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DIGEST OF THE LAWS

OF THE

PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

CONTAINING

THE CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND RULES OP^

ORDER OF THE GRAND LODGE

OF ONTARIO,

and the constitution and rules of order f^or
subordinate lodges, and the rules of
procedure on trials, and nu-
merous decisions of the
Crand lodge.

Compikb anb JPublisheb bu ^uthoritg of the

rORONTO :
PRESS OF THE DOMINION ODDFELLOW.

1891.

Entered according: to Act of Parliament of Canada, in the year
of our Lord one tliousand eij^ht hundred and ninety-one. bv
J. B. Kino, Grand Secretary, at the Department of Aaricul"-
ture.

MAR 20 1974

ORIGINAL CHARTER.

Ill*

Cops of tbe iSrlgtnai Cbattec of tbe

(5tan& Xo&oe.

the 5'ear
y-one, by
Agricul-

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.

To All Whom it May Concern:— ^e, Wilmot G.
DeSaussure, Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Grand
Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows of the
United States of North America, and the Jurisdiction
of the Order thereunto belonging : —

Friend, hip, Love and Truth.

Know ye. That by virtue of the powers in us vested,
we do hereby authorize and empower our trusty and
well beloved Lodges— Brock Lodge, No. 9 ; Union
Lodge, No. 16; Eureka Lodge, No. 30; Chatham
Lodge, No. 29; Elgin Lodge, No. 32; Erie Lodge,
No. 33; Ontario Lodge, No. 12; Gore Lodge, No.
34; Industry Lodge, No. 25; Victoria Lodge. No. 27;
Morpeth Lodge and their successors duly and legally
elected, to constitute a Grand Lodge in the Province
of Canada West, to be known and hailed by the title of

The Grand Lodge of Canada West,

and we do further authorize and empower our said
trusty and well beloved Grand Lodge to hear and de-
termine all and singular matters and things relating to
the Order within the Jurisdiction of the said Grand
Lodge according to the rules and regulations of the
Grand Lodge of the United States, provided always
that the said Grand Lodge pays due respect to the

IV.

ORIGINAL CHARTER.

Grand Lodge of the United States and the ordinances
thereof; otherwise this Dispensation to be of no force
or effect.

Given under our Hand and Seal at the
' ^. City of Baltimore, in the State of Mary-

Seal ■ ^^"^' ^^^^ twenty-seventh day of July,

J Anno Domini, one thousand eight hun-

— . — ' dred and fifty-five, and of our Order

the Thirty-Seventh.

Signed,
WILMOT G. DeSAUSSURE,

i\o T nTT^^T^,, Grand Sire.

JAS. L. RIDGLEY, G S.

DECLARATION OF INCORPORATION. V.

declaration of 5ncorporatton.

■I-

The undersigned William Fitzsimmons, of the Town
of Brockville, in the County of Leeds, Esquire, Most
Worthy Grand Master of the Society hereinafter re-
ferred to as the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Ontario
of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows ; Henry
Edwin Buttery, of :he City of London, in the County
of Middlesex, Salesman, Right Worthy Deputy Grand
Master of the said Society; John Thomas Horni-
BROOK, of the City of Toronto, in the County of York,
ire. Bookkeeper, Right Worthy Grand Warden ot the said

Society ; Josiah Brown King, of the Town of Brant-
ford, in the County of Brant, Hatter, Right Worthy
Grand Secretary of the said Society , George Irwin,
of the town of Windsor, in the County of Essex, Engine
Driver, Right Worthy Grand Treasurer of the said
Society, and James Woodyatt, of the said Town of
Brantford, Town Clerk, and John Barr, of the City of
Hamilton, in the County of Wentworth, Commission
Merchant, Right Worthy Grand Representatives of the
said Society to the Grand Lodge of the United States
of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows ; the said
several persons constituting the Executive Board and
Office Bearers for the time being of the said Society do
hereby declare —

1. That a Society known as the Right Worthy Grand
Lodge of Ontario (formerly Canada West) of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd-Fellows has been established and
in existence in the Province of Ontario since the year
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, and such
Society does still exist.

2. The several persons whose names and descriptions

VI.

DECLARATION OF INCORPORATION.

>:,

are hereinbefore set forth are, at the presen,t time, the
Executive Board and Office Bearers of the said Society,
and they do hereby declare that it is the desire of the
said Society to become incorporated according to the
provisions of the Act passed by the Legislature of the
Province of Ontario in the thirty-seventh year of the
reign of- Her Majesty Queen Victoria, intituled " An Act
respecting Benevolent, Provident and other Societies."

3. The intended corporate name of the said Society is
" The Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Ontario of
THE Independent Order of Odd-Fellows."

4. The purpose and object of the said Society is for
the mutual relief and protection of its members by mak-
ing provision, by means of dues, contributions, subscrip-
tions and donations, against sickness, misfortune and
death, and for relieving the widows and orphan children
of members deceased. To govern by sound laws and
regulations the branches of the said Society which are
subordinate to it, with a view of ensuring co-operation
and uniformity of action, and of securing more effectu-
ally the permanence of the blessings to be derived from
the right exercise of those ennobling and heaven-born
principles of Friendship, Love and Truth, on which the
Society is founded.

5. Annexed hereto is a copy of the Constitution and
By-Laws of the said Society, and by which it is governed.

11^

Signed, WM. FITZSIMMONS,

Signed, H. E. BUTTERY,

Signed, J. T. HORNIBROOK,

Signed, J. B. KING,

Signed. GEO. IRWIN,

Signed, JAMES WOODYATT,

Signed, JOHN BARR.

DECLARATION OK INCORPORATION.

Vll.

time, the
1 Society,
re of the
ig to the
ire of the
ar of the
"An Act
ocieties."
society is

TARIO OF

2ty is for
by mak-
subscrip-
une and
children
aws and
hich are
peration
effectu-
ed from
/en-born
hich the

ion and
3verned.

ONS,

7
■ I

)OK,

\TT,

This Declaration was duly signed and made by the
several persons therein named before me, at the City of
Toronto, in the County of York, on the nineteenth day
of November, 1874, except by J. T. Hornibrook, who
made and signed the same the seventh of January, 1875.

Signed, G. DUGGAN,

Judge County Court, County
of York.

Toronto, January 7th, 1875.

I, George Duggan, Judge of the County Court of the
County of York, do hereby certify that the documents
hereto annexed, being a declaration by the Office Bearers
of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Ontario of the
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and the Constitu-
tion and By-Laws of the said Society, appear to. me to
be in conformity with the fifth section of an Act passed
in the thirty-seventh year of the reign of Her Majesty
Queen Victoria by the Legislature of the Province of
Ontario, intituled "An Act respecting Benevolent, Pro-
vident and other Societies."

Signed, G. DUGGAN,

Judge of the County Court of
the County of York.

Note.— By an order of His Honor, Joseph E. Mc-
Dougall, Judge of the County Court of the County of
York, made on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1887,
the name of the Grand Lodge was changed, and it was
ordered that the Grand Lodge should henceforth be
known by the name and style of 'The Grand Lodge
OF Ontario of the Independent Order of Odd-
Fellows."

Vlll.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTKK.

3. ®. ©. if.

At the Annual Session of the Grand Lodge of Ontario,
held at Toronto on the 15th day of August, 1890, it was
decided by the Grand Lodge that a Committee should
be appointed by the Grand Master to have the Book of
Laws compiled in the form of a Digest, and that, after
the same should be approved by the Grand Master, an
edition of one thousand copies should be printed and
sold at the usual advance on cost, (yountal, 1890: p.
4922.) •

Whereupon the Grand Master was pleased to appoint
Hros. CI. T. Campbell, Henry Robertson and J. B. King
as such Committee.

Attest :

J. B. KING.

(iron (I Secretary.

SEAL

r I tiiVitMiMliiUiUIUlllltBiti

wiiiii^Sl^Hiiill

COMMITTEE S REPORT.

IX.

3. ®. Q. If.

Ontario,
3, it was
i should
Book of
at, after
Lster, an
:ed and
890 : p.

appoint
fi. King

iary

TO JOHN ORMISTON, ESQ.,

Grattd Master of the Grand Lod^re of Ontario,

Dear Sir and Brother:— The undersigned having
been honored by you with the appointment as a Com-
mittee to prepare a Digest of the Laws of Odd-Fellowship
m this jurisdiction, beg leave to submit the following as
the result of their labors

This compilation includes all the provisions of the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge and the
Constitution for Subordinate Lodges, together with such
of the Notes in the " Book of Laws" of 1882, and such
of the Decisions and Resolutions of the Grand Lodge
fromn882 to 1890 inclusive, as have been found suffici-
ently important and applicable to our present laws to
be inserted, th*^ intention being to make this work
(coupled with "White's Digest") a full and complete
guide to the Laws of Odd-Fellowship in Ontario.

Your Committee present this Digest for your confir-
mation, as being in accordance with the Laws of the
Order, and for the government of the Lodges and Mem-
bers of the Order throughout this jurisdiction.

HY. ROBERTSON,
CL. r. CAMPBELL,
J. B. KING.

March 24th, 1891.

PUBLICATION AUTHORIZED.

5. ©♦ ©♦ 3f .

Office of the Grand Master

OF THE Grand Lodge of Ontario.

Gananoque, March 28th, 1891.

To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come : —

Fraternal Greeting,

Whereas Brothers Cl. T. Campbell, Deputy Grand
Sire; Henry Robertson, Past Grand Master and
Grand Representative, and J. B. King, Grand Secre-
tary, were duly appointed by me, under the authority
of the Grand Lodge, to prepare a Digest of the Laws
of Odd- Fellowship in Ontario, and they having reported
the following Digest as the result of their labors, and
that the various provisions therein contained are in
accordance with the laws of the Order, and the same
having been examined by me and confirmed,

Theiefore, by the authority of the Grand Lodge, I do
hereby certify and declare that the said Digest is pub-
lished for the information and government of the Order

in this Jurisdiction.

JNO. ORMISTON,

Grand Master,

\ SEAL I

Attest,

J. B. KING,

Grand Secretary

II I

ABBREVIATIONS.

XI.

Hb&repiatlons^

G. L. C — Grand Lodge Cons<^itution.
G. L. By.— Grand Lodge By-laws.
S. L. C. — Subordinate Lodge Constitution.
The numbers refer to the Sections.

jfour. — Grand Lodge Journal of Proceedings.
The numbers indicate the year and page.
'Dig.— White's Digest of 1889.

;

■■

■

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

OF THE

ndeiretttUttt j)dcv of ffltl(l-j[4lotC0

OF THE

PROVINCE OF ONTARIO.

; I

DIGEST OF LAWS.

ABSENCE.

1. In the Grand Lodge in the absence of
the Grand Master the Deputy Grand Master
shall preside ; in the absence of the Deputy
Grand Master the Grand Warden shall preside;
in the absence of the above named officers the
Junior Past Grand Master shall take the chair;
and if no Past Grand Master be present, a
representative shall be chosen by open vote to
preside during the meeting, or until the arrival
of the proper officer.— G. L. By. lo.

2. Any office in a Subordinate Lodge, the
occupant of which may have been absent with-
out satisfactory excuse from three successive
regular meetings, may be declared vacant by
vote of the Lodge, on a motion to that effect,
provided notice of such motion has been given
at the regular meetmg previous to that at
which the vote is to be taken.— S. L. C. 30.

3. In the absence of the Noble Grand, Vice
Grand and all Past Grands a Lodge cannot be
opened.— Jour. 1874: p. 739.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

'Mi

ACCOUNTS.

4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Lodge
Auditors to examine the books, accounts,
vouchers, etc., of the Grand Secretary and
Grand Treasurer prior to each annual session
of the Grand Lodge, and report upon the same.
— G. L. By. 36.

5, The Grand Lodge Committee on Finance
shall consist of seven members, whose duty it
shall be to examine, at each regular session »
the reports of the Grand Secretary and Grand
Treasurer, the accounts of the Grand Lodge,
and all other claims and matters laid before
them, and report thereon ; and to suggest such
measures of finance as they may deem to be
expedient and necessary.— G. L. By. 39.

6, All claims against the Grand Lodge
shall be first placed in the hands of the Grand
Secretary, and by him submitted to the Finance
Committee, who shall examine and report on
the correctness of the same. No claim will be
considered unless in the form of a definitely
itemized account. — G. L. By. 56

7. When such claims have been reported
correct and approved by the Grand Lodge^

f :«

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

id Lodge
iccounts,
:ary and
il session
the same. ^

Finance
e duty it

session,
d Grand
I Lodge,
d before
(est such
m to be

I Lodge
e Grand
Finance
eport on
a will be
iefinitely

reported
Lodge,

the Grand Master shall issue an order on the
Grand Treasurer, attested by the Grand Secre-
tary, for the payment of the same, which pay-
ment shall be duly entered in the books of the
Grand Lodge by the Grand Treasurer. — G. L.

By. 5/-

8. In case of urgency, during the recess of
the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master may, at
his discretion, issue such order, making report
thereof to the Grand Lodge at its next regular
session. — G. L. By. 58.

ADVISORY BOARD.

9. The Elective Grand Officers and Grand
Representatives shall constitute an advisory
board, who shall meet on the summons of the
Grand Master, and whose duty it shall be to
render assistance and advice to the Grand
Master on such matters as he shall deem it
necessary in the discharge of his official duties
to introduce and submit to their notice and
consideration during the recess of the Grand
Lodge. — G. L. C. 12.

10. The Advisory Board has power to
appoint a special committee to carry out any
particular work it may deem necessary. — Jour.
1880 : pp. 1922, 1986.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

AMALGAMATION.

{See Mergement.)

11. A Subordinate Lodge may surrender
its Charter and be merged into another Lodge;
or two or more Lodges may be amalgamated
under the terms and conditions prescribed in
the By-laws of the Grand Lodge. — G. L. C. 24.

1 3. When two or more Lodges desire to be
united, each Lodge shall present a petition to
that effect to the Grand Lodge, or during
recess, to the Grand Master ; such petition
shall set forth that the question of union had
been affirmatively voted upon after due notice
sent each member, and that there were not
five members able and willing to retain the
Charter and work the Lodge ; and shall also
give a statement of the funds and effects, and
assets and liabilities of the Lodge, and a list of
members, with their rank and financial stand-
ing and P. O. address.— G. L. By. 74.

13, On receipt of said petition the Grand
Lodge, or during recess, the Grand Master,
may grant the prayer and authorize the amal-
gamation of the petitioning lodges. — G. L.

By. 75'

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

urrender
Lodge ;
gamated
:ribed in
L. C. 24.

jire to be

tition to

during

petition
:iion had
le notice
vere not
tain the
ball also
jcts, and

a list of
il stand-

i Grand

Master,

le amal-

-G. L.

14. When the union of said petitioning
Lodges has been approved, the Grand Master
shall cause notice to be sent to each unsus-
pended member of the several Lodges at least
one week prior to the date fixed for effecting
such union, and shall summon him to be
present in person at the time and place ap-
pointed for that purpose ; and shall also notify
the officers of the several Lodges to produce
and surrender at said time and place all the
funds, effects, books, papers and Charters of
the said Lodges. — G. L. By. 76.

I 5. On the production and surrender of all
the said funds, effects, books, papers and
Charters, the Grand Master shall issue a dis-
pensation for a Lodge to the members of the
several Lodges present and desiring to be
united, and shall, in person or by deputy,
mstitute the same ; and shall transfer to it, as
soon as instituted, all the funds, effects, books
and papers of the united Lodges ; and said
Lodge shall therewith assume and pay all the
liabilities and responsibilities of the several
Lodges out of which it has been formed, and its
members shall have such rank and standing as
the books of the uniting Lodges shall show. —
G. L. By. 77.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

16. Any member of any of the uniting
Lodges who shall fail to be present at the
institution of the united Lodge may, on appli-
cation to the Grand Secretary, receive a With-
drawal Card, as provided for members of
extinct Lodges, and should he apply for ad-
mission by such card to the united Lodge
within six months from the date of its institu-
tion, the vote necessary for his election to
membership shall be a majority vote by ballot
of those present and voting. — G. L. By. 78.

AMENDMENTS.

\r n

17. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge,
or any part thereof, shall not be altt.ed,
amended, suspended or annulled, unless by
the votes of two-thirds of the Representatives
present at an annual session of the Grand
Lodge, and upon notice of such alteration or
amendment, in the exact terms of the amend-
ment proposed, being given at the annual
session next preceding, and a copy thereof
being sent to each Subordinate Lodge by the
Grand Secretary at least three months previous
to the Session at which the vote is taken ; pro-
vided that all changes which may be required

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

to make the Constitution and the By-Laws of
the Grand Lodge conform to such laws, rules
and regulations as may be made by the
Sovereign Grand Lodge, shall be ordered at
any annual session. — G. L. C. 27.

I 8. The By-Laws of the Grand Lodge m^y
be amended, altered or repealed at any session
of the Grand Lodge by a two thirds majority
of the members present and voting, on a notice
given at a previous sitting. — G. L. By. iii.

1 9. The Constitution and the Rules of
Procedure on Trials, and Rules of Order for
Subordinate Lodges or any part thereof, shall
not be altered, amended, suspended or an-
nulled, unless by action of the Grand Lodge
of Ontario, and then only by a two-thirds vote
of the Representatives present and voting. —
S. L. C. 71.

ANOIENT ODD-FELLOW.

(See White's Digest, 758.)

20. Any brother or Ancient Odd-Fellow,
desirous of joining a Lodge, must present a
Withdrawal Card or Dismissal Certificate from
the Lodge of which he was previously a mem-

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

ber, and his application shall then be disposed
of according to the regulations governing can-
didates, provided that, in case of the applica-
tion of a brother, who, within six months
previous to such application, has been a mem
ber of a Lodge which has merged into or
united with the Lodge applied to, the vote
necessary to receive shall be a majority vote
by ballot. — S. L. C. 6.

ANNUITY.

^1. Every Lodge shall make such disposi-
tion of its Widows' and Orphans' Fund for the
relief and benefit of the widows and orphans of
deceased members of the Lodge, who were in
good standing as required by the By-Laws at
the time of their decease, as it shall see fit,
except by annuity. -S L. C. ^^.

APPEALS.

See Courts of Law.

2^. Upon the investigation of any appeal
the Grand Lodge has full power and jurisdic-
tion to dismiss the appeal ; approve the pro-
ceedings ; affirm the decision appealed from ;

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

reverse, modify or change the decision or
sentence; remove any suspension or expulsion;
restore any brother to his full rights and privi-
leges ; inflict a penalty where the Lodge has
failed to do so ; set aside the proceedings for
informality or irregularity ; remand the case
for further proceedings; order a new trial, or
give such directions as may seem proper. — G.
L. C. 26.

33. The Grand Lodge Committee on Ap-
peals shall be composed of seven members, to
whom shall be referred all appeals and griev-
ances from Subordinate Lodges, or from mem-
bers thereof (unless in the case of charges
against members of the Grand Lodge), on
which they shall report without delay, recom-
mending such action as they may consider
necessary. No member of this Committee shall
act as such on any appeal to which he himself
may be a party. — G. L. By. 40.

24. Any Lodge or brother may appeal to
the Grand Lodge against any decision or order
of a Lodge, or of any officer of a Lodge, or of
any officer of the Grand Lodge. — G L. By. 105.

25. An appeal to the Grand Master or to a
District Deputy Grand Master shall contain a

W««M*BMi*««BiB

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

ii ■!;!

I !

>l lit!

full record of the facts in the case certified
under the seal of the Lodge interested, to-
gether with the text of the decision, if any
rendered, and a statement of the grounds upon
which the appeal is based. — G. L. By. io6.

36. All appeals shall be made in writing
and filed with the Grand Secretary within two
months from the decision or order appealed
against. A transcript of the proceedings
properly certified shall be sent with the appeal,
and a copy of the appeal shall be served on
the opposite party within the same two months.
— G. L. By. 107.

37. If the appeal is against the decision of
a Lodge, the Lodge shall, on demand and on
receiving the proper costs and charges thereof,
furnish the appellant with a copy of all pro-
ceedings in the case, duly certified, and in the
event of the appeal being sustained, all such
costs and charges shall be refunded by the
Lodge to the appellant. — G. L. By. 108.

28. In case an appeal is sustained the
brother is thereby restored to his former rights,
privileges and membership, unless the Grand
Lodge orders otherwise. — G. L. By. 109.

lis

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

5^9. Where the penalty adjudged by any
Lodge is suspension or expulsion, the accused
brother may apply to the Grand Master for an
arrest of judgment. This application must be
made within the time allowed for appeal, and
a copy thereof shall be sent to the Lodge at
the same time. If the application is granted,
and pending the decision of the Grand Master
thereon, the proceedings in the case shall be
stayed until the appeal is decided by the Grand
Lodge, and the standing of the accused brother
in his Lodge shall not be affected in the interim
unless he shall fail to perfect his appeal within
the proper time, or the Grand Master shall
refuse the application. — G. L. By. no.

30, Any member interested shall have the
right of appeal to the Grand Lodge of Ontario,
provided such appeal be forwarded to the
Grand Secretary within two months from the
date of the action of the Lodge on the matter
to be appealed against, said appeal to be pro-
secuted in the manner prescribed in the By-
Laws of the Grand Lodge ; and no member
shall carry the case to any of the Civil Courts
until after the same has been adjudicated upon
by the Grand Lodge of Ontario, and, on further
appeal by the Sovereign Grand Lodge. —
S. L. C. 64.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

31, No member should take legal proceed-
ings against his Lodge until his case has been
carried before the tribunals of the Order, and
there adjudicated upon. — Jour. 1878, pp. ig, 76.

« '^ !i

f
I; f

APPLICATION.

See Candidates.

3^. Every application for membership to a
Subordinate Lodge must be submitted in writ-
ing in the form provided by the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, and must be accompanied by a
reference to at least two other members of the
Lodge, and a certificate of good health from a
physician selected by the Lodge, on the form
provided by the Grand Lodge. — S. L. C. 3.

33. The application so made shall be re-
ferred to a committee of three members, two
of whom shall be appointed by the N.G., and
one by the V.G., who shall report thereon at
the next regular meeting unless excused by a
two-thirds vote of the members present, or
unless the application be withdrawn by the
proposer. — S. L. C. 4.

34. A motion to receive the report is not
necessary. — Jour. 1873, pp. 579, 617. But

1 1 'f'

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

when the report is submitted, and before the
ballot is taken, any member has a right to speak
on it, either for or against the candidate. —
Jour. 1873, p. 661.

APPOINTMENTS

35. The appointed officers of the Grand
Lodge shall be : Grand Marshal, Conductor,
Guardian, Chaplain and Herald, to be appointed
b}^ the Grand Master immediately after his
installation, subject to the approval of the
Grand Lodge.— G. L. C. 8.

36. The appointed officers of a Subordinate
Lodge shall be W., C, O.G., LG., R.S.N. G.,
L.S.N. G., R.S.V.G., L.S.V.G., R.S.S. and
L.S.S. , and the Lodge may at its option add a
Chaplain. — S. L. C. 24.

37. These officers shall be appointed by
the N.G., immediately after his mstallation,
except the R.S.V.G. and L.S.V.G., who shall
be appointed at the same time by the V.G. —

38. All members appointed a*; officers must
be in good standing and must have attained to
the Third Degree. — S.L.C. 26.

U' !!,

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

39. The N.G., with the consent of the
Lodge, may appointed as O.G. a brother of
the Third Degree belonging to any other Lodge
in this jurisdiction. — S. L. C. 27.

ARREA.RS.

See Dues.

f it

iii

isiil

ARREST OF JUDGMENT.

40. Where the penalty adjudged by any
Lodge is suspension or expulsion, the accused
brother may apply to the Grand Master for an
arrest of judgment. This application must be
made within the time allowed for appeal, and
a copy thereof shall be sent to the Lodge at
the same time. If the application is granted,
and pending the decision of the Grand Master
thereon, the proceedings in the case shall be
stayed until the appeal is decided by the
Grand Lodge, and the standing of the accused
brother in his Lodge shall not be afifected in
.the interim unless he shall fail to perfect his
appeal within the proper time, or the Grand
Master shall refuse the application. — G. L.
B5^. no.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

ASSESSMENT.

41. In the case of failure or deficiency in
the funds of the Grand Lodge, the amount
required may be suppHed by an assessment
upon the Lodges under its jurisdiction, appor-
tioned according to the number of unsuspended
members in each Lodge, as reported in its last
semi annual return. But the Grand Lodge
shall not create any debt or incur any liability
requiring a larger amount than can be paid
out of its funds on hand, without thu sanction
previously obtanied of at least two-thirds of the
vSubordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction. —
G. L. C. 17.

43. Whenever the available cash assets of
a Lodge shall be reduced below an amount
equal to ten dollars for each unsuspended
member, the Lodge may, either by by-law or
by resolution adopted after two weeks' notice,
assess its members equally in a sum sufficient
to increase the funds to the amount required to
make up the deficiency. — S. L.C. 50.

I '

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

! I

I nil

liifi f

!l \ \

AUDITORS.

43, There shall be two Grand Lodge Audi-
tors, one of whom shall be appointed b}' the
Grand Master, and the other shall be elected
at the annual session of the Grand Lodge, and
shall hold office until his successor is elected ;
should any Auditor during recess die, resign,
refuse or neglect to act, or become incapaci-
tated, his place shall, from time to time, as
occasion rises, be supplied by appointment of
the Grand Master. — G. L. C. lo.

44. It shall be the duty of such Auditors to
examine the books, accounts, vouchers, etc., of
the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer
prior to each annual session of the Grand
Lodge, and report upon the same. — G. L.
By. 36.

BALLOT.

45. In balloting for Representatives to the
Grand Lodge only one name should be written
upon the ballot ; and no one shall be declared
elected unless he has received a majority of all
the votes cast. — G. L. By. 3.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

46, Should there be no choice upon any
ballot, the name of the candidate having the
lowest number of votes shall be dropped on
proceeding to a new ballot. — Jour. 1869 : p.
371. If more than one Representative is to be
chosen, in commencing to ballot for a second,
all others previously nominated will be con-
sidered in nomination. — Jour. 1873 ' P- 621.
In case of a tie between two or more of the
lowest (three or more being in nomination), a
ballot should be immediately taken to deter-
mine which of those tieing should be dropped :
in no case should the Noble Grand give a
casting vote>. — Jour. 1871 : p. 468.

4 7. A ballot shall be taken on every appli-
cation for membership immediately after the
presentation of the report of the Committee on
character, when, if less than three black balls
be found, the candidate shall be accepted ; if
three or more, he shall be rejected, and so de-
clared ; and any proposition fee prepaid by
him shall be returned. — S. L. C. 5.

4 8. The ballot should be taken immediately
after each report of a committee on character,
where more than one, and not all read first. —
Jour. 1890 : p. 4718.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

ll^i i

\l I

49. The ballot cannot be postponed after
the committee's report has been presented —
Jour. 1872 : p. 548.

50. During the ballot members should not
be prohibited entering the room.- -Jour. 1874:

P- 733-

5 1 . While the ballot is progressing a mem-
ber in arrears can pay his dues, and ihen
becomes qualified to vote on the application*
— Jour. 1881 : pp. 2061, 21 18.

52. Every member previous to his receiv-
ing any of the degrees shall present a certifi-
cate from the P.S. ihat he is not in arrears to
the Lodge, and that he has paid all charges
for the said degree ; after which he shall be
balloted for. Balloting shall be had when the
Lodge is open in the Third Degree, and one
ballot shall be taken for all the degrees for
which he has applied. — S. L. C. 14.

53. If, on such ballot, three or more black
balls appear, the applicant shall be rejected,
otherwise he shall be considered eligible, and
shall be admitted to the degree or degrees ap-
plied for. In case of rejection he shall not be
again balloted for to receive the degrees unless

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

two weeks' notice is given immediately pre-
ceding the meeting at which such ballot is
taken. — S. L. C. 15.

54. At elections of officers in Lodges, a
majority of all the legal votes cast shall be
necessary to election. Should there be no
choice of an officer on any ballot, a new ballot
shall forthwith take place, and after each ballot
the name of each -.'.indidate who may have re-
ceived the smallest number of votes, as well as
those who shall receive no votes, shall be with-
drawn.— S. L C. 23.

BENEFITS.

55. Every n^ember, qualified as required
by the By-Laws, if rendered incapable of fol-
lowing his usual or other attainable occupation
by sickness or disability (not occasioned by
drunkenness or other immoral conduct on his
part) or by reason of infirmity from old age,
having no available means of support, shall be
entitled to receive from the General Fund such
weekly sick benefit as may be fixed by the
By-Laws, provided such weekly benefit shall
not exceed one-half the amount of the annual
receipts per member, from dues and permanent

11^

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

investments. The Lodge shall not be held to
pay such benefit for any term of sickness
shorter than one week ; but after one week's
sickness the brother shall be entitled to bene-
fits for each additional day or days that he
may be ill. — S. L. C. 51.

56, Every Lodge may provide by its By-
Laws for the reduction of the weekly sick
benefit payable to any member after such mem-
ber has received benefits for twelve months of
continuous sickness, and such By-Law shall
apply to any member who may be receiving
benefits at the time of its adoption. — S. L. C.

52.

