Part 9 (2/2)

The form will be the same as for the Grand Master, except that the Book of Const.i.tutions will not be borne before them.

IV.--Other Brethren.

When a brother visits a Lodge for the first time and has been vouched for, the Master will send the Senior Deacon to introduce him. That officer conducts him to the Altar and says:

”Wors.h.i.+pful Master, I have the pleasure of introducing to you Brother ......, of ...... Lodge ......”

The Master calls up the Lodge and says:

”Brother ......, it gives me pleasure to Introduce to you the members of ...... Lodge and to welcome you to a seat among us. We meet on ......, and shall be very glad to welcome you to any of our meetings.”

The Senior Deacon conducts the visitor to a seat and the Lodge is seated.

If the visitor is to be examined the W. M. appoints a committee, who retire at the door of the preparation room, the S. D. pa.s.sing them out.

When the committee are ready to report, they make an alarm at the door of the preparation room. The S. D. attends to it, and reports that the examining committee desire admission. The W. M. directs him to admit them. When he goes to the door, if the committee expect to report favorably they will introduce the S. D. to the visitor. The committee then come in and make their report at the altar that they have examined ......, who claims to be a member of ...... Lodge No. ......, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of ...... and find him to be a Master Mason (or, that they are not satisfied to vouch for him as a worthy Mason). The W. M. seats the committee, and asks if there is any objection to the admission of ...... as a visitor. Any member of the Lodge has the right to object to the admission of a visitor, but the grounds of the objection must be stated to the W. M., who shall judge of the sufficiency thereof. If there be no objection, the W. M. directs the S. D. to introduce the brother. The S. D. presents him at the altar and introduces him to the W. M., who in turn introduces him to the Lodge in the form above. No brother should be allowed to visit a lodge for the first time without an introduction. If the visitor is a Past Master, he should be invited to a seat in the East.

Election and Installation.

The Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary of a chartered Lodge must be chosen annually by ballot, and by a majority of votes, at the time fixed in the by-laws. The Senior and Junior Deacons and Tyler are appointed by the W. M. A Chaplain and Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremony may be appointed also.

If a lodge fails to elect officers at the time appointed, it may at said meeting, or at the next regular meeting thereof, appoint a day for such election, not more than three months from the regular time, and may, without dispensation, elect officers at said appointed time and install them at once.

No member in arrears for dues at the time of the regular election shall be elected or appointed to any office in the Lodge, nor be allowed to vote at such election.

Every voter is eligible to any office except that of Master.

Where a Lodge finds it absolutely necessary to elect a brother W. M., who has not served as Warden, the facts must be reported to the Grand Master, and the Master-elect must not be installed without his dispensation.

When vacancies occur in any of the elective offices of the Lodge, they must be filled by seniority or pro tem. appointments during the remainder of the term. No election can be held to fill them except by dispensation of the Grand Master.

Each Lodge may make its own rule as to whether nominations shall be made or vote without nominations.

No one can be installed by proxy.

Officers re-elected must be installed after each election.

Members.h.i.+p in a Lodge is necessary to eligibility to office except in case of Tyler and Organist.

Any Past Master in good standing of a Blue Lodge can install the officers of a Lodge.

INSTALLATIONS.

Officers of a New Lodge.

The new Lodge having been const.i.tuted, etc., the Grand Master says:

G. M.: This Lodge having been const.i.tuted, I will now install its officers. Right Wors.h.i.+pful Deputy Grand Master, collect the official jewels, place them upon the altar, and present Brother ---- ----, who has been elected Wors.h.i.+pful Master.

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