Volume of Sacred Law

Volume of Sacred Law

A Volume of the Sacred Law is the Masonic term for whatever religious or philosophical texts are displayed during a Lodge meeting.

In English-speaking countries, this is most often the King James Version of the Bible or another standard translation of the Bible. If a Lodge has non-Christian members, other texts may be used, and in Lodges with a membership of mixed religions it is common to find more than one sacred text displayed. Every candidate is given his choice of religious text for his Obligation according to his beliefs. [cite web
url = http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/defendant/walkthrough/the_trial/faqs/index.html#2642
title = UK Government information on Courts system
publisher = Criminal Justice System for England and Wales
accessdate = 2006-03-08 ] [cite web
url = http://www.grandlodge-england.org/masonry/A2L-promises.htm
title = What promises do Freemasons take?
year = 2002
accessdate = 2007-05-08
publisher = United Grand Lodge of England ]

In the lodges that follow the Continental Masonic tradition, which allows Atheists to become members, a book of Masonic Constitutions will sometimes be displayed instead of a Volume of Sacred Law.

The most famous individual Volume of Sacred Law is the George Washington Inaugural Bible. It belongs to St. John's Lodge No. 1 in New York City and has been used at its meetings since 1767. [ [http://www.stjohns1.org/bible.htm St. John's Lodge No. 1 website] ] It has also been used as the Bible for the Presidential inaugurations of George Washington, Warren Harding, Dwight Eisenhower, George H. W. Bush, and others. [ [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pibible.html Bibles and Scripture Passages Used by Presidents in Taking the Oath of Office] ]

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