Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Constitutions Of The Masons Of Strasburg. *
The Grand Lodge of Strasburg took advantage of the presence of the Emperor Maximilian I ., in the year 1498 , to obtain a confirmation of the statutesf ( perhaps only of a part of them ) , which was afterwards renewed by his successors . All these confirmations , however , as repeating the very words of the Emperor
Maximilian , are to be considered as identical , and concerning only the constitution of the year 1459 , which as must be observed , is the eldest document bearing an authentic date , and being little previous to the document published by Halliwall . The revised constitution of the year 14 S 3 is only a
, repetition of the former ordinances of the year 1459 , with but few additions , resulting from the changes of times and better experience . In the said document there is wanting the religious introduction , aud no mention is made of the " Tino Grkrouten , J the patrons of the association .
In the year 1462 , the lodges of northern Germany drew up a similar constitution at Torgan . The original text of the constitution of the Masons of Strasburg runs as follows : — In the name of the [ Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , ancl of our Gracious Mother Mary , and also of her blessed servants , the holy four crowned martyrs of everlasting memory ; considering
that true fnendsuip , unanimity , and obedience , are the foundation of all good , therefore , and for the general advantage of all princes , nobles , lords , cities , chapters , and convents , who may desire at this time or in future , to build churches , choirs , or other great works of stone and edifices , that they may be better provided and supplied ; and also for the benefit and
requirement of the masters and fellows of the whole craft of Masonry , and Masons in Germany , and more especially to avoid in future , between those of the craft , dissensions , differences , costs , and damages , by which irregular acts many masters have suffered greviously , contrary to the good customs and ancient
usages maintained and practised in good faith , by the seniors and patrons of the craft in ancient times . But that we may continue to abide therein , in a true and j ) eaceful way , have we , masters and fellows all , of the said craft , congregated in chapters at Spires , at Strasburg , and at Eegensburg , in the name and on beof
half of ourselves , and all others , masters ancl fellows of our whole common craft above-mentioned , renewed and revised these ancient usages , and kindly and affably agreed upon these statutes and fraternity ; and having by common consent drawn up the same , have also vowed and promised for ourselves and all our successors , to keep them faithfully , as hereafter stands writ .
A . Eirstlyt If any of the articles in these statutes should prove to be too strict aud severe , or others too light and mild , then may those who are of the fraternity by a majority , modify , decrease , or increase such articles , according to to the requirements of the time , © r country , or circumstances . The resolutions of those who shall meet together in chapters , after the manner of this book , shall thenceforth be observed , in accordance with the oaths taken by everyone .
B . Item . "Whoever of his own free will desires to enter into this fraternity , according to the regulation as thereafter stands writ in this book , shall promise to keep all the points and articles , for then only can he be of our craft . Those shall be masters , who can design and erect such costly edifices and works , for
execution of which they are authorised and privileged , and shall not work with any other craft , unless they choose so to do . Masters as well as fellows must conduct themselves honourably , and not infringe upon the rights of others , or they may be punished , according to these statuteson the occasion of every such
, transgression . C . Item . Whatever regular works and buildings are now in progress of erection by journey-work , — namely , Strasburg-, Cologne , Vienna , and Passau , and other such works , and also in the lodges which belong to them , and according to custom have been hitherto
finished by journey-work , such buildings and works , as beforementioned shall be continued by journeywork , and in no wise by task-work ; so that nothing be cut short of the work , to the damage of the contract , as far as possible . D . Item . If any craftsman who has had regular
work should die , then any craftsman or master , skilled in masonry , ancl sufficient and able for the work , may aspire to complete the said work , so that the lords owning or superintending such building may again be supplied with the requirements of
masonry . So also may any fellow who tmderstands such masonry . E . Item . Any master may , in addition to his own work , undertake a work abroad , or a master who has no such work may likewise undertake it , in which case he may give such building or work in good faith
in journe 3 -work , and continue it as best he can or may , so that the work and progress be not interrupted , according to the regulations and customs of masonry . If a master fails to satisfy those who committed the work to him , and reliable information be iven thereofthen shall the said master be called to
g , account by the craft , corrected , and punished , after having been sentenced ; but if the lords are not willing so to do , then may he do it as they choose , be it by task or journey-work . E . Item . If any master , who has had such a work or building , die , and another master comes aud finds
such stonework , be the stonework set or not , then shall such master not pull down the set stones , nor in any way cast away the hewn and unset stones , without previous counsel and agreement with other craftsmen , so that the owners and other honourable persons who caused such edifice to be buildedbe not
, put to unjust expense , and that also the masters who left such work be not defamed . But if the owners choose to have such work removed , then he may have it done , provided he seeks no undue advantage thereby .
G . Item . Neither shall the master , nor those who have undertaken such work , hire out anything that relates to or concerns hewn stones and what belongs to them , be it stone , lime , or sand , but to break or hew by contract or by journey work he may be allowed without risk .
