Bondman; Bondsman.

Practically all of the Gothic Constitutions (q.v.) contain a Charge requiring the apprentice to be free-born or to be no bondsman, which are not the same thing, though Masonic writers often overlook the difference. One might be free-born and, yet, be in bondage at the time of seeking admission to the Fraternity; or one might be born in sl*very and, yet, be free at the time of seeking admission. The distinction must be kept in mind here and also in reading other articles on this subject. Some of the old MSS. apply to both conditions. The Regius MS. says no bondeman; the Cooke MS. says bondsman; the Grand Lodge MS. says able of byrthe, that is to saye free borne * * * and no bondman; Antiquity MS. says free-born, and no Bondsman; and Harleian MS. No. 1942 says free borne. Such differences do not appear to result from changes occurring by lapse of time but are found in MSS. of all periods, so that it rather seems That the doctrine of the Craft in operative days was not well settled everywhere.

The Constitutions of 1723 required the petitioner to be both free and free-born. Strange to say, none of the American Grand Lodges which have attempted to enact or recognize landmarks (q.v.) has gone further therein than to require that the petitioner be of free birth or born of free parents. It would seem that the condition of the petitioner at the time of petitioning and of initiation would be more fundamental and important. This, however, is probably only one of the vagaries characteristic of landmarks, since it is unlikely that any American Grand Lodge would admit one who was free born but in bondage or in the custody of another, though not for cr*me. Up to 1847, the rules of the United Grand Lodge of England required the petitioner to be freeborn but, in that year, that word was changed to freeman, thus, qualifying one born in sl*very but afterwards freed. Formerly, that authority had always rejected those who ever had been in sl*very on the theory that a servile condition of mind might never be fully repaired. A curious remnant of that rule existed in Ireland until 1928, when a regulation of the Grand Lodge forbade the admission of a servant or bailiff, because of the menial status and presumed effect upon the mind. It is usually held that one in custody for any reason is disqualified for the degrees of Masonry, but close inspection of the petitioner’s relations and surroundings of all kinds must be made to see whether there is anything in his family, business, professional, p*litical, r*ligious or other peculiar conditions which might affect his freedom of mind, irrespective of any restraint on his person. See QUALIFICATIONS OF PETITIONERS AND CANDIDATES.