Still more appropriately may we refer to the case of a person transported for a term of years, and who cannot return until that term expires, but who is at liberty at once to do so when it has expired.
"Another capital offense against public justice," says Blackstone, "is the returning from transportation, or being seen at large in Great Britain _before the expiration of the term for which the offender was sentenced to be transported." _ Mark these qualifying words: "before the expiration of the term:" they include, from the very force of language, the proposition that it is no offense to return _after_ the expiration of the term.

And so changing certain words to meet the change of circumstances, but leaving the principle unchanged, we may lay down the law in relation to restorations from definite suspensions, as follows: _It is an offense against the masonic code to claim the privileges of Masonry, or to attempt to visit a lodge after having been suspended, before the expiration of the term for which the offender was suspended_.
Of course, it is no crime to resume these privileges after the term has expired; for surely he must have strange notions of the powers of language, who supposes that suspension for three months, and no more, does not mean, that when the three months are over the suspension ceases.

And, if the suspension ceases, the person is no longer suspended; and, if no longer suspended he is in good standing, and requires no further action to restore him to good moral and masonic health.
But it is said that, although originally only suspended for three months, at the expiration of that period, his conduct might continue to be such as to render his restoration a cause of public reproach.

What is to be done in such a case?
It seems strange that the question should be asked.

The remedy is only too apparent.