RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND EDICTS.    153
at each corner, and also on the fall, all in gold embroidery;
the fringe of gold bullion.
The Masters and Past Masters of Lodges to wear, in lieu
and in place of the three rosettes on the Mlaster Mason's
apron, perpendicular  lines upon  horizontal  lines, thereby
forming three several sets of two right angles, the length of
the horizontal lines to be two inches and a half each, and of
the perpendicular lines one inch; these emblems to be of
ribbon or silver, half an inch broad, and, if ribbon, of the
same color of the lining and edging of the apron. If Grand
Officers, similar emblems, of Garter-blue or gold.
10.  Resolved, That  it is the right of all lodges
working under the jurisdiction of this Grand  Lodge
to admit or reject visiting brethren, as they, in their
discretion, may deem best.
11. (Repealed.)
12. Resolved, That all subordinate lodges in this
jurisdiction, located on the line of States, be and they
are hereby directed not to initiate any person who
lives in any other state, without first obtaining the
consent of the M. W. Grand Master of such state,
and also of the W. M. of the subordinate lodge within
whose jurisdiction the candidate resides.
13.  Resolved, That the Master or Wardens of a
lodge, in case of permanent removal from the jurisdiction, are entitled to a dinlit, under like restrictions
as other members of their lodge.
14.  Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand
Lodge that the M. W. Grand  Master should not
communicate official information in reply to letters
from a lodge, its officers or committees, not Masoni 
4IICIIGAN DIGEST.
tally known to him, unless such letters are authenticated by the seal of the lodge.
15.  Resolved, That the infliction of fines, as a
penalty upon refractory committees or brothers, is
inconsistent with ancient Masonic rules and usages.
16. Resolved, That in Masonry the accuser of a
brother Mason must be a Master Mason in good
standing, who need not be sworn. The complaint or
testimony of persons not Masons may be taken before
the examining committee, on oath or otherwise, as
the lodge shall direct; but the testimony of witnesses
not Masons should be taken before a committee, and
not in open lodge.
17.  Resolved, That no appeal from a subordinate
lodge shall be entertained by the Grand Lodge, except
upon proof that notice of said appeal has been given
to the subordinate lodge in writing, within ninety
days after the appellant shall have received official
notice of such decision; and such appeal shall be
prosecuted at the first regular communication of the
Grand Lodge after the time above limited shall have
expired.
18. Resolved, That petitions for membership may
be received and acted upon, but the applicant shall
not be admitted to membership until he produces his
dimit, or in case of a defunct lodge, proper evidence
of membership from the Grand Lodge under which
the same was held.  Where regular proofs cannot be
obtained, such cases come within the prerogative of
1;54 
PESOLUTIONS, ORDERS  AND EDICTS.
the Grand Master, who may dispense therewith on
proper showing, to his entire satisfaction.
19.  PIesolved, That neither three of the Masonic
penalties should be inflicted upon a brother without
charges, specifications, notice and trial in due Masonic
form.
20.  PResolved, That all lodges within this jurisdictionl are enjoined and prohibited from encouraging,
promoting or permitting the delivery or teaching any
Masonic lectures or work which are not sanctioned
and authorized by this Grand Lodge ill accordance
withl its Constitution; and all brethren within this
jurisdiction are prohibited from delivering or teaching such lectures to lodges in this State.
21. Resolved, That it is the duty of a Master of a
lodge to suspend the advancement of a candidate at
any stage of his advancement, when it shall come to
his knowledge that such candidate is either unworthy
of receiving, or ineligible to receive Masonic light,
regardless of the source or channel of such knowledge.
22.  Resolved, That alj newly chartered lodges
may hold their first election for officers at any regular
communication withlin two months after the date of
their charter.
2?.  Charges having been preferred and the committee having reported, can the accused be expelled
at any but a regular communication?
[Actioni on the charges must be commenced at a
regular communication, and may be continued from
G
155 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
time to time and had at special communications, convened for that purpose, by vote at such regular, or
notice to all the members of the lodge within the
jurisdiction.]
24. It is competent to provide by the By-Laws for
quarterly or annual dues, and to vote an assessment
not provided for therein in cases of emergency, for
relief of distressed brothers and other objects of
Masonic charity, and for the necessary expenses of
the lodge.
25.  Resolved, That no  lodge shall receive any
petition for initiation, unless the applicant state in the
p)etition whether he has ever applied for initiation to
any other lodge, and if such application has been
made, shall state the time or times when, and the
lodge or lodges to which such application has been
made; and in case such statements are found to be
false, it shall be good cause for expulsion from the
Order.
26.  Resolved, That this Grand Lodge require all
committees to whom petitions may be referred, to
make  a full written report, as to the character,
standing and antecedents of the candidate, as well as
the jurisdiction to which he may rightfully belong;
and that said report be not written upon the petition itself, but upon a separate paper, signed by at
least a majority of the committee, which report shall
be filed in the archives of the lodge.
156 
RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND EDICTS.    157
27.  Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the W.
M. of every subordinate lodge, to cause the Constitution and Standing Orders of this Grand Lodge to
be read in their respective lodges, at least once in
three months.
28. Resolved, That copies of the Conlstitution may
be sold at thirty cents per copy to any brother desiring to possess one.
29.  Resolved, That all resolutions, orders  and
edicts of this Grand Lodge, conflicting with the foregoing, be, and they are hereby rescinded.
'3().  Resolved, That a candidate for advancement
hlas the right to apply at every regular communicationi of the lodge, unless charges have been preferred
against him.
31.  Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand
Lodge, that pursuant to Section 2, of Article 1, of
the Constitution, all Past Masters of subordinate
lodges, who are in good standing, are entitled to all
the rights of membership in this Grand Lodge, except
the right to vote.
32. Resolved, That any and every lodge that shall
not make the required return, and pay over its Grand
Lodge dues on or before the first day of January, in
any year, shall not be represented in the Grand Lodge
for that year, except on special  permission of the
Grand Lodge.
33.  Resolved, That the lodges with their returns
shall send to the Grand Secretary the lname of any
rF 
MICHIGAIN DIGEST.
representative who  may be elected, and the Grand
Secretary shall make out a list or roll of representatives from such returns, and if upon calling the roll
a quorum of representatives appear to be present, the
Grand Lodge shall proceed to business without further delay.
34. Resolved, That the accusations or charges
against members of lodges or against subordinate
lodges, cannot be received from non-affiliated Masons,
except in case of charges against a member of a
lodge by leave granted by a vote of such lodge, and
in case of charges against a subordinate lodge, by
leave of the Grand Lodge.
35.  Resolved, That the R. W. Grand Secretary
be directed to have a sufficient number of copies of
the Burial Service printed in the same form as the
Constitution, and that they be supplied to lodges and
members at the cost of publication, and that R. W.
Bro. James Fenton be requested to insert the Ritual
in his forthcoming new edition of Webb's Monitor.
36. Resolved, That all members in the jurisdiction
of this Grand Lodge be and are hereby interdicted
and prohibited from forming incorporate bodies under
the laws of this State.
37. Resolved, That Sec. 6 of Art. V. of the Constitution does not permit a lodge to recommend the
initiation of a rejected candidate in another jurisdiction, but onlly permits a lodge to reject such candi
158
I 
PESOLUTIONS, ORDEIRS AND EDICTS.           1]59
date to another lodge having concurrent or the same
jurisdiction.
38. Resolved, That it shall not be competent for
any subordinate lodge to vote or levy any tax or
assessment upon its members for the purchase of real
estate, or for the purchasing or building of any
Masonic temple or edifice, or for the discharge of any
indebtedness incurred for either of said objects.
39.  Resolved, That in cities or towns where more
than one lodge exists, the M1. W. G. Master be requested to require the recommendation of a majority
of such lodges before issuing a dispensation for a new
lodge.
40. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge in heretofore or hereafter granting Charters to lodges of
brethren of German or foreign nativity or language,
does not assent to any change in or modification of
the work or lectures, and requires all records, reports
and returns to be in English, and that the Worshipfuil Masters and Wardens shall be familiar with, and
well skilled in the work and lectures in the English
language.
41. It is not proper for a committee appointed by
the Worshipful Master of a lodge to take testimony
in a trial of a brother before such lodge, to report the
opinion of such committee upon the guilt or innocence of the accused; but they should report the
testimony taken by them for the action of the lodge.
(Rep. of Com. on Masonic Law, 1869, adopted by
G. L.) 
tMICHIGAN DIGEST.
42. A Mason indefinitely suspended should apply
by petition, which need not be referred.  The ballot
should be secret.  (.Rep. of Corn. on Gr., 1868,
adopted by G. L.)
43.  Resol;ved, That any physical injury or imperfbection which would render the conferring of any of
the degrees upon a candidate, or brother desiring advancement, as required by the work or ritual, either
impossible, imperfect or incomplete, is an insuperable
objection to further progress, until such injury or imperfection be cured or removed; and, in case of loss
ofl hand or foot, such defect is remediless. (1869.)
i 6(o 
C O N S T I T U T I O N
OF THE
GRIAN]D LODGE OF MICHIGAN,
Adopted January 11,186.
ARTICLE I.
OF THE ORPGANIZATION OF TIIE GRAND LODGE.
SEc. 1.  The style of' this Graid Lodge shall be
"THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF FREE AND  ACCEPTED
M\ASONS OF THE STATE OF MIICHIIGAN."
SEC. 2. The members of the Grand Lodge are,
the Grand Officers, Past  Granld Masters who  are
members of subordinate lodges, the W. Masters of
chartered lodges, or such representatives as may occasionally be appointed in the room of Masters unable
to attend. All Past Masters of subordinate lodges,
whlo are in good standing, are honorary members of
the Grand Lodge, without the right to vote. 
3ITCHIGAN DIGEST.
SEC. 3. The Grand Lodge shall not be opened
for work, unless there be present a representation from
at least twenty-five subordinate working lodges.
SEC. 4.  The annual meetings of the Grand Lodge
shall be held on the second Wednesday in January,
in such place as may be determined at the Grand
Annual Communication, at which meeting the Grand
Officers  shall be installed.  And special meetings
may be called by the Grand Master, but no regulation, affecting the general interests of the Craft, shall
be changed except at the annual meeting; or special
meeting, of which notice of at least one month shall
be given to all subordinate lodges.
SEC. 5. The officers of the Grand Lodge are:
The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior
and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Chaplain, Grand
Treasurer, Grand Secretary, Grand Visitor and Lecturer, Grand Architect, Senior and Junior Grand
Deacons, Grand  Mlarshal, Grand  Sword Bearer,
Grand Pursuivant, and Grand Steward and Tiler.
SEC. 6.  The Grand Officers shall be titled and
rank in the following order, to wit:
1.The Most Worshipful Grand Master.
2. The Rt. Worshipful Deputy Grand Master.
3 The Rt. Worshipful Senior Grand Warden.
4. The Rt. Worshipful Junior Grand WNardein.
5. The Most Reverend Grand Chaplain.
6.The R. W. Grand Treasurer.
7. The R. WA. Grand Secretary.
8. The R. W. Grand Visitor and Lecturer.
162
=-_ 
CONSTITUTION OF GRAND LODGE.
9. The W. Grand Architect.
10. The W. Senior Grand Deacon.
11. The W. Junior Grand Deacon.
12. The Grand Marshal.
13. The Grand Sword Bearer.
14. The Grand Pursuivant.
1o. The Grand Steward aind Tiler.
ARTICLE II.
OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GRAND LODGE.
SE( 1. 1. Every Brother deputed to represent  a
MIaster, in case he is absent, shall be fturnlished with
a certificate of his appointment, under the seal of the
lodge al)pointing hiln, and the attestation of the Secretary thereof.
SEC. 2. Representatives of Masters shall be chosen
from among the members of the lodge appointing
themi; except, that lodges in the Upper Peninsula,
(so called,) of this jurisdiction, shall have the right
to be represented by proxies to brethren, duly certified as inI Sec. 1, not members of their respective
lodges: Provided, Such personls shall be members of
soime lodge in this jurisdiction.
SEc. 3. No  Master, or representative from any
subordinate lodge shall be permiitted to sit in that
capacity inl the Gratnd Lodge, at the Annual Grand
Communication, until all the dues from such lodge,
to the Grand Lodge, are paid: PirovidCed, That a
Gralnd Lodge can be otherwise formed.
163
.. 
MIICHIGAN DIGEST.
ARTICLE III.
OF ELECTIONS.
