Resignation Of Membership.

RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP .

IT is probable there is no other feature of Freemasonry of equal importance to the Craft as that of resignation , in regard to which there does not appear to be any definite rules laid down by tlie Constitutions

or other authority . As a consequence we find very wide divergencies of opinion in regard to the question , and practices in vogue in different quarters wholly at variance with what holds good in others . It is pretty

generally agreed that a member of a Lodge has a perfect right to resign his membership at any time he chooses , but in some this right is made conditional on the payment of all dues , that is to say , a

Brother in arrears cannot stop further responsibilities if so disposed , and his dues go on accumulating indefinitely , or until the exclusion rule is brought into force . Needless to say this particular method of procedure

does not work well in practice , and as it in reality acts as a tax on misfortune it is just as well that it does not find favour , else we might see it more generally

adopted . Then there is the question as to when a notice of resignation is to take effect from . Some argue that the Brother who sends his resignation by post ceases his membership the minute his letter is posted , others take the directly opposite view , and say that he

remains a member until his resignation is accepted by his Lodge ; while others go yet further still , and require him to wait until thc minutes of his resignation are confirmed . There aro occasions when this

question of time leads to other ? of moment and importance to those specially interested , and therefore it would seem desirable to have some official ruling on the point . As illustrating what we mean Ave may refer to

a case that occurred during the present year , when a Brother sent in his resignation to his Lodge , forwarding his letter to tbe Secretary by post . He subsequently thought better of it , and seat a second letter , withdrawing his resignation , and intimating his

desire to remain a member of the Lodge . To make matters perfectly sure he sent this second letter to the Secretary by hand , and , as a matier of fact , it was delivered to the Secretary before tlie commencement

of themeeting at which tbe resignation was considered . . For some reasons best known to themselves the members ofi ; he Lodge were disappointed that the resignation had been withdrawn , and it was ultimately decided

that , resignation took effect immediateiythe hrstietter was sent ; that the resignation could not be cancelled ; and that the Lodge had no power to refuse a Brother ' s request to withdraw from thc Lodge—as a result , the

resignation was accepted , aud the Brother concerned was considered no longer a member of the I ^ od ge , although his subscription had been paid some months further in advance . We will not here inquire into the merits of this case as between the retiring member and the Lodge concerned , as it will probably require attention Irorn the authorities , but we may utilise it

Resignation Of Membership.

to discuss the points we have already referred to , as to when a resignation is to be reckoned from . The arguments used on this occasion were in support ot the theory that a notice of resignation takes

immediate effect , there being no necessity to wait for its acceptance , confirmation or anything- else . We are inclined to think this view is the correct one , without in any way committing ourselves to an expression

of approval of the action taken m the case we' have mentioned—that need have no effect on tho present discussion , except so far , as we have said , it serves to illustrate peculiar ideas in relation to the subject ..

Where Yreemasomy has no 23 articular laws on any point we think it may be accepted as a fair compromise that outside customs should guide our actions , and we . believe the result of this association would be to endorse the view that a resignation takes immediate effect , when once it leaves the custody of the sender .

Whether or not the option remains for its withdrawal is another question , and on that point we were inclined to differ from the brethren whose action we have already spoken of . We should have considered that a resigning member had a perfect right to withdraw

his resignation , but having weighed the subject in its various bearings we are now inclined to the opinion

that a resignation is not withdrawable ; it can hardly be so if the resignation took effect the moment it left the custody of the sender , and having supported that view we have no option but to accept this as one of

the consequences which appear to follow in natural sequence . It is not often we are able to bring forward a question that really seems to be of importance and in regard to which the rules of the Craft are silent , but

it seems we have been able to do so on the present occasion , and we consequently have all the more pleasure in inviting our readers to give the subject their consideration . It is a fair question for discussion

in public , as it involves no references to Masonic ritual or ceremony—it is in fact a public question , one that applies with almost equal force to every association of the ase , but it has a special Masonic significance

on the lines we have travelled , and if only in view of the differences of opinion now existing'in regard to the subject it might well receive consideration at the hands of members of the Craft .

Consecration: No. 2480.

CONSECRATION : No . 2480 .

fJ ^ HE ceremony consecrating and inan < rn rating tho JL new JMrrsonic Lodge ab Boksburgh , registered on the role of the Grand Lodge of England as No . ' 2480 , took place on Saturday , 4-th uir . The Consec . M A-ig Officer , appointed n-r such under warrant from His Royal Highness

the Right Worshipful the Grand Master , was P . M . Brother Green . Tne ceremony was held at the Landdrosfc ' s Court Room , " Inch was kindly pla-od afc the disposal of the Bokshurg Freemasons by the Landdrosfc , and which had been converted for the n > ice into a very handsome Temple ,