Section 31. Except as provided in sections 23 to 28, inclusive, a society may admit to beneficial membership any person, not less than 16 and not more than 60 years of age, who has been examined by a legally qualified physician, if the examination has been supervised and approved in accordance with the by-laws of the society. A member of such society under 40 years of age who shall apply for a certificate providing for death benefits not exceeding the total sum of $500, and a member of such society who shall apply for a certificate providing for benefits on account of disability from sickness or injury, hospitalization, medical service or death by accident only, need not be required to pass a medical examination therefore. Such society may accept, without medical examination, for a face amount of life insurance not more than $3,000 on any one life, any person not more than 45 years of age who shall make acceptable declaration of the person's insurability. This section shall not prevent such society from accepting general or social members.