THE EARLY

MASONIC CATECHISMS
 THE EARLY
MASONIC CATECHISMS
 THE
EARLY MASONIC
CATECHISMS
TRANSCRIBED AND EDITED BY

DOUGLAS KNOOP, M.A., Hon. A.R.I.B.A.

Professer of Economics in the University of Sheffield
G. P. JONES, M.A., Litt.D.
Lecturer in Economic History in the University of Sheffield
AND

DOUGLAS HAMER, M.C., M.A.

Lecturer in English Literature in the University of Sheffield

THE SECOND EDITION

EDITED for QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE

by

HARRY CARR, P.A.G.D.C., P.M.

Published by

QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE, NO. 2076, LONDON

1975
 PRÉFACE
TO THE SECOND EDITION

The first edition of this work appeared in 1943 and it was instantly recognized by historians as an indispensable tool for the
study of the evolution of early masonic ritual. The book was very soon out of print, and for many years it has been vir-
tually unobtainable. That a major work of this calibre should have had to wait twenty years for its second edition is per-
haps a sad reflection on the limited field that exists for the more substantial works of masonic scholarship. Yet the work
is not a whit less valuable to-day than when it was first published. Nothing has appeared to replace or supersede it,
and its splendid thirty-page Introduction is as important to-day as it was in 1943.
1963 QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE
No. 2076, LONDON The present-day economics of printing tend to make any venture in the field of masonic publishing a matter of hazardous
speculation, but the Standing Committee of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, agreed unanimously that the re-issue of this
work should be the first undertaking in their newly enlarged publishing programme.
First published 1943
Two important texts have been discovered since the first edition was published :
Second enlarged and revised edition 1963
Second edition reprinted 1975 1 The Wilkinson MS., c. 1727, which was the subject of a separate study by the same authors, in 1946.
2 The Kevan MS., belonging to the period c. 1720, which was discovered in 1955.
1
It is noteworthy that the appearance of these widely different texts has served only to confirm the findings of the
three distinguished scholars who collaborated in the original work. In pursuit of their expressed `. . endeavour to supply reliable texts of all the
early masonic catechisms . . we have included the Wilkinson and Kevan MSS. in this publication ;
the former, complete with Introduction, photographs and Notes, as in the 1946 production ; the lat-
ter with a brief introduction and commentary by the present writer.
The addition of these two texts is the only major différence between

Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd, Frome and London
vi Preface Preface vii
the first and second editions. It has necessitated changes in the typescripts, two or more Brethren sharing Question and Answer.
paging of the new book, with some additions to the Index, but the origi- Even a longish text, like Prichard's Masonry Dissected, would require only
nal transcripts have been preserved intact, and in this new form the sec- a moderate amount of preparation, and in this form it is possible to give.a
ond edition is really up to date, presenting in one slim volume reliable great deal of entertaining and simple instruction in the early development
transcripts of all the early English masonic catechisms that are known at of the ritual.
present. The Early Masonic Catechisms is by far the mort important work that was
Out of respect to the learned editors of the first edition, no changes ever compiled in this particular field of masonic study. Primarily, it
have been made to the Introduction. From the student's point of was designed for students, but not for them alone. There is a great
view, no changes are necessary, except at those points where the text deal of profit and pleasure to be derived from it for the rank and file of
refers to the actual number of documents reproduced., etc. (as on page the Craft, if its contents are studied as they deserve.
3), and in similar items of a minor character which do not affect the Finally, and on behalf of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, Lon-
scholarly quality of the Introduction. don, I take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to Professor G. P.
The location of several texts has changed in the twenty years that have Jones and to the authorities of the University of Sheffield for their
elapsed since the first edition was published. Three of the documents valued help in permitting this publication; also to the Grand Lodge
reproduced here have changed ownership, and for the benefit of future of Scotland and to the various Libraries and individuals (all listed in
students we note the following the Preface to the first edition, below), who granted permission to reprint
the rare and valuable documents which are reproduced here.
The Gra ham M S., 1726, is now in the Library of the United Grand
H. C.
Lodge of England.
1963
The D ialogue be tween Si mon and P hilip, c . 1740, is in the same
Library.
The Wilkinson MS., c. 1727, belongs to the Pomfrct Lodge, No. 360
(Northants.), and is on loan to the same Grand Lodge Library.
PREFACE
Writing as one who has devoted much time to the study and teaching of
masonic ritual, I offer the following hints—with some diffidencein the TO THE FIRST EDITION
hope that they will enable less-experienced students to enjoy the work
more fully. For the untrained reader the old English and Scottish spelling The early masonic catechisms have been examined, analytically and
and a few unusual words may present some difficulties, but they will comparatively, in some detail by Bro. H. Poole in " Masonic Ritual and
disappear very quickly, and he will soon find that it is much more in- Secrets before 1717 " [A.Q.C., xxxvii (1924)]. His paper, however,
teresting to read the texts in their original form than in modem spell- was written before the discovery of the Chesham, E dinburgh Register
ings which seem somehow unsuited to the words themselves. House and Graham M SS. Further, although he actually took 173o, in
At first the reader will automatically find himself comparing these old preference to 1717, as his boundary date, notwithstanding his title, he
catechisms with the present-day ritual. Later, there is much pleasure excluded Prichard's Masonry Dissected, published in October, 173o, on the
and instruction to be gained by comparing the earlier texts, c. 1700, with ground that it raised the large question of the number of degrees ' given
the more highly developed versions of the 1730s. during the period 1717-1730, which he felt unable adequately to discuss in
the space at his disposal. Much of his paper is as valuable to-day as when
For study purposes, especially in Lodges and Lodges of Instruction, it is
it was first written, some twenty years ago, though failure to distinguish
extremely useful to read the texts aloud, from the book or from
between an apprentice and an
viii Preface Preface ix
entered apprentice and to realize that the catechisms apply to the admission help in dating certain manuscripts ; and our colleagues, J. M. M.
of the latter (ex-apprentices or improvers aged 21 or so) and not to that Jenkinson and J. H. Read, for making the tracings required for
of the former (boys aged 14 or so) did lead him to some extent astray, the preparation of blocks. Lastly, we have to thank Mr. H. M.
and some of the commentators on his paper more so. Unfortunately, Bro. McKechnie, Secretary of the Manchester University Press, for his
Poole's paper has no appendix of illustrative documents ; owing to lack of unfailing help and co-operation.
space, he had to content himself with indicating the more accessible D. K.
reproductions. Thus, though it stimulated interest in the catechisms, his G. P. J.
paper whetted the appetite without supplying any ready means of satisfy- D. H.
ing it, because some of the publications in which catechisms have been THE UNIVERSITY,
reproduced are not likely to be found in an ordinary masonic library. SHEFFIELD,
In this volume, which may be described as a utility ' edition, we endeav- February, 1943.
our to supply reliable texts of all the early masonic catechisms, and of
the contemporary rejoinders, with the exception of the Chesham MS. Postscript. We are greatly indebted to Bro. Fred. T. Cramphorn
and the first part of the Essex MS., which are practically identical with for placing at our disposai his typescript copies of the two catechisms
other early catechisms which we print in full. As space is limited, we referred to in the Note on p. xi.
have curtailed our general introduction and the introductory and explana- April, 1943.
tory notes to particular documents, and have omitted reproductions of title
pages of pamphlets and specimen pages of MSS. Further, we have been
unable to follow the exact lay-out of certain catechisms, in so far as they
devote separate limes to each question and each answer, however short. In
these days of paper economy such spacious setting is precluded. Our
aim is to give complete and accurate texts of the documents, with suffi-
cient introductory and explanatory matter to help those masons who wich
to study for themselves the origins of masonic ritual and ceremonies. The
prevailing conditions prevent us from catering for the masonic bibliophile.
For the facilities afforded to us in the obtaining of photostats and photo-
graphs, and for permission to print or reprint documents, we have to
thank the authorities of the British Museum, the Bodleian Library, the
Trinity College, Dublin, Library, the Edinburgh Register House, the
United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Ireland and
Lodge Dumfries Kilwinning, No. 53 ; also the Editors of A.Q.C. and of
the Leicester Masonic Reprints, and Bro. Rev. H. I. Robinson, Bro. Rev. H.
Poole, Bro. J. Heron Lepper and Bro. Philip Crossle. We have also to
thank Bro. Rabbi Barnet I. Cohen for assistance with certain He-
brew words ; Bro. Philip Crossle for information about the Chetwode
Crawley MS. ; Dr. B. Schofield and Mr. A. J. Collins of the MSS. Depart-
ment of the British Museum for
 CONTENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATED REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION : A.Q.C. Ars Quatuor Coronatorum [Transactions of the Quatuor
COMPARISON WITH THE OLD CHARGES . 1 Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, London].
EARLY OPERATIVE WORKING 4 Gould R. F. Gould, History of Freemasonry, 1882-7.
AUTHENTICITY OF THE PRINTED CATECHISMS : 9 Leics. Reprints Masonic Reprints [of the Lodge of Research, No. 2429,
Relation of Printed to MS. Catechisms . 10 Leicester].
Reaction of the Craft to the Publication of the Catechisms 13 Lepper and Crossle J. H. Lepper and. Philip Crossle, History of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, 1925.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE EARLY CATECHISMS . 18 Manc. Trans. Transactions of the Manchester Association for Masonic
Research.
EVOLUTION OF THE EARLY CATECHISMS Misc. Lat. .19
ACCEPTED OR EARLY SPECULATIVE CEREMONIES 22 Misc. Lat Miscellanea Latomorum.
TREATMENT OF THE TEXTS . 30 Q.C.A. . Quatuor Coronatorum Antigrapha [Masonic Reprints of
CATECHISMS : the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, London].
THE EDINBURGH REGISTER HOUSE MS., 1696 31 Thorp J T Thorp, Bibliography of Masonic Catechisms and Exposures, 1929.
THE CHETWODE CRAWLEY MS., C. 1700 Thorp 35
THE KEVAN MS., C. 1 7 1 4 - 2 0 39
THE SLOAN E MS., 3329, C. 1700. 45
THE DUMFRIES No. 4 MS., C. 1710 . 50
THE TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, MS., 1711 69
A MASON'S EXAMINATION, 1723 . 71
THE GRAND MYSTERY OF FREE-MASONS DISCOVER'D, 1724 76
THE WHOLE INSTITUTION OF MASONRY, 1724 81 NOTE TO TTHE FIRST EDITION
INSTITUTION OP FREE MASONS, C. 1725 . 83
THE WHOLE INSTITUTIONS OF FREE-MASONS OPENED, 1725 87 After this book had gone to press, the existence of two other early catechisms
THE GR AHAM MS., 1726 . 89
THE GRAND MYSTERY LAID OPEN, 1726 97
was brought to our notice by Bro. Fred. T. Cramphorn of Upper Moulsham,
A MASON'S CONFESSION, ? 1727 99 Chelmsford. In a MS., stated to bear an almost illegible name and address, "
THE WILKINSON M S . , C. 1727 108 M r John Page ... N o 5 . . . Bristol ", and recently in the possession of the late
THE MYSTERY OF FREE-MASONRY, 1730 152 Bro. Lister Salisbury, who lent the document to Bro. Cramphorn to copy, there
PRICHARD'S MASONRY DISSECTED, 1730 157 are three catechisms : (i) The Whole Institution of Masonry, 1724 ; (ii) an entry
THE CHESHAM MS., C. 1740 174
headed " The following is part of Free Masonry as Printed in London 1725 " ; A
DIALOGUE BETWEEN SIMON AND PHILIP, C. 1740 175
THE ESSEX MS., C. 1750 . 182
Dialogue between Simon, a Town Mason, and Philip, a Traveling Mason. The
first is an early and shorter version of The W hole I nstitutions o f F ree-Masons
REJOINDERS
Opened, 1725 (see p. 87 below) ; the second is a copy of the examination in The
THE FREE-MASONS VINDICATION, 1725 . 184
THE PERJUR 'D FREE MASON DETECTED, 1730 187 Grand Mystery of the Free Masons Disco ver'd , 1 72 5 ( see p . 7 6 b elo w) ;
A DEFENCE OF MASONRY, 1730-I 210 the thir d p o ssesses co ns id er ab le affini ties with other early masonic cate-
POSSIBLE REJOINDERS : chisms, but resembles no particular one very closely. We print the first and third,
THE SISTERHOOD OF FREE SEMPSTRESSES, 1724 226
A LETTER FROM THE GRAND MISTRESS, 1724 229
with introductory notes, on pp. 81 and 175 below ; it has not been possible,
NOTES AND GLOSSARY 240 however, to refer to them in the Introduction, which was already paged.
INDEX . 243
x

xi
 INTRODUCTION
COMPARISON WITH THE OLD CHARGES
For many years the study of masonic manuscripts has been largely directed to the documents known as the MS. Constitutions of Masonry, or, more familiarly, as the
Old Charges. These usually begin with an invocation or opening prayer, followed by a legendary history of the building industry and a body of regulations governing
the masons' trade. This study has been distinctly fruitful, and has led to the discovery of numerous new versions of the Old Charges, so that there is a fairly sub-
stantial body of material available for classification and analysis. The genuineness of the documents as a whole has never been seriously questioned, though
Gould devoted considerable space in his History of Freemasonry to considering how far any particular version could be regarded as an accredited or authoritative writ-
ing, and the authenticity of one or two versions has provided matter for discussion. The legendary history and the masons' regulations of the MS. Constitutions from
time to time underwent considerable changes, which we have briefly discussed in our Short History of Freemasonry 1730, but no revision appears to have been made
after about 1725. Although a particular version may not have been copied or printed until the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century, nevertheless it will generally
prove to be a more or less exact copy of a pre-1730 manuscript. Consequently, there is no need to impose a date-limit when discussing the Old Charges, or to differen-
tiate between the versions which have survived in manuscript and those which have survived only in print.
In this volume we deal with a different class of masonic document, much smaller in number and considerably more suspect in character, namely, the manuscript
and printed masonic catechisms, which originally were mainly concerned with the form of giving the Mason Word, and the questions and answers used to test
persans claiming to have the Mason Word. These catechisms underwent considerable changes during the eighteenth century, gradually becoming much more elaborate
in character. Lionel Vibert devoted some attention to this development in his Prestonian Lecture for 1925 on the Trigradal System, and subsequently discussed it more
fully in a paper on " Eighteenth
2 Introduction siderable element of uncertainty must always remain in interpreting
these documents, even after their authenticity has been established, so far as
Century Catechisms " (Misc. L at., xiv). As we are concerned only that can be done.
with early masonic catechisms, we have taken as the end of our In this volume we are concerned primarily with sixteen documents, nine
period the year 1730, which for three reasons forms a good boundary date. of which are in manuscript [but see also Preface, p. v.]:
(i) For several years after 1730, Prichard's Masonry D issected, first
published in October 1730, had no rival as a masonic catechism in this Edinburgh Register House MS., 1696,
country. (ii) For a time after 1730, commencing in 1734-5, masonic Chetwode Crawley MS., c. 1700,
publications in England mainly took the form of Pocket C ompanions, Sloane MS. 3329, c. 1700,
popular masonic handbooks, which temporarily displaced i nte r e st i n Dumfries No. 4 MS., c. 1710, Trinity
cate c hi s ms o r r it u al s. C o mme n ci n g i n 1 7 3 7 -8 , translations of College, Dublin, MS., 1711, Institution of
French exposures ' began to appear, and French influence on the de- Free Masons, c. 1725, Graham MS., 1726,
velopment of masonic ceremonies, began to make itself felt. Although we Chesham MS., c. 1740,
take 173o as the end of our period, we do, however, bring under review Essex MS., c. 1750,
four later documents, the Institution of Free M asons, of uncertain and seven in print :
date, but assigned to the first half of the eighteenth century, the
A Mason's Examination, 1723,
Chesham MS. of c. 1 740, the Essex MS of c. 175o, and A Mason's Con-
The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd, 1724,
fession of 1755. All of these appear to relate to conditions prevailing in
The Whole Institutions of Free-Masons Opened, 1725,
the third decade of the eighteenth century, rather than to the period at
which they were written or printed. The Grand Mystery Laid Open, 1726,
A Mason's Confession, ? 1 72 7 [printed 1755],
The Mystery of Free-Masonry, 1730,
Our sixteen documents cover the period 1696 to 1730, twentyone Prichard's Masonry Dissected, 1730.
years before the formation of Grand Lodge in 1717, and thirteen after its
establishment. Nevertheless, these thirty-four years can be regarded as Both Thorp (p. 11) and Bro. Baxter (Manc. T rans., xxx, 78) include
constituting a unity, for freemasonry in the third decade of the eight- two other publications among the early catechisms and exposures, viz.,
eenth century appears to have been substantially the same as in the im- the Briscoe pamphlet and The Perjur'd Free Masan Detected. We deliber-
mediate pre-Grand Lodge period. Thus we are primarily concerned with ately exclude the former, The Secret H istory o f t he Free-Masons
the first thirty years of the eighteenth century, a period when ac- (1724), because it is principally a version of the Old Charges, with observa-
cepted or speculative rites were being evolved out of the older operative tions on Anderson's Constitutions, and in no sense a catechism. The latter
practices and customs ; this very possibly accounts for the somewhat di- pamphlet, a reply to Prichard's Masonry D issected, does include a
verse conditions pictured in the different documents. On the other hand, good deal of dialogue, and may perhaps be regarded as a catechism,
the third decade of the eighteenth century was a period in which public though of an unusal type. We prefer to treat it as a reply to a catechism,
curiosity about freemasonry was widespread, and this makes it very neces- and accordingly print it with the other Rejoinders.
sary to be on guard against possible hoaxes or forgeries, more especially in The fact that we have been able to trace only nine versions of the MS.
the case of the printed versions, or so-called exposures which usually catechisms written, or relating to the period, before 1731, whercas some
daim to be either confessions of disgruntled masons, or compilations seventy versions of the MS. C onstitutions copied before that date have
from the papers of deceased brethren. As no authoritative ritual for been discovered, may perhaps be accounted for in three ways. (i) The
this period has survived (assuming that one ever existed), we can never MS. catechisms, usually written on one or two sheets of paper, are more
feel sure how far any particular document reflects what happened in any likely to have been mislaid or destroyed than versions of the
particular lodge, or, assuming that the document was genuine, and not a
mere skit or hoax on current practice, how widespread-its use was. Thus a
con-
Comparison with the Old Charges 3
4 Introduction Early O perative Working 5 what is
known from independent sources about early operative working, so that we
Old Charges, which are frequently in the form of books or rolls. (ii)
As the subject matter of the catechisms was partly esoteric in charac- may be in a position to judge how far the catechisms confirm or contradict
ter, it would presumably be imparted orally, and the possessors of the nec- such independent information as is available on the subject. The informa-
essary knowledge would be chary about committing it to writing, though tion may be briefly stated as follows
doubtless that might be done occasionally as an aid to memory. Even the
i. The Schaw Statutes of 1,598 required the selection of intenders or
writing of such a guide, however, is prohibited by Dumfries N o. 3 MS.
(iii) When catechisms had been committed to writing, the documents instructors by each new fellow craft on his admission.
may have been deliberately destroyed after they had served their imme- ii. The minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh for the first decade of the
diate purpose. Thus, according to Anderson (Constitutions of 1738, p. seventeenth century show that this provision of the Schaw Statutes was ef-
in), several valuable manuscripts concerning the Fraternity, their lodges, fective.
regulations, charges, secrets and usages, were burnt by some scrupulous
iii. The m inutes of t he L odge of A itchison's H aven, f rom t heir
brothers in 1720, so that these papers might not fall into strange hands. Nev-
commencement in 1598, show not only that a new fellow craft, when
ertheless, we are disposed to think that when the importance of this class of
admitted, c hose two fe llow c rafts a s h is in tenders a nd in structors,
document is more fully appreciated, and when the quest for such docu-
but al so t hat a ne w e ntered apprentice on his adm ission, similarly se-
ments has received the same attention as the quest for new versions of the
lected two entered apprentices as his intenders and instructors.
Old Charges, more versions of the MS. catechisms may be discovered. Of the
To judge from the Edinburgh and Aitchison's Haven minutes, in most cases,
existing nine versions, Sloane MS. 3329 was known to masonic students in
if not all, the intenders and instructors were the most recently admitted
the 1860's ; Dumfries N o. 4 M S. was discovered in 1891 ; the Trinity
fellow crafts and entered apprentices respectively. As candidates had to
College, Dublin, MS. had been traced in or before 1898 ; the Chetwode
give satisfactory proofs of their technical qualifications before admission, it
Crawley M S. was discovered in 5904, and the Institution of F ree M a-
is difficult to understand what functions these intenders discharged, unless
sons about 590 5 ; the Essex M S. was known in 1955 and probably ear-
it were to instruct the candidates in the esoteric knowledge associated with
lier ; the Chesham M S. was found in 5929, the Edinburgh Register H ouse
the grade to which they had just been admitted. That this was the case
MS. in 1930, while the existence of the Graham M S. was only made
seems _to be borne out by the following passage at the end of Dumfries No.
known as recently as 19 36. Of the printed versions, two broadsheets,
3 MS.1, a late seventeenth-century version of the Old Charges which
The Whole Institutions of Free-Masons Opened and The Grand Mys-
belonged to the Old Lodge of Dumfries, now Dumfries Kilwinning, No. 53 :
tery Laid O pen, were mere turnes to most masonic students until
Bro. Poole reprinted them in A.Q.C., 1., in 5937. Actually, the discov- Then let ye person yt is then made a mason chuse out of ye lodge a mason
eries of the last ten or fifteen years have added not only to the number of who is to instruct him in those secrets which must never be written,
versions of the catechisms known, but also quite materially to the body of & he is to call him tuter. then his tuter will take him acide & show
knowledge concerning early eighteenthcentury masonic working. By way him ail ye whole mistery, yt at his return he may exercise with ye rest of
of contrast, it may be noted that recent discoveries of versions of the Old his fellow masons.
Charges have merely confirmed legends and regulations, the existence of A similar passage occurs at the end of Harris No. 1 MS., of approximately
which was already well established. the same date, and also near the end of the Thos. Carmick MS. of 1727.
Nothing, however, is known about the early history of either of these versions
of the Old Charges.
EARLY OPERATIVE WORKING We learn from the Edinburgh Register House and Chetwode Crawley
Before we can discuss the authenticity of the catechisms in general, or of MSS. that the person to be admitted as an entered apprentice was 1
any one catechism in particular, we must first briefly examine Printed in Smith, History of the Old Lodge of Dumfries, 103.

6 Introduction youngest mason to learn from him the signs, postures and words of his
entry, and similarly that the person to be admitted as a fellow craft
removed, after taking an oath of secrecy, out of the company with the
or master mason, after taking an oath of secrecy, was sent out of the Early Operative Working 7
company with the youngest master to learn the postures, words and signs of
tained in Anderson's Constitutions of 1723 (published a few weeks
fellowship. Further, the appointment of ' attenders ' is indicated in Sloane
before A Mason's Examination) that the history and charges (as printed in
MS. 3329 ; the candidate had to swear to keep secret all that his at-
Anderson) should be read at the admission of a new brother. If the
tenders bid him keep secret. According to A Mason's Confession, one
five asterisks are intended to represent five letters, we suggest rules' as
person in the lodge instructed the candidate a little about the secrets the
a possible solution.
same day that he entered, and was called his author Another person
in the lodge, whom the candidate selected to be his instructor for the v. A ccording to t he first statute in t he Laws and St atutes o f the
ensuing twelve months, was called his intender Lodge of Aberdeen, adopted or confirmed 27 December 1670, the mas-
ter masons and entered apprentices received the benefit of the Mason Word
iv. From the Mark Book of the Lodge of Aberdeen, the first records at their entry.
in which were written in 1670, we learn that it was ordained by the Although all the catechisms do not distinguish very clearly between (a)
members in that year that the so-called `Measson Charter', i.e., the entered apprentices and (b) fellow crafts or master masons, several of
version o f t he MS. Constitutions now k nown a s t he Aberdeen MS., them do so, and make it quite clear that the entered apprentices re-
was to be read before a m eeting of masons, and presumably, t here- ceived the benefit of the Mason Word at their entry, as stated in the
fore, at the admission of every entered apprentice. Aberdeen Statutes. Further, some catechisms show that additional esoteric
That the regulations or charges, if not the history or legend, were read knowledge was imparted to candidates when they were admitted
to the candidates is stated in the Aberdeen MS. itself, as also in the Aitchi- fellow crafts or master masons, though whether that was the case at
son's H aven M S., which was engrossed in the Minute Book of the Aberdeen is not clear from the Statutes of the Lodge.
Aitchison's Haven Lodge in 1666. The same is truc of versions of the
vi. The surviving fragment of a minute of the Lodge of Haughfoot,
Old Charges which belonged in the second half of the seventeenth cen-
dated 22 December 1702, c ontains w hat app ears t o be t he closing
tury to the old Scottish lodges at Kilwinning, Stirling, Melrose, and
portion of the description of the admission of a fellow craft or master ma-
Dumfries.
son. To show the significance of this fragment, we set it out side by side with
According to the oath in the catechism Sloane MS. 3329, the candidate an extract from the Edinburgh Register House MS. :
was to swear to keep secret " the mason word and everything therein
contained " and " truly observe the charges in ye constitution ", which Edinburgh Register House MS.
implies that at least the charges or regulations of the MS. Constitutions Haughfoot fragment 1
had been read to the candidate before the oath was taken. From the printed . . . He makes the masters sign, and sayes
the same words of entrie as the apprentice
catechism, A Mason's Examination, we learn that " when a Free-Mason is of entrie
did only leaving out the common judge then
enter'd . . . he is to hear the * * * * * belonging to the Society read to him as thc apprentice did Leaving out
the masons whisper the word among them-
by the Master of the Lodge ". The asterisks, resulting possibly from igno- ( Th e C o m m o n J u d g e ) Th e n
selves begginning at the youngest as for-
rance of masonic terms, or from difficulty in deciphering the manuscript on they whisper the word as before —
merly. . . Then the master gives him
and the Master Mason grips his
which the printed version was in all probability based, are tantalizing, but it the word and gripes his hand after the masons
hand after the ordinary way.
seems not unreasonable to fill the gap with the word constitutions ' or way.
`charges'. In making this suggestion, we merely follow the instructions con-
vii. Certain seventeenth-century versions of the Old Charges con-
tain an oath of s ecrecy w hich pr esumably f ormed par t of the c eremony of
admission.
To facilitate comparison between these oaths and those embodied in
certain MS. catechisms, we print three from the Old Charges and two
from the Catechisms side by side :-
1
Vernon, History of Freemasonry in Roxburghshire, 282.
8 Introduction Authenticity of the Printed Catechisms 9
OLD CHARGES CATECHISMS Oaths of secrecy being comparatively lite additions to the MS. Constitutions, and then only
Buchanan MS.1, C. 1670 Sloane MS. 3329, c.. 1700 to a few versions, we are disposed to think that the similarity between them and the oaths in
These Charges that you haue Re- The mason word and every the catechisms is accounted for by the former being inserted under the influence of the latter.
ceived you shall well and truly thing therein contained you shall In our opinion, as we have endeavoured to show elsewhere (Masonic H istory Old and
keepe not discloseing the secresy of keep secrett you shall never put New and Second Thoughts on Masonic History Old and N ew), English accepted masons
our Lodge to man woman nor it in writing directly or Indirectly
Child : sticke nor Stone : thing
of the seventeenth century obtained from Scotland their knowledge of the Mason Word and
you shah keep all that we or your
moueable nor vnmoveable soe god all that it implied ; consequently, it is not unlikely that an oath of secrecy was introduced
attenders shall bid you keep secret
you helpe and bis holy Doome from Man Woman or Child into certain English versions of the Old Charges at that period by accepted misons, under
Amen Stock or Stone and never reveal it the influence of phrases and practices associated with the giving of the Mason Word in Scot-
but to a brocher or in a Lodge of land.
Drinkwater N o. i M S., c . 2700
Freemasons and truly observe the
The Signs & Tokens, yt I shall
Charges in ye Constitue Non all this
declare unto you, you shall not AUTHENTICITY OF THE PRINTED CATECHISMS
you promise and swerc faithfully
write in Sand, paper, or Green In the previous section, we have endeavoured to show that the main features of early masonic
to keep and observe without any
haves ; And you shall not tell it to operative working, as deduced from such independent seventeenth-century evidence as is avail-
manner of Equivocation or mentall
any Dumb Creature in ye hcaring
Resarvation directly or Indirectly able, correspond fairly closely with the picture given by the early masonic catechisms, more
of any person, Neither to Stick,
so help you god and by the Con- particularly by certain of the manuscript versions. It so happens that these are rather older than
Stock nor Stone in y e hearing of
tents of dais book any of the printed versions, and even if they themselves were not written before c. 1 7 0o,
any person, Neither to Man
Woman nor Child but to such as they may represent a working that is several decades older. The printed versions, assum-
you fend to be a Mason. So help Edinburgh R egister H ouse M S., 1696 ing they are genuine, relate to the period 1723-30, by which date the seventeenth-century
you God.2 By god himself and you shall ans- working may well have undergone considerable modifications, a problem which we discuss
wer to god when you shall below. In consequence of such modifications, no very close correspondence with early
Harleian MS. 1942, c. 1675 stand nakd before him, at the operative working, as depicted by independent seventeenthcentury evidence, can be expected.
I : A : B : Doe in the presence great day, you shall not reveal any The authenticity of the Dumfries N o. 4 MS., a masonic catechism combined with a ver-
of Almighty god, & my ffellowes, pairt of what you shall hear or see
& Brethren, here prescrit, promise at this time whither by word nor sion of the Old Charges and a disquisition on King Solomon's Temple, can hardly be ques-
and declare, that I will not at any write nor put it in wryte at any tioned, as it has almost certainly belonged to the Old Lodge of Dumfries (now Dumfries
time, hereafter, by any Act or Cir- time nor draw it with the point of
cumstance whatsoever, Directly, or a sword, or any other instrument MS. 2 0 54 ,] are a version of the Old Charges and a scrap of paper, tom off irregularly, containing an
Indirectly, Publish, discover, upon the snow or land, nor shall oath of secrecy in respect of " seu[er]all words and signes of a free Mason ". Both are in the handwrit-
reveale, or make knowne, any of y o u s p e a k o f i t b u t w i t h a n ing of Randle Holme the third (1627-1699), the Chester genealogist, and are reproduced in Q.C.A., iii.
the secrets, priviledges, or Coun- entered mason, so help you god. As the phrasing of the oath does not resemble that in any known catechism, we do not print it.
sells, of the ffraternity or fellowship
of ffree Masonry, wlnch at this
time, or any time hereafter, shalbee
made knowne vnto mee, soe helpe
mee god, & the holy contents of
this booke.3
See facsimile in Q.C.A. iv.
1

There follows [see facsimile in Manc. Trans. xv.] a form of oath very similar in
2

phrasing to that in Harleian MS. 1942.

Among items of masonic interest in another Harleian MS., [B. M. Harleian
3
10 Introduction versions being more or less accurately repeated in the printed docu-
ments. This is true even of The Grand Mystery Laid Open, which in
Kilwinning No. 53) ever since it was first written early in the certain respects, with its cabbalistic, or professedly cabbalistic, words,
eighteenth century. At one time it was probably employed at strikes out a line of its own, for which no confirmation has been found in
Lodge meetings, as it shows signs of considerable use. Nothing is any early masonic document so far discovered, apart from the refer-
known of the early history of the Edinburgh Register House MS. (apart ence to " Caballistical Philosophy " in A Letter frbm the Grand Mis-
from its probably having belonged to a lawyer in the eighteenth tress, 1724. The general similarity of question and answer in the
century), but as it shows signs of having been folded and considerably printed and MS. catechisms suggests that the compilers of the printed cate-
used, it seems not unlikely that at one period it was a mason's aide chisms had access to versions of the MS. catechisms. This is suggested
mémoire, and the same thing would appear to be true of the Trinity even more forcibly by the structure of the printed catechisms, which follows
College, Dublin, MS. In any case, a MS. catechism is far less likely that of the MS. catechisms closely, whereas had they been independently
to have been a hoax or forgery than a printed version offered for sale, and compiled, one would have expected something different. Thus the
it is the authenticity of the printed versions which particularly calls Edinburgh Register House MS., which may be taken as typical of the
for investigation. Leaving aside the doggerel verse or rhyming jingles older MS. catechisms, consists of two parts, the first headed " Some Questio-
in certain versions, and archaic and corrupt expressions, which suggest an nes That Masons use to put to those who have ye word before they will
element of antiquity, if not of genuineness, and leaving aside, alse, acknowledge them ", and the second " The forme of giveing the mason
the ready sale, over a long period of years, of successive editions of word." The questions used to test a mason before acknowledging him, ob-
Prichard's Masonry D issected, which seems to imply a masonic viously presupposed that the examinee had previously been through his
demand and recognition 'so far as Prichard's pamphlet is concerned, two ceremony of admission, and several of the questions definitely relate
methods of approaching our problem suggest themselves. One is to to the conditions of admittance. The test questions and -answers give
examine the relationship existing between the printed catechisms little or no indication as to the nature of the ceremony of admittance,
and the MS. catechisms, the genuineness of at least some of the latter be- which has to be deduced from " the forme of giveing the mason word
ing taken for granted ; the other is to study the reaction of the Craft to the ". That indicates, though only in a very general way, what was to be
publication of the printed catechisms. A third method of approaching said to the candidate, and what he was to say. The printed catechisms
the problem, which may suggest itself to the reader, would be to trace largely adopt the same structure, i.e., a brief description or narrative of
possible similarities between early printed catechisms and modem the ceremony, plus a series of questions to be put to those who have
ritual. That, however, would be inconclusive, because, supposing already gone through the ceremony, together with the answers expected
similarities could be traced, it would be uncertain whether the elements of them.
in question existed in masonry prior to 1723 (when the first catechism
was printed), or whether they had been introduced into freemasonry at
a later date, possibly as a result of influence exercised by the publication If the compilers of the printed catechisms had never seen a version of
of the catechisms. Conversely, supposing no similarities could be traced, it the MS. catechisms, it is very unlikely that they would'have elaborated
would be no proof that the printed catechisms were unauthentic. what were once correctly described as questions to be put to those
They might give a correct picture of early eighteenth-century work- who professed to have the Mason Word before acknowledging them, and
ing, which had been so modified in the course of two centuries as to be no that they should have offered such catechisms to the public as an account
longer recognizable in the light of modem ritual. of the regular proceedings in admitting new members. One would have
expected them to give something which might prima f acie have
been the ritual of a ceremony of admission. It is always possible
Relationship of printed to MS. catechisms. A careful perusal first that the questions and answers were rehearsed at lodge meetings,
of the MS. catechisms and then of the printed catechisms printed below either when no candidate was being admitted, or after the admission of
cannot fail to leave on the mind of the reader a general impression of a candidate, in order to refresh the memory of,
similarity or affmity, many of the questions and answers of the MS.
Authenticity of the Printed Catechisms
12 Introduction Authenticity of the Printed Catechisms 13
or to instruct, the masons present, just as the Mason Charter, or Ab- manuscript. What was almost certainly true of the Grand Mystery
erdeen M S., to judge by the heading in the Mark Book of the Lodge of and of the Whole Institutions being copies of pre-existing MS. cate-
Aberdeen : " A discourse hade before A Meeting of Meassones commonly chisms, was probably true of A Mason's Examination, to judge by the
caled the Measson Charter was read or recited at each meeting of the two blanks in the printed version, and of the other printed catechisms.
Lodge. Nevertheless it is to " the forme of giveing the mason word ", or The problem of the extent to which the manuscript and printed
what corresponds to that in the printed catechisms, that we must look for catechisms reflect the ceremony of admitting an accepted or spéculative
an indication of the ceremony of admission, and on that subject the mason is discussed in a later section of this Introduction.
printed catechisms are hardly more explicit than the MS. catechisms. It is Reaction of t he C raft t o t he p ublication of t he C atechisms. I .
not improbable that the ceremonies of admitting accepted masons were With regard to A M ason's E xamination, printed in the Post-Boy
still in a somewhat fluid condition as late as 173o, and that they consisted of April 11-13, 1723, we have the, following statement made in
partly at least of addresses, or charges, or explanations, which had not as The F ree-Masons A ccusation and D efence (pp. 35-6),' a pamphlet
yet become stereotyped. Taking everything into account, we are disposed to published in 1726 :-
think that versions of the MS. catechisms, radier than any actual ceremonies I remember, when I was last in Town, there was a Specimen of their Ex-
of admission, served as a basis for the printed catechisms. aminations published in the Post-Boy ; but so industrious were the
With this suggestion in mind, two of the printed catechisms may be Masons to suppress it, that in a Week's time not one of the Papers was to
examined more closely. It so happens that two manuscript versions be found; where-ever they saw 'em they made away with them. They went
of the printed catechism, The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd, from Coffee-house to Coffee-house, and tore them privately out of the
1 72 4 , have survived, viz., Institution of Free Masons, of the first half of Books. Those they could not corne at so easily they bought, even at the
the eighteenth century, and the first part of the Essex MS. of c. 175o. The extravagant Price of as. 6d. and 5s. a Paper. By this means there is hardly
text of the Institution differs in so many respects from that of the Grand one to be met with . .
Mystery, as a study of the two documents printed below will show, that The Free-Masons were prodigiously nettled at the Publication of this Post-
Boy; yet, according to their wonted Assurance, they put a good Face on the
we can have no hesitation in saying that the manuscript version was not
Matter, and said there was nothing in it ; but, at the same time, huddled up
copied from the printed version, or vice versa, and in the opinion of Bro.
the Affair with all the Privacy imaginable ; and presently put out a sham
Poole (A.Q.C., xxxvii, ro) the sanie is true of the first part of the Essex Discovery 2 to invalidate the other. But you may depend upon it, that in
MS. All three are doubtless descended from a common ancestor, though the Post-Boy, is a genuine Discovery. . .
the exact line of descent has not been determined. h seems, however,
safe to conclude that the printed version was based on a pre-existing As the object of the pamphlet was to injure the Fraternity, the state-
manuscript version. Similarly, there have survived two manuscript versions ments must be accepted with reserve. The semi-official attitude of the
of the printed catechism, The W hole I nstitutions of F ree-Masons Craft towards the catechism and a possible sham discovery is probably
Opened, 1 7 2 5 , viz., the masonic examination contained in the Graham reflected in the last stanza of the swordbearer's song, printed in
MS., 1726, and the second part of the Essex MS. of c. 1 75 0. Whilst there Anderson's Constitutions of 1738 :—
is a good deal that is common to all three, there are features common to Then let us laugh, since we've impos'd
the Graham and the Whole institutions only, and there are others commun On those who make a Pother,
to the Graham and the Essex only, whilst the Graham has some questions
and answers which do not occur in either of the other two. Thus it
1
We quote from the reproduction in Leics. Reprints. iii.
seems probable that none of the three was copied from the other two, but
2
Possibly a reference to the Briscoe pamphlet, which, notwithstanding its title, The
Secret History of the Free-Masons. Beim an A ccidentai Discovery of the Çeremo-
that all three are descended from a common ancestor, presumably
nies m ade u se of i n the s everal L odges [1724], gives no account of any ceremonies,
and is primarily a version of the Old Charges, and a criticism of
Anderson's Constitutions.
14 Introduction Authenticity o f the Printed Catechisms 15
And cry, the Secret is disclos'd to the only other exposure printed before August 1724 with which
By some false-hearted Brother : we are acquainted, viz., A Mason's Examination. On the other hand,
The mighty SECRET'S gain'd, they boast, it might be a reference to the sham discovery ' put out by the free-
From Post-Boy and from Flying-Boy {? Post1], masons, according to The F ree-Masons Accusation and Defence
2. The publication of The G rand M ystery of F ree-Masons D is- (see p. 5 3 above), shortly after the appearance of A Mason's Exami-
cover'd, which was advertised for sale on ro January 5723/4, possibly nation, in April 5723. We have suggested in a footnote on p. 13
led to the appearance of an anonymous letter on The Sisterhood of that this sham discovery ' was possibly the anonymous Briscoe
Free Sempstresses, printed in Read's W eekly J ournal of 25 January pamphlet. As that included a version of the MS. Constitutions o f M a-
1723/4. It is a mock parallel between the Brotherhood of Freemasons and sonry, it embodied an historical ' or legendary account of ma-
the Sisterhood of Free Sempstresses. Lepper and Crossle (p. 446) describe sonry, and this might explain why the Letter devoted so much
it as a travesty which professes to ridicule the Grand M ystery, but we space to the history ' of masonry. The Briscoe pamphlet also con-
have to confess that apart from the date of its publication (and that may tains numerous signs ' ; on the other hand, it contains no ' words ', and
be quite fortuitous) we can find nothing to connect it with the Grand was not issued as a sheet so far as we are aware. If the Letter is a re-
Mystery ; it does not give us the impression of being a caricature of an joinder to an exposure, or to a mock disclosure, printed in or before
intended exposure of freemasonry, but rather of being a skit on free- August 1724, we do not think that it was aimed at the Grand M ystery,
masonry and on women. 2 However that may be, we print it among the or even at the Briscoe pamphlet, but rather at some document as
Possible Rejoinders, so that the reader may form his own opinion of the yet undiscovered. The various documents to which we have just
nature of the document. referred by name were all printed in London. As, however, the Let-
ter was published in Dublin, it may well be that the ' Town mentioned
In 1724, also, probably in August, there appeared in Dublin A Let- in the early part of the paragraph quoted, as the seat of the Lodge which
ter from t he Grand Mistress of F emale F ree-Masons, an anony- published " a sheet full of Mock-Masonry ", was not London, but
mous pamphlet described by Chetwode Crawley (Introductory Chapter to Dublin. In that case, the sheet' was probably printed in Dublin and
Sadler's Masonic R eprints) and by Lepper and Crossle (p. 446) as a remains undiscovered, as no such Irish sham discovery ', or tease ',
caricature of the Grand Mystery. Most of their comments are devoted to as it would have been called in the eighteenth century, has been traced
the problem of the authorship of the pamphlet (see our Introductory Note to to our knowledge.
the text, p. 229 below), and they rather take its nature for granted. The early part of the Letter, which states that freemasons refuse to
Our immediate problem is (i) whether it is a travesty of a so-called swear by the New Testament, is possibly a reference to the fact that
exposure ' of freemasonry ; (ii) if so, whether that exposure was the the Christian basis of freemasonry had been affected by deistic doctrine
Grand M ystery ; or (iii) whether it was a sham disclosure ; or (iv) (see our Freemasonry an d t he I dea of N atural R eligion), though
whether it was intended as a genuine exposure. there is no reason to suppose that the deistic attitude was more fa-
About one-third of the way through the pamphlet there is a short para- vourable to the Old Testament than to the New. Some reference may be
graph which refers to a publication issued to mislead the public : intended to the admission of Jews into the Craft. The historical
matter at which fun is poked could be found not only in the Briscoe
It is worth observing, that a certain Lodge in Town Publish'd sometime pamphlet of 1724, but also in the Roberts Constitutions of 1722, and in
ago a Sheet full of Mock-Masonry, purely to puzzel and banter the Town, Anderson's Constitutions of 1723, or in almost any version of the MS.
with several false Signs and Words as Macla or Adam, Writ backwards, Boas, Constitutions of Masonry. On the other hand, it is not until 1726
Nimrod, Jakins, Pectoral, Gutteral, &c. . . . that we find a printed catechism, The Grand Mystery Laid
This description does not apply very aptly to the Grand Mystery, or Open, stressing the connection between masonry and the Cab-
1
Conjecture confirmed by text in Creake and Cole, Seeond Collection, p. 32.
bala. In view of the fact, however, that nothing is known of the "
sheet full of MockMasonry " referred to in the Letter, it is impossible
2
Cf. similar skits on women in Harleian Miscellany, vol. iv, pp. 326, 400.
to say with any
16 Introduction Authenticity of the Printed Catechisms 17
certainty whether it was written with the object of making fun of these documents were all three written by freemasons, they were
that particular sheet ', or of some other undiscovered document of a clearly unofficial publications.
similar kind, or whether it was merely a sham discovery or 3. The M ystery of F ree-Masonry, printed in the Daily Jo ur-
tease the publication of which was suggested by the appearance of nal, 15 August 1730, led Grand Lodge to take action, as is shown by the
such a sheet. In certain respects the Letter appears to be a parody of following extract from the minutes of Grand Lodge, under date of 28
contemporary popular ideas concerning freemasonry, though it is August 1730 (Q.C.A., x, 128) :-
perhaps noteworthy that it does not parody ' The Free-Masons
Song',' it prints correctly, but wrongly attributes to Anderson Dr. Desaguliers stood up and (taking Notice of a printed Paper lately published
and dispersed about the Town, and since inserted in the News Papers, pretending
instead of to Matthew Birkhead, who is clearly stated in Anderson's Con-
to discover and reveal the Misteries of the Craft of Masonry) recommended
stitutions to be the author of the song, there printed under the title " several things to the Consideration of the Grand Lodge, particularly the
The Enter'd 'Prentices Song ". This rather suggests that the writer of Resolution of the last Quarterly Communication for preventing any false Brethren
the Letter had never seen a copy of Anderson's Constitutions, which being admitted into regular Lodges and such as call themselves Honorary Ma-
does not make the problem of the elucidation of the Letter and its author- sons.
ship any easier. Nevertheless, we think it may be a sham disclosure, The Deputy Grand Master seconded the Doctor and proposed several Rules to
interlarded with some elements of truth, intended to mislead the gen- the Grand Lodge to be observed in their respective Lodges for their Security
eral public. For example, it is quite possible that the episode of the against ail open and Secret Enemies to the Craft.
Lodge at Omagh may actually have occurred, i.e., that some masons
got so drunk in their tavern at Omagh that they could not complete an Neither the Resolution referred to by Dr. Desaguliers, nor the Rules '
admission ceremony. On the other hand, the possibility that the Letter proposed by the Deputy Grand Master, are recorded in the
was intended as a genuine discovery of masonic secrets cannot be ex- minutes of Grand Lodge.
cluded, even though it does not take the usual form of a Catechism. On 4. The publication of Prichard'sMasonry Dissected in October 1730 is
the whole, as between a sham disclosure and a supposed genuine also referred to in the minutes of Grand Lodge, under date of 15 De-
discovery of masonic secrets, we are inclined to favour the former cember 1730 (Q.C.A., x, 135-6) :
solution. As between a sham disclosure (conceivably inspired by the The Deputy Grand Master took notice of a Pamphlet lately published by one
publication of a sheet full of mock masonry) and the travesty of a mock Pritchard who pretends to have been made a regular Mason : In Violation of the
disclosure so far undiscovered, the distinction may be more apparent Obligation of a Mason wo6 he sweats he has broke in order to do hurt to Ma-
than real. For want of any certainty as to the true character of the Let- sonry and expressing himself with the utmost Indignation against both him
ter, we print it among the Possible Rejoinders. (stiling him an Impostor) and of his Book as a foolish thing not w be regarded.
But in order to present the Lodges being imposed upon by false Brethren or
It was probably in the following year, 1725, that there was printed,
Impostors : Proposed till otherwise Ordered by the Grand Lodge, that no
also in Dublin, an anonymous and undated broadsheet, The Free- Person whatsoever should be admitted into Lodges unless some Member of the
Masons V indication, be ing an A nswer t o a Scandalous L ibel, e ntit- Lodge then prevent would vouch for such visiting Brothers being a regular Ma-
uled the Grand Mistery of the Free Masons, discover'd. This defi- son, and the Member's Name to be entred against the Visitor's Naine in the
nite rejoinder to the Grand Mystery was professedly by a freemason Lodge Book, which Proposai was unanimously agreed to.
; whether the author of the Letter f rom t he G rand M istress was a
freemason is un-certain ; the Sisterhood o f F ree S empstresses, On the same day, 15 December 1730, there was announced in the
whatever its connection, if any, with the Grand Mystery, gives the Daily P ost the publication " this day " of a reply to Prichard's pamphlet,
impression of being the fantasy of a journalist seeking to fill a gap in a viz., A Defence of Masonry, o ccasioned by a P amphlet c alled
newspaper. Even if Masonry Dissected. This anonymous pamphlet was reprinted in
Anderson's Constitutions of 1738 and in Smith's Pocket Companion of the
1
It originally appeared as " The Free Masons Health " in Read's Weekly Jour-
nal, December 1, 1722. same year,
18 Introduction Evolution of the Early Catechisms 19
so that it must be regarded as enjoying at least semi-official approval. There (iii) The G rand M ystery o f Free-Masons D iscover'd, the In-
was also published in 173o, probably prior to the appearance, of A De- stitution o f Free M asons, and the first part of the Essex M S. are almost
fence o f M asonry, another anonymous reply to Prichard, viz., The certainly descended from a common ancestor, as stated above (see p. 12).
Perjur'd Free Mason Detected. We print the three definite rejoinders (iv) The M ystery o f F ree-Masonry appears to be almost exacdy
to early catechisms immnediately following the last of the cate- copied in the first part of the Chesham M S. (v) Prichard's Masonry
chisms. Dissected would seem to have served as the original for the second part of
The two lines of approach to the problem of the authenticity of the the Chesham M S. Apart from these five groups, comprising
printed catechisms, viz., the relation of the printed to the MS. catechisms, twelve documents, there are six other catechisms, Sloane M S. 332 9,
and the reaction of the Craft to the publication of the catechisms, both Dumfries No. 4 MS., Trinity College, Dublin, MS., A Mason's Exami-
suggest that the printed catechisms deserve a good deal more study than nation, The Grand Mystery Laid O pen, and A M ason's Confession,
Gould would have us believe when he wrote (A.Q.C., iv, 34) none of which bears a close affinity to any other known document. At
the present time there is not sufficient material available to formulate a
Of one and all of these publications, it may be safely affirmed that the only satisfactory classification.
persons who at any time have been deceived by them, were the extremely
credulous purchasers upon whom they were palmed off as genuine reve-
EVOLUTION OF THE EARLY CATECHISMS
lations.
As the development of operative into speculative masonry was al-
CLASSIFICATION OF THE EARLY CATECHISMS(a) most certainly slow, extending over several generations, it would be
Whereas the hundred or so versions of the Old Charges (apart from unreasonable to expect to be able to trace much development in the
half a dozen sundry versions) have been grouped into eight families, early catechisms during such a short period as the thirty-four years
of which only the Regius MS. is in a class by itself, the sixteen catechisms from 1696 to 1730. If, however, our former suggestion (see p. 9
with which we are concerned, or eighteen if we count the two cate- above) is borne in mind, that the Edinburgh R egister H ouse and
chisms of the Essex M S., and the two catechisms of the Chesham Chetwode C rawley M SS. possibly represent an operative working
MS. separately, do not appear to lend themselves to any simple system which existed some decades before the date at which the documents
of classification : they are characterized far more by differences than by were written, it will be realized that the catechisms printed in this
similarities. The exceptions appear to be as follows : (i) The Edin- volume may provide evidence relating to a longer period than
burgh R egister H ouse M S. and the Chetwode Crawley M S. are thirty-four years. Further, it so happens that whereas The Mystery of
closely related, though the second part of the one comes first in the Free-Masonry, published in August 1730, still resembles fairly closely
other, and vice versa. Of the questions and answers, two-thirds are exactly the earlier printed catechisms, Prichard's Masonry Dissected, published
alike, and one-third approximately so, apart from one question and in October 1730, is the first of a new and more elaborate type of
answer in the former MS. which has no counterpart in the latter MS. catechism. Thus our documents can be divided into four groups :I
The form of giving the Mason Word, as set out in the two MSS., is
very similar, though not identical. (ii) The masonic questions and . The Edinburgh Register House and Chetwode Crawley MSS.
answers in the Graham M S. have a close affinity to the catechism not improbably represent Scottish operative working in the later
in The Whole Institutions of Free-Masons Opened, and to that in the decades of the seventeenth century. Four features of these catechisms,
second part of the Essex M S. On the other hand, the legendary matter of which tend to disappear in those belonging to later groups, are (i) the
the Graham M S. bears little resemblance to that in any other masonic words of entry [found only in A Mason's Confession] ; (ii) allusions
document so far discovered. to horseplay [found only in A M ason's E xamination] ; (iii) reference
to the Mason Word [found only in A M ason's Confession and in
a
( ) The Kevan MS. should be included under (i) below and unders I on page 19. [Ed. Sloane MS.3329] ; and (iv) the distinction between those who have
and edn.]. been in the kitchen and those who have been in the hall [found only
20 Introduction Evolution of the Early Catechisms 21

in A M ason's E xamination and in TheMystery o f F ree- Masonry]. In this

connection it may be pointed out that The Mystery of Free-Masonry refers in Pennell in 1730, in his Irish edition of the Constitutions, published,
a note to the Master's word and signs (communicated to those who have according to Chetwode Crawley, a few weeks before Masonry
passed the Master's Part), but gives no indication of the ceremony or secrets Dissected, refers to three degrees, viz., those of (a) Brother
connected with. the Master's Part. Entered Apprentice], (b) Fellow-Craft, and (c) Master, but gives no
2. A Mason's Confession professedly represents Scottish operative working indication as to how .the working was divided. In a speech deliv-
in the third decade of the eighteenth century. It is a good deal fuller than ered on 27 December 1726, Francis Drake, Junior Grand Warden of
the Edinburgh Register H ouse MS., but whether the new matter is due to the Grand Lodge of All England at York, states that " three parts in four
the writer's imagination, or to his desire to give a reasonably complete of the whole earth might be divided into E.P., F.C. and M.M.",
account of the ceremony, or to genuine development of the working between which suggests the existence of three degrees. The Graham M S.
1696 and 1727, it is impossible to say. of 1726 refers to (a) entering, (b) passing, and (c) raising and
conforming candidates by three several lodges. From the minute book
3. The main body of the catechisms supposedly or professedly ex- of the Philo-Musicae et Architecturae Societas we learn that certain
hibit the ceremonies of accepted or speculative masons during the first
persans were (a) made masons, (b) passed fellow crafts and (c)
three decades of the eighteenth century. They by no means all tell the
passed masters in London in 1 7 2 5 . The Sloane M S. 3329 of c.
same story, but that does not necessarily detract from their possible correct-
1700 defines a just and perfect lodge as consisting of two inter-
ness, as it would be very surprising if all lodges at that period followed
printices two fellow craftes ' and two masters, but does not appear
a uniform system of working. This group of catechisms contains various
to contemplate more than two sets of Secrets. The earliest refer-
questions and answers not found in those of the first group, e.g., (a) certain
ence so far traced to a division of esoteric knowledge into three, is
questions relating to architecture, and (b) certain symbolical questions
that in the Trinity College, Dublin, MS. of 1711, which distinguishes
and answers concerning the height of the lodge, the number of pillars in
the lodge, and the colour of the master's habit. This new interest in architec- three classes of mason, each with its own secrets, but makes no at-
tempt to divide the working into three. (iii) The earlier cate-
ture and symbolism suggests the growing influence of accepted or speculative
chisms either give a description or narrative of the ceremony (or
masons.
form of giving the Mason Word) together with test questions and
4. Prichard's Masonry Dissected daims to give an impartial account answers, or omit any description of the ceremony and content them-
of the regular proceedings in initiating new inembers in the whole three selves with test questions and answers from which very little or any
degrees of masonry. The changes which can first definitely be traced in idea of the nature of the ceremony can be deduced. Prichard's Ma-
this catechism are of considerable importance. (i) New matter is intro- sonry Dissected, on the other hand, omits the independent descrip-
duced, more particularly the Hiramic Legend and an explanation of the Letter tive section, but introduces what is more or less an account of the
G, yet it would be a mistake to think that Prichard invented either of these ceremonies into the questions and answers. Although these are a good
developments. A reference to the Letter G occurs in 1726, ; also, the deal fuller than in any previous catechism, they still retain the form of
radier archaic doggerel verse in which it is handled suggests some questions addressed to someone who has already been admitted, and
measure of antiquity. The earlier existence of the Hiramic Legend is sug- answers rehearsing what happened at a ceremony of admission. The
gested by the advertisement of 1726, quoted by Sadler, referring to " the account they give of the ceremonies may be more or less correct,
whole history of the widow's son killed by the blow of a beetle " ; further— so far as it goes, but we are of opinion that in any case it is not a
Anderson's long footnote on Hiram in the Constitutions of 1723 makes complete account of the ceremonies. Like the other early catechisms,
it not impossible that masons were acquainted with a version of the story it contains, for example, no reference to a prayer, or to a charge to
as early as that year. (ii) The working is divided into three degrees. Here newly admitted brethren, botte of which, there is reason to believe,
again Prichard was certainly not the inventor of a new system. formed part of the ceremonies. The nature of the rites of accepted or
early speculative masons is discussed in the following section.
22 Introduction Accepted or Early Speculative Ceremonies 23

