Between 1721 and 1723, the Presbyterian pastor and doctor of theology and philosophy James Anderson wrote a constitutional book on behalf of the Grand Lodge of England. The canon of norms contained therein under the title “The Charges of a Free-Mason” has since been regarded as the authoritative basis with constitutional status not only for English but for all “regular” Freemasonry.
Although it may seem worthy of discussion to what extent a text from 1723, which more or less clearly reflects the social and political conditions of its time, can still describe the principles of modern and contemporary Freemasonry at the end of the 20th century with sufficient precision, certain core statements have retained their significance to this day and continue to form an important and very lively part of our self-image.
This is particularly true of the first main chapter, “Concerning God and Religion,” which – contrary to the expectation raised by the title – does not in any way commit the Mason to a religious confession, but postulates freedom of belief and conscience, which obliges the members of the League to tolerance and friendship.
The text is quoted below in both a modern translation and the original English version from 1723:
Of God and Religion
The Mason, as a Mason, is obliged to obey the moral law; and if he understands the art correctly, he will be neither a narrow-minded atheist nor an unattached free spirit. In ancient times, Masons in every country were obliged to belong to the religion that was valid in their country or people, but today it is considered more advisable to oblige them only to the religion in which all people agree, and to allow each to have his own particular beliefs. They should therefore be good and honest men, of honor and decency, regardless of their creed or what other convictions they may hold. In this way, Freemasonry becomes a place of unity and a means of creating true friendship between people who would otherwise have remained strangers to one another.
From the highest and subordinate state authorities
The Mason is a peace-loving citizen of the state, wherever he lives or works. He must never allow himself to be involved in a rebellion or a conspiracy against the peace or well-being of his nation, nor act in breach of duty towards subordinate authorities. Because Freemasonry has always suffered damage through wars, bloodshed and rebellion, in ancient times kings and princes always supported the brotherhood because of its love of peace and its loyalty to the state. In this way they countered the slander of their opponents and protected the honor of the brotherhood, which was able to flourish particularly in times of peace. Now, should a brother become a rebel against the authority of the State, he must not be encouraged in his rebellious attitude, however much he may be pitied as an unfortunate man. Although the Brotherhood, in fidelity to the law, should and must reject his rebellion, and give no cause or reason to the existing Government for political suspicion, yet, unless he is convicted of any other crime, it cannot expel him from the Lodge; his bond with it remains indissoluble.
Of Lodges
The Lodge is the place where the Masons meet and work. Hence that assembly or duly organized society of Masons is called a Lodge. Every Brother must belong to one of these, and is bound by its Rules and General Orders. The Lodge is either individual or general, and is best understood by visiting it, but also by the Rules of the General or Grand Lodge, which follow below. In ancient times no Master or Fellow-Mason could be absent, especially when called upon to appear, without being severely reprimanded, unless the Master and Warden were satisfied that some compelling reason prevented him from appearing. Those admitted to membership of a Lodge must be good and honest men, of free birth, of mature and settled years, no serfs, no women, no immoral or ill-famed people, but only those of good reputation.
Of Masters, Overseers, Journeymen and Apprentices
Every privilege among masons is based solely on true worth and personal merit, so that the builders may be well served, the brothers may not be ashamed, and no shadow may fall upon the Royal Art. No master or overseer is therefore chosen for his age, but solely for his merit. It is impossible to set out these things in writing; each brother must pay attention to his place and learn them in the manner peculiar to our brotherhood. Applicants should only know that a master should only accept an apprentice when he has sufficient employment for him, when he is a perfectly healthy young man, and has no mutilation or other physical defect which would make it impossible for him to learn the art, to serve his master’s builder, to become a brother, and in due course also a journeyman, when he has served the specified number of years as the custom of the country prescribes. He should also be descended from honorable parents, so that eventually, if he is otherwise qualified, he can rise to the honor of becoming Warden, then Master of the Lodge, Grand Warden, and finally Grand Master of all Lodges, according to his merits. Only a brother who has previously been a Journeyman can become Warden; and only a Master who has worked as a Warden can become Master, and only a Grand Warden can become a Master of a Lodge. Only a person who was a Journeyman before his election can become Grand Master. He must also be of noble birth or a distinguished man of refined living, an outstanding scholar, an important architect or other artist, from a good family, and in the opinion of the Lodges, have shown particularly great merits. In order to be able to perform his office better, more easily, and more honorably, the Grand Master has the right to elect a Deputy Grand Master for himself, who must be or have been Master of an individual Lodge. He is entitled to act as the Grand Master, his superior, unless the latter is present in person or asserts his authority by letter. These supreme and subordinate leaders and directors of the old lodge – according to their offices – are to be obeyed by the brothers with all devotion, respect, love and willingness, as the old duties and orders require.
On the management of the brotherhood at work
All masons are to work honestly on working days, so that they can live honorably on holidays; the working hours prescribed by state law or established by custom are to be observed. The most experienced journeyman is to be elected or appointed as master or overseer of the work for the builder. Whoever works under him is to call him master. The workmen are to avoid abusive language and not to use ugly expressions among themselves, but to call each other brother or comrade. They are to behave politely both inside and outside the lodge. The master, conscious of his ability, should undertake the work for the builder as cheaply as possible and manage the property as honestly as if it were his own. Nor should he pay any brother or apprentice more wages than he has really earned. Masters and masons who receive their wages justly should be loyal to the builder and finish their work honestly, whether by measure or by day. Nor should they charge by measure where day wages are the rule. No one should envy a brother his wealth, supplant him, or take away his work if he is able to complete it. For no one who does not thoroughly know the designs and drawings of another is able to finish the work well for the benefit of the builder. If a journeyman is chosen to be the work supervisor under the master, he should be honest with his master and his fellows, and when the master is absent, carefully supervise the work for the benefit of the builder. And his brothers should obey him. All Masons on the building shall receive their wages willingly without murmuring or mutiny, and shall not desert the Master until the work is completed. A younger Brother shall be instructed in the work, that he may not damage the material through ignorance, and that brotherly love may grow and continue among themselves. All tools used in the work shall be approved by the Grand Lodge. No Laborer shall be employed in the actual work of Masonry, and no Free Mason shall, without compelling reason, work with those who are not Free; nor shall they instruct Laborers and Unaccepted Masons, as they should do to a Brother or Fellow.
