Charges of a Freemason

While the Master must be faithful both to the employer and employed, the workmen are required to discharge their duty faithfully, and ” honestly finish their work.” They must not only complete their work, but they must complete it agreeably to the designs laid down upon the trestle board by the Master—” honestly finish” it; and that work which is usually done by journeymen, that is, expert and well-instructed workmen, must not be entrusted to inexperienced apprentices.

By CORNELIUS MOORE, Editor of The Masonic Review.

Each man should fill that place in the Lodge for which he is qualified, and discharge those duties only which his attainments and proficiency enable him to perform with fidelity and skill.
 
The reference is still to operative Masonry, and in that application is simple, plain and reasonable. Envy at the success or prosperity of another is a very foolish and very hurtful passion, and should never be indulged.

Prosperity is generally the result of a judicious and energetic application of these powers with which man has been endowed by his Creator, and instead of indulging envy at the success of another, the upright and well-instructed Mason will endeavour by similar industry to realize a similar prosperity.
 
No one should be supplanted in his work, or ” put out” of it, unless he is found incompetent to perform it. It is presumed that he understands the drafts, and fully comprehends the designs, or he would not have been put in charge of the work ; and, other things being equal, he is more likely to succeed than one who should take charge of it when partly finished.

These directions are all practical, and have a common sense application; the intelligent Mason will see their original appropriateness, and readily apply them, where applicable, to symbolic Masonry.
 
The Warden, both in operative and speculative Masonry, is the assistant of the Master in the discharge of his duties as overseer of the work. In the absence of the Master, the Warden succeeds to his duties, and then incurs all the responsibilities which rested upon his superior.

He stands between the lord, or proprietor, and the work-men, and must do justice to, and deal honestly with, both. He is presumed to be competent to discharge these higher duties, or he would not have been appointed as Warden, in which capacity he is liable at any time to succeed to the Masters chair.
 
And that he may be able to discharge those duties properly the workmen are bound to render him the same prompt and willing obedience they owe to the Master when ho is present and superintending in person.
 
In the absence of the Master, the Warden fills the place, discharges the duties, exercises the prerogatives, and has a right to the same homage and obedience as the superior officer; he is then Master for the time being.

There are two important duties required in this sentence, as indicated by the use of the word “shall.”
 
1 They shall not desert the Master until the work, on which they are engaged, is fully completed. How often, in conferring degrees, do brethren embrace an opportunity during a temporary pause in the work, perhaps at the close of a section, rise and ask leave to retire; and this is continued until scarcely enough are left to assist the Master in closing the Lodge.
 
This practice is very objectionable; it produces “confusion among the workmen;” is uncourteous to the Master; detracts from the solemnity and impressiveness of the work; and is expressly forbidden by the supremo law of the Order.

Permission to retreat such times should not be requested without an urgent necessity; and if the request is made in the absence of such necessity, it should not be granted. The Master should never give his consent for the members to disobey the law. In cities and large towns this objectionable practice is much more common than in rural districts, and “much of the work is injured, if not entirely ruined, by the non-observance of this wholesome regulation.
 
The other duty enjoined in this sentence is this: —that Masons should ” meekly receive their wages, without murmur or mutiny. “Order and harmony must be preserved; and though we may not always receive the reward we conceive due our merits, yet we shall receive what was promised, and with that we must be content.

We may have done more than others; we may have laboured longer; perhaps have ” borne the burden and heat of the clay,” and conceive ourselves entitled to an extra reward. But we should never forget that we engaged ” for a penny,” and having received that, wo should neither ” murmur ” nor ” mutiny.”
 
We have received our ” wages “—that for which we stipulated; and if the Master should best own equal reward upon those who have done less, we have no right to complain; he has done us no injustice, and ho has a perfect right to” do what he pleases with his own.”

“A younger brother shall be instructed in working” by the Master, or by someone selected for that purpose because of his competence and. his attitude in teaching. Indeed, it is the duty of every Mason to instruct, as occasion must offer, his less informed brethren.
 
The younger members are enjoyed to diligence in the study of the art and to improve in Masonic knowledge ” by conversation with older and better informed brethren, who will be always ” as ready to give as he will be to receive instruction.” The best evidence that a young Mason can give of his fitness for the Order, will be his diligence in the pursuit of Masonic knowledge.

If he sits down contented, as soon as his curiosity is gratified, it is a sure indication that an error was committed by admitting him. He may be a worthy citizen, but he will add neither strengthen nor adorn our mystic building.
 
The duty of instructing a younger brother is enjoined for two reasons: — to prevent spoiling the work, and to preserve and increase brotherly love, which is the “cement which, unites the building into one common mass.”