ACCEPTED OR EARLY SPECULATIVE CEREMONIES

" Charge to new admitted Brethren first published in his Pocket
Companion of 1734-5 :
Murray Lyon has described Desaguliers as the co-fabricator and
You are now admitted by the unanimous Consent of our Lodge, a Fellow
pioneer of the system of symbolical masonry. Again, bath Begemann and of our most Antient and Honourable Society ; Antient, as having subsisted from
Vibert have questioned Anderson's daim that the manner of constitut- Times immémorial, and Honourable, as tending in every Particular to render a
ing a new lodge and of installing a master (as given in his Constitutions) Man so that will be but conformable to its glorious Precepts. The greatest
was "according to the ancient Usages of Masons ", which seems to Monarchs in all Ages, as well of Asia and Africa as of Europe, have been
imply that they attribute the invention of the ceremony to Anderson or his Encouragers of the Royal Ar t ; and many of them have presided as Grand-
contemporaries. This conception of how masonic changes came about Masters over the Masons in their respective Territories, not thinking it any less-
appears, however, to be contrary to the weight of the available evidence, ening to their Imperial Dignities to level themselves with their Brethren in MA-
which points to the transition from operative to speculative masonry being a SONRY, and to act as they did.
slow growth extending over several generations. Developments which The World's great Architect is our Supreme M aster, and the unerring
can first defmitely be traced c. 1730 almost certainly had roots back in Rule he has given us, is that by which we Work.
the late seventeenth century, and possibly earlier. We have already Religious Disputes are never suffered in the Lodge ; for as Mosans, we
only pursue the universel Religion, or the Religion of Nature. This is the
indicated that Prichard was not the fabricator of the trigradal system,
Cernent which unites Men of the most different Principles in one sacred Band,
although his Masonry Dissected is the earliest known catechism to give a and brings together those who were the most distant from one onother (sic).
fully-fledged division of masonic working into three ceremonies.
There are three general Heads of Duty which MASONS ought always to in-
Similarly, we do not think that Anderson was the inventor of the In- culcate, viz. to God, our Neighbours, and Ourselves.
stallation Ceremony first described in his Constitutions of 1723 (sec p. 26 To G od, in never mentioning his Name but with that Reverential Awe
,below). Nor do we think that Pennell was the composer of the follow- which becomes a Creature to bear to his Creator, and to look upon him always
ing opening prayer, which has first been traced in his Constitutions of 1730 : as the Sum[m]um Bonum which we carne into the World to enjoy ; and ac-
cording to that View to regulate all our Pursuits.
MOST Holy and Glorious LORD GOD, thou great Architect of Heaven and To our Neighbours, in acting upon the Square, or doing as we would be
Earth, who art the Giver of all good Gifts and Graces ; and hast pro- done by.
mis'd that where two or three are gathered together in thy Name, thon wilt be To Ou rselves, in avoiding all Intemperances and Excesses, whereby we may
in the Midst of them ; in thy Name ive assemble and meet together, be rendered incapable of following our Work, or led into Behaviour unbecoming
most humbly beseeching thee to bless us in all our Undertakings, to
our laudable Profession, and, in always keeping within due Bounds, and free
give us thy Holy Spirit, to enlighten our Minds with Wisdom and Under- from all Pollution.
standing, that we may know, and serve thee aright, that all our Doings
may tend to thy Glory, and the Salvation of our Souls. In the State, a MASON is to behave as a peaceable and dutiful Subject, conform-
And we beseech thee, O LORD GOD, to bless this our To be ing chearfully to the Government under which he lives.
added present Undertaking, and Brant that this, our new Brother,when any He is to pay a due Deference to his Superiors, and from his Inferiors he is
may dedicate his Life w thy Service, and be a truc and faith f ul Man is rather to receive Honour with some Reluctance, than to extort it.
made. He is to be a Man of Benevolence and Charity, not Sitting down con-
Brother among us, endue him with Divine Wisdom, that lie tented while his Fellow Creatures, but much more his Brethren, are in Want,
may, with the Secrets ofMasonry, be able to unfold the Mysteries of when h is in his Power (without prejudicing himself or Family) to relieve them.
Godliness and Christianity. In the Lodgc, he is to behave with all due Decorum, lest the Beauty and
This we humbly beg in the Name and for the Sake of JESUS CHRIST Harmony thereof should be disturbed or broke.
our LORD and SAVIOUR. AMEN. He is to be obedient to the Master and presiding Officers, and to apply
himself closely to the Business of MASONRY, that he may sooner
Nor do we think that ' W. Smith' was the compiler of the following
4 Introduction Accepted or Early Speculative Ceremonies 25
become a Proficient therein, both for his own Credit, and for that of the if the catechism contained in Prichard's Masonry D issected, the Prayer
Lodge. contained in Pennell's Constitutions, and the Charge to new admitted
He is not to neglect his own necessary Avocations for the sake of MA- Brethren' printed in Smith's Pocket C ompanion are any guide to con-
SONRY, nor to involve himself in Quarrels with those who through Ignorance temporary practice. This, to some extent at least, they must be, as
may speak evil of, or ridicule it. Pennell's publication was the acknowledged Book of C onstitutions of
He is to be a Lover of the Arts and Sciences, and to take all Opportun-ides the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and as the Dublin edition of Smith's
of improving himself therein. Pocket C ompanion, published in 1735, contains an approbation by the
If he recommends a Friend to be made a Mason, he must vouch him to be Grand Lodge of Ireland. It is true that the evidence is Irish and not English,
such as he really believes will conform to the aforesaid Duties, lest by his
but until about 1735 English and Irish masonry would appear to have
Misconduct at any Time the Lodge should pass under some evil Imputa-
tions. Nothing cm prove more shocking to all faithful MASONS, than to
been practically identical. If, as we are firmly convinced, the transi-
see any of their Brethren profane or break through the sacred Rules of their tion from the operative rites of c. 1685 to the accepted rites of c. 1735
Order, and such as can do it they wish had never been admitted. was a gradual. evolution and not a sudden revolution, then a prayer and a
charge, which in one form appeared in the rites of c. 1685 and in
As indicated in a previous section, early operative working in
another form appeared in the rites of c. 1735, had undoubtedly in
Scotland consisted of (a) the reading of a version of the MS. Consti-
some shape or other, played their part in masonic ceremonies in the in-
tutions of Masonry, or Old Charges, including an Opening Prayer,
tervening years. Consequently, we hold that Prichard's Masonry
(b) the communication of the Mason Word and all thereby implied, Dissected and the other early catechisms, which contain neither prayer
and possibly (c) a rehearsal of the questions and answers used to test
nor charge, do not give a complete picture of masonic ceremonies in
those who claimed to have the Mason Word. Gentleman masons in
1730, even if they are reliable in other respects.
Scotland were received into lodges of operative masons with the same
ceremonies as working masons, except that usually they were admitted
In the interval between c. 1680 and c. 1730, accepted masons gradually
Entered Apprentices, and Fellow Crafts or Masters on one and the
introduced varions modifications into the ceremonies. The
same occasion. Gentleman masons in England were originally received
changes, however, were by no means completed by 173o, and the
into lodges of accepted masons with similar ceremonies to those which
process of expansion and evolution went on right through the
prevailed in lodges of operative masons in Scotland, the reading of a
eighteenth century. Among the changes gradually introduced were the
version of the Old Charges being an essential element. In the case of the
division of the esoteric knowledge, and subsequently of the whole ritual,
occasional or semi-permanent lodges of accepted masons which have
into three parts ; the elaboration of the opening prayer ; and the re-
been traced in the seventeenth or early eighteenth century in London
casting and re-orientation of the charges of the MS. Constitutions. The
and at Warrington, Chester, York and Scarborough, there is some
extent to which changes had been effected in these particular direc-
evidence to suggest that a version of the MS. Constitutions played a
tions by c. 173o, though not the extent to which they had been
part in the ceremony of admission. The fact that numerous versions
adopted, can be traced from the surviving evidence. There is, how-
of the Old Charges were copied in the last quarter of the seventeenth
ever, at 'least one other modification of operative ritual which may very
and the first quarter of the eighteenth centuries, and the reference in
well have been introduced before 1730, but in support of which no
Plot (Natural History of Staffordshire) to the fact that members of the
direct evidence can be quoted. We refer to the p o ssib ility that
Society of Freemasons had a large volume containing the history and
so me ob ser vatio ns co ncer ning char ity wer e addressed to the
rules of the craft of masonry, both point to the importance attached to the
candidate on his admission. The only reference to charity contained
Old Charges by the accepted masons.
in most versions of the MS. C onstitutions is the charge to receive
By 1735 the ceremony of acceptante had undergone great changes,
and cherish strange masons, either by setting them to work for at
least a fortnight, or by refreshing them with money to the next lodge.
On the other hand, the Statutes of 1670
26 Introduction Accepted or Early Speculative Ceremonies 27

of the Lodge of Aberdeen contain regulations about the Mason Box for great Skill, true and trusty, and a Lover of the whole Fraternity,
the support of distressed brethren, and Dumfries N o. 4 M S., of the early wheresoever dispers'd over the Face of the Earth.
Then the GRAND-MASTER, placing the Candidate on his left Hand,
eighteenth century, enjoins operative masons w relieve the poor. That the
having ask'd and obtain'd the unanimous Consent of all the Brethren,
operative masons' practice of relieving brethren in distress had been
shall say ; I constitute and form t hese good B rethren i nto a new
adopted by the accepted masons as early as the 1680's is suggested by Au-
Lodge, and appoint you t he Master of i t, n ot doubting of y our
brey's statement of 1686 i that " when any of them fall into decay, the Capacity and C are t o preserve t he Cement of th e LODGE, &c. with
brotherhood is to relieve him." There is also a reference in the Dublin some other Expressions that are proper and usual on that Occasion,
Tripos of 1688 2 to the help given to a reduced brother by the Fraternity of but not proper to be written.
Freemasons in and about Trinity College. In the early days of Grand Upon this the Deputy shall reheatse the Charges of a Master, and the
Lodge, as we learn from the Constitutions of 1723, every candidate had GRAND-MASTER shall ask the Candidate, saying, Do y ou s ubmit t o
to make a voluntary contribution, in addition to the small allowance these Charges, as Masters have done in ail Ages ? And the CANDIDATE
stated in the by-laws of the particular lodge, for the relief 0f indigent and signifying his cordial Submission thereunto, the Grand-Master shall,
decayed brethren, and it seems not merely possible, but almost prob- by certain significant Ceremonies and ancient Usages, install him, and
able, that some reference to charity was made when a candidate was present him with the Constitutions, the Lodge-Book, and the Instru-
admitted. Thus in this respect, also, the early catechisms probably do ments of his Office, not all together, but one after another ; and after
not reflect accurately the ceremony of acceptante. each of them, the Grand-Master, or his Deputy, shall rehearse the
short and pithy Charge that is suitable to the thing presented.
As the manner of constituting a new lodge and of installing the mas- After this, the Members of this new L odge, bowing all togethet to
ter (contained in a Postscript t0 Anderson's Constitutions of 17z3) is the the Grand-Master, shall return his Worship Thanks, and immediately do.
earliest official account we possess of a masonic ceremony, we reprint it their Homage to their new Master, and signify their Promise of Subjec-
here in full : tion and Obedience to him by the usual Congratulation.
A New Lodge, for avoiding many Irregularities, should be solemnly con- The Deputy and the Grand-Wardens, and any other Brethren present,
stituted by the Grand-Master, with his Deputy and Wardens ; or in the that are not Members of this new L odge, shall next congratulate the
Grand-Master's Absence, the Deputy shall act for his Worship, and shall new Master ; and he shall. return his becoming Acknowledgments to
chuse some Master of a Lodge to assist him ; or in case the Deputy is ab- the GRAND-MASTER first, and to the rest in their Order.
THEN the Grand-Master desires the new M aster to enter immedi-
sent, the Grand-Master shall call forth some Master of a Lodge to act as
Deputy pro tempore.
ately upon the Exercise of his Office, in chusing his Wardens : And the
NEW MASTER calling forth two Fellow-Craft, presents them to the
The Candidates, or the new Master and Wardens, being yet among the
GrandMaster for his Approbation, and to the new Lodge for their Con-
Fellow-Craft, the GRAND-MASTER shall ask his Deputy if he has ex-
sent. And .that being granted,
amin'd them, and finds the Candidate Master well skill'd in the noble Sci- The senior or junior GRAND-WARDEN, or some Brother for him, shall
ence and the royal Art, and duly instructed in our Mysteries, &c. rehearse the Charges of Wardens ; and the Candidates being solemnly
And the Deputy answering in the affirmative, he shall (by the Grand- ask'd by the new Master, shall signify their Submission. thereunto.
Master's Order) take the Candidate from among his Fellows, and present Upon which the NEW MASTER, presenting them with the Instruments
him to the Grand-Master ; saying, Right w orshipful GRAND-MASTER, the of their Office, shall, in due Form, install them in their proper Places ;
Brethren here desire to be form' d into a new Lodge ; and I present this and the Brethren of that new Lodge shall signify their Obedience to the
my worthy Brother to be their Master, whom I know to be of good Morais and new Wardens by the usual Congratulation.
1
John Aubrey, Natural History of Wiltshire.
2
See Sadler, Masonic Reprints, introductory chapter by W.J. Chetwode Crawley. The general impression left on the mind of the reader by this des-
cription is that of dignified proceedings, very different from the
ceremonies depicted in the earliest catechisms, with their " thousand
ridiculous postures and grimaces " to frighten the candidate. It is,
 introduction Accepted or Early Speculative Ceremonies 29

consequently, yet another piece of evidence which makes us doubt Although we think it not unlikely that the double ceremony of
whether the catechisms accurately reflect the character of the cere- constituting a lodge and installing the master, as described by Ander-
monies by the accepted masons. This` account of the son, represented a considerable elaboration of any pre-existing practice,
installation ceremony contains the first allusion known to us to " the we do not believe that it was entirely new in 1722. There can be no
Charges of a Master " (possibly the prototype either of the Antient Charges question that the Lodge of Kilwinning had constituted daughter
read by the Secretary to the Master Elect prior to his Installation, or of lodges in the last quarter of the seventeenth century, and the formalities
what is now called the Address to the Master), to the " Charges of (simple though they may have been) of installing the master of a lodge
Wardens " (possibly the prototype of what is now \ called the Ad- must have been a more frequent occurrence. If Anderson and his
dress to the Wardens), and to " the short and pithy charge that is suit- friends, such as Desaguliers and George Payne, were responsible for con-
able to the thing presented," which was to accompany the presentation of structing the ceremony, it would seem unlikely that they would promptly
each of the instruments of office (the forerunner, possibly, of the practice allow it to be dropped out of use by the subordinate lodges under the
of moralizing upon the working tools on occasions when they are pre- premier Grand Lodge, as was actually the case. But it would seem
sented to candidates). It is not impossible that this practice had been even more unlikely that Laurence Dermott and the Grand Lodge of the
introduced by accepted masons at an earlier date, as the use of tools by Antients, who prided themselves on their adherence to old-established
freemasons is referred to by Randle Holme the third in a well-known pas- usages, would have been so enthusiastic about a ceremony invented by
sage in his Academie of Armory, published in 1688, though he does not those whom they scornfully designated as the Modems. They
indicate what the tools were, or how they were used. A much earlier doubtless adopted it because it was approved by the Grand Lodge
reference to freemasons' tools occurs in the London Freemasons' of Ireland, which having been established within a couple of years of
Ordinances of 1509-10, 1 where it is provided that the Wardens of the the publication of Anderson's Constitutions of 1723, would hardly
Freemasons shall have the power of search " with these orde- have been misled by Anderson's daim that it was according to the ancient
nauncez that is to say plumme rule compas levell & squyer ". As Usages of Masons ", unless there were some grounds for believing that at
the ordinances were concerned with the proper length, breadth and least certain formalities connected with the installation of a new mas-
thickness of freestone, marblestone and hardstone, the presumption is ter had existed before Anderson's time. In any case, it was undoubt-
that the tools were to be used, not figuratively, but operatively to edly the lodges of the Antients which worked the installation cere-
test the stones in question. From Thomas Deloney, The Gentle Craft, mony until it was re-introduced, early in the nineteenth century, into
London, 1597,2 we learn that the Brotherhood of Shoemakers required its the lodges under the premier Grand Lodge.
journeyman members to be able to reckon up their tools in rhyme. It The evidence reviewed in this section appears to support the view
is, therefore, always conceivable that the operative masons at the end of that varions important changes in masonic working, which can be
the sixteenth century, or even earlier, had a somewhat similar custom, definitely traced only in the third or fourth decade of the eighteenth cen-
and that the practice was adopted and elaborated by the accepted tury, had actually originated at an earlier period, very possibly in the
masons. The fact, as Bro. Ivor Grantham has pointed out,3 that the expres- 1680's, or even somewhat earlier. That considerable modifications
sion used is " the short and pithy charge ", and not " a short and pithy of the operative working had probably been introduced by accepted
charge ", seems to imply that the charge referred to was already in masons by 1686 is also suggested by Aubrey's statement 1 that the
existence at the time when Anderson wrote. mariner of their adoption was very formai, a statement which
would not apply very aptly to the somewhat crude practices associ-
1
Letter Book M, fo. 168, printed by Williams in A.Q.C., xlv, 142-4. ated in Scotland in the seventeenth century with the imparting of the
2
see J. Heron Lepper, A.Q.C.,xli 151-2, who quotes from the 1 9 1 2 reprint of the 1648 edition. Mason Word. Thus taking everything into account, there
3
In his comment on " The Genesis of Speculative Masonry," A.Q.C., lv.
1
Aubrey, op. cit.
30 Introduction

would seem fairly good grounds for thinking that the early masonic cate-
chisms, written or printed before 1731, however reliable they may be
in some respects, do not accurately reflect the character of the cere- CATECHISMS
monies practised by accepted masons in the first three decades of the eight-
eenth century. THE EDINBURGH REGISTER HOUSE MS. 1696

TREATMENT OF THE TEXTS This catechism was discovered early in 193o by Bro. Charles T. Mclnnes in
the Old Register House, Edinburgh, among a number of old documents trans-
The orthography, initial capitals and punctuation (or lack of punctuation) ferred in 1808 from the Court of Session, Edinburgh, to the Historical Depart-
of the MS. catechisms, printed catechisms, and rejoindcrs have been care- ment of the Register House, but is apparently in no way related to any of the
fully followed, with the exception that everywhere we print the old- records among which it was found. Apart from this, the early history of the
fashioned long f as s. To save space, however, no attempt has been catechism is unknown. It consists of a double sheet of folio paper folded
made to follow the lay-out of the originals, either line by line, or page by once to form four pages about 7 " X 11 ½". The catechism was written on
page. Further, in many cases small paragraphs of a line or two have pp. I, 2 and the top half of p. 3 ; the document was then folded into six,
been run togethcr. roughly 7" X 2", and shows considerable signs of use. Across the top of the
We have printed our transcripts of MS. catechisms in roman type outside was endorsed " Some Questiones Anent the mason word 1696 ". It is
catalogued in the Register House as Miscellaneous Papers No. 52. It was repro-
throughout, using capitals for what appear to be headings, however written duced photographically on a reduced scale (about 3 ½" X 5 ¾ ") in A.Q.C., xliii,
in the original. Where a particular text has required special treatment, the in 1932, and printed in Manc. T rans., xxii, in 1933, in both cases with an
details are given in the introductory note to that document. introduction by Bro. J. Mason Allan, who gave it the name by which it is
In the case of the printed catechisms and rejoinders, we have made no now known to masonic students. The transcript we print is made from a
attempt to imitate the many varieties of type used in title pages, pref- photostat of the document. See Introduction, pp. 18,19 above ; cf. Chetwode
aces, etc. : the body of each document is, however, reproduced as in Crawley MS.
the original.
The catechisms are printed in what we believe to be chronological or- Treatment of the Text. In certain cases the writer joins two words together, e.g.,
der ; for this purpose Dumfries N o. 4 MS. (fairly early eighteenth ‘aperpend’, ‘aweel’ ‘amaster’ ; we print such formations as separate
century) is treated as c. 1710 ; the Institution of F ree Masons (first words.
half of the eighteenth century) as c. 1725 ; and. A Mason's Confes-
sion (printed 1755) as though it were written in 1727, the year to which SOME QUESTIONES THAT MASONS USE TO PUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE Ye
it daims to relate. The catechisms are followed by the rejoinders, also WORD BEFORE THEY WILL ACKNOWLED GE THEM
in chronological order, and they by the possible rejoinders, similarly ar-
ranged. Quest.1 Are you a mason. Answer yes
Q: 2. How shall I know it ? Ans: you shall know it in time
Footnotes occurring in the documents are indicatcd by asterisks and other and place convenient. Remark the fors d answer is only
signs. For numbered footnotes the Editors are responsible. to be made when there is company present who are not
rnasons But if there be no such company by, you should
answer by signes tokens and other points of my entrie
Q: 3- What is the first point ? Ans: Tell me the first point ile
tell you the second, The first is to heill and conceall, second,
under no less pain, which is then cutting of your throat,
For you most make that sign, when you say that
31
 32 Edinburgh Register House MS. Edinburgh Register House MS. 33
Q: 4 Where wes you entered ? An: At the honourable lodge.
THE FORME OF GIVEING THE MASON WORD
Q: 5 What makes a true and perfect lodge ? An: seven masters, five
entered apprentices, A dayes Journey from a burroughs tocan Imprimis you are to take the person to take the word upon his knees and
without bark of dog or crow of cock after a great mar y ceremonies to frighten him you make him take up
Q: 6 Does no less make a truc and perfect lodge, An: yes five masons the bible and laying his right hand on it you are to conjure him, to
and three entered apprentices &c. sec[r]ecie, By threatning that if [he] shall break his oath the sun in the
Q: 7 Does no less. An: The more the merrier the fewer the better firmament will be a witness agst him and ail the company then present,
chear which will be an occasion of his damnation and that likewise the ma-
Q: 8 W hat is the name o f yo ur lo d ge An: Kilwinning. sons will be sure to murder him, Then after he hes promised secrecie
Q: 9 How stands your lodge An east and west as the temple of jeru- They give him the oath a[s] follows
salem. By god himself and you shall answer to god when you shall stand
Q: 10 Where wes the first lodge. An: in the porch of Solomons Temple nakd before him, at the great day, you shall not reveal any, pairt of
Q: 11 Are there any lights in your lodgc An yes three the north east. s w, what you shall hear or see at this time whither by word nor write nor
and eastern passage The one denotes the master mason, the other put it in wryte at any time nor draw it with the point of a sword, or any
the warden The third the setter croft. other instrument upon the show or sand, nor shall you speak of it but
with an entered mason, so help you god.
Q: 12 Are there any jewells in your lodge An Yes three, Perpend Esler a
Square pavement and a broad aval After he hes taken the oath he is removed out of the company, with the
Q: 13 where shall I find the key of your lodge, yes [? Ans] Three youngest mason, where after he is sufficiently frighted with 1000 ridicolous
foot and an half from the lodge door under a perpend esler, postures and grimmaces, He is to learn from the sd mason the manner of
and a green divot. But under the lap of my liver where all my makeing his due guard whis [? = which] is the signe and the postures
secrets of my heart lie. and words of his entrie which are as follows
Q: 14 Which is the key of your lodge. An: a wcel hung tongue. ffirst when he enters again into the company he must make a ri-
diculous bow, then the signe and say God bless the honourable company.
Q: 15 where lies the key. Ans: In the bone box.
Then putting off his hat after a very foolish manner only to be demon-
After the masons have examined you by all or some of these strated then (as the rest of the signes are likewise) he sayes the words of
Questions and that you have answered them exactly and mad the his entrie which are as follows
signes, they will acknowledge you, but not a master mason or
Here come I the youngest and last entered apprentice As I am
fellow croft but only as as [? = an] apprentice, soe they will say I
sworn by God and St Jhon by the Square and compass, and common judge
see you have been in the Kitchine but I know not if you have been
to attend my masters service at the honourable lodge, from munday in
in the hall, Ans I have been in the hall as weel as in the kitchine.
the morning till saturday at night and to keep the Keyes therof, under
Quest 1 Are you a fellow craft Ans yes. no less pain then haveing my tongue cut out under my chin and of being
Quest 2 How many points of the fellowship are ther Ans fyve viz foot buried, within the flood mark where no man shall know, then he makes
to foot Knee to Kn[ee] Heart to Heart, Hand to Hand and ear to ear. the sign again with drawing his hand under his chin alongst his throat
Then make the sign of fellowship and shake hand and you will which denotes that it be cut out in caise he break his word.
be acknowledged a true mason. The words are in the I of the Then all the mason present whisper amongst themselves the word begin-
Kings Ch 7, v, 21, and in 2 chr: ch 3 verse last. ning at the youngest till it come to the master mason who gives the word
to the entered apprentice.
Now it is to be remarked that all the signes and words as yet spoken
34 Edinburgh Register House MS.
of are only what belong to the entered apprentice, But to be a master mason
or fellow craft there is more to be done which after follows.
ffirst all the prentices are to be removed out of the company and none
suffered to stay but masters. THE CHETWODE CRAWLEY MS., c. 1700
Then lie who is to be admitted a member of fellowship is putt again to The early history of this catechism is unknown. It was found in one of the
his knees, and gets the oat[h] administrated to him of new afterwards volumes of a lot purchased c. 1900 from a second-hand collector, and was
he must go out of the company with the youngest mason to learn the secured for the library of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1904 through W. J.
postures and signes of fellowship, then comeing in again, He makes the Hughan, who named it after the distinguished Irish masonic historian, W. J.
masters sign, and sayes the same words of entrie as the app[rent]ice did Chetwode Crawley (A.Q.C., xvii, 91). It consists of four leaves or eight pages,
approximately 5 ½ x 7 ¼ ", made from a double sheet, size about 11” x 14 ½ ", by
only leaving out the com[m]on Judge then the masons whisper the
folding twice. The writing occupies pp. 1, 2, 3, 4 and the top of p. 5 ; pp. 6,
word among themselves begginning at the youngest as formerly 7 and 8 are blank. The MS. is now bound in a blue morocco cover, and part of
afterwards the youngest mason must advance and put himself into the the watermark and almost the entire countermark are hidden in the binding.
posture he is to receive the word and sayes to the eldest mason in whis- The photostat from which we made our transcript showed us only part of the
pering watermark, and we are indebted to Bro. Philip Crossle for a sketch of both
The worthy masters and honourable company greet you weel, watermark and countermark. The watermark is that of the arms of the City of
Amsterdam, with a beehive underneath ; the countermark consists of the ini-
greet you weel, greet 1 you weel.
tiais I V. W. A. Churchill (Watermarks in Paper in the XVII and XVIII Centu-
Then the master gives him the word and gripes his hand after the masons ries) reproduces as facsimile 48, a specimen of this watermark and counter-
way, which is all that is to be done to make him a perfect mason mand dated 1720. The beehive under the coat of arms indicates that the
[Endorsement] paper was either made in a mill belonging to one of the three Honig firms of
Zaandyk, Holland, founded in 1675, 1680 and 1683 respectively, or made for one
Some Questiones Anent the mason word 1696
of chose firms. The initiais in the countermark, I V, probably stand for the name of
1
MS. : greeet. the firm of Jean Villedary, 1668-1758, one of many French firms which made
paper for the Dutch market. There is thus no reason why this MS. should not
have been written about 1700, as we think was the case. it was printed in
1930 in Leics. Reprints, xiii, with introduction and notes by J. T. Thorp. The
transcript we print is from a photostat of the document. See Introduction, pp. 18,
19 above. Cf. Edinburgh Register House MS.

THE GRAND SECRET OR THE FORME OF GIVING THE MASON-WORD

Imp r yow are to put the person, who is to get the word, upon his
knees : And, after a great many Ceremonies, to frighten him, yow
make him to take up the Bible ; and, laying his right hand upon it,
yow are to Conjure him to Secrecy, by threatning, that, if he shall
break his Oath ; The Sun in the ffirmament & all the Company there
present, will be wittnesses against him, which will be an occasion
of his damnation ; And, that likewise they will be sure to Murder
35
36 Chetwode Crawley MS. Chetwode Crawley MS. 37
him. Then after he hes promosed Secrecy, the[y] give him the Oath as posture wherein he is to receive the word, And says to the Honour-
ffollowes. able Company, whispering
The words are Jachin and Boaz The Worthy Masons & Honourable Company that I came from,
By God himself, As yow Shall answer to God, when yow shall Greet yow well, Greet yow well.
stand before him naked at the great day, yow Shall not reveal any Then the Master Mason gives him the word & grips his hand, and after-
part of what yow hear or see at this time, Neither by word nor write, nor wards, all the Masons, which is all to be done to make a perfect Mason.
put it into write at any time, Nor draw with the point of a Sword or any
Instrument, upon the Snow or Sand, Nor shall yow Speak of it, but SOME QUESTIONS THAT MASONS USE TO PUT TO THESE WHO PROFESS TO
with an entered Mason, So help, God. HAVE THE MASON WORD, BEFOR THEY WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THEM.

After he hes taken that Oath, he is removed out of the Company with Quest. I. Are yow a Mason ? Ansr, Yes indeed that I am
the youngest Mason ; where, after he is, Sufficiently frightened with a Q. 2 d . How shall I know it ? Ans". Yow shall know it in time &
Thousand rediculous postures & Gramaces, he is to learn from the Said place Convenient.
Mason, the mariner of making Guard, which is the Sign, Word & Nota. The foresaid Ans r is only to be made where there is a
Postures of his Entry. and are as followes. Company present who are not Masons : But if there be no such
Here am I the youngest & last entered Aprentice, As I am sworn by Company by yow, yow should ans" by Signs .& other. Tokens of
God and st John, by the Square & Compass, and Common Judge, to Entry.
attend my Masters Service, at the Honourable Lodge, from Munday in the Q. 3 d . What is the first point ? Ans". Tell me the first and Ile tell
Morning, to Saturday at Night, and to keep the Kyes thereof, under no yow the Second. The first is, Hear & Conceal ; The 2 d , Under no
less pain, Then to have my Tongue cutt out under my Chin, and of being less pain then the Cutting of the throat : But yow must make the Sign
buried within the flood-Mark, where no man shall know. Then he when yow Say this.
makes the Sign again, which is by drawing his hand under his Chin, ble
Q. 4 th , Where was yow entered ? Ans". At the Hon Lodge.
alongst his throat ; which denotes that it is to be cutt out, in case he shall Q. 5th. r
What makes a true perfect Lodge ? Ans . Seven Masters,
break his word. ffive Apprentices, a days Journey from a Borrows-Towne, without
Then all the Masons present, whisper amongst themselves the word, be- bark of a Dog, or Crow of a Cock.
ginning at the youngest till it come to the Master-Mason, who gives the Q. 6 t h . Do es no t less make a tr ue per fect Lod ge ? Ans r . 4
word to the entered prentice Masters, 3 Entred prentices, & the rest as formerly.
Now it is to be remarked, that all the Signs & words, as yet Spoken off, Q. 7th Does no less ? Ans r The moe the Mirrier, and the fewer the
are only what belongs to the entered prentice : But to a MasterMason, better cheer.
or ffellow-Craft, there is more to be done, as after followes. Q. 8th. Whats the name of your Lodge ? Ans r . The Lodge of
ffirst, All the Apprentices are to be removed out of the Company, and Killwinning .
non Suffered to Stay, but only Mason Masters. Then, he who is to be Q. 9th How stands your Lodge ? Ans r . East & West, as the
admitted a member of the ffellowship, is put again to his knees, and gets Temple of Jerusalem.
the Oath administred to him a-new. Afterwards, he must go out of the Q. 10th. Where was the first Lodge ? Ans". In the porch of
Company with the youngest Master to learn the words & Signs of ffel- Solomons Temple.
lowship Then Comming in again, he makes the Master-Sign, and Q. 11 t h . Are there Lights in your Lodge ? Ans". Three, The
Says the Same words of Entry as the prentice did, only leaving out the Northeast, the Southwest, & the Eastern passage. The one Denotes
Common Judge. Then the Masons whisper the word amongst them- the Master mason, The other the Words and the Third The ffellow-
selves, beginnnig at the yowngest, as formerly. Afterwards, The yowng Craft.
Master must advance & put himself in the
38 Chetwode Crawley MS.
th
Q 12 Ar e ther e an y J e wells in yo r Lo d ge ? Ans r . T hr ee,
.
Perpendester, a Square pavement and an Broked-mall.
Q. 13 t h . Where shall I fend the , kye of your Lodge ? Ansr THE KEVAN MS., c. 1714-20
Three and an half foots from the Lodge under the perpendester & a
Green divot. This manuscript was discovered in 1954, among a collection of old legal
Q. 14. What mean yow by a Perpendester and Green-Divott ? Ans r . document s, by Bro. P. D. Kevan, a P.M. of Lodge Dramatic and Arts, No.
I mean not only under a perpendester and Green divott, but under the 757, S.C. He presented it to the Library of the Grand Lodge of Scotland,
lap of my Liver, where all the Secrets of my heart ly hid. which has granted permission for its reproduction here, and the document is
named after its donor.
Q. 15. Which is the Kye of yowr Lodge ? Ans r . A well hung
tongue.
Provenance. The collection of papers in which this text was found appears to
Q. 16. Where lyes the Kye of yo r Lodge ? Ans r . In the Bone Box.
have belonged to a firm of solicitors or Writers practising in Duns, Berwickshire,
After the Masons have Examined yow by all or Some of these but it has proved impossible to trace any of its original owners with certainty.
Questions, and that yow have answered the Same exactly & made the The manuscript is undated, and written on a single sheet, 12" X 7 5/16 “
Sign, they will acknowledge yow, Not as a Master-Mason or ffellow-Craft, paper and ink being slightly browned with age, and the upper right-hand
but only as a prentice. So they will furder say. edge of the sheet has frayed or been carelessly trimmed, so that the text runs
Q. 17. I see yow have been in the Kitchin, but I know not if yow to the very edge of the paper. Happily, no words of the text have been lost
have been in the Hall ? Ans r . I have been in the Hall as well as the by this accident.
Kitchin. The sheet had at some time been folded in four across the narrow way of the
th r paper, but was subsequently pasted along its left-hand edge to a stout
Q. 18 . Are yow a ffellow-Craft ? Ans . Yes.
Q. 19. How many Points of ffellowship are there ? Ans r ffive, vi z t . manilla folder, and that was the condition in which it was found. The
st 1y ly paper bears an early G.R. watermark, and as George I ascended the throne in
1 . ffo o t to ffo o t. Knee to Knee. 3 Hear t to Hear t. 4 . Hand
ly 1714, that is the earliest date that could be assigned to this text. Orthography
to Hand. 5 Ear to Ear. These make the Signs of ffellowship ; And Shak-
and spelling are consistent with that date, and Mr. A. J. Collins and Dr.
ing hands, yow will be acknowledge a very Mason. Schofield of the MS. Dept. of the British Museum confirm that it was probably
th r
Q 2 0 . Where are the wor ds to be found ? Ans in I King. written between 1714 and 1724.
th
Chap. 7 verse 21. And 2 Chron : 3 Chapter Last verse. The text is closely related to the Edinburgh Register House MS., of 1696
(Edr. Reg. Ho. Misc. MSS. No. 52), and the Chetwode Crawley MS., of c.
1700, but it follows the latter more particularly in the arrangement of its con-
tents, since it begins with the narrative description of the ceremonial pro-
cedure and finishes with the catechism, while the Edr. Reg. Ho. MS. has those
two portions in reverse order.
These three texts are so much alike in minute detail that it is quite certain that
they all purport to describe the sanie procedure. Nevertheless, it is equally
certain that neither of the two earlier documents was copied from the other. The
Kevan MS., moreover, exhibits so many variations and omissions from its twin
text, the Chetwode C rawley MS., as to show beyond doubt that it was not a
copy of that text, although it may well have been compiled from memory of
that, or a similar version. It yields nothing new in regard to ceremonial
procedure, or in the details of the catechism. Its main importance lies in the
confirmation that it brings to the evidential value of this whole
39
 The Kevan MS. The Kevan MS. 41
group of masonic ritual documents, the earliest of their kind. They may be listed, in THE FORME OF GIVING THE MASON WORDE
approximate date order
The Persone q o is to geet y e word is put upon his knees," & after a
The Edinburgh Register House MS., 1696 grate many Serimonys to frighten him they / make him take up the
The Chetwode Crawley MS., c. 1700 Bible & Laying his right hand upon it, they Conjure him by Severall
The Haughfoot 'fragment', 1702, or earlier thretings y t if he / shall brake his Oath ; The Sun in y e Firmament &
The Kevan MS., c. 1720
all y e Company there present will be wittnesses ag t him q h will be
Their differences are sufficient to indicate that these are not original versions, but ye occasione of his Damnatione & y t Likewise they ' l be sure to Mur-
that they doubtless share descent from a common ancestor. Their animity, in mat-
der him : Then after he has sworne secresie they / wille give him the
ters of detail, indicate that the ceremonies and procedures which they describe were
fairly standardized and widespread practice in the south of Scotland. The three Oath as Follows /
complete texts all daim to describe The Forme of giving the Mason-Word ', and By : God himselfe & as you shall answer to God qn you shall Stand na-
as there are numerous references to the Mason Word ' in Scottish literature, ked befor him at y e grate day of Judgment you shall not reveall any
from 1637 onwards, it is fairly safe to assume that this group of texts represents poynt of what you shall see or hear at this time neither by word or
the forms and ritual-practices of the Scottish masons from the early decades of writing at any time or / draw it wt y e poynt of a Sword or any other
the seventeenth century at least. instrument upon y e Snow, or Sand, Nor shall you Speake of it but wt
The text of the Kevan MS. has already been reproduced photographically with an Entered Measone . So helpe me God /
brief notes by Bro. G. S. Draffen, R.W. Junior Grand Warden of the Gr. L.
After he has taken the oath he is removed out of y e Company wt
of Scotland, in A.Q.C. lxvii, p. 139, and in the G.L.S. Year Book for 1955, and I am e
y yowngast Masone, where after he is Sufficiently frightn / ed wt a
indebted to him for the physical description of the document and for the notes on
provenance, which have been used extensively above. A more detailed examina- thousand Grimasses & posturs He is to Learn from ye Sd Mason ye man-
tion of the text appears in Carr, Mother Kilwinning No. o, pp. 320-4, where the ner of Makeing 1 which is the Signs & Posturs 2 of / his q h are as fol-
variations and omissions noted above are traced in relation to the other texts in the low Here corne I y e youngast & Last Entered prentise, as I am
group, and the same procedure has been followed in this transcript. sworne by God & St. John by y e Square & Campass / & common
Bro. Draffen noted that the back of the document has been used at some tinte for Judge to attend my Mrs : service at y e Honourable Lodge from
recording a series of payments representing rentals or feu duties paid by a number Munday Morning till Setturdays night to keep y e / Keys thereof
of farmers to their landlord. On one of the external folds, there is an endorse- under no Less paine then to have my tounge cut out under my
ment, The Manner of Giving the Mason Worde ', and below it a large figure 7 Chinn & to be buryed w t in y e flood marke wher I no man shall
and Bro. Draffen discusses the possibility that this may be one of a set of seven know /
or more copies. The two related texts, and the Kevan MS. itself, are all headed
The Forme of Giving ', etc. (not The Manner . . .), and having regard to the various
Then he makes ye Signe again q h is by Drawing his hand under his
defects in the text, as noted above, I am inclined to believe that it was a single copy Chin alonge his throate q h denots it is to be Cut in case he broke his
only, and that it was probably compiled from memory. worde Then ail y e Masons present whisper the word amongst em-
Although the date of this version cannot possibly be earlier than 1714, its contents selves begining 3 till it / come to ye Mr Masone, q° gives y e wordc to the
belong clearly to the Edr. Reg. Ho. group of texts, 1696 to c. 1700, and we repro- entered Prentise /
duce it here in what may justly be deemed its proper chronological position, imme- Now it is to be Markcd yt all y e Signs & words as yet spoken off arc
diately following the Chetwode Crawley MS. only qt belongs to Entered prentises but to a Mr : / Masone or
The transcript we print is from a photograph of the original, and the contractions
the
1
and superscribed letters (such as wt and qh) are reproduced as in the original. Three words missing. This passage should read : `... manner of Makeing
H, C. due guard which is the Signs • . .', etc.
2
Text defective. This passage should read : `. . . Signs Postures and words of his
entry which arc as follow . .
3
Three words omitted here. This passage should read : ". . . beginning at the
youngest till it corne to ye Mr . . .", etc.
42 The Kevan MS. The Kevan MS. 43
r
fellow craft 1 First all y e Prentices are to be removed out of the 4 Where was you Entred ? An Att Honowrable Lodge /
Company & none Suffered to stay but only / Mrs: Then2 qo is to be admitted 5 What makes a true & ferfect Lodge ? a r 7 Mrs : 5 Prenices & a
a member of fellowship is put again to his knees & geets ye oath ad- days Jurny from a Burrowghs toun wt out / barke of Doge or crow
ministred to him anew / Afterward he most go out of the Company of Cocke /
wt ye youngast Mr. to Learne the word & Signs of fellowship y n com- 6 Doeth no less make a truc & Perfet Lodgc ? a r : 4 Mrs 3 entered
ing,/ inn again he makes y e Mr Signs of fellowship & says the same Prentices & ye Rest as befor / I
words of entry 3 only keeping out y e Coming Judge4 yn y e Mrs: / 7 Dose no Less ? A r : The Mo the Mirryer & y e fewer the beau
whisper the word among emselves beginning at ye youngest as Chear /
befor, Afterwards ye younge masone advancess & puts / him selfe in a 8 What is the name of yo ur Lodge A r : The Lodge of Kille-
posture wherein he is to receive y e word & says to them : The Hon- winning /
ourable company y e worthy Masons & / honourable company y t I 9 How Stands your Lodge ? An r : Easte & west as the Temple of
5
corne from Greet you well, Greet you well, Greete you well / Jerusalem /
Some Questions that Masons use to put to these who profess to have 10 Where was the first Lodge ? A r : In the Porch of Sollomons
ye Mason word befor they wille Acknowladge them / Temple J
11Are there Lights in your Lodge ? An r : Thrce, ye North East,
1 Are you a Masone, Answer Yes endeed that I am /
Southwest, & Easters passages2 ye first / denots the Mr Masone, the
2, How shall I know that An r : In time and place convenient Second the word the third the fellowcraft / 3
Not[e] : This answer is only to be made when there / are company pre- 12 Are there any Jewells in your Lodge ? An r : Three, a Perpen-
sent qo are not masons, Bot if there be no such company by you you dester4 a Square Pavement & a covered Kinall / 5
should answer, by Signs & / tokens & other poynts of Entry / 13 Where Shall I find the Key of your Lodge ? An r : Three foot &
3 What is the first poynt of Entry ? anr : tell me the first & I 'i tell thee an Half from the Lodge door under a / Perpendaster 6 Green Divot /
the seacond : The first is to hear & Conseal / The Second under no Hell 6 14 What do you mean by a Perpendester & green Divot ? An' : I
pain Drawing the right Hand from the Left car to the right yn Cutting mean not only under a Perpendester & green / Divot, but under
yr Throat /
Several words omitted here. This passage should read : ". . . but to [be] the right hand from the left car to the right] yn Cutting yr Throat, for you must
a Mr : Masone or fellow craft there i s m ore t o be d one as af ter f ollows. make that sign when you say that."
First, all ye Prentices . . .", etc. 1
The Edinburgh text says:"... five masons and three entered apprentices &c ".
2
The word " he " is omitted here. 2
Should read : " Eastern passage ".
3
Four words omitted here. This passage should read : ". . . and says ye 3
Chetwode here says : " The one Denotes the Master Mason, the other the
same words of entry as the apprendre did only keeping out ye Common Judge". Words, and the Third The ffellow-Ctaft ".
4
" Coming Judge " is usually written as Common Judge, i.e., a gauge or tem- Edinburgh says:"... master mason, the other the warden. The third the set-
plet used as a guide in cutting stones. Jedge is defined in Jamieson's Scottish 4
ter croft ".
Dictionary as a gauge or standard. See Glossary, p, 241. Perpendester, i.e., Perpend-ashler, a dressed stone that extends through a wall
5 from one side to the other, serving as a binding-stone.
A whole sentence is omitted here, and the two main texts differ slightly :— 5
Covered Kinall. Chetwode says " broked-mall " ; Edinburgh says " Broad
Edr. Reg. House MS Chetwode Crawley MS ovall ". Broked-mail is possibly correct, i.e., a heavy maul for striking the
T he n t h e ma s t e r g i v e s h i m t h e w o r d and T he n t h e M a s t e r M a s o n g i v e s h i m the chisel when the face of a stone is " broached ", i.e., indented or furrowed.
gripes his ha nd a fte r t he maso ns way word & grips his ha nd and a fter wards, 6
Two words omitt ed here, Text should read : ". . . a Perpend-ashler and
which is all that is to be done to make him all t he Maso ns, whic h is all to be d one to a green divot ".
a perfect mason. make a perfect Maso n.
6
This passage has been transcribed carelessly, and there is also an impor-
tant omission. h should read : ". . . The second under no less pain, [Drawing
44 The Kevan MS.
th e L ap e o f m y L i v er wh er e a ll t he Se cr e ts o f m y Har t Lie
/1
T HE S LO ANE MS. 3 3 2 9 , c. 1700
15 Which is the Key of your Lodge Anr : A well Hunge tounge
16 Where Lys yt Key ? anr : In The Bone Box This catechism is in the British Museum, bound in a large volume on the
After The Masons have Examened You by all or Some of fly-leaf of which Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) has written, " Loose papers
there Questions & y t / you Have answered em Exactly ; they of mine concerning curiosities ". It constitutes part of the collection formed by
will acknowladge you as a Prenticer / Sir Hans Sloane, which was acquired by the British Museum in 1754. It is
written on three and a half sides, about 7 ¼ " x 11 ½ “, of a double sheet
But not as a Mason or Fellow Craft /
of foolscap paper, which constitute fos. 142, 142 v., 143 and 143 V. of
17 So they will say We see you have been in the Kitchin but know
the volume. Dr. Schofield of the MSS. Department of the British Mu-
not y t you have been in y e Hall An r : I have / been in the Hall as
seum, who examined the MS. in 1937, gives the date as circa 1700. The
well as in the Kitchin /
fact that the signs and words in the MS. are associated with operative
18 Are you a Fellow Craft Anr : Yes / freemasons, strongly suggests an immediate English source for the document,
19 How many Po ynts of Fello wship are there. A n : 5 : V iz: Foot
r
the word freemason ' being unknown in Scotland as a trade designation. The
to Foot, Knee to Knee, Harte to / Harte, Hand to Hand, & Ear to reference to interprintices ' and ‘fellow craftes’, on the other hand, points
Eare, q h make the Signs of Fellowship ; & shake hands, & / You wille to an ultimate Scottish origin ; the word attenders', and the expression ` this
be Acknowladged to be a true Masone / is bose or hollow ' also support a Scottish origin. The catechism was printed
The Worde is in I : Kings 7 : 21 : & i n 2a : Chron 3d : Last Varse in 1872 by Woodford as a pamphlet ; the examination from the document
the wholl / Varse but especially the words Jachin & Boaz. had been printed in 1869 in an Appendix to Findel's History o f F reema-
1
Kevan follows Chetwode in questions 13 and 14. Edinburgh makes only sonry. The transcript we print is made from a photostat of the document.
one question of the two. See Introduction, pp.8, 21 above.
2
Four words omitted here. Text should read : "... answered them exactly and Treatment of the Text. We print the numerous superior characters or
made the sign(s), they will acknowledge . . .", etc. superscript letters (as ‘th' in wth ) as in the original. Where we have
expanded a contraction mark, we print the interpolated letters in italics (as
er in persons).
A NARRATIVE OF THE FREEMASONS WORD AND SIGNES.
First they discover other by signes next they go in private to dis-
course, one signe is by giving their right hand a cast cross their brest
from left to right with the tops of their ffingers about 3 or 4 inches
below their Chin, another is by puling of their hat wth their right hand
their two first ffingers aboue and the thumb and all the test below
the hats brim puling it of and giving it a cast from Left to right then
on their head another is of drinking giving the glass a a cast cross under
their chin from left to right : anoth er is taking their handkerchief
by the corner Wth their right hand and throw it over their Left shoulder
letting it hang down their back and so walk a few steps along if any
mason see it they will follow and take him by the hand ; their gripe
for fellow craftes is grasping their right hands in Each other thrusting their
thumb naile close upon the third Jovnt of each others first ffinger
45
46 Sloane MS. 3329 Sloane MS. 3329 47
er
their Masters gripe is grasping their right hands in each oth placing received it ; which many of them do notwithstanding their oath and
their four finger's nails hard upon the Carpus or end of others wrists and many other signes they reject thô by oath they are bound to obey ail`;
their thumb nailes thrust liard directly between the second Joynt of the Another signe is by taking their handkerchief in their right hand and
thumb and the third Joynt of the first ffinger but some say the masters grip is blow their nose then holding it Straight out before them they give it
the same I last discribed only each of their midle ffingers must reach an inch two Little shakes and a big one Anoth er signe is knocking at any
or three barly cornes Length higher to touch upon a vein yt comes from the door two little knocks and the third a big one They haue another
heart. signe used at the Table drinking when the glass goes not fast enough
Anoth er signe is placing their right heell to the inside of their left in round they say Star the guile.
forme of a square so walk a few steps backward and forward and at To Discourse a mason in France, Spaine, or Turkey (say they) the
every third step make a Little Stand placeing their feet Square as signe is to kneel Down on his left knee and. hold up his right hand to
aforesd. this done any if masons perceive it they will presently come to the sunn and the outlandish Broth er will presently take him up but
you if you come where any masons tooles lyes lay ym in forme of a square beleive me if they go on their knees on that accot they may remain
X' they will presently know yt a free brother hath been there or a free there ; or any pensons observe their signes as Long as y e Jews will
brother coming where free massons are at worke if he takes some of their remaine on their beleife to receive their wished for Mesias from the
tooles and lay ym in form of a Square X it is a signe to discover him, or if he East.
takes one of their tooles or his own Staff and Strike saftly on the wall or Here followeth there private discourse By way of Question and
worke saying this is bose or hollow if their be any free broth er at the Answer.
work he will answer it is solid wch words are signes to discov er each
oth er . Anoth er signe some use bending their right arme in form of a (Questn?) are you a mason (Answer) yes I am a freemason (Q) how
Square & laying the palm of their left hand upon their heart. Another is shall I know that (A) by perfect signes and tokens and the first poynts
by twisting their eyes toward the east and twisting their mouth toward ye of my Ent er ance (Q) which is the first signe or token shew me the
west Another is bending their right knee holding up their hand towards the first and I will shew you the second (A) the first is heal and Conceal
east and if it be night or dark they will give two Little haughts and a great or Conceal and keep secrett by no less paine than cutting my tongue
one as if they were forceing a bone or a lump out of their throat, they will from my throat (Q) where were you made a Mason (A) in a just and
say ye day is for seeing the night for hereing, Anoth signe is by lending perfect or just and Lawfull Lodge (Q) what is a just and perfect or
you a crooked pin or a bit of pap er cut in the forme of a Square on re- just and Lawfull Lodge (A) a just and perfect Lodge is two Inter-
ceipt of wch you must come from wt place or company soever you are in by printices two fellow craftes and two Masters more or fewer the more
virtue of your oath and by y e aforementioned sign of ye hat or hand you the merrier the fewer the Bett er Chear but if need require five will
are to come if it were from the top of a Steeple to know their pleasure serve that is two Interprintices two fellow Craftes and one Master on
and to assist them And to lett you know he wants money he will hold a bitt the highest hill or Lowest Valley of the world without the crow of a
of a pipe (or some such thing) to you saying can you change a cole pence Cock or the bark of a Dogg. (Q) from whome do you dcrive your prin-
if you have money you say is [? yes] if you have none say no, sonie cipalls (A) from a great er than you (Q) who is that on earth that
will signifye their want of money by pulling their knife out of the sheath is great er than a freemason (A) he y t was earyed to y e highest
and giving it to a brother in company or alone if the broth er haue money pinnicall of the Temple of Jerusalem (Q) whither is your Lodge shut
he takes the knife puting it in it's sheath and returne it, if he haue none he or open (A) it is shut (Q) where Lyes the Keys of the Lodg[e] doore
will return it bare as he (A) they Ley in a bound Case or under a three cornerd pavemt about a
foot and halfe from the Lodge door (Q) wt is the Keys of your
The portion X..………X is written between the fines. The first X indieates Lodge Doore made of (A) it is not made of Wood Stone Iron or
the place where the insertion begins.
steel or any sort of mettle but the tongue of a good report behind a Broth-
ers
back as well as before his face (Q) how many Jewles belong
48 Sloane MS. 3329 Sloane MS. 3329 49
t
to your Lodge (A) there are three the Square pavem the blazing Star and keep all that we or your attend " shall bid you keep secret from Man
e

the Danty tassley (Q) how Long is the Cable rope of your Lodge (A) as Woman or Child Stock or Stone and never reveal it but to a brother
Long as from the Lop of the Liver to the root of the tongue (Q) how or in a Lodge of Freemasons and truly observe the Charges in ye Con-
many Lights are in your Lodge (A) three the sun the master and the stitution all this you promise and swere faithfully to keep and
Square (Q) how high is your Lodge (A) without foots yards or Inches it observe without any manner of Equivocation or mentall Resarvation
reaches to heaven (Q) how Stood your Lodge (A) east and west as all directly or Indirectly so help you godand by the Contents of this book
holly Temples Stand (Q) wc h is the mast ers place in the Lodge (A) the So he kisses the book &c.
east place is the masters place, in the Lodge and the Jewell resteth on him
first and he setteth men to worke wt the masters have in the foomoon the [Endorsed in bottom right-hand corner]
wardens reap in the Afternoon. A Narrative of the Freemasons words & signs
In some places they discourse as followeth (Vizt)
(Q) where was the word first given (A) at the Tower of Babylon
(Q) where did they first call their Lodge (A) at the holy Chapell of St
John (Q) how Stood your Lodge (A) as the said holy Chapell and all
other holy Temples Stand (Viz t ) east and west (Q) how many lights
are in your Lodge (A) two one to see to go in and another to see to
work (Q) what were you sworne by (A) by god and the Square
(Q) whither above the Cloathes or under the C[loathes] (A) under the
Cloathes (Q) under what Arme (A) under the right Arme.
God is Gratfull to all Worshipfull Mast ers and fellows in that
Worshipfull Lodge from whence me [? we] Last came and to you
good fellow is your name (A) J or B. then giving the grip of the
hand he will say Broth er John greet you well you (A) gods good
greeting to you dear Brother.
Another salutation is giving the mast ers or fellows grip saying the
right worshipfull the mast ers and fellows in that worshipfull Lodge
from whence we Last came greet you greet you greet you well, then he
will repley Gods good greeting to you dear Brother.
Anoth er they haue called the mast ers word and is Mahabyn which is
allways divided into two words and Standing close With their
Breasts to each other the inside of Each others right Ancle Joynts the masters
grip by their right hands and the top of their Left hand fingers thurst close
on ye small of each others Backbone and in that posture they Stand till
they whisp er in each oth ers eares y e one Maha- the other repleys Byn.

