It was edited by the presbyterian clergyman, james anderson, to the order of john theophilus desaguliers, and approved by a grand lodge committee under his control. Jan 07, 2008 the principal personages can hardly be intended for any others than montagu and wharton. Andersons constitutions of 1738 anderson, james on. The full title of the 1723 edition was the constitutions of the freemasons, containing the history, charges, regulations, etc. The book is analyzed in using the term constitutions he was following the phraseology of several of the versions of the old charges, and in fact the word occurs in latin in the regius, though anderson never saw that. The constitutions of the freemasons by james anderson. 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. Anderson s constitutions was the original guide for freemasons who were part of the grand lodge of england. The constitution of the united states, with index, and the declaration of independence. More information about this seller contact this seller 15.
Including an analysis of anderson s constitutions of 1723 and 1738. Jan 21, 2003 the constitutions of the freemasons book. Andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service association. Anderson s constitutions of 1738 by james anderson, may 30, 2004, kessinger publishing edition, paperback in english. 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 and doctor of divinity. 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. In his second edition, the new book of constitutions of 1738, he brought this history up to date by continuing it down to the year of publication. The new book of constitutions of the ancient and honorable fraternity of free and accepted masons. Andersons constitutions of 1723 online freemasons for dummies. The second edition of anderson s constitutions sets forth. Andersons constitutions of 1738 may 30, 2004 edition. Andersons constitutions was the original guide for freemasons who were part of the grand lodge of england.
Franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who. Andersons constitutions of 1723 general regulations, compiled first by m. This may be intended for andersons as yet unprinted manuscript, or, more likely it indicates that a version of the old constitutions was regarded at the time as part of the grand masters equipment, which would be a survival of operative practice. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. In presenting an american edition of andersons 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. May 01, 2004 the new book of constitutions of the ancient and honorable fraternity of free and accepted masons.
And now, by the command of our said right worshipful grandmaster montagu, the author of this book has. The constitutions of freemasons andersons constitutions the constitutions of the freemasons, for the use of the lodges in london and westminster, was published in 1723. 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. Even though written in the 18th century, for thinking men of all levels of society to live the enlightement and oppose religious and ethnic prsecution, there is little in adersons constitutions which is not applicable to human society today. Andersons constitutions of 1723 freemason information. The text of the 1723 edition was reset and published in philadelphia by m. The principal personages can hardly be intended for any others than montagu and wharton. Including an analysis of andersons constitutions of 1723 and 1738. In 1784 john noorthouck published by authority this fifth edition. This was the first masonic book known to have been published in the american colonies.
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 foundation book of british and international freemasonry. Andersons constitutions of 1738 by james anderson author. The following are the principal editions of the book of constitutions to have been published since the formation of the united grand lodge of england. Andersons constitutions were based on the old masonic manuscripts also called gothic constitutions and on the general regulations which had been compiled first by george payne in 1720. Andersons constitutions were to be of central importance to freemasonry, supplying a foundation and agreed traditions and regulations stevenson, heredom, 93, 121. 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. Benjamin franklin, grand master of masons of pennsylvania.
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. In the 1738 edition of the book of constitutions, anderson comes firmly centre stage as author and these are now clearly andersons constitutions. Discussion in history and research started by bulldozer harrell, feb 17, 2017. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. The constitutions of the freemasons, free pdf global grey. It contains their history, charges, regulations, etc. Indeed, anderson s history would have produced the expectation of an older grand lodge at york, and the london lodges were duly furnished with minutes going back some twenty years. My freemasonry freemason information and discussion forum.
The first 1723 and second 1738 edition were written by rev. The constitutions of the freemasons was a constitution written for the premier grand lodge of england. This was in 1670 and this james anderson is no doubt another person. Anderson s 1738 constitutions recognised the independence of the old lodge of york city. 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. James anderson, the authorcompiler of the constitutions ii of 1723. Andersons constitutions of 1738 by james anderson, may 30, 2004, kessinger publishing edition, paperback in english. Andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service. James anderson the constitutions of the freemasons 1734 1. A new edition of the constitutions was published in 1754, by john entick. The constitutions of the freemasons james anderson. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th.
The constitution of the united states, with index, and the. It was taken by the grand lodge of ireland as the model for their book of constitutions in 1730. Andersons constitutions of 1738 by james anderson and w. He reverted to the charges as drawn up in 1723 into which, especially in the first charge, anderson had introduced various modifications in the 1738 edition.
There is a remarkable similarity between his entry in the constitutions of his name as master of a lodge and author of this book, and in entry in the aberdeen mark book, of james anderson, glazier and mason and writer of this book. Ebook anderson s constitutions of 1723 full online. The constitutions of the freemasons unl digital commons. Hughan 2014, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. It is identical in spelling, capitalization and punctuation. Anderson was a freemason, and when, in 1721, on the revival of freemasonry in england, the grand lodge determined to produce an authoritative digest of the constitutions of the fraternity, the task was assigned to him entick s edition 1747 of the constitutions, p. The original anderson s constitutions was published in 1723. I am proud that my lodge left philadelphia during its occupation by the british in 1778.
This may be intended for anderson s as yet unprinted manuscript, or, more likely it indicates that a version of the old constitutions was. 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. 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 of nebraskalincoln, february 14, 2006. His name appears on the title page, he signs the dedication to the prince of wales, and there is a preface from the author to the reader signed by anderson from my study in exeter court. Buy andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service association online at alibris. 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 freemasons andersons constitutions. Pocket edition this constitution was proofed word for word against the original constitution housed in the archives in washington, d. Andersons constitutions were based on the gothic constitutions and on the general regulations which had been compiled first by george payne in 17207. In england of the eighteenth century a permanent association or society was required to have a sponsor, the more exalted in the rank the better, who was named as its patron as the king himself was patron of the royal scientific society. Anderson and later editors of the constitutions in the eighteenth century, following him copied this feature and brought his own fertile imagination to bear on it. The introduction gives a brief history of this publication. Andersons constitutions of 1723 grand lodge of british columbia.
The constitutions of the freemasons 1734 by james anderson. Download andersons constitutions of 1738 pdf free video. Andersons constitutions were based on the old masonic manuscripts also called. This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance to. See all 7 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. In the book itself are printed a formal approbation by grand lodge and the masters and wardens of twenty lodges with the exception of two masters, which is. Dan jones has an enviable gift for telling a dramatic story while at the same time inviting us to consider serious topics like liberty and the seeds of representative government. Antonia fraser from the new york times bestselling author of the plantagenets, a lively, actionpacked history of how the magna carta came to beby the author of the templars the magna carta is revered around the w. The constitutions was edited and reprinted by benjamin franklin in philadelphia in 1734, becoming the first masonic book printed in america. The original andersons constitutions was published in 1723. Andersons constitutions of 1723 paperback september 10, 2010 by masonic service association author 4.
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