The Secret History of Freemasonry

Speculative Freemasonry 235

ing the true entrance of the apprentice into the craft—in other words,
his graduation to journeyman when he had successfully completed his
apprenticeship. In addition to this initiation ceremony, there would be
ritual forms of practice. We can see, then, what must have become two
traditional rituals practiced during the time of transition from operative
to speculative Freemasonry. One took place in the lodge of apprentices
(for general trade meetings), the other in the lodge of journeymen and
masters (meetings concerning the intrinsic secrets of the craft). The pri-
vate ritual of the masters only appeared later and the speculative or
"accepted" masons divided the rites of masters, initiation, and practice
into three differentiated rituals.

"Accepted" Masons

The speculative character of operative masonry was transmitted and
maintained but certainly softened since the time of the Reformation
with respect to the spiritual and traditional perception of its rites and
symbols. It was reinvigorated—though with certain adaptations—when
freemasonry began admitting "accepted" members, meaning accredited
individuals who were foreign to the actual craft of masonry. These new
members were attracted to the order for three reasons.
First, masonry, along with all other corporations and brotherhoods,
offered the only possible form for associations in the society of the time.
In France, illicit assemblies were ranked as capital crimes until the end
of the Ancien Regime. In his Somme Rurale, Boutillier defined an
assembly as illegal when it exceeded the number of three people.
Second, the nature of masonry, including its privileges, the renown of
its masters and artisans, the kinds of matters that could be discussed in
that company, and the protection offered by powerful patrons, must
have had a seductive effect on studious and contemplative minds seek-
ing to increase their knowledge and share their ideas without arousing
suspicion. Finally, because of the nature of its work, masonry was the
sole corporation not tied to one locale. Thus it maintained connections
between cities and even countries that offered protection and welcome
to brothers away from home. In this regard it played a significant and
unique role in the exchange and spread of ideas.