Hospitallaria;

alTorded an opportunity of proving that the Christian virtues , which shed such a lustre on the Order in the olden time , were not obliterated , and that a munificent spirit of hospitality continued to adorn it even in the last years of its decline . The close of the eighteenth century broke the

links ofthe brilliant and extraordinary chain of the military exploits of the chevalier-brothers of Saint John . France which , sinco the days of Raymond du Puis , had been the nursery and munificent benefactress of the Order , lapsed in 1789 , after a series of vicissitudes , into a state of anarchy unparalleled in

the history of the world . Ancient institutions were overthrown , the landmarks of hereditary rig ht were annihilated , blood deluged the land , and crime alone triumphed . In a revolution specially directed against the overweening ascendency of aristocratical distinctions , and alike subversive of religious impressions

and feudal privileges , an institution like that of Malta , based on ancestral and heraldic fame , could not long escape denunciation . Accordingly , first a decree was passed , subjecting the possessions of the Order in France to all the taxes imposed on other

property ; next , it was enacted that every Frenchman who was a member of any order of knig hthood which required proofs of nobility , should cease to be regarded as a citizen of France ; and lastly , by an edict dated the 19 th of September , 1792 , the Order of Saint John was declared to be extinct within the French

territories , while its possessions were annexed to tlie national domains . Shortly after this , the sanctity of the Maltese territory was violated . On the Gth of June , 1798 , the first division of the French fleet arrived before the port ; and on the 9 th the grand division of the squadron , with Bonaparte on board ,

furled sail in the offing . Access to all the ports , with liberty to debark , was immediately demanded of the Grand-Master ; and the feeble-minded Ferdinand de Ilbmpesch , the dupe of treachery and political intrigue , permitted , without a cannon beins ; fired , the party-coloured flag , before which the Oriflamme had

fallen , to supplant the untarnished standard under which , for more than seven centuries , the Knights of Saint John had conquered and bled . On the occupation of Malta by the French , the illustrious fraternity , which had for upwards of two centuries exercised over it a mild dominion , was

subverted , plundered , and dispersed , homeless and penniless , over the world . The rarities found in the public treasury and in the churches , together with the standards and trophies of tbe Order , wero all carried away by the spoilers . Treason and a total absence of public magnanimity pervaded all ranks , and nothing

escaped republican rapacity . These relics never , however , reached the country for which they were destined : part of them perished in the L'Orient , the French flag-ship which was blown up by Nelson at tho Nile ; and the rest were captured by the English in the Smsible frigate , which shortly afler fell into

their hands . The island itself , on which the tricolor had been so easily planted , was , after a two years' blockade , wrested from the usurpers , and now forms a dependency of the British crown . The change has been eminently beneficial to tho natives , and they have ample reason to bless the fortune that

placed them under the sway of tbe most enli g htened and paternal government of the world . As to the Order , —shattered into fragments by its expulsion from Malta , and the dilapidation of its resotin . es . —its subsequent history is almost disconnected with the politics of latter times . Twelve

knights and two servants at arms accompanied the Grand-Master into exile , who resigned mi office for which nature had not qualified him . tho moment he landed on the continent . Many of the brethren enlisted under the French banner , some to perish , as numbers of their predecessors had done , on the sands

of E gypt ; others to close their eyes before the walls of Saint Jean d'Acro , that city which the valour of the ancient Hospitallers had immortalized . The knights who followed the most prosperous course at the general dispersion , were those who took refuge m the Russian dominions . There they constituted

themselves a Chapter , and elected the Emperor Paul to be their chief . In 1798 he was solemnly inaugurated as tho seventieth Grand-Master of the Order , and formal notice was given of the same to all the Courts of Europe . At the same time the whole

nobility of Christendom were invited to became knights of the Order , on production of the requisite gcntilitial proofs , and the Standard of Saint John was hoisted on the bastions of the Admiralty of St . 1 ctcrsbnrg , where it continues unfurled to this day . ( To be continued . )

MAIIK MASONRY . —The nowly-cstablished Mark Masters" Lodge , " Macdonald , " No . 101 , will meet this ( Saturday ) afternoon at 5 o ' clock , at the Headquarters of the First Surrey Rifles , Brunswick-road .

