SECTION IX.

Of the Tyler of a Lodge.

In order that due decorum be observed, while the lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn, and for the preservation of secrecy and good harmony, a brother well skilled in the master's part, shall be appointed and paid for tyling the lodge door, during the time of communication. Generally a brother is to be preferred, to whom the fees of the office may be necessary and serviceable, on account of his particular circumstances.

His duty is fixed by custom, and known to every brother. He is to be true and trusty, and to obey the special directions of the lodge.

SECTION X.

Of the number to be Initiated.

No lodge shall make more than five new brethren at one time; nor shall any person be made, or admitted a member of a lodge, without being proposed at least one lodge night before, unless in cases of emergency, or by dispensation from the grand-master, or his deputy in his absence, that due notice may be given to all the members for the necessary inquiries into the candidate's character; and that there may be unanimity in the election and admission of members.

SECTION XI.

Of Privileges in Lodges.

The majority of every particular lodge, when duly congregated, have the privilege of instructing their master and wardens for their conduct in the grand lodge and quarterly communications; and all particular lodges, in the same general communication, shall, as much as possible, observe the same rules and usages, and appoint some of their members to visit each other in the different lodges, as often at it may be convenient.

When it so happens that a lodge cannot attend the communications of the grand lodge, they may appoint a brother, who is a master mason, and of real merit, and give him instructions to represent them, and vote in their be

half. He bearing their certificate under the seal of the lodge, and signed by the master and wardens, may, if approved by the officers of the grand lodge, take his seat among them, and vote and act in the name of the lodge he represents. But no individual can appear for more than one lodge at the same time.

Lodges shall have place according to the date of their constitution.

If any lodge shall cease to meet regularly for twelve months successively, its charter shall be void.

CHAPTER III.

OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF MASONS, AS MEMBERS OF A LODGE. 1. Of Attendance.

Every brother ought to belong to some regular lodge, and should always appear therein properly clothed; truly subjecting himself to all its by-laws and the general regulations. He must attend all meetings, when duly summoned, unless he can offer to the master and wardens such plea of necessity for his absence as the said laws and regulations may admit.

By the ancient rules and usages of masonry, which are generally adopted among the by-laws of every lodge, no plea was judged sufficient to excuse any absentee, unless he could satisfy the lodge, that he was detained by some extraordinary and unforeseen necessity.

None have a right to vote in the lodge, but such as are members.

No brother shall be a member of more than one lodge at the same time.

2. Of Working.

All masons should work faithfully and honestly. All the working hours appointed by law, or confirmed by custom, are to be strictly observed.

The usual hours of working are, "from seven o'clock in the evening until ten, between the 25th of March and the 25th of September; and from six until nine, between the 25th of September and the 25th of March."

The master and masons shall faithfully finish their work.

None shall envy a brother's prosperity, or put him out of his work, if capable of finishing it.

All masons shall receive their wages without murmuring. They must avoid all unbecoming modes of expression; and shall call each other brother, in the lodge.

3. Of Behaviour in the Lodge.

While the lodge is open for work, masons must hold no private conversation or committees, without leave from the master; nor talk of any thing foreign or impertinent, nor interrupt the master or wardens, or any brother addressing himself to the chair; nor behave inattentively, while the lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn; but every brother shall pay due reverence to the master, the wardens, and all his fellows.

Every brother guilty of a fault shall submit to the lodge, unless he appeal to the grand lodge.

No private offences, or disputes about nations, families, religions, or politics, must be brought within the doors of the lodge.

4. Of Behaviour after the Lodge is closed.

When the lodge is closed, and the labour finished, the brethren, before they depart home to their rest, may enjoy themselves with innocent mirth, enlivened and exalted with their own peculiar songs and sublime pieces of music; but avoiding all excess, considering each other, in the hours both of labour and festivity, as always free. And therefore no brother is to be hindered from going home when he pleases; for although, after lodge hours, masons are as other men, yet if they should fall into excess, the blame, though unjustly, may be cast upon the fraternity, by the ignorant or the envious.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF MASONS, IN THEIR PRIVATE CHA

RACTER.

1. When a number of Brethren happen to meet, without any Stranger among them, and not in a Lodge.

In such case you are to salute each other in a courteous manner, as you are or may be instructed in the lodge, and

freely communicating hints of knowledge, but without disclosing secrets, unless to those who have given long proof of their taciturnity and honour. Masonry divests no man of the honours due to him before, or that may become due after he was made a mason. On the contrary, it increases respect, teaching us to add to all his other honours, those which as masons we cheerfully pay to an eminent brother, distinguishing him above all of his rank and station, and serving him readily according to our ability.

2. When in the presence of Strangers, who are not Masons.

Before those who are not masons, you must be cautious in your words and carriage; so that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to discover what is not proper to be intimated. The impertinent and ensnaring questions, or ignorant and idle discourse of those who seek to pry into the secrets and mysteries of the craft, must be prudently answered and managed, or the discourse wisely diverted to another subject, as your discretion and duty shall direct.

3. When at home, and in your neighbourhood.

Masons ought to be moral men. Consequently they should be good husbands, good parents, good sons, and good neighbours; avoiding all excess injurious to themselves or families, and wise as to all affairs, both of their own household and of the lodge, for certain reasons known to themselves.

4. Of behaviour towards a foreign brother, or stranger.

You are cautiously to examine a stranger, or foreign brother, as prudence and the rules of the craft direct, that you may not be imposed upon by a pretender; and if you discover any one to be such, you are to reject him, but with proper caution. But such as are found to be true and faithful, you are to respect as brothers, relieving them, if in want, to your utmost power, or directing them how to find relief; and employing them, if you can, or else recommending them to employment.

5. Of behaviour towards a brother, whether present or absent.

Free and accepted masons, have ever been charged to avoid all slander of true and faithful brethren, with all

malice and unjust resentment, or talking disrespectfully of a brother's person or performance. Nor must they suffer any to spread unjust reproaches or calumnies against a brother behind his back, nor to injure him in his fortune, occupation or character; but they shall defend such a brother, and give him notice of any danger or injury wherewith be be threatened, to enable him to escape the same, as far as is consistent with honour, prudence, and the safety of religion, morality, and the state, but no farther.

may

6. Concerning differences and law suits, if any such should unhappily arise among brethren.

If a brother do you injury, or if you have any difference with him about any worldly or temporal business, or interest apply first to your own or his lodge, to have the matter in dispute adjusted by the brethren. And if either party be not satisfied with the determination of the lodge, an appeal may be made to the grand lodge; and you are never to enter into a law suit, until the matter cannot be decided as above. And if it be a matter that wholly concerns masonry, law suits are to be entirely avoided, and the good advice of prudent brethren is to be followed, as they are the best referees of such differences.

But where references are either impracticable or unsuccessful, and courts of law or equity must at last decide, you must still follow the general rules of masonry, avoiding all wrath, malice, rancour, and personal ill will, in carrying on the suit with a brother; neither saying or doing any thing to prevent the continuance or renewal of that brotherly love and friendship, which are the glory and cement of this ancient fraternity.

Thus shall we shew to all the world the benign influences of masonry, as wise, true and faithful brethren have done from the beginning of time; and as all who shall follow us, and would be thought worthy of that name, will continue to do.

These charges, and such others as shall be given to you, in a way that cannot be written, you are strictly and conscientiously to observe; and, that they may be the better observed, they should be read or made known to new brethren at their making; and at other times, as the master shall direct.-Amen!