The Text Of The Stanley Ms.

together , and that they should serve the Lord truly for his pay ; so that the Master have all belonging him and other more charges he gave them and those was the first times that ever any Mason had any charge of his Craft , Moreover when Abraham and Sarah his wife went into Egipt , there he taught the Seaven Liberall Sciences to the Egiptians , and they had a worthy Scholler that was called Fueled , and he Learned right well , and was Master of the Seaven Liberall Sciences , and in his Dayes it befell that the Lords and the states of the Realme

had so many sonnes that they had begotten with their wives , and some by other Ladies of the Land ( this Land is hott and plenteous of generations ) so that they had no competent Liveingto find their children withallthereforetheytookeagreat Care , and then the king of the Land made a generall councell and parliament to know how they might find that their children might live honestly as gentlemen , And then made a great Cry throughout all the Realme that iff there were any man that could Informe them , he should come to them and he should be well rewarded for

his paines , After the cry was made came the worthy scholler Eucled , and said to the king and to the Lords , iff you please to Lett me have your Children to governe , I shall teach them one of the seaven Libera !! Sciences , -whereby they may live honestly as gentlemen , under a condition , that you will grant me a commission and them , that 1 may have power to rule them after the manner that the Science ought to be ruled and then the king sealed the commission , and then the worthy Doctor tooke to him these Lords , and taught the craft of Geometry in practise to

build Churches , Temples and Castles , Towers and Mannors and sevcrall manners of Buildings , and he give them a Charge as followeth , First that they should be true to the king : or the Lord that they serve and that they ordaine the wisest of them to be master of the worke and that neither for Love , nor no great Learneing , nor no favour to sett them that have little cunning to be master of the worke , which through the Lord should be evill served , and you allso ashamed , Allso that they should Call the govemour of the worke Master , so Long as the worke

Lasteth , and that worke with him : and other Charge that were too Long to tell , And to all these Charges he made them sweare a great Oath that men used at that time , and ordained a great pay for them , and reasonable , that they might live honestly And allso that they might come and Assemble together every yeare once to know how they might worke best to serve the Lord for his proffit and their worshipp , and to Correct within themselves them that had trespassed against the Craft , and thus was the craft grounded at the first , And that worthy master Eucled

gave it the name of Geometry , And now it is Called throughout all the world Masonrye , Sith hence long after when the children of Israeli were come into the land of Behastie , that was called the country of Jerusalem , King David begun the Temple that is now called Voo , and it is now called with us the Temple of Jerusalem , And this King . David loved well Masons , and he gave them the charge as he had Learned by the Egiptians , and given by Eucled and other Charges that we shall heare afterward , After the decease of King David Salomon that was Davids

sonne performed out the Temple that his father had begun , and he sent for Masons into Divers Countreys , and into diverse Lands And he gathered them together so ; that he had foure score thousand workers of stone , and they were all Called Masons , Besides the Lords whome Solomon had appointed to oversee the worke , even Three thousand And Three hundred that were ordained to be masters and overseers of the worke And further there was another king of another nation , And called by men Huram and he loved well King Solomon and gave him Timber

to his worke And he had a sonne named Apleo that was master of Geometry , and was chiefe of all the craft of his Masons and of the graveing , and of the carving , and of all manner of Masonry that belonged to the Temple , as it is in the Booke of the Kings , where Salomon considering the charges that his father had given him . And thus was the worthy craft of Masonry confirmed in that countrey , And in many others then after men walked into every countrey som ^ because of Learneing more Craft and Cuning , And some to teach others that had but little

Cunning , And so it befell that there was a Cuning man named Neymus Grccus , that had been at the makeing of Solomons Temple And he Came into ffrance . And there he taught the Science to the men of ( Trance , And there was one of Regalme in ffrance that was named Charles and he Loved well such advice , And lie drew him to this Neymus Gr . ccus and he Learned of him the craft and the Charge And the manners , And after by the grace of God he was Elect to be king of France , And when be was in his Estate , hee tooke Masons , And did help to

make Masons that were none And sett them on worke , and gave them both Charges and good pay , as he had Learned of other Masons & confirmed a Charge from yeare to yeare to hold their Assembly when they would , and cherished them well And thus came the Craft into ( Trance , And England in that season stood void as for any charge of masonry unto Saint Albons time , And in his time the king of England that was a Parragon did wall the Towne about that now is Called St . Albons , And St . Albons was a worthy knight & steward of the kings household ,