SEC. 1. The M. W. Grand Master, R. W. Deputy
Grand  Master, R. W. Senior  and Junior Grand
Wardens, the R. W. Grand Treasurer, the B. W.
Grand Secretary and the R. W. Grand Visitor and
Lecturer shall be elected by ballot, or otherwise, as
the Grand Lodge may, from time to time, determine,
and shall hold their offices for one year, and until
their successors are elected and installed. A majority
of all the votes shall be necessary to a choice in each
case above enumerated. All other officers shall be
appointed by the Grand Master elect for his term.
SEC. 2. Each Grand Officer shall be, and continue,
a working member of a subordinate  lodge, bult not
eligible to an office of a higher grade than lie may
have attained in his said lodge.
SEC. 3. Each member of the Grand Lodge, representing a subordinate lodge, shall be entitled to three
votes, and  other  regular,members  of the Grand
Lodge to one vote.
SEC. 4. A Worshipful Master, or representative of
a lodge U. D., is not privileged to vote in the Grand
Lodge, until the said lodge is chartered, and he duly
installed. He may be allowed to speak to all questions, and shall be entitled to the same mileage and
per diem attendance as meimblers.
164
!V 
CONSTITUTION OF G(RAND LODGE.
ARTICLE IV.
OF THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS OF
THE GRAND LODGE.
SEC. 1. The M. W. Grand Master has authority to
convene the Grand Lodge whenever it shall appear
to him that the interests of thie' Craft render the same
necessary or expedient, and in case of the death or
removal of a Grand Officer, or the refusal of any
Grand Officer elect to serve or be personally installed
therein, and in all cases of vacancy he shall have
power to fill such vacancy by the nomination, appointment, and installation of any Brother otherwise
eligible to the same. He is invested withl the power
of granting, dispensations at his discretion, during the
recess of the Grand Lodge; to convene any subordinate lodge at his pleasure; preside therein; inspect
the proceedings of the samie, and to require a strict
conformity to the rules of the fraternity; but he is
prohibited from making Masons at sight.  He may
appoint a District Deputy Grand Master for the Upper
Peninsula, with like powers, to hold his office at the
pleasure of the Grand Miaster and subject to his orders
at all times.
SEc. 2. In case of the death or absence of the M.
AV. Grand Master, the RP. W. Deputy Grand Master
shall preside at the meetings of the Grand Lodge,
and shall exercise all the powers, and become liable
to perform all the duties of the M. W7. Grand Master.
SEC(. a. The R. AW. Grand AVardens, in case of the
165 
MICiTIGTAN DIGEST.
death or absence of the B\. W. Grand Master and R.
W. Deputy Grand Master shall, according to seniority,
preside at the meeting of the Grand Lodge, and assutme the prerogatives and duties of Grand  Master,
for all regular alnd necessary purposes.  They shall
assist in the administration of the affairs of the Grand
Lodge, and diligently preserve and maintain the ancienlt landmarks of the Order, thiroughout the jurisdiction.
SEC. 4. The PR. W. Granid Treasurer shall keep a
just and fair account of all moneys received and paid
by him on account of the Grand Lodge, and shall
exhibit a statement of such receipts and payments at
its annual meeting. He shall promptly pay the
drafts of the presiding officer of the Granrd Lodge,
attested by the R. W. Grand Secretary, out of any
moneys in his hands belonging to the Granld Lodge,
and shall be required by the Grand Master to give
security for the faithful performance of his trust.
SEC. 5. It is nmadle the duty of the R. W. Grand
Secretary to record the transactions of the Grand
Lodge; to register all warrants, dispensations, certificates, and the names of all the members of subordinate lodges returned for registry; to furnish the
chairman of every committee with the files, records
and papers in his cuLstody relating to the business of
such committee; to receive, file and record all petitions, applications and appeals, and sign and cert.ify
all instruments issued by authority of the Grand
Lodge; to receive, credit and record all moneys paid
166
i-.
. _ 
CONSTITUTION OF CGRAND LODG E.
f
into the Grand Lodge, and pay over the same without delay to the R. W. Grand Treasurer. He is
charged with all the correspondence of the Grand
Lodge, under direction of the M. W. Grand Master,
and, in conformity with the established usages of
Masonry, he shall attend upon the Grand Lodge or
the M. W. Grand Master, when required, with all
records and papers that may be necessary for the
transaction of business. He shall keep an account of
all penalties incurred, and report the same to the
Grand Lodge. He shall countersign all drafts upon
the R. W. Grand Treasurer; keep an accurate account with the several Lodges under this jurisdiction;
have charge of the seal; issue summons when directed
by the senior officer of the Grand Lodge; countersign, when required, all diplomas granted by subordinate lodges, and certify to the regularity and good
standing of such lodge, and shall affix thereto the
seal of this Grand Lodge, and shall be entitled to
receive for the same the sum of fifty cents. He shall
give early notice to the Grand Lodges in correspondence with this Grand Lodge, of any changes which
may take place in its officers, accompanied with
specimens of their handwriting and true signatures,
and shall, at the same time, request a reciprocation
of similar documents, and shall do and perform all
such duties as are incidental to his office, and incumI)ent on him by general usage; and shall receive such
compensation as the Grand Lodge may direct.
SEC. 6. The LT. Rev. Grand Chaplain shall per
167 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
form the religious services and solemnities of the
Grand Lodge.
SEC. 7. The W. Grand Deacons shall perform their
proper Masonic duties, and assist within the body of
the Grand Lodge.
SEC. 8. The R. W. Grand Visitor and Lecturer
shall perform such duties as may be required of him
by the M. W. Grand Master or the Grand Lodge, but
shall be entitled to no compensation, or to lecture in
any lodge, without a certificate from the M. W. Grand
Master and R. W. Grand  Secretary that they have
examined him in the lectures and find him fully competent to instruct.
SEC. 9. The W. Grand Architect shall attend and
officiate at the laying of corner stones of public edifices, and on other occasions when required.
SEC. 10. The Grand Marshal shall proclaim tlhe
Grand Officers at their installations, conduct all the
processions of thie Grand Lodge or the Grand Master.
SEC. 11. The Grand Sword Bearer shall carry the
sword in procession, and perform such other duties as
pertain to his office.
SEC. 12. The Grand Stewards shall provide suitable refreshments when directed so to do by the Grand
Lodge, and shall superintend the provision to be
made for festivals.
SEC. 13. The Grand Pursuivant shall communicate with the Grand Tiler; announce in due Masonic
form all applications for admission; and have ill
charge the jewels and regalia of the Grand Lodge.
168
r_ 
CONSTITUTION OF GRAND LODGE.
SEC. 14. The Grand Tiler shall guard the door of
the Grand Lodge on the outside, report all persons
claiming admission, and see that none enter unauthorized. He shall summon the Grand Lodge when
required, and discharge such other official duties as
it may, from time to time, direct, for which service he
shall be entitled to an equitable compensation friom
the Grand Lodge. He shall have no vote therein
during his continuance in office: and no brother below the degree of Master MIason shall be eligible to
the office.
ARTICLE V.
OF SUBORDINATE LODGES.
SEC. 1. No subordinate lodge under this jurisdiction shall hold more than one regular meeting in each
lunar month, except the festivals of St. John's.  No
lodge shall hold any meeting on the Holy Sabbath,
except on funeral occasions or in cases of charity.
SEc. 2. A subordinate lodge shall consist of a
Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and  Junior Deacons, Tiler, and as
many members as may be convenient: and shall have
a seal.
SEc. 3. No brother shall be eligible to the office of
Master of a lodge, unless he shall previously have
been a Warden of a regular lodge; except in case of
the formation of a new lodge.
169 
i'IICIIGAN DIGEST.
SEC. 4. The  Master  and the Senior and Junior
Wardens shall be annually elected by ballot at the
regular communication of the lodge next preceding
the festival of St. John the Evangelist, unless otherwise ordered by the Grand  Lodge, or M. W. Grand
Master during vacation: except in the Upper Peninsula, where they may be elected at the first regular
meeting in November.  They shall hold their offices
for one year, and until others are elected and installed
in their stead.  Each member of the lodge in good
staniding, shall be entitled to one vote, and in case of
a tie, the presiding officer shall have an additional
vote.  All the other officers of the lodge shall be
elected or appointed in such manner as each  lodge
may determine.
SEC. 5. By the term jurisdiction is understood the
geographical center between contiguous lodges, except
in cities or villages, lodges in which shall have  concurrent jurisdiction, and the same shall extend to at
least the limits of such city or village.
SEC. 6. No lodge shall initiate a candidate who
does not reside, and has not resided six months witlhin the jurisdiction of said lodge, or nwho has been,
within one year previously, rejected by another lodge,
unless recommended by vote of the lodge in whichll he
was rejected, or from whose jurisdiction he shall hail.
SEC. 7. It shall be the duty ofeach lodge under
this jurisdiction, to communicate all rejections to
contiguous lodges as well as to the Grand Lodge, accurate records of which shall be kept by each lodge'
170
Mr 
CONSTITUTION OF GRAND LODGE.
transmitting the same, and no application for initiation shall be renewed in any lodge within two months
after rejection.
SEC. 8. No candidate for initiation can withdraw
his petition after the same has been referred to a committee, without the concurrence of two-thirds of the
members present.
SEC. 9. Every candidate for advancement in any
lodge under this jurisdiction, shall first be examined
in open lodge and demonstrate his proficiency in the
degree or degrees previously conferred.
SEC. 10. No  lodge under this jurisdiction shall
confer the degrees of Entered  Apprentice, Fellow
Craft and Master Mason, (unless the candidate be a
clergyman,) for any less sum than twenty-one dollars,
and the fees for each degree shall be paid in cash at
or before the time of receiving the same. No credit
shall be allowed.
SEC. 11. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of
each lodge (in addition to his other duties) to transmit to the R. W. Grand Secretary at least two weeks
before the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge in
each year, a return of the officers and members of
his lodge, and also of all resignations, withdrawals or
deaths which may have taken place since the preceding return, in conformity with the forms hereto an nexed, and keep on file a duplicate thereof.
SEC. 12. No Mason can be a member of more than
one lodge at the same time; nor shall any member be
in 
17A  1C II  C!. i X   it)i G  2~ T,
permitted to wYithdrawv from  his lodge until all his
dues to the same are paid or remitted.
SEc. 13. No  voluntarily unaffiliated Mason  residing within the accredited jurisdiction of a working
lodge shall visit the same more than three times.
Subordinate lodges have disciplinary control over
non-affiliated M(aso(ns residing witlin their respective
jurisdictions.
ARTICLE VI.
MIISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS.
SEc. 1. No Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft,
initiated or passed in any lodge within this jurisdiction
shall, without the consent of the same, be passed or
received into any other lodge than that in which he
was so initiated or passed.
SEC. 2. No candidate for initiation or membership
shall be proposed or balloted for at any other than a
regular communication; nor shall such proposition
and ballot be had at one and the same comnmunication. No ballot for degrees shall be had in any but
a Master's lodge, and not for more than one degree at
a time.  For initiation or advancement, one black
ball rejects; for membership, three, but the ballot
may pass a second time only, to avoid mistakes.
SEC. 3. None but Master Masons can be members
of a lodge.
SEC. 4. Each subordinate lodge shall have power
to hear and determine on matters of difference be
ii-.,)
i.
i — 
CONSTITUTION  C)F  C'PAND   1T)GEI.                              1
twveen its own members, and suspend or expel with the
concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.
In case of suspension twvo-thirds of the members nmayr
restore, but in one of expulsion an unanimous vote
shall be required.
SEc. 5. Any brother deeming himself aggrieved by
the decision of his lodge, may appeal, in writing, to
the Grand Lodge, by whom such order shall be taken
relating thereto, as the nature of the case may require.
SEC. 6. Every lodge within this jurisdiction shall
have and enjoy full power to regulate its internal police by the adoption of a constitution, by-laws, and
other regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions
of this constitution, or the ancient usages of the fraternity.
SEC. 7. No lodge can surrender its charter to the
Grand Lodge without first taking the same steps at a
regular meeting thereof, which, by its constitution or
by-law-s would have been required for amendments to
said instrument, or for its total abrogation; and in all
cases, written notice of the intention to surrender a
charter shall be given to every member of said lodge,
within its jurisdiction, at least one month preceding
the regular meeting at which action is proposed to be
had.