THE OATH

The mason word and every thing therein contained you shall keep secrett
you shall never put it in writing directly or Indirectly you shall
 Dumfries No. 4 M S . 51
7. After the word Finis ', are added eight lines of doggerel verse to remind the
reader or listener of mortaliry.
T H E D U M F R I E S N o . 4 M S . , c . 171 0 This 8. Near the end there is a very rough sketch of the Masons' arms, such
as is found at the top of one or two versions of the Old Charges, e.g., the
MS. consists of several elements :
William Watson and the Scarborough MSS.
1. A sundry ' version of the MS. C onstitutions of Masonry, including an The document belonged to the Old Lodge of Dumfries and is now in the posses-
Apprentice Charge. The text is unusually corrupt ; as examples of corrupt expres- sion of its successor, Lodge Dumfries Kilwinning No. 53. At one time it was
sions, mention may be made of leathier instead of the usual laterus latress ' laterns ' almost certainly employed for ritual purposes, as it shows considerable signs of
(all corruptions of L. lateres, burnt bricks, pl. of later, brick) ; the Temple of Diana use. h consists of seven sheets of paper, roughly 4 ¼ " X 16", folded once and
' (as the alternative name of the Temple of Jerusalem) in stead of the usual sewn together along the top to form a notebook of fourteen leaves, 4 ¼” x 8",
Te mp lu m Dei o r Te mp lu m Do min i ; min u s Greenatus alias Green ' in- radier lise a shorthand typist's notebook. The leaves are written on both sides.
stead of Naymus Grecus ' or some such form. The main departures from the In the opinion of Mr A. J. Collins of the MSS. Department of the British Mu-
ordinary text are of two types : (i) The introduction of additional scriptural or seum, who, by the courtesy of the Lodge, quite recently had an opportunity of
theological matter, e.g., the Ten Commandments are stated to form part of examining the document, it was written fairly early in the eighteenth century. It
David's Charges, and also of the first General Charge ; Divinity ' is described as was discovered by James Smith in 1895 among the Lodge muniments and
one of the Seven Liberal Sciences, and Philosophy ' as another, space being made printed by John Lane in A.Q.C., vi, in 1893. By the courtesy of the Lodge,
for them among the seven by omitting Arithmetic, and treating Grammar and we have had an opportunity of checking Lane's transcript with the original, and
Rhetoric as one ; injunctions to observe the Sabbath and to avoid obscenity are have been able to use our corrected A.Q.C. version to check the transcript which
included among the Charges General. (ii) The introduction into the Charges of we print, prepared from a photostat of the document. We print the entire
homely and practical precepts for operative masons, e.g., a mason is to pay hon- document, although actually only a small part of it can be described as a masonic
estly for meat, drink, washing and lodging at the place where he boards ; he is to catechism.
relieve the poor, visit the sick and be affable and kind to widows and the fatherless Treatment of the Text. The MS. is divided into sections, in each case by a
; he is to avoid drunkenness. line drawn across the page, followed by a cross-heading which is usually roughly
centred. Apart from these headings, no line in the MS. is indented. In printing
2. A set of Questions and Answers, partly along the lines of other masonic
the text we omit the dividing fines as unnecessary, in view of the cross-headings,
catechisms, and partly of a scriptural type.
and indent the first word of each section ; in some cases where a section is long we
3. A stranger's salutation, similar to that incorporated in other catechisms.
have divided it into paragraphs, according to the senne. Thus all indenting, other
4. A set of Questions and Answers concerning the Temple. The treatment of
than that associated with cross-headings, represents editorial emendation. We
this topic is apparently to some extent connected with a traditional interpretation
print the cross-headings in capitals according to the convention stated on p. 3o
existing in the early Middle Ages, as found, e.g., in a treatise entitled De T emple
above, but we print in lower case (apart from initial capitals) the thirteen sub-
Salamonis (Migne, Pat. Lat., vol. xci) and attributed to Bede.
headings comprised under the cross-heading " Questions concerning the Temple
5. A second set of masonic questions and answers supplementing the first ".
set, partly along conventional masonic lines, and partly covering ground not
touched upon in other catechisms. It includes a reference to two pillars, the The MS. contains a good many abbreviations which we print as they occur.
one which would not sink and the other which would not burn. These are The following are the less usual :
r ch
doubtless the pillars mentioned in the first section of the document, and in most M = master we, w = which
rs
versions of the MS. Constitutions of Masonry ; they are traditionally explained as M = master's wt, wt with
those on which the Seven Liberal Sciences were carved to keep them from perish- Qm quhom [i.e. whom] ye, ye = the
ing by flood or fixe [see our Two Earliest Masonic MSS., pp 39 folg].
.
Qn = quhen [i.e. when] ym, ym them
6. An account of the two pillars set up by Solomon at the porch of the Qr = quhair [i.e. where] yn, yn then
Temple. This account immediately follows the reference to the other two pil- Qt = quhat [i.e. what] yr, yr their
lars, with which the MS. appears to confuse them. sd laid yt, yt = that
50
52 Dumfries No. 4 MS. D um fr ie s N o. 4 MS. 53
t
A P[R]AYER OF ADMITANCE
is of the scienceiss astronomy w astrologie yt teacheth to know ye
course of ye Su [n] moon & stars ornaments of the heavens ye 7 sciences al
The almighty father of holiness the wisdom of the glorious jesus through suporte by geometry by we we cunclude yt science most worthy yt giveth
the grace of the holy ghost these being three persons in one godhead Qm [word omitted i n M S.]. & aid to the Rest yt is yr is no man yt worketh in
we Implore to be with us at the begining & give us grace so to govern any craft but he worketh by some measure & al of geometry for it serves to
our selves hear in this mortal life towards him that we may corne to his weight & measure al maner of things on earth especally plughme[n] & tilers
kingdome that shal never have end Amen of ground for corn & seeds vines & flouers plants & other for non of ye
Rest doe serve men to measure without geometrie How this science first
THE PREFACE began I shal tell before Noahs flood ther was a man called Lamach who
had two wives the one Adah & she the sa[i]d Adah brought forth two sons
Good brethren and fellows our purpose is to let you know in Qt maner the eldest jabell the other son Jubal & by ye other wife he had a son caled
this worthy science of masonry Qn & how it began as also how it was Tubai cain & a daughter caled Naamah & these children found out al ye
Countenanced favoured & adored by the most famous & brave Heroes on sciences and crafts in the world Jabel was the eider & found out geome-
earth such as kings princes wt all sorts of inteligent men of high[es]t try & keept flocks of sheep & they had lambs in the fields for wch he
degree & likwise ye charges to all truc & Qualified masons we wrought buses of s[t]one & timber as you may find it in the 4th chapter o[f]
they taught to keep wt a truc faith & give good head therto as they ye geneses & his brother jubal found out the art of musick vocal & instru-
would wish to Be Rewarded mentall and the 3d brother found out the smithwork such as bras steell & iron
& their sister found out the art of weaving & handling of the- distaff & spin-
THE FORM OF THE OATH dle
e
The charges w now w[e] Rehearse to you wt all othe[r] Charges & These children knew that god would take viengance on the world for
secrets otherways belonging to free masons or any that enter their intrest sin ei[t]her by fire or water not w t standing they were more curiouse
for curiositie together wt the counsels of this holy ludge chamber for the benifit of posterity to prefer the science they had invented to
or hall you shal not for any gift bribe or Reward favouer or affection their own lives 'Qr for they engraved ye science they had invented on pilers
directly or [in]directly nor for any cause Qtsoever devulge disclose ye of stone so that they might be found after ye flood ye one stone caled
same to ether father or mother sister or brother or children or stranger or marble which cannot burn with fire y other monoment was leath. .
any person Qtsoever so help you god . 1 we cannot be defusd by water than after the flood the greathermorian
son tocush & cush was son to ham second son to Noah hermorian was after
THE MANER HOW IT FIRST BEGAN caled ,the father of wisdom along of ye forsd Pillais he found after the
flood wt the sciences writen thereon he taught them at ye building of
There ar seven libral sciences ye first is divi[nity] wc teacheth ye Babylons Tower Qr he was called Nimrod or mightly before ye lord Nim-
logical vertues the 2d is gram[mar] joined to Rhetorick wc teacheth Elo- rod profest massonry at the desire of the king neneveh bis cossen ye abou [e]
quence & how to speak in subtil tearms ye 3 d is philosophy we is designd Nimrod mad massons & recomended ym to the lord of the lord of
loyers of wisdom by we is brought both ends of a contrdiction to- the land to build All sorts of buildings yn in fashon & taught y m
gether & crocke [d] things made straight black grouen white by A signs & tokens so that they could distingwish on another from all the rest of
Rule of contrarities &c the 4th is musick yt teacheth songs harps & organs mankind on the earth
wt all other sort[s] of vocal & instrumentel musick it is to be mi ... y e 1
forsd science hath neither medium nor end ye 5 t h is logick yt dis- Lane reads leathier.
covereth truth from falshode & is a guide [to] judges & lawiers y e 6 th is
geomitry y t teacheth to measure material heavens with al earthly de-
mentions & all things contained yrin ye 7th & last
54 Dumfries No. 4 MS. D um fr ie s N o. 4 MS. 55

THE MANER OF THEIR CHARGE

one anothers secrets & yt they should call on another fellow & forbear all
e other foui names & yt they should deport ymselves Like men of art
Imprinuus yt they should love on another & serv y lord of heaven wt a
and not Like uncriltivat 1 Rusticks & yt they should ordain one of ye
true & sincer heart to prevent futer vengeance & yt they be honest & up-
wisest of ym to be master of the Rest & to be over ye work & yt nei-
right & faithfull to the lord yr imployer so yt he ye sd n[i]mrod might
ther for love nor Riches shul they betray yr trust nor to apoint any yt
have worship & honou[r] By sending ym to him & yt yr shoul be no
wants understanding to be master of ye lords work so that ye Craft may
circumvention direction devision disimulation or misaprehensions
not b[e] scandalised & yt they cal y e Governouer of y e work master
amongst ym or any thing like contention least god should make ym
whilst they work wt him & ye forsd Euclidie wryte a book of constitutions
dumb as before Qn he confounded y r Langwiage for yr presumption
to ym & mad ym to swear ye greatest oath men used to swear those
this was ye first time yt massons had any care of yT craft
dayes yt they yt they should faithfuly observe- all ye instructions
after this came abrahame togethcr with sarah his wife into egypt & yr containd in ye constitutions of masonry & ordained ym competent payment
he taught ye seven sciences to ye egyptians & yr he had in Egypt a wor- so yt they might Live Like men of art & science as also yt they should
thy scholar who proved y e glory of yt age his name Eucladas this sd assemble & gather ymselves together & hold counsels in maters pertain-
young man improved his talent so yt he exceded all y e artises yn on ing to ye craft & art of Geometry & that they ought not to stand with any
earth & abraham tooke delight in him for yt he was a Great proficeient & yt was not duly Qualified and orderly created in a truc ludge & yt they
proclamed all Luter events to ye unthinking 1. multitude and it befel in his should keep a deu distance from al disorder Least god should bring second
days yt ye lords and stats of yt land had so many sons yt they had begotten confusion amongst ym which prove wors than ye first after this ye wor-
some by other wives & ladies of ye Realm for egypt was yn a plenished & thy clark Euclidie invented many Rare inventions & performed won-
countrey & nothing Living competent was for ye children Wherefore ye derful exploits for yr was nothing to[o] bard for him containd within
stats of ye land was sore troubled in Qt maner to provide for the chil- y e 7 libral sciences by which he mad ye people of Egypt ye wisest peo-
dren And ye king of ye land caled a parliment to consult how they ple in the world Affter ye children of Israel came into ye land of bel..e we
might furnish ym but could find ne prospcct of ye thing but caused a is now called among ye nations ye countrie of Jerusalem Qr King david
proclimation to be made through out ye Realm if y r Qr any man yt began ye temple of jerusalen wch wt ym is called ye templ of diana &
could inform w e way to dispose of y r young men he should b[e] david Loved masons well & chirished ym by giving ym good wadges
well Rewarded for his pains & trouble after the cry or proclimation & he gave them yr charge on this maner y t they should truly 2 the ten
came y e worthy docter Eucladas & said to ye King & bis lords if you words w e was wryten by the finger of god in char [ac]ters of stone
wil give me your children to Govern & teach as gentle men ought to Or tables of marble & delivered to moses on ye holy mount Sinai & yt wt
be taught And yt you grant ym & me a competent portion yt I may heavenly solemnity Qr meriads of angels wt chariots of fire atending
Rule & teach them acording to yr Qualite & yt I may order ym as y e that train we proves stone carting 3 to be of divine institution wt many
science Requireth And y e king granted it & sealed ym in a charter & other things he gave in charge as he had it out of egypt from the
yn y e worthy clark Eucladas took y e lords sons & taught ym in y e sci- most famous Euclidie & other charges wc you shal hear afterward
ence Geomitrie to work in all maner of worthy work in stone temple after this david payed ye debt of nature And Solomon his son per-
churches cloysters cities castles pirimides towers & all other worthy formed ye temple yt his father had begun and divers massons of severall
buildings of stone & he put ym in orders and taught them to know lands gathered together so yt yr was eighty thousand & 3 hundred of
one another truly & confirmed Nimrods maners to ym & yt they ym we was Qualified and made over seers of ye worke & yr was a
should Love onanother truly & keep ye law of god writen on yr hearts king in tyre caled Hiram who loved solomon weell & he gave to solomon
& yt they should be true to ye king of ye Realm & above all keep ye secrets
of ye lodge & 1
Lane reads uncultivat.
3 So in MS. ? carving.
2
Word omitted in MS.
1
Illegible word written above the line.
56 Du m fr ie s N o . 4 M S . Dumfries No. 4 MS. 57
t
Timber for his work & likwise send him an artist in whome was ye also ye rnasons arms w arms of jeruselams temple & dl the famous struc-
spirit of wisdom his mother was of ye tribe of naphtLie his father a tutes in ye world all these forsd freedoms ye sd nobleman prevailed wt ye
man of tyre his name was Hiram the world hath not peduced his equal king & procured yin a charter for ever to maintain ye same Likwise
to this day he was a master masson of exquisit knouledge & generositie & they r ye moto in letters of gould set in a crimson field wt sables &
was master mason of all ye buldings & bulders of ye temple & master argent Invia virtutie via nula
of all graven & carverd works in & about ye temple as it is wryten in the after this came great wars into england so so ye Rule of husbandry
first of the kings in the 6 chapter and 7 chaptere yrof And solomon con- was Laid aside untill the Reign of Athelston who was a good king in eng-
firmed both charges and maners of his father david w e he gave to mas- land & brought ye land in peace & build many worthy & sumptious build-
sons & was y e worthy craft of massonry confirmed in y e country of ings such as abays churches cloysters convents casles towers fortre-
jerusalem & palistine [&] many other kingdoms craftsmen walked ses bulwarks wt al other monoments of note he was on affectionat brother
abroad & come to lairn more art & some were Qualified to teach others to all Qualified masons Likewise he had a son whose name was Hodrian &
and inform y e ignrant so yt about the [illegible] began to look he the sd hodrian loved massons so yt he could neither eat nor drink but
splended & glor. .. in y e wor. . particularlie in jerusalem & in Egypt & when they were in his company he was a brave generous spirit full of art
about this time ye courious masson Minus Greenatis alias Green yt had & practiss he chusd Rather to conve [rse] wt massons than w t the
been building Solomons Temple into ye Realm of france & taught ye art courtiers of bis fathers court drew himself Rather to common wt
of massonry to ye sons of art in yt land And their was one of ye Royal line massons & Lairnd yin yr art & put himself in orders he bequethed y e
in france named Charles manie who loved Minus Greenatus beyond expre- whole master of y e freternity w t squares of gold & compasses of
sion because of bis judgment in y e art of massonrie & he y e sd martil silver tipt wt gold & perpedicular plums to be pure gold yr trewals of
took on him ye maners of masons and after he was in his oun Realm silver wt all yr other Instruments conform he likwise pecured his
for it would seem he was no french man he took unto him many brave fathers charter & comissions to hold every year ane assembly of
massons yr & aloued ym good wadges & put ym in orders which masons Qr every mason was oblidged to [give ane accompt of
greenatus taught him [&] confirmed yin a charter & ordred ym to asemble his proficiency & practise & at y e forsd metings he enjo [i]ned ym
freQuentLy yt they might kep good order within yr divisions & thus new methods of secrecy & taught ym good manners conform to the Rules
cam ye craft into france of Euclidie & hiram & other famous worthies & Qn trespass was done
within ye craft he inflicted condign punishment on ye offender he bent
England al this while stood destitute of massons untill ye time of St
himself for ye crushing of vice & publickly encouraged vertue Aferward
Albons at this time ye King of england was a pagan & he built the town
he came ta york & yr made massons & gave yr charge & taught ym
yts taled st albons after that in albons rime yr was a worthy man who
maners of masonry & wryt a book of constitutions & comanded the
was chief stewart to y e king & had ye government of ye Realm & he
Rule to be keept for ever after & he made ordinances yt ye craft
imployed masons to build y e toun wals of St albons & he made masons
should be so Ruled from Reign to Reign as it was than stated & or-
his cheif co[m]panions and aded a third part to yr payment by what it was
daind by the most worthy in yt assembly morover he made a procili-
formerly & apointed them 3 hours to recreat ymselves every day yt so yr
mation yt all massons yt had any certificats or testimonials in wryting
imployment might not prove toylsome to them & yt they might not
of yr travels proficency & practise should present ym to prove yr
live Like slaves But like jentlemen of art & science & aise ordred a
former art & behaviour & yr was brought soin in hebrew some in
cartain day of every year in ye month of jun to couvert & feast to mean-
greek Latine caldaick sirack french Dutch salvonick & english wt
tain 1 & unity amoongst ym & yt they shoul have that day being St
several other Languages and the intent . as talon upon wch the famous
Johns day yr Royal standerd up wt ye names & tittles of all ye kings and
Hodrian put ym in mind of the confusion at ye building of Nimrods
p [r] inces yt had entred yr intrest as
tower and yt as they would wich god to
1
Word omitted in MS.
1
Word ornitted in MS.
58 Dumfries No. 4 MS. Dumfries N o . 4 M S . 59
prosper ymselves & actions not to attempt or aim at Idolitry any more but pray for his safty at all conuenient occassions When you pray for
sincerLy to honour & Adore ye great architector of heaven & earth your self & be no partaker of any treasonable designs against his
the fountain & source of all goodness who buildeth his visible frame of person and goverment sly you shall love and be truc to one another and
nothing & Laid ye foundasion yrof upon the deepe waters and laid a do to your neighbours or fellou as you would wish them to do to you 6 1y
comand upon ye sec to corne so far & no forther ye great land lord of you shall keep a truc and faithfull corespondance with all those mas-
heaven & earth ye sole preserver of man & beast pslms 36. 6. 7 ye ters and fellous of mesonry that you know to be legally entred in
Ruler & governouer of sun moon & stars he further advisvised ym orders there secrets you shall keep there loss you shall withstand to your
to bring his omnipotency wt[in]ye compass of yr understanding yt so power therr honour and cridit you shall maintain 7 1y that euery masson
much ye more they might be kath to ofend him wt many other divine keep a truc lodge chamber or hall to talk dignose upon things partining to
sentances he put ym in mind of & he comanded a book to be made how honestie and moral dealing where they may refresh there memories of the
the craft was first begun found & comanded it should be Read Qn any worthies departed 8 1y that you be truc and honest to the lord or Im-
masson was made & if aftter should err they mighty have no excuse to ployer do his work faithfullie keep his profit and advantage to ye out-
prevent y r punishment & give him his charge conform to ye sds most of your power that you shall not defraud him in any point what soever
book & from yt time massons should keep yt form & order as weel as so that he may have no cause to exclaim and you reap honour 9ly you shall
men could govern it & further at privat assemblies yr hath ben divers masson your fellow and breatheren and not to call them by any disrespec-
charges added more & mor concerning yr charrige & deportment in tive name whereby contenticonis & divisions and heat may arise which may
every particula[r] part of massonry by ye masters & fellous advice prove scandalus : 10 l y : let no master or fellow Inwilany or un-
godly [take] another fellows wife dawghter or maid in Adultery or forni-
THE CHARGE
cation : 11 ly That you be very carefull to pay truly and honestly your
table such as meat drink washing and lodging where you go to
every man yt is a massone or enters yr inters yr Intrest to agrandize &
board : 12 ly : That you keep a corpass due gaurd wher you lodg
satisfie his curiositie looke to ye following charge if any of you be
that no villany be comited there whereby the craft may be defaimed
guilty of any of ye following Immortalitys see yt you Repent & amend
13 ly That you carefully and religously observe the sabbath day by refrain-
speedily for you will find it a hard thing to fall into ye hands [of] our
ing all evill work & labovr and make it your study to Employ that
angry god and more especialy you yt are under voues take hee[d] yt
day in serving and seeking the truc God to keep in the fauculties of
you keep ye ath and promise you made in presence of allmighty god
your souls from gading after vanities of this world pray to god
think not yt a mental Reservation or Equivocation will serve for to
to sanctifie your will wnderstanding & memories with your reason and
be sure euery word you speak the whole time of your Admission is
affections 141y That you make it your bussiness to relieve the poor accord-
ane oath and god will examin you according to the purness of your
ing to your Talent and facultie let not your prudence superceed your charity
heart and cleaness of your hands it is ane sharp edged toole yt you
in thinking in this or the other unworthy or not in need but slip no op-
are playing with beware you cut not your fingers we intreat you that
ertunitie because it is for Gods sake you give it and in obedience to
ye forfit not your Saluation for any other seeming contentment
his command I5 ly That you visit the sick and comfor and pray for them
Imprimus you shall serve the truc god and carefully keep his precepts in and let them not be in any distress that is in your powr to help them if
generall particularlie the Ten words delivered to Moses on mount god cals them hence wait and asist ther funerall 161y be affable and kinde
Sinai As you have them explained in full on ye pavement of the to all but more especially to the widdow & fatherless stand stoutly in ther
Temple secondly you shall be true & stedfast to ye holy catholick behalf defend there Intrest relive ther necessities though this be bread
church and shun all herise & shisim or eror to your wnderstanding thrown upon the uncertain waters yet by the speciall blessing of heaven
31y you shall be truc to the lodge and keep all the secrets belonging thereto in rime will Return with seven
4Iy you shall be truc to the lawfull King of the Realm and
6o Dumfries No. 4 MS. Dumfries No. 4 MS. 61
fold Intrest and secure a stock for you in the other world 171y That you of his mr and fellow according to the delatio given in upon him and
shall not drink drunk at no occassion because it is ane offence to God and if it can not be decided otherways it must come before the Assembly
likewise you arc apt reveal the secrets of the lodge and so perJure your self Itim that no master masson shall make any mould square or Rule to
18ly you shall abstain from all scandalous & profan rcreations from play- any Layer or cowin Itm that no m r within or without a loge shall
ing at hazard or any other destructive game 19 1y you shall forbear all set a lay mould of stone or other ways withowt 1 it be his own making
lascivious language with all obsceen language pouster or gestures for Itim every masson shall receve strange massons within ther divisions
all such is but pleasing the1 and fostering oflust over the country where there concerns lyeth within ' and set them to
These be the charges in generall that every masson should hold work according to order (viz) if they have muid Standert to place
master and felous it is earnestly wished that they might be carefully let theim have twoo weeks at least and give him his hire and ife
kept in heart and will and affections and in so doing they shall reander there be no stander let him be refreshed : with meat and drink to
themselves famous to future generations and God will bless ther carry him to the next lodge Itim none that is in order shall stand
progenie and geve them a good Talent and cast their hues in pleasant to hear any that doth not order his words & steps aright but if he
placeses proue him self a man then you are obliged to Imbrace him and
gave him the curtisee of the craft Itim all massons shall be honest
The Charges belong to mastrs and fellous is as folloueth Imprimus that
in there work be it by task or Jurney and truly make ane end thereof
no fellow shall take any lords work or other Imployer but he shall know
that they may have There ways as they ought to have Itim that no
himself and curling to perfect the sanie so that the craft may have no
lodge or corum of massons shall give the Royal secret to any suddently
disworship and the lord or Imployer may not be cheated but truly served
but upon great deliberation first let him learn his Questions by heart
for his mony of any masson have taken any work or stand mastr of any
then his symbals then do as the lodge thinks fit
work he shah not be put from it if he can finish the same Itm that no
mastr or fellous shall take ane aprentice to be allowed on for less
than seven years and that the Aprentice be able of limbs and well THE APPRENTICE CHARGE

breathed Itm that no mastr or fellou shall take mony before hand without Imprimus that he shall he true to god and the holy catholick church
consent of the lodge Itm that no mr or fellow shall presum to creat a & ye king & his 'r aster whom he shall serve yt he shall not pick or
masson without of bis fellows 5 : or 6 at the least and that the oath be steell his mr or his mrs goods nor absent himself from yr service nor
duly administered to them Itim no master or fellow shall put a lords goe from ym about his oun pleasure by day or by night withowt
work to task that used to be jurned Itim that no mastr shall give any licience he shall not comit Adultrie nor fornication in or without his
payment to his felow but as he deserveth so that the Imployer may mr house wt his mrs daughter servant or otherwise he shall keep
not be deceived with* Ignorant workmen Itim that no felow shall cownsel in all things spoken in or without ye lodge chamber or hall
slander another bhind his back whereby he may lose his good name or spoken by any fellow master or freeman he shall not keep any
worldly goods Itim that no fellow within or withowt a lodge shall disobedient argument against he shall disclose any secret Qrby strife
answear bis fellow disrespective Itim that none shall enter the Toun may arise Amongst massons fellows or aprenticess but reverently to be-
in the nig [ht] where is a loge of fellows without ther be a fellow with have himselfe towards all free massons yt he may win brethren to
to prove him a man honest or wnder that notion Itim that every mas- his mr he shall not use carding or dicing or any other unlawful gaine
ter and fellow shall come to the A[ss]embly upon the first citation if or games he shall not haunt taverns or ale houses wasting his mas-
it be within 5 miles of him and ther stand at the revard of his fellows or ters goods withowt licience he shall not purloin or steal any
master Itm every mr (and fellow) shall pray for his superior : put him goods from any person or share during his aprentishipe but to wtstand
to worship Itim that ne and fellou that have trespassed shall stand to the ye same to ye outmost of his power & yrof to inform his master or
determination some other masson with all possible & convenient speed
In MS. on two lines witho owt.
1
1
Word omitted in MS.
62 Dumfries No. 4 MS. Dumfries No. 4 MS. 63

two tables Q what is masonry A it is a squerc work Q what is a

Q PROPOUNDED AND ANSWERED masson A he is a worker in stone Q would you know your master if
Q what are you A I am a man Q how shal I know y t A by all you saw him A yes Q what way would ye know him A by his habit Q
trwe signs in ye first part of my entry Ill heall & conceall Q what are what couller is his habit A yellow & blew meaning the compass we
you no more to .. A yes but a man I was begotten of a man & born of is bras & Iron Q what morter had these massons at y e building of ye
a woman and besids I have severall potentat kings & mighty princes to my temple A the same such smorter as they had at y e building of nim-
brothers Q what lodge were you entered in A in ye trwe lodge of st rods Tower viz slime being a kind of hot o Earth they made thin &
John Q where ought a lodge to be keept A on the top of a mountain or in powred it into ye wall affter ye stons was laid it was of ye
ye midle of a boge without the hearing of ye crowing of a cok or ye bark nature serrent or bitumor Q what ladder had they ................. building
of a doge Q how high is your lodge A inches & spans Inumberable Q of ye ........................... jacobs ................................................. between
how Inumberable A the material heavens & stary firmament Q how ye heaven & y e earth Q how many steps was in jacobs ladder A 3 Q
many pillers is in your lodge A three Q what are these A ye square the what was y e 3 A father son & holy spirit Q how many flowers is in
compas & ye bible Q where Lyes ye key of your lodge A in a bone box ye massons possie A 3 & 12 Q what call you ym A trinity & ye twelve
covered wt a rough map Q give y e distinction of your box A my head Apostles Q who was master masson at y e buillding of ye temple A
is y e box my teeth is the bons my hair is the mapp my tongue is ye key Hiram of tyre Q who laid the first stone in ye foundation of y e temple
Q hou were you brought in A shamfully wt a rope about my neck Q A y e above said Hiram Q what place did he lay ye first . stone A in ye
what poustet were you in when you Receved A neither sitting nor south east corner of ye Temple Q what did he say Qn he laid it A help
standing nor running nor going but on my left knee Q whay a rop about us god Q what was ye greatest wonder yt seen or heard about the
your neck A to hang me If I should Betry may trust Q why upon your left temple A god was mam & man was god mary was a mother & yet a
knee A because I would be in too humble a pouster to ye receiving o[f] ye maid Q what is y e night good for A y e night is botter for hearing
Royall secret Q what Obligation are you under A great oath Q what pun- than seeing Q what is y e day good for A y e day is bette for seeing
ishment is inflicted on these yt reveals ye secret A yr heart is to be than hearing Q what did y e second man when ye first man died A he
taken out alive yr head to be cut of & yr bodys to be buried in ye sea perfected ye work we ye first man Intended thus king david y t in-
mark & not in any place Qr christians are buried Q how many lights tended to build y e temple but was prevented by death but solomon
is in your lodge A two Q be y e two A y e sun riseth in ye east & performed it Q what is meant by y e brassen see yt Hiram framed &
sets all men to work & sets in ye west & so turns all men to bed Q we supported it by 12 oxen 3 looking towards ye north 3 towards y e south
way stands your Lodge A East & west because all holy churches & 3 towards y e west 3 towards ye east A h was appointed to bath & wash
temples stands y t way and particularlie y e temple of jerusalem Q y e preists in at yt time But now we finde it was a tipe of Christs
might not Hiram lade ye foundation of ye temple south & north rather blood whose blood was to purg sin & to wash y e elect & y e 12 oxen a
than east & West A no he could not Q give a reason for y t A david type of y e 12 apostles who opposed all heathenism & athism &
appointed y e foundation of ye temple to be laid on a barn flore as you sealed ye cause of christ wt there blood Q what meant ye golden dore of
may read in ye holy bible Qr it is taled ye thrashing floor araunah y e je- ye temple Qr they went in to sanctum sanctorum A it was another type
busit likwise you may read in holy wryt yt ye ark of y e lord Qrin of Christ who is y e door y e way and the truth & ye life by whome &
was ye covenant betwixt god & men & y e two marble tables wt ye ten in whom all ye elect entreth into heaven .
commandments wryten by ye finger of god ye said Ark was detained by
misfortain a considerable [time on the forsaid thrashing four of
THE STRANGERS SALUTATION
araunah w e oblidged ym to lay ye foundation of ye temple East & west
conformt to ye pouster of ye The worshipfull masters of our lodge sendeth me unto you who sa-
lutes you heartily wishing that this my visit may Refresh your
6
4 Dumfries No. 4 MS. Dumfries No. 4 MS. 65

memories of your good will towards ym A and we the masters & 7 What doth the vaill signifie
fellows of this lodge welcome you heartily intreating you to make The son. of god our lord jesus christ hanging upon y e alter of ye
bold wt what you see & tell us your wishes & daim our relife which cross is ye trwe vaill yt is put betwe god & us shadowing wt his wounds
shall be at your comand at all times & occations & as we are we shall con- and blood ye multitud of our offencess yt so we may be made accapt-
tinue to honour love & serve you When you enter a roome you must able to his father
say is ye bouse cleen if they ansure it is dropie or ill, thatched upon this 8 The ark of the covenant
answre you are to be salent this is ye most matieriall questions belonging to It represents as weel our saviour christ as ye hearts of y e faithfull
massonry for in christs breast was ye doctrine both of law & gosple so is it in
sic subscribu [n] tur the constitutions ye faithfull though not in yt measure he was ye true manna yt descended
to give life to ye world ye table of ye law move us to love & obedience
I QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE TEMPLE Aarons rod flowrishing wt blossoms signifies ye swetnes of ye gosple
Q what signifies the temple A ye son of god & partly of the church ye & y e glory of our High preist jesus christ of whome Aaron was a
son soffered his body to be , destroyed & rose again ye 3d day & raised figure
up to us ye christian church we is ye true spiritwal church 9 The mistry of the alter
2 What signifies the white marble Christ is y e white marble without The alter w t 4 golden horns being made part of shittim wood
spot the stone ye builders r ........................ d but god choised it out & part of gold compassed about wt a crown of gold Represents the
[several words illegible] might be built unity of ye humanitie & dietie of our saviour for ye naturly incoriptable
3 The mistery of the cader wood was beautified wt gold so ye humanitie of christ not of putrifaction
being adorned wt y e celestiall . . . . 1 of y e dietie personaly united
The cader cyprus & olive wood was not subject putrifaction nor
to the devine nature asscended to heven & sitteth at ye Right hand
posible to be devoured by worm [s] so ye human nature of christ was subject
of god his father crouned with the crown of majestie and etternall
to no corruption nor putrifaction
happiness
4 The mistrey of the Gold
The gold and precious stones signifies the dietie of christ wherein duelt 10 The mistrie of the golden candlesticke
the fulness thereof for he is the fountain thereof. The Golden candlestick wt his six branches & seven lights signifies
5 The mistery of the cherubims christ & ye ministers christ the foundation is cheif preist & light of
ye world Iluminating us to eternall life the docters & teachers of ye
first they signifie the heavenly glory and the everlasting life to
church are ye branches Qm christ enlightens wt ye sound doctren of
corne they being pictured to the Image of man do represen [t] the congrega-
ye gosple neither ought they to be seprated from christ but by ye
tion of ye blessd angles & saints we sing Te Dum law damuss secondly ye
Light of ye doctren to be lamp to our feet & as all ye branches was
two cherubins on ye mercy seat in the holy Quire signifies y e old & new
united u nt o y e candlestick so every minister & child of god ought
testmant containing y e doctrine of christ & as yr wings touch one
to be united to ye bod of christ without any seperation the flowers
another so the old & [new] testament are joined together ye end of
& lillies donot y0 gracess of his spirit we he hath bestowed upon ye
the one beginning ye other y e one containing ye first world y e other
faithful ministers the lights & lamps do Admonish al godly ministers
containning y e end of y e 2 world both had a relation to christ to whome
to a godly tare & diligence
y0 ministrie of god was comitted
11 The mistrie of the golden table and shewbread
6 The
mistry of the golden door of the temple The table being compased wt a precious crown signifies ye ministers
Christ is the dore of life by we we must enter into eternall happiness ye of ye gosple ye bread signifies Christ ye bread of Life
two doves signifies a two fold knowledge before we can enter that is 12 The mistrie of ye golden vine & christal grape [s]
of his person & office 1
Lane reads glory.
1
Lane reads refused [Psalm cxviii, 22].
66 Dumfries No. 4 MS. Dumfries No. 4 MS. 67
The vine in ye East of ye temple mad of shining gold Resembles or science found when it was lost A it was found in two pillers of
our christ who compared himself unto a vine & the faithfull unto stone the one would net sink and the other would not burn
branches ye christall grapes ye doctren of ye gospel & y e work of ye
faithfull we are faith love hope charite patience prayer & works of grace
unto such as belives
[13 The] molten sea its mistrie
The molten sea was a figure of baptism & ye living water Issuing
from ye wounds of christ ye twelve oxen signifies ye twelve Apostles

THE TEMPLE WAS IN HIGHT AND 'LENGTH

It wa 100 cubits in length in hight 120 cubits ye holy Queer stood in

y west end ye Marble stons in ye temple was 25 cubits long 12 cubits broad
e

& 8 cubits thick being all whit marble

QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED AND ANSWERED

how many lights is in yt lodge A 3 Q what ................. of ye 3 A ye

master the fellow craftsmen & ye ward[en] Q we way stands yee lights A
ye is one in ye East & [one] in ye west & one in ye midle Q what is for
ye one [in] ye East A it is for the master & ye west is for the ffellow crafts-
men & ye midle is for ye warden Q what stands at the wardens back A
3 shelve[s] Q what is yr upon ym A yr is 3 Rulers Q what . . these A yr
is 36 foot 34 foot & 32 foot Q what is ym for A 36 is for leveling 34 is for Solomon set up twoo notable Names yt on y e Right hand called
beve [ll] ing &32 for measuring ye earth about Q which way came y e W Jachine yt is in it yr is strength show . . not only by y e matter but by
first about A it was given to king david by report Qn he was hewing ye Name Also of these two pillers what stedfastness ye elect stands in
ye stons in ye mount to know ye workmen from before god both for ye present & for rime to corne for ye present ye
. . Labourers & it pleased god to take away King David & solomon sons of god have Received strength inwardly for ye time to corne god
suceeded in his place & it was Given him Q what is ye length of your table will stablish so with his spirit of grace yt they shall never wholy depart
A it is as long as between y e point of my navel and ye shortest of my from him & wt I was by the way taught this point These two Names
hair Q what is ye reason of yt A because all secrets lyes there Q by seems to note out besids this y e two churches of y e jews & gentiles
what . . by who m do you stand upon your princip . . 1 yt of y e jews by jachin on y e right hand as . . . god would at length
..............2 yt stood upon y e highest penacle of the temple Q we way Establish in his time though as yet it had not atained to this stablnes
was y e temple built A by solomon & Hiram who furnished tooles through ye obstinacy of yr minds Qrwt they should reject christ Qn he
for yt work it was Hiram who was brought out of Egypt he w [as] a should come This of ye gentiles by boaz on ye left hand because of ÿ e
widdows son he furnished all sorts of Tools pick[s] spades shovels & present strength y t should be in her Qn she should Imbrace christ at
all things belonging to ye temple Q where layes ye master A in a stone y e first hearing these christ shall wryt upon these pillers better names
trough under ye west window looking to ye east waiting for ye son rising than those of Jachin & boaz for first he shall wryt
to sett lis men to work Q where [was] the noble art
1
Lane reads principal. 2 Lane reads A by him.
68 Dumfries No. 4 MS.
upon ym y e name of his god yt it may be made plain to all men yt
these men are chossen out fr[om] ye rest to be gods peculiar people as
in us wt all mat .................. yt are openly marked we do by yr tilles
declare to every one whose they are in we sense it was said they shal T HE T RI N I T Y C O LLE G E , D UB LI N , M S ., 1 7 1 1
know yt I have loved y ee for w e caus[e] allso Holiness to ye lord This short catechism, which is in the Trinity College, Dublin, Library
was wryten upon y e lit . . . bells yt hang upon y e horses in the [T.C.D. MS. I, 4, 18], is contained in one of the volumes of collected papers of
prophet Zacharie 14 chap 20 verse Sir Thomas Molyneux (1661-1733), a famous Dublin doctor and scientist. It is
written on one side of a single folio sheet, about 11 ¾ x 7 ½ f", and was origi-
FINIS nally folded into four, about 3" X 7 ½ " ; across the top the folded
document was endorsed ' Free Masonry Feb : 1711’ To judge from the'
photostat made in 1937, the endorsement is in a different hand from the b o d y
o f t h e t e x t , t h e ' M t h e s ' , a n d t h e ' y ' o f M a s o n r y ' i n the en-
A caput mortuu[m] 1 here you see dorsement differing considerably from the same letters in the body of the text.
The MS. has been put away in a place of safety, and our observation, based
on the photostat, cannot at present be checked by reference to the original.
To mind you of mortality Nor can it be ascertained, by comparison with other documents, whether either
the body of the text, or the endorsement, was written by Sir Thomas Moly-
neux himself. If either was, we surmise that it was the endorsement. The cate-
Behold great I strength by ... fell chism is the earliest known MS. to recognize three classes of mason, each
with its own secrets. It was printed in Trans. L odge of R esearch N o. C C,
but establish . . . in heaven doeth dwe[ll] Dublin, 1924. Our transcript is made from a photostat.
See Introduction, pp. 10, 21 above.
Let all your actions be just and trwe
which, after death gives life to you {image 42a}

Under no less a penalty

Keep round within of your appointed sp[here] Question. Wt mariner of man are you ? Answer. I am a mason.
be ready for your latter end daws near Q. How shall I know that ? A. By y e signs, tokens, & points of my
1
entry.
A figure somewhat resembling the capital D used in the MS., and probably in- Q. Where were you entered ? A. In a full, & perfect lodge.
tended to represent a skull in profile.
Q. Wt makes a full, & perfect lodge ? A. three masters, 3 fellow crafts-
men, & 3 enterprentices.
Q. Ho w stand s y r lod ge ? A. East, & west like y e temp le o f
Jerusalem.
Q. Where sits y e master ? A. In a Chair of bone in y e middle of a
four square pavement.

69
70 Trinity College, Dublin, MS.
Q. W t sits he there for ? A. To observe the sons rising to see to set his
men to work.
Q. How high is yr lodge ? A. As high as ye stars inches, & feet innumerable. A M AS O N ' S E X A M I N A T I O N , 1 7 2 3
Q. Where do you keep the key of ye lodge ? A. In a box of bone within
a foot, & of ye lodge door. Appended to an anonymous letter printed in The Flying-Post or Post-Master,
Q. How far is it from y e table to y e anchor ? A. As far as from ye No. 4712, II-13 April 1723, is a masonic catechism, without title, now
tongue to ye heart. always known by the heading supplied by Gould when he reprinted it in his
History o f F reemasonry, 487. Our reprint is from a copy in the
Q. Which way blows y e wind ? A. East & west & out of ye south.
Bodleian [Nichols Newspapers, 52A]. See Introduction, pp. 6, 13 above.
The common sign is with your right hand rub yr mouth then cross yr
throat & lay it on ye left brea[st.] The Masters sign is back bone, the
word matchpin. The fellow craftsman's sign is knuckles, & sinues y e To the Author of the Flying Post.
word Jachquin. 1 The Enterprentice's sign is sinues, the word Boaz or The Ancient Fraternity of Free and ac cepted Masons, has thro'
its hollow. Squeese the Master by ye back bone, put your knee between all Ages been justly esteemed the only One Society, which hath inviola-
his, & say Matchpin. Squeese the fellow craftsman in knuckles, & sinues & bly observed and kept those two essential and fundamental Pillars of
say Jachquin 2 [•] squees the enterprentice in sinues, & say boaz, or its all good Fellowship, Taciturnity and Concord ; there being but one single
hollow. To know in ye dark if there be a mason in Company, Say ye ,day Instance since the Beginning of Time, that a Free M ason betray'd the
was made for seeing, & ye night for hearing. If you are amongst the Grand Arcanum of the Society ; namely Samson, who indeed proved
fraternity, & they drink to you, turn ye top of the glass down and if after a meer Judas, and was punished accordingly.*
two or three times so doing, they say drink & i'll warrant you, then they This has been a Matter of much Speculation to the rest of Mankind, and
will pay your clubb. or if you say ye squire is lean, or throw a tobacco bath occasioned various Reasonings and Disputes.
stopper to one of them & say change me yt groat, & theypay your club. To It is indeed agreed on all hands, that Masonry, the most substantial
Send for a brother the signes are these. if you say ye Part of Architecture, is of singular Use and Ornament ; that Free
lodge is untiled, that is as much as to say there is some one in ye Company Mosans are no prying inquisitive Busiebodies, but honest industrious
you suspect fora brother. To bring a man from a scaffold, or any other place, Persons, who desire only to excel in their own Profession ; that the Wor-
hold yr heels together, and yr toes open, & look up, then with yr hand, or shipful S ociety are no Innovators in Religions Affairs, no perjured Plot-
Cane make a right angle. this as all other Motions must be done very ters or Conspirators against the cstablish'd Government ; that they
carelessly. in no way interfere or clash with any other Society or Corporation,
however dignify'd or distinguish'd ; for all which excellent Qualifica-
[Endorsement] Free Masonry Feb: 1711.
tions, a reasonable Person would be willing to pay their Persons,
1
Possibly Jackquin. 2 Possibly Jackquin. their Lodges, their Constitutions, all due Respect and Honour.
But so it is, there are Men of shallow Capacities, Blabbers of Secrets,
who, because they have lost or misused their own retentive Faculties,
envy and hate those who retain the Gift of Secrecy and Fidelity ; These
mean Wretches have of late studied a thousand Practices to bring this
Worshipful Society into Contempt and Obloquy, and are egg'd on by
some silly Women, who (because for good Reasons their Sex are by
the Constitutions judged incapable of Fellowship) are therefore nettled
* Hence comes the Saying on One who biais all he knows, He'll bring an old House on
his Head.
71
72 A Mason's Examination A Mason's Examination 73

and seek Revenge. These are the Persons who trump ûp many A Fellow I was sworn most rare,
foolish and idle Signs, Gestures and Practices, and vouch them for the And know the Astler, Diamond, and Square : I
very Basis and Ground-plot of Free-Masonry. The enclosed is a Sam- know the Master's Part full well,
ple of their Malice, and which they prctend was left in Writing by As honest Maughbin will you tell.
a Fellow Mason lately deceas'd ; but, in very Truth, is a senseless Pas-
quinade, highly derogatory to the Honour of the whole Body and each Then the Master says ;
Worshipful Fellow, many of whom daily stand in Presence of Kings, If a Master-Mason you would be,
and are cloathed with Titles, Dignities and Honours.
Observe you well the Rule of Three ;
I shall not take upon me to vindicate the high Reputation of the Frater- And what you want in Masonry,
nity, their numerous Lodges stand in no need of Props and Buttresses Thy Mark and Maughbin makes thee free.
for their Support ; neither will their Members, by any Arts or Contriv-
ances, be induced like Fools and Children to divulge the Lessons When you would enter a Lodge, you must knock three times at
and Instructions given by their Masters and Wardens ; but will have the Door, and they'll challenge you.
a constant Eye to that memorable Saying of wise King Solomon, in Q. Are you a Free-Mason ? A. Yes, indeed, that I am.
his Time Grand M aster of Masonry and Architecture, and which
pointed to Samson's Fate aforementioned, Q. How shall I know it ? A. By Signs and Tokens 1
from my Entrante into the Kitchen, and from thence to the Hall.
A prating Fool shall fall.
I am, &c. Q. What is the first Point of yo ur Entrante ? A. Hear and
conceal, on Pain of having my Throat cut, or Tongue pull'd out.
When a Free-Mason is enter'd, after having given w all present of ‘Then one of the Wardens will say, God's greeting be at this
the Fraternity a Pair of Men and Women's Gloves and Leathern Apron, ‘Meeting ; and with the Right Worshipful the Master, and the Wor'
he is to hear the ***** belonging to the Society read to him by the ‘shipful Fellows, who keep the Keys of the Lodge from whence you
Master of the Lodge. Then a Warden leads him to the Master and Fellows ‘came ; and you are also welcome, Worshipful Brother, into this
; to each of whom he is to say, ‘Worshipful Society.
‘Then you salute as follows.
' I fain would â Fellow-Mason be,
The Right Worshipful the Master, and the Worshipful Fellows of
As all your Worships may plainly see. the Lodge from whence I came, greet you abundantly.
After this, he swears to reveal no Secrets of the worshipful Fra' Q. What Lodge are you of ? A. I am of the Lodge of St. Stephen's.
ternity, on Pain of having his Throat cut, and having a double Q. What makes a just and perfect Lodge ? A. A Master, two
Portion of Hell and Damnation hereafter. Then he is blind-folded and Wardens, four Fellows, five Apprentices, with Square, Compass, and
the Ceremony of ________ is performcd. After which, he is to behold a Common Gudge.
thousand different Postures and Grimaces, all of which he must exactly Q. Where was you made ? A. In the Valley of Jehoshaphat, behind
imitate, or undergo the Discipline till he does. a Rush-bush, where a Dog was never heard to bark, or Cock crow, or
After this the Word Maughbin is whisper'd by the youngcst Mason elsewhere.
to the next, and so on, till it cornes to the Master, who whispers it to Q. Where was the first Lodge kept ? A. In Solomon's Porch ; the
the entered Mason, who must have his Face in due Order to re- two Pillars were called Jachin and Boaz.
ceive it : Then the entered Mason says what follows ; Q. Ho w many Orders be there in Architecture ? A. Five ;
An enter'd Mason I have been, Boaz Tuscan, Doric, Ionie, Corinthian, and Composite, or Roman.
and Jachin I have seen ; 1
For explanation of the Hebrew word, see Note on p. 240 below.
74 A Mason's Examination A Mason's Examination 75
Q. How many Points be there in Fellowship ? A. Six ; Foot to Foot, To Gripe, is when you take a Brother by the Right Hand, and
Knee to Knee, Hand to Hand, Ear to Ear, Tongue to Tongue, Heart to Heart. put your middle Finger to his Wrist, and he'll do so to you.
Q. How do Masons take their Place in Work ? A. The Master S.E. To know a Mason privately, you place your Right Heel to his
the Wardens N.E. and the Fellows Eastern Passage. Right Instep, put your Right Arm over his Left, and your Left
Q. How many precious Jewels are there in Masonry ? A. Four ; under his Right, and then make a Square with your middle Finger,
Square, Asder, Diamond, and Common Square. from his Left Shoulder to the middle of his Back, and so down to
Q. How many Lights be there in a Lodge ? A. Three ; the Mas- his Breeches.
ter, Warden, and Fellows. When a Mason alights from his Horse, he lays the Stirrup over the
Q. Whence cornes the Pattern of an Arch ? A. From the Rainbow. Horses Neck.
Q. Is there a Key to your Lodge ? A. Yes. To call a Mason out from among Company, you must cough
Q. What is't ? A. A well hung Tongue. three times, or knock against any thing three times.
Q. Where is it kept ? A. In an Ivory Box between my Teeth, or un- A Mason, to show his Necessity, throws down a round Piece of
der the Lap of my Liver, where the Secrets of my Heart are kept. Q. Is Slate, and says, Can you change this Coin ?
there a Chain to it ? A. Yes.
Q. How long is it ? A. As long as from my Tongue to my Heart.
Q. Where does the Key of the working Lodge lie ? A. It lies on the
Right Hand from the Door two Foot and a half, under a Green Turf, and
one Square.
Q. Where does the Master place his Mark on the Work ? A.
Upon the, S.E. Corner.
To know an entred Apprentice, you must ask him whether he has been in
the Kitchen, and he'll answer, Yes.
To know an entred Fellow, you must ask, whether he has been in the
Hall, and he'll say, Yes.
To know a Mason in the Dark, you must say, there is no Darkness with-
out Absence of Light ; and he'll answer, There is no Light without
4bsence of Darkness.
To compliment a Brother Mason, You put your Right Hand to the
right side of your Hat, and bring your Hat under your Chin ; then the
Brother will clap his Right Hand to the right side of his Hat, and bring
it to the Left Side under his Heart.
To meet a Brother, You must make the first Step with your Right
Foot, the second with your Left ; and at the third you must advance with
your Right Heel to your Brother's Right Instep ; then lay your Right
Hand to his Left Wrist, and draw the other Hand ' from your Right
Ear to the Left under your Chin ; and then he'll put his Right Hand to
his Left Side under his Heart.
 The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd 77
in at the Fore-Door ; and after they had seen the Creature, went out
THE GRAND MYSTERY OF FREE-MASONS at the Back-Door, where they were ask'd whether the Monster was
DISCOVER'D, 1724 worth seeing. And as they had, at their Admittance into the Booth,
promised to keep the Secret, they answer'd, it was a very wonderful
This anonymous 12-page imperial 8vo (11 ½ " X 7") pamphlet was published in Creature ; which the Man found his Account in. But by some Acci-
1724. To the second edition, The G rand M ystery of t he F ree M asons Dis- dent it was divulged, that this wonderful Creature prov'd to be a LOUSE.
cover'd, published in 1725 by A. Moore, are annexed two letters to a friend,
signed by Verus Commodus the first concerning the Society of Free-Masons, the THE FREE-MASON'S SIGNS.
second giving an account of the Society of Gormogons. The first edition was
reprinted in Mise. Lat., iii ; the second edition in Gould, iii, 475. We reprint the A Guttteral {>}
first edition from a copy in the Bodleian [MS. Rawl. C. 136]. See Introduc- A Pedestal {image 41}
tion, pp. 12, 14, 16 above ; cf. Institution of Free Masons and the Essex MS. A Manual {7}
A Pectoral {X}

THE GRAND MYSTERY OF FREE-MASONS DISCOVER'D.

THE GRAND MYSTERY OF FREE-MASONS DISCOVER'D. Wherein Are the several
Questions put to them at their Meetings and Installations : As Also Peace be here. Answer. I hope there is.
Their Oath, Health, Signs, and Points, to know each other by. As they Q. What a-Clock is it ? A. It's going to Six, or going to Twelve.
were found in the Custody of a Free -Mason who Dyed suddenly. And Q. Are you very busy ? A. No.
Now Publish'd for the Information of the Publick. Q. Will you give, or take ? A. Both ; or which you please.
Ambubajarum collegia, Pharmacapoloe, Q. How go Squares ? A. Straight.
Mendici, Medici [read mima:], balatrones, hoc genus Q. Are you Rich, or Poor ? A. Neither.
omne. Q. Change me that. A. I will.
Horat. Q. In the Name of, &c. are you a Mason ? [A. I am.]
Mulus scabit Mulum. [Q.] What is a Mason ? A. A Man begot of a Man, born of a
London : Printed for T. Payne near Stationer's-Hall. 1724. Woman, Brother to a King.
(Price Six Pence.) Q. What is a Fellow ? A. A Companion of a Prince.
Q. How shall I know you arc a Free Mason ? A. By Signs,
PREFACE. Tokens, and Points of my Entry.
This Piece having been found in the Custody of a FREE-MASON, who Q. Which is the Point of your Entry ? A. I Hear and Conceal,
died suddenly, it was thought proper to publish it in the very Words under the Penalty of having my Throat cut, or my Tongue pull'd
of the Copy, that the Publick may at last have something Genuine out of my Head.
concerning the Grand Mystety of Free-Masons. Q. Where was you made a Free-Mason ? A. In a just and perfect
There was a Man at Lovait: who publish'd he had, with great Lodge.
Toil and Difficulty, found out, overcome, and tamed, and was now Q. How many make a Lodge ? A. God and the Square, with
ready at his Booth, to shew at the Rate of six Stivers a-piece, the five or seven right and perfect Masons, on the highest Mountains,
most hideous and voracious Monster, the Common Disturber of or the lowest Valleys in the World.
Mankind, especially in their Adversity. Q. Why do Odds make a Lodge ? A. Because all Odds are Mens Ad-
People flock'd from all Parts to see this Monster : They went vantage.
76
78 The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd 79
Q. What Lodge are you of ? A. The Lodge of St. John. A. That Great God to us greeting, be at this our Meeting, and with
Q. How does it stand ? A. Perfect East and West, as all Temples do the Right Worshipful Lodge from whence you came, and you
Q: Where is the Mason's Point ? A. At the East-Window, are. Q. Give me the Jerusalem Word. A. Giblin.
waiting at the Rising of the Sun, to set his Men at Work. Q. Give me the Universal Word. A. Boaz.
Q. Where is the Warden's Point ? A. At the West-Window, Q. Right Brother of ours, your Name ? A. N . or M.
waiting the Setting of the Sun, to dismiss the Entred Apprentices. Welcome Brother M. or N. to our Society.
Q. Who rules and governs the Lodge, and is Master of it ? Q. How many particular Points pertain to a Free-Mason ?
A. Irah, A. Three ; Fraternity, Fidelity, and Tacity.
Q. What do they represent ? A. Brotherly Love, Relief, and
o r the Right P illar Truth, among all Right Masons ; for which all Masons were or-
Iachin, dain'd at the Building of the Tower of Babel, and at the Temple of
Q. How is it govern'd ? A. Of Square and Rule. Jerusalem. Q. How many proper Points ? A. Five ; Foot to Foot,
Q. Have you the Key of the Lodge ? A. Yes, I have. Knee to Knee, Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart, and Ear to Ear.
Q. What is its Virtue ? A. To open and shut, and shut and open. Q. Q. Whence is an Arch derived ? A. From Architecture.
Where do you keep it ? A. In an Ivory Box, between my Q. How many Orders in Architecture ? A. Five ; the Tuscan,
Tongue and my Teeth, or within my Heart, where all my Secrets Dorick, lonick, Corinthian, and Composit.
are kept. Q. What do they answer ? A. They answer to the Base, Per-
Q. Have you the Chain to the Key ? A. Yes, I have. pendicular, Diameter, Circumference, and Square.
Q. How long is it ? A. As long as from my Tongue to my Q. What is the right Word, or right Point of a Mason ? A. Adieu.
Heart.
Q. How many precious Jewels ? A. Three ; a square Asher, a THE FREE-MASON'S OATH.

Diamond, and a Square. You must serve God according to the best of your Knowledge
Q. How many Lights ? A. Three ; a Right East, South, and West. Q. and Institution, and be a nue Leige Man to the King, and help and
What do they represent ? A. The Three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy assist any Brother as far as your Ability will allow : By the Con-
Ghost. tents of the Sacred Writ you will perform this Oath. So help you God.
Q. How many Pillars ? A. Two ; Iachin and Boaz.
Q What do they represent ? A. A Strength and Stability . of the A FREE-MASON'S HEALTH.
Church in ail Ages. Here's a Health to our Society, and w every faithful Brother that
Q. How many Angles in St. John's Lodge ? A. Four, bordering on keeps his Oath of Secrecy. As we are sworn to love each
Squares. {image47b}, other. The World no Order knows like this our Noble and
Q. How is the Meridian found out ? A. When the Sun leaves the Antient Fraternity : Let them wonder at the Mystery.
South, and breaks in at the West-End of the Lodge.
Q. In what Part of the Temple was the Lodge kept ? A. In Here, Brother, I drink to thee.
Solomon's Porch at the West-End of the Temple, where the two
SIGNS TO KNOW A TRUE• MASON.
Pillars were set up.
Q. How many Steps belong to a right Mason ? A. Three. 1. To put off the Hat with two Fingers and a Thumb.
Q. Give me the Solution. A . I will.—The Right Worshipful, 2. To strike with the Right-Hand on the Inside of the
Worshipful Masters, and Worshipful Fellows of the Right Worshipful Little Finger of the Left three Times, as if hewing.
Lodge from whence I came, greet you well. 3. By making a Square, viz. by setting your Heels together, and
80 The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd
the Toes of both Feet straight, at a Distance, or by any other Way of
Triangle.
4. To take Hand in Hand, with Left and Right Thumbs THE WHOLE INSTITUTION OF MASONRY, 1724
close, and touch each Wrist three Times with the Fore-Finger
each Pulse. This catechism, which appears to be an early and shorter version of The
5. You must Whisper, saying thus, The Masters and Whole Institutions of Free-Masons Opened, 1725 (sce p. 87 below), is con-
Fellows of the worshipful Company from whence I came, greet tained in the sanie MS. as the Dialogue b etween Si mon and P hilip (see p.
you all well. 175 below). The document is stated to bear an almost illegible naine and ad-
dress, "
The other will answer, God greet well the Masters and Fellows of John Page . . . N" 5 . . . Bristol ", and was recently in the possession of
the worshipful Company from whence you came. the late Bro. Salisbury (see p. xi above). Though we have not so far been
6. Stroke two of your Fore-Fingers over your Eye-Lids three able to trace and examine the MS. itself, we know of no prima facie reason
times. for doubting its authenticity, and have consequently decided to print here tran-
7. Tm-ri a Glass, or any other Thing that is hollow, script prepared from Bro. Cramphorn's typescript copy. So far as we know this
downwards, after you have drank out of it. catechism lias not previously been printed.
8. Ask how you do ; and your Brothers drink to each other.
9. Ask what Lodge they were made Free-Masons at. THE WHOLE INSTITUTION OF MASONRY. 1724.
N.B. In the Third of King Henry the Sixth, an Act of Parliament was First Observe—That all Squares is Signs According to the subject in
pass'd, whereby it is made Felony to cause MASONS to confederate them- handling.
selves in Chapiters and Assemblies. The Punishment is Im- The Salutation as Follow's.
prisonment of Body, and make Fine and Ransom at the King's Will. Q. From whence came You. A. I came from a Right Worshipful
Lodge of Masters and Fellows belonging to HOLY ST. JOHN. Q. I
FINIS greet you well Brother what is your Naine. A. JACHIN.

The Examination. as Follows

Q. How shall I know you are a Mason. A. By True words and
Tokens at my Entry.
Q. How were you made a Mason. A. By a True and a Perfect
Lodge.
Q. What Lodge are you off. A. HOLY ST JOHN
Q. How Stands a Lodge A. East and West.
Q. How many Lights in a Lodge A. Twelve.
Q. What are they. A. Father. Son. Holy Gho st. Sun. Moon.
Master Mason. Square. Rule. Num. Line. Mell. and Chizzel. Q.
Whoe is Master of all Lo dge's. A. God and the Square. The
Explination of our Secrets is as Follow's-
JACHIN signifies. Strength and BOAZ. Beautiful. and had reference
to the two Sons of Abraham. One to the Free Woman and another
to the Bond. And also to the two Covenants. One of Works.
and one of Free Grace.
82 The Whole Institution of Masonry
" What posture did you receive your Secret Words in. Q.
" Kneeling with Square and Compass at my Breast. A.
" What were you Sworne too. Q. I N S T I T UT I O N O F F R E E M AS O N S , c. 1 7 2 5
" For to Hold and Conceal. A.
" What other Tenor did your Oath carry. Q. " The early history of this catechism, which is a manuscript version of The
“For to Helpe all Perfect Brothers of our Holy Secret. Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd (q.v.), is unknown. It was purchased
Fellow Craft or Not. A. c. 1905 from a dealer by Bro. A. F. Calvert of London. It consists of two
leaves, “3 3/5 " x 5 9/10", cut out of an old vellum-bound notebook, in
JACHIN and BOAZ . Two Brass Pillars of Wonderful Beauty set up which there were other writings which did not interest Bro. Calvert. It
in Solomons Porch at the West end of the Temple. 32 cubits high 12 was purchased from him in 1941 by Bro. Douglas Knoop. The catechism is
cubits in Circumference. written on three sides and about a quarter of the fourth, the rest of the page
being filled with some lines in a different hand, headed " The Character of a
Mason ". Dr. Schofield of the British Museum MSS. Department is of
opinion that it was written in the first half of the eighteenth century. It
was reproduced photographically in the Authors' L odge Transactions, i ii
(1919), following p. 408. The transcript we print is made from the
manuscript. See Introduction, pp. 12, 19 above ; cf. Essex MS.

INSTITUTION OF FREE MASONS

1. Question. Peace be here. A. I hope there is.
2. What a Clock is it ? A. Tis going to 12 or 'tis going to 6
3. Are you very busy ? A. No.
4. Will you give or take ? A. Both or which you please.
5. How go Squares ? A. Straight
6. Are you rich or poor ? A. Neither
7. Change me that et ? I will
8. In the name of God, Amen, Are you a Mason ? A Mason
9. What is a Mason ? A man begot of a man, born of a woman
& Brother to a King.
10. What is a fellow ? A Companion to a Prince
11. How shall I know if you are a Right Mason ? A. By
Signs, Tokens & Points of my Entry
12. Which is the 1 st Point of your Entry ? A. To hide & con-
ceal under the Penalty of having my Throat cut, or my
Tongue cut out of my Head.
13. Where were you made a Mason ? In a just & perfect Lodge.
14. How many makes a Lodge ? A. God & the Square, w t 7
or 5 right & perfect Masons on the highest mountain or
the lowest valley in the world.
83
84 Institution of Free Masons Institution of Free Masons 85
15. Why do odd Numbers make a lodge ? A. Because all Odds whence I came greet you well, as I do. God's greeting be at this our
are Men's advantages. Meeting & with the R. W Masters & W. Fellows of the R. W. Lodge
16. What lodge are you of? The Lodge of St Iohn 5. whence you came, & you also.
17. How doth that Lodge stand ? Perfect East & West as all holy 37. Give me the Ierusalem Words ? G ..... G . . . . 1
Temples do. 2
38. Give me the Universal Words ?
18. Where's the Masters Post ? A. At the East window waiting 39. Right, Brother of ours, Give me your Name ? M or N
the rising of the Sun to set his men at work. 40. Welcome Brother M or N to our Society. How many Prin-
19. Where's the Warden's Post ? A. At the West window waiting cipal Points pertain to a right Mason ? A. Three. Frater-
the Setting of the Sun, to dismiss the entred Apprentice. nity, Fidelity, Taciturnity.
20. Who rules & governs the Lodge & is Master of it ? A. Iehovah the 41. What do they represent ? A. Brotherly Love, Relief & Truth,
right Pillar. amongst all right & perfect Masons, for we Masons were or-
21. How is it govern'd ? Of Square, Plumb & Rule LI dain'd at the Building of the Tower of Babel & the Temple of Ieru-
salem.
22. Have you a Key of the Lodge ? Yes I have 42. How many proper Points ? Five, foot to foot, Knee to Knee
23. What is its Virtue ? To open & Shut & to Shut & open Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart & Ear to Ear
24. Where do you keep it ? A. In an Ivory Box betwixt my Tongue 43. Whence is an Arch deriv'd ? From Architecture.
& Teeth, or wt in my hart, where all my Secrets are kept. 44. What doth it resemble ? The Rainbow
25. Have you a Chain to the Key ? Yes I have 45. How many orders in Architecture ? A. Five, Tuscan, Dorick,
26. How Long is it ? It is as long as from my Tongue to my Ionick, Corinthian, Composit
Heart. 46. What do they answer to ? They answer to Base Perpendicular Di-
27. How many precious Iewels ? A. Three a Square where a Diadem & ameter Circumference & Square
a Square {picture 50a} 47. Which is the right Word or Point of a right Mason ? A. Adieu
28. How many Lights ? Three a Right East, South & West.
THE OATH Novr 24th 3
29. What do they represent ? A. The three Persons of the holy Trinity
Father S. & H.Gt You must Serve God according to the best of your Knowledge &
30. How many Pillars ? Two I .. hin & Boaz. 1 Institution, & be a true Liege man to the King, & to help & assist any
31. What do they represent ? A Strength & Stability to the Church in Brother of the antient & Noble Science, as far as your Ability will
all Ages. allow you, So by the Contents of this Sacred write you'll perform this
32. How many Angles are in St Iohn's Lodge ? {image 50b} A. Oath. So help you God
Four boarding on Squares.
33. How is the Meridian found out ? A. When the Sun leaves THE HEALTH
the South, & breaks in at the West End of the Lodge. Here's a Health to our Society & to every faithful Brother that
34. In what part of the Temple was the' Lodge kept ? A. In keeps Oath of Secrecy as we are sworn to love each other, the world
Solomon's Porch at the west End of the Temple, where the no order knows like this of our ancient & noble fraternity, Let them wonder
Two Pillars were set up. what the Mystery is. Here Fellow I drink to thee.
35. How many Steps belong to a Right Mason ? Three.
36. Give nie the Salutation ? A. I will. The right Worshipful 1
Mainly scratched out with a knife ; first word probably Giblen.
2
Master & Worshipful fellows of the Right Worsh. Lodge from Scratched out with a knife.
3
Faintly written in a diffèrent hand. Perhaps the date on which a later owner took the
The middle of the word lachin is scratched out ; the word Boaz is smudged out
oath.
with modern ink, but is still legible.
86 Institution of Free Masons
HOW TO KNOW A FREE MASON
To put off the .................... 1 with two fingers & a Thumb THE WHOLE INSTITUTIONS OF FREE-MASONS
t 1
2. To strick w the Right Hand on the ................ of the ............. 5 OPENED, 1725
times as if hewing.
3 By making a Square, namely, by setting the Heels together & This anonymous folio broadsheet, printed on both sides, was published in
the Toes of both Feet spread out at a distance, or by any other way of Dublin in 1725. Only one copy is known to exist. It was formerly in Bro.
Triangle. Broadley's collection, then in that of Bro. Wallace Heaton. It is now in Grand
t Lodge Library to which it was presented by Bros. R. A. Card and Wallace Heaton
4 To take Hand in Hand w Left & Right Thumbs closs, touching the .
2 t in 1939. It was reprinted by Bro. Poole in A.Q.C., 1 (1937). Our reprint is from
. . . 5 times hard w the forefinger on each place
r photographe of the copy in Grand Lodge Library. See Introduction, pp. 12, 18
5 You must whisper Saying thrice, the M , Fellows of the Right Wor-
above ; cf. the Essex MS. and the Graham MS.
shipful Company whence I came greet you well Then the other
THE WHOLE INSTITUTIONS OF FREE-MASONS OPENED. As also
will answer, God greet well, the M r , Fellows of the Worshipful
their Words and Signs.
Lodge or Company from whence you came—and then— How do you
FIRST, Observe that all Squares is Signs according to, every Subject
do Brother ? & drink to each other & ask, In what Lodge were you
in Handling, proved by the 7th Verse of the 6th Chap. of the First of
made a free Mason ?
Kings.
6. The greatest ...................... 2 is to Stroak two of your fore-fingers
The Salutation as follows.
over the ..................................................... 2
Guttural Sign—Pedestal Sign FROM whence came You—Answer, I came from a right worshipful
Manual Pectoral Lodge of Masters and Fellows belonging to Holy St. John, who doth
greet all perfect Brothers of our Holy Secret, so do I you, if you be
t
3 anno Henr. 6 Chap. I. An act of Parliam is made to abolish the one.—I greet you well Brother, God's Greeting be at our Meeting, what is
Society of free Masons, & its made felony to hold any of those meetings your Name answer Jachin.
Alphabet
3 The Examination as follows.