And Govemour of the Realme and allso of the walls of the Towne , and Loved well Masons and cherished them , and he made ( hem pay Right good standing as the Realme did , for he gave them three shillings sixpence a weeke , and three pence to their man , finches , and before that time throughout all the Land , A Mason tooke but a penny a day and his meate untill St . Albon mended it , And gott a charter of the king and his Councell , to hold a generall councell , and gave it the name of an Assembly to make Masons , and gave them Charge as you shall

heare afterwards , After the death of St . Albon there came warrs into England of diverse nations , so that the good Rent of Masonry was destroyed untill the time of Athelstone that was a worthy knight of England , and brought the land into good rest & peace And Builded many great workes of Abbeys Castles Towers and many other Buildings , and he Loved well Masons , much more than his father did And he was practiccr in Geometry , and he drew him much to talk with Masons , and to Learne of them the craft , And afterward for Love he

had to Masons and to the Craft that he was made a mason , and gott of his father a charter and a Commission to hold every yeare one Assembly wheresoever they would in the Realme of England , and to correct within themselves the faults and Tresspasses that were done in the craft , and he held himselfe an Assembly , and made Masons in Yorke , and there he gave them charge , and taught them the manners and commanded that rule to be kept ever after , and tooke them the charter and Commission to keep , And made order that it should be renewed from king to king , And when the Assembly was gathered together he made a Cry that

all old Masons and young that had any understanding of the Charges and manners that were made before in their Land that they should shpw them forth , and when it was proved ; there was some found in ffrench , some in Latin , and some in English , and their Intent was allowed and he did make a Booke thereof how the craft was found , and he bad and Commanded it to be read when any Mason should be made , and for to give him his Charge ; from that time to this time , manners of Masons have been kept in this forme , as well as men might governe it , and furthermore att Diverse Assemblies have been put and ordained certaine charges by the advice of masters and ( fellows .

THE CHARGE . Then one of the Elders Lett him hold the Booke , that either he or they may put their hands upon the Booke , and they ought to read the precepts : Everyman that is a mason take good heed to his Charge , iff any man find himselfe guilty in any of these that he amend himselfe , iff it be Cheifly against god they that have beene Charged take heed principally that they keep their Charge

for it is a great perill for a man to forsweare himselfe on a Booke ¦ . The first Charge is that you shall be true men to God and the holy Church , and you use no Error nor heresy by your understanding ; nor by wise mens teaching . And allso that you shall be true Leige men to the king , without treason or any falshood ; And allso that you know no treason nor traytory but that you amend it , or else to shew the king and his councell And allso that you be true one to another ( that i

The Text Of The Stanley Ms.

to say ) every Mason that is a mason allowed he shall do unto him , as you would he should do unto you , And allso you shall keep truly all councels of the Lodee or Chamber , and all councels that ought to be kept , by the way of Mason-hood , And allso that you be no theife , nor theeves fellow as farr as you know , and allso that you be true to the Lord , or Master that you serve , and truly see his prolitt and advantage ; And allso that you Call all Masons ( fellows or also Brethren , and no other foule name . And allso that you shall not take your ( fellows wife in Villaim-v

nor his daughter , nor his servant nor put him to any dishonour , And allso that you pay truly for your meat and drinke wheresoever you Table , And allso that you shall do no villainy where you go to Board , whereby the Craft may be slandered These be the Charges that belongs to every true Mason , botli Master and ffellow ' Now will I rehearse other thinges Singuler for masters And fellows , First that none take upon them no Lords worke nor other mans worke , Except he know himselfe able to p'forme the worke , whereby the Craft have no slander , Allso that no

master take no worke , but that he take a reasonable pay , so that the Lord be truly Served , and the master to live honestly , and pay his ( fellows truly , Allso no master nor fellow shall supplant other of the worke ( viz ) and he have taken worke and stand master of a worke , Allso that masters take no Apprentices , under the Tearme of seaven yeares , And that the parties be able of Birth ( viz ) ( Tree men Borne and of good kindred and true , and no Bondmen , And that he have his Right Limbes , And allso that no Master take no partis Except he

be able to keep two or three fellows at the least in worke , Allso that no master nor ffellow put no lords worke to taske , that was wont to go to Journey . Allso-AIlso that no master give pay to his ffellows but as they may deserve ; so that he be not deceived with false workmen Allso that none slander other behinde their backs to make him Lose his good name , or his goods And allso that no ffellow misorder himselfe within the Lodge , or without , neither be ungodly nor unreasonable without a Cause , Allso that every Mason reverence his Elder and put him to worshi p Allso

that no masons become players at Cards , or Dice or any other unlawful ! o-ames whereby the Craft may be disgraced Allso that no Mason nor ffellow go into the Towne in the night , Except he have a ffellow with him , that may bear him wittnesse where he was in honest Company or place , Allso that every mason or ffellow Come to the Assembly iff he be within ffifty miles , and he have any warneing And iff he have Trespassed the Craft , to abide the Award of masters and ffellows , and allso every mason that hath Tresspassed ; to stand to masters and

