THE ANCIENT CHARGES OF A FREE MASON
ANDERSON'S CONSTITUTIONS
Extracted From
The Ancient Records of Lodges beyond the 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.
FOREWORD
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 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.
Finally , 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.
INTRODUCTION.
In the Post Boy of February 26th-28th, 1722-3, there appeared the following
advertisement :
'This Day is Publish'd"
`THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE FREEMASONS. Containing the History, Charges,
Regulations, etc., of that most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity, for the
Use of the Lodges. Dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Montagu the last Grand
Master, by Order of his Grace the Duke of Wharton the present Grand Master,
authorized by the Grand Lodge of Masters and Wardens at the Quarterly
Communication. Order’d to be publish'd and recommended to the Brethren by the
Grand Master and his Deputy. Printed in the Year of Masonry 5723 ; of our Lord
1723. Sold by J. Senex and J. Hooke, both over against S. Dunstan's Church in
Fleetstreet.'
THE GENERAL HEADS, viz.:
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 Behavior, 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 Neighborhood.
6. Toward 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 be
distinguish’d; whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of
conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remain'd at a
perpetual Distance.
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II. Of the Civil Magistrate Supreme and
Subordinate
A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or
works, and is never to be concern'd in Plots an Conspiracies against the Peace
and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior
Magistrates; for as Masonry hath been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and
Confusion, 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 Time of Peace. So that if a Brother should
be a Rebel against the State he is not to be countenanced in his Rebellion,
however he may be pitied as any unhappy Man; and, if convicted of no other Crime
though the Loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown hi 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
indefeasible.
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III. Of Lodges
A Lodge is a place where Masons assemble and work; Hence that Assembly, or
duly organized 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 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
warned 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 an true Men,
free-born, and of mature and discreet Age, no Bondmen no Women, no immoral or
scandalous men, but of good Report.
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IV. Of Masters, Wardens, Follows and
Apprentices
All preferment 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 despis'd: Therefore no Master or Warden is chosen by Seniority,
but for his Merit. It is impossible to describe these things in Writing, and
every Brother must attend in his Place, and learn them in a Way peculiar 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 Defects 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 qualifi'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-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, 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 similar 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 the 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.
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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 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 Designs 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 employed 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 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 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.
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VI. Of Behaviour
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 anything 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 Pretense
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
meanwhile, 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.
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2. BEHAVIOUR AFTER THE LODGE IS OVER AND THE
BRETHREN NOT GONE
You may enjoy yourself 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 anything 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 Politics, as what never yet conduct'd to the Welfare of the Lodge,
nor ever will. This charge has been strictly enjoin'd and obser'd; but
especially ever since the Reformation in Britain, or the Dissent and Secession
of these Nations from the Communion of Rome.
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3. BEHAVIOUR WHEN BRETHREN MEET WITHOUT
STRANGERS, BUT NOT IN A LODGE FORMED
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 ever seen or overheard, and without
encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that Respect which is due to any
Brother, were he not 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 deserve well of the Brotherhood, who
must give Honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill Manners.
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4. BEHAVIOUR IN 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.
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5. BEHAVIOUR AT HOME, AND IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD
You are to act as becomes a moral and wise Man; particularly not to let your
Family, Friends and Neighbors know the Concern 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.
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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 relieved; 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 Circumstance.
Finally, All these Charges you are to observe, and also those that shall be
recommended to you in another Way; cultivating Brotherly Love, the Foundation
and Cap-stone, the Cement and Glory of this Ancient Fraternity, avoiding all
wrangling and quarreling, 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
Conduct but when the Case cannot be otherwise decided, and patiently listening
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 Lawsuits, so that 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 Lawsuit, 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.
Amen, so mote it be.
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