THE STONEMASONS OF GERMANY.
146
than once made
iise of,
but what the distinction was
it
is
impossible to say.
Even
writers
"
who scornfully assume the air of knowing and understanding all things better than any one
else,"i have passed this over in silence, and I can only point to the distinction without
Another problem occurs in Art. 30, where provision is made,
professing to explain it.
under certain circumstances,
five years, instead of
for the apprentice
his travels before the expiry of
commencing
completing his term under another master, as already directed (Art.
LIX.).
The
care with
which every
point,
even the most minute,
is
considered, appears in Art.
LXXL, whence
it is
evident that before binding an apprentice the master
his capabilities
and
fitness,
but was not to extend this
LXIL, where the usual safeguards
Art.
trial
was allowed
to test
over a fortnight.
are insisted on, even
And, again, in
between a master and his own
sons.
Having completed his apprenticeship a new life now awaits the young workman. He is
declared free of the craft and obtains rank as a fellow craft {gescll); but does not necessarily
thereby enter the fraternity.
This act is solemnly performed before the assembled lodge
and was doubtless accompanied by some formalities, of which, the leading
(Art. LXIV.),
features are pointed out.
"We know that he had to take a solemn obligation " on his truth and
honour in
loyal,
lieu of oath,"
under the penalty of being expelled the
and obedient mason, that he would maintain the
not of his
own
the greeting
initiative alter or
craft,
that he
craft as far as in
him
would be a
lay, that
true,
he would
change his distinctive mai'k, and that he would not disclose
any non-mason and even that he would not commit
{(jruss) or grip (schcnck) to
;
LIV. and LVI.).
These methods of recognition were then
imparted to him, and the ceremony concluded with a jovial feast, which was partly at the
master's expense (Art. 26), and partly at his own (Art. LXX.).
To tliis feast sundry guests
were invited, probably the clergy attached to the building then in course of erection and even
any part thereof
to writing (Arts.
;
of fare
Tlie master is strictly enjoined not to delay this
provided for (Art. 26).
action for a longer period than fourteen days, except on
good and valid grounds (Art. 26) ;
and it is expressly stipulated that henceforth nothing shall be unjustly withheld, in order
tlie
liill
is
that no excuse
may be pleaded in after-times (Art. LXVIII.) hence we may assume that
This was called pledging his
amongst other matters the Ordinances were read to him.
mark, toasting it, or drinking good luck to it and so important was the occasion considered,
that the stipulated rules of
frugality were suspended, and the warden was empowered to cease
work one hour sooner (Art. 59). This mark henceforth became his distinctive property, and
;
;
was used by him
and he was required to engrave it on all his work
and severely punished if he did so before the work had been proved and
upon completion,
passed (Art. 72). What the grip was we are not told but at the beginning of this century,
Herr Osterrieth, an architect, who had been professionally educated at Strassburg, where
as a species of signature
;
;
he joined a survival of the Stonemasons, on
being admitted to Freemasonry by Heldmann
Aarau (in the province of Aargau, Switzerland), expressed his astonishment at
recognising
in the entered apprentice
Unless we think
grip the token of the Strassburg Stonemasons.^
fit
to doubt this assertion, the masonic reader will know what the Stonemasons'
at
grip
'
This cutting expression is applied
by W. Keller (Gescliichte der Freimaureiei iu Deutsclilaiid,
and some later writers whom he does not name.
'
Heldmann, Die
drei Aeltesten Geschichtlichen
Denkmale,
p. 250.
p. 46) to Fallou,