Third Degree Legend.

see whether any more rational explanation offers itself to our minds . At the time when the new faith introduced by Christ and His disciples was coming into prominence , fche ancient mysteries had degenerated from their pristine purity of teaching into orgies of the basest kind , and philosophers and sages unwilling to

abandon fche fascinating pursuit of theorising and ultimately dogmatising about the secrets of the invisible world , were fain to invent a new mysticism of their own , or rather an amalgamation of the old mysteries and philosophies , which they termed the " Gnosis . " This was effected by collecting the teachings of fche

old Egyptian , Greek , Persian , Buddhist and Jewish ( Kabbalah ) mystic , and incorporating them wifch the mysticism of Christianity , into an e ' aborate system of Theosophy . This held its ground as a professed system of religious belief for nearly five centuries after Christ , though fulminated against by all fche

leaders of the Christian Church , from St . Paul onwards ; developed into the Manichaean and later into fche Paulician heresies , and has in modern days been revived with extraordinary success under the title of Esoteric Buddhism . Their doctrines were highly mystical , and taught in their fulness only to the initiated . They preserved and employed the ancient symbols of

all the different religions from which they had derived their teaching , bufc reserved their infcerprefcafcion and application of them for oral instruction only . Finally they were prolific in inventing charms and amulets inscribed with mystical figures and words , of which our Masonic jewels are the modern imitations .

The irruption of the Mahomedans in the seventh century naturally completed the overthrow of the Gnostics , already on the wane , but their influence remained , aud many of their doctrines were actuary absorbed by numerous mystical sects of Mahomedans , some of whom as fche various orders of Dervishes

exist and flourish in the present day . When in the eleventh century the first Crusade brought hordes of Christian warriors and pilgrims into Palestine , the invaders found , amongst their foes , not only the orthodox Mahomedans , but also many scattered fragments of the old Gnostics , who -Etill existed under various

disguises . To fully understand the effect produced by this contact , we must bear in mind thafc for about two hundred years Syria was more or less under the denomination of the Franks , during which time five distinct crusades were waged , each bringing vast numbers of English and continental Christians , into

the country . Amongst the mosfc redoubtable and invincible of the foes opposed to them were the famous Assassins ( Husbasheen or Indian Hemp Eaters ) , a mystic sect , one of fche fragmentary remains of the old Gnostics , who had a powerful organisation . So excellent did the organisation of this sect appear to many of

the Crusaders , that certain of fche Christian Knights formed themselves into an Order know as the Templars , and adopted fche system , and apparently nofc a little of the mystic lore of their opponents . The Temple of Solomon , as their name implies , was taken as the groundwork of their symbolic teaching , and

I have little hesitation in saying that they collected and incorporated in their ceremonies many of the legends and traditions regarding the building of the Temple and the career of H . A . which were currently related amongst the native population , and whicb , if we are to credit the reports of some travellers , may still be heard in the Cafes of Cairo and Constantinople .

The- persecutions to which fche Templars were afterwards subjected , and which ultimately led to their fall , were due to charges of grave heresies of Gnostic or rafcher Manichaaan origin . Bufc these traditions were not employed exclusively by the Templars . Monks of various orders adopted ceremonies not unlike those now in use amongst Freemasons to teach their novitiates the great lessons of life and death .

Besides fche Assassins , there existed in the days of the Crusaders another mystic sect known as the Druses ; and as this sect is still in existence , we may profitably consider what we know about them . They sprang into existence as a separate mystical sect in the tenth century , and hold secret doctrines and

a complete system of theosophy which they will not communicate to the uninitiated . They inhabit fche Lebanons , Mount Hermon , and a part of the Hauran . They are a brave and hardy race , live by agriculture , and keep themselves aloof alike from their Mahomedan and Christian neighbours , except when they proceed

to settle disputes with them by an appeal to arms ; hence they give a good deal of trouble to the Turkish Government . They are very friendly to the English , having a curious tradition thafc their trne Grand Master is in England or Scotland . They have several degrees of mystical knowledge , teach their doctrines by means of ritual questions and answers , profess to occult powers ,

and are said to be ready to accept Freemasons as the lowest order of their initiates . Amongst their traditions is one to the effect that they are descendants of the builders of Solomon ' s Temple ; and our distinguished Brother Eev . Haskefcfc Smith , after carefully studying fche sect , read a paper before the " Quatuor Coronati " Lodge , in London , to prove thafc they really are descendants of Hiram ' s levy employed in cutting down cedars for the Temple .

