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

Of course, it is no crime to resume these privileges after the term has
expired; for surely he must have strange notions of the powers of
language, who supposes that suspension for three months, and no more,
does
not mean, that when the three months are over the suspension ceases.
And,
if the suspension ceases, the person is no longer suspended; and, if no
longer suspended he is in good standing, and requires no further action
to
restore him to good moral and masonic health.
But it is said that, although originally only suspended for three
months,
at the expiration of that period, his conduct might continue to be such
as
to render his restoration a cause of public reproach. What is to be
done
in such a case? It seems strange that the question should be asked. The
remedy is only too apparent. Let new charges be preferred, and let a
new
trial take place for his derelictions of duty during the term of his
suspension. Then, the lodge may again suspend him for a still longer
period, or altogether expel him, if it finds him deserving such
punishment. But in the name of justice, law, and common sense, do not
insiduously and unmanfully continue a sentence for one and a former
offense, as a punishment for another and a later one, and that, too,
without the due forms of trial.
Let us, in this case, go again for an analogy to the laws of the land.
Suppose an offender had been sentenced to an imprisonment of six months
for a larceny, and that while in prison he had committed some new
crime.
When the six months of his sentence had expired, would the Sheriff feel
justified, or even the Judge who had sentenced him, in saying: "I will
not
release you; you have guilty of another offense during your
incarceration, and therefore, I shall keep you confined six months
longer?" Certainly not. The Sheriff or the Judge who should do so
high-handed a measure, would soon find himself made responsible for the
violation of private rights. But the course to be pursued would be, to
arrest him for the new offense, give him a fair trial, and, if
convicted
again, imprison or otherwise punish him, according to his new sentence,
or, if acquitted, discharge him.
The same course should be pursued with a Mason whose conduct during the
period of his suspension has been liable to reproach or suspicion.
Masons
have rights as well as citizens--every one is to be considered innocent
until he is proved guilty--and no one should suffer punishment, even of
the lightest kind, except after an impartial trial by his peers.
But the case of an indefinite suspension is different. Here no
particular
time has been appointed for the termination of the punishment. It may
be
continued during life, unless the court which has pronounced it think