THE CHARACTER OF A MASON4 HOW shall I know you are a Free-Mason.—By trueWords andTokens
If all y Social Virtues of y Mind
e e at my Entering. What was the first Point of your Entering a willing
desire to know what I now know.—How were you made a Mason.—
If an extensive love to all mankind By a true and perfect Lodge.—What Lodge are you of, answer St.
If hospitable welcome to a Guest John.—How Stands a Lodge.—South, East and West. How many
If speedy charity to ye distress'd Lights belongs to a Lodge.—Twelve, what are they. Father, Son,
If due regard to liberty & Laws Holy Ghost, Su n, Moon, M aster, Mason, Sq uare, R ule, Plum,
Zeal for our King & for our Countrys cause Line, Mell and Cheisal.—Who is Master of all Lodges, God,
Let Masons yn enjoy ye praise they claim. and the Square.—In what Posture did you receive our Secret
1 Words.— Kneeling with Square and Compass at my Breast.
Scratched out with a knife. 2 Scratched out with a knife.
3 WHAT were you Sworn to.—For to Heal and Conceal.—What
One line erased.
4 other Tenor did your Oath carry.—For to help all perfect Brothers, of
in a different hand from that of the catechism and in a fainter ink.
our Holy Secret fellow Craft or not.—What is your foundation Words.—
Come let us, and you shall have-
87
88 The Whole Institutions of Free-Masons Opened
What mean you by these Words—We differ from the Baby-
lonians who did presume to Build to Heaven, but we pray the blessed
THE GR AHAM MS ., 17 2 6
Trinity to let us build Truc, High, and Square, and they shah' have
the praise to whom it is due. This document, after stating the mason's salutation, consists of an examina-
Your first word is Jachin and Boaz is the answer to it, and Grip don, partly along conventional masonic lines (cf. especially The Whole Insti-
at the forefinger Joint.—Your 2 d word is Magboe and Boe is the tutions of Free-Masons Opened, and the second part of the Essex MS.), and
answer to it, and Grip at the Wrist. Your 3d Word is Gibboram, partly scriptural in character, thus calling to mind the Dumfries No. 4 MS.
Esimberel is the Answer—and Grip at the Elbow, and Grip at the After the Examiner is satisfied that the candidate has been in a Lodge,
Rein of the Back, and then to follow with the five Points of Free asks further questions to make sure that the candidate was entered '. This is
Masons fellowship, which is Foot to Foot, Knee to Knee, Breast to followed by some questions regarding the candidate's raising ' ; the answer
Breast, Cheek to Cheek, and Hand to Back ; these five Points hath refer- to the last question, as to how the works of the Babylonians stood, occupies
ence to the five principal Signs, which is Head, Foot Body Hand about half the MS. It consists of a long exposition of legendary matter
and Heart. (bearing little resemblance to events recorded in the historical' section-of the
MS. Constitutions of Masonry), mainly concerning Noah, Bezaleel and King
The Explanation of our Secrets, is as follows. Solomon, for only part of which Biblical or Talmudic authority can be
found. The exposition concludes with a somewhat cryptic account of the
JAchin and Boaz, two Pillars made by Heirom Jachin, signifies
secrets of freemasonry. The document belongs to the Rev. H. I. Robinson,
Strength, and Boaz Beautiful, Magbo and Boe signifies Marrow in
Londesborough Rectory, York, in whose family il has been for some time.
the Bone, so is our Secret to be Concealed.—Tho' there is different
Its previous history is unknown. He first drew attention to it when he was
opinions of this, yet I prove this the truest Construction.—
initiated in 1936. It originally consisted of two sheets of paper, 16 ½ x 13”",
Gibboram, and Simber signifies the Gibonites, who built the City of
folded in two to form four leaves, 16 ½ " X 6 ½ ." Quite recently each sheet
Simenon.
has been cut in half, making four sheets, 8 ¼ " X 13", or eight leaves, 8 ¼ " x 6
For proof of our two Pillars you may read the 7 th Chapter of the 1st ½ ". The text occupies one side only of six of these leaves [the upper and
of Kings from the 13th Verse to the 22d, where you will find the wonder- lower halves of original leaves and 1, 2, and 3].. A single line, probably a
ful Works of Hierome at the building the House of the Lord. false start for the original page 3, occurs on another page. The MS. bears
The reason why Masonary receiv'd a secret, was, because the the date 24 October 1726. It was reproduced photographically in A.Q.C.,
building the House of the Lord pleas'd his Divine Majesty ; it could 1 (1937), with an introduction by Bro. Poole. The transcript we print has
not well go amiss, being they wrought for so good a Master. And been made from the A.Q.C. reproduction and checked from photographs of the
had the wisest Man on Earth to be their Overseen—Therefore in original, by the courtesy of Bro. Robinson.
some parts by Merit, yet more by free Grace, they obtain'd a Name, Treatment of the Text. As no line of the MS. is indented, and as there are
and a new Command, such as Christ gave his Disciples, for to love no cross-headings, strictly speaking the whole document should be printed as
each other, keep well the Key that lies into a Box of Bone, adieu one paragraph. Consequently, all division of the text into paragraphs, as
Brother. printed below, represents editorial emendation. Some lines in the MS.
Yet for all this I want the primitive Word, I answer it was God in contain relatively few words, and are filled in with strokes, the next word
six Terminations, to wit I am, and Johova is the answer to it, and commencing at the extreme left-hand side of the page. Where this coincides
Grip at the Rein of the Back, or else Excellent and Excellent, Excel- with a change of speaker, we have printed the text as though a new para-
lency is the Answer to it, and Grip as aforesaid, or else Tapus Majester, graph began. This method being hardly applicable to the last three-quarters of
and Majester Tapus is the answer to it, and Grip as aforesaid, for the document, we have there somewhat arbitrarily introduced new para-
proof read the first of the first of St. John. graphs wherever a change in the subject matter seemed to make a break
desirable. The writer often joins two words together, especially where the
Printed by William Wilmot on the Blind-Key, 1725. first word is a e.g., adevine awilling ' adark' ; we print such forma-
89
90 Graham MS. Graham MS. 91
rions as separate words. Very frequently the writer uses ' ff', not instead of F and Conformed by 3 severall Lodges and not so Except I take the
', but in places where one would expect only f'. Although in some cases party sworn to be true to our articles-
we suspect that this doubling of the f' may be due to a faulty quill pen, we have How stood your Lodge at your entering—East west and south-
printed ff' wherever it appears in the MS. why not north allso—in regard we dwell at the north part of the
world we burie no dead at the north side, of our churches so we
THE WHOLE INSTITUTIONS OF FREE MASONRY OPENED AND PROVED BY THE cary a Vacancey at the north side of our Lodges—why east and west—
BEST OF TRADITION AND STILL SOME REFERANCE TO SCRIPTURE because churches stands east and west and porches to the s o u t h -
ffirst observe that all our signes is taken from the square according to why doth churches stand east and west[—]in (four refcrances-
every subject in handleing this is proved by the 9 vers of the 6 what are they—first our first parance was placed Eastward in edin
chapter of ffirst book of kings secondly the East winde dryed up the sea before the children of
The Sallutation is as ffollows—ffrom whence came you—I came Israell so was the temple of the Lord to be builded thirdly these who dwell
ffrom a right worshipfull Lodge of Masters and ffellows belonging to near the Equenoxall the sun riseth east and seteth west on them fourthly
God and holy saint John who doth greet all true and perfect brothers of our the stare apeared in the East that advertized both the sheep heards and
holy secrets so do I you if I fende you to be one wise men that our saviour was corne in the flesh-
I greet you well brother craveing your name—answere J and the who Conducted you into the Lodge—the warden and oldest
other is to say his is B fellow craft-
The examination is as follows—How shall I know you are a ffree why not the youngest fellow craft—in regard our Saviour exorted
Mason—By true words signes and tokens from my entering How the chiefe to Serve at the table that being an exortation to Hummility to
were you made a free mason—by a true and a perfect Lodgewhat is a be observed by us for ever—what poster did you pass your oath in—I
perfect Lodge—the senter of a true heart- was nether siting standing goeing runing rideing hinging nor flying
But how many masons is so called—any od number from 3 to 13— naked nor cloathed shode nor bairfoot—a reason ffor such poster—
why so much ado and still haveing od numbers—still in refferance in regard one God one man makes a very christ so one naked object be-
ffrom the blesed trinity to the comeing of christ with his 12 apostles ing half naked half cloathed half shode half bairfoot half kneeling
what was the first step towards your entering—a willing disire for to hall* standing being half of all was none of the whole this sheweth a
know the secrets of free masonry- humble and obediant heart for to be a ffaithfull ffollower of that Just
Jesus-
why was it called free masonry—first because a ffree gift of God to
the children of men secondly free from the intruption of infernall spirits what were you swom to—for to hale and conceall our secrets[—]
thirdly a ffree union amonge the brothers of that holy secret to remain what other tenours did your oath Cary—my second was to obey
for ever- God and all true Squares made or sent from a brother my third was
How came you into the Lodge—poor and penyless blind and Ig- never to steall Least I should ofend God and shame the square my
norant of our secrets- fourth was never to commite adultry with a brothers wife nor tell
some reason for that—in regard our saviour became poor ffor our him a willfull lie my fift was to disire no unJust revange of a brother
redemption so I became poor at that time for the knowledge of God but Love and releive him when its in my power it not horting my
contracted in the square- self too far-
what did you see in the Lodge when you did see—I saw truth the I pass you have been in a Lodge yet I demand how many Lights
world and Justice and brotherly Love—where—before Me- belongs to a Lodge—I answere 12—what are they---the first 3 jeweils
what was behind you—perjury and hatred of Brotherhood ffor is ffather son holy ghost—sun moon master Mason square Rule
ever if I discover our Secrets without the consent of a Lodge Except plum Lyne Mell and cheisall—prove all these proper—as ffor the
that have obtained a trible Voice by being entered passed and raised
92 Graham MS. Graham MS. 93
blesed trinity they affurd reason as ffor the sun he renders Light day about him ffor to Lead them to the vertuable secret which this
and night as ffor the moon she is a dark body off water and doth famieous preacher had for I hop all will allow that all things need-
receive her Light ffrom the sun and is allso queen of waters which is full for the new world was in the ark with noah Now these 3
the best of Leavells as ffor the master mason he teaches the trade and men had allready agreed that if they did not ffind the very thing
ought to have a trible voice in teaching of our secrets if he be a it self that the first thing that they found was to be to them as a secret
bright man because we do be Leive into a Supper oritory power for they not Douting but did most ffirmly be Leive that God was able and
alltho the 70 had great power Yet the 11 had mor for they chused would allso prove willing through their faith prayer and obedi-
matthias in place of Judas as ffor square Rule plum lyne mell and che- ance for to cause what they did find for to prove as vertuable to
isall they are six toolls that no mason can performe true work with- them as if they had received the secret at ffirst from God himself
out the major part of them—what refferance can be prest on thes 12 at its head spring so came to the Grave finding nothing cave the dead
Lights—we draw refferance from the. 12 patriarches and allso from the 12 body all most consumed away takeing a greip at a ffinger it
oxen we reid of at the 7 chapter of first king that caryed up the molten came away so frem Joynt to Joynt so to the wrest so to the
sea of brass which was tipes of the 12 disciples was to be tought by Elbow so they R Reared up the dead body and suported it setting
christ (foot to ffoot knee to knee Breast to breast Cheeck to cheeck and
I pass you entered yet I demand if you were raised—yes I was into hand to back and cryed out help o ffather as if they had said o
what were you raised—I was raised into knowled of our primitive both by father of heaven help us now for our Earthly ffather cannot so
tradition and scripture—what is your foundation words at the Laying Laid down the dead body again and not knowing what to do—se
of a building where you exspect that some inffernall squandering one said here is yet marow in this bone and the second said but a
spirit hath haunted and posable may shake your handy work-0 corne Let dry bone and the third said it stinketh so they agreed for to give
us and you shall have—to whom do you speakto the blesed trinity in it a name as is known to free masonry to this day so went to
prayer—how do you adminster these wordskneeling bairhead fface towards their undertakings and afterwards works stood : yet it is to be
the east—what mean you by the exspreshion thereof—we mean that we beleived and allso understood that the vertue did not proceed
foresake self righteiousness and differs ffrom these baballonians who from what they ifound or how it was called but ffrom ffaith
presumed to build to heaven but we pray the blesed trinity to Let us and prayer so thus it ,Contenued the will pass for the deed
build trueLy and square and they shall have the praise to whom it is
due—when was these words made or what need was for them—I answere while the reigne of king alboyne then was born Bazalliell who
into the primitive before the ghospell spraid the world being incumbered was so Called of God before conceived in the [womb] and this
with infernall squandering spirits except that men did build by ffaith holy man knew by inspiration that the secret titles and primitive
and prayer their works were oft asulted pallies of the God head was preservitiv and he builded on them in
so much that no infernall squandering spirit durst presume to shake
But how came that the works of the Baballonians stood before all his handy work so his works be came so ffameious while the
this or yet the brightness off the gospell—I yet by your own question two younger brothers of the fforesaid king alboyin disired for
answere you because the presumption of the Baballonians afforesaid had to be instructed by `him his noble asiance by which he wrought to
vexed the God head in so much the Langvage was Confounded ffor their which he agreed conditionally they were not to discover it without
cake so that no mankind ffor ever was to do the Like again without a a another to themselves to make a trible voice so they entered oath
devine Lisiance which could not be had wtout faith and prayer— and he tought them the heorick and the practick part of masonry
tradition that—we have it by tradition and still some refferance to and they did workthen was masons wages called up in that realme
scripture cause shem ham and Japheth ffor to go to their father noahs then was masons numbered with kings and princes yet near to the
grave for te try if they could find anything death of Bazalliell he disired to be buried in the valey of Je-
hosephate and have cutte over him according to his diserveing
which was performed by these two princes and this was cutte as
follows—Here Lys the flowr of
94 Graham MS. Graham MS. 95
masonry superiour of many other companion to a king and to two hapened betwext the Laborours and masons about wages and ffor to
princes a brother Here Lys the heart ail secrets could conceall Here lys call me ail and to make all things easie the wise king should have had
the tongue that never did reveal—now after his death the inhabi- said be all of you contented ffor you shall be payed all alike yet
tance there about did think that the secrets of masonry had been totally give a signe to the Masons not known to the Laborours and who could
Lost because they were no more heard of for none knew the secrets make that signe at the paying place was to be payed as masons the La-
therof Save these two princes and they were so sworn at their entering borours not knowing thereof was payed as fforesaid—this might
not to discover it without another to make a trible voice yet it is to be have been yet if it was so we are to Judge very Mercyfull on the
beleiued and allso under stood that such a holy secret could never be words of the wise king sollomon ffor it is to be understood and allso
Lost while any good servant of God remained alive on the earth for every beleived that the wise king meant according to every mans dis-
good servant of God had hath and allways will have a great part of that arveing yet the 7 vers of the 6 chapter off ffirst book off kings reads
holy secret alltho they know it not themselves nor by what means to me still Better where it is said the House when it was in Building was build
mak use therof for it hapened with the world at that time as it did of ston made ready beffore it was brought theither so that there was
with the Sammaritan church about christ they were Seeking ffor nether hammer nor ax nor any tooll off Iron heard in the house when it
what they did not want But their deep Ignorance could not disarne it was in Building—ffrom whencc may be gathered that all things was
so all this contenued dark and obscure while the ffour hundred and ffitted affore hand yet not posable to be caryed on without a motion
ffour Score off year after the children of Israell came out of the Land off and when all things were sought ffrom the horasin off the heavens to the
Egypt in the ffourth year of ollomons reigne over Israell that sollomon plate fform off the earth there could be nothing ffound more be Comeing
begun to Build the house of the Lord which his father david should more becomeing then then the square ffor to be their signe ffor to
have builded but was not admited to performe it because his hands signifie what they would have each other to do—se the work went
was gulde of blood wars being on every side- on and prospered which could not well go amiss being they wrought
So all reffered while the days off Sollomon his son that he be gun to ffor so good a malter and had the wisest man on earth for to be their
build the bouse of the Lord now I hope ail men will give ffor granted overseer therefore in so parts by Merite yet Much mer by ffree grace
that all things needffull ffor carying on off that holy errection was not hol- Masonry obtained a naine and a new command—their name doth signi-
den ffrom that wise king—to this we must all allow Els we must charge fie strèngth and their answere beauty and theire command Love ffor
God with unJustice which no ffraill mortall dare presume te charge proofe hereoff read the 7 and 6 of ffirst book off kings where you will
God with nether can his devine goodness be Guilty off now we read at finde the wonderfull works off hiram at the building off the house of the
the 13 vers off the 7 chapter of ffirst book of kings that Sollomon sent Lord-
and ffet hiram out off tyre he being a widdows son of the tribe of So all Being ffinised then was the secrets off ffree Masonry ordered aright
naphtale and his father was a man of tyre a worker in brass ffilled as is now and will be to the E End of the world for such as do rightly
with wisdom and Cunning to work all works in brass and he came to understand it—in 3 parts in refferance to the blesed trinity who made
king sollomon and wrought all his work ffor him—the Exsplanation of all things yet in 13 brenches in refferances to Christ and his 12 apos-
these verses is as ffollows the word Cunning renders ingenuity as tles which is as follows a word ffor a deveine Six ffor the clargey
ffor wisdom and understanding when they arc both Pound in one person and 6 ffor the ffellow craft and at the ffull and totall agreement
he can want nothing : so by this present scripture must be allowed that therof to ffollow with five points off ffree Masons fellowshipe
the widows Son whose name was hiram had a holy inspiration as which is ffoot to ffoot knee to knee breast to breast cheeck to cheeck
well as the wise king sollomon or yet the holy Bazalliell—now it is and hand to Back which ffive points hath refferance to the ffive cheife
holden fforth by tradition that there was a tumult at this Errection which signes which is head ffoot body hand and heart and allso to the ffive
should points off artitectur and allso to the ffive orders of Masonry yet takes
thire strength ffrom five primitive one devine
96 Graham MS.
and ffour temporall which is as ffollows ffirst christ the chiefe and Corn-
nerston secondly Peter called Cephas thirdly moses who cutte the
commands ffourthly Bazalliell the best of Masons ffifftly hiram who THE GRAND MYSTERY LAID OPEN, 1726
was Med with wisdom and understanding—you[r] ffirst is
This anonymous folio broadsheet is printed on one side only, and in two col-
your Second is —your third is umns, with the exception of the title and the words Printed in the Year, 1726
you[r] ffourth is —your ffift is It contains no indication as to where it was published. The only known
your sixt is your seven is copy, formerly owned by Bro. A. M. Broadley, and later by Bro. Wallace
your eight is your nineth is Heaton, is in Grand Lodge Library, to which it was presented in 1939 by
Bros. R. A. Card and Wallace Heaton. h was reprinted by Bro. Poole in
your tent is you[r] Elewent is
A.Q.C., 1 ( 1937). Our reprint is from a photograph of the copy in Grand
your twelt is you[r] thirteen is- Lodge Library. See Introduction, pp. II, 15 above.
Tho Graham Chanceing Master of Lodges outher Enquam Ebo octo-
ber ye 24 17 26 to all or any off our ffretarnity that intends to Learn by THE GRAND MYSTERY LAID OPEN ; or the Free-Masons Signs and
this Word discovered.
All Secrets till they once are known,
[Page 4]
Are wonder'd at by every one,
on Every so all this contenued darke and obscure while the ffollowing days
But when once known we cease to wonder,
off his
Tis Equal then to fart or Thunder.
[Remainder of sheet blank]
.
WHEN any Person is admitted a Member into this noble and Ancient
Fraternity, He is instructed to answer to the following Questions, viz.
How many Signs has a true Free Mason, Nine, which are dis-
tinguish'd into Spiritual and Temporal. How many Temporal Signs
are there ? Three. The first is a Grip by the two first Fingers, and
is call'd Jachin and Boaz ; the second is a Grip by the Wrist, and
call'd Gibboam and Gibberum ; the third is a Grip by the Elbow,
and is called Thimbulum and Timbulum. Have the six Spiritual
Signs any Names ? Yes, but are not divulged to any new admitted
Member, because they are Cabalisttical ? What are these Signs, The
first is Foot to Foot, the second is Knee to Knee, the third is Breast to
Breast, the fourth is Hand to Back, the fifth is Cheek to Cheek, the
sixth is Face to Face. Who is the Grand Master of all the Lodges in
the World ? INRI. What is the meaning of that Name ? Each
distinct Letter stands for a whole Word, and is very mysterious. How
is the Master of every particular Lodge called ? Oakecharing a
Tocholochy.
By what Name are all the Members distinguish'd ? By the Name
of Istowlawleys. Who is your Founder ? God and the Square.
What is God called ? Laylah Illallah, which is there is no other God
but God. What is the Square called ? Whosly Powu Tigwaw-
97
98 Th e Gra n d M ys te ry La id Op en
tubby which signifies the Excellency of Excellencies. What posture A MASON'S CONFESSION, ? 1727
were you in when you receiv'd the secret Word ? I sat on my
Right Knee with the Holy Bible at my Breast. Why do you hold the' This anonymous catechism, appended to a letter signed ' D.B.', printed in
Holy Bible at your Breast ? for the Enjoyning Secrecy, and because The Sc ots M agazine, March 1755/6, daims to represent the working of a
in it is contained the Grand Secret of Masonry. Who was the first Ma- Scottish operative lodge about 1727. It was reprinted in Misc. Lat., iii (1915-
son ? Laylah Illallah. Who invented the secret Word ? Checchehabeddin 16). It has also been reprinted from a version in the James MSS., in No-
Jatmouny. What is it ? It is a Cabalistical Word composed of a Letter out of calore, x [Trans. of the Research Lodge of N. Carolina, U.S.A.] Our reprint
each of the Names of Laylah Illallah as mentioned in the Holy Bible. is from a copy of The Scots Magazine in the Bodleian [Hope Adds. 854].
Where sat King John in the Morning when he assembled the So- See Introduction, p. zo above.
ciety ? He sat in the East Window of the Temple in a Chair of Mar- To the author of the SCOTS MAGAZINE.
ble waiting the rising Sun. where sat He in the Evening when He
dismissed it ? At the West End of the Temple in the same Chair waiting the SIR,
setting Sun. Some time ago a mason living at a considerable distance from me,
Why was St. John called King ? Because He was Head of all the whom I knew to have the character of a sensible and religious man,
Christian Lodges, and from his Superiour knowledge in the wonderfull Art sent me a long paper, all of his own band-waiting, and subscribed
of Masonry. What are the Day and Night made for ? The Day is by him ; in which he makes a confession o f t he oa th, word, and
made for Man to see in, the Night is made for Man to hear in. What is the other se crets of h is c raft. When he wrote that paper, and for a
most usfull Member ? The Ear, because Men ought to hear more than good time before, he was confined by bodily distress : and he
they speak. What are the Tools requisite for a FreeMason ? The represents his having been brought under a conviction of that whole
Hammer and Trowel, the one to seperate, the other to foin. What affair, as a mystery of iniquity. His narrative is intermixed with
Names are given to them ? Asphahani and Talagaica. By what Oath did reasonings from many texts of scripture, and otherwise, about the
you Swear to conceal the secret Word ? By God, the Square, the King, iniquity of the matter. He considers the oath as profane and abomina-
and the Master. At the Installation of any Member the Person to be ble, what was sinful for him to take, and sinful to keep ; he treats of
admited drest with an Apron before Him, a Trowel in his right Hand, all the secrets which are therein swom to, as a compound of superstitious
and a Hammer in his left, kneels on his right knee with a Bible on bis ceremonies, lyes, and idle nonsense ; and he renounces the whole, as a
Breast, supported by the Trowel, and in this Posture He Swears to keep horrid wickedness. At the same time, he urges me to publish the pa-
secret the Word and Signs by which a Free-Mason is known over all the per, for the conviction of persons engaged in that oath, and for warn-
World, the Privileges they enjoy by being admitted Members into this ing others to beware of the snare ; allowing me to discover his naine, his
Ancient Society are very great, for a Member of any Lodge is oblig'd to place of abode, and the lodge he belonged to. However, I have only
Furnish another Member tho' of a diffèrent Lodge, with all Necessaries in drawn out his narrative, which I here offer you, in his own words,
his distress and support Him to the utmost of his Power. for a place in your Magazine ; leaving the world to judge of the matter
as they please.
Printed in the Year, 1726.
He informs me, that the account he gives is only of what he himself
was taught, according to the usage of the lodge in which he entered
; without regard to some circumstantial variations which may take
place in other lodges, while they agree in the substance. And indeed
an absolute uniformity among them cannot be supposed,
99
1 00 A Mason's Confession A Mason's Confession 101

if, according to what follows, the whole affair must be committed say that Boaz is the mason-word, and Jachin a fellow-craft-word. The
only to their memories, and share in the common fate of oral traditions. former is shewn to an entered prentice after he has sworn the oath ; and
the latter is shewn to one that has been a prentice at least for a year, when
A mason's confession of the oath, word, and other secrets of his he is admitted a degree higher in their lodge, after he has sworn the oath
again, or declared his approbation of it.
craft.
These are to testify, concerning that oath, word, and other secrets, Concerning the other secrets.
held among the corporation of masons ; wherein I was taken under
the same, by sundry of them gathered together and met at D—, I shall next shew a cluster of different sorts of their secrets.
about the year 1727. First, then, three chalk-lines being drawn on the floor, about an equal
distance, as at A, B, and C ; the master of the lodge stands at M, and the
Concerning the oath. fellow-crafts, with the wardens and entered prentices, on the master-mason's
left hand, at f and the last entered prentice at p.
After one comes in at the door, he that keeps the door, called the war-
den, looses the garter of his right-leg stocking, rolls down the
stocking, folds up the knee of the breeches, and requires him to
deliver up any metal thing he has upon him. He is made to kneel on
the right knee, bare ; then the square is put three times round his body and
applied to his breast, the open compasses pointed to his breast, and
his bare elbow on the Bible with his hand lifted up ; and he swears, "
As I shall answer before God at the great day, and this company, I shall
heal and conceal, or not divulge or make known the secrets of the ma-
son-word, [Here one is taken bound, not to vrite them on paper,
parchment, timber, stone, sand, snow, &c.], under the pain of having my
tongue taken out from beneath my chowks, and my heart out from
beneath my left oxter, and my body buried within the sea-mark, where it
ebbs and flows twice in the twenty-four hours."
Immediately after that oath, the administrator of it says, " You sat Says the master, " Corne forward ". Says the prentice, " I wot not gin I
down a cowan, I take you up a mason."—When I was taken under may." Says the master, " Come forward ; I warrant you." So coming over
that oath, I knew not what these secrets were which I was not to the first line with one foot, while he sets the other square off at a, he lays
divulge, having had no information before. One person in the lodge in- the right hand near the left shoulder, and says, " Good day, Gentlemen."
structed me a little about their secrets the same day that I entered, and Coming over the second line with one foot, while he sets the other square
was called my author ; and another person in the lodge, whom I then off at b, he lays the right hand on the left side, and says, " God be here."
chused to be my instructor till that time twelve-month, was called Coming over the third line with one foot, while he sets the other square off at
my intender.—There is a yearly imposing of that oath in admissions c, he lays the right hand on the right knee, and says, " God bless all the hon-
among the said craft through the land on St John's day, as it is termed, ourable brethren."—N.B. As the square was put thrice about his body when
being the 27th of December. on the bare knee, so he cornes over these limes setting his feet thrice in the
form of a square.
Concerning the word. Question. What say you ? Answer. Here stand I,. [with his feet in
After the oath, a word in the scriptures was shewed me, which, the form of a square], younger and last entered prentice ; ready to
said one, is the mason-word. The word is in I Kings vii. 21. They
102 A Mason's Confession A Mason's Confession 103

serve my master from the Monday morning to the Saturday night, in ail are these five ? A. The word is one, the sign is two, the grip is three,
lawful employments. the penalty is four, and Heal and conceal is five.
Q. Who made you a mason ? A. God almighty's holy will made me a Q. Where was you entered ? A. In a just and perfect lodge. Q.
mason ; the square, under God, made me a mason ; nineteen fellow-crafts and What makes a just and perfect lodge ? A. Five fellow-crafts, and
thirteen entered prentices made me a mason.—N.B. To the best of my re- seven entered prentices.—N.B. They do not restrict themselves to
membrance, the whole lodge present did not exceed twenty perlons ; this number, though they mention it in their form of questions, but
but so I was taught to answer, which I can give no reason for. will do the thing with fewer.
Q. Where's your master ? A. He's not so far off but he may be found.— Q. Where should the mason-word be given ? A. On the top of a moun-
Then if the square be at hand, it is offered on the stone at which they are tain, from the crow of a cock, the bark of a dog, or the turtle of a dove.
working ; and if not, the feet are set in the form of a square, as before Q. How many points are there in the square ? A. Five. Q.
shewed, being the posture he stands in while he repeats his secrets. And What are these five ? A. The square, our master under God, is one ;
so the square is acknowledged to be master, both by tongue and feet. the level's two, the plumb-rule's three, the hand-rule's four, and the
Q. How set you the square ? A. I ca' two irons in the wall ; if two gage is five.
The day that a prentice comes under the oath, he gets bis choice of a
will not, three will ; and that makes both square and level.— N.B. If
mark to be put upon his tools, by which to discern them. So I did
they ca' in two irons above and one below, it makes a kind of both
chuse this, [The f igure i s i n t he M S.], which cost one mark
square and level ; though ordinarily they ca' in but one. And the rea-
Scots. Hereby one is taught to say to such as ask the question,
son why it is said to set the square, and not hang it, is, They're n ot to
hang their master. Where got you this mark ? A. I laid down one, and took up another.
Q. What's a mason ? A. He's a mason that's a mason born, a mason If one should come to a mason working at a stone, and say, " That
sworn, and a mason by trade. stone lies boss," the prentice is taught to answer, " It is not so boss but it
may be filled up again ; " or, " It is not so boss as your head would be
Q. Where keep you the key of your lodge ? A. Between my
if your harns were out."
tongue and my teeth, and under a lap of my liver, where all the se-
crets of my heart lie : for if I tell any thing in the lodge, my tongue is to be Q. When doth a mason wear his flowers ? A. Between Martinmas
taken out from beneath my chowks, and my heart out from beneath my left and Yule. Q. What's a mason's livery ? A. .A yellow cap and blue
oxter, and my body to be buried within the sea-mark, where it ebbs and flows breeches ;—meaning the compasses.
twice in the twenty-four hours. Q. How many jewels are there in your lodge ? A. Three. Q.
Q. What's the key of your lodge ? A. A well-hung tongue. What are these three ? A. A square pavement, a dinted ashler, and a
Q. Are you a mason ? A. Yes. Q. How shall I know that ? A. By broached dornal. Q. What's the square pavement for ? A. For the
signs, tokens, and points, of my entry. Master. Shew me one o f master-mason to draw his ground-draughts on. Q. What's the
these. Prentice. Shew y o u me the fir st, and shew yo u the sec- dinted ashler for ? A. To adjust the square, and make the gages by.
ond.—So the master gives him the sign, with the right hand up the left Q. What's the broached dornal for ? A. For me, younger and last-
side.—P. More clear.—Then the master gives it uppermore, or moves his entered prentice, to learn to broach upon.
right hand a little farther up the left side.—P. Heal and conceal.—N.B. The Q. How high should a mason's siege be ? A. Two steeples, a back,
token or grip is, by laying the ball of the thumb of the right hand upon the and a cover, knee-high all together.—N.B. One is taught, that the
first or uppermost knuckle of the second finger from the thumb of the other's cowan's siege is built up of whin stones, that it may soon tumble down
right hand. again ; and it stands half out half in the lodge, that bis neck may be
Q. How many points are there in the word ? A. Five. Q. What under the drop in rainy weather, to çome in at his shoulders, and run
out at his shoes.
10
4 A Mason's Confession A Mason's Confession 105
Q. Where lies the cappel-tow ? A. Eighteen or nineteen foot and an Coming to an house where masons may be, he is to knock three
half from the lodge-door ; and at the end of it lies the cavel-mell, to knocks on the door ; a lesser, a more, and a more. One gives the
dress the stones with.—N.B. There is no such thing among them as a sign with the right hand up the left side ; or if riding, he is to strike the
cappel-tow. horse over the left shoulder. If in a land where their language is not
Q. Where place ye your lodge ? A. On the sunny side of a hill, known, he is to kneel with one knee, holding up bis hand before the
that the sun may ascend on't when it rises.—N.B. A lodge is a place masons.
where masons assemble and work. Hence that assembly or society of If one coming into a company, wants to know whether there be a ma-
masons is called a lodge. son in the same ; as he comes in, he makes himself to stumble, and
Q. How stands your lodge ? A. East and west, as kirks and chapels says, " The day's for seeing, and the night's for hearing ; God be
did of old. Q. Why so ? A. Because they were holy ; and so we thanked we have all our formal mercies. There is no difference be-
ought to be. Q. How many lights are there in your lodge ? A. tween a dun cow and a dun hummle cow." Then, if a mason be in
Three. Q. What are these three ? The south-east, south, and south- that company, he says, " What says the fellow ? " He answers, " I
west. Q. How many levels are there in your lodge ? A. Three. Q. say nothing but what I may say again : There is no difference be-
What are these three ? A. The sun, and the sea, and the level.— N.B. I tween a durs cow and a dun hummle cow."
can give no reason why the sun and the sea are called two of their A mason's horse is found out among others by the left-foot stirrup being
levels, but so they will have it.—To be particular in shewing how the mas- laid up.
ter-mason stands at the south-east corner of the lodge, and the fellow-crafts To know if one or more masons be in a company which one meets on
next to him, and next to them the wardens, and next the entered prentices, the way, he says, " Who walks .? Then, if one be there, he says, " A
and how their sieges stand distant one from another, and the tools they man walks : if more be there, the answer is, Men walk." Then
work with, is not worth while. says he, " Good men and masters met you be ; God bless all your
Q. Where lay you the key of your lodge ? A. Two foot and an company." Or he gives the sign, by the right hand above the breath,
half from the lodge-door, beneath a green divot.—N.B. This is which is called the fellow-crafts due guard ; and the grip, by clasp-
meant of their oath, under which the secrets of the lodge are hid from the ing his fingers at the wrist, next at the elbow : or placing himself hand to
drop ; that is, from the unentered prentice, or any others not of their hand, foot to foot, knee to knee, heart to heart, ear to ear, says, " Great
society, whom they call drops. you, great you, God greateth you, and make you a good master-
Q. How long should a prentice wear his shirt ? A. Till there be mason : I'm a young man, going to push my fortune ; if you can
nine knots on it ; three up the back, and three down each arm. furnish me, you will do well."
There are likewise various other signs, which they distinguish or I shall now give an account of what they call the Monday's t esson.—
discern themselves by. As, if one were in a company, and to send for an- When the prentice cornes to his master's kitchen door, he is to knock three
other mason, he does it by sending a piece of paper, with a square point knocks ; a lesser, a more, and a more. If none answers, he is to lift
folded in at the corner, and suppose he squeeze it all in his hand, when it is the sneck, and go in, and wash the dishes, and sweep the house. Q. How
opened out, the mark where the square point was folded in, is the thing far is the prentice to carry off the ashes ? A. As far off until he see
that's noticed. Or, if he send his glove, then the square is put on the the smoke come out at the chimmey head. After that he goes to his
first knuckle of the second finger, with the thumb-nail, or some other master's chamber-door, and knocks three knocks ; a lesser, and a more,
thing. and a more ; and says, " Master, are you waking ? " If he answer, "
To find another by drinking, one says, " Drink." The other Not so sound but I may be wakened," then he goes in. His master asks
answers, " No." He saith the second rime, " Drink ". The other him, " What'n a morning is it ? He answers, " It's a fair morning ; the
answers, " After you is good manners." Again lie saith, " Drink ; I wind's in the west and the sun's in the east ; part
warrant you." And then he takes it. five, going to six." His master says, " Who told you that ? The
106 A Mason's Confession A Mason's Confession 107
prentice answers, he " met with a hather-man." " Ay, (says his unlawful means of secrecy, many are rashly and inconsiderately pre-
master), sorrow is ay soon up at morn." cipitated and slily drawn into that sinful confederacy and wickedness
Q. How doth the prenticc give his master his shirt ? A. He gives it aboya said, ere ever they can be aware of it "—That " it is an
with the left sleeve foremost, and the neck of it next him, with the breast appending the seal of a solemn oath, containing horrid, dreadful, and un-
of it upmost, in readiness to put on. In like manner he gives him the common imprecations, to a blank, yea to worse, to ridiculous non-
rest of his cloaths. After that, he gives him water to wash himself ; sense and superstition ; nonsense, (and that with this aggravation, of
then he offers him a cloth to dry himself ; he will not have that ; he profaning the sacred scriptures, by intermixing them therewith), only
offers him his shirt-tail ; he will not have that ; then he bids him do his fit for the amusement of children in a winter-evening ; mort of these
next best. After that, he follows his master up street, down street, with his secrets being idle stuff or lyes, and other parts of it superstitious, only be-
right foot at his master's left, sword point, within stroke of a nine inch coming Heathens and idolaters."—Moreover they declare, that the secrecy
gage, till he come within sixteen feet and a half of the lodge door ; is broke and disclosed, by " what is already published to the world in
there the prentice leaves him. Then he goes to sort up the lodge, and peint ; concerning which (say they) there have been many lyes and
put the things in order ; after which, he calls in the men to work. equivocations, in denying the same, though they contain the sub-
stance of the mystery."—I am, &c.
And this is the amount of that invented matter ; or all I can re-
member that is material in it. D. B.
P.S. There was printed, in the year 1747, (ix. 404), A pr otestation [N.B. With his latter, above inserted, Mr D. B . sent us the paper he men-
and declinature from the society of operative masons in the lodge tions (132),1 which is dated Nov. 13. 1751, and another, of the same handwriting
at T orphichen, t o m eet at L ivingston k irk, D ec. 27, 1739 ; sub- and subscription, dated Feb. 20 1752. also a paper containing several queries
scribed, of that date, at Kirknewton, by James Chrystie ; with a sub- which he sent to the mason, for explaining some things in his papers, • and the
scribed adherence, at the same place and of the same date, by James mason's answers. Having compared the preceding narrative with these papers,
Aikman, Andrew Purdie, and John Chrystie ; and with another sub- we find that it is faithfully taken from them : so that whatever shall be thought
scribed adherence, at Dalkeith, July 27. 1747, by John Miller. of the mason's conduct, which it does not become us either to justify or condemn,
the authenticity of the narrative may be depended on.]
In that paper, they renounce the mason-oath, as finding the sanie " 1
sinful and unlawful, both as to its matter and form, and therefore not Page 99 in the present volume.
binding upon their consciences." They declare, that it is imposed and
administered " with such rites, ceremonies, and circumstances, as are
in themselves sinful and unwarrantable, and a symbolising with idolaters ;
such as, kneeling upon their bare knee, and the naked arm upon the Bible
:—That " it is and must to every intrant be sworn rashly ; without
allowing a copy of the said oath, and time duly and deliberately to con-
sider the lawfulness of it ; the matter thereof, or things sworn to
therein, never being under their serious consideration previous to the
swearing of that oath ; seeing the person swearing knows not what
he is swearing to : "—That they " do look upon it as an unlawful obli-
gation, to conceal the dreadful wickedness, superstition, idolatry, blas-
phemy, and profanation of the naine and ordinance of God, which is
contained in and annexed to that oath, altogether unbecoming the naine and
profession of Christians ; by the which
 THE WILKINSON MS.
PREFACE
We have to express our thanks to Bro. B. A. Swinden of Northampton
for drawing our attention to the Wilkinson MS. and for placing at our
disposai such information as he could gather about its history; to Bro.
Harold Wilkinson for allowing the manuscript to be sent to us for exami-
nation and reproduction ; and to Dr. B. Schofield of the British Museum
MSS. Department for assistance in dating the handwriting.

For their help in elucidating the word giblin [Q. 53] we are in-
debted to Bro. Rabbi Barnet I. Cohen and Bro. Canon W. W. Covey-
Crump; for assistance regarding the technique and terminology of the opera-
tive contrivance called a lewis [Q. 54], we have to thank Bro. Edward
Boot, and our colleagues Prof. J. Husband, Emeritus Professor of
Civil Engineering, and Mr. Stephen Welsh, Lecturer in Architecture ;
for valuable suggestions regarding the origin and derivation of the
word lezvis, we are greatly beholden to Prof. Paul Barbier, Emeritus
Professor of French in the University of Leeds, to Mr. H. C. Johnson of
the Public Record Office, and to our colleagues Mr. Harold Orton, Lec-
turer in English language, and Dr. N. B. Lewis, Lecturer in Medieval
History.

The many references to E.M.C. in the footnotes to this p ap e r

a r e to o u r E a r l ) , M a s o n i c C a t e c h i s m s ( M a n c h e s t er University Press,
1943)1
D. K.
G. P. J.
D. H.
The University,
Sheffield, 10
September, 1946

1 Revised edition 1963

108
 {image} {image}
WILKINSON MS., p. ii WILKINSON MS., p. 1
 T HE W I LKI NSON MS.

INTRODUCTION
Immediate P rovenance of t he M anuscrit . In March, 1946,
Bro. B. A. Swinden of Northampton drew our attention to this
manuscript belonging to Bro. Harold Wilkinson of Pomfret
Lodge, No. 360, Northampton, who found it among the papers of
his late father, Bro. Samuel Blaze Wilkinson (1851-1931) of 69,
Billing Road, Northampton. Bro. Wilkinson very kindly con-
sented to the manuscript being forwarded to us for examination
and reproductio n, and allo wed us to send it to Dr. B.
Schofield of the British Museum MSS. Dept. for further examina-
tion. After we had returned the manuscript to Northampton, it
was presented by Bro. Wilkinson to the Northampton Masonic Li-
brary.

Unfortunately, Bro. Wilkinson has no information about the

history of the document, and does not know how it came into the posses-
sion of his father, who in his day was one of the stalwarts of the
Pomfret Lodge, and a prominent member of the Craft, Arch,
Mark, K.T. and Rose Croix. His interest in the historical side of
masonry is clear from his ownership of the document we call
the Wi l kin son M S . , and also o f a small noteboo k c o n t a i n i n g
c o p i e s o f wh a t a p p e a r t o b e r e l a t i v e l y e a r l y [? pr e -18 13]
ver sio ns o f ( i) the Fir st Degr ee Lecture, and (ii) the Tradi-
tional History. Bro. Wilkinson knows nothing of his grandfa-
ther's relatives ; of his grandmother's brothers, three were
stonemasons, but only one, and he ân engineer, was a freemason. The
family appears to have originated at Clipsharn in Rutland, though
at least three members of it came to Northampton and were con-
neeted with the stone quarries at Harlestone, a mile or two from the
present borough boundary. The engineer freemason, mentioned above,
who lived at Wellingborough,

109
II0 The Wilkinson MS The Wilkinson MS. 111
apparently took very little interest in the Craft. Samuel Blaze the photographie reproduction of the other sheets, the stamp be-
Wilkinson appears to have lived all his life at Northampton. The ing so placed as not to affect the handwriting. Close to, or over,
Pomfret Lodge was not warranted until 1819, but there was a Lodge the embossed address on pages 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 appears the signature " S.
at The George, Northampton, constituted on 16th January, 1730 B. Wilkinson."
as No. 62 1 , incorrectly numbered in Prichard's Maso nry D iss ected
of October, 1730 as No. 60 2 , It became No. 64 in 1740, and was The writer considered the first page of his text to be the
erased on 29th November, 1754 3. Whilst the Wilkinson M S. would first page of his manuscript : he did not number this page but
appear to represent a pre-Prichard working, there is no evidence began on the reverse with the figure " 2." We thus have the
whatsoever that the working in question was followed at a seq uence :-
Northampton Lodge. Nor is it at ail certain, for reasons given later, p.i. blank except f o r ma r k a n d l a t e r a d d i t i o n s ;
that the document was written as early as 1730. p.ii. blank ;
Paper and Format. The paper, which is foolscap size, 12 7/8 " x 7 p. 1 . text begins, not numbered by writer ;
7 /8" , is hand mad e and o f go o d q ualit y, with t he so - called p.2. text continued : numbered 2 ;
VRYHEYT watermark, and the letters GR surmounted by a p.3. do. do. 3;
cro wn, as counter mar k. We make further reference to the wa- p.4. do. do. 4 ;
termark and countermark when discussing the date of the paper. p.5. do. do. 5 ;
Three single foolscap sheets were folded across the middle to form a p.6. do. do. 6 ;
booklet of six leaves or twelve pages. The two outer sheets have p.7. do. do. 7 ;
since been tom or worn down the fold : the countermarks appear p.8. do. not numbered by writer ;
across the original fold of these sheets, and the halves correspond across p.9. do. not numbered by writer ;
the tear, thus proving that each pair of half leaves originally formed p.10. do. not numbered by writer.
one sheet.
The sheets were at one time held together down the fold by three
small pear-shaped wire clips. The small round hole, which appears as
The first leaf, constituting what we describe as pages i and ii, was
a black mark on the photographie reproduction of pages i, ii, 1 ,
originally blank on both sides, with the exception of what appears
2 , 9 and 10 , was caused , Bro . Swind en infor ms b y a clip
to be a mason's mark, AA, somewhat resembling two inverted V's
which had become rusty and on removal brought away part of
next to each other, which appears at the top of page i, and seems to be
the pages. The marks made by the other two clips can be traced
in the same ink and style of writing as the text. Possibly it was the
on the photographie reproduction of page 10. At some date the
mark of the scribe who wrote the document. More recently, there
leaves were folded horizontally in three, and traces of this fold-
have been added, below the mark, the words " Old Ritual " in pen-
ing are visible on the photographie reproduction of page i.
cil, and in ink, written with a steel nib, " S. B. Wilkinson | 69,
Billing Road, | Northampton." Each hall sheet has been stamped Spelling and Handwritin g of the Text . The follo wing are
with an embossed address stamp, 69, BILLING ROAD, | the chief features
: -
NORTHAMPTON, visible in the photographie reproduction of page
i, and faintly discernible in (a) The long s is used, as in Question 1 ;
(b) Ampersand is generally the same as the scribe's
1
Lane, Masonic Records, 55. long-tailed x, as in answers 2 and 3 ; occasionally a
2
E.M.C, 173; Lane, Handy Book to the Lists of Lodges, 179. modern form occurs as in answers 8 and 28, the salutation
3
Lane, Masonic Records, 55.
[13], and the obligation [23] ;
112 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. I1 3
(c) The old-fashioned e is of frequent occurence, as in answers 1, 2
and 3 ;
(d) Capital I and J are both written 1 ;
(e) I’ll is appare ntly wr itte n île ; this is pr obably only a scribal
peculiarity for I'll, and not a misspelling. Cf. the apparent le-
vele for levell in Q.48 and A.49.

(f) The occasional use of -ick terminations ;

(g) The occasional doubling of final single consonants : sett, Jewell,
Urnell, Levell;
(h) The occasional use of ytfor that, yr for your, shod for should ;
(i) Ample use of initial capitals for nouns and some-, times for verbs ;
(j) Verbs ending in -ed are, with two exceptions—introduc'd in Q.24
and until'd in Q.76—so spelt in full, and not -'d ;
(k) Punctuation very poor : query marks, stops at end of answers, and
possessive apostrophes frequently omitted.
The handwriting, in our opinion, belongs anywhere within the pe-
riod 1700-1820, but the use of handmade foolscap paper (assum-
ing it was not derived from an old stock) almost certainly keeps it
within the eighteenth century. This is confirmed by the uses -
noted under sections a, b, c, d , f , g and h above, which were
more frequent in the eighteenth century than in the nineteenth.
On the other band, the almost consistent use of -ed, instead of -
'd, in past tenses and participles of verbs, would seem to point to
the second half, rather than to the first half of the eighteenth cen-
tury.
Waterma rk and C ountermark. The so-called VRYHEYT wa-
terrnark of our document, reproduced in a tracing opposite, points
to the paper being either of Dutch origln, or made by
114 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 115

French paper-makers who freely imitated Dutch paper and ,including A D ialogue be tween Si mon and Philip ( c. 1725)1, the affinity of
watermarks. The fact that our paper bears no maker's name, which to the first part of Masonry Dissected we pointed out in our paper on
initials, or mark inclines us to believe that it was not of Dutch manufac- the Dialogue in A.Q.C., lvii. The order of the questions and answers in
ture, but a French imitation of a Dutch paper. The use of the GR the Wilkinson M S. and in Prichard is different ; further, the Wilkin-
and Crown countermark shows that the paper was manufactured solely son M S. contains about a dozen questions and answers not found
for the English market. in Prichard, and conversely, Prichard, Part I, contains about a
W. A. Churchill, Watermarks i n Pa per i n t he XVII and XVIII score of questions and answers for which there are no counter-
Cen tu ries, reproduces so me thirty examples o f the VRYHEYT parts in our manuscript. Some sixty-five questions and answers
watermark. In the earlier examples; dating from 1654 to 1720, are more or less common to the two catechisms, though the actual
the Lion, Spear, and Seven Darts, together with the base bearing the phrasing of the questions and the exact substance of the answers
word VRYHEYT, are enclosed in a wreath ; in the later examples, sometimes differ. These matters are clearly brought out in detail
dating from 1704 to c. 1813, the Lion, etc., are in a crowned circle in connection with the transcript of the Wilkinson M S. which we print
bearing the motto Pro P atria e jusque Libertate. Our specimen obvi- below in parallel columns with the " Enter'd 'Prentice's Degree "
ously belongs to the latter group. A detailed examination of this group in Masonry Dissected. Here we may content ourselves with saying
shows that we do not regard our document merely as an early short ver-
sion of the first part of Prichard. ; we do not think that Prich-
i. that in some specimens the base bearing the word VRY- ard's working of the First Degree is descended directly from the work-
HEYT is drawn with single lines, in others with dou- ing depicted in our manuscript, but that both workings are descended,
ble lines, as in our case ; through different lines, from a common ancestor, the working
ii. that in most cases the spear or staff ends in a point ; in portrayed in our document being rather older than that portrayed by
three specimens illustrated by Churchill it ends, like Prichard. The latter's pamphlet was published in October 1730:
ours, in what may be described as a St. Andrews Cross, X. the former would appear to be more récent than the working
pictured in The Gra nd M ystery o f F ree-Masons Discover'd2 of 1724,
All Churchill's examples of double-line bases relate to the period 1746-
and we are this disposed to date the working portrayed in the Wilkinson
1813 ; his three examples of the staff ending in a St. Andrews
MS. as about 1727.
Cross relate to the period 1762-1813.
When the Dutch or French paper-makers made paper for the British The D ate of t he Manuscript. Though internal evidence sug-
market, they frequently used as countermarks the British Royal gests that the working portrayed in our document relates to c.
Cipher. In our case the cipher is GR, which may stand for any of 1727, that is by no means the same thing as saying that the Wil-
the four Georges (1714-1830). Churchill's only example of a VRY- kinson M S. dates from c. 1727. There is always the possibility to be
HEYT watermark with a crowned GR countermark is a manu- borne in mind that our document is either a pre-1730 or a post-
script dated 1785, but it is quite possible that paper with this 1730 copy of a pre-1730 manuscript, and not a catechism written
particular watermark and countermark was manufactured prior to down by the scribe from. memory. In two cases, Q.31 and Q.62,
1785. an essential word is omitted ; in two other cases, A.32 and
A.65, a word is repeated ; both of which errors suggest careless
Relationship t o other C atechisms. The Wilkinson MS. is more copying. On the other hand, the separation of two questions and
closely related to the " Enter'd 'Prentices Degree " of Prichard's answers, 62 and 73, about the secrets of a mason,
Masonry Di ssected, published in October 1730, than is any previously-
known version of the early masonic catechisms 1
See our Reply to comments on our paper in A.Q.C. lvii.
2
Reprinted in E.M.C. 76.
116 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 117
and the omission of a question and answer relating to the key to Bro. Cramphorn's typescript copy. Similarly, the document
those secrets, of which Q. and A. 73 is the amplification, suggest which we now reproduce in facsimile and transcript may be a
either a catechism set down from memory, or a copy of an earlier written copy, made in the second half of the eighteenth century, of an
version which was defective. T he fact that certain other ques- original written some decades previously.
tions and answers do not appear to be in very logical order, also Three features of the Wilkinson MS., namely : -
suggests reproduction from memory at some stage or other. The ques- (a) the folding horizontally into three (though not very tightly,
tion is, when was our document copied out, or, if it be an original, to judge by the marks visible on page i of the photo-
when was it written down from memory ? graphie reproduction, and on no other page)
The answer must depend, in part at least, upon the purpose for (b) the somewhat worn condition of the two outer leaves
which the document was copied or written : (i) It may be an along the folds which were originally the middle of the
eighteenth-century antiquary's copy of an early eighteenthc e n t u r y foolscap sheets when they were folded to form a booklet ;
c a t e c h i s m, o r ( i i ) a co p y ma d e b y a ma s o n wh o was lent an (c) the discoloured state of the outside pages, i and 10, clearly
older document which interested him, or ( iii) a mason's aide visible in the photographie reproductions ;
mémoire, prepared possibly by an experienced mason for the benefit suggest that the document may have been used a good deal,
of a less experienced brother. possibly because it served as a mason's aide mémoire. Had it
(i) If the document served the first purpose, one would ex- always been kept folded horizontally in three, only two-thirds of
pect it either (a) to be written in a commonplace or similar book, the front page would have shown signs of discolouration, so the
like the Drinkwater and Huddleston versions of the Old Charges, presumption is that it was usually kept flat or unfolded, some-
and two early catechisms, Institution of F ree M asons and the Essex times with page i upwards, and sometimes with page 10 upwards,
MS., or (b) to be carefully and accurately copied by a competent in a place where it was exposed to dust, as would be the case in
scribe on a roll like the Chesham MS. or in a small leather-bound book, most drawers. If papers, including our document, were put into
like the Woodford M S. and the Supreme Council MS. Our document, and taken out of a drawer fairly frequently, this might explain the
on loose sheets and with varions corrections, complies with nei- somewhat worn and discoloured condition of the manuscript, and
ther of these conditions. Nor can it once have been six leaves no question of its having been used as a mason's aide mémoire might
from the centre of a commonplace book, for in that case, the trim- arise.
ming of the edges to form the book would have made the three Of the three purposes which the document might have served, we
sheets of foolscap smaller than is actually the case. are satisfied, for the reasons indicated above, that the document is not a
copy of an early masonic catechism especially prepared by or for
(ii) The considerations we have just put forward would not apply an eighteenth-century antiquary. We are left, therefore, with two
to a copy made by a man who was interested in an old document possibilities, and we propose to view the problem of dating the
that might have been lent to him, just as J. L. Higsom in 1852 made a document, first, on the hypothesis that it was a mason's aide m émoire,
copy of a version of the Old Charges, now known as the Wren M S., 1 and second, on the hypothesis that it was a copy made by a man who
or just as Bro. Fred T. Cramphorn about 1930 made a typescript- obtained access to an older document which interested him.
copy of A Dialogue between Simon and Philip, when Bro. Lister Salisbury
lent him the original manuscript which cannot be traced since Salis- (i) The first hypothesis seems to imply a relatively early
bury's death. The transcript we printed in our Early Masonic Catechisms date, as we find it difficult to believe that the working portrayed
was prepared from

'For details of the MSS. we mention, see our Handlist of Masonic Documents.
118 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 119
paper and the spellings of the text, except on the assumptions (a)
in our manuscript was used very long after Prichard's pamphlet had
that the almost consistent use in our document of the termination -
appeared in October 1730, though in the 1730's, and possibly in the
ed, instead of -'d, in past tenses and past participles of verbs,
1740's, there may have been lodges outside the London area
was due to the pedantry of the scribe, and (b) that the relatively
where Masonry Di ssected was unkno wn, or where local masonic
late appearance in Churchill's book of our particular variety of
stalwarts did not take kindly to modifications and revision of
VRYHEYT watermark was due to the incompleteness of the speci-
ritual. On the other hand, it must not be overlooked that our docu-
mens collected and reproduced by him, we feel that a date of c.
ment shows various signs of having been used for some time after
1730 to c. 1740, though not impossible, is not very probable.
it had been copied or written, and that it presumably dates from a
period some years before the working it represents was replaced, (ii) On the second hypothesis, viz., that the document is a
in the locality to which it related, by a more up-to-date working. copy of an early eighteenth-century catechism made by a man
who obtained access to an older manuscript which interested
In view of the somewhat conflicting evidence, no definite him, the problem of dating depends entirely on external evidence,
conclusion regarding the date of the manuscript—always assuming such as the character of the handwriting, the spellings of the
that it was a mason's aide m émoire—can be reached. The only t e x t , a n d t h e wa t e r ma r k a n d c o u n t e r ma r k o f t h e p a p e r .
thing that appears fairly certain is that the working portrayed in Regarding the handwriting, we concur in the view of Dr. B.
the Wilkinson M S., judging by the stage of its evolution, repre- Schofield of the British Museum MSS. Department, that the
sents a post-1724 and a pre-1730 ritual by origin, though it is al- document is in a typical eighteenth-century hand. As pointed out
ways possible that once established in a particular locality it be- above, certain of the spellings suggest the second rather than
came relatively stabilized, and continued to be used more or less the fir st half o f the eighteenth centur y. Likewi se, as men-
unchanged for a number of years after 1730. The fact that three tioned previously, although varieties of the VRYHEYT water-
official editions, one pirated edition, and at least one newspaper mark are found in papers dating from the second half of the seven-
reprint of Masonry Dissected made their appearance within a fortnight teenth century and the whole of the eighteenth century, specimens en-
of its first publication on 20th October, 1730, that eight London closed in a crowned circle have been traced only in the eighteenth
editions appeared in the 1730's, and that the pamphlet was century, and examples of the more elaborate VRYHEYT watermark,
reprinted more than eight times in England and Scotland in the such as in our document, have been traced by Churchill only
1740's 1 , is generally accepted as evidence that Prichard exer- between 1762 and c. 1813. In view of these considerations—
cised a big influence on masonic ritual within a decade, or pos- assuming now that the Wilkinson M S. is a copy of an earlier
sibly two decades, if not within a few months, of the appearance manuscript made by an interested mason we should have to date the
of his pamphlet. Thus it would seem unlikely that the working document as 1750-1790.
portrayed in the Wilkinson MS . was used in an unchanged form
much after 1740, if as late as that. As the Wilkinson M S., judg- Our conclusions regarding the date of the manuscript are
ing by its condition, was written some years before it ceased to necessarily very indefinite, as we do not know for certain whether
serve as an aide m émoire—always assuming that it did so serve—the the document was (a) an aide m émoire, or (b) a copy made by a
presumption must be that it was written between c. 1730 and c. 1740. man who found an older document which interested him. If it is
the former, the probability is that the date is c. 1730- c. 1740 ; if
As such a date cannot be reconciled with the relatively the latter, 1750-1790. These uncertainties regarding the date
concrete evidence of dating provided by the watermark of the of the document in no way affect our opinion regarding the date of
the working portrayed in the document, which, • as previously
1Thorp, Bibliography of Masonic Catechisms, 15-16 ; E.M.C., 157.
indicated, we consider to belong to the period 1724-1730.
 The Wilkinson MS. 121

TEXTS OF THE WILKINSON MS. AND OF

120 The Wilkinson MS. MASONRY DISSECTED [PART I].
Treatment of the Text. We give our text both in photographie facsimile Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected
(reduced roughly to four-fifths of the original size for convenience of re- [1] Q. Are you a Mason [4] Q. Are you a Mason?
production in a pamphlet), and in a printed transcript. We have A. I am so taken to be Among Bro- A. I am s o t aken and Accepted t o
provided the latter, partly for the benefit of readers who may ex- thers &. Fellows be amongst Brothers and Fellows.
perience difficulty in deciphering the handwriting in places, but [2] Q. How Shall .I know you to [5] Q. How shall I know that you
mainly so that the Wilkinson M S. might be set out in parallel columns be a Mason are a Mason ?
with the first part of Prichard's Masonry D issected. The order of the A. by Signs, tokens, & perfect A. By Signs and Tokens and per-
questions and answers of the latter text is re-arranged to correspond, Poynts of Entrance fect Points of my Entrance.
as far as possible, with those of our document, blank spaces being [3] Q. What are Signs [6] Q. What are Signs ?
introduced into either text as the case may be, where there is no corre- A. All Square, Levells & perpendi- A. All Squares, Angles and Perpen-
sponding item in the other. To facilitate reference, and to show culars diculars.
the different order of the questions in the two catechisms, we insert [4] Q. What are tokens [7] Q. What are Tokens
numbers in square brackets before the questions in both texts, in each A Certain Gripes A. Certain Regulart and Brotherly
case the order of the numbers being that in which the questions occur [5 ) Q. Give me the first, Gripe
in the originals. Reference to the facsimile will" I’ll give you y e Second [8] Exam. Give me the Points of
[6] M Ex. … I heal your Entrance.
show that there a r e n o b l a n k spaces n u m b e r s to q u e s t i o n s
I conceal Resp. Give me the first, and I’ll
i n t h é t h e W i l k i n s o n M S ` S i m i l a r l y , t h e r e , a r e n o : blank
[7] Q. What do you Conceal give you the second
spaces and no numbers to questions in the original of. Prichard's [9] Exam. I hail it
A. All ye Secretts or Secrecy of a
Masonry Dissected. Resp. I conceal it
mason or Masonry
In our printed transcript of the Wilkinson M S. the orthography, [10] Exam. What do you Conceal ?
initial capitals, punctuation (or lack of punctuation) and abbreviations of Resp. All Secrets ans Secrecy of
our original have been carefully followed, with the exception that Masons ans Masonry, unless to a
everywhere we print the old-fashioned long s as s. We print the Trus and Lawful Brother after due
document in roman type throughout, with the exception of the ex- Examination, or in a just
planatory notes added by the scribe to Answers 12 and 64 ; these we
print in halles.

