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BANCROFT 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
v^ ; 
 
 "?m CONSTITUTION 
 
 M.\W.\ GliAND LODGE 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA, AND MASONIC 
 JUR] , THEREUNTO BELONGING, 
 
 £m mi gvwiptol f$to 
 
 ' tON WITH lL GRAND LODGE OF 
 
 UNITED AMERICA, AS 
 
 . A. L. 5867. 
 
 C ISC 
 1867. 
 
CONSTITUTION^ ' -=g 
 
 OF THE 
 
 M.\W.\ GRAND LODGF 
 
 FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND MASONIC 
 JURISDICTION THEREUNTO BELONGING, 
 
 ixu mi %ttt$tfL IjteWM, 
 
 IN UNION WITH THE NATIONAL GRAND LODGE OF 
 
 THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, AS 
 
 REVISED AND ADOPTED SEPT. 19th, A. L. 5867. 
 
 f J* 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO: 
 
 PRANK EASTMAN, PRINTER, 509 CLAY STREET. 
 1867. 
 
HS637 
 C 2,4 23 
 
 W @f L@®@IS, ©to. / ?(} 7 
 
 Hannibal Lodge No. 1, San Francisco — B.Fletcher, W.\ 
 M.\ ; A. F. Phillips, Secretary. Meets every Wednesday. 
 
 PhilomatheanlLodgeNo. 2, Sacramento — N. A. Christopher, 
 W.\ M.\ ; J. H. Hubbard, Secretary. Meets every Monday. 
 
 Victoria Lodge No. 3, San Francisco— D. W. Buggies, W.-, 
 M.*. ; J. B. Sanderson, Secretary. Meets every Monday. 
 
 Mount Moriah Lodge No. 4, Nevada, California— D. D. 
 Carter, W.\ M.\; L. H. Gardner, Secretary, Meets every 
 Monday. 
 
 Laurel Lodge No. 5, Marysville— I. M.Wiley, W.\ M.\. ; 
 Jonathan B. Johnson, Secretary. Meets every Monday. 
 
 Landmark Lodge No. 6, Sonora — Martin Jackson, W.\ M.\ ; 
 Samuel Collet, Secretary. Meets every Monday. 
 
 Ashlar Lodge No. 7, Virginia City, Nev. — George Cottle, 
 W.\ M.\; James M. M. Moody, Secretary. Meets every 
 Monday. 
 
VfiAJ] l\ |,l 
 
 GRAND OFFICERS, A. L. 5867. 
 
 if.'. IF.-. J. M. Whitfield Grand Master. 
 
 R.\ W. '. D. D. Carter Deputy Grand Master. 
 
 R.\ W.\ James Johnson Senior Grand Warden. 
 
 R.'. W.'.I. M. Wiley Junior Grand Warden. 
 
 R.\ W.\ Barney Fletcher Grand Treasurer. 
 
 R.'. W.'. S. P. Clarke Grand Secretary. 
 
 Reverend J. J. Moore Grand Chaplain. 
 
 Reverend I. M. D. Ward Grand Orator. 
 
 J. R. Starkey Grand Marshal. 
 
 Isaiah C. Dunlap Senior Grand Deacon. 
 
 J. B. Sanderson Junior Grand Deacon. 
 
 John Adams Grand Standard Bearer. 
 
 John Gale Grand Sword Bearer. 
 
 J. M. Flowers Grand Bible Bearer. 
 
 A. Osborne Grand Steward. 
 
 E. Cooper Grand Steward. 
 
 T. E. Randolph Grand Pursuivant. 
 
 L. H. Brooks Grand Tyler. 
 
 Committee of Foreign Correspondence, 
 
 J. A. Barber, N. A. Christopher, J. B. Sanderson, 
 
 S. P. Clarke, J. R. Johnson. 
 
CHAPTER I.— OF THE GRAND LODGE. 
 ARTICLE t. 
 
 TITLE, JURISDICTION, MEMBERSHIP, ETC. 
 
 Section 1. Style and Title — The style and title of this 
 Grand Lodge shall be " The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge 
 for the State of California, and Masonic Jurisdiction there- 
 unto belonging, of Free and Accepted Masons." In union 
 with the National Grand Lodge of the United States of North 
 America. 
 
 Sec 2. Extent of Jurisdiction — The jurisdiction of this 
 Grand Lodge shall extend over the State of California, and 
 all the other States and Territories lying wholly or partially 
 west of the Rocky Mountains, in which there is not a Grand 
 Lodge in union with the National Grand Lodge. It shall 
 have a seal (bearing such devices and inscriptions as have 
 been, or may hereafter be, determined on), which shall be 
 impressed upon all documents issued by its authority. 
 
 Sec 3. Of Membership — The Grand Lodge shall be com- 
 posed of the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior 
 Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, Grand Treasu- 
 rer, Grand Secretary, and the past officers of the same rank; 
 of the Grand Chaplain, Grand Orator, Grand Marshal, Senior 
 Grand Deacon, Junior Grand Deacon, Grand Standard 
 Bearer, Grand Sword Bearer, Grand Bible Bearer, two Grand 
 Stewards, Grand Pursuivant, and Grand Tyler; of the Mas- 
 ters and Wardens of all chartered Lodges, and the regular 
 Past Masters of all chartered Lodges under this jurisdiction, 
 each of whom shall be entitled to one vote, and in all tie 
 votes, except election, the Grand Master shall have, in addi- 
 tion, the casting vote. In addition to the individual votes 
 
of members, each Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to 
 three votes, to be cast by its Master and Wardens. In case 
 of the absence of one of them, the senior officer present 
 shall cast two of the three votes, and if but one of them is 
 present, he shall cast the three votes of the Lodge ; and any 
 brother acting as proxy for one or more Lodges, shall be en- 
 titled to cast the whole vote of each Lodge he represents. 
 
