1. The Modes of recognition.
2. The division of Symbolic Masonry into three degrees.
3. The legend of the third degree.
4. The government of the fraternity by a presiding officer called a Grand Master, who is elected from the body of tile craft.
5. The prerogative of the Grand Master to preside over every assembly of the craft, wheresoever and whensoever held.
6. The prerogative of the Grand Master to grant dispensations for conferring degrees at irregular times.
7. The prerogative of the Grand Master to grant dispensation for opening and holding lodges.
8. The prerogative of the Grand Master to make Masons on sight.
9. The necessity of Masons to congregate in lodges.
10. The government of every lodge by a Master and two Wardens.
11. The necessity that every lodge, when duly congregated, should be tyled.
12. The right of every Mason to be represented in all general meetings of the craft and to instruct his representatives.
13. The right of every Mason to appeal from the decision of his brethren in lodge convened, to the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons.
14. The right of every Mason to visit and sit in every regular lodge.
15. That no visitor, not known to some brother present as a Mason, can enter a lodge without undergoing an examination.
16. That no lodge can interfere in the business or labor of another lodge.
17. That every Freemason is amendable to the laws and regulations of the Masonic Jurisdiction in which he resides.
18. That every candidate for initiation must be a man, free born and of lawful age.
19. That every Mason must believe in the existence of God as the Grand Architect of the Universe.
20. That every Mason must believe in a resurrection to a future life.
21. That a book of the law of God must constitute an indispensable part of the furniture of every lodge.
22. That all men, in the sight of God, are equal and meet in the lodge on one common level.
23. That Freemasonry is a secret society in possession of secrets that cannot be divulged.
24. That Freemasonry consists of a speculative science founded on an operative art.
25. That the landmarks of Masonry can never be changed. These constitute the landmarks, or as they have sometimes been called, "the body of Masonry," in which it is not in the power of man or a body of men to make the least innovation.
The 25 points will be explained in detail in the next two blogs.
Various Grand Lodge Jurisdictions have differing views on "Landmarks" - though all seem to agree that the very term "Landmark" means that it is un-changeable. "The ancient Landmarks of the Order, entrusted to your care, are to be carefully preserved..." etc. This article from the Grand Lodge of India blog-spot indicates 25 "Landmarks" - not all Grand Lodges have the same number that are considered "landmarks" so this is not an all encompassing account - just the "Landmarks" as are utilized in the G.L. of India.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for enlightening us Brother
ReplyDeleteIT IS INDEED VERY USEFUL- THANK U BROTHER
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