Our reprint of the questions and answers of Prichard's Masonry

Dissected is made from pages 9-19 of a copy in the British Museum
of the 3rd edition (advertised for sale on 31st October 1730). We fol-
low the type, orthography, initial capitals and punctuation of Prichard,
but not, as explained above, the order of the questions, which has been
re-arranged to correspond to that of the Wilkinson MS.
122 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected 123

Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected Wilkinson MS.

[88] Exam. BOAZ [N.B.
The Exam. s ays B, Resp. O, Exam.
and worshipful Lodge of [12] 1 B A, Resp. Z,i.e. Boaz] Cive me an-
Brothers and Fellows well 2 0 other.
met. 3 A
4
[8] Q. What are Secretts [ 6 6 ] Q. W h at ar e t he 1 Bo [89] Resp. JACHIN
Secrets of a Mason ? [N.B. Boaz and Jachin moere t w o
2 Az
A. Signs, tokens & many A. Signs, T o kens and P i l l a r s i n S o l o mo n ' s P o r c h I
Words many Words. Vide ye 3 d Chap. of 2 book
d
K i n g s , c h a p . v i i. ver.21.]
of Chronicles 17 ' where
th

[86] Ex. Give me the En- you'll find Boaz was the Name of
the Pill ar of t he le ft hand b efore
ter'd 'Prentice's Sign. Solomon Temple, yt o n y '
Resp. Extending the Right hand Iachin. [2] Q. What Recommendations
Four Fingers of the Right brought you from thence ?
Hand and drawing of them A. T h e Re co m me nd a tions
cross his Throat, is the Sign, which I brought from t h e R i g h t
and demands a Token. W o r s h i p f u l Brothers and Fel-
N . B . A T o k e n i s b y j o in i ng lows of the Right Worshipful and
the Ba li o f th e T humb o f th e [13] Right Worshipfull, the Holy Lo d ge o f St. J o h n ' s fr o m
Right Hand u pon t he first Master & fellows of the whence I came, and Greet you
Knuckle of t he F ore-finger o f Holy Lodge of St. Iohn thice heartily well.
the B rother's R ight H and t hat from whence I Came
demands a Word. Greet you, Grèet you, [ 3 ] Q . W h a t d o y o u corne
Greet you, three Welcome here to do ?
[9] Q. Have you any by words Brothers
as a Mason
A. I h a v e
[10] Q. Give me one [ 8 7 ] Q . G i v e m e t h e Word. A. Not to d o my own
A. I'll letter it with you A. I'll letter it with You proper Will,
[11] Oth Give me the first I'll give you ye Second verte' But to subdue my
Passion still ;
The w o rd " ve rt e " [= T ur n o ve r] is p la c e d a t t he b o t t o m r i g ht - ha nd corner of page 1; there is no similar entry on pp. 3, 5, 7, and 9. The Rules of Masonry
in hand to take,
And daily Progress
therein make.
Wil- 124 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 125 Wil-
kin- kin-
son MS. Masonry Dissected and shew'd me how to walk
son MS.

[14]Q. What did you see be-

fore you was Admitted into the
Lodge
[19] Q. What did the Master do
A. the Iunior Apprentice with with" you
a drawn Sword in his hand
A Made me a Ma son
[ 16] Q. W ho [20] Q. How was you made a
br o ught you to the Lodge ? Mason
A. An Enter'd 'Prentice. A. Neither setting nor Standing
Naked nor Cloathed but in due form
[ 17] Q. How
d i d h e bring you ? [ 2 1 ] Q . w h a t i s d u e form
A. Neither naked nor A . wi t h b a r e b e n d e d knee
cloathed, bare foot nor shod, to the Ground between the
deprived of all Metal and in a Square & my left hand up o n
right moving Posture. the b ib le, my Ri g ht hand Ex-
[15]Q. how was you Admitted tended with the Compasses to my
[ 18] Q. Ho w
into the Lodge Naked left breast, taking the Sol-
go t yo u
A. by three great knocks emn Obligation of a Mason
Admittance ?
A. By three great
[16]Q. who Introduced you into Knocks.
the Lodge
[ 19] Q. W ho
A the Iunior Warden r eceiv'd you ?
[17]Q. How did he Introduce A. A J u n io r W ar d e n. [22] Q. Can you Repeat it
you A. I C a n
[ 20] Q. How
A. Led me Round the Lodge d i d h e dispose of you ? [23] Q. Repeat it
due East & West & presented me to
A. He carried me up to A. I do hereby Solemnly
the Senior Warden
the North-East Part of the P r o mi s e & d e cla r e i n the
Lodge, and brought me back Presence of Almighty God,
[18]Q. What did he do with again to theWest and deliver'd
you me to the Senior Warden. that I will heal & Conceal all
A . L e d m e u p t h r e e great
Stepts to the Master [ 21] Q. What
d i d t h e Senior Warden do
with you ?
A. He p r es e nt ed me,
 Masonry Dissected

up (by three Steps) to the Mas-

ter.
[22] Q. What did the Master do
with you ?
A. He made me a Mason.
[23] Q. How did
h e make you a Mason ?

A. With my bare-bended Knee

and Body within the S q u a r e , t h e
C o m p a s s e x t e n d e d to m y
n a k e d L e f t Breast, my naked
Right Hand on the Holy Bible ;
there I took the Obligation (or
Oath) of a Mason.

[24] Q. Can you repeat that Ob-

ligation
A. I'll do my Endeavour. (Which
is as follows.)
I H ereb y solemn ly V ow a n d
Swear i n t he P resence of A l -
m i g h t y G o d a n d t h i s Right
Worshipful A ssembly, that I w ill
Hail and Conceal;
Wil- 126 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected 127
kin-
son MS. Masonry Dissected Wilkinson MS. [49] Q. Have you any
Lights in your Lodge ?
.and n ever R eveal t he S ecrets [24] Q. What did you
the Secretts or Secrecy of a Mason
or Se cresy of Masons o r see when you was Introduc'd
or Masonry that has been hereto- A. Yes, Three.
Masonry, that shall be R e- into the Lodge
fore, shall be now, o r a t a n y ti me
vealed u nto me ; u nless to a [50] Q. What do they represent
her ea f ter , Revealed to me that A. three great lights
True and Lawful B rother, ?
I will not Speak or Declare them to
after due E xamination, or i n [25] Q. What do they Rep-
a n y S a v i n g a B r o t h e r o r fel- A. Sun, Moon and Master-
a J ust and W orshipful L odge resent
low after due Examination Mason.
of B rothers a nd Fellows w ell A Sun. Moon. & Master
met. N.B. Th es e Lig h t s a r e three
Mason
large C andies placed on hi gh Candle-
I f u r th e r m o r e P r o m i s e sticks.
that I will not write them, work and V o w, th at I w ill n ot W rite
them, mark them, Point them or them, P rint them, M ark t hem,
Engrave them : or Ca u se th e m [51] Q. Why so ?
Carve t hem or Engrave t hem,
to b e wr o te1 Written Marked, [26] Q. Why so A. Sun to rule the Day, Moon
or c ause t hem t o be W ritten,
Pointed or Engraved on any thing the Night, and MasterMason his
Printed, Marked, C arved
moveable or Immoveable A. the Sun to Rule the Lodge.
or E ngraved on W ood o r
day, the Moon y e Night and
Stone, s o as t he V isible C har-
the Master Mason the Lodge [52] Q. Have you any fix'd
acter o r I mpression o f a L etter
may appe ar, w hereby i t m ay be Lights in your Lodge ?
Under no less Penalty than having unlawfully obtain' d. A. Yes.
my Throat Cut, my tongue tore from All this un der n o l ess
the Roof of my Mouth, my heart Penalty t han t o h ave m y [53] Q. How many
Plucked from under my Left Throat c ut, m y T ongue t aken ? A. Three.
breast & buryed in the Sands of the from t he Roof o f m y Mouth ,
Sea, a Cables Length from the my Heart pl uck'd f rom u nder N.B. These fix 'd L ights are
Land where the tide Ebbs & fiows m y L e ft B r eas t, t h em t o b e Three W indows, s uppos'd (tho'
vainly) t o be i n e very Room
twice in 24 hours, my b o d y to buried i n t he S ands o f t he Se a,
where a L odge is he ld, but m ore
b e b ur ned to Ashes, and the th e L en g th of a C able-ro pe
Ashes Scattered over the face fro m S ho re, w here t he T ide
properly the f our Cardinal
of the whole Earth that there Points a ccording t o the a ntique
e b b s a n d fiow s t wi c e i n 24 Rules of Masonry.
may be no Remembrance of me- Hours, m y B ody t o be bur nt
to A shes, m y A shes t o be
So help me God, Kissing the bible [54] Q. How are they situated ?
scatter'd upon t he F ace o f
'The word "wrote" is struck out. the Ea rth, s o that t here s hall A. East, South and
be no more R emembrance of West.
me among Masons.
So help me God.
 128 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. to129
clo
Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected se
the
[55] Q. What are their Lod
Uses ? ge and dis-miss the Men from
Labour, paying their Wages.
A. To light the Men to,
at and from their Work. [31] Q. Where [ 61] Q. W her e
[27] { does the fellow Craft [stand] st a nd s the Senior Enter'd
image}{image}Q. Where does the [56] Q. Why are
A. I n the So ut h 'Prentice ? A. In the South.
Master Stand there no Lights in the North ?
[ 32] Q. W hy so [ 62] Q. What is
A. I n the East A Because the Sun darts
h i s Business ?
no Rays from thence.
[27] Q. Why so A. To heal & Co nceal A. To hear and receive In-
[57] Q. W her e & Conceal & welcome strange structions and welco me strange
A. As the Sun Rises in the
stand s your Master ? Brothers Brothers.
East to open the Day So t h e
M a s t e r S t a n d s i n t h e East to A. I n the E ast. [33] 2. Where does [ 63] Q. W he r e
open the Lodge & Sett the Men ye Entered . apprentice st a nd s the Junior Enter'd 'Pren-
to Work [58] Q. Why so ? Stand 11 in the tice ? In.: the, North.
A. As t h e S u n r ie s i n [34] Q. Why so [ 64] Q. What is
the East and opens the Day, A. 'I' o heal & Conceal b i s Business ?
so the Master stands in the Receive Instructions & A. To keep off all Cowans and
E ast [w i t h h i s R i g h t H and Strengthen the Lodge Eves-droppers.
[28] Q. Where does ye upon hi s L eft B reast be ing a
Warden Stand Sign, an d M e Squar e ab out hi s [ 65] Q. If a Cowan (or
Neck] to open the Lodge and Listner) is catch'd, how is he to
A. in the West
to set his Men at Work. be punished ?
[29] Q. Why so A . t o b e p l a c ' d un-
[59] Q. W her e der the Eves of the Houses (in
stand s your Wardens ? rainy Weather) till the Water
A. As the Sun setts in the runs in at his Shoulders and out at
West to Close the Day so he A. In the West.
his Shoos.
dismisses the Men from Work [35]
[60] Q. Q. How is [32] Q. Ho w is it
What's their y o u r Lodge Situated situated ?
Business ? A. Due East & West as A. Due East and West.
A. As t he S un sets in all holy Places are or Ought
the West to close the Day, to be
so the Wardens stand in the [33] Q. Why so ?
West [with th eir Rig ht H ands A. Because all Churches and
upon t heir L eft B reasts being a Chappels are or ought to be so.
Sign, an d the L evel a nd Plumb-
Rule about their Necks]
 Wil- 130 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 131
kinson Masonry Dissected [42] Q
Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected
MS. .
fifth Science.
[31] Q. Where does the [38] Q. Have you any Fur- H
[36] Q. Where does it Stand Lodge stand ? niture in your Lodge ? av
e
A. Upon holy Ground in the A. Upon Holy Ground, A. Yes. yo
Vale of Iehosophat or Elsewhere or the highest Hill or lowest
[39] Q. What is it ? u
Vale, or in the Vale Of
an
Jeho sa pha t, or any o ther A. Mosaick Pavement, y
[37] Q. How high is secret Place. Blazing Star and Indented I
your Lodge Tarse!. m
Q. [29] How high ?
A. Feet & Inches Innumerable [40] Q. What are they ? m
A. Inches, Feet and o
Yards innumberable, as A. Mosaick Pavement, v
high as the Heavens. t h e G r o u n d F l o o r o f t h e ea
L od ge , Bla zing S ta r th e bl
[30] Q. How deep ? Centre, and Indented Tarse! e
[38] Q. What is the A. To the Centre of the the Border round about it. Ie
form of your Lodge Earth.
w
[26] Q. What Form is the [43] Q. Have your any Je- el
A. An Oblong Square
Lodge ? wels in the Lodge ?
s
A. A long Square. A. Yes. in
Y
[ 27] Q. Ho w [44] Q. How many ? r
lo ng ? A. From East to A. Six. Three Moveable, Lo
and three Immoveable. dg
[39] Q. Why so West.
e
A. the Manner of our Great [28] Q. How
Master Hirams grave A. W e h a ve
broad ? A. From North to
[40] Q. What is the South. [43] Q. How
Center of yr Lodge many A. three
A. the Letter G
[44] Q. What are they
[41] Q. What does it Signify [2',2] Q. Why was you A. t h e M o s a i c k P a v e -
A. Geometry made a Fellow-Craft ? ment, the d ented Asler &
A. For the sake of the Let- the broach Urnell
ter G.
[2°,3] Q. What does
that G denote ?
A. G e o me t r y, o r t h e
 [47] Q. What are the Immoveable
Jewels ?

A. Trasel Board, Rough Ashler,

and Broach'd Thurnel.
132 The Wilkinson MS. Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected The Wilkinson MS. 133

[48] Q. What are Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected their

[45] Q. What's the first Use of
them Uses ?
[42] Q. Who do they pro-
A. Trasel Board for the Master to draw his
A. t he Mo saick P ave ment perly belong to ?
for the Master to draw his design Designs upon, Rough Ashler for the Fe l - lo w-
Cr a f t to tr y t he ir J e w e l s u p o n , a n d A. Bi ble to God, the
upon ; the dented Asler for the Compass to the Master and tice
fellow Craft to try their Iewells Broach'd Thur nel for the Enter'd 'Pren-
to learn to work upon. Square to the Fellow-Craft.
on' ; And the broach Urnell for
the Entered Apprentice to Work [51] Q. How is y!" Lodge
upon [341 Q. What supports
Supported a Lodge ?
[46] Q. Have you any Moveable
Iewells in yr. Lodge A. by three great. Pillars A. Three great Pillars.

A. We have
[52] Q. What do they [35]
[47] Q. How many A. Q. What
A. Wisdomare they
to Contrive ; A. Wisdom to contrive,
[45] Q. What are the Moveable Jewels ? SSignify
trength to Support & Str e n ?gt h to su p p or t, a n d
called
three
A. Square, Level and Plumb-Rule. Bea[u]ty to Adorn Beauty to adorn.
A. Wisd om , Str e ngth
[48] Q. What are they
[46] Q. What are their Uses. [37] Q. What Covering
and Beauty
A. Square, Levell & have you to the Lodge ?
A. Square to lay down True and
Plumb
Right Lines, Level to try all Horizon- tals, A. A clouded. Canopy of and
the Plumb -Rule to tr y all Uprights. divers Colours (or the Clouds.)
[49] Q, What are their Use [45] Q. Whats
[ 4 1 ] Q . W h a t i s t h e other Furnituret h e Name of a Mason of a Lodge ?
A. the Sq uar e to see y .2 t

Corner Stones are laid square ; A. Bible, Compass and Square. A. Giblin
the Levell that they are laid Lev-
ell And ye Plumb to Raise Perpen- [46] Q. What's a Mason's
diculars Sons Name
A. Lewis
[47] Q. Where
i s h i s Place
[50] Q. What's the A. Under the Eve s of
furniture of your Lodge the Lodge
A. the Bible, Compasses
& the Square
1 Originally "
upon."
2 Originallythe scribe wrote " th " as if to write " the ". This he blotted,
then he wrote " to" over it heavily,

K
Wil- 134 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected 135

kin- Masonry Dissected Wilkinson MS.

son MS. [ 83] Q. Ho w
lo ng d o you serve your Master ?
[56] Q. What's his A. From Monday Morning to
Priviledge Saturday Night.
A. To be Made a Mason before [84] Q. How do
all others y o u serve him ?
[14] Q. What makes a A. With Chalk, Charcoal and
[57] Q. How many makes Lodge ? Earthen Pan.
a Lodge. A. Five. [85] Q. What do they denote ?
A. five free & Accepted Ma-
sons met together in place and due [15] Q. What do they A. Freedom, Fervency and
form consist of ? Zeal.
A. One Master, t wo [67] Q. Where do you keep
Wardens, one Fellow- those Secrets ?
Craft, one Enter'd 'Prentice. [62] Q. Where do [you] A. Under my Left Breast.
keep Secretts as a Mason
[12] Q. What makes a [68] Q. Have you any Key to
[58] Q How many make a Just and Perfect Lodge ? those Secrets ?
true & perfect Lodge
A. Seven or more. A. Yes.
A. Seven
[13] Q. What do they [69] Q. Where do you keep it ?
[59] Q. What do they Consist consist of ? A. In a Bone Bone Box that
of
A. One Master, two neither opens nor shuts but with
A. A Master, two Wardens, two Fellow- Ivory Keys.
Wardens, two fellow Crafts and Crafts and two Enter'd 'Pren-
two Entered Apprentices tices. A. in a bone box that Nei- [70] Q. Does it hang or does it
ther Opens nor Shuts but with lie ?
[60] Q. Have you seen the [81] Q. Have you seen Ivory keys, nine Inches or a A. It hangs.
Master today your Master to-day ? Span from my Mouth
A. I ha v e A. Yes. [71] Q. What does it bang by ?
A. A Tow-Line 9 Inches or a
[61] Q. How was he Cloathed [82] Q, How was he Span.
A. In a Yello w Iacket & Cloathed ?
blew pr of breeches A. I n a Yello w Jacket
and Blue Pair of Breeches.
N.B. The Y ellow Ja cket
is M e C ompasses, and t he
Blue Breeches Me Steel Points.
 136 The Wilkinson MS. Masonry Dissected The Wilkinson MS. ' 3 7 Ma-
Wilkinson MS. Wilkinson MS. sonry Dissected
[73] O. How many Prin-
[63] Q. Have you any P ciples are there in Masonry ? [66] Q What [79] Q. What do you learn by
ri nciples A. Four. d i d y o u learn by being a being a GentlemanMason ?
A. I have
[72] Q
Mason A. Secresy, Morality
[74] Q. What are they ?
A. As a Working Mason and Goodfellowship.
. A. Point, Line, Super- to hew Stone & Raise Per-
What ficies and Solid. pendiculars—as a Gentleman [80] Q. What do you learn by
Mason, Secrecy Morality being an Operative Mason ?
A. Point, Line, Superficies [75] Q. Explain them.
& Solid & good ffellowship A. Hue, Square, Mouldstone,
A. Point the Centre
Definitions in Euclid
lay a Level and raise a Perpen-
(round w hich t he M aster
dicular.
1
A Point is y' wch hath no Part A cannot er r ) Line Length
l i n e i s a l e n g t h w i t h ! a breadth witho u t B r ea d t h , S u p e r -
f i c i e s Length and Breadth,
A superficies is yt wch kath Solid comprehends the whole.
only length & breadth
[67] Q. How
A Solid2 is y wch hath length Came you to be Made a Mason
breadth & Depth [76] Q
. How many Principle-Signs ? A. B y my o wn Desire
& ye Recomendatn of [ I ] Q. From whence
A. Four. came you ?
a friend
[77] Q. What are they ? A. From the Holy Lodge of St
[68] Q. Whence John's.
A. Guttural, Pectoral,
Corne you
Manual, Pedestal. [11] Q. Where was you made a
A. from the Holy Lodge Mason ?
[78] Q. Explain them. of St Iohn
A. In a Just and Perfect Lodge.
A. Guttural the Throat, [69] Q. Where
Pectoral the Breast, Man- were you made a Mason [93] Q. How blows the Wind ?
ual the Hand, Pedestal the A. in a true & perfect A. Due East and West.
Feet. lodge [94] Q. What's a
[63] Q. What [70] Q. How does Clock ? A. High Twelve.
i9 Mason the Wind blow
[91] Q. What's the Day for ?
A. A M a n b o r n b o r n of a A. Due East & West A. To See in.
Woman, Brother to a King,
Companion to a prince, & fellow to [71] Q. Whats a
a Lord Clock A. High Twelve
'In MS. " wch " is written over the word " line " which has been struck out.
In this and the two following cases "weh" has a contraction line over the
first two letters.
'The writer wrote " Sold " in error.
Wil- 138 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 139 Ma

kinson MS. Masonry Dissected Wilkinson MS. sonry Dissected

[72] Q. Whats the Night for [92] Q. What's the [ 77] W hen any
A. To hear & the day to see Night for ? thing is Given you by a
A. To Hear. Mason, & he Asks what it
[73] Q. Whats smells off ? the Ansr is, a
M e t a l Made off Mason
A. Neither Silver nor Gold [72] Q. What Metal is [78] Whats the Age of a
Pewter nor brass, Iron nor it of ? Mason
Steele—But the tongue of a good A. No manner of Metal Three times Seven
Report, that Speaks the Same be- at all ; but a Tongue of [ 9 0 ] Q. H o w o l d ar e you
hind a Brother as before his face — good Report is as good behind [79] When ?
a Brother's Back as before y o u a r e Asked how Old A. Under Seven De-
his Face. you are When an Apprentice n o t i n g h e h a s n o t p a s s ' d Mas-
under Seven;— fellow Craft ter.)
N.B. The K ey i s t he under 14 ; When a Master,
Tongue, the B one ' Bone B ox three times Seven.
[The following appears as a
[74]Q. if a Mason be lost the T eeth, t h e T ow-Line th e
paragraph in Prichard at the end
where is he to be found Roof of the Mouth.
of The M aster's P art and it
A. Between the Square & the should be compared with the
Compass Wilkinson MS., QQ. 77, 78, 79.]

[75] Q Why so N . B . I f a n y W o r k i n g Ma-

sons ar e at W ork, and y ou have a
A. b ec a use a Ma so n Shod
desire t o di stinguish Accepted
al wa ys b e up o n t h e S q u a r e
Masons from the rest, take a P iece o f
a n d l i v e w i t h i n Compass.
Stone, an d as k h i m w h a t i t
s m e l l s o f , h e immediately r e-
[76] When any Person or per- plies, n either Brass, I ron, nor St eel,
sons are in Company you know but o f a Mason; t hen by as king
not to be a Mason, the Common him, how ol d he i s, he r eplies abov e
Sayings are—It Rains, or it Seven, w hich de notes he has
dr op s, o r the House is Un- pass'd Master.
til'd—tyle the House &c
140 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 141

a grip, the former then exclaiming " I heal " (which would
NOT ES ON QUEST IONS AND ANSWE RS T O WHICH be " y e second " referred to in the question) and the latter replying "
THERE IS NOTHING CORRESPONDING IN PRICHARD. I conceal ".

Q.5. Comparison with Prichard suggests that this question is Q.6. The first two characters, followed by a faint dotted
really the answer to an omitted question : " Give me the p o ints line, are somewhat obscure bath in writing and in meaning. The
o f yo ur entrance.". A similar q uestio n and answer occurs in the first character would appear to be M, to judge by the M in the
Edinburgh Register House MS. (1696) :-
word " Mason " in Q.67. The second would appear to be Ex, to
judge by the Ex in the word " Examination " in the ninth line of
Q.3 What is the first point ? Ans : Tell me the first point the obligation. On the other hand, as the scribe frequently maties his
ile tell you the second, The first is to heill and conceall....1 x serve as ampersand, the Character should perhaps be read E&. As
The same caution on the part of the respondent is shown in A Ma- to what M E x………….. stands for, we can only hazard a guess. We
son' s Confession (c. 1727) :— suggest " Masons Exchange ……..[? grips] and that the Examiner
then• says " I heal " and the
Q. Are you a mason ? A. Yes. Q. How shall I know that Respondent replies " I conceal ". Unless something of this sort
? A. By signs, tokens, and points, of my entry. Ma ster. is read into the M Ex ......... the wrong persons will speak " I heal "
Shew me one of these. Pren tice. Shew you me the first, and " I conceal ", as explained in the note on Q.5.
and I'll shew you the second.—So the
master gives him the sign ..... P. Heal and conceal.2 Q.14. The Mystery o f F ree-Masonry (1730) has a question and
answer to much the saine effect :-
In Sloane MS. 3329 (c. 1700.), on the other hand, the corresponding ques-
tion reads :- Q. How was you admitted ?
A. W h e n I c a m e t o t h e f i r s t D o o n a M a n wi t h a
(Q) which is the first signe or token shew me the first and
dr awn S wo r d asked me, I f I had any W eap o ns ? I an-
I will shew you the second (A) the first is heal and Conceal
swer'd, No.'
or Conceal and keep secrett ...................... 3
A D ialogue be tween Si mon and P hilip, which, as stated in our
Thus in our Q.5 it may be the Examiner who is speaking and not the Reply to Comments on our paper in A.Q.C. lvii, we are disposed to
Respondent, but this would entail two difficulties : (i) it would date as c. 1725, has a note to the same effect
seem to be the Examiner who is indicated by the " M Ex " at the be-
ginning of Q.6 (see below), and who consequently says " I heal " ; (h) ................ At the door before you are admitted stands
(ii) the Respondent would certainly have to say " I conceal ", if an E n tr ed P r e n ti ce wi t h a d r a wn s wo r d to g uar d
the next question, " Q.7 What do you conceal ", is to make sense. against droppers, as they call them, from Hearkening.2

It may be, however, that Q.5, " Give me the first, I'le give you Q.20. The answer to this question corresponds roughly to the
ye Second ", relates, not to an omitted question about points of entry, answer in Masonry Di ssected given to Prichard's Q.17, " How did he
but to " certain gripes " mentioned in the answer to Q.4. In that [an enter'd 'Prentice] bring you [to the Lodge] " ?
case, the " M Ex " and faint dotted line in Q.6 may imply that the
Q.39 . T he statement that the for m o f the Lod ge is an ob-
Examiner receives from the Respondent
long square after " The Manner of our Great Master Hirams grave
1 E.M.C. 31. 2 E.M.C., 102. SE.M.C.,47 " occurs in no other early catechism, so far as we are aware.
1 E.M.C. 155. 2E.M.C., 179.
142 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 143
QQ.40, 41. Somewhat similar questions and answers occur in A " for the master-mason to draw his ground-draughts on ", so that
Dialogue Betweeen Simon and Philip there is a masonic precedent for the use of the square pavement as
given in our A.45.
Phil. Why was you made a Mason ?
Sim. For the sake of the Letter G.
Q.53. In a footnote on p.16 of his Constitutions of 1723,
Phil. What does it signifye ? Anderson writes of " Men of Hewing called also ..Ghiblim, Stone-
Sim. GEOMITRY. Squarers and Sculpturers ", giving [A.V.] 1 Kings 5.18. as the
reference. The Hebrew word " Giblim ", which " stone-squarers " is
Phil. Why GEOMITRY ?
intended to represent in that verse, would not appear to have any
Sim. Because it is the Roo t and fo und atio n o f all Arts etymological association with either stones or stone-cutters. No
and Sciences1. corresponding translation occurs in the Septuagint or in the
Vulgate ; nor is it found in the Genevan Bible (1560) or in the
By way of a reference to the letter G in Prichard, we print two Douai (Roman Catholic) English version (1582). The first ver-
questions and answers from bis Fellow-Craft's Degree, questions and sion in which the hybrid occurs is apparently the Bishops' Bible
answers more closely akin to those of A D ialogue than to those of (1568). In the Revised Version (1884), the Hebrew word is given
our manuscript. as a proper name—" Gebalites ". Gebal is a Phoenician word mean-
ing." boundary " or " terminus ", and was applied by the Phoeni-
QQ.44, 45. In making " The Mosaick Pavement " the first of cians to the northern part of the territory captured by their fore-
the Immovable Jewels, our manuscript differs from Prichard who fathers from the Hittites. Incidentally, there is a Hebrew word,
lists "Mosaick Pavement " among the Furniture of the Lodge " Gebul ", which means " border " or " fence " (usually of stone).
[40], and introduces the "Trasel Board " among the Immovable This Phoenician name—Gebal and Gebalites (or Giblim)--occurs in
Jewels [47]. Both our manuscript [45] and Prichard [48] define " [A.V.] Josh. 13.5, 1 Kings 5.18, Ezek. 27.9., and Ps.83.7. The ref-
Mosaick Pavement " and " Trasel Board " respectively as " for the erence in Joshua is to " the land of the Giblites " ; in Kings the
Master to draw his Design(s) upon ", which prima fa cie seems a marginal note to " Stonesquarers " reads " or Giblites " ; in Ezekiel
more suitable use for a Trasel [Tracing] Board than for a " Mo- there is reference to " the ancients of Gebal " ; in the Psalms "
saick Pavement ". Gebal " is mentioned as among the enemies of God.
The Edinburgh Register House and Chetwode Crawley MSS. give "
Square pavement " among the Jewels of the Lodge, the former Fro m the reference in J oshua we may infer that Gebal
along with " Perpend Esler " and " broad ovall "2, the latter originally denoted a district ; the reference in Ezekiel would
with " Perpendester " and " an Broked-mall "3. Sloane M S appear to be to the well-known city of that name, situated some-
3329 gives " Square paveur` ", the " blazing Star." and the " where between Sidon and Tyre. Jewish commentators regard it
Danty tassley " as the Jewels 4 , which corresponds closely with as an historical fact that the town of Gebal contained a gild of stone-
Prichard's Furniture of the Lodge [40.] None of these three cate- workers. The neighbourhood was a rocky one, and would afford
chisms defines the use of the " square pavement ", but A Mason's Con- opportunity for local people to become experts in the hewing
fession (1727), which gives the three Jewels of the Lodge as a " and dressing of stone. Jewish commentators think that I Kings
square pavement ", a " dinted ashler ", and a " broached damai "5, 5.18. indicates that as the builders of Solomon and Hiram of Tyre
states that the square pavement is did the Wood-work in connection with the Temple, the Giblites
1 did the stone-work ; hence the explanatory t ranslation of " Giblim "
E.M.C., 177. 2E.M.C., 32. 3E.M.C., 38. 47-8. 5E.M.C., 103.
as " stonesquarers." In a word, they think that
144 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 145
"stone-squarers" is a legitimate interpretation of the word Giblites, by Vitruvius (l st Cent. B.C.). 1 Cotgrave, Dictionary ( 1611), gives as
based on what is accepted as an historical fact, but it is not a one meaning of louve de fer," the (pinser-like) hooke of a crane." To use
literal translation. Anderson apparently followed the Authorised Ver- this type of contrivance, small holes have to he eut into the sides of
sion, and the, accepted interpretation, and he himself cannot have the block of stone, to enable the tongs to obtain a hold.
invented either the interpretation or the translation.' In the Wilkin-
son MS. the word Giblim is spelt Giblin, and it is also so spelt in The
(iii) What English stonemasons call a lewis, of which the com-
Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd (1724), where it is said to be
mon type consists of three parts, two wedge-shaped side pieces
the Jerusalem Word, though no meaning is given. Anderson's and a straight central piece which serves as packing to hold the
spelling (1723) is Ghiblim, and thus he is not responsible for the wedges in position in the specially prepared hole which has been
incorrect form Giblin. The final -n in this latter form was an anglici- undercut to receive them. T he three pieces, after insertion in
sation, similar to cherubin, c herubins, for cherubim, and seraphin, the hole, are bolted together and a metal eye or shackle at -
seraphins, for seraphim. The existence by 1724 of the anglicised. form
tached . T lus the l e w i s o b tains its gr ip b y b ein g dovetailed
Giblin indicates that the term was already known to English masons,
into a block of stone. We reproduce a lewis of this type from the
and that its form had followed the usual process of anglicisation of frontispiece of Anderson's Constitutions of 1756.
Hebrew plural nouns ending in -im.

QQ.54, 55, 56. The primary meaning of lewis is an iron con-

trivance by means of which heavy blocks of stone can be raised.
There are at least three entirely different devices that answer the
purpose, only one of which is described in modern English as a
lewis, though at least two of them are called louves i n F r en c h : -
(i) What English stonemasons call lifting dogs, two iron hooks
which are inserted in small holes cut in two sides of a block of
stone (e.g. in the two ends of a window sill), the chains to which the This type of contrivance does not appear to have been known in
hooks are fastened being passecl through a ring and then attached England or on the Continent in early modern times, though the discov-
to a crane or other lifting device. This contrivance is doubtless. ery, both in this country and on the Continent, of ancient masonry
called dogs, because a dog, like a wolf, having once got its teeth with " lewis-holes " points to the device having been known to
into anything, does not easily let go. Lewis and Short, Latin- the ancients, always assuming that the " lewis-holes " referred to
English D ictionary, gives as a secondary meaning of lupus, prop- by archaeologists are of the undercut variety into which the
erly he-wolf, " A hook with which things are hoisted." three pieces of a lewis could be dovetailed 2 and not merely holes
(ii) What English stonemasons call lifting tongs. These con- eut in stones to give a hold to dogs or tongs. We have not traced
sist of two pieces of iron pivotted together like a pair of scissors, an illustration of the contrivance in Europe in the later Middle
the lower end of each piece being hook-shaped. They were appar- Ages or in early modem times. Three early devices for lifting
ently also used by the ancients, being called forcipes stones are illustrated from medieval manuscripts in F. B. Andrews, "
The Mediaeval Builder and his Methods " (Trans. B irm. A rch, Soc.,
1
Incidentally, it may be noted that a somewhat similar translation of " Giblim," les tailleurs de 1922) ; in one case the stones are carried in a basket ; in another a
pierres, occurs in the French Bible. stone is held in two rope slings ; and in two cases the stones are
held by nippers or tongs. There is no illustration showing the use of a
lewis. Nor is the word, in any of

1Charles Perrault in his Notes on Vitruvius.

2The so-called plug and chain lewis, eonsisting of two parts, also requires an undercut hole of
this type, and the lewis used by the ancients may have been of this variety.
146 The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. 147

its various forms, given in T. N., 'Philomath,' Builders' D ictionary (i) A d ialect fo r m l e v i s ( 1 8 76 W hitb y Glo ssar v) has
(1703). The earliest examples in O.E.D. are 1740 for luis h ole and suggested a derivation from the French lever [to raise], as in
1743 for lewis. The C entury D ictionary quotes an example of lewis- pont-levis. According to O.E.D. the formation and phonology are
hole from Defoe's Tour t hrough G reat B ritain but we are unable to say not easily explained on this hypothesis. We see a further objec-
at present whether this word appears in the first edition (1724-6), or tion ta this suggested derivation : the object of the metal con-
in a later edition revised by other writers. trivances known as dogs, tongs, and lewis is to grip or hold a stone
so that it can be raised by means of a derrick, or crane, or other
The appearance of a lewis in the frontispiece of Anderson's Constitu- clevice, whereas lever is merely concerned with lifting.
tions of 1756 has been mentioned above. One also is to be found in
the frontispiece of Anderson's Constitutions of 1784, in that case, in (ii) We think it highly probable that Eng. lewis (in our
conjunction with a block of stone which is being lifted with the assis- s e n s e , n o t a s p r o p e r n a me ) c a me f r o m F r . l o u v e ( s ) , a n d
tance of a rope and pulley and three shear-legs,- the whole contraption t h i s i n t u r n f r o m L a t . l u p u s , i n t h e s e c ô n d a r y s e n s e of '
being a small model that is standing on a table. hook '. Hudson Turner, Domestic A rchitecture, I. xxxii, gives a
mediaeval English for m lowes, and F. B. Andrews, T h e M e -
In France the word louve vas certainly used in the sense of lewis, d i a e v a l B u i l d e r a n d h i s M e t h o d s , ' B i r m . A r c h . S o c . T ra n s .,
as early as 1676, because Félibien, Principes d 'Architecture (1676), xlviii. 6 7 , gi ves a fo r m l o w y s . Unfo r tunatel y, n e i t h e r e d i t o r
p.640, refers as follows to louveteaux : " ce sont les coins de fer que g i v e s a n e x a c t r e f e r e n c e t o h i s s o u r c e . These two forms,
l'on met à côté des louves et qui servent a les retenir." Thus we learn which are common scribal forms of the same word, look like late
that as early as 1676 the central and side pieces of a lewis were distin- Middle English forms (say 1300-1500) : each would be pro-
guished in French as louve [ =she-wolf] and louveteaux [ = m ale wolf nounced loo-is., the correct pronunciation of the modern word
lewis (in our sense). The change of spelling from -ow- to -ew- need
'
cubs], a distinction which still exists in French. We have failed to
discover any corresponding distinction either in literary or in not arouse suspicion. A parallel sufficiently near is the Old French
colloquial English, but think it possible that originally, on the word brouet, brouetz, which became browes, brouwys, in Middle English,
French analogy of parent and son, lewisson, a present-day variant of and brewis (pronounced broo-is) in modem English. Similarly,
lewis, may have stood for the side pieces, and lewis for the central Lowis, Lowys, was a common AngloNorman form (say 1100) of the
piece, as well as for the whole contrivance. name now spelt Louis in French and Lewis in English. In the
fourteenth century, in the MS. of his Treatise o f t he As trolabe
It is stated in more than one place [e.g. F. Gibson, " Observations (1391), Chaucer spelt the name of bis son, to whom the work is ad-
on ........... the Lewis," Arch. x (1790), 126 and Lloyd's Encyclopaedic dressed, Lowys [now Lewis].
Dictionary] that the lewis in its three-piece form was invented or
modernized by a Frenchman in the reign of Louis XIV. (1643-1715), and T he Midd le E nglish forms l o we s, l o w ys, ma y easily b e
that it was named out of compliment to that French king. This is anglicised written forets of the mediaeval French word louves, w in
obviously a fictitious story, as the French name of the device is not mediaeval MSS. being frequently used for uu, vv, u v, and vu, and
louis, but louve, a name applied as early as 1611, as cited above. also for u and v : these scribal variations were so common as not
to arouse doubt. Change of pronunciation would follow the
The origin of the word lezeis, l ewiss, le wisson, lo uis, l uis, is de- change of written letter as the word and its pronunciation became
scribed by Wyld (Universal En glish D ictionary) as unknown. and by anglicised.
O.E.D. as obscure.
What we are not certain of is that the Fr. louve(s) and the
Mid dle E nglish lo w y s, wer e used for the co ntrivance no w
called the lewis. The mediaeval term may have been used for
1 8
4 The Wilkinson MS. The .Wilkinson MS. 149

the caliper-type of stone-lifting apparatus, or for any other 7

mechanical device, other than slings or baskets, and transferred to
the lewis as we know it today, when that was invented. Since there Ag ai n le t i t p a s s to t h e RO Y AL lo v 'd N AM E ,
are apparently no allusions to this type of lewis before 1676 it Whose glorious Admission has crown'd all our Fame :
would look as though this particular type of apparatus was not May a LEWIS be born, whom the World shall admire,
invented until the middle of the seventeenth century, and this Serene as his Mother, August as his Sire.
would explain the origin of the false attribution of the name to Chorus
Louis XIV. The Romans apparently used some type of stone- Now a LEWIS is born, whom the World shall admire,
lifting apparatus worked by a hole in the centre of the upper surface Serene as his MOTHER, August as his SIRE.
of the stone, but we have not discovered exactly what this appara- To our Brother FREDERICK, his Royal Highness the Prince
tus was, and we leave this aspect open for further investigation. of Wales.
In the "Wilkinson M S. we are concerned with lewis in its sec- To our Brother FRANCIS, his Royal Highness the Grand Duke of
ondary meaning as " the son of a mason." How it acquired that Tuscany.
meaning, unless it be by derivation from the French practice, we do
To the Lewis
not know. In French the word louve [she-wolf] applies not only to
the whole operative contrivance, but more particularly to the central An derson presumably added or amended the Chorus and Toasts after
piece of the contrivance, the wedge-shaped side pieces being the " Lewis " [who succeeded to the Throne as George III. in 1760]
called louveteaux [male wolf cubs]. In the Compagnonnage, the was born on 4 June 1738. It has been suggested, in Misc. Lat., vi, 50,
mediaeval French organisation of building craftsmen, those mem- that Gofton, the author of the verse, introduced the name " Lewis " in
bers who were masons by trade were called loups [he-wolves], which anticipation that the child would be a son, and that he would be called
doubtless led to " the son of a mason " being called louveteau or male Lewis, because that was the second name of Frederick, Prince of
wolf-cub, as is still the practice in France. As the French louve and Wales, and that it was in this way that " Lewis " acquired its secon-
louveteau were collectively called lewis in English, and there dary meaning, " the son of a mason." We regard this suggested expla-
would not appear to be any English name for that part called lou- nation as fantastic, and do not accept it any more than we do the
veteau in French (although possibly, as tentatively suggested above, previously mentioned legend that the operative contrivance was
the word lewisson was once used in that way), so in English " the son named after Louis XIV. So far as the secondary meaning is con-
of a mason " was, and still is, described as a lewis. cerned, Gofton's verse throws no light on either the " place " or the
" privilege " of a lewis, referred to the QQ.55,56 of the Wilkinson
The only other explanation with which we are acquainted, MS . We are disposed to think that the word lewis already had its secondary
namely, what may be described as the Frederick Lewis theory, we meaning, " the son of a mason," at the time when the additions were
most certainly do not accept. It arises from the occurrence of, the made to the Deputy Grand Master's Song', c. 1738, and that the
word lewis, apparently in its secondary sense, in " The Deputy references in the Wilkinson M S., whether written before or after 1738,
Grand Master's Song," as printed in Anderson's Constitutions of reflect established masonic usage.
1738 :—
Additional Stanza by B rother Gofton, at t he T ime w hen the Q.65. Though there is nothing corresponding to this in Prich-
PRINCE was m ade a Mason [5 Nov. 1737]' and w hile the ard, there is in Dumfries No. 4 MS. (c. 1710.) :—
PRINCESS was pregnant. 1
" The Deputy Grand Master's Song " is a variant of " The Master-Mason's Ballad," first printed in
'Anderson's Constitutions (1738), p. 137. Pennell's Constitutions of 1730, and written by the Rev. James Sterling. See E.M.P., 232.
 150Q The Wilkinson MS. The Wilkinson MS. ForI 5I
. the
Q. What are you no more to ... A yes but a man I was begot- answers of the Fellow Craft, "under fourteen," and of the Master,
ten of a man & barn of a woman and besids I have severall po- " three times seven," we know of no parallel. The implication is
tentat kings & mighty princes to my brothers' that three degrees were recognised at the date to which the work-
and in The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd (1724) :- ing portrayed in the Wilkinson MS. relates, which is not incompati-
ble with the date of c. 1727 suggested above. The subject of the
[Q.] What is a Mason ?
development of the trigradal system is a very large question,
A. A Man begot of a Man, bora of a Woman, Brother ta a which we have discussed elsewhere,' and do not propose to enter
King. upon here.
Q. What is a Fellow ?
A. A Companion of a Prince2. CONCLUSION
Q.67. There is a somewhat similar question and answer in A The Wilkinson M S. is the first MS. Catechism to be brought to
Dialogue between Simon and Philip :— our notice since we published our Early Masonic C atechisms in
Phil. What was the first question that the Master ask'd you 1943. It is an addition to the small number of early catechisms
when• you was admitted. known, and it adds to our body of knowledge concerning early eight-
eenth-century masonic working. In particular, it throws light on
Sim. Whither it was of my own free will that I carne the evolutiou of the Enter'd 'Prentice's Degree as portrayed in Masonry
thither to be made a Mason. I answered Yes3. Dissected. On the other hand, there is a great deal in Prichard which
Q.73. This question, which, as previously mentioned, links up it does not help to explain, and we can only hope that the quest for
with Q.62, refers to the key to the secrets of a mason, which is enlarged new versions of the MS. Catechisms will continue and be rewarded
upon in. Prichard, QQ. 68, 69, 70, 71, but omitted from the Wilkinson with a success in some measure comparable with that which, during
MS. the last 80 years or so, has attended the quest for new versions of
QQ.74, 75. We know of no parallel, but see Q.2 on p. 168. the Old Charges. Finally, we hope that the reproduction o f the
VRYHEYT water mar k on page 9 may ultimately enable a more
Q. 76. Reference to drops [" the unentered prentice, or any accurate dating of the paper to hecome possible.
others not of their society "] 4 occurs in A Mason's Confession (1727),
and to " droppers " [? short for " eavesdroppers "], and to the
House being " tiled " or " untiled," 5 in A Dialogue b etween Simon and NOTE. By way of warning, we may quote a passage from our
Philip. Early Masonic Catechisms, pp. 29-30 :
QQ.78, 79. Prichard Q.80 and The Mystery o f F ree-Masonry taking everything juta account, there would seem
(1730) have answers of the " under seven " type, to which The fairly good grounds for thinking that the early masonic cate-
Mystery adds an explanatory note :— chisms, written or printed before 1731, however reliable
N.B. When you are first made a Mason, you are only en- they may be in some respects, do not accurately reflect the
tered Apprentice ; and until you are made a Master, or, as character of the ceremonies practised by accepted ma-
they call it, pass'd the Master's Part, you are only en- so ns in the first three decad es o f the eighteenth century.
ter'd Apprentice, and consequently must answer under 7 ;
for if you say above, they will expect the Master's Word
and Signs6. 1
See Knoop and Jones, The Genesis of Freemasonry, Chap. XII.
1 2 3 ,
E.M.C:, 62. E M.C., 77, E.M.C., 177. 4E.M.C., 104. 5EMC., 179.
4
.E.M.C., I55.
 The Mystery of Free-Masonry 153
tho' it must be confessed, they could not easily know what it was, till
they had been cloathed and initiated, and of consequence first found them-
THE MYSTERY OF FREE-MASONRY, 1730 selves Brethren from Head to Foot, and so obliged (Se Defendendo) to
propagate the Jest with as solemn a Face as the rest. But yet I have
This anonymous catechism is appended to a letter, signed ‘F.G.', com-
been tempted to believe, that if there were any thing in it, either
mencing " The Grand Whimsy of Masonry has long been the subject of
useful or worthy of Imitation, the Secret had not been so tena-
amusement . . .", printed in the Daily Journal, No. 2998, 15 August 173o. It
ciously kept till now : And we may challenge the warmest Advo-
was also issued under the above title as a broadside, probably previous to its
cate for the Whim, to look round on all his Acquaintance of the Fraternity,
insertion in the newspaper [see Introduction, p. 17 above], and also as The
and make it appear, that any of 'em have come out either wiser or bet-
Mystery and M otions of F ree-Masonry D iscovered, and as T he P uerile
Signs and W onders of a F ree-Mason: This last printed broadside, of
ter Mess for their Admission, and if such decline to be Judges in
which there is a copy in the London Guildhall Library, was reprinted in their own Cause, we will leave the Decision of this Point to the gond
Misc. Lat., iii. According to W. J. Hughan (A.Q.C., xvii, 92) and to Bro. Poole
Wives of the Brethren, to inform the World, what superadded Por-
tion of Wisdom, or Improvement of Morais, or Sobriety, in their
(A.Q.C., xxxvii, 5) this catechism was also issued under the title The Mys-
dear Spouses, they have found to be the Consequences of their En-
tery cf Free-masons, a document not recorded in Dring's " Tentative List ", or in
Vibert's Rare Bo oks, though Thorp (p. 1 5) records The Mystery o f F ree- trance ; always supposing, that Orators, RareeShow-Men, and Publi-
Masons, and F. W. Levander (Mise. L at., iii, 125) states that there is an en-
cans, who are so much wiser in their Generation than the Children of
graved sheet with the title The M ystery o f F ree-Masons in the British Light, that they can reap Advantage and Subsistence from the Follies
Museum. Thorp lists this catechism as Grand Whimsy of Masonry, and Poole of others, together with their respective Wives, Daughters, Box and
Bar-keepers, be out of the Question, as too much concerned in Interest.
as The Grand Whimsey. Our reprint is from a copy of the newspaper in the
Bodleian [MS. Rawl. C. 136]. See Introduction, pp. 17, 20 above. At last, the Death of a Brother, who for his own Remembrante and
Observation, had seem'd to have committed to Writing, the Form
To the Author of the DAILY JOURNAL.
and Manner of his Admission, which he kept among his choicest and most
SIR, private Papers, and in the most secret Part of his Cabinet, has given us
The Grand Whimsy of Masonry has been long the Subject of a Light into the mysterious Part of Entrance, into their puerile
Amusement to diverse Persons, who have wonder'd, that among so Signs and Wonders. I shall]. not pretend to use many Words to bespeak
many idle People as have been admitted. into that Society, many of your Readers Belief of the Genuineness of this MS. only referring him to
whom are not noted for eminent Virtues, or the Gift of Taciturnity, the the Observation of the Conduct of the Fraternity on this Occasion, who
boasted Secret has never been, thro' Inadvertence, or the Power of Liq- will be sure to be either very angry, or very silent, or very zealous to
uor, divulg'd. Some have imputed this to one Cause, some to another, decry it, if it be really what I in rnyself have
while others have judged, (with too much Appearance of Reason) that abundant Reason to be satisfied it have taken up too much of
it must be of a very unaccountable Nature, that they are afraid or your Room, supposing you will be so kind to insert this as well as
ashamed to divulge it ; since, say they, if there were any thing Praise- the Piece ; and pray reserve zoo of the Papers, which a Servant in
worthy or Excellent in it, what should hinder their publishing of it for the Blue Livery faced with Yellow, and Brass Buttons, shall call and
Imitation of others ? satisfy you for, as well as for the Demand you shall think fit to make for
For my own Part, I must needs say, that I am not of their Opinion, who thus obliging
think there is any thing criminal, or greatly indecent or shameful in it, Your Constant Reader,
because of the many Gentlemen of Honour and Character, who have conde- F. G.
scended (no doubt in a merry and ludicrous Vein) to countenance those
already in, by becoming Members of the Fraternity ;
154 The Mystery of Free-Masonry The Mystery of Free-Masonry 155
THE MYSTERY OF FREE-MASONRY Q. Whence comes the Pattern of an Arch ? A. From the Rainbow.
Q. Are you a Mason ? A. I am. Q. Is there a Key for your Lodge ? A. Yes, there is.
Q. How shall I know you are a Mason ? A. By Signs, Tokens, and Points Q. Where is it kept ? A. In an Ivory Box, between my Tongue and
of my Enterance. my Teeth, or under the Lap of my Liver, where the Secrets of my
Q. How was you made ? A. Neither naked nor cloathed, standing or Heart are.
lying, but in due Form. Q. Is there a Chain to your Key ? A. Yes, there is.
Q. Give me a Sign. A. Every Square is a Sign; but the most Sol- Q. How long is it ? A. As long as from my Tongue, to my Heart.
emn is the Right-hand upon the Left-breast, the Arm hanging down, a Q. Where does the Key of the Working-Lodge lie ? A. h lies
little extended from the Body. upon the Right-hand, from the Door two Feet and a half, under a
Q. Give me a Letter. A. B. O. A. Z. Green Turf, or under a Square Ashler.
Q. Where does the Master Mason set his Mark upon the Work. A.
When this Question is ask'd you are to give the Letter B. The Querist will
Upon the South-East Corner.
say O. you A. he Z.
Q. Have you been in the Kitchen ?
Q. Give me another. A. J. A. C. H. I. N.
N.B. You shall know an Enter'd Apprentice by this Question.
Alternately as Boaz. N.B. Boaz and Jachin were two Pillars in Solomon's
Porch. r Kings, vii. 21. A. Yes, I have.
Q. To what Lodge do you belong ? A. The Holy Lodge of St. John. Q. Did you ever dine in the Hall ?
Q. How is it seated ? A. East and West, as all other Temples are. Q. N.B. A Brother Mason by this Question.
Where was you enter'd ? A. In a Just and Perfect Lodge. A. Yes, I did.
Q. What makes a Just and Perfect Lodge ? A. A Master, two
Q. How old are you ? A. Under 5, or under 7, which you will.
Wardens, and four Fellows, with Square, Compass, and Common
Gudge. N.B. When you are first made a Mason, you are only entered Apprentice
; and till you are made a Master, or, as they call it, pass'd the Master's
N.B. One of them must be a Working Mason.
Part, you are only an enter'd Apprentice, and consequently must answer
Q. Where was you made ? A. In the Valley ofJehosaphat, behind a under 7 ; for if you say above, they will expect the Master's Word and
Rush Bush, where a Dog was never heard to bark, nor a Cock to crow, Signs.
or elsewhere. Note, There is not one Mason in an Hundred that will be at the Expence to
Q. Where was the first Lodge kept ? A. In Solomon's Porch, the Pil- pass the Master's Part, except it be for Interest.
lars were call'd Jachin and Boaz. Q. How was you admitted ?
Q. How many Orders be there in Architecture ? A. There be five,
Tuscan, Dorick, Ioniçk, Corinthian, and Composite or Roman. N.B. Some will ask what was that Form after the third Question and
Q. How many Points be there in the Fellowship ? A. There be five, Answer above.
'st Foot to Foot, zd Knee to Knee, 3d Hand to Hand, 4th Heart to Heart,
A. When I came to the first Door, a Man with a drawn Sword
and 5th Ear to Ear.
asked me, If I had any Weapons ? I answer'd, No. Upon which
Q. How do Masons take their Place in Work ? A. The Master's
lie let me pass by him into a dark Entry ; there two Wardens took
Place East, the Warden's East, and the Fellows the Eastern Passage.
me under each Arm, and conducted me from Darkness into Light,
Q. How many precious Jewels be there in Masonry ? A. Three, the
passing thro' two Rows of the Brotherhood, who stood mute, to the
Master, Wardens, and Fellows.
upper End of the Room, from whence the Master vent down the
Outside of one of the Rows, and touching a young Brother on the
156 The Mystery of Free-Masonry