 Sec. 4t t Of Communications — The Grand Lodge, so con- 
 stituted, shall meet in San Francisco, in Grand Annual Com- 
 munication, at such time between the fifteenth and twenty- 
 first of June inclusive, of each year, as the Grand Master 
 may, by public notice, appoint. Special Communications 
 may be ordered by the Grand Master whenever, in his 
 opinion, the welfare of the fraternity may require it. Every 
 order for a special Communication shall designate the object 
 thereof, so far as is proper to be written, and shall be issued 
 to each Lodge and Grand officer at least fifteen days before 
 the day named for meeting. The officers or representatives 
 of at least three chartered Lodges shall be necessary in order 
 to open any Communication of the Grand Lodge for the 
 transaction of business, but upon occasions of ceremony 
 only, the Grand Master, or his duly authorized representa- 
 tive, with a sufficient number of brethren to fill the offices, 
 may, at any time, open the Grand Lodge and perform the 
 ceremony for which it was convened. 
 
 Sec. 5. Of its Powers and Authority — The Grand Lodge 
 is the supreme Masonic power and authority in this jurisdic- 
 tion, possessing all the attributes of sovereignty — legislative, 
 executive, and judicial, limited only by a strict adherence to 
 the ancient landmarks of the Order, and the provisions of 
 the Constitution of the National Grand Lodge, 
 
 Sec. 6. Of Election — The Grand Master, Deputy Grand 
 Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Secre- 
 tary, shall be elected by ballot upon the third evening of 
 each Annual Communication; shall be installed before its 
 close; and shall hold their respective offices until their sue- 
 
f 
 
 cessors are elected and installed, and a majority of all the 
 votes east shall be necessary to an election. All other Grand 
 officers shall be appointed by the Grand Master, immediately 
 after his installation, at each Annual Communication ; shall 
 be properly invested before the close thereof ; and shall 
 hold their respective offices during his will and pleasure. 
 Whenever a vacancy shall occur in any elective office of the 
 Grand Lodge, the Grand Master shall have power to fill the 
 same by appointment, which appointment shall be valid un- 
 til the succeeding annual election and installation ; and the 
 officer so appointed shall be charged with all the duties and 
 responsibilities of one regularly elected. Every member of 
 this Grand Lodge shall be eligible to any office therein, and 
 may be elected whether he be present or absent. 
 
 Sec. 7. Of Voting— All questions before the Grand Lodge, 
 except election of officers, shall be decided by the usual 
 show of hands. No Past Grand officer, or Past Master, 
 voting in one of those capacities, s'hall vote in the other of 
 them; but any such member may, as Master, Warden, or 
 proxy of a Lodge, cast also the vote, or votes, to which such 
 position entitles him. 
 
 Sec. 8. The following regular committees, to consist of 
 three members each, shall be appointed by the Grand Mas- 
 ter at the commencement of each Annual Communication, 
 namely: A Committee on Credentials, a Committee on 
 Grievances, a Committee on Finance, a Committee on Char- 
 ters, By-Laws, and Returns of Subordinate Lodges. In ad- 
 dition to which the Grand Master elect shall appoint a stand- 
 ing committee of five on Foreign Correspondence. Special 
 committees may also be appointed by the Grand Master 
 whenever it may be deemed necessary by the Grand Lodge, 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 OF REVENUE AND FEES. 
 
 Section 1. Of Revenue — The revenue of the Grand Lodge 
 shall be derived from fees charged for dispensations, char- 
 
8 
 
 ters, diplomas, dimits, and other documents issued under 
 ts authority; from uniform assessments levied upon the 
 Lodges for members, affiliations and degrees ; and from the 
 funds and property of dissolved Lodges, which shall, in all 
 cases, revert to the Grand Lodge. 
 
 Sec. 2. Of Fees — The following shall be the fees charged 
 as above : For a dispensation to open a new Lodge, including 
 five dollars to the Grand Secretary, thirty dollars; for a 
 charter or warrant of Constitution, including five dollars fee 
 to the Grand Secretary, thirty dollars; for a dispensation to 
 hold an election outside of the regular time, including tvvo 
 dollars fee to the Grand Secretary, five dollars; for a dispen- 
 sation to ballot for a candidate for the degrees without the 
 reference to a committee and laying over to the next si ated 
 communication, five dollars, including two dollars fee to the 
 Grand Secretary; for a diploma, dimit, or certificate of mem- 
 bership, the brother furnishing the written or printed form, 
 two dollars. In no case shall either of the foregoing docu- 
 ments be issued until the fees therefor shall be paid. 
 
 Sec. 3. Of Assessments— The following assessments shall 
 be paid as annual due s by each of the Lodges, whether char- 
 tered or under dispensation. For each degree it shall have 
 conferred during the year, the sum of fifty cents. For each 
 member it shall have received during the year, the sum of 
 fifty cents. For each Master Mason borne upon its roll at 
 the date of its annual return, the sum of fifty cents. The 
 Grand Lodge may levy such additional assessments as it 
 may think proper. 
 
 CHAPTER II.— OF THE GRAND MASTER. 
 
 ARTICLE" I. 
 
 PREROGATIVES OF THE GRAND MASTER. 
 
 Section 1. To preside over the Grand Lodge, and over 
 any Subordinate, wb^ w • -vt. 
 
9 
 
 Sec. 2. To call emergent Communications of the Grand 
 Lodge, and of any Subordinate Lodge, as often as he may 
 deem it expedient. 
 
 Sec. 3. To appoint all committees of the Grand Lodge, 
 and to be ex officio the chairman thereof. 
 
 Sec 4. To determine all questions of order in Grand 
 Lodge, without appeal. 
 
 Sec 5. To fill all vacancies in office in the Grand Lodge. 
 
 Sec 6. To make Masons at sight — this power being, how- 
 ever, restricted to the conferring of the degrees according to 
 the ritual, in the presence of a lawful number of Masons, 
 and of all the necessary elements of a regular Lodge ; the 
 presence of the Grand Master supplying the warrant. 
 