SEC. 8. Lodges are required upon the expulsion of
a brother for any other cause than nonpayment of
dues, forthwith to make a report of their proceedings
in the case, to the R. W. Grand Secretary, in order
1i".
VI 
IMICIHIGAN DIGEST.
that, in the event of an appeal, the Grand Lodge may
be enabled to come to an immediate decision thereon.
SEC. 9. Any lodge neglecting to assemble for one
year, or to make returns and pay its dues for two
years, shall forfeit its warrant and surrender the same
to the R. W. Grand Secretary.
SEC. 10. There shall be no funeral or other procession of Miasons under this jurisdiction, except by
permission of a regularly constituted lodge, or of the
presiding officer thereof.
SEC. 11. The revenues of this Grand Lodge shlall
be derived from the following sources, to wit:
For every warrant to form a new lodge....... $100 00
For every dispensation to form a new lodge,
(to be applied as part of the fees for a war  rant, in case the lodge shall be subsequent  lv warranted by the Grand Lodge,)........ 50 00
For a dispensation to confer degrees-for each
degree............................................. 5 00
For every Grand Lodge certificate, including
Secretary's fees, and exclusive of cost of
blanks,................................. 1 00
For every person initiated........................ 1 00
For every Master Mason from without the
jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge admitted
as a member of a lodge within the same,..   1 00
Subordinate lodges shall pay annually for
each of its members of three months' stand  ing or over, (honorary members, Secreta  ries and suspended members excepted)..... 25
SEC. 12. It shall be the duty of the Committee of
Accounts to report to the Grand Lodge annually the
state of its funds.
174 
CONSTITUTION OF GRAND LODGE.
SEc. 13. It shall be the duty of all lodges under
this jurisdiction to be particularly careful to admit no
candidate of bad moral character or intemperate
habits within their lodges, and whenever that vice
shall appear amoing their own members, it shall be
the duty of the lodge, forthwith, to appoint a suitable comnmittee to wait upon such brother and forewarn
him or them of the evil consequences, and if not reclaimed, after a reasonable time, such lodge or lodges
shall forthwith proceed to make out a summons for
such offenders, to appear before the lodge to answer
for such un-masonic conduct, and unless such offender
shall satisfy the lodge that he will abandon such habits, (and in that case they may stay further proceedings until sufficient opportunity be given to test the
sincerity of the promise,) they shall proceed to suspend him for a limited time, and when that shall have
expired, if not reclaimed, then they shall proceed to
expel him from all the benefits of Masonry.
SEC. 14. The use of distilled spirits or fermented
drinks in lodge rooms, at lodge meetings, is of evil
example and productive of pernicious effects. The
same is therefore expressly and absolutely forbidden
under any pretence whatever.
SEc. 15. This Grand Lodge shall have, exercise
and enjoy, full and complete appellate and corrective
powers, in all cases relative to the fraternity, within
the State of MIichigan.  It shall have power to assess
such contributions, from time to time, as the welfitare
of the Craft may require, and to warranit and organ
1 70 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
ize lodges within this State. All warrants for lodges
shall be prepared by the R. WA. Grand Secretary and
signed by the Grand Officers.
SEC. 16. No lodge or assembly of Master Masons
which shall hereafter be formed within the State of
Michigan, shall be deemed legal without the sanctioni
of this Grand Lodge being first obtained. Masonic
communication, either public or private, between
lodges and their members, under this jurisdiction, and
such illegal lodge or assembly, and any member or
members thereof, is strictly forbidden, under the penalty of expulsion from the benefits of Masonry.
SEC. 17. This Grand Lodge adopts the work aplproved and recommended by the National  Convention of Grand Lodges held at Baltimore, Md., in May,
A. L. 5843, being the same which was re-affirmed by
this Grand Lodge at its session in 1865.
SEC. 18. All amendments and additions to this
Constitution must be submitted and approved at a
previous meeting to that in which they are acted
upon; or a copy of such alteration, addition or
amendment must be forwarded to the Master of each
of the lodges under this jurisdiction, at least two
months previous to being acted upon.
SEC. 19. This Constitution, except the election and
installation of officers, shall take effect at the close of
the present session, and as to such election it takes
immediate effect.
176 
REVISED BY-LAWS
OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF MICHIGAN.
ART. 1. At every communication of this Grand
Lodge previous to the transaction of business, the
lodge shall be opened in proper form.
ART. 2. The lodge to be opened within half an
hour of the time appointed in the Constitution, or in
the notification in the case of an extra meeting, or as
soon thereafter as a sufficient number shall appear.
ART. 3. No person shall be admitted in the Grand
Lodge before his name shall be announced and leave
given by the presiding officer; nor shall any brother
be admitted into the Grand Lodge but such as are
members, representatives, or members of a subordinate lodge, or admitted as a witness, petitioner, or by
a vote of this Grand Lodge.
ART. 4. After reading the proceedings of the last
meeting, the appointment of committees shall be first
T7,rel 
TMCICIIGAN DIGEST.
in order; then the presenting and hearing petitions;
the reports of committees previously appointed, and
the unfinished business; and no new motion or other
business shall be received without first obtaining leave
of the Grand Lodge, until the former is disposed of.
ART. 5. The committees to be appointed at each
stated meeting of the Grand Lodge, in pursuance of
the preceding article, are:
A Committee on Masonic Law,
A Committee on Grievances, 
A committee on Accounts,           To const of three
A Committee on Examination, and      members each.
A Committee on Foreign Correspondence,
The first four to report before closing the lodge, and
the latter at the next regular meeting of the Grand
Lodge; to which, in the meantime, the iR. W. Grand
Secretary shall transmit the proceedings and other
communications received from the several Grand
Lodges in correspondence with this Grand Lodge.
ART. 6. All committees shall be appointed by the
M. W. Grand Master, unless otherwise specially directed by the Grand Lodge. Iln case of a ballot, a
majority of votes shall be necessary to a choice.
ART. 7. When a member is about to speak, he
shall rise from his seat, and respectfully address himself to the " Most Worshipful Grand Master."
ART. 8. If a member, in speaking or otherwise,
shall transgress the rules of the Grand Lodge, ally
member may call him to order, and he shall immediately sit down, unless permitted to explain. The M.
W. Grand Master shall decide all questions of order,
without debate, with the right of appeal from his de
178 
PREVITED BY-LAWS OF (RAND LO)DGE.
cision to the Grand Lodge, in all cases where the
imperative charges assented to by the M. W. Grand
Master at his installation are not thereby infringed.
And any member called to order may be either permitted to proceed, or shall be censured, or fined, as
may be determined upon.
ART. 9. No motion for reconsideration shall be in
order, unless made within twenty-four hours after the
question shall have been decided; nor shall it be in
order unless moved by one of the majority.
ART. 10. No member or Lodge shall vote on any
question in the event of which he or it is immediately
interested; nor shall any member vote if he was not
present when the question was stated.
ART. 11. Every motion requiring to be recorded,
shall be in writing.
ART. 12. When a motion is made and seconded, it
shall be stated by the presiding officer, or read by the
R. W. Grand Secretary, if in writing, and the question of consideration shall then first be decided.
ART. 13. When the reading of any paper is called
for and objected to by a member, it shall be determined by vote.
ART. 14. No new iaotion or proposition, except to
call off or to close, shall be admitted while a question
is pending before the Grand Lodge.
ART. 15. No person shall speak more than twice
on any one subject, unless he obtain the consent of
the Grand Lodge.
ART. 16. All reports of committees shall be made
H
179 
MICItTiGAN DIG(EST.
in writing, and signed by at least a majority of the
committee.
ART. 17. Any of the above By-Laws may be
amended, or, when necessary, postponed for the time
being, on the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present, or a majority of the lodges.
ART. 18. The usual rules of parliamentary practice governing American legislative bodies are not
objectionable in Grand or subordinate lodges, so far
as they do not conflict with the peculiarities of the
Masonic Institution, or with the well known prerogatives of its officers.
ART. 19. The election and installation of officers
of the Grand Lodge shall be the last order of business of the session.
ART. 20. Under the direction of the Grand Marshal, seats for the members of the Grand Lodge shall
be reserved in the East; and all visiting brethren be
requested to sit in the West, at all future communications of this Grand Lodge.
180 
ROLL OF OFFICERS
OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF MICHIGAN.
HISTORICAL NOTE.-The Grand Lodge of Michigan has existed under two distinct and successive
organizations., The first organization was formed at
a convention held in the city of Detroit, on the 24th
of June, 1826, at which the following representatives
were present, viz: Henry J. Hunt, John L. Whitney and Austin E. Wing, from Zion Lodge, No. 3;
John Garrison and Charles Jackson, from Detroit
Lodge, No. 337; Andrew J. Whitney and Marshall
Chapin, proxies for Menominee Lodge, No. 374, and
John Anderson, from Monroe Lodge, No. 375. A
constitution was adopted, and an election ordered for
the 31st of July following; upon which date the first
grand officers were elected, with Hon. Lewis Cass as
Grand  Master.   By the constitution the annual
election of officers took place in June; and in June, 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
1827, we accordingly find Hon. Lewis Cass again
elected Grand Master.  The names of his subordinates
for both years appear in order in the subjoined roll.
On the 8th and 9th of August following, special
communications were held, but the record says, "a
quorum not appearing, no business was transacted."
Here began the days of darkness, when the fell spirit
of proscription and persecution was rampant; and
no further communication was held, nor action taken,
for almost fourteen years. This was the Masonic interregnum, of which the fathers tell us. Stony Creek
Lodge, in Oakland County, was the only lodge in
Michigan that continued in successful working during
this period.
On the 2d of June, 1841, the Grand Lodge again
assembled, rebuilt its fallen altars, and started upon
a new career.  At this communication Levi Cook was
elected Grand Master. From this point the business
of the Grand Lodge went forward in the usual order
until the 22d of May, 1844, when it was " Resolved,
That in view of the difficulties with the Grand Lodge
of New York in acknowledging the authority of this
Grand Lodge, it be recommended to the members of
the old lodges of this State, holding their charters
from the Grand Lodge of New York, to apply to
that body for a renewal of their charters for the purpose of immediate reorganization; and that in case
the renewal of these lodges be granted under the
above authority, and upon the above conditions, this
Grand Lodge does hereby recommend said lodges to
182
r 
ROLL OF GRAND OFFICERS.
take immediate steps for forming a Grand Lodge, and
that as soon as said Grand Lodge shall have been so
organized, this Grand Lodge shall be dissolved."
The old lodges having obtained new charters in pursuance of the above recommendation, a convention
was held at Detroit, on the 17th of September, 1844,
at which the present Grand Lodge was organized;
John Mullett being elected as the first Grand Master.
By the new constitution the annual communication
and election of officers were made to occur in January, at which date they have ever since stood.
The fact of the last annual election under the old
organization being held in June, 1844, and the first
election of officers under the new organization being
held in September, of the same yea, explains the
repetition of the names of officers for that year.
The present Grand Lodge was incorporated by act
of the Legislature in 1849, which act was amended
in 1869. (Laws of 1849, page 313; Laws of 1869,
page 115.)
Since the new organization no material changes
have taken place. The harmony and prosperity of
the order have been uninterrupted, of which fact the
official roll constitutes in itself one of the strongest
and most interesting proofs.
In the preparation of this roll the utmost care has
been.taken to render it correct. The ancient records
have been carefully consulted, in which regard most
material and generous aid has been given by our
present Grand Secretary, Bro. James Fenton. The
183 
IMICHIGAN  DIGEST.
compiler does not assume that it is absolutely without
defect, but he assures his brethren that he has made
it as nearly perfect as it was possible for him, to do,
and that it has been prepared with the express intention of making it a reliable standard of reference.
It has been prepared, not merely for its utility, but
also as a deserved tribute to the memory of those illustrious craftsmen whose names are here enrolled;
names some of which stand emblazoned upon our nation's escutcheon, an honor alike to Masonry, to
civilization anrd to humanitv.
AI. W. GRAND MASTERS.
OLD ORGANIZATION, JUNE 24Tg, 1826.
Hon. Lewis Cass................................................................... 1826-27
(Interregnum2,)
Levi Cook................................................................................... 1841
Leonard Weed............................................................................. 1842
John Mullett.....................................,. 1843-44
NEM- ORGAiNIZATION, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 1844.
