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

will it be contended that redress can only be sought through the delay
and
uncertainty of an appeal to his lodge in New York? Even if the words of
the ancient laws are silent on this subject, reason and justice would
seem
to maintain the propriety and expediency of the doctrine that the lodge
at
San Francisco is amply competent to extend its jurisdiction and
exercise
its discipline over the culprit.
In respect to the number of votes necessary to admit a Master Mason
applying by petition for membership in a lodge, there can be no doubt
that
he must submit to precisely the same conditions as those prescribed to
a
profane on his petition for initiation. There is no room for argument
here, for the General Regulations are express on this subject.
"No man can be made or _admitted a member_ of a particular lodge," says
the fifth regulation, "without previous notice one month before given
to
the said lodge."
And the sixth regulation adds, that "no man can be entered a Brother in
any particular lodge, or _admitted to be a member_ thereof, without the
unanimous consent of all the members of that lodge then present."
So that it may be considered as settled law, so far as the General
Regulations can settle a law of Masonry, that a Master Mason can only
be
admitted a member of a lodge when applying by petition, after a month's
probation, after due inquiry into his character, and after a unanimous
ballot in his favor.
But there are other rights of Master Masons consequent upon membership,
which remain to be considered. In uniting with a lodge, a Master Mason
becomes a participant of all its interests, and is entitled to speak
and
vote upon all subjects that come before the lodge for investigation. He
is
also entitled, if duly elected by his fellows, to hold any office in
the
lodge, except that of Master, for which he must be qualified by
previously
having occupied the post of a Warden.
A Master has the right in all cases of an appeal from the decision of
the
Master or of the lodge.
A Master Mason, in good standing, has a right at any time to demand
from
his lodge a certificate to that effect.
Whatever other rights may appertain to Master Masons will be the
subjects