THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE FREE-MASONS. CONTAINING THE History, Charges, Regulations, &c. of that most Ancient and Right Worshipful FRATERNITY.
For the Use of the LODGES.
LONDON Printed; Anno 5723. Re-printed in Philadelphia by special Order, for the Use of the Brethren in NORTH-AMERICA. In the Year of Masonry 5734, Anno Domini 1734.
TO His GRACE the DUKE of MONTAGU.
BY Order of his Grace the DUKE of WHARTON, the present Right Worshipful GRAND-MASTER of the Free-Masons; and, as his [Page] Deputy, I humbly dedicate this Book of the Constitutions of our ancient Fraternity to your Grace, in Testimony of your honourable, prudent, and vigilant Discharge of the Office of our GRAND-MASTER last Year.
I need not tell your Grace what Pains our learned Author has taken in compiling and digesting this Book from the old Records, and how accurately he has compar'd and made every thing agreeable to History and Chronology, so as to render these NEW CONSTITUTIONS [Page]a just and exact Account of Masonry from the Beginning of the World to your Grace's Mastership, still preserving all that was truly ancient and authentick in the old ones: For every Brother will be pleas'd with the Performance, that knows it had your Grace's Perusal and Approbation, and that it is now printed for the Use of the Lodges, after it was approv'd by the Grand Lodge, when your Grace was GRAND-MASTER. All the Brother-hood will ever remember the Honour your Grace has done them, and [Page]your Care for their Peace, Harmony, and lasting Friendship: Which none is more duly sensible of than,
THE CONSTITUTION, History, Laws, Charges, Orders, Regulations, and Usages, OF THE Right Worshipful FRATERNITY OF ACCEPTED Free-Masons; Collected from their general RECORDS, and their faithful TRADITIONS of many Ages.
TO BE READ
At the Admission of a NEW BROTHER, when the Master
or Warden
shall begin, or order some other Brother to read as follows:
ADAM, our first Parent, created after the Image of God, the great Architect of the Universe, must have had the Liberal Sciences, particularly Geometry, Year of the World 1. 4003 before Christ written on his Heart; for even since the Fall, we find the Principles of it in the Hearts of his Offspring, and which, in process of time, have been [Page 8]drawn forth into a convenient Method of Propositions, by observing the Laws of Proportion taken from Mechanism: So that as the Mechanical Arts gave Occasion to the Learned to reduce the Elements of Geometry into Method, this noble Science thus reduc'd, is the Foundation of all those Arts, (particularly of Masonry and Architecture) and the Rule by which they are conducted and perform'd.
No doubt Adam taught his Sons Geometry, and the use of it, in the serveral Arts and Crafts convenient, at least for those early Times; for CAIN, we find, built a City, which he call'd CONSECRATED, or DEDICATED, after the Name of his eldest Son ENOCH; and becoming the Prince of the one Half of Mankind, his Posterity would imitate his royal Example in improving both the noble Science and the useful Art. *
Nor can we suppose that SETH was less instructed, who being the Prince of the other Half of Mankind, and also the prime Cultivator of Astronomy, would take equal care to teach Geometry and Masonry to his Offspring, who had also the mighty Advantage of Adam's living among them. †
[Page 9] But without regarding uncertain Accounts, we may safely conclude the old World, that lasted 1656 Years, could not be ignorant of Masonry; and that both the Familles of Seth and Cain erected many curious Works, until at length NOAH, the ninth from Seth, was commanded and directed of God to build the great Ark, which, tho' of Wood, was certainly fabricated by Geometry, and according to the Rules of Masonry.
NOAH, and his three Sons, JAPHET, SHEM, and HAM, all Masons true, brought with them over the Flood the Traditions and Arts of the Ante-deluvians, Anno Mundi 1757. 2247. Ante Chr. and amply communicated them to their growing Offspring; for about 101 Years after the Flood we find a vast Number of 'em, if not the whole Race of Noah, in the Vale of Shinar, employ'd in building a City and large Tower, in order to make to themselves a Name, and to prevent their Dispersion. And tho' they carry'd on the Work to a monstrous Height, and by their Vanity provok'd God to confound their Devices, by confounding their Speech, which occasion'd their Dispersion; A. M 1810. 2194. Ante Chr. yet their Skill in Masonry is not the less to be celebrated, having spent above 53 Years in that prodigious Work, and upon their Dispersion carry'd the mighty Knowledge with them into distant Parts, where they sound the good Use of it in the Settlement of their Kingdoms, Commonwealths, and Dynasties. And tho' afterwards it was lost in most Parts of the Earth, it was especially preserv'd in Shinar and Assyria, where [Page 10]NIMROD, * the Founder of that Monarchy, after the Dispersion, built many splendid Cities, as Ereck, Accad, and Calneh, in SHINAR; from whence afterwards he went forth into ASSYRIA, and built [...]iniveh, Rehoboth, Caleh, and Rhesin.
In these Parts, upon the Tygris and Euphrates, afterwards flourish'd many learned Priests and Mathematicians, known by the Names of CHALDEES and MAGI, who preserv'd the good Science, Geometry, as the KINGS and great Men encourag'd the Royal Art. But it is not expe [...]ent to speak more plain of the Premises, except in a formed Lodge.
From hence, therefore, the Science and Art were both transmitted to latter Ages and distant Climes, notwithstanding the Consusion of Languages or Dialects, which tho' it might help to give Rise to the Masons Faculty and ancient universal Practice of conversing without speaking, and of knowing each other at a Distance, yet hinder'd not the Improvement of Masonry in each Colony and their Communication in their distinct National Dialect.
And, no doubt, the Royal Art was brought down to Egypt by MITZRAIM, the second Son of Ham, about six Years after the Confusion at Babel, A. M. 1816. 2188. Ante Chr. and after the Flood 160 Years, when he led thither his Colony; (for Egypt is Mitzraim in Hebrew) because we find the [Page 11]River Nile's overflowing its Banks, soon caus'd an Improvement in Geometry, which consequently brought Masonry much in request: For the ancient noble Cities, with the other magnificent Edifices of that Country, and particularly the famous PYRAMIDS, demonstrate the early Taste and Genius of that ancient Kingdom. Nay, one of those Egyptian PYRAMIDS * is reckon'd the First of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Account of which, by Historians and Travellers, is almost incredible.
The Sacred Records inform us well that the eleven great Sons of CANAAN (the youngest Son of Ham) soon fortified themselves in strong Holds, and stately walled Cities, and erecred most beautiful Temples and Mansions; for when the Israetites, under the great Joshua, invaded their Country, they found it so regularly fenc'd, that without the immediate Intervention of God in behalf of his peculiar People, the Canaanites were impregnable and invincible. Nor can we suppose less of the other Sons of Ham, viz. Cush, his eldest, in South Arabia, and Phut, or Phuts, (now called Fez) in West Africa.
And surely the fair and gallant Posterity of JAPHET, (the eldest Son of Noah) even such as travell'd into the Isles of the Gentiles, must have been equally skill'd in Geometry and Masonry; tho' we know little [Page 12]of their Transactions and mighty Works, until their original Knowledge was almost lost by the Havock of War, and by not maintaining a due Correspondence with the polite and learned Nations; for when that Correspondence was open'd in After-Ages, we find they began to be most curious Architects.
The Posterity of SHEM had also equal Opportunities of cultivating the useful Art, even those of 'em that planted their Colonies in the South and East of Asia; much more those of 'em, that in the great Assyrian Empire, liv'd in a separate State, or were blended with other Families: Nay, that holy Branch of SHEM (of whom, as concerning the Flesh, CHRIST came) could not be unskilful in the learned Arts of Assyria; A. M. 2078. 1926. Ante Chr. for ABRAM, after the Confusion at Babel about 268 Years, was called out of Ur of the Chaldees, where he learned Geometry, and the Arts that are perform'd by it, which he would carefully transmit to Ishmael, to Isaac, and to his Sons by Keturah; and by Isaac, to Esau, and Jacob, and the twelve Patriarchs: Nay, the Jews believe that ABRAM also instructed the Egyptians in the Assyrian Learning.
Indeed the select Family long used Military Architecture only, as they were Sojourners among Strangers; out before the [...]30 Years of their Peregrination were expired, A. M. 2427. 1577. Ante Chr. even about 86 Years before their Exodus, the Kings of Egypt forc'd most of them to lay down their Sheperds Instruments, and Warlike Accoutrements, and train'd them [...] another sort of Architecture in Stone and Brick, as holy Writ, and other Histories, acquaint us; which God did wisely over-rule, in order to [Page 13]make them good Masons before they possess'd the promis'd Land, then famous for most curious Masonry.
And while marching to Canaan thro' Arabia, under Moses, God was pleased to inspire BEZALEEL, of the Tribe of Judah, and AHOLIAB, of the Tribe of Dan, A. M. 2514. 1490. Ante Chr. with Wisdom of Heart for erecting that most glorious Tent, or Tabernacle, wherein the SHECHINAH resided; which, tho' not of Stone or Brick, was framed by Geometry, a most beautiful Piece of Architecture, (and prov'd afterwards the Model of Solomon's Temple) according to the Pattern that God had shewn to MOSES in the Mount; who therefore became the GENERAL MASTER-MASON, as well as King of Jessurun, being well skill'd in all the Egyptian Learning, and divinely inspir'd with more sublime Knowledge in Masonry.
So that the Israelites, at their leaving Egypt, were a whole Kingdom of Masons, well instructed, under the Conduct of their GRAND MASTER MOSES, who often marshall'd them into a regular and general Lodge, while in the Wilderness, and gave them wise Charges, Orders, &c had they been well observ'd! But no more of the Premises must be mention'd.
And after they were possess'd of Canaan, the Israelites came not short of the old Inhabitants in Masonry, A. M. 25 [...]. 1 [...]50. Ante Chr. but rather vastly improv'd it, by the special Direction of Heaven; they fortify'd better, and improv'd their City-Houses and the Palaces of their Chiefs, and only fell short in sacred Architecture while the Tabernacle stood, but no longer; for the sinest sacred Building of [Page 14]the Canaanites was the Temple of Dagon in Gaza of the Philistines, very magnificent, and capacious enough to receive 5000 People under its Roof, that was artfully supported by two main Columns *; and was a wonderful Discovery of their mighty Skill in true Masonry, as must be own'd.
But Dagon's Temple, and the finest Structures of Tyre and Sidon, could not be compared with the ETERNAL God's Temple at Jerusalem, begun and finish'd, to the Amazement of all the World, in the short space of seven Years and six Months, by that wisest Man and most glorious King of Israel, the Prince of Peace and Architecture, SOLOMON (the Son of David, who was refused that Honour for being a Man of Blood) by divine Direction, without the Noise of Work-mens Tools, though there were employ'd about it no less than 3600 Princes, † or Master-Masons, to conduct the Work according to Solomon's Directions, with 80,000 [Page 15] Hewers of Stone in the Mountain, or Fellow Craftsmen, and 70,000 Labourers, in all 153,600 besides the Levy under Adoniram, to work in the Mountains of Lebanon by turns with the Sidonians, viz. 30,000 — being in all 183,600 for which great Number of ingenious Masons, Solomon was much oblig'd to HIRAM, or Huram, King of Type, who sent his Masons and Carpenters to Jerusalem, and the Firs and Cedars of Lebanon to Joppa the next Sea-port.
