REGIUS MANUSCRIPT The oldest of the known manuscript charges of Freemasonry, written about 1390, is in the old English of Chaucers time, and is very difficult to read. This old manuscript contains 15 articles and 15 points, of which the following is a free transcript, care being taken to convey the spirit of the thought rather than literary accuracy: Articles (1) The Master must be a trusty man, an honorable and impartial medium between the lords who hire and the operatives who labor. (2) He must be punctual in his attendance at the assemblies. (3) He must take no apprentice for a term of less than seven years. (4) He must take no apprentices, save the free and well born. (5) He must take no mutilated person for an apprentice. (6) He must not take Craftsmans wages for apprentices labor. (7) He must take no immoral or depraved person for an apprentice. (8) Finding an employee incompetent, he must immediately discharge him. (9) He must undertake no work that he cannot finish. (10) No master shall supplant another in his business. (11) He shall not require his workmen to work by night, except in search of knowledge. (12) He shall speak no evil of his fellows work. (13) He must instruct his apprentices in the Masonic science. (14) The Master shall take no apprentices for whom he has not sufficient labor. (15) He shall not compromise with his fellows in their sins for any profit. Points (1) The Mason must love God and his brethren. (2) He must work diligently in working hours that he may lawfully refresh himself in the hours of rest. (3) He must keep the secrets of the brethren with fidelity. (4) He must be true to the Craft. (5) He shall receive his wages without murmuring. (6) He shall not turn a working day into a holiday. (7) He shall not carnally lie with a brothers wife. (8) He must be just and true to his Master and brethren in every capacity. (9) He shall treat his brethren with equity and in the spirit of brotherly love. (10) He must live peacefully and without contention with his brethren. (11) Seeing a brother about to err he must admonish him with kindness. (12) He must maintain the general regulations of the Craft. (13) He shall commit no theft or succor a thief. (14) He must be steadfast to these laws and to the laws of his country. (15) He shall submit to the lawful penalty for what ever offences he may commit.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 22:45:57 +0000
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