Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

134 ORIGIN OF FREE MASONRY.
limbs, free from bondage, have the senses of a man, and
are endowed with an estate, office, trade, or some visible
way of acquiring an honest livelihood." Why might not
one have a crooked back or distorted arm, for all the purposes
of modern or speculative Masonry ? They might,
they do; but such would not have strength to labour in the
ancient lodges of operative masons.
These ancient charges are found in most manuals of Masonry.
They are various, but generally correspond with
the following, extracted from "New Monitor," p. 208.
" Thirdly. You must conduct yourselves as men of honesty
and integrity, and serve your master in such manner
as may be most conducive to his honour and profit."
u
Sixthly. Wherever you go, you shall be careful to pay
for your board and lodging," &c.
" Some other charges, which equally demand your attention.
" First. No Mason should take upon him his master's
work, or any other person's, unless he is conscious to himself
that he is able to perform it in such manner as will not
injure the craft.
"Second. No master shall take work without a reasonable
compensation : nor shall any master or fellow supplant
another in regard to employment.
" Third. He who shall be made a Mason, shall be free
born, of respectable parents: fdso, perfect and complete in
his limbs as a man ought to be.
" Fifth. No master or fellow shall put away any one's
work to task, which ought to be journey work.
" Sixth. Every master shall give pay to his fellows and
servants, according to their respective deserts.
" Thirteenth. Every master shall courteously receive a
strange brother, who may have come into the country and
set him at work, if he can.
" Fourteenth. Every mason shall truly serve his master
for his pay, and the master shall honourably perform his
task work, or journey, whethersoever it maybe."