 Sec 7. To grant dispensations for the formation of new 
 Lodges, or for the revival of decayed Lodges, and to revoke 
 the same at pleasure. 
 
 Sec 8. To arrest the charter of Lodges, and to suspend 
 the functions of Masters of Lodges until the next session of 
 the Grand Lodge. 
 
 Sec 9. To grant dispensations to Lodges for the election 
 for officers when the first three offices for any cause shall be 
 vacant, or when default shall be made in the election of t offi- 
 cers on the day of the annual election. 
 
 Sec 10. To exercise, temporarily, all the powers of the 
 Grand Lodge during the interim between its sessions, and 
 subject to its appproval at its next session. 
 
 Sec 11. To grant dispensations, on good cause shown, 
 authorizing the installation of a Master elect, who is not a 
 Past Warden. 
 
 Sec 12. To grant dispensations shortening the time in 
 which any act is required to be done. 
 
 Sec 13. Exemption from trial during his term of office, 
 and afterward for any official act while Grand Master. 
 
 Sec 14. To perform any act necessary for the enforce- 
 ment of his prerogatives or the orders of the Grand Lodge* 
 
10 
 
 Sec. 15. To give give the casting vote in case of a tie, in 
 addition to his own vote. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 OF THE DUTIES OF THE OK AND MASTER. 
 
 Section 1. To discharge all the necessary functions of 
 the Grand Lodge when that body is not in session. 
 
 Sec. 2. To exercise a general and careful supervision 
 over the Craft, and see that the Constitution and regulations 
 of the Grand Lodge are strictly maintained, supported and 
 obeyed. 
 
 Sec 3. To constitute all chartered Lodges, either in per- 
 son or by a duly authorized representative, in accordance 
 with the ancient usages and regulations. 
 
 Sec 4. To pregent, at each Annual Communication, a 
 written message, setting forth therein all his official acts 
 during the year, exhibiting the general condition of Masonry 
 throughout the jurisdiction, and recommending such legis- 
 lation as he may deem necesary or expedient for the welfare 
 of the Order. 
 
 CHAPTER III.^OF THE GRAND OFFICERS, 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 
 
 Section 1. The duty of the Deputy Grand Master is to 
 assist the Grand Master in the discharge of his duties, and 
 in case of his absence or inability, to preside in the Commu- 
 nications of the Grand Lodge, and perform all the duties of 
 Grand Master. 
 
 Sec. 2. Of the Grand Wardens— In the absence or inability 
 of both the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master, the 
 Grand Wardens, according to seniority, succeed to the pow- 
 ers and duties of the Grand Mastership. In the absence or 
 inability of them all, the Master of the oldest Lodge is to 
 preside, in regular succession, 
 
11 
 
 Sec. 3. Of the Grand Treasurer — The duty of the Grand 
 Treasurer is to receive all moneys belonging to the Grand 
 Lodge from the Grand Secretary, giving duplicate receipts 
 therefor, and keeping, in proper books, a just account there- 
 of. To take charge of all other property of the Grand 
 Lodge, keeping an accurate account of the same. To pay all 
 orders drawn upon the proper funds, when signed by the 
 Grand Master and Grand Secretary. To attend the Grand 
 Lodge at all its Communications, and the Grand Master, 
 when required, with the books and all necessary papers ap- 
 pertaining to his office. To report at each Annual Commu- 
 nication a detailed account of his receipts and disburements ; 
 present a statement of the existing condition of its property 
 and finances, and at the end of his term pay over and trans- 
 fer to his successor all funds or property of the Grand 
 Lodge remaining in his possession. 
 
 Sec. 4. Of the Grand Secretary — The duty of the Grand 
 Secretary is to record all the proceedings of the Grand 
 Lodge which are proper to be written; to receive and keep 
 on file all papers and documents addressed to or belonging to 
 the Grand Lodge, and present such as may require its action 
 at each Annual Communication. To keep the seal of the 
 Grand Lodge, and affix the same, with his attestation, to all 
 instruments emanating from that body. To collect all 
 moneys due to the Grand Lodge, keep a correct account 
 thereof, in proper books, and pay the same to the Grand 
 Treasurer. To report at each Annual Communication a de- 
 tailed account of all moneys received by him during the 
 year, with a specific statement of the sources whence they 
 were derived, presenting therewith the receipts of the Grand 
 Treasurer therefor. To report all Lodges which shall be in 
 arrears to the urand Lodge, or whi<5h shall neglect or refuse 
 to comply with any provision of its Constitution or regula- 
 tion. To conduct the correspondence of the Grand Lodge, 
 and submit copies thereof at each Annual Communication, 
 for its inspection. To attend the Grand Lodge at all its 
 
12 
 
 Communications, and the Grand Master when required, with 
 the books and all necessary papers appertaining to his office. 
 To transmit to each Lodge within the jurisdiction, once in 
 every six months, a list of all rejections, suspensions, ex- 
 pulsions, and restorations, of which he shall have been 
 notified by the several Lodges. To present at each Annual 
 Communication an estimate of the probable income from 
 the known sources of revenue during the year. To issue 
 notices of any special Communication ordered by the Grand 
 Master to each Lodge and Grand officer within the jurisdic- 
 tion. To issue notices to each Lodge of the granting of a 
 dispensation by the Grand Master for the formation of a 
 new Lodge. To take charge of the j ewe's, furniture, cloth- 
 ing and paraphernalia of the Grand Lodge during its vaca- 
 tions. To furnish every Grand officer elected or appointed 
 with a certificate of such election or appointment. To report 
 at each Annual Communication all unfinished business of 
 the Grand Lodge, and to present such other matters to its 
 notice as may properly come within his province, and to per- 
 form all such other duties appertaining to his office as the 
 Grand Lodge may direct. He shall receive such compensa- 
 tion for his services as the Grand Lodge may direct. He 
 may, with the approval of the Grand Master, appoint an As- 
 sistant Grand Secretary, for whose official acts he shall be 
 responsible, and who shall be considered an appointed officer 
 of the Grand Lodge, and shall receive such compensation 
 for his services as it may direct. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 OF THE APPOINTED GRAND OFFICERS. 
 
