If a mason abuses his power inside the lodge, insults and belittle others, never comes prepared for ritual, misinforms and misguides others, insults worshipful master behind his back, make racial and discriminatory remarks, what can be done to deal with him and what punishments he is liable to?

Disciplinary proceedings begin with a written charge signed by an accuser and delivered to the lodge Secretary, who reads it at a regular communication 2. The accuser does not need to be a Mason, provided the charge alleges an offense falling within the lodge's jurisdiction 2. Ample time is granted for the accused to prepare a defense, and the examination of witnesses takes place in open lodge—or before a committee—with both the accuser and accused entitled to be present 23.

The trial is conducted in the highest degree to which the accused has attained, but the final verdict must be rendered in a lodge opened on the Third Degree after the accuser, accused, and any member acting as counsel have withdrawn 23. Conviction is decided by secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority 23.

If the verdict is guilty, the Master submits punishments to a vote in descending order of severity: expulsion, indefinite suspension, definite suspension, and reprimand 3. Inflicting expulsion or suspension requires a two-thirds vote, while a reprimand requires only a simple majority 3. A suspended Mason is temporarily barred from visiting lodges, receiving relief, or exercising official duties, though basic Masonic citizenship remains intact until the sentence expires or is abridged by a two-thirds vote 3.

General decorum, respect for authority, and adherence to established rules are required of all members to preserve order and prevent contempt 14. For an abuse of power by the highest authority, a regulation of 1721 specifies that a Grand Master who abuses his power can only be disciplined through a special new regulation enacted across three quarterly communications with majority consent; without such a mechanism, no formal lodge trial lies against him 2.