Front matter
046190
Stifata, Nem ^orh
BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY
Preface
I NEED offer no apology for presenting this work to the acceptance of my Masonic Brethren. The fact that no such work exists, that there is no standard authority to which reference can be made, notwithstanding the great and growing number of Freemasons and Lodges at home, and of those in the British Colonies and other countries holding Charters from Scotland or affiliated with Scottish Lodges, warrants me to hope that it may prove acceptable to the Order, and be found to afford valuable assistance in dealing with disputed questions as to law and practice occurring from time to time among the Craft.
I have been, as the following pages will show, most careful in gathering all the oldest and best authorities on the subject, having consulted the ablest writers, home and foreign, on the history and principles of Freemasonry from the earliest records down to the present time; describing all the Ancient Landmarks, and giving in full all the old Charges, Constitutions, and Laws; adopting descriptions of Regulations, Ceremonies, and Duties connected with Lodges, Office-Bearers, &c., where I have found them to be correct; altering and amending them where they seemed to be wrong, and resting only on the
YUl PREFACE.
authority of admittedly first-class expositors of the system; and I have, from the best recognised sources of information, as well as from my own long and intimate acquaintance with the Laws and Customs of the Order, drawn up a series- of chapters on the Principles and Practices of Freemasonry, which will, I hope, be found to be clear, accurate, and full, and which I trust may prove of great practical utility to the whole Fraternity.
Having carefully studied " The Institutes of Masonic Jurisprudence," by the late Bro. Rev. Dr Oliver, whose work, though applicable chiefly to England, contains much that is equally applicable to Scotland, and having also read with the utmost attention the valuable volume of Bro. Dr Albert G-. Mackey of New York, on " Masonic Jurisprudence " in America — a work which bears evidence of the deepest research and most thorough accuracy as to the History and Laws of Freemasonry generally, and upon the sure foundations of which I have built my superstructure — I feel that, unlike either of those worthy Brethren, I do not need to plead that I am treading on unbroken ground or operating in an unworked mine. On the contrary, the knowledge acquired through their previous labours in clearing and mapping out the ground, and to a large extent in building up a goodly and well-proportioned Institute of Masonic Jurisprudence, encourages me in the hope that, whatever they may have done, the work now submitted, chiefly though not exclusively to Scottish Freemasons, will be found to be pretty complete and accurate.
I shall only add, that my earnest desire has been to
PREFACE. IX
make the work a standard autkority, and tkat to this end I have striven to attain all possible completeness and strict accuracy. I have sought fully to ascertain the truth of every statement made and of every principle laid down. In the confident trust, therefore, that my labours will be regarded with some approbation by the Brethren for whose benefit they have been undertaken, and with the conviction that whatever imperfections may be discovered in them will be generously dealt with, I leave in the hands of the Brotherhood this tribute to the cause of Union, Universal Peace, and Universal Love.
CHALMERS I. BATON.
The Towee, Poetobello, N.B.
TABLE OF CONTENTS,
PAET I.
THE ORIGIN AND BASIS OF MASONIC LAW.
CHAPTER I. The Landmarks
Section p^^^
1. The Modes of Recognition, ■ .... 4
2. The Division of Symbolic Masonry into Three Degrees, . . 5
3. The Legend of the Third Degree, . . . . • 5
4. The Government of the Fraternity by a Grand Master elected from
the body of the Craft, ..... 6
5. The Prerogative of Grand Master to Preside over every Assembly
of the Craft, ....... 6
6. The Prerogative of Grand Master to grant Dispensations for con-
ferring Degrees at irregular times, .... 7
7. The Prerogative of Grand Master to grant Dispensations for open-
ing and holding Lodges, ..... 7
8. The Prerogative of Grand Master to make Masons at sight, . 7
9. The Necessity for Masons to Congregate in Lodges, . . 9
10. The Government of the Craft, when congregated in a Lodge, by a
Master and His Two Wardens, .... 9
11. Necessity of every Lodge, when congregated, being duly Tyled, . 10
12. The Bight of every Freemason to be represented in all General
Meetings of the Craft, and to instruct his Representatives, . 10
13. The Right of every Freemason to Appeal from the Decision of a
Lodge to the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons, . 11
14. The Right of every Freemason to visit and sit in every Regular
15. No Visitor, unknown to the Brethren present, or to some of them,
as a Freemason, can enter a Lodge without first passing an examination, ....... 12
