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  • May 31, 1873
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  • THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE IN THE UNITED STATES.
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Page 9

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Red Cross Of Constantine In The United States.

through the power of the cross , for by that sign we conquer . It is eminentl y fitting on this occasion that I should give a concise history of our three

working Orders , that all people may know we practice no deception upon our novitiates , but teach them lessons of truth and history , deduced as well from the historic page as the inspiration of God ' s Holy Word .

First in order is the Red Gross of Constantine . This is the most ancient order of Knighthood , dating back to the 28 th of October . A . 0 . 313 , and is , consequently , about seven centuries older

than any other . Although it bears upon its brow the imprint of age , yet amid the fluctuations of empires , kingdoms , republics , societies , aye men themselves , it stands forth to-day in the vigour

and strength of its manhood . As age after age is added to its existence , its principles become brighter and brighter , extending themselves

throughout the world for the evangelisation of man , and the promotion and practice of Christian truths .

It is unnecessary , on the present occasion , to give you a full history of Constantine . Suffice to say that he has rendered his name immortal by renouncing paganism , and embracing

Christianity . Gibbon , the historian , thus speaks of him in his history of the Roman Empire : " From the first moment of Constantino ' s accession to the

throne , he declared himself the protector of the Christian Church , and at length deserved the appelation of the first Emperor who publicly professed and established the Christian

religion . " He adds : "The motives of his conversion , as they may be deduced from policy , from conviction , or from remorse , rendered Christianity

the reigning religion of the Roman Empire , hence it followed that every victory was productive of relief or benefit to the Church . " Eusebius , the great church historian , and as

we shall presently show , the intimate and confidential friend of Constantine , in his ecclesiastical history , thus adds his testimony to that of Gibbon : " But the might \ r and victorious

Constantino , adorned with every virtue of religion , restored the Roman Empire to its ancient state of one united head , extending its peaceful swayaround the world , from the rising sun to the

opposite regions , to the north and the soHth , even to the last borders of the declining day . " " With choirs and hymns in the cities and villages , they celebrated and extolled first of all God , the

universal King , because they were so taught ; then they also celebrated the praises of the pious Emperor Constantine . " Edicts were issued by the victorious Emperor ,

full of clemency , and laws were enacted indicative of liberality and genuine religion . The friends and enemies of Constantine , whether Christian , Infidel , or Pagan , all bestow on

him the proud and enviable title of the first Christian Emperor . He assumed the government on July 26 th , A . D . 306 , by right of succession , as well as by

the voice of the military and the people , to whom he had become ' [ endeared by his many acts of generosity , and eventually , after years of service in behalf of the Roman people , he was hailed by the title of Emperor , and name of Augustus .

The Red Cross Of Constantine In The United States.

The occasion of instituting the Order of the Red Cross , was a vision which he saw prior to the battle fought by him on October 28 th , A . D .

313 , at a place called Saxa Rubra , about nine miles from Rome , and in the neighbourhood of the Cremera , a small river immortalised by the valor and death of the three hundred Fabii .

There Constantine , with ninety thousand foot soldiers and eight thousand horsemen , met his adversary , Maxentius , who had recently been

declared Emperor by a portion of the people , and who commanded an army of one hundred and seventy thousand footmen and eighteen thousand horsemen , and utterly routed the

usurper . In attempting to escape across the Milvian bridge , the weight of the hurrying horsemen caused it to fall , and Maxentius was drowned

in the river Tiber , owing partly to the fact that his body was enveloped in a cumbersome armour , which he wore to protect his life , but which ultimately hastened his death .

This battle is regarded as the greatest achievement of Constantine ' s life , but the victory was perhaps owing to the influence over the soldiery of his sacred vision of the previous night , which

infused into them the highest enthusiasm and military courage . The Order of Knighthood has for its foundation-stone the vision of Constantine , which is

asserted to be true by the learned Bishop Eusebus , to whom it was communicated by that Emperor himself . The latter , as our traditional history states ,

" afterwards instituted the Order of the Red Cross as a memorial of the Divine miracle which effected his conversion to the Christian faith , " and as a reward for the valour of his soldiers .

