VI. BEHAVIOUR, viz. :

i. In the Lodge whjxe constituted.
You are not to hold private Committees, or Sepa- rate Conversation, without Leave from the Master, nor to talk of anything impertinent or unseemly, nor in- terrupt the Master or Wardens, or any Brother speak- ing to the Master ; nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is seri- ous and solemn ; nor use any unbecoming Language upon any Pretence whatsoever ; but to pay due Rever- ence 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 Controversies (unless you carry it by Ap- peal to the Grand Lodge), and to whom they ought to be referr'd, unless a Lord's Work be hinder'd the meanwhile, in which case a particular Reference 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 yourselves with innocent Mirth, treating one another according to Ability, but avoiding all Excess, or forcing any Brother to eat or drink be- yond his Inclination, or hindering him from going
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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 Harmony 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 Nation, or State Policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholic Religion above mentioned ; we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, and are resolv'd against all Politics, as what never yet con- duc'd to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This charge has been always strictly enjoin'd and observed, but especially ever since the Reformation in Britain, or the Dissent and Secession of these Nations from the Communion of Rome.
3. Behaviour when Brethren meet without Stran- gers, BUT NOT IN A LODGE FORMED.
You are to salute one another in a courteous man- ner, as you will be instructed, calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual Instruction as shall be thought expedient, without being overseen or over- heard, 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 Ma- sons are as brethren upon the same Level, yet Masonry takes no Honor from a Man that he had before ; nay, rather, it adds to his Honour, especially if he has de- serv'd well of the Brotherhood, who must give Honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill manners.
ANCIENT CHARGES. 23
4. Behaviour in presence oe Strangers, not Masons.
You shall be cautions 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 inti- mated ; and sometimes you shall divert a discourse, and manage it prudently for the Honor of the worshipful Fraternity.
5 Behaviour at Home, and in your Neighbour- hood.
You are to act as becomes a moral and wise Man ; particularly, not to let your Family, Friends, and Neighbors know the Concerns of the Lodge, etc., but wisely to consult your own Honor, and that of the ancient Brotherhood, for Reasons not to be mention'd here. You must also consult your health, by not con- tinuing together too late, or too long from home, after Lodge Hours are past; and by voiding of Gluttony or Drunkenness, that your Families be not neglected or injured, nor you disabled from working.
6. Behaviour towards a Strange Brother.
You are cautiously to examine him, in such a method as prudence shall direct you, that you may not be im- pos'd 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
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if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or else direct him how he may be reliev'd. 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 an- other 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 slan- der any honest Brother, but defending his Character, and doing him all good offices, so far as is consistent with your Honor and Safety, and no further. 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 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 can not be otherwise decided, and patiently listening to the honest and friendly Advice of Master and Fellows, when they would prevent your going to Law with Strangers, or would excite you to put a speedy Period to all Law Suits, that so you may mind the Affairs 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 sub-
ANCIENT CHARGES. 25
mitted :o by the contending Brethren ; and if that sub- mission is impracticable, they must however carry on their Process, or Law Suit, without Wrath and Rancor (not in the common way), saying or doing nothing which may hinder Brotherly Love, and good Offices to be renew'd and continu'd; that all may see the be- nign Influence of Masonry, as all true Masons have done from the Beginning of the World, and will do to the End of Time.
Amen so mote it be.
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LAWS
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE LODGE.
You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, agreeably to the forms established among Masons ; * you are freely to give such mutual instruc- tions as shall be thought necessary or expedient, not being overseen or overheard, without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that respect which is due to any gentleman, were he not a Mason ; for though, as Masons, we rank as brethren on a level, yet Ma- sonry deprives no man of the honor due to his rank or character, but rather adds to his honor, especially if he has deserved well of the Fraternity, who always render honor to whom it is due, and avoid ill- manners.
No private committees are to be allowed, or separate conversations encouraged ; the master or wardens are not to be interrupted, or any brother speaking to the master ; but due decorum is to be observed, and the proper respect paid to the master and presiding officers.
These laws are to be strictly enforced, that harmony may be preserved, and the business of the Lodge be carried on with order and regularity. Amen. So mote it be.
*In a Lodge, Masons meet as members of one family; all prejudices, therefore, on account of religion, country, or pri- vate opinion, are removed.
BEHAVIOR OF MASON. 27
CHARGE ON THE BEHAVIOR OF MASONS OUT OF THE LODGE.
When the Lodge is closed you may enjoy your- selves with innocent mirth, but you are carefully to avoid excess. You are not to compel any brother to act contrary to his own inclination, or give offense by word or deed, but enjoy a free and easy conversation. You are to use no immoral or obscene discourse, but at all times support with propriety the dignity of your character.
You are to be cautious in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger may not discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated ; and, if necessary, you are to waive a discourse, and manage it prudently, for the honor of the Fraternity.
At home, and in your several neighborhoods, you are to behave as wise and moral men. You are never to communicate to your families, friends, or acquaint- ance the private transactions of our different assem- blies, but upon every occasion to consult your own honor and the reputation of the Fraternity at large.
You are to study the preservation of health, by avoiding irregularity and intemperance, that your fam- ilies may not be neglected and injured, or yourselves disabled from attending to your necessary employments in life.
If a stranger apply in the character of a Mason you are cautiously to examine him in such a method as prudence may direct, and agreeably to the forms estab- lished among Masons, that you may not be imposed
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upon by an ignorant, false pretender, whom you are to reject with contempt ; and beware of giving him any secret hints of knowledge. But if you discover him to be a true and genuine brother, you are to respect him; if he be in want, you are to relieve him, or di- rect him how he may be relieved ; you are to employ him, or recommend him to employment; however, you are never charged to do beyond your ability — only to prefer a poor brother, who is a good man and true, be- fore any other person in the same circumstances.
Finally : These rules you are always to observe and enforce, and also the duties which have been communi- cated in the lectures; cultivating brotherly love, the foundationand cape-stone, the cement and glory, of this ancient Fraternity; avoiding, upon every occasion, wrangling and quarreling, slandering and backbiting ; not permitting others to slander honest brethren, but defending their characters, and doing them good offices as far as may be consistent with your honor and safety, but no further. Hence all may see the benign influ- ence of Masonry, as all true Masons have done from the beginning of the world, and will do to the end of time. Amen. So mote it be.
PREREQUISITES. 29