The Knights Templars.

Hastings . Tostes de Saint Omer appears to have heen in close attendance upon the king , for , on the king ' s attack upon Framlingham , Roger de Hoveden ¦ say s the horse of this Templar struck the king on the leg , and injured him severely . We do not know

whether the Richard de Hastings excommunicated by "the Pope , was the same person as the Templar . The 'Templar was a great friend of A'Beckett , and afterwards was raised to the rank of Grand Prior of England .

In 1177 , Alphonso , King of Castile , and iSancho , "King of Navarre , after fighting many battles , agreed to refer their disputes to the King of England-Besides the persons sent to advocate the different causes , the kings chose four men whom they knew to

be trustworthy , as neutral persons , to listen to the proceedings , and on hearing the decision of the King ¦ of England , to report the same to the Kings of Castile and Navarre . One of these was Gunter , a Knight Templar , a man seemingly of high standing

among the brethren , and of great consideration with 'the rival kings . ( To be continued . )

Scottish Masonic Lectures.

SCOTTISH MASONIC LECTURES .

To many of the brethren in England this title will suggest the ordinazy lectures given on the ceremonies and symbols of the various degrees , ¦ and ivhieh interesting lectures are so frequently Avorked in English lodges and Lodges of Instruction

with advantage to the members . For some time past the Lodge Forfar aud Kincardine , Dundee ( No . 225 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ) , has been extending the range of subjects included in the Aveekl y lectures deliA ered to the

brethren . The reason for doing so , ancl Avhether it is legitimate to extend the subject matter of lectures given in a Mason lodge so as to embrace those delivered in No . 225 , may be best explained in the language of one of the brethren of that

lodge in an introductory address , and by the publication of the lectures referred to : — " For years past /" " he says , " I have observed that numbers of the brethren connected Avith the learned professions , the Church , laiv , art , and others engaged in literary labours , would , after their initiation , pay 'lis a few visits and then be seen no more Avithin

our circles . On inquiring as to the cause of this cessation of interest in Masonic affairs , the reply has been invariably in the same strain : ' Your ceremonies—when well done by men who have been educated in their uses , and ivho have poetry and imagination to find " tongues in trees , " & c . —

are very Avell in their way , they are good stories Avhich are none the Averse of being twice or even thrice told ; but those who believe in an everadvancing tide of intelligence will not be satisfied with constant repetition . True , as a means to an

end your ceremonies are admirable , but the true end seems to us to be in most cases overlooked . That Avhich you noAV call Freemasonry seems to us to be the legitimate descendant of those older institutions Avhen the wise and good banded

themselves together for the acquirement ancl diffusion of knowledge . Why not apply the material within your Order to such uses still ? There are many grand and useful things within your code ; your ceremonies can even keep convivial orgie Avithin

bounds such as no other society can . Hse these elements for nobler and greater purposes than merely to gather together a number of men to go through a certain routine of ceremony and repeat stereotyped toasts . Work the grand old Order to

its true and legitimate use , ' to make each other wiser and better / and we will be glad to give our countenance and help . " From the outer Avorld Ave had remarks as pertinent : " What is it you

Masons ICUOAV that is concealed from the external world ? or what is it you do within your circles that cannot be done elseAvhere ? And are your ceremonies sp peculiar that their moral influence cannot extend beyond the walls of youv meeting-places ;

for , so far as Ave can judge of Freemasons as a body , they are neither wiser nor better than the rest of the Avorld . " Many of the brethren ivho loved the grand old Craft for its OAVU intrinsic merits heard such complaints Avith regret . "Are Ave , " said

they , "the effete crew of a Avorn-out barque sinking in the rising tide of modern civilisation ? Has the millenimn of morals and intelligence arrived when ' Man to man , the Avarld o ' er , shall brothers be for a' that ! " Alas , not yet !

Guarantees of moral worth , and intelligence are as valuable as ever . Let us unite in purifying our ancient landmarks from such stains as may disfigure and obscure them , seek in themselves for their true meaning and purpose , ancl the name of Freemason

amongst us will ere long be a thorough guarantee that the brother is one of an Order ivhose true purpose is the advancement of the hig hest interests of mankind . "

In this spirit numbers of the brethren belonging to various lodges in the town and province commenced ivhat Ave may call a Avoi'k of purification . It Avas urged that the admission of candidates