57. In case of the death of a member,
qualified as required by the By-Laws, there
shall be paid to his widow, children, or other
relatives who may at the time of his death
have been depending on him for support, a
Funeral Benefit, in such sum as may be fixed
by the By-Laws of the Lodge. In the event

of the deceased member leaving no such de-
pendent relative, the said Funeral Benefit, or
as much thereof as may be necessary, shall be
applied by the Lodge to defraying his funeral
expenses — if any are incurred. — S. L. C. 53.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

58, Every Lodge may, by its By-laws, make
such provisions as shall seem meet for the relief
of members in a state of pecuniary distress. —
o, i-/. v^t 54*

59, Every Lodge shall make such disposi-
tion of its Widows' and Orphans' Fund for the
relief and benefit of the widows and orphans of
deceased members of the Lodge, who were in
good standing as required by the By-Laws at
the time of their decease, as it shall see fit,
except by annuity. — S. L. C. 55.

60, Every Lodge may, by By-Law, fix the
time after admission at which a member shall
become entitled to benefits, but a member
admitted on an unexpired Withdrawal Card
shall be entitled to benefits immediately upon
his admission to membership. — S. L. C. 56.

61, A member in arrears cannot be made
good on the books and entitled to benefits by a
vote of the Lodge. — Jour. 1880; p. 1978.

62, The fact of a Lodge having paid bene-
fits to a member while not in good standing is
no ground upon which to base a claim for a
continuance of payment. — Jour. 1870: p. 411.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

f>3. If the By-Laws of a Lodge provide that
notice of sickness must be given within a Hmited
time, and such notice is not given, the Brother,
in such a case, will not be entitled to benefits
during that illness. — Jour. 1873 : p. 618.

64. A member can be disqualified from
benefits after he is one week in arrears, if the
By-Laws so provide. — Jour. 1878: pp. 19, 76.

65. A Brother receiving sick benefits, if
legally elected and instructed in the degrees
while receiving benefits, would be entitled to
the increased sick pay pertaining to the degree
to which he had attained. — Jour. 1873 : p. 616.

66. A member who is taken sick on the first
meeting night of the quarter, prior to opening
of the Lodge, and has not an opportunity to
send in his dues, is entitled to benefits, he not
being thirteen weeks in arrears. — Jour. 1877:
p. 1994.

67. The By-Laws of a Lodge provide that
a member in arrears shall be disqualified from
benefits for six weeks after such arrears are
paid. If a member took sick during these six
weeks of disqualification, it was held that he
would be entitled to benefits for any portion of

h I

i' !

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O,

time he might be sick after the six weeks had
expired. — Jour. 1879: p. 1863.

68. A Lodge cannot by vote make a dis-
qualified member good on the books, so as to
entitle his widovv- to benefits. — Jour. 1880: p.
1978.

69. A member of the Lodge not entitled to
pecuniary benefits is yet entitled to atteutive
benefits ; that is, the sympathy, visitation and
watch-care of the Lodge, in so far as these do
not involve the expenditure of Lodge funds. —
Jour. 1879: p. 1864.

BOOK-KEEPING.

70. The followmg forms for Lodge Book-
keeping were approved by the Grand Lodge.
{See Jour. 1890: pp. 4904, 4905, 4913.)

■

DIGEST

THE

LAWS

FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S CASH BOOK of

•

Date.

Account.

— ,

No, on Roll or
Folio.

•

•
(A
V

■l-l

Degree Fees.

Admission by
Card or Rein-
stalment Fees.

Visiting and
Withdrawal
Cards.

•

0)
w

c
u
'J

RECORDING SECRETARY'S BOOK.— Orders drawn upon

Located at ,

Date.

Account ok

Benefits and
Relief.

• *-«

L.0DGE-W0RKING

C/3

3
C

> c

TREASURER'S BOOK of Lodgf, No.

Date.

C u

Cash
Account.

Bank
Account.

General

B^JNDS.

Widows' A'
' O. Fund.

♦J I

3
w

c :

RAWN UPON

E-WORKING

X, 3

, No..

Widows' &
O. Fund.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

Lodge, No , I.O.O.F., Located ,^r , Ont.

a
•J

. 1

lA 1 ' 1

C iU

^ ^

£"3

«i5

!fl

c u

5 SJ

M-i x: 1

3
C/3

Amounts Paid Treasukkk.

Date.

Treasurer's
Receipt.

Amount.

the ireasurer of
Ont.

Lodge, No. , LO.O.F.,

Expenses.

3
C/3

3
(!<

"be

C
O

>•
3

c
•^ fee

C O

S
*■>

3
p.

C/3

Total

LO.O.F., Located at , Ont.

Building
Account.

FURNITUKK

AND Regalia

Investments

Contingent

F'UND.

Sundries.

T3
U

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

•

BUSINESS.

71. No business shall be transacted at any
regular or special meeting of a Lodge, unless
at least five members of the Lodge be then
present, nor otherwise than according to the
Rules of Order annexed to the Constitution. —
S. L. C. 36.

73. The Grand Lodge does not deem it
advisable to enter into the settlement of diffei-
ences in business between members of the
Order, or between Subordinate Lodges and
other parties ; but in such cases the parties
interested are advised to submit their disputes
to the arbitration of qualified members of the
Order. — Jour. 1880: p. 408.

BY-LAWS.

73, The Grand Lodge Committee on Laws
of Subordinate Lodges shall consist of five
members, who shall be appointed by the Grand
Master at the close of the annual session, to
whom shall be referred all By-Laws of Subordi-
nate Lodges sent in for approval. It shall be
the duty of the Committee, at the earliest pos-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

sible opportunity, to notify such Lodges, through
the Grand Secretary, of their approval or dis-
approval of the By-Laws submitted, pointing
out all regulations therein (if any) which may
violate or conflict with the Laws and Usages of
the Order. All By-Laws so approved will be
operative upon the Lodge until next session of
Grand Lodge, and no By-Laws shall be opera-
tive until so approved. The Committee shall
make a full repoit to the Grand Lodge at its
next session. — G. L. By. 41.

74. The Grand Lodge will not interfere
w^ith By-Laws adopted by a Subordinate, or
refuse approval, unless they conflict with the
Laws and Usages of the Order; and will not
be responsible for any damage or inconvenience
the Lodge may sufifer on account of an}^ ambi-
guity or imperfection therein. — Jour. 1881 : p.
2109. (This position was sustained by the
Sovereign Grand Lodge on appeal, in the case
of Excelsior Lodge, No. 44. — See Jour. S. G. L. :
pp. 8640, 8706.)

75, The By-Laws of the Grand Lodge may
be amended, altered or repealed at any session
of the Grand Lodge by a' two-thirds majority
of the members present and voting, on a notice
given at a previous sitting. — G. L. By. iii.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

76. Notice of motion to amenci a By-Law
having been regularly made, when the matter
comes up for action no new amendment thereto
can be acted on without similar notice. — Jour.
1876: p. 1678.

77. Every member of a Lodge shall sign
the Constitution and By-Laws of his Lodge on-
his admission thereto, but such signature shall
not be necessary for the authentication of the
contract between the member and the Order,
which contract is complete by the member's
initiation or admission bv card, such admission
by card dating always from the time that he
has been accepted by vote of the Lodge ; and
every member shall be subject to the said laws
as aforesaid, although he may not have signed
his name thereto. — S. L. C. 13.

78. Every Lodge shall stand fully invested
with the power to adopt, from time to time,
such By-Laws and resolutions as may be
deemed expedient, and to repeal, alter or amend
the same ; provided they do not in anywise
contravene any part of the Constitution of
Subordinate Lodges, the Constitution and By-
Laws of the Grand Lodge of Ontario, or the
laws, principles or customs of the Order. —
S. L. C. 69.

MiimiiiEBHHi

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

79 All such By-Laws shall be immediately
forwarded in duplicate to the Grand Secretary,
authenticated by the seal of the Lodge and the
signature of the N.G. and Secretary, one copy
to be retained by the Grand Lodge and the
other to be returned to the Lodge, certified as
approved, or otherwise, as the case may be ;
and no such By-Laws shall be operative until
approved by the Grand Lodge, or, in its recess,
by its Committee on Laws of Subordinates. —
S. L. C. 70.

CANDIDATE.

80. Candidates for membership, by initia-
tion, in any Lodge, must be free, white males,
of not less than twenty-one years of age, of
good moral character, and in sound health, and
resident within the jurisdiction of the Lodge. —

81, Any candidate requiring admission
more than thirteen weeks after his election
must be again proposed and balloted for, as in
the case of a new candidate.— S. L. C. 7.

S2, No proposition for membership, either
by initiation or by card, shall be received or

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

acted upon, if the applicant's residence be out
of this jurisdiction (without the consent of the
Grand Master of the jurisdiction in which he
resides), nor if his residence be nearer to any
other Lodge by the nearest travelled route,
unless consent of the latter be obtained ; and
in the event of the vio^ ^tion of this clause, the
Lodge shall pay ovei all fees received from
such applicant to the Lodge within whose
jurisdiction he resided, and shall also be liable
to suspension by the Grand Lodge or Grand
Master. — S. L. C. ii.

83, An agnostic, or one who professes him-
self unable either to affirm or deny the exist-
ence of a Supreme Being, is not eligible to be
admitted into the Order. Every candidate is
required to avow his belief in the existence of
a Supreme, Intelligent Being, the Creator and
Preserver of the Universe. If one should
obtain admission by falsely answering this
question in the affirmative, he could be pro-
ceeded agamst for fraud, and expelled on a
charge for conduct unbecoming an Odd-Fellow.
If he has changed his opinions after his initia-
tion, his plain duty would be to retire from a
society with whose principles and teachings he
does no longer agree. — Jour. 1883 : p. 2379.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

84, All candidates for admission into the
Order in this jurisdiction are required to pass
a uniforr/i medical examination. Every Lodge
must appoint a Medical Examiner, whose duty
it is to examine each candidate and report to
the Recording Secretary on the form supplied
by the Grand Lodge. — Jour. 1889: p. 4581.

CARDS.

S5. Members of an extinct Lodge, upon
payment of all arrears due by them at the
time of the dissolution of the Lodge, may
receive a card from the Grand Secretary which
shall have all the force and effect of an expired
Withdrawal Card ; and the Grand Lodge, or
during recess thereof the Grand Master, may
direct the issue of cards to such members
without the payment of arrears, or upon pay-
ment of such portion thereof as may be deemed
sufficient, upon satisfactory reasons therefor
being shown ; provided always, that the Grand
Master and Grand Secretary shall be satisfied
that the applicant was not implicated in the
breaking up of the Lodge, or in any illegal
distribution or use of the funds of the same. —
G. L. By. 67.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

86. Any member of any uniting Lodges
who shall fail to be present at the institution of
the united Lodge may, on application to the
Grand Secretary, receive a Withdrawal Card,
as provided for members of extinct Lodges, and
should he apply for admission by such card to
the united Lodge within six months from the
date of its institution, the vote necessary for
his election to membership shall be a majority
vote by ballot of those present and voting. —
G. L. By. 78.

87. Any member in good standing and
clear of the books, desiring to withdraw from
his Lodge, may signify such desire either per-
sonally in open Lodge or by a letter addressed
to the Secretary, whereupon the Lodge shall
proceed to a ballot, with ball ballots, and a
majority vote of the members present shall be
necessary to the granting of such Withdrawal
card. If a majority of the members present
refuse to grant such card, the applicant there-
for may tender a written resignation of his
membership, and shall be entitled to receive
from the Secretary, under the seal of the
Lodge, a certificate that he has resigned mem-
bership, and such certificate shall be sufficient
evidence that the member was in good stand-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

ing at the time of his resignation ; provided
that, upon the refusal of the card, the member
applying for the same shall have the right of
appeal to the Grand Lodge. — S. L. C. i6.

88. Any member of a Lodge in good stand-
ing and free from all charges shall be entitled
to a Visiting Card on payment of all dues for
the period for which said card is required, and
of a fee not exceeding fifty cents. During
recess of the Lodge such card may be issued
by the N.G. and Secretary. — S. L. C. 17.

89. The fee for a Withdrawal or Visiting
Card shall not exceed fifty cents, and may be
applied to the general fund or any special fund,
as the Lodge may provide by its By-Laws. —
S. L. C. ^o.

OERTIPTCATE.

90. The Grand Secretary shall keep a
register of the Past Grands of this jurisdiction.
Whenever any member of a Subordinate
Lodge attains to the rank of Past Grand a
certificate to that effect shall be immediately
forwarded under the seal of the Lodge to the
Grand Secretary, and each semi-annual return

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

L 'I

of a Subordinate Lodge shall contain a full
list of all Past Grands in good standing be-
longing to the Lodge. — G. L. By. 8.

91. Any member in good standing and
clear of the books, desiring to withdraw from
his Lodge, may signify such desire either per-
sonally in open Lodge or by a letter addressed
to the Secretary, whereupon the Lodge shall
proceed to a ballot, with ball ballots, and a
majority vote of the members present shall be
necessary to the granting of such Withdrawal
Card. If a majority of the members present
refuse to grant such a card, the applicant
therefor may tender a written resignation of
his membership, and shall be entitled to re-
ceive from the Secretary, under the seal of the
Lodge, a certificate that he has resigned mem-
bership, and such certificate shall be sufficient
evidence that the member was in good standing
at the time of his resignation ; provided that^
upon the refusal of the card, the member ap-
plying for the same shall have the right of
appeal to the Grand Lodge. — S. L. C. i6.

■Mr

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

CHAIRMAN.

1)3. The first named member of a commit-
tee shall be the chairman thereof, unless other-
wise ordered by a majority of the committee.
At all meetings of committees the Rules of
Order shall be observed as far as practicable,
except the rules respecting the writing and
seconding of motions, limiting the number of
times a member may speak, recording the yeas
and nays, and calling the previous question.
A majority of a committee shall constitute a
quorum. — G. L By. 51.

OHARGES.

93. Whenever charges affecting the char-
acter or standing of any member of the Grand
Lodge shall be submitted to the Grand Lodge
in writing, by one or more members thereof,
the same shall be immediatel}^ referred to a
committee of five members, to be elected by
ballot, who shall, with as little delay as pos-
sible, examine carefully into the charges, and
report the result of such examination to the
Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 5.

3«

DIGEST OF THE . aWS

94. The Grand Lodge, after having heard
the member thus charged, in his defence, shall
proceed to determine the case, by the acquittal,
reprimand, suspension from his seat m the
Grand Lodge, or expulsion therefrom of the
implicated member, as the Grand Lodge may
deem fit and proper. G. L. By. 6.

95. Whenever any mc. jr shall be so
suspended or expelled, intimation of the same
shall be forthwith given to the Noble Grand of
his Lodge, and the Grand Lodge may require
that he be tried by the Subordinate Lodge to
which he belongs. — G. L. By. 7.

96. No member of a Lodge shall be put
on trial, unless charges duly specifying his
alleged offence shall be first submitted to the
Lodge in writing by one or more members of
the Order in good standing. — S. L. C. 59.

97. Any charge or charges so preferred
shall be referred to a committee of five mem-
bers, to be chosen by ballot, three of whom
shall be a quorum ; which committee shall,
with as little delay as the case will admit,
summon the parties, and examine and deter-
mine the matter in question, in accordance
with the Constitution and Rules of Procedure

ird
all

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

on Trials. In selecting this committee only
one name shall be written upon any ballot. —
S. L. C. 60.

98, Charges may be preferred against a
brother holding an unexpired Withdrawal
Card. — Jour. 1875: p. 141 1.

CHARTER.

See Forfeiture, Mergement, Restoration,

Surrender.

99. The Charter Fee to Grand Lodge for
a Subordinate Lodge is $30 ; for a Degree
Lodge, or Rebekah Degree Lodge, $5. —
G. L. C. 16.

100. Upon the written application of pro-
perly qualified members of the Order, accom-
panied by certificates of qualification and the
Charter fees, the Grand Lodge will grant
Charters to Subordinate Lodges, Degree Lodges
and Rebekah Degree Lodges, subject to the
terms and conditions imposed by the Consti-
tution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge.
During the recess of the Grand Lodge the
Grand Master at his discretion may issue

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

dispensations for the institution of such Lodges.
— .,T. L. C. 1 8.

101, The appHcants fur a Charter for a
Subordinate Lodge must be at least five in
number ; and in a locahty where a Lodge
already exists, not less than ten ; and must be
in possession of the Third Degree, and holders
of Withdrawal Cards or dismissal certificates.
For a Charter for^ajDegree Lodge there must
be not less than ten applicants of the Third
Degree, two of whom must be Past Grands ;
and for a Rebekah Degree Lodge the appli-
cants must be not less than five brothers of the
Third Degree and five sisters possessing the
R. D., or qualified by their relationship to
members of the Order to receive the same —
G. L. C. 19.

102. Where it is deemed advisable to
institute a Lodge in any locality not less than
ten miles from any other Lodge — the approval
of the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master hav-
ing been first obtained — it shall not be neces-
sary for the applicants to be members of the
Order ; and the Grand Master, or his duly
commissioned deputy, shall have power to
initiate and confer the Degrees on a sufficient
number of applicants to constitute such new

OF ONTAklO, I. O. O. F.

Lodge, provided that such persons shall hav'e
first made application to the nearest Lodge,
and been accepted upon ballot, as in the
case of other applicants for membership. —
G. L. C. 20.

103. The funds and properties of Subor-
dinate Lodges are by the provisions of their
Charters and the laws of the Order held only
in trust for charitable purposes ; donating them
for other than such purposes, or in any manner
dividing them among the members individually,
is a violation of such trust and the law — the
penalty for which is expulsion ; and any mem-
ber participating in such illegal diversion of
Lodge property from its legitimate objects will
be held personally responsible for the money
or effects so diverted, and will be liable to
prosecution by the Grand Lodge in the Civil
Courts. If a Subordinate Lodge shall fail
from any cause to work, all monies and pro-
perties, together with the Charter, shall be
surrendered to the Grand Lodge, to be held in
trust and applied as hereinafter provide.]. —
G. L. C. 21.

104. Any Subordinate Lodge failing to
make the returns and pay the dues required by
iis Constitution, for twelve months, sliall be-

• E]

: 11
,: il

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

come liable to the forfeiture of its Charter,
which may thereupon be recalled by the Grand
Master, or by vote of the Grand Lodge at any
regular session. In tne event of any Lodge
failing to meet for three consecutive months,
it shall thereby become extinct ; and it shall
be the duty of the officers and members of
such Lodge to transmit to the Grand Lodge
the Charter, books, funds and other property
of said Lodge. — G. L. C. 22.

105, A Subordinate Lodge may surrender
its Charter and be merged into anothei Lodge ;
or two or more Lodges may be amalgamated
under the terms and conditions prescribed in
the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge. — G. L. C. 24.

106, At the institution of a Lodge, the
instituting officer would be justified in remov-
ing from the dispensation the name of a pro-
posed Chartered Member who was not present.
— Jour. 1872 : p. 549. But after the Lodge
has been instituted the name of a member
cannot be erased from the charter on account
of his expulsion. — Jour. 1871 : p. 471.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

CLAIMS.

107 • All claims against the Grand Lodge
shall be first placed in the hands of the Grand
Secretary, and by him submitted to the
Finance Committee, who shall examme and
report on the correctness of the same. No
claim will be considered unless in the form of a
definitely itemized account. — G. L. By. 56.

108. When such claims have been reported
correct and approved by the Grand Lodge,
the Grand Master shall issue an order on the
Grand Treasurer, attested by the Grand Secre-
tary, for the payment of the same, which pay-
ment shall be duly entered in the books of the
Grand Lodge by the Grand Treasurer.-G. L.

By. S7'

109. In case of urgency, during the recess
of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master may,
at his discretion, issue such order making
report thereof to the Grand Lodge at its next
regular session. — G. L. By. 58.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

V. HI

COMMITTEES.

110, The following Grand Lodge Standing
Committees shall be appointed from among the
Representatives or Past Grands by the Grand
Master, at or before the opening of each annual
session, to serve until their successors shall be
appointed, unless sooner discharged by vote
of the Grand Lodge, y'lz. : on Credentials,
on Distribution, on Finance, on Appeals and
Grievances, on Laws of Subordinates, on
Printuig and Supplies, on Legislation, on State
of the Order, on Judiciary, on Election Re-
turns, on Mileage and Per Diem, on Petitions
and Correspondence, on Districts, on Fraternal
Relations, on Degree of Rebekah ; whose duty
it shall be to consider and report on such
matters as may be referred to them under the
By-Laws or by resolution of the Grand
Lodge. — G. L. C. 13.

111. The first named member of a com-
mittee shall be the chairman thereof, unless
otherwise ordered by a majority of the com-
mittee. At all meetings of committees the
Rules of Order of the Grand Lodge shall be
observed as far as practicable, except the rules
respecting the writing and seconding of motions,

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

limiting the number of times a member may
speak, recording the yeas and nays, and calling
the previous question. A majority of a com-
mittee shall constitute a quorum. — G. L. By. 51.

11^. The reports of all committees must
be made in writing and shall be laid on the
table, to be printed by the Grand Secretary,
and copies thereof placed before the members
at the next sitting of the Grand Lodge, when
action shall be taken thereon ; provided that
this By-Law may be suspended by a majority
vote of the Grand Lodge whenever its opera-
tion would be impracticable or unnecessary. —
G. L. By. 52.

113. In all cases where matters are re-
ferred to Special Committees to be reported on
at a subsequent session of the Grand Lodge,
such report or reports must be sent to the
Grand Secretary in time to be printed, and a
copy thereof sent to each Subordinate Lodge
at least one month prior to the opening of the
Grand Lodge, and to each representative, as
soon as his name is known to the Grand
Secretary. — G. L. By. 53.

114. A committee appointed to perform
certain specified duties for a Lodge , and failing

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

to do SO in a reasonable time, may be dis-
charged by vote of the Lodge and a new one
appointed. — Jour. 1889 : p. 4506.

CONSTITUTION.

115. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge
of Ontario contains the fundamental ground-
work of its organic law ; its title, powers,
membership, officers, committees, sessions and
revenues. It can only be amended by a two-
thirds vote after a 5^ear's notice. — G. L. C. 27.

govern

I 16. The Constitution for the
ment of Subordinate Lodges is enacted by
the Grand Lodge, and is uniform for all Lodges
under its jurisdiction. It contains the law by
which each Lodge is to be governed in the
transaction of its business. It may be amended
by the Grand Lodge at any time by a two-
thirds vote without notice. — S. L. C. 71.

117. The Constitution for the government
of Subordinate Lodges, and the By-Laws and
Rules of Order made thereunder, and the Con-
stitution and By-Laws and Rules of Order
of the Grand Lodge of Ontario, shall con-
stitute the contract between the Order and

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

each member thereof ; and every member from
the time of his initiation or admission by card,
and so long as he continues in membership
in the Order, shall be bound by every clause
and article therein contained, and shall be sub-
ject thereto in every particular. — S. L. C. 12,

118. Every member shall sign the Consti-
tution and By-Laws of his Lodge on his admis-
sion thereto, but such signature shall not be
necessary for the authentication of the afore-
said contract, which contract is complete by
the member's initiation or admission by card,
such admission by card dating always from the
time that he has been accepted by vote of the
Lodge ; and every member shall be subject to
the said laws as aforesaid, although he may
not have signed his name thereto. — S.L.C. 13.

¥>§

CONTINGENT FUND.

119. The receipts and disbursements on
account of any special fund shall be kept
separate and distinct from the general fund,
and any money appropriated to a Widows'
and Orphans' Fund shall be used only for the
payment of benefits and relief to the widows
and orphans of deceased members of the Lodge.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

No portion of the regular dues, initiation or
degree fees of the Lodge shall be applied to a
contingent fund or special fund provided for
amusement or entertainment purposes, or for
any purpose other than the payment of benefits,
relief and general maintenance. — S. L. C. 45.

CONTRACT.

120, The Constitution for the government
of Subordinate Lodges, and the By-Laws and
Rules of Order m.ade thereunder, and the Con-
stitution and By-L^'ws and Rules of Order of
the Grand Lodge of Ontario, shall constitute
the contract between the Order and each
member thereof ; and every member from the
time of his initiation or admission by card, and
so long as he continues in membership in the
Order, shall be bound by every clause and
article therein contained, and shall be subject
thereto in every particular. — S. L. C. 12.

131. Every member shall sign the Consti-
tution and By-Laws of his Lodge on his
admission thereto, but such signature shall not
be necessary for the authentication of the afore-
said contract, which contract is complete by
the member's initiation or admission by card,

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

such admission by card dating always from the
time that he has been accepted by vote of the
Lodge ; and every member shall be subject to
the said laws as aforesaid, although he may
not have signed his name thereto. — S.L.C. 13.

OORRESPONDENOE.

(5^^ Fraternal Relations, Petitions.)

COURTS OF LAW.

13^, The following decisions have been
made in cases tried and determined in the
Canadian Law Courts : —

'• Where an Association has a code of laws, as also
rules for the government of members, which point out
what course a member shall pursue if he finds himself
aggrieved ; he must exhaust the remedies thus provided
before applying to the Courts of Law for redress." —
Field vs. Court Hope, 26 Chcy., 467.

" Membersofcharitibleand*provident Societies should
not be allowed to litigate their grievances within the
Society in Courts of Law until they have exhausted every
possible means of redress afforded by the internal regula-
tions of their Societies." — Essery vs. Court Pride, 2 O. R.,
596.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

■I

In the case of Wright vs. Incorporated Synod of the
Diocese of Huron, ii S.C.R., o",, it was held that the
Trustees of a Clergy Reserve Commutation Fund had
power, from time to time, to pass By-Laws regulating
the fund, and making a different appropriation of it ;
that the plaintiff, who had been in receipt of a specified
sum under a former By-Law, came under the operation
of the new By Law, and that he had no vested right
which could entitle him to object, the fund being a por-
tion of the income derived from, year to year, the amount
of which was liable to vary, as investments were more or
less productive, and as one after another of the commut-
ing clergy ceased to be recipients, and it being a fund
which had no existence except in anticipation until real-
ized by the periodical payment of interest.

The two following cases were decided in the
United States courts : —

A Society altered its By-Laws so that a widow who
should have received twenty-five cents per day during
her widowhood was afterwards to receive that sum only
until it aggregated !$200, although her husband died before
the change in the By-Law was made. The Court sus-
tained the By-Law on the ground that the Constitution
contained a clause allowing changes in the By-Laws, and
because the Society might, in times of great sickness and
numerous deaths, becom^ unable to pay at all, if it were
not allowed to reduce its liabilities by the change which
it made. — Fiigure vs. Mutual Society of St. Josephs, 46
Vermont, 362.

A member of a Society is not in the position of a
creditor, and can claim only such benefits as are pre-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

scribed by the By-Laws existing at the time he applies
for relief. — St. Patrick's Benevolent Society vs. McVey, 92
Pa., 510.

An English case is mentioned in the Canada Laiv
yournal for June, i88g (25 L. J., 338), as having been
decided in the Chancery Court of Lancashire between
the L O. O. F., Manchester Unity, and the members
of Lodge No. 52. The members had divided part of the
funds of the Lodge among themselves, and the Court held
.lat such an appropriation was a breach of trust, and
that the defendants were personally liable to make
good the sum so divided. An injunction was granted,
and the defendants were ordered to repay the amount
divided and thf; costs of the suit.

CREDENTIALS.

1^3. Immediately upon the opening of the
Grand Lodge in the prescribed form, the
Grand Master shall appoint a Committee on
Credentials, who shall consider and report
upon the credentials of new Representatives
and Past Grands with as little delay as possi-
ble ; and no other business shall be transacted
by the Grand Lodge until the report of said
Committee has been acted upon. — G. L. By. 12.

1^4, The Committee on Credentials shall
be composed of three members, of whom the
Grand Secretary shall be one, who shall report

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

to the Grand Lodge, without delay, on the
quahfication of brothers claiming admission as
Representatives or Past Grands, and on the
validity of their credentials. — G. L. By. 37.

12*y. The Secretariesof Subordinate Lodges
are required to forward the Credentials of Rep-
resentatives elect to the R. W. Grand Secretary,
at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting
of the Grand Lodge. — Jour. 1871 : p. 475.

DECISIONS.

See Courts of Law.

13(>. In the event of any dispute arising
under the laws of Odd-Fellowship, or of any
doubts as to the intent and meaning of any
part of the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules or
Resolutions of the Grand Lodge of Ontario,
or ol the Constitution and By-Laws of its
Subordinate Lodges, or of any of the laws or
usages of the Order, the Grand Lodge shall
have power to interpret and decide thereon ;
and its decision in the case shall be of full force
and effect, and binding upon all members of
the Order in Ontario, unless the same should

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

i '

be at any time reversed on appeal, by the Sov-
ereign Grand Lodge, whose judgment therein
shall be final. — G. L. C. 3.

127. The Grand Lodge Judiciary Com-
mittee shall consist of seven members, to whom
shall be referred the decisions of the Grand
Master made during the recess, and all ques-
tions relating to the interpretation or construc-
tion of the laws and usages of the Order. —
G. L. By. 44.

128. The Grand Master's decisions during
the recess should be in writing, and in answer
only to written questions. — Jour. 1870: pp.
417, 418.

129. Lodges desiring answers to any ques-
tions must, in all cases, submit such questions
first to the District Deputy Grand Master
before sending the same to the Grand Master,
— Jour. 1890: 4916.

DEFUNOT LODGE.

130. Members of an extinct Lodge, upon
payment of all arrears due by them at the time
of the dissolution of the Lodge, may receive a
card from the Grand Secretary which shall

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

have all the force and effect of an expired
Withdrawal Card ; and the Grand Lodge, or
during recess thereof the Grand Master, may
direct the issue of cards to such members with-
out the payment of arrears, or upon payment
of such portion thereof as may be deemed
sufficient, upon satisfactory reasons therefor
being shown ; provided, always, that the Grand
Master and Grand Secretary shall be satisfied
that the applicant was not implicated in the
breaking up of the Lodge, or in any illegal
distribution or use of the funds of the same. —
G. L. By. 67.

