Membership Of Lodges In England And Ireland.

3 rd . An English Mason does not become ipso facto a member on his initiation , unless he so expresses himself at the time , ancl from the night of initiation his membership and subscription to the funds commence , if he desires , accordingly .

" Every lodge must recoiA'e as a member Avithout further proposition or ballot , any brother initiated therein , provided such brother compresses his ivish to that effect on the day of his initiation ,. "—Laws of Grand Lodge of England .

It is evident from the foregoing that the membership on the night of initiation depends upon the wish of the " candidate , " as he is not ipso facto a member , but only if he so desires . Under the Grand Lodge of Ireland membership does not actually commence until the Third Degree is attained .

4 th . All applicants for relief ( if members under the Grand Lodge of England ) , have to conform to the following laAV re Fund of Benevolence : " No Mason shall receive the benefit of this fund unless he have paid the full

consideration fee , have been registered on the books of the Grand Lodge , have continued a subscribing member to a contributing lodge for at least tAvo years , and during that period , paid his quarterly dues to the fund of benevolence . The limitation

of tAvo years , however , does not apply to the cases of shipwreck , capture at sea , loss by fire , or breaking or dislocating a limb , fully attested and proved . " The Grand Lodge of Benevolence also grants relief to indigent WICIOAVS or children of Masons AA-1 IO Avould themselves have been qualified to receive assistance ; or of brothers Avho shall have died wihlmifcwn

yearsfromtheir initiation , or oftheir having joined from foreign lodges , aud who shall haA'e continued subscribing members to their decease . The laAvs also provide that " brethren under the constitution of the Grand Lodges ° f Scotland and Ireland , as Avell as of forei

gn Grand Lodges , ancl members of colonial lodges , may lie relieved on the production of certificates from their respective Grand Lodges , or other sufficient certificates and testimonials to the satisfaction of the Lodge of Benevolence , and Proof of identity and distress , and of

having paid at least tAvo years' subscription to a regular lodge . " Not being a contributing member at the time of amp lication , or indeed for many years being a non-affiliate , Avoidd be no barrier to relief , if the foregoing conditions are acceded to .

5 th . The annual dues have to be paid for all contributing members whether at home or abroad , and membership lapses unless they are paid Avithin due time . Many lodges charge less annually for members Avhilst abroad , ancl what is termed "Dining Lodges" Avould not expect the

extra subscriptions for banquets if members cannot attend . This laAv and custom prevails under the Grand Lodges of England and Ireland .

6 th . The huv respecting visitors under the Grand Lodge of Ireland , is as follows , and that of England is an agreement there-Avith : "No visiting brother shall be permitted to be present at the opening of any lodge unless properly vouched ; nor shall he be

entitled to admission thereto during the time of labour , unless properly vouched or duly qualified to the satisfaction of the Master , and has , if required , produced his Grand Lodge certificate . "—Laws of Grand Lodge of Ireland .

" No visitor shall bo admitted into a lodge unless he be personally knoAvn , recommeuded or Avell vouched for , after due examination by one of the present brethren ; ancl during his continuance in the lodge he must be subject to the bye-huvs of the

lodge . "—Laws of Grand Lodge of Engkmd If not a subscribing member , a brother can only visit a lodge iu the toAvn or place Avhere he resides once during his secession from the Craft , and no visitor of any kind can be accepted without his certificate . That documentboAA'everis but the

, , necessary preliminary—Avith others—to the regular examination , ancl not in lieu of the matter . 7 th . A brother wialiing to leave the lodge , has simply to state so by letter or personallyand on discharging his dueshe

, , ceases to be a member . The laAv of the Grand Lodge of England provides that " whenever a member of any lodge resigns , or shall be excluded , or Avhenever at a future time , he may require it , he shall be furnished with a certificate