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Article "FREE MASONRY," OPERATIVE AND SPECULATIVE. ← Page 2 of 3 Article "FREE MASONRY," OPERATIVE AND SPECULATIVE. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"Free Masonry," Operative And Speculative.
others , I regret to say , are either in ruins or have passed away , that the Masons should have found it necessary to erect , somewhere adjacent to their svork , a building in which they could assemble without fear of interruption , to g ive and receive instruction in their several duties , to perform their ceremonies , and probably also to execute those beautiful examples of the sculptor's art for which many of these old fabrics are remarkable . The same
building may have also served as a lod ging or dwelling-place for some of the workmen , and that this was the easel have no doubt whatever . Well , sve will suppose that the Masons or builders have finished their portion in the erection or formation of their lodge , then would come the carpenter to fix the rafters , and , lastly , the tiler to cover in the roof and make all secure against the prying eyes of the curious or the idly inquisitive . In my opinion it would be only natural that a person
of this description , whose svork was of a different character to that of the Masons themselves , and whos ' e presence would not be required inside , should have been employed outside of the building after its completion to continue his vocation of keeping off all intruders or . cosvans and eavesdroppers . I say that under the circumstances this would be quite feasible and only natural , but , in the absence of real evidence , you might justly consider it to be mere speculation on my part . Fortunately , however , I am able to adduce certain reliable evidence svhich I make no doubt will
go far towards convincing you that a portion at least of my theory is based on something more substantial than merely my own imagination . You have heard to-night that the tsvo great pillars at the porchway , or entrance , of King Solomon ' s' Temple were formed hollow ; the better to serve as archives to Masonry , for therein were deposited the Constitutional Rolls . Nosv , I do not knosv what may be the ide _ . s of the younger brethren of the
present day * wilh regard to the nature of " Constitutional Rolls , " but I very svell remember that when I first became acquainted svith the expression I was rather at a loss to knosv svhat particular kind of roll a " Constitutional Roll " might be . It was a roll I had never heard of before , and I could not find the name in thc dictionary . In order , therefore , that you may clearly understand what this article is like which is so often mentioned , but nosv
very seldom seen , in our lodges , I have brought one with me for your inspection , and also to support my own arguments ; but as it s \* as written about 250 years ago , I do not suppose you will all be able to read it without a little previous training , so , to save time , I will give you a very brief description of its contents , and when I have done you can examine it for ' yourselves . I may , however , remark that MSS . of this character were not
only the forerunner of our present Book of Constitutions , but the ancestors , if I may so term them , of our charges and lectures . They are known as the manuscript Charges , or Constitutions , of the Brin ' sh Freemasons , and were used for a long period in the operative lodges at the reception of candidates , and probably on certain other occasions . To my thinking they form the strongest and most important links in the chain of evidence
connecting Operative with Speculative Masonry , although it was not until a comparative !} ' recent period that their real historic value has been general ! }' acknowledged , probably because they were practically unknown to theCralt of the present day , nothing having been done to bring them under its notice . Thirty years ago only about a dozen of them werc knosvn to be in existence , 'now there are at least 60 , classified and located ( four of which
arc the property of the Grand Lodge of England ) , and fresh versions of them are continually being brought to light from the most out of thc way places and in the most unexpected manner . There is a strong family resemblance in them all , but many of them vary in matters of detail , according to their age or the locality in which they were written . In order to distinguish one from another , for the purpose of reference , our
learned brethren , of antiquarian tastes , have adopted thc practice of naming them after the person svho has been so fortunate as to discover them or bring them under the notice of the Fraternity . The one 1 have here is considered by experts to be rather an important document , for reasons' which I need not enter upon now , although they are all deemed important , more or less . Some years ago I had thc good fortune to
identify it in thc hands of a person who knew nothing of its nature or value , and , ultimately , to acquire it for the Grand Lodge Library . It was , therefore , suggested that I should allow it to bear my name . I could not think of it for a moment , and for tsvo reasons . In the first place , I need hardly tell you , who knosv me well , that my natural modesty was a serious obstacle to be overcome ; and , secondly , it seemed to me that the words ¦ -
"Brother Sadler ' s Constitutional Roll "—had rather a queer sound , and might , possibly , in after years ; become liable to misconstruction . I therefore , gently , but firmly , declined the honour . However , as I was supposed to occupy the important position of sponsor for this rather ancient infant , I suggested that as we already had a Grand Lodge MS . No . 1 , and as this was the next in our collection in p .-int of age , it ought to be called the