131, Upon the application to the Grand
Lodge of five or more members of an extinct
Lodge which has not been merged into or
amalgamated with any other Lodge, for the
restoration of such Lodge to fellowship, such
applicants as the Grand Lodge may approve,
may be restored to fellowship in said Lodge,
together with the Charter and effects belonging
to such Lodge at the time of its extinction,
unless such effects shall have been disposed of
as provided in By-Lav/ 66. — G. L. By. 68.

1 3^, Any money in possession of a member
of a resuscirated Lodge, accepted by him when
the Lodge became defunct, would have to be

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

paid to the Grand Lodge, and not to the resus-
citated Subordinate. — Jour. 1876: p. 1676.

133. The funds belonging to defunct Lodges
are to be invested by the Grand Treasurer
(subject to the approval of the Executive), in
mortgage on real estate, or deposited in some
chartered bank in the Provmce, in savings bank
branch, or on deposit receipt, the interests
received to be credited to the several accounts.
— Jour. 1888 : 4410.

DEGREE LODGES.

134. Whenever it may appear to the mem-
bers of any Lodge or Lodges in any city or
town under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge
of Ontario that it would be consistent with the
interests of the Order to establish a Degree
Lodge in such place, it shall be proper for
them to authorize at least ten Brothers of the
Third Degree to make a written application to
the Grand Lodge to that effect.

135. Such application shall be signed by
the full number of the Brethren so authorized,
and shall be accompanied by the Charter Fee,
$5 ; by a certificate from the District Deputy

^«rW

'ii

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

Grand Master that the petitioners are properly
quahfied, and by a certificate over the seal of
the Lodge or Lodges with which they are con-
nected that they are members in good standing,
and that they have been duly authorized by
their Lode^e or Lodges to apply for such
Charter.

136. As soon as the necessary authority
shall have been obtained from the Grand Mas-
ter, the District Deputy Grand Master shall
summon all Third Degree members in good
standing in their Lodge or Lodges, and pro-
ceed with the institution of the Lodge and the
election and installation of officers after the
manner and form prescribed for the same.

137. A Degree Lodge shall be composed
of members in good standing in the Order, of
the Third Degree, resident within the jurisdic-
tion of the Degree Lodge, and all business
^except tha*^ of conferring the First and Second
Degrees of this Order) shall be transacted when
open in the Third Degree, and five members
shall constitute a quorum.

138. Loss of good standmg, suspension or
expulsion from membership in a Subordinate
Lodge shall at once similarly affect the mem-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

ber's standing in the Degree Lodge, and
reinstatement in the Subordinate shall work
reinstatement in the Degree Lodge.

139. The Elective Officers of a Degree
Lodge shall be a Degree Master, Deputy
Degree Master, Secretary and Treasurer, who
shall be elected annually by a majority of the
votes, polled for that purpose.

140. Nominations for Elective Officers
shall be made upon the last two meetings in
December, and the election shall be held upon
the last regular meeting in December, and the
Installation of Officers shall take place on the
first regular meeting of the succeeding January.

141. The appointed officers shall be a
Warden, Conductor and Outside and Inside
Guardians, First, Second, Third and Fourth
Assistant Degree Masters, to be appointed by
the Degree Master upon the night of his instal-
lation.

14^. No brother shall be eligible for the
office of Degree Master, or Deputy Degree
Master, who is not a Past Grand in good
standing in some Subordinate Lodge of the
Order m Ontario.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

143. The Degree Master shall occupy the
place of the Noble Grand in a Subordinate
Lodge, the Deputy Degree Master that of the
Vice Grand ; the First and Second Assistants
thereof Right and Left Supporters of the Noble
Grand ; the Third and Fourth Assistants, those
of Right and Left Supporters of the Vice
Grand ; and these and all other officers of the
Degree Lodge, in addition to the special duties
imposed upon them by the Ritual, shall per-
form the duties and exercise the power of the
officers holding corresponding positions in a
Subordinate Lodge.

144, The application of a brother for any
Degree, with the fee for the same, must be
received by his Subordinate Lodge, in which
Lodge he shall be balloted for ; all balloting
shaP take place when the Lodge is open in the
Thiru Degree, and a single ballot may be taken
for all the Degrees for which the brother has
applied. If three or more black balls appear,
he shall be declared rejected ; otherwise he
shall be deemed eligible, and a certificate to
that effect shall be granted him, which certifi-
cate, on being presented to the Degree Lodge,
shall be its authority for conferring the Degree
or Degrees applied for.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

145. A Degree Lodge may, with the con-
sent of two-thirds of the members of the Sub-
ordinate Lodge or Lodges connected with it,
present and voting at a regular meeting of such
Subordinate Lodge or Lodges, charge its mem-
bers an entrance fee and stated dues. Should
no fees or dues be charged, the expenses of the
Degree Lodge shall be borne by the Subordi-
nate Lodge or Lodges to which the Degree
members belong.

146. A Subordinate Lodge may provide by
its By-Laws for the payment to the Degree
Lodge of a part or the whole of the regular
charge for the Degrees.

147. Any Degree Lodge shall have power
to adopt necessary By-Laws, rules and regula-
tions for its government, conformable to this
Constitution and to the Constitution and Laws
of the Grand Lodge of Ontario, and the Laws
and Usages of the Order.

148. Degree Lodges shall be subject to all
the laws applying to Subordinate Lodges in
the matters of sessions, terms, returns, trials
and penalties, and forfeiture of Charter in so
far as the same may be applicable, except that
their terms shall be annual, and that they shall

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

not be required to pay per capita tax to the
Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 70 to 93.

149. A member of a Degree Lodge cannot
wear Encampment regalia therein. — Jour. 1879 :
p. 1862.

DEGREES.

(See Degree Lodges, Grand Lodge Degree,

Rebekah.)

150. Every member previous to his receiv-
ing any of the Degrees shall present a certificate
from the P. S. that he is not in arrears to the
Lodge, and that he has paid all charges for the
said Degree ; after which he shall be balloted
for. Balloting shall be had when the Lodge
is open in the Third Degree, and one ballot
shall be taken for all the Degrees for which he
has applied. — S. L. C. 14.

151. If, on such ballot, three or more
black balls appear, the applicant shall be re-
rejected, otherwise he shall be considered
eligible, and shall be admitted to the Degree or
Degrees applied for. In case of rejection he
shall not be a^rain balloted for to receive the

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

Degrees unless two weeks' notice is given
immediately preceding the meeting at which
such ballot is taken. — S. L. C. 15.

152, The fees for Degrees shall not be at a
less rate than $2 for each Degree. — S. L. C. 46.

153. A Subordinate Lodge may confer
Degrees upon a member of any other Lodge,
without fee, upon presentation of a request
from said Lodge so to do, accompanied by a
certificate that the person applying is quaUfied
to receive the Degree applied for. — G.L.By.6i.

DEPUTY GRAND MASTER.

154, The Deputy Grand Master shall act
as the assistant of the Grand Master, and,
during the absence of that officer, shall be in-
vested with all his powers. In the event of
the death, resignation, or removal from office
of the Grand Master, he shall, ex-officiof be-
come Grand Master until the next regular
session thereafter. — G. L. By. 24.

1 55, The Grand Master, or Deputy Grand
Master, shall not hold office in a Subordinate
Lodge while holding either of those offices. —
G. L. By. 35.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

DISPENSATIONS.

156. The Grand Lodge, or in its recess
the Grand Master thereof, shall have power
to issue dispensations, countersigned by the
Grand Secretary, to any Lodge under this
jurisdiction, to exempt it, in any particular
case, from the operation of any of the various
regulations other than financial, by whicli it is
governed, or to enable it to proceed in any
matter with other than the usual and pre-
scribed formalities, whenever the Grand Lodge
or Grand Master deem it for the interest and
welfare of the Order to do so. — G. L. C. 23.

157. The Grand Master may grant dis-
pensations to open new Lodges, and for the
mergement or amalgamation of existing Lodges
and petitions of a Subordinate Lodge to rein-
state an expelled member. — G. L. By. 23.

158. It is not legal to issue a dispensation
in blank. — Jour. 1875: p. 1398.

159. A dispensation cannot be granted by
a D. D. G. M., except on the night of the insti-
tution of a new Lodge, to receive application,
refer to committee, ballot and initiate on the
same night. — Jour. 1877 : pp. 1870, 1957.

1 60. The Grand Master cannot grant a
continuous dispensation to enable the mem-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

bers of a Lodge to appear in regalia on several
occasions. Each dispensation must state the
date and occasion for which it is granted. —
Jour. 1889 : p. ^507.

DISTRIBUTION.

161. The Grand Lodge Committee on Dis-
tribution shall consist of five members, to whom
shall be referred the reports of the Grand
Master, Grand Secretary, and Grand Repre-
sentatives, in order to distribute the various
matters embraced in them to appropriate
committees. — G. L. By. 38.

DISTRICTS.

162. The Grand Lodge shall group the
Lodges in the Province of Ontario into Dis-
tricts, making such arrangements thereof from
time to time, as circumstances may suggest
and require, and as shall seem most fit and
expedient. — G. L. C. 25.

163. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Districts shall consist of seven members, whose
duty it shall be to divide the jurisdiction into
Districts. — G. L. By. 48.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

164, In every District in the jurisdiction
there shall be a District Committee, which
shall consist of the Past Grands duly elected
thereto by the several Lodges in the District at
their last meeting in each year. — G. L. By. 98.

1 65. Each Lodge in the District shall be
entitled to one Representative on the Com-
mittee, when the number of unsuspended
members on the night of election shall be less
than fifty; two Representatives when the num-
ber shall be fifty, and one Representative for
each additional fifty. — G. L. By. 99.

166, The District Committee shall hold its
ordinary sessions monthly, quarterly, or at
special dates, as it may determine. But an
annual session shall be held on the second
Wednesday of June in each 3^ear, or any subse-
quent day in said month, at such time and
place in the District as may be previously
selected at an ordinary meeting of the Com-
mittee, or, in default thereof, by the District
Deputy Grand Master for the District. —
G. L. By. 100.

167, Each District Committee shall have
power to make rules for its own government,
subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge ;

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

to make such recommendations to the Sub-
ordinate Lodges ir district, and to the
Grand Lodge, as i^ . j think for the advan-
tage of the Order ; to nominate at its annaal
session a suitable person for the office of
District Deputy Grand Master, such nominee
to be chosen by ballot ; to provide for the
necessary expenses of its ovv^n meetings ; to fix
a fee or fees payable by the Subordinate Lodges
in the district for the visits of the District
Deputy Grand Master ; and to perform such
other duties, and exercise such other powers
as are consistent with the Constitution of the
Grand Lodge and the laws of the Order. —
G. L. By. loi.

168. The District Committee shall be pre-
sided over by the District Deputy Grand
Master, who shall, as such presiding officer,
have similar powers and privileges to those
belonging to the Grand Master when presiding
over the Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 102.

169. Each District Committee shall, at its
annual meeting, or whenever vacancies occur,
elect a Secretary, who shall, in addition to the
usual duties of such an officer, send to the
Grand Master, through the District Deputy
Grand Master, before the annual session of

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

the Grand Lodge, a report of the proceedings
of the Committee, inchiding the nomination
for the District Deputy Grand Master, and
certify to the Grand Lodge, or any Committee
thereof, such proceedings of the District Com-
mittee, and such papers in his possession as
may be required. He shall also act as Trea-
surer in the receipt and disbursement of such
moneys as may be required to meet the expenses
of the Committee and of the District Deputy
Grand Master. — G. L. By. 103.

170. The Grand Master shall, from the
reports supplied him by the District Com-
mittees, make a list of the several nommees
for the office of District Deputy Grand Master,
and communicate the same to his successor
immediately after the latter has been elected. —
G. L. By. 104.

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER.

171. The Grand Master shall, as soon after
his installation as may be, appoint, subject to
the approval of the Grand Lodge, a District
Deputy Grand Master for each District under
the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and within

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

which one or more Subordinate Lodges may
be in operation. — G. L. C. 9.

IK 2. Each District Deputy Grand Master
shall act as the agent of the Grand Master,
with the Subordinate Lodge or Lodges situated
within the District over which he may be ap-
pointed ; it shall be his duty to see that the
work of the Order is performed therein uni-
formly and correctly ; and to install the officers
of such Lodge or Lodges, or cause the same to
be done by a competent officer ; he shall be
entrusted with the charge of, and shall counter-
sign and issue all dispensations granted to any
Lodge in this District ; he shall report to the
Grand Master, at least two weeks previous to
each regular Session, such dispensations as may
have passed through his hands, together with
all other matters coming within his sphere of
duty ; and he shall remit forthwith to the Grand
Secretary all dues, charges, and other funds,
which may have been received by him on
account of the Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 34.

173. The District Committee shall be pre-
sided over by the District Deputy Grand Mas-
ter, who shall, as such presiding officer, have
similar powers and privileges to those belonging

f J

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

to the Grand Master when presiding over the
Grand Lod^e. — G. L. By. 102.

174. Each District Committee shall, at its
annual meeting, or whenever vacancies occur,
elect a Secretary, who shall, in addition to the
usual duties of such an officer, send to the
Grand Master, through the District Deputy
Grand Master, before the annual session of the
Grand Lodge, a report of the proceedings of
the Committee, including the nomination for
the District Deputy Grand Master, and certify
to the Grand Lodge, or any Committee thereof,
such proceedings of the District Committee,
and such papers in his possession as ma}' be
required. He shall also act as Treasurer in
the receipt and disbursement of such mone3^s
as may be required to meet the expenses of the
Committee and of the District Deputy Grand
Master. — G. L. By. 103.

175. Th3 Grand Master shall, from the re-
ports supplied him by the District Committees,
make a list of the several nominees for the office
of District Deputy Grand Master, and commu-
nicate the same to his successor immediately
after the latter has been elected. — G. L. By.
104.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

the

176. It is the dut} of every District Deputy
Grand Master to visit each Lodge in his Dis-
trict at least once annually. — Jour. 1876: p. 1681.
In visiting officially he should announce him-
self as District Deputy Grand Master; if he
does not so ann«^unce himself, he cannot give
a decision without being appealed to in his offi-
cial capacity. — Jour. 1869 : pp. 338, 369.

177. All questions relative to the v/orking
of a Lodge should be sent to the District
Deputy Grand Master, and in the event of his
being unable to answer the same he shall sub-
mit them to the Grand Master — Jour. 1874, p.
741 ; he should not give a decision before the
Noble Grand has had an opportunity to pro-
nounce thereon--Jour. 1872 : p. 528; but, hav-
ing given his decision, the Noble Grand can-
not appeal to the Lodge to sustain him, the
Noble Grand, in opposition to the Disv'rict
Deputy Grand Master — Jour. 1872: p. 527;
the District Deputy Grand Master's decision
is binding on the Lodge until reversed by
higher authority — Jour, i860 : p. 84 ; ail appeals
to him should be sent through the Lodge, and
the answer sent to the Lodge, and not to the
brother making the appeal. —Jour. 1879: pp.
1785. 1864

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

178. A District Deputy Grand Master
should not communicate the Pass- Word to any
person except the Noble Grand or acting^ Noble
Grand. — Jour. 1879 : pp. 1785, 1864. In doing
so, he does not give the Noble Grand the
cypher, but interprets it himself and then com-
municates the Pass-Word to the Noble Grand.
— Jour. 1881 : p. 2113.

179. A District Deputy Grand Master
would not be justified in infusing to instal a
duly qualified and elected brother — Jour. 1869:
pp. 337, 366 ; nor could he declare an installa-
tion void because it was performed by a visiting
Past Grand — Jour. 1869: pp. 338. 367; because
in his absence a Lodge may instal its officers
without waiting for his permission — Jour. 1876:
p. 1679 5 (^''^ ^^^'^ cannot be done if lie has pre-
viously refused to instal. — See Jour. S. G. L. :
p. 6351). A Lodge, however, should always
notify the District Deputy Grand Master if it
purposes having a special meeting for installa-
tion. — Jour. 1879: pp. 1786, 1864.

180. Should a District Deputy Grand Mas-
ter persist ir installing an officer, protested
against on account of his being in arrears for
dues, the proper method to deal with him would

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

be to prefer charges against him, and place him
on trial. — Jour. 187^ : p. 529.

181. A District Deputy is empowered to
issue a dispensation for tiie purpose of electing
a member of the Degree of Truth to the office
of Noble Grand, all regularly qualified brothers
being absent. — Jour. 1872 ; p. 527.

182. A Grand Officer having announced
himself in his official capacity, and having been
received with " The Honors," it would not be
consistent for him upon that occasion to claim
that he was not visiting in his official capacity.
— Jour. 1 871 : p. 468.

DUAL MEMBERSHIP.

183. No person shall be admitted to honor-
ary membership in any Lodge, nor hold mem-
bership in two or more Subordinate Lodges in
this Order at the same time. — S. L. C, 10.

DUES.

184. The Grand Lodge shall be entitled to
receive from each Subordinate Lodge such sum
per capita as may be fixed by the By-Laws of

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

the Grand Lodge, which shall be payable half-
yearly, for each unsuspended member on its
books, as shown by its semi-annual return. Its
revenue shall be further drawn from charter
fees of lodges instituted, which shall be for a
Subordinate Lodge, $30 ; for a Degree Lodge,
$5 ; and for a Rebekah Degree Lodge, $5 ; and
from the sale of supplies to Lodges. — G. L.
C. 16.

185, Any Subordinate Lodge failing to
make the returns and pay the dues requirec?
by its Constitution, for twelve months, shall
become liable to the forfeiture of its Charter,
which may thereupon be recalled by the Grand
Master, or by vote of the Grand Lodge at any
regular session. In the event of any Lodge
failing to meet for three consecutive months, it
shall thereby become extinct ; and it shall be
the duty of the officers and members of such
Lodge to transmit to the Grand Lodge the
Charter, books, funds arl other property of
said Lodge. — G. L. C. 22.

186. The Grand Lodge shall be entitled to
receive from eacn Subordinate Lodge the sum
of fifty cents per annim, payable semi-annually,
for each unsuspended meir'ber on its books as

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

shown by its semi-annual rc'urns. — G. L.
By. 54-

187. The contribution of each member to
the general fund of his Lodge shall be deter-
mined by By-Law, provided it be not less than
ten cents per week ; and the Lodge may re-
quire the same to be paid quarterly in advance.
— o. J-/. v_/. 47*

188. No member who has been dropped
from membershio for non-payment of dues,
except members of defunct Lodges and those
possessing dismissal certificates, shall be again
admitted to membership in any Lodge of this
Order without the consent of the Lodge from
which he was expelled or dropped ; and in no
case shall he be readmitted without compliance
with all the forms for new applicants, except-
ing the ceremony of initiation, and excepting
also that in the case of a non-resident, he shall
not be required to resign the Constitution —
S. L. C. 67.

189. Any member of a Lodge who is in
arrears for dues for one year, shall be reported
to the Lodge by the Permanent Secretary, and
on such report shall be dropped from member-
ship, unless the Lodge, by resolution, extend

*i ^-''r-

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

\'i !

the time of payment, which extension shall in

no case exceed six months ; provided that a
member under suspension for any cause for a
definite period shall not be dropped from mem-
bership until the expiration of his term of
suspension. — S. L. C. 68.

190. Dues can be paid to the Permanent
Secretary at any time, unless the By-Laws
forbid. — Jour. i88o: pp. 1925, 1979.

191, Even if the By-Laws of a Lodge
require the Permanent Secretary to notify all
members in arrears for dues, the negligence of
thit officer will not excuse any brother from
payment of his dues at the time lequired by the
By-Laws. — Jour. 1S87 : p. 4075.

193. A Lodge cannot donate a member a
sufficient sum to pay his dues without observ-
ing all the formalities required by the By Law
providing for relief of brothers m distress. —
Jour. 1877 • P- 1946.

OV ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

ELECTION.

Of Officers of Grand Lodge.

193, The elective officers of the Grand
Lodge shall be Grand Master, Deputy Grand
Master, Grand Warden, Grand Secretary, and
Grand Treasurer, who shall be elected by the
Past Grands in good standing voting in their
several Subordinate Lodges as provided by
By-Law. — G. L. C. 6.

194, The Grand Representative or Repre-
sentatives to represent the Grand Lodge in the
Sovereign Grand Lodge shall be elected in
accordance with the constitution and laws of
the said Sovereign Grand Lodge, and in the
form and manner herein prescribed for the
nomination and election of Grand Officers. —
G. L. C. y.

195. The nominations for the election of
officers of the Grand Lodge, and for Repre-
vSentatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, shall
take place on the last day of the annual session.
— G. L. By. 15.

196. The Grand Secretary shall transmit
to each Past Grand nominated a notice of his

;iA».:itw«aa?-fi»';.^..

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

nomination, on or before tlie first day of Ma)'
following, requesting his acceptance or declina-
tion of said nomination on or before the fif-
teenth day of May. The Grand Secretary
shall, not later than the first day of June,
transmit to the several Lodges in the jurisdic-
tion the names of all the nominees who have
accepted the nominations, stating the several
offices for which they were nominated. — G. L.
By. 1 6.

19'<. At the last regular meeting of the
Subordinate Lodges held in June, all Past
Grands m good standing and present shall, in
open Lodge, proceed to vote by ballot for
Grand Officers. The Noble Grand and Secre-
tary shall immediately thereafter count the
vote and announce the result to the Lodge, and
the Secretary shall record the same in the
minutes. They shall also make a record on a
a printed form, provided by the Grand Lodge
for that purpose, of the number of votes cast
for each candidate, sign the same and affix the
seal of the Lodge, and immediately transmit
the same by mail in a sealed envelope, regis-
tered, to the Grand Secretary, marked '* Elec-
tion Returns for Grand Lodge Officers, from
Lodge, No. ."' A duplicate return

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

shall also be placed in the hands of the Lodge
Representative. — G. L. By. 17.

198. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Election Returns shall meet on the evening of
the first day of the session of the Grand Lodge,
and unseal the envelopes and count the ballot
in the presence of any of the elective Grand
Officers, the candidates or their agents, who
may choose to attend. The first order of
business after opening the Grand Lodge on
the second day of the session shall be the
reception of the report of the Committee of
Election Returns ; and if the Committee report
any informalities or irregularities in the returns
of any of the Lodges, the same niay be cor-
rected by a majority vote of the Grand Lodge.
No vote shall be counted as part of the poll
unless it be for a candidate regularly nominated.
— G. L. By. 18.

199. In the election for such office, the
candidate having a majority of the votes cast
shall be declared elected by the Grand Master.
In case no candidate receives a majority of the
votes, the Representatives present in Grand
J^odge shall immediately proceed to ballot
upon the candidates in nomination ; and after

■hH

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

•iti

each ballot the candidate who shall have re-
ceived the least number of votes shall be with-
drawn. — G. L. By. 19.

^00. Should all the candidates for any office
decline the nomination, or be disqualified by
removal from the jurisdiction, loss of member-
ship, or other cause, the nomination and elec-
tion for such office shall take place at the
annual session of the Grand Lodge following ;
and the voting thereon shall be confined to the
Representatives present in Grand Lodge. —
G. L. By. 20.

^01. Should any officer elected fail to pre-
sent himself for installation at the time duly
appointed for the ceremony, his office shall be
declared vacant, and the Representatives pre-
sent shall forthwith proceed to fill the vacancy
by nomination and election : provided, that if
satisfactory cause for such absence be shown,
the installation of such absent officer may take
place at such time and in such manner as the
Grand Lodge may direct. — G. L. By. 21.

20^, At an election for Grand Officers m
any Subordinate Lodge, a Past Grand not a
member of such _^.odge shall be permitted to
vote, on presenting a certificate from the Secre-

■

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

tary of his own Lodge that he is in good stand-
ing and entitled to vote at that election ; which
certificate shall be attached to the election
return of the Lodge in which said Past Grand
votes, and be transmitted therewith to the
Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 22.

Of Representatives to the Grand Lodge.

203. Every Lodge within the jurisdiction
shall, at its last meeting in the month of June,
annually elect by ballot from amongst its Past
Grands in good standing, a Representative or
Representatives as follows, that is to say : one
Representative where the number of members
to be returned in the semi-annual report of. the
current term shall be 100 or less ; over 100 and
under 200, two Representatives ; 200, or more,
three Representatives. Any Lodge not having
in membership a properly qualified Past Grand
may choose one so qualified from any other
Lodge in the jurisdiction as its Representative.
— G. L. G. 5*

204-. In balloting for Representatives to
the Grand Lodge only one name should be
written upon the ballot ; and no one shall be
declared elected unless he has received a ma-
jority of all the votes cast. — G. L. By. 3.

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DIGEST OF THE LAWS

ln?i

^05. The re,signation by any member of
his office as Representative must be addressed
in writing to the Noble Grand of his Lodge,
which shall proceed at its first opportunity to
consider the same, and either accept or refuse
the resignation, as may seem expedient ; and
if such resignation be accepted, the Lodge may
at once proceed to elect another qualified mem-
ber to fill the vacancy. — G. L. By. 4.

Of Subordinate Lodge Officers.

306. The Elective Officers of a Lodge shall
be Noble Grand, Vice Grand, Recording Sec-
retary, Permanent Secretary and Treasurer. —
S. L C. 19.

307. No brother shall be eligible for the
office of Noble Grand until he has served a
term as Vice Grand, nor of Vice Grand until
he has served a term in some inferior office,
except that of Chaplain, has attained the Third
Degree and is in good standing. All officers
shall be eligible for re-election. — S. L. C. 20.

308. Nominations for the Elective Offices
shall be made only at the two meetings next
preceding that fixed for the elections thereto,
and no nominee shall be balloted for who has

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

not signified his willingness to accept the office
for which he may be named. — S. L. C. 21.

209. The election of Officers shall take
place at the last regular meeting in each term.
If for any elective office, or for the office of
Representative to the Grand Lodge, onl}^ one
member shall be in nomination, such member
shall be declared elected by acclamation ; should
there be two or more candidates duly nomi-
nated, the members present shall proceed to
elect one of such candidates by ballot ; and
only members in good standing shall be enti-
tled to vote. — S. L. C. 22.

210. A majority of all the legal votes cast
shall be necessary to election. Should there
be no choice of any officer on any ballot, a new
ballot shall forthwith take place, and after each
ballot the name of each candidate who may
have received the smallest number of votes, as
well as those who shall receive no votes, shall
be withdrawn. — S. L. C. 23.

211. Blank votes are to be counted in
making up the total of the ballot. — Dig. loog.

212. Every Lodge may at any time elect
a Physician, Solicitor, or other officer, required

Ml
Hi

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

for the operation of the legitimate work of the
Lodge, but the person so elected, shall not, as
such officer, be subject to any of the laws of
the Order relating to membership, qualification,
or honors, and may be elected under a by-law,
resolution, or in any manner and at any time
that the Lodge may decide.— S. L. C. 28.

I- 1\

!!■

EXPULSION.

^13. Should the Trial Committee report in
favor of suspending or expelling the member
under trial a motion to that effect shall be sub-
mitted to the Lodge by two or more of their
members, in their name. — S. L. C. 62.

214. Any motion for the suspension or
expulsion of a member shall be announced at
the two regular meetings previous to that oil
which it is to be decided, which last meeting
the member under charge shall be summoned
to attend : and at the time so appointed,
whether the implicated member be present or
not, the Lodge may proceed to consider and
determine the question, and may either alter,
amend, adopt or reject the motion made on be-
half of the Trial Committee. — S. L. C. 63.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

EXTINCT LODGE

See Defunct Lodge.

FAILURE.

See Candidate, Fines, Installation, Returns

Surrender.

FEES.

315. The Grand Lodge shall be entitled to
receive from each Subordinate Lodge such
sum per capita as may be fixed by the By-Laws
of the Grand Lodge, which shall be payable
half-yearly, for each unsuspended member on
its books, as shown by its semi-annual return.
Its revenue shall be further drawn from char-
ter fees of Lodges instituted, which shall
be for a Subordinate Lodge, $30 ; for a Degree
Lodge, $5 ; and for a Rebekah Degree Lodgu,
$5 ; and from the sale of supplies to Lodges. —
G. L. C 16.

316. The Initiation Fee of every Lodge
must be paid, in every case, previous to the

m^M

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

admission of the candidate, and shall not be
less than five dollar: ; and the fees for Degrees
shall not be at a less rate than two dollars for
each of the three Degrees.— S. L. C. 46.

217. The contribution of each member to
the general fund of his Lodge shall be deter-
mined by By-Law, provided it be not less than
ten cents per week ; and the Lodge may require
the same to be paid quarterly in advance. —
S. L. C. 47.

218. The fee for a Withdrawal or Visiting
Card shall not exceed fifty cents, and may be
applied to the general fund or any special fund,
as the Lodge may provide by its By-Laws. —

o. i-/. l^. 40.

219. The proposition fee prepaid by any
candidate must be returned to him if he is
rejected. — S. L. C. 5.

FINANCE.

220. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Finance shall consist of seven members, whose
duty it shall be to examine, at each regular
session, the reports of the Grand Secretary and
Grand Treasurer, the accounts of the Grand

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

«5

Lodge, and all other claims and matters laid
before them, and report thereon ; and to sug-
gest such measures of finance as they may
deem to be expedient and necessary. — G. L.

