-
Articles/Ads
Article MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE. Page 1 of 2 Article MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Jurisprudence.
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE .
[ COMMUNICATED . ] VISITATION .
This subject may be considered under the two heads , private and official . The latter again may be divided into visits of courtesy , paid by invitation , and visits paid by the . head of the province or district ( or brother appointed by him , Articles 147 , 14 8 ) to report upon the condition of a lodge or to investigate complaints .
; Articles 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , and 204 refer to the right of private visitation . This question was dealt with in an article by the present writer in the Freemason of March 10 , 1 9 , and the the following statement was made * . " It should be understood clearly that , welcome or unwelcome , every Freemason has an inalienable right to visit any and every lodge he pleases . " ¦
Correspondence followed regarding this statement , and it was editorially referred to in a subsequent number , but nothing appeared which could be said to traverse it . This right of visitation is safeguarded . Evidence of identity is ,- of course , necessary . This can be given by one of the
brethren present , and in the case of a stranger , by comparison of signature with that in the Grand Lodge certificate . If the visitor be well known , or has visited the lodge before , then he is generally " vouched" for . Vouching is a serious matter , and it is . a serious matter also . that there should be such want of
uniformity as exists in this respect . The writer has on many occasions been admitted into a lodge on his bare statement , and that in a town where he had not a single acquaintance to vouch even for his respectability , and on the other hand the examination has lasted a considerable time , and on one occasion his
right to wear the purple was not admitted till he had produced his patent of appointment . It may be safely laid down that vouching means that the voucher has sat in lodge with the brother ( degree of working to be specified ) , or that he has put
him through an examination . And in the latter case the Worship ful Master should be assured of his competence to conduct a " due examination . " Some brethren resent being put through their facings in this manner , but as a matter of law , their feelings do not corns into account .
The proposing visitor may be called upon to show his certificate—whether he be vouched for or not . On June 5 , 18 95 , Grand Lodge had before , it an appeal from the Worshipful Master of No . 956 ( South Africa ) . He refused to admit a visitor , who " was vouched for after due examination , " but who
liad no documentary evidence . The District Grand Master ruled that he had no right lo refuse admission , but Grand Lodge confirmed the Worship ful Master ' s action . The debate is worth reading in full , inasmuch as Bro . Bucknill , Deputy Grand Registrar , laid down the law very clearly .
Mere possession of the secrets , he said , is nothing . He may have , been expelled , or be under suspension . He may be registered on the rolls of a Grand Lodge not in communion with ¦
our own . ••••• " It appears that mere possession of our signs , without more , should give no title of admission . Our Masters must see the jurisdiction whence they hail , that it is a regular recognised Body , before
they can be sure the qualifications of the applicant are complete in all respects . " Article 15 of the Master ' s obligation affirms this , and the Master , fails to perform his duty who neglects to insist on documentary evidence . Surely , if a brother takes the trouble to
visit , a lodge where he is not known , there is no additional trouble involved in carrying with him his certificate ? In the particular case referred to , subsequent discussion proved that the wording of Article 150 might be a little more
explicit— " or until he has produced . . . under what circumstances should " or" be read "and" ? However , this is rather an academic question , and Article 150 may be read side by side with the 15 th clause of the Master ' s obligation .
But after all these precautions taken , examination passed , identity proved , certificate produced , there are still more . Article 151 gives the Master a wide discretionary power , and
Article-152 restricts the right of unlimited visitation in the case of brethren who have ceased to subscribe to a lodge . Were it not . for Article 152 there would seem to be no reason wh y a brother should be at the expense of a lodge subscription at all .
In an article in this journal on August 2 GU 1 , 18 99 , on " The Tyler , " tlie Tyler ' s obligation was referred to—an obligation imposed on a visiting brother to guarantee that he had never
been expelled or excluded . Thc legality , and even the existence , of such obligation was questioned in subsequent correspondence . It is , however , referred to by Mackey ( " Lexicon , " p . 442 ) , and is universal in America . Bro . Woodford ( " Kenning ' s
Masonic Jurisprudence.
