Andersons constitu tion 1723 andersons constitution is the basis of modern freemasonry and its foundation of operation. The original andersons constitutions was published in 1723. Hence the third degree emerged sometime between 1723 and 1730, and took some time to spread within the craft. Anderson was born in aberdeen, and was a master of arts of the marischal college in that city. Andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service association. Entick also reverted to the charges as drawn up in 1723 into which, especially the first, anderson had introduced various modifications in 1738, and those charges are the basis of the ancient charges to be found today in the constitutions of the united grand lodge of england, the only differences, except as regards the first charge, not. The date and place of his birth have not yet been discovered with certainty, but the date was probably 1680, and the place, aberdeen, in scotland, where he was educated and where he probably took the degrees of master of arts. The constitutions of the freemasons was a constitution written for the premier grand lodge of england. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. The constitutions of the freemasons unl digital commons. Anderson s 1723 constitutions seem to recognise only the grades of entered apprentice, and the fellowcraftmaster. Andersons constitutions of 1723 freemason information. Including an analysis of andersons constitutions of 1723 and 1738 by hyneman, leon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Anderson s constitutions were based on the gothic constitutions and on the general regulations which had been compiled first by george payne in 17207.
A variety of stories and irregularities exist about its legitimacy and its foundation, yet, it remains an early cannon of masonic history. Andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service. Customer services be welcome to contact us, by email, by phone or by skype. Anderson s constitutions of 1738 by james anderson, may 30, 2004, kessinger publishing edition, paperback in english. These books can take me from 2 to 10 hours to create. Sep 04, 2008 this is a new edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was originally produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723. The word constitution probably refers to the old ms. But though in ancient times masons were chargd in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation. Last week, around 30,000 people downloaded books from my site 8 people gave donations. A special edition of this book was made in leeds, 1897, the value of which was enhanced by one of w. Andersons constitutions of 1723 masonic service association on. Another edition was issued in 1738, and again in 1754 and 1767, when. Though some have questioned the actual existence of the old charges to begin with, the resulting work of brother anderson, referred to as the book of constitutions of 1723.
He was ordained a minister in the church of scotland in 1707 and moved to london, where he ministered to the glass house street congregation until 1710, to the presbyterian church in swallow street until 1734, and at lisle street chapel until his death. Andersons constitutions were based on the old masonic manuscripts also called gothic constitutions and on the general regulations which had been. Andersons constitutions was the original guide for freemasons who were part of the grand lodge of england. Andersons constitution 1723 andersons constitution is the basis of modern freemasonry and its foundation of operation. The grand lodge of british columbia and yukon ancient free and accepted masons website contains philosophy, symbolism and history. For our own modern and practical purposes the most important of all the versions ever made was that compiled by dr. A mason is obligd by his tenure, to obey the moral law. In presenting an american edition of anderson s constitutions to the masonic fraternity, the publisher feels confident that there are but few readers in the order who have not dwelt with interest and delight on the pages of this most popular work popular at least with masons, and esteemed by them as the written landmarks of masonry. Franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723.
Aug 24, 2017 freemasonry in england from 1567 to 18. Andersons constitutions of 1723 grand lodge of british columbia. The recorded history of grand lodge dates only from 1723 when the first minute book was commenced, and so for a contemporary account of the formation of grand lodge, and of the first six years of its existence, we have to depend almost exclusively on dr. Though some have questioned the actual existence of the old charges to begin with, the resulting work of brother anderson, referred to. Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including freemasonrys contribution to the u. On the 29th of september, 1721, he was commissioned by the grand lodge to collect and compile the history, charges, and regulations of the fraternity from the then existing ancient constitutions of the lodges.
James anderson, the authorcompiler of the constitutions ii of 1723. Anderson, as he states in constitutions 1738, that the earl of st. He was in london in 1710 and was minister of a presbyterian chapel in swallow street, piccaldilly, till 1734. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th. Andersons constitutions of 1723 general regulations, compiled first by m. Anderson s constitution is the basis of modern freemasonry and its foundation of operation. Anderson s constitutions of 1723 masonic service association on. The original anderson s constitutions was published in 1723. For some background this excerpt from wikipedia offers some insight to its history. The constitutions of the freemasons, free pdf global grey. Anderson s constitutions was the original guide for freemasons who were part of the grand lodge of england.
George payne, anno 1720, when he was grandmaster, and approvd by the. This is a new edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was originally produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723. Andersons constitutions of 1738 may 30, 2004 edition. The 1723 edition of the book of constitutions was far from being the sole work of anderson. Founding of grand lodge of england in 1717 andersons. It did not become the official style till the reform of the calender in 1752. Andersons constitutions of 1723 grand lodge of ancient. Ebook anderson s constitutions of 1723 full online. This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance. Anderson s constitutions of 1738 anderson, james, hughan, w. This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance to the development of colonial society and the formation of the republic.
There was in 1722 an informal issue of the old regulations, in a copy of a ms. The constitutions of the freemasons james anderson. Grand lodge of london to be errors in the old manuscripts, anderson researched and attempted to update the document for modern use 1. Frontispiece of andersons constitutions 1723 first edition of the constitutions issued on fine art paper. Andersons constitutions of 1738 by james anderson, may 30, 2004, kessinger publishing edition, paperback in english. Les constitutions danderson ont ete redigees en 1721 et publiees en 1723.
On the 29th of september, 1721, he was commissioned by the grand lodge to collect and compile the history, charges, and regulations of the fraternity from the then. My second question is regarding another addition in the 1738 edition for same article 1. Andersons constitutions were based on the gothic constitutions and on the general regulations which had been compiled first by george payne in 17207. When in 1738, the grand lodge changed its name from grand lodge. Andersons constitution is the basis of modern freemasonry and its foundation of operation. Download andersons constitutions of 1738 pdf free video. James anderson in 1723 and everywhere known familiarly as andersons constitution.
This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance to. Jan 04, 2016 download andersons constitutions of 1738 pdf free. Index to andersons constitutions of 1723 until a full transcription of the 1723 edition is completed, researchers are directed to the text of the 1734 edition, transcribed by paul royster, university. This is an online electronic edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723. I want to keep them free, but need some support to be able to do so. It was written by james anderson, a presbyterian clergyman, at the request of john theophilus desaguliers, the third grand master of the grand lodge of england. Andersons constitution of 1723 the constitutions of the freemasons. A variety of stories and irregularities exist about its legitimacy and its foundation, yet, it remains an early canon of masonic history. Lodge, and published in 1723, entitled the book of constitutions of the freemasons, containing the history, charges, regulations, etc. Such a book dated as of today bears on the face of it little resemblance to the edition of 1723.
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