Freemasonry In New Zealand.

West Coast , who officiated at the installation of the late Bro . Sir Donald McLean as P . G . M . of the English Constitution , mig ht be induced to come to Auckland and officiate in the same capacity on the opening of our new Grand Lodge , and the installation of its officers .

There was an unusually large meeting of companions of the Royal Arch Chapter , No . 34 8 , I . C ., and visitors , on Tuesday evening , 17 th July , at the Masonic Hall , Princes street , Auckland , the business being the installation of officers . Ten representatives of the Hauraki R . A . C . from the Thames were in attendance . Comp . E . T . Wildman , P . K ., of the Thames , assisted by Comps . W . Climo , P . K .,

and R . M . Mitchell , P . K ., also of the Thames , officiated as Installing Officers ; Comp . W . Lodder was placed in the chair of First Principal ; Comp . W . R . Robinson in the second chair , and Comp . A . Brock in the third chair ; Comp . J . » H . Burns was invested as C . H . and M . E . ; Comp . H . G . Wade as Registrar and Treasurer ; Comp . the Rev . C M . Nelson as R . A . C . ; and Comps . Dawson ,

Niccol , and Dyer , severally as C . V . ' s , and Comp . Porter , Janitor . The chapter was beautifully decorated , and tbe ceremonies were very succesfully conducted by the P . K . ' s and Principals of the Hauraki ( Thames ) Chapter , No . 454 , I . C . Masons will understand the usual character of the gathering when we say that no fewer than twelve Principals took part in the installation . The attendance

of so many members from the Thames tended materially to the success of the proceedings . After the installation a recherche banquet was provided by Host Hood , of the Masonic Hotel , in the large dining-room . It was evident from the quality and quantity of the viands that Host Hood had determined that the reputation of the hotel

shall not suffer in his hands . About thirty sat down at table , and ample justice was done to the good things provided . Whiletthe banquet was in progress , the chapter room was cleared , and dessert was spread in it . The Chapter and visitors adjourned upstairs , and a very agreeable evening was passed .

Great Priory Of Canada.

GREAT PRIORY OF CANADA .

( Continued from p . 384 . ) COMMANDERS AND PRECEPTORS . The term " Commandery , " and the title " Commander , " were never used by the Templars . Singularly enough , the Order of St . John of Jerusalem used both " Commander" and " Preceptor " indifferently for the same officer , which can be seen by reference to old

documents , A . D . 1500 , or thereabouts . As they succeeded to the Templar possessions in England after the outward suppression of the Order , tbey probably adopted the old name of the religious houses , and used it in common with their own term of Commandery . All other Military Orders seem to have used the title " Commander , " excepting the Templars , who were always called " Priors or Preceptors . " Therefore , the title " Commander " has no Templar meaning in connection with a Preceptory .

ENCAMPMENT . The name " Encampment" is quite a modern and most in appropriate innovation , not known to the early Order —a military Monastic body dwelling in fixed places of abode , having their Receptions in their chapels , never in the field . The English lexicons say an " Encampment " is ground on which an army , a body of gipsies , or

marching party pitches " tents , and therefore cannot , with any propriety , be applied to places of meeting in the rooms or halls of houses in a city or town . SEPARATION FROM FREEMASONRV NEVER CONTEMPLATED There is no valid reason for the assertion that the promoters of the changes made in 18 73 , when the Order was reorganised , were actuated by any desire to sever its

connection with the Masonic Fraternity . This , I am satisfied , is not the case , and I wish most clearly to be understood that it was never contemplated by me to support such a measure , or to repudiate the connection with the Craft , for without the fostering care of the Masonic body our Chivalric Order would never had its existence continued , and we could substantiate no claim to be considered as

perpetuating the true Order of the Temple . It is most unwarrantable and ridiculous to say that because the adoption of the correct titles and nomenclature is advocated that there is any desire for separation , or by dropping the prefix Masonic it' separates the two bodies and makes us an illegal society , or that the Order has lost one particle of the claims it ever had to be considered an ally

of Freemasonry . In fact , the Masonic connection has been drawn closer , and the Craft is still the vital pre requisite to admission into the United Orders of the Temple and Hospital . The whole object sought for was that of dispelling and clearing away palpable errors that had no historical foundation . It was never disputed that our Templar body is now , to

a certain extent , Masonic , its qualification being entirely so , but to say that its origin was Masonic is altogether erroneous—it was chivalric . By some it is contended that it had no such claim , being merely a modern Masonic invention . If this is the case , why make an allusion to the old Military Order at all ? Still , if we be only ad imitationem , let us be so in reality , and use proper historical terms and practices , and not continue to

promulgate false and erroneous ones that have not even antiquity to commend them . The original purposes for which the old religious Military Orders were created no longer existing they were gradually altered to suit the purpose of modern civilisation . This will account for the numerous changes they have undergone , and the differences that are seen in the various countries where they still survive ; in some a mere remnant , but still sufficient to preserve their memory from total oblivion .

