Blind Leaders Of The Blind.

been suspended and expelled from Grand Lodge , "the ultimate result " being " that in 1755 Grand Lodge passed unanimously the resolution erasing the lodge at Ben Jonson ' s Head , to which these brethren belonged , from the lii-t of lodges , and declaring that brethren vvho attended their regular meetings there should not be admitted into Grand Lodge . They formed themselves into a rival Grand Lodge , calling themselves the Ancients , and

stigmatising the regular Grand Lodge as Modern . " Unfortunately for the accuracy of this version , a mere reference to our G . Lodge Calendar will show that Bro . Robert Turner was Grand Master of the so-called "Ancients" in 1753 * - * t ^ lal ; ^ ' years P ri or to that date their affairs were managed by a Grand Committee , so that whatever may have been the irregularities f 0 r vvhich a lodge was punished b y erasure in 1755 , they can have had

pothing to do with the appointment of a schismatic Grand Committee in j 75 t , or the election of a schismatic Grand Master two years later . There are many other statements in the lecture which are open to criticism . We are sceptical as to the regular Grand Lodge having sacredl y observed the Ancient Landmarks , nor is there a tittle of evidence to show that Ramsay was the author of the Royal Arch Degree . The account of the Union between

the " Ancient and " Modern ' Societies is also wanting in perspicuity . It is true the Duke of Kent was "elevated to the throne of Grand Master " of the former , and that " the Articles of Union were signed at Kensington Palace , " but not a word is said about the consummation of the Union in Freemasons' Hall , and "the elevation" of the Duke of Sussex "to the throne of Grand Master " of United Grand Lodge , our reverend brother ' s

audience in the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation and the readers of his lecture as published in our columns last week being left lo infer what they please as to the events which followed the Union , or else that" the elevation of the Duke of Kent to the throne of Grand Master " was in itself the Act of Union between the two Societies . However , it is not necessary we should deal seriatim with all the points referred to by our brother . We cordially

accept the statement quoted from the writings of Oliver to the effect that a Mason " must read and meditate , study with care and attention the history and doctrinces of the Order , and attend his lodge , " & c . But it is our duty to warn him that , in his historical researches , he must give a very wide berth indeed to the Imaginative School of Writers , of whom the late worthy Dr . Oliver was a splendid example , and their well-meant but misleading

enthusiasm . Twenty years ago a brother who was desirous of learning something of our history had only such untrustworthy writers to guide him in his labours as Preston , Oliver , and others , and if he got the better of the disastrous effects of their misrepresentations and distortions of fact , it became necessary that , in his quest after the truth , he should rely wholly on his own ability and common sense . But since then there has arisen a

different class of writers altogether , men vvho do not pin their faith to every statement vvhich comes in their way , and who do not consider that the more ingenious they are in fashioning strange theories , the more acceptable are they likely to prove as historians . These men do not content themselves vvith repeating what others have said . They inquire for themselves , and when they have carefully sifted every particle

of evidence they can obtain in favour of or against the so-called facts of Masonic history , they set about formulating opinions as to their merits and will tell you whether they think them credible or incredible . In other words , they adopt precisely the same kind of treatment in their compilation of Masonic history as profane writers do in dealing with protane history , the result being that the fiction which till lately constituted the bulk of

our story books , has been rapidly disappearing from its pages . However , old habits die hard , and the reverend author of this lecture on the "Three Important Epochs in Masonry , " though actuated by the best of motives , and sincerely anxious to do all in his power to extend the knowledge of Freemasonry has unfortunately reverted to the old style . He takes for granted what others before

him have said , and with a full sense of the value of inquiry , as a means by vvhich men may obtain a true knowledge of facts , sees fit to dispense vvith ^ altogether in the case of Masonic history . Still , we trust that he will not be deterred from the further pursuit of his purpose as a lecturer b y the comparative failure of his first attempt . Let him direct his own

inquiries instead of trusting to the inquiries of others and he will soon discover how much truth there is in the Masonic history of byegone days . Just now , and with an audience of eminent P . M . ' s , vvho have derived their inspiration from the same sources as himself , he reminds us of a blind man leading the blind , and if he continues in the same course , the result must sooner or later prove disastrous both to him as leader and them as followers

Colonel Clerke's Ms. ("Old Charges,")

COLONEL CLERKE'S MS . (" OLD CHARGES , " )

BY BRO . W . j . HUGHAN . ( Continued from page 64 ) . SSitbCncC long after when the children of Israel were come into the Land of Behest that is now called amongst us the Country of Jerusalem , King David begunn the Temple that is called Templum Domini and is named of us the Temple of Jerusalem and the i > ame King David loved well Masons and cherished them much , and gave them good payand he them the charges and manners as he had learned