On the day previous to the ever memorable battle in which Maxentius was defeated , as Constantine was seated in his tent door " reflecting upon sublunary things , " and the dangers of the

approaching expedition , and " meditating also upon the various religious opinions which then divided mankind , " he breathed forth a prayer to the First Great Cause " for inspiration and wisdom to choose the rig ht path in which to

persevere . As lie turned his face towards the setting sun , he beheld a celestial sign in the form of a passion

cross , surmounted by the Latin inscription , In hoc signo vinces , or translated , By this sign thou shall conquer .

Thisextraordinary appearance naturally created the utmost astonishment in the minds of the Emperor and his whole army , he himself regarding it as an answer to his pious ejaculations , and

thenceforth he ranged himself as a subject of the Great Captain of our Salvation , regarding Jesus as the divine Saviour of men . In the night season , as he lay upon his couch

in refreshing sleep , he beheld in a dream the same sign and inscription , thereby confirming the event , and fixing in his mind the resolution that henceforward he would obey the New Law ,

take up the cross and follow the footsteps of the Lamb , by which means alone he expected to rebuild in his heart the Temple of God . Tlie following morning he communicated his dream to his officers and soldiers , and they too

The Red Cross Of Constantine In The United States.

avowed their faith in the God of the Christians , and in commemoration of the event the Emperor directed his soldiers to wear upon their armour a red cross and sixteen stars , denoting

the sixteen letters of the mysterious words . Gibbon , the historian , thus describes the effect of the vision : "The same symbol ( the cross ) sanctified the arms of the soldiers of Constantine .

The cross glittered on their helmets , was engraven on their shields , was interwoven into their banners , and the consecrated emblem adorned the person of the Emperor himself . "

Constantine directed a standard to be made , which was named , the labarum . It is thus described : " A long pike , a transverse beam , to which was attached a silken vail , wrought with

images of the monarch and his children . On the top was a crown of gold inclosing the mysterious monogram tepresentfng the cross , with the initial letters of the name of Christ .

This consecrated banner was committed to the care of fifty chosen men , who were to defend it with their lives , because it was the emblem of

power and courage . When it was carried into battle the sight of the labarum or royal banner animated the soldiers , and scattered terror and death amongst its

. It was the effect of the vision , the dream , the the standard and the faith of Constantine , which , on the subsequent day , procured for him the

victory over Maxentius and his army . The Senate of Rome , to demonstrate its appreciation of his military services , and above all , of the truth of the Christian religion , caused to be

erected in the very centre of Rome a statue of Constantine , with a cross in his right hand , with the inscription , " By this sign thou shall conquer . '' Medals on which were engraved this symbol

were also made and distributed among the people . Hence the vision 06 Constantine has been made the foundation-stone of the Order of Knights of the Red Cross , and upon no safer stone can it

rest than the Rock of Ages , The order teaches us faith , unity and zeal , and to carry out in our daily lives the divine princip les of charity and truth , based upon the new law , which will admit all true and faithful followers

of Jesus into that immortal temple not made with hands eternal in the heavens , for In hoc signo vinces . " By the sign of the cross and the merits of Christ alone we can conquer .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

Judg ing that you are a well informed brother , could you inform me if ever an early Grand Encampment of Knights Templar existed in Dublin , and if so still , or if not when it ceased to exist . There are a great number of Knights

Templar in Ayrshire , ot the Early Grand and they are working under charters said to hold from Dublin . By giving us any information to let us know whether we are rig ht or wrong . You will earn the everlasting gratitude of all the Early Grand High Knights Templar . —C . M'D .

Kma-M . vnsu , Nenrahtin , Spasm , ( lout . Deafness , Head and Toolli Ache , Paralysis , Nervous Debility , Muscular and l- ' iinrtinnal Maladies , however tenacious to other remedies , speedily yield to l ' vilvermacher ' s Imtivoved Patent Chain Hand Hatterics and Accessories , from 2 s . anil upwards . Authenticated proofn of unparalleled cflicacv are given in the Pamphlet , " tialvanjsin Nature's Cliief Restorer of Impaired Vital Encr-jiv , " post Irec on application to J . L . Pul ' . ermacher ' s Oalvanic Establishment 194 , Regent Street , London . \ V . ; where Pamphlctsaml full Price List can be obtained , post free .

