Printed by william hunter, for john senex at the globe, and john hooke at the flowerdeluce overagainst st. Albert pike later published copies of the two documents based on transcriptions from earlier manuscripts, in a single publication titled the grand constitutions of freemasonry. Book of constitutions guarded by the tilers sword my. The masonic book of constitutions guarded by the tylers sword paperback september 10, 2010. So it is just a symbol of masonry on guard and, as the book of constitutions is a symbol of constitutional government, the tilers sword is a symbol of masonry on guard. The constitutions of the freemasons, free pdf global grey. Is the work that contains the rules and regulations of the order as decided by grand lodge. History of freemasonry project gutenberg selfpublishing. Notwithstanding the way in which grand lodge received the work after its publication, it took its place as the official manual, so that the fact that it was not official but essentially a private affair was entirely lost sight of. Founded in 2008, publishers of the ancient craft focus on freemasonry books. Anderson was a freemason, and when, in 1721, on the revival of freemasonry in england, the grand lodge determined to produce an authoritative digest of the constitutions of the fraternity, the task was assigned to him enticks edition 1747 of the constitutions, p. This article traces the early development of freemasonry from organised bodies of operative stonemasons to the modern system of speculative lodges organised around regional or national grand lodges. The current edition, which includes all updates, is.
The history of freemasonry, 7 volumes, albert mackey book collection on cd v38. The charges of a freemason, extracted from the ancient records of lodges beyond sea, and of those in england, scotland, and ireland, for the use of the lodges in london, printed in the first edition of the book of constitutions, and to be found from p. The title of the second, rewritten, edition of 1738 was the new book of constitutions of the antient and honourable fraternity of free and accepted masons, containing their history, charges, regulations, etc. Lodgequatuorcoronati, authorofthestoryofthecraft,etc. Collected and digested by order of the grand lodge from their old records, faithful traditions and lodgebooks, for the use of the lodges. The masonic book of constitutions guarded by the tylers sword masonic service association on. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks.
The masonic book of constitutions guarded by the tylers sword. By the ancient landmarks of freemasonry, being those unwritten principles of. Andersons constitutions of 1723 freemason information. The book of constitutions grand lodge of colorado page 1 constitution preamble we, the grand lodge of ancient free and accepted masons of colorado, in order to form a more perfect fraternal union, and to provide for and promote the general welfare of the masonic craft, do ordain and establish this constitution. Including an analysis of andersons constitutions of 1723 and 1738 paperback or softback by hyneman, leon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The word lodge or lodges, unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be construed to mean a lodge or lodges under the jurisdiction of this grand lodge. This grand lodge is a sovereign and independent body practising freemasonry only within the three degrees and only with the limits defined in its constitution as pure. Freemasonry english books of constitutions pietrestones. Anderson is a figure of central significance whose importance lies in providing a history stressing the antiquity and importance of the. Oct 18, 2010 the masters tells you that it is the book of constitutions guarded by the tilers sword, and that it reminds us to be ever watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words, and actions, particularly when before the enemies of masonry, ever bearing in mind those truly masonic virtues. Library directory listing freemasonry constitutions, bylaws, laws file size last modified a historical inquiry in regard to the grand constitutions of 1786 1883.
This article traces the early development of freemasonry from organised bodies of operative stonemasons to the modern system of speculative lodges organised round regional or national grand lodges. It also contains accounts of the rights of lodges and members, and details of ceremonies, such as funerals, consecrations, installations, etc. Aug 24, 2017 freemasonry in england from 1567 to 18. This is an online electronic edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was produced in philadelphia by benjamin.
James anderson, the authorcompiler of the constitutions ii of 1723. The masonic book of constitutions guarded by the tylers. The constitutions of the freemasons is a set of rules and codes of conduct compiled for the premier masonic grand lodge of england, it was designed to help make uniform the practice of freemasonry in the area of south east england, london in particular. The constitutions of the freemasons james anderson. The masters tells you that it is the book of constitutions guarded by the tilers sword, and that it reminds us to be ever watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words, and actions, particularly when before the enemies of masonry, ever bearing in mind those truly masonic virtues. These documents are the constitutions and regulations of 1762 and the grand constitutions of 1786. Book of constitutions of the grand lodge of kentucky. For some, its about making new friends and acquaintances. For others its about being able to help deserving causes making a contribution to family and for society. A few manifest typographical errors have been corrected. The history of freemasonry encompasses the origins, evolution and defining events of the. The key event in the development of freemasonry into the one of the largest and most influential social organisations in the world was the establishment of a grand lodge in london in 1717, and the fundamental starting point for investigations into the early history of the grand lodge remains the book of constitutions of the freemasons published in london in february 1723. Book of constitutions united grand lodge of england.
Masonic designs master mason emblem designs masonic book of constitutions. All your masonic questions answered plus lodge info, news, events, diary, whats on and much, much. It was taken by the grand lodge of ireland as the model for their book of constitutions in 1730. Freemasonry timeline please take a moment to appreciate the history of freemasonry.