" KADOSH TEMPLARS . " Prior to the revival in England of Symbolic Masonry , during the early part of the last century , there are no re-

Great Priory Of Canada.

cords to shew that the Order had any connection with the Craft , but some time after that period we hear of it as the " Petit Elu Herodem Kadosh , " Templars meaning " Elect or Chosen , and Consecrated or Holy Order of Templars " attached to Craft lodges . No doubt this very peculiar designation was introduced from the continent of Europe , where the political Order of the Temple had

flourished , and never entirely lost its vitality . The attempts made at different times to restore its former independence amongst the knightly Orders proved it continued to exist in secret , and we know it became afterwards incorporated under the name of the " Kadosh " with the " Hauts Grades , " a foreign system of Freemasonry , which , embracing many of the old military and

secret societies of the Middle Ages , was much sought after , and looked upon as more select than the pure and simple "Craft" degrees . The " Kadosh" rehearsed the martyrdom of "De Molai , " the last Chivalric Grand Master , and the sufferings of the Order ; the doctrines inculcated being that the persecutors of the Templars did not wholly extinguish the Order ,

which still continued to exist under the forms of Freemasonry ; whilst the " Rose Croix " taught the truths of Christianity by symbolising the Crucifixion and Ascension of our Lord . These two grades , the " Rose Croix " and the " Kadosh , " being an admirable synopsis of the faith and sufferings of the great Order of the Temple , which , on very probable grounds of popular belief , they represented

having just as much claim to be considered the legitimate descendants of the old Chivalric Knights as that of the " Ordre du Temple , " of France , or any other branch ; and I much question if they were not more characteristic of the true Templars than their authenticated successors , the " Knights of Christ ,, ' in Portugal , who became a mere honorary Papal Order , the crown alone having the right

to nominate its members . " KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AND KNIGHTS or ST . J . " Writers of the last century and a prior period consider the two titles of " Knights Templar " , ( and " Knights of St . John " synonymous , probably from the absorption of the Templar Order , on its dissolution , into that of the latter ; this may also account in some measure for the

confusion of names by which it became known , and the too common practice of taking for granted and copying without investigation the statement of superficial observers . There is no clearer proof of this than what we have in the old Templar warrant at Kingston , Ont ., of date 12 th February , 1824 , in which the Order is called "Kni ghts Templar of Malta , " and obedience directed to the

" Supreme General Grand Conclave at Malta , " whereas no such body existed there , and the Templar body was unknown in Malta until introduced by myself many years afterwards . The term Masonic was evidently added to distinguish it from other branches of the Order , non-Masonic , then existing . "THE GRAND CONCLAVE OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS . "

Influential Masons established in England on the 4 th of June , 1791 , the first Grand Governing Body for the Templar system , and who , adopting a short ritual for that of St . John , commemorated and accounted for the union with their old enemies the Templars , but seeking no alliance with the Sovereign Order then in possession of the island of Malta . We learn by the records of the Jerusalem

Conclave , Manchester , in 1786 , that this grade was distinguished from the Temple by a red tunic with slashed red sleeves , black cloak , and slouched Spanish hat , bearing the white eight-pointed cross of Malta , in imitation of the red uniform and white cross worn by the military class of the Knights of Malta . This Grand Body issued its own warrants to form

Encampments , as they were called ( a name not previously known by the Chilvaric Orders ) , in connection with Craft lodges and Royal Arch chapters . Those lodges that had already the Templar system had no date assigned them , being called " Immemorial Encampments , " and until the " Rose Croix " and " Kadosh " were surrendered to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , these degrees were always given in Encampments and under the Templar warrants .

UNITED ORDERS . The United Orders as now practised in our English system are purely intended to represent the Christian doctrines , discarding all philosophical theories and dogmas introduced by Masonic enthusiasts , and it is probably better that it should be so , as we can now convey more clearly in our ceremonies the practice of the early chivalric

founders . The " Rose Croix " and " Kadosh " are , however , in my opinion , quite unmeaning—detached from the Templar grade . From what has been adduced I submit that we have a right to infer and are entitled to consider ourselves the descendants of the true ^ Templar Order , revived and perpetuated by its adoption into the good old peaceful Craft ;

the principles and teachings of the Order harmonising with that of Freemasonry , which so nearly approaches Christianity in theory and spirit , having the Supreme Being for the object of its worship ; mankind , without distinction of class , for its subjects ; aud the universe for its temple , placing all men on the same footing of fraternity .

MODERN TEMPLARS OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND . In my address , last year , I alluded to the Order in Ireland , where , I have since learned , it was introduced from Scotland , and the original warrant is still extant from the Royal Mother Kilwinning Lodge , signed in October , 17 J 9 , by the then Grand Master , the Earl of Eglinton ,

which has been always acknowledged and acted upon . This is a direct contradiction to the statement impl ying that the modern Templar system was first brought to Scotland in 1798 , by some non-commissioned officers of an English militia regiment quartered in Edinburgh evidently a mistake . They very probably did revive the Order on its falling

Great Priory Of Canada.

into abeyance , as a warrant vvas shortly after that dat obtained from the " Early Grand Encampment " ' i Dublin , the offspring of the Mother Kilwinning Lod ^ e " The former close intercourse between Scotland and France ' and subsequently through the Stuart party , points to the '

direction irom whence the Masonic adoption of the Chivalric Orders originated there . On the 19 th Junc 1811 , the Duke of Kent , as patron of the Order in North Britain , granted them a charter creating them a regular-Conclave of Knights Templar and Knights of St . John of Jerusalem .

