A ‘demit’, when granted to a brother by a recognized constituent lodge, confirms that he is free from any masonic charges as of the date of the demit, and that he is clear of any indebtedness to the lodge from which he has demitted.

The demit does not entitle him to masonic privileges consequent upon membership in a lodge and, generally speaking, he may not make more than two visits to any constituent lodge while he remains unaffiliated.

Once having become a member of the Craft, it is the choice of a Freemason as to whether or not he wishes to remain a member of his mother lodge (the lodge in which he was initiated, passed and raised).

Dual membership is permitted in British Columbia and Yukon, and so it is not necessary that the brother demits from his mother lodge unless he chooses to do so for economic reasons. Many brethren maintain membership in their mother lodge out of a sense of loyalty, and also to keep themselves informed on what is happening in that lodge, through receipt of monthly notices and other information.

In this Grand Jurisdiction, there is a ruling that a demitted brother is in ‘good standing’ indefinitely and may claim the privilege of visiting any constituent lodge twice. If allowed to visit after that, it is by the grace of the Lodge. (G.M. Creery, Proc. 1923, p. 28)

Demits and Demitting