THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

A lodge has the right of selecting its own members, with which the
Grand
Lodge cannot interfere. This is a right that the lodges have expressly
reserved to themselves, and the stipulation is inserted in the "general
regulations" in the following words:
"No man can be entered a Brother in any particular lodge, or admitted a
member thereof, without the unanimous consent of all the members of
that
lodge then present, when the candidate is proposed, and when their
consent
is formally asked by the Master. They are to give their consent in
their
own prudent way, either virtually or in form, but with unanimity. Nor
is
this inherent privilege subject to a dispensation, because the members
of
a particular lodge are the best judges of it; and because, if a
turbulent
member should be imposed upon them, it might spoil their harmony, or
hinder the freedom of their communication; or even break and disperse
the
lodge, which ought to be avoided by all true and faithful."[36]
But although a lodge has the inherent right to require unanimity in the
election of a candidate, it is not necessarily restricted to such a
degree
of rigor.
A lodge has the right to elect its own officers. This right is
guaranteed
to it by the words of the Warrant of Constitution. Still the right is
subject to certain restraining regulations. The election must be held
at
the proper time, which, according to the usage of Masonry, in most
parts
of the world, is on or immediately before the festival of St. John the
Evangelist. The proper qualifications must be regarded. A member cannot
be
elected as Master, unless he has previously served as a Warden, except
in
the instance of a new lodge, or other case of emergency. Where both of
the
Wardens refuse promotion, where the presiding Master will not permit
himself to be reelected, and where there is no Past Master who will
consent to take the office, then, and then only, can a member be
elected
from the floor to preside over the lodge.
By the Constitutions of England, only the Master and Treasurer are
elected
officers.[37] The Wardens and all the other officers are appointed by
the
Master, who has not, however, the power of removal after appointment,
except by consent of the lodge;[38] but American usage gives the
election