Free masons

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University of Nebraska - Lincoln

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1-1-1734

Te Constitutions of the Free-Masons (1734). AnOnline Electronic Edition.James Anderson A.M.Right Worshipful Fraternity of Accepted Free-Masons

Benjamin FranklinGrand Master of Masons of Pennsylvania

Paul Royster (editor & depositor)University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected]

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Anderson, James A.M.; Franklin, Benjamin; and Royster, Paul (editor & depositor), "Te Constitutions of the Free-Masons (1734).l l d " ( ) l bl b
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Title page of the 1734 Philadelphia edition,

which measures approximately 5 3/4x 8 inches

T H E

C O N S T I T U T I O N SO F T H E

FREE-MASONS.C O N T A I N I N G T H E

Hi#ory, Charges, Regulations,&c.of that most Ancient and Right

Worshipful FR ATERNITY.For the Use of the L O D G E S .

L O N D O N Printed; Anno5723.Re-printed in Philadelphia by special Order, for the Use

of the Brethren in N O R T H - A M E R I C A .

In the Year of Masonry 5734, Anno Domini 1734.


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T O

His G R A C E the D U K E of

MONTAGU.

My Lord,

Y Order of his Grace theD U K E of WH A R T O N ,the present Right Wor -shipful GRAND-MASTER

of the Free-Masons ; and, as his Dep-uty, I humbly dedicate this Book ofthe Constitutionsof our ancient Fra-ternityto your Grace, in Testimonyof your honourable, prudent, and


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vigilant Discharge of the Office of

our GR A N D-MA STERlast Year.

I need not tell your Grace whatPains our learnedAuthorhas takenin compiling and digesting this

Book from the old Records, and howaccurately he has compard andmade every thing agreeable to His-toryand Chronology, so as to renderthese NEW CONSTITUTIONS a

just and exact Account of Masonryfrom the Beginning of the Worldto your Graces Mastership,still pre-serving all that was truly ancientand authentick in the old ones : For

every Brother will be pleasd withthe Performance, that knows it hadyour Graces Perusal and Approba-tion, and that it is now printed forthe Use of the Lodges, after it was

approvd by the Grand Lodge,when

your Grace was GR A N D-MASTER.All the Brother-hood will ever re-member the Honour your Gracehas done them, and your Care fortheir Peace, Harmony, and lasting

Friendship: Which none is moreduly sensible of than,

MyLO R D,

Your G R A C E s

most obligd, and

most obedient Servant,

and Faithful Brother,

J . T . D E S A G U L I E R S ,Deputy Grand-Master.

D E D I C A T I O N . D E D I C A T I O N .


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[ 7 ]

T H E

CONSTITUTION,History, Laws, Charges, Orders,

Regulations, and Usages,O F T H E

Right Worshipful F R AT E R N I T Y

O F A C C E P T E D

Free-Masons;Collected from their general R E C O R D S , andtheir faithful T R A D I T I O N S of many

Ages.T O B E R E A D

At the Admission of a NEW BROTHER, whenthe Masteror Wardenshall begin, or order some otherBrother to read as follows :

DAM, our first Parent, created after theImage of God, the great Architect of the Uni-verse, must have had the Liberal Sciences,particularlyGeometry, written on his Heart;for even since the Fall, we find the Principles

of it in the Hearts of his Offspring, and which, in process

of time, have been drawn forth into a convenient Methodof Propositions, by observing the Laws of Proportion taken

Year ofthe World

1.4003 be-

fore Christ


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way peculiar to themselves, which the most Cunning andthe most Learnedcannot penetrate into, though it has beenoften attempted ; while They know and love one another,

even without the Help of Speech, or when of differentLanguages.And now the Freeborn BRITISH NATIONS, disintan-

gled from foreign and civil Wars, and enjoying the goodFruits of Peace and Liberty, having of late much indulgdtheir happy Genius for Masonry of every sort, and revivdthe drooping Lodges of London, this fair Metropolis flour-

isheth, as well as other Parts, with several worthyparticularLodges, that have a quarterly Communication, and an an-nual grandAssembly, wherein the Forms and Usagesof themost ancient and worshipful Fraternity are wisely propagat-ed, and the RoyalArt duly cultivated, and the Cementof theBrotherhood preserved ; so that the whole Bodyresembles a

well built Arch; several Noblemenand Gentlemenof the bestRank, with Clergymenand learned Scholarsof most Profes-sions and Denominations, having frankly joind and submit-

ted to take the Charges, and to wear the Badgesof a Free andAcceptedMason, under our present worthy Grand-Master, themost noble PRINCE John Duke of MONTAGUE.