But above all, he sent his Namesake HIRAM, or Huram, the most accomplish'd Mason upon Earth. *
[Page 16] And the prodigious Expence of it also enhaunceth its Exeellency; for besides King David's vast Preparations, his richer Son SOLOMON, and all the wealthy Israelites, and the Nobles of all the neighbouring Kingdoms, largely contributed towards it in Gold, Silver, and rich Jewels, that amounted to a Sum almost incredible.
Nor do we read of any thing in Canaan so large, the Wall that inclos'd it being 7700 Foot in Compass; far less any holy Structure fit to be nam'd with it, for exactly proportion'd and beautiful Dimensions, from the magnificent Porch on the East, to the glorious and reverend Sanctum Sanctorum on the West, with most lovely and convenient Apartments for the Kings and Princes, Priests and Levites, Israelites, and Gentiles also; it being an House of Prayer for all Nations, and [Page 17]capable of receiving in the Temple proper, and in all its Courts and Apartments together, no less than 300,000 People, by a modest Calculation, allowing a square Cubit to each Person.
And if we consider the 1453 Columns of Parian Marble, with twice as many Pollasters, both having glorious Capitals of several Orders, and about 2246 Windows, besides those in the Pavement, with the unspeakable and costly Decorations of it within; (and much more might be said) we must conclude its Prospect to transcend our Imagination; and that it was justly esteem'd by far the finest Piece of Masonry upon Earth before or since, A. M. 3000. 1004. Ante Chr.. and the chief Wonder of the World; and was dedicated, or consecrated, in the most solemn manner, by King SOLOMON.
But leaving what must not, and indeed cannot, be communicated by Writing, we may warrantably affirm that however ambitious the Heathen were in cultivating of the Royal Art, it was never perfected, until God condescended to instruct his peculiar People in rearing the above-mention'd stately Tent, and in building at length this gorgeous House, fit for the special Resulgence of his Glory, where he dwelt between the Cherubims on the Mercy-Seat, and from thence gave them frequent oraculous Responses.
This most sumptuous, splendid, beautiful and glorious Edifice, attracted soon the inquisitive Artists of all Nations to spend some time at Jerusalem, and survey its peculiar Excellencies, as much as was allow'd to the Gentiles; whereby they soon discover'd, that all the World, with their joint Skill, came far short of the [Page 18] Israelites, in the Wisdom and Dexterity of Architecture, when the wise King SOLOMON was GRAND MASTER of the Lodge at Jerusalem, and the learned King HIRAM was GRAND MASTER of the Lodge at Tyre, and the inspired HIRAM ABIF was Master of Work, and Masonry was under the immediate Care and Direction of Heaven, when the Noble and the Wise thought it their Honour to be assisting to the ingenious Masters and Craftsmen, and when the Temple of the TRUE GOD became the Wonder of all Travellers, by which, as by the most perfect Pattern, they corrected the Architecture of their own Country upon their Return.
So that after the Erection of Solomon's Temple, Masonry was improv'd in all the neighbouring Nations; for the many Artists employ'd about it, under Hiram Abif, after it was finish'd, dispers'd themselves into Syria, Mesopotamia, Assyria, Chaldea, Babylonia, Media, Persia, Arabia, Africa, Lesser Asia, Greece, and other Paris of Europe, where they taught this liberal Art to the free born Sons of eminent Persons, by whose Dexterity the Kings, Princes, and Potentates, built many glorious Piles, and became the GRAND MASTERS, earch in his own Territory, and were emulous or excelling in this Royal Art; nay, even in INDIA, where the Correspondence was open, we may conclude the same: But none of the Nations, nor all together, could rival the Israelites, far less excel them, in Masonry; and their Temple remain'd the constant Pattern. *
[Page 19] Nay, the GRAND MONARCH NEBUCHADNEZAR could never, with all his unspeakable Advantages, carry up his Masonry to the Beautiful Strength and Magnificence of the Temple Work, which he had, A. M. 3416. 588. Ante Chr. in warlike Rage, burnt down, after it had remain'd in Splendor 416 Years from it Consecration. For after his Wars were over, and general Peace proclaim'd, he set his Heart on Architecture, and became the GRAND MASTER-MASON; and having before led captive the ingenious Artists of Judea, and other conquer'd Countries, he rais'd indeed the largest Work upon Earth, even the Walls * and City, the Palaces and [Page 20]Hanging-Gardens, the Bridge and Temple of BABYLON, the Third of the Seven Wonders of the World, tho' vastly inferior, in the sublime Perfection of Masonry, to the holy, charming, lovely Temple of GOD. But as the Jewish Captives were of special use to NEBUCHADNEZAR in his glorious Buildings, so [Page 21]being thus kept at work, they retain'd their great Skill in Masonry, and continu'd very capable of rebuilding the holy Temple and City of SALEM upon its old Foundations, A. M. 3468. 536. Ante Chr. which was order'd by the Edict or Decree of the GRAND CYRUS, according to God's Word, that had foretold his Exaltation and this Decree: And CYRUS having constituted ZERUBBABEL, the Son of Salathiel (of the Seed of David by Nathan, the Brother of Solomon, whose Royal Family was now extinct) the Head, or Prince of the Captivity, and the Leader of the Jews and Israelites returning to Jerusalem, they began to lay the Foundation of the SECOND TEMPLE, and would have soon finish'd it, if CYRUS had liv'd; A. M. 3489. 515. Aute Chr. but at length they put on the Cape-Stone, in the 6th Year of DARIUS, the Persian Monarch, when it was dedicated with Joy, and many great Sacrifices, by ZERUBBABEL the Prince and General Master-Mason of the Jews, about 20 Years after the Decree of the Grand Cyrus, And tho' this Temple of ZERUBBABEL came far short of Solomon's Temple, was not so richly adorn'd with Gold and Diamonds, and all manner of precious Stones, nor had the Shechina and the holy Relicks of Moses in it, &c. yet being rais'd exactly upon Solomon's [Page 22]Foundation, and according to his Model, it was still the most regular, symmetrical, and glorious Edifice in the whole World, as the Enemies of the Jews have often testify'd and acknowledg'd.
At length the ROYAL ART was carry'd into Greece, whose Inhabitants have left us no Evidence of such Improvements in Masonry, prior to Solomon's Temple; * for their most ancient Buildings, as the Cittadel of Athens, with the Parthenion, or Temple of Minerva, the Temples also of Theseus, of Jupiter Olympius, &c. their Porticos also, and Forums, their Theatres and Gymnasiums, their publick Halls, curious Bridges, regular Fortifications, stout Ships of War, and stately Palaces, were all erected after the Temple of Solomon, and most of them even after the Temple of Zerubbabel.
Nor do we find the GRECIANS arriv'd to any considerable Knowledge in Geometry, before the Great Thales Milesius, A. M. 3457. 547. Ante Chr. the Philosopher, who dy'd in the Reign of Bellshazzar, and the Time of the Jewish Captivity. But his Scholar, the Greater PYTAHGORAS, prov'd the Author of the 47th Proposition of Euclid's first Book, which, if duly observ'd, is the Foundation of all Masonry, sa [...]ed, civil, and Military. *
[Page 23] The People of Lesser Asia about this Time gave large Encouragement to Masons for erecting all sorts of sumptuous Buildings, one of which must not be forgot, being usually reckon'd the Fourth of the Seven Wonders of the World, viz. the Mausoleum, or Tomb of Mausolus King of Caria, between Lycia and Jonia, at Halicarnassus, on the Side of Mount Taurus in that Kingdom, at the Command of ARTEMISIA his mournful Widow, as the splendid Testimony of her Love to him, built of the most curious Marble, in Circuit 411 Foot, in Height 25 Cubits, surrounded with 26 Columns of the most famous Sculpture, and the whole opened on all Sides, with Arches 73 Foot wide, A. M. 3652. 352. Ante Chr. perform'd by the four principal Master-Masons and Engravers of those Times, viz. the East Side by Scopas, the West by Leochares, the North by Briax, and the South by Timotheus.
But after PYTHAGORAS, Geometry became the darling Study of Greece, where many learned Philosophers arose, some of whom invented sundry Propositions, or Elements of Geometry, and reduc'd them to the use of the mechanical Arts. * Nor need we doubt [Page 24]that Masonry kept pace with Geometry; or rather, always follow'd it in proportion'd gradual Improvements, until the wonderful EUCLID of Tyre flourish'd at Alexandria; A. M. 3700. 304. Ante Chr. who gathering up the scatter'd Elements of Geometry, digested them into a Method that was never yet mended, (and for which his Name will be ever celebrated) under the Patronage of PTOLOMEUS, the Son of Lagus King of Egypt, one of the immediate Successors of Alexander the Great.
And as the noble Science came to be more methodically taught, the Royal Art was the more generally esteem'd and improv'd among the Grecians, who at length arriv'd to the same Skill and Magnificence in it with their Teachers the Asiatics and Egyptians.
The next King of Egypt, PTOLOMEUS PHILADELPHUS, that great Improver of the liberal Arts, and of all useful Knowledge, who gather'd the greatest Library upon Earth, and had the Old Testament (at least the Pentateuch) first translated into Greek, became an excellent Architect, A. M. 3748. 256. Ante Chr. and GENERAL MASTER-MASON, having among his other great Buildings, erected the famous TOWER of PHAROS, * the Fisth of the Seven Wonders of the World.
[Page 25] We may readily believe, that the African Nations, even to the Atlantick Shore, did soon imitate Egypt in such Improvements; though History fails, and there are no Travellers encourag'd to discover the valuable Remains in Masonry of those once renowned Nations.
Nor should we forget the learned Island of SICILY, where the prodigious Geometrician ARCHIMEDES did flourish, A. M. 3792. 212. Ante Chr. * and was unhappily slain when Syracuse was taken by Marcellus the Roman General: For from Sicily, as well as from Greece, Egypt, and Asia, the ancient Romans learnt both the SCIENCE and the ART, what they knew before being either mean or irregular; but as they subdu'd the Nations, they made mighty Discoveries in both; and like wise Men, led captive, not the Body of the People, but the Arts and Sciences, with the most eminent Professors and Practitioners, to Rome; which thus became the Center of Learning, as well as of imperial Power, until they advanc'd to their Zenith of Glory, under AUGUSTUS CAESAR, A. M. 4004. (in whose Reign was born God's MESSIAH, the [Page 26]great Architect of the Church) who having laid the World quiet, by proclaiming universal Peace, highly encourag'd those dexterous Artists that had been bred in the Roman Liberty, and their learned Scholars and Pupils; but particularly the great VITRUVIUS, the Father of all true Architects to this Day.
