CHAPTER 51
Avouchment
REG. 51-1
MODES OF AVOUCHMENT.
No brother shall vouch for
another unless, in addition to the knowledge that the visitor is a Mason, the
brother is also satisfied that the visitor is at the time in good standing. [87-5].
1. There shall be
three modes of avouchment of a brother as follows: [39-2.6.F.(3)].
A. By sitting together in a regular lodge of
Master Masons recognized by the Grand Lodge.
B. By an examination authorized by the proper
officer of a lodge.
C. By one Mason definitely stating to another
whom he knows to be a Master Mason that he vouches for a third brother then and
there present with them as a Master Mason in good standing. The Mason who is
vouching for the visitor shall state the manner in which he acquired the
knowledge on which he makes the avouchment. [51-2].
2. This
information may be passed along indefinitely as long as the conditions herein
stated are fully met.
A. Documentary or written evidence alone
shall not be sufficient to justify avouchment.
B. Avouchment cannot be made in any case by
mail, facsimile, telephone or telegraph.
REG. 51-2
LAWFUL MASONIC INFORMATION.
A brother can vouch for a
visitor only when he knows that visitor to be a Mason, or on lawful Masonic
information, or after strict examination by a committee that in the judgment of
the Master is competent to make the examination. [51-1.1].
1. No brother can legally acquire the proper
and necessary information to vouch for another brother by sitting with him in
any other body than a regular lodge of Symbolic Masonry or unless the brother
vouched for is actually present when vouched for.
2. A Mason cannot vouch for a brother who
was present with him at a funeral service or ceremonial outside the lodge hall
although all present were properly clothed unless they were both present at the
opening or closing of the lodge, or he had otherwise obtained a proper
knowledge for avouching.
3. Lawful Masonic information means
information that can only be received from one known to be competent to impart
it. It must be positive and beyond any question, and imparted for Masonic
purposes not casually. Vouching is bearing witness, and in witness bearing one
should tell that only which he personally knows to be true.
REG. 51-3
GOOD STANDING REQUIRED.
In addition to strict trial
and due examination as to his knowledge of Masonry the Tyler is expressly
directed to require every visitor to produce a dues certificate or other
documentary evidence that his dues are paid or remitted to within one year of
the date of such visit.
1. No visitor
shall be admitted whose dues are not paid or remitted to within one year of such
date. [50-3; 59-16.1; 77-7.2; 77-12; 79-4].
2. If a Master is
fully satisfied by lawful information that the visitor is a Master Mason in
good standing and qualified to visit, he may admit him even though he does not
have at the time the documentary evidence in his possession. [79-4; 87-5].
3. The regularity
of the lodge in which the visitor holds membership shall be established before
he is examined or vouched for, and such regularity may be evidenced by a
certificate under the seal or facsimile of the seal of a Grand Lodge recognized
by this Grand Lodge, or it may be determined by such other means as may be
available to the lodge.
4. The Grand
Lodge shall supply each lodge annually with a roster of recognized Grand Lodges
and their respective subordinate or constituent lodges, which roster the lodge
shall make available for use of its officers and members. The expense of such
roster shall be borne by the Grand Lodge. [50-3].
5. No one shall
be permitted to sit in a lodge, even though a member thereof, unless some
Master Mason present can properly vouch for him or unless he passes an
examination. [59-14.3].
Failure to observe rigidly
the requirements of this Chapter shall be sufficient cause for the expulsion of
an offending brother or the arrest and revocation of the charter of an
offending lodge. [74-1.3; 91-13].