Echoes From Portugal.

ECHOES FROM PORTUGAL .

The following toast was proposed in the Lodge Cosmopolite Orient at Lisbon , in honour of the M . W . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Portugal , Count de Paraty : — BELOVED BRETHREN ,

What is Freemasonry ? Freemasonry is-a great- association . tof men who have made it their , task to live in perfect equality , intimately united by the bonds of mutual confidence , mutual esteem , and friendship , under the same of'brothers—the sweetest and truest

appellation they could . attribute to themselves—and to . stimulate each other to the practice of benevolence * nd morality . ^ Freemasonry is great in the eyes of the generous , good , and honest ; it is nothing to the narrow .

minded , the wicked , the faithless . It is sublime , it ia everything to the wise and virtuous ; it is nothing to the ambitions , the covetous , the false . It is great to the sensible man , the sincere , and the generous , who is conscious of the infirmities of man , and who feels the obligation of healing them .

Freemasonry is neither a conspiracy nor a party . affair •, it neither serves ambition nor deceit . It is order and truth in all things . It hates all vices , it loves every virtue , it is the Godly voice which calleth upon us to love and help each othei * . Ifc is tranquillity in storms , a beacon in shipwreck ,

consolation in misfortune ; it is , in a word , the true union of nations . Freemasonry is august ; it is everything to those who comprehend it , it is nothing to those whose heart aud soul are dead . Freemasonrv is an institution which allows no

doubt , no contest , as to its principles . It is the purest and simplest of all institutions . Its principles are such its to agree best with that reason so liberally bestowed on us by the G . A . O . T . U . Freemasonry is neither a religious sect nor a political party ; it embraces , however , all parties ,

all sects , in order to unite all its disciples in one Dommon brotherhood . Freemasonry is the touchstone for every truth . -It is the torch of reason , serving to distinguish good from evil , truth from falsehood , courage from cowardice , and generosity from selfishness . It

teaches to conquer the obstacles which ignorance , fanaticism , and prejudice oppose to it . Freemasonry has no other support , except itself , and the G . A . O . T . U ., who created light . Freemasonry is an institution which entails no expense on any nation ; it is a legion of devoted

men who combat the enemies of progress and the union of mankind , and whose expenses _ appear nowhere in any State ' s budget . Such warriors look for recompense to no one—they find it in the conviction of having endeavoured to do good . Freemasonry is the knowledge ofthe human heart ,

and the practice of all social virtues . Pure from its origin , though for a long time misunderstood , it now pursues its natural course towards the realisation ofthe principles of liberty , equality , and fraternity . It extends and unfolds itself more brilliantly every day . A little longer , and it will rule the world ,

become its instructor , and render it happy . Then will this august league have attained its object . Then may all true Masons rest , and look on their work with satisfaction . Until then , beloved brethren , let ns not relax in our labours , and , in order to attain that object , let us till our lodges with zealous ,

active , faithful , assiduous , fearless brethren ; with good citizens and men of conviction and enthusiasm . M . W . Grand Muster Count de Paraty , on the columns of Lodge Cosmopolite are assembled brethren from Portugal , Spain , Belgium , Italy , Holland , America , Germany , Russia , England , and France .

This lod ge , happily placed under your gavel , M . W . G . BI ., follows your example in all its labours ; its members work zealously at the holy work , for the benefit of mankind , all united by the cement of brotherly love , using all their efforts to further the great structure of general concord . All this proves

that the idea of a cosmopolite world is no empty chimera , and confirms the hope that thc conquering spirit of Freemasonry will ultimately succeed in embracing the whole human race in one great family of brothers . M . W . G . M ., lead us , so that we may follow your

good example . Your noble and brotherly aspiration—that sweet hope of yours—to see all men united in one sii . gle family of brothers , , will excite our zeal , inflame our hearts , and cause our strength te equal yours , so that , led by you , we may be rendered capable of greater exertions , and finally bring about the realisation of the great aim of the

Grand Lodge of Lusitania . Beloved brethren , this obligatory toast which I have the honour to propose to you is that of our M . W . G . M . We couple with this toast , so dear to us all , that of all the Grand Ofiicers of the Grand Lodge of Lusitania , and of all foreign Grand Lodges , We accompany , this toast with our warmest wishes for the prosperity of the Masonic Order over thc whole surface of the earth .

