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only as the magma of free-masons, but the very dregs of mankind, who, under the cloak of brotherly love, are ever upon the watch for an opportunity to pick your pockets, and make you contemptible into the bargain.* Doubtless you will wonder how, or by what means, such abandoned wretches got admittance into a fraternity which boast of so much honour and virtue, as to rank themselves with kings and princes, especially if they adhere strictly to the foregoing regulation. To this I answer, that some of the Landlords, where the lodges are held, do often recommend persons to be made free-masons, and that the lucrative view takes place [too often] where impartiality, honesty and virtue ought to be the points of sight. That others have stood the test of the strictest scrutiny, behaved well for many years, and afterwards fell into all manner of vices, which serves to shew the instability and weakness of mankind, and that all the doctrine of laws upon earth, without the grace of God, is not sufficient to make men wise, or deter them from evil. Nevertheless, in the system of free-masonry, there are many ways to mend the manners, polish the disposition, correct the judgment and refine the taste of a soul virtuously inclined. And as the number of good and wise free-masons have always greatly exceeded

* For a confirmation hereof read the eighth regulation, (page 46) where it is ordered, that no person so made, nor any concerned in making him, shall be a grand officer, nor an officer of any particular lodge, nor shall any such partake of the grand charity, if they should come to want it.

t I do not charge landlords in general with such evil proceedings, because I know many of them that abhor sinister views, and would sacrifice all pecuniary interest, before they would break through any of the sacred rules or orders of the craft: nevertheless, much reformation is still wanted in this quarter.

Candour obliges us to admit, that heretofore improper characters have been admitted by some of our lodges, to the great disgrace and scandal of the craft; and we speak confidently that our ranks have more frequently been tainted by the same characters of whom our author here complains-the very dregs of society, who, having been unlawfully initiated in Europe, have been thrown upon our shores, to batten on the provision prepared for the deserving poor brother, or his still poorer widow and orphans. But the same candour demands, and to the honour of free-masons in America, let it be proclaimed, that few such instances as are here complained of, origi nate with us. Spurious lodges are, we believe, wholly unknown; and in all cases where even regularly warranted lodges have transcended their privileges, by introducing immoral, or otherwise improper characters, the grand lodges have promptly exercised the right vested in them, by withdrawing the dispensation, or warrant, of such offending lodge, and publicly suspended or expelled the members thereof, all of whom are forever deprived the benefits and privileges of the institution; unless, by a subsequent penitent conduct, they receive grace from the same high authority.-Compiler.

that of the foolish and wicked, it would be as absurd to condemn the whole for part, as it would be in the Jews to condemn Shem and Japhet for the curse brought upon Ham; or the Christians to condemn the eleven apostles, because Judas turned traitor. But this is not altogether the business of a guide; therefore I beg leave to resume my proper character, and earnestly desire you to shun mason clubs; that is to say, lodges formed without authority, for you may rest fully assured, that such clubs are generally composed of excluded members, or persons clandestinely made by them, and consequently incapable of giving proper instructions to their pupils. Or, admit them capable of giving proper instructions, even then, the new brethren will be led in the dark, because it is the interest of the rebel party to conceal the essentials of the craft, which, if revealed, must of course prove themselves to be villains, Therefore, in order to avoid falling into such hands, I carnestly beg of you, to have no communication with any lodge or set of men under the denomination of a free-mason's lodge, until they produce the grand-master's authority, signed and sealed as before mentioned. But having produced such authority, you may then enter in the name of God! where you will be acquainted with mysteries, which are not permitted to be revealed by a guide, especially out of the lodge: And if, after such entrance, or admission, you find that I have misled you, I do hereby give you full liberty to expose me as a blind guide; but if experience teach you that my instructions (as well as my intentions) were just, then I hope you will do me the honour of calling me a faithful brother. And that the God of all light and truth (who is the giver of all good gifts and graces) may bless, prosper, and direct you, in all your public and private (lawful) undertakings, is the hearty prayer of,

Gentlemen, your faithful and obedient servant,

LAURENCE DERMOTT,
Late Deputy Grand-Master.

The General Regulations of the Free and Accepted

OLD REGULATIONS.

Masons.

NEW REGULATIONS.

grand-wardens are absent, for the grand-master cannot deprive them of their office without shewing cause, fairly appearing to the grand lodge, according to the old regulation, XVIII. so that if they are present in a particular lodge with the grand-master, they must act as wardens there.

1. The grand-master or depu- I. That is only when the ty has full authority and right, not only to be present, but also to preside in every lodge, with the master of the lodge on his left hand: and to order his grand-wardens to attend him, who are not to act as wardens of particular lodges, but in his presence, and at his command; for the grand-master, while in a particular lodge, may command the wardens of that lodge, any other master-masons, to act as his wardens, pro tempore.

or

Some grand lodge have ordered that none but the grandmaster, his deputy and wardens (who are the only grandofficers) should wear their jewels in gold, pendant to blue* ribbons about their necks, and white leather aprons with blue silk; which sort of aprons may also be worn by former grand officers.

