For it has been laid down as a law, that if the majority of the lodge should determine to quit the lodge, or to resign their warrant, such action would be of no efficacy, because the Warrant of Constitution, and the power of assembling, would remain with the rest of the members, who adhere to their allegiance.[47] But if all the members withdraw themselves, their Warrant ceases and becomes extinct.  If the conduct of a lodge has been such as clearly to forfeit its charter, the Grand Lodge alone can decide that question and pronounce the forfeiture.

Section II.

Of the Duties of a Lodge.

So far in relation to the rights and privileges of subordinate lodges.  But there are certain duties and obligations equally binding upon these bodies, and certain powers, in the exercise of which they are restricted.  These will next engage our attention.

The first great duty, not only of every lodge, but of every Mason, is to see that the landmarks of the Order shall never be impaired.  The General Regulations of Masonry—­to which every Master, at his installation, is bound to acknowledge his submission—­declare that “it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry.”  And, hence, no lodge, without violating all the implied and express obligations into which it has entered, can, in any manner, alter or amend the work, lectures, and ceremonies of the institution.  As its members have received the ritual from their predecessors, so are they bound to transmit it, unchanged, in the slightest degree, to their successors.  In the Grand Lodge, alone, resides the power of enacting new regulations; but, even it must be careful that, in every such regulation, the landmarks are preserved.  When, therefore, we hear young and inexperienced Masters speak of making improvements (as they arrogantly call them) upon the old lectures or ceremonies, we may be sure that such Masters either know nothing of the duties they owe to the craft, or are willfully forgetful of the solemn obligation which they have contracted.  Some may suppose that the ancient ritual of the Order is imperfect, and requires amendment.  One may think that the ceremonies are too simple, and wish to increase them; another, that they are too complicated, and desire to simplify them; one may be displeased with the antiquated language; another, with the character of the traditions; a third, with something else.  But, the rule is imperative and absolute, that no change can or must be made to gratify individual taste.  As the Barons of England, once, with unanimous voice, exclaimed, “Nolumus leges Angliae mutare!” so do all good Masons respond to every attempt at innovation, “We are unwilling to alter the customs of Freemasonry.”

In relation to the election of officers, a subordinate lodge is allowed to exercise no discretion.  The names and duties of these officers are prescribed, partly by the landmarks or the ancient constitutions, and partly by the regulations of various Grand Lodges.  While the landmarks are preserved, a Grand Lodge may add to the list of officers as it pleases; and whatever may be its regulation, the subordinate lodges are bound to obey it; nor can any such lodge create new offices nor abolish old ones without the consent of the Grand Lodge.