Physical Qualifications Of Candidates.

his Graft , but Avho is labouring under a pnysical deformity ? We answer , that if the deformity be not such as to disqualify him for receiving the necessary instructions , and imparting the same to others Avhen required , the true intent of the

regulation in our opinion remains unimpaired ; and Ave believe this construction to be sustained ancl sanctioned hythe usages of the fraternity for at least a century past . In the book of " Ancient Constitutions , " published in England in 1754 , Ave find

a corresponding regulation in the following terms : — Bo Master should take an apprentice unless he has sufficient employment for him , and unless he be a perfect youth , having no maim or defect in his body that may render him incapable of learning the art , or of serving bis Master's Lord , and of being made a brother , ancl then a FelloAv Craft in due time .

This clearly sustains the construction , that where the deformity does not amount to inability to obtain an honest livelihood , nor render the candidate incapable of receiving the necessary instructions , it does notorjerate as a bar against his admission

to the privileges of the Institution . The present regulation of the Grand Lodge of England is , "that eA'ery candidate must be a free man ancl his own master , and , at the time of his initiation , be known to be in reputable circumstances . He should be a lover of the liberal arts

and sciences , and have made some progress in one or the other of them . " Possessing these qualifications , Avith a good character , ancl acknoAvledging the existence of a superintending Providence , nothing more is required of him . But the best

rule on the subject that we have met Avith , ancl that AA'hich most nearly covers the AA'hole ground , is the following from the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Maine : — Sect . 78 . —By the "ancient reflations , tho physical deformit

y of an individual operates as a bar to his admission into the Fraternity . But as this regulation was adopted for tho e'ovcrnment of the Craft at a period when they uui' .-. d the character of operative with that of speculative Masons , this Grand Lodgo authorises such a construction of the regulation as that , when the deformity of the candidate is not such as to

prevent him from being instructed in the arts or mysteries of Freemasonry , and does not amount to an inability honestly to acquire tho means of subsistence , the admission Avill not be an infringement upon the ancient landmarks , but Avill be perfectly consistent ivith the spirit of our Institution . By a strict attention to the requirements of this

rule , our lodges -will find very little difficulty in determining , physically at least , the eligibility of any candidate who presents himself for admission . It is clear that one who is deaf , or blind , or Avho has lost his right arm , is incapable of receiving or

Physical Qualifications Of Candidates.

imparting instruction in the arts or mysteries of Freemasonry . But it noes not folloAV that because he has lost a linger , or an eye , or an ear , or that his body is not as straight and Avell-formecl as other men's , that he is incapable of doing so ,

ancl should therefore be rejected . We have knoAvn many good Masons who Avere cripples . Walter . Scott hacl a clah-fooi , yet his brethren were proud of his Masonic connection . We have knoAvn a Grand Master with an artificial left hand , and

many a good ancl expert brother Avith an artificial foot ; ancl since these physical defects clearly do not amount to a positive inability to impart or receive instruction , it may AY ell be questioned Avhether any violence is done to the spirit and intent of the law by the admission of candidates so deformed . "

Probable Date Of The Second Charter Granted By The Scottish Craft To Sir William St. Clair.

PROBABLE DATE OF THE SECOND CHARTER GRANTED BY THE SCOTTISH CRAFT TO SIR WILLIAM ST . CLAIR .

By D . MUEEAY LYON , P . S . W . of Mother Kilwinning Lodge , and one of the Grand Stewards in the Grand Lodge of Scotland . In a recent examination of the M . S . records of the Ayr Squaremen Incorporation—a Craft

Association originally composed of masons , Wrights , sieveAvrights , coopers , slaters , and glaziers—dating from February 16 th , 1582 , downwards , I came across a minute which throws some additional light upon the probable date of the second charter

granted by the Scottish Craftsmen to Sir William St . Clair , of Roslin , appointing him , his heirs and successors , to be their " patrons , protectors , and overseers in all time comma-. "

Bro . Laurie , in his invaluable "History of Freemasonry and the Grand Lodge of Scotland , " shovrs that while the MS . copy of said charter , preserved in the Advocates' Library , fixes 1630 as the year of its issue , the books of the Lodge of

Edinburgh make it " appear to have been executed between 1626 and 1628 , these being the years during which William Wallace , Avho subscribes the charter as Deacon of the Edinburgh Masons , acted in that capacity . "

By the fresh evidence that has come into my hands , similar to that drawn from the records of St . Mary ' s Chapel , the question of date is still farther narrowed . Among the signatures attached to the deed in question are — . " Hew Douok dilson of the