16. No Lodge can interfere in the Business of another Lodge, nor give
Degrees to Brethren who are Members of other Lodges, . 13 xu
CONTENTS,
Seotion
17. Every Freemason amenable to Masonic Jurisdiction,
18. Certain Qualifications of Candidates for Initiation,
19. Belief in the existence of God necessary to Masons,
20. Belief in a Resurrection to a future life necessary to Masons,
21. The " Book of the Law " is an indispensable part of the Furniture
of every Masonic Lodge, . . . . •
22. The Equality of all Freemasons, .....
23. The Secrecy of the Institution, .....
24. The Foundation of a Speculative Science upon an operative art,
and the symbolic use and explanation of the terms of that art for purposes of religious or moral teaching,
25. The Landmarks can never be changed, ....
15 16 17
18 19
CHAPTER II. The Wbitten Law
The General Regulations,
1. The Old York Constitutions of 926,
The Fifteen Articles, .
The Fifteen Points, .
2. The Constitutions of Edward III.,
3. The Regulations of 1663,
4. The Ancient Installation Charges,
5. The Ancient Charges at Makings,
6. The Regulation of 1703,
7. The Regulation of 1717,
8. The Regulation of 1720,
9. The Charges Approved in 1722, .
Concerning God and Religion,
Of the Civil Magistrate, Supreme and Subordinate,
Of Lodges, .....
Of Masters, Wardens, FeUows, and Apprentices,
Of the Management of the Craft in Working, .
Of Behaviour in the Lodge while Constituted,
Of Behaviour after the Lodge is over and the Brethren not gone
Of Behaviour when Brethren meet without Strangers, but not
in a Lodge Formed, Of Behaviour in presence of Strangers not Masons, Of Behaviour at Home and in your Neighbourhood, Of Behaviour towards a Strange Brother, 10. The General Regulations of 1721,
35 35 35 36 37
Contents
XIU
Section 1 CHAPTER L QiTAiiirioATioifr OF Candidates
The Internal Qualifications,
Candidate must come of his own free will. Candidate must he uninfluenced by mercenary motives, The External Qualifications, Moral Qualifications, .
Physical Qualifications,
As to Sex, .
As to Age, .
As to Bodily Conformation, Mental Qualifications, Political Qualifications,
CHAPTER II.
The Petition of Candidates.
1. Candidates must present a Written Petition, . . .65
2. Candidate must sign Petition in his own handwriting, . . 65
3. Petitioner must be recommended by at least Two Members of
4. Application must be made to Lodge nearest Candidate's place of
5. Petition must be read on a Regular Night of Meeting, . . 66
6. Petition, once read, cannot be withdrawn, . . .66
7. Petition must be referred to a Committee for investigation, . 67
8. Petition cannot be acted on till next Regular Meeting, . . 67
9. If report of Committee unfavourable. Candidate at once rejected
without Ballot, . . . . . .67
CHAPTER III. Balloting foe Candidates
1. The Ballot must be Unanimous, .
2. It must be Independent, .
3. It must be Secret,
4. It cannot be Reconsidered,
70 70 71
XIV
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV. The CoNSEQtrENCES of Rejection
Section i t. ii. t j
1. He cannot have his Application reconsidered by the iiodge,
2. He cannot apply to another Lodge for Initiation,
3. He may again apply to the Lodge that rejected him,
Page 73 73
PAKT III.
LAWS AS TO INITIATION.