By. 39-

221, All claims against the Grand Lodge
shall be first placed in the hands of the Grand
Secretary, and by him submitted to the Finance
Committee, who shall examine and report on
the correctness of the same. No claim will be
considered unless in the form of a definitely
itemized account. — G. L. By. 56.

FINES.

222. On or immediately after the first meet-
ing in January and July of each year, each
Subordinate Lodge shall make a return to the
Grand Lodge of its work and condition for the
six months immediately preceding. Should
any Lodge fail to forward its returns promptly
to the Grand Lodge, as required by its Consti-
tution, the Grand Secretary shall, immediately
upon receipt of such return, enter to the debit
of such Lodge a fine of two dollars per month
for the time which may have elapsed since such

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

return was due. After the 25th day of July in
each year, an additional fine of fifty cents per
day shall he imposed on any Lodge failing to
send its returns to the Grand Secretary until
said returns are received by him ; and in no
case shall this fine be remitted.— G. L By. 64.

333. A fine of two dollars shall be payable
by every Lodge for every month that may
elapse after the close of any semi-annual term
and until the returns required by the preceding
clauses are placed in the possession of the
Grand Lodge, and a further fine of fifty cents
per day, for every day that shall elapse after
the 25th day of July, until the returns for the
term preceding are sent to the Grand Secretary.
— S. L. C. 42.

334. Fines are to be charged and collected
the same as dues ; arrears for fines legally
imposed would be the same as arrears tor dues,
and would have the same effect m disqualifying
a member in the matter of benefits.— Jour.
1877: p. 1992. (So would assessments legally
imposed.)

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

FORFEITURE.

325. The funds and properties of Subordi-
nate Lodges are by the provisions of their
Charters and the laws of the Order, held only
in trust for charitable purposes ; donating them
for other than such purposes, or in any manner
dividing them among the members individually »
is a violation of such trust and the law — the
penalty for which is expulsion ; and any mem-
ber participating in such illegal diversion of
Lodge property from its legitimate objects will
be held personally responsible for the money or
effects so diverted, and will be liable to prose-
cution by the Grand Lodge in the Civil Courts.
If a Subordinate Lodge shall fail from any
cause to work, all moneys and properties,
together with the Charter, shall be surrendered
to the Grand Lodge, to be held in trust and
applied as hereinafter provided. — G. L. C. 21.

236. Any Subordinate Lodge failing to
make the returns and pay the dues required by
its Constitution, for twelve months, shall become
liable to the forfeiture of its Charter, which
may thereupon be recalled by the Grand
Master, or by vote of the Grand Lodge at any

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

rejL^ailar session. In the event of any Lodge
failing to meet for three consecutive months, it
shall thereby become extinct ; and it shall be
the duty of the officers and members of such
Looge to transmit to the Grand Lodge the
Charter, bocks, funds and other property of
said Lodge. — G. L. C. 22.

^^7. Should any Lodge, or the officers
thereof, fail to make the returns required by
the Constitution for twelve months, it shall
thereby become liable to the forfeiture of its
Charter, and it shall be the duty of the last
installed officers to transmit or surrender to the
Grand Master, on requisition from him to that
effect (or to such other brother as may be
appointed by the Grand Lodge or Grand Master
to receive the same), the Charter, books, papers,
furniture and funds of the Lodge. — S. L. C. 43.

FORMS.

See Trials.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS.

228, The Grand Lodge Committee on
Fraternal Relations shall consist of one mem-
ber, who shall be appointed by the Grand

or ONTARIO, I. O. O. I.

Master at the close of each annual session,
whose duty it shall be to review the proceed-
ings of the several jurisdictions and report to
the Grand Lodge on all matters appearing
therein concerning the state of the Order,
legislation proposed, and questions of interest
affecting Oddfellowship. — G. L. B3\ 49.

FUNDS.

229, The Grand Lodge shall be entitled to
receive from each Subordinate Lodge such
sum per capita as may be fixed by the By-
Laws of the Grand Lodge, which shall be
payable half-yearly, for each unsuspended
member on its books, as shown by its semi-
annual return. Its revenue shall be further
drawn from charter fees of Lodges instituted,
which shall be for a Subordinate Lodge, $30 ;
for a Degree Lodge, $5 ; and for a Rebekah
Degree Lodge, $5 ; and from the sale of sup-
plies to Lodges. — G. L. C. 16.

^30. In case of failure or deficiency in the
funds of the Grand Lodge, the amount required
ma}^ be supplied by an assessment upon the
Lodges under its jurisdiction, apportioned
according to the number of unsuspended mem-

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

i !

bers in eacli Lodge, as reported in its last
semi-annual return. But the Grand Lodge
shall not create any debt or incur any liability
requiring a larger amount than can be paid
out of its funds on hand without the sanction
previously obtained of at least two-thirds of the
Subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction.—
G. L. C. 17.

33 I. The funds and properties of Subordi-
nate Lodges are by the provisions of their
Charters and the laws of the Order held only in
trust for charitable purposes ; donating them
for other than such purposes, or in any manner
dividing them among the members individually,
is a violation of such trust and the law — the
penalty for which is expulsion ; and any mem-
ber participating in such illegal diversion of
Lodge property from its legitimate objects will
be held personally responsible for the money
or effects so diverted, and will be liable to
prosecution by the Grand Lodge in the Civil
Courts. If a Subordinate Lodge shall fail
from any cause to work, all moneys and pro-
perties, together with the Charter, shall be
surrendered to the Grand Lodge, to be held in
trust and applied as hereinafter provided. —
G. L. C. 21.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. (). l\

232. The funds of the Grand Lodge shall
be invested in Canadian securities, in the
names of the Grand Master and Grand Secre-
tary ; but such moneys as are retained in tlie
custody of the Grand Treasurer for the imme-
diate purposes of the Grand Lodge shall be
deposited by that officer in some banking
institution at his own discretion, and immedi-
ately on his receipt thereof, unless otherwise
ordered by the Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 59.

233. Upon the suspension or expulsion of
a Lodge, or surrender of its Charter it shall be
the duty of its last installed officers and mem
bers having the custody of the Charter, books,
papers, properties and funds of the Lodge, to
assign, transfer and deliver the same on de-
mand to the Grand Mc^ster, or to the District
Deputy Grand Master of the District, or to
such Past Grand as may be specially deputed
by the Grand Master or Grand Lodge to re-
ceive the same ; and the same shall be held
subject to the order of the Grand Lodge. Any
officer or member having such properties in
custody, refusing such demand, shall be forever
excluded from membership or fellowship in the
Order, notwithstanding such Lodge should
afterwards be restored to good standing ; and

DIGEST OI' THE LAWS

Ifi

shall be liable to prosecution in the Civil
Courts. — G. L. By. 65.

284. All efifects or funds received by the
Grand Lodge from any Subordinate or Degree
Lodge under the preceding clause shall be held
in trust : first, for the benefit of any brother
and widow or orphans entitled to benefits in
accordance with the By-Laws of such Lodge
at the time of the dissolution or suspension of
the same ; and the balance, if any, to be re-
turned to such Subordinate Lodge should it be
reinstated, or upon the expiration of the period
of its suspension ; provided, however, that
should said Lodge not be restored to fellow-
ship within five years, the funds and properties
of said Lodge ma}^ be disposed of or used
under the direction of the Grand Lodge in
aiding or assisting any working Lodge, or pro-
posed Lodge needing assistance, or for such
other charitable purposes as in the judgment
of the Grand Lodge may be deemed advisable.
— G. L. By. 66.

23"5. In every Subordinate Lodge there
shall be one general fund for the payment of
all benefits, charity and expenses of main-
tenance ; but a Lodge may provide, by its By-
Laws, for the institution oi a special fund or

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

funds, for any of the benevolent purposes con-
templated by the Order. — S. L. C. 44.

336. The receipts and disbufsements on
account of any special fund shall be kept sep-
arate and distinct from the general fund, and
any money appropriated to a Widows' and
Orphans' Fund shall be used only for the pay-
ment of benefits and relief to the widows and
orphans of deceased members of the Lodge.
No portion of the regular dues, initiation or
degree fees of the Lodge shall be applied to
a contingent fund or special fund provided for
amusement or entertainment purposes, or for
any other purpose than the payment of benefits,
relief and general maintenance. — S. L. C. 45.

237. Interest derived from the investment
of any particular fund (as the Widows' and
Orphans' Fund), should be placed to the credit
of that fund. — Jour. 1880: p. 1967.

338. The fee for a Withdrawal or Visiting
Card shall not exceed fifty cents, and may be
applied to the general fund or any special fund,
as the Lodge may provide by its By-Laws. —
S. L. C. 48*

339. Such moneys in the possession of the
Lodge as may not be required for immediate

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

use may be invested in stock, debentures, or
securities of the Government of Canada, or of
the Province of Ontario, or in securities which
are a first charge on lands held in fee simple ;
but in no case shall they be loaned to mem-
bers of the Order, nor shall they be loaned
to individuals on personal security, or invested
in private enterprises of any kind.- S. L. C. 49.

340. Whenever the available cash assets
of a Lodge shall be reduced below an amount
equal to ten dollars for each unsuspended
member, the Lodge may, either by by-law or
by resolution adopted after two weeks' notice,
assess its members equally in a sum sufficient
to increase the funds to the amount required
to make up the deficiency.— S. L. C. 50.

FaNERAL.

241, Lodges have the privilege of making
any amicable arrangements they choose with
kindred societies in conducting the funeral of a
deceased brother, being careful, while avoiding
all arrogant assumptions and uncharitable ex-
clusiveness, to maintain those rights which the
dignity of our Institution demands, and to per-
form those duties which our laws impose. —
Jour. 1878 : p. 24.

.1—.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

FUNERAL BENEFITS.

242. In case of the death of a member,
qualified as required by the By-Laws, there
shall be paid to his widow, children or other
relatives who may at the time of his death
have been depending on him for support, a
Funeral Benefit, in such sum as may be fixed
by the By-Laws of his Lodge. In the event
of the deceased member leaving no such de-
pendent relative, the said Funeral Benefit, or
as much thereof as may be necessary, shall be
applied by the Lodge to defraymg his funeral
expenses— if any are incurred. — S. L. C. 53.

GRAND LODGE.

343. The Grand Lodge shall be known and
hailed by the name, style and title of " The
Grand Lodge of Ontario of the Independent
Order of Odd-Fellows." — G. L. C, i.

Powers.

244. The Grand Lodge shall have jurisdic-
tion in Odd-Fellowship within that section of

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DIGEST OF THE LAWS

the Dominion of Canada called and known as
the Province of Ontario, being the Superior
Tribunal of all Subordinate Lodges in the said
Province, and having within its jurisdiction the
sole right and power of granting, suspending or
annulling charters for proper cause ; of enact-
ing a form of Constitution and Rules of Order
for the government of its Subordinate Lodges ;
of receiving, hearing and determining appeals
from the decisions of said Subordinate Lodges,
and the officers thereof, and of redressing all
grievances arising therein ; of framing By-Laws
rnd Rules for its own government ; of regulating
the means of its own support ; and of perform-
ing all such other acts and things as shall have
for their object the promotion of the true and
best interests of Ixie Order, or shall appertain
to it by ancient usage or custom, and are not
in violation of the laws of the land or the regu-
lations of the Order. — G. L. C. 2.

^45. In the event of any dispute arising
under the laws of Odd-Fellowship, or of any
doubts as to the intent and meaning of any
part of the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules or
Resolutions of the Grand Lodge of Ontario, or
of the Constitution and By-Laws of its Subor-
dinate Lodges, or of any of the laws or usages

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

of the Order, the Grand Lodge shall have power
to interpret and decide thereon ; and its decision
in the case shall be of full force and effect, and
binding upon all members of the Order in On-
tario, unless the same should at any time be
reversed, on appeal, by the Sovereign Grand
Lodge, whose judgment therein shall be final.
— G. L. L. 3*

Membership.

'44:6. The Grand Lodge shall be composed
of all duly qualified Past Grands within its
jurisdiction, who shall be entitled to all the
privileges pertaining to their rank, as prescribed
by the usages and laws of the Sovereign Grand
Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd-
Fellows ; and of its Past Grand Masters and
Representatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge,
who shall have the right of debating and making
motions. But its legislative functions shall be
vested in and exercised solely by such Repre-
sentatives as shall be elected and appointed in
the manner prescribed by the Constitution and
the By-Laws adopted by the Grand Lodge. —
G. L. C 4*

347. Every Lodge within the jurisdiction
shall, at its last meeting in the month of June,

]

< '■■'*

I ;

DIGEST Ol THE LAWS

'8'

annually elect by ballot from among its Past
Grands in good standing, a Representative or
Representatives as follows, that is to say : One
Representative where the number of members
to be returned in the semi-annual report of the
current term shall be loo or less ; over loo and
under 200, two Representatives ; 200 or more,
three Representatives. Any Lodge not having
in membership a properly qualified Past Grand
may choose one so qualified from any other
Lodge in the jurisdiction as its Representative.
— G. L. "C. 5.

248. A Representative cannot represent
more than one Subordinate Lodge in the Grand
Lodge at the same session. — Jour. 1870 ; p. 410.

249. The Grand Lodge shall meet annually
on the second Wednesday in August in each
year, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, at such
place as may be appointed at the preceding
session thereof ; but the Grand Master shall
have the power to convene special sessions of
the Grand Lodge for the transaction of extra-
ordinary business, which must be stated in the
call, provided that two weeks' notice shall be
given to each Subordinate Lodge and Repre-
sentative of the time and object of such session ;
and at such session no business shall be trans-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F,

acted Other than that stated in the call.— G. L.
C. 14.

250. To constitute a regular or special ses-
sion of the Grand Lodge, there must be in at-
tendance a majority of the Representatives of
a the Lodges wit^Mn the jurisdiction ; and all
work shall be transacted in the Grand Lodge
Degree. Thirty Representatives shall form a
quorum for the transaction of business. — G. L.
C. 15.

251. Any Past Grand, on presenting a cer-
tificate of his official services, and after satis-
factory examination m the Degrees pertaining
thereto, shall be entitled to receive the Grand
Lodge Degree.

252. No Past Grand shall be admitted as
a Representative in the Grand Lodge unless
duly certified as having been elected thereto ;
nor until he has been instructed in the Grand
Lodge Degree, and has signed a promise faith-
fully to support, maintain and abide by the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge.

253. In balloting for Representatives to
the Grand Lodge only one name should be
written upon the ballot ; and no one shall be

i 1
( j

f i

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lOO

DIGEST OF THK LAWS

declared elected unless he has received a
majority of all the votes cast.

/i54. The resignation by any member of
his office as Representative must be addressed
in writing to the Noble Grand of his Lodge,
which shall proceed at its first opportunity to
consider the same, and either accept or refuse
the resignation, as may seem expedient ; and
if such resignation be accepted, the Lodge may
at once proceed to elect another qualified mem-
ber to fill the vacancy.

!^55. Whenever charges affecting the char-
acter or standing of any member shall be
submitted to the Grand Lodge in writing, by
one or more members thereof, the same shall be
immediately referred to a committee of five
members, to be elected by ballot, who shall,
with as little delay as possible, examine care-
fully into the charges and report the result of
such examination to the Grand Lodge.

^56. The Grand Lodge, after having heard

the member thus charged, in his defence, shall

proceed to determine the case, by the acquittal,

reprimand, suspension from his seat in the

nd Lodge, or expulsion therefrom of the

OF ONTAKIO, 1. O. O. T.

lOl

implicated member, as the Grand Lodge may
deem fit and proper.

^57. Whenever any member shall be sus-
pended or expelled, intimation of the same shall
be forthwith given to the Noble Grand of his
Lodge, and the Grand Lodge may require that
he be tried by the Subordinate Lodge to which
he belongs.

258. The Grand Secretary shall keep a
register of the Past Grands of this jurisdiction.
Whenever any member of a Subordinate Lodge
attains to the rank of Past Grand a certificate
to that effect shall be immediately forwarded
under the seal of the Lodge to the Grand
Secretary, and each semi-annual return of a
Subordinate Lodge shall contain a full list of
all Past Grands in good standing belonging to
the Lodge.

Sessions of Grand Lodge.

359. The Grand Lodge shall be opened at
the time specified in the Constitution for its
meeting, and if a quorum be present shall pro-
ceed to business. If there be no quorum
present within one half-hour, the Grand Master
or the presiding officer may adjourn the meet-

I02

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

•-H

. as 4

ing from time to lime until a quorum shall
appear.

2iiO, In the absence of the Grand Master
the Deputy Grand Master shall preside ; in
the absence of the Deputy Grand Master the
Grand Warden shall preside ; in the absence
of the above named officers the Junior Past
Grand Master shall take the chair ; and if no
Past Grand Master be present, a Representa-
tive shall be chosen by open vote to preside
during the meeting, or until the arrival of the
proper officer.

2G1. Should there be present less than a
quorum of qualified members, the Grand Master
shall direct the Grand Lodge Degree to be
conferred on such Representatives as are in
attendance and not in possession of said Degree,
but presenting certificates showing they are
entitled to it.

26!<3. Immediately upon the opening of the
Grand Lodge in the prescribed form, the Grand
Master shall appoint a Committee on Creden-
tials, who shall consider and report upon the
credentials of new Representatives and Past
Grands with as little delay as possible ; and
no other business shall be transacted by the

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

103

Grand Lodge until the report of said committee
has been acted upon.

*463. Immediately on the adoption of the
report of the Committee on Credentials the
new members and Representatives will be ad-
mitted and instructed, the minutes of last
annual session read, and the roll of officers and
Representatives called. The Grand Master
will then appoint the Standmg Committees for
the session (except where otherwise provided)
and the reports of Grand Officers and com-
mittees appointed during recess will be read ;
after which the Grand Secretary will submit
all petitions, communications, appeals and
accounts, and the roll of Lodges will be called
for the presentation of questions of business.
All such reports, communications, petitions,
accounts, appeals, questions, and other busi-
ness shall be referred by the Grand Master as
soon as received to appropriate committees un-
less in any case the Grand Lodge otherwise
orders.

!364. The business of the Grand Lodge
shall be transacted in the Grand Lodge Degree,
and shall be conducted in the manner pre-
scribed in t^ e Rules of Order. In any case
where there is no rule applicable, the Grand

I04

DIGEST Ol- THE LAWS

Lodge shall be governed by Canadian Parlia-
mentary Practice. — G. L. By. i to 14.

2G5, The Grand Master is authorized, by
precedent, to appoint a messenger, and the
Grand Secretary to appoint an assistant. —
Jour. 1 881 : p. 2056.

GRAND OFFICERS.

See Officers.

iii

;i
}'
i|

HOLIDAY.

^66. Should any regular meeting of a Lodge
fall upon any legally established or recognized
holiday, the Lodge may, by resolution passed
at the preceding regular meeting, omit such
meeting ; and any business that should by law
or resolution be transacted at that time shall
be taken up at the regular meeting following.
— S. L. C. 2)5'

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP.

267. No person can be admitted to honor-
ary membership in any Lodge in this jurisdic-
tion. — S. L. C. 10.

OF ONTARIO, I. C). C). F

I "3

INITIATION.

See Candidate.

^68. The fee for initiation shall not he less
than five dollars. It must he paid previous to
the admission of the candidate. — S. L. C. 46.

369. Initiation commences when the Out-
side Conductor retires to introduce the candi-
date ; previous to that the Lodge is only " pre-
paring for initiation," and members may be
allowed to enter or retire. --Jour. 1878 : pp.
19, 76.

270. Initiation is not finished until the
candidate has been introduced as a brother. —
Jour. 1876: p. 1681. And from the time the
Lodge is placed in charge of the Vice Grand
until then, no one can be admitted into the
room. — Jour. 1875: p. 1407.

INSTALLATION.

371. Should any Grand Lodge Officer
elected fail to present himself for installation at
the time duly appointed for the ceremony, his
office shall be declared vacant, and the Repre-

io6

DIGFST OF THE LAWS

sentatives present shall forthwith proceed to
fill the vacancy by nomination anj election ;
provided, that if satisfactory cause for such
absence be shown, the installation of such
absent officer may take place at such time and
in such manner as the Grand Lodge may direct.
— G. L. By. 21.

37^. The officers of every Lodge shall be
installed at the first regular meeting- in the term
for which they have been elected or appointed,
except that the installation of an officer chosen
to fill a vacancy may take place on the night
of his election or appointment. An officer re-
elected or re-appointed must be again installed.

o. J-*. v^. 2Q. •

2113. No brother can be installed into two
offices. — Jour. 1872: p. 527.

214. Brothers in arrears cannot be installed
into office. — Jour. 1879 : pp. 1785, 1864. And,
if installed, the installation is illegal and void.
— Jour. 1880: pp. 1924, 1979.

ir J

21 5. An installing officer can instal without
being himself in possession of the term Pass
Word. — Jour. 1876: p. 1679.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

107

i 1

/J 7 6. Subordinate Lodges in this jurisdic-
tion may ir.stal their officers in pubHc, on
receivnig a dispensation for that purpose from
the Grand Master or the District Deputy Grand
Master of the District in which the Lodge is
situated. — Jour. 1884: p. 2662.

INSTITUTION.

See New Lodge.

277. On receipt of a properly signed appH-
cation from the constitutional number of quali-
fied persons, the Grand Master may issue a
dispensation for the opening of a Subordinate
Lodge, and in person, or by deputy, proceed
with the institution thereof. All the necessary
books and blank forms for the new Lodge shall
be supplied at such rates as may be fixed by
the Grand Lodge, and the necessary expenses
of the officer instituting shall be paid by the
Lodge at the time of its institution. — G. L.
Hy. 60.

INSURANCE.

218. It is the duty of every Lodge to have
its property insured, — Jour. 1880: p. 1971.

loS

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

INVESTMENTS.

379. The funds of the Grand Lodge shall
be invested in Canadian securities, in the names
of the Grand Master and Grand Secretary ;
but such moneys as are retained in the custod}^
of the Grand Treasurer for the immediate pur-
poses of the Grand Lodge shall be deposited
b}' that officer in some banking institution at
his own discretion, and immediately on his
receipt thereof, unless otherwise ordered by the
Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 59.

380, Such mone3^s in the possession of a
Lodge as may not be required for immediate
use may be invested in stock, debentures, or
securities of the Government of Canada, or of
the Province of Ontario, or in securities which
are a first charge on lands held in fee simple ;
but in no case shall they be loaned to members
the Order, nor shall they be loaned to individ-
uals on personal security, or invested in private
enterprises of any kind. — S. L. C. 49.

'tl

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. V.

109

JOINING.

381. Any Brother or Ancient Oddfellow,
desirous of joinnig a Lodge, must present a
Withdrawal Card or Dismissal Certificate from
the Lodge of which he was previously a mem-
ber, and his application shall then be disposed.
of according to the regulations governing candi
dates, provided that, in case of the application
of a brother, who, within six months previous to
such application, has been a member of a Lodge
which has merged into or united with the
Lodge, the vote necessary to receive shall be a
majority vote by ballot. — S. L. C. 6.

JUDICIARY.

383. The Grand Lodge Judiciary Com-
mittee shall consist of seven members, to whom
shall be referred the decisions of the Grand
Master made during the recess, and all ques-
tions relating to the interpretation or construc-
tion of the laws and usages of the Order.—
G. L. By. 44.

I- -i

DIGEST Ol' THii LAWS

JURISDICTION.

Iff

ill'

nHj

^83. Every Subordinate Lodge shall have
authority to initiate and receive into member-
ship persons resident within its jurisdiction,
which snail extend half way to the Lodge
nearest located in any direction ; and it may
also confer Degrees upon a member of any other
Lodge, without fee, upon presentation of a
request from said Lodge so to do, accompanied
by a certificate that the person applying is
qualified to receive the Degree applied for. —
G. L. By. 61.

384. No proposition for membership, either
by initiation or by card, shall be received or
acted upon, if the applicants residence be
out of this jurisdiction (without the consent
of the Grand Master of the jurisdiction in
which he resides), nor if his residence be nearer
to any other Lodge by the nearest travelled
route, unless consent of the latter be obtained ;
and in the event of the violation of this clause
the Lodge shall pay over all fees received from
such applicant to the Lodge within whose
jurisdiction he resides, and shall also be liable to
suspension by
Master. — S. L. C. 11.

the Grand Lodge or Grand

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

Ill

LAWS.

See By-Laws, Legislation.

LEGISLATION.

285. The legislative functions of the Grand
Lodge are vested in and exercised solely by
the Representatives. — G. L. C. 4.

286. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Legislation shall consist of seven members, to
whom shall be referred all questions pertain-
ing to the making or amending of laws. —
G. L. By. 43.

LIBRARY.

287. Money may be appropriated from
the General Benefit Fund of a Lodge to pay
salaries and other expenses incidental to the
maintenance of a library. — Jour. 1878 : p. 106.

LOANS.

288. Such moneys in the possession of a
Lodge as may not be required for immediate
use may be invested in stock, debentures, or

I 12

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

securities of the Government of Canada, or of
the Province of Ontario, or in securities which
are a first charge on lands held in fee simple ;
but in no case shall they be loaned to members
of the Order, nor shall they be loaned to indi-
viduals on personal security, or invested in
private enterprises of any kind. — S L. C. 49.

LODGE.

See Charter, New Lodge, Returns, Terms.

^89. A Lodge shall be constituted of at
least five members of the Third Degree, or
Degree of Truth, and shall be hailed and
entitled Lodge No. I.O.O.F.,

of Ontario, and shall possess the full powers
and privileges of a Subordinate Lodge, holding
a legal, unreclaimed and valid Charter, duly
granted and formally presented by the Grand
Lodge of Ontario — S. L. C. i.

^90. Every Lodge shall hold its meetings
weekly or semi-monthly, on such evening and
at such time as may be provided by its By-
Laws, provided always, that if its terms are
semi-annual, twenty-six nights' service shall
constitute the term of office, and if yearly not
less than twenty-four. — S. L. C. 33.

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

113

MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

See Candidate.

MEETINGS.

Of Grand Lodge.

2f) 1 . The Grand Lodge shall meet annually
on the second Wednesday in August in each
year, at nine o'clock in the forenoon at such
place as may be appointed at the preceding
session thereof; but the Grand Master shall
have the power to convene special sessions of
the Grand Lodge for the transaction of extra-
ordinary business, which must be stated in the
call ; provided that two weeks' notice shall be
given to each Subordinate Lodge and Repre-
sentative of the time and object of such session ;
and at such session no business shall be trans-
acted other than that stated in the call. —
G. L. C. 14.

^9^* To constitute a regular or special ses-
sion of the Grand Lodge, there must be in
attendance a majority of the Representatives
of all the Lodges within the jurisdiction ; and
all work shall be transacted in the Grand

114

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

' li

Lodge Degree. Thirty Representatives shall
form a quorum for the transaction of busi-
ness. — G. L. C. 15.

293. The Grand Lodge shall be opened
at the time specified in the Constitution for its
meeting, and if a quorum be present shall
proceed to business. If there be no quorum
present within one half-hour, the Grand Master
or the presiding officer may adjourn the meet-
ing from time to time until a quorum shall
appear. — G. L. By. 9.

Of Subordinate Lodges.

)^94. The terms of a Subordinate Lodge
shall be semi-annual or annual as its By-Laws
may provide ; where terms of Lodge are semi-
annual its meetings shall be held weekly, but
if annual they may be bi-weekly or semi-
monthly. — G. L. By. 63

295. Every Lodge shall hold its meetings
weekly or semi-monthly, on such evening and
at such time as may be provided by its By-laws,
provided always, that if its terms are semi-
annual, twenty-six nights' service shall consti-
tute the term of office, and if yearly not less
than twenty-four. — S. L. C. 33.

OI' ONTARIO, I. O. O. r.

115

296. Special sessions may be called by the
Noble Grand, or, in the absence of that officer
from the place, b}' the Vice-Grand, such notice
therefor bein<^ given as may be required by the
By-Laws of the Lodge. The notice shall con-
tain the particular reason for calling the same,
and no business but that expressed in such
notice shall be entered upon at such special
meeting. It shall be the duty of the Noble
Grand to call a special meeting when requested
in writing so to do by not less than five mem-
bers. — S. L. C. 34.

^97. Should any regular meeting fall upon
any legally established or recognized holiday,
the Lodge may, by resolution passed at the
preceding regular meetmg, omit such meeting ;
and any business that should by law or resolu-
tion be transacted at that time shall be taken
up at the regular meeting following. — S. L. C.

35-

298, No business shall be transacted at
any regular or special meeting, unless at least
five members of the Lodge be then present,
nor otherwise than according to Rules of Order
annexed to the Constitution. — S. L. C. 36.

'I
I

ii6

DIGEST OF THH LAWS

MEMBERSHIP.

See Candidate. Grand Lodge.

In Grand Lodge.

t I

290. Any Past Grand, on presenting a
certificate of his official services, and after
satisfactory examination in the Degrees per-
taining thereto, shall be entitled to receive the
Grand Lodge Degree. — G. L. By. i.

300. No Past Grand shall be admitted as
a Representative in the Grand Lodge unless
duly certified as having been elected thereto ;
nor until he has been instructed in the Grand
Lodge Degree, and has signed a promise faith-
fully to support, maintain and abide by the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand
Lodge. — G. L By. 2.

30 1. The Grand Lodge shall be composed
of all duly qualified Past Grands within its
jurisdiction, who shall be entitled to all the
privileges pertaining to their rank, as pre-
scribed by the usages and laws of the Sove-
reign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order
of Odd-Fellows ; and of its Past Grand Mas-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

117

ters and Representatives to the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, who shall have the right of de-
bating and making motions. But its legislative
functions shall be vested in and exercised
solely by such Representatives as shall be
elected and appointed in the manner pre-
scribed by this Constitution and the By-Laws
adopted by the Grand Lodge. — G. L. C. 4.

