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Article THE CONSTITUTIONS OF ENGLISH FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 3 Article THE CONSTITUTIONS OF ENGLISH FREEMASONRY. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Constitutions Of English Freemasonry.
eliminated from formulated Constitutions . The Masonic Constitutions of 1723 were prepared or compiled by Dr . James Anderson , by order of the Grand Lodgo ; they ^ were revised and altered to somo extent by other brethren duly
appointed to tho task . Jand the printed matter eventually published wa * the basis of all authority until 4 th November 1738 , when the s = e : ond 5 issno of printed Constitutions took place . Page xi . of this work has
WHEREAS on 25 th November 1723 , the Grant LODGK in ample form resolved , that no Alterations shall be made in their printed Booh of CONSTITUTIONS without leave of the Grand LODGE : And whereas somo have written and printed books and
THE SANCTION .
pamphlets relating to the fraternity without leave of the GRAND LODGE , somo of which have beon condemn'd as pyrntioal and stupid by tho Grand LODGE in Ample Form on 24 th February 1734-5 , * when tho brethren wero warned not to nse them nor encourage them lu be sold :
And whereas on 25 th January 1737-8 the Inst Grand Master , tho Earl of DARNF . EY , with his Deputy and Wardens , nnd tho Grand LODGE , after due approbation , ordered our Brother Anderson , the author , to print and publish this our
neio Booh of CONSTITUTIONS , which thoy recommended aa the only Book for the Use of the Lodges , as appears by their APPROBATION , page 199 .
Therefore we also , the present GRAND MASTER , Deputy and Wardens , do hereby RECOMMEND this our new printed Booh ns the only Booh of C ONSTITUTIONS to the Free and Accepted MASONS ; and disclaiming all other books that
have not tho sanction of the Grand Lodge , we warn all the brethren against being employed or concerned in writing and spreading , printing and publishing any other booh
relating to Masons or Masonry , and against using any other booTc in any Lodge as a Lodge-bool ; as they shall be answerable to the GRAND LODGE .
CARNARVON , Grand Master . JOHN WARD , Deputy Grand Master . GEORGE GRAHAM > Gmn ( l Wanlens . ANDREW ROBINSON , \
JOHN REVIS , Secretary . It is very apparent from this " Sanction" that the Government of the Craffc , whilst approving of Dr . Anderson ' s romances , disapproved of Masonic literature
generally . Such matter-of-fact writers as Hughan and Gould would assuredly have received but short shrift from the Grand Lodge of 1738 , which whilst accepting the mountains of su » ar and rivers of rum of fiction would certainly have objected to the flying fish of fact .
All record of how even the present form of government in the Craft came into existence may now be searched for in vain iu onr current printed Constitutions , which consist of " The General Charges , Laws , and Regulations . " How
thee came to be signified by the titlo " Constitutions " can only be learnt by study , but it is to be hoped the Grand Lodge at no distant date may restore , or supply , to our present guide a historical section . Even if the history of
tho Craft was only carried back to the year 1717 , much information of an interesting nature would be commonly available to all ; but it is probable that a short summary
would have a value in satisfying some of fche inquiries of newly joined brethren . It is notorious that many abandon Masonry from being unable to satisfy legitimate cravings for requisite information on very elementary subjects .
The present Constitutions , after g iving , tho ancient charges , split up the general Laws and Regulations into sections relating to ( a ) the Grand Lodge , ( b ) Provincial nnd District Grand Lodges , ( c ) Private Lodges , ( d ) tbe
Charity Fund and its administration , ( e ) the rules relating to the Boards dealing with miscellaneous matters and colonial affairs , descriptions of clothing and jewels to be worn—of fees payable , and so on , complete the "
Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons ! " No explanation has yet been afforded which could enable any one to reconcile the title with the contents of the volume . The Constitutions of 1738 differ in some very essential
The Constitutions Of English Freemasonry.
points from those of 1723—the most remarkable one boin » in the section of the Charges which relate to reli gion . I „ the 1738 edition , rational instructions aro given to the Craft , bnt in the edition of 1723 a brother is distinr-fU
informer ! thafc in ancient times ho would have been required hy Freemasonry " to bo of the religion of that country or nation ! whatever " it might bo , in which ho resided ! and he is enjoined to be of " that religion in which all men igroo ! " In 175 G the third edition of tho Constitutions
wns published , and the 1723 religious position was reoccupied—later editions of last century re-affirm a Mason should bo of " tbat religion in which all mon agree . " The vagueness is to some minds comprehensive , but wo have
beaten tho record of ambiguity in the Constitutions of this century , which states that we are " as Masons , of the universal religion abovo mentioned " ( Charge vi ., sec . 2 ) , tho reference to religion boing in Charge 1 , which runs : —
" A Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to obey the moral law ; and if he rightly understand the art , ho will never bo a stupid atheist , nor an irreligious libertine . Ho , of all men shonld best understand that God seeth not as man soeth for man looketh afc tho outward appearance , but God
iookoth to / the heart . A Mason is , therefore , particularl y bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience . Let a man ' s religion or mode of'worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided ho believe in the glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practices tho
sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love ; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive , by the purity of their
own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . Thus Masonry is the centre of anion between good men and true , and the happy mean ' s of conciliating friendships amongst those who must otherwise havo remained at a perpetual distance . "
It can hardly bo said that this describes any particular religion—the words , " Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , " contradict the idea that any form
of religion is laid down . Yet later on in the Charges we have a reference to "the universal religion above mentioned "—does any one know ifc ? Ifc is questionable if any one cares about it ?
