1907. ]
Grand Lodge of Missouri.
151
having provided for the examination of candidates at special meetings, the Worshipful Master can call a meeting for that purpose, the same as for conferring Degrees, and such call need not be made at a regular meeting of the Lodge. IV. One who dim its from his Lodge Is no longer a member thereof, and If, after ~ecelving his dimlt, he moves beyond the Jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge into another State, he can not lawfully, while so situated, petition for affiliation with the Lodge that dlmitted him, wh:ther his purpose be to become an actual member thereof or to secure a new dimit. V. A Mason, who appll~s to his Lodge fo; a dimit and the same is legally granted him by his Lodge, is no longer a member thereof although the Secr~路 tary failed to sign and seal the dlmlt. But to be properly used In applying for affiliation with ailother Lodge the dimit should be signed by the Secretary and have. the seal of the Lodge attached thereto. The dimlt should be returned to the Secretary for his signature and for the seal 'of the Lodge. VI. Section 119 provides that all petitions for Degrees must be signed by the applicant in person. Therefore, no Lodge In this JUl'isdiction should receive a petition not signed by the applicant. 'l'he Grand Master decided that, although an applicant did not sign the petition in person, 3'et where the Lodge had received and acted upon the' petition, and had conferred the- Degrep.s of I~ntered Apprentice and Fellow Craft upon him, that no good could result from stopping the Brother. but cautioned the Lodge In the future to ascertain that every petition for the Degrees is signed by the applicant in person. We indorse the Grand :Mastei"tl ruling. under the circumstances in this case. VII. Although a Mason has not complied with the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge in affiliating with the Lodge from which he had once dimited, but had returned his dimit. stating' that he desired to keep his membership In said Lodge, and the Master had indorsed on said dlmit, "Su,rrendered September 24, 1904," and in open Lodge had directed the Secretary to reinstate the Brother's name as a member, and the Brother has since said reinstatement claimed membership therein, paid all dues, been tl'eated as and enjoyed' the privileges of a member of said Lodge, he can not avoid a trial on charges and specifications preferred against him on the ground that he Is not a mt-mbel' of the Lodge. VIII. Section 161 provides that objections to the reception of petitions shall be made either in open Lodge or in writing. signed by the ubjector, Section 162 provides that it is the right of a member to object to the application being received, in which case It Is the duty of the \Vorshlpful ~laster to order it returned without further action on the part of the Lodge. Section 121 provides that a petition for the Degre-es, when received, shall be referred by the Master to a committee of investigation. While, therefore, it may be good . form' and practice for a motion to be made to receive the petition anq appoint a committee, yet we hold that the same Is not necessary; that the simple announcement of the Worshipful ~aster that "unless there are objec-