Encyclopaedia , " p . 652 ) also refers to it , and Oliver ( " Jurispru--3 ence , " p . 126 ) mentions it . It runs as follows : " " I , A . B ., do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely swear , that I have been regularly initiated , etc ] , in &
just and regularly constituted LoJge of M . M .,, and that I do not stand suspended or expelled , and know of no reason why I should not hold Masonic communication with my brethren . " A ' ¦¦;
The right of visitation only extends to ceremonial work , such is is common to all lodges , and the right of a non-subscribing member to visit any lodge once , is based on the supposition . that lie is in search of a Masonic home , and is desirous of comparing the work of one lodge with another . ( Mackey , p . 367 ) . - ,
As far as the chief officers of the lodge are concerned , visiting is enjoined ( Article 149 ) . The term " official " visiting , is sometimes erroneously used to describe the class of visit just referred to . It is customary , on the occasion of an installation , : o invite the presence of the W . M . and Wardens of some of the
sister lodges 111 thc same town , but such invitation does not : onfer any status on the visitors further than that enjoyed by any ardinary visitor . The visiting W . M . and Wardens , for instance , would not wear their collars and jewels of office , though Past Masters might wear the particular collar referred to in Article
301 , otherwise there would be confusion . " How is the Master known ? " " By the square . " " By which square ? " The only occasions on which the Master and Wardens may wear the insignia of office outside their own lodge , are the communications of Provincial and Grand Lodge , and , of course , under special dispensation .
Other limitations of thc privileges of visitors , and their demeanour , are so obviously in accord with the dictates of common sense and good breeding , as not to require further discussion .
We pass on to thc subject of official visitation , by which is meant thc attendance , invited or otherwise , of the Provincial ruler or some person representing him . The right of the Provincial ruler or his Deputy , ' and , of course , the Grand Master or his Deputy , to visit any lodge under
his jurisdiction , when he wishes , is absolutely without limitation , as also his right to preside on the occasion , and to direct proceedings . The Grand or Provincial Grand Wardens , are , whilst
he is so presiding , to occupy the chairs in the West and South . In American lodges , Mackey states that thc whole of the officers of the lodge surrender their scats ancl their duties to officers of thc Grand Lodge during the course of a visitation .
This is not the prescribed custom in England , though the writer has seen it done . Ordinarily , the Provincial or Grand Master visits a lodge b y invitation , on the occasion of an installation or other interesting ceremony . The procedure is practically uniform in all lodges . The lodge
should be opened in the Third Degree , and the Provincial Grand Master , attended b y his ofiicers , should enter in due procession , brethren standing to order . The W . M . descends from his pedestal and tenders the gavel to the distinguished visitor , who returns
it with some appropriate compliment . When the business is ended , some short speech is made having reference to the condition of the lodge , and the procession being re-formed in the reverse order , leaves the lodge .
Visits of this interesting kind , however , need no detailed reference . The lodge is glad to show thc ruler of the province how well it is working ; every member and officer is on parade , as it were , and the visitor is glad to be able to say words of commendation .
But we now come to official visits of another description , in which thc object is to report on the working of the lodge—and not always on account of any evil report . In some of our districts lodges are hundreds of miles apart , and seldom gratified by a sight of the purple ; all the official knowledge of their
proceedings possessed at head-quarters is that found in the returns . In such cases the District Grand Master is glad to hear of any of his ofiicers who at any time may be travelling within reach of such remote lodges , and will give to such officer a commission worded in a general form . The writer quotes from one in his
possession : " Dear Brother ... The District Grand Master , learning that you
are going on tour in ... , will be glad if you will visit such lodges as you conveniently can , and report to him on their condition and working . Yours ...
. . . District Grand Secretary . "
In the case of a lodge being the subject of complaint , and an investigation being necessary , probably something more official than the above would be desirable , but we shall come to ' that shortly . What should be the procedure of the brother furnished
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Jurisprudence.
