No. 68. Authorized Funeral Ceremonies
Decision: I held that it was improper to permit an officer or member of any other organization (in this case a Commandery), at a funeral conducted by a lodge, to pronounce any portion of the burial service of such other organization, and that the service as laid down in "The Freemason Burial Office" should be strictly adhered to.
General Regulations, Article II, Sec. 2.2.5. May 21, 1917. (Scott, GM)
No. 70. Armed Forces Exemption
Decision: The exception noted in Article VII, Section 1.7.16. exempting members of the Armed Forces of the United States from the specific requirements of the Constitution as to the filing of petitions, does not apply to residents of Rhode Island.
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.16. May 19, 1919. (Gross, GM)
No. 72. Reinstatement Of Deceased Members
Decision: I ruled that the arrears of dues of a deceased member, who had been dropped for nonpayment of dues, had paid the arrears in dues, and asked for reinstatement, can be accepted as of the date of payment, providing the acceptance is the result of a vote of the lodge.
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.27. May 17, 1937. (Knight, GM)
No. 74. Ballot Versus Vote
Decision: That inasmuch as a vote taken in regard to the reinstatement of a member who had been dropped for nonpayment of dues did not comply with Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Constitution, which obliges every member present to vote unless excused by the Master, I ruled that the vote was null and void and gave instructions that the vote be so declared and a new ballot taken.
That inasmuch as there appears to be an inconsistency between the wording of "ballot" as it is written in Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and the wording of "vote" as it is written in Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and the wording of "vote" as it is written in Section 1.7.27 of Article VII of said Constitution, I ruled that the wording "ballot" and "vote" were of the same meaning.
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.25. 1.7.27. May 19, 1952. (Ruerat, GM)
No. 78. Grand Lecturers And Grand Marshals
Decision: That upon an appointment of a Grand Lecturer, his title shall be Right Worshipful, and any Grand Marshal, after appointment, shall be entitled to the title of Right Worshipful. I ruled that any brother having held these offices shall bear this title thereafter, and shall always be Right Worshipful.
Constitution, Article II, Sec. 1.2.1. May 15, 1961. (Tucker, GM)
Amended November 16,1996.
No. 80. Fifty-Year Medal Eligibility
Decision: I ruled that a brother raised in a lodge of another Grand Jurisdiction: but who now holds membership in this Grand Jurisdiction: and has been a Mason in good standing for fifty years, shall be eligible to receive a "Grand Lodge of Rhode Island Veteran's Medal."
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.27. April 15, 1962. (Allen, GM)