, gave j f g ' ky Ewclid and other charges more that yee shall hear afterwards and after the Decease of King David , SOLOMON that was King David ' s Sonne finished the Temple that his Father had begunne . And hee sent for Masons into other Countreys and divers lands and gathered them together , so that he had Fourscore thousand of Workers of Stones , and were all named Masons . And hee chose out of them three " ousand that were ordained to bee Mastrs . and Governors of his workes . And

furthermore there was a King of another Region that men called HIRAM and hee loved well . Cing Solomon and hee gave him Timber to his worke , And hee had a Sonne that was called AYNON and hee vvas a Master of Geometrie and was chiefe Mastr . of all his Masons , and Mastr . of all his graveing and Carveing and of all manner of Masonrye that belonged to the Temple and this is witnessed in the Bible in libro Regum 5 Cap . And the same Solomon confirmed both charges and the manners that his Father had given to Masons , And thus was that worthy Craft of Masonry confirmed in that

Country and in many other Kingdomes . flUClOUS Craftesmen walked about full wide into divers Countryes some because of learning more craft and cuning and some JJ JAV 011 " 13 t 'iaf 1 £ Uf ''"' e cun , n S '> and so it befell that there was curious Mason named •V AYMUS GRCECUS that had been at the making of Solomon ' s Temple and hee came ViA ° Franc , e and there he taught the Science of Masonrye to men of France . And there « . ? JS one of Regall lyne of France called Charles Martill and hee was a man that loved J ¦•»«* - ** * . u < -v ,- > vuaiiLj -. •¦ cti LUI auu iibw »»< ao 0 . man vuui . nj » tu

WPli * 1 r- * < S &\ 1 Sclence . nd went t 0 this NAYMUS GRCECUS and learned of him the Science sifooke upon him the charge and manners , and afterwards by the Grace of God hee did h kf Ct t 0 ' ' ^' ° ^ ^ rance a"d when hee was in his Throne hee tooke Masons and both 1 1 li ' u ma ' ie men Masons that were none and Sett them to worke and gave them c ° nfi UA arge anc " tlle manners and good pay as he had learned of other Masons and a nd IhV- uY" Charter * yeafe to yeare to hold their Assembly where they would b terished and encouraged them right much , and thus came the Science to France . Albon r ^ '" " " ' * - ' eason sl : ood v ° y ° - f ° r any charge of Masonrye untill St . Towr !!' ru ? . . nhisdayestheKin e England that was then Pagan did wall the , n « / about that is called St . Albons and St . Albon was a worthy Knight and Steward

Colonel Clerke's Ms. ("Old Charges,")

of the King ' s Household , and had Governance of the Realm , and also the makeing of the Towne Walls and loved Masons well and cherished and encouraged them right much and he mnde their pay right good standing as the Realme did lor he gave them 2 s . 6 d . a week and 3 d to their novices , and before that time through all this Land a Mason touke but a id , a day and his meate until St . Albon amended it and obtained a Charter for them from the King and his Counsell for to hold a generall Counsel ! and gave it the name of Assembly and thereat he was himselfe and helped to make Masons and gave them rhsrsres as yee shall heare afterward .

IRlgbt Soone after the death of St . Albon there came divers wafres into the Itealme of England out of divers Countryes so that the good Rule of Masonrye was destroyed untill ye time of King ATHELS ION that was a worthy King of England and brought this Land into great rest and peace and builded many great workes of Abbies Towers and divers many other buildings And hee loved well Masons and he had a Sonne called EDWIN , and he loved Masons much more than his Father did and hee was a great Prarticer in Geometrie , and hee went much to talke and commune with Masons to lrarne

of them knowledge and afterwards for love that hee had to Masons and to the Craft he was made Mason , and he obtained of the King his Father a Charter and a Commission to hold every year once an Assembly wheresover they would within the Realme of lingland , and to correct within themselves faults and trespasses that were done within the Crait , and he himselfe held an Assembly at York , and there he made Masons and gave them Charges and taught them the manners and commanded that Rule to be kept ever after , and gave them the Charter and Comission to keep and make Ordinance , that it should be renewed from King to King .

JtltO when the Assembly was gathered together hee proclaimed that all old Masons and young that had any writing or understanding of the charges and the manners or Customes that were made before in this land or in any other that they should shew them forth . And when it was proved they were found some in French , some in Greek and some in English , and some in other Languages and the intent of them all was found as

one , and hee made a Book thereof and how the Craft was founded and hee himselfe commanded that it should be seen read and told when that any Mason should be made and for to give him his charge and from that day to this time manners or Customes of Masons have been kept in that forme as well as men might governe it . And furthermore at divers Asserrblyes ha'h been put and Ordained ceitain charges by the best Advice of Master and Fellows .

Tunc units ex Senioribui teneat librum , ut tlii vel ponat vel ponat mantis super librum et tunc prcecepta deberunt legi . SsPSESJ man thit is a vlason take g' > od heed unto these charges , if any mand find himselfe guilty of any of these charges that hee amend himselfe towards God , and in Principall yee that are to be charged take good heed lhat yee may keep these charges right well , for it is a great perill for a man to forswear himselfe upon a Booke .

ist . 2 I ) C jfftSt charge is that hee or thou shalt be true to God and holy Church , and that hee u » e no Error or heresy by your understanding or discreet or wise mens teaching , and also that hee shall be a true liege man to the King of England without Treason or any falshood , and that they Know no Treason nor Treatory but to award it privily if it might bee or else warne the King or his Counsell .

