Two Curious Certificates.

TWO CURIOUS CERTIFICATES .

I am indebted to Bro . the Rev . C . H . Maiden , M . A ., the esteemed Editor of the " Madras Masonic Review , " for two certificates which are worthy of reprcduclion in your columns . They are of the same brother , one John Shelly , who was a Sergeant in the 54 th Regiment . The Craft lodge , according to Bro . Maiden , was locally warranted by the Prov . Grand

Lodge of Madras , being the West Norfolk Lodge , No . 17 , en the Coast of Coromandel , and it obtain-d 669 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . It went into abeyance about 1843 . ' > t seems to have had a Royal Arch Chapter and Knight Templar Commandery attached to which Bro . Shelly belonged , and thefe are the two certificates referred to . I regret that owing

to the indistinctness of the writing it has been impossible to send you a photo , and this reminds me of a common experience , which military men and others will do well to note , viz .: that Ceitificates taken out to India and othtr hot climates very quickly undergo deterioration- the ink used turning light

brown , lhose issued in India by lodges , Ike , are band-painted in Indian ink , but are often coloured also , and as a rule the colours fade , while the Indian ink stands faiily well . These two Certificates are hand-painted , but the Royal Aich document , being more coloured , is not nearly so well preserved as the other , while in both cases the written portion is much faded . If the Ior ' ges in India would take this hint , using what is called " fixed Indian ink" instead of the ordinary , their Certificates would stand much better .

To all Moil Excellent Super Excellent Grand and Royal Arch Brethren Freemasrns round the Globe . We the Grard Master , & c , kc , of a Grand Chapter of S . E . R . A . Masons held urder the sanction of Lodge No . 17 held in the 54 'h Rcgim-f t

and on the Grand Registry of England do hereby Certify attest and affirm that the Bearer hereof our well-beloved Brother John Shelly having pasbtd the Chair and being recommended unto us and having found him endowed with justice and fortitude we further initiate and instal him in the sublime

degree of E . S . E . G . and R . A . Masonry he having justly supported the Friendship and Valor attending his mysterious admission . May the soul of this Brother be both inspired and illuminated that he may avoid temptation and finally be conducted to the presence of the Most High . We warmly recommend him as a faithful E . S . E . R . A . Mason to all regular Chapters collectively and individually round the Globe . Given under our Hands and Seal of our Grand and Royal Arch Chapter and in our Lodge room at Madras East Indies this 9 th day of January 1840 and of Masonry 5844 and of Royal Arch Masonry 3840

J . WOODD Z W . MARRIOTT H S . WILSON 1 st Scribe W , ROIIFRTSON J JNO . JESSOP 2 nd Scribe

Two Curious Certificates.

Of the Invincible and Magnanimous Encampment of Knight Templars Knights of Malta and Knights of the Mediterranean Pass ; holding authority under the Grand Lodge of England by a Warrant in Her Britannic Majesty ' s 54 th Regiment Do hereby certify that our trusty and well-beloved Brother Sir John

Shelly was dubbed a Knight Templar , Knight of Malta , and Knight ot the Mediterranean Pass in our Grand Encampment . Since his initiation he has discharged the various duties of Sir Knight Companion with affection and integrity and on every occasion has given due proofs of his valor and worthiness and he with much excellent skill and fortitude previously withstood various temptations preparatory to his admission .

We therefore recommend him as a regular Sir Kni ght Templar , Knight of Malta and Knight of the Mediterranean Pass to all regular encampments and worthy Sir Knights of these orders around the Globe . Given under our Hands and Seal of our Grand

Encampment this 9 th day of January 1840 A . L . 5840 A . O . 722 J . WOODD Eminent Commander W . MARRIOTT Senior Captain S . WILSON Junior Captain M . BEAR Captain of the Lines \ V . ROBERTSON Chancellor

No . 1 . This is minus a i ^ in . ribbon and seal . Round the right pillar is wound a scarf which it coloured crimson , showing a gold fringe . The pillars rest on ' a mosaic pavement , the squares of which are painted blue . The ribbon to which the seal has been attached was threaded through the left pillar . The writing is much faded , and is not given line for line . It is on parchment lit V III rtrtA fl ^ A .. " . rrll dmlf . ll ~ i . r ..- n f-l . ! J «« ... I . l- . 1 i i luccl

ya " ** a —¦— nn . 1—5 " _ CLWI givca _ _ u Willi inc above description . " And God said , & c , " on the scroll is in German lext throughout . No . 2 . This has a nin . black ribbon threaded through the left pillar , to which is attached a squire seal in b ' ack wax

bearing the motto IN HOC SIGNO VINCES . It is on parchment 9 x 11 i anH the rough sketch gives a fair idea of this Certificate . The colors have faded , and the writing is more so , but considering its age the document is in a state rather over the average . A photo of this might have been taken , but not a readable copy . The writing is not given line for line , i . e . exactly as contained in each .

The wording of both these Certificates is peculiar , however , I refrain from comment , having already trespassed on your space ; I consider them both rare specimens , having never seen similar documents either the same in wording or design , and for this reason they may be interesting . I presume hand-painted Certificates are a thing of the past . These must have been rather attractive when issued , and the workmanship is excellent . J . RAMSDEN RILEY .