Incorporation of fraternal, etc., societies. Any number of persons, not less than 3, may become incorporated for the purpose of forming a secret society or lodge for benevolent, charitable, social, educational or mutual aid purposes or for any other similar purpose or purposes not prohibited by law. Such corporations shall be governed by the provisions of this act relating to corporations generally except as specifically otherwise provided. All societies, fraternal or otherwise, having for their principal purposes the teaching, practice and extending of benevolence, charity and fraternity under the form of secret rituals with a lodge form of government as commonly understood, desiring to be incorporated to more effectually carry out such purposes, shall hereafter incorporate under the provisions of this act. No such society or lodge whose parent organization is incorporated under the laws of any other country or state shall be permitted to organize or incorporate any subordinate state or local jurisdiction or lodge within this state without first applying for and receiving permission to do business within this state as such foreign corporation.