Therefore it is rationally believ'd, that the glorious AUGUSTUS became the Grand-Master of the Lodge at Rome, having, besides his patronizing Vitruvius, much promoted the Welfare of the Fellow-Craftsmen, as appears by the many magnificent Buildings of his Reign, the Remains of which are the Pattern and Standard of true Masonry in all future Times, as they are indeed an Epitome of the Asiatic, Egyptian, Grecian and Sicilian Architecture, which we often express by the Name of the AUGUSTAN STILE, and which we are now only endeavouring to imitate, and have not yet arriv'd to its Perfection.
The old Records of Masons afford large Hints of their Lodges, from the Beginning of the World, in the polite Nations, especially in Times of Peace, and when the Civil Powers, ab [...]orring Tyranny and Slavery, gave due Scope to the bright and free Genius of their happy Subjects; for then always Masons, above all other Artists, were the Favourites of the Eminent, and became necessary for their grand Undertakings in any sort of Materials, not only in Stone, Brick, Timber, Plaister; but even in Cloth or Skins, or whatever was us'd for Tents, and for the various sorts of Architecture.
[Page 27] Nor should it be forgot, that Painters also, and Statuaries, * were always reckon'd good Masons, as much as Builders, Stone-cutters, Bricklayers, Carpenters, Joiners, Upholders or Tent-Makers, and a vast many other Craftsmen that could be nam'd, who perform according to Geometry, and the Rules of Building; though none since HIRAM ABIF has been renown'd for Cunning in all parts of Masonry: And of this enough.
But among the Heathen, while the noble Science Geometry * was duly cultivated, both before and after the Reign of Augustus, even till the Fifth Century of the Christian Aera, Masonry was had in great Esteem [Page 28]and Veneration: And while the Roman Empire continu'd in its Glory, the Royal Art was carefully propagated, even to the ULTIMA THULE, and a Lodge erected in almost every Roman Garrison; whereby they generously communicated their Cunning to the northern and western Parts of Europe, which had grown barbarous before the Roman Conquest, though we known not certainly how long; because some think there are a few Remains of good Masonry before that Period in some Parts of Europe, raised by the original Skill that the first Colonies brought with them, as the Celtic Edifices, erected by the ancient Gauls, and by the ancient Britains too, who were a Colony of the Celtes, long before the Romans invaded this Island. *
But when the GOTHS and VANDALS, that had never been conquer'd by the Romans, like a general Deluge, over-ran the ROMAN EMPIRE, with warlike Rage and gross Ignorance they utterly destroy'd many of the finest Edifices, and defac'd others, very few escaping; as the Asiatic and African Nations fell under the same Calamity by the Conquests of the MAHOMETANS, whose grand Design is only to convert [Page 29]the World by Fire and Sword, instead of cultivating the Arts and Sciences.
Thus, upon the Declension of the Roman Empire, Ann. D. 448 when the British Garrisons were drain'd, the ANGLES & other lower SAXONS, invited by the ancient BRITONS to come over and help them against the SCOTS and PICTS, at length subdu'd the South Part of this Island, which they call'd England, or Land of the Angles; who being a-kin to the Goths, or rather a sort of Vandals, of the same warlike Disposition, and as ignorant Heathens, encourag'd nothing but War, till they became Christians; and then too late lamented the Ignorance of their Fathers in the great Loss of Roman Masonry, but knew not how to repair it.
Yet becoming a free People (as the old Saxon Laws testify) and having a Disposition for Masonry, they soon began * to imitate the Asiatics, Grecians, and Romans, in erecting of Lodges and encouraging of Masons; being taught, not only from the faithful Traditions and valuable Remains of the BRITONS, but [Page 30]even by foreign Princes, in whose Dominions the Royal Art had been preserv'd much from Gothic Ruins, particularly by CHARLES MARTELL King of France, An. Dom. 141. He dy'd. who according to the old Records of Masons, sent over several expert Craftsmen and learned Architects into England, at the Desire of the Saxon Kings: So that during the Heptarchy, the Gothic Architecture was much encourag'd here as in other Christian Lands.
And though the many Invasions of the DANES occasion'd the Loss of many Records, An. Dom. 832. yet in Times of Trace or Peace they did not hinder much the good Work, though not perform'd according to the Augustan Stile; nay, the vast Expence laid out upon it, with the curious Inventions of the Artists to supply the Roman Skill, doing the best they could, demonstrate their Esteem and Love for the Royal Art, and have render'd the GOTHIC BUILDINGS venerable, tho' not imitable by those that relish the ancient Architecture.
And after the Saxons and Danes were conquer'd by the NORMANS, An. Dom. 1066. as soon as the Wars ended and Peace was proclaim'd, the Gothic Masonry was encourag'd, even in the Reign of the Conqueror, * and of his Son King WILLIAM Rufus, who built Westminster-Hall, [Page 31]minster-Hall, the largest one Room perhaps in the Earth.
Nor did the Barons Wars, nor the many bloody Wars of the subsequent Norman Kings, and their contending Branches, much hinder the most sumptuous and lofty Buildings of those Times, rais'd by the great Clergy, (who enjoying large Revenues, could well bear the Expence) and even by the CROWN too; for we read King EDWARD III. had an Officer call'd the King's Free-Mason, or General-Surveyor of his Buildings, whose Name was HENRY YEVELE, employ'd by that King to build several Abbies, About An. Dom. 1362. and St. STEPHEN's CHAPPEL at Westminster, where the House of Commons now sit in Parliament.
But for the surther Instruction of Candidates and younger Brethren, a certain Record of Free-Masons, About An. Dom. 1475. written in the Reign of King EDWARD IV. of the Norman Line, gives the following Account, viz.
That though the ancient Records of the Brotherhood in England were many of them destroy'd or lost in the Wars of the Saxons and Danes, yet King ATHELSTAN, ( the Grandson of King ALFRED the Great, a mighty Arch [...]tect) the first anointed King of England, About An. Dom. 930. and who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon Tongue, when he had brought the Land into Rest and Peace, built many great Works, and encourag'd many Masons from France, who were appointed Overseers thereof, and brought with them the Charges and Regulations of the Lodges preserv'd since the Roman Times, who also prevail'd with the King to improve the CONSTITUTION [Page 32] of the English Lodges according to the foreign Model, and to increase the Wages of working Masons.
That the said King's youngest Son, Prince EDWIN, being taught Masonry, and taking upon him the Charges of a MASTER-MASON, for the Love he had to the said Craft, and the honourable Principles whereon it is grounded, purchased a free Charter of King Athelstan his Father, for the Masons having a Correction among themselves, (as it was anciently express'd) or a Freedom and Power to regulate themselves, to amend what might happen amiss, and to hold a yearly Communication and General Assembly.
That accordingly Prince EDWIN summoned all the Masons in the Realm to meet him in a Congregation at York, who came and composed a General Lodge, of which he was GRAND MASTER; and having brought with them all the Writings and Records extant, some in Greek, some in Latin, some in French, and other Languages, from the Contents thereof that Assembly did frame the CONSTITUTION and Charges of an English Lodge, made a Law to preserve and observe the same in all time coming, and ordain'd good Pay for working Masons, &c.
That in process of time, when Lodges were more frequent, the Right Worshipful the Master and Fellows, with the Consent of the LORDS of the Realm, (for most great Men were then Masons) ordain'd, that for the future, at the Making or Admission of a Brother, the CONSTITUTION should be read, and the Charges hereunto annex'd, by the Master or Warden; and that such as were to be admitted Master-Masons, [Page 33] [...] Masters of Work, should be examin'd whether they be able of Cunning to serve their respective Lords, as well the Lowest as the Highest, to the Honour and Worship of the aforesaid Art, and to the Profit of their Lords? for they be their Lords that employ and pay them for their Service and Travel.
And besides many other things, the said Record adds, That those Charges and Laws of FREE-MASONS have been seen and perused by our late Sovereign King Henry VI. and by the Lords of his honourable Council, who have allow'd them, and said that they be right good and reasonable to be holden, as they have been drawn out and collected from the Records of ancient Times. *
Now though in the third Year of the said King Henry VI. while an Infant of about four Years old, [Page 34]the Parliament made an Act, that affected only the working Masons, who had, contrary to the Statutes for Labourers, confederated not to work but at their own Price and Wages; and because such Agreements were suppos'd to be made at the General Lodges, call'd in the Act CHAPTERS and CONGREGATIONS of MASONS, it was then thought expedient to level the said Act against the said Congregations *: Yet when the said King Henry VI. arriv'd to Man's Estate; the Masons laid before him and his Lords the above-mention'd Records and Charges, who, 'tis plain, review'd them, and solemnly approv'd of them as good and reasonable to be holden: Nay, the said King and his Lords must have been incorporated with the Free-Masons, before they could make such Review of the Records; and in this Reign, before King Henry's Troubles, Masons were much encourag'd. Nor is there any Instance of executing that Act in that, or in any other Reign since, and the Masons never neglected their Lodges [Page 35]for it, nor ever thought it worth while to employ their noble and eminent Brethren to have it repeal'd; because the working Masons, that are free of the Lodge, scorn to be guilty of such Combinations; and the other free Masons have no Concern in Trespasses against the Statutes for Labourers. *
The Kings of SCOTLAND very much encourag'd the Royal Art, from the earliest Times down to the Union of the Crowns, as appears by the Remains of glorious Buildings in that ancient Kingdom, and by the Lodges there kept up without Interruption many hundred Years, the Records and Traditions of which testify the great Respect of those Kings to this honourable Fraternity, who gave always pregnant Evidence of their Love and Loyalty, from whence sprung the old Toast among the Scots Masons, viz. GOD BLESS THE KING AND THE CRAFT.
Nor was the Royal Example neglected by the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy of SCOTLAND, who join'd in every thing for the good of the Crast and Brotherhood, [Page 36]the Kings being often the Grand Masters, until, among other things, the Masons of SCOTLAND were impower'd to have a certain and fix'd Grand-Master and Grand Warden, who had a Salary from the Crown, and also an Acknowledgment from every New Brother in the Kingdom at Entrance, whose Business was not only to regulate what might happen amiss in the Brotherhood, but also to hear and finally determine all Controversies between Mason and Lord, to punish the Mason, if he deserv'd it, and to oblige both to equitable Terms: At which Hearings, if the Grand Master was absent (who was always nobly born) the Grand Warden presided. This Privilege remain'd till 0 the Civil Wars, but is now obsolete; nor can it well be reviv'd until the King becomes a Mason, because it 7 was not actually exerted at the Union of the Kingdoms.