“The Freemason: 1873-05-31, Page 9” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 26 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_31051873/page/9/.
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REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 3
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Red Cross of Constantine. Article 5
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Original Correspondence. Article 6
TESTIMONIAL TO BRO. CHARLES ROGERS, LL.D. Article 6
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THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE IN THE UNITED STATES. Article 8
Multum in Parbo, or Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 9
CELEBRATION OF THE 150TH. ANNIVERSARY OF THE LODGE OF EMULATION, NO. 1. Article 10
MARK MASONRY AND BRO. F. G. TISDALL. Article 11
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Red Cross Of Constantine In The United States.

through the power of the cross , for by that sign we conquer . It is eminentl y fitting on this occasion that I should give a concise history of our three

working Orders , that all people may know we practice no deception upon our novitiates , but teach them lessons of truth and history , deduced as well from the historic page as the inspiration of God ' s Holy Word .

First in order is the Red Gross of Constantine . This is the most ancient order of Knighthood , dating back to the 28 th of October . A . 0 . 313 , and is , consequently , about seven centuries older

than any other . Although it bears upon its brow the imprint of age , yet amid the fluctuations of empires , kingdoms , republics , societies , aye men themselves , it stands forth to-day in the vigour

and strength of its manhood . As age after age is added to its existence , its principles become brighter and brighter , extending themselves

throughout the world for the evangelisation of man , and the promotion and practice of Christian truths .

It is unnecessary , on the present occasion , to give you a full history of Constantine . Suffice to say that he has rendered his name immortal by renouncing paganism , and embracing

Christianity . Gibbon , the historian , thus speaks of him in his history of the Roman Empire : " From the first moment of Constantino ' s accession to the

throne , he declared himself the protector of the Christian Church , and at length deserved the appelation of the first Emperor who publicly professed and established the Christian

religion . " He adds : "The motives of his conversion , as they may be deduced from policy , from conviction , or from remorse , rendered Christianity

the reigning religion of the Roman Empire , hence it followed that every victory was productive of relief or benefit to the Church . " Eusebius , the great church historian , and as

we shall presently show , the intimate and confidential friend of Constantine , in his ecclesiastical history , thus adds his testimony to that of Gibbon : " But the might \ r and victorious

Constantino , adorned with every virtue of religion , restored the Roman Empire to its ancient state of one united head , extending its peaceful swayaround the world , from the rising sun to the

opposite regions , to the north and the soHth , even to the last borders of the declining day . " " With choirs and hymns in the cities and villages , they celebrated and extolled first of all God , the

universal King , because they were so taught ; then they also celebrated the praises of the pious Emperor Constantine . " Edicts were issued by the victorious Emperor ,

full of clemency , and laws were enacted indicative of liberality and genuine religion . The friends and enemies of Constantine , whether Christian , Infidel , or Pagan , all bestow on

him the proud and enviable title of the first Christian Emperor . He assumed the government on July 26 th , A . D . 306 , by right of succession , as well as by

the voice of the military and the people , to whom he had become ' [ endeared by his many acts of generosity , and eventually , after years of service in behalf of the Roman people , he was hailed by the title of Emperor , and name of Augustus .

The Red Cross Of Constantine In The United States.

The occasion of instituting the Order of the Red Cross , was a vision which he saw prior to the battle fought by him on October 28 th , A . D .

313 , at a place called Saxa Rubra , about nine miles from Rome , and in the neighbourhood of the Cremera , a small river immortalised by the valor and death of the three hundred Fabii .

There Constantine , with ninety thousand foot soldiers and eight thousand horsemen , met his adversary , Maxentius , who had recently been

declared Emperor by a portion of the people , and who commanded an army of one hundred and seventy thousand footmen and eighteen thousand horsemen , and utterly routed the

usurper . In attempting to escape across the Milvian bridge , the weight of the hurrying horsemen caused it to fall , and Maxentius was drowned

in the river Tiber , owing partly to the fact that his body was enveloped in a cumbersome armour , which he wore to protect his life , but which ultimately hastened his death .

This battle is regarded as the greatest achievement of Constantine ' s life , but the victory was perhaps owing to the influence over the soldiery of his sacred vision of the previous night , which

infused into them the highest enthusiasm and military courage . The Order of Knighthood has for its foundation-stone the vision of Constantine , which is

asserted to be true by the learned Bishop Eusebus , to whom it was communicated by that Emperor himself . The latter , as our traditional history states ,

" afterwards instituted the Order of the Red Cross as a memorial of the Divine miracle which effected his conversion to the Christian faith , " and as a reward for the valour of his soldiers .

