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Masonic Jurisprudence:
Abstract
Masonic jurisprudence is a complicated field of study that is made difficult by overlapping and
sometimes contradictory jurisdictions and sources. Because every Grand Lodge is sovereign unto
itself, each one may enact edicts or regulations that seek to uphold the good of the Craft yet that
are in conflict with the regulations passed by other Grand Lodges. This makes any attempt at
codifying masonic law an unfeasible challenge. Instead, this sequence of questions and answers
analyzes the foundational sources for masonic law and examines the principles that are most
universal in nature and which serve to give a general understanding of the topic. The source for
this is “The Principles of Masonic Law” by Albert Mackey. This text, as well as his more
interested parties.
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE ASSIGNMENT 3
The body of abstract principles that govern the institution of Freemasonry, especially as
regards the organization and prerogatives of Grand and subordinate lodges, the members thereof,
the privileges and expectations placed upon them, and their conduct.
E. The Ancient Usages, defined as “the traditions, usages and customs of the fraternity as
they have existed from the remotest antiquity and as they are universally admitted by the
All the usages and customs of Masonry that would substantially alter the character of the
fraternity if modified and as such are not subject to being changed by any authority. Examples
include the prohibition against entering, passing, and raising women, a requirement for a belief
in a Supreme Being, the three degrees, and the legend of the third degree. It is worth noting,
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE ASSIGNMENT 4
however, that as each Grand Lodge is sovereign unto itself, not all landmarks are universally
The Worshipful Masters and Wardens of every regular, subordinate, symbolic lodge whose
The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer, Grand
Secretary, Grand Chaplain, Grand Tyler, Grand Deacons, Grand Marshal, Grand Stewards, and
Grand Sword-Bearer.
A. To enact and modify regulations for the benefit of the fraternity, as long as the Ancient
C. To investigate, regulate, and decide all maters relevant to Freemasonry, lodges, and
An assembly of Masons having a Warrant to work received from the appropriate Grand
The Worshipful Master, Wardens, Stewards, Deacons, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, and
Tyler.
To select its members, to elect its officers, to install its officers, to be represented in the
Grand Lodge, to enact by-laws (subject to approval from the Grand Lodge), to remove Brethren
from its membership (but not from Freemasonry as a whole, which power belongs to the Grand
Lodge), to establish yearly dues for its members, and to select a name for itself.
To never alter the Ancient Landmarks, to elect officers of such titles and duties as are
prescribed by the Grand Lodge and not more or fewer, to elect its officers at the time determined
by the Grand Lodge, to never at an extra meeting alter the proceedings of a regular meeting, to
never interfere with the work or business of another lodge, to hold at least one stated meeting
every month, to not initiate, pass, or raise a candidate without previous notice and due
examination, to not confer more than two degrees on the same candidate in the same instance,
To call a meeting of the lodge at his discretion, to open and close lodge at any hour he
chooses, to preside over the symbolic work and business of the lodge, to appoint all committees
To see the regulations of the Grand Lodge obeyed, to be responsible for the lodge’s Warrant,
and to represent the lodge faithfully and well at the communications of the Grand Lodge.
The Worshipful Master may not be challenged by appeal or motion to the lodge. An
aggrieved Brother may appeal the Worshipful Master’s decision or decree to the Grand Lodge
15.) What are the Requirements for a Candidate Seeking Admission to the Fraternity?
The requirements are fourfold: physical, moral, intellectual and political. Physically, the
candidate must be a male of lawful age with all of his senses and limbs intact and functional.
Morally, the candidate must be of good report and unquestionable conduct, with a belief in a
Supreme Being. Intellectually, the candidate must be able to understand and apprehend the
teachings of the Craft and to observe the requirements for secrecy. Politically, he must be a free
man by birth in possession of all his civil liberties. He must be a peaceful citizen of the state, not
A candidate must submit a petition for admission in writing to the lodge, sponsored by two
other members. The petition is read aloud at a stated meeting and then lays over to the next
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE ASSIGNMENT 7
stated meeting, at which time an investigative committee reports on the candidate and a ballot is
Once elected for admission to the fraternity, the Candidate presents himself at the time and
place selected by the lodge for the conferral of the First Degree. Once the candidate has been
entered, he may petition to be passed to the Second Degree, whereupon he must prove his
proficiency in the work of the First Degree by submitting to examination in open lodge. If the
work is satisfactory and permission granted, he is passed to the Second Degree. Again, he must
eventually petition for the Third Degree and pass the examination of his Brethren in open lodge.
At that time he may be elected to be raised to the Third Degree. The precise details of this
process are left to local customs, not being detailed by the Ancient Landmarks, Thirty-Nine
To sit in a lodge open in their degree, to receive instruction in their degree, to petition for
advancement after due preparation and probation, and to receive a masonic trial if charged with a
masonic offense.
All of those enjoyed by an Entered Apprentice, as well as the right to speak in lodge (but not
to vote).
Master Masons are considered full members of the lodge and may therefore attend stated and
special meetings open in any degree, speak and vote in lodge, be elected an officer, demand and
receive a certificate of good standing, and to appeal the Worshipful Master’s decision or
decorum to the Grand Lodge. He also has the right to visit other lodges, to vouch for visiting
Brethren, to claim masonic relief, and to receive a masonic funeral. He also has the right to demit
from his lodge if in good standing and, at his discretion, to affiliate with another lodge or to pass
C. Religious heresy
D. An act performed by a mason contrary to his duties to God, his neighbor, and himself or
A. Censure
B. Reprimand
C. Exclusion
D. Suspension
E. Expulsion
made aware of the accusation, given sufficient time to make a defense, and to present himself
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE ASSIGNMENT 9
for trial. At the trial, he is entitled to present and question witnesses and to generally offer
such defense of himself as he may. Once concluded, the accused and accuser withdraw from
the lodge and the other Brethren vote by ballot on guilt or innocence. If found guilty, they
A mason convicted of a masonic offense may appeal to the Grand Lodge. The Grand
Lodge, at its discretion, may confirm the verdict, overturn it, confirm it in part, or return it to
A lodge which has jurisdiction to prefer charges against and to convene a trial for a
mason likewise may impose the punishments of censure, reprimand, and exclusion. The
References
Mackey, A. G. (1856). The Principles of Masonic Law. New York: Jno. W. Leonard & Co. Retreived
h/12186-h.htm
The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon. (2001, July 14). Mackey's Landmarks. Retrieved
February 9, 2016, from The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon:
http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/grandlodge/landmarks.html