Of conduct – namely
- in open lodge
You shall not hold private consultations or separate discussions without the Master’s permission. Nor shall you speak of anything in a brash or tactless manner, nor interrupt the Master, the Wardens, or a Brother who is speaking to the Master. When the Lodge is engaged in serious and solemn matters, you shall not do foolish things or joke, nor use improper language under any pretext whatsoever. Rather, you shall behave respectfully towards the Master, Wardens, and Fellows, and hold them in honor. If a complaint is made, the Brother found guilty shall submit to the judgment and decision of the Lodge, which is the proper and competent judge in all such disputes where they must be brought – unless you appeal to the Grand Lodge. Only if the work for a builder would suffer as a result may an arbitration award be made. In matters concerning Freemasonry, you must never go to court unless the lodge deems it absolutely necessary. - After the lodge is closed, when the brothers are still together
You can still stay together in harmless merrymaking, entertain each other as your circumstances allow, but you should avoid any excess. You should not tempt a brother to eat or drink more than he can handle, nor prevent him from leaving when duties call him. Nor should you do or say anything that could hurt or make informal and free conversation impossible. For that would have a detrimental effect on our unity and thwart the good purpose we pursue. Therefore, no personal taunts and disputes, and especially no arguments about religion, nation or politics, may be brought into the lodge. As Freemasons, we belong only to the general religion, which has already been mentioned. Among us you will find all peoples, tongues, tribes and languages; we are firmly opposed to all political disputes, which have never contributed to the good of the Lodge, and never will. This duty has always been strictly enforced and observed, but especially since the Reformation in Britain, or the apostasy and separation of our nations from communion with Rome. - When Brethren meet without Profane, but not in the Lodge
You shall greet one another politely, as you shall be shown, call one another Brother, inform one another freely when it seems proper, but take care not to be accidentally observed or overheard. You shall not be a nuisance to one another, or lack that respect which is due to every Brother, even if he were not a Mason. For though all Masons are on an equal footing as Brothers, yet Masonry does not take away from any man the prestige he previously had, but rather increases it, especially when he has rendered special service to the Fraternity, for it shows due respect to him who deserves it, and rejects bad forms. - in the presence of the profane
You should be careful with words and your behavior so that even the most astute stranger cannot find out what is not suitable for passing on; sometimes you must also give a conversation a different direction and skilfully lead it for the good of the venerable brotherhood. - at home and in the neighborhood
You should act as befits a decent and intelligent person. Above all, you should not let your relatives, acquaintances and neighbors know anything about what concerns the lodge, but – for reasons that need not be mentioned here – feel responsible for your own honor and that of the old brotherhood. You must also take care of your health, not extend the meetings too long or stay away from home too long after the lodge has closed, not eat and drink excessively so that you do not neglect or harm your relatives and make yourself unfit for work. - Towards an unknown brother
You should examine him with restraint in such a way as your prudence suggests, so that you are not fooled by an ignorant impostor. You should reject him with contempt and biting scorn, taking care not to reveal any of your knowledge. But if you recognize him as a true and legitimate brother, you should treat him with appropriate respect. If he is in need, you must help him if you can, or direct him to where he can be helped. You must give him a few days’ work, or otherwise recommend him to where he can be employed. But no one asks you to do more than you can; only you should prefer a poor brother who is a good and upright man to any other poor person who is in the same situation.
In conclusion:
All these duties you should make your own, and others that may be communicated to you in other ways; thus you should cultivate brotherly love, which is the foundation and the keystone, the bond that unites us all and the glory of our ancient brotherhood, and avoid quarrels and disputes, slander and calumny. Nor should you tolerate others speaking ill of an honest brother, but should defend him and help him as far as you can justify it before your honor and conscience, but no more. And if any brother does you an injustice, you should turn to your own lodge or to his lodge. Only then can you appeal to the quarterly meeting of the Grand Lodge and finally appeal against its decision to the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, as was the old, praiseworthy custom of our ancestors in every nation. Only bring a lawsuit if the case cannot be decided otherwise. You should patiently follow the honest and friendly advice of the Master and your comrades when they try to prevent you from entering into legal disputes with profane people or urge you to conclude pending proceedings as quickly as possible so that you can devote yourselves to the task of Freemasonry with even greater zeal and success. But if brothers and comrades are in dispute in court, the Master and brothers should offer their mediation in all friendship, which should be gratefully accepted by the disputing brothers. If this remains impracticable, then they should conduct their case in court without passion and bitterness – as so often happens – and say or do nothing that is contrary to brotherly love and prevents good services from being offered again or continued: so that all can recognize the beneficial influence of Freemasonry, as all true Freemasons have recognized it from the beginning of the world and will recognize it until the end of time.
The present text follows the translation prepared in 1966 by Kirchmeyer, Möller, Vollkammer and Bona on behalf of the Grand Lodge A.F.u.A.M.v.D. The complete text, which also contains the general instructions and a facsimile of the original English edition of 1723, can be obtained from bookstores under the title: “The Old Obligations of 1723”, in a new translation published by the Grand Lodge A.F.u.A.M. of Germany, DIE BAUHÜTTE Publishing House, 12th edition, 1996, ISBN number: 3-930139-00-6.