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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ...reserving, or as intended to reserve, to the association the power to change or avoid its contracts, to lessen its responsibilities, or to divest its members of rights. This is not the proper oflice of a by-law; and from the general expressions to Which we are referring, it cannot be fairly presumed or intended that it was contemplated to affect the members by other than such by-laws, as it was within the competency of the association to enact. But in addition to these, the averment of the plea is, that the certificate was accepted by the assured ' subject to the laws of the order now in force, or which may be hereafter enacted by the supreme commandery.' These are words of large signification, and clearly express that the assured consented that the contract should be subject to future, as well as existing by-laws. Parties may contract in reference to laws of future enactment--may agree to be bound and affected by them, as they would be bound and affected if such laws were existing. They may consent that such laws may enter into and form parts of their contracts, modifying or varying them. It is their voluntary agreement which relieves the application of such laws to their contracts and transactions from all imputations of injustice. The members of associations, created for purposes and objects like those which seem to be the purposes and objects of this organization, may very properly be required to assent that the contract conferring upon them rights shall be subject to, and depend upon the future, as well as the existing laws adopted bythe governing power. The fundamental principle of such organizations is the mutuality of duty and equality of rights of the membership, without regard to time of admission. This cannot well...