PUNISHMENT FOR NON-PAYMENT OF LODGE DUES.

We have recently received two or three letters requesting information respecting the power of Lodges to punish members for the nonpayment of dues. The subject is a very important one and merits more consideration than it has generally received among the Craft.

Formerly, as our readers are aware, the custom of levying annual contributions on members of Lodges was unknown. It was adopted in modern times for the support of new bodies. The right of a Lodge to exact dues is now so well settled, that it need not to be vindicated. It is exercised to promote the prosperity of the Lodge, and perhaps to continue its existence, and is a matter of internal regulation in which the Grand Lodge or Craft in general have no interest. This is now well established.

More serious and important is the consideration respecting the power of Lodges to punish delinquents for non-payment of dues. It is a custom, too prevalent, to suspend or expel a member in arrears "from all the rights and benefits of Masonry." Can this be legally or properly done? We think not. The right to exact dues rests upon an implied private contract between the member and his Lodge, and viewing the nature of that particular contract, (which is not required by the Institution and is of modern origin,) we regard its violation as merely effecting the relations which exist between the two parties. immediately interested. Indeed, it is thought by some, and with reason, that a member may withdraw from a Lodge, because he is unwilling to pay dues; that he may take his choice of being a nonaffiliated Mason subject to the disabilities pertaining to such condition, or of paying annual levies. Whether this ground be tenable or not, it is evident to every reader that the requirement of dues is for the benefit and support of the particular Lodge to which they are paid, and may be regulated or abolished by that Lodge at any moment. It is a matter which is adjusted by each subordinate body as it deems best, and is governed by no ancient usages or general customs of the Craft. Each Lodge fixes the amount of its dues, and the amount in different bodies differs very materially. Such being the case, if a member of one Lodge who is in arrears a certain amount, may be expelled from all the rights and benefits of Masonry, he may be expelled although he has actually paid more than a Brother of another Lodge whose dues are much lower. There is an inequality in this which is not recognized by the principles of Masonry.

The proper disability to be placed on a member for non-payment

of dues, we believe to be suspension or expulsion from the rights of membership. By this, he becomes a non-affiliated Mason, and his relations to the Craft in general are not changed. The punishment which he incurs under such circumstances, is certainly severe enough. The views which have been presented, are sustained by Mackey in his "Principles of Masonic Law." He says:

The system of payment of Lodge-dues does not by any means belong to the ancient usages of the Fraternity. It is a modern custom, established for purposes of convenience, and arising out of other modifications, in the organization of the Order. It is not an obligation on the part of a Mason to the Institution at large, but is in reality a special contract, in which the only parties are a particular Lodge and its members, of which the Fraternity, as a mass, are to know nothing. It is not presented by any general Masonic law, nor any universal Masonic precept. No Grand Lodge has ever yet attempted to control or regulate it, and it is thus tacitly admitted to form no part of the general regulations of the Order. Even in that old charge in which a Lodge is described, and the necessity of membership in is enforced, not a word is said of the payment of arrears to it, or of the duty of contributing to its support. Hence the non-payment of arrears is a violation of a special and voluntary contract with a Lodge, and not of any general duty to the Craft at large. The corollary from all this is, evidently, that the punishment inflicted in such a case should be one affecting the relations of the delinquent with the particular Lodge whose by-laws he has infringed, and not a general one, affecting his relations with the whole Order.

Certain it is in our mind that the usual method of expelling a member from all the rights and benefits of Masonry for the nonpayment of dues is radically wrong. No Mason, according to the the principles of our Order, can be deprived of all its rights and benefits, except on charges preferred, and after an impartical trial and an opportunity of defense. This is not usually given in the cases under consideration, but members are expelled by a vote of the Lodge, in accordance with the provisions of some by-law. Where this merely affects a member's relation with his own Lodge, this may be right, but ought not to extend any further.

To prevent difficulty and insure justice as well as to conform to what we believe to be Masonic law, we would recommend Lodges to adopt a clause in their by-laws, like the following: "Every member who shall be in arrears for Lodge dues three months, shall be suspended from the privilege of voting on any question and from holding office, until he shall have paid said arrears; and any member who shall be in arrears for dues one year, without any satisfactory reason appearing, may be suspended from all the rights of membership, and so reported to the Grand Lodge."

DISTINGUISHED MASONS.

[EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER TO THE EDITOR.]

HARTFORD, CONN., September 13, 1856.

Among the many able and distinguished men

who actively participate in the proceedings of our Grand Bodies, perhaps none would attract the attention of a looker on, sooner than ALBERT PIKE, of Arkansas. With a massive head adorned by a profusion of long curly locks, wearing a patriarchial beard-you would select him among a thousand as one upon whom nature had placed the stamp of nobility. He has no superior here as a debater, and none, I imagine, in those qualities that render a man beloved in the social circle. He is Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Arkansas.

Governor DUNLAP, of Maine, General Grand High Priest, presides over the deliberations of the Chapter with great dignity, courtesy and ability. He is a man well advanced in years, whom we shall probably never again meet in General Convention. He reminds me of Gen. Cass, whom he resembles in more ways than one. His opening address was a very fine one, and the allusions to the death of Comps. Ellis, of Conn., and Haswell, of Vt., very eloquent.

