History Of Freemasonry In Cornwall.

for the ensuing half-year , who appointed Bros . P . Wescott , S . AT . ; J . McLellan , J . AV . ' Brother Snoxell was continued in his office , ancl Bro . Allison was appointed Sec . The festival was celebrated by some dozen brethren only . The same number were present to observe a similar feast , Dec . 27 th , and Bro . T .

Wheelwright was then elected Master , and Bros , Lilly , Steel , Allison , and Snoxell were chosen to fill the offices of Wardens , Sec , and Treas . respectively . Just at the close of this volume of the minutes of the Falmouth Lodge , events of importance occur , and

confer dignity on . the concluding 1 'eeords of the first history of its transactions . Zeal in the members , and an improved attendance , are manifested , together

with a strong desire to reduce the arrears of subscriptions , and a laudable anxiety to re-examine , and , if possible , improve their bye-laws . The year 1771 had but just commenced when a meeting was held , the AT . M . in the chair , who proposed ( and a " ballot was called , which was unanimous'' )—1 st . That no brother

be expelled the lodge with out three negatives appear , and that two black balls shall preclude any candidate from being made in this lodge ; 2 nd . That every member of this lodge do pay their quarteridges the next lodge night before the quarter commences , and

if any member fail in so doing , and yet attends within the space of three months , and pays his dues , he is to be balloted for , and ( if accepted ) re-admitted on paying a fine of five shillings . ( To he Continued . )

A Sketch Of The Philosophy, Traditions, And Records Of The Masonic Order Of The Red * Or Knights Of Constantine, At Present Under The Command Of Lord Kenlis, M. Ill. G. Sov.

A SKETCH OF THE PHILOSOPHY , TRADITIONS , AND RECORDS OF THE MASONIC ORDER OF THE RED * OR KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINE , AT PRESENT UNDER THE COMMAND OF LORD KENLIS , M . ILL . G . SOV .

By BEO . EGBERT ATEX " XAVOIM : II LITTEE , P . M ., etc . The connection between Freemasonry and the orders of chivalry being a vexala r pieslio it is not my intention to provoke controversy by hazarding any opinion upjn a subject which " , at the best , is involved

in obscurity . As , however , the Masonic Order of Knights of the Eed Cross professes to trace its origin from the equestrian order of ancient Eome , some account of the traditional evidence upon which this claim is based may not prove uninteresting to the

Masonic student . The " Ordo Equestris" of Eome consisted of such as were " equites" or horsemen , and 'was originally established to supply the army with a trained body of cavalry . In process cf time valuable privileges aud honours Avere conferred upon the Order ; its

members were allowed to hem their garments with purple , the symbol of power , and ranked next to the senate . The Eoman Knights were as remarkable for valour in Avar as their successors the chivalrous nobles of Christendom , and many of their number were equally distinguished as poets , orators , and

philosophers , thus becoming at once the law-givers and the champions of the State . In considering the history of the peculiar associations at Eome , known by the name of " collegia artificum , " which were founded by Numa , in the year

B . C . 714 , and more especially in the organisation of the college of architects we find many of the characteristics of modern Freemasonry . They were diA-ided into three classes corresponding with our three Craft degrees ; their assemblies were held in secret , and

their candidates admitted with mystic rites . They possessed a symbolic language , derived from the implements of labour , aud Avere enabled to recognise each other by particular signs . The President was called Magisler or Master , and was usually elected

for five years ; this officer was assisted hy Seniores or Eiders , a Treasurer , Secretary , and other subordinate officials . Each society had the power of enacting its own laws , and the college of architects was exempted from taxation . These sodalities became eventually institutions of a highly philosophic character , where the esoteric doctrines of the

immortality of the soul , and of the existence of a Supreme Being were communicated to a chosen band , whose minds had been prepared for the reception of those sublime truths by the most solemn initiatory ceremonies . Priests and patricians , senators and knights were enrolled as members of these famous

fraternities , and even the laurelled Cajsars sought their mysterious halls to worship at the shrine of the Unknown Deity . Several eminent Masonic writers affirm that Jewish Masonry , or the knowledge of the true God was revealed to the Eoman artificers , with

whom the Hebrews had fraternised , about the time of Augustus , in whose reign many of the Roman knights openly professed Judaism , and observed the Sabbath , whilst others became followers of the Christian faith .

The Masonic Dispensation and the creed of the Gospel were engrafted upon the tree of wisdom and truth , under the shadow of which Plato contemplated the Infinite and the Eternal . It will readily he conceived that the dawn of this

divine day was hailed with rapture by those lovers of light and order—the Eoman architects . But fearful persecutions had to be endured by our ancient brethren before the triumph of the New Law was consummated . In darksome caves , and hidden recesses , and even in the awe-inspiring catacombs of Eome , the enlightened few were compelled to cele-