masonic matters
Masonic Law #4
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
"Law's are not invented. They grow out of circumstances." Azarias
"Custom, that unwritten law, by which the people keep even kings in
awe." Charles Davenport
"Law's are the sovereigns of sovereigns." Louis XIV
Masonic Law #4
I received an email question about articles I may have on the
Landmarks. In looking back in my files I found the articles and I
also found where I had begun an article or two on a Landmark and then
forgot about it, so I picked one out and decided to finish it for
this issue of Masonic Matters.
The other papers on Masonic Law and Landmarks can be found at www.mn-masons.org
in the files for the
TFS (3,5,& 7) issues. Since those are not filed by subject here are
the issue numbers: 86, 87, 88, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 100, 101, 102, and
103. I have more of these laws to write about, and now that I'm
reminded of them I might write a few more. I must admit that no
matter how interesting jurisprudence is, I tend to wander away from
it to other topics for articles.
Masonic Jurisprudence is a fascinating subject for some masonic
students to study, and the best book I have found on the subject is
Mackey's Jurisprudence of Freemasonry, by Brother Albert G. Mackey.
The latest edition was edited by Brother Robert I. Clegg. Brother
Clegg's notes in the revision are extremely helpful in creating
better understanding of the various aspects of Jurisprudence.
In the commentary to the newest edition Brother Allen Roberts
mentions that 13 Grand Lodges have adopted Mackey's list of
Landmarks, 18 have no list in their books of constitutions, and 10
have their own list.
One of the Grand Lodges having its own list is the Grand Lodge of
A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota. Brother Mackey compiled his list of
Landmarks in 1858.
However, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota compiled its list of Masonic
Laws in 1856; more than two years earlier.
Masonic Laws and Landmarks have much in common, as do the 'Old
Charges' as written by Brother Anderson in the 1700's. If you're
looking for some great pleasure in studying Freemasonry - the study
of Jurisprudence, which will encompass Masonic Law, the Landmarks,
the Old Charges, and the Old Manuscripts will provide you with a
lifetime of study and enjoyment. It's been a long time since Brother
Mackey delved into this study; maybe its time for another Mason to
excel at it; that Mason could be you!
Minnesota Masonic Law #4
"That the rights and ceremonies,(which include the unwritten
language,) of the true system of the Ancient York Rite, and which
constitute a part of the body of Masonry, are immutable, and that it
is not in the power of any man to make innovations therein, except
when in Grand Lodge convened."
There is a lot packed into Masonic Law #4 here in Minnesota, and it
makes it clear that Minnesota adheres to the Ancient York Rite, and
not any other.
Another important part of tat law is that it is a law here in
Minnesota and not a Landmark. Since it is a Masonic Law members of
our Grand Lodge (sitting Masters & Wardens, or their proxies, and
permanent members of the Grand Lodge as well as Grand Lodge officers)
can propose legislation to be presented to the Grand Lodge for it to
act on: That is the only way a Masonic Law can be changed, as opposed
to a Landmark, which by its nature cannot be changed.
What seems curious to some Masons here in Minnesota is that the Middle
Chamber Lecture mentions that the three steps allude to the three
principle officers of the Lodge and also to the 'first three degrees
of Masonry;' this sometimes will lead the candidate to later ask;
what are the other degrees?
This can be problematic for some Masons because, while the question
can be answered, care needs to be taken not to solicit the candidate
to petition for "the degrees of any organization recognized by the
Grand Lodge until he is a Master Mason."[i]
Masonic Law #4 has corollaries in Mackey's Landmarks; namely Landmark
#2 and #17:
To mention Landmark #17 first, it says: "It is a Landmark that every
Freemason is amenable to the laws and regulations of the Masonic
jurisdiction in which he resides, and this although he may not be a
member of any Lodges. Non-affiliation, which is, in fact, in itself a
Masonic offense, does not exempt a Freemason from Masonic
jurisdiction."
Landmark 17 tells a Mason, (whether or not a member of a jurisdiction
in the state in which he lives, and if he is sojourning [visiting or
traveling] in that jurisdiction,) that he is to obey the Masonic
laws, rules, and regulations, of the Grand Lodge of the jurisdiction
in which he is.
Landmark #17, it seems to me, supposes that a Mason will be a serious
Mason who will make it a point to know what the Masonic Code of the
Jurisdiction in which he resides, travels, or is a member. The
Masonic Codes of the various Masonic Grand Jurisdictions is
information that is freely provided to Masons for their study and
edification. However, always acting as a good and true man, obeying
all the laws of the community and the state, will help assure that a
Mason will not violate a Masonic Code while he may be traveling
through a jurisdiction.
Landmark #2 says: "The division of symbolic Freemasonry into three
degrees is a landmark that has been better preserved than almost any
other, although even here the mischievous spirit of innovation has
left its traces, and by the disruption of its concluding portion from
the third degree, a want of uniformity has been created in respect to
the final teaching of the Master's order; and the Royal Arch of
England, Ireland, Scotland, and America, and the 'high degrees' of
France and Germany are all made to differ in the mode in which they
lead the neophyte to the great consummation of all symbolic
Freemasonry. In 1813, the Grand Lodge of England vindicated the
ancient Landmark, by solemnly enacting that Ancient Craft Masonry
consisted of the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft,
and Master Mason, including the Holy Royal Arch."
Brother Robert Clegg in his revision of Mackey in Mackey's
Jurisprudence of Freemasonry,[ii] adds, regarding Landmark
2: "Usually, as in the above sentence, the quotation ends with the
mention of the Royal Arch. However, it is important to remember that
the original paragraph continues this; 'But this article is not
intended to prevent any Lodge or chapter from holding a meeting in
any of the degrees of the order of Chivalry, according to the
constitutions of the said order."
In Landmark #2 is the phrase "lead the neophyte to the great
consummation of all symbolic Freemasonry." The footnote by Brother
Clegg tells us that that phrase is symbolic of the 'True Word, which
is symbolic of Divine Truth, and is the great object of Freemasonry.'
"Wise people, even though all laws were abolished, would still lead
the same life." Aristophanes
From the Great light of Masonry = "I will obey your law, for ever and
ever." Psalm 119:44 NIV
Words to live by: "The good of the people is the greatest law."
Marcus T. Cicero
_____
[i] SECTION G6.03 Beside violation of Section C8.01, of the
Constitution, the following specific acts shall be deemed unmasonic
conduct and shall render the offender subject to discipline. (b) To
ask or solicit an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft to apply for the
degrees of any organization recognized by the Grand Lodge until he is
a Master Mason.
[ii] Part of footnote 11 page 5 of Landmark #2
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