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

which would generate a wish to continue his membership, could scarcely
have his slumbering zeal awakened, or his coldness warmed by the bolts
and
bars of a regulation that should keep him a reluctant prisoner within
the
walls from which he would gladly escape. Masons with such dispositions
we
can gladly spare from our ranks.
The Ancient Charges, while they assert that every Mason should belong
to a
lodge, affix no penalty for disobedience. No man can be compelled to
continue his union with a society, whether it be religious, political,
or
social, any longer than will suit his own inclinations or sense of
duty.
To interfere with this inalienable prerogative of a freeman would be an
infringement on private rights. A Mason's initiation was voluntary, and
his continuance in the Order must be equally so.
But no man is entitled to a demit, unless at the time of demanding it
he
be in good standing and free from all charges. If under charges for
crime,
he must remain and abide his trial, or if in arrears, must pay up his
dues.
There is, however, one case of demission for which a special law has
been
enacted. That is, when several Brethren at the same time request demits
from a lodge. As this action is sometimes the result of pique or anger,
and as the withdrawal of several members at once might seriously impair
the prosperity, or perhaps even endanger the very existence of the
lodge,
it has been expressly forbidden by the General Regulations, unless the
lodge has become too numerous for convenient working; and not even then
is
permitted except by a Dispensation. The words of this law are to be
found
in the Eighth General Regulation, as follows:
"No set or number of Brethren shall withdraw or separate themselves
from
the lodge in which they were made Brethren, or were afterwards admitted
members, unless the lodge becomes too numerous; nor even then, without
a
dispensation from the Grand Master or his Deputy; and when they are
thus
separated, they must either immediately join themselves to such other
lodge as they shall like best, with the unanimous consent of that other
lodge to which they go, or else they must obtain the Grand Master's
warrant to join in forming a new lodge."
It seems, therefore, that, although a lodge cannot deny the right of a
single member to demit, when a sort of conspiracy may be supposed to be
formed, and several Brethren present their petitions for demits at one
and