In Subordinate Lodges.

303. Candidates for membership, by initia-
tion, in any Lodge, must be free, white males,
of not less than twenty-one years of age, of
good moral character, and in sound health,
and resident within the jurisdiction of the
Lodge. — S. L. C. 2.

303. Every application for membership
must be submitted in writing in the form pro-
vided by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, and
must be accompanied by a reference to at
least two other members of the Lodge, and a
certificate of good health from a physician
selected by the Lodge, on the form provided
by the Grand Lodge. — S. L. C. 3.

304* The application so made shall be re-
ferred to a committee of three members, two

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DIGEST OF THF LAWS

._-L

of whom shall be appointed by the Noble
(irand, and one by the Vice Grand, who shall
report thereon at the next regular meeting
unless excused by a two-thirds vote of the
members present, or unless the application be
withdrawn by the proposer. — vS. L. C. 4.

305. A ballot shall be taken on the appli-
cation immediately after the presentation of
such report, when, if less than three black balls
be found, the candidate shall be accepted ; if
three or more, he shall be rejected, and so
declared ; and any proposition fee prepaid by
him shall be returned. — S. L C. 5.

306. No person shall be admitted to hon-
orary membership in any Lodge, nor hold
membership in two or more Subordinate
Lodges in this Order at the same time. — S. L.

C. TO.

307. A brother suspended is still a member,,
though debarred of benefits and privileges ; a
brother who has "ceased membership" is no
longer a member in any sense. — Jour. 1876: p.
1677.

308. Suspended members should be count-
ed as such in the Lodge returns. — Jour. 1876:
p. 1678.

OF ONTARIO, i. O. O. V.

lUj

•^09. Suspended members are liable to
assessments. — Jour. 1878: pp. 19, 76.

MERGEMENT.

310, A Subordinate Lolge may surrender
Its Charter and be merged into another Lodge ;
or two or more Lodges may be amalgamated
under the terms and conditions prescribed in
the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge. — G. L. C. 24.

311. A Lodge desiring to surrender its
Charter and be merged into some other
Lodge, shall present to the Grand Lodge, or
during recess to the Grand Master, a petition
over Its seal and the signature of its Noble
Grand and Recording Secretary to that effect,
showing that the question of Mergement had
been voted upon and approved, after due notice
sent each member ; and that there are not five
qualified members able and willing to retain
the Charter and work the Lodge ; and giving
a statement of the amount of its funds and
effects, and of its assets and liabilities. There
shall also accompany the petition a certified
statement from the Lodge into which the peti-
tioners desire to be merged, setting forth its
willingness to receive the members and assume

I20

DIG P: ST OF THE LAWS

the liabilities and responsibilities of the peti-
tioning Lodge, and further certifying that the
names of said members have been submitted to
an Investigating Committee, have been re-
ported upon, and have been severally approved
and accepted by a majority vote by ballot.

31!^. On the receipt of said petition and
resolution, the Grand Lodge, or Grand Master
during recess, may grant the prayer of the
petition, and authorize the local District
Deputy Grand Master, or a Special Deputy, to
superintend the proposed mergement.

313. The said petitioning Lodge shall,
within one month after the granting of its peti-
tion, transfer, convey and deliver up to the
Lodge into which it proposes to merge, all its
assets, funds, furniture, regalia, books, papers
and effects, except its Charter, which shall be
delivered up to the District Deputy Grand
Master or a Special Deputy ; and the names
of all its members who had been previously
balloted for and accepted by the Lodge into
which it proposes to merge, shall be at once
entered upon the roll of membership of the
last mentioned Lodge, which shall thereupon
assume all the liabilities and responsibilities of
the said merging Lodge ; and the members so

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

121

received shall have such rank and standing as
the books of said merging Lodge shall show.

314, From and after the entry of their
names upon the roll, as aforesaid, each and
every member whose name shall have been so
entered, shall be deemed and taken to be a
member of said Lodge, and subject to the same
laws and entitled to the same rights, benefits
and privileges to the like extent as if he had
joined said last mentioned Lodge by card, and
as provided in the terms of the preceding
clauses.

315. Upon the completion of the Merge-
ment, the District Deputy Grand Master or
Special Deputy shall immediately make report
thereof to the Grand Master, certifying that he
has witnessed the transfer of assets by the one
Lodge, and the entry of the names of members
on the roll of the other Lodge ; and he shall
return the Charter of the Lodge which has been
merged, together with the names and standing
of those members who have not entered into
the Mergement, if there should be any such ;
and said members may, upon application to
the Grand Secretary, receive a card, as pro-
vided for in the case of members of extinct
lodges.

122

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

31.G. When two or more Lodges desire to
he united, each Lodge shall present a petition
to that effect to the Grand Lodge, or during
recess, to the Grand Master ; such petition
shall set forth that the question of union had
been affirmatively voted upon after due notice
sent each member, and that there were not five
members able and willing to retain the Charter
and work the Lodge ; and shall also give a
statement of the funds and effects, and assets
and habilities of the Lodge, and a list of mem-
bers, with their rank and financial standing
and Post Office address.

317. On receipt of said petition the Grand
Lodge, or during recess, the Grand Master,
may grant the prayer and authorize the amalga-
mation of the petitioning Lodges.

!
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318, When the union of said petitioning
Lodges has been approved, the Grand Master
shall cause notice to be sent to each unsus-
pended member of the several Lodges at least
one week prior to the date fixed for effecting
such union, and shall summon him to be present
in person at the time and place appointed for
that purpose ; and shall also notify the officers
of the several Lodges to produce and surrender

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. !• .

123

at said time and place all the funds, effects,
books, papers and Charters of the said Lodges.

819. On the production and surrender of
all the said funds, effects, books, papers and
Charters, the Grand Master shall issue a dis-
pensation for a Lodge to the members of the
several Lodges present and desiring to be united,
and shall, in person or by Deputy, institute the
same ; and shall transfer to it as soon as insti-
tuted, all the funds, effects, books and papers
of the united Lodges ; and said Lodge shall
therewith assume and pay all the liabilities
and responsibilities of the several Lodges out of
which it has been formed, and its members
shall have such rank and standing as the books
of the uniting Lodges shall show.

3^0. Any member of any of the uniting
Lodges who shall fail to be present at the insti-
tution of the united Lodge may, on application
to the Grand Secretary, receive a Withdrawal
Card, as provided for members of extinct
Lodges, and should he apply for admission by
such card to the united Lodge within six
months from the date of its institution, the vote
necessary for his election to membership shall
be a majority vote by ballot of those present
and voting. — G. L. By. 69 to 78.

124

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

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MILEAGE AND PER DIEM.

8/21. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Mileage and Per Diem shall consist of seven
members, whose duty it shall be to arrange a
table of the mileage and per diem of the officers
and representatives and the Junior Past Grand
Master in accordance with such resolutions as
may be adopted from time to time fixing the
rate of such mileage and per diem.— G. L.
By. 46.

3^2. Mileage and per diem is not to be
paid any one leaving before the close of the
session without the consent of the Grand
Lodge. — Jour. 1858 : p. 50.

MINUTES.

323. The minutes of a meeting being cor-
rectly recorded cannot be declared incorrect
because it is supposed the proceedings recorded
were illegal. — Jour. 1870 : pp. 404, 408 ; nor,
having been confirmed, could the minutes be
amended. — Jour. 1880: p. 1980.

324. When the Minutes of a Lodge are
properly recorded, it is not competent for the

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

125

Noble Grand t > declare them incorrect because
he deems the action of the Lodge illegal. — Jour.
1870: pp. 404, 408.

NEW LODGE.

See Charter.

325, On receipt of a properly signed appli-
cation from the constitutional number of quali-
fied persons, the Grand Master may issue a
dispensation for the opening of a Subordinate
Lodge, and in person, or by deputy, proceed
with the institution thereof All the necessary
books and blank forms for the new Lodge shall
be supplied at such rates as may be fixed by
the Grand Lodge, and the necessary expenses
of the officer instituting shall be paid by the
Lodge at the time of its institution. — G. L.
By. 60.

826. Upon the written application of pro-
perly qualified members of the Order, accom-
panied by certificates of qualification and the
Charter fees, the Grand Lodge will grant
Charters to Subordinate Lodges, Degree
Lodges and Rebekah Degree Lodges, subject
to the terms and conditions imposed by the

126

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

-m

Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge.
During the recess of the Grand Lodge, the
Grand Master at his discretion may issue dis-
pensations for the institution of such Lodges.
— G. L. C. 18.

3^7. The appHcants for a Charter for a
Subordinate Lodge must be at ^ ist five in
number ; and in a locaUty where a Lodge
already exists, not less than ten ; and must be
in possession of the Third Degree, and holders
of Withdrawal Cards or Dismissal Certificates.
For a charter for a Degree Lodge, there must
be not less than ten applicants of the Third
Degree, two of whom must be Past Grands ;
and for a Rebekah Degree Lodge the appli-
cants must not be less than five brothers of the
Third Degree and five sisters possessing the
Rebekah Degree, or qualified by their relation-
ship to the members of the Order to receive the
same. — G. L. C. ig.

338. Where it is deemed advisable to in-
stitute a Lodge in any locality not less than ten
miles from any other Lodge — the approval of
the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master having
been first obtained — it shall not be necessary
for the applicants to be members of the Order;
and the Grand Master, or his duly com-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

127

missioned deputy, shall have power to initiate
and confer the Degrees on a sufficient number
of applicants to constitute such new Lodge,
provided that such persons shall have first
made application to the nearest Lodge, and
been accepted upon ballot, as in the case of
other applicants for membership. —G. L. C. 20.

;i^9. Charter Members of new Lodges
should pay the regular fees for deposit of card,
as provided by the By-Laws of the new Lodge.
— Jour. 1 87 1 : p. 469.

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NOMINATIONS.

In Grand Lodge.

330. The nominations for the election of
officers of the Grand Lodge, and for Repre-
sentatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, shall
take place on the last day of the annual session.
— G. L. By. 15.

381. The Grand Secretary shall transmit
to each Past Grand nominated a notice of his
nomination, on or before the first day of May
following, requesting his acceptance or declina-
tion of said nomination on or before the fifteenth

128

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

liii

ti-M

day of May. The Grand Secretary shall, not
later than the first day of June, transmit to the
several Lodges in the jurisdiction the names of
all the nominees who have accepted the nomi-
nations, stating the several offices for which
they were nominated. — G. L. By. i6.

33/i, Should all the candidates for any
office decline the nomination, or be disqualified
by removal from the jurisdiction, loss of mem-
bership, or other cause, the nomination and
election for such office shall take place at the
annual session of the Grand Lodge following ;
and the voting thereon shall be confined to the
Representatives present in Grand Lodge. —
G. L. By. 2G.

333. Should any officer elected fail to pre-
sent himself for installation at the time duly
appointed for the ceremony, his office shall be
declared vacant, and the Representatives pre-
sent shall forthwith proceed to fill the vacancy
by nomination and election ; provided, that if
satisfactory cause for such absence be shown,
the installation of such absent officer may take
place at such time and in such manner as the
Grand Lodge may direct. — G. L. By. 21.

OV ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

I2y

In Subordinate Lodgks.

•i«:{4. Nominations for the Elective Offices
in Subordinate Lodges shall be made only at
the two meetings next preceding that fixed for
the elections thereto, and no nominee shall be
balloted for who has not signified his willing-
ness to accept the office for which he may be
named. — S. L. C. 21.

335. Nominations for Representative must
be made before proceeding to election — Jour.
1870 : pp. 404, 408 ; but it must be on the
night of election, not on the regular night of
nomination for elective officers. — Jour. 1874 •
p. 728.

NON-PAYMENT OF DUES.

336. No suspended member shall be rein-
stated until he shall have paid any arrearages
against him at the time of his suspension, and
all dues and assessments that may have accrued
since that date, except in case of a member
dropped for non-payment of dues.

337. No member who has been dropped
from membership for non-payment of dues.

130

DIGEST OK THK LAWS

except members of defunct Lodges and those
possessing dismissal certificates, shall be again
admitted to membership in any Lodge of this
Order without the consent of the Lodge from
which he was expelled or dropped ; and in no
case shall he be readmitted without compliance
with all the forms for new applicants, excepting
the ceremony of initiation, and excepting also
that in the case of a non-resident, he shall not
be required to re-sign the Constitution.

•338. Any member of a Lodge who is in
arrears for dues for one year shall be reported
to the Lodge by the Permanent Secretary, and
on such report shall be dropped from member-
ship, unless the Lodge, by resolution, extend
the time of payment, which extension shall in
no case exceed six months ; provided that a
member under suspension for any cause for a
definite period shall not be dropped from mem-
bership until the expiration of his term of
suspension. — S. L. C. 66 to 68.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

131

OFFENCES.

See Trials.

331). Every member charged with an offence
involving reprimand, suspension or expulsion
(unless for non-payment of dues), shall be en-
titled to a fair trial, in accordance with the
Constitution, and of the Rules of Procedure
on Trials adopted by the Grand Lodge. —
o. J-«. C ^o.

OFFICERS.

See Election, Installation.
Of Grand Lodge.

340. The elective officers of the Grand
Lodge shall be Grand Master, Deputy Grand
Master, Grand Warden, Grand Secretary and
Grand Treasurer, who shall be elected by the
Past Grands in good standing, voting in their
several Subordinate Lodges as provided by
By-Law.

341. The Grand Representative or Repre-
sentatives to represent the Grand Lodge in

132

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

the Sovereign Grand Lodge shall be elected in
accordance with the Constitution and Laws of
the said Sovereign Grand Lodge, and in the
form and manner herein prescribed for the
nomination and election of Grand Officers.

34^. The appointed officers of the Grand
Lodge shall be : Grand Marshal, Cor ^uctor,
Guardian, Chaplain and Herald, to ap-

pointed by the Grand Master immediately
after his installation, subject to the approval of
the Grand Lodge.

343, The Grand Master shall, as soon
after his installation as may be, appoint, sub-
ject to the approval of the Grand Lodge, a
District Deputy Grand Master for each District
under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge,
and within which one or more Subordinate
Lodges may be in operation.

344. There shall be two Grand Lodge
Auditors, one of whom shall be appointed by
the Grand Master and the other shall be
elected rt the annual session of the Grand
Lodge, and shall hold office until his successor
is elected ; should any Auditor, during recess,
die, resign, refuse or neglect to act, or become
incapacitated, his place shall, from time to

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

133

time, as occasion rises, be supplied by appoint-
ment of the Grand Master.

345, Should a vacancy occur in the office
of Grand Representative, Grand Warden,
Grand Secretary or Grand Treasurer, by death,
resignation or otherwise, during the recess of
the Grand Lodge, such vacancy shall be filled
by a member of the Order to be chosen by a
majority of the remaining Elective Officers and
Grand Representatives, provided always that
the member so chosen shall serve only until
the next annual session of the Grand Lodge,
when in the event of the term of the vacant
office being still unexpired, the Representatives
present shall elect by ballot a member to serve
for the remainder of such unexpired term. —
G. L. C. 6-1 1.

I w

Election and Installation of Grand Lodge

Officers.

346. The nominations for the election of
officers of the Grand Lodge, and for Represen-
tatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, shall
take place on the last day of the annual session.

347. The Grand Secretary shall transmit
to each Past Grand nominated a notice of his

! 41

134

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

'i'

Hi!i

> ' ;

nomination, on or before the first day of May
following, requesting his acceptance or declina-
tion of said nomination on or before the fif-
teenth day of May. The Grand Secretary
shall, not later than the first day in June, trans-
mit to the several Lodges in the jurisdiction
the names of all the nominees who have accepted
the nominations, stating the several offices for
which they were nominated.

348. At the last regular meeting of the
Subordinate Lodges held in June, all Past
Grands in good standing and present shall, in
open Lodge, proceed to vote by ballot for
Grand Officers. The Noble Grand and Secre-
tary shall immediately thereafter count the vote
and announce the result to the Lodge, and the
Secretary shall record the same in the minutes.
They shall also make a record on a printed
form, provided by the Grand Lodge for that
purpose, of the number of votes cast for each
candidate, sign the same and affix the seal of
the Lodge, and immediately transmit the same
by mail in a sealed envelope, registered, to the
Grand Secretary, marked " Election Returns

for Grand Lodge Officers, from Lodge, No.

." A duplicate return shall also be placed

in the hands of the Lodge Representative.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

135

•'549. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Election Returns shall meet on the evening of
the first day of the session of the Grand Lodge,
and unseal the envelopes and count the ballot,
in the presence of any of the elective Grand
Of^cers, the candidates oV their agents, who
may choose to attend. The first order of busi-
ness after opening the Grand Lodge on the
•second day of the session shall be the reception
of the report of the Committee of Election Re-
turns; and if the Committee report any infor-
malities or irregularities in the returns of any
of the Lodges, the same may be corrected by a
majority vote of the Grand Lodge. No vote
shall be counted as part of the poll unless it be
for a candidate regularly nominated.

350. In the election for such office, the
candidate having a majority of the votes cast
shall be declared elected by the Grand Master.
In case no candidate receives a majority of the
votes, the Representatives present in Grand
Lodge shall immediately proceed to ballot upon
the candidates in nomination ; and after each
ballot the candidate who shall have received
the least number of votes shall be withdrawn.

35 1 . Should all the candidates for any office
decline the nomination, or be disqualified by

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136

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

removal from the jurisdiction, loss of member-
ship, or other cause, the nomination and elec-
tion for such office shall take place at the
annual session of the Grand Lodge following;
and the voting thereon shall be confined to the
Representatives present in Grand Lodge.

ti*y^^. Should any officer elected fail to pre-
sent himself for installation at the time duly,
appointed for the ceremony, his office shall be
declared vacant, and the Representatives pres-
sent shall forthwith proceed to fill the vacancy
by nomination and election ; provided, that if
satisfactory cause for such absence be shown,
the mstallation of such absent officer may take
place at such time and in such manner as the
Grand Lodge may direct.

•^58. At an election for Grand Officers in
any Subordinate Lodge, a Past Grand not a
member of such Lodge shall be permitted to
vote, on presenting a certificate from the Sec-
retary of his own Lodge that he is in good
standing and entitled to vote at that election ;
which certificate shall be attached to the elec-
tion return of the Lodge in which said Past
Grand votes, and be transmitted therewith to
the Grand Lodge.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

137

DuTiRS AND Powers of Grand Lodgf

Officers.

354. The Grand Master shall preside at all
meetings of the Grand Lodge when present ;
he shall preserve order and decorum therein,
and decide all questions of order, subject, how-
ever, to an appeal to the Grand Lodge ; he
shall have the casting vote upon all occasions
when the Grand Lodge is equally divided,
except in cases decided by ballot ; he shall
appoint all officers and committees whose
appointment is not otherwise provided for by
the Grand Lodge ; sign all requisite orders on
the Grand Treasurer, and all regular documents
requiring his signature ; and transmit, or cause
to be transmitted regularly, previous to the
conjmencement of each term, to each Subordi-
nate Lodge within this jurisdiction, the pass-
words necessary ; he shall be, ex-officio, a
member of all committees of the Grand Lodge
whose meetings he may choose to attend ; he
may grant dispensations to open new Lodges,
and for the mergement or amalgamation of
existing Lodges, and petitions of a Subordinate
Lodge to reinstate an expelled member ; and
he shall, in person, or by deputy, visit and
inspect the books, proceedings and work of

ipT

'38

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

Mi:

V ■

■I

■m

each Subordinate Lodge within this jurisdic-
tion, whenever he may deem it necessary in the
trtherance of their interests; the necessary
expense incurred in making such visits to be
defrayed b}^ the Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 15
to 23.

355. The Grand Master's decisions during
the recess should be in writing, and ii; answer
only to written questions. — Jour. 1870: pp.
417,418.

356* The Grand Master is authorized, by
precedent, to appoint a messenger, and the
Grand Secretary to appoint an assistant. —
Jour. 1881 : p. 2056.

357. The Deputy Grand Master shall act
as the assistant of the Grand Master, and,
during the absence of that officer, shall be
invested with all his powers. In the event of
the death, resignation, or removal from office
of the Grand Master, he shall, ex-officio, be-
come Grand Master until the next regular
session thereafter.

358, The Grand Warden shall preside in
the absence of the Deputy Grand Master and
Grand Master ; he shall assist the Grand

OF ONTARIO, I. 0.,0. F.

139

Master in the ceremonies of the Order, and in
the preservation of decorum in the Grand
Lodge ; he shall confer the Grand Lodge
Degree on all Past Grands qualified to receive
it ; and shall, subject to the Grand Master,
have charge of the Lodge-room during all meet-
ings of the Grand Lodge. And in the event
of a vacancy in the office of Deputy Grand
Master, he shall perform the duties of that
office until the first regular session thereafter.

359. The duty of the Grand Secretary
shall be to attend in person every meeting of
the Grand Lodge, ind when absent to trans-
mit the books and records thereof; he shall
keep a just and true record of all proceedings,
and intimate to each Subordinate Lodge such
portion thereof as may affect it ; he shall also
keep a just and true account between each
Subordinate Lodge and the Grand Lodge, and
also of the affairs of the Grand Lodge ; he
shall preserve all books and fyle all documents
belonging to his office ; attest all orders drawn
on the Grand Treasurer, and pay over to him
monthly all moneys coming into his hands on
account of the Grand Lodge ; receive all docu-
ments relative to the Grand Lodge, and subn it
the same to the Grand Master, or the Grand

pi;

140

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

Lodge, if in session ; conduct all correspon-
dence on behalf of the Grand Lodge ; furnish
all committees with such official documents as
may be necessary for their reference ; transmit
to the Sovereign Grand Lodge a regular report
of the Order, made up to the 31st December
in each year ; notify all Subordinate Lodges of
each regular or special session of the Grand
Lodge, at least two weeks previous to its com-
mencement ; prepare all Charters granted by
the Grand Lodge ; affix the Seal of the Grand
Lodge to such Charters, and to all other
documents requiring it ; perform all the duties
of the Grand Treasurer in his absence, and
attend to all other business not herein enume-
rated, and coming properly within the duties
of his office. He shall have his books properly
closed before the annual session, and shall
have a sufficient number of his annual report
prmted for the use of the Grand Lodge. Prior
to installation he shall execute in favor of the
Grand Lodge a satisfactory bond of a Guaran-
tee Company for the faithful performance of
his duties, and shall receive such salary as may
be fixed upon at each annual session.

360. The Grand Treasurer shall receive
and take charge of the moneys of the Grand

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. I'.

141

Lodge, investing or depositing the same as
directed by the Grand Master, and counter-
signed by the Grand Secretary, and none
other ; he shall keep his accounts in a fair,
clear and legible manner, exhibiting, in as far
as possible, the resources of all receipts, and
the destination of all disbursements, with the
amount of both ; he shall have his accounts
closed immediately before every regular ses-
sion, and submit them thereat to the Grand
Lodge ; and shall, prior to the installation,
execute in favor of the Grand Lodge a satis-
factory bond of a Guarantee Company for the
due and faithful performance ot his duties.

361, The Grand Representatives shall at-
tend the meetings of the Sovereign Grand
Lodge, and act thereat on behalf of this juris-
diction ; they shall be furnished with certifi-
cates of election in the form required by the
Sovereign Grand Lodge. They shall also
attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge, and
submit a synopsis of the proceedings of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge at the sessions thereof
attended by them, to appear in the annual
printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge.

36^. The Grand Chaplain shall open and

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142

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

close every meeting of the Grand Lodge with
prayer.

•^68. The Grand Marshal shall examine
Past Grands applying for the Grand Lodge
Degree, and shall otherwise assist the Grand
Master in the ceremonies of the Grand Lodge,
according to his office.

364. The Grand Conductor shall assist
the Grand Marshal in the Ceremonies of the
Grand Lodge.

iiG5, The Grand Herald shall securely
guard the outer door of the Lodge-room ; he
shall permit no one to enter without examina-
tion and receiving from him the semi-annual
Pass-Word ; he shall receive the cards of tra-
velling brothers desiring to visit the Grand
Lodge and deliver the same to the Grand
Guardian to be laid before the Grand Lodge.

366, The Grand Guardian shall have the
charge of the inner entrance of the Grand
Lodge-room, and permit none to enter or depart
without the usual formalities.

367. Each District Deputy Grand Master
shall act as the agent of the Grand Master,
with the Subordinate Lodge or Lodges situated

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

ith

within the District over which he may be ap-
pointed ; it shall be his duty to see that the
work of the Order is performed therein uni-
formly and correctly ; and co instal the officers
ot such Lodge or Lodges, or cause the same to
be done by a competent officer ; he shall be
entrusted with the charge of, and shall counter-
sign and issue all dispensations granted to any
Lodge in his District ; he shall report to the
Grand Master, at least two weeks previous to
each regular Session, such dispensations as
may have passed through his hands, together
with all other matters coming within his sphere
of duty ; and he shall remit forthwith to the
Grand Secretary all dues, charges, and other
funds which may have been received by him
on account of the Grand Lodge.

368, The Grand Master, or Deputy Grand
Master, shall not hold office in a Subordinate
Lodge while holding either of those offices.

369. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Lodge Auditors to examine the books, ac-
counts, vouchers, etc., of the Grand Secretary
and Grand Treasurer prior to each annual
session of the Grand Lodge, and report upon
the same. — G. L. By. 24 to 36.

1 - -«i

144

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

Of Subordinate Lodges.

ELECTIVE OFFICERS.

370. The Elective Officers of a Lodge
shall be : Noble Grand, Vice-Grand, Record-
ing^ Secretary, Permanent Secretary, and Trea-
surer.

371. No brother shall be eligible for the
office of Noble Grand until he has served a
term as Vice-Grand, nor of Vice-Grand until he
has served a term in some inferior office, except
that of Chaplain, has attained the Third De-
gree, and is in good standing. All officers
shall be eligible for re-election.

373. Nominations for the Elective Offices
shall be made only at the two meetings next
preceding that fixed for the elections thereto,
and no nominee shall be balloted for who has
not signified his willingness to accept the office
for which he may be named.

373. The Election of Officers shall take
place at the last regular meeting in each term.
If for any elective office, or for the office of
Representative to the Grand Lodge, only one
member shall be in nomination, such member

(

-ci-

ia-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. 1'.

shall be declared elected by acclamation ;
should there be two or more candidates duly
nominated, the members present shall proceed
to elect one of such candidates by ballot ; and
only members in good standing shall be en-
titled to vote.

374. A majority of all the legal votes cast
shall be n cessary to election. Should there
be no choice of an officer on any ballot, a new
ballot shall forthwith take place, and after each
ballot the name of each candidate who may
have received the sma.Uest number of votes, as
well as those who shall receive no votes, shall
be withdrawn.

375. The appointed Officers of a Lodge
shall be : Warden, Conductor, Outside Guard,
Inside Guard, Right Supporter Noble Grand,
Left Supporter Noble Grand, Right Supporter
Vice-Grand, Left Supporter Vice-Grand, Right
Scene Supporter and Left Scene Supporter,
and the Lodge may, at its option, add a
Chaplain.

376. These officers shall be appointed by
the Noble Grand, immediately after his install-
ation, except the Right Supporter Vice-Grand
and Left Supporter Vice-Grand, who shall

146

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

be appointed at the same time by the Vice-
Grand. ,

377. All members appointed as officers
must be in good standing, and must have at-
tained to the Third Degree.

378. The Noble Grand, with the consent
of the Lodge, may appoint as Outside Guard
a brother of the Third Degree belonging to any
other Lodge in the jurisdiction.

371). The Lodge may at any time elect a
Physician, Solicitor, or other officer, required
for the operation of the legitimate work of the
Lodge ; but the person so elected shall not, as
such officer, be subject to any of the laws of
the Order relating to membership, qualifica-
tion, or honors, and may be elected under a
by-law, resolution, or in any manner and at
any time that the Lodge may decide.

INSTALLATION.

380. The Officers of the Lodge shall be in-
stalled at the first regular meeting in the term
for which they have been elected or appointed,
except that the installation of an officer chosen
to fill a vacancy may take place on the

^ij^^^^

Igggj

OF ONTARIO, I. C). {). I'.

(

night of his election or appointment. An offi-
cer re-elected or re-appointed must be again
installed.

VACANXIES IN OFFICH.

881* Any office, the occupant of which
may have been absent without satisfactory ex-
cuse from three successive regular meetings,
may be declared vacant by vote of the Lodge,
on a motion to that effect, provided notice of
such motion has been given at the regular
meeting previous to that at which the vote is
to be taken.

382, Any vacancy in office by resignation,
death, or otherwise, shall be filled by election
or appointment, as the case may be. In the
case of elective officers, the election may take
place on the second night of nomination ; and
the members so elected or appointed shall be
entitled to the privileges and honors of the
office, provided they complete the term.

DUTIES AND POWERS OF OFFICERS.

383. The Officers of the Lodge sliall per-
form such duties and be invested with such
powers as are prescribed by the Charge Books

^rS^■

148

DIGEST OF THR LAWS

and Usages of the Order, the Laws of the
Grand Lodge of Ontario and of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, and the By-Laws and Resolu-
tions of the Lodge. — S. L. C. 19 to 32.

384, It is imperative on all officers to com-
mit to memory the charges of their several
offices as soon as practicable after installation.
— Jour. 1868 : p. 320.

385, If an officer is absent at roll-call, his
subsequent assumption of his chair should be
recorded on the minutes, and the Noble Grand
can so instruct the Secretary. — Jour. 1886 : p.
2978.