On the day previous to the ever memorable battle in which Maxentius was defeated , as Constantine was seated in his tent door " reflecting upon sublunary things , " and the dangers of the

approaching expedition , and " meditating also upon the various religious opinions which then divided mankind , " he breathed forth a prayer to the First Great Cause " for inspiration and wisdom to choose the rig ht path in which to

persevere . As lie turned his face towards the setting sun , he beheld a celestial sign in the form of a passion

cross , surmounted by the Latin inscription , In hoc signo vinces , or translated , By this sign thou shall conquer .

Thisextraordinary appearance naturally created the utmost astonishment in the minds of the Emperor and his whole army , he himself regarding it as an answer to his pious ejaculations , and

thenceforth he ranged himself as a subject of the Great Captain of our Salvation , regarding Jesus as the divine Saviour of men . In the night season , as he lay upon his couch

in refreshing sleep , he beheld in a dream the same sign and inscription , thereby confirming the event , and fixing in his mind the resolution that henceforward he would obey the New Law ,

take up the cross and follow the footsteps of the Lamb , by which means alone he expected to rebuild in his heart the Temple of God . Tlie following morning he communicated his dream to his officers and soldiers , and they too

The Red Cross Of Constantine In The United States.

avowed their faith in the God of the Christians , and in commemoration of the event the Emperor directed his soldiers to wear upon their armour a red cross and sixteen stars , denoting

the sixteen letters of the mysterious words . Gibbon , the historian , thus describes the effect of the vision : "The same symbol ( the cross ) sanctified the arms of the soldiers of Constantine .

The cross glittered on their helmets , was engraven on their shields , was interwoven into their banners , and the consecrated emblem adorned the person of the Emperor himself . "

Constantine directed a standard to be made , which was named , the labarum . It is thus described : " A long pike , a transverse beam , to which was attached a silken vail , wrought with

images of the monarch and his children . On the top was a crown of gold inclosing the mysterious monogram tepresentfng the cross , with the initial letters of the name of Christ .

This consecrated banner was committed to the care of fifty chosen men , who were to defend it with their lives , because it was the emblem of

power and courage . When it was carried into battle the sight of the labarum or royal banner animated the soldiers , and scattered terror and death amongst its

. It was the effect of the vision , the dream , the the standard and the faith of Constantine , which , on the subsequent day , procured for him the

victory over Maxentius and his army . The Senate of Rome , to demonstrate its appreciation of his military services , and above all , of the truth of the Christian religion , caused to be

erected in the very centre of Rome a statue of Constantine , with a cross in his right hand , with the inscription , " By this sign thou shall conquer . '' Medals on which were engraved this symbol

were also made and distributed among the people . Hence the vision 06 Constantine has been made the foundation-stone of the Order of Knights of the Red Cross , and upon no safer stone can it

rest than the Rock of Ages , The order teaches us faith , unity and zeal , and to carry out in our daily lives the divine princip les of charity and truth , based upon the new law , which will admit all true and faithful followers

of Jesus into that immortal temple not made with hands eternal in the heavens , for In hoc signo vinces . " By the sign of the cross and the merits of Christ alone we can conquer .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

Judg ing that you are a well informed brother , could you inform me if ever an early Grand Encampment of Knights Templar existed in Dublin , and if so still , or if not when it ceased to exist . There are a great number of Knights

Templar in Ayrshire , ot the Early Grand and they are working under charters said to hold from Dublin . By giving us any information to let us know whether we are rig ht or wrong . You will earn the everlasting gratitude of all the Early Grand High Knights Templar . —C . M'D .

Kma-M . vnsu , Nenrahtin , Spasm , ( lout . Deafness , Head and Toolli Ache , Paralysis , Nervous Debility , Muscular and l- ' iinrtinnal Maladies , however tenacious to other remedies , speedily yield to l ' vilvermacher ' s Imtivoved Patent Chain Hand Hatterics and Accessories , from 2 s . anil upwards . Authenticated proofn of unparalleled cflicacv are given in the Pamphlet , " tialvanjsin Nature's Cliief Restorer of Impaired Vital Encr-jiv , " post Irec on application to J . L . Pul ' . ermacher ' s Oalvanic Establishment 194 , Regent Street , London . \ V . ; where Pamphlctsaml full Price List can be obtained , post free .

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