A Lodge thus organized is said to be a Lodge under dispenation; and having been erected for a special purpose, is possessed of very limited powers. It is simply the creature of the Grand Master, and depends on his will for the duration of its existence. It can make no by-laws, but is governed by the general constitutions of the Order, and the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge. It can not elect officers. The Master and Wardens are appointed by the Grand Master in the dispensation, and whatever other officers are necessary for carrying of the business of the Lodge must be appointed temporarily by the Master. As there can be no election, neither can there be any installation; for not even are the Master and Wardens of a Lodge under dispensation permitted to be thus solemnly inducted into office. A Lodge under dispensation can elect no members. The Master and Wardens who are named in the act of dispensation, are, in fact, the only persons recognized as constituting the Lodge. To them is granted the privilege, as proxies of the Grand Master, of making Masons; and for this purpose they are authorized to congregate a sufficient number of brethren to assist them in the ceremonies. But all persons who have been made Masons in a Lodge under dispensation, with all those engaged in holding it under the act of dispensation, become members as soon as it receives its Warrant of Constitution.
The act of dispensation continues of force, unless sooner revoked by the Grand Master, until the next regular communication of the Grand Lodge, before whom the petition, with the proceedings had thereon, must be laid. If the Grand Lodge approves of the same, it will grant a Warrant of Constitution, which is in the following form:
WARRANT OF CONSTITUTION.
To all whom it may concern:
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of . . . . . . . . . in Grand Communication assembled, Send Greeting:
Know ye, that we, the Grand Lodge of Ancient