Masons of colorado, hereinafter referred to as the book of constitutions. The recorded history of grand lodge dates only from 1723 when the first minute book was commenced, and so for a contemporary account of the formation of grand lodge, and of the first six years of its existence, we have to depend almost exclusively on dr. Book of constitutions craft plates jan 2017 944 kb book of constitutions general index jan 2017 254 kb also available for download is the current edition of the booklet entitled information for the guidance of members of the craft nov 2018 592 kb discover freemasonry booklet. Masonic papers by dr andrew prescott the production of the english books of constitutions in the eighteenth century. Our primary source for what happened in those early years is the history of the craft with which rev dr james anderson prefaced the rules governing freemasonry in the second edition of the book of constitutions he published on behalf of grand lodge in 1738.
One of hundreds of traditional and original masonic designs available on my cafepress store bytheplumb. So it is just a symbol of masonry on guard and, as the book of constitutions is a symbol of constitutional government, the tilers sword is a. Every candidate is required to take his obligation on that book or on the volume which is held by his particular creed to impart sanctity to an oath or promise taken upon it. Paines age of reason, initially attacked freemasonry from a materialist and antireligious point of view, dismissing the pretensions of the fraternity to fantastical antiquity and denouncing its social influence as pernicious. Everyone who enters freemasonry is, at the outset, strictly. This is an online electronic edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723. The city of york, in the north of england, is celebrated for its traditional connection with freemasonry in that kingdom. The explanation of the whole business appears to be that anderson in 1738 was not anxious to emphasize his associated with wharton, who after his term of office as grand master proved a renegade and jacobite and an enemy to the craft. In other words, he must read both the tradition and the history.
Book of constitutions general index 254 kb also available for download is the current edition of the booklet entitled information for the guidance of members of the craft 2018 591 kb. A complete history of freemasonry is beyond the scope of a single article. In england of the eighteenth century a permanent association or society was required to have a sponsor, the more exalted in the rank the better, who was named as its patron as the king himself was patron of the royal scientific society. Andersons constitution is the basis of modern freemasonry and its foundation of operation. Constitutions of the ancient fraternity of f and am by j hervey. The book of constitutions is the rule book of the united grand lodge of england that regulates all lodges and freemasons. The current edition, which includes all updates, is available for download in three sections. This is a new edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was originally produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723. Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join.
A variety of stories and irregularities exist about its legitimacy and its foundation, yet, it remains an early canon of masonic history. Book of constitutions of the ancient and honorable fraternityof free and accepted masons containing their history, charges, regulations, etc collected and digested by order of the grand lodge from their old records, for use of the lodges. Notices of motion for amendments of the book of constitutions, etc. Constitutions of the free and accepted masons by w h white. In its chronicle of freemasonrys early history, the 18thcentury constitutions, written by scottish minister james anderson and first published in 1723, stands as a pivotal, groundbreaking work. This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance.
Dec 09, 2015 issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. As all authorities agree, the tiny, faded, time stained booklet which we herewith present, is the oldest masonic book, the earliest printed copy of the constitu tions of the operative freemasons. Book of constitutions freemasonry in nottinghamshire. Laws and constitutions of the grand lodge of ireland. Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance to. Were the accomplishment of such an herculean task possible, except after years of intense and unremitting labor, the unwieldy size of the book produced, and the heterogeneous nature of its contents, so far from inviting, would rather tend to distract attention, and the object of communicating a knowledge of the principles of masonic law, would. See all 4 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Freemasonry and external relations relations with other masonic bodies. Masonic government and policy which have existed from a time.
Constitutions of the grand lodge of massachusetts by author unknown in 1857. The following are the principal editions of the book of constitutions to have been published since the formation of the united grand lodge of england. The royal arch regulations taken from the 2019 edition of the book of constitutions are available for download in pdf format as a read only document. The history of freemasonry, 7 volumes, albert mackey book. The additional orders and constitutions are declared to have been made and agreed upon at a general assembly held at on the eighth day of december, 1663. Anderson, as he states in constitutions 1738, that the earl of st. The metropolitan, provincial or district grand master shall determine all cases of masonic complaint or irregularity respecting lodges or individual masons within. The publishers introduction from that edition is omitted for reasons. No topic in the history of freemasonry has so much engaged the attention of modern masonic scholars, or given occasion to more discussion, than the alleged facts of the existence of freemasonry in the tenth century at the city of york as a prominent point, of the calling of. For the book of constitutions of 1738 there is a new approbation altogether. This is a new edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was originally produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix. The 1723 edition of the constitutions was edited and reprinted by benjamin franklin in philadelphia in 1734, becoming the first masonic book printed in america. The bible, referred to by freemasons as the volume of the sacred law, is always open in the lodges.
This is an online electronic edition of the the first masonic book printed in. Includes booklets information for the guidance of members of the craft 2019 edition and new information about masonic charities. The official website of freemasonry in nottinghamshire. You know, this sword isnt any good to hurt anybody with, but it is just a symbol by which freemasonry protects itself against cowans and evesdroppers. The earliest record we have of such a work, is a manuscript. Apr 14, 2020 book of constitutions general index 254 kb also available for download is the current edition of the booklet entitled information for the guidance of members of the craft 2018 591 kb. Grand lodge of ireland laws and constitutions page 4 9.