Shoulder, said, Who have we here ? To which he answer'd, A

Gentleman who desires to be admitted a Member of the Society. P R I C H A R D 'S M A S O N R Y D I S S E C T E D , 1 7 3 o
Upon which he came up again, and asked me, If I came there thro' my own The first edition of this 3 2 pp. 8vo pamphlet (about 7 " X 4") was ad-
Desire, or at the Request or Desire of another ? I said, My own. He then vertised for sale in the Daily Journal on Tuesday, 20th October 173o : "
told me, If I would become a Brother of their Society, I must take the This day is published . . . MASONRY DISSECTED . . . by Samuel Prichard . . .
Oath administered on that Occasion. To which assenting, a Square was Printed for J. Wilford . . ." The second edition, also printed for Wil-
laid on the Ground, in which they made me kneel bareknee'd, and giving ford, was advertised the very next day, 21st October, and again on 23rd Oc-
a Compass into my Right-Hand, I set the Point to my Left-Breast, and tober. The third edition (also printed for Wilford) was advertised on Satur-
my Left-Arm hanging down. The Words of the Oath I can't remember, day, 3rst October 1730. The pamphlet had been reprinted in Read's Weekly
but the Purport was as follows : Journal on 24th October. An undated and pirated edition (printed by Tho-
I Sol emnly pr otest and s wear, i n t he P resence of A lmighty G od, mas Nichols), with the title misspelt Masonry Disected, had also probably
and t his Society, t hat I will not, by Word of Mouth o r Si gns, di s- made its appearance by the end of October 173o. Until quite recently it was
cover any Se crets which shall be c ommunicated t o me t his N ight, believed that this Nichols pirated reprint was the first edition (see Vibert,
or at any time hereafter : That I will not write, carve, engrave, or Rare Books ; Dring, A.Q.C., xxv, 366 ; Thorp, 15), but in 1940 Bro. S.
cause to b e written, ca rved, o r engraven t he s anie, e ither upon N. Smith (A.Q.C., li, 138) drew attention to the existence of a copy of the
Paper, C opper, Brass, W ood, or St one, or any Moveable or I m- genuine first edition in Grand Lodge Library, and of another in the Wallace
moveable, or a ny ot her way d iscover t he s ame, t o a ny but a Heaton collection. There is a copy of the Nichais edition in the Library of
Brother or Feu. Craft, under no less Penalty thon having my Heart the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts,' which originally belonged to E. T.
pluck' d thro' the Pap of my Left-Breast, my Tangue by the Roots from Carson of Cincinnati, who reprinted it in 1867. The second edition, of which
the Roof of my Mouth, my Body to be burnt, and my Ashes to be scatter'd there is a copy in the Leicester Masonic Library, was reprinted in 1929 in
abroad in the Wind, whereby I may be lost to the Remembrante of a Brother. Leics. Reprints, xii, with Introduction and Notes by J. T. Thorp. The third
edition, the earliest in the British Museum, is the first to contain " A List of
After which I was cloathed.
Regular Lodges according to their Seniority and Constitution ", though the
N.B. The Cloathing is putting on the Apron and Gloves. fact that this list is appended is not indicated on the title page, as is the case
with at least some subsequent editions (e.g., 7th and 21st). To make room
Q. How was the Master cloathed ? A. In a Yellow Jacket and
for this list, the " Fellow-Craft's Degree " in the 3rd edition begins half way
Blue Pair of Breeches.*
down p. 19 (which was left half blank in the 2nd edition), thereby enabling
Q. What was you doing while the Oath was tendering ? A. I was
the " Master's Part " to finish ors p. 28, instead of ors p. 29. In each edition
kneeling bare-knee'd betwixt the Bible and the Square, taking the
the following two pages (29 and 3o in the 3rd ; 3o and 31 in the and) con-
solemn Oath of a Mason.
tain the " Author's Vindication" ; in the 3rd edition pp. 31 and 32 are occu-
* N.B. Ths Master is not otherwise cloathed than common ; the Question pied by the List of Lodges, printed in double column, whereas in the end
and Answer are only emblematical, the Yellow Jacket, the Compasses, and edition p. 32 is blank. Some thirty numbered editions of the pamphlet
the Blue Breeches, the Steel Points. printed in England, and eight printed in Scotland, have been traced. In addi-
N.B. There's a Bible put in the Right-Hand, and the Square under the tion to these 8vo or 12mo numbered editions, which mostly contain from 24 to
Right-Elbow. 32 pages, there is an old unnumbered and undated (? pirated) foolscap 4to
edition, (8f" X 64"), consisting of 8 pages,• mostly printed in double col-
umn, with no indication where, or
1
The British Museum does not possess a copy of the Nichols edition, as
Dring seems to imply. The pressmark he quotes refers to the 7th edition of
1737, printed by Cooper.
157
158 Masonry Dissected Masonry Dissected 159
by whom, it was printcd. The only known copy of this edition is in the tians, and he communicated it to Hiram, the Master-Mason concern'd in
Lahore Masonic Library ; a photographic reproduction, reduced to 51/2". X 4", the Building of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, where was an
was issued in 1941. Our reprint is from the copy of the 3rd edition in the excellent and curious Mason that was the chief under their Grand-
British Museum. See Introduction, pp. 17, 20-21 above. Master Hiram, whose Name was Mannon Grecus, who taught the Art
MASONRY DISSECTED : Being A Universal and Genuine Description of Masonry to one Carolos Marcil in France, who was afterwards
Of all its Branches from the Original to this Present Time. As it is elected King of France, and from thence was brought into England in
deliver'd in the Constituted Regular Lodges Both in' City and the Time of King Athelstone, who order'd an Assembly to be held once
Country, According to the Several Degrees of Admission. Giving every Year at York, which was the first Introduction of it into England, and
an Impartial Account of their Regular Proceeding in Initiating their New Masons were made in the Manner following.
Members in the whole Three Degrees of Masonry. viz. I. Enter'd Tunc unus ex Senioribus teneat Librum, ut illi vel Ille ponant vel
'Prentice, IL FellowCraft, III. Master. To which is added, The Au- pont Manus supra Librum ; tum Praecepta debeant legi. i.e. Whilst
thor's Vindication of himself. The Third Edition. By Samuel one of the Seniors holdeth the Book, that he or they put their Rands
Prichard, late Member of a Constituted Lodge. London : Printed for upon the Book, whilst the Master ought to read the Laws or Charges.
J. Wilford, at the Three Flower-de-Luces behind the Chapter-house near Which Charges were, That they should be true to one another
St. Paul's. 173o. (Price 6d.) without Exception, and should be obliged to relieve their Brothers and
[OATH] Fellows Necessities, or put them to labour and reward them accordingly.
But in these latter Days Masonry is not composed of Artificers, as it was
Samuel Prichard maketh Oath, That the Copy hereunto annexed is a in its primaeval State, when some few Catechetical Questions were neces-
True and Genuine Copy in every Particular. sary to declare a Man sufficiently qualified for an Operative Mason.
Jur' 13. the Oct. 1730. coram me, R. Hopkins. The Terms of Free and Accepted Masonry (as it now is) has not
Sam. Prichard. been heard of till within these few Years ; no Constituted Lodges or Quar-
[DEDICATION] terly Communications were heard of till 1691, when Lords and Dukes,
To the Rt. Worshipful and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Ac- Lawyers and Shopkeepers, and other inferior Tradesmen, Porters not
cepted Masons. excepted, were admitted into this Mystery or no Mystery ; the first sort
being introduc'd at a very great Expence, the second sort at a moderate
Brethren and Fellows,
Rate, and the latter for the Expence of six or seven Shillings, for
If the following Sheets, done without Partiality, gains the universal Ap- which they receive that Badge of Honour, which (as they term it) is
plause of so worthy a Society, I doubt not but its general Character will be more ancient and more honourable than is the Star and Garter, which
diffused and esteemed among the remaining Polite Part of Mankind Antiquity is accounted, according to the Rules of Masonry, as delivered
: Which, I hope, will give intire Satisfaction to all Loyers of Truth, by their Tradition, ever since Adam, which I shall leave the candid
and I shall remain, with all humble Submission, the Fraternity's Most Reader to determine.
Obedient Humble Servant,
From the Accepted Masons sprang the Real Masons, from both
Sam. Prichard.
sprang the Gormogons, whose Grand-Master the Volgi deduces his
MASONRY DISSECTED Original from the Chinese, whose Writings, if to be credited, main-
The original Institution of Masonry consisteth on the Foundation of tains the Hypotheses of the Pre-Adamites, and consequently must be
the Liberal Arts and Sciences ; but more especially on the Fifth, viz, more antique than Masonry.
Geometry. For at the Building of the Tower of Babel, the Art and The most free and open Society is that of the Grand Kaihebar, which
Mystery of Masonry was first introduc'd, and from thence handed down by consists of a select Company of Responsible People, whose chief
Euclid, a worthy and excellent Mathematician of the Egyp-
16o Masonry Dissected Masonry Dissected 161

Discourse is concerning Trade and Business, and promoting mutual Friend- Q. What do they consist of? A. One Master, two Wardens, two Fellow-
ship without Compulsion or Restriction. Crafts and two Enter'd 'Prentices.
But if after the Admission into the Secrets of Masonry, any new Q. What makes a Lodge ? A. Five.
Brother should dislike their Proceedings, and reflect upon himself for being Q. What do they consist of ? A. One Master, two Wardens, one Fellow-
so casily cajoled out of his Money, declines the Fraternity or secludes Craft, one Enter'd 'Prentice.
himself upon the Account of the Quarterly Expences of the Lodge and Q. Who brought you to the Lodge ? A. An Enter'd 'Prentice.
Quarterly Communications, notwithstanding he has been legally admitted Q. How did he bring you ? A. Neither naked nor cloathed, barefoot
into a Constituted and Regular Lodge, shall be denied the Privilege nor shod, deprived of all Metal and in a right moving Posture.
(as a Visiting Brother) of knowing the Mystery for which he has al-
Q. How got you Admittance ? A. By three great Knocks.
ready paid, which is a manifest Contradiction according to the Institu-
tion of Masonry itself, as will evidently appear by the following Treatise. Q. Who receiv'd you ? A. A Junior Warden.
Q. How did he dispose of you ? A. He carried me up to the
Enter'd 'Prentice's DEGREE. North-East Part of the Lodge, and brought me back again to the
West and deliver'd me to the Senior Warden,
Q. FROM whence came you ? A. From the Holy Lodge of St. John's.
Q. What did the Senior Warden do with you ? A. He presented me,
Q. What Recommendations brought you from thence ? A. The Recom- and shew'd me how to walk up (by three Steps) to the Master.
mendations which I brought from the Right Worshipful Brothers Q. What did the Master do with you ? A. He made me a Mason.
and Fellows of the Right Worshipful and Holy Lodge of St. John's, Q. How did he make you a Mason ? A. With my bare-bended
from whence I came, and Greet you thrice heartily well. Knee and Body within the Square, the Compass extended to my
Q. What do you corne here to do ? naked Left Breast, my naked Right Hand on the Holy Bible ; there I
A. Not to do my own proper Will, took the Obligation (or Oath) of a Mason.
But to subdue my Passion still ; Q. Can you repeat that Obligation. A. I'll do my Endeavour.
The Rules of Masonry in hand to take, (Which is as follows.)
And daily Progress therein make. I Hereby solemnly Vow and Swear in the Presence of Almighty God
Q. Are you a Mason ? A. I am so taken and Accepted to be and this Right Worshipful Assembly, that I will Hail and C onceal,
amongst Brothers and Fellows. and ne ver Reveal t he Secrets o r S ecresy o f M asons or M asonry,
Q. How shall I know that you are a Mason ? A. By Signs and To- that s hall be R evealed unto m e; u nless t o a T rue an d L awful
kens and perfect Points of my Entrance. Brother, after due Examination; or in a Just and Worshipful Lodge of
Q. What are Signs ? A. All Squares, Angles and Perpendiculars. Brothers and Fellows well met.
Q. What are Tokens ? A. Certain Regular and Brotherly Gripes. I fu rthermore P romise a nd V ow, th at I w ill n ot Write th em, P rint
Exam. Give me the Points of your Entrance. Resp. Give me the them, Mark them, C arve t hem or Engrave them, or cause them to
first, and I'll give you the second. be Written, Printed, M arked, C arved or E ngraved on W ood or
Exam. I Hail it. Resp. I Conceal it. Stone, so as th e V isible Character or Impression of a Letter may
Exam. What do you Conceal ? Resp. All Secrets and Secresy of appear, whereby it may be unlawfully obtain'd.
Masons and Masonry, unless to a True and Lawful Brother after due All t his unde r no l ess P enalty t han t o hav e m y T hroat c ut, my
Examination, or in a just and worshipful Lodge of Brothers and Fellows Tongue t aken from the Roof of m y Mouth, my H eart pluck'd from
well met. under my Left Breast, them to be buried in the Sands of the Sea, the
Q. Where was you made a Mason ? A. In a Just and Perfect Lodge. Length of a Cable-rope from Shore, where the Tide e bbs and f lows
twice i n 24 H ours, m y Body to be bur nt t o Ashes, my Ashes to be
Q. What makes a Just and Perfect Lodge ? A. Seven or more.
scatter'd upon t he F ace of t he E arth, s o that t here s hall be no m ore
Remembrante of me among Masons.
So help me God.
162 Masonry Dissected Masonry Dissected 163
Q. What Form is the Lodge ? A. A long Square. his Designs upon, Rough Ashler for the Fellow-Craft to try their
Q. How long ? A. From East to West. Jewels upon, and the Broach'd Thurnel for the Enter'd 'Prentice to
Q. How broad ? A. From North to South. learn to work upon.
Q. How high ? A. Inches, Feet and Yards innumerable, as high as the Q. Have you any Lights in your Lodge ? A. Yes, Three.
Heavens. Q. What do they represent ? A. Sun, Moon and Master-Mason.
Q. How deep ? A. To the Centre of the Earth. N.B. These Lights are three large Candies placed on high
Q. Where does the Lodge stand ? A. Upon Holy Ground, or the Candlesticks.
highest Hill or lowest Vale, or in the Vale of Jehosaphat, or any Q. Why so ? A. Sun to rule the Day, Moon the Night, and
other secret Place. Master-Mason bis Lodge.
Q. How is it situated ? A. Due East and West. Q. Have you any fix'd Lights in your Lodge ? A. Yes. Q. How
Q. Why so ? A. Because ail Churches and Chappels are or ought to be many ? A. Three.
so. N.B. These fix'd Lights are Three Windows, suppos'd (tho'
Q. What supports a Lodge ? A. Three great Pillars. vainly) to be in every Room where a Lodge is held, but more
Q. What are they called ? A. Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. properly the four Cardinal Points according to the antique Rules of
Q. Why so ? A. Wisdom to contrive, Strength to support, and Beauty Masonry.
to adorn. Q. How are they situated ? A. East, South and West.
Q. What Covering have you to the Lod ge ? A. A clouded Can- Q. What are their Uses ? A. To light the Men to, at and from their
opy of divers Colours (or the Clouds.) Work.
Q. Have you any Furniture in your Lodge ? A. Yes. Q. Why are there no Lights in the North ? A. Because the Sun
Q. What is it ? A. Mosaick Pavement, Blazing Star and Indented darts no Rays from thence.
Tarsel. Q. Where stands your Master ? A. In the East.
Q. What are they ? A. Mosaick Pavement, the Ground Floor of the Q. Why so ? A. As the Sun rises in the East and opens the Day, so
Lodge, Blazing Star the Centre, and Indented Tarsel the Border the Master stands in the East [with his Right Hand upon his
round about it. Left Breast being a Sign, and the Square about his Neck] to
open the Lodge and to set his Men at Work.
Q. What is the other Furniture of a Lodge ? A. Bible, Compass and Q. Where stands your Wardens ? A. In the West.
Square. Q. What's their Business ? A. As the Sun sets in the West to
Q. Who do they properly belong to ? A. Bible to God, Compass to the close the Day, so the Wardens stand in the West [with their
Master, and Square to the Fellow-Craft. Right Rands upon their Left Breasts being a Sign, and the Level
Q. Have you any Jewels in the Lodge ? A. Yes. and Plumb-Rule about their Necks] to close the, Lodge and dismiss
Q. How many ? A. Six. Three Moveable, and three Immoveable. the Men from Labour, paying their Wages.
Q. What are the Moveable Jewels ? A. Square, Level and PlumbRule. Q. Where stands the Senior Enter'd. 'Prentice ? A. In the
Q. What are their Uses. A. Square to lay down True and Right Lines, South.
Level to try all Horizontals, and the Plumb-Rule to try all Up- Q. What is his Business ? A. to hear and receive Instructions and wel-
rights. come strange Brothers.
Q. What are the Immoveable Jewels ? A. Trasel Board, Rough Ash- Q. Where stands the Junior Enter'd 'Prentice ? A. In the North. Q.
ler, and Broach'd Thurnel. What is his Business ? A. To keep off all Cowans and Eaves-
Q. What are their Uses ? A. Trasel Board for the Master to draw droppers.
Q. If a Cowan (or Listner) is catch'd, how is he to be punished ? A.
To be plac'd under the Eves of the Houses (in rainy Weather) till
the Water runs in at his Shoulders and out at. his Shoos.
164 Masonry Dissected Masonry Dissected 165
Q. What are the Seçrets of a Mason ? A. Signs, Tokens and many Words. N.B. A Token is by joining the Ball of the Thumb of the Right Hand
Q. Where do you keep those Secrets ? A. Under my Left Breast. upon t he first K nuckle o f t he F ore-finger of t he B rother's R ight H and
Q. Have you any Key to those Secrets ? A. Yes. that demands a Word.
Q. Where do you keep it ? A. In a Bone Bone Box that neither opens Q. Give me the Word. A. I’ll letter it with You.
nor shuts but with Ivory Keys. Exam. BOAZ. [N.B. The Exam. says B, Resp. O, Exam. A, Resp.
Q. Does it bang or does it lie ? A. It hangs. Z, i.e. Boaz.] Give me another.
Q. What does it hang by ? A. A Tow-Line 9 Inches or a Span. Resp. JACHIN. [N.B. Boaz and Jachin were two Pillars in Solo-
Q. What Metal is it of ? A. No manner of Metal at all ; but a Tongue of mon's Porch. 1 Kings, chap. vii. ver. m.]
good Report is as good behind a Brother's Back as before his Face. Q. How old are you ? A. Under Seven. [Denoting he has not
N.B. The Key is the Tongue, the Bone Bone Box the Teeth, the pass'd Master.]
TowLine the Roof of the Mouth. Q. What's the Day for ? A. To See in.
Q. How many Principles are there in Masonry ? A. Four. Q. What's the Night for ? A. To Hear.
Q. What are they ? A. Point, Line, Superficies and Solid. Q. How blows the Wind ? A. Due East and West.
Q. What's a Clock ? A. High Twelve.
Q. Explain them. A. Point the Centre (round which the Master cannot
err) Line Length without Breadth, Superficies Length and Breadth, The End of the Enter'd 'Prentice's Part.
Solid comprehends the whole. Fellow-Craft's DEGREE.
Q. How many Principle-Signs ? A. Four.
Q. What are they ? A. Guttural, Pectoral, Manual and Pedestal. Q. Are you, a Fellow-Craft ? I am.
Q. Explain them. A. Guttural the Throat, Pectoral the Breast, Manual Q. Why was you made a Fellow-Craft ? A. For the sake of the Letter G.
the Hand, Pedestal the Feet. Q. What does that G denote ? A. Geometry, or the fifth Science. Q. Did
Q. What do you learn by being a Gentleman-Mason. A. Secresy, Morality you ever travel ? A. Yes. East and West,
and Goodfellowship. Q. Did you ever work ? A. Yes, in the Building of the Temple. Q.
Q. What do you learn by being an Operative Mason ? A. Hue, Square, Where did you receive your Wages ? A. In the middle Chamber.
Mould-stone, lay a Level and raise a Perpendicular. Q. Have you Q. How came you to the middle Chamber ? A. Through the Porch.
seen your Master to-day ? A. Yes. Q. When you came through the Porch, what did you see ? A. Two
Q. How was he Cloathed ? A. In a Yellow Jacket and Blue Pair of great Pillars.
Breeches. Q. What are they called ? A. J. B. i.e. Jachim
N.B. The Yellow Jacket is the Compasses, and the Blue Breeches and Boaz.
the Steel Points. Q. How high are they ? A. Eighteen Cubits.
Q. How long do you serve your Master ? A. From Monday Morn- Q. How much in Circumference ? A. Twelve Vide I Kings
ing to Saturday Night. Cubits., Chap. 7 .
Q. How do you serve him ? A. With Chalk, Charcoal and Earthen Q . W h a t we r e t h e y a d o r n 'd wi t h ? A.
Pan. T wo Chapiters.
Q. What do they denote ? A. Freedom, Fervency and Zeal. Q. How high were the Chapiters ? A. Five Cubits.
Ex. Give me the Enter'd 'Prentice's Sign. Resp. Extending the Four Q. What were they adorn'd with ? A. Net-Work
Fingers of the Right Hand and drawing of them cross his Throat, is the and Pomegranates.
Sign, and demands a Token.
166 Masonry Dissected Masonry Dissected 167
Q. How came you to the middle Chamber ? A. By a winding Ex. Both Right and Worshipful I am,
Pair of Stairs. To Hail you I have Command,
Q. How many ? A. Seven or more. That you do forthwith let me know,
Q. Why Seven or. more ? A. Because Seven or more makes a As I you may understand.
Just and Perfect Lodge. Resp. By Letters Four and Science Five
Q. When you came to the Door of the middle Chamber, who did you This G aright doth stand,
see ? A. A Warden. In a due Art and Proportion,
Q. What did he demand of you ? A. Three Things. You have your Answer, Friend.
Q. What were they ? A. Sign, Token, and a Word. N.B. Four Letters are Boaz. Fifth Science Geometry.
N.B. The Sign is placing the Right Hand on the Left Breast, the To- Ex. My Friend, you answer well,
ken is by joining your Right Hand to the Person that demands it, and If Right and Free Principles you discover,
squeezing hi m w ith t he B all of y our T humb on t he f irst K nuckle of I’ll change your Name from Friend,
the middle Finger, and the Word is Jachin. And henceforth call you Brother.
Resp. The Sciences are well compos'd
Q. How high was the Door of the middle Chamber ? A. So high Of noble Structure's Verse,
that a Cowan could not reach to stick a Pin in. A Point, a Line, and an Outside ;
Q. When you came into the middle, what did you see ? A. The Resem- But a Solid is the fast.
blance of the Letter G. Ex. God's good Greeting be to this our happy Meeting. Resp.
Q. Who doth that G denote ? A. One that's greater than you. And all the Right Worshipful Brothers and Fellows.
Q. Who's greater than I, that am a Free and Accepted Mason, the Master Ex. Of the Right Worshipful and Holy Lodge of St. John's.
of a Lodge. A. The Grand Architect and Contriver of the Universe, Resp. From whence I came.
or He that was taken up to the top of the Pinnacle of the Holy Temple. Ex. Greet you, greet you, greet you thrice, heartily well, craving
your Name.
Q. Can you repeat the Letter G ? A. I'll do my Endeavour.
Resp. Timothy Ridicule.
Exam. Welcome, Brother, by the Grace of God.
The Repeating of the Letter G. N.B. The R eason w hy they Denominate themselves of the H oly
Lodge of St . John's, is, b ecause h e was the F ore-runner of o ur
Resp. In the midst of Solomon's Temple there stands a G,
Saviour, a nd l aid the f irst P arallel L ine t o t he G ospel ( others do
A Letter fair for all to read and see,
assert, t hat our Saviour hi mself w as a ccepted a Free-Mason w hilst
But few there be that understands
he was in the Flesh) but how ridiculous and prophane it seems, I leave
What means that Letter G.
to judicious Readers to consider.
Ex. My Friend, if you pretend to be
Of this Fraternity, Th e En d o f th e F el lo w- C ra f t P a rt .
You can forthwith and rightly tell
What means that Letter G.
Resp. By Sciences are brought to Light The Master's DEGREE.
Bodies of varions Kinds, Q. Are you a Master-Mason ? A. I am ; try me, prove me,
Which do appear to perfect Sight ; disprove me if you can.
But none but Males shall know my Mind. Ex. Q. Where was you pass'd Master ? A. In a Perfect Lodge of
The Right shall. Resp. If Worshipful. Masters.
Q. What makes a Perfect Lodge of Masters ? A. Three.
168 Masonry Dissected Dissected 169
West Door of the Temple, and hid him under some Rubbish till
Q. How came you to be pass'd Master ? A. By the Help of God, the
High 12 again.
Square and my own Industry.
Ex. What Time was that ? R. High 12 at Night, whilst the Men
Q. How was you pass'd Master ? A. From the Square to the
were at Rest,
Compass.
Ex. How did they dispose of him afterwards ? R. They carried
Ex. An Enter'd 'Prentice I presume you have been.
Hm up to the Brow of the Hill, where they made a decent Grave and
R. Jachin and Boaz I have seen ; buried him.
A Master-Mason I was made most rare,
Ex. When was he rniss'd ? R. The same Day.
With Diamond, Ashier and the Square.
Ex. When was he found ? R. Fifteen Days afterwards.
Ex. If a Master-Mason you would be,
Ex. Who found him ? R. Fifteen Loving Brothers, by Order of
You must rightly understand the Rule of Three.
King Solomon, went out of the West Door of the Temple, and
And *M.B. shall make you free : * Machbenah. divided themselves from Right to Left within Call of each other ;
And what you want in Masonry, and they agreed that if they did not find the Word in Hm or about
Shall in this Lodge be shewn to thee. Hm, the first Word should be the Master's Word ; one of the
R. Good Masonry I understand ; Brothers being more weary than the rest, sat down to rest himself,
The Keys of all Lodges are all at my Command. and taking hold of a Shrub, which came easily up, and perceiving
Ex. You're an heroick Fellow ; from whence came you ? R. the Ground to have been broken, he Hail'd bis Brethren, and pursuing their
From the East. Search found him decently buried in a handsome Grave 6 Foot East, 6
Ex. Where are you a going ? R. To the West. West, and 6 Foot perpendicular, and his Covering was green Moss and
Ex. What are you a going to do there ? R. To seek for that Turf, which surprized them ; whereupon they replied, Muscus
which was lest and is now found. Domus D ei Gratia, which, according to Masonry, is, Thanks be t o
E. What was that which was lost and is now found ? R. The Master- God, ou r M aster ha s go t a M ossy H ouse : So they cover'd him
Mason's Word. closely, and as a farther Ornament placed a Sprig of Cassia at the Head of
Ex. How was it lost ? R. By Three Great Knocks, or the Death of lus Grave, and went and acquainted King Solomon.
our Master Hiram.
Ex. How came he by his Death ? R. In the Building of Solomon's Ex. What did King Solomon say to all this ? R. He order'd
Temple he was Master-Mason, and at high 1z at Noon, when the to be taken up and decently buried, and that 15 Fellow-Crafts with
Men was gone to refresh themselves, as was his usual Custom, he white Gloves and Aprons should attend his Funeral [which ought
came to survey the Works, and when he was enter'd into the Temple, amongst Masons to be perform'd to this Day.]
there were Three Ruffians, suppos'd to be Three Fellow-Crafts, Ex. How was Hiram rais'd ? R. As all other Masons are, when
planted themselves at the Three Entrances of the Temple, and when he they receive the Master's Word.
came out, one demanded the Master's Word of him, and he reply'd Ex. How is that ? R. By the Five Points of Fellowship.
he did not receive it in such a manner, but Time and a little Patience Ex. What are they ? Hand to Hand 1 , Foot to Foot 2 , Cheek to
would bring him to it : He, not satisfied with that Answer, gave him a Cheek 3, Knee to Knee 4, and Hand in Back 3.
Blow, which made him reel ; he went to the other Gate, where being ac- N.B. When Hiram was t aken up, t hey t ook hi m by t he F ore-
costed in the same manner and making the same Reply, he received fingers, and t he Sk in c ame of f, w hich i s c alled t he Sl ip ; t he
a greater Blow, and at the third bis Quietus. spreading t he R ight Hand and pl acing t he m iddle F inger t o t he
Ex. What did the Ruffians kill Hm with ? R. A Setting Maul, Wrist, clasping the Fore-finger and the Fourth to the Sicles of the
Setting Tool and Setting Beadle. Wrist ; i s called the G ripe, a nd t he Sign is placing the Thumb of
Ex. How did they dispose of him ? R. Carried him out at theMasonry the Right Hand to the Left Breast, extending the Fingers.
1 70 Masonry Dissected Masonry Dissected 171

Ex. What's a Master-Mason nam'd. R. Cassia is my Name, and an elegant Entertainment, under the Denomination of being put to
from a Just and Perfect Lodge I came. charitable Uses, which if justly applied, will give great Enconi-
Ex. Where was Hiram inter'd ? R. In the Sanctum Sanctorum. ums to so worthy an Undertaking, but it is very much doubted,
Ex. How was he brought in. ? R. At the West-Door of the Temple. and most reasonable to think it will be expended towards the
Q. What are the Master-Jewels ? A. The Porch, Dormer and forming another System of Masonry, the old Farbick being so mi-
Square Pavement. nous, that, unless repair'd by some occult Mystery, will soon be annihi-
Q. Explain them. A. The Porch the Entring into the Sanctum lated.
Sanctorum, the Dormer the Windows or Lights within, the Square I was induced to publish this mighty Secret for the publick Good, at
Pavement the Ground Flooring. the Request of several Masons, and it will, I hope, give entire
Ex. Give me the Master's Word. Satisfaction, and have its desired Effect in preventing so many
R. Whispers him in the Ear, and supported by the Five Points of credulous Persons being drawn into so pernicious a Society.
Fellowship before-mentioned, says Machbenah, which signifies The FINIS.
Builder is smitten.
N.B. If an y Working M asons ar e at Work, and you have a de sire t o A L IS T O F R E GU LAR LOD G E S AC C OR D IN G T O THE IR
distinguish Accepted M asons f rom t he r est, t ake a Piece of Stone, SENIORITY AND CONSTITUTION.1
and as k him w hat i t s mells of, l ie i mmediately r eplies, neither
1. King's Arms in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1st and 3d Monday in
Brass, I ron, n or Steel, but of a Mason ; then by asking him, how old
every Month. Constituted 1691.
lie is, he replies above Seven, which denotes he lias pass'd Master. 2. Rose and Buffler against Furnival's Inn in Holborn, 1st Wednes-
The End of the Master's P art. day. 1712.
3. Horn-Tavern at Westminster, 3d Friday.
The Author's Vindication of himself from the prejudiced Part of Mankind. 4. Swan at Hamstead, Ist and 3d Saturday. Jan. 17. 1722.
5. Three Swans in the Poultry, 2d Wednesday. July II. 1721.
Of all the Impositions that have appear'd amongst Mankind, none are 6. Tom's Coffee-house in Clare-street near Clare-market, 2d and
so ridiculous as the Mystery of Masonry, which bas amus'd the World, 4th Tuesday. Jan. 19. 1722.
and caused varions Constructions and these Pretences of Secrecy, 7. Rummer in Queen-Street Cheapside, 2d and 4th Thursday.
invalid, has (tho' not perfectly) been revealed, and the grand Arti- Jan. 28. 1722.
cle, viz. the Obligation, h as several Times been printed in the pub- 8. Devil-Tavern at Temple-bar, zd Tuesday. April 25. 1722.
lick Papers, but is entirely genuine in the Daily J ournal of Satur- 9. One Tun in Noble-street, ist and 3d Wednesday. May 1722.
day, A ug. 2 2. 173o. which agrees in its Veracity with that de- 10. Lion and Shield in Brewer-street, last Thursday. Nov. 25.
liver'd in this Pamphlet ; and consequently when the Obligation of 1722.
Secrecy is abrogated, the aforesaid Secret becomes of no Effect, and 11. Queen's-head in Knaves-acre, Ist and 3d Wednesday. Feb. 27. 1722-
must be quite extinct ; for some Operative Masons (but according to the 3.
polite Way of Expression, Accepted Masons) made a Visitation from 12. Three Tuns in Swithin's-alley, 1st Tuesday. Mar. 27. 1723.
the first and oldest constituted Lodge (according to the Lodge Book 13. Anchor in Dutchy-lane, 2d Friday and last Monday. Mar. 28.
in London) to a noted Lodge in this City, and was denied Admit- 1723.
tance, because their old Lodge was removed to another House, which, 14. Queen's-head in Great Queen-street, 1st and 3d Monday.
tho' contradictory to this great Mystery, requires another Constitution, Mar. 30. 1723.
at no less Expence than two Guineas, with 15. Bull-head in Southwark, 2d Monday. April 1. 1723.
1 Sec Note on p. 240 below.
172 Masonry Dissected 1. Masonry Dissected 173
16. Red-Lion in Tottenham-court Road, 3d Monday. April 3. 1723. 45. White Hart witho[u]t Bishopsgate, 1st Tuesday. Jan. 19. 1726.
17. Buffler and Garter in Bloomsbury, 1st and 3d Thursday. 1723. 46. Mount's Coffee-house in Grosvenor-street near Hanover-
18. Crown and Cushion on Ludgate-hill, 1st Wednesday. May 5. square, 1st Wednesday. Jan. 12. 1727.
1723. 47. Three Crowns at Stoke Newington, 1st Saturday. Aug. 9.
19. Green Dragon on Snow-hill, 1st and 3d Monday, 1723. 1727.
20. Dolphin in Tower-street, 3d Wednesday. June 12. 1723. 48. King's-head at Salford near Manchester, 1st Monday.
21. Nag's-head in Prince's-street, Drury-lane, 2d and last Thursday. Aug. 49. Castle in Holborn, 2d and last Wednesday. Jan. 31. 1727-8.
4. 1723. 50. Three Flower-de-luces in St. Bernard-street in Madrid, 1st
22. Ship on Fish-street 1st Friday. Sept. ri. 1724. Sunday.
23. Half-Moon in Cheapside, 1st and 3d Tuesday. Sept. II. 1723. 51. Woolpack in Warwick, 1st and 3d Friday. April 22. 1728. si.
24. Crown without Cripplegate, 2d and 4th Friday. Bishopsgate Coffee-house, 1st and 3d Wednesday. 1728.
25. Mitre at Greenwich, last Saturday. Dec. 24. 1723. 52. Rose and Crown in Greek-Street Soho, 1st and 3d Friday.
26. King's Arms in the Strand, 4th Tuesday. Mar. 25. 1724. 1728.
27. Crown and Scepter in St. Martin's-lane, 2d and last Monday. Mar. 53. White-Lion at Richmond, 1st and 3d Saturday at 12 at Noon.
27. 1724. 54. Crown and Anchor in Shorts-gardens, 1st and 3d Thursday.
28. Queen's-head in the City of Bath, last Thursday. 55. Queen Elizabeth's Head in Pitfield-street in Hoxton, 1st and 3d
29. Queen's-head in the City of Norwich. Monday.
30. Swan in the City of Chichester, 3d Friday. 56. Crown in the Corn-market in Oxford, every Thursday. Aug.
31. 31 Py'd Bull in Northgate-street in the City of Chester. 8. 1729.
32. Castle and Falcon in Watergate-street in the City of Chester, 1st 57. Three Tuns in Scarsborough, 1st Wednesday. Aug. 27. 1729.
Tuesday. 58. Three Tuns at Billingsgate, 2d and 4th Thursday. Jan. 22.
33. Nag's-head in Carmarthen in South-Wales. 1730.
34. East-India Arms at Gosport in Hampshire, 2d Thursday at 59. King's Arms in Cateton-street, 1st and 3d Friday. Jan. 24.
1730.
35. 3 a Clock.
60. 6o. George in Northampton, 1st Saturday. Jan. 16. 1730.
36. Angel at Congleton in Cheshire.
37. Three Tuns in Wood-street, 1st and 3d Thursday. July 1724. 61. Prince William at Charing-cross, 2d and 4th Monday. Feb. 26.
38. Swan at Tottenham High cross, 2d and 4th Saturday. Jan. 22. 1725. 1730.
39. Swan and Rummer in Finch-lane, 2d and last Wednesday. Feb. 62. Bear in Butcher-row, 1st and 3d Friday. Mar. 6. 1730.
1725. 63. St. Rook's-hill, near Chichester in Sussex, once a Year, viz.
40. Paul's-head in Ludgate-street, 2d and 4th Monday. April 1725. Tuesday in Easter Week. In the Reign of Julius Caesar.
41. Vine in Holborn, 1st Monday. May 10. 1725. 64. Red Lion in the City of Canterbury, 1st and 3d Tuesday.
42. Henry VIIIth's Head, in St. Andrew's-street near the Seven Dials, April 3. 1730.
4th Monday. 65. Dick's Coffee-house in Gravel-street in Hatton-garden, last Thursday.
43. Rose at Mary-la-Bone, 1st Monday in Winter, and 1st and 3d April 16. 1730.
Monday in the Summer. May 25. 1725. 66. Golden Spikes at Hamstead, 2d and 4th Saturday. April 28.
44. Swan in Grafton-street St. Ann's Soho, 1st and last Wednesday. Sept. 1730.
1725. 67. King's-head in Fleetstreet, 2d and 4th Friday. May 22. 1730.
 DIALOGUE BETWEEN SIMON AND PHILIP, c. 1740
THE CHESHAM MS., c. 174o
This catechism is contained in the same MS. as The Whole Institution of
This parchment roll, composed of six strips fastened together, is some Masonry, 1724(see p. 81 above). The document is stated to bear an almost
10 3/4 feet long and 9 inches vide. By the courtesy of Grand Lodge, to whom illegible name and address " Mr John Page . . .n° 5 . . . Bristol ",
it belongs, Dr. Schofield of the British Museum MSS. Department was and was recently in the possession of the late Bro. Salisbury (see p. xi
permitted to examine it, and we were allowed to have it photographed, above). On receiving the typescript copy from Bro. Cramphorn, after this
before it was put away in a place of relative safety. This note is based on Dr. book had gone to press, we had to decide forthwith whether to print the
Schofield's report and on the photographs. The document is written in an Dialogue in this volume, whilst there was still a chance of doing so, or to
eighteenth-century legal hand, and cannot be accurately dated ; it may well omit it and endeavour instead to locate the MS. and investigate its history and
have been written about 1740. Its early history is unknown ; it was found by authenticity, with a view to subsequent publication. The Dialogue is in
a workman at Chesham, Bucks, in 1929, and presented to Grand Lodge that several points similar to the other early masonic catechisms, although it
year by Bro. J. H. Grafton. resembles no particular one very closely, and there is no prima fade reason
The Roll is headed " The Mystery of Free-Masonry " ; in addition there are for thinking that it is a hoax or forgery. We accordingly decided to print it
three cross-headings, also in large script : " Enter'd 'Prentice's Degree ", " Fel- here for the information of the reader. As soon as possible, we hope to
low Crafts Degree " and " The Master's Degree ". The questions and answers follow this preliminary publication by a more detailed study in A.Q.C.
which immediately follow the general heading are, with very slight verbal As the Dialogue is undated and the original is not at present available for
differences (mostly affecting spelling and the use of capitals) identical, with one examination, we have to rely entirely on internai evidence for dating the
exception, with the catechism The Mystery o f Free-Masonry printed in the document. It consists of two parts ; the first is a series of questions and
Daily Journal of 15 August 1730. The exception is that whereas the latter answers, which falls into three sections. The second part consists of a number
states that the length of the chain to the key of the Lodge is " As long as from of notes or comments on certain answers. Apart from the oath, the answers
my Tongue to my Heart ", the corresponding answer in the Chesham MS. is " are all short and such as a mason might be expected to know by heart. The
As long as from my Tongue to my Teeth ". first part apparently, therefore, consists of test questions and answers, rather
Immediately after the last words of this catechism is the cross-heading " than a ceremony of admission. In this respect it resembles the earlier pre-
Enter'd 'Prentice's Degree ", followed by the set of questions and answers 1731 catechisms. Certain of the questions and answers have more affinity
printed in Prichard's Masonry Dissected under this identical heading. The with Prichard's Masonry D issected of 1730 than with any other know
main differences are (i) that the note appended to the question and answer " catechism. This raises the problem as to whether the Dialogue is partly
How old are you ? Under seven ", reads " Denoting he has not pass'd Master based on Prichard, in which case it is necessarily post-173o, or whether it is
" in Prichard, and " Denoting he has pass'd Master " in the Chesham MS. ; (ii) descended frein an older working, which in part served as a model for
that the final words of this section in Prichard, " The End of the Enter'd Pren- Prichard. In view of the vagueness of the resemblances and the many striking
tices Part ", are omitted from the Chesham MS. The next section, headed " differences, we are disposed to think that neither catechism was based on the
Fellow Crafts Degree " is identical in wording with the corresponding section other, and that the questions and answers of the Dialogue may quite well be
in Prichard, except for the omission of the last words, " The End of the Fellow- older than 1730. In character they certainly belong to the early group of
Craft Part ". The last section, " The Master's Degree ", is identical in wording catechisms printed in this volume.
with the corresponding section in Prichard except (i) that two questions and the The probable date of the notes or comments, which constitute the second part
corresponding answers are run into one, and (ii) that the final words, " The End of the document, is a different matter. " Dr Desaguliers Regulation ", men-
of the Master's Part ", are omitted. tioned in the first note, presumably refers to the action taken in Grand Lodge
In view of the practical identity of the Chesham MS. with (i) The Mystery on 28 August 1730 (see p. 57 above) at the suggestion of Dr. Desaguliers.
of F ree-Masonry and (ii) the questions and answers of Prichard's Masonry This would make the autumn of 173o the earliest date at which the
Dissected, both of which we print in full, we omit the text of this document. 175
174
176 Dialogue between Simon and Philip Dialogue between Simon and Phiiip 177
comments could have been written. On the other hand, the use of the terms PHIL. And what are Tokens. SIM (f) All Brotherly gripes on the
Old Masons ' and New Masons with the same meaning as the more hand by which Brothers distinguish one another.
usual expressions 'Ancient Masons ' and Modem Masons', suggests that the PHIL. And what are points f your Entrance ? SIM To Heal and
comments were written before the terms Ancient ' and Modem' were well Conceal the Secrets (g) of a Mason.
established. That would certainly be prior to 1764, in which year the second PHIL. How was you admitted a Mason. SIM By (h) Three
edition of Ahiman Rezon (the Book of Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of the knocks. on the Door the fast at a double distance of time from the
Ancients) was published, containing the well-known attack on the Modems ', former and much larger.
and not improbably prior to 1756, when the first edition of Ahiman Rezon was PHIL. What was the first question that the Master ask'd you when
issued, the Grand Lodge of the Anciens' having been established in 1751. yo u was ad mitted . SIM W hither it wa s o f my o wn fr ee will
Thus we are disposed to think that the comments were composed, and the that I came thither to be made a Mason. I answered YES.
Dialogue set down in writing, at some date between 173o and 175o, though the PHIL. What did you see before you was made a Mason.
catechism proper may very well have been copied from one used prior to SIM. Nothing that I understood.
173o. Provisionally, therefore, we suggest as the date of the document circa PHIL. What did you see afterwards. SIM T h r e e g r a n d L i g h t s PHIL.
1740, a date which may call for revision in the light of an examination of the What do you call them. SIM. The Sun, The Moon and the Master (i)
original manuscript, if and when that is found. P H I L. How do they Rule and Govem ? SIM. The Sun the Day, the
The transcript we print is prepared from Bro. Cramphorn's typescript copy. Moon the Night, the Master the Lodge.
So far as we know, the catechism has not previously been printed. PHIL. Where stood your Master SIM. In the East
PHIL. Why in the East SIM. To wait the rising of the Sun to sert the
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN SIMON, A TOWN MASON, & PHILIP, Men to their Work.
A TRAVELING MASON PHILL. Where stood the wardens ? SIM In the West.
PHIL. Why in the West. SIM. To wait the Setting of the Sun and to
SIM. Sr. I have just now received inclosed in a letter a pieece of Paper in
this for m p r ay what d o yo u mean b y it. I am a Str anger, Want discharge the Men from Their Labour.
PHIL. Where stood the Fellow Crafts ? SIM In the South.
company, And hearing you was a Brother Mason made bold to sum-
PHIL. Why in the South ? SIM To receive and Instruct all strange Brothers.
mons you.
PHIL. Where stood the entred Prentices SIM. In the North to Heal and
Sm. And are you a Mason. PHIL. (a). I am (so taken to be by all Conceal and wait of the Master.
Fellows and Brothers)
PHIL You say you see three great Lights, did you see no other Light ? SIM.
SIM. And how shall I know you to be a Mason. PHI L. (b). BY
Yes one far surpassing Sun or Moon.
Words, Signs, Tokens and Points f rny Entrante.
PHIL . What was that ? SIM The Light of the Gospel.
SIM. And whats the Word of a Mason ? PHIL. (c). The word is
PHIL. Why was you made a Mason ? SIM. For sake of the Letter G.
Right. (k).
SIM. If it be Right give it me Right. PHIL. I’ll Letter with you, if you
PHIL. What does it signifye SIM GEOMITRY
please.
PHIL. Why GEOMITRY ? SIM Because it is the Root and foundation
SIM. Give me the first Letter and I'le give you the second. PHIL. B. of all Ans and Sciences.
SIM. O. PHIL. A. SIM. Z. PHIL. And pray how much mony had you in your pocket when you was
PHIL. The Word (d) then isBOAZ, but as you are a Stranger to me, as I made a Free Mason ? SIM. None atc all (1)
am to you, And we in good Policy are not to answer above Three PHIL - And how was you made a Mason SIM Neither Naked nor
questions proposed least we should be imposed on by a Pretender, I
ask you, What are Signs. SIM. Signs (e) are all Squares, Angles and
Perpendiculars.
178 Dialogue between Simon and Philip Dialogue between Simon and Philip 179
Cloathed, Standing nor Lying, Kneeling nor Standing, Barfoot nor (a) I am so taken to be by ail Fellows and Brothers. This is the way
Shod, but in due form. that Old Masons answer this question. But the New Masons under J. T.
Desaguliers Regulation answer only I AM.
PHIL. Ho w is that Form ? Upon my barebended knee with a pair (b) By Words, Signs, Tokens and Points of my Entrante. How the Old
of Compasses extended square in my Breast. And then and there I Masons and New differ. The New Masons answer By Signs, Tokens and
took the sacred and solemn Oaths of a Mason. Points of my Admittance.
PHIL. Repeat your Oaths. (c) The Word is Right. This answer is Subtle enough. The Word of a
SIM . I D O Solemnly Vow and Protest before Gon and this Wor- Mason is BOAZ. But they answer the word is Right and they'l Letter the
shipful Company that I will Heal or Hear, Conceal and never Reveal the Word with you &c. Is to guard against Pretenders imposing on them. Be-
Secrets or Secrecy of a Mason or Masonry that has been heretofore or sicles Free Masons make use of the Word Right as often as thcy can with
shall be here or hereafter disclosed unto me, to neither Man, Woman nor Some introduce it into conversation because everything they do is right as
Child, neither print them, stamp them or Engrave them or cause them their Right bended knee, their Right hand upon the Bible &c..
to be written stampt or Engraved upon anything Moveable or Im- (d) The word then is BOAZ. this is the word of a Mason which is taken
moveable or any other ways. Whereby the Secrets of a Mason or from the 7th Chap. s Kings 21St. verse And he set up the Pillars in the Porch of
Masonry may be discovered. Upon the Penalty of my Heart plucked the Temple And he set up the right Pillar and called the name thereof JACHIN
from my Left breast, my Tongue pluck'd from the roof of my and he set up the left Pillar and called the name thereof BOAZ. Which verse is
mouth, my Throat cutt, my Body to be tom to pieces by Wild read to you after you are sworn. And very often the whole Chapter.
Horses, to be bury'd in the Sands of the Sea where the Tide flowes in 24 (e) Here the New Masons have the Word. Ail and answer only,
Hours, taken up and burn't to Ashes and Sifted where the four winds blow Squares, Angles and Perpendiculars.
(f) Ail Brotherly gripes on the hand &c. Which is when they shake
that there may be no more Remembrances of me. So HELP ME GOD. then
you by the hand they press the first Finger's Knuckle on your Right hand which
the Senior WARDEN put me on a White apron with these words. I put they call Boaz the pillar. If he has passed Fellow Craft or Warden he presses
you on the Badge of a Mason, more Ancient and Honorable than the with his Thumb the next long finger's knuckle which is called JACHIN. the
Knights of the Garter. right Pinar—for Jachin is the word of a Warden.
PHIL.. I am satisfied you are a Mason by the Repeating of your Oath. If (g) To Heal and Conceal this part of the Old Oath, but the New Mason's
you please you may ask me what Questions you think proper. SIM. I [? do] it By pointing to their left Breast with their Finger.
(h) By three solemn Knocks at the Door the hast a double distance of Time
ask you where your Lodge was kept PHIL. In the Vale of Jehoso-
and much larger. At the door before you are admitted stands an Entred
phat out of the Cackling of a Hen, the Crowing of a Cock, the barking Prentice with a drawn sword to guard against droppers, as they call them,
of a Dog. from Hearkening. For in this they are very Cautious and the Question is
SIM. How high was your Lodge. PHIL As high as the Heavens and frequently ask'd Is the House Tiled ? If safe from hearing the Answer is T'is
as low as the Earth (m) Tiled. If not or any Person in Company not a Mason. UNTILED. And the
SIM. How many Pillars had your Lodge PHIL. Three Junior Prentice takes you by the hand and knocks three times at the Door.
SIM. What did you call them PHIL Beauty (n) Strength and Wisdom. The Master asks who's there. And the Prentice answers. One that has a
SIM. What do they represent. PHIL. Beauty to Adorn, Strength to Sup- desire to be made a Mason. The Master reply's Bring him in. N.B. The reason
port, And Wisdom to Contrive. of those three Knocks is not known to Prentices but to the Master which is
S IM . What Lodge are you of PHIL. Of the Right Worshipful from HIRAM the Grand Master in SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. Being murdered by
Lodge of St. John's his three Prentices and was dispatched by the third Blow the last Prentice
SIM. How many Signs has a Free Mason. PHIL. Five
gave him and this because he would not discover the Secrets to them.
SIM. What do you call them PHIL. PEDESTAL—MANUAL—PECTORAL — (i) The Sun, The Moon and the Master Is three large candles in large
GUTTERAL—ORAL.
wooden Candlesticks carv'd in ail the Orders and plac'd in a Triangular form
upon the Lodge. The Lodge's as Contra [see o ver] is commonly made, with
white
 {image 104}
180 Dialogue between Simon and Philip

Dialogue between Simon and Philip 181

tape nail'd to the Floor round as you see the letters E for East and S for
South &c. are made of thin Silver or Tin very thin, And likewise the letter G
at the top in the now constituted Lodge's is a Quadrant, a Square, a pair of
Compasses and Plum line placed at the top of the Lodge. The Officers of the
Lodge stand upright in their proper places with their Right foot makeing a
Square upon their Left their left hand hanging down in a perpendicular line
their right hand upon their left Breast makeing a Square with their Fingers
and Thumb, with their white Aprons on, And Gloves stich't on their right
side. This is the Posture and great sign that will fetch any Mason from the
top of a House, and is calld the Posture of a MASON. (k) You may Observe
why G is placed in the midle of the Lodge.
(1) NONE AT ALL. This is a very cunning Question to discover a Pre-
tender because they dismiss you of all Mettle about you as your mony And
your Buckles from your Shoes &c. and give this reason for it. That at the
building of the Temple nothing of Mettle was heard. According to the 6
Chap s Kings 7 verse : And the House when it was in building was built of
Stone made ready before it was brought thither. So that there was neither ham-
mer nor Ax nor any tool of Iron heard in the House while it was in Building.
(m) As low as the Earth as high as the Heavens because all Lodge's
were kept formerly in the open Fields.
(n) Beauty Strength and Wisdom. These three things are necessary to
all great Buildings.
{image 104}
{image 104}
 Essex MS. 183
Q Ho w wer e yo u mad e a M aso n A B y a tr ue & p er f ect
Lodge
T HE E S S E X M S. , c . 1 7 5 0
Q What are a perfect Lodge A The centre of a true Heart
James Essex, (1722-84), builder, architect and antiquary of Cambridge,
Q And how many Masons was so called A any odd number
bequeathed lais MSS. to Kerrich (1748-1828), Librarian of the Uni-
from 3 to 13
versity of Cambridge, who in turn bequeathed them to the British Museum,
Q What was your first step towards your entring A a willing
together with his own collection of MSS. In a volume originally belonging to
desire to know the Scret
Essex [B.M. Add. MSS. 6760] are, amongst other items written by or for
Q How came you in to the Lodge A In ignorance & came
him, two catechisms (as well as a copy of the Leland L ocke M S.) which
out in knowledge
apparently are not in Essex's own handwriting, comparison with which can be
Q What did you see thire A I saw truth the World & Justice
made as many of his architectural papers are in the British Museum (W. B.
Q What was behind you A Perjury & exclamation of our
H[extall], Mise. L at., ii ,122). Both, however, are written in the same
fraternity
hand, as can be clearly seen in the facsimile reproduction of p. 45 of the
volume in A.Q.C. li, facing p. 232, which contains the end of the first cate- Q how was your Lodge set at your entering A South East &
chism and the beginning of the second. The first is a fairly correct version West
of The Grand Mystery o f F ree-Masons Di scover'd, 1724, (Poole, A.Q.C., Ii, Q Why so A Becaus Churches stand east & West & Prechers to
232). According to Hextall (loc. cit.) it is most noticeable for the question the South
and answer, " Q. Give me the Universal Word. A. Maughbin ". According Q Why does Churches stand East & West A Because the
to Bro. Poole (loc. cit.) it has no independent critical value, and is not worth East wind dryed up the Sea before the Children of Israel
reproducing. At present it is inaccessible ; so far as we are aware, it lias Q What posture did you pass your oath in A I was neither
never been printed. setting going standing lying hinging nor properly Kneeling cloathed
The second catechism is a version of The Whole Institutions of Free-Masons nor naked shod no barefoot but as a Brother knows how
Opened, 1725, and of the masonic examination in the Graham M S., 1726, Q What were you sworn to A To heal & conceal
with both of which it has been compared in detail by Bro. Poole in A.Q.C., li, Q W hat o ther ten ner s b elo ng to yo ur Oath A T o Ob e y
where a photographie facsimile of the catechism is printed. Bro. Poole God in all true Squares made or sent to me from a Brother never to
(A.Q.C., xxxvii, ro) suggests that it belongs to the second half of the eighteenth put out my hand to steal nor commit adultery with a Brothers Wife
century ; we have ventured to describe it as c. 1750. The transcript we print nor design any unjust revenge on him but love & releive him as far
is prepared from the A.Q.C. facsimile. See Introduction, pp. 12, 18, 19 as you can not hurting your self two far
above.
The whole Instruction opened and proved by Scripture 1st observe Q What reason can you give or any Man render why Masons
that as you make Imitation of a squeire is according to every Subject in should have a screet more than any trade A Because the building ye
hand proved by ye 7th verse of the 6th Chapr! of the 1e! of Kings House of the Lord pleased his devine Majesty therefore in some part
The Salutation as follows—From whence came you by merret yet much more by free grace the obtaining a name & a
A I came from a right worshipfull lodge of Masters & fellows new command the name signifieing strength & the answer beauty
belonging to holy S t , John who doth greet ail true & holy Brothers of & the command Love, For it is to be understood & also belived
our holy Secret so do I if Q If you be one that every tipe of Gods House had some reference to the insueing
will of God which he would have the Children of Men to practice
Q I greet you well Brothers what is your name A I & the
other to say B & C the examination Followeth and his 12 Apostles for proof of this read the 6th & 7th of the i n of
Q How shall I know you arc a free mason A By true words & Kings Keep well the Key that lyeth in a bone Box under a hairy Sod
tokens from my Entrie
182
 The Free-Masons Vindication 185
sufficiently show) to any understanding Man's Consideration ; but to
undeceive those who have suffer'd themselves to be impos'd on by
such an intolerable Abuse. Not that we by this reflect on those Gentle-
REJOINDERS men's ludgements, for they not knowing are the more fiable to the
Imposture ; tho' one wou'd hardly suppose a secret that has never
THE FREE-MASONS VINDICATION, 1725 been divulg'd since this Order first comrnenc'd, shou'd now be ex-
pos'd on such groundless, and I may say hardly credible Reasons. Our
Antagonist tell's you it was found in the Custody of a Free Mason
This anonymous and undated broadside, about 10 1/2 x 6 3/4", printed on
who died suddenly ; now we think that Excuse the most ridiculous
both sides, claims to be an answer ta the catechism, The Grand Mystery of the
in the World ; for if We were so indiscreet as to commit our Orders
Free Masons Discover'd, which is the tille of the second, or 1725, edition of The
to the Care of each Person of our Society, We cou'd not expect but
Grand M ystery o f F ree-Masons Di scover'd, 1724. A copy is bound with other
it wou'd have been discover'd by many Mischances before this.
broadsheets in a volume in the British Museum [B.M. 8145, h.I] bearing
Time ; but We are much more carefull in things of such Impor-
Dublin itnprints dated 1725 ; the likelihood is that it is of Irish origin and that
tance, and never leave it in the Power of the wisest Observer to
it was published in 1725. It was reprinted in Misc. Lat., iv, and reproduced by
discover the least hint of our Designs. Your Author's Fable We
photo-lithography in Lepper and Crossle (pp. 49-50). Our reprint is from a
don't think it worth while to answer, since it so much reflects upon
photostat of the copy in the British Museum. See Introduction, p. 16 above.
himself ; for he lias made his Discovery scarce equal to the Solu-
THE FREE-MASONS VINDICATION, Being An Answer To a Scandalous Libel, tion of his AEnigma. If we shou'd attempt to answer him Para-
graph by Paragraph, it wou'd spend more Time than We can at pre-
entituled the Grand Mistery of the Free Masons, discover'd, &c.
sent allow, since it is from first te last one continu'd Peice of Non-
Wherein is plainly prov'd the falsity of that Discovery, and how great an
sence ; and cou'd wich more Reason (as did [dia' upon a different
imposition it is on the Publick.
Occasion] an minent Divine) put a Mentiris to the End of all his
Invidiâ siculi, non invenere Tyranni Affirmatives ; for it appears at first View more like a jargon of Contra-
Majus Tormentum. Hor. dictions, than a premeditated Composition.
—Sic Murus Aheneus esto
Nil conscire tibi, nnllâ pallescere Culpâ.1 id. The Free Masons having been allow'd to be the most ancient and hon-
E Calo descendit {image}.2 Juv. ourable Society in the World, and both is and bas been compos'd chiefly
of the principal Nobility ; but 'tis the same thing with our Author ;
HAVING read a Paper lately publish'd, which bas strove to d e - the more excellent the subject, the Jest will pass the better ; and noth-
c e i v e t h e W o r l d b y a p r e t e n d e d D i s c o v e r y o f t h e Manners, ing can please so well as a Fool that lias lost his Manners ; but what
and Customes of the Free Masons at their Assembles, Meetings, cou'd be his design is hard to be understood, or what exalted
&c, We of that Society thought it incumbent upon us to say some- Ideas he bas conceiv'd of us to make him bestow such uncommon
thing in Answer to it, not so much on account of the Paper it self, Terms of Art on us, we can't immagine. In our Health that he lias
which deserves nothing but Ridicule (as we shall taken such extraordinary Pains to anatomize, he owns we are a very
noble, and ancient Fraternity, and makes our selves allow it to be a
1
So in original : should read
wonderfull Mystery ; altho' his Fable gave him the Lie no less than.
hic muras aeneus esto a Page before : whither this be Ignorance, or Impudence I leave the
Nil conscire Bibi, nulla pallescere culpa
Epist I,i 6o-61. World to Determine.
So in original : should read
e caelo descendit {image} The Author has taken a deal of Pains to very litde purpose ; and
Sat. xi. 27. lias been at a greater deal of Trouble to make himself Intelligeble,
184
186 The Free-Masons Vindication
than an antiquated Apothecary ; for the utmost of bis Discovery
leaves his Reader in a greater Dilemma than ever, and sufficiently
shews how much it wants an Interpreter. What could induce him to THE PERJUR'D FREE MASON DETECTED, 1730
be so ridiculous as to Write, or so impudent to publish, is perhaps hard to
be determin'd, if Hunger or Envy were not the chief Motives : Be that as This anonymous 32 pp. pamphlet, about 7 ¾” X 4 ¾”, by a Free Mason',
it we believe that those who have got Mr. Informer's Instructions, published in London in 1730, is a rejoinder to Prichard's Masonry D is-
will be as much at a loss to discover a Free Mason, as if he had still sected. In Dring's opinion (A.Q.C., xxv, 366) it is possibly " the Discourse
conceal'd his Directions, and will like himself, for ever remain in Igno- concerning Prichard by Bro. Clare " mentioned in the minutes of the Old
rance. Lodge at Lincoln, 2 October 1733. Cf. our introductory note to A
Defence of Masonry, p. 210) below. To our knowledge, it has never
What we intend by this Discourse, is not to honour our Author so
far as to think him worth Contradiction ; but to put his Readers in been reprinted. Our reprint is from a photostat of the pamphlet in the
British Museum. Sec introduction, pp. 3, 18 above.
mind to consider their infallible Receipt a little more narrowly, and
THE PERJUR'D FREE MASON DETECTED ; And yet The Honour and Antiquity
not be too confident in their belief of a Fable. Having therefore perform'd
of the Society of Free Masons Preserv'd and Defended. By a Free
what we intended, we think it now time to bid our Author adieu, and to
take this Advice, either never to Write, or to write something nearer Mason.
Sense than his last. But as he in the beginning of his Information For Perjury's a Blast upon the Mind,
introduces himself with a very handsome apropo Fable, we shall The last Degeneracy of human Kind
condescend so far in imitation of him, to conclude with another, and The utmost Prostitution of the Soul,
to him, " That a Fox once having observ'd " a large Bunch of That poisons every Part, and damns the whole.
excellent Grapes hanging in a very tempting " Posture, over his
London : Printed for T. Warner at the Black-Boy in Pater-noster-
Head, strove with the hazard of his Neck by a
Row. MDCCXXX. (Price 6d.)
great many Leaps, Springs, and other Stratagems, to lead away "
Captive this Bunch, that by its alluring Colour and Magnitude, " THE PERJUR'D FREE MASON DETECTED.
had dar'd to provoke his Appetite ; but after many dangers escap'd, "
The Antiquity of Free Masonry, as an Art and Science, is unques-
difficulties overcome, a few Limbs disjointed, and other chances " of
tion'd : And the Honour of it, as preserved in a Society of worthy
War, having found it impossible to compass his desires, he " began
Members and Masters, and handed down from Age to Age to this
by the instigation of his longing Stomach to Curse, and " abuse
Day, as it is admirable in itself, is also as certain and unquestion'd.
what he had spent so many Hours, and receiv'd so many "Bruises in
This Part is historical, and may be inquired into and made publick with-
attempting to recover.
out any Breach of Oaths and Engagements, and without Injury to
Adieu. the Persons or Memory of any of the Originals : But the Mariner
FINIS. and Management of this Society, and by what Steps it has been
thus wonderfully preserv'd, is a Secret hid in the Breasts of the
faithful Few among whom it has been kept sacred to this Day ; nor
is it yet discover'd, notwithstanding the Endeavours of a few Traitors
in these unhappy Times to betray it.
A short Abridgment of its History take as follows.
Ham or Cham, the second Son of NOAH, having a Genius to Archi-
tecture, is said to have practised it in the Ante-diluvaean World,
187
188 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 189
before the Deluge, for he was 90 Years of Age when the Flood came upon prising Things, and so inimitable that he is said to have been buried
the Earth. there ; the Meaning of which we shall explain by and by.
Fame tells us, that after the Flood he communicated the Knowledge of it From these glorious Originals, the Art of Masonry spread it self
to the Great Council or Meeting upon the Plains of Shinaar, where it in the World, being supposed to be in its Meridian Glory in the
was proposed to build a Tower up to Heaven : Nothing but a com- Time of the Roman E mpire, and in the Reign of Trajan, in
plete Master of the Science of Masonry could have conceiv'd so whose Times those famous Columns, Amphitheatres, Aqueducts, and
immense an Undertaking His Proposai being accepted, it seems he other magnificent Buildings were rais'd, whose Ruins are at this
undertook the Work, and became the Master-Bullder Day the Wonder of the World, and shew the exquisite Skill and
But the History imports, that his Workmen growing weary of mighty Genius of the Free Masons of those Times.
mounting that stupendious Stair-case, and at last being divided in With the Fall of the Roman Empire, this glorious Art (as many
Speech, mutined and left him, and so the Work was broken off; but others also did) suffered a fatal Blow ; and as barbarous Nations
the mighty Ruins of that Fabrick shews to this Day the Skill of the over-ran the Empire, so the Art of Masonry sunk into Gothi-
Master-Mason ; the immense Arches, the vast Pilasters, the strong cisms and all manner of Irregularities, and the Buildings of the
Basis, which are still to be seen, are a lasting Testimony as well to following Ages, became for a long Time rude and impolite ; the
the Greatness of the Work as to the Genius of the Workman. Rules of Art being sunk, and as it were forgotten in the World.
His Grandson by his Son Canaan was called Sidon, whose Tribes travel- But under these Discouragements there were always found A
ling from Babel West, came to the Sea-shore of Phoenicia, and there Few, Fate so directing, who associating together, with the utmost
(being instructed in the Art of Masonry by his great Ancestor) he built Secresy and Fidelity constantly instructed one another in the Rules
the City of Sidon, which remains to this Day the most ancient City in the of Art, and preserved their Councils from the Eyes of all Men ;
World. binding themselves to one another by an inviolable Oath of Secresy,
Another of his Grandsons was call'd Mizraim, and he travell'd and a Word or Token of Amity and Fellowship ; by which Means
into Egypt, where he (being long before accepted a Mason by his they have preserv'd the Knowledge of Masonry in all its most exqui-
great Ancestor) erected a powerful Nation on the Banks of the site and accomplish'd Parts, and handed it down to us even to this Day.
Nilus. And some hundred Years after that, he built those inimitable Fab- This we call the brief History of this Matter, and however, the
ricks call'd the Pyramids. Pryings, Searchings, Guessings, and Inquiries of busy Men, have
Under these great Masters of Masonry, many others in succeeding laboured to dive into the Mystery of this Society, and into the
Ages were found, who being received as accepted Masons, scattered them- Manner how the same has been carried on and preserved, and have
selves abroad, and spread the noble Science into several Parts of the in spite of Oaths solemnly taken, attempted w betray and expose
World. it ; yet the Secret remains untouch'd and the Traytors have only
exposed themselves in those Attempts.
Hence Cadmus a Phoenician Prince, and one of the immediate
Successors of Sidon, carried the Art of Building from Tyre (a City Having thus brought down the Account of the Society of Free
built by the Zidonians) into Boetia or Greece, and taught the Gre- Masons historically to the present Age ; and mentioned also
cians the first Order of Buildings, by whose Skill the said Greeks some Attempts to find out and expose the well deposited Secret : It
were instructed and daily improving, built all those glorious Fab- brings me of Course to fix upon one or two of those particular
ricks which History gives us such large Accounts of, and in particu- Attempts which are just now broke out among us, and which contrary
lar the great Temple of APOLLO at Delphos. to the Expectation of the Traitors, have issued no less to the Hon-
Hence Hiram, that great and famous Master of Art, being also a our of Free M asonry itself, and of the Society which has lately
Phenician, became a Master Mason, and acted the Part of a Founder flourish'd in this City, than to the Infamy and Reproach of the scandal-
in the erecting Solomon's Temple ; where he perform'd such sur- ous Authors, who have been able to do no more than just to expose
themselves,
190 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 191

