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MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE ASSIGNMENT 1

Masonic Jurisprudence:

Questions and Answers based on Mackey’s “Principles of Masonic Law”

Iowa Academy of Masonic Knowledge


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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

comprehensive “Textbook of Masonic Jurisprudence,” is recommended for further study by

interested parties.
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1.) What is masonic jurisprudence?

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.

2.) What are the sources of masonic jurisprudence?

A. The Ancient Masonic Charges, dating to the reign of James II

B. The Regulations adopted at the Grand Assembly of 1663

C. The Thirty-nine General Regulations adopted in 1721

D. The Charges of a Free-Mason, published by Anderson in 1723 as part of his

“Constitutions of the Free-Masons.”

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

general consent of the members of the Order.”

F. All of the Above (Correct Answer)

3.) What are the Ancient Landmarks?

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,
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however, that as each Grand Lodge is sovereign unto itself, not all landmarks are universally

accepted in all Jurisdictions.

4.) What is a Grand Lodge?

A representative body responsible for the organization and administration of Freemasonry

within a jurisdiction wherein it is the sole sovereign authority.

5.) Who are the Members of the Grand Lodge?

The Worshipful Masters and Wardens of every regular, subordinate, symbolic lodge whose

Warrant was issued by the Grand Lodge.

6.) Who are The Officers of a Grand Lodge?

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.

7.) What are the Powers of a Grand Lodge?

A. To enact and modify regulations for the benefit of the fraternity, as long as the Ancient

Landmarks are not infringed.

B. To approve the by-laws of subordinate lodges

C. To investigate, regulate, and decide all maters relevant to Freemasonry, lodges, and

Brethren within its jurisdiction or to delegate the same authority

D. To issue or revoke Warrants for the constitution of subordinate lodges

E. To suspend or expel Brethren for masonic offenses

F. Other powers as may vary by location


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G. All of the Above (Correct Answer)

8.) What is a Subordinate Lodge?

An assembly of Masons having a Warrant to work received from the appropriate Grand

Lodge or Grand Lodge and being holden unto the same.

9.) Who are the Officers of a Subordinate Lodge?

The Worshipful Master, Wardens, Stewards, Deacons, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, and

Tyler.

10.) What are the Powers of a Subordinate Lodge?

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.

11.) What are the Duties of a Subordinate Lodge?

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,

and to not confer a degree on more than five candidates at a time.

12.) What are the Powers of the Worshipful Master?


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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

and to sit as chairman ex officio of all committees.

13.) What are the Duties of the Worshipful Master?

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.

14.) How may a Worshipful Master’s decree be challenged?

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

for investigation and adjudication.

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

engaged in plots of conspiracy or treason.

16.) By What Means is Admission to the Craft Solicited by a Candidate?

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
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stated meeting, at which time an investigative committee reports on the candidate and a ballot is

taken to elect the new member or reject him.

17.) By What Means does a Candidate Progress Through the Degrees?

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

General Regulations, or other such sources.

18.) What are the Rights of Entered Apprentices?

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.

19.) What are the Rights of Fellowcrafts?

All of those enjoyed by an Entered Apprentice, as well as the right to speak in lodge (but not

to vote).

20.) What are the Rights of Master Masons?


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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

without the bounds of the fraternity.

21.) What are Masonic Crimes?

A. A criminal act committed in lodge

B. A violation of the Ten Commandments

C. Religious heresy

D. An act performed by a mason contrary to his duties to God, his neighbor, and himself or

against his various masonic obligations and duties (Correct Answer).

22.) Which is Not a Masonic Punishment That May be Levied?

A. Censure

B. Reprimand

C. Exclusion

D. Suspension

E. Expulsion

F. Execution (Correct Answer).

23.) How is a Mason Accused of Masonic Crimes Tried?

A mason accused of a masonic offense is entitled to be tried in lodge. He is entitled to be

made aware of the accusation, given sufficient time to make a defense, and to present himself
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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

vote on his punishment.

24.) How is a Masonic Conviction Appealed?

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

the subordinate lodge and order a new trial.

25.) Who May Impose Masonic Punishment?

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

powers of suspension and expulsion rest with the Grand Lodge.


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References

Mackey, A. G. (1856). The Principles of Masonic Law. New York: Jno. W. Leonard & Co. Retreived

February 9, 2016, from Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12186/12186-

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

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