Besides more of the same RomanStyle, and yet many more in Imi-

tation of it, which though they cannot be reducd to any certain Style,are stately, beautiful, and convenient Structures, notwithstanding theMistakesof their several Architects : And besides the sumptuous andvenerable Gothick Buildings, past reckoning, as Cathedrals, Par-ish-Churches, Chappels, Bridges, old Palaces of the Kings, of theNobility, of the Bishops, and the Gentry, known well to Travellers,and to such as peruse the Histories of Counties, and the ancient Monu-ments of great Families, &c.as many Erections of the RomanStyle

may be reviewd in Mr. Campbell the Architects ingenious Book,calld VITRU VIUS BRITANNICUS : And if the Dispositionfor true ancient Masonry prevails, for some time, with Nobelemen,Gentlemen, and learned Men, (as it is likely it will) this ISLANDwill become the MISTRESSof the Earth, for Designing, Drawing,and Conducting, and capable to instruct all other Nations in all thingsrelating to the ROYALART.


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to be thankfully submitted to by the contending Brethren ;and if that Submission is impracticable, they must howevercarry on their Process or Law-Suitwithout Wrath and Ran-

cor (not in the common way) saying or doing nothing whichmay hinder Brotherly Love,and good Offices to be renewdand continud ; that all may see the benign Influence of MA-SONRY, as all true Masonshave done from the Beginningof the World,and will do to the End of Time.

AMEN SO MOTE IT BE.

P O S T S C R I P T .

AWorthyBROTHER, learned in the Law, has com-municated to the Author(while this Sheet was print-ing) the Opinion of the GreatJudge COKE upon the Actagainst Masons, 3 Hen. VI. Chap. I. which is Printed inthis Book, Page 31, and which Quotation the Author hascompard with the Original, viz.

COKEs Institutes, thirdPart, Fol. 99.

TheCAUSE wherefore this Offence was made Felony, is,for that the good Course and Effect of the Statutes of La-bourers were thereby violated and broken. Now (says myLord COKE) all the Statutes concerning Labourers, beforethis Act, and whereunto this Act doth refer, are repeald by theStatute of5 Eliz. Chap. 4. wherebythe Cause and End of themaking of this Act is taken away ; and consequently this Act isbecome of no Force or Effect ; for,cessante ratione Legis, ces-sat ipsa Lex : And the Indictment of Felony upon this Statutemust contain, thatthose Chapters and Congregations wereto the violating and breaking of the good Course and Effectof the Statutes of Labourers ; which now cannot be so alledgd,because these Statutes be repeald. Therefore this would be putout of the Charge of Justices of Peace, written by MasterLAMBERT,pag. 227.

This Quotation confirms the Tradition of old Masons,that this most learned JUDGE really belongd to the an-cient Lodge, and was afaithfulBrother.

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GENER AL REGU L ATIONS,

Compiled first by Mr. G E O R G E PA Y N E , Anno1720, when he was GRAND-MASTER, and ap-provd by the GR AND- LODGE on St.John Bap-tists Day, Anno 1721 ; at Stationers-Hall, LON-DON; when the most noble PRINCE John Dukeof MON TAGU was unanimously chosen our

GRAND-MASTERfor the Year ensuing ; who choseJOHN BEAL, M.D., his DeputyGrand-Master;

and Mr. Josiah Villeneau were chosen by the Lodge

Mr. Tho. Morris,jun. GRAND-WARDENS.And now, by the Command of our said Right Wor-shipful GRAND-MASTER MONTAGU, the

Author of this Book has compard them with, andreducd them to the ancient Records and immemo-rial Usage,of the Fraternity, and digested them intothis new Method, with several proper Explications,

for the Use of the Lodges in and about LondonandWestminster.

I. HE GRAND-MASTER, or his DEPU-T Y, hath Authority and Right, not onlyto be present in any true Lodge, but also topreside where-ever he is, with the Master

of the Lodge on his Left-Hand, and to order his Grand-War-densto attend him, who are not to act in particular Lodges

{ }


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Th h AND A T l h C did C h h G d M f h A b


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Then the GRAND-MASTER, placing the Candidateon his left Hand, having askd and obtaind the unanimousConsent of all the Brethren, shall say, I constitute and formthese good Brethren into a new Lodge, and appoint you theMaster of it, not doubting of your Capacity and Care to preservetheCement of the Lodge,&c. with some other Expressionsthat are proper and usual on that Occasion, but not properto be written.

