SECTION I
Of the Election of the Officers in general
1st. The election of officers in the Subordinate Lodges shall be annually on the twenty-fourth of June. Nevertheless, when particular circumstances may render it expedient for any Lodge, the election of its officers may [247] be on the evening of the stated meeting immediately preceding the anniversary.
2d. Whenever a vacancy shall happen, either by the death, removal, or resignation of ally officer of a Subordinate Lodge, such vacancy shall be filled either at the next stated meeting, or at a meeting specially called by the M/aster or presiding Warden, for that purpose.
3d. In all cases of election of officers, the suffrages of a majority of all the members present, who are entitled to vote, shall be necessary to constitute a proper election.
4th. In the election of officers, every free member, namely, every member who has paid all arrearages, or has been excused from payment according to law, has one vote.
5th. In. selecting candidates for the different offices, great care is to be taken that none be nominated from any other considerations than real merit, and pre-eminent ability to discharge the duties attached to them.
SECTION II
Of tile Master of a Lodge.
1st. No brother can be Master of a Lodge till he has regularly served in the office of Warden, unless in extraordinary cases, or where a new Lodge is about to be formed, and no Past Warden is to be found among the members. In such cases, a well informed Master Mason may be constituted Master of the new Lodge, or of any old Lodge similarly situated; but previous to entering on the functions of his office, he must receive the degree of Past Master.
2d. In the election of the Master, the present Wardens where they have regularly served, shall always be among the number of candidates for the Chair.
3d. After the nominations are all made, the candidates [248] shall withdraw, while every free member gives his vote in favor of him whom he deems most worthy.
4th. When the ballot is closed, the acting Master shall direct that the candidates return to the Lodge room and take their seats. He shall then carefully examine the poll, through a committee appointed therefor, and declare the brother having the majority of votes duly elected.
5th. The Master of every Lodge thus duly elected and installed, has it in special charge to see that the By-Laws of his Lodge, as well as the General Regulations from the Grand Lodge, be duly observed; that his Wardens discharge their duties with fidelity, and be examples of diligence and propriety to the Craft; that true and exact minutes and records of all the proceedings be kept by the Secretary; that the Treasurer keep and render accurate and just accounts, at the stated times required by the By-Laws and Orders of the Lodge; and in general, that all the goods and moneys belonging to the Lodge be correctly managed and dispensed, as if they were his own private property, according to the vote and direction of the majority.
6th. The Master has the power of appointing some brother, (who is generally the Secretary,) to keep the book of By-Laws, and other laws given by proper authority; containing likewise the names of all the members of the Lodge, and the list of Lodges in Virginia, with their usual times and places of meeting.
7th. The Master has also the power of preventing the removal of his Lodge from one house to another, unless sanctioned by the course of proceeding pointed out in Chapter XIV.
8th. The Master of every Subordinate Lodge shall have power and authority to assemble his Lodge, upon the application of any of the brethren, and upon any [249] emergency which in his judgment may require their meeting.
9th. The Masters of all Subordinate Lodges, where they have abilities and members, are permitted to perform the ceremonies of Installation, Dedication, Consecration, Funerals, Laying Corner Stones of Public Edifices, &c., and are required to report their proceedings to the first Grand Annual Communication thereafter.
10th. It is likewise the duty of every Master of a Lodge to attend all meetings of the brethren in Grand Communication, as a representative of his Lodge.
11th. The Master of every Lodge is required either to have the proceedings of each Grand Annual Communication read in open Lodge, or referred to a special committee, with instructions to report to the Lodge any matter that demands their specific attention, at the first regular meeting after the receipt of said proceedings.
12th. It is the duty of the Master, immediately upon the death of a regular member of his Lodge, in good standing, to have a record made of said death upon the Lodge Book, and report the same to the Grand Secretary, who shall thereupon transmit to the Master of said Lodge a Grand Lodge Diploma, filled up with the name of the deceased brother, free of expense, for the benefit and use of the widow and orphans, or either.