Grand Lodge MS . No . 2 , and that is the name by svhich it is known . Many hours might be spent in discussing the various peculiarities of these interesting old documents , but as that would not be in accordance with my object to-night , I will merely read a fesv paragraphs of this one svhich , I make no doubt , will serve to remind you of some of our practices of the present day . They nearly all begin with a prayer similar to the follosving :
" Ihe Almighty I'ather of Heaven with the wisdomc of the Glorious Son through thc goodness of the holy Ghost , three persons in one Godhead be with our begininge , and give us grace soe to governe our lives that wee may come to his blissc which never shall have end , Amen . " The next paragraph is a short preface or introduction : " Good Bretheren and Fellowes ot \ r purpose is lo tell you how and in
what manner this Craft of Masonry was begune , and aftersvards hosv it was hounded by worthy Kings and Princes , and many other svayes hurtful ! to none : And alsoe to them that be here we svill declare what doth belonge lo every Free Mason to kcepe , For in good faith if you take heed thereunto it is well worthy to be kept , beinge one of the seaven liberal ! sciences , which ¦ ire these that followe . " l'Vic seven liberal arts and sciences are next mentioned in precisely thc ¦
xirnc order as they are given in our second lecture , with a brief explanation V' each , in substance similar lo the illustrations of them taught in our lodges 1 , 1 the present day , This is followed by a dissertation on the value and ¦ advantages of geometry , and after that comes a rather long history of Masonry and kindred arts , which I shall not trouble you with to-night ; but 1 j — , j - - ~ o 1 ~
may remark , in passing , that portions of it verge more than " slightly on tbe poetical , " osving probably to the original writer having been blessed W | th a posverful imagination . I say original svriter , because most of these '" anuscripts bear evidence in some way or another of liaving been copied r ° m older documents of a similar character . At the end of this curious nistory is a bit of Latin , which being freely translated reads thus : " Then 0 l ' e of the Seniors holds the book to him who a solemn oath repeats , and hc
"Free Masonry," Operative And Speculative.
places his hand on the book while the articles and precepts to him are read . " The precepts or charges are 33 in number , but I will only call your attention to a few of them . No . 3 is to the following purport : " You shall be true unto your fellowes and bretheren of the science of Masonry , and doe to them as you would be done unto . "
14 . You shall not take any apprentice to serve you in the said Science of Masonry under the terme of seaven yeares , nor any but such as are decended of good and honesh [ honest ") parentage , that noe Scandall may be imputed to the Science of Masonry . "
15 . You shall not take upon you to make anyone [ a ] Mason svithout thc privity and consent of five or six of youre Fellowes , and none but such a one as is Freebome and svhose parents live in good fame and name , et that hath his right et perfect limbs et personall of body to attend the said Science . "
" 17 . You shall not slander any of youre Fellosves behinde their back to impaire their temporal ! estate , or good name . " " 19 . You shall duely reverence youre Fellosves that the bond of Charity and mutuall Love may continue constant and stable amongst you . " " 25- Vou shall sett strangers on worke , havinge Imployment for them , at least a fortnight et truely pay them their wages , and if you want worke for them vou shall relieve them svith money to defray their Reasonable charge to the next Lodge . "
" 27 . Noe person of svhat degree soever be accepted a Free Mason unlesse he shall have a Lodge of live free masons att the least , whereof one to be Master or Warden of that Limitt , or Division , wherein such lodge shall be kept and another of the Trade of . Freemasonry . " " 29 . That noe person hereafter which shall be accepted [ a ] Free Mason shall be admitted into any Lodge or assembly untill he have brought a
certificate of the tyme of his acception from the Lodge that accepted him unto the Master of that Limitt and Division where such Lodge was kept , which said Master shall inroll the same in pigment in a Roll to be kept for that purpose , and give an account of all such acceptions at every generall assembly . " " 30 . That every person who is nosv a Free Mason shall bringe to thc
blaster a note ot the tyme of his acception to the end [ that J the same may be inrolled in such priority of place as the person deserves , and to the end j thatjthe whole company and fellosvs may the better know each other . " " 31 . That for the future the said Society , Company , and Fraternity of Free Masons shall be regulated and governed by one Master and assembly and Wardens and the said Company shall think fitt to chuse at every yearely generall assembly . "
" 32 That noe person shall be accepted a Free Mason except he be one and tsventy yeares old or more . " " 33 . That noe person hereafter be accepted a Free Mason or know the secrets of thc said Society untill he shall first have taken the oath of Secresie hereafter followinge . These articles and charge which I have rehearsed to you , you shall well and truely observe and keep to youre
power Soe help your God , Jt the holy contents of this book . " Then follosvs the apprentice ' scharge consisting of ten clauses , someof . which are rather peculiar , butas they relate chiefly to the moral duties of an apprentice and contain nothing more important with reference to Masonry than what you have already heard , I svill not take up your time by reading them . The manuscript concludes wilh the " oath for Secresie " referred to above .
