The Footsteps Of Masonry,

THE FOOTSTEPS OF MASONRY ,

OR , Freemasonry in relation lo Authentic History . BY BRO . W . VINER BEDOLFE , M . D ., S . D . 1339 , Hon . Sec . Sphinx Lodge of Instruction . ( Continued from page 642 . )

In . our last paper we attempted to point out that Freemasonry ( as represented indeed in oui traditions , and also as the generally received opinion ) originated in an Architecturo-Masonic

institution , but that the grand characteristic of its existence , and which forms the bulwark that has preserved it from the destroying effects of time is to be found in the fact that in its

formation and government it is essentially MUNICIPAL . "Throughout the grand eras of time , nothing , " says M . Guizot , the great historian of civilization , " has ever seemed permanent , except municipal and Christian institutions . " Now , Freemasonry is

undoubtedly a municipal institution , in its form , government , and objects , and it is of great importance to our investigation that Blackstone , the celebrated author of the '' Commentaries on the Laws of England , " actually , yet unconsciously ,

describes the constitution of a Freemasons' municipal lodge , or corporation , and traces its rise and progress . His words are : — "The honour of originating these municipal institutions belongs especially to the Romans .

They were introduced by Numa Pornpilius , their second , their wisest , ancl their greatest king , who finding , upon his succession to the throne , that the city was torn to pieces by two rival factions of Sabines and Romans , thought it a prudent and

political measure to subdivide these two tribes into many smaller ones , and in which both could equally unite , by instituting separate bodies of every manual trade and profession , " and amongst those especially mentioned are the Masons .

" ' these bodies , " continues Blackstone , " enjoyed , subsequently , great consideration from the civil law , in which they were called ' Universitates , ' as forming one whole , or Collegia , Collegium [ or lodge ] , in which the members were

individually gathered together . They were also adopted by the canon law , and from them our spiritual corporations are derived . ' ' This , then , is the unconscious evidence of our great legal authority .

Now , the maxim of the Roman law was , " trcs faciunt collegium ; " precisely equivalent to the Masonic dictum , "three rule ( or form ) a lodge . " "Tribus" is the dative and ablative case of " tres " ( three ) , hence the Master and his two Wardens

were anciently called the " Tribunes , " to whom they correspond . " Corporations , " continues Blackstone , " by the civil law , seem to have been created by the

mere act and voluntary association of their members ; provided such convention was not contrary to law , for then it was ' illicitum collegium '"—an unlawful lodge .

I quote Blackstone to show , from an independent authority , how Munici pal institutions actually commenced . We must now compare the actualities of Freemasonry with the habits , customs , and even signs , of that ancient peopleand

, especially with the institutions of Numa , who , according to some authors , was nearly cotemporary with King Solomon— -although actually about 250 years later . Now , Numa , the great and religious king of Rome , chief founder of its

eternal institutions , became second king A . U . C . 38 , or A . C . 715 ( about 250 years subsequent to the reign of King Solomon ) , by general acclamation of the people , and reigned in peace ancl prosperity 43 years , for during his entire reign

the temple of Janus was closed . At that time the people still retained the asperity and ruggedness of the troublous times of Romulus , " and judging , " says Plutarch , " that hard bodies , and such as are not easily mingled so long as they

remain in their gross bulk , are best united b y being beaten to powder and then incorporated together , he ( Numa ) determined to distribute the whole people into many lesser divisions . That distribution was made according to the several

The Footsteps Of Masonry,

arts or trades , as of masons , goldsmiths , braziers , potters , & c , and as of other artificers , who were all formed into companies , to each of which were appointed their several halls , courts , and ceremonies of religion . "

Here , then , in the words of Plutarch , we have our present condition clearly defined . Reference to these collegia , or lodges , is frequent in the Roman writers . Livy and Tacitus both refer to them ; Cicero speaks of the Merchant Lodges ,

" Collegia mercatorum , " and of the judicial decisions of the masters , " Collegii sententiie pronuntiant , " and although " Collegisse juvat" may not have had the meaning sometimes facetiously given to it , and prove Horace a lodge-fellow , or

Mason , yet his satirical reference to certain lodges in his second satire , "Collegia ambubarum , pharmacopolie , mendici , balatrones / ' that is , the lodges of musicians , drug-sellers , begging

priests , & c , points out how extensively lodges of different kinds existed , since we have them all in history , and how deeply these institutions were engrafted in the Roman mind .

The Grand Lodge , in those days , was styled the " Universitas , " and the affiliated bodies " Collegia , "' whence the French word " Loge , ' ' and the English word Lodge , are derived , the names being synonymous . Hence , also are

doubtless derived our Masonic " lodges . " Guizot relates that Roman corporate bodies and institutions existed in Roman Gaul ( Province , France ) , in unbroken succession , as late as the nth and 12 th centuries , and while that most

celebrated institution of Numa , viz ,, the "Pontifex maximus , " not only retains his splendour and dignity , but even the very name at that period conferred upon his predecessor , it is not other

than a strictly logical conclusion that our Masonic Institution may be the analogue of those created by him—there is a moral certainty that they are identical .

