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honour and unfailing honesty, the order becomes the centre of union, and the means of conciliating true friendship.*

SECTION II.

of Government, and the Civil Magistrate.

Whoever would be a true mason is farther to know, that by the privileges of his order, his obligations as a subject and citizen will not be relaxed, but enforced. He is to be a lover of peace, and obedient to the civil powers which yield him protection, and are set over him, where he resides, or works. Nor can a real craftsman ever be concerned in conspiracies against the state, or be disrespectful to the magistrate; because the welfare of his country is his most happy object.

Now, if any brother, forgetting for a time the rules of his craft, and listening to evil counsels, should unhappily fall into a contrary conduct, he is not to be countenanced in his crimes or rebellion against the state; but he forfeits all the benefits of the lodge, and his fellows will refuse to associate or converse with him in private, while he continues in his guilt; that no offence may be given to lawful government. Such a person, however, is still considered as a mason; his title hereto being indefeasible: and hopes are to be entertained, and endeavours used, that the rules of the craft may again recover him to his duty.

From the constant desire of true masons to adorn the countries where they reside with all useful arts, crafts and improvements, they have been, from the earliest ages, encouraged and protected by the wisest rulers of states and commonwealths; who have likewise thought it an honour to have their names enrolled among the fraternity, and have become the patrons of the craft. And thus masonry, having always flourished most in the peaceable times of every country; and, having suffered in a particular manner through the calamitous effects of war, the craftsmen are the more strongly engaged and inclined to act agreeably to the prime principles of their art, in following peace and love, as far as possible, with all men.

* "Gude menne and true, hennynge eidher odher to be soche, doe always love the more as they he more gude." Ancient MS. Bodl.

And as political affairs have occasioned discord amongst the nearest relations, and most intimate friends, masons are enjoined never to speak of, or discuss, them in the lodge.

SECTION III.

Of Private Duties.

Whoever would be a mason should know how to practise all the private virtues. He should avoid all manner of intemperance, or excess, which might prevent his performance of the laudable duties of his craft, or lead him into enormities, which would reflect dishonour upon the ancient fraternity. He is to be industrious in his profession, and true to the Lord and Master he serves. He is to labour justly, and not to eat any man's bread for nought; but to pay truly for his meat and drink. What leisure his labour allows, he is to employ in studying the arts and sciences with a diligent mind, that he may the better perform all his duties, to his Creator, his country, his neighbour, and himself.

He is to seek and acquire, as far as possible, the virtues of patience, meekness, self-denial, forbearance, and the like, which give him the command over himself, and enable him to govern his own family with affection, dignity and prudence: at the same time checking every disposition injurious to the world, and promoting that love and service which brethren of the same household owe to each other.

Therefore, to afford succour to the distressed, to divide our bread with the industrious poor, and to put the misguided traveller into the way, are duties of the craft, suitable to its dignity, and expressive of its usefulness. But, though a mason is never to shut his ear unkindly against the complaints of any of the human race, yet, when a brother is oppressed or suffers, he is in a more peculiar manner called to open his whole soul in love and compassion to him, and to relieve him without prejudice, according to his capacity.

It is also necessary, that all who would be true masons should learn to abstain from all malice, slander and evil speaking; from all provoking, reproachful and ungodly language: keeping always a tongue of good report.

A mason should know how to obey those who are set over him; however inferior they may be in worldly rank or condition. For although masonry divests no man of his honours and titles, yet, in the lodge, preeminence of virtue, and knowledge in the royal art, is considered as the true source of all nobility, rule and government.

The virtue indispensably requisite in masons, is secrecy. This is the guard of their confidence, and the security of their trust. So great stress is to be laid upon it, that it is enforced under the strongest penalties and obligations; nor, in their esteem, is any man to be accounted wise, who has not intellectual strength and ability sufficient to cover and conceal such honest secrets as are committed to him, as well as his own more serious and private affairs.

SECTION IV.

of Prerequisites.

No person is capable of becoming a member, unless, together with the virtues aforementioned, or at least a disposition to seek and acquire them, he is also free born; of mature and discreet age;* of good report; of sufficient natural endowments, and the senses of a man; with an estate, office, trade, occupation, or some visible way of acquiring an honest livelihood, and of working in his craft, as becomes the members of this most ancient and honourable fraternity, who ought not only to earn what is sufficient for themselves and families, but likewise something to spare for works of charity, and supporting the true dignity of the royal craft. Every person desiring admission must also be upright in body, not deformed or dismembered, at the time of making; but of hale and entire limbs, as a man ought to be.

No brother shall propose for admission into this ancient and honourable society, any person, through friendship or partiality, who does not possess the moral and social virtues, a sound head and a good heart; and who has not an entire exemption from all those ill qualities and vices, which would bring dishonour on the craft.

*Not under twenty-one years,

SECTION V.

Instructions for the Candidate.

A strict, though private and impartial, inquiry will be made into the character and ability of the candidate, before he can be admitted into any lodge: and by the rules of masonry, no friend, who can wish to propose him, may shew him any favour. But if he have a friend who is a mason, and is every way satisfied, his duty is described as follows:

SECTION VI.

Of proposing Candidates.

Every person desirous of being made a free-mason in any lodge, shall be proposed by a member, who shall give an account of the candidate's name, age, quality, title, trade, place of residence, description of his person, and other necessary requisites; as mentioned in the foregoing sections. And it is generally required, that such proposal be also seconded by some one or more members, who are acquainted with the candidate. Such proposals shall also be made in lodge hours, at least one lodge night before initiation; in order that the brethren may have sufficient time and opportunity to make a strict inquiry into the morals, character, and circumstances of the candidate: for which purpose a special committee is sometimes appointed.

The brother who proposes a candidate shall, at the same time, deposit such a sum of money for him as the rules or by-laws of the lodge may require; which is forfeited to the lodge if the candidate should not attend according to his proposal; but is to be returned to him if he should not be approved or elected. In case he be elected, he is to pay, in addition to his deposit, such farther sum as the laws of the lodge may require; and clothe the lodge, or make some other present, as his circumstances will admit and the brethren agree to accept, for the benefit of the craft and of distressed members.

SECTION VII.

The Candidate.

He has a right, before his admission, to desire his friend to shew him the warrant, or dispensation, by which the lodge is held; which, if genuine, he will find to be an instrument written, or printed, upon parchment, and signed by some grand-master, his deputy, the grand wardens, and grand secretary; sealed with the grand lodge seal: constituting particular persons, therein named, as master and wardens, with full power to congregate and hold a lodge at such a place, and therein "make and admit free-masons, according to the most ancient and honourable custom of the royal craft, in all ages and nations throughout the known world, with full power and authority to nominate and choose their successors," &c.

He may also request the perusal of the by-laws; which being short, he may read in the presence of his friend, and be shewn a list of the members of the lodge: by all which he will better be able to judge whether he could associate with them, and render a ready conformity to their rules. Being thus free to judge for himself, he will not be liable to the dangers of deception. But, on the contrary, will be admitted into a society, where he may converse with men of honour and honesty-be exercised in all the offices of brotherly love, and be made acquainted with some things, of which it is not lawful to speak, or make known out of the lodge.

Previously to his introduction, every candidate ought to subscribe the following declaration:

"I, A. B. do seriously declare, upon my honour, that, unbiassed by friends, and uninfluenced by unworthy motives, I freely and voluntarily offer myself a candidate for the mysteries of free-masonry; that I am solely prompted by a favourable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish to be serviceable to my fellow-creatures: and that I will cheerfully conform to the ancient established usages and customs of the society. As witness my hand, this day of in the year

A. B.

"

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