 Section 1. It is the duty of the Grand Chaplain, during 
 each Communication, to perform such services appertaining 
 to his office, as may be required of him by the Grand Master. 
 
 Sec. 2. It is the duty of the Grand Orator, at each Annual 
 Communication, to deliver an address to the Grand Lodge, 
 upon matters appertaining to the Craft. 
 
13 
 
 Sec. 3. It is the duty of the Gland Marshal to proclaim 
 the Grand officers at their installation, and to make such 
 other proclamations as the Grand Master may direct; to in- 
 troduce the representatives of other Grand Lodges, and all 
 visiting brethren of distinction; to conduct all processions 
 of the Grand Lodge, under the direction of the Grand Mas- 
 ter, and perform such other duties proper to his office as 
 may be required. 
 
 Sec. 4. It is the duty of the Grand Deacons to assist the 
 Grand Master and the Grand Wardens in such manner as 
 the ancient usages of the Craft prescribe. 
 
 Sec. 5. It is the duty of the Grand Standard Bearer to 
 bear the banner of the Grand Lodge in all processions, and 
 at all public ceremonies. 
 
 Sec 6. It is the duty of the Grand Sword Bearer to attend 
 upbn the Grand Master and bear the sword of the Grand 
 Lodge in all processions, and at all public ceremonies. 
 
 Sec. 7. It is the duty of the Grand Bible Bearer to bear 
 the Holy Scriptures in all processions, and at all public cere- 
 monies. 
 
 Sec. 8. It is the duty of the Grand Stewards to superin- 
 tend the preparations for all festive occasions directed by the 
 Grand Lodge, and to provide suitable rafreshments at its 
 Communications ; provided, that they shall not incur an ex- 
 pense of more than twenty- five dollars at one Communica- 
 tion, unless authorized to do so by a vote of the Grand Lodge. 
 
 Sec. 9. It is the duty of the Grand Pursuivant to guard 
 the inner door of the Grand Lodge, and communicate with 
 the Grand Tyler without; to announce all applicants for 
 admission, by their names and proper Masonic titles, and 
 see that all who enter wear the jewel and clothing proper to 
 their rank, and to allow none to withdraw who have not ob- 
 tained permission to do so from the Grand Master. 
 
 Sec. 10. It is the duty of the Grand Tyler to guard the 
 outer door of the Grand Lodge, and communicate with the 
 Grand Pursuivant within ; to report all applicants for ad- 
 
u 
 
 mission to the Grand Pursuivant, and see that all who enter 
 are duly authorized, and properly clothed ; to make suitable 
 preparations for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge at 
 all its Communications, and see that the hall is kept in order; 
 to take charge of and safely keep the jewels, furniture and 
 clothing of the Grand Lodge during its communications ; to 
 carry all notices and summonses, and perform such other 
 duties as may be required of him by the Grand Lodge, or 
 Grand Master. He shall receive for his services such com- 
 pensation as the Grand Lodge may direct. 
 
 CHAPTER IT.— OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 ORGANIZATION/ 
 
 Section 1. How Formed — A Lodge can only be formed 
 by authority of a dispensation from the Grand Master, or of 
 a charter from the Grand Lodge. At every Grand Commu- 
 nication the Grand Master shall make a report of all Lodges 
 under dispensation; when the Grand Lodge may grant a 
 charter, or continue the new Lodge under dispensation. If 
 a charter is granted, the Grand Master shall constitute the 
 new Lodge in person, or by proxy, as soon as convenient. 
 A Lodge shall consist of a Master, Senior and Junior War- 
 dens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and Junior Deacons, two 
 Stewards, and Tyler, with as many members as it may find 
 convenient. 
 
 Sec. 2. Of the Powers and Duties of a Lodge — The powers 
 and privileges of a Lodge are such as are authorized by its 
 dispensation or charter, by the Constitution and regulations 
 of the Grand Lodge, and by the general usages and customs 
 of ancient Freemasonry; and are, 1st. Executive, in the 
 direction and performance of its work as prescribed by the 
 Grand Lodge, under the control of the Master, and in all 
 other matters in aid of the Master, who is the primary execu- 
 tive authority of the Lodge ; 2d. Legislative, including all 
 
15 
 
 matters of legislation relative to its internal concerns, which 
 shall not be in violation of the general regulations and ancient 
 usages of Masonry, or the Constitution and edicts of the 
 Grand Lodge ; 3d. Judicial, embracing the exercise of dis- 
 cipline over its own members (except the Master), and all 
 other Masons within its jurisdiction, and the settlement of 
 controversies between them, subject always to revision by 
 the Grand Lodge upon appeal. 
 
 Sec. 3. Of Communications and Business-vlZ&ch Lodge shall 
 have not less than one stated Communication in each calen- 
 dar month, but may hold such other communications as it 
 may determine, or the Master may direct ; but no business 
 of any kind, except collections, appropriations for relief, 
 conferring of degrees, ceremonial observances, and the like, 
 shall be done at any other than a stated meeting, unless by 
 dispensation from the Grand Master. 
 
