OF CANDIDATES.
103
of the law, as is evident from the fact that, in their Book of Constitution~, which they published under the title of the" Ahiman Rezon," they incorporated this Charge, word for word, frorn Anderson's, Ea.i.. tion of 1738.* From that time until veri recently, the sanle rigid interpretation has been given to the law of physical qualifications, as will appear ,froln the following analysis of Grand Lodge decisions. The "Ahiman Rezon" of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, published in 1783, adopts the precise language of Anderson's second edition, and therefore requires the candidates to be " hale and sound, not deformed or dismembered at the time of their making.."t The same language is used in the" Ahiman Re.. zan" of North Carolina and Tennessee, published ip the year 1805.t • See DERMOTT'S" Ahiman Ilezon, or a Beg.> to all that are or would .. ~ 1!'ree and .!ccepted Mas01lS." Lond.1778, p. 29. Of course this work, emanating from a. body now acknowledged to have been irregular, canbave no authority in l\fasonic law. I quote it, however, to show what 'WaS the general feeling of the Fraternity, of both sides, on this subject of physk&1
qo.a.IificatioDs
t
There was here, at least, no difference of opmion.
The Ahiman Bezon, abridged and digested, &0. Published by order
of the Grand Lodge ()f Pennsylvania. By WIL:LIA~ SMITH., D.D. Phila•.
1783, p. 28. ~
The Ahiman :Rez<'yn and ]}[asonic Ritual. .Published by order of the
Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee. Newhern, 1805, p.IS. It IS, In fact, a quotation, and so marked, either from Anderson's second· edi· tion, orfroro Dermott. But the same Grand Lodge, in 1851, adopted a qoalifying explanation, which admitted ma.imed ordtc;membered candidate.c;;,
provided their leas or infirmity woold proficiency f.n Masonry
DDt
prevent them from ma.khlg raJ!