Anderson's Constitutions of 1723
Anderson’s Constitution is the basis
of Modern Freemasonry and its basis of operation. A variety of
stories and irregularities
exist about its legitimacy and its foundation, yet, it remains an
early cannon
of Masonic History.
For some background this excerpt from wikipedia offers
some insight to its history: The Constitutions of the Free-Masons was a
constitution written for
the Premier Grand Lodge of England, to standardize the rituals
and practices of Freemasonry among lodges of London and Westminster
operating under that
Grand Lodge. Obviously, it was not meant to apply to other lodges
in other parts of England, Scotland and Ireland. The constitution
laid
the foundation
of the legend of Hiram Abiff, King Solomon's Master Builder, along
with the pyramid style organizational model of Freemasonry. The
first and second
edition were written by Rev. James Anderson in 1723 and 1738.
Anderson's
Constitutions were based on the Old Masonic Manuscripts (also called "Gothic
Constitutions") and on the General Regulations
which had been compiled first by George Payne in 1720. The full
title of the 1723 edition was The Constitutions of the Free-Masons,
Containing the
History, Charges, Regulations, &c. of that most Ancient and Right
Worshipful Fraternity, For the Use of the Lodges.
When in 1738,
the Grand Lodge changed its name from Grand Lodge of London
and Westminster into the Grand Lodge of England, the
Constitution was rewritten by Anderson. The title of the second,
rewritten, edition
of 1738 was The New Book of Constitutions of the Antient and
Honourable
Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, Containing Their History,
Charges, Regulations, &c. Collected and Digested By Order of
the Grand Lodge from their old Records, faithful Traditions
and Lodge-Books, For the Use
of the Lodges.
The 1723 edition of the Constitutions was edited
and reprinted
by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1734, becoming the
first Masonic book
printed in America.
A new edition of the Constitutions was
published in 1754, by John Entick. He reverted to the Charges as
drawn up in 1723
into which, especially in the first Charge, Anderson had
introduced various
modifications
in the
1738 edition. It is this edition of the Charges which forms
the basis of the Ancient Charges to be found today in the
Constitutions of the United
Grand Lodge of England, with only small verbal modifications,
except with regards to the first Charge on God and religion.
Anderson's Constitutions of 1723
Ancient Charges of a FREE MASON The Ancient Records of Lodges beyond the
Sea
To Be Read At The Making of New Brethren, or When The Master Shall Order
It. THE GENERAL HEADS, viz.:
I. Concerning GOD and RELIGION.
A Mason is oblig'd by his Tenure, to obey the moral law; and if he rightly
understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious
Libertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charg'd in every Country
to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis
now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which
all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is,
to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations
or Persuasions they may be distinguish'd; whereby Masonry becomes the Center
of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that
must have remain'd at a perpetual Distance.
II Of the CIVIL MAGISTRATES SUPREME and SUBORDINATE.
A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides
or works, and is never to be concern'd in Plots an Conspiracies against
the Peace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutifully
to inferior Magistrates; for as Masonry hath been always injured by War,
Bloodshed, and Confusion, so ancient Kings and Princes have been much dispos'd
to encourage the Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness and Loyalty,
whereby they practically answer'd the Cavils of their Adversaries, and
promoted the Honour of the Fraternity, who ever flourish'd in Time of Peace.
So that if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State he is not to be
countenanced in his Rebellion, however he may be pitied as any unhappy
Man; and, if convicted of no other Crime though the Loyal Brotherhood must
and ought to disown hi Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political
Jealousy to the Government for the time being, they cannot expel him from
the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible.
III Of LODGES.
A Lodge is a place where Masons assemble and work; Hence that Assembly,
or duly organized Society of Masons, is call'd a Lodge, and every Brother
ought to belong to one, and to be subject to its By-Laws and the General
Regulations.
It is either particular or general, and will be best understood by attending
it, and by the Regulations of the General or Grand Lodge hereunto annex'd.
In ancient Times, no Master or Fellow could be absent from it especially
when warned to appear at it, without incurring a sever Censure, until it
appear'd to the Master and Wardens that pure Necessity hinder'd him.
The persons admitted Members of a Lodge must be good an true Men, free-born,
and of mature and discreet Age, no Bondmen no Women, no immoral or scandalous
men, but of good Report.