Having thus endeavoured to point out the period when societies so analogous to our own were founded amongst the ancient Rorrans , let us now see how far our present princi ples of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth agree with the expressed principles of our Royal Founder .

" My dispositions , " said Numa , when offered the crown , " are these—an extraordinary love oi retirement and of quiet studies ; a strong deeply - rooted love of peace , which has always grown up

with me , anti a delight in the society of such men as assemble only for the worship of the gods , or for the sake of friendly conversation , and employ the rest of their lime in their respective occupations . "

These will be recognised as precisely our principles , after 2500 years . Now , Numa was also said to have communed with the Muses , an emblematical expression for his love of the liberal arts and sciences , so

especially described to us as the object of the second degree . One of his celestial visitors he particularly recommended to his friends tinder the name of " Silence , " and whom we , his followers , still profess deeply to reverence even at

this interval of time . Such were the practices inculcated by Numa , and such are , or ought to be , the practices of every . Mason still . Such were the characters he impressed upon the lodges he formed ( for he

appointed even the mode of conduct , we are especially told , to his colleges ) , nor could a better description be given of what Freemasonry professes to be at the present day . It is the actual thing .

I do not desire to place too much stress on resemblances which , taken separately , might be deemed casual or accidental , but as my first object is to identify the peculiarities of our

government , principles , and practice , with the government , principles , and practice of societies existing at that epoch , in order to prove the identity of two bodies we must first prove their existence .

In considering further the identity of Masonic doctrines with those of Numa , we may mention tlie traditional one of respect for holy-days , and considered b y some a proof of the Israelitisii

The Footsteps Of Masonry,

orig in of Freemasonry . Let us see the teachings on this subject of our royal Roman founder . He did not , indeed , recognise the Jewish sabbath , but " strictly commanded that on Holy-days set apart for religious worship , the people should

apply their meditations to religion as a business of the greatest moment , and that the streets should be free from noise and all obstructions , so that no disturbance might be given to the holy ceremony . "

It might be objected that such injunctions could not leave behind them permanent impressions . To this I reply , that it was Numa who first established our present Holidays , and he named them " Dies ferias " ; but when the

merchant on Change , or the clerk at the bank , speaks of the " Ferial days , " he may not think that he refers to an institution founded by our Royal Master , and coeval with the origin of Freemasonry .

I mention the foregoing to show how longlived have been the institutions founded by Numa , how vast their influence on tlie human race . Is it , therefore , wonderful that our own peculiar institution should still exist ? In our next we shall continue this identification .

The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.

THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY .

ARTICLE IX . ( Concluded from page 657 J Woman , it must be confessed , is in possession of many artifices peculiar to her nature . These artifices , when skilfully applied , ensure th . e greatest possible harmony in the domestic circle .

Man , as a breadwinner , is subjected , in his daily labour , to innumerable vexations and annoyances , and being burdened with many cares , naturally looks forward to the time when he shall return lo his domicile to receive that comfort

and tenderness for which his heart truly yearns . Now , the faithful counsellor and presiding genius of his household , with the quick perception so characteristic of her nature , can easily discern on his brow the troubled state of his

feelings , and can allay the agitation by ( he strategy with which she is gifted , viz . : by wisely abstaining from giving utterance to any censorious language , which would surely aggravate the case ; using gentle and persuasive tones , and assuming a cheerful but unobtrusive bearing

towards him during his temporary distress . It is astonishing how these tactics chase away the dark cloud gathered on his countenance , and how quickly they excite the pleasantest emotions on the part of the husband . These observations

clearly point out the basis of peace in a home , and may safely challenge denial from cynical minds . Every well-disposed man inwardly appreciates the kind considerations shown by his wife when he is in a disturbed mood occasioned

by a heartless and calculating world , and will not be slow to reward her in some way for her praiseworthy forbearance . Let woman eve remember the phrase , that " a soft answer turneth away wrath , " and she will profit by the adoption of the principle in all her associations

with the opposite sex . But this is a digression . The writer has heretofore offered no comment upon the introduction of the Eastern Star Order into Great Britain , but has confined his observations to the organization , & c , ofthe Institution . He now purposes to propound as briefly as

possible his own views concerning this subject , which has , undoubtedly , created much interest in different quarters . Having carefully considered the question , lie is convinced that the establishment jf a similar Order in this country would prove to society an innovation highly prejudicial

to thc domesticity characterising the nation . Indeed , he should regard it a duty to oppose any system which has a tendency to influence his countrywomen to show a disregard for home ties ancl affections . In this opinion he thinks he

has the sympathy and support from all intelligent English matrons , who regard the duties imposed upon them by society as being essential to ihe realization of the greatest possible felicity in the business of life . The love instinctivel y felt by