The present form of our Constitutions was adopted in 1815 , two years after the Union of tho two rival Masonic bodies—respectively known as the Ancients , or Atholl Masons , and the Modern Masons . The very essential historical clement cf any Constitutions then disappeared .
That Dr . Anderson ' s History was worthless is not worth argument , bat that any Constitutions which omitted to show how the power to rule and legislate was acquired should have been formulated and approved in 1815 is whafc
Preston would have called an " Illustration of Masonry . Thafc such an incomplete and unsatisfactory state of affairs has continued can only be a matter of surprise to tho uninitiated .
The earliest known record of Freemasonry * is in effect a better attempt to provide the Craft with an ideal of its real Constitution than any issue of Masonic Constitutions of the present century . Admirable as these may be as leg islative rules , the term Constitution is a misnomer . The
numerous so-called Charges of the 17 th century witness a more complete comprehension of the requirements ot Constitutions than those of the 19 th century , for thc former almost invariably try to show how supreme power
was acquired—and however little the student may be disposed to accept the " Theories of Origin " advanced in the MSS . now known—he must yefc admit there is a proper progression of explanation in their contents .
What are now given as Charges belonging , or app licable , to the Craft as now constituted ( although they are described as " Antient , " cannot be received in their entirety except with a certain allowance for allegory . The Sth Charge relates chiefly fco working , or Operative Masons and their
hire ; it is only by treating this as part of an allegory wM it is applicable to the present system of Freemasonry . 1 he 6 fch section , or clause of the 6 th Charge , refers to the actual employment as a workman of a brother in need ; tne reference is to Operative Masonry and to mon earning then livelihood .
Nearly fifty years ago Mr . Halliwell remarked that " regulations of the companies of Masons in olden times wor nofc very different from those of other trades . " He xv . <¦
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Constitutions Of English Freemasonry.
eliminated from formulated Constitutions . The Masonic Constitutions of 1723 were prepared or compiled by Dr . James Anderson , by order of the Grand Lodgo ; they ^ were revised and altered to somo extent by other brethren duly
appointed to tho task . Jand the printed matter eventually published wa * the basis of all authority until 4 th November 1738 , when the s = e : ond 5 issno of printed Constitutions took place . Page xi . of this work has
WHEREAS on 25 th November 1723 , the Grant LODGK in ample form resolved , that no Alterations shall be made in their printed Booh of CONSTITUTIONS without leave of the Grand LODGE : And whereas somo have written and printed books and
THE SANCTION .
pamphlets relating to the fraternity without leave of the GRAND LODGE , somo of which have beon condemn'd as pyrntioal and stupid by tho Grand LODGE in Ample Form on 24 th February 1734-5 , * when tho brethren wero warned not to nse them nor encourage them lu be sold :
And whereas on 25 th January 1737-8 the Inst Grand Master , tho Earl of DARNF . EY , with his Deputy and Wardens , nnd tho Grand LODGE , after due approbation , ordered our Brother Anderson , the author , to print and publish this our
neio Booh of CONSTITUTIONS , which thoy recommended aa the only Book for the Use of the Lodges , as appears by their APPROBATION , page 199 .
Therefore we also , the present GRAND MASTER , Deputy and Wardens , do hereby RECOMMEND this our new printed Booh ns the only Booh of C ONSTITUTIONS to the Free and Accepted MASONS ; and disclaiming all other books that
have not tho sanction of the Grand Lodge , we warn all the brethren against being employed or concerned in writing and spreading , printing and publishing any other booh
relating to Masons or Masonry , and against using any other booTc in any Lodge as a Lodge-bool ; as they shall be answerable to the GRAND LODGE .
CARNARVON , Grand Master . JOHN WARD , Deputy Grand Master . GEORGE GRAHAM > Gmn ( l Wanlens . ANDREW ROBINSON , \
JOHN REVIS , Secretary . It is very apparent from this " Sanction" that the Government of the Craffc , whilst approving of Dr . Anderson ' s romances , disapproved of Masonic literature
generally . Such matter-of-fact writers as Hughan and Gould would assuredly have received but short shrift from the Grand Lodge of 1738 , which whilst accepting the mountains of su » ar and rivers of rum of fiction would certainly have objected to the flying fish of fact .
