Ancient Qualifications The qualifications of the Operative Mason from 1410 back to 1200 A.D. The following list of qualifications is copied from a pamphlet supposedly copied from the ancient papers in the London museum. There is no author’s name.
1. The youth shall be an apprentice without pay for a period of 7 years.
2. A bond-servant was not eligible (The youth must be a free man because if he were owned by another, the owner might claim his servant at any time thereby wasting all those years of training.)
3. He must be whole of limb, as stated, a “Perfect youth.” (The slightest handicap might make him unable to accomplish his work at some time in the future.)
4. The youth must be honest.
5. The youth must agree to obey the rules of the Craft, rules about hours, wages, etc. (He could not work at night.)
6. He must not criticize or abuse his master.
7. He must submit to all instructions of his master.
8. He must swear to love God and Church, his masters and fellow-workers in that order.
9. He must swear himself to secrecy for the benefit of the Craft.
10. He must swear to be faithful to the Craft. [
Facts, Fables and Fantasies of Freemasonry, Right Excellent William Adrian Brown, Missouri Lodge of Research]
Fraternally,
Norm
