VI. OF BEHAVIOUR, VIZ :

1. In the Lodge while Constituted.
You are not to hold private committees, or separate con- versation, without leave from the Master, nor to talk of any thing impertinent or unseemly, nor interrupt the Master or Wardens, or any Brother speaking to the Master ; nor be- have yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn ; nor use any unbe- coming language upon any pretence whatsoever ; but to pay due reverence to your Master, Wardens and Fellows, and put them to worship.
If any complaint be brought, the Brother found guilty shall stand to the award and determination of the Lodge, who are the proper and competent judges of all such contro- versies, (unless you carry it by appeal to the Grand Lodge,) and to whom they ought to be referred, unless a lord's work be hindered the meanwhile, in which case a particular refer- ence may be made ; but you must never go to law about what concerneth Masonry, without an absolute necessity ap- parent to the Lodge.
2. Behaviour after the Lodge is over and the Brethren not gone.
You may enjoy yourself with innocent mirth, treating one another according to ability, but avoiding all excess, or fore*
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hig any Brother to eat or drink beyond his inclination, or hindering him from going when his occasions call him, or doing or saying any thing offensive, or that may forbid an easy and free conversation ; for that would blast our har- mony and defeat our laudable purposes. Therefore no private piques or quarrels must be brought within the door of the Lodge, far less any quarrels about religion, or nations, or state policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholick religion above-mentioned ; we are also of all nations, tongues, kindreds, and languages, and are resolved against all poli- ticks, as what never yet conduced to the welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This Charge has been always strictly enjoined and observed ; but especially ever since the Refor- mation in Britain, or the dissent and secession of these nations from the communion of Rome.
3. Behaviour when Brethren meet without Strangers, but not in a Lodge formed.
You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, as you Avill be instructed, calling each other Brother, freely giv- ing mutual instruction as shall be thought expedient, without being overseen or overheard, and without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that respect which is due to any Brother, were he not a Mason ; for though all Masons are as brethren upon the same level, yet Masonry takes no honour from a man that he had before ; nay, rather it adds to his honour, especially if he has deserved well of the Brotherhood, who must give honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill manners.
4. Behaviour in Presence of Strangers not Masons.
jTou shall be cautious in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated ; and sometimes you shall divert a discourse and manage it prudently for the honour of the worshipful Frxternity.
62 THE WRITTEN LAW.
5. Behaviour at Home, and in your Neighbourlwod.
You are to act as becomes a moral and wise man ; particni larly not to let your family, friends and neighbours know the concerns of the Lodge, &c., but wisely to consult your own honour and that of the ancient Brotherhood, for reasons not to be mentioned here. You must also consult your health, by not continuing together too late, or too long from home, after Lodge hours are past ; and by avoiding of gluttony or drunkenness, that your families be not neglected or injured, nor you disabled from working.
6. Beliaviour towards a Strange Brother.
You are cautiously to examine him, in such a method as prudence shall direct you, that you may not be imposed upon by an ignorant false pretender, whom you are to reject with contempt and derision, and beware of giving him any hints of knowledge.
But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother, you are to respect him accordingly ; and if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or else direct him how lie may be relieved. You must employ him some days, or else recommend him to be employed. But you are not charged to do beyond your ability, only to prefer a poor Brother that is a good man and true, before any other poor people in the same circumstances.
Finally, all these Charges you are to observe, and also those that shall be communicated to you in another way ; cultivating brotherly love, the foundation and cape-stone, the cement and glory of this ancient Fraternity ; avoiding all wrangling and quarreling, all slander and backbiting, nor permitting others to slander any honest Brother, but defend- ing his character, and doing him all good offices, as far as is consistent with your honour and safety, and no farther. And if any of them do you injury, you must apply to your own or his Lodge, and from thence you may appeal to the
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Grand Lodge at the Quarterly Communication, and from thence to the Annual Grand Lodge, as has been the ancient laudable conduct of our forefathers in every nation ; never taking a legal course but when the case camiot be otherwise decided, and patiently listening to the honest and friendly advice of Master and Fellows, when they would prevent you going to law with strangers, or would excite you to put a speedy period to all lawsuits, that so you may mind the affair of Masonry with the more alacrity and success ; but with respect to Brothers or Fellows at law, the Master and Brethren should kindly offer their mediation, which ought to be thankfully submitted to by the contending^ brethren; and if that submission is impracticable, they must, however, carry on their process or lawsuit without wrath and rancor, (not in the common way) saying or doing nothing which may hinder brotherly love, and good offices to be renewed and continued ; that all may see the benign influence of Ma- sonry, as all true Masons have done from the beginning of the world, and will do to the end of time.