Yet the great Care that the SCOTS took of true Masonry, prov'd afterwards very useful to ENGLAND; for the learned and magnanimous Queen ELIZABETH, who encourag'd other Arts, discourag'd this; because, being a Woman, she could not be made a Mason, tho' as other great Women, she might have much employ'd Masons, like Semiramis and Artemisia. *
[Page 37] But upon her Demise, King JAMES VI. of SCOTLAND succeeding to the Crown of ENGLAND, being a Mason King, reviv'd the English Lodges; and as he was the First King of GREAT BRITAIN, he was also the First Prince in the World that recover'd the Roman Architecture from the Ruins of Gothic Ignorance: For after many dark or illiterate Ages, as soon as all Parts of Learning reviv'd, and Geometry recover'd its Ground, the polite Nations began to discover the Confusion and Impropriety of the Gothick Buildings; and in the Fisteenth and Sixteenth Centuries the AUGUSTAN STILE was rais'd from its Rubbish in Italy, by PRAMANTE, BARBARO, SANSOVINO, SANGALLO, MICHAEL ANGELO, RAPHAEL URBIN, JULIO ROMANO, SERGLIO, LABACO, SCAMOZI, VIGNOLA, and many other bright Architects: but above all, by the Great PALLADIO, who has not yet been duly imitated in Italy, though justly rival'd in England by our great Master-Mason, INIGO JONES.
But though all true Masons honour the Memories of those Italian Architects, is must be own'd, that the Augustan Stile was not reviv'd by any crown'd Head, before King JAMES the Sixth of SCOTLAND, and First of ENGLAND, patroniz'd the said glorious Inigo Jones, whom he employ'd to build his Royal Palace of WHITE-HALL, and in his Reign over all Great-Britain. [Page 38]the BANQUETING HOUSE, as the first piece of it, was only rais'd, which is the finest one Room upon Earth; and the Ingenious Mr. Nicholas Stone perform'd as Master-Mason under the Architect JONES.
Upon his Demise, his Son King CHARLES I. being also a Mason, patroniz'd Mr. Jones too, and firmly intended to have carried on his Royal Father's Design of WHITE-HALL, according to Mr. Jones's Stile; but was unhappily diverted by the Civil Wars. * After the Wars were over, and the Royal Family restor'd, true Masonry was likewise restor'd; especially upon the unhappy Occasion of the Burning of LONDON, An. 1666; for then the City-Houses were rebuilt more after the Roman Stile, when King CHARLES II. sounded the present St. PAUL's Cathedral in London, (the old Gothick Fabrick being burnt down) much after [Page 39]the Style of St. PETER's at Rome, conducted by the ingenious Architect, Sir CHRISTOPHER WREN. That King sounded also his royal Palace at GREENWICH, according to Mr. Inigo Jones's Design (which he drew before he dy'd) conducted by his Son-in-Law Mr. WEB: It is now turn'd into an Hospital for Seamen. He founded also Chelsea-College, an Hospital for Soldiers; and at EDINBURGH he both founded and finish'd his royal Palace of HALY-ROOD-HOUSE, by the Design and Conduct of Sir WILLIAM BRUCE Bart. the Master of the Royal Works in SCOTLAND *: So that besides the Tradition of old Masons now alive, which may be rely'd on, we have much reason to believe that King CHARLES II. was an Accepted Free-Mason, as every one allows he was a great Encourager of the Craftsmen.
But in the Reign of his Brother King JAMES II. though some Roman Buildings were carried on, the Lodges of Free-Masons in London much dwindled into Ignorance, by not being duly frequented and cultivated. † But after the Revolution, Anno 1688, KING [Page 40]WILLIAM, though a warlike Prince, having a good Taste of Achitecture, carried on the aforesaid two famous [Page 41]Hospitals of Greenwich and Chelsea, built the fine part of his royal Palace of HAMPTON COURT, and founded and finish'd his incomparable Palace at LOO in HOLLAND, &c. And the bright Example of that glorious Prince, (who by most is reckon'd a Free-Mason) did influence the Nobility, the Gentry, the Wealthy and the Learned of GREAT-BRITAIN, to affect much the Augustan Style; as appears by a vast Number of most curious Edifices erected since throughout the Kingdom: For when in the Ninth Year of the Reign of our late Sovereign QUEEN ANNE, her Majesty and the Parliament concurr'd in an Act for erecting 50 new Parish-Churches in London, Wesiminster, and Suburbs; and the QUEEN had granted a Commission to several of the Ministers of State, the principal Nobility, great Gentry, and eminent Citizens, the two Archbishops, with several other Bishops and dignify'd Clergymen, to put the Act in execution; they order'd the said New Churches [Page 42]to be rais'd according to the ancient Roman Style, as appears by those that are already rais'd; and the present honourable Commissioners having the same good Judgment of Architecture, are carrying on the same laudable grand Design, and are reviving the ancient Style, by the Order, Countenance, and Encouragement of his present Majesty KING GEORGE, who was also graciously pleas'd to lay the first Stone in the Foundation of his Parish Church of St. MARTIN's in Campis, on the South-East Corner (by his Majesty's Proxy for the time, the present Bishop of Salisbury) which is now rebuilding, strong, large, and beautiful, at the Cost of the Parishioners. *
In short, it would require many large Volumes to contain the many splendid Instances of the mighty [Page 43]Influence of Masonry from the Creation, in every Age, and in every Nation, as could be collected from Historians and Travellers: But especially in those Parts of the World where the Europeans correspond and trade, such Remains of ancient, large, curious, and magnificent Colonading, have been discover'd by the Inquisitive, that they can't enough lament the general Devastations of the Goths and Mahometans; and must conclude, that no Art was ever so much encourag'd as this; as indeed none other is so extensively useful to Mankind. * [Page 44]Nay, if it were expedient, it could be made appear, that from this ancient Fraternity, the Societies or Orders of the Warlike KNIGHTS, and of the Religious too, in process of time, did borrow many solemn Usages; for none of them were better instituted, more decently install'd, or did more sacredly observe their Laws and Charges than the Accepted Masons have done, who in all Ages, and in every Nation, have maintain'd and propagated their Concernments in a way peculiar to themselves, which the most Cunning and the most Learned cannot penetrate into, though it has been often attempted; while They know and love one another, even without the Help of Speech, or when of different Languages.
And now the Freeborn BRITISH NATIONS, disintangled from foreign and civil Wars, and enjoying the good Fruits of Peace and Liberty, having of late much indulg'd their happy Genius for Masonry of every sort, and reviv'd the drooping Lodges of London, [Page 45]this fair Metropolis flourisheth, as well as other Parts, with several worthy particular Lodges, that have a quarterly Communication, and an annual grand Assembly, wherein the Forms and Usages of the most ancient and worshipful Fraternity are wisely propagated, and the Royal Art duly cultivated, and the Cement of the Brotherhood preserved; so that the whole Body resembles a well built Arch; several Noblemen and Gentlemen of the best Rank, with Clergymen and learned Scholars of most Professions and Denominations, having [Page 46]frankly join'd and submitted to take the Charges, and to wear the Badges of a Free and Accepted Mason, under our present worthy Grand-Master, the most noble PRINCE John Duke of MONTAGUE.
THE CHARGES Of a FREE-MASON, Extracted from the ancient RECORDS of Lodges beyond Sea, and of those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Use of the Lodges in London: To be read at the making of New Brethren, or when the Master shall order it.
I. OF GOD and RELIGION. II. Of the CIVIL MAGISTRATE supreme and subordinate. III. Of LODGES. IV. Of MASTERS, Wardens, Fellows, and Apprentices. V. Of the Management of the Craft in working. VI. Of BEHAVIOUR, viz.
- 1. In the Lodge while constituted.
- 2. After the Lodge is over and the Brethren not gone.
- [Page 48] 3. When Brethren meet without Strangers, but not in a Lodge.
- 4. In Presence of Strangers not Masons.
- 5. At Home, and in the Neighbourhood.
- 6. Towards a strange Brother.
I. Concerning GOD and RELIGION.
A Mason is oblig'd, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charg'd in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may distinguish'd; whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must else have remain'd at a perpetual Distance.
II. Of the CIVIL MAGISTRATE supreme and Jubordinate.
A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works, and is never to be concern'd in Plots and Conspiracies against the Peace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutiful to inferior Magistrates: for as Masonry hath been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and Confusion, [Page 49]so ancient Kings and Princes have been much dispos'd to encourage the Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness and Loyalty, whereby they practically answer'd the Cavils of their Adversaries, and promoted the Honour of the Fraternity, who ever flourish'd in Times of Peace. So that if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State, he is not to be countenanc'd in his Rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappy Man; and if convicted of no other Crime, though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown his Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political Jealousy to the Government for the time being; they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indeseasible.
III. Of LODGES.
A LODGE is a Place where Masons assemble and work: Hence that Assembly, or duly organiz'd Society of Masons, is call'd a LODGE, and every Brother ought to belong to one, and to be subject to its By-Laws and the GENERAL REGULATIONS. It is either particular or general, and will be best undestood by attending it, and by the Regulations of the General or Grand Lodge hereunto annex'd. In ancient Times no Master or Fellow could be absent from it, especially when warn'd to appear at it, without incurring a severe Censure, until it appear to the Master and Wardens, that pure Necessity hinder'd him.
The Persons admitted Members of a Lodge must be good and true Men, free-born, and of mature and [Page 50]discreet Age, no Bondmen, no Women, no immoral or scandalous Men, but of good Report.
IV. Of MASTERS, WARDENS, Fellows, and Apprentices.
All Preserment among Masons is grounded upon real Worth and personal Merit only; that so the Lords may be well served, the Brethren not put to Shame, nor the Royal Craft des [...]'d: Therefore no Master or Warden i [...] chosen by [...]e [...]ority, but for his Merit. It [...] imposing [...] these things in writing, and every Brother must attend in his Place, and learn them in a way pecullar to this Fraternity: Only Candidates may know, that no Master should take an Apprentice, unless he has sufficient Imployment for him, and unless he be a perfect Youth, having no Maim or Defect in his Body, that may render him uncapable of learning the Art, of serving his Master's LORD, and of being made a Brother, and then a Fellow-Craft in due time, even after he has served such a Term of Years as the Custom of the Country directs; and that he should be descended of honest Parents; that so, when otherwise qualify'd, he may arrive to the Honour of being the WARDEN, and then the Master of the Lodge, the Grand Warden, and at length the GRAND-MASTER of all the Lodges, according to his Merit.