 Sec. 4. Of Returns and By-Laws — Each chartered Lodge 
 shall transmit to the Grand Secretary a full and correct re- 
 turn of its transactions for the twelve months next preced- 
 ing the eighth day of June in each year, within one week; 
 and each Lodge under dispensation shall transmit a similar 
 return from the day of its organization to the same date, 
 and shall remit along with such return the amount of its 
 dues to the Grand Lodge for the year. Each chartered Lodge 
 shall have a seal, with the name and number of the Lodge, 
 date of its charter, and any suitable devices engraved there- 
 on, which shall be impressed upon all documents of every 
 kind emanating from the Lodge, or from the Master or Sec- 
 retary in their official capacity; and documents issued with- 
 out the impress of the seal, shall be considered null and 
 void. Each Lodge shall have all official communications 
 from the Grand Master or Grand Secretary read in open 
 Lodge at the stated Communication next following their re- 
 ceipt. Any Lodge preparing a code of By-Laws, shall trans- 
 mit a copy to the Grand Secretary as soon as adopted ; but 
 np such By-Laws, or any subsequent amendments thereun- 
 
16 
 
 to, shall be deemed valid until approved by the Grand Lodge, 
 though they may be acted under until the next Annual 
 Communication, if approved by the Grand Master. For the 
 neglect or violation of any duty imposed upon a Lodge 
 in this Constitution, its charter may be suspended or for- 
 feited; and for the neglect or violation of any duty herein 
 imposed upon a Secretary, his Lodge shall be held respon- 
 sible. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 DISSOLUTION OF LODGES. 
 
 Section 1. A Lodge may be dissolved by the voluntary 
 surrender of its charter, when such surrender is accepted 
 by the Grand Lodge ; or by the revocation of its charter by 
 the Grand Lodge . 
 
 Sec. 2. The charter of a Lodge may be surrendered when, 
 after timely notice and free discussion at two successive 
 stated Communications, two-thirds of all the members shall 
 vote in favor of such surrender ; provided, that under no cir- 
 cumstances shall a charter be surrendered so long as seven 
 members can be found who desire to retain it; and no act of 
 surrender shall be considered final until it has been approved 
 and accepted by the Grand Lodge. 
 
 Sec. 3. The charter of a Lodge may be forfeited by, 1st. 
 Disobedience to any provision of the Constitution or regula- 
 tions of the Grand Lodge ; 2d. Disregard to the lawful au- 
 thority of the Grand Master ; 3d. Violation or neglect of the 
 ancient and recognized usages of the Craft ; 4th. Failure to 
 meet during a period of twelve successive months ; but no 
 charter shall be forfeited unless charges against the Lodge 
 shall be presented to and investigated in the Grand Lodge, of 
 which charges the Lodge accused shall have due notice, 
 though the charter may be arrested until the next Annual 
 Communication, either by the Grand Lodge or the Grand 
 Master, upon satisfactory reasons therefor being shown. 
 The forfeiture or arrest of the charter of a Lodge involves 
 
17 
 
 the suspension of all its members from the rights and privi- 
 leges of Masonry, excepting those who may be specially ex- 
 empted from such effect. 
 
 Sec. 4. The surrender or forfeiture of the charter of a 
 Lodge, when declared by the Grand Lodge, shall be conclus- 
 ive upon the Lodge and its members, and all its funds, 
 jewels, furniture, dues and property, of every kind, shall be 
 taken possession of by the Grand Secretary, and held in 
 trust for, and subject to the disposition of, the Grand Lodge. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 PROHIBITIONS. 
 
 Section 1. Of Removals — No Lodge shall remove its place 
 of meetings from that named inits dispensation or charter, 
 unless notice shall have been given, at a stated Communica- 
 tion, that a resolution for such removal will be offered at the 
 next succeeding one, nor unless such resolution shall have 
 been adopted by the votes of at least two-thirds of the mem- 
 bers present at such succeeding Communication; nor shall 
 such removal then take place until the action of the Lodge 
 shall have been approved by the Grand Lodge or Grand 
 Master. 
 
 Sec. 2. Of Applicants — All applications for initiation, 
 -nd also for affiliation, must be signed by the applicants, 
 and recommended by two regular Master Masons, and no 
 Lodge shall ballot upon such application (except by dis- 
 pensation from the Grand Master) until it shall have been 
 referred to a committee, whose duty it shall be to make 
 strict examination into the moral, mental and physical qual- 
 ifications of the applicant, and report thereon at the next 
 stated Communication. No application shall be withdrawn 
 after reference to a committee, and it shall require a unani- 
 mous ballot to elect. But, if one black ball, only, appear 
 in the ballot box, the Master, without declaring the result, 
 may at once order a second ballot for the purpose of correct- 
 ing a possible mistake. No dispensation shall be issued to 
 
18 » 
 
 r a Lodge to ballot for and confer the degrees upon a candi- 
 date without reference to a committee unless the application 
 therefor be made by the unanimous vote of the Lodge, and 
 of the special Communication to be holden under such dis- 
 pensation, and the purpose thereof, the members of the 
 Lodge shall have due notice. 
 
 Sec. 3. Of Balloting for Candidates— Ho Lodge, unless 
 it be otherwise provided in its By-Laws, shall have more 
 than one ballot for the three degrees; but, though an appli- 
 cant be elected to receive them, if, at any time before his in- 
 itiation, objection be made by any member, he shall not 
 receive the degree until such objection be withdrawn; 
 and if, after his initiation, but before being passed, or after 
 passing, before being raised, objection to his advancement 
 be made by any member, such objection shall be referred to 
 a committee, with power to inquire into the cause thereof, 
 who shall, at the next stated Communication, report thereon, 
 and upon the reception of such report, if no cause for the 
 objection has been assigned, or if the cause assigned be, in 
 the opinion of two-thirds of the members present, not a 
 valid and Masonic one, the Lodge may confer the degree in 
 the same manner as if no objection had been made. 
 
 Sec. 4. Of Proficiency— No Lodge shall advance an En- 
 tered Apprentice or Fellow Craft to a higher degree until 
 after a strict examination, in open Lodge, he shows himself 
 proficient and well qualified in what he has already received ; 
 and no Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft shallbe advanced 
 to a higher degree in any other Lodge without the official 
 consent of the Lodge in which he was entered or passed, 
 if it be then in existence. 
 