Upon this the Deputy shall rehearse the Charges of aMaster, and the GRAND-MASTERshall ask the Candi-date, saying, Do you submit to theseCharges as Masters havedone in all Ages? And the Candidate signifying his cordialSubmission thereunto, the Grand-Master shall, by certainsignificant Ceremonies and ancient Usages, install him,and present him with the Constitutions, the Lodge-Book, andthe Instrumentsof his Office, not all together, but one afteranother ; and after each of them, the Grand-Master or hisDeputy, shall rehearse the short and pithy Charge that is

suitable to the Thing presented.After this, the Members of this new Lodge, bowing all

together to the Grand-Master, shall return his WorshipThanks, and immediately do their Homage to their newMaster, and signify their Promise of Subjection and Obedi-ence to him by the usual Congratulation.

The Deputy and the Grand-Wardens, and any other

Brethren present, that are not Members of this new Lodge,shall next congratulate the new Master ; and he shall re-turn his becoming Acknowledgements to the Grand-Masterfirst, and to the rest in their Order.

Then the Grand-Masterdesires the new Master to enterimmediately upon the Exercise of his Office, in chusing hisWardens : And the new Master, calling forth two Fellow-

Craft, presents them to the Grand-Master for his Approba-tion, and to the newLodgefor their Consent. And that be-ing granted,

The senior or junior Grand-Warden, or some otherBrother for him, shall rehearse the Charges of Wardens;and the Candidatesbeing solemnly askd by the newMaster,shall signify their Submission thereunto.

Upon which the new Master, presenting them with theInstruments of their Office, shall in due Form, install themin their proper Places ; and the Brethren of that newLodgeshall signify their Obedience to the new Wardens by theusual Congratulation.

And this LODGE being thus compleatly constituted,shall be registerd in the Grand-Masters Book, andby his Order notified to the otherLodges.


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T H E


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I.

C OME let us prepare,We Brothers that areAssembled on merry Occasion :

Lets drink, laugh, and sing ;Our Winehas a Spring :

Heres a Health to an AcceptedMason.

II.

The World is in painOur Secretsto gain,

And still let them wonder and gaze on ;

They neer can divine The Wordor the SignOf a Freeand an AcceptedMason.

III.

Tis This, and tis That,They cannot tell What,

Why so many GreatMenof the NationShould Apronsput on,To make themselves one

With a Freeand an AcceptedMason.

IV.

Great Kings, Dukes, and Lords,Have laid by their Swords,

Our Mystry to put a good Grace on,And neer been ashamdTo hear themselves namd

With a Freeand an AcceptedMason.

V.

Antiquitys PrideWe have on our side,

And it maketh Men just in their Station:

Theres nought but whats goodTo be understood

By a Freeand an AcceptedMason.

VI.

Then join Hand in Hand,Teach other firm stand,

Lets be merry, and put a bright Face on:

What Mortalcan boastSo NOBLE A TOAST,As a Freeand an AcceptedMason ?

Enterd PRENTICES SONG.By our late B R O T H E R

Mr. M A T T H E W B I R K H E A D , deceasd.

To be sung when allgrave Businessis over, and with the MASTERs Leave.

I.

WHATthough they call us MasonsFools,We prove by Geometry and Rules,Weve Arts are taught in all our Schools; They charge us falsely then.We make it plainly to appear,By our Behaviour every whereThat where you meet a Mason, there You meet a Gentleman.

II.

Tis true we once have charged beenWith Disobedience to our Queen ;But after Monarchs plain have seen, The Secrets they have sought.We hatch no Plots against the State,Nor gainst great Men in Power prateBut all thats generous, good and great Is daily by us taught.

III.

What noble Structures do we seeBy ancient Brethren raised be !The Worlds surprizd, and shall not we Then honour Masonry ?Let those that do despise the ArtLive in a Cave in some Desart,And herd with beasts from Men apart, For their Stupidity.

IV.

View but those Savage Nations, where

No Masonry did eer appear,What strange unpolishd Brutes they are! Then honour Masonry.It makes us courteous, easy, free,Generous, honourable, and gay ;What other Art the like can say ? Heres a Health to Masonry.

A New S ON G .

