Moore1873GeneralRules

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GENERAL RULES, 1873

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXXII, No. 10, October 1873, Page 305:

The following brief summary of the more general rules of Masonry may be serviceable to some of our younger brethren who cannot find time, or are unwilling to take the labor of reading and investigating for themselves:

  1. Candidates. — No man can be made a Mason except in a lawful Lodge duly convened, acting under a Warrant or Dispensation, and at the place therein named, after petition presented at a regular meeting, and accepted by unanimous ballot at a subsequent regular meeting, unless by Dispensation. He must believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, in the immortality of the soul, in the resurrection of the body, and a future state of rewards and punishment. He must be free-born, of lawful age, of sound mind, and of such physical qualifications as will enable him to comply with all the requirements of the Order. The ballot for admission is strictly and inviolably secret, and no member is at liberty to communicate to his brother the character of his own vote. A petition having been presented and referred, cannot be withdrawn, but must be acted upon by report of committee and ballot; provided, if at any time before or after the balloting, and before initiation, it is, discovered that the petitioner does not live within the jurisdiction of the, Lodge, or is not of lawful age, further proceedings must be stopped and_ the petition dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
  2. Discipline. — Every Mason is amenable to the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the jurisdiction in which he resides, and of the particular Lodge of which he is a member. Masonic intercourse with a clandestine or expelled Mason, is a Masonic offence, and a proper subject for discipline. The right of appeal from the decision of his brethren to the Grand Lodge is secured to every member. Restoration to the privileges of Masonry by the Grand Lodge does not restore to membership in the Lodge. No appeal can be taken to the Lodge from the decision of the Master, or the Warden occupying the chair in his absence. A Lodge cannot try its Master, but may carry its complaint, to the Grand Master.
  3. The Lodge. — The Master and Wardens, and the other elective officers, must be chosen annually, and if installed, cannot resign their offices during the term for which they are elected. This rule applies more especially to the Master and Wardens. If the office of Secretary
or Treasurer, from any cause becomes vacant, it may be filled by elec
tion, under Dispensation from the Grand Master. In the absence of
the Master, the Senior Warden succeeds to the chair, and in his absence
the Junior Warden. In the absence of all three, the Lodge can do no
business. It is the duty of every Lodge to be represented in Grand
Lodge at its annual and other communications. A Lodge under Dispensation is a temporary body and not entitled to representation. The 
right to instruct its representatives is secured to every Lodge.
  4. Grand Lodge. — The Grand Lodge has supreme and exclusive jurisdiction within its territorial limits, over all matters of Ancient Craft Masonry. It must meet at least once in each year to consult and act on whatever may concern the interests of its jurisdiction.
  5. Grand Master. —The Grand Master must be elected annually. It is his prerogative to preside over every assembly of the Craft within his jurisdiction, wherever held; to grant Dispensations for opening and holding new Lodges; to arrest the Warrant or Dispensation for cause of any Lodge under his jurisdiction, reporting his reasons at the ensuing communication of the Grand Lodge; to grant Dispensations to Lodges to ballot for and confer degrees at irregular times, and to elect officers out of course, when requested so to do by the Lodge; to require the attendance of and information from any Grand Officer, respecting matters appertaining to the duties of his office; to suspend the Master of any Lodge for cause, from the exercise of the duties of his office, until the ensuing communication of the Grand Lodge.

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