CHAPTER I. The Initiation
1. Preparation of the Candidate, . . . ' . • '^^
2. The Making, ....
3. The Charge, ....
4. Declaration to be signed by Candidate, .
5. The Candidate promises obedience to the Laws,
6. Expenses of Initiation, .
7. Certificates, ....
8. Serving Brethren,
9. Initiations may be accelerated, . . . . .82
CHAPTER II. Eoteeeb Appeenticbs
1. Entered Apprentices not, strictly speaking. Members of a Lodge, 85
2. Not entitled to honours of Masonic Burial, . . .85
3. Not entitled to Masonic Charities or Relief, . . .85
4. They have a right to sit in the Lodges in which they were
5. They have a right to apply for advancement to a higher Degree, 87
6. How soon they can apply for advancement, . . .88
7. What number of hlack balls is necessary to constitute a rejection, 89
8. What time must elapse, after a first rejection, before application
can be renewed, . . . . . .90
9. Rights hable to forfeiture by misconduct, . . .90 10. The Trial of Entered Apprentices, . . . .91
CONTENTS.
XV
CHAPTER III. Fellow Okafts
1. Their history as a part of the Order,
2. They have no more rights than Entered Apprentices,
Page 92 94
Chapter IV
Mastek Masons Their right of Membership, Their right of Affiliation, Their right of Visit, Their right of Avouchment, Their right of Relief, Their right of Demission,
7. Their right of Appeal,
8. Their right of Burial, .
CHAPTBK V.
Past Masters.
1. Eight of eligibility to Membership in Grand Lodge,
2. Eight of presiding over their lodge ui absence of the Master,
3. Eight of installing their successors,
4. Eight to a seat in the east, ....
5. Eight to a special jewel distinctive of their rank,
149 161 152 153 153
CHAPTER VI. IlNArriLiATED Masons
1. They are bound by all Masonic duties and obligations, except such
as relate to Lodge organisation, .... 160
2. They possess all rights derivable from Membership in the Order, 160
3. They have a right to assistance when in imminent peril, . .160
4. They have no right to pecuniary aid from a Lodge, . .160
5. They have no right to visit Lodges, except once a year, or walk in
Masonic Processions, ...... 160
6. They have no right to Masonic Burial, .... 160
7. They may be tried and punished for any offence, . . 160
8. They may, if necessary, be tried and punished for non-affiliation, 160
XVI
CONTENTS.
PAET IV.
LAWS AS TO LODGES.
CHAPTER I. The Nature of a Lodsb
1. The Organisation of Lodges under Dispensation,
2. Organisation of Chartered Lodges,
The Consecration, The Dedication, The Constitution, The Installation,
CHAPTER IL The Rights or Lodges.
The Eights of Lodges under Dispensation,
They cannot be represented in Grand Lodge,
They cannot make Bye-Laws, .
They cannot elect Office-bearers,
They cannot install their Office-bearers,
They cannot elect Members, .
Only the Master and Wardens have a right to elect Candidates, ......
The Powers of Lodges working under Warrant of Constitution,
They have a right to retain possession of their Warrant of Constitution,
To do all the work of ancient Craft Masonry.
To transact all Business that can be legally transacted by regularly congregated Masons,
To be represented at all Communications of Grand Lodge,
To increase their Numbers by admission of New Members,
To elect their Office-bearers, ....
To install their Office-bearers after being elected,
To exclude a Member from their Lodge,
To make Bye-Laws for their local government, subject to approval of Grand Lodge,
To levy a subscription upon their Members, .
To appeal to Grand Lodge from decision of their Masters,
To exercise penal jurisdiction over their own Members, and an Unaffiliated Mason living within their jurisdiction,
To select a name for themselves.
To designate and change their time and place of Meeting.
181 182 182 182 183 183
184 185
188 190
190 191 191 192 192 194
194 197
197 197 198
CONTENTS.
XTU
CHAPTER III. The OrFiCE-BEAREES or a Lobqe
2. The "Wardens,
3. The Treasurer,
4. The Secretary,
5. The Deacons,
6. The Chaplain,
7. The Stewards,
8. The Inner Guard a The Tyler,
CHAPTER ly.
Rules of the Ordek.
1. Opening of the Lodge, .
2. Working up,
3. Ancient Charges to be read,
4. Unfolding the Sacred Volume,
5. Reading of the Minutes, .
6. Rules of Debate,
7. Committees,
8. Elections,
9. Refreshment, 10. Closing the Lodge,
PART V.
LAWS AS TO GRAND LODGE.
CHAPTER L The Natuee op a Grand Lodge,
CHAPTER IL
The Powers oe a Grand Lodge.
