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

acquainted with the fact of his exclusion, and its cause. This usage
has
not been adopted in this country.
A lodge has a right to levy such annual contribution for membership as
the
majority of the Brethren see fit. This is entirely a matter of
contract,
with which the Grand Lodge, or the craft in general, have nothing to
do.
It is, indeed, a modern usage, unknown to the fraternity of former
times,
and was instituted for the convenience and support of the private
lodges.
A lodge is entitled to select a name for itself, to be, however,
approved
by the Grand Lodge.[46] But the Grand Lodge alone has the power of
designating the number by which the lodge shall be distinguished. By
its
number alone is every lodge recognized in the register of the Grand
Lodge,
and according to their numbers is the precedence of the lodges
regulated.
Finally, a lodge has certain rights in relation to its Warrant of
Constitution. This instrument having been granted by the Grand Lodge,
can
be revoked by no other authority. The Grand Master, therefore, has no
power, as he has in the case of a lodge under dispensation, to withdraw
its Warrant, except temporarily, until the next meeting of the Grand
Lodge. Nor is it in the power of even the majority of the lodge, by any
act of their own, to resign the Warrant. For it has been laid down as a
law, that if the majority of the lodge should determine to quit the
lodge,
or to resign their warrant, such action would be of no efficacy,
because
the Warrant of Constitution, and the power of assembling, would remain
with the rest of the members, who adhere to their allegiance.[47] But
if
all the members withdraw themselves, their Warrant ceases and becomes
extinct. If the conduct of a lodge has been such as clearly to forfeit
its
charter, the Grand Lodge alone can decide that question and pronounce
the
forfeiture.
Section II.
_Of the Duties of a Lodge._
So far in relation to the rights and privileges of subordinate lodges.
But
there are certain duties and obligations equally binding upon these