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.
Thomas 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 wherever he
is, with the Master of the Lodge on his Left-hand, and to order
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 keep 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 at 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 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 aforsaid.
VI. But no Man can be enter'd a Brother in any particular Lodge, or
admitted to be a Member thereof, without the unanimous Consent of all the
Members of that Lodge then present when the Candidate is propos'd,
and their Consent 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 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 themselbes 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 forming 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.
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 Master
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 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 heve 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 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 it 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 exept 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.
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 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 and the
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 befor 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.
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 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 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 Batptist'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 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-Masters's Seal, of disposing of the Tickets, of
receiving the Money for the Tickets, of buying the Materials of the Feast,
of findig 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; exept the
Grand-Master or his Deputy interpose by a particular Direction or
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 Lodges 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.
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-Craft of his Lodge, to compose a Committee,
consisting of one from every Lodge, who shall meet to receive, in a
convenient Apartment, every Person that brings a Ticket, and shall have Power
to discourse him, if they think fit, in order 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 Brother may be debarr'd, nor a false Brother, or
mere 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 are to be at the Command of the Commitee.
XXVII. The Grand-Wardens, or the Stewards, shall appoint
beforehand such a Number of Brethren to 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,
XXIX. After these thing 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 itself.
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 desir'd and allow'd.
XXXII. If the Grand-Master of last Year has consented with the
Master 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 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 proclaim'd, saluted, and
congratulated, as above hinted, and 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, 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 LAND-MARKS
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 new
Grand-Master is install'd, be solemnly desir'd, as it was desir'd and
obtained for these REGULATIONS, when propos'd by the GRAND-LODGE, to about 150
Brethren, on St. John Baptist's Day, 1721.