Third Degree Legend.

The theosophy of this infceresfcing sect is undoubtedly Gnostic m its origin . ' It is impossible to suppose that fche mysticism of these various sects would have no influence upon fche minds of the ignorant and superstitious soldiers , pilgrims , and artisans , who for nearly two hundred years were brought in constant contact wifch them .

Apropos of fche sect of the Assassins , the little known Ismailians who inhabit Northern Syria on the Orontes are generally believed to be their descendants , and a neighbouring tribe , the Ausairiyih , are also supposed from their apparent

worship of the Sun and Moon to be the remains of some old mystic sect , bufc as they appear to have migrated from Mesopotamia , it is not unlikely that their cult is really derived from the ancient Chaldean religion , without intermixture with the Gnostic doctrines .

The two hundred years during which the Franks were in possession of the Holy Land , and during which the five Crusades were waged , was one of change and advancement in civilisation all over Europe . While the crusaders in Palestine were busy building churches , castles , and fortifications generally , and placing on the stones those Mason ' s marks which form one of the most interesting of the many interesting objects to be seen in the

Holy Land by Masonic travellers , churches , abbeys and cathedrals were being built all over England and fche continent by travelling guilds of Masons of various nationalities . These Masons employed marks identical wifch those used by the Crusader Masons in Palestine , and for convenience in carrying on their work and preserving the secrets of their Craft , formed themselves into a Brotherhood , divided into Lodges .

Many of fche religious orders of Monks , too , were formed during this period , and showed traces in their ceremonies of reception of novitiates of having been influenced by eastern ritualism . Monks , priests , soldiers and Masons were thus all associated in their work , and ifc seems to me highly probable that ifc was then that there took place a grafting of speculative

philosophy ou the Operative Craft . This , when fche connection ceased , left the latter in possession of symbols , legends and traditions which they were too ignorant to be capable of transmitting intelligibly to their successors , bufc on which fche restorers of Speculative Masonry were able to found our modern rites and ceremonies .

In this manner I am inclined to believe that the legend of Osiris , invented nearly six thousand years ago , has come down to us in its present shape . Originating in the ancient ; Egyptian mysteries , it passed through the Gnostics , was modified by the Crusaders and their Masons , and came into possession of the Operative Craft in Europe . Thus , too , I believe the tinge of

Gnosticism—or shall we call it Neo - Platonism ?—which colours the Eoyal Arch , and to a less extent the eighteenth degree , can be accounted for . The precautions , too , which hedge the true Master Mason ' s word , believed by the Gnostics to be possessed of magical properties , can also thus be satisfactoril y explained .

After all , the main point about all our ceremonies is that they help us through the three degrees to realise our relationship towards the Great Architect of the Universe , and towards our neighbour ; a relationship which has been steadily taught through centuries of intellectual and spiritual darkness . They remind us that though creeds have varied in time and in clime , the fundamental principles of morality remain unchanged and

unchangeable till time shall be no more . And our modern development of Freemasonry gives us ample opportunities of practicing the highest forms of morality , as well as of exercising our intellects in the contemplation of philosophy . We can one and all " Do noble things , not dream them all day long , And so make Life , Death , and the great Forever one grand , sweet song . " —Oswald G . Wood P . M . in the " Indian Freemason . "

Multiple Membership And Lodge Dues.

MULTIPLE MEMBERSHIP AND LODGE DUES .

SOME interesting topics of a general character were touched upon by the District Graud Master of the Punjab , on the occasion of fche Annual Communication of his Grand Lodge in December last . After speaking of his visit to some of fche local Lodges D . G . M . Major-Gen . Sir G . B . Wolseley addressed his Brethren on the two topics we have selected for our heading He is thus reported in the " Indian Masonic Eeview : "

Although I very carefully scrutinised all the books , accounts and working o £ these Lodges , still my chief object in visiting them was to become acquainted with their members , and be able to see for myself who were deserving of advancement ; for we all know that iu Masonry , as well as every other have well

community , we our sleeping partners , as as our workers . And as I explained to jou when I firsfc took this hiram , my intention is to select for nomination to District Grand Lodge Offices those Brethren whose appointment will generally advance the prosperity of the Craft in our District .