II. The master of a particu- II. It was agreed, that if a lar lodge, has the right and au-master of a particular lodge is thority of congregating the deposed, or demits, the senior members of his lodge into a warden shall forthwith fill the chapter, upon an emergency or master's chair till the next time occurrence, as well as to ap- of choosing, and ever since in point the time and place of the master's absence he fills their usual forming; and in case the chair, even though a former of death or sickness, or neces- master be present; except he sary absence of the master, the has a mind to honour a more senior warden shall act as mas-skilful past-master; which is freter, pro tempore, if no brother quently the case.

is present who has been master

of that lodge before; for the ab

I shall at all times be conformable, and pay due respect to every right worshipful grand lodge of regular free-masons, and am well assured that grand officers only should be distinguished by gold jewels, and them according to their proper order; but at the same time I am certain, that every member of the grand lodge has an undoubted right to wear purple, blue, white, or crimson.

OLD REGULATIONS.

sent master's authority reverts to the last master present, though he cannot act till the senior warden congregates the lodge.

NEW REGULATIONS.

III. The master of each par- III. No lodge shall be ticular lodge, or one of the war- moved from their stated place dens, or some other brother by of meeting, to another house, appointment of the master, without giving previous notice. shall keep a book, containing to the grand secretary, containtheir bye-laws, the names of ing reasons for the removal, their members, and a list of all under the forfeiture of one the lodges in town, with the guinea to the grand charity. usual times and places of their forming, and also the transactions of their own lodge, that are proper to be written.

IV. No lodge shall make more than five new brothers at one and the same time, without an urgent necessity; nor any man under the age of twentyfive years, who must also be his own master, unless by a dispensation from the grand

master.

IV. This regulation is neglected for several reasons, and is now obsolete.

V. No man can be accepted V. The grand secretary can a member of a particular lodge, direct the petitioners in the

In America this duty is always performed by a secretary, who is chosen by a majority of the brethren at the same meeting at which the other officers of the lodge are elected-most usually at the regular meeting of the lodge next preceding the festivals of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.--Compiler.

This article is still in force under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge of Maryland, but the qualification is twenty-one years.-ib.

It being very unusual for American lodges to meet in houses of public entertainment; but, on the contrary, either in buildings erected solely for their own accommodation; or in some spacious suit of rooms, obtained on lease for a considerable term-it is believed the merit of this article has rarely been considered. In Philadelphia, a spacious and splendid fabric, in the Gothic style of architecture, has been erected, at an enormous expense. In this building, which is at once an honour to the craft, and the greatest ornament of that growing city, not only the grand lodge, but all the subor diate lodges, are in their regular rotation, accommodated, as well as the chapters of H. R. A. Masons, and the exalted degrees of K. T. and K. of M. &c. In other cities also the brethren occupy their own property; and the fraternity in Baltimore, are now erecting an elegant hall, a plate of the elevation on the west front of which accompanies this work-ib.

OLD REGULATIONS.

NEW REGULATIONS.

without previous notice one form of a dispensation, if want month before given to the lodge, ed; but if they know the can in order to make due enquiry didate, they do not require a into the reputation and capacity dispensation. of the candidate, unless by a dispensation.

VI. But no man can be en- VI. No visiter, however skilltered a brother in any particu-ed in masonry, shall be admitlar lodge, or admitted a mem- ted into a lodge, unless he is ber thereof, without the unani- personally known to, or well mous consent of all the mem- vouched and recommended by bers of that lodge then present, one of that lodge then present.* when the candidate is proposed, But it was found inconveand when their consent is for- nient to insist upon unanimity mally asked by the master, they in several cases, and therefore are to give their consent in the grand-masters have allowed their own prudent way; either the lodges to admit a member if virtually, or in form; but with there are not above three balunanimity: nor is this inherent lots against him; though some privilege subject to a dispensa- lodges desire no such allowtion, because the members of a ance. particular lodge are the best judges of it; and because, if a turbulent member should be imposed on them, it might spoil their harmony, or hinder the freedom of their communication, or even break or disperse the lodge, which ought to be avoided by all that are true and faithful.

VII. Every new brother, at his entry, is decently to clothe the lodge, that is, all the brethren present, and to deposit something for the relief of the indigent and decayed brethren, as the candidate shall think fit to bestow, over and above the small allowance that may be stated in the bye-laws of that

VII. See this explained in the account of the constitution of the general charity; only particular lodges are not limited, but may take their own method for charity.

⚫ I shall not mention the cause of the above new regulation being made, but certain it is that real free-masons have no occasion for any such regulation, they being able to distinguish a true brother, let his country or language be ever so remote or obscure to us, nor is it in the power of false pretenders to deceive us.

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