A Sketch Of The Knights Templar.

A SKETCH OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

By the late Bro . THOMAS DUNCKEULE ., P . G . M . for Hampshire , & c , & c . After the temple rebuilt by Zerubbabel had remained 575 years , it was pillaged by the Emperor Ahtiochus , 170 years before Christ ; afterwards by Croesus and Pompey , and at last , totally destroyed

by Titus Vespasian , who took Jerusalem by storm , A . D . 74 . In 138 the Emperor Adrian rebuilt that city , but had not time to lay the foundation of the temple , for the Persians took it from him , and the Saracens became masters of it A . D . 640 . During all this time the Nethenimcs ( a posterity of Gibeonites ,

condemned by Joshua to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for the temple ) distinguished themselves by their virtue , and in time they became Knights of the East , and Royal Arch Masons . They were esteemed for their retired life and simplicity of manners , their sobriety and charity ,

and took the name of Essenes . They elected a Grand Master for life , and engaged to worship the true God ; to clo justice : to be loyal to their sovereign , and obey their Grand Master . These brethren embraced the new law , and became Christians ; they retired to Sicily and other places ,

and in 1020 , they were created Knights ofthe Eastern Star . In 1083 Godfrey of Bouillon and Peter the Hermit laid a plan for the conquest of Jerusalem , In A . D . 1100 the Christians associated by a solemn vow to establish the Temple in the Holy Land ,

and the Masonic Knights agreed to retain their ancient signs , to know each other from the Saracens at a distance , in order to avoid surprise . They communicated their signs and words to those only who promised , with the greatest solemnity at the foot of the altar , never to reveal them . That obligation

was a sacred bond to keep the individuals of several kingdoms in the same society . Six millions of people , of different nations , united , and vowed to conquer Jerusalem ; they wore the Calvary Cross on the shoulder , and as the Emperor Constantine the Great had in 313 seen thc red cross

in the air In hoc signo vinces , they took that motto ; and the word for charging the enemy , Dieu le vent . There was also a cross of distinction for the different countries : The English ( at that time ) wore white , the French red , the Flemings green , the Germans black , the Italians yellow , & c , ( from this

circumstance , originated the flags of Britain , and other countries . ) Many Royal Arch Masons , and Knights of the Eastern Star , who were Christ ' s faithful soldiers and servants , had built a church on the site where the temple of Solomon had besn erected ; which thev dedicated to St . John of Jerusalem ; and

when that city was taken by Godfrey of Bouillon , A . D . 1103 , he gave the care ofthe Holy Sepulchre to the Knights ofthe Eastern Star , with the additional title of Knights Rosa Crucis . Their duty was to guard the sepulchre , and escort the pilgrims on the road to Jerusalem . In A . D . 1118 .

King Baldwin the Second instituted the order of Knights Templars of St . John of Jerusalem , in which he incorporated seven Knights Rosa Crucis . After nine years expired , this military order was consecrated by the Pope , and to their vow of obedience to the Grand Master , and charity to the poor ,

they added celibacy . The Knights Hospitallers , who ori g inated from the Order of St Lazarus , attended the sick and wounded ; they afterwards became Knights of Rhodes , and are at this time Knights of Malta . After the ninth crusade , A . U . 1272 , the institution

of Knights of the East and West was established . Those Knights had taken a solemn oath to shed their blood to establish the worship of tho God of the Christians in his Temple at Jerusalem , which when they found it impossible to accomplish , they returned to their respective countries ; and , in order to establish in their hearts what thev could not

realize by action , they solemnly engaged not to _ admit a Brother to the sixth degree until he had given proof of his friendship , zeal , and discretion ; and they were created Knights ofthe East and West by King Edward the First of England ( who at that time was informed of the death of his father , King

