Page:Manual of the Lodge.pdf/297

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252
FORMS OF DOCUMENTS.

written notice of his intention to the Lodge, requesting the said demit, and paying up his arrears in full.


ARTICLE XIV.
Of Trials.

Sec. 1. All charges must be made in writing, signed by the accuser, and read by him at a regular Communication of the Lodge. The accused shall then be furnished with an attested copy of the charges by the Secretary, and he shall, at the same time, be informed of the time and place appointed by the Lodge for the trial.

Sec. 2. If the accused is living beyond the jurisdiction of the Lodge, the charges shall be communicated to him by letter through the Post Office, and a reasonable time allowed for his answer before the Lodge proceeds to trial.

Sec. 3. The trial shall commence at a regular Communication of the Lodge, but may be continued at special Communications convened for that purpose.

Sec. 4. The Lodge shall be opened in the highest degree to which the accused has attained, and the examinations shall take place in the presence of the accuser and the accused, if they desire it; but the final decision shall always be made in the third degree.

Sec. 5. The evidence of profanes, or brethren of an inferior degree, must be taken by a committee, and reported to the Lodge. The accuser and the accused shall have a right to be present at such examinations.

Sec. 6. The testimony of Master Masons must be taken on their honor as Master Masons; that of others in such manner as shall be agreed on by the parties or determined by the Committee.

Sec. 7. When the testimony and arguments are concluded,