The Principles of Masonic Law

by Albert Mackey

Contents

• Preface
• Introduction

Book First. The Law of Grand Lodges.

It is proposed in this Book, first to present the reader with a brief historical sketch of the rise and progress of the system of Grand Lodges; and then to explain, in the subsequent sections, the mode in which such bodies are originally organized, who constitute their officers and members, and what are their acknowledged prerogatives.

• Chapter I: Historical Sketch.
• Chapter II: Of the Mode of Organizing Grand Lodges.
• Chapter III: Of the Members of a Grand Lodge.
• Chapter IV: Of the Officers of a Grand Lodge.

Section I. Of the Grand Master.

Section II. The Deputy Grand Master.

Section III. Of the Grand Wardens.

Section IV. Of the Grand Treasurer.

Section V. Of the Grand Secretary.

Section VI. Of the Grand Chaplain.

Section VII. Of the Grand Deacons.

Section VIII. Of the Grand Marshal.

Section IX. Of the Grand Stewards.

Section X. Of the Grand Sword-Bearer.

Section XI. Of the Grand Tiler.

• Chapter V: Of the Powers and Prerogatives of a Grand Lodge.

Section I. General View.

Section II. Of the Legislative Power of a Grand Lodge.

Section III. Of the Judicial Power of a Grand Lodge.

Section IV. Of the Executive Power of a Grand Lodge.

Book Second. Laws of Subordinate Lodges.

Having thus succinctly treated of the law in relation to Grand Lodges, I come next in order to consider the law as it respects the organization, rights, powers, and privileges of subordinate Lodges; and the first question that will engage our attention will be, as to the proper method of organizing a Lodge.

• Chapter I: Of the Nature and Organization of Subordinate Lodges.
• Chapter II: Of Lodges under Dispensation.
• Chapter III: Of Lodges Working under a Warrant of Constitution.

Section I. Of the Powers and Rights of a Lodge.

Section II. Of the Duties of a Lodge.

• Chapter IV: Of the Officers of a Subordinate Lodge.

Section I. Of the Officers in General.

Section II. Of the Worshipful Master.

Section III. Of the Wardens.

Section IV. Of the Treasurer.

Section V. Of the Secretary.

Section VI. Of the Deacons.

Section VII. Of the Stewards.

Section VIII. Of the Tiler.

• Chapter V: Of Rules of Order.

Section I. Of the Order of Business.

Section II. Of Appeals from the Decision of the Chair.

Section III. Of the Mode of Taking the Question.

Section IV. Of Adjournments.

Section V. Of the Appointment of Committees.

Section VI. Of the Mode of Keeping the Minutes.

Book Third. The Law of Individuals.

Passing from the consideration of the law, which refers to Masons in their congregated masses, as the constituents of Grand and Subordinate Lodges, I next approach the discussion of the law which governs, them in their individual capacity, whether in the inception of their masonic life, as candidates for initiation, or in their gradual progress through each of the three degrees, for it will be found that a Mason, as he assumes new and additional obligations, and is presented with increased light, contracts new duties, and is invested with new prerogatives and privileges.

• Chapter I: Of the Qualifications of Candidates.

Section I. Of the Moral Qualifications of Candidates.

Section II. Of the Physical Qualifications of Candidates.

Section III. Of the Intellectual Qualifications of Candidates.

Section IV. Of the Political Qualifications of Candidates.

Section V. Of the Petition of Candidates for Admission, and the Action Thereon.

Section VI. Of Balloting for Candidates.

Section VII. Of the Reconsideration of the Ballot.

Section VIII. Of the Renewal of Applications by Rejected Candidates.

Section IX. Of the Necessary Probation and Due Proficiency of Candidates before Advancement

Section X. Of Balloting for Candidates in each Degree.

Section XI. Of the Number to be Initiated at one Communication.

Section XII. Of Finishing the Candidates of one Lodge in another.

Section XIII. Of the Initiation of Non-residents.

• Chapter II: Of the Rights of Entered Apprentices.
• Chapter III: Of the Rights of Fellow Crafts.
• Chapter IV: Of the Rights of Master Masons.

Section I. Of the Right of Membership.

Section II. Of the Right of Visit.

Section III. Of the Examination of Visitors.

Section IV. Of Vouching for a Brother.

Section V. Of the Right of Claiming Relief.

Section VI. Of the Right of Masonic Burial.

• Chapter V: Of the Rights of Past Masters.
• Chapter VI: Of Affiliation.
• Chapter VII: Of Demitting.
• Chapter VIII: Of Unaffiliated Masons.

Book Fourth. Of Masonic Crimes and Punishments.

• Chapter I: Of What Are Masonic Crimes.
• Chapter II: Of Masonic Punishments.

Section I. Of Censure.

Section II. Of Reprimand.

Section III. Of Exclusion from the Lodge.

Section IV. Of Definite Suspension.

Section V. Of Indefinite Suspension.

Section VI. Of Expulsion.

• Chapter III: Of Masonic Trials.

Section I. Of the Form of Trial.

Section II. Of the Evidence in Masonic Trials.

• Chapter IV: Of the Penal Jurisdiction of a Lodge.
• Chapter V: Of Appeals.
• Chapter VI: Of Restoration.