John Mullett.......................................................................... 1844-45
Ebenezer Hall............................................................................. 1846
E. Smith Lee..................................... 1847-48
Jeremiah Moors....................................................................   1849-50
Henry T. Backus...............................................................  1851-52-53
George W. Peck..................................................................... 1854-55
George C. Munro........................................................................ 1856
Levi Cook.......................................... 1857
William M. Fenton..................................................................... 1858
J. Adams Allen......................................., 1859
William L. Greenly.................................................................... 1860
Horace S. Roberts....................................................................... 1861
184
iw.
NL 
ROLL OF GRAND OFFICERS
Friancis Darrow.......................................................................... 1862
J. Eastman Johnson.................................................................... 186 3
Lovell Moore.............................................................................. 186
William T. Mitchell...............................................................18 65
Salathiel C. Coffinbury...................................................... 1866-6-68
Abraham T. Metcalf.................................................................... 1869
R. WN. DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
OLT ORGANIZATION.
Andrew J. Whitney.................................................................... 1826
James Abbot............................................................................ 1827
(hItterregnesm,t.)
Leonard Weed............................................................................. 1841
John E. Schwarz............................................................................1842
Ebenezer H     all....................................................................... 1843-44
NEFW ORGANIZATION.
J. D. Dutton................................................................................ 1844
Ebenezer Hall............................................................................ 1845
Jacob Beeson..................................... 1846-47
Paul B. Ring...................................... 1848-49
John Barber................................................................................ 1850
John Stewart.............................................................................. 1851
Alfred Treadway.......................................................................... 1852
James A. Hlah                 n........................................................................... 1853
George C. Munro........................................ 1854-55
IIorace S. Roberts........................................................................ 1856
T. H11. Lyon................................................................................ 1857
J. Adams Allen........................................................................... 1858
William L. Greenly...................................................................... 1859
Simeon B. Brown........................................................................ 1860
Francis Darrow........................................................................... 1861
J. Eastman Jo      hnson................................................................... 1862
Lovell Moore............................................................................. 1863
William T. Mitchell.................................................................... 1864
Salathiel C. Coffinbury............................................................1865
Abraham T. Metcalf............................................................1866-67-68
Alanson Partridge....................................................................... 1869
1 8?;-)
F — 
NIICIIIGAN DIGEST.
R. WA. DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS FOR UPPER
PENINSULA.
Thomas U. Flanner............................................................ 1866-67-68
Thomas N. L         e       e........................................................................... 1869
R. W1. SENIOR GRAND WAARI)DENS.'
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Seneca Allen........................................ 1826)-27
(Iteiiegnzuam.)
MIartin D a v i s.............................................................................. 1841
Ebenezer I          all............................................................................. 1842
WAVilliam Jones........................................................................... 1843
Jo hn Farrar................................................................................ 1844
NEW ORGANIZATION.
Calv      in Il   otchkiss................................................................ 1844-45-46
Paul B. Ring................................................................................ 1847 
Joshua B. Taylor........................................................................ 1848
John Stewart......................................................................... 1849-50
Wm. HI. McOmber....................................................................... 1851
James A. Ilahn........................................................................... 1852
George C. Munro........................................................................ 1853
Horace S. Roberts.................................................................. 1854-55
Willys C. Ransom........................................................................ 1856
Jas. C. Wood................................................................................ 1857
II. T. Farnum.............................................................................. 1858
HI. C. ilodge................................................................................. 1859
David A. Wright......................................................................... 1860
F. Carlisle.............................................................................. 1861-62
Michael Ayers............................................................................. 1863
Abraham T. Metcalf.............................................................. 1864-65
Alanson Partridge.............................................................. 1866-67-68
Edwin R. Landon........................................................................ 1869
i86 
ROLL OF GRAND OFFICERS.
R. W. JUNIOR GRAND WARDENS.
OLD OR.GANIZATION.
Leonard Weed............................................................................. 1826
Martin Davis.............................................................................. 1827
(Itte-rregnunm.)
Ebenezer Hall............................................................  1841
William Jones............................................................................. 1842
Joshua B. Taylor....................................................................... 1843
Peleg Ewell................................................................................. 1814
NEW ORGANIZATION.
John E. Sclhwarz.......................................................................... 1844
Joshua B. Taylor............................................................... 1845-46-47
John Stewart............................................................................. 1848
WYm. 11. McOmber................ Mc.mer.................................... 1849-50
Alfred Treadway........................................................................ 1851
George C. Munro........................................................................ 1852
George W. Wilson....................................................................... 1853
Warren P. Mills..................................................................... 1854-55
John B. Hamilton................................................................... 1856-57
B. B. Church............................................................................... 1858
David A. Wright.......................................................................... 1859
Elisha Leach................................................................................ 1860
Palmer H. Taylor........................................................................ 1861
Michael Ayers............................................................................. 1862
Abraham T. Metcalf.................................................................... 1863
Alanson Partridge................................................................... 1864-65
David A. Wright...................................................................... 1866-67
Edwin R. Landon........................................................................ 1868
John V. Lambertson.................................................................. 1869
31. REV. GRAND CHAPLAINS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Smith Weeks......................................................................... 1826-27
187 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
(Inter-regnum.)
Samuel Silsby...................................... 1841-42
A. S. Wells................................................................................... 1843
0. C. Comstock............................................................................. 1844
NEW ORGANIZATION.
Daniel Michael.............................................................. 1845-46-47
E. M. Crippen..................................................................... 1848-49-50
Sidney S. Brown................................................................... 1851-52
Daniel C. Jacokes................................... 1853-54
Sidney S. Brown.................................................................... 1855-56
Levi IH. Corson.......................................................................... 1857
Beni. F. Doughty...................................... 1858
Israel Cogshall........................................................................... 1859
George Taylor.................................................................... 1860-61-62
Daniel B. Tracy...................................................................... 1863-64
Samuel Clements, Jr.................................................................. 1865
Daniel B. Tracy.......................................................................... 1866
George Taylor............................................................................. 1867
I. Boynton................................................................................ 1868
C. C. Yemans............................................................................... 1959
R. W. GRAND TREASURERS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Henry J. Hunt............................................................................ 1826
Philip Lecuyer............................................................................ 1827
(Interregnumn.)
Calvin Hotchkiss.............................................................. 1841 to 1844
NEW ORGANIZATION.
Charles Jackson......................................................................... 1844
Levi Cook........................................................................ 1845 to 1852
Wm. E. Mc0mber............................................................ 1853 to 1862
Rufus W. Landon............................................................ 1863 to 1869
188 
ROLL OF GRAND OFFICERS.
R. W. GRAND SECRETARIES.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
John L. Whitney.................................................................... 1826-27
(Interregnum.)
Abner C. Smith.............................. 1841 to 1844
NEW ORGANIZATION.
E. Smith Lee..................................................................... 1844-45-46
Abner C. Smith........................................................................... 1847
James Fenton.................................................................. 1848 to 1869
R. W. GRAND VISITOR AND LECTURERS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Peleg Ewell................................................................................. 1842
Abner C. Smith........................................................................... 1843
Jeremiah Moors.......................................................................... 1844
NEW ORGANIZATION.
J. D. Dutton................................................................................ 1846
William S. Brown....................................................................... 1847
Abner C. Smith.................................................................. 1848-49-50
George F. Gardner....................................................................... 1851
E. Smith Lee.............................................................................. 1852
Benjamin Porter Jr........................................................... 1853
Bela Cogshall..................................................................... 1854-55-56
Stillman Blanchard......................................................... 1857 to 1868
Henry M. Look........................................................................... 1869
W. GRAND ARCHITECTS.
Albert H. Jordan................................................................... 1860-61
William Barclay............................... 1862-63-64
Reuben Bulman.............................................................. 1865-66
189
I 
MICHIGAN DIGEST.
James W. Gilbert................................................................. 1867-68
Reuben Butlman.......................................................................... 1869
W. SENIOR GRAND DEACONS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Moses Conn................................................................................. 1842
Charles Jackson............................................... 1843
Moses Conn................................................................................. 1844
NEW ORGANIZATION.
John Farrar........................................................................... 1845-46
Madison Cook............................................................................... 1847
Thomas Cook.............................................................................. 1848
G. W. Thomas........................................................................ 1849-50
John Clancey.............................................................................. 1851
William L. Greenly...................................................................... 1852
Horace S. Roberts....................................................................... 1853
Willys C. Ransom.................................................................. 1854-55
Rufus W. Landon.................................. 1856-57
E. A. Brown............................................................................... 1858
Elisha Leach................................................................................ 1859
F. Carlisle.................................................................................... 1860
Michael Ayers............................................................................. 1861
George W. Wilson....................................................................... 182
Sardis F. Hubbell....................................................................... 1863
David A. Wright.................................................................... 1864-65o
J. F. Lowry.................................................................................. 1866
Edwin R. Landon....................................................................... 1867
Joseph B. Bampton.................................................................... 1868
Carlos G. Curtis........................................................................... 1869
W. JUNIOR GRAND DEACONS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Joshua B. Taylor........................................................................ 1842
J. D. Davis......................................... 1843
H. N. Church.............................................................................. 1844
190
t 
ROI,OL OF G(RAND OFFICERS.
NEW ORGANIZATION.
Moses Conn........................................................................... 1845-46
Czar Jones................................................................................... 1847
R. B. Loomis............................................................................... 1848
Alfred Treadway.................................................................... 1849-50
C. F. Loomis................................................................................ 1851
J. E, Hoyt................................................................................... 1852
Philo Beckwith........................................................................... 1853
T. B. Eldred........................................................................... 1854-55
Edwin R. Merrifield.................................................................... 1856
E. A. Brown................................................................................ 1857
ElishaLeach................................................................................ 1858
David H. L      o rd........................................................................... 1859
T. H. Tracy................................................................................. 1860
R. B. Piper.......................................................................... 1861
T. H. Tracy................................................................................. 1862
Palmer HFI. Taylor....................................................................... 1863
D. H. Baker........................................................................... 1864-65
C. J. Kruger................................................................................ 1866
P. B. Haight................................................................................. 1867
Warren G         r e e n............................................................................. 1868
Seth Pettibone........................................................................... 1869
GRAND MARSHALS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
S. C. Mun               son.............................................................................. 1842
Levi C o o k............................................................................... 1843-44
NEW ORGANIZATION.
John E. Sc              hwarz.................................................................... 1846-47
William S. Brown...................................................................... 1848
John E. Schwarz........................................................................ 1849
A. P. Hogarth............................................................................. 1850
E. P e r r y...................................................................................... 1851
Harlehigh Cartter...................................................................... 1852
George H       ill................................................................................ 1853
Joseph P. Whiting........................................................... 1854-55-56
Warren P. Mills.......................................................................... 1857
Joseph P. Whiting......................................................... 1858 to 1861
191, 
5fIICHIG.kN  DICrGET.
J. S. Judson.............................................................................. 1862
Joseph P. Whiting................................................................. 1863-64
Oliver Dodge.............................................................................. 1865
N. Buel Eldridge........................................................................ 1866
D. R. Stroud........................................................................... 1867-68
Frederick Hart........................................................................... 1869
GRAND SWORD BEARERS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Jacob Loop................................................................................ 1842
John S. Park................................................................................ 1843
Calvin Chapel.............................................................................. 1844
NEW ORGANIZATION.
Charles W. Millerd..................................................................... 1847
John E. Schwarz........................................................................ 1848
R. B. Loomis.............................................................................. 1849
E. Pratt....................................................................................... 1850
George W. Wilson....................................................................... 1851
Joseph P. Whiting..................................................................... 1852
Jesse Button.............................................................................. 1853
R. B. Piper....................................... 1854-55
E. A. Brownl............................................................................... 1856
John R. Baker............................................................................. 1857
Warren P. Mills................................... 1858-59
T. B. Eldred................................................................................ 1860
Alanson Partridge.................................... 1861
R. B. Piper................................................................................. 1862
Oliver Burke.............................................................................. 1863
C. J. Kruger................................................................................ 1864
George E. Hubbard..................................................................... 1865
Arthur M. Clark......................................................................... 1866
Andrew J. Cummings.................................................... 1867
George R. Hurd.......................................................................... 1868
J. L. Mitchell............................................................................. 1869
GRAND PURSIIVANTS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
John E. Schwarz..................................... 1826-27
192 
ROLL OF GRAND OFFICERS.
(Interregnumii.)
Jacob Loop....................................................................181
John Farrar........................................................................... 1842-43
Thomas MI. Perry........................................................................ 1814
NEW ORGANIZATION.