Henry the Third ) . His Majesty a / so dubbed them Knights of the Temple of Palestine ; for , the infidels having changed or altered thc church of St . John to a Mosque , our brethren denominated the Church ofthe Holy Sepulchre the Temple of Palestine , from its being situated on Mount Calvary , which is without the walls . Immediately after , King

Edward returned to England with his subjects and became Grand Patron of Knights Templar , & c , in Britain . The origin and history of the seventh degree , or Knights Kadosh , may not be written . In 1295 , the Pope , as Grand Patriarch of these military and religious orders , directed that the Knights who had served in the crusades should wear a golden cross in future .

Poetry.

Poetry .

LOVE AND FAITH . As an undulating vision Rippling through the sleeping brain Brings'to light the shapes Elysian Orbing heaven ' s eternal plain ,

So thy presence doth uncover All the glories of my life , Glories that enthrone thy lover O'er his destiny of strife .

? Many wintry hours have passed us , Many days of dole and dread ; Passion ' s gloom has overcast us , Like the pallor of the dead . Through the tempest purifying We have passed , aud here we stand ! Not in desolation sighing , But in joy's ethereal laud .

Round our hearts unchanging altar We have twined the flowers of love , With a trust that did not falter In the Majesty above . Therefore all the passionate trials , All our human woes and fears , Strengthened but our self-denials , Shaped amidst the fall of tears .

In the dimness of probation—In the dark of thought ' s dismay , Have we not with exultation Hailed the coming of the day ? Thou and I have felt the lightning Shearing through our inmost veins ; Now , the sky of life is brightening , Opening its unclouded plains !

Now , the future shines before us , Like the sun upon the sea ; Happiness is trembling o'er us , Like a dove that will not flee . Now , when radiant smiles are round us , Like an atmosphere of light ; Shall we leave the love that crown'd us In the darkness of our night ?

Life in holy love is living , Calm as moonlight iu the sky ; Piue itself , all things forgiving , Love like ours can never die ! Welcome Peace I thy robes are trailing Through the pathways of my breast ; Thou art constant and unfailing , Calm me into perfect rest !

Heart to heart ! a benediction , Sounding like it triumph now , Charms away our past affliction , Clears the shadow from the brow . ' Fear thee not , in grief or glory t shall ever be the same ; Love with me shall ne ' er grow hoary , 'Tis au everduring flame !

Even till life ' s solemn closing , Till the desert we have trod Fades , and leaves onr souls reposing , | Childlike iu the arms of God . COSMOS .

Masonic Miscellanea.

Masonic Miscellanea .

—?—BRITISH CHAPTER , NO . 8 . —This Chapter had its annual summer banquet at the Crystal Palace , on Wednesday , under the presidency of Comps . Jabez Tepper , Z . ; Joseph Stohwasscr , P . Z . as H ., and Edward Baxter , P . Z . as J . The usual loyal and

customary toasts were given , and the Companions spent a happy evening together . ONE of the Parisian Masonic lodges has sent a memorial to General Mellinet , the Grand Master , asking him to use his influence to procure the release of a number of Masons unlawfully arrested during the . lute disturbances .

THE forthcoming work by Bro . Win . J . Hughan will contain : —1 . An article on Masonic M . SS ., by Bro . Hughan . 2 . A reprint of the Constitution ot tho Freemnsons by the Graud Lodge of England , 1723 , being t \ w first edition ( slightly abridged . ) 3 . A fac-simile lithographic reprint of Coles' copper-plate edition of the Constitutions , 1728 , from transfers

from the original in Bro . Hughan » possession . Seventy copies only arc to be printed for sale , at 10 s Cd . each , and 30 copies for presentation . The work wdl be dcdicatcd , by permission , to the M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland . Subscriptions to be sent to the publisher , Bro . Wm . Lake , Truro , stating name in full and Masonic position .