RITUAL . The report issued by tbe Ritual Commission ( sec Apnea , dix C ) will have made you conversant with the object in revising the one in use , which has been under consideration for several years . A copy of this Ritual has been in niy possession , and I find it all that can be required for a body of intelligent men , being more in conformity with the

nature of the traditions , true history of the Order , and arrangement of the different parts of a reception , than out present one ; at the same time , it docs not advocate any material change . I consider it , with a few explanations antl local alterations , to be admirably adapted for the standard ritual of this Great Priory , and strongly recommend its adoption .

I purpose , at our present assembly , having it exemplified and explained , and arrangements can be made with regard to the issue of copies of it , as may deemed advisable . By the terms of the treaty of alliance it has alread y be . come law on the signatuie of the Commissioners , and the Great Priory of Ireland is now using it , although England seems to hold back , and not consider the treaty binding .

SECRETA RECEPTIO . It was shewn by the evidence given during the perse , cutions in Paris , A . D . 1310 , on the great enquiry into the Templar Order , that they had a secret reception . The ceremonies took place at night , in the chapel , and none but Knights were present . It consisted of repeated en . treaties for admission , exhortations to reflect , warnings as

to fatigues , dangers , and privations , sending back to soli tary reflection , ' summoning three times . This secret ceremonial was taken ,- most probably , from the Guilds , and added to their original simple rule as a . test of doctrine . I have had an opportunity of examining several rituals from time to time , and know that the old English Tern , plar ceremony differs very much from our present one ,

claiming a derivation from the ancient mysteries , as also a " Rosycrucian " origin . It was expressed in obscure language , evidently to disguise the design of the secret societies , entertained before the Reformation , to upset the Papal power . Such forms of ritual have been long very properly dismissed as unreliable and unnecessary legends . We now

confine ourselves to the simple historical form of a reception , in which the duties of the Christian faith are inculcated . Much depends on the manner the celebrant conducts these beautiful ceremonies ; for when they fall into the bands of those who do not appreciate them they lose all their effect , and become a mere mechanical repetition of words that fail to impress the aspirant .

TITLES AND CUSTOMS OF THE TEMPLARS . The terms "Marshal , " " Very High , " and" Eminent , " arc all ancient titles of the Chivalric Orders . " Sir , " before the name , denotes the person to be a Knight , but the title in ancient times was quite distinct from Knighthood , and was a common one amongst the inferior ecclesiastics , being the regular translation for " Dominus . "

Shakespeare makes this plain , where , in " Twelfth Night , " Viola ' says , " I am one that would rather with " Sir Priest" than "Sir Knight . " Correctly speaking , "Sir " should never be used as a prefix to the surname itself ; the Christian name should always be added .

We do not use the title before the Christian name without the addition " Knight , " because it would appear too much like an assumption of Courtly Knighthood , which the Crown alone has the authority to confer ; but we address our members officially as " Sir Knig ht , " " Frater , " or " Brother . "

DERIVATION OF KNIGHT . •' Knight " derived from the Saxon— " an attendant " —anciently the king ' s attendants or guards—is almost peculiar to England . Other nations apply it in connection with horsers— " mounted soldiers . " The French , " Chevalier ; " Italian , " Cavalieri ; " Spanish , " Cabellero ; " German , " Ruyters , " & c , & c . In Latin , " Eques , "

( from conns , a horse ) is a knight—one mounted . " Aides is a foot soldier . A Knight is always said to be "dubbed , not created , but it means the same thing , for " dub " in English , and " douber " in French , are said to be derived from the Saxon "dubbun "—to gird . " Dub" also signifies a blow , which carries us back to the most ancient ceremony—the cuff on the neck or ear , and the " thwack

on the shoulder . " Accolade" has the same meaning in the ancient ceremony of conferring Knighthood , by the King laying his arms about the Knight ' s neck and embracing hirn . This appears to have been exchanged for the more stately act of touching or striking with the Royal sword the kneeling Knight .

THE SPURS . . The buckling on of the spurs was an indispensable adjunct of Knighthood , and every novitiate should be formally invested with them . In the old ceremony allusion was made to the metal ( gold ) of which the Knight ' s spurs were composed .

THE CROSS . . The practice to affixing a cross to their names , by « ancient Kni ghts , to denote the Brotherhood of the Temp _ * This preposterous title was called " Tlie ^ oyal , Exalted , Religious , and Military Order of Harodem , Grand blecc Masonic Knights Templar Radosh of St . John of Jerusalem , Palastine , Rhodes , and Malta . "