guards and innocent distinctions, by which we can discover a brother from an impostor, whatever language he may speak, or of whatever country he may be a native; and as knowledge must ever be communicated and acquired gradually, to each class amongst us, we wisely affix a distinguishing mark.

As masons, therefore, it is our duty to fraternise, for the purpose of social intercourse, of mutual assistance, of charity to the distressed, and of good will to all; and fidelity to a trust reverence to the constituted authority of the country in which we live, and obedience to the laws, are sculptured in capitals upon the pediment of the in

stitution.

I cannot conclude this chapter more emphatically, than in the words of the apostle Paul, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. iv. 31.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Antiquities.

CONSISTING of a number of extracts from old manuscripts, selected from different authors.*

* These extracts in the books, from which I have transcibed them are printed in the old Saxon character, and the orthography is such as was in use at the time when they were written; but as many of my readers might not so easily underst and that old fashioned style, I have deemed it proper to put them in the language, which is now common amongst us. I have, however, been careful not to deviate, in any instance from the precise meaning of the original.

R.

No I.

An old manuscript, which is said to have been in the possession of Nicholas Stone, a celebrated sculptor under Inigo Jones, one of the greatest architects that ever ap peared in England contains the following particulars.

"St. Albans was a warm friend to the society of freemasons, and did every thing in his power to promote their interest. He saw, that they were well paid, as he gave them two shillings per week, and three pence for refreshments; whereas, previous to his time, a mason only had a penny per day and his board. St. Albans, likewise obtained for them a charter from his majesty, by which they were empowered to hold a general council or assembly. At these meetings he frequently attended in person assisted in making masons, and, from time to time, gave them such advice, as appeared to him best calculated to improve their morals, and to promote their happiness and prosperity,"

No. II.

A record of the society, written in the reign of Edward IV. formerly in the possession of Elias Ashmole, the celebrated founder of the museum at the university of Oxford, gives the following account of the state of free-masonry at that period.

"Though many of the ancient records of the fraternity in England, were lost or destroyed in the wars between the Danes and Saxons, yet king Athelstane, the grandson of Alfred the Great, who was a sincere friend to science, after causing the holy scriptures to be translated into the Saxon language, A. D 930, and restoring tranquility to the kingdom, forthwith turned his attention to those means, by which he could most effectually promote the interest of the brotherhood. For this purpose, he erected many stately edifices, and encouraged a num

ber of masons to remove from France, whom he appointed overseers. These brought with them the rules and regulations of the lodges on the continent, which had been preserved from the time that Rome was in her greatest glory. He also effected the improvement of the constitution of English lodges, according to the foreign model, and encreased the wages of working ma

sons.

"The said king's brother having been initiated in the art, was soon after promoted to the office of master of the lodge, and for the love which he bore to the craft, and the benevolent purposes on which it is founded, he obtained from king Athelstane a free charter for the masons, by which they were empowered to regulate their proceedings as they might deem proper to amend what might appear amiss in their constitutions, and to hold a yearly communication and general assembly.

*

"Prince Edwin accordingly summoned all the masons in the realm, to meet with him in a congregation, at the city of York, where they composed a general lodge, of which he was grand master. These brethren brought with them, all the writings and records extant, in Greek, Latin, French, &c. relative to the art, from all which, that assembly framed the constitution of an English grand lodge, ordained good pay for working masons, &c. passed a law for the due observance of these rules and regulations in all time coming.

"Prince Edwin also, composed a book, stating the general principles, on which the institution was founded, and ordered that it should be read on the making of every mason, for his future guidance and direction; and from that till the present time, the government of

* From this circumstance, as has been already observed, we have the title of Ancient York Masons.

all regular lodges has been agreeably to that form. Since that period, however, certain charges have been adopted at diverse assemblies, such as the exigencies of the craft rendered necessary. But it ought to be observed, that, though from local circumstances, some differences may have taken place in the constitutions of lodges, the principles are uniformly the same; nor can there, on any account whatever, be the least deviation admit, ted from the ancient land-marks.”

No. III.

In the glorious reign of king Edward III. during which lodges were very numerous, the right worshipful the master and fellows, by consent of the lords of the realm, most of whom were free masons, ordained, "that, in future, the constitution and ancient charges should be read by the master, or one of the wardens, at the making or admission of a member.

"That such as were to be admitted master masons, or masters of work, should be examined, if they were possessed of sufficient skill to serve their respective lords in the highest, as well as the lowest stations, to the honour of the aforesaid art, and the benefit of their lords; for so those are to be considered, who employ and pay them."

The following particulars are also contained in a very old manuscript, of which, a copy was in the possession of the most worshipful GEORGE PAINE, grand master of England, in 1718.

“That when the master and wardens meet in a lodge if need be, the sheriff of the county, the mayor or one of the alderman of the city, in which it is held, should be admitted into the mysteries of the art, and associated with the master, to help him against rebels, and to support the rights of the realm.

"That entered apprentices on their initiation, be particularly cautioned against fraudulent conduct in themselves, or conniving at it in others; and that it be enjoined upon them, to labour honestly for their pay, to love their fellows as themselves, and to be true to the king, the realm, and the lodge.

"That at such meetings it shall be inquired, whether any master or fellow, has violated any of the articles, which have been agreed on; and if the offender, after having been duly cited, should neglect to appear, the lodge shall determine, that he must renounce his masonry, and that he be no longer considered as a member. It was, likewise, further enjoined, that if he should be contumacious, the sheriff of the county shall imprison him, and take all his goods, which are to be placed at the disposal of the king, till the accused brother obtain pardon from the fraternity for his improper conduct. For this cause, particularly, these assemblies have ordained, that the lowest as well as the highest, should be well versed in the aforesaid art, throughout all the kingdom of England."

No. IV.

The Latin register of William Molart, prior of Canterbury, entitled, "Liberatio generalis Domini Gulielmi Prioris Ecclesiæ Christi Cantuariensis erga fastum Natalis Domini, 1429," informs us, " that in that year, during the minority of Henry VI. a repectable lodge was held at Canterbury, under the patronage of the most reverend archbishop Chichely; at which, were present, a number of eminent persons, all of whom are particularly named." A record of that time, says, "that the company of masons, otherwise termed free-masons, of ancient standing and good reputation, had rendered themselves