shew their Contempt of all the Obligations as well of Conscience as to the first Steps of a Free Mason, but are not yet taken into the full
of Honour ; and let the World see in short that they have not been Confidence of the Society.
able to come at the Secret itself, and really know nothing of the Mat- Jun. Ay, have they serv'd me so ! I can't believe that ; I tell
ter. you I am an accepted Free Mason?
One of these has taken some Pains to tell us his Name, and lias him- Mast. But I tell you, that you are not ; but do not be angry ;
self branded it with a Mark of Infamy, as inimitably ridiculous as it is after having approv'd your self honest, and given the Society some
wicked ; telling us at the same time, that he is a received and ac- Year's Experience of your Fidelity, as well as of your Improvement
cepted Free M ason, and from thence would infer that he knows the in Knowledge, and the Science of a Mason, you may at length attain
whole Secret, and so goes on to betray (ignorant Wretch ! ) All he to the full Degree of an Accepted M ason, but not yet I assure
knows, in spite of all the Oaths and Engagements he had entered into to you. Jun. I tell you, I am all that already.
the contrary, tho', to his great Disappointment, all he knows amounts to just Ma st. I kno w b etter , F riend ; if yo u wer e, yo u wo uld have
nothing. understood what just now I said : However, are you willing to be
The others, having been not quite so shameless, have concealed their farther examin'd ?
Names, under the weak Pretences of having receiv'd their Informa- Jun. Ay, ay ; I can answer all the Questions which you put at
tions from other Hands, but must know at the same time, that those our Admission.
other Hands must then have been guilty of the same Perjury and Mast. I doubt you can't ; pray, who was the first Master Mason
Prevarication, and must have been equally Traytors to their Trust, to in the World ?
their Masters, and to their Country ; so that let it come which Way it Jun. He that built the Tower of Babel.
will, it is much the same. Mast. Well, but who was he ?
They have copied from one another, and all their Informations in- Jun. We were not told his Name.
timate a kind of Dialogue between the Person of a Free Masan and Mast. I knew that well enough ; they would not trust you with
some imaginary Inquirer at the Time of that Person being admitted that Secret at first.
into the Society ; which Dialogues, -and especially the Answers are Jun. Pray what was his Name ?
full of such nonsensical inconsistent Things, that they are not able to Mast. No, hold there ; do you think I have so little Regard to
give the Reader the least Diversion or Information, if he had Patience to my Oath ?
go thro' them. Jun. I thought when I was accepted a Free Mason I had a
The following is a short Entertainment of like kind between one of Right to be told every Thing.
the Masters of the Society, and a junior Member lately admitted, and Mast. No, you are mistaken there ; after one and forty Years
who, as appears, is one of the weak Bretheren mention'd above. Tryal of your Fidelity, perhaps you may, but not before. Jun. I
Mast. Come hither, Young Man, pray what do you wear that believe I know every Thing as well as you do.
Apron, and these white Gloves for ? are you a Free Mason? Jun. Mast. Come then, let's put you to the Tryal again ; who was
N.B. [Here instead of an Answer he pronounces (as he thinks) the Head Master Mason in the Building of Solomon's Temple.
Ju n . Hira m the gr eat Master M a so n o f Tyre, o f the T r ib e
the SECRET WORD, by which he supposes he should pass for
o f Naphtali ?
a Member.]
Mast. N.B. [ Here the Master pronounces A N O T H E R W O R D , W h i c h Mast. There you are wrong again ; Hiram was a Caster of Brass,
or, if you please, a Founder ; the greatest and best that ever was
the Junior does not at all understand.] 1 in the World.
Jun. What's that pray ? Jun. I say he was a Free Mason.
Mast. A Token by which I understand that you are only admitted Mast. Yes, alegorically ; as a Man of one Employment may be
1
For explanation of the Hebrew words, see Note on p. 240 below.
192 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 193
a Member of a Society that is of another ; so a Handicraft in London, may fore the old Royal Architect is said to be buried under his own
be by Profession a Smith, and by his Freedom or Company a Tallow Pyramids, that is to say, his Knowledge and the Perfection of the
Chandler ; and so Hiram was a free Accepted M ason, and no doubt Science' died with him.
he understood Masonry perfectly well too ; yet his principal Work in Jun. So we have no fully and completely finish'd Artist in Masonry
Solomon's Temple, was Casting of Brass, and it was he that cast the left in the World, have we ?
two vast Brazen Pillars call'd Boaz and Jachin, such as never were seen Mast. Not in those particular Branches of Art, but in some others
before or rince. we have Men that have excell'd to a Wonder.
Jun. Well, but who was the Head Mason then ; who was the Jun. Who are they ?
Master Builder of the Temple ? Mast. Nay, it is not your Business to examine me ; I thought I
Mast. Nay, that's not a Secret for you to understand yet ; I tell you was examining you ; but you may go back to the History of
it must be Matter of Time. Masonry abridg'd as above, and answer yourself.
fun. But I say Hiram (say what you will) was the Man, and he Jun. Well then, I know nothing belike of Free Masonry.
built Solomon's Porch too ? Mast. Not much indeed ; and not enough to do the Free M asons
Mast. Yes ; and don't they tell you Hiram was buried in the any Harm, that I can assure you, tho' you break your Oath tomorrow,
Sanctum Sanctorum ? and tell all' know.
Jun. Yes, and he was buried there too to be sure. Jun. I may try that perhaps ; it seems they have cheated me,
Mast. Yes, allegorically ; but not really ; the Meaning of the why shou'd not I be even with them ? If they have deluded me,
Figure is this : That his Art sunk with him, was buried in the my Oath is void.
exquisite Workmanship which he perform'd for the Temple, and was Ma st. I d o n't see ho w yo u will make o ut that ; b ut if yo u
never recover'd since, for that no such Things were ever done after it, think so, you may do your worst, there is no body in fear of your Re-
in or for any Building in the World. sentment.
Jun. Was that the Meaning of it ? Jun. I f they were not afraid, they would not make us take such
Mast. Yes ; for you might easily know, a dead Body to have horrid Oaths for Secrecy ; but I don't value their Oaths of a Farthing,
been buried in the Temple, would have polluted the Place, and the not I.
Jews would never have come into it again. Ma st. No t val u e t h e Oat h s ! Mr . F r ee Ma so n , sa y yo u so !
fun. There may be something in that indeed ; but why was not I What, are you arriv'd to such a Pitch that you value neither God
told all that before ? nor Devil !
Mast. I tell you why, because you had not been long enough en- Jun. I don't think either Gon or Devil i s any thing concern'd
ter'd to be a fully Accepted Free Mason. ïn this Case, 'tis an Oath and no Oath to me ; and I tell you, if they
Jun. And was the Art o f Masonr y buried then in S olomon's don't use me very handsomly, I'll expose the whole Craft, I know
Temple ? how to do it very well.
Mast. I don't say so ; but Hiram's Art of Foundry was so buried to Mast. All you know of it, you mean.
be sure ; for all the World never made two such massive Pillars of Jun. Yes, all I know of it.
Brass as BOAZ and JACHIN, nor was there ever any such heard of in Mast. And that is just nothing at all, I tell you ; why you did
the World. not so much as know what Trade old Hiram was ; or who was the
J u n. An d wh a t b eca me o f Ma so nr y i n Egypt at t he s a me ti Master Builder of Babel : You expose us ! you can expose no
me ? body but your self.
Mast. Why that died with old Mizraim, for there was never any Jun. Well, well, I will let the World see what Cheats you are,
Free Mason in the World that could build such Pyramids, and there- and how you have impos'd upon me and all the World : If I
194 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Masan Detected 195
an't better us'd, I'll make my self amends upon some of you, I'll Men as the warmest Imprecations of these swearing Days : This has ap-
warrant you. peared in the Consequences, seeing we find the firmly combin'd Force
Mast. What do you mean by being better us'd ? Explain yourself, of the Honourable Society of Free M asons remaining untouch'd, nay
pray. unattempted, notwithstanding the Difference of the Bonds : Till
Jun. Explain my self ; ay, so I will ; I want Money, and I must these wicked Times, when, as we see in the present Example, Men
have Money, and by G—d I will have Money, or it shall be worse for are not to be bound by the most awful and solemn Oaths, Promises
them. and Asseverations in the World.
Mast. Well, no w yo u talk like yo ur self ; want Money ! m ust Now, tho' the Sense of this Degeneracy of Mankind may have led
have Money ! and will have Money ! What's the Difference, pray, the Society to draw up some new and additional Forms of Oaths, by
between that and D—mn you, Sir, Deliver, or I'll . . . &c. Pray, which they might hope to secure the Fidelity of their Junior Mem-
where is your Pistol ? bers, yet wisely also foreseeing what might happen, and that Men
Jun. No, no ; I am no high-way-man, and yet I tell you, if your would be found who would perhaps break through all those Obligations,
damn'd Society do not take care of me, I'll take care of them, I'll lay it and make light of Faith and Honour ; they todk care likewise to
all open by G—d. cornmunicate no more of the Secrets of the Society to those young
Here the Dialogue broke off, as well it might ; for what could be Members than they thought fit, till they had in their first Station
said further to such a Pretender to Free Masonry, as this ? He might given ample Proofs of their Fidelity ; and yet the little which they
have laid a Man flat without Square or Level, and cut a Perpendicular knew being opened to them under the most horrid Imprecations and
thro' his Head without Rule or Plumb-Line. the most solemn Cadis, they could not break thro' that little without
Upon this very Foundation the Enemies of the Free M asons have pro- branding themselves with the grossest Marks of Infamy, as well as
ceeded, and these are the Men we have to do with in this Tract : They Folly ; the first, in the evident Perjury ; and the last, in their igno-
have taken the Oath of a Free Mason, and have with an audacious Front rantly supposing they were Masters of the happy Secret, when indeed
broke thro' that Oath, and they would corne off of it by objecting they knew little of the Matter.
against the Manner of the Oath and the Obligations of it, insisting that it is We have had the inside of the latter sort turn'd outmost in the
not binding upon them, because not administer'd in the ordinary Form of former Discourse with a Junior admitted in Form as above : We
Law or before a Magistrate, and the like. shall now entertain you a little with a more flagrant piece of Treachery, and
Perjury committed, avowed and openly boasted of in the Teeth of
PART II
Shame, and in Contempt of all that can be call'd Honourable among
Thus far we have seen the Fools of the Society discovering them- Men. This is fully describ'd in another Dialogue between a True
selves ; Fools we may call them without any Injustice, that could Mason and one Mr. Samuel Prichard ; for he has given up his Name
believe, a Society, claiming to have been establish'd so many Ages, to the D— under the' Sanction of a Counter-Oath, even in Print ;
and whose secret Deposit, had been preserv'd so inviolable under so many swearing himself perjur'd, which any Man would have believ'd
sacred Bonds and Ties of Secresy, could be so weak at last as to dis- without a second Oath, and no Man the more for the Addition, the
cover the Arcana of Free Masonry to every Corner that did but think fit Dialogue is as follows.
at the Expence of a Trille to offer themselves, and to take a Modem Oath,
for these Men affirm the Oath that they have taken to be all Modern, Q. Pray, Sir, is your Name Samuel Prichard ? A. Yes, Sir.
and, as they say, form'd of yesterday ; and so it is indeed, compar'd to
Q. Are you the same Man who has publish'd that wonderful Book call'd
the ancient Engagements of Free Masons, which were founded upon Prin- the Free Mason dissected ? A. Yes, I am Sir, what have you to say to
ciples of Honour, and in Times when a sole= Parole was of equal, if not it ?
superior Force with the Consciences of Q. Nothing at all Sir, only I wonder you did not give it a better
196 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 197
Title. A. What Title cou'd have been more to the Purpose, and to A. I went of my own accord, it was my own Desire to be amongst
the Design of the Book ? them.
Q. O, a great many ; but one in particular. A. What is that pray, Q. Pray for what Purpose did you desire it ? A. That I might see
what wou'd you have had it call'd ? into the Mystery that was talked so much of.
Q. Why, I wou'd have had you call'd it Mr. Samuel P richard Q. Then it was not to attain to any of the Perfections and Im-
dissected, or Mr. Samuel Prichard, who calls himself a Free M ason, provements of a Society so ancient and honourable, but meerly to
dissected. A. And why so pray ? satisfy your own Curiosity. A. Perhaps there might be something
Q. Because the Book would then have answer'd the Title exactly, for else in it too, I wanted to know what they were a doing as a Society,
it has the very Inside of a R— laid open in it from the very Title and to be let into the grand Secret, which the World talked so
Page to the Word Finis, and the Name set to it at full length thus, (I much of.
am the Man) Samuel P richard. A. You are very rude, is this all Q. What did you propose to your self ? A. That I might get
your Business with me ? Money by it.
Q. No, no ; I have several Things of Moment to talk with you Q. How cou'd you suppose you should get Money by it, you did
about ; pray why do you call your self a Free Mason? A. Because I not design to discover it, did you ? A. It may be I did. Q. A very
am so. honest Design indeed, Mr. Prichard, very honest. A. As honest on my
Q. How do you make it out ? A. I am an Accepted F ree Mason, a Side as on theirs it may be.
Member of the Free M asons, and I wear the Leather Apron and Q. Well, but when you were receiv'd or admitted, you took Oath,
white Gloves. did not you ? A. Yes, yes ; I took all the Oaths they offer'd to me.
Q. How was you accepted, and . by whom ? A. By a Constituted Q. And would have taken forty more, I suppose, if they had of-
Lodge of Accepted Free Masons.\ fered them ; for he that breaks an Oath is perjur'd you know, and is no
Q. Well, but you should change your Stile a little. A. How more you'll say, if he takes a Bag full : So here was a pre-
shou'd I change it, and why ? meditated Perjury, and an Oath taken with an Intent to break it. A.
Q. Why, you shou'd say, I w as a F ree Mason, not I Am. A. Why Well, and what d'ye make of all that ?
am I not so now, pray ? once a Free M ason, and always a Free Q. Nothing Mr. Prichard, nothing at all only forsworn a little,
Mason. that's all, Mr. Prichard ; pray, is that a true Copy of the Oath you
Q. Ay, but once a Renegade, and always a Turk ; once a Traytor, and took, which you have printed in your Book ? A. Yes, don't you
always a R— ; those Things you know are Maxims in all Affairs see I have sworn to it in the first Page.
of this kind, you know it well enough. A. You are very abusive, you Q. You must pardon me, Mr. Prichard, I can't believe it a jot the
talk as if you had an Authority to rail. more for your new fashion'd Oath : He that will forswear once,
Q. I say nothing of Mr. Prichard, but what I have Mr. Prichard's Author- will forswear twice ; but I think I know the Oath, and if you please
ity for, under his Oath before a Justice of Peace. A. What have I i'll set it down again for you, that you may have a Voucher ; the
given under my Hand ? Oath you took, if you were admitted a Free Mason, was this.
Q. Nothing but that you are perjur'd, and have divulged what you
had sworn to conceal ; is not that Writing your self a .................... un- The Free Mason's Oath
der your own Hand, and have I not a good Authority to call you I Hereby solemnly Vow and Swear in the Presence of Almighty God
any thing or every thing that you call your self ? A. I say no such and this Right Worshipful Assembly, that I will Hail and Conceal,
Thing.
and never Reveal the Secrets or Secresy of Masons or Masonry, that
Q. Corne let us see how Jesuit-like you will work your self out : shall be revealed unto me ; unless to a True
Pray, who presented you to the Society to be receiv'd a Free Mason?
198 The Perjur'd Free Masan Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 199
and Lawful Brother, after due Examination, or in a Just and Worship- then ? A. They abused me, like a Knot of R----s as they are, set me
ful Lodge of Brothers and Fellows well met. at Defiance, and bade me do my worst.
I furthermore Promise and Vow, that I will not Write them, Q. And so you have done your worst, han't you ? A. I have
Print them, Mark them, Carve them, or Engrave them, or cause done what I told them I would do, I have exposed them.
them to be Written, Printed, Marked, Carved or Engraved on Q. What, in your printed Book ? A. Ay, in the Book called the
Wood or Stone, so as the Visible Character or Impression of a Free Mason Dissected.
Letter may appear, whereby it may be unlawfully obtain'd. Q. Pray, how then cornes the World to have such a different
All this under no less Penalty than to have my Throat cut, Opinion of that extraordinary Piece from what you think of it ? A.
my Tongue taken from the Roof of my Mouth, my Heart pluck 'd from What different Opinion have they ?
under my Left Breast, them to be buried in the Sands of the Sea, Q. Why, I can't meet with one Man that has read it, but what
the Iength of a Cable-rope from Shore, where the Tide ebbs and fiows like my Title much better than they do yours, and think it should
twice in 24 Hours, my Body to be burnt to Ashes, my Ashes to be scatter have -been call'd not the Free M ason Dissected, but Mr. Samuel
'd upon the Face o f the Earth, so that there shall be no more Remem- Prichard Dissected. A. I don't believe a Word of it.
brance of me among Masons. Q. But I can being you good Witness of it, there is not one Page in
So help me God. it but what they say, calls you both Knave and Fool. A. But how can
they make it out ?
Q. Is this a true Draft of the Oath ? A. Yes, yes ; 'tis the same I
Q. Why first they say, you own yourself perjur'd, nay you have
published, and the same that I took.
sworn to it ; that calls you K ................ and something worse : And
Q. On purpose to break, I perceive. A. Well, and what then ? I tell
as for the F . . . . certainly he that publishes his own Shame may
you, I am not guilty of Perjury for all that.
pass for a F . . . . in any Part of the World. A. I own no such
Q. Nay, have you not sworn that you are forsworn ? A. Don't tell thing.
me of Perjury, and being foresworn ; why did they not answer my just
Demands then ? I tell you they are all Cheats and R—s, I did not Q. Well, we will talk farther of that by and by, but in the mean
cheat them. time what does all the Discovery you have made amount to ? A.
Nay, you say I have discovered nothing.
Q. What Demands ? Did they owe you any Thing ? A. Why
Q. Nothing that (as you expected) can do the Free Masons the In-
Money, why did they not give me some Money ?
Q. Did they promise you any when you entered, or before it ? A. jury you intended. A. Then what is all this Noise for ?
It's no matter whether they did or no, I expected it, and I wanted it, and Q. Nay nothing, but to shew how blind a piece of Work you have made
more than that, I was told I might get Money of them, if I was but once of it, and what a Trille you have perjur'd yourself for ? A. What is it you
admitted. call a Trifle ? Han't I laid open all the Bottom of the Mystery, that they
have cheated the World with so long.
Q. Who told you so, was he a Free Mason, or one that had any Commis-
sion from them to promise in their Names ? A. No, no ; but it was one Q. Truly, thou hast laid open neither Bottom or Top, nor is there ei-
that understood Things. ther Head or Tau in all the Book ; you have only told the World that
when People corne first to be admitted into the Society of Free Matons,
Q. What's that to them ? Did they make any Bargain with you ? A.
they take an Oath of Secresy, a solemn Oath in the Ternis as above
What tho' they did not, I told them I wanted Money.
recited, and as it seems you have taken it. A. Yes, I have so.
Q. When did you tell them so, before you took the Oath or since ? A.
Q. Ay, and have broken it too, as bare fac'd as you took it. A.
No, not before you may be sure, but often enough since.
So I have, make your best of it.
Q. And did you threaten to discover and break the Oath if they Q. And that after the Oath, they used a formai Office of Admission
would not give you Money ? A. Yes, I did.
Q. And what did they say to that, did they promise you any
200 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 201
to serve for a Tryal of the Fidelity of the Junior Members, for that the them, but to Almighty God, and his sacred Name you invok'd in
Society not being able to know the Characters and Principles of the Conclusion to help, or not to hel p you, as you perform'd or did
every new Member, did not think fit to commit the whole Trust of not perform what you had sworn. A. I tell you, I swore nothing ;
their Secret deposit to Novices and 'Prentices, as you see they are the Form of the Oath being illegal, the Matter is illegal also, and of
call' d, till after a sufficient Probation ; so that if they prov'd no Import, I do not lay the least Stress upon it.
treacherous, they could discover no more than they knew, which Q. Unhappy shuffling perjur'd Creature ! that won't do, that
was nothing significant to the main Affair, and nothing by which Jesuitical Shift will not stand thee in any stead against the solid part
the grand Secret could be expos'd. A. A fine Story truly ; how do of an Oath ; hear the Words again : that is, I Samuel P richard,
you make it out ? solemnly swear in t he P resence of A lmighty G od, &c. is not that
Q. The Think makes out itself ; let any body that has had so swearing ? A. Not such swearing as to make the Breach of the Oath Per-
much Patience as to read your Libel, tell themselves what they can jury.
learn from it of the Society's Affairs. A. Yes, they may learn the Q. Not Perjury ! A. No, not Perjury ; and if any Man says I
whole Secret. am perjur'd, bring my Action against him.
Q. How can that be, when 'tis plain you don't know it yourself ? Q. Begin with me then, Sam, for I tell thee to thy Face thou art for-
They can only learn that the Society have been ton wise to trust sworn in the Sight of God and Man. A. I don't care for that, so long
you, and that you are too ignorant to hurt them. A. If this was as it is not so in the Sight of the Law.
true, then what do you make all this Stir about Perjury for ? Q. Thou hast a hard-mouth'd Soul, Prichard, that's true. But
Q. Why you are not a jot less perjur'd for that : A House-breaker is that will carry thee but a little way in Defence of the Fact. Let us
no less a Thief when a House is so well secur'd that he can't get into it, go back to the Oath : Did you repeat the Words when you took the
than he would be if he had got in and rob'd it of all that was in it. A. Oath, or did you only hear them read, and, having your Hand upon
You make very homely Comparisons. the Book, say the usual Amen to them at the End, that is, So help me
Q. But they are very just. A. I tell you the Oath itself is void in God. A. I need not have repeated them, but being officiously
its own Nature. It is an illégal Oath. forward I did repeat them aloud, being all the while upon my
Q. But you allow it is an Oath, and that you swore it. A. Well, Knees ; but all that's nothing, I tell you.
and what can you make now of such an Oath as this ? Q. That is to say still, that you don't call this Swearing, or call
Q. I make o f it ; nay, what do yo u make of it ? A. I make the Words, which arc the Form of it, an Oath, when so read to you,
nothing at all of it, nor is the thing sworn to worth a Farthing. and acknowledg'd by you in the P resence of Almighty God.
Q. I make so much of it, that I would not break it, tho' it were of Pray, what do you call Swearing—and what is an Oath in your Ac-
less Importance than it is, for a thousand Guineas. A. And I count ? A. You may call it what you will, I tell you, I value it not.
would break an hundred such for half the Money. Q. I believe you don't indeed ; and you may depend upon it, no
Q. If you have such a case-harden'd Conscience as that, you have so body will value any thing you shall say or swear for the future, you
far got the start of me, Mr. Prichard, I can't help that. A. There's shall enjoy one Part of the Curse attending your swearing Part (viz.)
nothing in it, you can't call it an Oath. that tho' your A shes may not be scatter'd, as y ou s ay in t he
Q. Not an Oath ! Was it not intended to be an Oath by those that Oath, upon the Face of the Earth ; yet that there shall be no more Remem-
impos'd it ? A. Ay, ay ; but they had no Power to give me an brance of you among Masons, and so avoid Mr. Free Mason Prich-
Oath at all, much less to impose the Form of it. ard, avoid for ever. A. Well, but you say I swore to nothing, what
Q. Very well, and will that bring you off; think you ? Pray, then do you make all this a-noise about ; if I swore to nothing, I have
had they Power to stand still and hear you swear it ? And, I hope, forsworn nothing, and, so all is well again.
you remember you did not swear to them, tho' you swore it before Q. No, Mr. Prichard, no, no ; I do not say you swore to nothing,
only I say you have been trusted with nothing, that is to say, nothing
202 The Perjur' d Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 203
of Importance ; nothing but what you may carry away, and make no Q. It is really no Matter what, whatever it was except it was
body much the wiser ; but you are not a Jot the less dipt in the Per- criminal to conceal it ; the divulging it was downright Perjury.
jury, for that : He that does all the Mischief he can, is guilty of all A. I don't value a hundred such Oaths as that.
the Mischief he would do, if it was in his power ; and 'tis plain by Thus far the unhappy Mr. Prichard has carry'd on bis Defence,
your Confession, if you have not been guilty of all the Treachery to with a Stock of Brass, perfectly agreeable to the Nature of the Thing
the Society that you design'd to be, it has not been for want of Will, call'd Perjury ; and holds it out that he is not forsworn, only be-
but for want of Power ; you would have murther'd them all upon cause he did not swear before a lawful Magistrate, and that the
the same Foot, if it had been in your Power. A. But what is this to Breach of his Oath cannot be prosecuted as a meer Perjury in the
the Purpose still, if as you say, I have discovered nothing. Sense of the Law, or in a Court of Justice ; let him shelter his Con-
Q. Hold there, tho' what you have discover'd, or indeed, all you science under such a Skreen, it may indeed save bis Ears, but will never
know, was not able to do the Free Masons any harm ; yet you are solve his Character.
foresworn as much as if you had discovered ten times as much. A. Nor will it go down with any honest Man, that a solemn Oath, or
How will you make out that ? an Oath solemnly taken between Man and Man, or by a Man to a
Q. Because you did not swear not to discover Things detrimental to Society of Men shall not bc binding, because the Breach of it is
the Company, for that might be to swear to conceal that which you not cognisable in Form of Law.
did not know, but you swore not to discover what you knew, be the Justice and Honesty will remain unchang'd and the same, and will
Importance of it more or less. A. You take a great deal of Pains to have the same Influence upon all honest and upright Minds ; tho'
make it Perjury, if you could ; I tell you I don't value it, if it is Per- the Penalty were entirely taken off from the Breach of the Bond ;
jury, as long as you can't prosecute me at Law. for the Obligation is not fix'd upon the Form, but 'tis fix'd in the
Q. I have nothing to do with the brasen Side of your Conscience, Soul, and an honest Man will do what is honest, from an inherent
look you to that ; I prove it to be Perjury, and that's enough to the Principle of Justice, tho' there were no Laws to bind him, no Power
present Case. A. You and I differ about the Word Purjury, perhaps, to punish him, and no Shame or Reproach to attend him.
that's all. Mr. Prichard has taken pains to guild his own Character with all
Q. I don't think wé differ about it at all ; pray what say you of a the flaming Lustre that the D—1 can assist him with, and has not
Man that solemnly promises with a profess'd Design to break his only avowedly broken the Oath of a Free M ason, which he ac-
Word, and not perform ? A. Say, we say he breaks his Word. knowledges he had taken as above, but has with a Strain above all
Q. Don't we say he is guilty of premeditated Perjury ? A. We that ever went before him, and in a Manner very particular, gone
may say so, but that is not Pcrjury. before a Magistrate to unswear what he had sworn to before, and
Q. Indeed, I think it is, for there is very little Difference (if any) be- take an Oath that he is forsworn ; the merriest and most fantastick
tween them : a solemn Promise before Witness, and mentioning the Piece of Forehead-Work that ever I met with in the World, that
Presence of God, is no less than calling God to witness ; and an Oath, I a Man (fearing like the Wizard at New E ngland) that his Word
am sure, does no more, so that they are the same in the Intent and should not be taken against himself, has, I say, made Oath that he
Meaning of them. A. That's carrying Things on to Extremes and has broken his Oath, and swore that he is foresworn ; and I doubt
Niceties. by the Way is perjur'd in that Oath too, âs well as in the other.
Q. But what's all this to you ? yours was a plain Oath, as plain What Occasion there was for such an unprecedented Oath as this, I
and as strong as Words and horrid Imprecations could make it. A. cannot imagine, except to eternize his Memory, which, as above,
An Oath to do what ? was doomed by the Imprecations of his former Oaths etemally to
Q. To conceal and keep secret, and neither directly or indirectly to be forgotten. Perhaps indeed he might apprehend that a single
divulge. A. Divulge what ? Affirmation would not go down with Mankind in a Case so flagrant,
204 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 205
and therefore he sets a Bill upon the Door, intimating that here was I. What his Design was in this double Prevarication.
some strange and wonderful Novelty to be seen, such as was never II. How far the Event has answer'd the Malice of the Design, or
seen or heard of before, viz. a Monster swearing himself to be a whether it has answer'd it at all or no ? These two Enquiries have
Monster, a Man swearing himself to be a D-1. Whether indeed he afforded us another short Entertainment upon the Subject by way
ought to be depended upon for this last Oath any more than he might of Dialogue, and which may serve to dismiss this worthy Subject
for the first, I shall not determine. Perhaps he might act like the and its Author also from the Stage and Scene of Action, and indeed
Wizard at New England, who swore he dealt with the Devil and had from all Conversation among Free Masons in the World. The
done so for several Years, yet could not gain Credit enough with the Discourse is as follows.
Jury to get himself hang'd, tho' every body believ'd he deserv'd it. Q. Pray, Mr. Free Mason PRICHARD, let me ask you another short
And what shall we call this double Swearing now, but a Testimony even Question or two upon the Subject of our last Conference, and (if that
in favour of Free Masonry it self, viz. that not one Word of this Author's be possible) answer me sincerely. A. I won't promise you that.
Work ought to be depended upon or even believ'd ; and indeed, as I Q. No indeed, I doubt you can't ; and if you did, it would be
have advanced already, there is so little Consistency in the Relation, of no great Weight ; but I shall judge a little by the Manner of your
and such confounded Falsehood in the Relator, that whoever would Answers, whether they are sincere or no. A. Well, what is it you
bang a Beast upon his Affidavit, should never pass with me for a just would ask me ?
Judge or a good Juryman. Q. Why, in the first place, what did you propose to yourself in
When a Man has once made himself infamous in the Sense of the your late extraordinary Pamphlet called Masonry Dissected ? A.
Law, his Evidence is no more accepted in a Court of Justice. If a Man Propose to my self, what do you mean by that ?
shall upon Oath declare himself to have perjur'd a most solemn Oath, and Q. The Question is plain ; no Action is done by any rational
own'd that he regards neither God or the Devil, so that he can but be Creature, but it is done for some End, something is proposed, as
free from that one Evil call'd Punishment ; he may pass with other Men for an End in the Work : Now in that Part, either you proposed some
what they please, but with nie shall always pass for what the, Law calls by a thing to your self, or you prosed nothing. A. I told you before I
hard Name, and cannot deserve a soft one. proposed to get Money.
But I am still mightily inclin'd to believe one Thing in favour of Q. Money ; of whom, pray ? A. Why, of the Free Masons.
this unhappy Author, and that is, that he did not really take the Ma- Q. What, after you had spit your Venom at them ; after you had
sons Oath, and if so, then he is guilty but of one Perjury ; but then to done all the Mischief you could ? you could not expect they would
what purpose was lis second Oath ! and he must bc brought in commit- give you any thing then, especially seeing, as i t s eems, they
ting that Sin for the meer sake of sinning, which is what wise Men say would give you none before. A. But I did expect it for all that.
outsins the Devil ; if the Devil does Mischief, 'tis with some View, Q. What, Did you think they would give you Money for railing,
and Design of still farther Mischief : But if he did not take the first when they would give you none to hold your Tongue ? A. Well,
Oath, then he forswore himself in the second without any View at ail, and it were better for them that they had.
for no manner of purpose ; and on the other hand, if he did take the Q. Had what ? given you Money, after you had done your worst : I
first Oath and break it, his second Oath might well be said to stand for am indeed of Opinion now, that your Answer is sincere, it is so
nothing, for owning himself forsworn already, who would believe any. silly. A. But perhaps I had another End in it, that may have been
thing he should say or swear after it ? answer'd effectually, and that I shan't let you into the Secret of.
In short, 'tis all a piece of Nonsense and Confusion, and we shall say Q. I believe I can tell it you, if you won't tell it me, and I believe
no more to it, but see a little into the Design and Event of it all. so, because there is no room for any-thing else, and that is REVENU.
A. Well, if that is the Case, han't I good Cause ? Han't I Provoca-
tion enough ?
206 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected 207
Q. No indeed, I see no Provocation at all : Pray, wherein have the at Bristol. When you wanted Money of the Free Masons, I won-
Free Masons affronted you, that it should raire your Spleen so much der you did not threaten to burn their Houses, if they did not send
? A. W hy, they wo uld give me no Money ; is not that sufficient it you. A. What, do you take me for an Incendiary then ?
Provocation ? Q. Yes, indeed, I do ; for there are other People call'd Incendiaries, be-
Q. I am perswaded they gave you as much as they promis'd you. A. sides those that burn Houses, and I think the Crimes bear a strong Anal-
Why they gave me nothing at all. ogy. A. How can you make that out ?
Q. Did they give Money to any body else ? A. I don't inquire into Q. Why Revenge, 'tis apparent, is the grand Apparatus of both ;
that. Want of Money is the Spring which moves them both ; and if you
Q. But why should you expect it, if no body else did ? A. It's no attack by Slander, and they by Fire, Gon and the Gallows has
matter for that, I will be reveng'd of them, they had better have done it. only prevented it, or else the Method had been the same in both. A.
Q. That's not worth notice : But this brings me to ask you another Ques- What d'ye mean by that ?
tion, and that is, are not all the Ends you propos'd to your self disap- Q. Mean ! my Meaning is direct, not equivocal like yours :
pointed ; or to put it another Way, has any one of your Expectations been Providence has been the Safety of the Innocent, and the Gallows
answer'd ? A. Perhaps they have. has been the Terror of the Guilty. A. You are raving sure, pray
Q. I doubt not ; I believe you cannot pretend to it. A. Yes, yes, I what have I done to you ?
have got Money by my Book. Q. Nay nothing, Mr. Prichard, nothing at all, nor to any body
Q. Poor Scribbler ! What little you have got by the Copy of your else ; only shew'd your Teeth, shew'd us what you would have
Book is hardly worth being call'd getting, and you have bought that done, had it not been for the Gallows. A. Why the Gallows, pray ?
Gold (if there was any) much too dear. A. Well, you have nothing Q. Because you are something of a Coward, it seems, and afraid
to do with that ; I have not done with them yet. of being hang'd ; your Brethren of Bristol had more Courage by
Q. Well, now you are sincere again, for that's a free and full half than you. A. I never intended to burn any body's House.
Confession. A. Confession of what ? Q. I don't think you did. A. Why do you talk thus then ?
Q. Why, that you have been disappointed in what you have done already. Q. Because I tell you, I can never believe that he who, to extort
A. How disappointed ? Money unjustly and where none is due, will attack innocent Men,
Q. Why, that it has not answer'd your End or Design. A. You don't endeavour to blast them with Slander and Calumny, and in mere
know what my End or Design was. Revenge perjure himself to fasten the Dirt of his Reproaches upon
Q. Why, did not you tell me just now, that it was Revenge, be- them, would ever stick at robbing, ay or burning their Houses to
cause you could get no Money of them ? A. Well, it may be it was bring it to pass, if it was not for mere Cowardice and Fear of the
that, among other Things. Gallows ; and now I think I have explained my self. A. Explain'd
Q. And are you not disappointed now, as effectually as you were be- your self in what ?
fore ? I tell you, you have taken wrong Measures in both : I think Q. Why; in stating the Affinity between the Bristol Men and you,
you should go to School, to learn the A B C of a R— you have and saying you were Brethren ? A. Very well ; and is there no
enough of the Rage, but no Method. A. By your Way of -talking, I Difference between us then ?
suppose you are able to teach me. , Q. Yes, yes ; .there's a great deal of Difference between you too.
Q. You are witty upon me, it seems, for my Advice : No, I A. It's well you'll allow me that.
shan't pretend to teach you, but I may direct you to them that can. A. Q. Nay, nay, don't boast of it ; there's none in the Crime, tho'
Who may that be, pray ? there's some in the Manner. A. None in the Crime ! monstrous !
Q. Why, I think, you may leam of some of those lesser R--s Why I han't burnt Houses, nor sent Letters to threaten any of the
Free Masons, have I ?
208 The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected
Q. Perhaps not ; I tell you, Fear of the Gallows has prevented that, The Perjur'd Free Mason' Detected 209
but no Thanks to your Intention, which, like theirs, was Revenge ; a
Crime in its ver t' Nature, and fruitful of-all the other Crimes we talk of, observ'd, was a Brasier or Founder, and no Mason at all : Upon this he
as the Boldness and Spirit of the Criminal guides it, so that (as I said) shewed him one of Sr. Walter Raleigh's History of the World, that there
there is no Difference in the Principle at all. A. Well, where is the Differ- were 80000 Masons and 30000 Carpenters and Joyners employed in
ence then ? For you own we differ. that Work, and and 35 000 Master Masons or Directors to oversee and
Q. Why the Difference is plain. They have done all the Mischief they direct the Work and asked him if he thought the Antiquity of Free
threaten'd, and you have been able to do no Mischief at all. They have Masonry was not sufficiently defended by the learned Author.
shewn their Villany in Fire, and you only in Smoke. They have hurt To all this the ignorant Creature had nothing to say, but to complain that
the Man they pointed at, you have only grinn'd and shew'd your Teeth, he was not informed of all these Things when lie was admitted, to
and been able to hurt no body. A. Well then, you say I have done no which it was answered, That if he had continued an Honest Free-Mason,
Hurt. these Things, and all the other Arcana of the Society, which has been
communicated and committed to him, but that he lost all that by turning R.
Q. No, none at all, Mr. Prichard, none at all ; that is to say, not to a
too soon ; and upon this he
Free M ason. A. What then do you exclaim against ? what do you
went swearing away and vowing farther R.evenge, but utterly unable to do
make such a Noise for ?
the Free-Masons the least hurt.
Q. Your wicked Design has not been the Loss, and you have done
hurt too. A. But what is my Design to you ? FINIS.
Q. Yes, yes, as I said before, if a Man attempt to robb my House, but
can't get in, or to fire my House, but can't fasten his Combustibles,
he does me wrong, tho' he does me no hurt, he injures me and assaults
me, tho' he can't do the Mischief he would do. A. Well, well, if I
have been disappointed, as you pretend, I may let you know you are not
invulnerable.
Q. I believe we are, as to any Thing you can do, and I am sure we
are, as to all you have done yet ; so as the Free-Mason told you before,
you may do your worst.

THE CONCLUSION

Thus the Free-Mason, and Mr. Prichard parted ; and indeed he had so
little to say, that it was not worth while to talk any more with him.
They had indeed some other Disputes about the ancient Masons in the
first Ages of the World ; but this poor Fellow was so ignorant, so unread,
and so unteachable, which was worse in matter of History and Antiquity,
that it was to no purpose to go back to former Times with him, or to say
any thing of what had been.
The Free Mason ask'd him how many free Masons were employ'd in the
building of Solomon's Temple, but he knew nothing of it Then he ask'd
him how many Master Masons there were employ'd ; and he answer'd, none
but old Hiram, mentioned above, who, as is
 A Defence of Masonry 211

unlocks the very Soul, nor Hunger, that breaks thro' Stone-walls, nor
Thirst, a sore Evil to a Working-Mason, could being to Light ; has at
A DEFENCE OF MASONRY, 1730 -1 last been disgorg'd upon Oath, to the great Easement of a tender
This anonymous 4to pamphlet, 10 1/4" x 8", is a reply to Prichard's Masonry Stomach, the etemal Scandal. of the Fraternity, and the Good of the
Dissected. It was advertised for sale in the Daily Post on 15 December 173o as Publick, never to be forgotten ! The Design was no less than to dis-
" This day is publish'd ", but bears the date 1731 on its title page (see repro- burden a loaded Conscience, to acquaint the World, That never did so
duction in A.Q.C., xxvi, following p. 240, and in Misc. Lat., i, 45). Until 1913, ridiculous an I mposition a ppear among Mankind ; and to p revent so
when a Copy was secured for Grand Lodge Library, this work was known many innocent Persons being drawn into so pernicious a Society !
only from reprints which appeared in Anderson's Constitutions of r738 (where WIIAT could induce the Dissector to take that Oath, or the Magistrate to
it is stated to have been published in 173o) and in the second edition of Smith's admit it, shall not at this time be decided.
Pocket Companion for F ree-Masons, 1738. Anderson's reprint omits the HOWEVER, I must give the World Joy of so notable a Discovery, so hon-
original Latin quotations and gives the English translations only ; Smith's reprint ourable, so circumstantiated ! A mighty Expectation was raised, and
gives both. h was attributed by Oliver to Anderson, and by Gould first, tenta- without doubt is wonderfully gratified by this Course o f Anatomy. It
tively, to Dr. Wm. Warburton, Bishop of Gloucester, and lacer, more definitely, must be this; it can be nothing else. It is, as we always supposed,
w Martin Clare, who undoubtedly prepared a reply to Prichard, the reading a whimsical C heat s upported by great N ames to s educe P ools ;
of " Bro. Clare's Discourse Concerning Prichard " being referred to in the who, on ce gulled out of t heir M oney, k eep t he F raud s ecret, t o dr aw in
minutes of Lodge No. 73, Lincoln, on z October 1733. Wonnacott has dis- others !
cussed the evidence in A.Q.C., xxviii, 8o-86, and shown that the identifica-
I confess I cannot corne into this Method of Arguing ; nor is it, in my
tion of the Discourse ' with A D efence of M asonry is very doubtful. Cf. our
Opinion, a fair Way of treating a Society, to run implicitely with the
introductory note to The P erjur'd F ree Mason Detected, p. 187 above. It is re-
Cry, without examining whether these Reproaches are founded upon
produced from Smith in Q.C.A.,
any thing in the Mystery (as now represented) either wicked, or ridiculous.
and in Leics. Reprints, i ; and from Anderson in Q.C.A., vii. Our reprint is
For that stupid Imputation of drawing in Pools, for the sake of t heir
from the photo-lithographie reptoduction in Leics. Reprints, i.
Money, can have no weight in the present Case, rince the Frater-
A DEFENCE OF MASONRY, Occasion'd by a Pamphlet called Masonry Dis- nity, as it now stands, consists principally of Members of great Honour
and Distinction, much superior to Views so sordid and ungenerous.
sected.
Rarus Semo & magna Libido Tascendi.1 Juv. Sat. FOR once then, let this Dissection contain all the Secrets of Free-
[London : Printed for J. Roberts, near the Oxford-Aras, in Masonry ; admit that every Word of it is genuine and literally true,
Warwick-Lane. MDCCXXXI.] 2 and that the whole Scheme consists of no more nor no less : yet under
all these Concessions, under all the Disadvantages and Prejudices
whatever, I cannot but still believe, there have been Impositions upon
CHAP. I. Mankind m ore r idiculous ; and that many have be en drawn into a
AMONG the extraordinary Discoveries of the present Age, nothing has Society more p ernicious. I would not be thought agitated upon this
been received with more Delight and Exultation, than a few Sheets, Occasion, as if I were any way concerned whether this Dissection be true
written, it seems, without Partiality, called MASONRY DISSECTED. The Grand or false ; or, whether the Credit of Free-Masonry be affected by it, or not :
Secret that has long withstood the Batteries of Temptation, that neither These Considerations can give me no trouble. My Design is to address
Money, the Master-key of the Heart, nor Good Liguor, that to the sensible and serious Part of Mankind, by making a few impartial
1
So in Smith : read tacendias in original pamphlet. Remarks upon this Dissection, without contending for the Reputation of-
2
Does not appear in Smith's reprint ; we interpolate from the title page of the Masonry on the one hand, or reflecting upon the Dissector on the
original pamphlet, as reproduced in A.Q.C., xxvi. other.
210
212, A Defence of Masonry A Defence of Masonry 213
solemn Obligations to Secrecy. There are a Master, two Wardens,
CHAP. II and a number of Assistants, to make what the Dissector may call
(if he pleases) a perfect Lodge, in the City Companies. There is the
THE formidable Objection, which has given Offence to the better part Degree of enter'd Prentice, Master of his Trade, or Fellow-Craft,
of Men, is the Copy of the Oath, as it lies in the Dissection. It has and Master, or Master of the Company. There are Constitutions and
been a Matter of Admiration, that so many Persons of great Piety, strict Orders, and a successive and gradual Enjoyment of Offices, ac-
Conscience, and unspotted Character, should lay themselves under so cording to the several Rules and Limitations of Admission.
solemn an Obligation, under Penalties so terrible and astonishing, upon a Bu-r it is replied, That the general Design of Masonry may be com-
Subject so very trifling and insignificant. mendable, or at least innocent, and yet be carried on to the sanie
Advantage without the Solemnity of an Oath, especially pressed under
To obviate this Objection, I observe ; That the End, the Moral, and such dreadful Penalties. In answer I observe, That the Question is not
Purport of Masonry, as it is described in the Dissection, seems not so whether the Purpose of Masonry may as well be served without an
idle, and of that very small Importance as may at first be imagined. The Oath, but whether an Oath in the present Case be lawful, and may be
real Design of Masonry, as confessed by the Dissector, is to subdue our taken with a good Conscience ? And to solve this Difficulty, I shall in-
Passions, not to do our own Will ; to make a dai ly progress in a l aud- troduce the Opinion of Bishop Sanderson, the most judicious Casuist
able Art; t o p romote M orality, Charity, G ood-fellowship, G ood- that ever treated upon the Subject of Oaths * Cum res nullo aut
nature and Humanity. This appears to be the Substance, let the Form prcecepto, aut i nterdicto d ivino v el humano l egitimè ita de termi-
or Vehicle be ever so unaccountable. As for the Terms relating to Archi- nata e st, quin ut possit q uisque pro s uo arbitrio f acere v el n on
tecture, Geometry, and Mathematicks, that are dispersed throughout facere, prout ipsi visum fuerit expedire, quod vult faciat, non pec-
the Dissection ; it would be strange if a Society of such a Denomina- cat, I Cor. 7. 36. Ut si C aius f uret s e Titio fundum v enditurum aut
tion could subsist wholly without them, though they seem (to me at daturum mutuo centum, respondendum breviter, juramentum in hoc casu
least) to be rather Technical and Formai (yet delivered, perhaps, by long & licitum esse & obligare.
Tradition) than essentially attach'd to the grand Design. Now where is When a thing is not by any P recept or I nterdict, D ivine or Hu-
the Impiety, where the Immorality, or Folly for a number of Men to man, s o determined, b ut e very M an, pro hic & nunc, may at hi s
form themselves into a Society, whose main End is to improve in com- Choice do or not do, as he sees expedient, Let him do what he will,
mendable Skill and Knowledge, and to promote universel Beneficence, and he sinneth not, Cor. 7. 36. As if Caius should swear to sell his Land
the social Virtues of Human Life, , under the solemn Obligation of an Oath to Titius, or to lend hi m an hundred C rowns : T he A nswer i s
? and this, in what Form, under what secret Restrictions, and with what brief, an Oath in this Case is both lawful and binding.
innocent Ceremonies they think proper ? This Liberty all Incorporate Socie-
ties enjoy without Impeachment or Reflection. An Apprentice is bound to Now, I would know what Precept, Divine or Human, has any way de-
keep the Secrets of his Master. A Freeman is obliged to consult the Inter- termined upon the Contents of the Dissection ; and whether the
est of his Company, and not to prostitute in common the Mysteries of general Design of Masonry, as there laid down, is not at least of equal
his Trade. Secret Comminces and Privy-Councils are solemnly en- Benefit and Importance to the Publick, with the lending of a private
joined not to publish abroad their Debates and Resolutions. There Man a hundred Crowns ? The Answers to these Questions are
appears to be something like Masonry, as the Dissector describes it, in obvions, and the Consequence is equally plain, that an Oath upon the
all regular Societies of whatever Denomination. They are all held to- Subject of Masonry is at least justifiable and lawful.
gether by a sort of Cernent ; by Bonds and Laws that are peculiar to each As for the Terror of the Penalty, the World upon that Occasion is com-
of them, from the highest, to the little Clubs and nightly Meetings of a monly mistaken ; for the Solemnity of the Oath does not in the least
private Neighbourhood. There are Oaths administer'd, and sometimes add to the Obligation ; or, in other Words, the Oath is equally binding
without any Penalty at all. The same Casuist has this Expres-
* De Obligatione Juramenti, Praelectio 3, Sect. 15.
214 A Defence of Masonry A Defence of Masonry 215

sion ; * N on m agis obligat s olenne J uramentum e x s e naturâ suâ, qu am Where a Matter is so trivial, that it is not worth the Deliberation of
simplex, quia o bligatio J uramenti e xurgit prœcise e x e o quod D eus Testis a wise Man, nor matters a St raw whether it be done or not done, as
& V index i nvocatur. I nvocatur aut em D eus T estis & V index non m inus in to reach up a Chip, or to rub one' s Beard, or for the slightness of the
simplici J uramento quam in s olenni & c orporali,; nam i lla invocatio f it Matter i s not m uch to be esteemed, as to give a B oy an A pple, or t o
præcisè per pr olationem verborum quoe eadem e st in s implici & s olenni, & lend a Pin, an Oath is binding in a Motter of the least Moment, be-
non per aliquem motum corporalem aut signum concomitans, in quibus con- cause weighty and trivial things have a like r espect unto T ruth and
sistit Juramenti solennitas.
Falshood ; and further, because e very P arty swearing is bound to
A s olemn O ath of i tself, and in i ts ow n N ature, i s not m ore obl igatory
than a simple one ; because the Obligation of an Oath ariseth precisely from perform ail he promised, as far as he is able and it is lawful : But
this, that God is invoked as a W itness and R evenger no l ess in a simple Oath to gi ve an A pple t o a B oy is bat h pos sible and l awful ; he i s bound
thon in the solemn and corporal (for the Invocation is made precisely by the therefore to perform it, he ought to fulfil his Oath.
Pronunciation of the Words, which is the same bath in the simple and solemn,
and not by any corporal Motion, or concomitant Sign, in which the Solemnity
of the Oath consists.
I write to intelligent R eaders, a nd therefore this Citation wants not to be ex- CHAP. III.
plained.
BUT further : If the Oath in the Dissection be taken by all Masons upon HAVING taken off the Weight of the great Objection, the Design of
their Admission, no Member of the Fraternity upon any Pretence whatsoever this Chapter is to remove an Imputation, which has been often urged
dares violate the Obligation of it, without incurring the Guilt of Perjury ; with great Confidence, that the Principles and the whole Frame of
supposing that Masonry were more trifling and indiffèrent, than in the Dis- Free-Masonry is s o v ery w eak and ridiculous, that it r eflects upon
section it may appear to be. And therefore if the Conduct of the Dissector has Men of the least Understanding to be concerned in it. And now, say
stagger'd the Conscience of any one of the Brotherhood, conceming the Ob-
the merry Gentlemen, it appears evidently to be so by the Dissection,
servation of that Oath, and has induced him to trifle and play with the Force of it,
I hope he will desist betimes, lest he becomes actually forsworn. This Case is which covers nothing but an unintelligible Heap of Stuff and Jargon, with-
thus determined ;† Juramentum ul tra proestitum v el m aximè obl igat c um out common Sense or Connection.
nullum vinculum arctius obliget quam quod spontè susceptum est.
I confess I am of another Opinion ; though the Scheme of Masonry, as
A voluntary O ath is the m ore b inding for k ing voluntary, because t here
is no straighter Obligation thon that which we take willingly upon ourselves. revealed by the Dissector, seems liable to Exceptions ; nor is it so
AND in another place the Casuist is more particular : ‡ Cum ses aut ob s ui clear to me as to be fully understood at first View, by attending only to
levitatem indigna est viri prudentes deliberatione, nec cassa nuce inter- the literai Construction of the Words : And, for aught I know, the System,
est fecerit an non f ecerit, ut l evare f estucam d e t errâ, fricare b arbam, &c. aut as taught in the Regular Lodges, may have some Redundancies or
ob parvitatem materice non est multum cestimabilis, ut dore pomum puera, acicu- Defects, occasioned by the Indolence or Ignorance of the old Members.
lam c ommodore, &c. obligare J uramentum i n r e v el l evissimi mo menti And indeed, considering through what Obscurity and Darkness the
constat, quia in re gravi & levi eadem est veritatis & falsitatis ratio ; & quia Mystery has been delivered down ; the many Centuries it has sur-
omnis jurons tenetur facere totum quod pr omisit, quatenus potest & licet ; vived ; the many Countries, and Languages, and Sects, and Parties it
sed dore puera pomum & possibile est & licitum, ergo tenetur proestare, ubi
has run thro', we are radier to wonder it ever arrived to the present
uratum est debet impleri.
Age without more Imperfections. In short I am apt to think that Ma-
*Praelect. 5. Sect. 12. † Praelect. 4. Sect. ‡Praelect. 3. Sect. 15. sonry, as it is now explained, has in some Circumstances declined
from its original Purity : It has run long in muddy S treams, and as it
were, under Ground ; but not withstanding the great Rust it may have con-
tracted, and the forbidding Light it is placed in by the Dissector, there is
(if I judge right) much of the old Fabrick still remaining ; the Foun-
dation is still intire, the essentiel Pillars of the Building may be discov-
ered through the Rubbish,
216 A De fen c e o f Ma so n ry A Defence of Masonry 217

