MilitaryLodgeByLaws
MILITARY LODGE BY-LAWS
From New England Freemason, Vol. I, No. 3, March 1874, Page 134:
By-Laws of a Military Lodge.
BY BRO. WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN, P. M„ ETC.
We present an exact copy of the Laws governing a Military Lodge of more than a century old, and which came into our possession in a strange way. The Laws are evidently the originals as accepted by the members, and were taken bodily by me out of the "Constitution of the Freemasons of 1723," in which they were written in the first part of the volume, the extra paper having been bound up with that old book.
That they date more than one hundred years back there is sufficient internal evidence to prove, but their precise date we have not yet been able to decide, for, unfortunately, there is no "water-mark" in the paper, and there is nothing in the writing to fix positively the date of the caligraphy. Further On, at the top of the "fly leaves", there occurs "November ye 6th, 1768," but the writing is not by the same hand, and apparently more modern than in the former portion. By-Laws of Military Lodges of a century and upwards in age are rarely met with, and it is the first we have come across in our researches.
Lodges held in Regiments bad a most transitory or troubled existence, and for migratory proclivities could vie with the nomadic tribes. The Lodge with which we arc more immediately connected by the ties of a Fast Master, was warranted to be held in the 67th Regiment, A. D. 1772, then transferred in 1807 to the Cornish Miners' Militia Regiment, and again, in 1826, changed to a civil Lodge. During its eventful career, it must have gone with the regiments through England, Ireland, Scotland, India, and pretty well around the globe from east to west, and north to south ; what wonder, then, that all its records are lost from 1772 to 1807 ? We know nothing of its early By- Laws, though we have succeeded in tracing its history from collateral sources from its institution down to tho present day.
With respect to the By-Laws now under consideration, we can neither decide, as yet, cither as to their date or the number of the Lodge; we hope, however, ere long to report progress.
Rules, Regulations and By-Laws to be strictly observ'd by the Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Held by Authority in his Majesties 12th Regiment of Foot, by title and Denomination, the Duke of Norfolk's Mason Lodge.
- The Body, when assembled, shall be govorn'd by one Master and two Wardens, who are to be very Diligent in Puting the by-laws in their proper force :is they must answer to the Contrary.
- The Body to assemble at a house most convenient for their Purpose, the first Tuesday in every month, if conveniency will permitt. That Master, Warden, or Member Neglecting to appear at the Place and hour appointed, Except lawful Necessity calls him otherways, shall be fin'd as the list of Fines annexed."
- All Due Honour to be paid to the Mr. dureing Lodge hours & whenever he commands Silence in the Body, that Brother Neglecting to obay the same shall be fin'd as the List annexed."
- A Lecture on Masonry to be given every Regular Lodge Night by the Master or Order, for the better edyfication of the Brethren, the secretary to be exempt the Lecture the better to observe any misbehaviour—Curseing or Swearing, Comeing drunk to the Lodge, interruptions in the Lecture or otherways, and likewise to take a particular acct of the Charges, and Acquaint the Master when it amounts to ten Light Stivers each member.
- Any member interrupting another while Addressing the chair or at any Other time dureing Lodge hours shall be fin'd as Annexed.
- Any Person who shall bo desircous and found worthy to be receiv'd in this our body, at his Reception Pay the sum or value of one pound one shilling sterling money, to be appropriated for good of the Lodge. Any old Mason who shall be admitted to joyne this Body as a member shall pay the sum of five shilling for the good of the Regulation afore mention'd.
- The Lodge to bo clos'd every night at the Discretion of the Master, but any Bro. having Business be permitted to go by applying to the Master for Leave.
- It is strongly recommended to every member when the Lodge is closed and the charges of tile house defray'd, that every Brother repair immediately to their lodgings, as there are several bad consequences attend late hours beside the extravagent expenses we run ourselves into, and often causes great disturbances in our familys; The extreme hurt we do our bodily healths and often renders us incapable of persuing our Daily occupations, beside gives the scandilous Tongues of ill-disposed people or enemies to the Royal craft, the greatest Liberty of Ridicule.