" I A . B . Doe in the presenceof Almighty God and my Fellowesand Bretheren here present , promise and declare that 1 will not att any tyme hereafter , by any act or circumstance whatsoever , directly or indirectly , publish , discover , or rcveale , or make knosvn , any of the Secretls , Privilcdges , or Counsells , of the Fraternity or Fellosvshipp of Free Masonry , which at any tyme hereafter shall be made known unto trie , soe helpc me God et the holy contents
of this book . ' I think you will all agree that what you have heard read is amply sufficient to establish the fact of our operative ancestors having been accustomed to meet in lodges , and you will doubtless have observed a striking resemblance to our present customs and regulations in many other respects , especially if you happen to be at all familiar with the First and Second Lectures . Even our system ol registration of members and the
granting of certificates is evidently derived from the operatives . As a general rule these MSS . give not the slightest hint of any kind of ceremony or secret mode of recognition , but there is one in the British Museum called the Harleian MS ., No . 2054 , which is an exception . It is about the same age as this one , and at the end of the document are words to the follosving purport , apparently ihe result of an afterthought , and intended for a
reminder -. " There is several wordes and signes ot a Free Mason to be revaiied to you which as you will anssver before God at the Great and terrible day of judgment , you keep secret -t not to revaile the same in the hearcs of any person , or to any but the Masters and Fellowes of the said Society of Free Masons , so help me God , etc . " Another manuscript of a more recent date , belonging to the Bedford Lodge , No . 157 , formerly an Operative Lodge , says : " Then after the oath taken and the book kist ,
these following precepts and charges are to be read . " It says also that " seven must be present at the makingof a Mason ( which number is termed a lodge ) , or six at least , with the consent of a seventh in his own handwriting . " Another important link to which I particularly wish to draw your attention is the Tracing Board , or trasel board as it was called in the olden time , when it was represented in our lodges after the manner of the one you
see on the floor with the ground plan of a building—probably meant for King Solomon ' s Temple—depicted on it . We arc told that the Tracing Board is for the Master to lay lines and draw designs upon , the better to enable the brethren to carry on the intended structure with regularity and propriety , and doubtless this is a very proper description of its use in Operative Masonry , but in Speculative Masonry it has , as you knosv ,
like all the rest of our emblems a symbolic and moral signification . Dosvn lo the latter part of the last century—I cannot say how long before—it was customary in our lodges to have a design somewhat similar to the one you have before you , only much larger and more elaborate , marked out on the floor of the lodge-room , the principal ingredients used being chalk , charcoal , and stune blue . Old wrilers tell us " this had a very pretty effect , especially in some of thc . Lodges svhere they sprinkle thc
floor with posvdered rosin mixed with shining sand , and the room was brilliantly illuminated for thc occasion . " This operation was called " drawing , " or " forming the lodge , " and was usually done by the Tyler , or some one employed by him , for in reading old minute books 1 have frequently seen entries of various sums paid to the Tylcr for " drawing ihe lodge . " It was considered quite thc proper thing in those days for ihe candidate , no matter hosv exalted his station in life , to take a mop and a pail of water at the conclusion of the ceremony , and carefully clean oul all traces of the draw-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"Free Masonry," Operative And Speculative.
