Extract from the Masonic Code of the United and Rectified Lodges of France

the time.

Chap. 12. Of the Members of the Lodge.

One may belong to a Lodge as an ordinary member, free associate, honorary member, amateur brother, or brother of talent, serving brother, or guardian of the Lodge. One calls "ordinary members" those who participate regularly in its work and pay the full annual quota; they are eligible for the dignities and offices of the Lodge and enjoy a decisive vote in all deliberations to which they may be called. "Free associates" are those who, due to their civil situation, cannot subject themselves to the strict duties of the Lodge. These will pay a fixed sum. This class is intended especially for military men and travelers. They will enjoy all the rights of ordinary Masters, but they are not eligible except as orator, master of ceremonies, and economist, unless they possess one of the first dignities in the interior of the Order. They have a consultative and deliberative vote in all assemblies of the Lodge, except in those where funds are discussed. In that case, they have only a consultative vote. "Honorary members" are those to whom the Lodge may grant this title after 10 years of service as an ordinary member, or 18 years as a free associate, or in recognition of services rendered to the Lodge. They only pay the "Ecu" the standard administrative fee of the Order and have only a consultative vote. "Amateur brothers" are chosen from among talented people; they are received for free and cannot hold any office in the Lodge. "Serving brothers" are received up to the 2nd degree and this for free; they have a consultative vote on the reception of a serving brother. All these members must be on the register with the name and civil status of those who have passed the age of 25, etc. A brother who wishes to be affiliated with a Rectified Lodge cannot aggregate himself without submitting to all the rules and arrangements. A member of a Rectified Lodge cannot aggregate himself to another without the consent of his superiors. The word of the year is communicated only in open work and is not given to anyone without a special order.

Chap. 13. Economic Plan of the Lodge.

The annual quotas must be paid quarterly to the treasurer. Anyone who does not pay within a year must be struck from the register. From the proceeds of the contributions of the first 3 degrees and of aggregation, a quarter will be deducted, which will be reserved every 3 months in the treasury of the Scottish Grand Lodge. The surplus of the funds is in the hands of the treasurer of the Lodge for the expenses of decorations, etc. Regarding the 4th degree, a quarter is given to the Lodge for the expenses of the decoration, and three-quarters are placed in the treasury of the Scottish Grand Lodge. The charity fund cannot be confused with any other fund: it consists of the product of

the offerings of the recipients, fines, etc. No poor Mason will have the right to these alms if he is not provided with a certificate or recommendation from friendly Lodges, or Lodges not united but in correspondence with a Rectified Lodge. The united Lodges must send their status and that of their fund every year to the Scottish Grand Lodge or to the Scottish Directory. Everything must be signed by the Venerable Master and initialed by the Deputy Master. Everything will be addressed with the register of the Lodge to the visitor of the district, who will remit it to the Directory or to the Scottish Grand Lodge. If the Scottish Grand Lodge judges the composition of the Lodge and its status necessary in the interval, one cannot refuse the request.

Chap. 14. Of Visiting Brothers.

Only brothers of a regular regime who are not members of the Lodge are recognized as visitors. Places are assigned after their Masonic qualities. Brothers of a foreign regime are placed at the head of the column of their degree after the visitors of the Rectified regime. They are permitted to wear the cordons and aprons of their degrees with the exception of everything that concerns the "Elû" Elect. But whatever their degree, they can only be admitted with the Masters above the Scottish Masters. If the visitors have some high dignity in the interior of the Order, they are placed in the East next to the Venerable Master, with whom they enter the Lodge preceded by the Warden and the Master of Ceremonies. All visiting brothers must be carefully examined before being permitted to enter the Lodge.

Chap. 15. Of Banquets & Feasts.

The feasts which must be principally celebrated in the united Lodges are the 2 Saint Johns, of summer and winter, and the feast of the renewal of the Order on the 6th of November. At the latter, the Code of Masonic regulations will be read. The Orator will pronounce a speech analogous to this day. One will try to unite on this day in the same place all the Lodges of the city, or even of the district. The day of Saint John in winter will be mainly devoted to acts of charity. The same must be observed on Saint John the Baptist's day, and it must be devoted to the installation of new officers. There will be, just as at Saint John in winter, a speech, and all 7 toasts of the Order will be given at the banquet.

Chap. 16. Of the Interior Police of the Lodge.

In case of a delay of the Venerable Master, he who is designated to replace him shall open the Lodge. Brothers who arrive too late must wait with patience until the doors are opened for them. Brothers who undertake a journey must notify the Venerable Master and the Secretary, who will provide them with certificates and recommendations. In case of the death of a brother, the Venerable Master will indicate a special assembly in black clothing, or at least a crepe around the left arm. In all cases