Documenta Latomica Inedita.

DOCUMENTA LATOMICA INEDITA .

PART II . THE epithet " Inedita" does not perfectly apply to the document below , as the English translation of the German origin has been given both by Findel and Steinbrenner , whose work is derived to a great extent from Findel . But I am not aware that the German and English have ever been given

together , or paginally , and so I think it well to set them before my readers today . This German Catechism or Examination of a Maurer Geselle said by Fallon to have been given to him by a Master Mason of Hamburgh though what its real antiquity is , it is somewhat difficult perhaps to say . It appears to me to be of some ancient date , and seems to point to the early days of the Steinmetzen . It is interesting , I think , as throwing a light on the esoteric

teaching of the German Steinmetzen , assuming that it is a veritable document , and clearl y indicates that there then was some connection between English Speculative Masonry and the Steinmetzen Bauhutten in Germany ; yet that there was , if this be a real representation of their customs and ceremonial and doctrines , a wide margin between them . ¦ That fact , I think , is indicated by the history of German Freemasonry , and

so I will say no more , but allow the document to speak for itself . I am sorry to add that recent studies of German authorities do not strengthen the authority of Fallon in my opinion . On the contrary , they convince me that a good deal which has generally been accepted about the Steinmetzen , etc ., rests on his " ipse dixit , " and that as he does not give us his authority , he ,, like poor old Oliver , must be equally weighed in the balance of critical truth , and too often like him , alas , will also be " found wanting . "

A . USWEIS ODEB EXAJIEN DES IKEMDEN MAUKERGESKLLEN BEl SEINER ANMELDUNG . Mifc Gunst raid Erlaubniss ! Gott ebre diesen Han und Ulle , die hier um uns stehen ! Mit diesen Worten treten zwei Altgesellen vor und legen ihre Masstabe liber ' s Kreuz . Der alteste von ihuen fiihrfc das "Wort .

Altgesell : Fremder ! bisfc du ein Briefer

oder in Grusser ? Fremder : Ich bin ein Griisser ? Alt gesell : Woran ertennt man diess ? Fremder : Un memem Grass und meiner Mundsprache .

EXAMINATION OF A GERMAN "STEINMETZ . Stranger . With your favour , I desire to gain admittance . Warden . Tou have my permission . From whence come you ? S . I come from . N . N .

W . What do you bring with you ? S . A courteous greeting from the worthy and worshipful Craft of Masons there to the Master and Fellows of the worthy and worshipful Craft of Masons here , and to all connected with it , according to the usuge and custom of the Craft . W . Approach . What is your request ?

S . I desire to have my honest name inscribed in the book of the Craft , as other honest fellows have done before me , and will also pay my groschen , that the worshipful Craft may be strengthened and not weakened . With your favour and permission , God bless this plan , and all who stand here around us .

W . Stranger , are you a letter-mason or a salute-mason P , S . I am a salute-mason ( Q-russer ) . W . How shall I know you to be such ? S . By my salute and the words of my mouth . Y