Physical Qualifications Of Candidates.

able bod }' , and capable of practising the ritual of the Fraternity . It is possible—nay probable—that one thus situated might be able to comprehend , and perhaps even teach the ritual ; but he could not practise it ; and , without ability to do so , such persons remain embraced within the category of those Avho shall not be accepted as Freemasons .

The standard , then , of physical qualifications , as I understand it from the ancient landmarks and our own constitution , is the ability of the candidate to teach and practise the ritual of the Order , in every particular and in its most minute details . It matters not hoAv the candidate may bo deprived of that ability . His misfortunes may command our sympathy , but sympathy does not remedy the difficulty .

To this "finding , " our transatlantic contemporary , the Freemasons' Monthly Magazine makes the following remarks : — " The late rebellion has given an importance to this subject which it never before possessed .

Thousands of our most enterprising and reputable young men have come back from the battle-fields , and are knocking at the doors of our lodges , youngmen whoso physical condition would perhaps , under a rig id and exact interpretation of the ancient and

original regulation on the subject , disqualify them for admission . But it is not impertinent to inquire whether such a strict construction of the laAV is demanded by the present condition or the interests of the Institution .

The first regulation on the subject of Avhich Ave liave any knowledge was probably adopted in the early part of the tenth century ; ancl it requires that every candidate for the mysteries of Masonry shall be " freeborn , of nature and discreet age , of

good report , of sufficient natural endowments , and the senses of a man , Avith an estate , office , trade , occupation , or some visible Avay of acquiring an honest livelihood , and of Avorking in his Craft . " It further declares , that he " must also be upright

in bocfy , not deformed nor dismembered , at the time of making , but of hale and entire limbs . " A similar regulation AA'as adopted at a general assembly of Masons , held at London in 1663 , at Avhich time the Earl of St . Albans Avas elected

Grand Master ; and * Sir Christopher Wren , the architect , Junior Grand Warden . It Avas in the following' Avords : — That no person hereafter shall be accepted a Freemason but such as arc of able body , honest parentage , good

reputation , and an observer of tho laws of tho land . Taking these regulations as they stand , and interpreting them literally , there can be no doubt as to what should be the physical qualifications of a candidate for the honours of Masonry . But they Avere adopted at a time AA'hen the fraternity was almost exclusively an operative association .

The admission of the deformed ancl maimed , AA'I IO Avere disqualified for manual labour , Avas therefore to be guarded against as a practice calculated unnecessarily to burthen the brotherhood , and , as a consequence , to lessen their ability to afford

pecuniary relief to those of their fellows who from sickness , or the occurrence of accidents peculiar to their occupation , might require it . The regulation under such circumstances Avas Avise and

salutary . But does the same necessity for it now exist ? The Institution has ceased to be operative , ancl has become a purely speculative or moral and beneA'olent fraternity ; and it is certainly very clear that it is not at the present day so essential that

the candidate should be of " hale and entire liinbs , " if he be of good report , of sufficient natural endoAvments , has some A'isible Avay of acquiring an honest livelihood , and is capable of working in his Craft . We Avould preserve our ancient laAvs as

a sacred legacy ; but does it necessarily follow , that , in order to do this , _ ve must be governed by the letter , Avithout any regard to the spirit of them ,

or the changes Avrought by time in the character and purposes of the Institution ? A regulation adopted during the reign of James II . provides , '' That no fellowe goe into the town by night , except he have a felloAve Avith him , who may bear

him record tkat he was in an honest place . " AH Avill admit that it would be more than inexpedient to attempt to enforce the letter of this regulation at the present time . It was undoubtedly originally Avise and salutary , and demanded by the then

condition of the brotherhood . The spirit of it is , that a Mason should Avalk uprightly in his vocation , avoiding all evil company and licentious habits . A more literal construction would noAvbe

an absurdity . Do Ave not , therefore , perform our Avhole duty Avhen Ave regard the spirit of regulations , the letter of AA'hich has by necessary and unavoidable circustances become obsolete , and is not demanded for any useful purpose ?

Let us apply this reasoning to the oldest of the regulations above cited . We have seen that one of the objects proposed by it Avas to protect the Institution against the embarassment ancl injurious effects which must necessarily follow the admission

of persons having no visible means of acquiring an honest livelihood , or ability to Avork in their Craft . And here it may be asked , Avhether the spirit of this regulation is impaired by the admission of a candidate possessing such A'isible means , and in all respects capable of Avorking in