One of the problems that has plagued the Masonic fraternity for years has been how little most members know about the historical origins of the ritual.  Most members actually believe that there is a historical relationship between King Solomon’s Temple and speculative Freemasonry as practiced in today’s rituals and ceremonies. This presentation is certainly not intended to be the “end all answer” to this issue, but is intended to present certain facts, none which are new and most of which can be found in any Grand Lodge Library.  Nearly all of this presentation is based upon the writings of Dr. Thomas Carr and Arkansas Past Grand Master George Thornburgh from the late 1800’s.  Nearly all of this presentation is plagiarized from their works.  I have made no new discovery.  The fact is I could not improve upon their writing and since so few copies of their writings exist today, it just seems the time to share their research and thoughts with today’s brethren pretty much as they wrote about it.

       The word “Mason” comes from the Latin “maconetus”, which mean a builder. Skilled operative Masons applied their trade in England, France, and Italy, during the Middle Ages, and were famed for the character of their work.  They were not only builders, but were architects as well.  They stamped their individuality on every building.  They had advanced so far as skilled Masons as to be a privileged class, free to travel wherever they pleased and to plan and erect buildings exempt from the taxes and limitations imposed upon the less skilled workers.  Being free as to territory and taxes, and free as to the character of their work, they were called Free Masons.

       They built many churches, cathedrals, and other stately buildings, many of which still exist. These operative Masons traveled much in the performance of their work.  During this period, writing was not common and diplomas and other official credentials were unknown.  In order to be accredited with each other as skilled Craftsmen, a system of passwords and signs were adopted which enabled each to prove to the others that he had been regularly taught his trade and was no pretender or cowan.  These ancient operatives had their regulations by which a young man was admitted as an apprentice, taught his work and became entitled to practice his trade.  They easily and early fell into the custom of meeting in Lodges, which had been built near the work sites.  From time to time, ceremonies for receiving young men were adopted and a ritual was formulated.  The similarity of the ritual of the operative Masons to that practiced by most speculative Masonic Lodges of today will impress and spark the interest of most Lodge members.

It appears that the operative Masons were first organized and recognized as a legal entity in 926 A.D by the first King of England, Athelstan.  In that year, in the city of York, he assembled the known Crafts of the time and granted his official charter.  At that time, 15 articles and 15 points were adopted for the governance of the Craft and his son, Prince Edwin, was appointed by King Athelstan as the first Grand Master.  (Note: It is possible that Edwin may have been the brother of the King rather than his son)

      Prior to the 1700’s, there were seven degrees in ancient operative Masonry:

              1.  Apprentice To The Craft

              2.  Fellow of the Craft

              3.  Super Fellow of the Craft

              4.  Super Fellow Erector

              5.  Superintendent of the Craft

              6.  Passed Master

              7.  The Three Masters

By looking at the ritual of the old operative degrees, it becomes apparent how the ritual practiced today in most speculative lodges evolved.

 

       In time a form of petition was developed for an apprenticeship to an operative Lodge:

I, ______________, being the son of Free Man and _____ year of age, humbly crave to be made an apprentice to the Ancient and   Honorable Craft.  I am prompted by a       favorable opinion preconceived of the  fraternity, and I desire full knowledge to enable me to work at the trade.  I promise to conform to all the ancient usages and established customs of the Order.

The candidate had to be proposed by one Mason, seconded by another and supported by five more.  The application for apprenticeship was posted at the entrance of the quarry or workshop for 14 days.  On three occasions, the young man had to stand by his application when the men were going to and from work, so that all might see him.  If anyone knew anything against the young man, it must be reported to the officers and the matter investigated.  If accepted, he had to appear on the sixth day of the week at high twelve at the quarry or workshop. He applied at the door, and was admitted on giving the proper password, which had been given to him.  He was admitted within the entrance of the Lodge, usually a porch with double doors, and took an oath not to reveal any part of the proceedings.