The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-12-30
The Qualifications. NC.. oCNnndi-
sInIe-. from AmcicmI VIM ll.s.I.l pc.

III. l.. DDN1ANi Accs
The OunIiHcutIous. .Nc.. ofGmmdi-
dnte-. from Ancicnt Munnscripts-
There seems 70 he in many Jurisdictions
in the United States q growing desire 90
make less restrictive thc qualifications rr-
quired Of candidate ior admission .u the
mysteries of Frecmasomy.
Some nine or ten ycau since Bro
Mathew Cooke. of England, published
work entitled '"rhc History and Articles
of Masonry" the same being fac siDlilc
of n very old manuscript discovered IN the
British Museum. The following extracts
relating 10 the qualifications. &c, of can
didates, will be found highly interest
ing:
The first article is this: That every
master of this art should be wise and true
TO the Lord he seryeth, dispensing his
goods truly, as he would his own we're
dispensed, and not give more pay 20 no
Mason than lac wot he may deserve, ni-
ter the dearth Of corn and titual In the
country, no favor notwithstanding, for
every man 20 be rewarded after his tra-
vail.
The second article is this' That every
master Of the art should be warned, be-
fore, 10 come 10 his congregation, that
they come duly, but if they may tbc) oN-
cused by some manner, l0i) COURSE
but, nevertheless, If they be- found rebel
Qious) at such congregations, or family
in any manner (oi) harm in their lords,
and repioof Of this art, they s.oIld rot
be exercised in no me amer without taking
peril of death, and though they bog ina no
peril of death, they shall warn the mes
ter that is principal Of the gathering Of
his decease.
The third article is this: That no mas
ter TO take (ap)prentice for la) lees term
than seven year(s) al the least, because
such az be within a less term, may not
proftably, come 10 his art, nor able 10
seTys,. truly, his lord (and) 70 take as
The fourth article is thiG That no mas
ter, for no profit, take no (ap)prcntioe
for 10 be learned, that is born Of bond
blood, for because Of his lord, 10 whom he
is bond, will take him a. well he may,
from his art, and lead him, with him, out
of his Lodge, or out of his place lac work
eth in, for his fellows, preadvcnturc,
would help him, and debate for him, and
thereof mansaughter might la rise, IL is
Forbid denl And also for another cause
of this art, II took beginning Of great lords
children, freely begotten, as il is said be-
fore.
The fifth article il this That no mas
ter give more 10 his Zap prentice in time
Of his Zap lprenticeship. for no profits 10
be take in that he note = well he may
deserve Of the lord that he servoth, no
not so much that the lord Of the place
that he is taught in, may have some profit
by his teaching.
The sixth article is this That no mas
ter, for no coyetousncss, no profit, take
no Zap lprenticc 10 teach that Is imperfect,
that il 10 say, having any MAIN for which
he may not truly work rs he ought for 20
do.
The seventh article Is this: That no
master be found Willingly, or help, or pro-
cure, 10 be la maintainer and sustained
| 1of1 any common night walkers b. rob,
BY which manner Of night walking they
may not fulfil their days work and trav-
air and through the condition their iel-
lows might be made wroth.
The eighth article b. thiH Ihatit uelul
that any Mason that be- 3crse. nrd ruu-
ming, come for 10 sael HIra ANA unu uu
/ Imperfect ana uhIHIiHiuE WIZ h''.fif H'N
master Of the peace shall receive che per-
feet and do away the imperfect, % tho
profit Of his lord.
The ninth article il this. That no mas
ter shall supplant another, for IL is said,
in the art Of Masonry, that no man should
make end Of work begun by another, 10
the profit Of his lord, as he thatl began
il, for 10 end il by his matters, or 70 whom
he showeth his matters.
The above we're undoubtedly, q por-
ton Of the fundamental laws Of the Oper-
alive Masons, and the substance Of them
will be found embodied ia "fhe Charges
Of Freemason, commonly known a. tho
"Ancient Charges" first published by
James Anderson IN 1923, or six years ni-
ter the formation Of the first Grand Lodge
of Speculative Masons ia England, up
l717.