"11. The necessity that every Lodge. when congregated, should be duly tiled, is an important Land mark of the institution, which is never neglected. The necessity of this law arises from the esoteric character of Masonry. As a secret institution, its portals must, of course, be guarded from the intru sion of the profane, and such a law must, therefore, always. have been in force from the very beginning of the Order. It is, therefore, properly classed among the ancient Land marks. The office of tiler is wholly independent of any special enact ment of Grand or Subordinate Lodges, although these may and do prescribe for him additional duties, which vary in different jurisdictions. But the duty of guarding the door, and keeping off cowans and eaves droppers, is an ancient one, which constitutes a Landmark for his government.
"12. The right of every Mason to be represented in all general meet ings of the Craft, and to instruct his representatives, is a twelfth Land mark. Formerly, these general meet ings, which were usually held once a year, were called 'General Assem blies,' and all the Fraternity, even to the youngest Entered Apprentice, were permitted to be present. Now they are called Grand Lodges,' and only the Masters and Wardens of the subordinate lodges are summoned. But this is simply as the representa tives of their members. Originally, each Mason represented himself; now he is represented by his officers. This was a concession granted by the Fraternity about 1717, and of course does not affect the integrity of the Landmark, for the principle of representation is still preserved The concession was only made for purposes of convenience.
"13. The right of every Mason to appeal from the decision of his brethren in Lodge convened, to the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons, is a Landmark highly essential to the preservation of jus tice, and the prevention of oppres sion. A few modern Grand Lodges, in adopting a regulation that the decision of subordinate lodges, in cases of expulsion, cannot he wholly set aside upon an appeal, have violated this unquestioned Land mark, as well as the principles of just goverment.
"14. The right of every Mason to visit and sit in every regular Lodge is an unquestionable Landmark of the Order. This is called 'the right of visitation.' This right of visita tion has always been recognized as an inherent right, which inures to every Mason as he travels through the world. And this is because
lodges are justly considered as only divisions for convenience of the universal Masonic family. This right may, of course, be impaired or forfeited on special occasions by various circumstances; but when admission is refused to a Mason in good standing, who knocks at the door of a Lodge as a visitor, it is to be expected that some good and sufficient reason shall be furnished for this violation of what is in gene ral a Masonic right, founded on the Landmarks of the Order.
"15. It is a Landmark of the Order that no visitor, unknown to the brethren present, or to some one of them as a Mason, can enter a Lodge without first passing an examination according to ancient usage. Of course, if the visitor is known to any brother present to be a Mason in good standing, and if that brother will vouch for his qualifications, the examination may be dispensed with, as the Landmark refers only to the cases of strangers, who are not to be recognized unless after strict trial, due examination or lawful information.
" 16. No Lodge can interfere in the business of another Lodge, nor give degrees to brethren wbo are members of other lodges. This is undoubtedly an ancient Landmark, founded on the great principles of courtesy and fraternal kindness, which are at the very fbundation of our institution. It has been re peatedly recognized by subsequent statutory enactments of all Grand Lodges.
"17. It is a Landmark that every Freemason is amenable to the laws and regulations of the Masonic jurisdiction in which he resides, and this although he may not be a member of any Lodge. NonatIllia tion, which is, in filet, in itself, a Masonic offense, does not exempt a Mason from Masonic jurisdiction.
"18. Certain qualifications of can didates for initiation are derived from a Landmark of the Order. These qualifications are that he shall be a man—shall be mminti hued, free-born, and of mature ago. That is to say, a woman, a cripple, or a slave, or one born in slavery, is disqualified for initiation into the rites of Masonry. Statutes, it is true, have from time to time been enacted, enforcing or explaining these principles; but the qualifica tions really arise from the very nature of the Masonic institution, and from its symbolic teachings, and have always existed as Landmarks.