others , I regret to say , are either in ruins or have passed away , that the Masons should have found it necessary to erect , somewhere adjacent to their svork , a building in which they could assemble without fear of interruption , to g ive and receive instruction in their several duties , to perform their ceremonies , and probably also to execute those beautiful examples of the sculptor's art for which many of these old fabrics are remarkable . The same
building may have also served as a lod ging or dwelling-place for some of the workmen , and that this was the easel have no doubt whatever . Well , sve will suppose that the Masons or builders have finished their portion in the erection or formation of their lodge , then would come the carpenter to fix the rafters , and , lastly , the tiler to cover in the roof and make all secure against the prying eyes of the curious or the idly inquisitive . In my opinion it would be only natural that a person
of this description , whose svork was of a different character to that of the Masons themselves , and whos ' e presence would not be required inside , should have been employed outside of the building after its completion to continue his vocation of keeping off all intruders or . cosvans and eavesdroppers . I say that under the circumstances this would be quite feasible and only natural , but , in the absence of real evidence , you might justly consider it to be mere speculation on my part . Fortunately , however , I am able to adduce certain reliable evidence svhich I make no doubt will
go far towards convincing you that a portion at least of my theory is based on something more substantial than merely my own imagination . You have heard to-night that the tsvo great pillars at the porchway , or entrance , of King Solomon ' s' Temple were formed hollow ; the better to serve as archives to Masonry , for therein were deposited the Constitutional Rolls . Nosv , I do not knosv what may be the ide _ . s of the younger brethren of the
present day * wilh regard to the nature of " Constitutional Rolls , " but I very svell remember that when I first became acquainted svith the expression I was rather at a loss to knosv svhat particular kind of roll a " Constitutional Roll " might be . It was a roll I had never heard of before , and I could not find the name in thc dictionary . In order , therefore , that you may clearly understand what this article is like which is so often mentioned , but nosv
very seldom seen , in our lodges , I have brought one with me for your inspection , and also to support my own arguments ; but as it s \* as written about 250 years ago , I do not suppose you will all be able to read it without a little previous training , so , to save time , I will give you a very brief description of its contents , and when I have done you can examine it for ' yourselves . I may , however , remark that MSS . of this character were not
only the forerunner of our present Book of Constitutions , but the ancestors , if I may so term them , of our charges and lectures . They are known as the manuscript Charges , or Constitutions , of the Brin ' sh Freemasons , and were used for a long period in the operative lodges at the reception of candidates , and probably on certain other occasions . To my thinking they form the strongest and most important links in the chain of evidence
connecting Operative with Speculative Masonry , although it was not until a comparative !} ' recent period that their real historic value has been general ! }' acknowledged , probably because they were practically unknown to theCralt of the present day , nothing having been done to bring them under its notice . Thirty years ago only about a dozen of them werc knosvn to be in existence , 'now there are at least 60 , classified and located ( four of which
arc the property of the Grand Lodge of England ) , and fresh versions of them are continually being brought to light from the most out of thc way places and in the most unexpected manner . There is a strong family resemblance in them all , but many of them vary in matters of detail , according to their age or the locality in which they were written . In order to distinguish one from another , for the purpose of reference , our
learned brethren , of antiquarian tastes , have adopted thc practice of naming them after the person svho has been so fortunate as to discover them or bring them under the notice of the Fraternity . The one 1 have here is considered by experts to be rather an important document , for reasons' which I need not enter upon now , although they are all deemed important , more or less . Some years ago I had thc good fortune to
identify it in thc hands of a person who knew nothing of its nature or value , and , ultimately , to acquire it for the Grand Lodge Library . It was , therefore , suggested that I should allow it to bear my name . I could not think of it for a moment , and for tsvo reasons . In the first place , I need hardly tell you , who knosv me well , that my natural modesty was a serious obstacle to be overcome ; and , secondly , it seemed to me that the words ¦ -
"Brother Sadler ' s Constitutional Roll "—had rather a queer sound , and might , possibly , in after years ; become liable to misconstruction . I therefore , gently , but firmly , declined the honour . However , as I was supposed to occupy the important position of sponsor for this rather ancient infant , I suggested that as we already had a Grand Lodge MS . No . 1 , and as this was the next in our collection in p .-int of age , it ought to be called the