II . Item . If masons be required for hewing or setting stone , the master may set such at work , if they are able , so that the lords may not be hindered , and those who are thus employed shall not be subject
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Constitutions Of The Masons Of Strasburg. *
The Grand Lodge of Strasburg took advantage of the presence of the Emperor Maximilian I ., in the year 1498 , to obtain a confirmation of the statutesf ( perhaps only of a part of them ) , which was afterwards renewed by his successors . All these confirmations , however , as repeating the very words of the Emperor
Maximilian , are to be considered as identical , and concerning only the constitution of the year 1459 , which as must be observed , is the eldest document bearing an authentic date , and being little previous to the document published by Halliwall . The revised constitution of the year 14 S 3 is only a
, repetition of the former ordinances of the year 1459 , with but few additions , resulting from the changes of times and better experience . In the said document there is wanting the religious introduction , aud no mention is made of the " Tino Grkrouten , J the patrons of the association .
In the year 1462 , the lodges of northern Germany drew up a similar constitution at Torgan . The original text of the constitution of the Masons of Strasburg runs as follows : — In the name of the [ Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , ancl of our Gracious Mother Mary , and also of her blessed servants , the holy four crowned martyrs of everlasting memory ; considering
that true fnendsuip , unanimity , and obedience , are the foundation of all good , therefore , and for the general advantage of all princes , nobles , lords , cities , chapters , and convents , who may desire at this time or in future , to build churches , choirs , or other great works of stone and edifices , that they may be better provided and supplied ; and also for the benefit and
requirement of the masters and fellows of the whole craft of Masonry , and Masons in Germany , and more especially to avoid in future , between those of the craft , dissensions , differences , costs , and damages , by which irregular acts many masters have suffered greviously , contrary to the good customs and ancient
usages maintained and practised in good faith , by the seniors and patrons of the craft in ancient times . But that we may continue to abide therein , in a true and j ) eaceful way , have we , masters and fellows all , of the said craft , congregated in chapters at Spires , at Strasburg , and at Eegensburg , in the name and on beof
half of ourselves , and all others , masters ancl fellows of our whole common craft above-mentioned , renewed and revised these ancient usages , and kindly and affably agreed upon these statutes and fraternity ; and having by common consent drawn up the same , have also vowed and promised for ourselves and all our successors , to keep them faithfully , as hereafter stands writ .
A . Eirstlyt If any of the articles in these statutes should prove to be too strict aud severe , or others too light and mild , then may those who are of the fraternity by a majority , modify , decrease , or increase such articles , according to to the requirements of the time , © r country , or circumstances . The resolutions of those who shall meet together in chapters , after the manner of this book , shall thenceforth be observed , in accordance with the oaths taken by everyone .
B . Item . "Whoever of his own free will desires to enter into this fraternity , according to the regulation as thereafter stands writ in this book , shall promise to keep all the points and articles , for then only can he be of our craft . Those shall be masters , who can design and erect such costly edifices and works , for
execution of which they are authorised and privileged , and shall not work with any other craft , unless they choose so to do . Masters as well as fellows must conduct themselves honourably , and not infringe upon the rights of others , or they may be punished , according to these statuteson the occasion of every such
, transgression . C . Item . Whatever regular works and buildings are now in progress of erection by journey-work , — namely , Strasburg-, Cologne , Vienna , and Passau , and other such works , and also in the lodges which belong to them , and according to custom have been hitherto
finished by journey-work , such buildings and works , as beforementioned shall be continued by journeywork , and in no wise by task-work ; so that nothing be cut short of the work , to the damage of the contract , as far as possible . D . Item . If any craftsman who has had regular
work should die , then any craftsman or master , skilled in masonry , ancl sufficient and able for the work , may aspire to complete the said work , so that the lords owning or superintending such building may again be supplied with the requirements of
masonry . So also may any fellow who tmderstands such masonry . E . Item . Any master may , in addition to his own work , undertake a work abroad , or a master who has no such work may likewise undertake it , in which case he may give such building or work in good faith
in journe 3 -work , and continue it as best he can or may , so that the work and progress be not interrupted , according to the regulations and customs of masonry . If a master fails to satisfy those who committed the work to him , and reliable information be iven thereofthen shall the said master be called to
g , account by the craft , corrected , and punished , after having been sentenced ; but if the lords are not willing so to do , then may he do it as they choose , be it by task or journey-work . E . Item . If any master , who has had such a work or building , die , and another master comes aud finds
such stonework , be the stonework set or not , then shall such master not pull down the set stones , nor in any way cast away the hewn and unset stones , without previous counsel and agreement with other craftsmen , so that the owners and other honourable persons who caused such edifice to be buildedbe not
, put to unjust expense , and that also the masters who left such work be not defamed . But if the owners choose to have such work removed , then he may have it done , provided he seeks no undue advantage thereby .
G . Item . Neither shall the master , nor those who have undertaken such work , hire out anything that relates to or concerns hewn stones and what belongs to them , be it stone , lime , or sand , but to break or hew by contract or by journey work he may be allowed without risk .
II . Item . If masons be required for hewing or setting stone , the master may set such at work , if they are able , so that the lords may not be hindered , and those who are thus employed shall not be subject