These are two very important considerations, and should have their proper influence in securing the observance of this important duty. A description of the tools—the rituals— our mystical implements —cannot he reduced to writing, but a knowledge of their character and use must be communicated by oral instruction. The Charges, therefore, have very wisely committed this matter to the keeping of the Grand Lodge. That body is composed of the Masters and Wardens of all the subordinate Lodges — the oldest and most experienced of the workmen, as it is to be presumed, and therefore the best judges of what the tools should be, and how they should be used. If any discrepancies arise in the work, or any doubts exist as to the proper tools, the Grand Lodge is the proper tribunal to deter-mine the matter, and the decision of that body should quiet all cavilling upon the subject.

The secrets of Masonry are the exclusive property of the Craft, and can never be communicated to one who is a mere labourer and not an accepted Mason. Hence, no ” labourer, that is, one who has not been regularly initiated in a legal Lodge, must ” be employed in the proper work of Masonry,” or permitted to be present when and where the Craft are engaged in their peculiar labours.

A sentinel is therefore placed at the door of every well governed Lodge to keep at a distance all such as are not entitled to enter it, that the secrets of Masonry may not be obtained by the ” profane” “Without an urgent necessity”—This had exclusive reference to operative Masonry in ancient times: when portions of the work had to be done outside the Lodge, and when ” unaccepted Masons” were sometimes required to aid in particular portions of the work. It can have no reference to symbolic Masonry, for no necessity can arise to require the “work” to be performed in the presence of those who have not been initiated. A Mason should never forget the charges to “keep sacred and inviolable the mysteries of the Order,” for by these he is to be distinguished from the rest of the community, and their preservation will convince the Craft of his integrity.

VI. ” Of Behaviour, viz.:

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 pretence 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 referred, unless a lord’s work be hindered 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.

II, Behaviour after Lodge is over, and the Brethren not gone. —You may enjoy yourselves 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 occasion calls him, 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 Catholic religion above mentioned we are also of all nations, tongues, kindreds, and languages, and are resolved against all politics, as what never yet conduced to the welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will.
 
This charge has been always strictly enjoined and observed; but especially ever since the Reformation in Britain, or the dissent and secession of these nations from the communion of Rome.”

III. Behaviour when Brethren meet without strangers, but not in a Lodge formed.—Yon 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 overseen or overheard, and without encroaching upon each other order or derogating from that respect which is due to any brother, were he not a 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, it rather adds to his honour, especially if he has deserved well of the Brotherhood, who must give honour to whom it is due and avoid ill manners.

IV. Behaviour in presence of strangers not Masons. —You shall be cautions in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to discover 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.

V. Behaviour at home and in your neighbourhood, You are to act as becomes a moral and wise man; particularly, not to let your family, friends, and neighbours know the concerns of the Lodge etc.. but wisely to consult your own honour, and that of the ancient brotherhood, for reasons not to be mentioned 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.

VI. Behaviour toward a strange Brother. —You are cautiously to examine him in such a metlod as prudence shall direct you, that you may not be posed upon by an ignorant false pretender, whom you are to reject contempt and derision, and beware of giving him any hints or 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 employed: 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 circumstances.

Finally all these charges you are to observe, and also those that shall be communicated to you in another way; cultivating brotherly love, the foundation and capstone, the cement and glory of this antient Fraternity; avoiding all wrangling and quarrelling, 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 of our forefathers in every nation; never taking a legal course but when the case cannot be otherwise decided, and patiently listening to the honest and friendly advice of Master and Fellow, when they would prevent your going to law with strangers, or would excite you to pat a speedy period to all lawsuits, that so you may mind the affairs 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 present process or law suit without wrath or rancour (not in the common way), saying or doing nothing which may hinder brotherly love, and good offices to be renewed and continued; 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.

The Lodge is no place for conviviality, jesting or trifling and ludicrous conduct. We should go to the Lodge as Masons, and attend to no other business while there but Masonry. Order must be observed; the officers must not be interrupted in the discharge of their duty, nor any brother while speaking on a subject under consideration in the Lodge. A well governed Lodge should be, and is, a perfect model of order and regularity. Everything is done at the right time, in the right way, and with propriety and dignity.
 
There should be no jesting, especially while the Lodge is engaged in the solemn labours of the Craft. When the degrees are conferred with proper solemnity, they will make an impression that will favourably affect the whole future life of the novice; but mingle our solemn rites with laughing and jesting, anil the whole affair becomes ludicrous in the estimation of the candidate.

Masons should never forget that the Lodge room is dedicated to the holiest principles,—that it is a temple erected to God, whose awful presence is ever there. They should also remember the reverence and respect due from each brother, however exalted his station in life may be, to the officers and brethren while engaged in the labours of the Lodge room.
 
Quiet, order, and decorum should reign, and dignity and respect should be seen in the deportment of each individual brother. This would make the Lodge, as a place of resort, instructive and pleasant, where heart, and life, and manners, may all be improved.
 
—The Masonic Review.