The Charter Of Cologne.

literarnm exemplar remaneat , quarum ad normam , si labefactus , restituatur , sique corruptus , vel a proposito consiliisque , abalienatus sit , redintegratur ordo . Has ob causas hisce Uteris katholikais , secundum antiquissimarum chartarum , et quae de instituti consiliis , ritibus , et

consuetudinibus , vetustissimique secretissimi nostri ordinis exstant , monnmentorum contextus redactis , nos electi , verae lueis studio ducti magistri , per sanctissimam fidem obtestamur omnes , quibus has literae nunc vel in posterum perveniant collaboratores : ne se ab hocce veritatis docnmento segregent : insuper tarn illnminato , quam obscuriori orbi ,

quorum utriusque incolumitas nos tenet , atque strenue agitat , nnnciamus atque praedicamus ' :

A . Societatem vel liberorum caementariorum S . Joannis sacris adscriptorum fratrum ordinem , neque ex eqm ' tibus templariis , neque ex ullo alio , vel ecclesiasticorum , vel secnlarium eqnitum ordine segregatum , uno pluribusve juncfco , ortum ducere ; neque cum iis vel directe , vel quocunque vinculo intermedio ullam vel

minimam habere communionem ; omnibus vero hujusmodi equitum ordinibus esse antiquiorem , tamque in Palaestina et Graecia , quam in una alteraque Imperii Romani parte , jam ante bella sacra , equitumque supra memoratorum in Palaestinam demigrantium tempora exstitisse ; idque nobis ex variis comprobatae vetustatis

monumentis palam et eognitum evasisse , hancoe nostrum eonsociationem jam inde a tempore , quo primum ob varias ethologiae christianae seotas , pauci , vera ethices doctrina , arcanorumque sana interpretatione imbuti , sese amultitudinesegregarentadepti exorsam fuisse ; tunc enim temporis docti et illuminati homines , veri illi , et paganismi

erroribus minime infecti christiani , quum existimarent , per contaminatam religionem schismata , non vero pacem , nun tolerantiam et charitatem , sed bella nefanda promnlgari , sese sanctissimo Sacramento devinxerunt , quo principia hujus religionis ethiea , hominum animis insita , melius et incontaminate servarent , iis se devoverent , quo

magis magisque vera lux e tenebris exoriretur , prodessetque ad superstitiones debellandas , . omniumque Imman & ram virtutnm sectatione , pacem atque salutom inter homines stabiliendam : hisce faustis auspiciis hujus communionis magistros fratres Joauni sacros esse dictos , exemplo et imitatione utentes Joannis Baptistae , lueis oriundae praecursoris , primique inter luoiferos martyris : eos porro doctores scribasque ,

the earth , and in case , through lapse of time , the Society itself should become less observant of its integrity , purity , and incorruptibility , nevertheless , in better times and more convenient circumstances , there may remain , if not the whole , yet perhaps one or other of the duplicates of these presents , by which

standard the Order , if subverted , may be restored , and if corrupted or estranged from its purpose and designs , may be reformed . For these causes by these our universal letters , compiled according to the context of the most ancient monuments which are extant concerning the objects of the institution , the rites and customs of our most

ancient and most secret Order , We , Elect Masters , influenced by the love of the true light , do by the most solemn sanctions , adjure all fellow labourers , to whom these presents now or in time hereafter may come , that they withdraw not themselves from the truth contained in this document . Moreover , to the enlightened , as well as to the darker world , whose common safety concerns and strongly interests us , we announce and proclaim : —

A . That the Society of Free Masons , or Order of Brethren attached to the solemnities of St . John , derive not their origin from the Knights Templars , nor from any other order of Knights , ecclesiastic or secular , detached or connected with one or more , neither have any or the least communication with them , directly or through any manner

of intermediate tie , that they are more ancient than any order of Knights of this description , and existed in Palestine and Greece , as well as in every part of the Roman Empire , long before the Holy Wars and the times of the expedition of the above-mentioned Knights . into Palestine . That from various monuments of approved

authenticity , the fact is to us quite notorious , that this , our Association , took its origin from the time when first , on account , of the various sects of the Christian World , a few adepts , distinguished by their life , their moral doctrine , and their sacred intez-pretation , of the Arcanic Truths , withdrew themselves from the multitude , for the

learned and enlightened men vjho lived in these times ( the true Christians who were least infected with the errors of Paganism ) , when they considered that through a corrupt religion , schisms , and not peace , and neither toleration nor charity , but atrocious wars , were promulgated , bound themselves by a most solemn oath , in order more effectually

to preserve uncontaminated the moral principles of this religion which are implanted in the mind of man ; that to these they would devote themselves , that the True Light rising gradually from darkness might proceed to the subduing of superstitions , by the cultivation of every human virtue , and to the establishment of peace and comfort among men .- that under these benign auspices , the masters of this community are .