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE .
[ COMMUNICATED . ] VISITATION .
This subject may be considered under the two heads , private and official . The latter again may be divided into visits of courtesy , paid by invitation , and visits paid by the . head of the province or district ( or brother appointed by him , Articles 147 , 14 8 ) to report upon the condition of a lodge or to investigate complaints .
; Articles 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , and 204 refer to the right of private visitation . This question was dealt with in an article by the present writer in the Freemason of March 10 , 1 9 , and the the following statement was made * . " It should be understood clearly that , welcome or unwelcome , every Freemason has an inalienable right to visit any and every lodge he pleases . " ¦
Correspondence followed regarding this statement , and it was editorially referred to in a subsequent number , but nothing appeared which could be said to traverse it . This right of visitation is safeguarded . Evidence of identity is ,- of course , necessary . This can be given by one of the
brethren present , and in the case of a stranger , by comparison of signature with that in the Grand Lodge certificate . If the visitor be well known , or has visited the lodge before , then he is generally " vouched" for . Vouching is a serious matter , and it is . a serious matter also . that there should be such want of
uniformity as exists in this respect . The writer has on many occasions been admitted into a lodge on his bare statement , and that in a town where he had not a single acquaintance to vouch even for his respectability , and on the other hand the examination has lasted a considerable time , and on one occasion his
right to wear the purple was not admitted till he had produced his patent of appointment . It may be safely laid down that vouching means that the voucher has sat in lodge with the brother ( degree of working to be specified ) , or that he has put
him through an examination . And in the latter case the Worship ful Master should be assured of his competence to conduct a " due examination . " Some brethren resent being put through their facings in this manner , but as a matter of law , their feelings do not corns into account .
The proposing visitor may be called upon to show his certificate—whether he be vouched for or not . On June 5 , 18 95 , Grand Lodge had before , it an appeal from the Worshipful Master of No . 956 ( South Africa ) . He refused to admit a visitor , who " was vouched for after due examination , " but who
liad no documentary evidence . The District Grand Master ruled that he had no right lo refuse admission , but Grand Lodge confirmed the Worship ful Master ' s action . The debate is worth reading in full , inasmuch as Bro . Bucknill , Deputy Grand Registrar , laid down the law very clearly .
Mere possession of the secrets , he said , is nothing . He may have , been expelled , or be under suspension . He may be registered on the rolls of a Grand Lodge not in communion with ¦
our own . ••••• " It appears that mere possession of our signs , without more , should give no title of admission . Our Masters must see the jurisdiction whence they hail , that it is a regular recognised Body , before
they can be sure the qualifications of the applicant are complete in all respects . " Article 15 of the Master ' s obligation affirms this , and the Master , fails to perform his duty who neglects to insist on documentary evidence . Surely , if a brother takes the trouble to
visit , a lodge where he is not known , there is no additional trouble involved in carrying with him his certificate ? In the particular case referred to , subsequent discussion proved that the wording of Article 150 might be a little more
explicit— " or until he has produced . . . under what circumstances should " or" be read "and" ? However , this is rather an academic question , and Article 150 may be read side by side with the 15 th clause of the Master ' s obligation .
But after all these precautions taken , examination passed , identity proved , certificate produced , there are still more . Article 151 gives the Master a wide discretionary power , and
Article-152 restricts the right of unlimited visitation in the case of brethren who have ceased to subscribe to a lodge . Were it not . for Article 152 there would seem to be no reason wh y a brother should be at the expense of a lodge subscription at all .
In an article in this journal on August 2 GU 1 , 18 99 , on " The Tyler , " tlie Tyler ' s obligation was referred to—an obligation imposed on a visiting brother to guarantee that he had never
been expelled or excluded . Thc legality , and even the existence , of such obligation was questioned in subsequent correspondence . It is , however , referred to by Mackey ( " Lexicon , " p . 442 ) , and is universal in America . Bro . Woodford ( " Kenning ' s
Masonic Jurisprudence.