386. The Noble Grand's rights in the
matter of voting are as follows : In an election
by ballot (of a candidate or an officer) he can
vote the same as other members, but has no
casting vote ; when the vote is an open one he
has only a casting vote in cases of tie. — Jour.
1875: p. 1469; Jour. 1880: p. 1924, 1979.

387. The Noble Grand's powers as to
allowing members to enter or retire from the
room are largely discretionary ; he is not re-
quired to prevent them retiring at any time,
except during initiation — Jour. 1868: p. 369;

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

149

;

and even then he may allow a brother to retire
if the case is one of urgency — Jour. 1881 : p.
21 13; during " preparation for initiation" lie
can use his own discretion — Jour. 1875 : p.
1408 ; during " opening " and ■' initiation " he
cannot allow any one to enter — Jour. 1875 : p.
1398 ; but at no other time should he refuse ad-
mission to any brother in good standing.— Jour.
1874: pp. 725, 733.

•588. It is customary, but not imperative,
for the Noble Grand to rise when putting a
motion to the Lodge.— jour. 1875 : p. 1398.

389. The Noble Grand can rule a motion
out of order, subject to an appeal to the Lodge.
— Jour. 1875 : p. 1408.

390. It is the prerogative of the Noble
Grand to appoint the Vice-Grand, or any Past
Grand, to act as Outside Conductor. — Jour.
1878 : pp. 19, 76.

ORDER.

See Rules of Order, State of the Order.

^50

DIG F.ST OF THF: LAWS

PAST GRANDS.

391. Past Grands in good standing are
members of the Grand Lodge. — G. L. C. 4.

39!5i. Only Past Grands are eligible for
election as Representatives to the (jrand
Lodge. — G. L. C. 5.

393. Only Past Grands can vote at the
election of Grand Officers. — G. L. C. 6.

394. Any Past Grand, on presenting a
certificate of his official services, and after
satisfactory examination in the Degrees per-
taining thereto, shall be entitled to receive the
Grand Lodge Degree. — G. L. By. i.

395. The Grand Secretary shall keep a
register of the Past Grands of the jurisdiction.
Whenev^^' any member of a Subordinate Lodge
attains to the rank of Past Grand a certificate
to that effect sliall be immediately forwarded
under the seal of the Lodge to the Grand
Secretary, and each semi-annual return of a
Subordinate Lodge shall contain a full list of
all Past Grands in good standing belonging to
the Lodge. — G. L. By. S.

,0,

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Ul ONTAKIU, 1. U. O. F.

151

396. At the last regular meeting of the
Subordinate Lodges held in June, all Past
Grands in good standing and present shall, in
open lodge, proceed to vote by ballot for Grand
Officers. The Noble Grand and Secre-
tary shall immediately thereafter count the
vote and announce the result to the Lodge,
and the Secretary shall record the same in the
minutes. They shall also make a record on a
printed form, provided by the Grand Lodge
for that purpose, of the number of votes cast
for each candidate, sign the same and affix the
seal of tlie Lodge, and immediately transmit
the same by mail in a sealed envelope, regis-
tered, to the Grand Secretary, marked " Elec-
tion Returns for Grand Lodge Officers, from

Lodge, No. ."' A duplicate return

shall also be placed in the hands of the Lodge
Representative. — G. L. By. 17.

397. At an election for Grand Officers in
any Subordinate Lodge, a Past Grand not a
member of such Lodge shall be permitted to
vote, on presenting a certificate from the
Secretarv of his own Lodge that he is in good
standing and entitled to vote at that election ;
which certificate shall be attached to the elec-
tion return of the Lodge in which said Past

152

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

Grand votes, and be transmitted therewith to
the Grand Lodge. — G. L. By. 22.

398, A Past Grand's seniority dates from
the time he first became a Past Grand,
whether in the Lodge to which he now belongs
or some other. — Jour. 1876 : p. 1679.

399. In the Grand Lodge a Past Grand has
no right to move or second a motion, or debate
on any subject, unless he is a Past Grand
Master. — Jour. 1865: p. 220.

40(). On the death of a Past Grand, his
Lodge should send official notice of his death
to the Grand Secretary. — Jour. 1879 : pp. 1805,
1867.

PAST GRAND MASTER.

401 • Past Grand Masters in good standing
are members of the Grand Lodge and have the
right of debating and making motions, but
have no right to vote in Grand Lodge. —
G. L. C. 4*

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

^55

PENALTIES.

40^. Any member who shall violate any of
the laws, principles or practices ot the Order,
or any part of the Constitution or By-Laws
of his Lod^e, shall be subject to be fined,
reprimanded, suspended or expelled, as the
By-Laws may direct, ancient usage require, or
the Lodge determme. — S. L. C. 57.

PER CAPITA.

403. The Grand Lodge shall be entitled to
receive from each Subordinate Ledge such sum
per capita as may be fixed by the By-Laws of
the Grand Lodge, which shall be payable half-
yearly, for each un suspended member on its
books, as shown by its semi-annual return. —
G. L. C. 16.

404. The Grand Lodge shall be entitled to
receive from each Subordinate Lodge the sum
of fifty cents per annum, payable semi-annually,
for each unsuspended member on its books as
shown by its semi-annual returns. — G. L. By.

54-

154

DIGliST OF THE LAWS

405. Suspension of a Lodge does not relieve
it from payinf^: to Grand Lodge per capita tax.
— Jour. 1877 : pp. 1848, 1965.

PETITIONS.

4:06. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Petitions and Correspondence shall consist of
seven members, to whom shall be referred all
petitions, and all official correspondence of the
Grand Master and Grand vSecretar}. — G. L.
By. 47.

PHYSICIAN.

407. Every Lodge may at any time elect a
Physician, Solicitor, or other officer, required
for the operation of the legitimate work of the
Lodge, but the person so elected, shall not, as
such officer, be subject to any of the laws of
the Order relating to membership, qualification,
or honors, and may be elected under a by-law,
resolution, or in any manner and at any time
that the Lodge may decide. — S. L. C. 28.

4-()8. Every application for membership
must be submitted in writing in the form pro-

OF ONTARIO, 1. (). O. I".

^S5

vided b}' the Sovereign Grand Lodge, and must
be accompanied by a reference to at least two
other members of the Lodge, and a certificate
of good heahh from a physician selected l)y the
Lodge, on the form provided by the Grand
Lodge. — S. L. C. 3.

POWERS.

See Appeals, "Grand Lodge, Oi-eicers.

PRINTING.

409. Tlie Grand Lodge Committee on
Printing and SuppHes shall be composed of the
Grand Secretary and two other members, who
shall be appomted by the Grand Master at the
close of each annual session. During the recess
of the Grand Lodge the Committee shall super-
vise all matters relative to the printing required
by the Grand Lodge, the purchase of all sup-
plies, and the expenditure connected with the
Grand Lodge Offices. Purchase shall be made
by tender wherever practicable. The Com-
mittee shall make a report to the Grand Lodge
at each annual session. — G. L. By. 42.

i 1

_^,

I5G

DIGEST OF THF LAWS

PROCEDURE.

See Trials.

PUNISHMENT.

See Penalties.

1
h I

Mil

; !
I

QUALIFICATIONS

See Candidate, Officers.

QUORUM.

410. To constitute a regular or special
session of the Grand Lodge, there must be in
attendance a majority of the Representatives
of all the Lodges within the jurisdiction ; and
all work shall he transacted in the Grand
Lodge Degree. Thirty Representatives shall
form a quorum for the transaction of business.
— G. L. C. 15.

411, The Grand Lodge shall be opened at
the time specified in the Constitution for its
meeting, and if a quorum be present shall pro-

; !

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. V.

^57

al
n

;s
d
d
11

ceed to business. If there be no quorum
present within one half-hour, the Grand Master
or the presiding officer may adjourn the meet-
ing from time to time until a quorum shall
appear. — G. L. By. 9.

41^. Should there be present less than a
quorum of qualified members, the Grand Master
shall direct the Grand Lodge Degree to be con-
ferred on such Representatives as are in attend-
ance and not in possession of said degree,
but presenting certificates showing they are
entitled to it. — G. L. By. 11.

413, The first named member of a com-
mittee shall be the chairman thereof, unless
otherwise ordered by a majority of the com-
mittee. At all meetings of committees the
Rules of Order shall be observed as far as
practicable, except the rules respecting the
writing and seconding of motions Hmiting the
number of times a member may speak, record-
ing the yeas and nays, and calling the previous
question. A majority of a committee shall
constitute a quorum. — G. L. By. 51.

414, No business shall be transacted at any
regular or special meeting of a Lodge, unless
at least five members of the Lodge be then

•},

:ii?^

■f

li ii; \

■.a
16

• l]

I5«

DICKS I OF TIIK I,AWS

present, nor otherwise than accordiniif to Rules
of Order annexed to tlie Constitution. — S. L.
C. 36.

415. Any charge or charges preferred
against a member shall be referred to a com-
mittee of five members, to be chosen b\' ballot,
three of whom shall be a quorum ; which com-
mittee shall, with as little delay as the case will
admit, sunnnon the parties, and examine and
determine the matter in question in accordance
with the Constitution and Rules of Procedure
on Trials. In selecting this committee, only
one name shall be written upon any ballot. —
S. L. C. 60.

RE-ADMISSION.

4 IG. Should any member receiving a With-
drawal (^ard from a Lodge apply withni twelve
months thereafter to be re-admitted to member-
ship and be accepted, the Lodge may remit in
his favor the entrance fee, or any portion
thereof. — S. L. C. 18.

417, No member who has been dropped
from membership for non-payment of dues,
except members of defimct Lodges, and those

OI- ONTARIO, I. O. (). ]•'.

139

possessing dismissal certificate shall hv again
admitted to membership in r _^odge of this
Order without the consent ol ihe Lodge from
which he was expelled or dropped ; and in no
case shall he be re-admitted without compliance
with all the forms for new applicants, excepting
the ceremony of initiation, and excepting also
that in the case of a non-resident, he shall not
be required to re-sign the Constitution. — S. L.
C. 67.

REBEKAH DEGREE.

418. Rebekah Degree Lodges ma}' be insti-
tuted on the application of ten or more persons,
five of whom shall be Third Degree members
in good standing of some Subordinate Lodge
or Lodges in this jurisdiction, and five female
relatives of Third Degree members in good
standing in the Order, and all in possession of
the Rebekah Degree, or qualified to receive the
same. Such application shall be signed by the
applicants, and shall be accompanied by the
charter fee of $5, by certificates of qualification
from the Lodges to which the applicants or
their male relatives belong, and by a recom-
mendation from the Lodge or Lodges in the
city or town from which the application comes.

i6()

DIG H: ST OF THE LAWS

411). Kcbekali Degree Lodges shall have
power to receive into membership by initiation
Third Degree members in good standing in
Subordinate Lodges, and their wives and such
other female relatives as are qualified by the
general laws to be admitted to the Degree ; and
also to receive on deposit of card qualified
members of the Degree of Rebekah from other
Lodges. All applications for admisison shall
be submitted to the consideration of a com-
mittee appointed by the Noble Grand ; and on
the Committee's report a ballot shall be taken,
and if not more than three black balls appear,
the candidate shall be eligible for admission.

4^0. Rebekah Degree Lodges shall have
power to adopt such Dy-Laws and Rules of
Order as they may see fit ; provided always
that no such By-Laws or Rules of Order shall
become operative until after they have been
approved by the Grand Lodge of Ontario, or,
in its recess, by its Committee on Laws of
Subordinates.

4^1. Rebekah Degree Lodges shall be sub-
ject to all the Laws applying to Subordinate
Lodges in the matter of sessions, terms, elec-
tion and appointment of officers, returns, trials
and penalties, and forfeiture of Charter, in so

ill

OF ON FAKIO, I. (). O. F.

I6l

far as the same may be applicable ; exceptin
that tliey shall not be required to pay a per
capita tax to this Grand Lodge. — G. L. By.

94 to 97-

4:22. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Degree of Rebekah shall consist of seven
members, to whom shall be referred all matters
connected with the Degree of Rebekah in this
jurisdiction. — G. L. By. 50.

4t23, A District Deputy Grand Master
cannol: instal the officers of a Rebekah Degree
Lodge unless he is a member of a Lodge of
that degree. — Jour. 1890: 4719.

434. A member of a Rebekah Degree
Lodge cannot wear his Encampment regalia
therein.— Jour. 1879: p. 1862.

REDUCTION OF BENEFITS.

See Benefits.

REGALIA.

4:25. The Noble Grand is authorized to
compel Officers to wear their official regalia
while in Lodge. — Jour. i8t)8: p. 328.

iCr.

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

^*<iC>. Grand Lodge disapproves of the
wearin<; of regalia in outside parades. — Jour.
1874: pp. 672, 726.

See Past Grands.

1. i !

REINSTATEMENT.

4^7. When any member suspended for a
definite period, for any other cause than non-
payment of dues, desires to be reinstated before
the expiration of his suspension, cr, having
been expelled, desires reinstatement, his case
shall be referred to a committee of five mem
bers, who, after due investigation, shall report
at the next regular meeting, and if a majority
of the members then present shall vote in his
favor, he shall ther^^upon be declared eligible
for reinstatement, and, with the consent of the
Grand Lodge, may be reinstated. — S. L. C. 65.

4/^8. No member shall be reinstated until
he ah: '1 hav'ci ^aid any arrearages against him
a- the time of his suspension, and all dues and
assessirients that may have accrued, since that

OK ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

163

date, except in case of a member dropped for
noP- payment of dues. — S. L. C. 66.

429. A Brother having ceased membership
for non-payment of dues, cannot reinstate him-
self by merely paying his arrears to the Secre-
tary. His arrears having been so paid and
received by the Secretary, would not give hhii
or his widow any claim to benefits in case of
his sickness or death.— Jour. 1871 : p. 471.

430. A suspended member can apply for
reinstatement in his own Lodge, although
resident within the jurisdiction of another
Lodge ; the application to be in writing.—
jour. 1879: pp. 1785, 1864.

482. A Brother who had ceased member-
ship, on being remstated, would not require
to be re-obligated, but would have to sign the
Constitution Jour. 1875: p. 1410 ; except he
be a non-resident. -Jour. 1883 : 2445

433. A member expelled, on being rein-
stated, would be liable for dues accruing during
time of expulsion.— Jour. 1876: p. 1674; (^"<^
the Lodge has power to compromise.)

ID4

DIGEST OF THK LAWS

I'll

REJECTION.

434. A ballot shall be taken on every appli-
cation for membership immediately after the
presentation of the report of the Committee on
Character, when, if less than three black balls
be found, the candidate shall be accepted ; if
th.cie or more, he shall be rejected, and so
declared ; and any proposition fee prepaid by
him shall be returned. — S. L. C. 5.

435. The rejection of any candidate for
membership shall be immediately intimated to
every Subordinate Lodge in the city, town or
village in which such rejection takes place. —
S. L. C 8.

436. No candidate fo'' membership by in-
itiation, who has been rejected can again be
proposed until at least six months after his
rejection. — S. L. C. 9.

437. If, on a ballot for Degrees, three or
more black balls appear, the applicant shall
be rejected, otherwise he shall be considered
eligible, and shall be admitted to the Degree
or Degrees applied for. In case of rejection
he shall not be again balloted for to receive

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

l6'

the Degrees unless two weeks' notice is given
immediately preceding the meeting at which
such ballot is taken. — S. L. C. 15.

RELIEF.

See Benefits.

REPORTS.

See Trials.

438. The reports of all Grand Lodge com-
mittees must be made in writing and shall be
laid on the table, to be printed by the Grand
Secretary, and copies thereof placed before
the members at the next sitting of the Grand
Lodge, when action shall be taken thereon ;
provided that this By-Law may be suspended
by a majority vote of the Grand Lodge when-
ever its operation would be impracticable or
unnecessary. — G. L. By. 52.

439. In ail cases where matters are referred
to Special Committees to be reported on at a
subsequent session of the Grand Lodge, such
report or reports must be sent to the Grand
Secretary in time to be printed, and a copy

1 66

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

ill!

■ ! ■

thereof sent to each Subordinate Lodge at
least one month prior to the opening of the
Grand Lodge, and to each Representative, as
soon as his name is known to the Grand Secre-
tary. — G. L. By. 53.

REPRESENTATIVES.

440, The Grand Lodge shall be composed
of all duly qualified Past Grands within its juris-
diction, who shall be entitled to all the privi-
leges pertaining to their rank, as prescribed by
the usages and laws of the Sovereign Grand
Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows;
and of its Past Grand Masters and Represen-
tatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, who
shall have the right of debating and making
motions. But its legislative functions shall be
vested in and exercised solely by such Repre-
sentatives as shall be elected and appointed in
the manner prescribed by this Consatution
and the By-Laws adopted by this Grand Lodge.
— G. L. C. 4*

441, Every Lodge withiii the jurisdiction
shall, at its last meeting in the . lontli of June,
annually elect by ballot from am.ongst its Past
Grande in good standing, a Repvesentative or

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

167

Representatives as follows, that is to say : one
Representative where the number of members
to be returned in the semi-annual report of the
current term shall be 100 or less ; over 100
and under 200, two Representatives ; 200, or
more, three Representatives. Any Lodge not
having in membership a properly qualified
Past Grand may choose one so qualified from
any other Lodge in the jurisdiction as its Repre-
sentative. — G. L. C. 5.

44^. No Past Grand saall be admitted as
a Representative in the Grand Lodge unless
duly certified as having been elected thereto ;
nor until he has been instructed in the Grand
Lodge Degree, and has signed a promise faith-
fully to support, maintain and abide by the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Loage.

443. In balloting for Representatives to
the Grand Lodge only one name should be
written upon the ballot ; and no one shall be
declared elected unless he has received a
majority of all the votes cast.

444. The resignation by any member of
his office as Representative must be addressed
in writing to the Noble Grand ol his Lodge,
which shall proceed at its first opportunity to

-"i^K^^-^ttHr. W '"-..rs^

1 68

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

consider the same, and either accept or refuse
the Tesignation, as may seem expedient ; and
if such resignation be accepted, the Lodge may
at once proceed to elect another quahfied mem
ber to fill the vacancy. — G. L. By. 2 to 5.

445. A Representative cannot represent
more than one Subordinate Lodge in the Grand
Lodge at the same session. — Jour. 1870 : p. 410.

446. A Representative to Grand Lodge is
not an officer of his own Lodge by virtue of
being Representative. — Jour. 1872 : p. 551.

447. The Secretaries of Subordinate Lodges
are required to forward the Credentials of Re-
presentatives elect to ^he Grand Secretary,
at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting
of the Grand Lodge. — Jour. 1871 : p. 475.

448. Nominations for Representative must
be made before proceeding to election — Jour.
1870: pp. 404, 408; but it must be on the
night of election, not on the regular night of
nomination for elective officers. — Jour. 1874 •
p. 728.

449. In electing Representatives, the roll
of members must be called, if demanded by a

'^-^ ■-

Miii£MBtfiMriiiiii

riiiilJriiiiiyiiiliMi

■

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

169

member in good standing, before the ballot is
taken. — Jour. 1874; p. 724.

450. In balloting for Representatives only
one name should be written upon an}^ ballot
paper, and a majority of the ballots cast shall
be necessary to a choice. Should there be no
choice upon any ballot, the name of the candi-
date having the lowest number of votes shall
be dropped on proceeding to a new ballot. —
Jour, 1869: p. 371. If more than one Repre-
sentative is to be chosen in commencing to
ballot for a second, all others previously nomi-
nated will be considered in nomination. — Jour.
1873 : p. 621. In case of a tie between two or
more of the lowest (three or more being in
nomination), a ballot should be immediately
taken to determine which of those tying should
be dropped ; in no case should the Noble
Grand give a casting vote.— Jour. 1871 . p. 468.

451. A Lodge may elect as Representative
a Past Grand who is absent at the time of
election, even though he has sent no excuse
for absence, nor expressed his wiUingness to
accept the position. — Jour. 1871 : p. 462.

170

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

RESIDENCE.

See Jurisdiction.

RESIGNATION.

452. The resignation by any member of
his office as Representative must be addressed
in writing to the Noble Grand of his Lodge,
which shall proceed at its first opportunity to
consider the same, and either accept or refuse
the resignation, as may seem expedient ; and
if such resignation be accepted, the Lodge may
at once proceed to elect auother qualified mem
ber to fill the vacancy. — G. L. By. 4.

458, Any member in good standing and
clear of the books, desiring to withdraw from
his Lodge, may signify such desire either per-
sonally in open Lodge or by a letter addressed
to the Secretary, whereupon the Lodge shall
proceed to a ballot, with ball ballots, and a
majority vote of the members present shall be
necessary to the granting of such Withdrawal
Card. If a majorit}- of the members present
refuse to grant such Card, the applicant there-
for may tender a written resignation of his

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. I*.

171

membership, and shall be entitled to receive
from the Secretary, under the seal of the Lodge,
a certificate that he has resigned membership,
and such certificate siiall be sufficient evidence
that the member was in good standing at the
time of his resignation ; provided that, upon
the refusal of the card, the member applying
for the same shall have the right of appeal to
the Grand Lodge. — S. L. C. 16.

RESTORATION.

See Appeals, Defunct Lodge, Reinstate-
ment.

RETURNS.

454. It shall be the duty of the Noble
Grand and Permanent Secretary to prepare
and forward to the Grand Secretary im-
mediately on the expiry of their term of
office, a regular return of the work of such
term, with the result of election of officers, etc.,
in accordance with such blank form of semi-
annual or annual return as the Grand Lodge
may from time to time direct to be used.

172

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

►ill!

iii!

455. Such semi-annual return sliall be
accompanied by the amount due the Grand
Lodge, the same being twenty-five cents for
each unsuspended member on said return.

456. A fine of two dollars shall be payable
by the Lodge for every month that may elapse
after the close of any semi-annual term and
until the returns required by the preceding
clauses are placed in the possession of the
Grand Lodge, and a further fine of fifty cents
per da}', for every day that shall elapse after
the 25th day of July, until the returns for the
term preceding are sent to the Grand Secretary.

457. Should any Lodge, or the officers
thereof, fail to make the returns required by
the preceding clauses for twelve months, it
shall thereby become liable to the forfeiture of
its Charter, and it shall be the duty of the last
installed officers to transmit or surrender to
the Grand Master, on requisition from him to
that effect (or to such other brother as may be
appointed by the Grand Lodge or Grand
Master to receive the same), the Charter, books,
papers, furniture and funds of the Lodge. —
S. L. C. 40 to 43. . •

458. Any Subordinate Lodge faihng to

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

173

make the returns and pay the dues required
by its Constitution, for twelve months, shall
become liable to tlie forfeiture of its Cliarter,
which may thereupon be recalled by the Grand
Master, or by vote of the Grand Lodge at
any regular session. In the event of any Lodge
failing to meet for three consecutive months, it
shall thereby become extinct ; and it shall be
the duty of the officers and members of such
Lodge to transmit to the Grand Lodge the
Charter, books, funds and other property of
said Lodge. — G. L. C. 22.

459. On or immediately after the first
meetmg in January and July of each year, each
Subordinate Lodge shall make a return to the
Grand Lodge of its work and condition for the
six months immediately preceding. Should
any Lodge fail to forward its returns promptly
to the Grand Lodge, as required by its Consti-
tution, the Grand Secretary shall, immediately
upon receipt of such return, enter to the debit
of such Lodge a fine of two dollars per month
for the time which may have elapsed since
such return was due. After the 25th day of
July in each year, an additional fine of fifty
cents per day shall be imposed on any Lodge
failing to send its returnn to the Grand Secre-

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174

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

tary until said returns are received by him ;
and in no case shall this fine be remitted. — G.
L. By. 64.

460. District Deputy Grand Masters are
not to instal the officers elect of Lodges until
the returns, including all moneys due to the
Grand Lodge, have been placed in their hands,
or proof shown to them that the same have
been forwarded to the Grand Secretary. —
Jour. 1883 : p. 2432.

(.:,

REVENUE.

461. The Grand Lodge shall be entitled
to receive from each Subordinate Lodge such
sum per capita as may be fixed by the By-Laws
of the Grand Lodge, which shall be payable
half-yearly, for each unsuspended member on
its books, as shown by its semi-annual return.
Its revenue shall be further drawn from Charter
fees of Lodges instituted, which shall be for a
Subordinate Lodge, $30 ; for a Degree Lodge,
$5 ; and for a Rebekah Degree Lodge, $5 ; and
from the sale of supplies to Lodges. — G. L. C.
16.

46*^. In case of failure or deficiency in the
funds of the Grand Lodge, the amount required

3 >f1 :

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. V

175

may be supplied by an assessment upon the
Lodges under its jurisdiction, apportioned
according to the number of unsuspended mem-
bers in each Lodge, as reported in its last
semi-annual return. But the Grand L'-dge
shall not create any debt or incur any liability
requiring a larger amount than can be paid
out of its funds on hand, without the sanction
previously obtained of at least two-thirds of
the Subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction.
— G. L. C. 17.

463. The Grand Lodge shall be entitled
to receive from each Subordinate Lodge the
sum of fifty cents per annum, payable semi-
annually for each unsuspended member on its
books as shown by its semi-annual returns.—
G. L. By. 54.

464. All rituals, books and blank forms
necessary for the proper working of Lodges
shall be provided by the Grand Lodge ana
sold to Subordinates at a uniform advance of
twenty-five per cent, on cost. All orders for
supplies must be over the seal of the Lodge,
and must be accompanied by the amount
required to pay the same— G. L. By. 55.

I I

I ■ ;

176

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

RULES OF ORDER.

465, The business of the Grand Lodge
shall be transacted in the Grand Lodge Degree,
and shall be conducted in the manner pre-
scribed in the Rules of Order following. In
any case where there is no rule applicable, the
Grand Lodge shall be governed by Canadian
Parliamentary Practice :

I. After each adjournment the Grand Lodge
shall be opened in the manner prescribed in
the Order of Business, and the Minutes of the
preceding sitting shall be read and approved.

n. During the continuance of the session
the most decorous order shall be observed, no
one leaving the room without the permission
of the Grand Master, nor entering without the
consent of the Grand Warden.

The order of procedure, after opening
adjourned sittings, shall be as follows :

1. The calling of the Roll of Officers and
Representatives.

2. The consideration of any excvises which
may be offered by absentees from previous
sittings.

3. The receiving and consideration of any
reports from the Committee on Credentials, on

mmaamm

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

177

claims for admission as Representatives or

Members.

4. The admission and instruction (when

requisite) of new Members.

5. The reading by the Grand Secretary of
the Minutes of last sitting, the consideration of
any objections which may be made to any part
thereof, and their approval, with or without
amendment, as the case may require.

6. Reading of accounts, petitions, and other
communications.

7. Reports of Standing Committees m the

following order

On Distribution.
Finance.

a
u

Appeals and Grievances.

Laws of Subordinates.

Printing and Supplies.

Legislation.

State of the Order.

Judiciary.

Mileage and Per Diem.

Petitions and Correspondence.

Districts.

Election Returns.

Rebekah Degree.

Fraternal Relations.

178

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

itlll

8. The receiving of any reports from Special
Committees, in the order of their seniority,
g. New business.

10. Unfinished business, in order of priority
at previous sittings.

11. Closing or adjournment (as the case may
be) of the Grand Lodge.

III. Notwithstanding the Order of Business
in Rule II., the Grand Lodge may, by resolu-
tion, make the consideration of any matter
coming before it a special order for any par-
ticular hour or day.

IV. No question, unless regularly moved and
seconded, and submitted in writing, shall be
put to the Grand Lodge by the Presiding
Officer.

V. No question shall be open for considera-
tion until regularly put from the chair ; and
when so put, no other motion shall be receiv-
able, unless it be a motion —

1. To adjourn ;

2. To lay on the table ;

3. To put the previous question ;

4. To postpone ;

5. To refer ; or

6. To amend.

The several motions, if made, shall have pre-
cedence in the order above stated, and the first,

BBB

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

179

>peciai

ty.

riority

e mav

siness
esolu-
natter
^ par-

d and
1^]. be
jiding

idera-
; and
;ceiv-

pre-
irst,

second and third thereof shall be decided
without debate.

VI. The previous question shall be put from
the chair, only after it shall have been ascer-
tained that the call therefor is sustained by a
majority of the Representatives of the Grand
Lodge present' and then shall always be put
in the words following : '* Shall the question be
now put ? " which words shall be understood
to have reference to whatever question may be
pending immediately before such call for the
previous question may have been made.

VII. If the vote of the Grand Lodge, taken
pursuant to such call for the previous question,
be in the affirmative, the Presiding Officer shall
thereupon put forthwith to vote the question so
pending immediately before such call, and shall
not allow any amendment or further debate
thereon.

VIII. Before taking the vote on any motion,
the Presiding Officer shall ask : ** Is the Grand
Lodge ready for the question P " and, should no
member stand up to speak, the Presiding Officer
shall rise to take the vote, after which no
member shall have a right to speak on the
question.

IX. After any question, except that of inde-
finite postponement or the previous question,

i8o

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

iil

may have been decided, any two members,
having voted in the majority, may, at the same
or next sitting, move for a re-consideration, but
no discussion on the main question shall be
allowed upon such motion.

X. Any Representative may require the divi-
sion of the question, when the sense will admit
of it.

XI. When a blank is to be filled, the question
shall first be taken on the highest sum or
number, or on the longest or latest time pro-
posed.