^ anibonvell , under the presidency of the ll . W . M . Bro . llmmas Meggv , P . G . M . O ., when several advancements will 1 ) 0 inil , i 0 ) am \ a jjoodly muster of brethren is anticipated . Wo are authorised to state that the lodco will be happy to receive the visits of any duly qualified brethren on this occasion .

An Essay

AN ESSAY

Concerning the most productive and most useful method of Masonic activity most in accordance with the ideas of Freemasonry , By Bro . B . A . C RAMER , at Eichenbarleben , Member of the Lodge at Aschersleben . CROWNED PRIZE ESSAY— Continued from page 38 .

[ Specially translated for THE FKEEMASOU . ] Following those premises , we now give our Treatise on the subject in two chapters : — 1 ACTIVITY A MONGST BRETHREN . The work , then , that Freemasons purpose as their object is of a twofold nature , an harmonious individual

development , for the purpose of creating a moral character , and therealizationof the Masonic spirit in the profane world by actions . But whether in either direction , they must really work , they must be active in earnest . By cultivating only the one thing , viz ., the life in lodges , we do not get rid of the former

unproductiveness , which acts sa depressingly on men capable of actions , and tends to keep the educated aloof from the Order . On the other hand it is requisite that tho Freemason who is actively employed in deeds of benevolence , should find in the lodge , the genial centre from which emanates new life , exhortation ,

instruction , consolation and help , a quiet little retreat , in which he occasionally takes refuge , after the turmoil of the day , in order to reflect on tbe destiny of man , and where in conjunction with his brethren , he may iu miniature represent the already gained ideal perfection . The lodge remains necessary now as

before ; but it is a general and deeply fell imperfection , that the labours iu it havo always something monotonous , owing to the forms being unalterably fixed , and also , that on every occasion , there are only a _ few brethren , and these always the same , who actively participate in the labours . To remedy such a state of

things , we ought to again discover the artof Brother Desagulujrs , who always understood how to render the labours in the lodges both interesting and useful . This however would require the initiative of the Grand Lodges , and for this reason , we can meanwhile only propose to create a counterpoise against the

mischief that lies in the too passive state of the lodges , and which is the first cause of the sluggishcondition of the brethren , " by the brethren being more frequently convoked , without any attendant ceremonials , so that they may bc able to promote each other ' s welfare without any constraint . "

Hence there must be formed in every lodge , and m connection with it , a free association of brethren . It would be sufficient , to attain this end , if there were in every lodgo even but one brother , who devoted to progress and fond of Alasonry , would like to become , so to speak , the centre of attraction of the free

association ; such a brother would possess the talent of forming societies , and would soon understand to attach to himself the congenial elements , which then would form , so to speak , the solid framework ofthe new body , imparting solidity to the latter , whilst it would stimulate and keep in exercise the powers of the whole .

This nucleus may be joined by other brethren , although it is not so much the great numbers , as proper qualifications that nre required . It is of course understood that no one is bound to join the free association , and the association must be very careful so as not ex , clusively to stand out as a separate party against

the other brethren not belonging to it ; on the contrary , those differing in opinion with respect to the development of Freemasonry , must always bc supposed to be capable of attaining the same effect according to their ideas . Let it be understood , that there exists no do ^ mi in Masonry , but only the symbol producing

toleration . But such free associations are not only to be founded at places where there are lodges ; it is necessary that those brethren who live at a distance from lodges should likewise periodically meet in convenient places A tvled locality is indispensable for the sittings of the

association , and the proceedings must not be disturbed and degraded by conversations on non-masonic topics , or any sensual enjoyments . The sittings must bc regularly held , and very urgent motives only can excuse a Brother ' s absence . So much as to tlie outward appearance of the free association . If it be

supposed that the above-mentioned indications may bc totally disregarded , or that it be not necessary , strictly to conform to them , then those barriers which are requisite to keep the society closely and strongly together will be removed or loosened , and the evil consequences will soon show themselves . It is well

known to us , that there exist already in connection with many lodges , free associationsof brethren , and also for instance among the brethren of the Diaspora , so called . Masonic clubs . We wish , however , that free associations , if possible , may become general and their proceedings systematical , and also that social enjoyments and all things belonging thereto , be strictly

separated from the more serious occupations , and do never become the primary object . However we by no means underrate the value of social intercourse amongst the brethren , which acts more immediately than a deal of speaking , but this sociality is already sufficiently kept up , we must therefore take care that it become not undignified .