13th. When sitting in Grand Communication, the Master and Wardens, or such of them who may attend, have full power and authority to represent their Lodge, and to transact all business therein, as fully as if all their members were there present. Nevertheless, the representatives of every Lodge are subject to such instructions as may be given them by their respective Lodges, for their conduct in Grand Communication.
[250] SECTION III
Of the Wardens of a Lodge
1st. None but Master Masons can be Wardens of a Lodge; and must receive the degree of Past Master before entering upon the duties of that office.
2d. From among these the Master elect shall nominate one for the office of Senior Warden, and the present Master and brethren shall nominate one in opposition; and in balloting for this and all the remaining officers, the Lodge shall proceed in the same manner as in choosing a Master.
3d. The Senior Warden succeeds to all the duties of the Master when he is absent. And if the Master resigns, or becomes otherwise disqualified the Senior Warden takes his place till it is supplied by election. And although it was formerly held that in all such eases, the Master's authority ought to revert to the last Past Master who is present, yet it is now the settled rule that the authority devolves upon the Senior Warden, and in his absence upon the Junior Warden, even although a former Master be present. And if the presiding Warden should call on any Past Master who may be in Lodge to take the Chair, on the presumption of his superior skill in conducting the business of the Lodge; nevertheless, such Past Master still derives his authority from the Warden, and cannot act till that officer congregates the Lodge.
4th. The business of the Wardens is generally to assist the Master in conducting the labors of the Lodge, to perform that duty in his absence, and to attend as representatives of their Lodge in Grand Communication.
[251] SECTION IV
Of the Treasurer of a Lodge
1st. The Treasurer is to receive all moneys paid in for the use of the Lodge, and to pay all orders drawn on him by its authority. He is to keep regular entries both of his receipts and disbursements, and to have his books and vouchers always ready for examination, at such stated times as the By-Laws require, or when specially called on by order of the 3Master and brethren.
2d. The Treasurer is likewise to have the charge and custody of the jewels and furniture of the Lodge, unless when the Master and majority may judge it more convenient to assign that duty to some other responsible brother; or when the officers may take the charge immediately on themselves.
SECTION V
Of the Secretary of a Lodge
1st. The Secretary shall keep regular minutes of all the proceedings of a Lodge that may properly be committed to writing, which shall be afterwards faithfully entered in the record books, with such previous corrections as the brethren may approve.
2d. He shall keep an accurate list of all the members of the Lodge, with the times of admission of new members, and make a return thereof to the Grand Secretary, just before each Grand Annual Communication, which shall be signed by the Master and attested by the Secretary with the seal of each Lodge, in order that the Grand Secretary, and consequently the members of the Grand Lodge may be at all times enabled to know the number and names of members in every Lodge under their jurisdiction, with the handwriting of the different [252] officers; and to pay all due respect to the brethren recommended, or certified by them from time to time.
SECTION VI
Of the Deacons of a Lodge
It is the duty of the Senior and Junior Deacons to attend on the Master and Wardens, and to act as their proxies in the active duties of the Lodge-such as the reception of candidates into the different degrees of Masonry, the introduction and accommodation of visitors, and in the immediate practice of our rites.
SECTION VII
Of the Stewards of a Lodge
It is the duty of the Stewards to assist in the collection of dues and subscriptions, to keep an account of the Lodge expenses, to see that the tables are properly furnished at refreshment, and that every brother is suitably provided for; and generally to assist the Deacons and other officers in performing their respective duties.
SECTION VIII
Of the Tiler of a Lodge
1st. The Tiler should be a Master Mason of knowledge and experience; and generally a brother is to be preferred to whom the fees of the office may be necessary and serviceable.
2d. His principal duty is to take care that no person(even a member) shall be admitted while the Lodge is in session, without the knowledge and consent of the presiding officer; neither shall he admit any visitor (that is not a member of a warranted Lodge) a second time, sojourners producing certificates excepted.
[253] 3d. If he is a member of a Lodge,
he is entitled to all the privileges which any other member is
entitled to.
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