Jeremiah Moors.......................................................................... 1846
James Fenton............................................................................. 1847
Madison Cook............................................................................. 1848
Joseph T. Copeland.................................................................... 1849
George C. Munro........................................................................ 1850
WAilliam L. Greenly.................................................................... 1851
Jefferson G. Thurber.................................... 1852
John R. Baker................................................................. 1853 to 1856
Francis Darrow........................................................................... 1857
T. B. Eldred................................................................................ 1858
Francis Darrow........................................................................... 1859
Alanson Partridge....................................................................... 1860
A. Bernard Cudworth............................................................... 1861
E. P. Worden............................................................................. 1862
Henry Metz............................................................................. 1863-64
L. A. Rogers................................................................................ 1865
W. F. King.................................................................................. 1866
Nathan Manly............................................................................ 1867
John L. Newell.......................................................................... 1868
Willys C. Ransom....................................................................... 1869
GRAND STEWARD AND TILERS.
OLD ORGANIZATION.
Samuel Sherwood....................................................................... 1826
Daniel P. Cole...............................................................18 27
(Inte)regilnum.)
Peleg Ewell................................................................................. 1841
Stephen W. Palmer.................................................................... 1842
Seneca Caswell........................................................................ 1843-44
N'EW ORGANIZATION.
Seneca Caswell..................................................................................... 1844 to 1854
Charles D. Howard............................................................................ 1855 to 1865
Wim. V. Griffith.................................................................................. 1866 to 1869
193
2L 
THE ANCIENT LANDMARiS OF FREEMA                    SONRY.
The Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry are those
universal and immutable laws and regulations which
form the basis and distinguishing characteristics of
the Order, and which have existed from time immemorial. Their essential elements are antiquity that
reaches beyond memory or history, and universal
recognition and observance among regular Masons.
But their most striking peculiarity is that they are
uitrepealable; and it is beyond the legitimate power
of any body of Masons to change or modify them in
the slightest particular.
They are either unwritten or written.  The unwritten landmarks are those peculiar marks of distinction by which Masons are separated from the outer
world. To this class belong most of the methods of
recognition, as also the more material portions of the
entire body of esoteric Masonry.
The written landmarks are distinguished by the
same characteristics as the unwritten, except that of
L. 
AN-CITENT LTANDMARKS.
secrecy; they being public in theirnature. They are
twenty-five in number, and are classed by the highest
authorities in the following order.
Landniark First.
The modes of recognition are, of all the Landmarks, the most legitimate and unquestioned. They
admit of no variation; and if ever they have suffered
alteration or addition, the evil of such a violation of
the ancient law has always made itself subsequently
manifest.
Landinark 1ccond.
The division of Symbolic Masonry into three degrees, is a Landmark that has been better preserved
than almost any other.
Laindlmark Third.
The legend of the Third Degree is an important
Landmark, the integrity of which has been well preserved.  There is no rite of Masonry, practised in any
country or language, in which the essential elements
of this legend are not taught. The lectures may
vary, and indeed are constantly changing, but the
legend has ever remained substantially the same.
And it is necessary that it should be so, for the legend
of the Temple Builder constitutes the very essence
and identity of Masonry. Any rite which should
exclude it, or materially alter it, would at once, by
that exclusion or alteration, cease to be a Masonic
rite.
Landmark Fourth.
The government of the Fraternity, by a presiding
officer called a Grand 3Master, who is elected from the
,, 19,
.0 
ANCIENT LANDMARKS.
body of the craft, is a fourth Landmark of the Order. Many persons ignorantly suppose that the
election of the Grand Master is held in consequence
of a law or regulation of the Grand Lodge. Such,
however, is not the case. The office is indebted fobr
its existence to a Landmark of the Order. Grand
Masters are to be found in the records of the institution long before Grand Lodges were established; and
if the present system of legislative government by
Grand Lodges were to be abolished, a Grand Master
would still be necessary. In fact, although there has
been a period within the records of history, and indeed of very recent date, when a Grand Lodge was
unknown, there never has been a time when the craft
did not have their Grand Master.
Landmark Fifth.
The prerogative of the Grand Master to preside
over every assembly of the craft, wheresoever and
whensoever held, is a fifth Landmark. It is in consequence of this law, derived from ancient usage, and
not from any special enactment, that the Grand Master assumes the chair, or as it is called in England,
"the throne," at every communication of the Grand
Lodge; and that he is also entitled to preside at the
communication of every subordinate lodge, where he
may happen to be present.
Landmark Sixth.
The prerogative of the Grand Master to grant dispensations for conferring degrees at irregular times,
is another and very important Landmark. The
statutory law of Masonry requires a month, or other
determinate period, to elapse between the presentation
of a petition and the election of a candidate. But
the Grand Master has the power to set aside or dis
196 
ANCIENT LANDMARKS.
pense with this probation, and to allow a candidate to
be initiated at once.
LIi(tiIinark Seventh.
The prerogative of the Grand  MIaster to give dispensations for opening and holding lodges, is another
Landmark.   He may grant, in virtue of this, to a
sufficient number of Masons, the privilege of meeting
together and conferring degrees. The lodges thus
established are called "Lodges under Dispensation."
They  are strictly creatures of the Grand  Master,
created by his authority, existing only during his will
and pleasure, and liable at any moment to be dissolved
at his command.   They may be continued for a day,
a month, or six months; but whatever be the period
of their existence, they are indebted for that existence
solely to the grace of the Granid Master.
Landmnark Eglhtlh.
The prerogative of the Grand Mlaster to make
Masons at sight, is a Landmark which is closely connected with the preceding one. There has been much
misapprehension in relation to this Landmark, whichl
misapprehension has sometimes led to a denial of its
existence in jurisdictions where the Grand Master was
perhaps at the very time substantially exercising the
prerogative, without the slightest remark or opposition.  It is not to be supposed that the Grand Master
can retire with a profane into a private room, and
there, without assistance, confer the degrees of Freemasonry upon him.  No such prerogative exists, and
yet many believe that this is the so lmuch talked of
right of "making Masons at sight."  The real mode,
and the only mode of exercising the prerogative is
this:  The Grand Master summons to his assistance
not less than six other Masons, convenes a lodge, and
197 
ANCIEN\T LANDMIARKS.
without any previous probation, but ob sight of the
candidate, confers the degrees upon him, after which
he dissolves the lodge, and dismisses the brethren.
Lodges thus convened for special purposes are called
"occasional lodges."  The  miaking of  Masons  at
sight is only the conferring of the degrees by the
Grand Master, at once, in all occasional lodge, constituted by his dispensing power for the purpose, and
over which he presides in person.
Landlnark Ninth.
The necessity for Masons to congregate in lodges is
another Landmark.  It is not to be understood by
this that any ancient Landmark has directed that
permanent organization of subordinate lodges which
constitutes one of the features of the Masonic system
as it now prevails. But the Landmarks of the Order
always prescribed that Masons should from time to
time congregate together, for the purpose of either
operative or speculative labor, and that these congregations should be called Lodges.
Landnmark Tenth.
The government of the Craft, when so congregated
in a lodge, by a Master and two Wardens, is also a
Landmark. The presence of a Master and two
Wardens is as essential to the valid organization of a
lodge as a warrant of constitution is at the present
day. The names, of course, vary in different languages, the Master, for instance, being called "Venerable" in French Masonry, and the Wardens "Surveillants," but the officers, their number, prerogatives
and duties, are everywhere identical.
Landinarlk Eleventh.
The necessity that every lodge, when congregated,
should be duly tiled, is an important Landmark of
198 
AXCIEN'T LANDMIARKS.
the institution, which is never neglected. The necessity of this law arises from the esoteric character of'
Masonry. As a secret institution, its portals must of
course be guarded from the intrusion of the profane,
aud such a law must therefore always have been in
force from the very beginning of the Order. It is
therefore properly classed among the most ancient
Landmarks.
Landmark Twelfth.
The right of every Mason to be represented in all
general meetings of the craft, and to instruct his
representatives, is a twelfth Laldmark.  Formerly,
these general meetings, which were usually held onice
a year, were called " General Assemblies," and all
the fraternity, even to the youngest Entered Apprentice, were permitted to be present. Now they are
called "Granid Lodges," and only the Masters and
Wardens of the subordinate lodges are summoned.
But this is simply as the representatives of their
members.
Landmnlark Thirteenth.
The right of every Masoni to appeal from the decision of his brethren in lodge convened, to the Grand
Lodge or General Assembly of Masons, is a Landmiark highly essential to the preservation of justice,
and the prevention of oppression.  A  fewv modern
Grand Lodges, in adopting a regulation that the decision of subordinate lodges, in cases of expulsion,
cannot be wholly set aside upon an appeal, have violated this unquestioned Landmark, as well as the
principles of just government.
Landmark Foiurteenth.
The right of every Mason to visit and sit in every
regular lodge is an unquestionable Landmark of the
199 
ANCIENT LANDMIARKS.
Order. This is called " the right of visitation." This
right of visitation has always been recognized as an
inherent right, wvhich inures to every Mason as he
travels through the world. And this is because
lodges are justly considered as only divisions for convenience of the universal Masonic family. This right
may, of course, be impaired or forfeited on special
occasions by various circumstances; but when admission is refused to a Mason in good standing, who
knocks at the door of a lodge as a visitor, it is to be
expected that some good and sufficient reason shall
be furnished for this violation of what is in general
a Masonic right, founded on the Landmarks of the
Order.
LanIl(dnlark Fifteentli.
It is a Landmark of the Order, that no visitor,
unknown to the brethren present, or to some one of
them as a Mason,  can  enter a lodge without first
passing an examination according to ancient usage.
Of course, if the vis;ter is known to any brother
present to be a iReason in good standing, and if that
brother will vouch for his qualifications, the examination may be dispensed with; as the Landmark refers
only to the cases of strangers, who  are not to  be
recognized unless after strict trial, due examination,
or lawful information.
Laaili'RI.rk Sixteentih.
No lodge can interfere in the business of another
lodge, nor give degrees to brethren who are members
of other lodges.
Lanliimark Seventeenth
It is a Landmark that every Freemasonl is aimenable to the lawvs and regulations of the Masonic juris
200 
ANCIENT LANDDMARKS.
diction in which he resides, and this although he may
not be a member  of any lodge.   Non-affiliation
does not exempt a Mason from Masonic jurisdiction.
Landmark Eighteenth.
Certain qualifications of candidates for initiation
are derived from a Landmark of the Order. These
qualifications are that he shall be a man-shall be
unmutilated, free born, and of mature age. That is
to say, a woman, a cripple, or a slave, or one born in
slavery, is disqualified for initiation into the rites of
Masonry.
Landnlark Nineteenth.
A belief in the existence of God as the Grand
Architect of the universe, is one of the most important Landmarks of the Order. It has been always
deemed essential that a denial of the existence of a
Supreme and Superintending Power, is an absolute
disqualification for initiation.
Landmnark Twentieth.
Subsidiary to this belief in God, as a-Landmark of
the Order, is the belief in a resurrection to a future
life. This Landmark is not so positively impressed
on the candidate by exact words as the preceding;
but the doctrine is taught by very plain implication,
and runs through the whole symbolism of the Order.
Landmark Twenty-first.
It is a Landmark, that a "Book of the Law" shall
constitute an indispensable part of the furniture of
every lodge.
2'01 
ANCIENT LANDMARPKS.
Landmnark Twenty-.seconId.
The equality of all Masons is another Landmiark
of the Order. This equality has no reference to any
subversion of those gradations of rank which have
been instituted by the usages of society. But the
doctrine of Masonic equality implies that, as children
of one great Father, we meet in the lodge upon the
level. \When the labors of the lodge are over, and
the brethren have retired from their peaceful retreat,
to mingle once more with the world, each will then
again resume that social position, and exercise the
privileges of that rank, to which the customs of society entitle him.
Landmark Twenty-third.
The secrecy of the institution is another and a most
important Landmark. Whatever objections may,
therefore, be made to the institution, on account of
its secrecy, and however much some unskillful brethren have been willing in times of trial, for the sake
of expediency, to divest it of its secret character, it
will be ever impossible to do so, even were the Landmark not standing before us as ani insurmountable
obstacle; because such change of its character would
be social suicide, and the death of the Order would
follow its legalized exposure.  Freemasonry, as a
secret association, has lived unchanged for centuries
-as an open society it would not last for as many
years.
L,andiiiark Twenty-fourth.
The foundation of a speculative science upon an
operative art, and the symbolic use and explanations
of the terms of that art, for purposes of religious or
moral teaching, constitute another Landmark of the
Order.