Grand Lodge MS . No . 2 , and that is the name by svhich it is known . Many hours might be spent in discussing the various peculiarities of these interesting old documents , but as that would not be in accordance with my object to-night , I will merely read a fesv paragraphs of this one svhich , I make no doubt , will serve to remind you of some of our practices of the present day . They nearly all begin with a prayer similar to the follosving :
" Ihe Almighty I'ather of Heaven with the wisdomc of the Glorious Son through thc goodness of the holy Ghost , three persons in one Godhead be with our begininge , and give us grace soe to governe our lives that wee may come to his blissc which never shall have end , Amen . " The next paragraph is a short preface or introduction : " Good Bretheren and Fellowes ot \ r purpose is lo tell you how and in
what manner this Craft of Masonry was begune , and aftersvards hosv it was hounded by worthy Kings and Princes , and many other svayes hurtful ! to none : And alsoe to them that be here we svill declare what doth belonge lo every Free Mason to kcepe , For in good faith if you take heed thereunto it is well worthy to be kept , beinge one of the seaven liberal ! sciences , which ¦ ire these that followe . " l'Vic seven liberal arts and sciences are next mentioned in precisely thc ¦
xirnc order as they are given in our second lecture , with a brief explanation V' each , in substance similar lo the illustrations of them taught in our lodges 1 , 1 the present day , This is followed by a dissertation on the value and ¦ advantages of geometry , and after that comes a rather long history of Masonry and kindred arts , which I shall not trouble you with to-night ; but 1 j — , j - - ~ o 1 ~
may remark , in passing , that portions of it verge more than " slightly on tbe poetical , " osving probably to the original writer having been blessed W | th a posverful imagination . I say original svriter , because most of these '" anuscripts bear evidence in some way or another of liaving been copied r ° m older documents of a similar character . At the end of this curious nistory is a bit of Latin , which being freely translated reads thus : " Then 0 l ' e of the Seniors holds the book to him who a solemn oath repeats , and hc
"Free Masonry," Operative And Speculative.
places his hand on the book while the articles and precepts to him are read . " The precepts or charges are 33 in number , but I will only call your attention to a few of them . No . 3 is to the following purport : " You shall be true unto your fellowes and bretheren of the science of Masonry , and doe to them as you would be done unto . "
14 . You shall not take any apprentice to serve you in the said Science of Masonry under the terme of seaven yeares , nor any but such as are decended of good and honesh [ honest ") parentage , that noe Scandall may be imputed to the Science of Masonry . "
15 . You shall not take upon you to make anyone [ a ] Mason svithout thc privity and consent of five or six of youre Fellowes , and none but such a one as is Freebome and svhose parents live in good fame and name , et that hath his right et perfect limbs et personall of body to attend the said Science . "
" 17 . You shall not slander any of youre Fellosves behinde their back to impaire their temporal ! estate , or good name . " " 19 . You shall duely reverence youre Fellosves that the bond of Charity and mutuall Love may continue constant and stable amongst you . " " 25- Vou shall sett strangers on worke , havinge Imployment for them , at least a fortnight et truely pay them their wages , and if you want worke for them vou shall relieve them svith money to defray their Reasonable charge to the next Lodge . "
" 27 . Noe person of svhat degree soever be accepted a Free Mason unlesse he shall have a Lodge of live free masons att the least , whereof one to be Master or Warden of that Limitt , or Division , wherein such lodge shall be kept and another of the Trade of . Freemasonry . " " 29 . That noe person hereafter which shall be accepted [ a ] Free Mason shall be admitted into any Lodge or assembly untill he have brought a
certificate of the tyme of his acception from the Lodge that accepted him unto the Master of that Limitt and Division where such Lodge was kept , which said Master shall inroll the same in pigment in a Roll to be kept for that purpose , and give an account of all such acceptions at every generall assembly . " " 30 . That every person who is nosv a Free Mason shall bringe to thc
blaster a note ot the tyme of his acception to the end [ that J the same may be inrolled in such priority of place as the person deserves , and to the end j thatjthe whole company and fellosvs may the better know each other . " " 31 . That for the future the said Society , Company , and Fraternity of Free Masons shall be regulated and governed by one Master and assembly and Wardens and the said Company shall think fitt to chuse at every yearely generall assembly . "
" 32 That noe person shall be accepted a Free Mason except he be one and tsventy yeares old or more . " " 33 . That noe person hereafter be accepted a Free Mason or know the secrets of thc said Society untill he shall first have taken the oath of Secresie hereafter followinge . These articles and charge which I have rehearsed to you , you shall well and truely observe and keep to youre
power Soe help your God , Jt the holy contents of this book . " Then follosvs the apprentice ' scharge consisting of ten clauses , someof . which are rather peculiar , butas they relate chiefly to the moral duties of an apprentice and contain nothing more important with reference to Masonry than what you have already heard , I svill not take up your time by reading them . The manuscript concludes wilh the " oath for Secresie " referred to above .