An Essay

We will now endeavour to sketch , how the activity of the free association is to be kept alive . For the conduct of the meetings and the preservation of order , a President is required , and for the purpose of the recording ofanythingimportant duringtheproceedings , a Secretary , both to have deputies . The occupancy

of these offices must often change amongst the brethren for the sake of practice . It is particularly incumbent on the Masters readil y to accept these offices and to pi ove themselves Masters b y the good services they render to the Brotherhood . No President who understands the Art ri ghtly , will hold a meetinc of the

association without sufficient preparation ; it is howover the duty of the other participators , not to come themselves unprepared , because in that case , nothing important could bc accomplished and the institution would in consequence decline . There are further to be appointed from amongst , the brethren special reporters

for all subject matters that may be discussed by the association ; for the division of labour and the relieving of one another in tlie labours , must constantly be kept in view , so as to give exercise to all and over burdening no one . In this manner some brethren will have to make reports on the Masonic press , and first of all

on the weekly papers . It would be quite useless and a waste of time to report lengthy articles already printed , which every one can better read at home , except they be very excellent and the reporting brother a practised reader . The contents are ordinarily only to be pointed out in a short synopsis , and the

suitableness of the form to be criticised . A second reporter would have to make objections , in case of his not being able to assent to the conclusion come to by the first ; this method is also urgentl y to be recommended to the other reporters , as by doing so , a general interest is kept alive . It must be supposed that the aspiring

brethren , will not onl y cause to have circulated amongst themselves those periodical papers , but that they will also procure the moro important larger works , and methodicall y makes use of them . It is absolutely necessary to know , how far others are , anil it would be making ourselves purposel y Philistines .

were we intentionall y limiting our horizon . Tho brethren may also soon form a library , by means of those who possess good books collecting them in some convenient place where they would be loft for general use . The bo-des that may still be wanting will easily be provided by the association .

Other brethren will have to report on those persons who wish to join the Order . Every experienced brother knows that this is a matter of the hi ghest importance to Alasonry , and that in spite oT all warnings , a great many are still received who are b y no means qualified to be Alasons ; for the possession

of an unstained and sociable character is not sufficient . It is requisite , that Freemasonry should bo conceived as something really necessary and essential ; an earnest wish must he evinced to serve our cause , and the possession of talents to promote it . It is therefore a task worthy of the free association , to examine with

caro _ and accuracy all those that seek to be admitted . They must personally be spoken to , so as to give proofs of their education and social virtues . They must bc led to converse on Alasonry in order to correct their perhaps erroneous opinions of it , and they must undoubtedly be informed of the . duties that

await them . Experience will soon indicate those rules that are to be observed for making systematic enquiries with respect to the petitioner , and the result of those ennuirics will have to be reported to the brethren . We should always keep the fact in view , that it is far bett-: r for a lodge to cease working

altogether , than to become paralysed by the admission of improper elements . It is far better for some of the brethren to continue to remain in a club , and gradually to work themselves up , than unprofitably to be occupied as a lodge for want of proper capacities . ( To be continued . )

The Ark And Dove.

THE ARK AND DOVE .

There was a lonely ark That sailed o ' er waters dark ; And wide around Not one tall tree was seen , No flower , nor leaf of g < een ; AH—all were drowned .

Then a soft wing was spread , And o ' er the billows dread A meek dove llew ; But on that shoreless tide No living thing she spied , To cheer her view .

There was no chirping sound O ' er that wide , watery bound , To soothe her woo ; But the cold surges spread Their coverings o ' er the dead , Now sunk below .

So to the ark she fled , With weary , drooping head , To seek for rest ; God is thy ark , my love , Thou art the timid dove—Fly to His breast .