IV Of MASTERS, WARDENS, FELLOWS and APPRENTICES.
All preferment among Masons is grounded upon real Worth and personal Merit
only; that so the Lords may be well served, the Brethren not put to Shame,
nor the Royal Craft despis'd: Therefore no Master or Warden is chosen by
Seniority, but for his Merit. It is impossible to describe these things
in Writing, and every Brother must attend in his Place, and learn them
in a Way peculiar to this Fraternity: Only Candidates may know that no
Master should take an Apprentice unless he has Sufficient Employment for
him, and unless he be a perfect Youth having no Maim or Defects in his
Body that may render him uncapable of learning the Art of serving his Master's
Lord, and of being made a Brother, and then a Fellow-Craft in due Time,
even after he has served such a Term of Years as the Custom of the Country
directs; and that he should be descended of honest Parents; that so, when
otherwise qualifi'd he may arrive to the Honour of being the Warden, and
then the Master of the Lodge, the Grand Warden, and at length the Grand
Master of all the Lodges, according to his Merit.
No Brother can be a Warden until he has pass'd the part of a Fellow-Craft;
nor a Master until he has acted as a Warden, nor Grand Warden until he
has been Master of a Lodge, nor Grand Master unless he has been a Fellow
Craft before his Election, who is also to be nobly born, or a Gentleman
of the best Fashion, or some eminent Scholar, or some curious Architect,
or other Artist, descended of honest Parents, and who is of similar great
Merit in the Opinion of the Lodges.
These Rulers and Governors, supreme and subordinate, of the ancient Lodge,
are to be obey'd in their respective Stations by all the Brethren, according
to the old Charges and Regulations, with all Humility, Reverence, Love
and Alacrity.
V. Of the MANAGEMENT of the CRAFT in WORKING.
All Masons shall work honestly on Working Days, that they may live creditably
on Holy Days; and the time appointed by the Law of the Land or confirm'd
by Custom shall be observ'd. The most expert of the Fellow-Craftsmen shall
be chosen or appointed the Master or Overseer of the Lord's Work; who is
to be call'd Master by those that work under him. The Craftsmen are to
avoid all ill Language, and to call each other by no disobliging Name,
but Brother or Fellow; and to behave themselves courteously within and
without the Lodge.
The Master, knowing himself to be able of Cunning, shall undertake the
Lord's Work as reasonably as possible, and truly dispend his Goods as if
they were his own; nor to give more Wages to any Brother or Apprentice
than he really may deserve.
Both the Master and the Masons receiving their Wages justly, shall be
faithful to the Lord and honestly finish their Work, whether Task or journey;
nor put the work to Task that hath been accustomed to Journey.
None shall discover Envy at the Prosperity of a Brother, nor supplant
him, or put him out of his Work, if he be capable to finish the same; for
no man can finish another's Work so much to the Lord's Profit, unless he
be thoroughly acquainted with the Designs and Draughts of him that began
it.
When a Fellow-Craftsman is chosen Warden of the Work under the Master,
he shall be true both to Master and Fellows, shall carefully oversee the
Work in the Master's Absence to the Lord's profit; and his Brethren shall
obey him.
All Masons employed shall meekly receive their Wages without Murmuring
or Mutiny, and not desert the Master till the Work is finish'd.
A younger Brother shall be instructed in working, to prevent spoiling
the Materials for want of Judgment, and for increasing and continuing of
brotherly love.
All the Tools used in working shall be approved by the Grand Lodge.
No Labourer shall be employ'd in the proper Work of Masonry; nor shall
Free Masons work with those that are not free, without an urgent Necessity;
nor shall they teach Labourers and unaccepted Masons as they should teach
a Brother or Fellow.
VI. Of BEHAVIOUR.
I. In the LODGE while CONSTITUTED.
You are not to hold private Committees, or separate Conversation without
Leave from the Master, nor to talk of anything impertinent or unseemly,
nor interrupt the Master or Wardens, or any Brother speaking to the Master:
Nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged
in what is serious and solemn; nor use any unbecoming Language upon any
Pretense whatsoever; but to pay due Reverence to your Master, Wardens,
and Fellows, and put them to Worship.
