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Ordo Ab Chao (Order From Chaos)
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
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Historically, Masonry was constituted three times:
1) In the Middle Ages in England, the operative stonemasons were constituted and bound by a set of rules known as the ‘Old Charges.’ They are published in a book, ‘The Old Charges of British Freemasons‘ by Bro. William James Hughan.
2) Later on in renaissance Scotland in the reign of King James VI of Scots (later James I of England) the Masons Craft was reconstituted and given a new set of rules (known as the Schaw Statutes) by the HM Master of Works and General Warden (Grand Master) , William Schaw.
- The 1st Schaw Statute of 1598 and the 2nd Schaw Statute of 1599.
- The 1st Sinclair Charter of 1601 and the 2nd Sinclair Charter of 1628.
- The Falkland Ordinances/Statutes of 1636.
The old time immemorial lodges of Scotland that worked under these statutes, were originally operative stonemasons lodges and as their minutes prove, they transitioned into speculative Freemasons lodges, over time.
3) In Georgian England, Freemasonry was again reorganised and reconstituted. The four time immemorial lodges of London elected themselves into a Grand Lodge in 1717 and they adopted James Andersons Book of Constitutions in 1723.
- The Constitutions of the Free-masons. Containing the history, charges, regulations, &c. of that most ancient and right worshipful fraternity. By Rev. Bro. James Anderson. London 1723.
- The New Book of Constitutions of the Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons. Containing their history, charges, regulations, &c. For the use of the lodges. By James Anderson, D.D.. London 1738.
“For we be brethren of the Rosie Cross,
We have the Mason Word and second sight,
Things for to come we can foretell aright.”
From: ‘The Muses Threnodie,’ by Henry Adamson, 1638.
Masonic Song: Ye Sons of Old Killie
By Bro. Robert Burns
Ye sons of Auld Killie, assembled by Willie,
To follow the noble vocation;
Your thrifty old mother has scarce such another
To sit in that honoured station.
I’ve little to say, but only to pray,
As praying’s the ton of your fashion;
A prayer from the muse you well may excuse,
`Tis seldom her favorite passion.
Ye powers who preside o’er the wind and the tide,
Who marked each element’s border,
Who formed this frame with beneficent aim
Whose sovereign statute is order,
Within this dear mansion may wayward contention,
Or withered Envy ne’er enter,
May secrecy round be the mystical bound
And brotherly love be the center.
"I will strive to Live with Love & Care
Upon the Level, By the Square."
*These verses are from a brass square dated 1507, found in the east corner of the north foundation of Baals Bridge in Limerick, Ireland, in 1830.
Freemasonry definition:
“Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality, veiled
in allegory and illustrated by symbols.”
*From the Craft Ritual.
Audi, Vide, Tace (Hear, see, be silent)