Any 5 or more persons, resident of this state, being members of the supreme lodge of the Sons of Industry, may make and execute articles of association under their hands and seals, which articles of association shall be acknowledged before some officer authorized by law to execute deeds, and shall set forth:

The original articles of association of said supreme lodge, shall be filed with the secretary of state, and thereupon the persons who shall have signed such articles of association, their associates and successors, shall be a body politic and corporate, by the name expressed in such articles of association, and by that name they and their successors shall be known, have succession, and be persons in law, capable to take, receive, hold, and enjoy, to them and their successors, estates, real and personal; Provided, That the value of such estates shall not exceed the sum of 10,000 dollars, and that the proceeds, rents, and incomes realized therefrom, shall be devoted exclusively to the charitable and benevolent purposes of the said supreme lodge as herein defined; and they shall also be capable of suing and being sued, and to have a common seal, which may be altered or changed at their pleasure. Said corporation shall have full power to make and establish its rules, regulations, and by-laws for regulating its business and affairs, and to designate, elect, or appoint from its members, such officers, under such name as may be designated from time to time.

A transcript of such articles of association, under the seal of the state, duly certified according to law, shall be received as prima facie evidence in all courts in this state of the existence and due incorporation of such corporation.

Such corporation, when duly formed, shall have power to institute and charter grand and subordinate lodges of said order, and from time to time to make, ordain, constitute and establish such general laws and by-laws, ordinances, and regulations for the government of such grand or subordinate lodge, as to them shall seem proper and necessary; and in case of violation, or non-compliance with such ordinances, by-laws, and regulations, to revoke and annul the charter granted such grand or subordinate lodges: Provided, That the existing subordinate lodges, heretofore duly chartered by the supreme lodge, shall be subject to the control of the supreme lodge under this act, as heretofore, and in the same manner, and to the same extent as those that may hereafter be instituted and chartered under this act.

All corporations formed under this act shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 130 of the Compiled Laws of 1871, so far as the same may be applicable to corporations formed under this act; and the legislature may alter or amend this act at any time.