 Sec. 5, Of Fees for Degrees— -No Lodge within this juris- 
 diction shall confer the three degrees for a less fee than 
 twenty-five dollars; and in every case the fee for each, or all 
 of the degrees, as may be regulated by the Lodge, shall ac- 
 company the application. The fee for affiliation shall not be 
 Jess than five dollars. 
 
19 
 
 Sec. 6. Of Conferring Degrees— No Lodge shall confer de- 
 grees upon more than five candidates at any one Communi- 
 cation, nor shall confer more than one degree upon any one 
 candidate at one Communicaion, nor shall confer either of 
 the degrees upon more than one candidate at a time. No 
 Lodge shall receive lectures from any person who is not duly 
 authorized by the Grand Lodge or Grand Master. No Lodge 
 shall receive an application for affiliation unless it is accom- 
 panied by a proper dimit from the Lodge of which the appli- 
 cant was last a member, or a satisfactory explanation, in writ- 
 ing, of his inability to furnish such dimit. No Lodge shall 
 hold Masonic communication with any Lodge which has 
 been declared illegal by the Grand Lodge, or any person who 
 has received degrees, or is a member of such a Lodge. No 
 Lodge shall admit a visitor without inquiry or examination, 
 nor if there be, in the opinion of the Master, a valid objec- 
 tion made to such admission by a member of the Lodge. 
 
 Sec. 7. Of Suspension for Non-Payment of Dues — No 
 Lodge shall expel a member for the non-payment of his 
 dues; but, in case any member shall refuse or neglect to pay 
 his regular dues during a period of six months, he shall be 
 notified by the Secretary that, unless at the next stated Com- 
 munication, either his dues be paid, or sickness or inability 
 to pay be shown as the cause of such refusal or neglect, he 
 will be suspended from all the rights and privileges of Ma- 
 sonry. If neither of these things be done, he shall be so 
 suspended, unless for special reasons shown, the Lodge 
 may otherwise determine; but any Mason thus suspended, 
 who shall, at any time, pay the arrearages due at the time 
 of his suspension, and one half of the affiliation fee, he shall 
 by that act be restored. 
 
 Sec. 8. Of Delegates-^No Lodge, until chartered and 
 duly constituted, shall be entitled to representation in the 
 Grand Lodge, but a Lodge under dispenstion may send dele- 
 gates there, who may be admitted to seats, but shall have no 
 vote. 
 
20 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS. 
 
 Section 1. Of Elective Officers— The Master, Wardens, 
 Treasurer and Secretary, shall be elected annually by ballot, 
 at the stated meeting next preceding the Anniversary of St. 
 John the Evangelist, or at a special Communication ap- 
 pointed for that particular purpose at that stated Communi- 
 cation. Every Master Mason, who is a member in good 
 standing, shall be entitled to vote at all elections ; and every 
 voter shall be eligible to any office in the Lodge. 
 
 Sec. 2. Of the Master — The Master has power to congre- 
 gate his Lodge whenever he may think proper, and discharge 
 all its executive functions ; to issue, or cause to be issued, all 
 summonses and notices which may be required, and to per- 
 form all such other acts, by ancient usage proper to his office, 
 as shall not be in contravention of any provision of the Con- 
 stitution or regulations of the Grand Lodge. It is his duty 
 to preside at all Communications of his Lodge ; to confer all 
 degrees in strict accordance with the ritual which has been, 
 or may hereafter be, adopted by the Grand Lodge ; to give, in 
 full, the lecture appertaining to each degree, at the time it is 
 conferred, in accordance with the ritual; to superintend the 
 official acts of all the officers of his Lodge, and see that their 
 respective duties are properly discharged ; to carefully guard 
 against any infraction by the members of his Lodge of its 
 own By-Laws, of the Constitution or regulations of the 
 Grand Lodge, or of the general regulations of Masonry. 
 From the decisions of the Master there can be no appeal to 
 the Lodge, but objections to such decisions may be laid be- 
 fore the Grand Master, and by him be dealt with as the case 
 may require. In all cases of a tie vote, except elections, the 
 Master, in addition to his proper vote, has the casting vote. 
 
 Sec. 3. Of the Wardens— It is the duty of the Wardens 
 to assist the Master in the performance of his duties, and to 
 discharge all those duties which ancient usage has assigned 
 
21 
 
 to their respective stations. In the absence of the Master, 
 the Senior Warden (and in his absence, also, the Junior 
 Warden) shall succeed to all the powers and duties of the 
 Master. 
 
 Sec. 4. Of the Treasurer — It is the duty of the Treasurer 
 to receive and safely keep all moneys and property of every 
 kind which shall be placed in his hands by * order of the 
 Lodge ; to disburse or transfer the same, or any part there- 
 of, upon the order of the Master, duly attested by the Secre- 
 tary ; to keep a book, or books, wherein a correct account 
 of his receipts and disbursements shall be exhibited; to 
 present a statement of the finances of the Lodge whenever 
 required, and to perform such other duties appertaining to 
 his office as the By-Laws may require, or the Lodge may at 
 any time direct. 
 
