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

he ceases to be a member of it. Payment of the dues, simply, will not
restore him; for it is necessary that he should again be elected by the
Brethren, upon formal application.
The word exclusion has a meaning in England differing from that in
which
it has been used in the present section. There the prerogative of
expulsion is, as I think very rightly, exercised only by the Grand
Lodge.
The term "expelled" is therefore used only when a Brother is removed
from
the craft, by the Grand Lodge. The removal by a District Grand Lodge,
or a
subordinate lodge, is called "exclusion." The effect, however, of the
punishment of exclusion, is similar to that which has been here
advocated.
Section IV.
_Of Definite Suspension._
Suspension is a punishment by which a party is temporarily deprived of
his
rights and privileges as a Mason. It does not terminate his connection
with the craft, but only places it in abeyance, and it may again be
resumed in a mode hereafter to be indicated.
Suspension may be, in relation to time, either definite or indefinite.
And
as the effects produced upon the delinquent, especially in reference to
the manner of his restoration, are different, it is proper that each
should be separately considered.
In a case of definite suspension, the time for which the delinquent is
to
be suspended, whether for one month, for three, or six months, or for a
longer or shorter period, is always mentioned in the sentence.
At its termination, the party suspended is at once restored without
further action of the lodge. But as this is a point upon which there
has
been some difference of opinion, the argument will be fully discussed
in
the chapter on the subject of _Restoration._
By a definite suspension, the delinquent is for a time placed beyond
the
pale of Masonry. He is deprived of all his rights as a Master Mason--is
not permitted to visit any lodge, or hold masonic communication with
his
Brethren--is not entitled to masonic relief, and should he die during
his
suspension, is not entitled to masonic burial. In short, the amount of
punishment differs from that of indefinite suspension or expulsion only