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

the craft. Fortunately, the remedy is simple and easily applied. Let
the
lodge, into whose jurisdiction he has returned, exercise its power of
discipline, and if his character and conduct deserve the punishment,
let
him be expelled from the Order. If he is unworthy of remaining in the
Order, he should be removed from it at once; but if he is worthy of
continuing in it, there certainly can be no objection to his making use
of
his right to visit.
Chapter II.
Of the Rights of Entered Apprentices.
In an inquiry into the rights of Entered Apprentices, we shall not be
much
assisted by the Ancient Constitutions, which, leaving the subject in
the
position in which usage had established it, are silent in relation to
what
is the rule. In all such cases, we must, as I have frequently remarked
before, in settling the law, have recourse to analogy, to the general
principles of equity, and the dictates of common sense, and, with these
three as our guides, we shall find but little difficulty in coming to a
right conclusion.
At present, an Entered Apprentice is not considered a member of the
Lodge,
which privilege is only extended to Master Masons. This was not
formerly
the case. Then the Master's degree was not as indiscriminately
conferred
as it is now. A longer probation and greater mental or moral
qualifications were required to entitle a candidate to this sublime
dignity. None were called Master Masons but such as had presided over
their Lodges, and the office of Wardens was filled by Fellow Crafts.
Entered Apprentices, as well as Fellow Crafts, were permitted to attend
the communications of the Grand Lodge, and express their opinions; and,
in
1718, it was enacted that every new regulation, proposed in the Grand
Lodge, should be submitted to the consideration of even the youngest
Entered Apprentice. Brethren of this degree composed, in fact, at that
time, the great body of the craft. But, all these things have, since,
by
the gradual improvement of our organization, undergone many
alterations;
and Entered Apprentices seem now, by universal consent, to be
restricted
to a very few rights. They have the right of sitting in all lodges of
their degree, of receiving all the instructions which appertain to it,
but