XII. The Yeas and Nays shall be taken and
recorded on the call of any three Represen-
tatives.

XIII. Every Representative present may.be
required to vote on any question, unless excused
by the Grand Lodge, personally interested in
the result, or otherwise incapacitated.

XIV. Any member intending to speak on a
question shall rise in his place and respectfully
address the Presiding Officer, confining himself
to the question under debate, avoidmg all per-
sonality and indecorous language, as w^ell as
reflection on the Grand Lodge or its members.

XV. No Representative shall speak more than
once on the same question, until every member
entitled to speak shall have had an opportunity

OF ONTAKIO, 1. O. O. F.

I8l

mbers,
same
)n, hut
all be

divi-
admit

estion
Jm or
J pro-

Q and
"esen-

1}'. be
^used
?d in

on a

fully

iseJf

per-

1 as

ers.

ban

ber

lity

of doing so ; nor more than twice, unless hy
permission of the Presiding Officer.

XVI. Should more than one member rise to
speak at the same time, the Presiding Officer
shall determine which is entitled to the floor ;
and no member shall interrupt the business of
the Grand Lodge, or in any manner disturb
another in his speech, unless to call him to
order for the words spoken, or rules infringed.

XVII. Any member called to order while
speaking shall resume his seat, and the debate
shall forthwith be suspended until the point of
order thus raised be determined ; nor shall any
member speak upon such point of order unless
it be to make necessary explanations, or appeal
from the decision of the chair.

XVIII. The decision of the Presiding Officer
on questions of order shall be without debate,
unless, entertaining doubts on the point, he
should invite it ; and on such questions alone
shall he have the privilege of speaking from
the chair.

XIX. In all cases where a member may
appeal from the decision of the chair, he shall
use the words following, and none other, unless
it be for necessary explanation : " Grand Master,
I respectfully appeal from the decision of the
Chair to the Grand Lodge,' and the Grand

1 82

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

Lodge shall, after such explanation as the Pre-
siding Officer may deem necessary, proceed
forthwith to consider and vote upon the ques
tion : *' Shall the decision of the Chair stand as
the judgment of the Grand Lodge / "

XX. Any member who may have been
been ruled out of order for manifestation of
temper or improper feeling, must apologize to
the Grand Lodge or to any aggrieved party if
required to do so by the Presiding Officer, and
shall not speak again on the impending ques-
tion, except to explain and apologize, unless
specially permitted to do so by the Presiding
Officer.

XXL Visiting Past Grands, not members
of this Grand Lodge, may address the Grand
Lodge on receiving permission to that effect
from the Presiding Officer.

XXI L These Rules of Order, or any part
thereof, shall only be altered, amended, sus-
pended or annulled, by a vote of two-thirds of
the members of Grand Lodge present and
voting. — G. L. By. 14.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

183

466.

RULES OF ORDER.

For Lodges vSubordinate to the Grand
Lodge of Ontario.

I. As soon as the Presiding Officer shall
have taken the chair the officers and brothers
present shall take their respective stations,
and the Lodge shall th^a be opened in ancient
form.

IL The order of procedure after opening,
shall be as follows :

1. The calling of the roll of officers.

2. The reading by the Secretary' of the min-
utes of the last Lodge night ; the consideration
of any objections which may be made to any
part thereof, and their approval, with or with-
out amendment, as the case may require.

3. The consideration of any excuses which
may be offered by absentees from previous
meetings.

4. The receiving and consideration of any
reports from the Visiting Committee, or from
other brothers who may have to report the
fact of any brother being sick or in distress.

184

IMGKST OF THE LAWS

5. 'I'he nomination or election of oHicers,
on the evening designated for such nomination
or election,

6. The receiving: and consideration of reports
of Committee on Character, and balloting
thereon.

7. The initiation of candiv ^tes for memher-
*ship.

8. The receiving of propositions for mem-
bership, and their reference to Committees on
Character.

9. The receiving and consideration of any
reports of officers or Standing Committees,
which may require to be made in pursuance of
the B3^-Laws.

10. The receiving and consideration of any
reports of Special Committees, in the order of
their seniority.

11. The reading and consideration of ac-
counts and other communications in the hands
of the Secretary.

12. Good and welfare: being^rst, unfinished
business, m order of priority at former meet-
ings ; and secondly, new business.

13. The closing of the Lodge.

III. An}^ member offaring a motion must do
so in writing, if a request to that effect be made

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. I".

iS^

by the Secretary, the Presiding Officer, or the
Lodge.

IV. No question shall be put by the Presid-
ing Officer, unless regularly moved and sec-
onded ; nor be open for consideration until so
put; and, when put, no other motion shall be
receivable, unless it be a motion —

1. To adjourn ;

2. To lay on the table ;

3. To put the previous question ;

4. To postpone ;

5. To refer ; or

6. To amend.

These several motions, if made, shall have
precedence in the order above stated, and the
first, second and third thereof, shall be decided
without debate.

V. The Previous Question shall be put from
the Chair, only after it shall have been ascer-
tained that the call therefor is sustained by a
majority of the members of the Lodge present,
and shall then always be put in the words fol-
lowing : ''Shall the question be now put?''
which words shall be understood to have
reference to whatever question may be pend-
ing immediately before such call for the pre-
vious question may have been made.

VL If the vote of the Lodge, taken pursuant

1 86

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

to such call for the previous question, be in
the affirmative, the Presiding Officer shall
thereupon forthwith put to vote the question
so pending immediately before such call, and
shall allow no amendment or further debate
thereon ; and if, on the other hand, the vote
of the Lodge be in the negative, the Presiding
Officer shall be thereby precluded from putting
to vote, during the remainder of the current
tL.m, the question pending as aforesaid.

VII. Any member may require the division
of a question, when the sense will admit of it.

VIII. When a blank is to be filled, the ques-
tion shall first be taken on the highest sum or
number, or longest or latest time proposed.

IX. The Yeas and Nays shall be taken and
recorded on the call of any member, duly
seconded.

X. After any question, except that of indefi-
nite postponement or the previous question,
may have been decided, any two members,
having voted in the majority, may, at the same
or next regular meeting, move for a recon-
sideration thereof; but no discussion on the
main question shall be allowed upon such
motion.

XI. Any question decided by the Lodge shall
not again be brought before it, otherwise than

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. H.

187

by reconsideration, as provided in the foregoing
rule, unless notice thereof shall have been given
at the meeting immediately preceding; and
such notice shall not be received during the
term in which the question has been decided.

XII. Every member shall have the privilege
of speaking twice on any question, but not
oftener, unless by permission of the Presiding
Officer.

XIII. Any brother intending to speak on a
question shall rise in his place and respectfully
address the Presiding Officer, confining himself
to the question, and avoiding personalities ;
and should more than one brother rise to speak
at the same time, the Presiding Officer shall
determine which is entitled to the floor.

XIV. The Presiding Officer, or any member,
may call a brother to order while speaking ;
and, in such case, the debate shall be forthwith
suspended, and the brother so called to order
shall not proceed until the point of order thus
raised be determined, nor speak upon such
point of order unless it be to make necessary
explanation or appeal from the decision of the
Chair.

XV. In all cases where a member may
appeal from the decision of th*^ Chair, he shall
use the words following, and none other, unless

1 88

DIGKST Ol" THE LAWS

it be for necessary explanation : *' Noble Grand ^
I respectfully appeal frcwi the decision of the Chair
to the Lodge,'' and the Lodge shall, after such
explanation from the Presiding Officer as he
shall deem necessary, proceed forthwith to
consider and vote upon the question : " Will
the Lodge sustain the decision of the Chair ? "

XVI. Any Brother who may have been called
to order for manifestation of temper, or im-
proper feeling, must apologize to the Lodge, or
to the aggrieved party, if required to do so by
the Presiding Officer, and shall not speak again
on the pending question, except to explain or
apologize, unless speciall}^ permitted to do so
b}' the Presiding Officer.

XVIL The Presiding Officer of the Lodge
may, at any time, require all members present
to vote upon any pending question, or may
excuse any member or members from so doing.

XVI I L Brothers, not members of the Lodge,
may address the Lodge on receiving permis-
sion to that effect from the Presiding Officer.

XIX. No brother shall retire while the
Lodge is open, without the permission of the
Presiding Officer.

XX. A motion to suspend or alter the
Order of Procedure, as contained in Rule II.
for the remainder of a meeting, may, at any

or ONTARIO, I. O. O. h.

189

time, be carried by a vote of not less than two-
thirds of the members present and voting
thereon ; but no motion to suspend or alter
such Order of Procedure for a longer term
shall at any time be put to vote.

XXI. These Rules, or any part thereof, shall
only be altered, amended, suspended, or
annulled (except in the case provided for by
Rule XX.), by action of the Grand Lodge of
Ontario.

467, The Noble Grand decides all points
of order, subject to an appeal to the Lodge.
Where there is nothing m our own Laws, Rules
of Order, or Usages, upon which to base a
decision, the practice of the Canadian Parlia-
ment should be taken as a guide. — Jour 1876 :
p. 1676.

468, Usage requires the Presiding Officer
to rise when putting a motion, but it is not im-
perative. — Jour. 1875 • P- 1398.

469, A motion to receive a report, prior to
a motion to adopt or amend, is not necessary.
— Jour. 1875 • P- 1407-

470, An amendment to a resolution already
carried cannot be received. — Jour. 1879:
pp. 1786, 1864.

190

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

471. Amendments may be submitted at
any time previous to putting the original
motion, unless the previous question is moved,
— Jour. 1876: p. 1676.

47^. An amendment carried against a
motion is not in force until it has been carried
as a separate motion. — Jour. 1880 : pp. 1925,
1979. (That is to say, an amendment having,
been carried, it must again be voted on as the
original motion so amended.)

473. A motion is not required to enable a
Lodge to consider a subject postponed from a
previous meeting. — Jour. 1879 • PP- 1786, 1864.

474. When any motion comes up for con-
sideration which, according to law, has required
previous notice, no amendment that would
cover more than the original motion can be
received (as for example, if notice is given to
appropriate $30, when the motion comes up
for decision an amendment to appropriate $40
would be illegal.) — Jour. 1876: p. 1677.

475. When any motion comes up for con-
sideration, notice of which had to be previously
sent to each member, it may be postponed till
another night, and it is not then necessary that

OF O'TARIO, I. O. O. F.

191

iitted at

onginaJ

' moved.

ainst a

^*arried

P- 1925,
having^

" as the

nabJe a
from a

D, 1864.

or con-
-quired
would
^an be
ven to
»es up
te$4o

r con-
ousJy
id till
' that

the members should be again notified. — Jour.
1879 : pp. 1785, 1864.

476. It is not optional with the Noble
Grand to assent or refuse, even if the call for
the yeas and nays was not made prior to the
declaration of the vote. — Jour. 1878 : p. 79.

47 7. A motion carried at one meeting can-
not be declared out of order at the next ; the
question can only come up o^ a motion to
reconsider. — Jour. 1880 : pp. 1924, 1979.

RULES OF PROCEDURE ON TRIALS.

See Trials.

SEAL.

478. Every Subordinate Lodge shall have
a suitable seal, a proof impression of which
shall be deposited with the Grand Secretary,
and all reports, certificates and communica-
tions shall, in addition to being signed by the
Noble Grand and Secretary, be authenticated
by the seal being printed or pressed on the
body of the document, and not merely attached
thereto. — G. L. By. 62.

192

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

SESSIONS.

479. The Grand Lodge shall meet annu-
ally on the second Wednesday in August in
each year, at nine o'clock in the forenoon at
such pla 3 as may be appointed at the preced-
ing session thereof; but the Grand Master
shall have the power to convene special sessions
of the Grand Lodge for the transaction of
extraordinary business, which must be stated
in the call ; provided that two weeks' notice
shall be given to each Subordinate Lodge and
Representative of the time and object of such
session ; and at such session no business shall
be transacted other than that stated \n the call.
— G. L. L. i4»

480. To constitute a regular or special
session of the Grand Lodge, there must be in
attendance a majority of the Representatives
of all the Lodges within the jurisdiction ; and
all work shall be transacted in the Grand
Lodge Degree. Thirty Representatives shall
form a quorum for the transaction of business.
— G. L. C. 15.

481. Should there be present less than a
quorum of qualified members, the Grand Mas-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

193

t annu-
gust in
loon at
preced-
Master
essions
tion of

stated
notice
?e and
f such
s shall
e call.

pecial

he in

atives

; and

rrand

shall

ness.

an a
blas-

ter shall direct the Grand Lodge Degree to be
conferred on such Representatives as are in
attendance and not in possession of said
Degree, but presenting certificates showing
tliey are entitled to it. — G. L. By. 11.

48^. Immediately upon the opening of the
Grand Lodge in the prescribed form, the
Grand Master shall appoint a Committee on
Credentials, who shall consider and report upon
the credentials of new Representatives and
Past Grands with as little delay as possible ;
and no other business shall be transacted by
the Grand Lodge until the report of said Com-
mittee has been acted upon. — G. L. By. 12.

483, Immediately on the adoption of the
report of the Committee on Credentials the
new Members and Representatives will be
admitted and instructed, ihe minutes of last
annual session read, and the roll of Officers and
Representatives called. The Grand Master
will then appoint the Standing Committees for
the session (except otherwise provided) and
the reports of Grand Officers and Committees
appointed during recess will be read ; after
which the Grand Secretary will submit all peti-
tions, communications, appeals and accounts,
and the roll of Lodges will be called for the

194

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

presentation of questions of business. All such
reports, communications, petitions, accounts,
appeals, questions, and other business shall be
referred by the Grand Master as soon as
received to appropriate committees unless in
any case the Grand Lodge otherwise orders. —
G. L. By. 13.

i m

SIGNING.

484. Every member shall sign the Consti-
tution and By-Laws of his Lodge on his admis-
sion thereto, but such signature shall not be
necessary for the authentication of the contract
between the member and the Order, which
contract is complete by the member's initiation
or admission by card, such admission by card
dating always from the time that he has been
accepted by vote of the Lodge ; and every
member shall be subject to the said laws as
aforesaid, although he may not have signed his
name thereto. — S. L. C. 13.

SIOK BENEFITS.

See Benefits.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

195

/\11 such
:counts,
shalJ be
ioon as
iless in
ders. —

SPECIAL COMMITTEES.

See Committees.

SPECIAL FUNDS.

See Funds.

Consti-
admis-
not be
)ntract

which
tiation
y card
s been

every
lws as
ed his

SPECIAL MEETINGS.

See Meetings.

SOLICITOR.

485. Every Lodge may at any time elect
a Physician, Solicitor, or other officer, required
for the operation of the legitimate work of the
Lodge, but the person so elected shall not, as
such officer, be subject to any of the laws of
the Order relating to membership, qualifica-
tion, or honors, and may be elected under a
by-law, resolution, or in any manner and at
any time that the Lodge may decide.—
S. L. C. 28.

196

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

STATE OF THE ORDER.

486. The Grand Lodge Committee on the
State of the Order shall consist of seven mem-
bers, to whom shall be referred all matters
concerning the condition and prospects of the
Order. — G. L. By. 45.

^11! !

SUPPLIES.

487. All rituals, books and blank forms
necessary for the proper working of Lodges
shall be provided by the Grand Lodge and
sold to Subordinates at a uniform advance of
twenty-five per cent, on cost. All orders for
supplies must be over the seal of the Lodge,
and must be accompanied by the amount
required to pay the same. — G. L. By. 55.

488. The Grand Lodge Committee on
Printing and Supplies shall be composed of
the Grand Secretary and two other members,
who shall be appointed by the Grand Master
at the close of each annual session. Durmg
the recess of the Grand Lodge the Committee
shall supervise all matters relative to the print-
ing required by the Grand Lodge, the purchase

1 ,: ^

OF ONTAWIO, I. O. O. K.

197

of all supplies, and the expenditure connected
with the Grand Lodge Offices. Purchase shall
be made by tender wherever practicable. The
Committee shall make a report to the Grand
Lodge at each annual session. — G. L. By. 42.

SURRENDER.

See Charter, Funds, Mergement.

SUSPENSION.

See Charter, Trials, Membership.

489. It is recommended by Grand Lodge
that before a Subordinate Lodge exercises its
rights and powers in suspending members for
non-payment of dues, each individual case
should be referred to a Select Committee, with
instructions to use every possible justifiable
means to save suspension ; and that the report
of said Committee should be made to the Lodge
before final action on the general question. —
Jour. 1878 : p. 93.

490. During a term of suspension on
charges a member cannot be suspended for

I .

198

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

non-payment of dues accruing during said
term. — Jour. 1877: pp. 1870, 1957.

491. Suspension of a Lodge does not
relieve it from paying to Grand Lodge per
capita tax. — Jour. 1877 : pp. 1848, 1965.

TERMS.

49^. The terms of every Lodge shall be
semi-annual or annual, as provided by its By-
Laws, and shall commence on the first regular
meetings in July and January respectively, if
semi-annual, and on the first regular meeting
in January if annual.

493. Every term shall be held to close on
the day on which the succeeding one may com-
mence, and at the moment the Lodge opens.
— S. L. C, 38, 39.

494. The terms of a Subordinate Lodge
shall be semi-annual or annual as its By-Laws
may provide ; where terms of Lodge are semi-
annual its meetings shall be held weekh^ but
if annual they may be bi-weekly or semi-
monthly. — G. L. By. 63.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

199

ing said

loes not
)dge per

>5-

shall be
y its By-
t regular
;tively, if

meeting

close on
lay com-
;e opens.

3 Lodge
5y-Laws
re semi-
ikly, but
)r semi-

TITLE.

495. The Grand Lodge shall be known and
hailed by the name, style and title of *' The
Grand Lodge of Ontario of the Independent
Order of Odd-Fellows."— G. L. C. i.

496. Every Lodge shall be constituted of
at least five members of the Third Degree, or
Degree of Truth, and shall be hailed and
entitled Lodge No. LO.O.F., of
Ontario, and shall possess the full powers, and
privileges of a Subordinate Lodge, holding a
legal, unreclaimed and valid Charter, duly
granted and formally presented by the Grand
Lodge of Ontario. — S. L. C. i.

TRIALS,

See Courts of Law.

497. Every member charged with an
offence involving reprimand, suspension or ex-
pulsion (unless for non-payment of dues), shall
be entitled to a fair trial, in accordance with
the provisions of the Constitution, and of the
Rules of Procedure on Trials adopted by the
Grand Lodge.

200

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

:5:i

ItlJl

498. No member of a Lodge shall be put
on trial, unless charges duly specifying his
alleged offence shall be first submitted to the
Lodge in writing by one or more members of
the Order in good standing.

409. Any cnarge or charges so preferred
shall be referred to a committee of five membe, s,
to be chosen by ballot, three of whom shall be
a quorum ; which committee shall, with as little
delay as the care will admit, summon the
parties, and examine and determine the matter
in question, in accordance with the Constitution
and Rules of Procedure on Trials. In select-
ing this committee, only one name shall be
written upon any ballot.

500. Should the report of the Trial Com-
mittee not recommend the suspension or ex-
pulsion of the member under trial, it shall be
acted upon by the Lodge on the night it is pre-
sented, unless objection is taken by any member,
in which case action shall be deferred until
the next regular meeting. Should the Lodge
adopt the report of the committee, such action
shall be final, unless appeal is taken to the
Grand Lodge.

501. Should the Committee report in favor

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F

20I

11 be put
ying his
d to the
mbers of

)referred
lembe. s,
shall be
1 as little
mon the
e matter
stitution
n select -
shall be

ial Com-
n or ex-
shall be
it is pre-
member,
ed until
e Lodge
:h action
1 to the

in favor

of suspending or expelling the member, a
motion to that effect shall be submitted to the
Lodge by two or more of their members, in their
name.

502, Any motion for the suspension or
expulsion of a member shall be announced at
the two regular meetings previous to that on
which it is to be decided, which last meeting
the member under charge shall be summoned
to attend : and at the time so appointed,
whether the implicated member be present or
not, the Lodge may proceed to consider and
determine the question, and may either alter,
amend, adopt or reject the motion made on
behalf of the Trial Committee.

503. Any member interested shall have the
right of appeal to the Grand Lodge of Ontario,
provided such appeal be forwarded to the Grand
Secretary within two months from the date of
the action of the Lodge on the matter to be
appealed against, said appeal to be prosecuted
in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws of
the Grand Lodge ; and no member shall carry
the case to any of the Civil Courts until after
the same has been adjudicated upon by the
Grand Lodge of On<-ario, and, on further

•f'l
'^ ■ I

202

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

h\l

appeal, by the Sovereign Grand Lodge. — S. L.
C. 58 to 64.

504. The trial of a member under charges
who has only attained the First Degree should
take place while the Lodge is open in the First
Degree. — Jour. 1883 * P- 2378.

505. When a Trial Committee brings in a
report that a brother is not guilty, the Lodge
has the power to reverse their finding, and de-
clare him guilty. — Jour. 1883 : p. 2378.

506. The vote on a trial should be taken
by open vote and not by ballot. A two-thirds
vote is not required ; a majority is sufficient. —
Jour. 1883 : p. 2378.

507. A District Deputy Grand Master
should not be a member of a Trial Committee.
— Jour. 1883 : 2378.

508. Unless charges have been preferred,
it would be illegal to appoint a committee to in-
vestigate reports about a member's character —
Jour. 1875 : 141 1 ; but this would not prohibit
the appointment of a committee to investigate
a member's sickness. — Jour. 1880: pp. 1923,
1979.

ill

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

203

509. A decision by civil law should not be
held as a reason for not entertaining a charge
properly preferred. — Jour. 1879: pp. 1784,
1864.

510. Members of the Degree of Truth are
eligible to serve on committees to try Past
Grands. — Jour. 186S : pp. 298, 327.

511. Members of a Trial Committee should
be in good standing. — Jour. 1880: pp. 1923,
1979.

512. A member of a Trial Committee has
no right to appear as a witness to give evidence
in the matter. — Jour. 1879 : pp. 1786, 1864.

513. A Trial Committee has no right to
demand the Lodge Minute Book for evidence,
as properly certified copies of the Minutes
should be in their possession. — Jour. 1879: pp.
1786, 1864.

514. A Lodge has no right to take evi-
dence, either to prove* or disprove statements
made against a brother, otherwise than through
a Trial Committee. — Jour. 1879 : pp. 1786,
1864.

515. Evidence can be taken from persons

204

DIGEST OF THL LAWS

;

.if/: j i

li-

not members of the Order. — Jour. 1877 : pp.
1870, 1937.

516, If the punishment is fixed as " repri-
mand," the adoption of the report is the repri-
mand. — Jour. 1877: pp. 1870, 1957.

517. It is not obhgatory on the Trial
Committee to recommend a penalty. — Jour.
1881 : pp. 2061, 2118.

518, The evidence taken before the com-
mittee can be discussed in open Lodge when
the committee's report is under consideration.
— Jour. 1877: p. 1995.

519. The Lodge may refer the report back
to the committee for further evidence. — Jour.
1876 : pp. 1682, 1697.

530. In case of alleged frauds by a mem-
ber in business transactions outside the Lodge,
the Lodge should not convict unless the frauds
are such as a court of justice will take cogni-
zance of. — Jour. 1880 : pp. 1924, 1979.

531. On a trial for fraud, a member who
was absent at his trial could not be suspended
for fraud ; he could only be punished for con-
tempt — Jour. 1870: p. 411 ; that is, if he wil-

OF OlStTARIO, I. O. O. F.

205

fully absented himself, after notice sent him.
If service of notice was impracticable, trial for
fraud might proceed. {See Digest 357. Jour.
S. G. L. : pp. 2507, 2522, 2531, 5494, 5541.)

533, A member cannot be tried a second
time for the same offence, where no appeal has
been made — Jour. 1879 : pp. 1786, 1864 ; but
the member could demand a second trial, on
the ground that notice of charges and trial
had not been received. — Jour. 1880 : pp. 1924,
1979.

523.

Rules of Procedure on Trials.

ist. All charges against members of this
Order shall be drawn substantially in the man-
ner prescribed in " Form A," and be submitted
direct to the Lodge of which the accused is a
member, in duplicate, signed by a member of
the Order in good standing. The general
charge shall be an averment of " Conduct
unbecoming an Oddfellow," followed by speci-
fication or specifications, stating the time, place
and circumstances of the offence or offences.

2nd. The Lodge shall, immediately after the
reading of the jharge, choose by ballot a com-

2o6

DIGEST OF THE J-AWS

mittee of five, as near as possible from among
the peers of the accused, three of whom shall
be a quorum, to whom the charge shall be
referred. In selecting this committee only one
name shall be written upon any ballot, and the
first elected shall be the Convener thereof.

3rd. The accused or accuser, or any member
of the Lodge acting for either of them, ma}'^
challenge, for cause, any name appearing on
the ballot. The grounds of challenge shall be
stated and considered by the Lodge, and a
majority vote shall be necessary to sustain the
objection made.

4th. The Secretary shall affix the seal of the
Lodge to one copy of the charge and speci-
fications, and certify it substantially according
to " Form B," and serve or cause the same to
be served upon the accused, either personally
or by leaving it at his usual place of residence.
The Secretary shall also certify under seal the
duplicate charge and deliver it to the Convener
of the Committee, with the notice, according
to ** Form C," of these rules.

5th. The accused shall, within one week
from the receipt by him of the charge and
specifications, serve his plea or answer to the

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

207

same upon the Convener of the Committee, by
either or several of the answers shown in
''Form E."

6th. The Convener of the Committee shall,
on receipt of the plea in detciice, or at the
expiration of the time limited therefor, with
reasonable diligence, call a meeting of the
Committee, to attend which the accuser or
accused shall be served with personal notice,
if they can be found, or by leaving the same at
their usual place of residence, according to
" Form D," at least one week prior to the time
fixed for trial.

7th. At the meeting, a Chairman and Secre-
tary shall be appointed and the trial proceed
by examination of the parties and witnesses
on their behalf. Either party may amend their
proceedings by leave of the committee.

8th. The report of the committee shall state
their finding on each specification of the charge,
according to - Form F," and shall be accom-
panied by an accurate record of their proceed-
ings, rulings and decisions, together with the
original evidence taken during the trial, which
shall be submitted to the Lodge within a reason-
able time after the case has been submitted to

208

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

them. Should there be a minority report, it
may be presented in a similar manner at the
same time. The minutes of the committee
should show : —

I. The date and place of each meeting, and
the parties present.

II. The exceptions taken by either party,
and the decisions thereon.

III. Parol evidence in full, subscribed by
the witnesses.

IV. All documentary evidence, marked as
exhibits.

9th. The finding of the committee shall be
entered in the minutes by the Secretary, who
shall forthwith notify both parties that the
report has been submitted, and all parties shall
be entitled to a copy thereof.

loth. The Lodge shall take up the report for
consideration at the regular meeting to be held
two weeks after it has been submitted, and
may amend, affirm or reverse the finding of
the committee upon any one or all of the alle-
gations in the charge or their ruling thereon.

nth. The final decision of the Lodge shall
be notified to both parties by the Secretary,
immediately.

•

r ,^';,-:

.- '-i-TirnWrjiia»iaiMftBiiilil

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

209

it
he
ee

1 2th. Either party may appeal from the de-
cision of the Lodge to the Grand Lodge within
two months from the action of the Lodge thereon .
The Lodge shall transmit to the Grand Secre-
tary a copy of all the proceedings regularly
certified, upon receiving the costs and charges
of copying and mailing the same.

Form A.— CHARGE AND SPECIFICATIONS.

To Lodge, No I. O. O. F. :

The undersigned, a member in good standing of

Lodge, No , does hereby charge Bro.

A. B. , of Lodge, No. . . . , with conduct

unbecoming an Odd-Fellow ; the grounds of such charge
being more fully set forth in the following specifications,
to wit : —

Tst. For that he, the said A. B., did, on the

day of 18 . . , at the [Specify the offence and

circumstances, and continue with further specifications.
Each separate thing in violation of law to be under a sepa-
rate place in the charge. )

Contrary to the laws and usages of the Order.

[Date] (Signed) B. B.

Form B.— NOTICE OF CHARGE TO THE

ACCUSED.

[Date) 18..

Bro ,1 hereby enclose a copy of charge

and specifications preferred against you by

of The same was referred to a committee^.

consisting of [g^'"^ names) You

are required to file your answer to the charge and speci-
fications, according to the form prescribed, within one

It!

•l;l

2IO

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

week from the service of this notice, with the first-named
member of the committee, who will notify you of the
time and place of trial.
Fraternally,

Secretary.

Form C— NOTICE TO CONVENER OF COM-
MITTEE.

{Date) i8

To Bro

I enclose you a charge preferred by

against which charge was referred to

{^ivi names) for trial, of which

committee you are convener. The accused was served

with a copy of the charge on the day of

, and notified to file his answer thereto

with you within one week, when you will cause the com-
mittee to meet and proceed with the trial.
Fraternally,

Secretary.

Form D.— NOTICE TO AlCCUSER OR A.CC:USED.

(Date) i8..

To A. B. or C. D. [as the case may be, one to each party) ;
The Committee on Trial of the charge and specifica-
tions made by against

will meet at on day of

at o'clock p.m., to hear and deter-
mine the same. You are required to attend with your
witnesses, and [pyosecute or defend the same, as the case
may be.)

I am yours fraternally,

Convener of Committee.

Mti

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

211

Form E.- PLEAS IN DEFENCE.

T A. B., mentioned in the charge and specifications
preiferred by B. B. on the day of

*^ist~That the offence in the charge mentioned is not
within the legal jurisdiction of the Lodge.
2nd. That I am not guilty.