" I A . B . Doe in the presenceof Almighty God and my Fellowesand Bretheren here present , promise and declare that 1 will not att any tyme hereafter , by any act or circumstance whatsoever , directly or indirectly , publish , discover , or rcveale , or make knosvn , any of the Secretls , Privilcdges , or Counsells , of the Fraternity or Fellosvshipp of Free Masonry , which at any tyme hereafter shall be made known unto trie , soe helpc me God et the holy contents
of this book . ' I think you will all agree that what you have heard read is amply sufficient to establish the fact of our operative ancestors having been accustomed to meet in lodges , and you will doubtless have observed a striking resemblance to our present customs and regulations in many other respects , especially if you happen to be at all familiar with the First and Second Lectures . Even our system ol registration of members and the
granting of certificates is evidently derived from the operatives . As a general rule these MSS . give not the slightest hint of any kind of ceremony or secret mode of recognition , but there is one in the British Museum called the Harleian MS ., No . 2054 , which is an exception . It is about the same age as this one , and at the end of the document are words to the follosving purport , apparently ihe result of an afterthought , and intended for a
reminder -. " There is several wordes and signes ot a Free Mason to be revaiied to you which as you will anssver before God at the Great and terrible day of judgment , you keep secret -t not to revaile the same in the hearcs of any person , or to any but the Masters and Fellowes of the said Society of Free Masons , so help me God , etc . " Another manuscript of a more recent date , belonging to the Bedford Lodge , No . 157 , formerly an Operative Lodge , says : " Then after the oath taken and the book kist ,
these following precepts and charges are to be read . " It says also that " seven must be present at the makingof a Mason ( which number is termed a lodge ) , or six at least , with the consent of a seventh in his own handwriting . " Another important link to which I particularly wish to draw your attention is the Tracing Board , or trasel board as it was called in the olden time , when it was represented in our lodges after the manner of the one you
see on the floor with the ground plan of a building—probably meant for King Solomon ' s Temple—depicted on it . We arc told that the Tracing Board is for the Master to lay lines and draw designs upon , the better to enable the brethren to carry on the intended structure with regularity and propriety , and doubtless this is a very proper description of its use in Operative Masonry , but in Speculative Masonry it has , as you knosv ,
like all the rest of our emblems a symbolic and moral signification . Dosvn lo the latter part of the last century—I cannot say how long before—it was customary in our lodges to have a design somewhat similar to the one you have before you , only much larger and more elaborate , marked out on the floor of the lodge-room , the principal ingredients used being chalk , charcoal , and stune blue . Old wrilers tell us " this had a very pretty effect , especially in some of thc . Lodges svhere they sprinkle thc
floor with posvdered rosin mixed with shining sand , and the room was brilliantly illuminated for thc occasion . " This operation was called " drawing , " or " forming the lodge , " and was usually done by the Tyler , or some one employed by him , for in reading old minute books 1 have frequently seen entries of various sums paid to the Tylcr for " drawing ihe lodge . " It was considered quite thc proper thing in those days for ihe candidate , no matter hosv exalted his station in life , to take a mop and a pail of water at the conclusion of the ceremony , and carefully clean oul all traces of the draw-