1.—Masonic Discipline.

of Rhodes and Malta ? Hard pressed by the infidel hosts , the Knights gazed with anxious eyes over the blue waters , for the promised aid from Christendom . The aid never came , and still they prolonged their defence . It is recorded of that

grand old Master d'Aubusson , that during the attack of Mahomet upon Rhodes , he never divested himself of his armour for seven days and seven nights . He removed his helmet only when kneeling before the altar , where , when not engaged

hand to hand with the enemy , he was ever to be found , crying " unto the living God who rules the fate of war . "

Passing on to the more immediate subject of our present articles , it will be universally conceded that , whatever relaxation may be indulged in , whatever licence permitted at certain periods , yet discipline , ancl strict discipline too , must be

maintained in every body of men , who are bound together by voluntary obedience and fidelity , to acknowledged laws and regulations . In the church , the army , the navy , in every department of home and foreign service , the very existence of

the members taken collectively , depends upon the maintenance of discipline . This is a subject that is dear to us , and , we do not doubt , dear also to our readers . At a time like the present , when Freemasonry is spreading over the whole habitable

surface of the globe , when its principles of truth , equity , and justice are at length forcing themselves upon the notice of not merely its uninitiated friends , but of those who are its enemies , it behoves all true and lawful brethren to have a

wary eye upon the future prospects of the Craft . To not many is it given to understand the hidden mysteries of the Graft ; to comprehend what may be termed the psychology of Freemasonry , for much time and study are necessary to acquire

this enviable knowledge . But , to conform in word and deed , to the admirable rules of our " Book of Constitutions , " to rigidly obey the bylaws , to endeavour to promote that unanimity which should ever distinguish the Order , and to

be a working , not a playing Mason , is within the compass of the attainments of every brother . However much it may be regretted , it is nevertheless unquestionably true , that many people whose intellects are of the narrow-minded class ,

whose abilities are limited , and whose hearts are contracted , entertain deeply-rooted feelings of prejudice ancl aversion towards our ancient ancl honourable institution . They regard a Mason , at

1.—Masonic Discipline.

the best , as a suspicious kind of character ,- and blindly disbelieve , either wilfully or ignorantly , the undoubted truth of the assertion , " The better the Mason , the better the man . " Wanting in energy , and indolent of ascertaining the truth for

themselves by proper inquiries , they condemn the whole Fraternity as a secret association , in the most invidious and injurious sense of the term , upon no other grounds than because we will not admit strangers and outsiders within the door of

our lodges . Can any argument be more shallow , more unjust , or logically more fallacious ? We have just as [ much right to insist upon certain forms ancl ceremonies being complied with , previously to the admission of a candidate " into the

mysteries ancl privileges of ancient Freemasonry , " as the Knights of St . George , St . Andrew , and St . Patrick have to adhere to the routine of their own installation ceremonies . Recently the installation of a Knight of St . Patrick was

performed upon a magnificent scale of splendour at the newly-restored Cathedral in Dublin . [ In our next article we shall proceed to notice some points more intimately connected with the discipline of modern Freemasonry , if that term , can be applied with propriety to an institution that has existed from time immemorial . ]

The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By ANTHONY ONEAL HA YE . ( Gontiiiucd from page 427 ) . BOOK IV— CHAPTER IX . The examination was resumed on the 30 th March

1 S 11 , in the churches of St Martin's Ludgate , and St Botolph ' s Bishopsgate , before the Inquisitors , and the Bishops of London and Chichester . The unfortunate Templars had been in prison for nearly three years ancl a half , and the torture

which they had endured during the past winter was horrible beyond description . Not only had they been loaded with the heaviest fetters , and kept in solitary confinement , without consolation and without hope , but they had been made to

endure at the same time hunger , cold , and the pains of the torture . Still they kept true to their denial of the crimes alleged against their Order , although they were aware that the Pope had condemned them , and knew that by confessing they would be restored to liberty , ancl receive a reward . Enraged at their firmness , the Inquisitors sent