Sir WM. B. HUBBARD, of Ohio, General Grand Commander, has occupied that exalted station for nine years. He is a small, nervous man, remarkably prompt and decided as a presiding officer, and possesses the confidence of his Brethren-in-arms, as his repeated election to his office testifies. He takes much pride in the discharge of his duties, and when you reflect that during the whole interim of three years between the sessions of the General Grand Encampment he has the entire and sole supervision of Knighthood in this country, you will realize how much we all owe him.

I know of no one in attendance upon these General Grand Bodies, of whom I had formed a higher estimate before meeting, than ALBERT G. MACKEY, of South Carolina. I have always looked to his works for instruction and have considered him as good authority upon Masonic law as is to be obtained. A personal acquaintance with him has only strengthened me in my opinions. He is an able, strongminded man. You recognize the fact at a glance. He has a large head and, when speaking, a very expressive face. He is very plain in appearance, of unassuming manners, and appears to me of a generous, social nature. I like Dr. Mackey much and hope to meet him frequently hereafter.

14-VOL. IL NO. III.

Following close after Mackey, I wish I could walk with you into No. 3 City Hotel, and introduce you to ROB. MORRIS, of Kentucky. A Brother of the quill, he would receive you with the warm hospitality characteristic to the man. Unpretending, quiet and gentlemanly, his social qualities, as well as his deservedly high reputation as a Masonic writer, draw around him a galaxy of bright Masonic lights. Morris is a fine looking man for an editor, of an active, nervous temperament, small built, with more brain than body. He is, as you are aware, something of a poet. If he ever visits your sanctum, send for and together we will try to entertain him, as he is wont to entertain his friends. Long life and prosperity to you, Morris!

me,

GILMAN, of Maryland, now Deputy, will probably be chosen General Grand High Priest. He is peculiarly fitted for that position, on account of having been for nearly twenty years closely identified with the transactions of the Chapter. He is a dignified gentleman and a well informed Mason. He will grace the station which I have assigned him.

Comp. TUCKER, of Vermont, is one of the oldest of the Craft here. He looks back to the trying period in the history of United States' Masonry, and rejoices over its present prosperity. He is beloved and respected by his Brethren for his long services as well as for his virtues and ability.

There are many here whom I should like to sketch for you-many from the North and the South, from the East and the West-to Masonry dear. Worthy they are to sit for a likeness; worthy they are of the distinguished Masonic positions they occupy. But I shall have to leave them now, promising you, when we meet, to pass them all in review.

Yours Fraternally,

R.

A SINGULAR FACT.-Is it not singular the name of God should be spelled with four letters in so many different languages? In Latin it is Deus; French, Dieu; Old Greek, Zeus; German, Gott; Old German, Odin; Swedish, Gode; Hebrew, Adon; Dutch, Herr; Syrian, Adad; Persian, Syra; Tartarian, Edga; Slavonian, Belg or Boog; Spanish, Dias; Hindoo, Esgi or Reni; Turkish, Abdi; Egyptian, Aumn or Zent; Japanese, Zain; Peruvian, Liau; Wallachian, Zene; Etrurian, Chur; Tyrrhenian, Eber; Irish, Dieh; Croatian, Doha; Margarian, Oesc; Arabian, Alla; Duialtaam, Bogt. There are several other languages in which the word is marked with the same peculiarity.-Israelite.

THE SYSTEM OF COMPENSATION IN HAPPINESS; OR, THE INVISIBLE DRAMAS.

ADOPTED FROM THE FRENCH OF SOULIE.

(Concluded from page 69.)

As usual-little disorder assisted a great catastrophe. A house where a ball of five hundred people is given, is generally somewhat out of order; the doors between the different apartments of the suite being taken down, left the apartments open to all eyes. Monsieur and Madame de Crivelin had only reserved the apartment of their daughter and their own from invasion. All the other rooms were opened. Madame de Crivelin was in the hands of her femme de chambre, when her husband came to beg her to go to her daughter's room and leave her room to him for a conversation of the utmost importance.

"Ah," said she laughing, "I wager it is M. de Formont who purIt is amusing to see how lovers behave; they go without Send him away till to-morrow."

rest.

"No, it is not he. For pity's sake go out until I send for you." "What is the matter?" exclaimed Madame de Crivelin-"you are pale, your face is livid. What is the matter?"

"Nothing, my dear wife, nothing; only leave us."

Madame de Crivelin yielded, but took away with her an anxiety which soon communicated itself to her daughter; for Adele was not yet asleep, and seeing her mother come into her room she questioned her, and the fright of Madame de Crivelin affected her so much that she too began to tremble. There were the two poor terrified women, shut up in the narrowest corner of their splendid mansion, waiting with impatience for the issue of so strange a conference, and one which so much troubled Monsieur de Crivelin. With whom was he shut up? What was he saying? What powerful interest caused him to hold converse with such a creature at such an hour? Adele imagined Bertrand de Formont expiring. Madame de Crivelin imagined a thousand impossibilities.

Meanwhile, this was what was passing in the room where M. de Crivelin was shut up with the lacquey.

"You know me, then, Eugene?" said this man to de Crivelin. "You here?" said M. de Crivelin; "you alive?"

"When you thought I was dead! It's funny, isn't it? It is true, too. Get me a glass of wine and a slice of ham, and you'll see that I'm no ghost."