| 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. The General Heads, VIZ |
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| I. | Of GOD and RELIGION. | |
| II. | Of the CIVIL MAGISTRATES, 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. 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. |
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| I. Concerning GOD and RELIGION. A Mason is oblig’d by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightlyunderstands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligiousLibertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charg’d in every Countryto be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet ’tisnow thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which allMen agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to begood Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominationsor Persuasions they may be distinguish’d; whereby Masonry becomes the Centerof Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons thatmust have remain’d at a perpetual Distance. II. Of the CIVIL MAGISTRATES supreme and subordinate. A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides orworks, and is never to be concern’d in Plots and Conspiracies against thePeace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutifully toinferior Magistrates; for as Masonry hath been always injured by War,Bloodshed, and Confusion, so ancient Kings and Princes have been muchdispos’d to encourage the Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness andLoyalty, whereby they practically answer’d the Cavils of their Adversaries,and promoted the Honour of the Fraternity, who ever flourish’d in Times ofPeace. So that if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State he is not tobe countenanc’d in his Rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappyMan; and, if convicted of no other Crime though the loyal Brotherhood mustand ought to disown his Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of politicalJealousy to the Government for the time being; they cannot expel him fromthe Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible. III. Of LODGES. A LODGE is a place where Masons assemble and work: Hence that Assembly, orduly organiz’d Society of Masons, is call’d a LODGE, and every Brother oughtto belong to one, and to be subject to its By-Laws and the GENERALREGULATIONS.It is either particular or general, and will be best understood 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 sever Censure, until it appear’d 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 discreet Age, no Bondmen no Women, no immoral orscandalous men, but of good Report. IV. Of Masters, WARDENS, Fellows and Apprentices. All preferment among Masons is grounded upon real Worth and personal Meritonly; that so the Lords may be well served, the Brethren not put to Shame,nor the Royal Craft despis’d: Therefore no Master or Warden is chosen bySeniority, but for his Merit. It is impossible to describe these things inWriting, and every Brother must attend in his Place, and learn them in a waypeculiar to this Fraternity: Only Candidates may know that no Master shouldtake an Apprentice unless he has sufficient Imployment for him, and unlesshe be a perfect Youth having no Maim or Defect in his Body that may renderhim uncapable of learning the Art of serving his Master’s LORD, and of beingmade a Brother, and then a Fellow-Craft in due time, even after he hasserved such a Term of Years as the Custom of the Country directs; and thathe should be descended of honest Parents; that so, when otherwise qualify’dhe may arrive to the Honour of being the WARDEN, and then the Master of theLodge, 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-Craft;nor a MASTER until he has acted as a Warden, nor GRAND WARDEN until he hasbeen Master of a Lodge, nor Grand Master unless he has been a Fellow-Craftbefore his Election, who is also to be nobly born, or a Gentleman of thebest Fashion, or some eminent Scholar, or some curious Architect, or otherArtist, descended of honest Parents, and who is of similar great Merit inthe 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, accordingto the old Charges and Regulations, with all Humility, Reverence, Love andAlacrity. V. Of the Management of the CRAFT in working. All Masons shall work honestly on working Days, that they may livecreditably on holy Days; and the time appointed by the Law of the Land orconfirm’d by Custom, shall be observ’d. The most expert of theFellow-Craftsmen shall be chosen or appointed the Master or Overseer of theLord’s Work; who is to be call’d MASTER by those that work under him. TheCraftsmen are to avoid all ill Language, and to call each other by nodisobliging Name, but Brother or Fellow; and to behave themselvescourteously within and without the Lodge.The Master, knowing himself to be able of Cunning, shall undertake theLord’s Work as reasonably as possible, and truly dispend his Goods as ifthey were his own; nor to give more Wages to any Brother or Apprentice thanhe really may deserve. Both the Master and the Masons receiving their Wages justly, shall befaithful to the Lord and honestly finish their Work, whether Task orjourney; 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 Mancan finish another’s Work so much to the Lord’s Profit, unless he bethoroughly acquainted with the Designs and Draughts of him that began it. When a Fellow-Craftsman is chosen Warden of the Work under the Master, heshall be true both to Master and Fellows, shall carefully oversee the Workin the Master’s Absence to the Lord’s profit; and his Brethren shall obeyhim. All Masons employed shall meekly receive their Wages without Murmuring orMutiny, and not desert the Master till the Work is finish’d. A younger Brother shall be instructed in working, to prevent spoiling theMaterials for want of Judgment, and for increasing and continuing of Brotherly Love. All the Tools used in working shall be approved by the Grand Lodge. No Labourer shall be employ’d in the proper Work of Masonry; nor shall FreeMasons work with those that are not free, without an urgent Necessity; norshall they teach Labourers and unaccepted Masons as they should teach aBrother or Fellow. VI. Of BEHAVIOUR, VIZ. 1. In the Lodge while constituted. You are not to hold private Committees, or separate Conversation withoutLeave from the Master, nor to talk of anything impertinent or unseemly, norinterrupt the Master or Wardens, or any Brother speaking to the Master: Norbehave yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in whatis serious and solemn; nor use any unbecoming Language upon any Pretensewhatsoever; 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 theAward and Determination of the Lodge, who are the proper and competentJudges of all such Controversies (unless you carry it by Appeal to the GRANDLODGE), and to whom they ought to be referr’d, unless a Lord’s Work behinder’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 anabsolute necessity apparent to the Lodge. 