Mackey’s 25 Landmarks

The first major attempt to define the landmarks was in 1858, when Albert Mackey (1807-1881) defined 25 in total:

1. The fraternal modes of recognition.
2. The division of the order into 3 symbolic degrees.
3. The symbolic legend of Hiram Abif.
4. The government of the fraternity by a Grand Master.
5. The prerogative of the Grand Master to preside over every assembly of the craft.
6. The prerogative of the Grand Master to issue dispensations for conferring degrees at irregular times.
7. The prerogative of the Grand Master to issue dispensations for opening and holding Lodges otherwise not established.
8. The prerogative of the Grand Master to make MM at Sight.
9. The necessity for MM to congregate in Lodges.
10. The government of Lodges to be by a Master and two Wardens.
11. The necessity that every Lodge when congregated be duly tiled.
12. The right of every M to be represented in all general meetings of the Craft.
13. The right of every M to appeal from his Lodge’s decisions to the Grand Lodge.
14. The right of every M to sit in every regular Lodge.
15. That no unknown visitor be allowed to sit in Lodge without being examined and found to be a M.
16. That no Lodge can interfere in the business of another Lodge.
17. That every M be amenable to the laws and regulations of the Jurisdiction in which he resides.
18. That candidates be required to meet certain qualifications; namely: being of mature age, not a cripple, and free born.
19. That a belief in the existence of God be a requirement for membership.
20. That belief in a resurrection to a future life be a requirement for membership.
21. That the Book of the Law shall constitute an indispensable part of the furniture of every Lodge.
22. The equality of all MM.
23. The secrecy of the Institution.
24. The foundation of a speculative science upon an operative art, and the symbolic use and explanation of the terms of that art for purposes of moral teaching.
25. That none of these landmarks can be changed.