SOBConstitution1845

CONSTITUTION OF STAR OF BETHLEHEM LODGE, 1845

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, V: 79-81, January, 1846:

CHARGES TO THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.

Star of Bethlehem Lodge, located in the neighboring town of Chelsea, was solemnly consecrated, dedicated, and constituted, in due and ancient form, by the M.W. Augustus Peabody, Esq., Grand Master, on Friday evening, the 19th ult. The officers of the Lodge were also installed by the Grand Master, who has kindly furnished us with copies of the following CHARGES, delivered on the occasion:-

CHARGE TO THE MASTER.

WORSHIPFUL MASTER:

Your ardent attachment to the Order of Freemasonry, and your devotion to its labors, are well known to the Grand Lodge. At most of its meetings, whether for instruction or work, few Brethren have given more constant attention. We, therefore, in committing the government of this new-born Lodge to your guidance, feel a confidence and satisfaction which are not always experienced on similar occasions.

It is common on the institution of new Lodges, to install Masters inexperienced in Lodge-work; and who bring to the Temple little more than a desire to learn, and a resolution to work according to the best information they can obtain. To such officers, it is necessary to give ample explanations of the principles and emblems, and instructions in the rules of work.

To you and your Brother offices, I have deemed it unnecessary to give such details; because, before the formation of your Lodge, you had become Master-Workmen, as well as Master Masons. You have long and successfully labored under a warrant of dispensation, and have been teachers to others, of the lectures, rules and usages.

The ceremonies of this evening, to most of you, are novel. But few, who are now accustomed to visit our assemblies, have ever witnessed them. You, my Brother, and your associates, are the first who have obtained a Charter for an entirely new Lodge, since the demon of antimasonry blighted our land. The field of your labors is favorable; and many will seek permission to lay their offerings on your altar.

These and many other considerations, render your station one of peculiar responsibility. In the career on which we are now entering, the many new Lodges which will come after you, and which are already in embryo, will look to you as the pioneer; and their character will in no small degree be modeled by your example.

We charge and exhort you, ever to use your power and influence with care and circumspection - Cherish the strictest veneration for the ancient usages and landmarks - Render implicit obedience to the constitution and the edicts of those whose province it may be to give rules to your government. Let your charities be general, yet discriminating, that relief may flow freely to hearts bleeding from the wounds of inevitable misfortune; and your STAR will be a burning and a shining light, that shall brighten the path and soften the labor of life's journey, to many. But while your charities are broad and ample, let the selection of fellow laborers be jealously guarded. Beware that you open your doors to none but the worthy - none but the pure in heart. Take heed that you cherish not the fatal ambition to excel others in numbers. Let no man be made master among you, until he was learned well to serve. Let none be advanced until he can safely walk himself, and guide others over the steps he has already taken.

Masters of Lodges, more than any others, have the power to form the Masonic characters of those whom they initiate. The obligation, therefore, on you is doubly imperative, by your precepts and by your example, to teach implicit obedience to the ordinances, the usages, and the ritual, that have descended to us from antiquity. By such obedience alone, can the unity and integrity of the Order be preserved.

He who would, in word or spirit, disregard one of these rules, from motives of convenience, or because he has not sufficiently studied them to understand their propriety, shows his unfitness to be a ruler, and wounds the Order in a vital part.

From among your equals, you are selected to preside over them for a season. During that season, until you return to the common level of your Brethren, and resign your truncheon of authority to another, your power will be great; and obedience will be your due from all in your Lodge. But forever cherish the recollection, that your responsibility must, and your caution and prudence should, increase co-extensively with your power.

Let that sacred volume, which Freemasons take as the rule and guide of their faith, and which is the Text-Book of your profession, guide you in the exercise of all your Masonic authority. Let the charity, humility - the trust in God, and love of man, that are there inculcated, distinctly mark your course, - and when you retire from offie, the blessing of your Lodge and of the Fraternity, will follow you.

CHARGE TO THE WARDENS.

BROTHERS SENIOR AND JUNIOR WARDENS:

You, also, are too well experienced in the duties of your respective offices, to need detailed instruction on this occasion.

As Wardens, you should not only be familiar with all that appertains to your own offices, but skilful in all the duties of those in grades below you; for of all your actions, you must be supervisors. You must also be expert in all the various and responsible duties of the Master; for in them all you must assist, and relieve him, whenever it shall be his pleasure to require such services of you.

By virtue of your office, you are each liable, occasionally, to be called to preside over the labors of the Lodge. The charges and words of exhortation given to your Master, are therefore applicable to you. Your diligence and fidelity are essentially necessary to strengthen and adorn all the operations of your Lodge.

CHARGE TO THE MEMBERS.

BRETHREN OF STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM LODGE:

I congratulate you on being admitted in full communion to the Fellowship of the Lodges.

The Grand Lodge has observed your course with care and assiduity. Your selection of officers and members, and the character of your labors, have won their approbation.

They now greet you as a Lodge, in equal standing with any other; and hereafter your officers will form a part of the highest Masonic tribunal in the State.

The present condition of Freemasonry is not universally - perhaps not generally well known. Very many, for years, believed that the Order was extinct; and some still write and speak of it as a thing that was. It was indeed smitten, but not with the wounds of death; - humbled, but not deprived of strength. It was reviled, but reviled not again. It was falsely accused of many crimes; but it bore injury in silence - trusting that its innocence would not forever plead in vain with the Almighty Master. It has been preserved - and it has more life and vigor than is generally believed.

In rising from its humbled estate, we cannot fail to observe, that affliction has done it good. There is now a seriousness and solemnity in its operations - a caution in its reception of candidates, and selection of members; and an earnestness and fidelity in transmitting the principles and communicating the ritual, which were heretofore unknown.

The novelty of creating a new Lodge, must attract public attention. You, my Brethren, will find yourselves like a city set on a hill. Many circumstances will combine to concentrate public observation on you, and you must be judged by your works. Indeed, you situation is one of unusual responsibility. Your operations must do much to elevate or sink the credit of the Craft.

Your Lodge is located in a new and flourishing village, which, a few years ago was a barren and desolate pasture. It is destined soon to become a populous city; yours is among its early institutions. By strictly observing and inculcating the Masonic duties of Wisdom, Temperance, Caution, Brotherly kindness, Relief and Truth - you will do much to improve the moral and mental character of the community amid whom you dwell.

You well know that the principles of our Institution are benevolent and pure, - designing no evil to any one, but seeking the improvement and happiness of all.

Some of the features of its operation are unique. This is natural. The oldest human institution must have features of antiquity. But they must never be changed. To change, would be to destroy.

BRETHREN - Let your practice of Freemasonry ever be in its ancient simplicity and purity. Draw from it yourselves, and dispense to others, all the good it is calculated to bestow. As it existed many centuries ago - as you received it - so cherish it, and obey its precepts- and so transmit it without a shadow of change, to those who shall come after you.

This do - and while Freemasonry honors you, it will be honored by you - and the actions of your lives as well as the language of your lip, will echo the ejaculation, that has resounded through the long series of ages: "As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be." - SO MOTE IT BE.

The ceremonies of the evening were performed in an impressive manner by the G. Master, and were interspersed with excellent and appropriate music, under the diretion of Brs. Oliver and Jones. A large number of Brethren were present, and so far as we could judge, all were gratified.