All of the authenticated histories of Free Masonry show that the regular method of obtaining charters and organizing lodges is as herein above set forth. It has been the custom followed strictly by the Masonic Fraternity since the organization of the Grand Lodge of England to obtain charters in the regular method; and the law, being fully understood as to how charters can be obtained and the evidence having been produced before this court, that the Grand Lodge of California has been continuously in existence since April 19, 1850, hence is the Masonic power in the State of California. Courts neither of law nor equity will undertake to direct or control the internal policy of such society or attempt to decide questions relating to the discipline of its members, but will leave the society free to carry out any lawful purpose in its own way and in accordance with its own rules and regulations. (Reno Lodge vs. Grand Lodge, 54 Kan. 73; Josiah vs. Austrian Ben. Soc, 119 Cal. 76.) The Grand Lodge of England having been the first Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons organized in the world, and it having adopted a constitution, rules and regulations governing the formation of other lodges, and the custom having grown up among the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons as to the organization of Grand Lodges, and that custom having been recognized by all lodges, which received their charters directly or indirectly from the Grand Lodge of England, a rule of procedure has been established in the fraternity which must be recognized by the courts of the land. _The New Age_ (January 1920), vol. 28, No. 1, p. 38 ~ Information provided by Bro:. Arturo de Hoyos, Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 12:26:41 +0000
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