The Principles of Masonic Law
by
Albert G. Mackey
Part 5 out of 5
[46] In selecting the name, the modern Constitutions of England make the
approbation of the Grand Master or Provincial Grand Master necessary.
[47] Such is the doctrine of the modern English Constitutions.
[48] "No Brother can be a Warden until he has passed the part of a Fellow
Craft; nor a Master until he has acted as a Warden."--_Old Charges_, IV.
(U.M.L., vol. xv., book 1, p. 52).
[49] Regulations on Installation of a Master, No. III. Preston, p. 74
(U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 61).
[50] Hats. quoted in Jefferson, p. 14.
[51] One of the ancient charges, which Preston tells us that it was the
constant practice of our Ancient Brethren to rehearse at the opening and
closing of the lodge, seems to refer to this rule, when it says, "the
Master, Wardens, and Brethren are just and faithful, and _carefully finish
the work they begin_."--Oliver's Preston, p. 27, _note_ (U.M.L., vol.
iii., p. 22).
[52] Proceedings of G.L. of Tennessee, 1850. Appendix A, p. 8.
[53] Book of Constitutions, edition of 1755, p. 282.
[54] If it is an extra communication, this item of the transaction is, of
course, omitted, for minutes are only to be confirmed at regular
communications.
[55] Oliver's Preston, p. 163, note (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 135).
[56] Such is the provision in the modern constitutions of England, but the
4th of the 39 Regulations required the candidate to be at least
twenty-five.
[57] See these regulations in Preston, p. 162, Oliver's ed. (U.M.L., vol.
iii., p. 135).
[58] Oliver's Preston, p. 72, (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 59).
[59] Blackstone, Com. I., Introd., Sec. 2.
[60] In an able report on this subject, in the proceedings of the Grand
Lodge of Georgia for 1852. In accordance with the views there expressed,
Bro. Rockwell decided officially, as District Deputy Grand Master, in
1851, that a man who had lost one eye was not admissible.
[61] Potter, 184.
[62] Page 18. In December, 1851, the Committee of Correspondence of North
Carolina, unregardful of the rigid rule of their predecessors, decided
that maimed candidates might be initiated, "provided their loss or
infirmity will not prevent them from making full proficiency in Masonry."
[63] Proceedings of the G.L. of Mo. for 1823, p. 5. The report and
resolution were on the petitions of two candidates to be initiated, one
with only one arm, and the other much deformed in his legs.
[64] When the spirit of expediency once begins, we know not where it will
stop. Thus a blind man has been initiated in Mississippi, and a one-armed
one in Kentucky; and in France a few years since, the degrees were
conferred by sign-language on a deaf mute!
[65] Namely, the incorrectly presumed operative origin of the Order. The
whole of this report, which is from the venerable Giles F. Yates, contains
an able and unanswerable defense of the ancient law in opposition to any
qualification.
[66] See proceedings of New York, 1848, pp. 36, 37.
[67] Such is the formula prescribed by the Constitutions of England as
well as all the Monitors in this country.
[68] See Mackey's Lexicon of Freemasonry, 3d Edit., art, _Ballot_.
[69] Book of Constitutions. Edit. 1755, p. 312.
[70] See Mackey's Lexicon of Freemasonry, 3d Edit., art. _Ballot_
[71] Except when there is but one black ball, in which case the matter
lies over until the next stated meeting. See preceding Section.
[72] Masonry founded on Scripture, a Sermon preached in 1752, by the Rev.
W. Williams.
[73] That is, advance him, from the subordinate position of a serving man
or Apprentice, to that of a Fellow Craft or journeyman.
[74] This is also the regulation of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina.
[75] Proceedings of Grand Lodge of New York, for 1845. He excepts, of
course, from the operation of the rule, those made by dispensation; but
this exception does not affect the strength of the principle.
[76] Preston, edition of Oliver, p. 12 (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 10).
[77] Transactions of the G.L. of New York, anno 1848, p. 73.
[78] Edition of 1723, page 71 (U.M.L., vol. xv., book 1, p. 71).
[79] Preston, p. 48 (U.M.L., vol, iii., p. 40).
[80] Const. New York, 1854, p. 13. The Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of
England (p. 64) have a similar provision; but they require the Brother to
express his wish for membership on the day of his initiation.
[81] Preston, Oliver's Ed., p. 71, _note_ (U.L.M., vol. iii., p. 60).
[82] See Oliver, note in Preston, p. 75 (U.M.L., vol. iii, p. 61).
[83] Oliver's Preston, p. 162 (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 135.)
[84] See Anderson's Const., 3d Edit., 1755, page 303.
[85] Preston, Oliver's Edit., p. 89 (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 72).
[86] Preston, Oliver's Edit" p. 90 (U.M.L., vol. iii., p. 73).
[87] Book I., chap. iii.
[88] Proceedings of Louisiana, an. 1852.
[89] Preston, Oliver's Edit., p. 76 (U.M.L., vol. iii, p. 62).
[90] Ibid
[91] See Mackey's Lexicon of Freemasonry, _in voce_.
[92] Constitutions, Second Edition of 1738, p. 154.
[93] Proceedings for 1853.
[94] Proceedings for 1847.
[95] The right to visit is restricted to once, by many Grand Lodges to
enable him to become acquainted with the character of the lodge before he
applies for membership.
[96] Blackstone, Introd., Sec. i.
[97] For so we should interpret the word "honeste."
[98] I have treated this subject of expulsion so fully in my "Lexicon of
Freemasonry," and find so little more to say on the subject, that I have
not at all varied from the course of argument, and very little from the
phraseology of the article in that work.
[99] In England, ejection from a membership by a subordinate lodge is
called "exclusion," and it does not deprive the party of his general
rights as a member of the fraternity.
[100] Lexicon of Freemasonry.
[101] Phillips, on Evidence, p. 3.
[102] Chief Baron Gilbert.
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