202 
ANCIEENT LANI)DMARKF.
Landnmark Twenty-fiftli.
The last and crowning Landmark of all is, that
these Landmarks can never be changed.  Nothing
can be subtracted from them-nothing can be added
to them-not the slightest modification can be made
in them.
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ANCIENT CONSTITUTIONS.
THE OLD YORK CONSTITUTIONS OF 926.
7The Fifteent Articles.
1. The Master must be steadfast, trusty and true;
I)rovide victuals for his men, and pay their wages
pulnctually.
2. Every Master shall attend the Grand Lodge
when duly summoned, unless he have a good and
reasonable excuse.
3. No Master shall take an Apprentice for less
than seven vears.
4. The son of a hondmani shall not be admitted as
an Apprentice, lest when hlie is introduced into the
lodge any of the brethren should be offended.
). A candidate must be without blemish, and have
the full and propel use of his limbs; for a maimed
.man can do the craft no good.
6. The Master shall take especial care, ill the
admission of an Apprentice, that he do his lord no
prejudice. 
ANCIENT CONSTITUTIONS.
7. He shall harbor no thief or thief's retainer,
lest the craft should come to shame.
8. If he unknowingly employ all imperfect man,
he shall discharge him from the work when his inability is discovered.
9. No Master shall undertake a work that he is
not able to finish to his lord's profit and the credit of
his lodge.
10. A brother shall not supplant his fellow in tl(he
work, unless he be incapable of doing it himself; tfor
then he may lawfully finish it, that pleasure aind
profit may be the mutual result.
11. A Mason shall not be obliged to work after
the sun has set in the west.
1 2. Nor shall he decry the work of a brother oir
fellow, but slall d(leal honestly and truly by  him,
iunder a penalty of not less tlhan ten pounds.
13. The Master shall instruct his Apprentice faitlifiully, and make him a perfect workman.
14. He shall teach him all the secrets of his trade,
15. ALnd shall guard him against the commission
of perjury, and all other offenses by which the craft
imay be brought to shame.
The  If7itfeeb Pointt'.
1. Every MIasoni shall cultivate brotherlyv love and
the love of God, and frequent holy church.
2. The workman shall labor'dliligentlv oil work
days, that he may deserve his holidays.
3. Every Apprentice shall keep his Master's counsel, and not betray the secrets of his lodge.
4. No man shall be false to the craft, or entertain
prejudice against his Master or fellows.
5. Every workman shall receive his wages weekly,
and without scruple; and should the Master think
200
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ANCIEIENT'CONSTIT'UTION,S.
proper to dismiss him from the work, he shall have
due notice of the same before H. xii.
6. If any dispute arise among the brethren it
shall be settled on a holiday, that the work be not
neglected, and God's law fulfilled.
7. No MIason shall debauch, or have carnal
klnowledge of the wife, daughter, or concubine of his
Master or fellows.
8. He shall be true to his Master, and a just mecdi ator in all disputes or quarrels.
9. The Steward shall provide good cheer against
the hour of refreshment, and each fellow shall punctually defray his share of the reckoning, the Steward
rendering a true and correct account.
10. If a Mason live amiss, or slander his brother,
so as to bring the craft to shame, he shall have no
further maintenance among the brethren, but shall
be summoned to the next Grand Lodge; and if lihe
refuse to appear, he shall be expelled.
11. If a brother see his fellow hewing a stone, and
likely to spoil it by unskillful workmanship, he shall
teach him to amend it, with fair words and brotherly
speeches.
12. The General Assembly, or Grand Lodge, shall
consist of Master and Fellows, Lords, Knights and
Squires, Mayor and Sheriff, to make new laws, and
to confirm old ones when necessary.
13. Every brother shall swear fealty, and if he
violate his oath, he shall not be succored or assisted
by any of the fraternity.
14. He shall make oath to keep secrets, to be
steadfast and true to all the ordinances of the Grand
Lodge, to the King and Holy Church, and to all the
several points herein specified.
15. And if any brother break his oath, he sball be
committed to prison, and forfeit his goods and chattels to the King.
206
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ANCIENT CONSTITUTION-,.
They conclude as follows:
That a General Assembly shall be held every year,
with the Grand Master at its head, to enforce these
regulations, and to make new laws, when it may be
expedient to do so, at which all the brethren are
competent to be present; and they must renew their
0. B. to keep these statutes and constitutions, which
have been ordained by King Athelstan, and adopted
by the Grand Lodge at York.  And this Assembly
fuirther directs that, in all ages to come, the existing
Grand Lodge shall petition the reigning monarch to
confer his sanction on their proceedings.
THE CONSTITUTIONS OF EDAR.PD III.-1327-1377.
1. That for the future, at the making or admission
of a brother, the constitutions and the charges shall
be read.
2. That Master Masons, or Masters of the work,
shall be examined whether they be able of cunning
to serve their respective lords, as well the highest as
the lowest, to the honor and worship of the aforesaid
art, and to the profit of their lords; for they be their
lords that employ them for their travel.
3. That when the Master and Wardens meet in a
lodge, if need be, the sheriff of the county, or the
mayor of the city, or alderman of the town, in which
the congregation is held, should be made fellow and
sociate to the Master, in help of him against rebels,
and for upbearing the rights of the realm.
4. That Entered Prentices at their making were
charged not to be thieves, or thieves-maintainers;
that they should travel honestly for their pay, and
love their Fellows as themselves, and be true to the
King of England, and to the realm, and to the Lodge.
5. That at such congregations it shall be enquired,
whether anv Master or Fellow has broken any of the
l
207 
ANCIENT CONSTITUTIOXS.
articles agreed to.  And if the offenider, being duly
cited to appear, prove rebel, and will not attend, theni
the Lodge shall determine against himn that he shall
forswear (or renounce) his Masonlry, and shall  ino
more use this Craft; the which, if he presume for to
(lo, the  Sheriff of the counLty shall prison him, aind
take all his goods into the king's hands, till his grace
be granted himi an issue: for this cause principally
hlave these congregations been ordained, that as well
the lowest as the highest should be well and truly
served in this art foresaid throughout all the kingdom
of England.
PEcULATIONX,S oF 1663).
1. That no )ersonI, of whlat degree soever, be made
or accepted a Freemason, unless in a regular Lodge,
whereof one to be a Master or Warden in that limit
or division where such lodge is kept, and another to
l)e a craftsman in the trade of Freemasonry.
2. That no person shall hereafter be accepted a
Freemason but such as are of able body, honest parentage, good reputation, and ani observer of the laws
of the laud.
3. That no person hereafter who shall be accepted
a Freemason shall be admitted into any lodge or
assembly, until he has brought a certificate of the time
and place of his acceptation from the lodge that accepted him, unto the Master of that limit or division
where such lodge is kept; anld the said Master shall
enroll the same in a roll of parchment, to be kept for
that purpose, and shall give an account of all suchl
acceptations at every General Assembly.
4. That every person who is now a Freemason shall
bring to the Master a note of the time of his acceptation, to the end the same may be enrolled in such
priority of place as the brother deserves; and that
208 
ANCIENT CONSTITUITIONS.
the whole company and Fellows may the better know
each other.
5. That for the future the said fraternity of Freemasons shall be regulated and governed by one Grand
MIaster, and as many Wardens as the said society
shall think fit to appoint at every annual General
Aissembly.
6. That no person shall be accepted, unless lie be
twenty-one vears old or mnore.
THE ANCIENT INSTALLATION CHAPGES OF JA3IES II.
1685-'88.
1. That ve shall be true men to God and the Holy
Church, and to use no error or heresy by your understanding, and by wise mnen's teaching.
2. That ye shall be true liegemen to the King of
England, without treason or any falsehood, and that
ye know no treason but ye shall give knowledge
thereof to the king, or to his counsel; also, ye shall
be true one to another, that is to say, every Mason of
the craft that is Mason allowed, ye shall do to him as
ye would be done unto yourself.
3. And ye shall keep truly all the counsel that
ought to be kept in the way of Masonhood, and all
the counsel of the Lodge or of the chamber. Also,
that ye shall be no thief, nor thieves to your knowledge firee; that ye shall be true to the king, lord or
master that ye serve, and truly see and work for his
advantage.
4. Ye shall call all Masons your Fellows, or your
brethren, and no other names.
5. Ye shall not take your Fellow's wife ill villainy,
nor deflower his daughter or servant, nor put him to
disworship.
6. Ye shall truly pay for meat or drink, whereso ever ye go to table or board.  Also, ye shall do no
209 
, ANCIENT COONSTITUTIONS.
villainy there, whereby the craft or science may be
slandered.
TIJE ANCIENT CIARGES AT TIAKINGS.
1. That a MLiason take on him no lord's work, nor
any other man's, unless ie know himself well able to
perfoirm the work, so that the craft have no slander.
2. Also, that no M/aster take work but that he
take reasonable pay for it; so that the lord may be
truly scerved, and the Mlaster to live honestly, and to
pay his Fellows truly.  And that no Master or Fellow supplant others of their work; that is to say,
that if he hath taken a work, or else stand iMaster of
any work, that he shall not put him out, unless he be
unable of cunning to make  an end of his work.
And no Mfaster nor Fellow shall take an Apprentice
for less than seven years. And that the Apprentice
be freeborn, and of limbs whole as a man ought to
be, and no bastard.  And that no Master nor Fellow
take no allowance to be made Mason without the assent of his Fellows, at the least six or seven.
3. That he that be made be able in all degrees;
that is, free born, of a good kindred, true, and no
bondsman, and that he have his right limbs as a man
ought to have.
4. That a Master take no Apprentice without he
have occupation to occupy two or three Fellows at
least.
5. That no Master or Fellow put away any lord's
work to task that ought to be journeywork.
6. That every Master give pay to his Fellows and
servants as they may deserve, so that he be not defamed with false working. And that none shall
slander another behind his back to make himn lose his
good name.
7. That no Fellow in the house or abroad answer
another ungodly or reproveably without a cause.
210
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ANCIENT CONSTITUTIONS.
8. That every MIaster Mason do reverence to his
elder; and that a Mason be no common player at the
cards, dice or hazard; or at any unlawful plays,
through the which the science and craft may be dishonored and slandered.
9. That no Fellow go into the town by night, except he have a Fellow with himn, who may bear him
record that he was in anl honest place.
10. That every Master and Fellow shall come to
the assembly, if it be  within fifty nailes of him, if lihe
have  anv  wAarniing. And if he have  trespassed
against the craft, to abidce the reward of Masters and
Fellows.
11. That  every MAaster  Mason and Fellow that
lath trespassed against the craft shall stand to the
co)rrection of other Masters and Fellows to make him
accord; and if they cannot accord, to go to the coinIloii law.
12. That a Master or Fellow make not a mould
stone, square nior rule, to no lowenl, nor let no lowen
work within their lodge nor without, to mould stone.
13. That every Mason receive and cherish strange
Fellows, when they come over the country, and set
them on work, if they will work, as the manner is;
that is to say, if the Mason have any mould stone in
his place, he shall give him a mould stonie, and set
him on work; and if he have none, the Mason shall
refresh him with money until the next lodge.
14. That every Mason shall truly serve his Master
for his pay.
15. That every Master shall truly make an end of
his work, task or journey, whither so it be.
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THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON.
LE.tracted front the A)ncie)nt Records of Lodges beyond
Sea, and of those in Enigland, Scotland and Ireland,
for the use of the Lodges in London.   To be read at
the making  of _Velw Brethren7, or wthen the MIastei
shall order it.
I.-CONCERNING GO) A,ND RELIGION.
bA  Iasoni is obliged, by his tenure, to obey the
moral law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he
will never be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine.  But though in ancient times Masons were
charged in every country to be of the religion of that
country or nation, whatever it was; it is now thought
more expedient only to oblige them to that religion
in which all men agree, leaving their particular
opinions to themselves; that is, to be good mei  and
tirue, or men of honor and honesty, by whatever denominations or persuasions they may be distinguished;
wvhereby MAIasoivy becomes the Cen)ter of Untio?, and
the means of conciliating true friendship among persons that must have remained at a perpetual distance.
A 
THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON.
II.-OF TIlE CIVIL MAGISTRATE, SUPREME AND SUB                    ORDINATE.
