History | Page 185

THE STONEMASONS OF GERMANY. is disagreement provision made an arbitrator for the election of (Art. 43). 163 Even if the cause of dispute between two craftsmen did not affect masonry, they were still enjoined to refer it to this court, before appealing to the tribunals of the state (Art. XXX.). Only when differ- ences could not be adjusted by the high court were appeals allowed (Ai't. XXL). Complaints of the civil authorities against the craft were also to be heard by a chief master (preamble to The book-master dispensed the charities of the guild, and administered the 1462 code). relief to the sick and distressed (Art. To him the lower masters handed their boxes If the indiThis arrangement was a salutary one. XXIV.). annually and rendered their accounts. vidual masters had been allowed to afford a class of professional mendicants might have arisen, as one master would have been ignorant of the doings of the others. But the and as the districts were not very district master could exercise greater caution and control relief, ; on the really needy and deserving in requiring them large, The Brother-book thus to trave