No Brother can be a WARDEN until he has pass'd the part of a Fellow-Crast; nor a MASTER until he has acted as a Warden, nor GRAND-WARDEN [Page 51]until he has been Master of a Lodge, nor GRAND MASTER unless he has been a Fellow-Craft before his Election, who is also to be nobly born, or a Gentleman of the best Fashion, or some eminent Scholar, or some curious Architect, or other Artist, descended of honest Parents, and who is of singular great merit in the Opinion of the Lodges. And for the better, and easier, and more honourable Discharge of his Office, the Grand-Master has a Power to chuse his own DEPUTY GRAND-MASTER, who must be then, or must have been formerly, the Master of a particular Lodge, and has the Privilege of acting whatever the GRAND-MASTER, his Principal, should act, unless the said Principal be present, or interpose his Authority by a Letter.
These Rulers and Governors, supreme and subordinate, of the ancient Lodge, are to be obey'd in their respective Stations by all the Brethren, according to the old Charges and Regulations, with all Humility, Reverence, Love, and Alacrity.
V. Of the Management of the CRAFT in working.
All Masons shall work honestly on working Days, that they may live creditably on holy Days; and the time appointed by the Law of the Land, or confirm'd by Custom, shall be observ'd.
The most expert of the Fellow-Craftsmen shall be chosen or appointed the Master, or Overseer of the Lord's Work; who is to be call'd MASTER by those that work under him. The Craftsmen are to avoid all ill Language, and to call each other by no disobliging [Page 52]Name, but Brother or Fellow; and to behave themselves courteously within and without the Lodge.
The Master, knowing himself to be able of Cunning, shall undertake the Lord's Work as reasonably as possible, and truly dispend his Goods as if they were his own; nor to give more Wages to any Brother or Apprentice than he really may deserve.
Both the MASTER and the Masons receiving their Wages justly, shall be faithful to the Lord, and honestly finish their Work, whether Task or Journey. Nor put the Work to Task that hath been accustomed to Journey.
None shall discover Envy at the Prosperity of a Brother, nor supplant him or put him out of his Work, if he be capable to finish the same; for no Man can finish another's Work so much to the Lord's Profit, unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the Design and Draughts of him that began it.
When a Fellow-Craftsman is chosen Warden of the Work under the Master, he shall be true both to Master and Fellows, shall carefully oversee the Work in the Master's Absence to the Lord's Profit; and his Brethren shall obey him.
All Masons employ'd, shall meekly receive their Wages without Murmuring or Mutiny, and not desert the Master till the Work is finish'd.
A younger Brother shall be instructed in working, to prevent spoiling the Materials for want of Judgment, and for encreasing and continuing of Brotherly Love.
All the Tools used in working shall be approved by the Grand Lodge.
[Page 53] No Labourer shall be employ'd in the proper Work of Masonry; nor shall Free-Masons work with those that are not free, without an urgent Necessity; nor shall they teach Labourers and unaccepted Masons, as they should teach a Brother or Fellow.
VI. Of BEHAVIOUR, viz.
1. In the LODGE while CONSTITUTED.
You are not to hold private Committees, or separate Conversation, without Leave from the Master, nor to talk of any thing impertinent or unseemly, nor interrupt the Master or Wardens, or any Brother speaking to the Master: Nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn; nor use any unbecoming Language upon any Pretence whatsoever; but to pay due Reverence to your Master, Wardens, and Fellows, and put them to worship.
If any Complaint be brought, the Brother found guilty shall stand to the Award and Determination of the Lodge, who are the proper and competent Judges of all such Controversies, (unless you carry it by Appeal to the GRAND LODGE) and to whom they ought to be referr'd, unless a Lord's Work be hinder'd the mean while, in which Case a particular Reference may be made; but you must never go to Law about what concerneth Masonry, without an absolute Necessity apparent to the Lodge.
2. BEHAVIOUR after the LODGE is over and the BRETHREN not gone.
You may enjoy yourselves with innocent Mirth, treating one another according to Ability, but avoiding all Excess, or forcing any Brother to eat or drink beyond his Inclination, or hindering him from going when his Occasions call him, or doing or saying any thing offensive, or that may forbid an easy and free Conversation; for that would blast our Harmony, and defeat our laudable Purposes. Therefore no private Piques or Quarrels must be brought within the Door of the Lodge, far less any Quarrels about Religion, or Nations, or State-Policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholick Religion above-mention'd; we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, and are resolv'd against all Politicks, as what never yet conduc'd to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This Charge has been always strictly enjoin'd and observ'd; but especially ever since the Reformation in BRITAIN, or the Dissent and Secession of these Nations from the Communion of ROME.
3. BEHAVIOUR when Brethren meet without Strangers, but not in a LODGE form'd.
You are to salute one another in a courteous Manner, as you will be instructed, calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual Instruction as shall be thought expedient, without being overseen or overheard, and without encroaching upon each other, or derogating [Page 55]from that Respect which is due to any Brother, were he not a Mason: For though all Masons are as Brethren upon the same Level, yet Masonry takes no Honour from a Man that he had before; nay rather it adds to his Honour, especially if he has deserv'd well of the Brotherhood, who must give Honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill Manners.
4. BEHAVIOUR in the Presence of STRANGERS not MASONS.
You shall be cautious in your Words and Carriage, that the most penetrating Stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated; and sometimes you shall divert a Discourse, and manage it prudently for the Honour of the worshipful Fraternity.
5. BEHAVIOUR at HOME, and in your NEIGHBOURHOOD.
You are to act as becomes a moral and wise Man; particularly, not to let your Family, Friends, and Neighbours know the Concerns of the Lodge, &c. but wisely to consult your own Honour, and that of the ancient Brotherhood, for Reasons not to be mention'd here. You must also consult your Health, by not continuing together too late, or too long from home, after Lodge Hours are past; and by avoiding of Gluttony or Drunkenness, that your Families be not neglected or injured, nor you disabled from working.
6. BEHAVIOUR towards a strange BROTHER.
You are cautiously to examine him, in such a Method as Prudence shall direct you, that you may not be impos'd upon by an ignorant false Pretender, whom you are to reject with Contempt and Derision, and beware of giving him any Hints of Knowledge.
But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother, you are to respect him accordingly; and if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or else direct him how he may be reliev'd: You must employ him some Days, or else recommend him to be employ'd. But you are not charged to do beyond your Ability, only to prefer a poor Brother, that is a good Man and true, before any other poor People in the same Circumstances.
FINALLY, All these CHARGES you are to observe, and also those that shall be communicated to you in another way; cultivating BROTHERLY-LOVE, the Foundation and Cape-stone, the Cement and Glory of this ancient Fraternity, avoiding all Wrangling and Quarelling, all Slander and Backbiting, nor permitting others to slander any honest Brother, but defending his Character, and doing him all good Offices, as far as is consistent with your Honour and Safety, and no farther. And if any of them do you Injury, you must apply to your own or his Lodge; and from thence you may appeal to the GRAND LODGE at the Quarterly Communication, and from thence to the annual GRAND LODGE, as has been the ancient laudable [Page 57]Conduct of our Fore-fathers in every Nation; never taking a legal Course but when the Case cannot be otherwise decided, and patiently listning to the honest and friendly Advice of Master and Fellows, when they would prevent your going to Law with Strangers, or would excite you to put a speedy Period to all Law-Suits, that so you may mind the Affair of MASONRY with the more Alacrity and Success; but with respect to Brothers or Fellows at Law, the Master and Brethren should kindly offer their Mediation, which ought to be thankfully submitted to by the contending Brethren; and if that Submission is impracticable, they must however carry on their Process or Law-Suit without Wrath and Rancor (not in the common way) saying or doing nothing which may hinder Brotherly Love, and good Offices to be renew'd and continu'd; that all may see the benign Influence of MASONRY, as all true Masons have done from the Beginning of the World, and will do to the End of Time.
POSTSCRIPT.
A Worthy BROTHER, learned in the Law, has communicated to the Author (while this Sheet was printing) the Opinion of the Great Judge COKE upon the Act against Masons, 3 Hen. VI. Chap. I. which is Printed in this Book, Page 34, and which Quotation the Author has compar'd with the Original, viz.
COKE's Institutes, third Part, Fol. 99.
The CAUSE wherefore this Offence was made Felony, is, for that the good Course and Effect of the Statutes of Labourers were thereby violated and broken. Now ( says my Lord COKE) all the Statutes concerning Labourers, before this Act, and whereunto this Act doth refer, are repeal'd by the Statute of 5 Eliz. Chap. 4. whereby the Cause and End of the making of this Act is taken away; and consequently this Act is become of no Force or Effect; for, cessante ratione Legis, cessat ipsa Lex: And the Indictment of Felony upon this Statute must contain, that those Chaprers and Congregations were to the violating and breaking of the good Course and Effect of the Statutes of Labourers; which now cannot be so alledg'd, because these Statutes be repeal'd. Therefore this would be put out of the Charge of Justices of Peace, written by Master LAMBERT, pag. 227.
This Quotation confirms the Tradition of old Masons, that this most learned JUDGE really belong'd to the ancient Lodge, and was a faithful Brother.
GENERAL REGULATIONS, Compiled first by Mr. GEORGE PAYNE, Anno 1720, when he was GRAND-MASTER, and approv'd by the GRAND-LODGE on St. John Baptist's Day, Anno 1721, at Stationer's-Hall, LONDON; when the most noble PRINCE John Duke of MONTAGU was unanimously chosen our GRAND-MASTER for the Year ensuing; who chose JOHN BEAL, M. D. his Deputy Grand-Master; and Mr. Josiah Villeneau Mr. Tho. Morris, jun. were chosen by the Lodge GRAND-WARDENS. And now, by the Command of our said Right Worshipful GRAND-MASTER MONTAGU, the Author of this Book has compar'd them with, and reduc'd them to the ancient Records and immemorial Usages of the Fraternity, and digested them into this new Method, with several proper Explications, for the Use of the Lodges in and about London and Westminster.
I. THE GRAND-MASTER, or his DEPUTY, hath Authority and Right, not only to be present in any true Lodge, but also to preside where-ever he is, with the Master of the Lodge on his Left-hand, and to order [Page 60]his Grand-Wardens to attend him, who are not to act in particular Lodges as Wardens, but in his Presence, and at his Command; because there the GRAND-MASTER may command the Wardens of that Lodge, or any other Brethren he pleaseth, to attend and act as his Wardens pro tempore.
II. The MASTER of a particular Lodge has the Right and Authority of congregating the Members of his Lodge into a Chapter at pleasure, upon any Emergency or Occurrence, as well as to appoint the time and place of their usual forming: And in case of Sickness, Death, or necessary Absence of the Master, the senior Warden shall act as Master pro tempore, if no Brother is present who has been Master of that Lodge before; for in that Case the absent Master's Authority reverts to the last Master then present; though he cannot act until the said senior Warden has once congregated the Lodge, or in his Absence the junior Warden.
III. The Master of each particular Lodge, or one of the Wardens, or some other Brother by his Order, shall [...]ep a Book containing their By-Laws, the Names of their Members, with a List of all the Lodges in Town, and the usual Times and Places of their forming, and all their Transactions that are proper to be written.
