
THE ENTERED APPRENTICE'S CHARGE IN 1735

In the latter part of 1734, and the beginning of 1735, Willian
Smith published The Free Mason's Pocket Companion both in London
and Dublin. It was published in London without the authority of the
Grand Lodge of England, and at the Quarterly Communication of the
Grand Lodge held on Feb 24, 1735, it was "Resolved and Ordered that
every Master and Warden present shall do all in their power to ....
prevent the said Smith's books being bought by any members of their
respective Lodges." In Ireland, on the contrary, the book had the
approbation of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland and
his Grand Officers.

In this Pocket Companion, and being the only absolutely novel
section of that work, there is to be found "A short CHARGE to be
given to new admitted Brethren." It is worded as follows:

You are now admitted by the unanimous Consent of our Lodge, a
Fellow of our most Antient and Honourable Society; Antient, as
having subsisted from Times immemorial, and Honourable, as tending
in every Particular to render a Man so that will be but conformable
to its glorious Precepts. The greatest Monarchs in all Ages, as
well of Asia and Africa as of Europe, have been encouragers of the
Royal Art; and many of them have presided as Grand-Masters over the
Masons in their respective Territories, not thinking it any
lessening to their Imperial Dignities to level themselves with
their Brethren in MASONRY, and to act as they did.

The World's great Architect is our Supreme Master, and the unerring
Rule he has given us, is that by which we Work.

Religious Disputes are never suffered in the Lodge; for a Masons,
we only pursue the universal Religion, or the Religion of Nature.
This is the Cement which unites Men of the most different
Principles in one sacred Band, and brings together those who were
the most distant from one another.

There are three general Heads of Duty, which MASONS ought always to
inculcate, viz.: to God, our Neighbours, and Ourselves.

To God, in never mentioning his Name but with that Reverential Awe
which becomes a Creature to bear to his Creator and to look upon
Him always as the Summum Bonum which we came into the World to
enjoy; and according to that View to regulate all our Pursuits.

To our Neighbours, in acting upon the Square, or doing as we would
be done by.

To Ourselves, in avoiding all Intemperances and Excesses, whereby
we may be rendered incapable of following our Work; or led into
Behaviour unbecoming our laudable Profession, and in always keeping
within due Bounds, and free from all Pollution.

In the State, a MASON is to behave as a peaceable and dutiful
Subject, conforming chearfully to the Government under which he
lives.

He is to pay a due Deference to his Superiors, and from his
Inferiors he is rather to receive Honour with some Reluctance, than
to extort it.

He is to be a Man of Benevolene and Charity, not sitting down
contented while his Fellow Creatures, but much more his Brethren,
are in want, when it is in his Power (without prejudicing himself
or Family) to relieve them.

In the Lodge he is to behave with all due Decorum, lest the Beauty
and Harmony thereof should be disturbed or broke.

He is to be obedient to the Master and presiding Officers, and to
apply himself closely to the Business of MASONRY, that he may
sooner become a Proficient therein, both for his own Credit, and
for that of the Lodge.

He is not to neglect his own necessary Avocations for the sake of
MASONRY, nor to involve himself in Quarrels with those who through
Ignorance may speak evil of, or ridicule it.

He is to be a Lover of the Arts and Sciences, and to take all
Opportunities of improving himself therein.

If he recommends a Friend to be made a Mason, he must vouch him to
be such as he really believes will conform to the aforesaid Duties,
lest by his Misconduct at any Time the Lodge should pass under some
evil Imputations. Nothing can prove more shocking to all faithful
MASONS, than to see any of their Brethren profane or break through
the sacred Rules of their Order, and such as can do it they wish
had never been admitted.

I am sure, as stated by Bro. Chetwode Crawley, "every brother will
hail as old and firm friends the brief and pithy clauses on which
the Grand Lodge of Ireland was the first to bestow official
sanction."

If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his
tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