 Sec. 5. Of the Secretary— -It is the duty of the Secretary 
 to record all the proceedings of each Communication which 
 are proper to be written, under the direction of the Master ; 
 to read the record of each Communication before the close 
 of the Lodge for correction or approval, and at the opening 
 of each stated Communication, read the record of the last 
 stated, and all intervening Communications of every kind; 
 to prepare and transmit a copy of the record, or any part 
 thereof, to the Grand Lodge, when required; to collect and 
 receive all money due to the Lodge, and pay it over to the 
 Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same ; to keep the seal 
 of the Lodge, and to impress the same, with his attestation, 
 to all papers issued under its authority, or in obedience 
 to the requirements of the Constitution or regulations of 
 the Grand Lodge; to transmit to the Grand Secretary, im- 
 mediately after each election and installation in the Lodge, a 
 certificate thereof, with list of officers; to transmit to the 
 Grand Secretary the annual return required by the Consti- 
 tutions ; to report to the Grand Secretary, immediately after 
 their occurrence, all rejections, expulsions, suspensions and 
 restorations; he shall keep a record book, in which he sha 1 
 
t'l 
 
 record all the transactions of the Lodge, proper to be writ- 
 ten, after the same shall be approved by a vote of the 
 Lodge, and signed by the Worshipful Master ; a roll book, 
 in which he shall record the names of all belonging to 
 the Lodge, the dates of their initiation, passing, raising, or 
 affiliation, the name, number and location of the Lodges of 
 which those affiliated were last members ; the age and occu- 
 pation of each when received ; and the dates of their with- 
 drawal, expulsion, suspension, death or restoration; a reg- 
 ister to be kept in the Tyler's room, in which all members, 
 names shall be recorded; and all visitors shall record their 
 names and residence, and the names, numbers and locations 
 of their respective Lodges before entering the Lodge. 
 
 Sec. 6. Of the Appointed Officers — The Deacons, Stewards 
 and Tyler shall perform such duties by the ancient usages 
 of the Craft appertaining to their respective offices, as may 
 be required by the By-Laws, or directed by the Master. 
 
 Sec. 7. Of Virtual Past Masters — No Warden of a Sub- 
 ordinate Lodge shall enter upon the duties of his office until 
 he has taken the degree of Past Master ; but such degree 
 shall give him no rights of an actual P.*. M.\, being only 
 given to qualify him to preside in the Master's absence. 
 
 CHAPTER V.— OF INDIVIDUAL MASONS. 
 
 ARTICLE I, 
 
 OF MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Section 1. Acquisition of Membership — Membership in 
 a Subordinate Lodge may be acquired by having regularly 
 received the degree of Master Mason therein, by having 
 been duly elected for affiliation therewith, and by having 
 been named as one of the petitioners for a dispensation for 
 a new Lodge. A Mason may be a member of as many Lodges 
 as see fit to receive him, provided he promptly pays his dues 
 <n each. 
 
 Sec. 2. Dissolution of Membership — Membership in a 
 Su \rdinate Lodge can be terminated only by the dissolu- 
 
23 
 
 Won of the Lodge ; by voluntary withdrawal therefrom ; or 
 by death, suspension or expulsion. A member of a Lodge, 
 in good standing, whose dues are paid, may withdraw there- 
 from at any time by giving notice of his intention so to do 
 at a stated Communication ; but no recommendatory cer^ 
 tificate shall be given him, except by a vote of a majority 
 of the 1 members of the Lodge then present. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 CF NON-AFFILIATES. 
 
 Section 1. It is the duty of every Master Mason to be a 
 member of some Lodge ; and any one who shall reside six 
 months within the jurisdiction of a Lodge, and shall refuse 
 or neglect to make application for membership, or to con- 
 tribute an amount equal to at least one half its regular 
 dues, while able to do so, may, at the option of such Lodge, 
 be declared unworthy of Masonic consideration, and not en- 
 titled to receive any of the rights, privileges or charities of 
 the Order. 
 
 Sec. 2. Of Irregular and Clandestine Masons — No Mason 
 shall hold any Masonic intercourse with an expelled or sus- 
 pended Mason ; with an illegal Lodge, or any person who 
 has received degrees therein, or is a member thereof; nor 
 with any Mason not acknowledged as such by this Grand 
 Lodge. 
 
 Sec. 3. Penalties-r-For any violation of the ancient land- 
 marks of the Order, of the Constitution and regulations 
 of the Grand Lodge, of the By-Laws of his Lodge, or of any 
 portion of the Masonic or moral law, a member, or any other 
 Mason within the jurisdiction of a Lodge, may be repri T 
 manded, suspended or expelled, after trial and conviction. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 OF TRIALS, APPEALS, AND PENALTIES. 
 
 Section 1. Of Charges against the Master— Charges may 
 be preferred against the Master of a Lodge for abuse of his 
 
24 
 
 power, for violation of the Constitution or regulations of 
 the Grand Lodge, or for unmasonic conduct of any kind, by 
 any seven Master Masons in good standing; which charges 
 shall be in writing, signed by all the seven, and shall be pre- 
 sented to the Grand Lodge, if in session, or to the Grand 
 Master during the vacation. Upon the presentation of such 
 * charges, the Grand Lodge, or the Grand Master, as the case 
 may be, may at once appoint and summon three disinterested 
 Present or Past Masters of Lodges, to assemble as Commis- 
 sioners to hear and decide the case ; and shall then summon 
 the accused to appear and answer thereunto at the time and 
 place indicated in the summons, granting him such time 
 (not less than ten, nor more than ninety days,) as under 
 the circumstances may appear reasonable, and transmitting 
 to him a copy of the charges. The Commissioners, or either 
 of them, shall have power to summon witnesses at the re- 
 quest of either party, who, if Masons, shall testify on their 
 obligations as such ; if not, their depositions shall be taken 
 in writing and sworn to before an officer legally authorized 
 to administer oaths. The Commissioners may adjourn from 
 time to time, at their own convenience, or for good cause 
 shown by either party, 'provided that the period within which 
 their duties shall be concluded shall not exceed ten days, 
 unless, for sufficient reasons, the Grand Master shall grant 
 them further time. The decision of a majority of the Com- 
 missioners shall be deemed the judgment of the whole, and 
 shall be conclusive unless an appeal be taken at the next 
 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. The penalties 
 which may be inflicted by such Commissioners may be rep- 
 rimand, deprivation of office, suspension or expulsion. 
 They shall keep a record of their proceedings, and of their 
 judgment, which they shall transmit to the Grand Secretary 
 at the conclusion of the trial, and the judgment shall at 
 once be carried into effect by order of the Grand Master. 
 