4th.' I admit the fact stated, but justify the alleged

offence.

5th. The complaint is frivolous.

Form F.-REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TRIAL.

(Date) i8..

To Lodge, No 1. O. O. F. :

The undersigned (a majority of the) committee ap-
pointed to investigate the charge and specifications pre-
ferred by against .........; re-

soectfully report as follows: {State the finding on each
specification.) The minutes of the committee, evidence
taken, and papers pertaining to the trial are submitted

herewith.

(Signed by the committee.)

Form G.-DECLARATION OF WITNESS.

You sincerely declare, upon your honor as an Odd-
Fellow that the evidence you shall give in the matter ot
against now pend-
ing,' shah' be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the' truth. Thus you declare.

(The following additional forms ^ recommended by
.1 Qov^rpmn Grand Lodge as are mte submitted, modi-

the Sovereign Grand Lodge

212

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

fied to suit the laws and usages of this jurisdiction. No-
tices to accused and to witnesses should, if possible, be
delivered personally, and should be endorsed on the
back as delivered over the signature of the person so
delivering; and the receipt thereof should be acknow-
ledged over the signature of the person to whom it is
delivered. — Jour. S. G. L., pp. 6542, 6590.)

Form H.— SUBPCENA.

Lodge, No I. O. O. F.

You are hereby notified and required to appear before
the committee heretofore appointed to try the charges

preferred by Bro at

on the day of 18 . . , at

o'clock of that day, to testify as a wit-
ness therein on behalf of said Bro

By order of committee,

Sec. Com.

Form I.— NOTICE OF FILING REPORT.

Lodge, No.

1. O. O. F.
18..

Sir and Bro. — Take notice that the committee hereto-
fore appointed to try the charges preferred against you

by Bro. . have this day filed their report

thereon, which will be considered by the Lodge at the

meeting to be held on the evening of the

day of 18. ..

Yours in F., L. and T.,
* Rec. Sec.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

213

Form J.— NOTICE OF APPEAL.

To Lodge, No , L O. O. F. :

Take notice that the undersigned hereby appeals from
the action and judgment of this Lodge in the matter of

charges preferred against him by Bro

on the following grounds: —

ist. The evidence was insufficient to sustain such
charges or the report of the committee thereon, in this :
{Here insert wherein the evidence ivas insufficient).

2nd. Errors committed at the trial, and by the Trial
Committee, as follows : {Here insert errors complained of.)

Dated at the day of 18 . .

Evidence and Witnesses.

1. The evidence competent to be admitted
before the Committee on Trial shall be : —

a Parol evidence (i.e., testiinony of living
witnesses before committee).

h Depositions procured in the manner pre-
scribed by the Sovereign Grand Lodge.

c Regularly certified minutes of the Lodge.

d Regularly proved documentary evidence.
Hearsay evidence cannot be received.
The committee will determine the
admissibility of evidence offered, subject
to exception by either party. The
exceptions so taken shall be noted by
the committee upon its minutes.

2. Members of the Order shall testify under
their obligation, as Odd- Fellows, according to

214

DIGEST or THE LAWS

t| i i ^

*' Form G," to be administered by the chairman

of the committee.

In case either the party making a charge
or the party against whom a charge has been
made, desires to have the evidence of any
person not a member of the Order, the same
shall be taken as follows :

The party giving the evidence shall make
a statutory declaration of all the facts relat-
ing to the matter withing his own knowledge,
in the manner provided for the taking of
statutory declarations by chapter 141 of the
Revised Statutes of Canada (1886), and to
be taken before any of the persons therein
authorized to take such declarations ; and
such declarations when so taken shall be
received by the committee appointed to try
the case ; provided always, that the party
procuring such declaration to be taken, shall
give to the opposite party forty-eight hours'
notice in writing of the time and place where
and when such declaration will be taken,
and the party receiving such notice shall
have the right to attend at the time and place
appointed, for the purpose of asking such
questions as he may wish of the party mak-
ing such declaration, and the replies to such
questions shall be embodied in the declara-

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

215

man

arge
been

tion ; and in case such notice as is herein
required shall not be given, such declaration
shall not be received by the committee in
evidence. Should the party so notified not
attend at the time and place appointed, the
declaration shall be taken in his absence, and
shall be received by the committee as if the
said party had been present.
2. Depositions of absent witnesses shall be
procured by interrogatories and cross-interro-
gatories, in the form prescribed by the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, subject to objection by either
party, to be determined by the committee.

4. The attendance of witnesses must be pro-
cured by the party desired to call them.

5. Any member of the Order refusing or
neglecting to give evidence or produce docu-
mentary evidence in his possession, upon the
application of the party requirmg his testimony,
shall then be required by the committee to give
such evidence, and if he shall refuse, after being
so required by the committee to give or pro-
duce such evidence, he shall be reported to his
Lodge, which Lodge shall take such action ar
they may deem necessary to compel the pro-
duction of such evidence.

2l6

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

TRUST.

See Courts of Law.

i_-

524. The funds and properties of Sub-
ordinate Lodges are by the provisions of their
Charters and the laws of the Order, held only
in trust for charitable purposes ; donating them
for other than such purposes, or in any manner
dividing them among the members individually,
is a violation of such trust and the law— the
penalty for which is expulsion ; and any
member participating in such illegal diversion
of Lodge property from its legitimaie objects
will be held personally responsible for the
money or effects so diverted, and will be liable
to prosecution by the Grand Lodge in the Civil
Courts. If a Subordinate Lodge shall fail from
any cause to work, all moneys and properties,
together with the Charter, shall be surrendered
to the Grand Lodge, to be held in trust and
applied as hereinafter provided. — G. L. C. 21.

525. All effects or funds received by the
Grand Lodge from any Subordinate or Degree
Lodge which has ceased to work shall be held
in trust : first, for the benefit of any Brother

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

217

anv

and Widow or Orphans entitled to benefits in
accordance with the By-Laws of such Lodge
at the time of the dissolution or suspension of
the same ; and the balance, if any, to be
returned to such Subordinate Lodge should it
be reinstated, or upon the expiration of the
period of its suspension ; provided, however,
that should said Lodge not be restored to
fellowship within five years, the funds and
properties of said Lodge may be disposed of
or used under the direction of the Grand Lodge
in aiding or assisting any working Lodge, or
proposed Lodge needing assistance, or for such
other charitable purposes as in the judgment of
the Grand Lodge may be deemed advisable.
— G. L. By. 66.

UNION.

5^6. When two or more Lodges desire to
be united, each Lodge shall present a petition
to that effect to the Grand Lodge, or during
recess, to the Grand Master ; such petition
shall set forth that the question of union had
been affirmatively voted upon after due notice
sent each member, and that there were not five

2l8

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

members a^ leand willing to retain the Charier
and work ihe Lodge ; and shall also give a
statement of the funds and effects, and assets
and liabilities of the Lodge, and a list of
members, with their rank and financial stand-
ing and P. O. address.

537. On receipt of said petition the Grand
Lodge, or during recess, the Grand Master,
may grant the prayer and authorize the amalga-
mation of the petitioning Lodges.

528, When the union of said petitioning
Lodges has been approved, the Grand Master
shall cause notice to be sent to each unsus-
pended member of the several Lodges at least
one week prior to the date fixed for effecting
such union, and shall summon him to be
present in person at the time and place
appointed for that purpose ; and shall also
notify the officers of the several Lodges to pro-
duce and surrender at said time and place all
the funds, effects, books, papers and Charters
of the said Lodges.

539. On the production and surrender of
all the said funds, effects, books, papers and
Charters, the Grand Master shall issue a dis-
pensation for a Lodge to the members of the

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

219

several Lodges present and desiring to be
united, and shall, in person or by Deputy,
institute the same ; and shall transfer to it, as
soon as instituted, all the funds, effects, books
and papers of the united Lodges ; and said
Lodge shall therewith assume and pay all the
liabiUties and responsibilities of the several
Lodges out of which it has been formed, and
its members shall have such rank and standing
as the books of the uniting Lodges shall show.

530. Any member of any of the uniting
Lodges who shall fail to be present at the
institution of the united Lodge may, on appli-
cation to the Grand Secretary, receive a With-
drawal Card, as provided for members of
extinct Lodges, and should he apply for admis-
sion by such caid to the united Lodge within
six months from the date of its institution, the
vote necessary for his election to membership
shall be a majority vote by ballot of those
present and voting.— G. L. By. 74 to 78.

220

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

VACANCY.

531. Should a vacancy occur in the office
of Grand Representative, Grand Warden,
Grand Secretary, or Grand Treasurer, by
death, resignation, or otherwise, during the
recess of the Grand Lodge, such vacancy shall
be filled by a member of the Order to be chosen
by a majority of the remaining Elective Officers
and Grand Representatives, provided always,
that the member so chosen shall serve only
until the next annual session of the Grand
Lodge, when in the event of the term in the
vacant office being still unexpired, the Repre-
sentatives present shall elect by ballot a mem-
ber to serve for the remainder of such unexpired
term. — G. L. C. ii.

53^. In the absence of the Grand Master
the Deputy Grand Master shall preside ; in the
absence of the Deputy Grand Master the
Grand Warden shall preside ; in the absence
of the above-named officers the Junior Past
Grand Master shall take the chair ; and if no
Past Grand Master be present, a Represen-
tative shall be chosen by open vote to preside
during the meeting, or until the arrival of the
proper officer. — G. L. By. lo.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F,

221

533. The Deputy Grand Master shall act
as the assistant of the Grand Master, and,
during the absence of that officer, shall be
invested with all his powers. In the event of
the death, resignation, or removal from office
of the Grand Master, he shall, ex-officio, become
Grand Master until the next regular session
thereafter. — G. L. By. 24.

534. The Grand Warden shall preside in
the absence of the Deputy Grand Master and
Grand Master ; he shall assist the Grand
Master in the ceremonies of the Order, and in
the preservation of decorum in the Grand
Lodge ; he shall confer the Grand Lodge
Degree on all Past Grands qualified to receive
it ; and shall, subject to the Grand Master,
have charge of the Lodge-room during all
meetings of the Grand Lodge. And in the
event of a vacancy in the office of Deputy
Grand Master, he shall perform the duties of
that office until the first regular session there-
after. — G. L. By. 25.

535. The resignation by any member of
his office as Representative must be addressed
in writing to the Noble Grand of his Lodge,
which shall proceed at its first opportunity to

222

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

111

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In'' •

consider the same, and either accept or refuse
the resignation, as may seem expedient ; and
if such resignation be accepted, the Lodge
may at once proceed to elect another quahfied
member to fill the vacancy. — G. L. By. 4.

536, Any office in a Lodge, the occupant of
which may have been absent without satisfac-
tory excuse from three successive regular
meetings, may be declared vacant by vote of
the Lodge, on a motion to that effect, provided
notice of such motion has been given at the
regular meeting previous to that at which the
vote is to be taken. — S. L. C. 30.

537. Any vacancy in office in a Lodge, by
resignation, death, or otherwise, shall be filled
by election or appointment, as the case may
be. In the case of elective officers, the elec-
tion may take place on the crcond night of
nomination ; and the members so elected or
appointed shall be entitled to the privileges
and honors of the office, provided they com-
plete the term. — S. L. C. 31.

VALUATION TABLES.

538. The following Valuation Tables, com-
piled by Bro. A. McGregor, Actuary (Past

OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

223

refuse
t ; and
Lodge
alified
4.

3a nt of
tisfac-
"egular
vote of
ovided
at the
:h the

ge, by
I filled
3 may
J elec-
^ht of
ed or
ileges
coni-

com-
Past

Grand of Covenant Lodge, No. 52, Toronto),
for the purpose of enabling any Lodge to make
a valuation of its financial standing, were
approved by the 'Grand Lodge in i8go. — {See
Jour., p. 4918): —

In the compilation of the accompanying tables it is
assumed in every case that there is but one general fund
m the Lodge. By putting all the assets into one fund,
or assuming that there is but one fund, it is so simplified
that any good Permanent Secretary or other experienced
member can, with the aid of the tables and examples,
make the valuations without difficulty.

The basis upon which the reserves or values are com-
puted, is a low basis, or a kind of mimimum system. It
will therefore be proper for Lodges to enact a by-law,
which will enable them to call upon members to make
good a deficiency, if there should be one.

Ihe followmg form of by-law would be a very proper
one : —

" If, after a valuation of the assets and liabilities of
the Lodge has been made, as directed by the Grand
Lodge, it is found that the fund on hand is below the
line of solvency, it shall be the duty of the Noble Grand
to instruct the Permanent Secretary forthwith to raise
by an assessment, to be levied in equal proportion upon
every member of the Lodge, the amount necessary to
bring the fund up to the required standard of solvency."

If the impairment of the funds of the Lodge be very
great (say I2.00 or more per member) it would be better
to make a by-law increasing the dues to such a degree
that the impairment may be made good in two or three
years. Making assessment is not generally a good way

224

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

to raise funds ; assessment is not a good term, and
should only be applied when there is but a small deficit.
If the amount to be raised is small, it is more convenient
to raise it by an assessment than by any other way but
members will pay increased dues more willingly and
agreeably than they will pay assessments.

This testing of the Lodge's solvency is for the use of the
Lodges only ; and the Lodges may keep the result of the
valuation to themselves, or they may let the Order know
the result by sending it to the Grand Secretary ; and
it appears to me that provision might be made for
inserting the valuation statement in the Grand Lodge
Journal.

If the Lodges make valuations of their assets and
liabilities from time to time, and show that they are
worthy and competent to manage such an important
trust as the funds of our excellent institution — Odd-Fel-
lowship — in Ontario, we would be likely to have our own
way undisturbed ; but if we are lax and indifferent as to
future results of our maturing obligations, the govern-
ment would be likely to place our Lodges under strict
supervision, which would be both costly and inconveni-
ent to the Order.

The Reserves in the tables are carried through from
the age at initiation to age 75 ; and the ages at initiation
are from 21 to 55.

If it should be that a Lodge has any considerable num-
ber of members who have attained a grea<^er age than
75, an additional five or ten years' Reserve can be added
to the Valuation Tables.

There are about thirteen hundred and thirty Reserves
or values in the tables.

The graded dues system requires the whole table for

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

225

of the
of the
■ know

the purpose of making valuations ; the level dues system,
only the Reserves that are opposite age twenty-one,
fifty-five in number.

In making up the assets of the Lodge, the unpaid dues
should in every instance be considered a valid asset ; for
if the dues are not paid, and the member suspended, the
Reserve or fund forfeited by the member is always
greater than the unpaid dues could be.

How to value Lodge furniture, is an open question. I
think Lodge furniture should not generally be considered
an asset. But if a furnished Lodge room is producing
a revenue by being let on vacant nights to other Lodges,
or Orders, then, in that case, the furniture should be
valued as an asset.

But if a Lodge which is barely solvent should include
in its assets its furniture, ten per cent, of the purchase
money should be counted off for each year that it has
been in use.

If a Lodge, in making its valuations, should find that
one or more of its members are more than 75 years old,
an approximate estimate can be made from the values
immediately preceding that age.

The valuation tables are : — For sick benefits ^4 a
week; funeral benefit ^40, and widow's benefit ^100.
The promises of some Lodges may be more than the
above, and some less; in the meantime we will have to
use the tables as submitted, without any variation, on
account of greater or lesser benefits being promised by
the different Lodges. Possibly all the Lodges of the
jurisdiction may yet come to see the necessity of having
a uniformity of benefits and fees and dues.

226

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

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OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

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OF ONTARIO, 1. O. O. F.

237

5tt

' 03

Explanation for Lodges whose Dues are on the
Equal or Level System.

The Permanent Secretary should fill up Form No. 2,
and when the name, present age, and degree attained is
filled in, place the figures in the tables which will be
found under the ages you are dealing with, in the column
" Fund required " ; and when the values for each mem-
ber is filled in, place the footings in their proper place in
*• Form 3," under the heading " Liabilities."

If there are any beneficiary widows in the Lodge, they
are a separate present liability.

It is assumed that the degrees are paid for ; where
they are not paid for, or not paid in full, deduct the
unpaid portion from the values.

A Lodge which is solvent, according to the accompany-
ing tables, in taking in new members, neither favors,
nor does injustice to the new member or members ; and
another Lodge, which is solvent, on the same Ijasis, by
either plan of fees and dues, joining or merging with
such a Lodge as the above, is neither favored, nor has
injustice been done to it, the merging Lodge having paid
the proper fees and assumed the proper dues.

Qi
3 >>

i *» .

■*^ rr'

"yS Hi

\ ^ I

FORM NO. 2.

FORM TO BE FILLED BY THE PERMANENT

SECRETARY.

For Level Dues.

-■ - -^ — —

•

—

<«^

&£

•*j

< .

0) !

NAME.

ge at I
ation.

resent

Degree
tained

und R
quired

(Ih

i^ -i

238

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

EXAMPLE FOR WORKING UNDER FORM 2.

NAME.

Benjamin ,

JulJ'is

jac>^b

Dickens . . .

Scott

Byron . . . ,
Milton .. .,
Brougham

Jones

Brown . . . ,

Footing

0)
u

30
21
22
50
50
50
50

75
39
^7

<'6

to (t
Q

$23.60

16.00

16.72

53-32

Initiary

43.32

49.32

46.32

108.57

34-34

20.77

412.28

Explanation for Lodges having Graded Dues.

The Permanent Secretary should fill up Form No. i ;
and when the name, age at initiation, date of initiation,
degree attained and year of membership is filled in,
ascertain from the Tables, opposite the age you are deal-
ing with, and along the line as many years as the mem-
bership, will be found the figures or reserve to be put in
the column headed " Fund required," and so on for each
member of the Lodge, and for each age and year of
membership.

Example. — The age at entry is 30, and the year of
membership is 10; the figures under the loth year in the

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

239

table is ^27. 36, and if the year of membership is 40, the
figures under the 40th year should be put in the column
under " Fund required," and so on. And when the
values belonging to each member is filled in, place the
footings in their proper place in " Form 3," under the
heading " Liabilities."

If there be any beneficiary widows, they are a separate
present liability.

The valuation figures in the Tables are in every case
for the beginning of the year.

The reserves or values in the Tables include the initi-
ation and degree fees ; it is assumed, in every case, that
the initiation fee is ^6.00, and the degree fee is ^10 00,
making ^16.00, and the increasing reserve added to the
$16.00 makes each member's liability to the Lodge.

If there be to the credit of each member in Lodge the
amounts stated in the Tables, according to his age at
entry and year of membership, new members coming
into the Lodge and paying the assumed initiation and
degree fees, and assuming the dues which his age calls
for, he is then on an equality with each member of the
Lodge, and the other members of the Lodge neither
gain nor lose by the new entrant. And another Lodge
taking over such a Lodge as the above, and assuming
their liabilities, if they are equally solvent, neither gains
nor loses by such an amalgamation.

It is assumed, in making the values, that the degrees
are paid for ; where they are not paid, or not paid in
full, deduct the unpaid portion from the values.

240

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

FORM NO. I.

FORM TO BE FILLED BY THE PERMANENT

SECRETARY.

For Graded Does.

NAME.

•

at Ini
on.

ree
tained

rof Me
rship.

(U -z

tJ -2

CuO *-'

a <u

CuCrt

TO ca

4; <

o;^

G 3

3 cr

EXAMPLE FOR WORKLVG UNDER FORM I.

NAME.

Jones . . . .
Smith . . .
Brown . .
Chisholm
Hamilton
Clarke . . .
Williams
McGill ..
Munro . .

<« o

<U 'Z

30
50
50

50
50
21

35
21

'4-1

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(U .

oj 2

ree
tain

rof
rshi

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CuO •*-'

oS 0)

C 3

jj nJ

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(U 43

3 cr

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July, 1880

loth

127.36

(1 (1

loth

42.31

July, i8go

ISt

16.00

II II

Initiary

I St

6.00

II II

ISt

12.00

July, 1850

40th

74.91

II 11

40th

T01.34

July, 1889

2nd

16.72

II It

2nd

19.31

•

li,

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

FORM NO. 3.

Valuation Statement.

Valuation Statement of Lodfrc No.

Assets —

Investments and cash on hand 1>

Unpaid dues ^

241

, I.O.O.F.

Liabilities —

The sum of the Reserves that should

be to the credit of the members %

Liabilities on account of present
widow s, if any ^

Surplus over Liabilities *

Deficit (if any)

VISITING CARD.

. 539. Any member of a Lodge in good
standing and free from all charges shall be
entitled to a Visiting Card on payment of all
dues for the period for which said Card is
required, and of a fee not exceedmg fifty cents.

242

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

During recess of the Lodge such Card may be
issued by the Noble Grand and Secretary. —
S. L. C. 17.

540. The fee for a Visiting Card shall not
exceed fifty cents, and may be applied to the
general fund or any special fund, as the Lodge
may provide by its By-Laws. — S. L. C. 48.

VISITOR.

541. Members of other Lodges may be
admitted as Visitors, provided they give the
Pass-word for the term, present a proper card,
or are introduced by an elective Grand Officer,
or by any Representative to the Sovereign
Grand Lodge from the Grand Lodge or Grand
Encampment of Ontario. — S. L. C. 37.

54^. The decisions and laws of a Lodge
are binding on visitors as well as members (so
far as practicable.) ; and visitors are sub-
ject to charges if they refuse obedience to the
Noble Grand and the Lodge. — Jour. 1871 : pp.
468, 469, 476.

543. A visitor presenting an order for the
Term or travelling Pass-word should receive
the same from the Noble Grand — Jour. 1880:

pp. 1923, 1979; and should not be submitted
to amy examination further than is necessary to
establish his identity.—Jour. 1878: pp. 19, 76.

544, Visiting brothers, when ill, are entitled
to the same care and attention as members of
the Lodge in whose jurisdiction they may be
taken ill.— Jour. 1879 : p. 1864.

WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.

545. The receipts and disbursements in a
Lodge on account of any special fund shall be
kept separate and distinct from the general
fund, and any money appropriated to a Widows'
and Orphans' Fund shall be used only for the
payment of benefits and relief to the widows
and orphans of deceased membe::s of the Lodge.
No portion of the regular dues, initiation or
Degree fees of the Lodge shall be applied to a
contingent fund or special fund provided for
amusement or entertainment purposes, or for
any purpose other than the payment of benefits,
relief and general maintenance.— S. L. C. 45.

546. Every Lodge shall make such dispo-
sition of its Widows' and Orphans' Fund for
the relief and benefit of the widows and orphans

244

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

of deceased members of the Lodge, who were in
good standing as required by the By-Laws at
the time of their decease, as it shall see fit,
except by annuity. — S. L. C. 55.

547. A Lodge may limit the period for
which benefits shall be paid to widows or
orphans to a certain number of years. — Jour.
1875 : p. 1407.

548. In the event of the widow of a de-
ceased bona fide member becoming immoral,
any benefits accruing to her should be discon-
tinued — and paid to the children. — Jour. 1877 :
p. 1994. (Considerable caution would have to
be exercised in acting on this decision, especially
if the Lodge was incorporated ; unkoS the
immorality of the widow was established to the
satisfaction of a Civil Court, her benefits could
not be transferred to other parties.)

549. The child of a deceased member is an
orphan, in the terms of the By-Laws, when
they specify benefits to children up to fourteen
years — even though the mother has re-married.
— Jour. 1877: p. 1992.

550. A widow having assigned her benefits
to her children, the latter would be entitled to
receive the amount just so long as the widow

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F,

245

herself would have been entitled to them luul
she not so assigned.— Jour. 1878: p. 79.

55 1. In voting money to the widows and
orphans of brothers not m good standing at the
time of death, the law providing for relief in
special cases must be strictly followed.— Jour.
1870 : pp. 417, 418,

55!^. A Lodge cannot by vote make a dis-
qualified member good on the books, so as to
entitle his widow to benefits. — Jour. 1880: p.
1978.

WITHDRA.WAL.

551^. Any member in good standing and
clear of the books, desiring to withe' aw from a
Lodge, may signify such desire either personally
in open Lodge or by a letter addressed to the
Secretary, whereupon the Lodge shall proceed
to a ballot, with ball ballots, and a majority
vote of the members present shall be necessary
to the granting of such Withdrawal Card. If
a majority of the members present refuse to
grant such Card, the applicant therefor may
tender a written resignation of his membership,

♦"■ f

lij

246

DIGEST OF THE LAWS

and shall be entitled to receive from the Secre-
tary, under the seal of the Lodge, a certificate
that he has resigned membership, and such
certificate shall be sufficient evidence that the
member was in good standing at the time of his
resignation ; provided that, upon the refusal of
the card, the member applying for the same
shall have the right of appeal to the Grand
Lodge. — S. L. C. i6.

554. The fee for a Withdrawal Card shall
not exceed fifty cents, and may be applied to the
general fund or any special fund, as the Lodge
may provide by its By-Laws. — S. L. C. 48.

55 o. Should any member receiving a With-
drawal Card from a Lodge apply within twelve
months thereafter to be readmitted to mem-
bership and be accepted, the Lodge may remit
in his favor the entrance fee, or any portion
thereof. — S. L. C. 18.

5!y(y, Every Lodge may, by By-Law, fix
the time after admission at which a member
shall become entitled to benefits, but a member
admitted on an unexpired Withdrawal Card
shall be entitled to benefits immediately upon
his admission to membership. — S. L. C. 56.

OF ONTARIO, I. O. O. F.

247

557. When a member takes a Withdrawal
Card, if his account with the Lodge is overpaid
(dues paid in advance), he should be r(;funded
thebalancesooverpaid.— Jour. 1878: pp. 19,7^-

iiil

INDEX

Absence 3

Accounts 4

Advisory Board 5

Agnostic 32

Amalgamation 6

Amendments 8, 189

Ancient Odd-Fellow.. 9

Annuity 10

Appeals 10, 2og

Application 14

Appointments 15

Arrears 16, 20, 23

Arrest of Judgment. . . 16

Assessment 17

Auditors 4, 18, 143

Ballot 18

Benefits 21

Book-keeping 25

Business 28

By-Laws 9, 28

Candidate 14, 31

Cards 33

Certificate 35

Chairman 37

Chaplain 14^

Charges 37, 205, 209

Charter 39

Claims 4, 43

Committees 37-44

(Conductor 142

Constitution 8, 46

Contingent Fund 47

Contract 48

Correspondence 49

Courts of Law 49

Credentials 31

Debt, Grand I^odge .. 17

Decisions 49, 52, 69

Defunct Lodge, 53

Degree Lodge 55

Degrees Co

Deputy Grand Master

61, 138, 143

Dismissal Certificate. . 36

Dispensations 62

Distribution 63

D. D. G M.. .66. 142, 202

Districts 63

Donation 74

Dual Membership.... 71

Dues 71

Duties 137, 147

Election 21, 75, 133

Evidence. .203, 204,207,213

Flxpulsion 82

Extinct Lodge, . .33, 53, 83

F.
Failure ^7- 83

1 •.

1 .

250

INDEX.

I-'ees 83

Finance 4, 84

Fines 85

Forfeiture 87

Forms 88

!• raternal Relations . . 88

Funds 17. 55. 89

Funeral 94

I'uneral J-Jenefit 22, 95

Grand Fodf^e. .95, 113, n6,

127, 131, 176

Grand Master. 131, 137, 143

Cirand Officers 104

Grand Representatives 141
Grand Secretary .. 13S, 139
(irand Treasurer. .... 140

Cirand Warden 138

Guardian 142

Herald 142

Holiday 104

Honorary Membership 104

Initiation 105

Installation ...70, 105, 133

Institution 107

Insurance 107

Interest 93

Investments 108

Joininj^ 109

Judiciary 109

jurisdiction i to

Laws 49, III

Legal Proceedings ..14, 49

Legislation iii

Library iii

Loans 1 1 1

Lodge ..112, 114, 117, 129,
144, 183, 198

Marshal 142

Medical Examination.

33. 113
Meetings 113

Membership. ... 14, 71, 97,

104, 116

Mergement 6, 119

Messenger 138

Mileage 124

Minutes 124

New Lodge 125

Noble Grand .... 148, 189

Nominations 127

Non-payment of Dues. 129
Notice . .209, 210, 212, 213

Ofifences 131

OfHcers ..3. 15,75. 13^. i44

Opening Lodge 3

Opening Grand Lodge. 3
Order 149, 176, 19G

Past Grands . 150

Past (rrand Master. . . 152

INDEX.

251

Penalties i53

Per Capita i53

Per Diem 124

Petitions i54

Physician i54

Powers.. .95. 137. 147. 155

Printing i55

Procedure 156

Proposition 14, il^ 84

Punishment i53' ^5^

QualitiCitions 31, 156

Questions ^9

Quorum 28, 156

Re-admission 15^

Rebekah 159

Reduction 161

Regalia 161

Re-instatement 162

Rejection 1^4

Relief 23, 165

Reports 45- 165, 211

Representatives . . .79.

Residence no,

Resignation

Restoration 162,

Returns i7^

Revenue ^74

Rules of Order . ..176, 183

Rules of Procedure . 191 , 205

166
170
170
171

Seal 191

Sessions loi, 192

Signing i94

Sick Benefits 21, 194

Special Committees 45, 195

Special Punds 92, 195

Special Meetings. . 113, T15,

195

Solicitor i95

State of the Order 196

Supplies 196

Surrender i97

Suspension I97

Terms 198

Title 199

Trials 49. ^99

Trust 49. 216

U.
Union 0, 217

Vacancy 220

Valuation Tables 222

Visiting Card 241

Visitor 242

Widows 243

Withdrawal 245

Witnesses 211, 213

mmgmr

^^^^