St.Peter's Operative Lodge No.284

ABSTRACT OF LAWS & BYE LAWS
The Lodge of St.John's Thurso - Extracted by P.S.Jr. Secry. 27 Deer,1798.
Lodge Book folio 57.  7.Jany 1786
revised March 1788, 28d.Deer.1790.
I. There is much occasion for making new The Old regulations being lost.
II. That ignorance of the Laws may be prevented by having a Copy of the Laws always open for inspection.
III. That whatever their Rank or Station Petitioning for admission none be received of immoral Characters or under 18 years of age
IV. That 2 or more worthy Brethren Sign the Candidates
Petition attesting his character.
V. That not a Candidate shall be admitted until his Petition be 1st.read in a Lodge regularly Constituted and the Lodge shall find him worthy to be received & 2ndly the Treasurer be satisfied of having rec'd.the fees of admission,
VI. The fees of admission shall continue to be 21/- & I/- to the Tyler and I/- further to the Secretary for recording the admission unless the Lodge shall unanimously agree to modify or admit gratis.(& XXI.)
VII. That no Bill be accepted But of Cash and the Treasurer shall be Personally Liable for the fees of admission or The Wardens in his absence.
VIII. That an Entered Apprentice having Served 1 Year or
less if thought proper to be departed from by a Lodge of Crafts - be admitted the Degree of Fellow Craft on Paying 2/6 to the Trr.and I/- to the Tyler and 6d to the Secretary.(& XXIl)
IX. That a fellow Craft having Served 6 months ,& paid all fees - and who can aquitt himself shall be raised to Master on Paying 5/- to the Trr. l/- to the Secretary and I/- to the Tyler - a Lodge of Masters may shorten the time of Service.(& XXIII)
X. That no bill be taken for the fees of Passing or raising But Cash and The Treasurer shall be account--able as per Article V1Ith. and that no member shall have any of these degrees either on payment of the fees or otherwise but by the unanimous vote of the Lodge Convened and Constitute as above.
XI. That each Member of this Lodge Shall continue to Pay in 6d.St.Per Quarter in the name of Quarter Pennies to the Treasurer The first tuesday of each Quarter.
XII. That an Acct.of the Qr.Pennies "be kept & Donations kept Separate - names &c.of the members who pay & the sum payed - and that The treasurer Shall Lay before the Lodge annually on the anniversary of St. Andrews day a List of Members in arrear & Sums due.
XIII. That on St.Andrews Day a 'Comittee of Ancients' be yearly hold to examine the Treasurers accts.and the funds of the Lodge,and to report and propose to the Lodge whatever may appear to them proper - That no member in the least in arrear shall have any vote in Disposal of any funds &c,(& 33d)
XIV.  That no member Petitioning for Fellow Craft or Master shall be passed or raised untill he first Produce the Treasurers Certificate that he has payed the Qur Pennies or is no more than 1 year in arrears on that acct.except Initiate Brethren - and they must engage to Submitt themselves for the future to the Rules and Bye laws of this Lodge. (& XXIV.)
XV. That no Part of our funds be disposed of but by an order of a Lodge regularly constitue - or by a majority of the members intituled to vote - article XIII - and no Part Parted with untill the funds exceed £50 St.(& XXV)
XV1. That The funds be laid out on Int.with Such Person or Persons as shall find 2 sufficient Cautioners,as the Lodge shall Direct on St.Andrews day - and the Int.of each year to accumulate to Stock.
XVII. That Stated Meetings to be St.Andrew's Day St.John's Day and first tuesday of    Febry,March,Apl.My.Augt.Septr. Nov.and that no Lodge be Constitute on any other day except on Urgent Business and a Summons given the Members residg.in town to attend.
XVIII. That if any member of the Lodge shall be guilty of misconduct in or out of the Lodge when Masonry is concerned - He shall be subject to Such Censure as the Majority of the Members Present shall Judge adequate.
XIX. The Treasurer's acct.to be fitted every year & Ballced.&c.
XX. That all Rules or Bye Laws Present or future "be
inserted in a Book as Per Article II for Inspection.
XXI. The Candidate for admission to be Subject to 2/6 each in addition to the 23/ mentioned article VI - as fee due to the Grd.Lodge.(& VI)
XXII. Fellow Crafts when to be passed to Pay 5/ in place
of 2/6. (& VIII)
XXIII. Masters to be raised on Paying 10/6 instead of 5/-.
(& IX)
XXIV. Initiate Brethren to Pay at entry 5/ and to continue to Pay Quarter Pennies as the other members of the Lodge But not to extend to Visiting Brothers.(& XIV)
XXV. All fees donations and Qur.Pence to be consolidated into one fund & not to be touched or Lessened untill it comes to £150. (& XV)
XXVI. The times of Meetings Changed to St.Andrew's Day St.John Evangelist St.John Baptist and
The first Tuesdays of Feby.March and October - no Meeting to be called except in Case of absolute Necessity on any other occasion or if held that meeting are not at Liberty to dispense with the Payment of full fees.
XXVII. That before any Question can be agitated or vote put for application for the funds of the Lodge except for defraying the annual expences - nottice shall be given on one of the Six Generall meetings mentioned article XXVI.
XXVIII. That no fee be allowed the Secretary for the future.
XXIX. That no extra furnishings for the Lodge or Monies shall be voted for other than on one of The Six Genl. Meetings foresaid.
XXX. That on St.Andrews Day each year a Delegate be chosen to represent us in the Grand Lodge - to be chosen in Aug or Octr. - The Dues at that time to be transmitted with the Delegation to Gd.Lodge and all Correspondence inserted in Lodge Book.
XXXI. No admissions to be granted after 1 o clock St.John's Day.
XXXII. No question shall be agitated ofter than twice in the same debate except it shall be to establish a Point of Fact.
XXXIII. Alterations on the Bye Laws No 11 & 13 respecting fees being paid before a member can vote Decr. 9.

Appendix 2