Charges (Antient?)

Charges -- In the Constitutions of the Premier Grand Lodge

1723 Anderson: The Charges of a Free-Mason, extracted from the Ancient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Use of the Lodges in London: To be read at the making of New Brethren, or when the Master shall order it. p. 49-56

I. Concerning GOD and RELIGION.

A Mason is oblig'd by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious Libertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charg'd in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguish'd; whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remain'd at a perpetual Distance.

1738 Anderson: The Old Charges of the Free and Accepted Masons, Collected by the Author from their old Records, at the Command of the Grand Master the present Duke of Montagu. Approved By the Grand Lodge, and order’d to be printed in the first Edition of the Book of Constitutions, on March 25, 1722. p. 143-148

1. Concerning GOD and Religion.

A Mason is obliged by his Tenure to observe the Moral Law, a true Noachida; and if he rightly understands the Craft, he will never be a Stupid Atheist, nor an Irreligious Libertin, nor act against Conscience.

In antient Times the Christian Masons were charged to comply with the

Christian Usages of each Country where they traveled or worked: Masonry being found in all Nations, even of divers Religions, they are now only charged to adhere to that Religion in which all Men agree (leaving each Brother to his own particular Opinions) that is, to be Good Men and True, Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Names, Religions or Persuasions they may be distinguished: For they all agree in the 3 great Articles of Noah, enough to preserve the Cement of the Lodge. Thus Masonry is the center of their Union and the happy Means of conciliating persons that otherwise must have remained at a perpetual Distance.

1756 Entick: The Old Charges of the Free and Accepted Masons, Collected from their old Records, at the Command of the Grand Master, Approved By the Grand Lodge, and ordered to be printed in the first Edition of the Book of Constitutions, on March 25, 1722. p. 269

Original 1723 Charges.

1767 Entick: The Old Charges of the Free and Accepted Masons, Collected from their old Records, at the Command of the Grand Master, Approved By the Grand Lodge, and ordered to be printed in the first Edition of the Book of Constitutions, on March 25, 1722. p. 311

Original 1723 Charges.

1784 Noorthouck: Antient Charges; Collected from old Records. p. 351

Original 1723 Charges.

1815 Williams: The Charges of a Free-Mason, extracted from the Ancient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Use of Lodges. To be read at the making of New Brethren, or when the Master shall order it. Now republished by Order of the Grand Lodge. p. 49-56

I. Concerning GOD and RELIGION.

A Mason is obliged, by his tenure, to obey the moral law; and if he rightly understand the art he will never be a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine. He, of all men, should best understand that GOD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh at the outward appearance, but GOD looketh to the heart. A mason is, therefore, particularly bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience. Let a man's religion or mode of worship be what it may, he is not excluded from the order, provided he believe in the glorious architect of heaven and earth, and practise the sacred duties of morality. Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love;they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion, and to strive, by the purity of their own conduct, to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess. Thus masonry is the centre of union between good men and true, and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

1827 Williams: The Charges of a Free-Mason, extracted from the Ancient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Use of Lodges. To be read at the making of New Brethren, or when the Master shall order it. Now republished by Order of the Grand Lodge.

Sussex Added: Summary of the Antient Charges and Regulations -- from Preston's 1804 IOM

1841 White:

Added: Table of Contents: Antient Charges of a Freemason …… 3

The Charges of a Free-Mason, extracted from the Ancient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Use of Lodges. To be read at the making of New Brethren, or when the Master shall order it. Now republished by Order of the Grand Lodge. p. 3-15

[The front matter of the 1815 version (145 words) gives the appearance of Anderson’s original 1723 version.]