If any Complaint be brought, the Brother found guilty shall stand to the
Award and Determination of the Lodge, who are the proper and competent
Judges of all such Controversies (unless you carry it by Appeal to the
Grand Lodge), and to whom they ought to be referr'd, unless a Lord's Work
be hinder'd the meanwhile, in which Case a particular Reference may be
made; but you must never go to Law about what concerneth Masonry, without
an absolute necessity apparent to the Lodge.
2. BEHAVIOUR after the LODGE is over and the BRETHREN not GONE.
You may enjoy yourself with innocent Mirth, treating one another according
to Ability, but avoiding all Excess, or forcing any Brother to eat or drink
beyond his Inclination, or hindering him from going when his Occasions
call him, or doing or saying anything offensive, or that may forbid an
easy and free Conversation, for that would blast our Harmony, and defeat
our laudable Purposes. Therefore no private Piques or Quarrels must be
brought within the Door of the Lodge, far less any Quarrels about Religion,
or Nations, or State Policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Universal
Religion above mention'd, we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds,
and Languages, and are resolv'd against all Politics, as what never yet
conduct'd to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will.
3. BEHAVIOUR when BRETHREN meet WITHOUT STRANGERS, but not in a LODGE
Formed.
You are to salute one another in a courteous Manner, as you will be instructed,
calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual instruction as shall be
thought expedient, without being ever seen or overheard, and without encroaching
upon each other, or derogating from that Respect which is due to any Brother,
were he not Mason: For though all Masons are as Brethren upon the same
Level, yet Masonry takes no Honour from a man that he had before; nay,
rather it adds to his Honour, especially if he has deserve well of the
Brotherhood, who must give Honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill Manners.
4. BEHAVIOUR in presence of Strangers NOT MASONS.
You shall be cautious in your Words and Carriage, that the most penetrating
Stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to
be intimated, and sometimes you shall divert a Discourse, and manage it
prudently for the Honour of the worshipful Fraternity.
5. BEHAVIOUR at HOME, and in Your NEIGHBORHOOD.
You are to act as becomes a moral and wise Man; particularly not to let
your Family, Friends and Neighbors know the Concern of the Lodge, &c.,
but wisely to consult your own Honour, and that of the ancient Brotherhood,
for reasons not to be mention'd here You must also consult your Health,
by not continuing together too late, or too long from Home, after Lodge
Hours are past; and by avoiding of Gluttony or Drunkenness, that your Families
be not neglected or injured, nor you disabled from working.
6. BEHAVIOUR toward a Strange BROTHER.
You are cautiously to examine him, in such a Method as Prudence shall
direct you, that you may not be impos'd upon by an ignorant, false Pretender,
whom you are to reject with contempt and Derision, and beware of giving
him any Hints of Knowledge.
But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother, you are to respect
him accordingly; and if he is in Want, you must relieve him if you can,
or else direct him how he may be relieved; you must employ him some days,
or else recommend him to be employ'd. But you are not charged to do beyond
your ability, only to prefer a poor Brother, that is a good Man and true
before any other poor People in the same Circumstance.
Finally, All these Charges you are to observe, and also those that shall
be recommended to you in another Way; cultivating Brotherly Love, the Foundation
and Cap-stone, the Cement and Glory of this Ancient Fraternity, avoiding
all wrangling and quarreling, all Slander and Backbiting, nor permitting
others to slander any honest Brother, but defending his Character, and
doing him all good Offices, as far as is consistent with your Honour and
Safety, and no farther. And if any of them do you Injury you must apply
to your own or his Lodge, and from thence you may appeal to the Grand Lodge,
at the Quarterly Communication and from thence to the annual Grand Lodge,
as has been the ancient laudable Conduct but when the Case cannot be otherwise
decided, and patiently listening to the honest and friendly Advice of Master
and Fellows when they would prevent your going to Law with Strangers, or
would excite you to put a speedy Period to all Lawsuits, so that you may
mind the Affair of Masonry with the more Alacrity and Success; but with
respect to Brothers or Fellows at Law, the Master and Brethren should kindly
offer their Mediation, which ought to be thankfully submitted to by the
contending Brethren; and if that submission is impracticable, they must,
however, carry on their Process, or Lawsuit, without Wrath and Rancor (not
In the common way) saying or doing nothing which may hinder Brotherly Love,
and good Offices to be renew'd and continu'd; that all may see the benign
Influence of Masonry, as all true Masons have done from the beginning of
the World, and will do to the End of Time.
AMEN, SO MOTE IT BE
|
