There has been in the Code and Bylaws of the Grand Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio a reference to the Old
Charges. This reference alludes to the basis of the Code and
also to much of the ritual for the Degrees of Symbolic
Freemasonry. This is in Article XII. In fact some of the early
questions and study for the work of the Royal Scofield Society
allude to this area and the areas in pages 11-16 to be answered.
There are numerous resources for the Ancient or Olde
Charges from documents from the Masonic Service Association
derived from documents also noted as being available in British
and other resources. These include the “Boyden Manuscript”
from1700 and the “Carmick Manuscript” from 1727. The
Halliwell Manuscript from 1838 refers to these and to the
reprinting of a 1731 document done in 1757 and actions of King
George II at that time to affirm previous materials. There is
also reference then to the Regius Manuscript or Poem which
was discovered or reprinted in the 16th Century and
reportedly from about 1390 originally. This refers to actions
from 926 and the work of King Athelstan and his son Prince
Edwin in York, England.
These documents and materials of research allude to the basis
of 15 Articles and 15 Points which have been the beginnings of
out Masonic Obligations and Code. There is in the Regius
Manuscript further development of the Art of Geometry
according to Euclid which serves as the basis for our lectures.
This manuscript, written in poetic verse presents the 15
Articles and 15points with rationale and explanation. These are
well noted as the early references to what would become our
obligations and rules of conduct among the Fraternity. These
could be the beginnings of some discussion as to their
relevance and diverse meanings.
ARTICLES
1. The Master Mason must be steadfast, trusty and true and
render perfect justice to both workman and his employer.
2. The Master Mason shall be punctual in his attendance at the
general congregation or assembly.
3. The Master must take no apprentices for less than seven
years.
4. The Master must take no apprentices who are bondsmen,
but only such as are free and well born.
5. The Master shall not employ a thief or maimed man for an
apprentice, but only those who are physically fit.
6. The Master must not take craftsman’s wages for apprentice’
s wages.
7. The Master must not employ an immoral person.
8. The Master must maintain a standard of efficiency by not
permitting incompetent workmen to be employed.
9. The Master must not undertake the work which he cannot
complete.
10. No Master shall supplant another in the work undertaken.
11. The Master shall not cause the Mason to work at night
except in the pursuit of learning.
12. The Master must instruct his apprentices in everything
they are capable of learning.
13. No Mason shall speak evile of his fellow’s work.
14. The Master shall take no apprentices for whom he has not
sufficient ;labor.
15. The Master is not to make false representations nor
compromise the sins of his fellows.
POINTS
1. Those who would be Masons and practice the Masonic Art
are required to love God and his Holy Church, the Master for
whom they labor and their Masonic Brethren; for his is the
spirit of Masonry.
2. The Mason must work diligently in working hours that he may
lawfully refresh himself in the hours of rest.
3. The Mason must keep the secrets of his Master, his
brethren and the lodge faithfully.
4. No Mason shall be false to the Craft, but maintain all its
rules and regulations.
5. The Mason shall not murmur at fair compensation.
6. The Mason shall not trun a working day into a holiday.
7. The Mason shall restrain his lust.
8. The Mason shall be just and true to his Brethren in every
way.
9. The Mason shall treat his Brethren with equity and in the
spirit of brotherly love.
10. Contention and strife shall not exist among brethren.
11. The Mason shall caution he Brother kindly about any error
into which he may be about to fll.
12. The Mason must maintain every order of the assembly.
13. The Mason must not steal or protect one who does.
14. The Mason must be true to the laws of Masonry and to the
laws of his country.
15. The Mason must submit to the lawful penalty of any
offense he may commit.
The role of Geometry is then delineated. This is followed by
the sciences of Grammar, Rhetoric, Dialect, Music, Logic,
Astronomy, and Arithmetic. Thus is the source for the
elements of the Fellowcraft lecture.
Faith and religion are referenced and so is the phrase “Amen,
Amen, So Mote it be” first written therein. Manners and
behavior are also referenced.
The charges we now receive, the lectures presented and the
bases of our ritual work are contained within the structure of
these pages. The work of the authors of our present form of
Freemasonry appears to be founded on the efforts presented
in York in 926 and advanced over the years through the Regius
Manuscript of 1390. Thus is preserved through the ravages of
time, and the succession of ages the most excellent tenets of
our institution.