IV. No Lodge shall make more than FIVE new Brethren as one Time, nor any Man under the Age of Twenty-five, who must be also his own Master; unless by a Dispensation from the Grand-Master or his Deputy.
V. No Man can be made or admitted a Member of a particular Lodge, without previous notice one [Page 61]Month before given to the said Lodge, in order to make due Enquiry into the Reputation and Capacity of the Candidate; unless by the Dispensation aforesaid.
VI. But no Man can be enter'd a Brother in any particular Lodge, or admitted to be a Member thereof, without the unonimous Consent of all the Members of that Lodge then present when the Candidate is propos'd, and their Coment is formally ask'd by the Master; and they are to signify their Consent or Dissent in their own prudent way, either virtually or in form, but with Unanimity: Nor is this inherent Privilege subject to a Dispensation; because the Members of a particular Lodge are the best Judges of it; and if a fractious Member should be impos'd on them, it might spoil their Harmony, or hinder their Freedom; or even break and disperse the Lodge; which ought to be avoided by all good and true Brethren.
VII. Every new Brother at his making is decently to cloath the Lodge, that is, all the Brethren present, and to deposite something for the Relief of indigent and decay'd Brethren, as the Candidate shall think fit to bestow, over and above the small Allowance stated by the By-Laws of that particular Lodge; which Charity shall be lodg'd with the Master or Wardens, or the Cashier, if the Members think fit to chuse one.
And the Candidate shall also solemnly promise to submit to the Constitutions, the Charges, and Regulations, and to such other good Usages as shall be intimated to them in Time and Place convenient.
VIII. No Set or Number of Brethren shall withdraw or separate themselves from the Lodge in which [Page 62]they were made Brethren, or were afterwards admitted Members, unless the Lodge becomes too numerous; nor even then, without a Dispensation from the Grand-Master or his Deputy: And when they are thus separated, they must either immediately join themselves to such other Lodge as they shall like best, with the unanimous Consent of that other Lodge to which they go (as above regulated) or else they must obtain the Grand-Master's Warrant to join in sorming a new Lodge.
If any Set or Number of Masons shall take upon themselves to form a Lodge without the Grand-Master's Warrant, the regular Lodges are not to countenance them, nor own them as fair Brethren and duly form'd, nor approve of their Acts and Deeds; but must treat them as Rebels, until they humble themselves, as the Grand-Master shall in his Prudence direct, and until he approve of them by his Warrant, which must be signify'd to the other Lodges, as the Custom is when a new Lodge is to be register'd in the List of Lodges.
IX. But if any Brother so far misbehave himself as to render his Lodge uneasy, he shall be twice duly admonish'd by the Master or Wardens in a form'd Lodge; and if he will not refrain his Imprudence, and obediently submit to the Advice of the Brethren, and reform what gives them Offence, he shall be dealt with according to the By-Laws of that particular Lodge, or else in such a manner as the Quarterly Communication shall in their great Prudence think fit; for which a new Regulation may be afterwards made.
[Page 63] X. The Majority of every particular Lodge, when congregated, shall have the Privilege of giving Instructions to their Master and Wardens, before the assembling of the Grand Chapter, or Lodge at the three Quarterly Communications hereafter mention'd, and of the Annual Grand Lodge too; because their Master and Wardens are their Representatives, and are supposed to speak their Mind.
XI. All particular Lodges are to observe the same Usages as much as possible; in order to which, and for cultivating a good Understanding among Free-Masons, some Members out of every Lodge shall be deputed to visit the other Lodges as often as shall be thought convenient.
XII. The GRAND-Lodge consists of, and is form'd by the Masters and Wardens of all the regular particular Lodges upon Record, with the GRAND-MASTER at their Head, and his Deputy on his Left-hand, and the Grand-Wardens in their proper Places; and must have a QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION about Michaelmas, Christmas, and Lady-Day, in some convenient Place, as the Grand-Master shall appoint, where no Brother shall, be present, who is not at that time a Member thereof, without a Dispensation; and while he stays, he shall not be allow'd to vote, nor even give his Opinion, without Leave of the Grand-Lodge ask'd and given, or unless it be duly ask'd by the said Lodge.
All Matters are to be determin'd in the Grand-Lodge by a Majority of Votes, each Member having one Vote, and the Grand-Master having two Votes, unless [Page 64]the said Lodge leave any particular thing to the Determination of the Grand-Master, for the sake of Expedition.
XIII. At the said Quarterly Communication, all Matters that concern the Fraternity in general, or particular Lodges, or single Brethren, are quietly, sedately, and maturely to be discours'd of and transacted: Apprentices must be admitted Masters and Fellow-Craft only here, unless by a Dispensation. Here also all Differences, that cannot be made up and accommodated privately, nor by a particular Lodge, are to be seriously considered and decided: And if any Brother thinks himself aggrieved by the Decision of this Board, he may appeal to the annual Grand-Lodge next ensuing, and leave his Appeal in Writing, with the Grand-Master, or his Deputy, or the Grand-Wardens.
Here also the Master or the Wardens of each particular Lodge shall bring and produce a List of such Members as have been made, or even admitted in their particular Lodges since the last Communication of the Grand-Lodge: And there shall be a Book kept by the Grand-Master, or his Deputy, or rather by some Brother whom the Grand-Lodge shall appoint for SECRETARY, wherein shall be recorded all the Lodges, with their usual Times and Places of forming, and the Names of all the Members of each Lodge; and all the Affairs of the Grand-Lodge that are proper to be written.
They shall also consider of the most prudent and effectual Methods of collecting and disposing of what [Page 65]Money shall be given to, or lodged with them in Charity, towards the Relief only of any true Brother fallen into Poverty or Decay, but of none else: But every particular Lodge shall dispose of their own Charity for poor Brethren, according to their own By-Laws, until ir be agreed by all the Lodges (in a new Regulation) to carry in the Charity collected by them to the GRAND-LODGE, at the Quarterly or Annual Communication, in order to make a common Stock of it, for the more handsome Relief of poor Brethren.
They shall also appoint a Treasurer, a Brother of good worldly Substance, who shall be a Member of the Grand-Lodge by virtue of his Office, and shall be always present, and have Power to move to the Grand-Lodge any thing, especially what concerns his Office. To him shall be committed all Money rais'd for Charity, or for any other Use of the Grand-Lodge, which he shall write down in a Book, with the respective Ends and Uses for which the several Sums are intended; and shall expend or disburse the same by such a certain Order sign'd, as the Grand-Lodge shall afterwards agree to in a new Regulation: But he shall not vote in chusing a Grand-Master or Wardens, though in every other Transaction. As in like manner the Secretary shall be a Member of the Grand-Lodge by virtue of his Office, and vote in every thing except in chusing a Grand-Master or Wardens.
The Treasurer and Secretary shall have each a Clerk, who must be a Brother and Fellow-Craft, but never must be a Member of the Grand-Lodge, nor speak without being allow'd or desir'd.
[Page 66] The Grand-Master, or his Deputy, shall always command the Treasurer and Secretary, with their Clerks and Books, in order to see how Matters go on, and to know what is expedient to be done upon any emergent Occasion.
Another Brother (who must be a Fellow-Craft) should be appointed to look after the Door of the Grand-Lodge; but shall be no Member of it.
But these Offices may be farther explain'd by a new Regulation, when the Necessity and Expediency of them may more appear than at present to the Fraternity.
XIV. If at any GRAND-LODGE, stated or occasional, quarterly or annual, the GRAND-MASTER and his Deputy should be both absent, then the present Master of a Lodge, that has been the longest a Free-Mason, shall take the Chair, and preside as Grand-Master pro tempore; and shall be vested with all his Power and Honour for the time; provided there is no Brother present that has been Grand-Master formerly, or Deputy Grand-Master; for the last Grand-Master present, or else the last Deputy present, should always of right take place in the Absence of the present Grand-Master and his Deputy.
XV. In the GRAND-LODGE none can act as Wardens but the Grand-Wardens themselves, if present; and if absent, the Grand-Master, or the Person who presides in his Place, shall order private Wardens to act as Grand-Wardens pro tempore, whose Places are to be supply'd by two Fellow-Craft of the same Lodge, call'd forth to act, or sent thither by the particular [Page 67]Master thereof; or if by him omitted, then they shall be call'd by the Grand-Master, that so the Grand-Lodge may be always compleat.
XVI. The GRAND-WARDENS, or any others, are first to advise with the Deputy about the Affairs of the Lodge or of the Brethren, and not to apply to the Grand-Master without the Knowledge of the Deputy, unless he refuse his Concurrence in any certain necessary Affair; in which Case, or in case of any Difference between the Deputy, an [...] [...]he Grand-Wardens, or other Brethren, both Parties are to go by Concert to the Grand-Master, who can easily decide the Controversy and make up the Difference by virtue of his great Authority.
The Grand-Master should receive no Intimation of Business concerning Masonry, but from his Deputy first, except in such certain Cases as his Worship can well judge of; for if the Application to the Grand-Master be irregular, he can easily order the Grand-Wardens, or any other Brethren thus applying, to wait upon his Deputy, who is to prepare the Business speedily, and to lay it orderly before his Worship.
XVII. No GRAND-MASTER, Deputy Grand-Master, Grand-Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, or whoever acts for them, or in their stead pro tempore, can at the same time be the Master or Warden of a particular Lodge; but as soon as any of them has honourably discharg'd his Grand Office, he returns to that Post or Station in his particular Lodge, from which he was call'd to officiate above.
[Page 68] XVIII. If the DEPUTY GRAND-MASTER be sick, or necessarily absent, the Grand-Master may chuse any Fellow-Craft he pleases to be his Deputy pro tempore: But he that is chosen Deputy at the Grand-Lodge, and the Grand-Wardens too, cannot be discharg'd without the Cause fairly appear to the Majority of the Grand-Lodge; and the GRAND-MASTER, if he is uneasy, may call a GRAND-LODGE on purpose to lay the Cause before them, and to have their Advice and Concurrence: In which case, the Majority of the Grand-Lodge, if they cannot reconcile the MASTER and his Deputy or his Wardens, are to concur in allowing the MASTER to discharge his said Deputy or his said Wardens, and to chuse another Deputy immediately; and the said Grand-Lodge shall chuse other Wardens in that Case, that Harmony and Peace may be preserv'd.
XIX. If the GRAND-MASTER should abuse his Power, and render himself unworthy of the Obedience and Subjection of the Lodges, he shall be treated in a way and manner to be agreed upon in a new Regulation; because hitherto the ancient Fraternity have had no occasion for it, their former GRAND-MASTERS having all behaved themselves worthy of that honourable Office.
XX. The GRAND-MASTER, with his Deputy and Wardens, shall (at least once) go round and visit all the Lodges about Town during his Mastership.