2 d . 2 ltt & also you shall be true each one to other , that is to say every Mason of the Cratr of Masonrye that have been Masters allowed you shall doe to them as you vvould they should doe to jou . 3 < 3 . " BxiQ also that you keep truly all the Counsells of Lodge and of Chamber , and of all other Counsells that ought to be kept by way of Masonrye .

4 th . LHltJ ) also that no Mason shall be no thief nor theeifly given for , as forth as hee may wette or Know . Sth . 2 ln & Also that yee shall be true to the Lord and to this Mastr . yee serve and truly see his profitt and his advantage . 6 th . 2 lll 5 also you shall Call Masons your Brethren or else your Fellows and no other foule names .

7 th . 2 lit 5 also that yee shall not take your Fellow's wife in Villaine , nor desire ungodly his daughter , nor his Servant nor put him to no disworship . 8 th . 2 l ) t 5 also that you pay truly for your Meat and Drink where you go to board . 9 th . 2 Ul & also that you shall no Villaine , in that place where you go to board whereby the Craft might be slandered . These be the Charges in Generall that bslongeth to every true Mason to keepe .

IRebeatSC I will now other charges Singular for Masters and Fellowes . ist . Qftat no Master shall take in hand any Lords worke nor no other man's worke except hee know himselfe able and sufficient of cuning to performe and end tlle Lords worke so that the Craft have no alander nor no disworsh p but that the Lord may be well served and truly with his owne good , and the Mastr to live honestly and to pay his Fellowes truly their pay as the manner is .

2 d . 2 lll 5 also that no Mastr nor Fellow shall supplant another of their worke ( that is to say ) If hee take a worke or else stand stand Mastr of the Lords work , yee shall not put him out except hee be unable of cuning for ending of the worke . 3 d . 2 Ut & also that no Mastr nor no Fellow take no Apprentice within the terme of Seaven Yeares , and that the Apprentice bee able of birth that is to say free borne and of Limbs whole as a man ought to bee .

4 'h . 2 Hlt 5 also that no Master nor no Fellow take none nor allow any to be made ' Mason without the Assent and the Counsell of his Fellows , and that hath served Six or Seven Yeares at ye . least . Sth . LHltb hee that shall be made Mason bee able in all manner of degrees that is to ' say free borne and to come of good kindred and true and no bond man and that he haue good Limbes as a man ought to have .

6 th LHltd also that no Mason shall take an Apprentice except hee haue sufficient ' occupation for two Fellowes or else three at the least . 7 th 2 lll 5 also that no Master nor no Fellow put any Lords work to taske that was ' wont to PO to Journey , and also that every Master shall giue pay unto his Fellows but as hie may deserve , so that yee be not deceived by false workmen . Sth 2 Jn & also that none slander another behind his back to make him loose his good

name or else his wordly Goods . _ th % \\ ts also that no Fellow vvthin the Lodge or without mis-answer another ungodly 9 noTreproveably without a reasonable cause , ioth Stt & also that every Mason shall Reverence his Elder and put him to worship . And also that no Mason shall bee a Comon player at hazard Dice or other unlawfull playes whereby the Craft may be slaundered . nth Sttb also that no Mason shall use leachery or be Adulterous whereby the Craft

might be slandered . , . ,. , , , . t „ , T ^ th 'Mrtr * . also that no Fellow go into the Towne by night , where as a lodge is of Fel lowes excep t hee haue a Fellow with him that hee may bear him witnesse that he was in honest place . ... . .. ......

r-jfh Hn !> also that every Mastsr and Fellow shall come to the Assembly and if it be Jvi n Fiftv miles about him if hee have warning and if hee have trespassed against the Crafc thaU . ee abide the Award of Master and Fellows . , , , 'Hriri also that every Master and Felllow , that haue trespassed against the Craft 14 th f n ° . f n s ° 'rfre At the Award of the Master and Fellowes to make them Accorded and Agreed if they may , and if hee may not agree then to go to the common

isth -Hnb also that no Master nor Fellow make no Mould nor Square nor Rule to no 5 LTy !? nor Sett no Layer within the Lodge to hew mouU Stones . « n , TOnM nUn that every Mason receive and cherish strange Fellows when they come 16 th ZlnO ^^ y e e V s " nd to sett them to worke if they will as the manner is that is to sav if ' hehew moul ^ 1 Stones in his place yee shall refresh him with Money unto the

, 7 rh anh ° also ' that every Mason shall truly serve the Lord for his pay and every 7 iZrmdy make an end of his worke be it taske or Journey if yee have . your ?rn ChirksS ^ wU htfnoS ' . SSS ! to you and all other that belongeth to Ma ' sons SSl keep . So help you God , and by this Booke unto your power . [ Verbatim et literatim transcript from the orig inalMS . of A . D . 1686 , made by W . J . Hug han in 1879 , by Col . Gierke ' s permission . ]