All record of how even the present form of government in the Craft came into existence may now be searched for in vain iu onr current printed Constitutions , which consist of " The General Charges , Laws , and Regulations . " How
thee came to be signified by the titlo " Constitutions " can only be learnt by study , but it is to be hoped the Grand Lodge at no distant date may restore , or supply , to our present guide a historical section . Even if the history of
tho Craft was only carried back to the year 1717 , much information of an interesting nature would be commonly available to all ; but it is probable that a short summary
would have a value in satisfying some of fche inquiries of newly joined brethren . It is notorious that many abandon Masonry from being unable to satisfy legitimate cravings for requisite information on very elementary subjects .
The present Constitutions , after g iving , tho ancient charges , split up the general Laws and Regulations into sections relating to ( a ) the Grand Lodge , ( b ) Provincial nnd District Grand Lodges , ( c ) Private Lodges , ( d ) tbe
Charity Fund and its administration , ( e ) the rules relating to the Boards dealing with miscellaneous matters and colonial affairs , descriptions of clothing and jewels to be worn—of fees payable , and so on , complete the "
Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons ! " No explanation has yet been afforded which could enable any one to reconcile the title with the contents of the volume . The Constitutions of 1738 differ in some very essential
The Constitutions Of English Freemasonry.
points from those of 1723—the most remarkable one boin » in the section of the Charges which relate to reli gion . I „ the 1738 edition , rational instructions aro given to the Craft , bnt in the edition of 1723 a brother is distinr-fU
informer ! thafc in ancient times ho would have been required hy Freemasonry " to bo of the religion of that country or nation ! whatever " it might bo , in which ho resided ! and he is enjoined to be of " that religion in which all men igroo ! " In 175 G the third edition of tho Constitutions
wns published , and the 1723 religious position was reoccupied—later editions of last century re-affirm a Mason should bo of " tbat religion in which all mon agree . " The vagueness is to some minds comprehensive , but wo have
beaten tho record of ambiguity in the Constitutions of this century , which states that we are " as Masons , of the universal religion abovo mentioned " ( Charge vi ., sec . 2 ) , tho reference to religion boing in Charge 1 , which runs : —
" A Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to obey the moral law ; and if he rightly understand the art , ho will never bo a stupid atheist , nor an irreligious libertine . Ho , of all men shonld best understand that God seeth not as man soeth for man looketh afc tho outward appearance , but God
iookoth to / the heart . A Mason is , therefore , particularl y bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience . Let a man ' s religion or mode of'worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided ho believe in the glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practices tho
sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love ; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive , by the purity of their
own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . Thus Masonry is the centre of anion between good men and true , and the happy mean ' s of conciliating friendships amongst those who must otherwise havo remained at a perpetual distance . "
It can hardly bo said that this describes any particular religion—the words , " Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , " contradict the idea that any form
of religion is laid down . Yet later on in the Charges we have a reference to "the universal religion above mentioned "—does any one know ifc ? Ifc is questionable if any one cares about it ?
The present form of our Constitutions was adopted in 1815 , two years after the Union of tho two rival Masonic bodies—respectively known as the Ancients , or Atholl Masons , and the Modern Masons . The very essential historical clement cf any Constitutions then disappeared .
That Dr . Anderson ' s History was worthless is not worth argument , bat that any Constitutions which omitted to show how the power to rule and legislate was acquired should have been formulated and approved in 1815 is whafc
Preston would have called an " Illustration of Masonry . Thafc such an incomplete and unsatisfactory state of affairs has continued can only be a matter of surprise to tho uninitiated .
The earliest known record of Freemasonry * is in effect a better attempt to provide the Craft with an ideal of its real Constitution than any issue of Masonic Constitutions of the present century . Admirable as these may be as leg islative rules , the term Constitution is a misnomer . The
numerous so-called Charges of the 17 th century witness a more complete comprehension of the requirements ot Constitutions than those of the 19 th century , for thc former almost invariably try to show how supreme power
was acquired—and however little the student may be disposed to accept the " Theories of Origin " advanced in the MSS . now known—he must yefc admit there is a proper progression of explanation in their contents .
What are now given as Charges belonging , or app licable , to the Craft as now constituted ( although they are described as " Antient , " cannot be received in their entirety except with a certain allowance for allegory . The Sth Charge relates chiefly fco working , or Operative Masons and their
hire ; it is only by treating this as part of an allegory wM it is applicable to the present system of Freemasonry . 1 he 6 fch section , or clause of the 6 th Charge , refers to the actual employment as a workman of a brother in need ; tne reference is to Operative Masonry and to mon earning then livelihood .
Nearly fifty years ago Mr . Halliwell remarked that " regulations of the companies of Masons in olden times wor nofc very different from those of other trades . " He xv . <¦