ffellows to make them accord , And iff you Cannot accord to go to the Comon Law Allso that no Master nor ffellow , make nor Rule nor square , nor mould to no Layer , nor to sett no Layer on worke , within the Lodge or without , to any moulded stones , Allso that every master and ffellow shall cherish strange Masons and ffellows , when they Come over the countrey , and sett them in worke as the manner is and they will ( viz ) iff he have a moulded stone in his place , he shall

give him a mould stone , and gett him in worke , And iff he have none he shall refresh with money unto the next Lodge , And allso that every mason shall serve the Lord truly for his pay , and every mason make an end ot his worke be it by day or Journey ; And here you have all your Charge , And all those that you have you shall keep ; help you and yours , and your holy-dome : and By this Booke to the uttermost to your power : 1677 / .

[ The " doggerel lines" are omitted . —ED . / ' \ . l / . ] The above has been transcribed by me this 20 th day January , 1893 , from the original document in the possession of the Provincial Grand Lod ge of West Yorkshire . WILLIAM WATSON .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

A meeting of the above Prov . Grand Lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Bradford , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., under the banner of Old York Lodge ( T . I . ) , Bradford . Present : Bros . Chas . Letch Mason , P . G . Master ; the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., P . G . Chap ., Dep . P . G . Master ; T . W . Embleton , P . S . G . W . ; C . J . Schott , P . J . G . W . ; John Barker , P . G . I , of W ., P . P . G . W . ; G . Althorpe , P . P . G . W . ; J . W .

Monckman , P . G . Stwd ., P . P . G . W . ; R . Williamson , P . P . G . W . ; W . D . Shoebridge , P . G . M . O . ; Wm . Flockton , P . S . G . O . ; M . Hayes , Old York ( T . I . ) , as P . J . G . O . ; Geo . Hill , P . P . G . O . ; Geo . Marshall , P . P . G . O . ; and others . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened the roll of lodges of Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers was called . Letters of apology for absence were received from various brethren .

The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge held at Sheffield on 5 th May , 1892 , were taken as read , a printed copy thereof having been forwarded to all members of Provincial Grand Lodge . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then delivered the following address : Brethren : My first words to-day shall be words of congratulation to the members of the Old York Time Immemorial Lodge , on the prosperous condition of iheir lodge . Since last we met in Bradford the lodge has changed its quarters , and 1

am told that under the new conditions of tenancy ( he brethren have greater facilities for carrying on the work of the lodge , and the due performance of our own peculiar rites and ceremonies . It is my pleasure to report that since our last meeting , one more lodge has been added to our roll . On the 8 th February we consecrated the Legiolium Lodge , No . 457 , at Castleford . The founders of the lodge number 14 , many of them tried and worthy members of our Order , and we have every reason to hope that from the enthusiasm evinced , a good and '

flourishing lodge will exist ; and I know that all of you will join with me in wishing the founders success and prosperity in their undertaking . Another matter I must bring before you , and which I do with great reluctance , and one 1 am sure you will all hear with deep regret . To-day we are losing the services of our tried and well-beloved brother , the Rev . Thomas Cartwright Smyth , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain of England , as our respected and esteemed Deputy Pt ° '' Grand Master . The name of Bro . Dr . Smyth is a household one in Masonry .

Both in England and in India , Dr . Smyth has worked for the welfare of Masonry . and we feel in losing him we are losing one of whom we may be justly proud . He has been ever ready to help in the various Degrees of Freemasonry , and rende ' all the assistance he possibly could , and I ( eel sure that you will all join with n > in conveying to him that vote of thanks which I shall propose . shortly . I » ia )' also here mention that we shall ere the year passes away lose the services of o « r Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . Tudor Trevor . Bro . Trevor has removed to Chek en '

ham , and will thus be unable to discharge the Secretarial duties during another winter session . The choice of a successor to Bro . Smyth was a matter of anxiety , but I think , brethren , I have been extremely fortunate in securing the services 0 our worthy Bro . John Barker , P . M ., P . G . I , of W ., and P . P . G . W . Bro . Ba * has been ever ready and willing to render help to any lodge that required it , an < J am r / lad I thus have the ODDortunitv of uubliclv acknowledging the work he l '

done for the welfare of the Order in the Province of West Yorkshire . lh appointment of a Provincial Grand Secretary will be announced our next meeting , as I should like to have the advice an counsel of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in making the appointn I named at our last meeting I purposed to lay before you the work of our iV ' Charities . I had hoped to have had the pleasure of the presence of our Gra Secretary , Bro . Matier , —the Secretary , likewise , of our Charities , —but an imp