1. Legislative Powers, ...... 232
It can make no Regulation in violation of Landmarks, . 254
Its legislation must be prospective, not retrospective, . . 254
It cannot repeal Bye-Laws except as provided, . . 254
XVIU
CONTENTS.
1. Legislative Powers {continued) —
It has the power of making Bye-Laws for its subordinates, It grants Warrants of Constitution for establishment of Daughter
Lodges, . . . . •
It can also revoke them, It has right to impose fees on its Daughter Lodges,
2. Judicial Powers, . . . . •
3. Executive Powers, ....
Page 255
255 256 256 257 259
CHAPTER III.
The Ojfioe-Bbabeks op a Gkand Lodgb.
The Grand Master, ......
The Most Worshipful Grand Master has the right to convene the Grand Lodge at any time and place, .
Has the right to preside over every Assembly of the Craft wheresoever and whensoever held,
Has the right to visit any Lodge, ....
Has the right of Appointments, ....
Has the right of giving two votes, ....
Has the right to grant Dispensations, ....
Has the right to authorise Masons to congregate together and form a Lodge, ......
Has the right to make Masons at sight.
Has a right to arrest the Charter, ....
The Past Grand Master, the Depute Grand Master, and the
Substitute Graud Master, .....
The Grand Wardens, ......
The Grand Treasurer, ......
The Grand Secretary, ......
The Grand Clerk, ......
The Grand Chaplains, ......
The Grand Deacons, ......
The Grand Stewards, ......
The Grand Architect, ......
The Grand Jeweller, ......
The Grand Bible-Bearer, ......
The Grand Director of Ceremonies, ....
The Grand Bard, ......
The Grand Sword-Bearer, .....
The Grand Director of Music, .....
The Grand Marshals, ......
The Grand Tyler, . . ' .
The Grand Committee, ......
CONTENTS. XIX
CHAPTER IV. General EEauLATioNS or Gband Lodoe
Seotiok Page
1. Meetings for Business, ...... 295
2. Grand Visitations, ...... 298
3. Erection and Consecration of Lodges, with Ceremonial, . . 299
4. Enrolment of Entrants in the Books of Grand Lodge, . . 311
5. Certificate to Daughter Lodges, ..... 312
6. Members of Grand Lodge, Proxy Commissions, &c., . . 314
9. Clothing and Jewels, . . . . . .318
10. Regulations in Laying Foundation Stones, with Ceremonial, . 321
11. Honorary Members, ...... 327
12. Finance and General Management Committees, , . . 328
13. Correspondence with Sister Grand Lodges, . . . 329
15. Annual Circular, or Grand Lodge of Scotland's Reporter, . 331
CHAPTER V. Pkovincial Grand Lodges
1. Their Jurisdiction, . . . . . .332
2. Their Duties and Powers, . . . - .333
PART VI.
MASONIC CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS.
CHAPTER I. Masonic Crimes, ...•••• 337
CHAPTER IL Penal Jdbisdiction.
Members,
Affliated Members, 348
Unaffiliated Members, 349
XX
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III. Masonic Trials
The Charge,
The Charge Communicated, .
Must commence at Regular Communication, .
Examinations must take place before the accused and
Final Decision,
No visitors permitted,
Testimony of Master Masons,
Testimony of Profanes,
Conclusion of the Trial,
The Verdict, .
CHAPTER IV. Masohio Punishment
. 356
2. Reprimand, .....
. 357
3. Exclusion, .....
. 358
4. Suspension, Definite or Indefinite,
. 364
5. Expulsion, .....
. 369
CHAPTER V. Restoration
. 373
PAET VII.
FUND OF SCOTTISH MASONIC BENEVOLENCE.
Appendix
A. Table of Grand Lodge Dues, ..... 385
B. Form of Commission by a Provincial Grand Master, . . 385
C. Form of Petition for a New Lodge, .... 386
D. Affirmation by Subordinate Lodges, .... 387
E. Certificate by Subordinate Lodges to their Members, . . 387 P. General Regulations for Subordinate Lodges, . . , 388 6. Form of Process before the Grand Lodge and the Grand
PAET I.
THE ORIGm AND BASIS OF MASONIC LAW.
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