The Early Masonic Catechisms

Preface

The early masonic catechisms have been examined, analytically and comparatively, in some detail by Bro. H. Poole in “Masonic Ritual and Secrets before 1717” [A.Q.C., xxxvii (1924)]. His paper, however, was written before the discovery of the Chesham, Edinburgh Register House and Graham MSS. Further, although he actually took 1730, in preference to 1717, as his boundary date, notwithstanding his title, he excluded Prichard’s Masonry Dissected, published in October, 1730, on the ground that it raised the large question of the number of ‘degrees’ given during the period 1717–1730, which he felt unable adequately to discuss in the space at his disposal. Much of his paper is as valuable to-day as when it was first written, some twenty years ago, though failure to distinguish between an ‘apprentice’ and an ‘entered apprentice’ and to realize that the catechisms apply to the admission of the latter (ex-apprentices or improvers aged 21 or so) and not to that of the former (boys aged 14 or so) did lead him to some extent astray, and some of the commentators on his paper more so. Unfortunately, Bro. Poole’s paper has no appendix of illustrative documents; owing to lack of space, he had to content himself with indicating the more accessible reproductions. Thus, though it stimulated interest in the catechisms, his paper whetted the appetite without supplying any ready means of satisfying it, because some of the publications in which catechisms have been reproduced are not likely to be found in an ordinary masonic library. In this volume, which may be described as a ‘utility’ edition, we endeavour to supply reliable texts of all the early masonic catechisms, and of the contemporary rejoinders, with the exception of the Chesham MS. and the first part of the Essex MS., which are practically identical with other early catechisms which we print in full. As space is limited, we have curtailed our general introduction and the introductory and explanatory notes to particular documents, and have omitted reproductions of title pages of pamphlets and specimen pages of MSS. Further, we have been unable to follow the exact lay-out of certain catechisms, in so far as they devote separate lines to each question and each answer, however short. In these days of paper economy such spacious setting is precluded. Our aim is to give complete and accurate texts of the documents, with sufficient introductory and explanatory matter to help those masons who wish to study for them-selves the origins of masonic ritual and ceremonies. The prevailing conditions prevent us from catering for the masonic bibliophile.

For the facilities afforded to us in the obtaining of photostats and photographs, and for permission to print or reprint documents, we have to thank the authorities of the British Museum, the Bodleian Library, the Trinity College, Dublin, Library, the Edinburgh Register House, the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Ireland and Lodge Dumfries Kilwinning, No. 53; also the Editors of A.Q.C. and of the Leicester Masonic Reprints, and Bro. Rev. H. I. Robinson, Bro. Rev. H. Poole, Bro. J. Heron Lepper and Bro. Philip Crossle. We have also to thank Bro. Rabbi Barnet I. Cohen for assistance with certain Hebrew words; Bro. Philip Crossle for information about the Chetwode Crawley MS.; Dr. B. Schofield and Mr. A. J. Collins of the MSS. Department of the British Museum for help in dating certain manuscripts; and our colleagues, J. M. M. Jenkinson and J. H. Read, for making the tracings required for the preparation of blocks. Lastly, we have to thank Mr. H. M. McKechnie, Secretary of the Manchester University Press, for his unfailing help and co-operation.

D. K.
G. P. J.
D. H.

The University,
Sheffield,
February, 1943.

Postscript. We are greatly indebted to Bro. Fred. T. Cramphorn for placing at our disposal his typescript copies of the two catechisms referred to in the Note on p. viii.

April, 1943.

Note

After this book had gone to press, the existence of two other early catechisms was brought to our notice by Bro. Fred. T. Cramphorn of Upper Moulsham, Chelmsford. In a MS., stated to bear an almost illegible name and address, “ M^r John Page . . . N° 5 . . . Bristol”, and recently in the possession of the late Bro. Lister Salisbury, who lent the document to Bro. Cramphorn to copy, there are three catechisms: (i) The Whole Institution of Masonry, 1724; (ii) an entry headed “The following is part of Free Masonry as Printed in London 1725”; (iii) A Dialogue between Simon, a Town Mason, and Philip, a Traveling Mason. The first is an early and shorter version of The Whole Institutions of Free-Masons Opened, 1725; the second is a copy of the examination in The Grand Mystery of the Free Masons Discover’d, 1725; the third possesses considerable affinities with other early masonic catechisms, but resembles no particular one very closely. We print the first and third, with introductory notes, on below; it has not been possible, however, to refer to them in the Introduction, which was already paged.

An updated edition of this book is in preparation and will be published by Lewis Masonic. Details to follow.