XXI. If the GRAND-MASTER die during his Mastership, or by Sickness, or by being beyond Sea, or any other way should be render'd uncapable of [Page 69]discharging his Office, the DEPUTY, or in his Absence, the Senior GRAND-WARDEN, or in his Absence the Junior, or in his Absence any three present Masters of Lodges, shall join to congregate the GRAND-LODGE immediately, to advise together upon that Emergency, and to send two of their Number to invite the last GRAND-MASTER to resume his Office, which now in course reverts to him; or if he refuse, then the next last, and so backward: But if no former Grand-Master can be found, then the Deputy shall act as Principal, until another is chosen; or if there be no Deputy, then the oldest Master.
XXII. The BRETHREN of all the Lodges in and about London and Westminster, shall meet at an ANNUAL COMMUNICATION and Feast, in some convenient Place, on St. JOHN Baptist's Day, or else on St. JOHN Evangelist's Day, as the Grand-Lodge shall think fit by a new Regulation, having of late Years met on St. John Baptist's Day: Provided,
The Majority of the Masters and Wardens, with the Grand-Master, his Deputy and Wardens, agree at their Quarterly Communication, three Months before, that there shall be a Feast, and a General Communication of all the Brethren: For if either the Grand-Master, or the Majority of the particular Masters, are against it, it must be dropt for that Time.
But whether there shall be a Feast for all the Brethren, or not, yet the GRAND-LODGE must meet in some convenient Place annually on St. JOHN's Day; or if it be Sunday, then on the next Day, in order to [Page 70]chuse every Year a new GRAND-MASTER, Deputy, and Wardens.
XXIII. If it be thought expedient, and the GRAND-MASTER, with the Majority of the Masters and Wardens, agree to hold a GRAND FEAST, according to the ancient laudable Custom of Masons, then the GRAND-WARDENS shall have the Care of preparing the Tickets, seal'd with the Grand-Master's Seal, of disposing of the Tickets, of receiving the Money for the Tickets, of baying the Materials on the Feast, of finding out a proper and convenient Place to feast in; and of every other Thing that concerns the Entertainment.
But that the Work may not be too burthensome to the two Grand-Wardens, and that all Matters may be expeditiously and safely managed, the Grand-Master, or his Deputy, shall have Power to nominate and appoint a certain Number of Stewards, as his Worship shall think fit, to act in Concert with the two Grand-Wardens; all Things relating to the Feast being decided amongst them by a Majority of Voices; except the Grand-Master or his Deputy interpose by a particular Direction of Appointment.
XXIV. The Wardens and Stewards shall, in due time, wait upon the Grand-Master, or his Deputy, for Directions and Orders about the Premisses; but if his Worship and his Deputy are sick, or necessarily absent, they shall call together the Masters and Wardens of Lodgea to meet on purpose for their Advice and Orders; or else they may take the Matter wholly upon themselves, and do the best they can.
[Page 71] The Grand-Wardens and the Stewards are to account for all the Money they receive, or expend, to the Grand-Lodge, after Dinner, or when the Grand-Lodge shall think fit to receive their Accounts.
If the Grand-Master pleases, he may in due time summon all the Masters and Wardens of Lodges to consult with them about ordering the Grand-Feast, and about any Emergency or accidental Thing relating thereunto, that may require Advice; or else to take it upon himself altogether.
XXV. The Masters of Lodges shall each appoint one experienc'd and discreet Fellow-Crast of his Lodge, to compose a Committee, consisting of one from every Lodge, who shall meet to receive, in a convenient A pactment, every Person that brings a Ticket, and shall have Power to discourse him, if they think fit, in orde [...] to admit him, or debar him, as they shall see cause: Provided they send no Man away before they have acquainted all the Brethren within Doors with the Reasons thereof, to avoid Mistakes; that so no true B [...]other may be debarr'd, nor a false Brother or meer Pretender, admitted. This Committee must meet very early on St. John's Day, at the Place, even before any Persons come with Tickets.
XXVI. The Grand-Master shall appoint two or more trusty Brethren to be Porters, or Door-keepers, who are also to be early at the Place for some good Reasons; and who a [...] to be at the Command of the Committee.
XXVII. The Grand-Wardens, or the Stewards, shall appoint before-hand such a Number of Brethren to [Page 72]serve at Table as they think fit and proper for that Work; and they may advise with the Masters and Wardens of Lodges about the most proper Persons, if they please, or may take in such by their Recommendation; for none are to serve that Day; but free and accepted Masons, that the Communication may be free and harmonious.
XXVIII. All the Members of the Grand-Lodge must be at the Place long before Dinner, with the Grand-Master, or his Deputy at their Head, who shall retire, and form themselves. And this is done in order,
- 1. To receive any Appeals duly lodg'd, as above regulated, that the Appellant may be heard, and the Affair may be amicably decided before Dinner, if possible; but if it cannot, it must be delay'd till after the new Grand-Master is elected; and if it cannot be decided after Dinner, it may be delay'd, and referr'd to a particular Committee, that shall quietly adjust it, and make Report to the next Quarterly Communication, that Brotherly-Love may be preserv'd.
- 2. To prevent any Difference or Disgust which may be fear'd to arise that Day; that no Interruption may be given to the Harmony and Pleasure of the GRAND FEAST.
- 3. To consult about whatever concerns the Decency and Decorum of the Grand-Assembly, and to prevent all Indecency and ill Manners, the Assembly being promiscuous.
- 4. To receive and consider of any good Motion or any momentous and important Affair, that shall [Page 73]be brought from the particular Lodges, by their Representatives, the several Masters and Wardens.
XXIX. After these things are discuss'd, the GRAND-MASTER and his Deputy, the Grand-Wardens, or the Stewards, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Clerks, and every other Person, shall withdraw, and leave the Masters and Wardens of the particular Lodges alone, in order to consult amicably about electing a NEW GRAND-MASTER, or continuing the present, if they have not done it the Day before; and if they are unanimous for continuing the present Grand-Master, his Worship shall be call'd in, and humbly desir'd to do the Fraternity the Honour of ruling them for the Year ensuing: And after Dinner it will be known whether he accepts of it or not; For it should not be discover'd but by the Election it self.
XXX. Then the Masters and Wardens, and all the Brethren, may converse promiscuously, or as they please to sort together, until the Dinner is coming in, when every Brother takes his Seat at Table.
XXXI. Some time after Dinner the GRAND-LODGE is form'd, not in Retirement, but in the Presence of all the Brethren, who yet are not Members of it, and must not therefore speak until they are desired and allow'd.
XXXII. If the GRAND-MASTER of last Year has consented with the Masters and Wardens in private, before Dinner, to continue for the Year ensuing; then one of the Grand-Lodge, deputed for that purpose, shall represent to all the Brethren his Worship's good Government, &c. And turning to him, shall, in the name [Page 74]of the Grand Lodge, humbly request him to do the FRATERNITY the great Honour (if nobly born, if not, the great Kindness) of continuing to be their Grand Master for the Year ensuing. And his Worship declaring his Consent by a Bow or a Speech, as he pleases, the said deputed Member of the Grand-Lodge shall proclaim him GRAND-MASTER, and all the Members of the Lodge shall salute him in due Form. And all the Brethren shall for a few Minutes have leave to declare their Satisfaction, Pleasure and Congratulation.
XXXIII. But if either the Master and Wardens have not in private, this Day before Dinner, nor the Day before, desir'd the last Grand-Master to continue in the Mastership another Year; or if he, when desir'd, has not consented: Then, The last Grand-Master shall nominate his Successor for the Year ensuing, who if unanimously approv'd by the Grand-Lodge, and if there present, shall be proclaim'd, saluted, and congratulated the New Grand Master as above hinted, and immediately install'd by the last Grand-Master, according to Usage.
XXXIV. But if that Nomination is not unanimously approv'd, the new Grand-Master shall be chosen immediately by Ballot, every Master and Warden writing his Man's Name, and the last Grand-Master writing his Man's Name too; and the Man, whose Name the last Grand Master shall first take out, casually or by chance, shall be GRAND-MASTER for the Year ensuing; and if present, he shall be proclaimed, saluted, and congratulated, as above hinted, and [Page 75]forthwith install'd by the last Grand-Master according to Usage.
XXXV. The last Grand-Master thus continued, or the new Grand-Master thus install'd, shall next nominate and appoint his Deputy Grand-Master, either the last or a new one, who shall be also declar'd, saluted and congratulated, as above hinted.
The GRAND-MASTER shall also nominate the new GRAND-WARDENS, and if unanimously approv'd by the Grand-Lodge, shall be declar'd, saluted, and congratulated as above hinted; but if not, they shall be chosen by Ballot, in the same way as the Grand-Master: As the Wardens of private Lodges are also to be chosen by Ballot in each Lodge, if the Members thereof do not agree to their Master's Nomination.
XXXVI. But if the BROTHER, whom the present Grand-Master shall nominate for his Successor, or whom the Majority of the Grand-Lodge shall happen to chuse by Ballot, is, by Sickness or other necessary Occasion, absent from the Grand-Feast, he cannot be proclaim'd the NEW GRAND-MASTER, unless the old Grand-Master, or some of the Masters and Wardens of the GRAND-LODGE can vouch, upon the Honour of a Brother, that the said Person, so nominated or chosen, will readily accept of the said Office; in which case the old GRAND-MASTER shall act as Proxy, and shall nominate the Deputy and Wardens in his Name, and in his Name also receive the usual Honours, Homage, and Congratulation.
XXXVII. Then the GRAND-MASTER shall allow any Brother, Fellow-Craft, or Apprentice to speak, [Page 76]directing his Discourse to his Worship; or to make any Motion for the good of the Fraternity, which shall be either immediately consider'd and finish'd, or else referr'd to the Consideration of the GRAND-LODGE at their next Communication, stated or occasional. When that is over,
XXXVIII. The GRAND-MASTER or his Deputy, or some Brother appointed by him, shall harangue all the Brethren, and give them good Advice: And lastly, after some other Transactions, that cannot be written in any Language, the Brethren may go away or stay longer, as they please.
XXXIX. Every Annual GRAND-LODGE has an inherent Power and Authority to make new Regulations, or to alter these, for the real Benefit of this ancient Fraternity: Provided always that the old LANDMARKS be carefully preserv'd, and that such Alterations and new Regulations be proposed and agreed to at the third Quarterly Communication preceding the Annual Grand Feast; and that they be offered also to the Perusal of all the Brethren before Dinner, in writing, even of the youngest Apprentice; the Approbation and Consent of the Majority of all the Brethren present being absolutely necessary to make the same binding and obligatory; which must, after Dinner, and after the new GRAND-MASTER is install'd, be solemnly desir'd; as it was desir'd and obtain'd for these REGULATIONS, when propos'd by the GRAND-LODGE, to about 150 Brethren, on St, John Baptist's Day, 1721.
POSTSCRIPT.