though the Superstructure may be overrun with Moss and Ivy, and the UPON the Admission of a Disciple, he was bound by, a solemn Oath
Stones by Length of Time disjointed. And therefore, as the Busto to conceal the Mysteries from the Vulgar and Un-initiated.
of an old Hero is of great value among the Curious, though it has lost THE principal and most efficacious of their Doctrines were (says Jam-
an Eye, the Nose, or the Right-hand, so Masonry with all its Blemishes blichus) ever kept secret among themselves ; they were continued unwrit-
and Misfortunes, instead of appearing ridiculous, ought (in my humble ten, and preserved only by Memory to their Successors, to whom
Opinion) to be received with some Candour and Esteem from a Venera- they delivered them as Mysteries of the Gods.
tion to its Antiquity. THEY conversed with one another by Signs, and they had particular
I was exceedingly pleased to find the Dissector lay the original Scene Words which they received upon their Admission, and which were
of Masonry in the East, a Country always famous for symbolical preserved with great Reverence as the Distinction of their Sect : For (it
Learning supported by Secrecy ; I could not avoid immediately is the judicious Remark of Laertius) as Generals use Watch-Words to
thinking of the old Egyptians, who concealed the chief Mysteries of distinguish their own Soldiers from others, so it is proper to communicate
their Religion under Signs and Symbols, called Hieroglyphicks. And to the Initiated peculiar Signs and Words as distinctive Marks of a Soci-
so great was their Regard for Silence and Secrecy, that they had a ety.
Deity called Harpocrates, whom they respected with peculiar Honour THE Pythagoreans professed a great Regard for what the Dissector
and Veneration. A learned * Author has given a Description of this calls the four Principles of Masonry *, a Point, a Line, a Superficies,
Idol ; Harpocrates silentii Deus effingebatur, Dextrâ prope cor admotâ and a &Aïd ; and particularly held that a Square was a very proper
pelle anteriùs indutus, quoe oc ulis a rque aur ibus pl uribus e rat di s- Emblem of the Divine Essence. The Gods, they say, who are the
tincte, ut eo i ntelligeremus m ulta v idenda ar que audi enda, s ed l o- Authors of every thing established in Wisdom, St rength, and
quendurn parum. Harpocrates, the G od of Si lence, was f ormed with Beauty, are not improperly represented by the Figure of a {image}
his Right-hand placed near the Heart, cover'd with a Skin before, full Square.
of Eyes and Ears, to signify by this, that many things are to be seen MANY more Instances might be produced, would the Limits of my Design
and he ard, but l ittle t o be spoken. And among the same People, admit ; I shall only observe, that there was a false Brother, one
their great Goddess Isis (the same as Minerve the Goddess of Hipparchus, of this Sect, who, out of Spleen and Disappointment,
Strength and Wisdom among the Greeks) had always the Image of a broke through the Bond of his Oath, and committed the Secrets of the
Sphinx placed in the Entrance of her Temples, quia Arcana sub sacris Society to Writing, in order to bring the Doctrine into contempt. He
Integumentis tegi de bent, ut a pr omiscue vulgo non secus a rque A E- was immediately expelled the School as a Person most infamous and
nigmata a Sphinge pr oposita i gnorentur : T hat their S ecrets abandoned, as one dead to all Sense of Virtue and Goodness ; and the
should be preserved under sacred Coverings, that they might be kept Pythagoreans, according to their Custom, made a Tomb for him as if
from the Knowledge of the Vulgar as much as the Riddles of Sphinx. he had been actually dead. The Shame and Disgrace that justly attended
this Violation of bis Oath threw the poor Wretch into a Fit of Madness
Pythagoras by travelling into Egypt became instructed in the
and Despair, so that he cut his Throat, and perished by his own Hands ;
Mysteries of that Nation, and here he laid the Foundation of all his sym-
and (which surprized me to find) his Memory was so abhorred after
bolical Learning. The several t Writers that have mentioned this
Death, that his Body lay upon the Shore of the Island of Samos, and
Philosopher, and given an Account of his Sect and Institutions, have
had no other Burial than in the Sands of the Sea.
convinced me fully, that Free-Masonry, as published by the Dis-
sector, is very nearly allied to the old Pythagorean Discipline ; from THE Essenes among the Jews were a sort of Pythagoreans, and cor-
whence I am persuaded it may in some Circumstances very justly responded in many Particulars with the Practice of the Fraternity, as
daim its Descent. To mention a few. deliver'd in the Dissection. For Example : When a Person desired
* imagines Deorurn qui ab antiquis colebantur, à Vincentio Chartario. to be admitted into their Society, he was to pass through two Degrees
t Jamblichus Vit. Pythag. Porphyrius. Laertius Vit. Pythag. Clem. Alex. * Proclus in Euclid. Lib. Def. z.
Stromat. Proclus in Euclid. Lib, z. Def. 34. Clem. Alexand. Strom. 5.
21 S A Defence of Masonry A Defence of Masonry 219
LET the sensible Reader (if he pleases) peruse the Dissection with
of Probation before he could be perfect Master of their Mysteries. When Care, and compare it (with reasonable Allowance for Distance of
he was received into the Class of Novices, he was presented with a Time, Place, and other intermediate Accidents) with the Particulars
white Garment ; and when he had been long enough to give some of the preceding Collections, and if he does not discover something at
competent ?roofs of his Secrecy and Virtue, he was admitted to further least like Masonry (if the Dissection contains any such thing) I think
Knowledge ; but he still went on with the Trial of his Integrity and he Must be exceedingly blind or prejudiced.
Good Manners, and then was fully taken into the Society. But before
he was receiv'd as an establish'd Member, he was first to bind himself by
solemn O bligations and Professions, to d o J ustice, to do no CHAP. IV.
Wrong, to k eep Faith w ith all M en, t o embrace the T ruth, t o WHATEVER Reflections may attend the few Remarks that
keep h is Rands clear from Theft and f raudulent Dealing, not to conceal follow in this Chapter, arising either from an Overflow of Wit or
from his Fellow-Professors any of t he M ysteries, no r communicate Ill-nature, I shall be unconcerned, and leave them wholly to the Mercy
any of t hem t o t he Profane, though it should be to save his Life ; to of the serions Reader ; only desiring him to remember, that no more
deliver nothing but what he received, and endeavour to preserve the ought in any Case to be expected, than what the Nature of it will rea-
Principle that he professes. They eat and drink at the same common Ta- sonably admit: I own freely, I received a great Pleasure in collecting, and
ble, and the Fraternity that corne from any other Place are sure to was frequently surprized at the Discoveries that must evidently occur to an
be r eceived t here ; they meet together in an Assembly, the R ight- observing Eye. The Conformity between the Rites and Principles of
hand is laid upon the Part between the Chin and the Breast, and t he Masonry (if the Dissection be true) to the many Customs and Cere-
Left-hand let down streight by their Side * monies of the Ancients, must give Delight to a Person of any Taste
† THE Cabalists, another Sect, dealt in hidden and mysterious Cere- and. Curiosity, to fmd any Remains of Antique Usage and Learning pre-
monies. The Jews had a great Regard for this Science, and thought served by a Society for many Ages, without Books or Writing, by
they made uncommon Discoveries by means of it. They divided oral Tradition only.
their Knowledge into Speculative and Operative. D avid and Solo-
mon, they say, were exquisitely skilled in it, and no body at first pre- I. THE Number Three is frequently mentioned in the Dissection,
sumed to commit it to Writing ; but, what seems most to the present and I fend that the Ancients, both Greeks and Latins, professed a great
Purpose, the Perfection of their Skill consisted in what the Dissector calls Veneration for the same Number. Theocritus * introduces Person
Lettering of it, or by ordering the Letters o f a W ord in a particular who dealt in Secret Arts :
marner. ‘Eς τρις αποευδω και τρις ταδε ϖοτυια ϕϖυϖ,
‡ THE last Instance I shall mention, is that of the Druids in our own Thrice, thrice I pour, and thrice repeat my Charms.
Nation. They were the only Priests among the ancient Britons. In † Verbaque ter dixit.
their Solemnities they were clothed in White, and their Ceremonies Thrice he repeats the Words.
always ended with a good Feast. P omponius Mela relates of them, ‡Necte tribus Nodis ternos, Amarylli, colores.
that their Science was only an Effort of Memory, for they wrote
Three Colours in three Knots unite.
down nothing, and they never fail'd to repeat many V erses which they
W HE T HER this Fancy owes its Original to the Number Three,
received by Tradition. Caesar observes, that they had a Head, who
because containing a Beginning, Middle, and End, it seems to signify
had sovereign Power : This President exercised a sort of Excommunica-
tion, attended with dreadful P enalties upon such as either divulged Remark I. Masonry Dissected, p. 10.
* Idyll, G. [The verse, Idyll 43, should read : {image}
or profaned their Mysteries. †Ovid. Metam. lib. 7. ‡ Virgil. Ecl. 8.
* Philo de Vitâ Contemplativâ. Joseph. Antiq. lib. 8. cap. z.
† Collier's Dictionary on the Word Cabale. Basnage's History of the Jews, Chap.
on the Cabala.
‡ Sanm's History of Britain, B. r. Chap. 4. Caesar's Comment. lib. 6.
220 A Defence of Masonry A Defence of Masonry 22I

all Things in the World ; or whether to the Esteem the Pythagoreans the D aughters of M usick shall be br ought l ow. Or ever t he S il-
and other Philosophers had for it on accourt of their Triad or Trinity ; or ver Cord be loosed, or the Golden Bowl be broken, or the Pitcher
lastly, (to mention no more Opinions) to its Aptness to signify the Power of be broken at the Fountain, or the Wheel broken at the Cistern.
all the Gods, who were divided into three Classes, Celestial, Terrestrial, * THE Expositors upon these Verses are almost unanimous in their
and Infernal ; I shall leave to be determined by others. The Gods, as * Opinion, that they ought to be thus explained. The Keepers of the
Virgil asserts, had a particular Esteem for this Number. House are the Shoulders, A rms, and Hands of a Human Body ;
the Grinders are the Teeth ; those that look out at the Windows
Numero Deus impare gaudet.
are the two Eyes ; the Doors are the Lips, the S treets are the
Unequal Numbers please the Gods.
Mouth, the Sound of the Grinding is the Noise of the Voice, the
We find Three Fatal Sisters, Three Furies, Three Names and Appear- Voice o f th e B ird is the Crowing of t he Cock ; the Daughters of
ances of Diana : Musick are the two Ears ; the Silver C ord is the String o f the
†Tria Virginis ora Dianoe. Tangue ; the Golden Bowl is the Pia Mater ; the Pitcher at the
Three different Forms does chaste Diana bear. Fountain is the Heart, the Fountain of Life ; the Wheel is the great
THE Sons of Saturn, among whom the Empire of the World was di- Artery, and the Cistern is the left Ventricle of the Heart.
vided, were Three ; and for the same Reason we read of jupiter's IV. THERE could not possibly have been devised a more significant
Fulmen tr ifidum, or Three-forked Thunderbolt, Neptune's T rident, with Token of Love, Friendship, Integrity, and Honesty, than the join-
several other Tokens of the Veneration they bore to this particular Number. ing of t he R ight-Hands, a Ceremony made use of by all Civilized
II. A particular Ceremony belonging to the Oath, as declared by the Nations as a Token of a faithful and true Heart. Fides, or Fidelity
Dissector, bears a near Relation to a Form of Swearing mentioned by a was a Deity among the Ancients, of which a learned t Writer
‡. learned Author ; the Person, who took the Oath, was t o be upon has given this Description : Fidei propria sedes in dexterâ manu
his tiare Knees with a naked Sword pointed to his Throat, invoking the credebatur, i deo i nterdum duabus junctis manibus fingebatur,
Sun, Moon, and Stars to be Witnesses to the Truth of what he swore. interdum duabus I magunculis dexteram de xteroe j ungentibus,
III. A Part of the Mason's Catechism in this Page lias given Occasion to quamobrem apud veteres dextera tanquam res sacra c redebatur.
a great deal of idle Mirth and Ridicule, as the most trifling and despi- The pr oper R esidence o f Faith, or Fidelity, was t hought to b e
cable sort of Jargon, that Men of common Sense ever, submitted to. The in the Right-Hand ; and t herefore this D eity was s ometimes
Bone-Box, and the Tow-Line has given wonderful Diversion. I think represented by two Right-Hands joined together ; sometimes
there are some Verses in the last Chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes by t wo l ittle Images s haking e ach t he o ther's R ight-Hand ; s o
which in some manner resemble this Form of Expression. I shall tran- that t he R ight-Hand w as by t he A ncients esteemed as a t hing
scribe them, with the Opinion of the Learned upon them, without making sacred. And agreeable to this are those Expressions in Virgil :
any particular Application. En Dextra Fidesque !
as if shaking by the Right-Hand was an inseparable Token of an
§ In the Day when the Keepers of the House shall tremble, and
honest Heart.
the Grinders c ease be cause t hey ar e f ew, and t hose t hat l ook out at
§ —Cur dextrce jungere Dextram
the Windows be darkned ; and the Doors shall be shut in the Streets
Non datur, & veras audire & reddere votes ?
when the Sound of the Grinding is low ; and he shall rise up at the Voice
|| IN all Compacts and Agreements (says Bishop Potter, in his
of the Bird, and all
Antiquities of Greece) it was usual to take each other by the R ight-
* Ecl. 8. † Virg. AEn. lib. 4. Hand, that being the manner of plighting Faith ; and this was done
II. Masonry Dissected, p. 10. éther
‡Alexand. ab Alexandro, lib. 5. cap, 10.
III. Masonry Dissected, p. 16 * Bp. Patrick, Dr. Smith, Forsterus, Melancthon, &c. in Eccl.
§ Ecclesiastes, chap. 12. ver. 3, 4, 6. IV. Masonry Dissected, p. 18.
†Chartarius in lib. ut supra. ‡ AEneid. 4.
§ AEneid. 1 ||Vol. I. p. 251. last Ed.
222 A Defence of Masonry A Defence of Masonry 223
Sed non ante dater telluris operta subire,
out of Respect to the Number of Ten, as some say, there being ten Auricomos quam quis decerpserit arbore foetus.
Fingers on the two Hands ; or because such a Conjunction was a Token Hoc fibi pulchra suum ferri Proserpina munus
of A mity and Concord, whence at al l F riendly Meetings they joined Instituit. Primo avulso, non deficit alter
Hands as a Sign of the Union of their Souls. Aureus, & simili frondescit virga metallo.
IT was one of the Cautions of Pythagoras to his Disciples, Take heed _______ ipse volens facilisque sequetur.
to w hom you of fer y our Right-Hand ; which is thus explained by ___________ In the neighbouring Grove
Jamblichus : * Take no one by the Right-Hand but the Initiated, that There stands a Tree, the Queen of Stygian Jove
is, in the Mystical Form ; for the Vulgar and the Profane are alto- Claims it her own ; thick Woods and gloomy Night
gether unworthy of the Mystery. Con ceal th e happ y Plant from m o rta l Sig ht.
V. THE Dissector frequendy taking notice- of the Number On e Bou g h it b ea rs, b u t wo n d 'ro u s to b eh o ld ,
Seven, I instantly recurred to the old Egyptians t, who held the Num- The ductile Rind and Leaves of radiant Gold ;
ber of Seven to be Sacred ; more especially they believed that whilst Th i s fro m th e vu lg a r B r a n ch es mu st b e to m,
their Feast of Seven Days lasted, the Crocodiles lest their inbred Cru- And to fair Proserpine the Present born,
elty ; and Leo A fer, in his Description of Africa, says that even in his E're Leave be given to tempt the' nether Skies ;
Time the Custom of Feasting so many Days and Nights was still used The first thus rent, a second will arise,
for the happy Overflowing of the Nile. The Greeks and Latins pro- And the same Metal the sanie Room supplies.
fessed the same Regard for that Number, which might be proved by many The willing Metal will obey thy Hand,
Examples. Following with Ease-
VI. THE Accident, by which the Body of Master Hiram was found af- DRYDEN.
ter his Death, seems to allude in some Circumstances to a beautiful Pas- Anchises, the great Preserver of the Trojan Name, could not have
sage in the sixth Book of Virgil. A nchises had been dead for some been discovered but by the help of a Bough which was pluck'd
Time, and AEneas his Son professed so much Duty to his departed with great E ase from the Tree ; nor it seems could Hiram, th e
Father, that he consulted with the Cumoean Sy bil, whether it were Grand-Master of Masonry, have been found but by the Direction
possible for him to descend into the Shades below, in order to speak of a Shrub, which (says the Dissector) came easily up. The prin-
with him. The Prophetess encouraged him to go, but told him he cipal Cause of AEneas's Descent into the Shades was to enquire of
could not succeed unless he went into a certain Place and pluck'd a his Father the Secrets of the Fates, which should some rime be fiilfilled
golden Bough or Shrub, which he should carry in his Hand, and by among his Posterity : The Occasion of the Brethren's searching so dili-
that means obtain Directions where he should find his Father. gently for their Master was, it seems, to receive from him the secret
THESE are the Words Word of M asonry, which should be deliver'd down as a Test to their
—§ Latet arbore opaca Fraternity to After-Ages. This remarkable Verse follows
Proeterea jacet exanimum tibi corpus
Aureus fouis & lento vimine ramus
amici, Heu nescis !
Junoni infernoe dictus sacer : hunc tegit omnis
The Body of your Friend lies near you
Lucus, obscuris claudunt convallibus umbrœ.
dead, Alas, you know not how 1
* In Vit. Pyth. This Person was Misenus that was murdered and buried Monte sub
V. Mason. Diss. p. 21.
†Pignorius in Mens. Isiac. ‡Lib. 8. aerio, under a high Hill, as (says the Dissector) Master Hiram was.
VI. Masan. Diss. p. 27.
§ AEneid. 6.
224 A Defence of Masonry A Defence of Masonry 22S

BUT there is another Story in Virgil, that stands in a nearer Relation to Eastern Countries of Embalming the Dead, in which Operation Cassia
the Case of Hiram, and the Accident by which he is said to have been dis- was always used, especially in preparing the Head, and drying up
covered ; which is this : Priamus King of Troy, in the Beginning of the Brain, as * Herodotus more particularly explains. The
the Trojan War, committed his Son Polydorus to the Care of Polym- Sweet-wood, Perfumes, and Flowers used about the Graves of the
nestor King of Thrace, and sent with him a great Sum of Money ; but Dead, occur so frequently in the old Poets, that it would be tedious to
after Troy was taken, the Thracian, for the sake of the Money, killed mention them. Ovid thus describes the Death of the Phoenix :
the young Prince, and privately buried him. AEneas coming into that Coun-
try, and accidentally plucking up a Shrub that was near him on the Side † Ilicis in ramis tremuloeve cacumina palmoe Un-
of a Hill, discovered the murdered Body of Polydorus. guibus & pando nidum sibi construit ore.
* Forte fuit juxta tumulus quo cornea summo Quo simul ac Casias, & Nardi lenis aristas, Quas-
Virgulta, & densis hastilibus horrida Myrtus saque cum fulva substravit Cinnama Myrrha Se
Accessi, viridemque ab humo convellere sylvam super imponit, finitque in odoribus cevum. Upon a
Conatus, ramis tegerem ut frondentibus aras; shady Tree she takes her Rest, And on the
Horrendum, & dicta video mirabile monstrum.1 highest Bough, her Funeral Nest Her Beak
Eloquar an sileam ? gemitus lacrymabilis Imo and Talons build ; then strews thereon Balm,
Cassia, Spikenard, Myrrh and Cinamon : Last
Auditur tumulo, & vox reddita fertur ad autres : 2
on the fragrant Pile herself she lays, And in
Quid tniserum, AEnea, laceras ? jam parce sepulto.
consuming Odours ends her Days.
Not far a rising Hillock stood in View,
Sharp Myrtles on the Sides and Cornets grew, * in Euterpe. †Metamor. lib. 15.
There while I went to trop the sylvan Scenes,
And shade our Altar with the leafy Greens,
I pull'd a Plant, with Horror I relate
A Prodigy so strange and full of Fate.
Scarce dare I tell the Sequel ; from the Womb
Of wounded Earth, and Caverns of the Tomb,
A Groan as of a troubled Ghost renew'd
My Fright, and then these dreadful Wounds ensu'd,
Why dost thou thus my bury'd Body rend ?
0 spare the Corps of thy unhappy Friend.
DRYDEN.

The Agreement between these two Relations is so exact, that there wants
no further Illustration.
VII. WE are told that a Sprig of Cassia was placed by the Brethren at
the Head of Hiram's Grave, which refers to an old Custom in those
* AEneid. lib. 3.
VIL Mason. Diss. p. 28.
1
Aeneid III ll. 27-38 omitted in the original.
2
So in original : read aures.
 The Sisterhood of Free Sempstresses 227
Corporation of Sempstresses. Not content with getting a handsome
Livelihood by their skill in Needlework, some amongst them were for
adding a new Branch to their Trade, a certain Occupation to turn a
Penny, which gave great Umbrage to such who detested all destructive Prac-
POSSIBLE REJOINDERS tices, tho' they might bring some present Profit and Émolument to such as
used them. Hereupon Jars and Disputes arose, which ended at length
THE SISTERHOOD OF FREE SEMPSTRESSES, 1724 in dividing the Sisterhood ; and those who were for the new occupa-
tion, and joining it to the Sempstress Art, from that time separated
This mock parallel between the Brotherhood of Freemasons and the Sis- themselves, and ever since went by the Denomination of the Free Semp-
terhood of Free Sempstresses was published in the form of an anonymous letter stresses.
in Read's Weekly J ournal, 25 january 1723/4. Very possibly it was occa- Their An tiquity. The Sisterhood of Free S empstresses make this
sioned by the appearance of the catechism, The G rand M ystery o f F ree— Schism to be of very ancient Date, and say that Dalilah was one of the
first who gave a Reputation to their Society then in its Infancy. As
Mosans Discover'd, which was advertised for sale on ro January 1723/4,
they brag they have always kept up a fair corespondence with the
though in our opinion (see Introduction, p. 14 above) it can hardly be re- Free Ma sons, their Traditions relate many pleasant Rencounters
garded as a rejoinder ; it is rather a skit on freemasonry and women. To our between this same Dalilah and Sampson, who was accounted Grand
knowledge, it has never been reprinted. Our reprint is from a copy of Master of that Fraternity ; and they boast that in those Days the new occupa-
Read's Weekly Journal in the British Museum. tion was in its Achmee, or highest Pitch of Glory.
Their Worthies. They preserve a whole Bead-roll of their Worthies, as
SIR, There has been a mighty Pother, of late, concerning an an- they call them, Susannah they will have to be of that Number, and
cient Fraternity of Men, who stile themselves Free Masons ; and they make her the Author of a certain Apothegm, which being received as a
the World is in Dispute what is , the Cement that binds them so fast first Principle by the Sisterhood, has since passed into a common Proverb,
and true to one another, and what are the grand Secrets they pretend viz. L ike to L ike. They have their stories of the Amazons, S appho,
to keep in their Possession, exclusive of the rest of Mankind. Lais, Pope Joan, Queen. Christina, all accepted Free Sempstresses ;
I wonder no Body has hitherto taken some Notice of a certain no- and they avow, that a great Number of the cloister'd Nuns abroad are secretly
table Sisterhood, as famous throughout ail Ages, and whose w ays admitted into their Sisterhood.
Their R eligion. As for their Religion, they are at present to a
are as much past finding out ; I mean that of Free Semptresses. Woman good C atholicks, and highly esteem the See of Rome, because
If I may have the Liberty of reserving to myself the meaning of the that Religion leaves people in a State of Nature ; because one of their Sister-
Words, and they may not be wrested by every Wag to what Sense hood had once the honour to fill the Papal Chair, and because his
he pleases, I will here undertake to give you a short Account of that Holiness protects and encourages their Profession. They say they are
powerful and numerous Society, which I think may as properly be called well spoken of by the whole College of Cardinals ; and that botte the
by the Name of Legion Sisterhood Regular and Secular Clergy receive their Confessions, and distribute ple-
nary Indulgences gratis, and that for the sake of their Ingenuity and Tractibil-
Sempstring was not, when Grandame E ve first invented the Needle ity.
to sew Fig Leaves together, to bide her own and her Husband's Their Po liticks. In Politicks they run entirely into the Doctrine of
Nakedness. In process of Time, her She Descendants by the Sempstring Passive O bedience and Non R esistance tho' they hate and
Art made that which was only design'd as a covering from Nudity to abominate the very Name, as well as the person of a Pretender.
become a real Ornament. Then, not only the Needle, but the Pin, the
Their Learning. They may well deserve to be call'd Philo-Math,
Bodkin, the Wire, the Thimble, and many other Implements were used,
whereby great Gain as well as Reputation, was acquired by the thrifty
and industrious Sisterhood. But as, in all lawful Callings and Profes-
sions, there are some so greedy and rapacious among the Craft, that they
will join Earth and Heaven to satisfy their vicious and voracious Ap-
petite, it fared so with this honest and reputable
226
228 The Sisterhood of Free Sempstresses
being great Lovers of, as well as Well-wishers to, the Mathematicks. A LETTER FROM THE GRAND MISTRESS, 1724
They are chiefly vers'd in Tacticks. Even Phidias could not out-do
many of the Sisterhood in Imagery, for they work to the Life. They The present text is reproduced from the photographie facsimile in Lepper and
have a profound attachment to the Free Masons, and all such as labour in Crossle, History of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, I, 449, itself reproduced from
Stones ; and some amongst them make their Brags, that let the Fra- the only exemplar known : Tract 12, Box 171, Halliday Collection, Royal Irish
ternity of Free Masons erect never so many Edifices, the Sisterhood of Academy, Dublin. The editors state that a second edition was printed in Dublin
Sempstresses shall undertake to Stock and People them. in 1730. Although published anonymously, it was included in Faulkner's Dublin
Their T enets. They hold that each Sister is to keep only her own editions of Swift's Works, 1746 edn. Vol. XI, and 1762 edn. Vol. X, and in
Secrets ; that their Lodge is wherever 'tis found convenient ; that Hawkesworth's edn., London, 1774, but has not since been included in any
meum and tuum is destructive to the Society of Free Sempstresses ; English or American edition of Swift. h was, however, included in a German
that a Community of ail Things is their primum mobile, in like manner edition, published in Hamburg, 1760 [Kloss, Bibliographie der Freimaurerei, noted
as salus popu li is the lex suprema in the State ; that those who win by Chetwode Crawley].
Gold may wear it ; that Women were made for Men ; and lastly, that John Harding printed in Dublin 1721-24. In the latter year he was prose-
their dernier resort, their greatest Strength and Stress should be cuted for the printing of Swift's Drapier's Letters, to which allusion is made in
in their Tails. the postscript, and died in gaol. Harding was succeeded as a printer
Their Policy. As the Needle is long since become a most insig- by his widow, Sarah, who printed from 1725-28. The edition of the Letter from
nificant Tool to the Free Sempstress the Sisterhood have abundantly fthe Grand Mistress, published in 1730, which we have not seen, must therefore
supply'd its place by their Ogles and Wheedles, and a thousand other have been printed by Faulkner, who printed in Dublin 1724-75. He printed
Politick Inventions and Intrigues ;. so that they may be said to out-do even much by Swift, and presumably thought that the Letter from the Grand Mistress
Farrar himself at Ways and Means. was of Swift's writing.
The Letter was first reprinted in modem times, from the 1762 version, by
Their Admission. They admit all into the Sisterhood who acknow-
Henry Sadler, to whose volume of Masonic R eprints (1898) W. J. Chetwode
ledge the Prevelancy of those two Words, which they hold to be a
Crawley contributed an introductory chapter. In this Chetwode Crawley argued
Cabala or Charm, Importunity and Opportunity.
for Swift's authorship on grounds which are too slight for detailed mention.
Their Spor ts. They are Passionate Loyers of a Play call'd Laugh Bros. Lepper and Crossle accepted this view and tried to extend the daim for
and lie down, which being a laborious Pastime, and attended with Swift's authorship by suggesting that the " Mr. John Swift " whose name ap-
great Expence of Spirits, makes them generally a short-lived Race ; pears in the 1730 list of members of the Lodge held at the Goat at the foot of the
and except here and there one, they arc no sooner dead than rotten. Haymarket [Q.C.A., x, 156] was Dr. Jonathan Swift, overlooking the fact that
Swift had by then visited England for the last time, and was consequently not very
likely to be a subscribing member of a London lodge. Neither Chetwode Crawley,
nor Lepper and Crossle, discuss the problem of authorship from the point of
view of style : the style of this pamphlet, loose and ill-phrased, is definitely not
that of Swift, who was a master of prose. About one hundred anonymous pam-
phlets, poems, etc., have at one time or another been attributed to Swift, other
than the works he is known to have written : the real authorship of some is
known, but not that of A Letter _from the Grand Mistress.
When Faulkner took over the printing of this pamphlet he altered the naine
of the printer to whom the Lettes is supposed to be addressed from that of
Harding to his own. The 1762 edition contains other miner alterations
229
230 A Letter from the Grand Mistress A Letter front the Grand Mistress 231
and some errors of copying. The final date, in reverse, given in the 1724 none of 'em) our Female Lodge has the whole Mistery as well as any
edition as Tsrif eht Lirpa Nilbud [Dublin April the First], was also altered to Lodge in Europe, with proper Instructions in Writing ; and what
Tsrif eht Tsugua Nilbud [Dublin August the First], for no apparent reason, will seem more strange to you, without the least Taint of Perjury. By
and, of course, obliterating the confession that this was but an April Fools' this Time any Reader who is a Mason, will, I know, laugh, and not
Day joke. without Indignation. But that matters not much, our Sex has long
We think that the letter was just an eighteenth-century tease ', and that, ow'd yours this good Turn You refused to admit Queen Eliza-
though in part an exposure it is in no way connected with, or a caricature beth, and even Semiramis Queen of Babilon, tho' each of 'em (with-
of, The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons D iscover'd, (London, 1724). out Punning) had a great Deal of Male Flesh upon their Bodies ; but at
The setting is Irish : the sad events one evening in the Lodge at Omagh, last you will be forc'd to own we have it ; and thus it was we came
Ulster, when the brethren got so drunk that they could not proceed with by it.
their initiation ceremony, might appeal especially to Irish readers. We do A Gentleman who is a great.Friend to all our Members, who has
not accept the tentative suggestion of Lepper and Crossle that the letter which since instructed and form'd us into a Lodge, and whom we therefore
they reprint on p. 45o, published in Harding's Dublin Impartial News Letter, 25 call our Guardian, fell in lately with a Lodge of Free-Masons at Oh
July 1724, alludes to the present pamphlet. Whether the pamphlet on the in U—r. They press'd him hard to come into their Society, and at
Freemason's Oath, with the remarks upon it of a Young Clergyman, men- length prevailed. They wanted an Old Testament to Swear him by.
tioned at the conclusion of the Letter, was ever published, we have not been The Inn-keeper's Bible having both Old and New bound up to-
able to discover. See Introduction, pp. 14-16 above. gether, wou'd not do : For the Free-Masons Oath being of much
A LETTER FROM THE GRAND MISTRESS OF THE FEMALE FREE-MASONS TO older Date than the New T estament, that is from the Building of
MR HARDING THE PRINTER., Soloman's Temple, (for 'till then it was but a Protestation well Larded
Ixion the Impious, Lewd Profane, over with Curses and Execrations) they are always Sworn on the
Bright Juno Woo'd but Woo'd in Vain. Long Old Testament only. They offer to buy the Fellow's Bible, he Con-
had he sigh'd for th' Heavenly Dame, sents ; but finding they were to Cut away the New T estament from
Jove at length to quench his Flame ; the Old concluded them at once a Pack of Profane Wretches, and
Some say for Fear, some say for Pity, Sent very Piously Rescu'd his Bible. This Custom of Swearing on the
him a Cloud like Juno Pretty, Old T estament only, is what has given Birth to the Vulgar Error,
As like as if 'twere drawn by Painters, On That Free-Masons Renounce the New T estament. So they proceed
which he got a Race of Centaurs. A Bite on the Rest of the Ceremony, Deferring the Oath till next Morning, One
quoth VENUS of 'em having an Old T estament for the Purpose at his House hard
a. b. c. Lib. 6th. by. This 'tis true was a heinous Blunder against the Canons of Free-
Masonry : But the Gentlemen were far gone in Punch and Whisky.
Dublin : Printed by John Harding in Molesworth's-Court in Fishamble- In short our Friend and present Guardian is made a Free but Unsworn
Street, 1724. Mason, and was Three Hours gone on his Journey next Morning before
the Merry Free-Masons awoke to send for their Old T estament ;
A LETTER, &C. and what was worse, they had taught him the Form of the Oath
Mr. Harding, against he was to Swear in the Morning.
EEING it is of Late become a Fashion in Town, in Writing to Now as to the Secret Words and Signais used among Free-Masons,
SFree-Masons
all the World, to Address to YOU, our Society of Female
has also Chosen you for our Printer ; and so without
'tis to be observ'd that in the Hebrew Alphabet (as our Guardian has infor-
m'd our Lodge in Writing there are Four Pair of Letters, of which
Preface, Art, or Embelishment, (for Truth and a short Paper needs each Pair is so like, that at first View they seem to be the
232 A Letter from the Grand Mistress A Letter from the Grand Mistress 233

sanie, Beth and Caph, Gimel and Nun, Cheth and Thau, Daleth and It is worth observing, that a certain Lodge in Town Publish'd
Resch, and on these Depend all their Signals and Grips. sometime ago a Sheet full of Mock-Masonry, purely to puzzel and
Cheth and Thau are shap'd like Two standing Gallowses (of Two banter the Town, with several false Signs and Words as Mada or
Legs each) when Two Masons accost each other, one Cries Cheth, Adam, Writ backwards, Boas, Nimrod, J akins, P ectoral, G uttural,
&c. But not one Word of the Real ones, as you see by what has
the other answers Thau, signifying that they wou'd sooner be
been laid of the MANABOLETH.
Hang'd on the Gallows than Divulge the Secret.
Then again Beth and Caph are each like a Gallows lying on one After King James the Sixth's Accession to the Throne of England,
he reviv'd Masonry, of which he was Grand-Master. Both in Scot-
of the Side-Posts, and when used as above, imply this Pious Prayer :
land and England it had been entirely suppress'd by Queen Eliza-
May al l who Reveal t he Secret hang upon the G allows till if f ans
beth, because she cou'd not get into the Secret, all Persons of Quality
down. This is their Master Secret, generally call'd the Great Word.
after the Example of the King got themselves admitted Free-
Daleth and Resch are like Two Half Gallowses, or a Gallows cut
Masons ; but they made a Kind of MANABOLETH in English, in
in Two at the Cross Stick on Top, by which, when pronounced,
Imitation of the True and Ancient One ; as I. O. U [1 H. a Gold Key,
they Intimate to each other, that they wou'd rather be half hang'd
that is, I o w e y ou e a ch a G o ld Key ; H CCCC his Ruin. Ba ch
than Name either Word or Signal before any but a Brother so as to
fo resees h is Ru in . I . C. U. B . YY fo r me. I s ee yo u b e t oo
be understood.
wise f o r m e. And a great Deal more of the sanie foolish Stuff,
When one says Gimel, the other answers Nun ; then the first which took its Rise from a Silly Pun upon the Word Bee ; for you must
again joyning both Letters together repeats Three Times, Gimel- know, that -
Nun, G imel-Nun, G imel-Nun, by which they mean that they are
united as one in Interests, Secresy, and Affection. This Last Word - A Bee has in all Ages and Natio ns been the Gr and Hiero-
has in Time been depraved in the Pronunciation from Gimel-Nun to gliphick of Masonary, because it excells all other living Creatures
Gimelun, and at last into Giblun ; and sometimes Giblin, which in the Contrivance and Commodiousness of its Habitation or Combe
Word being by some Accident discover'd, they now adays pretend ; as among many other Authors Doctor Mc.Gregor now Professor of
its but a Mock Word. Mathematicks in Cambridge (as our Guardian informs us) has Learnedly
Another of their Words has been maim'd in the Pronunciation by demonstrated ; nay Masonry or Building seems to .be of the very
the Illiterate, that is the Letter Lamech, which was the Hush-Word, Essence or Nature of the Bee, for her Building not the ordinary
for when spoke by any Brother in a Lodge it was a Warning to the Way of all other living Creatures, is the Generative Cause which
Rest to have a Care of Lisseners. 'Tis now corruptly pronounced produces the Young ones (you know I suppose that Bees are of
Lam, hut the Masons pretend this also is a Mock-Word for the same Neither Sex.)
Reason as Giblin : This Play with the Hebrew Alphabet is very For tlns Reason the Kings of France both Pagans and Chris-
antiently call'd the MANABOLETH. tians, always Eminent Free-Masons, carried three Bees for their
When one Brother orders another to walk like a Mason, he must Arms, but to avoid the Imputation of the Egyptian Idolatry of Wor-
walk Four Steps backwards ; Four, because of the four Pair of shipping a Bee, C lodevaus their first Christian King call'd 'em
Letters already mentioned, and backwards because the Hebrew is Unies or Flower de L ùces, in wlnch notwithstanding the small
Writ and Read Backwards. Change made for Disguise Sake, there's still the Exact Figure of
As to their Misterious Grips, they are as follows : If they be in a Bee. You have perhaps Read of a great Number of Golden Bees
Company where they cannot with Safety Speak the above Words, found in the Coffin of a Pagan King of France near Brussels, many
they take each other by the Hand, one Draws one of the Letters of Ages after CHRIST, which he had ordered should be Bury'd with
the Manaboleth with his finger on the other's Hand, which he returns him, in Token of his having been a Mason.
as in Speaking. The Egyptians, always Excellent and Antient Free-Masons,
paid Divine Worship to a Bee under the outward shape of a Bull, the
2
34 A Letter from the Grand Mistress A Letter from the Grand Mistress 235

better t o conceal t he Mistery, w hich B ull t hey call'd A pis, i s t he Mr. H arding, i f dul y e ncourag'd by Su bscribers ; and a lso a K ey t o
Latin Word for a Bee, the Enigma of Representing the Bee by a Bull Raymundus L ullius, w ithout w hose H elp o ur G uardian s ays
consists in this ; that according to the Doctrine of the Pythagorean it's impossible to came at the Quintessence of Free-Masonry.
Lodge of F ree-Masons, t he Soul s of al l t he Cow-kind t ransmigrate But some will perhaps Object, how come your unsworn Guardian by
into Bees, as one Virgil a Poet, much in Favour with the Emperor Augus- this refin'd and uncommon Knowledge in the great Art ? to which
tus, because of his profound Skill in Masonry, has describ'd ; and I answer that,
Mr. Dryden has thus English'd. The Branch of the Lodge of Soloman's Temple, afterwards call'd
the Lodge of St. John of Jerusalem on which our Guardian fortunately
______ Aristeus hit, i s a s I can easily prove, the Antientest and P urest n ow on E arth :
Four Altars raises, from his Herd he Culls For The famous old Scotish Lodge of Killwinin of which all the Kings of
Slaughter, Four the Fairest of his Bulls, Four Scotland have been from T ime t o T ime G rand M asters w ithout
Heifers from his Female Store he took, All Fair, Interruption, down from t he D ays of F ergus, w ho Reign'd t here
and all unknowing to the Yolk ; more than 2000 Years ago, long before the Knights of St. John of
Nine Mornings thence with Sacrifice and Prayers, Jerusalem or t he K nights of M altha, t o w hich t wo L odges I
The Gods invok'd he to the Grove repairs : Behold a must nevertheless al low t he H onour of hav ing ador n'd t he A ntient
Prodigy 1 for fro m within The Broken Bowels Jewish and Pagan Masonry with many Religious and Christian Rules.
and the Bloated Skin A buzzing Noise of Bees his Fergus being eldest Son to the chief King of Ireland, was care-
Ears alarms, fully instructed in all the Arts and Sciences, especially in the natural
Magick, and the Caballistical Philosophy (afterwards call'd the
Straight issue thro' the Sides assembling Swarms, &c.
Rosecrution) by the Pagan Druids of Ireland and Mana, the only
What Modem Masons call a Lodge was for the above Reasons by true Cabalists then Extant in the Western World. (For they had
Antiquity call'd a H IVE o f Free-Masons, and for the same Reasons it immediately from the Phenecians, C haldeans, and Egyptians
when a Dissention happons i n a L odge t he go ing of f and forming (which tho' but a Woman can prove). The Egyptians probably
another Lodge is to this Day call'd SWARMING. had it immediately from Abraham as the Scripture Plainly hints
in the Life of that Patriarch ; and 'tis allow'd, I am told by Men of
Our Guardian is of Opinion, that the present Masonry is so tarnish'd by Learning, that the Occult as well as Moral Philosophy of all the
the Ignorance of the working, and some other illiterate Masons, that Pagans was well besprinkl'd and enrich'd from the Caballistical
very m any, e ven w hole L odges f all unde r the Censure o f the ven- School of the Patriarchs, and afterwards by the Talmudists and
erable Chinese B rachman, w hose H istory of t he R ise, P rogress, other Inferior Rabbins, tho' the prevailing Idolatry of those Days much
and D ecay of F ree-Masonry, w rit i n t he C hinese T ongue, i s depraved and vitiated it.
lately Translated i nto a C ertain Europenan L anguage. T his C hi- Fergus before bis Descent upon the Picts in Scotland rais'd
nese S age says, t he gr eatest Part of Current M asons-Judge of the that famous Structure, call'd to this Day Carrick-Fergus after his
Misteries and Use o f th at S acred A rt, ju st a s a M an p erfectly I lliterate Name, the most misterious Piece of Architecture now on Earth, (not
judges of an Excellent B ook, i n w hich w hen open'd to him he f inds excepting the Pyramids of the Egyptian Masons, and their Hiero-
no o ther Beauties t han t he r egular U niformity i n e very P age, the gliphicks or Free Masons Signs) as any Skillful Free-Mason may
Exactness of the Lines in Length, and Equidistance, the Blackness of easily perceive by examining it according to the Rules of the Art ;
the Ink and Whiteness of the Paper, or as the Famous British Free he built it as a Lodge for his College of Free M asons in those
Mason MERLIN says of the Stars in the Firmament, when view'd Days talla Druids, which Word our Guardian assures us signifies an
by a Child, &c. B ut I shall not t rouble you w ith the Length o f Oak in the Greek Language, because Oak is one of the best Timber-
the Quotation at present, because Merlin and Fryar Bacon on F ree- Trees for Building, of which especially the Marine Architecture, the
Masonry are s oon t o be dr ess'd up i n M odem E nglish, and s old by our Druids were the
Printer
236 A Letter from the Grand Mistress A Letter from the Grand Mistress 237

only Masters, tho' your Modem Terni of Mason implys no more that I believe there are even some Masons who know . nothing of it,
than a Worker in Stone, erroneously enough indeed, or at least far viz. that it has been an Antient Practice among the Cabalistick
short of the true and antient Term of Druid, since the Marine Archi- Philosophers to make every Hebrew Letter a Heirogliphick Miste-
tecture the most useful Branch of the Sacred Art, corresponds naturally rious in its Figure above all other Letters, as being thus Shap'd and
and perfectly with the Word Druid or Worker in Oak, and had nothing Form'd by the immediate Directions of the Almighty, whereas all
at all to do with Stones of any Kind, 'till Jason a famous Druid or other LETTERS are of Humane Invention.
Free-Mason used the Load-stone when he went in Quest of the Secondly, that the Manaboleth has a very close and unconstrain'd
Golden Fleece as it is call'd in the Enigmaticall Ternis of Free- Analogy with Masonry or Architecture, for that every Letter of
Masonry, or more properly Speaking of the Cabala, as Masonry was the Hebrew Alphabet, as alse of the Syriac, C haldaic, R unic,
call'd in those Days. The use of the Load Stone was then and long and Irish Alphabets, derived from it, have their Names from Tim-
after kept as Secret as any of the other Misteries of the Art, till by the ber-Trees, except some few who have their Names from Stones ;
unanimous Consent of all the Great Lodges, the use of it was made and I think its pietty plain, that Timber and Stone are as much the
publick for the Common Benefit of Mankind. Jason's artificial Elements of Masonry as the Alphabet is of Books, which is a near Rela-
Frog had it fixt in his Mouth, and having a free Swing in an oaken tion enough between Architecture and Learning of all Kinds, and
Bowl half fill'd with Water, always faced the North Pole, which naturally shews why the Druids, who alse took their Title from a
gave rise to the Poetical Fable ; That Jason's Frog was a Little Familiar Tree, kept Learning and Architecture joyntly within themselves,
or Sea Demon presiding over the Navigation like any other Angel Guard- Next Week shall be Publish'd the Free Mason's Oath, with the
ian. For Free-Masons in all Ages, as well as now, have been look'd Remarks upon it of a Young Clergyman who has Petition'd to be
upon to deal with Sprites or Demons, and hence came that Imputa- admitted Chaplain to our Lodge, which is to be kept at Mr.
tion which they have in many Nations lain under, of being Conjurors or Painter's Female Coffee-House every Tuesday from Nine in the
Magitians ; Witness Merlin and Fryar Bacon. Morning to Twelve, and the Tenth Day of every Month in the
Year ; where all Ladies of true Hearts and sound Morals shall be admit-
'Tis perhaps further worth Remarking, that Jason took one of the ted without Swearing.
Two Sacred Vocal Odes of the Grove of Dodona to make the Keel
of the Argus, for so his Ship was call'd, misteriously Joyning together I think it Proper to Incert the Free-Mason's SONG commonly
Architecture or Masonry, and the Druidical Priesthood or Power Sung at their Meetings, tho' by the By, it is of as little Signification
of Explaining the Oracles. For our Guardian will have it so, that the as the Rest of their Secrets. h was Writ by one Anderson as dur
Pagan Priesthood was always in the Druids or Masons, and that Guardian informs me, just to put a Good Gloss on the Mistery, as
there was a perceivable Glimering of the Jewish R ites in it, tho' you may See by the Words.
SONG.
much corrupted, as I said, that the Pagan Worship was chiefly in I
Groves of Ode that they always lookt upon the Oak as Sacred to COME let us prepare
Jupiter, which Notion is countenanced (making Allowance for the We Brothers that are
Paganism) by the Patriarchs, for you see in Genesis, that Abra- Assembled on merry Occasion,
ham Sacrificed under the Oaks of Mamre. Joshua indeed took a Let's Drink, Laugh and Sing,
great Stone and put it up under the Oak, Emblematically joyning Our Wine has a Spring ;
the Two great Elements of Masonry to raise an Altar for the LORD. Here's a Health to an accepted MASON.
Our Guardian also says, that Ccesar's Description of the Druids
of Gaul is as Exact a Picture of a Lodge of Free Masons as can possi-
bly be Drawn.
His Reasons for the Manaboleth are the better worth discovering,
238 A Letter from the Grand Mistress A Letter from the Grand Mistress 239
II
The World is in Pain VI.

Our Secrets to gain, Then Joyn Hand in Hand,

And still let them wonder and gaze on, They To each other firm stand ;
ne'er can Divine Let's be merry and put a Bright Face on,
The Word or the Sign What Mortal can boast,
Of a Free and an Accepted MASON. So noble a Toast,
III. As a Free and an Accepted MASON.

'Tis this and 'tis that,

POSTSCRIPT.
They cannot tell what ; Mr. Harding,
Why so many Great Men of the Nation,
Sho u'd Aprons p ut on, OUR Lo d g e unani mo u s l y d esir e yo u 'll give t heir Sincer e
To make themselves one, R e s p e c t s t o yo u r I n g e n io u s D R AP I E R, t o wh o s e P e n we , as
With a Free and an Accepted MASON. well as the Rest of the Nation, own our selves oblig'd. If he be
IV not already a Free-Mason, he shall be welcom to be our Deputy-
Great Kings, Dukes and Lords, Guardian.
Have laid by their Swords, Your Humble Servant,
Our Mistery to put a Good Grace on,
And ne'er been Asham'd, Tsrif cht 1 Lirpa Nilbud THALESTRIS.

To hear themselves Nam'd

With a Free and an Accepted MASON. 1 So in original ; should be eht

V
Antiquity's Pride
We have on our Side,
And it maketh Men Just in their Station,
There's nought but what's good,
To be understood
By a Free and an Accepted MASON.

.
 NOTES
1. Hebrew W ords i n t he T exts. P. 73. The Hebrew characters {im- GLOSSARY
age} which Gould in his reprint of A Mason's E xamination ( History, iii, Asher, astler, esler, ester, ashlar, i.e., a dressed, hewn block of stone used on
488) represents as geometrical figures, read from right to left, R(esh) S(amech, outer surface of wall (Wyld), square hewn stone(s) (O.E.D.).
M(em). The writer would seem to have used the wrong form of S, viz., Broach'd dornal, broached ornel. Broached worked with a chisel
{image}S(amech) instead of {image} , which, with a dot on right SH(în). (O.E.D.) or broaching axe. The terms broachaxes and brochyngaxes occur in the
The word is RôSHEM= a symbol or token. York Minster Fabric Rolls, 1399, and in the Durham Account Rolls, 145 6-57,
P. 19o. Both Hebrew words are printed the wrong way round, i.e., from respectively. Orne!, u rnall, u rnell : a kind of soft white building stone
left to right. The letters of the first word, the one spoken by the Junior, arc (0.E.D.). The term urnel occurs in the Rochester Castle Building Account, 1368.
Play) K(oph) D(aled). The word probably is PAKuD = one who is appointed,
See p. 43, n. 5.
one who has been inidated or appointed. Broached thurnel, a corruption of broached ornel or urnel (Dring, A.Q.C.,
The middle letter of the second word, the one spoken by the Master, is not xxix, 261). See p. 43, n. 5.
easy to decipher in the original ; it is either D(aled) or R(esh), the first and Broad ovall, ? a corruption of broached ornel. See broached damai.
third characters being TS(adi) and CH(eth). If the middle letter is R(esh), then Brohed-mall, Dring's reading of a word in the Chetwode Crawley MS. which we
the word might be TSARICH. he needs, he requires, or equally it might be read as broked-mall, q.v. See p. 43, n. 5.
TSAR'CHA thine enemy, neither of which words appears to fit particularly Broked-mall, ? a heavy mallet or maul for striking the chisel or broach with
well into the context. If the middle letter is D(aled), as we have printed it, the which the surface of a stone is broached, i.e., pricked, indented or furrowed.
word might be TSA-D-CHo thy side (eider as a statement or as a question)
Dring suggests that it is a corruption of broached ornel or urnel.
which is a possible rejoinder to the Junior, if by " thy side " is understood " thy
Common Gudge or judge, a gauge or templet of thin board or metal plate used
side of the question " or " that is what you say ". It is possible, however, that the
writer omitted in addition to the vowels, the semi-vowel A(yin), which should as a guide in cutting stones. Jedge is defined in Jamieson's Scottish Dictionary as a
have been printed. In that case, the word might be TSA-A-D'CHA = thy step ? gauge or standard. A templet, described as a jadge, is pictured among the tools in
which would presumably be a request to the Junior to repeat the steps by which the the Mark Book of the Lodge of Aberdeen (Miller, The Lodge, Aberdeen, facing p.
Warden (according to Prichard) instructed the candidate to walk up to the Master. 42). ?= Bible (Underwood, A.Q.C., liv,
We have to thank Bro. Rabbi Barnet I. Cohen for his help in preparing this note. Cowan, primary meaning : one who builds dry walls, otherwise denominated a
2. List of Regular Lodges. P. 171. Of the 67 Lodges enumerated by drydiker (Jamieson, op. de.) ; one who builds drystone walls (O.E.D.) ; secondary
Prichard, the following are still in existence : No. I, now Lodge of Antiquity No. 2 meaning (given by both Jamieson and O.E.D.) : a man who does the work of a
; No. 3, now Royal Somerset Flouse and Inverness No. 4 ; No. 4, now Lodge mason, but has not been regularly apprenticed or bred to the trade.
of Friendship No. 6 ; No. 6, now British No. 8 ; No. 7, now Westminster and Danty Tassley, ? a corruption of perpentashler ' (Dring), q.v.
Keystone No. 10 ; No. 9, now Royal Alpha No. 16 ; No. so, now Tuscan No. 14 ; Diadem, ? a variant of diamond q.v.
No. now Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12 ; No. 12, now Old Dundee No. Diamond, ? a corruption of' dinted ashlar' (Poole, Mise. Lat.,"xi, II), q.v. Dinted
18 ; No. 13, now Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity No. 20 ; No. 19, now Emula- ashler, ? a corruption of ' perpendashler ' (Dring), q.v.
tion No. 21 ; No. 23, now Globe No. 23 ; No. 37, now Castle Lodge of Har- Dornal, see broached dornal.
mony No. 26 No. 42, now Old King's Arms No. 28 ; No. 48, now St. Albans No. Esler, ester, see Asher.
29 ; No. 62 united with No. 5 (St. George's) in 1843 to form what is now St. Gudge, see Common Gudge.
Georges and Corner Stone No. 5. Heal, heill, hele, to Inde, to conceal, to keep secret (0.E.D.).
According to Lane, Handy B ook t o t he L ists of L odges, p. 179, Lodges Nos. 29 Indented Tarsel, the expression occurs in Prichard where it is described as " the
and 51 were omitted by Prichard, hence the numbers given by him after No. border round about the Lodge ". Dring suggests that it is a corruption of per-
28 are erroneous. pentashlar (q.v.) ; if so, not only the expression, but its meaning, has undergone
240
great modification. 241
242 Glossary
Judge, sec Common gudge or judge.
Mall, see broked-mall.
Ovall, see broad aval!.
Parpen, perpen, perpend, a stone which passes through a wall from sicle to side,
having two smooth vertical faces (O.E.D.).
Parpendashler, parpentashler, a compound word formed from parpen ' (q.v.)
and « ashler.' A dressed or hewn block of stone that extends through a wall from one side
to another and serves as a binding stone.
Square, (i) a board having the shape of a square, i.e., a drawing board or primitive
tracing board ; (ii) an instrument for measuring or determining right angles.
Thurnel, see broached thurnel.
Trasel board, ? trestle board (Dring). Trassel: obsolete foret of trestle (O.E.D.).
INDEX Free-Masons Vindication, 16, 184-6
Aberdeen, Lodge of, 6, 7, 26 Gould, R. F., 18, 71, 210
Accepted ceremonies, 22-30 Graham MS., Vi, 4, 12, 18, 21, 89-96, 182 Grand Mystery Laid Open, 4, 15, 19, 97-8
Ahiman Rezon, 176 Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Dis-
Anderson, Rev. James, ,6, 22, 29, 210 Anderson's Constitutions (1723), 3, 7, 15, 16, 20, 29 cover'd, xi, 12, 14, IS, 16, 19, 76-
Anderson's Constitutions (1738), 4, 13, 17, 2I0 8o, 83, 115, 144, 150, 182, 184,
226, 230
Baxter, Bro. R. H., 3 Grand Whimsy, 152
Begemann, W., 22 Grantham, Bro, Ivor, 28
Briscoe pamphlet, 3, 13n., 15 Buchanan MS., 8
Cabbala, 11, 15 Harleian MS. 1942, 8
Charges of a Master, 27, 28 Haughfoot fragment, 7, 40 Hebrew words, 73, 190, 240 Hextall, W. B., 182
Charges of Wardens, 27, 28 Holme, Randle, 9n., 28 Hughan, W. J., 35, 152
Charge to n ew admitted Brethren, 23-4
Charity, 25-6 Installation ceremony, 22, 26-7 Institution of Free Masons, 2, 4, 12, 19, 30, 83-6, 116
Chesham MS., 2, 4, 18, 19, 174 Chetwode Crawley, W. J., 14, 21, 35, 229 Kevan MS., y, 18, 39-44
Chetwode Crawley MS., 4, 5, 18 , 19, 35-40, 42-4, 142 Kevan, P. D., 39
Clare, Martin, 187, 210
Kilwinning, Lodge of, 6, 29, 32, 37, 43
Classification of Cateehisms, 18-19 Constituting a new lodge, 26-7
Defence of Masonry, 17, 18, 210-25 Deloney's Gentle Craft, 28 Lepper and Crossle, 14, 229
Dermott, Laurence, 29 Lester from the Grand Mistress, II, 14-16, 229-39
Desaguliers, Dr. J. T., 17, 22, 29, 175 Dialogue between Simon and Philip, vi, Lo n d on F r e em a s on s ' O r d i n a n c e s (1509-10), 28
Xi, 81, 115-16, 141-2, 150, 175-81 Dring, E. H., 187, 241, 242
Masonry Dissected, 2, 3, 10, 17, 19, 20-1, 22, 25, 114-15, 118, 120, 139. 141-2, 149-51, 157-73, 174,
Drinkwater No. 1 MS., 8
175, 187
Dumfries No. 3 MS., 4, 5
Mason's Examination, 6, 13, 15, 19, 20, 71-5
Dumfries No. 4 MS., 4, 9, 19, 26, 3o, 50-68, 149
Mason's Confession, 2, 19, 20, 3o, 99-
Edinburgh Register House MS., 4, 5, 7, 8, ro, 18, 19, 26, 31-4, 39, 4o, 42-4, 140, 142 107, 140, 542, 150
Essex MS., 2, 4, 12, ,8, 19, 1,6, 182-3 Evolution of Catechisms, 19-21 Mason Word, I, 9, II, 19, 24, 29, 34, 35, 100
Free-Masons Accusation and Defence, 13, 15
243
 244 Index
MS. Constitutions of Masonry, I-4, 6, 15, 24, 25, 50, Sloane MS. 3329, 4, 6, 8, 19, 21, 45-9, 140, 142
89 Smith, W., 22. See also Pocket Companion
Mystery and Motions of Free-Masonry Discovered, Speculative Ceremonies, Early, 22-30 Swift, Jonathan, 229
152 Texts, Treatment of the, 30, 31, 45, 51, 89-90,120
Mystery of Free-Masonry, 17, 19, 20, 141, 152-6, Thorp, J. T., 3, 152
174 Three Degrees, 20, 21, 15r
Old Charges, 1-4 Trigradal system, 1, 22, 151
Trinity College, Dublin, MS., 4, 10, 19, 21,69-70
Opening Prayer, 22, 24 Operative working,
4-9, 25
Vibert, Lionel, i, 22
Pennell's Constitutions (1730, 21, 22, 25 Perjur' d
Free Mason Detected, 3, 18, 187-209 Warburton, Dr. Wrn., 210 Wilkinson MS., v, vi, 108-51 Wilkinson, S. B., 109-11
Pocket Companion, 2, 17, 20-1, 23, 25, 210 Whole Institutions of Free-Masons
Opened, 4, 12, 18, 81, 87-8, 182 Whole Institution of Masonry, xi, 81-7,
Poole, Bro. Re v. H., vii, viii, 4, 12, 89, 152, 182, 241 175
Prichard, see Masonry Dissected Wonnacott, W., a10
Puerile Signs and Wonders of a Free-Masan, 152 Working Tools, 28
Schaw Statutes, 5
Secrecy, Oath of, 6, 7-9
Sisterhood of Free Sempstresses, 14, 16, 226-8