A MIason is a peaceable subject to the civil powers
wherever he resides or works, and is never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the peace and
welfare of the nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates; for as Masonry hath
been always injured by war, bloodshed, and confusion,
so ancient kings and princes have been much disposed to encourage the craftsmen, because of their
peaceableness and loyalty, whereby they practically
answered the cavils of their adversaries, and promoted the honor of the Fraternity, who ever flourished
in times of peace. So that if a brother should be a
rebel against the State, he is not to be countenanced
in his rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappy man; and if convicted of no other crime,
though the loyal brotherhood must and ought to disown his rebellion, and give no umbrage or ground of
political jealousy to the government for the time being, they cannot expel him firom the lodge, and his
relation to it remains indefeasible.
III.-OF LODGES.
A lodge is a place where Masons assemble and
work: Hence that Assembly, or duly organized Society of Masons, is called a Lodge, and every brother
ought to belong to one, and to be subject to its ByLaws and the General Regulations. It is either particular or general, and will be best understood by
attending it, and by the regulations of the General o
Grandl Lodge hereunto annexed.  In ancient times,
no Master or Fellow could be absent from it, especially when warned to appear at it, without incurring
a severe censure, until it appeared to the Master and
Wardlens that pure necessity hindered him.
213 
214    THE CHARGES OF A FREEMIASON.
The persons admitted members of a lodge must be
good and true men, free-born, and of mature and discreet age; no bondmen, no women, no immoral or
scandalous men, but of good report.
IV.-OF IMASTERS, WARDENS, FELLOWS AND APPREN                      TICES,
All preferment anlong Masons is grounded upon
real worth and personal merit only; that so the lords
may be well served, the brethren not put to shame,
nor the Royal Craft despised: Therefore no Master
or Warden is chosen by seniority, but for his merit.
It is impossible to describe these things in writing,
and every brother must attend in his place, and learn
them in a way peculiar to this Fraternity: Only candidates may know that no Master should take an Apprentice, unless he has sufficient employment for hini,
and unless he be a perfect youth, having no maim or
defect in his body, that may render him incapable of
learning the art of serving his master's LORD, and of
being made a Brother, and then a Fellow Craft in due
time, even after he has served such a term of years
as the custom of the country directs; and that he
should be descended of honest parents; that so, when
otherwise qualified, he may arrive to the honor of
being the JV}trdei, and then the Mfaster of the lodge,
the Grand  fVarcidei,, and at length the Girand 3a.ster
of all the lodges, according to his merit.
No brother can be a Warden until lie has passed
the part of a Fellow Craft; nor a Master until he
has acted as a Warden, nor Grand IVarden until lhe
has been Master of a lodge, nor Grand Master, unless
lie has been a Fellow Craft before his election, who
is also to be nobly born, or at gentleman of the best
fashion, or sonie emillnent scholar, or solme curious
architect or other artist, descended of honest parents,
and who is of sin,gular great merit in the opinion of
A 
THiE CHARGES OF A FREEMIAASO'N.
the lodges. And for the better, and easier, and more
honorable discharge of his office, the Grand Master
has a power to choose his own Deputy Grand Master,
who must be then, or must have been formerly, the
Master of a particular lodge, and has the privilege of
acting whatever the Grand Master, his Principal,
should act, unless the said Principal be present, or
interpose his authority by a letter.
These rulers and governors-supreme and subordinate-of the ancient lodge, are to be obeyed in their
respective stations by all the brethren, according to
the old Charges and Regulations, with all humility,
reverence, love and alacrity.
V.-OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CRAFT IN WORKING.
All Masons shall work honestly on working days,
that they may live creditably on holy days; and the
time appointed by the law of the land, or confirmed
by custom, shall be observed.
The most expert of the Fellow Craftsmen shall be
chosen or appointed the Master or overseer of the
lord's work: who is to be called Master by those that
work under him. The craftsmen are to avoid all ill
language, and to call each other by no disobliging
name, but Brother or Fellow; and to behave themselves courteously within and without the lodge.
The Master, knowing himself to be able of cunning, shall undertake the lord's work as reasonably
as possible, and truly dispend his goods as if they
were his own; nor to give more wages to any Brother or Apprentice than he really may deserve.
Both the Master and the Mason receiving their
wages justly, shall'be faithful to the lord, and honestly finish their work, whether task or journey: nor
put the work to task that hath been accustomed to
journey.
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216  THE CHARGES OF A FREEMIASON.
None shall discover envy at the prosperity of a
Brother, nor supplant him, or put him out of his
work, if he be capable to finish the same: for no man
can finish another's work so much to the lord's profit,
unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the designs
and draughts of him that began it.
When a Fellow Craftsman is chosen Warden of
the work under the Master, he shall be true both to
Master and Fellows; shall carefully oversee the work
in the Master's absence to the lord's profit; and his
brethren shall obey him.
All Masons employed shall meekly receive their
wages without murmuring or mutiny, and not desert
the Master till the work is finished.
A younger brother shall be instructed in working,
to prevent spoiling the materials for want of judgment, and for increasing and continuing of brotherly
love.
All the tools used in working shall be approved by
the Grand Lodge.
No laborer shall be employed in the proper work
of Masonry; nor shall Free Masons work with those
that are not free, without an urgent necessity; nor
shall they teach laborers and unaccepted Masons, as
they should teach a Brother or Fellow.
VI.-OF BEHAVIOR, VIZ:
1. In, the Lodge while  Co?,stitit,ted.
You are not to hold private committees, or separate conversation, without leave from the Master, nor
to talk of anything impertinent or unseemly, nor
interrupt the Master or Wardens, or any brother
speaking to the Master; nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the lodge is engaged in
what is serious and solemn; nor use any unbecoming 
THE CHARGES OF A FREEIIASON.
language upon any pretence whatsoever; but to pay
due reverence to your Master, Wardens and Fellows,
and put them to worship.
If any complaint be brought, the brother found
guilty shall stand to the award and determination of
the lodge, who are the proper and competent judges
of all such controversies, (unless you carry it by
appeal to the Grand Lodge,) and to whom they
ought to be referred, unless a lord's work be hindered
the meanwhile, in which case a particular reference
may be made; but you must never go to law about
what concerneth Masonry, without an absolute necessity apparent to the Lodge.
2. Behavioi' after the Lodge is over cand the Brethren
not gone.
You  may enjoy yourselves with innocent mirth,
treating one another according to ability, but avoiding all excess, or forcing any brother to eat or drink
beyond his inclination, or hindering him from going
when his occasions call him, or doing or saying any
thing offensive, or that may forbid an easy and free
conversation; for that would blast our harmony and
defeat our laudable purposes. Therefore no private
piques or quarrels must be brought within the door
of the lodge, far less any quarrels about religion, or
nations, or state policy, we being only, as Masons, of
the Catholic religion above mentioned; we are also
of all nations, tongues, kindreds, and languages, and
are resolved against all politics, as what never yet
conduced to the welfare of the lodge, nor ever will.
This Charge has always been strictly enjoined and
observed; but especially ever since the reformation
in Britain, or the dissent and secession of those
nations from the communion of Rome.
217 
218     THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON.
3. Behavior Avhein Brethren meet Wvithout Stranygers, beet
not in a Lodge formed.
You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, as you will be instructed, calling each other
BROTHER, freely giving mutual instruction, as shall
be thought expedient, without being overseen or
overheard, and without encroaching upon each other,
or derogating from that respect which is due any
brother, were he not a Mason; for though all Masons
are as brethren upon the same level, yet Masonry
takes no honor from a man that he had before; nay,
rather it adds to his honor, especially if he has
deserved well of the brotherhood, who must give
honor to whom it is due, and avoid ill manners.
4. Behavior- i) Pre.sence of Strangers niot llasons.
You shall be cautious in your words and carriage,
that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able
to discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated; and sometimes you shall divert a discourse,
and  manage  it prudently for the  honor  of  the
Worshipful Fraternity.
a. Behavior at Home and in yotti iveighborhood.
You are to act as becomes a moral and wise mnan,
articularly not to let your family, friends and neighbors know the concerns of the lodge, etc., but wisely
to consult your own honor, and that of the Ancient
Brotherhood, for reasons not to be mentioned here.
You must also consult your health, by not continuing
together too late, or too long from home, after lodge
hours are past; and by avoiding of gluttony or
drunkenness, that your families be not neglected or
injured, nor you disabled from working. 
THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON.
6. Behavior toward a Stra)nge Brother.
You are cautiously to examine him, in such a
method as prudence shall direct you, that you may
not be imposed upon by an ignorant false pretender,
whom you are to reject with contempt and derision,
and beware of giving him any hints of your knowledge.
But if you discover him to be a true and genuine
brother, you are to respect hilm accordingly; and if
he is in want, you must relieve him, if you can, or
else direct him how he may be relieved:  You must
employ him some days, or else recommend him to be
employed. But you are not charged to do beyond
your ability, only to prefer a poor brother, that is a
good man and true, before any other people in the
same circumstances.
Finciially. All these CHARGES yOU  are to observe,
and also those that shall be communicated to you in
another way; cultivating brotherly love, the foundation and cap-stone, the cement and glory of this
ancient fraternity; avoiding all wrangling and
quarreling, all slander and backbiting, nor permitting others to slander any honest brother, but defending his character, and doing him all good offices, as
far as is consistent with your honor and safety, and
no farther. And if any of them do you injury, you
must apply to your own or his lodge, and from thence
you may appeal to the Grand Lodge at the Quarterly
Communication, and from thence to the Annual
Grand Lodge, as has been the ancient laudable conduct of our forefathers in every nation; never taking
a legal course, but when the case cannot be otherwise
decided, and patiently listening to the honest and
friendly advice of Master and fellows, when they
would prevent your going to law with strangers, or
would excite you to put a period to all lawsuits, that
219 
220    THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON.
so you may mind the affair of Masonry with the
more alacrity and success;  but with  respect  to
brothers or fellows at law, the )faster and brethren
should kindly offer their mediation, which ought to
be thankfully submitted to by the contending brethren; and if that submission is'impracticable, they
must, however, carry on their process, or lawsuit,
without wrath and rancor, (not in the common way,)
saying or doing nothing which may hinder brotherly
love, and good offices to be renewed and continued;
that all may see the benign influence of Masonry, as
all true Masons have done from the beginning of the
world, and will do to the end of time.  AME-N.  SO
m)lote it be. 
APPENDIX OF GENERAL FORMS.
PETITION FOR 1)ISPENSATION TO FORM A NEW LODGE.
To the M. W. Grand Master of Masons of the
State of Michigan.
The undersigned petitioners, being Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons, having the prosperity of the
fraternity at heart, and being willing to exert their
best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine
principles of Freemasonry, respectfully represent  That they are desirous of forming a new lodge at
......, in the county of....., State of Michigan, to be
named......Lodge.  They therefore pray for a warrant or dispensation, to empower them to assemble
as a lawful lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry in the several degrees of Entered Apprentice,
Fellow Craft and Master Mason, in a regular and
constitutional manner, according to the ancient forms
of the fraternity, and the laws and regulations of the
Grand Lodge.
They have nominated and do recommend Brother
A. B. to be the first Worshipful Master, C. D. to be
the first Senior Warden, and E. F. to be the first
Junior Warden, of said lodge. 
222    APPENDIX OF GENERAL FOREMI.
If the prayer of this petition shall be granted, they
promise a strict conformity to all the constitutional
laws, rules and regulations of the fraternity and of
the Grand Lodge.
(This petition must be si,gned by at least eight
Master Masons, one of whom must be of the degree
of P. M., and should be filed with the Grand Secretary. For its necessary accompaniments, see Decisions of G. M., No. 73, page 141 of this volume.)
DISPENSATION FOR NEW LODGE.
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the
State of Michigan.
To all to whom these presents may come, greeting:
Whereas, a petition has been presented to me, bv
sundry brethren residing within this jurisdiction, to
wit:........., praying, on account of the convenience
of their respective dwellings, and for other good reasons, for a dispensation to empower them to assemble
as a legal lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry
in the several degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow
Craft, and Master Mason, in a regular and constitutional manner, according to the ancient forms of the
fraternity, and the constitution and reg,ulations of this
Grand Lodge, and promising a strict conformity to
all constitutional laws, rules and regulations of the
same.