Encyclopaedia , " p . 652 ) also refers to it , and Oliver ( " Jurispru--3 ence , " p . 126 ) mentions it . It runs as follows : " " I , A . B ., do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely swear , that I have been regularly initiated , etc ] , in &
just and regularly constituted LoJge of M . M .,, and that I do not stand suspended or expelled , and know of no reason why I should not hold Masonic communication with my brethren . " A ' ¦¦;
The right of visitation only extends to ceremonial work , such is is common to all lodges , and the right of a non-subscribing member to visit any lodge once , is based on the supposition . that lie is in search of a Masonic home , and is desirous of comparing the work of one lodge with another . ( Mackey , p . 367 ) . - ,
As far as the chief officers of the lodge are concerned , visiting is enjoined ( Article 149 ) . The term " official " visiting , is sometimes erroneously used to describe the class of visit just referred to . It is customary , on the occasion of an installation , : o invite the presence of the W . M . and Wardens of some of the
sister lodges 111 thc same town , but such invitation does not : onfer any status on the visitors further than that enjoyed by any ardinary visitor . The visiting W . M . and Wardens , for instance , would not wear their collars and jewels of office , though Past Masters might wear the particular collar referred to in Article
301 , otherwise there would be confusion . " How is the Master known ? " " By the square . " " By which square ? " The only occasions on which the Master and Wardens may wear the insignia of office outside their own lodge , are the communications of Provincial and Grand Lodge , and , of course , under special dispensation .
Other limitations of thc privileges of visitors , and their demeanour , are so obviously in accord with the dictates of common sense and good breeding , as not to require further discussion .
We pass on to thc subject of official visitation , by which is meant thc attendance , invited or otherwise , of the Provincial ruler or some person representing him . The right of the Provincial ruler or his Deputy , ' and , of course , the Grand Master or his Deputy , to visit any lodge under
his jurisdiction , when he wishes , is absolutely without limitation , as also his right to preside on the occasion , and to direct proceedings . The Grand or Provincial Grand Wardens , are , whilst
he is so presiding , to occupy the chairs in the West and South . In American lodges , Mackey states that thc whole of the officers of the lodge surrender their scats ancl their duties to officers of thc Grand Lodge during the course of a visitation .
This is not the prescribed custom in England , though the writer has seen it done . Ordinarily , the Provincial or Grand Master visits a lodge b y invitation , on the occasion of an installation or other interesting ceremony . The procedure is practically uniform in all lodges . The lodge
should be opened in the Third Degree , and the Provincial Grand Master , attended b y his ofiicers , should enter in due procession , brethren standing to order . The W . M . descends from his pedestal and tenders the gavel to the distinguished visitor , who returns
it with some appropriate compliment . When the business is ended , some short speech is made having reference to the condition of the lodge , and the procession being re-formed in the reverse order , leaves the lodge .
Visits of this interesting kind , however , need no detailed reference . The lodge is glad to show thc ruler of the province how well it is working ; every member and officer is on parade , as it were , and the visitor is glad to be able to say words of commendation .
But we now come to official visits of another description , in which thc object is to report on the working of the lodge—and not always on account of any evil report . In some of our districts lodges are hundreds of miles apart , and seldom gratified by a sight of the purple ; all the official knowledge of their
proceedings possessed at head-quarters is that found in the returns . In such cases the District Grand Master is glad to hear of any of his ofiicers who at any time may be travelling within reach of such remote lodges , and will give to such officer a commission worded in a general form . The writer quotes from one in his
possession : " Dear Brother ... The District Grand Master , learning that you
are going on tour in ... , will be glad if you will visit such lodges as you conveniently can , and report to him on their condition and working . Yours ...
. . . District Grand Secretary . "
In the case of a lodge being the subject of complaint , and an investigation being necessary , probably something more official than the above would be desirable , but we shall come to ' that shortly . What should be the procedure of the brother furnished