Here follows the Manner of constituting a
NEW LODGE, as practis'd by his
Grace the DUKE of WHARTON, the present
Right Worshipful GRAND-MASTER, according to the ancient Usages of
MASONS.
A NEW LODGE, for avoiding many irregularities, should be solemnly constituted by the Grand-Master, with his Deputy and Wardens; or in the Grand-Master's Absence, the Deputy shall act for his Worship, and shall chuse some Master of a Lodge to assist him; or in case the Deputy is absent, the Grand-Master shall call forth some Master of a Lodge to act as Deputy pro tempore.
The Candidates, or the new Master and Wardens, being yet among the Fellow-Craft, the GRAND-MASTER shall ask his Deputy if he has examin'd them, and finds the Candidate Master well skill'd in the noble Science and the royal Art, and duly instructed in our Mysteries, &c.
And the Deputy answering in the affirmative, he shall (by the Grand-Master's Order) take the Candidate from among his Fellows, and present him to the Grand-Master; saying, Right worshipful Grand-Master, the Brethren here desire to be form'd into a new Lodge; and I present this my worthy Brother to be their Master, whom I know to be of good Morals and great Skill, true [Page 78]and trusty, and a Lover of the whole Fraternity, wheresoever dispers'd over the Face of the Earth.
Then the GRAND-MASTER, placing the Candidate on his lest Hand, having ask'd and obtain'd the unanimous Consent of all the Brethren, shail say, I constitute and form these good Brethren into a new Lodge, and appoint you the Master of it, not doubting of your Capacity and Care to preserve the Cement of the Lodge, &c. with some other Expressions that are proper and usual on that Occasion, but not proper to be written.
Upon this the Deputy shall rehearse the Charges of a Master, and the GRAND-MASTER shall ask the Candidate, saying, Do you submit to these Charges as Masters have done in all Ages? And the Candidate signifying his cordial Submission thereunto, the Grand-Master shall, by certain significant Ceremonies and ancient Usages, install him, and present him with the Constitutions, the Lodge-Book, and the Instruments of his Office, not all together, but one after another; and after each of them, the Grand-Master or his Deputy, shall rehearse the short and pithy Charge that is suitable to the Thing presented.
After this, the Members of this new Lodge, bowing all together to the Grand-Master, shall return his Worship Thanks, and immediately do their Homage to their new Master, and signify their Promise of Subjection and Obedience to him by the usual Congratulation.
The Deputy and the Grand-Wardens, and any other Brethren present, that are not Members of this new Lodge, shall next congratulate the new Master; and [Page 79]he shall return his becoming Acknowledgements to the Grand-Master first, and to the rest in their Order.
Then the Grand-Master desires the new Master to enter immediately upon the Exercise of his Office, in chusing his Wardens: And the new Master, calling forth two Fellow-Craft, presents them to the Grand-Master for his Approbation, and to the new Lodge for their Consent. And that being granted,
The senior or junior Grand-Warden, or some other Brother for him, shall rehearse the Charges of Wardens; and the Candidates being solemnly ask'd by the new Master, shall signify their Submission thereunto.
Upon which the new Master, presenting them with the Instruments of their Office, shall in due Form, install them in their proper Places; and the Brethren of that new Lodge shall signify their Obedience to the new Wardens by the usual Congratulation.
And this LODGE being thus compleatly constituted, shall be register'd in the Grand-Master's Book, and by his Order notified to the other Lodges.
APPROBATION.
WHEREAS by the Confusions occasioned in the Saxon, Danish, and Norman Wars, the Records of Masons have been much vitiated, the Free-Masons of England twice thought it necessary to correct their Constitutions, Charges, and Regulations; first in the Reign of king Athelstan the Saxon, and long after in the Reign of King Edward IV. the Norman: And whereas the old Constitutions in England have been much interpolated, mangled, and miserably corrupted, not only with false Spelling, but even with many false Facts and gross Errors in History and Chronology, through Length of Time, and the Ignorance of Transcribers, in the dark illiterate Ages, before the Revival of Geometry and ancient Architecture, to the great Offence of all the learned and judicious Brethren, whereby also the Ignorant have been deceiv'd.
And our late worthy Grand-Master, his Grace the Duke of MONTAGU, having order'd the Author to peruse, correct, and digest into a new and better Method, the History, Charges, and Regulations of the ancient Fraternity; He has accordingly examin'd several Copies from Italy and Scotland, and sundry Parts of England, and from thence, (tho' in many things erroneous) and from several other ancient Records of Masons, he has drawn forth the above-written new Constitutions, with the Charges and General Regulations. And the Author having submitted the whole to the Perusal and Corrections of the late and present Deputy Grand-Masters, and of other learned Brethren; and also of the Masters and Wardens of particular Lodges at their Quarterly Communication; he did regularly deliver them to the late Grand-Master himself, the said DUKE of MONTAGU [...] for his Examination, Correction, and Approbation; and his Grace, by the Advice of several Brethren, order'd the same to be handsomely printed for the [Page 81]use of the Lodges, tho' they were not quite ready for the Press during his Mastership.
THEREFORE We, the present Graud-Master of the Right Worshipful and most ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, the Deputy Grand-Master, the Grand-Wardens, the Masters and Wardens of particular Lodges (with the Consent of the Brethren and Fellows in and about the Cities of London and West minster) having also perused this Performance, Do join our laudable Predecessors in our solemn Approbation thereof, as what We believe will fully answer the End proposed; all the valuable Things of the old Records being retain'd, the Errors in History and Chronology corrected, the false Facts and the improper Words omitted, and the whole digested in a new and better Method.
And we ordain that these be received in every particular Lodge under our Cognizance, as the ONLY CONSTITUTIONS of Free and Accepted Masons amongst us, to be read at the making of new Brethren, or when the Master shall think fit; and which the new Brethren should peruse before they are made.
- PHILIP Duke of WHARTON, Grand-Master,
- J. T. DESAGULIERS, L. L. D. and F. R. S. DEPUTY Grand-Master,
- JOSHUA TIMSON, Grand-Warden.
- WILLIAM HAWKINS, Grand-Warden.
And the Masters and Wardens of particular Lodges, viz.
- I. THOMAS MORRIS, sen.
Master
- John Brislow Warden.
- Abrabam Abbot Warden.
- II RICHARD HALL, Master.
- Philip Wolverston Warden
- John Doyer Warden.
- III. JOHN TURNER, Master.
- Anthony Sayer Warden.
- Edward Cale Warden.
- IV. Mr. GEORGE PAYNE, Mass.
- Stephen Hall, M. D. Warden.
- Francis Sorell, Esq Warden.
-
[Page 82] V. Mr. M
[...]BIRKHEAD Master.
- Francis Bayly Warden.
- Ni [...]holas Abraham Warden.
- VI. WILLIAM READ, Master.
- John Gloo [...] Warden.
- Robert Cordell Warden.
- VII. HENRY BRANSON, Master.
- Henry [...]ug Warden.
- John Townsend Warden.
- VIII.
[...] Master.
- Jonat [...]an Sisson Warden.
- John Skipton Warden.
- IX. GEO
[...]OWEN,
M. D. Master.
- Eman Bowen Warden.
- John Heath Warden.
- X.
[...] Master.
- John Lubton Warden.
- Richard Smith Warden.
- XI. FRANCIS Earl of
Dalkeith, Mr.
- Capt. Andrew Robinson ‡ Warden.
- Col. Thomas Inwood ‡ Warden.
- XII. JOHN BEAL, M. D. and F. R. S. Master.
- Edward Pawlet; Esq ‡ Warden.
- Charles Moro, Esq ‡ Warden.
- XIII. THO MORRIS,
jun, Master.
- Joseph Ridler ‡ Warden.
- John. Clark ‡ Warden.
- XIV. THO ROBBE,
Esq Master.
- Thomas Gra [...] ‡ Warden.
- Bray Lane ‡ Warden.
- XV. JOHN SHEPHERD, Master.
- John Senex ‡ Warden.
- John Bucler ‡ Warden.
- XVI. J. GEORGES,
Esq Master.
- Robert Gray, Esq ‡ Warden.
- Charles Grymes, Esq ‡ Warden.
- XVII. JA. ANDEKSON, A. M. and Author of this Book,
Master
- Gwin Vaughan, Esq ‡ Warden
- Walter Greenwood, Esq ‡ Warden
- XVIII. THO HARBIN, Master.
- William Attley ‡ Warden.
- John Saxon ‡ Warden.
- XIX. ROBERT CAPELL, Master.
- Isaac Mansfield ‡ Warden.
- William Bly ‡ Warden.
- XX. JOHN GORMAN, Master.
- Charles Garey ‡ Warden.
- Edward Morphey ‡ Warden.
THE Master's SONG. OR THE HISTORY of
MASONRY.
To be sung with a
Chorus, when the MASTER shall give Leave
(no Brother being present to whom Singing is disagreeable) either one Part only, or all together, as he pleases.
PART I.
PART II.
PART III.
PART IV.
PART V.
THE Warden's Song; OR ANOTHER HISTORY of MASONRY. COMPOS'D Since the most noble Prince PHILIP Duke of WHARTON was chosen GRAND-MASTER.
To be sung and play'd at the
Quarterly Communication.
To fill up this Page, it is thought not amiss to insert here a Paragraph from an old Record of Ma [...]ns, viz. The Company of Masons, being otherwise termed Free Masons, of an [...]ent Staunding and cood Reckoning, by means of affable and kind Meetings diverse Tym [...], and as a loving Brotherhood should use to doe, did frequent this mutual Assembly in the Tym [...] of King Henry V. the 12th Year of his most gracious Reign And the said Record describing a Cont of Arms, much the same with That of the LONDON COMPANY of Freemen Masons, it is generally believ'd that the said Company is descended of the ancient Fraternity; and that in former Times no Man was made free of that Company until he was install'd in some Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, as a necessary Qualification. But that laudable Practiss seems to have been long in Dissuetude. The Brethren in foreign Parts have also dis [...]over'd that several noble and ancient Societies and Orders of Men have derived their Charges and Regulations from the Free-Masons, (which are now the most ancient Order upon Earth) and perhaps were originally all Members too of the said ancient and worshipful Fraternity. But this will more fully appear in due Time.
THE FELLOW-CRAFTS SONG:
THE Enter'd 'PRENTICES SONG.
A New SONG.
LONDON, this 17th Day of January, 1722, 3.
AT the Quarterly Communication, This Book, which was undertaken at the Command of His GRACE the DUKE of MONTAGU, our late Grand-Master, having been regularly approved in Manuscript by the Grand-Lodge, was this Day produced here in Print, and approved by the SOCIETY: Wherefore we do hereby Order the same to be Published, and recommend it for the Use of the LODGES.
- PHILIP DUKE of WHARTON, Grand-Master.
- J. T. DESAGULIERS, Deputy Grand-Master.