2. Behaviour after the LODGE is over and the Brethren not gone. You may enjoy yourself with innocent Mirth, treating one another accordingto Ability, but avoiding all Excess, or forcing any Brother to eat or drinkbeyond his Inclination, or hindering him from going when his Occasions callhim, or doing or saying anything offensive, or that may forbid an easy andfree Conversation, for that would blast our Harmony, and defeat our laudablePurposes. Therefore no private Piques or Quarrels must be brought within theDoor of the Lodge, far less any Quarrels about Religion, or Nations, orState Policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholick Religion abovemention’d, we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, andare resolv’d against all Politics, as what never yet conduct’d to theWelfare 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 beinstructed, calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual instruction asshall be thought expedient, without being ever seen or overheard, andwithout encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that Respect whichis due to any Brother, were he not Mason: For though all Masons are asBrethren upon the same Level, yet Masonry takes no Honour from a man that hehad before; nay, rather it adds to his Honour, especially if he has deserv’dwell of the Brotherhood, who must give Honour to whom it is due, and avoidill Manners. 4. Behaviour in Presence of Strangers not Masons. You shall be cautious in your Words and Carriage, that the most penetratingStranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to beintimated, and sometimes you shall divert a Discourse, and manage itprudently 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 yourFamily, Friends and Neighbors know the Concern of the Lodge, &c., but wiselyto consult your own Honour, and that of the ancient Brotherhood, for reasonsnot to be mention’d here You must also consult your Health, by notcontinuing together too late, or too long from Home, after Lodge Hours arepast; and by avoiding of Gluttony or Drunkenness, that your Families be notneglected 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 directyou, that you may not be impos’d upon by an ignorant, false Pretender, whomyou are to reject with Contempt and Derision, and beware of giving him anyHints of Knowledge. But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother, you are to respecthim accordingly; and if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, orelse direct him how he may be reliev’d: you must employ him some days, orelse recommend him to be employ’d. But you are not charged to do beyond yourAbility, only to prefer a poor Brother, that is a good Man and true beforeany other poor People in the same Circumstance. Finally, All these Charges you are to observe, and also those that shall berecommended to you in another Way; cultivating BROTHERLY-LOVE, theFoundation and Cape-stone, the Cement and Glory of this Ancient Fraternity,avoiding all Wrangling and Quarreling, all Slander and Backbiting, norpermitting others to slander any honest Brother, but defending hisCharacter, and doing him all good Offices, as far as is consistent with yourHonour and Safety, and no farther. And if any of them do you Injury, you mustapply to your own or his Lodge, and from thence you may appeal to the GrandLodge, at the Quarterly Communication, and from thence to the annual GRAND LODGE, as has been the ancient laudable Conduct of our Fore-fathers in every Nation; never taking a legal Course but when the Case cannot beotherwise decided, and patiently listening to the honest and friendly Adviceof Master and Fellows, when they would prevent your going to Law withStrangers, or would excite you to put a speedy Period to all Law-Suits, sothat 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 Brethrenshould kindly offer their Mediation, which ought to be thankfully submittedto by the contending Brethren; and if that submission is impracticable, theymust, however, carry on their Process, or Law-Suit, without Wrath and Rancor(not in the common way) saying or doing nothing which may hinder BrotherlyLove, and good Offices to be renew’d and continu’d; that all may see thebenign Influence of MASONRY, as all true Masons have done from the beginningof the World, and will do to the End of Time. |
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| Amen so mote it be. | |
Reprinted from “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 by William Hunter, for John Senex at the Globe, and John Hooke at the Flower-de-luce over-against St. Dunstan’s Church, in Fleet-street. In the Year of Masonry — 5723. Anno Domini — 1723 |
| 1784 Edition | 1723 Edition | |||
| I. | must otherwise have remained | must have remained | ||
| III | ought to belong to one, and ought to be subject | ought to belong to one, and be subject | ||
| IV | unless he has sufficient employment for him | unless he has sufficient Imployment for him | ||
| a fellowcraft in due time, after he has served | a fellowcraft in due time, even after he has served | |||
| No brother can be a warden, until he has passed the degree of a master mason; nor a master, until he has acted as a warden; nor grand warden, until he has been master of a lodge, and served the office of steward at a grand feast; nor deputy grand master, until he has served the office of grand warden; nor grand master, unless he has been a master of a regular lodge before his election, | No brother can be a warden, until he has passed the part of a Fellow-Craft; nor a Master until he has acted as a Warden, nor Grand-Warden until he has been Master of a Lodge, nor Grand Master unless he has been a Fellow-Craft before his Election, | |||
| VI.2. | catholic religion | Catholick Religion | ||
| politics | Politicks | |||
| VI.6. | without rancour | without Wrath and Rancor |
| Other editions will have their own idiocentricities. Some contemporary editions will omit the reference to “catholic religion”; note that “catholic” in its original sense meant “universal” and did not refer to Rome. Other versions will attempt to update the spelling and language, but all have maintained the sense and spirit of the original. |
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Book of Constitutions.— The first official issue of this book is Anderson‘s and Désaguliers‘s edition in 1723. There was in 1722 an informal issue of the old regulations, in a copy of a MS. Constitution.* The word “Constitution” probably refers to the old MS. rolls or books which the Lodges seem to have possessed, and to which Plot alludes and also the writer of Ashmole‘s biography. There was a reissue of the Constitutions in 1738, another in 1746, though only with a new title page apparently, another by Entick in 1756, and again with his name, though under a committee, in 1767. In 1776 a reissue of the 1767 edition took place with an appendix. In 1784 another edition was issued by John Noorthouck, another edition in 1815 by Bro. Williams, a corrected one in 1819, another in 1827, and another in 1841. The present book is substantially that of Williams without the historical portion, which has not been reprinted since 1784.
Kenning’s Masonic Cyclopaedia and Handbook of Masonic Archaeology, History and Biography. A.F.A. Woodford, ed. George Kenning, London: 1878. p. 75. * Possibly refering to Roberts’ Constitution of which there only two extant copies. |
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