And whereas, the said petitioners have been recommended to me as Master Masons in good standing by
the W7orshipful Master, Wardens  and brethren, of
...... Lodge, No... under our jurisdiction. Therefore
I..... Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons of the State of Michigan, by virtue
of the authority in nme vested, do hereby grant this
mny dispensation, authorizing and empowering our
trusty and well beloved brethren aforesaid, to form
and open a new lodge, in the...... of..... in the county 
APPENDIX OF GENERAL FORMS.
of.....and State of Michigan, to be called......Lodge,
and therein to admit and make Entered Apprentices,
Fellow Crafts, and Master Masons, in accordance
with the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity,
obeying in all things the constitution, laws and edicts
of this Grand Lodge, and not otherwise.
And I do hereby appoint our worthy brother A.
B. to be the first Master, brother C. D. to be the first
Senior Warden, and brother E. F. to be the first
Junior Warden, of said new lodge.
And it shall be their duty, and they are hereby
required to return this dispensation, with a correct
transcript of all proceedings had under the authority
of the same, together with an attested copy of their
by-laws, to our Grand Lodge, at its next annual communication, for examination, and such further action
as shall then be deemed wise and proper.
This dispensation to continue in full force till the
annual communication aforesaid, unless sooner revoked by me.
. —>-        In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
seal  se t my hand, and affixed the seal of the
~ f the
G. L.    Grand Lodge, at Detroit, this......day of
...A.   A.D. 18..., A. L. 58...
A.... T....M......., Grand Master.
J     F Attd Secretary.
J......F......, Grand Secretary.
PROXY FROM THE GRAND MASTER TO CONSTITUTE AND
CONSECRATE A NEW LODGE, AND INSTALL
OFFICERS.
Office of the Grand Master of Masons 
of the State of Michigan,
........., 18...
To all whom it may concern-greeting:
Know ye, that reposing full confidence in the skill
and Masonic ability of our Worshipfill Brother......
223
A 
224     APPENDIX OF GENERAL FORMS.
I, Grand Master of the M. W. Grand Lodge of......
do by these presents constitute and appoint him my
Proxy, for me and in my name, to constitute and
consecrate..... Lodge, No..., and to install the officers
thereof in due and ancient form, he making due return to me of his doings in the premises.
Given under my hand and private sea], at......, the
day and year first above written.
[Private Seal.]
A..........M......., Grand Master.
PETITION FOR DISPENSATION TO CONFER DEGREES
ON, OR BALLOT FOR, A CANDIDATE, IN LESS
THAN THE REGULAR TIME.
Hall of..... Lodge, No..., )
.                   8... 1
To the M. W. Grand Master of Masons of the
State of Michigan.
By a vote of this lodge, I am instructed to ask you
for a dispensation to pass the ballot (or confer the degrees, as the case may be) for M. A. B., who has petitioned this lodge for initiation, (or is anxious to
receive the degrees of F. C. and M. M., as the case
may be,) at a special meeting, to be called for that
purpose.
M. A. B. is... years of age; his residence is......
his occupation is..-..  The case is one of emergency,
for the reasons following:  [Here state at length the
reasons why a dispensationi should be granted in the
case. See Decisions of G. M., No. 55.]
O....P......, Worshipful Master.
[Seal of Lodge.]
PETITION FOP INITIATION.
To the \Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethlreii
of.....Lodge, No..., of F. and A. Masons. 
APPENDIX OF GENERAL FORMS.
The petition of the subscriber respectfully showeth,
that having long entertained a favorable opinion of
your ancient institution, he is desirous of being admitted a member thereof, if found worthy.
His place of residence is......, his age.. years, his
occupation.......
He  has...... applied for initiation into Masonry
heretofore. (If application has ever before been
made to any lodge, state when, where, the number of
times, to what lodge or lodges, and whether the applicant was elected or rejected. See Res. of G. L.,
o. 25, page 156 of this volume.)
A..... B...
Recommended by)
G......H......
L...... N......
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP.
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens anid Brethren
of.....Lodge, No...., of F. and A. Masons.
The petition of the subscriber respectfully showeth
that he is a Master Mason of good standing-and residing within the jurisdiction of your lodge, is desirouls of being admitted a member thereof, if found
worthy.
Accompanying this petition is a dimit from the
lodge of which he was last a memnber, and if received,
he promises a strict compliance with the by-laws of
the lodge, and the general regulations anld usages of
Ancient Free Masonry.
E....F.
Recommended by 
A......B......
C...... D......
225 
226     APPENDIX OF GENERAL FORMS.
DIMIT.
Hall of..... Lodge, No... of F. and A. Masons.
Held at......, by authority of the Grand Lodge of
Michigan.
I hereby certify that at a......meeting of.....Lodge,
No..., held on the...... day of....., A. L. 58..., Bro.
......, by consent of said lodge, withdrew his membership from the same; he being at the time a Worthy Master Mason in good standing, and having paid
all dues assessed against him.
By order of said lodge,
GRAND LODGE CERTIFICATE.
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the
State of Michigan.
I hereby certify, that......Lodge, No..., is regularly constituted and held under the authority and jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and that A. B. is
Worshipful Master, C. D. is Senior Warden, and E.
F. is Junior Warden of said lodge.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the Seal of the Grand Lodge, at Detroit,
this...... day of... A. L. 58..., A.. 18...
[Seal of G. L.]     J......,......, Grand Sec'y.
We, the Master and Wardens of.....Lodge, No...,
held under the authority and jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge of F. and A. Masons of the State of
Michigan, do hereby certify that our worthy and well
beloved Brother......, (who has written his name below,) is a Master Mason, in good standing in our
lodge, and he is hereby recommended to the favor and
protection of the Craft throughoutt the Globe.
......., Secretary.
[L. S.] 
I
ij
I
APPEX]NDIX OF G;ENERAL, FORMS.
Given under our hands and the seal of our Lodge,
t...... this...... day of......, A. L. 58..., A.    18...
A......B.......,W. M.
[Seal of te Jodge.]        C......I)......, S. W.
E...... F......,J. W.
Attest:                 G.    H......, Secretary.
Signlature of........
(Application for the above certificate should be
made to the Grand Secretary, either verbally or by
letter, and shold le a(,reomianiicd by thie Constititional feo.)
EPPL.ITATiY1 S 
......                  Lodge, N o...
This is to certify that at a communication of.....
Lodge, No..., held on the...... day of......A. D. 18....,
A. L. 58..., our Worthy Brother...... as deputed to
represent the Worshipful  Mlaster of this lodge at the
next session of the Grand Lod-xe of F. and A. Masons of the State of Mfichigan.
In testimony w-hereof, I hav e hereunto set mny hand
and affixed the Seal of.....Lodoe, at..... this......dav
of    A.O.....'. A. I  5...
.........,..
Attest:........., Secretary.
(See Sec's. 1, 2 and ) of Art. i9 and Sec. 9 of Art.
6 of Cowmt. of G. L.)
FINIT.
22i7
I
A  
MASONIC TRIALS AND MICHIGAN DIGEST;
-BY    1 —.:astr:L. o      Og K,0
Past Master; G. V. and L. of Michigan; K. T.
A COMPLETE HAND.BOOK OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
FOTt]  THE  CIR-_.FT.
WORSHIPFUL MASTERS are fraternallyrequested to call the attention of the craft to this work in their lodges and elsewhere, and are
authorized to receive orders.
So much valuable matter can be obtained nowhere else in the same
compass, or for the same money. No Mason should be without it.
Forwarded free by mail to any address on receipt of price, $1.50.
Addres'
HENRY Ml. LOOK, Pontiac, Mich.
1...I-,..
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR'S GOODS,
SWORDS, BELTS, BALDRICS,
Gauntlets, Caps, Chapeaux, &e.
FNE PR,;E TATAlTN GOODS
-rade to Order.
.JEFFERSON AVENUE,  Detroit, Mich!
iI
i
I)E*KiJi.PS, I,
I
i
2
.i 
D IE T R O I T
MIASONIC REGALIlA DEPOT.
176 Jetl'ersoit AvueiDtEe.
I would give iiotice to Lodges, that 1I am rion inaomufacturilng a  eneral assortment of Officer's Collars and Aprons, superior in finis-h,
(iuality, fitting of Collar, when on, and at less prices, than can be
bought East or elsewhere, and full satisfaction guaranteed.
I will furnish Lodges with Collars or Aprons, or both, to be returned if they do not suit, and money refunded.  Master Mason's Aprons,
for private use, always on hand.
Jewels for Lodges, Chapters, Pas.t Sltsters, Royal Arch Collars and
Aprons fiirnishcd to order.
KNIGHT TEMPLAR'S UNIFORM,
Price's Paltet Swor d aindBelt, withl Cl,tain Iinget, &c.   Al-), Trani                  iiareneies flurnished to order.
LIIST 0P Pl%ICaES
FIO R
KNIGHT TEMPLAR'S UNIFORMS.
!No.No No.  2.No.3. No. 4.No 5. iNo. 6. No.7. No.8.
wrd..... 0 6013 60'!16 50 $r18 00:$2.5 00 i27 60 $30 00 $35 60
s-i7;5 ~55 j/~ sqT~?.;30    0 $7; 3,5 0o
14 00' 1500    1 8 00  18 001        20  0  020 0 0 20   00 200
1   0    800 8  0   0 10 600 I  0 00 10 0 0  10 00  10 00
l4 50   450i 5 00    600   6      (0  6  600  7 00   7 00
3 00   3 00   3 50   3 50. 3 30o   3 50   3 50   3 50
Gns.. 2 50   2 503 3 0 3 501  3 50j  5 00   5 00   5 0Q
i,$42 00 $46 00! 856 00 $059 00 $68 00$, 71 50 75 50 $80 50
No.5 Sword, Raised Mountings, IA,oiy Ilandle.
No. 6, same as No. 5, blade finer finish.
N'o. 8, Ivory Grip, Chain on Haudle, blade sle     id liill..
anie if (desired on all Swords above S. o.
T. H. ARMSWRo t iG.           e
J17'6 Jetlerson, Acenite,. Detroit.,Mteh.
( Establilishied since 185o.
DETROIT, MICH.
,a       word.............. i
Baldrie..
Belt.................
Cap and Cover,!
Gatun1t's............i 
The Michigan Freemason.
A Monthly 1Magazine, devoted to
.',cs o ina. ~ d   ] Jome _itero~tzre.
Forty-eight pages to the number; sa   sized I)mqe as TuLE ASHLArC;
two more pages to eachl nuiiber, at same price! ()x-,Y TwO- DOLLAPS
P?R ANNUM..
W. J. ('HAPLI'N, 8, C. (;OF lFINIIURY. & T.'iIX, Editors.
It is the medium through which the (?,rand Master gives his de,isions and correspondence, and is intended to he the
ORGAN   OF  THE (RAND LODGE OF MIC-HI(iAN.
It contains a 1IOM1-i LITEP TUPL. of the most chaste and iimexeeptionable character, calculated to build up' virtue and right, while it
rebukes wrong. and shows how ittends to dishonor aInd sh.ine.
It should be in the homne of every Michigan  Iason. an( sliotil,l
have the patronage of the eilnt sinerally.
Addre s,
('IIAPI,N[  & RILX.
Kalamazoo, Miell.
"JACKSONIAN" PRINTING HOUSE.
D    -:X:.  S  O3Ij3] $,
PUBLISHEE OF
rThe Pontiac Jacksonian,
PO.Y TIA C;':  3IICIGA,
Begs leave to call the attention of Masonic bodies to his
superior facilities for executing every variety of
,APPLICATIONS,  ORDER BOOKS,
!   DIPLOMAS,                  INVITATIONS,
:DEXITS,!               Etc., Etc.,; 
I- A NEAT AND TASTEFUL STYLE.
The office is provided with appropriate designs for this class
of printing, and prepared to fill orders for
' Ever  Deoree ofE Msonry,
(From the Third to the Commandery,) with elegance and dispatch. As an evidence of this, the attention of the Fraternity
is invited to the Tickets and Invitations to the Masonic  Fest.vals In Pontiac, Sagln-.w, and, ]atterly, the l)edieation (,f the
new In11l nt Feinton.
iI
?
.i
il 
GAl[ZETTE BK & JIaB PRINTING OFFICE,
PO~qrIT~kC,.:elI C tt
This establishment is prepared to do every  lesceription of Masonic
Printing, snlelh s
tdnin-  lgXax  ~IanEx, tiaioi
Etc., in 9, style uniurpis ed in the West.  Our assortment of
Cannot be excelled, and our prices will be found extremely low.
" Orders by mail promptly attended to, and satisfaction guaranteed, in all cases.
Y.ov. 189.                                RANN & TUBRNER