L. of I\r. Y. § '20. A similar regulation prevails in almost every Grand

Lodge Constitution in the United States.
UNDER WARRANTS OF CONSTITUTION. 335
tLere be a local regulation in the constitution of any particular Grand Lodge to that effect, I know of no principle of Masonic law, set forth in the Ancient Landmarks or Regulations, which forbids a Lodge, upon the mere vote of the majority, from removing from one house to another in the same town or city. A regulation was adopted in 1724 by the Grand Lodge of England, which required notice of such removal to be given to the Grand Secretary j* and thp antiquity of this law, border- ins:, as it does, on the date of the Regulations of 1721, which are considered to be of general author- ity, as well as the ordinary principles of courtesy, would make it obligatory on any Lodge to observe it. But the Regulations adopted in 1738, on the subject of removal, which particularly define the mode in which such removal is to be affected, are of no authority at present ;t and unless the Grand Lodge of any particular jurisdiction has adopted a regulation forbidding the removal of a Lodge from one house to another, without its consent, I know of no law in Masonry of universal force which would prohibit such a removal, at the mere option of the Lodge.
Such are the powers and prerogatives of a Lodge ; nor is it to be supposed that prerogatives so numer- ous and so important would be conferred on any
* See Book of Constitutions, ed. 1759, p. 314.
f The-e regulations prescribed that the Lodge should not be removed, except with the Master's concurrence, or by a vote of two-thirds of the mem- bers, and with the approbation of the Grand Master.
336 POWERS OF LODGES, ETC.
association without the implied existence of exten- sive duties. It must, therefore, be remembered that as the Grand Lodge is the general conservator of the Masonic character and interests in the whole territory over which it presides, so each subordinate Lodge is equally the conservator of the same charac- ter and interests in its own local jurisdiction. If, therefore, a Lodge is wise in its selection of laws, and strict in the exercise of discipline — if it watches with assiduity over the Landmarks of the Order, and with prudent foresight prevents the slightest attempt at an innovation on them — if its members use the black ball, as the great bulwark of Masonry, with impartial justice, and give, in their own con- duct, the best refutation of the slanders of our enemies — then, and then only — to use the language of our ritual — will " the honor, glory and reputation of the institution be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good effects." And to effect these objects is the great duty of every subordinate Lodge.