 Sec. 2. Relative to Lodges and Members of Different 
 Lodges — When a controversy shall arise between Lodges, or 
 
25 
 
 between a Lodge and a member or members of another 
 Lodge, or between members of different Lodges, charges 
 may be preferred by either party, if in good standing; 
 which charges shall be in writing, and shall be presented to 
 the Grand Lodge or Grand Master, as provided in Section 1 
 of this Article. Upon the presentation of such charges, 
 three Commissioners may be appointed and summoned, as 
 provided in Section 1 of this Artiole, which Commissioners 
 shall be Masters or Wardens, and shall be selected from at 
 least two Lodges not interested in the controversy, and most 
 convenient to the parties ; and the accused party shall be sum- 
 moned, with such time to answer as provided in the preced- 
 ing section. The Commissioners shall have power to 
 proceed, and shall keep a record of their proceedings and 
 judgment, as in the preceding Section; and the penalties 
 which they may inflict, may be any known to Masonic usage. 
 If the case be one not involving a violation of Masonic duty, 
 it shall be dismissed with a reprimand to the party bringing 
 the charges. 
 
 Sec. 3. Relative to Masons Individually — "When any mem- 
 ber of a Lodge (except its Master, or the Grand Master), or 
 any Mason residing within its jurisdiction, shall be accused 
 of unmasonic conduct, charges to that effect may be pre- 
 ferred by any Master Mason in good standing; which charges 
 shall be in writing, signed by himself, and presented to the 
 Master of the Lodge having jurisdiction thereof. Upon the 
 presentation of such charges at a stated Communication, it 
 shall be the duty of the Master to call a special Communica* 
 tion of his Lodge as soon as practicable, and there cause to 
 be elected, by ballot, three of its members as Commissioners, 
 to hear and determine upon the case at such time and place 
 convenient to the parties as he shall indicate ; and he shall 
 also summon the accused and the accuser to be present, fur- 
 nishing the accused with a copy of the charges against him; 
 and the trial shall proceed in all respects, as to time, wit- 
 nesses, et cetera, exactly as provided in the first Section of 
 
26 
 
 ffhis Article, except where the address of the accused is un- 
 known; in which case the Master may order the trial to pro- 
 ceed at once upon the testimony, ex parte. The judgment 
 of a majority of the Commissioners shall be taken as the 
 decision of the whole ; and when the trial is concluded the 
 Secretary shall make a fair copy of the record and judgment 
 under their supervision, which shall be signed by the chair- 
 , man of such commission, and attested by the Secretary, 
 shall be presented to the Master, who, at the next Communi- 
 cation of his Lodge, shall announce the result, and direct 
 the Secretary to record the same as the judgment of the 
 Lodge, and file the record for safe keeping among its ar- 
 chives, The penalties which may be inflicted, are repri- 
 mand, suspension and expulsion. If the sentence be repri- 
 mand, the Master shall summon the brother to appear at the 
 next stated Communication, when it shall be carrried into 
 effect in open Lodge. If it be suspension or expulsion, it 
 shall at once go into effect, and the Secretary shall immedi- 
 ately notify the Grand Secretary thereof, and it shall be final 
 and conclusive, unless an appeal be taken to the Grand 
 Lodge, or the Grand Lodge of its own acccord shall see fit to 
 modify or reverse such sentence. An appeal to the Grand 
 Lodge at its next Annual Communication may be taken by 
 either party, upon notifying the Master to that effect within 
 thirty days after his announcement of the result of trial; and 
 in all cases of suspension or expulsion, the Master shall 
 cause the Secretary to prepare a transcript of the record of 
 trial, and immediately transmit it to the Grand Secretary, 
 together with information of the appeal intended, if any 
 there be. Lodges, in hearing complaints and punishing de- 
 linquents, are to adhere strictly to the old regulation, viz : 
 "If a complaint be made against a brother, and he be found 
 guilty, he shall stand to the determination of the Lodge; 
 but if the accuser or complainant cannot support his charge, 
 and it should appear to the Lodge to be groundless, being 
 the result of hatred, malice, or some unwarrantable passion, 
 
he shall incur such penalty as the accused would have done 
 had he been duly convicted." 
 
 Sec. 4. Of Revision and Restorations — All judgments 
 from which an appeal may be taken shall be reviewed in the 
 Grand Lodge, or before a committee thereof, during its ses- 
 sions, upon the record sent up, and upon such other proper 
 documents as may be submitted; and its decision shall be 
 final and conclusive. A Lodge may, at any stated meeting, 
 by .the votes of two-thirds of the members present, annul 
 any sentence of suspension pronounced by itself, and restore 
 the Mason thus suspended to all his Masonic rights ; provided 
 that notice of a resolution for such restoration shall have 
 been given at the stated meeting next preceding; and in 
 case of such restoration, the Secretary shall at once notify 
 the Grand Secretary thereof. The Grand Lodge may, at any 
 Annual Communication, restore a Mason who has been sus- 
 pended or expelled within its jurisdiction, to all the rights 
 and privileges of Masonry; and it may, in addition, if it 
 think proper, restore him to membership in the Lodge from 
 which he was suspended or expelled. No suspension, expul- 
 sion, or restoration shall be published except by authority 
 of the Grand Lodge. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 OF AMENDMENTS. 
 
 Section 1. How Amendments may be Proposed — Any pro- 
 posed amendment to these Constitutions shall be presented 
 on the first or second day of an Annual Communication, and 
 shall, in every case, be referred to a special committee, with 
 instructions to report thereon prior to the election of Grand 
 officers. After the report of said committee, if two-thirds 
 of the votes present be cast in favor of the proposed amend- 
 ment, it shall be declared adopted, and from and after the 
 close of that Communication, shall become a part of the 
 Constitution. No vote upon a proposed amendment shall be 
 taken after the election of Grand officers.