- Any member who shall Behave himself indecently out of the Lodge so as to be anyways a stain to the character of a Mason, shall be publickly excluded.
- Every Brother must always consider that whenever he enters the Lodge he is in a Place where Masons are met in order to work, and that Wisdom, Strength and Baauty are our chief supports. First, then, our Wisdom in abstaining from all rude and frothy expressions. Lett unanimity be our strength, and then Beauty & order will be their natural consequences. Lett us stamp our seal of secrecy on whatever is said or done there, and never permitt anything to be publish'd out of those Doors, for when Masons are mett together they should unbosom themselves freely without reserve, well Knowing and reason expecting that whatever unguarded expressions may be accidentaly made use of they ought to go no further, but are or ought to be lock'd safe in those breasts alone that know to whom & in what Place to reveal them, and Lett every Bro. consider that Masons are a society of men closely knitt together & that true Masonry will certainly like the square, will reduce all rude matter into form, and rub of all Rust of conversation, which very often renders a man unfitt for human society. Good manners, the true character of a Gentleman, & good sence distinguishes us from the lower class of mankind — are to be attained & Improved by Masonry.
- Every Brother to take his seat and keep strict silence whenever the Master shall think proper to rise from the chair and call to order, and every Bro. who shall have occasion to address the chair, shall rise and keep standing till he has made his address, nor shall any presume to interupt him, except the Master find him wandering from the point in hand — shall think fitt to reduce him to order till he is sett to right again, then he may proceed if he pleases, but if he refuses, the Master may order him to quit the room for that night. So. Brethren, we are all sensible it is our duty allway to keep our Tongues within compass, then we need nott doubt but we shall allways be found within the square.
- That our behaviour, both in and out of the Lodge be agreeable, for it is not sufficient that we shew ourselves Masons in the Lodge only, but that we lett the kind influence of Masonry at all times, and in all Places teach & direct us to govern & subdue our Passions, for that man will be a very little creditt to our Society, who tho' he may behave with becoming decency in the Lodge, yett—if without — a malicious, revengeful, or perhaps a common swearer, what opinion must sober thinking people's have of Masons when their actions are so counter to their professions.
- Every Bro. is desired to be very diligent in enquircing into the character of every Person who shall Pettition them to be admitted into our fraternity, and permitt me here to observe that Masonry is universal, and neither is or can bo confln'd to any state or condition in life, for honour, virtue and honesty are not allways in the possession of those of affluent fortunes only, but are often found amongst those of inferior Rank, nor can we as Masons reject any one on account of his station in life, so that the want of Riches and high Stations can be no reasonable objection against an honest and virtuous man, that is, as far as we can judge, who pays his Duty to the Grand Architect, his neighbour and himself, for if they have not His fear, they can have no regard to the most solemn obligations—but will turn rebels and endeavour to bring into Disgrace that Royal Craft. Those Perfections they can never arrive at, and if by outward appearance we should be so much imposed upon as to admitt such profligates as trilfle with and pay no regard to that obligation in which they have so voluntarily bound themselves, lett us not in the least be afraid to expell them immediately, but cutt them of like rotten Branches. Such resolution will bring creditt to ourselves and honor to the Royal Craft.
- Whatever Brother shall be so rude as to hiss at another, or at what he says, or has said, shall be expell'd till another time, and publickly owns fault before the Body, and his grace be granted by asking Pardon of the Party offended.
- The Master and Wardens may alter or add to these By-Laws as they shall think most convenient for the good of the Lodge. No visitor to be allowed except by consent of the Body.
Here end the By-Laws of this Military Lodge, of which it may truly be said that the compilers rightly appreciated the pure and high character of Freemasonry, and when viewed according to the times and circumstances, no better laws for Lodges have ever been compiled.
We consider them a most valuable addition to our By-Law literature, and out of some six hundred specimens of such publications, we have none in which the true spirit of Masonry is better illustrated, though, of course, in the more modern publications there is a polish which the foregoing necessarily lacks. Were but all Masons faithful to their obligations, none of the stupid bigots would have a "leg to stand upon" in denouncing the tendencies of the Craft.— The Voice of Masonry.