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d l N


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L O N D O N , this 17th Day of January, 1722,3.

AT the Quarterly Communication, This Book, whichwas undertaken at the Command of His GR ACE the

DUKE of MONTAGU, our late Grand-Master, having

been regularly approved in Manuscript by the Grand-Lodge,was this Day produced here in Print, and approved by theSOCIET Y : Wherefore we do hereby Order the same to bePublished, and recommend it for the Use of the LODGES.

PHILIP DUK E of W HARTON, Grand-Master.

J. T. DESAGULIER S, DeputyGrand-Master.

F I N I S .

Editorial Note

James Anderson (c.16791739) was born and edu-cated in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was ordained a ministerin the Church of Scotland in 1707, and moved to London,where he ministered to the Glass House Street congregationuntil 1710, and to the Presbyterian church in Swallow Streetuntil 1734, and at Lisle Street Chapel until his death. Heis reported to have lost a large sum of money in the South

Sea Company crash of 1720. Anderson was a Master of aMasonic lodge and a Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge.He was commissioned to write this history of the Free-Ma-sons by the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster inSeptember of 1721, and it was published in 1723. A secondedition, much expanded, appeared in 1738. The work wastranslated into many languages, including Dutch (1736),

German (1741), and French (1745). His other publishedworks include Royal Genealogies (1732), A Defence of Ma-sonry (1738?), News from Elysium (1739),andA Genealogi-cal History of the House of Yvery (1742). His authorship ofthe present work is declared on page 80.

Benjamin Franklin (17061790) came to Phila-delphia from Boston in 1723, and opened his own printing

business in 1728, in partnership with Hugh Meredith, wholeft in 1730. He began to publish the Pennsylvania Gazettein October of 1729 and became the official printer for thecolony of Pennsylvania in 1731. Franklin was admitted tothe St. Johns Lodge of Free-Masons in January of 1731, be-came a junior grand warden of the lodge in June of 1732, andGrand Master of Masons of Pennsylvania in June of 1734.


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This edition retains the spelling, capitalization, italics,d i f h Phil d l hi di i N

96 97

The five emendations indicated with asterisks represent occa-i h h f h Phil d l hi di i d f i


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and punctuation of the 1734 Philadelphia edition. No at-tempt has been made to standardize spellings or orthogra-phy. Some typographical errors have been corrected, and a

list of emendations is given below, keyed to page and linenumber of the present edition (the line count includes chap-ter headings, but not running heads or hairlines):

Page.line 1734 reading emended to10.29 perpendciular perpendicular

20.20 which (which

22.5 PYTAHGORAS PYTHAGORAS

24.31 exellent excellent

33.25 Conjurnation Conjuration

40.30* TRINITY COLLEGE TRINITY-COLLEGE

41.37 Fief Fife

43.10* County County,43.12* Drumlanrig Castle Drumlanrig-Castle

43.18 Clysdaleshire Clydsdaleshire

43.19* Wanstead House Wanstead-House

43.21* Mereworth Castle Mereworth-Castle

43.26 Earle Earl48.16 may distinguishd may be distinguishd

80.9b THO THO.

80.28b Master Master.

83.38 belovd belovd.

83.29b Art Art.85.29 thrivd thrivd.

87.6b King King ;

88.5b compleat ? compleat ;

90.22b Teach each Teach

91.14b are are !

sions where the text of the Philadelphia edition departs from itsLondon source-document within a list or context where it is other-wise faithful to that source. In these five cases, the reading of the

London text has been adopted (i.e., four hyphens and a commahave been restored). In all other cases, other than the correction oftypographical errors, the Philadelphia edition has been followed.

The following bibliographies and webliographies may be help-ful to those seeking further sources for research on Masonry:

Masonry and the Printed Word, National Heritage Museum, Lex-ington, MA 02421 http://www.monh.org/Default.aspx?tabid=359

Brandy Farese, Freemasonry in the Eighteenth-Century,http://www.louisville.edu/a-s/english/subcultures/colors/black/bljett01/farebiblio.html

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF PHILANTHROPY AND VOL-UNTARISM IN THE UNITED STATES, 1600-1900,http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~phall/dochistcontents.html

Freemasonry, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreemasonryWalgren, Kent Logan, Freemasonry, Anti-Masonry, and Illuminism inthe United States, 1734-1850, A Bibliography.Worcester, MA: AmericanAntiquarian Society, 2003.

Paul RoysterUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln

February 14, 2006

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