An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

It is believed by many who have examined the matter that before A . D . 1717 no trace of Freemasonry , apart from its Operative nature or connections , can be found ; and , after a series of extended researches , we fully endorse such an

opinion . We shall conclude the first part of our analysis by a few examples of the Christian character of the Craft , from which the Grand Lodge of England ancl all the other Grand Lodges have been derived . Whilst , however , holding the opinion that Masonry

is of a Christian origin , we do not find any evidence to warrant ; the belief that chivalry was connected with it , or materially assisted in its preservation during the Dark Ages , as throughout the Fraternity has shown sufficient activity and influence to

look after its own , and its services were too valuable in any nation to bo lightly dispensed with or require protection so long as the society was mainly of an Operative character . The Constitutions of the German Masons of Strasburg , A . D . 1459 , commence thus : " In the

name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , and of our gracious Mother Mary . " They provide that " No Craftsman or Master shall be received in the Fraternity who goes not early to the Holy Communion , or who keeps not

Christian discipline ; " and , " although by Christian discipline every Christian is bound to provide for his own salvation , yet it must be duly remembered by the Masters and Craftsmen—whom the Almighty God has graciously endowed with their

art and workmanship , to build houses of God ancl other costly edifices , ancl honestly to gain their living thereby—that by gratitude their hearts be justly moved unto true Christian feelings , to promote Divine worship , and to merit the salvation of their souls thereby " ( Findel ' s " History of Freemasonry ) .

The Constitution of Masonnrie , A . D . 1704 , is introduced as follows : " The might of the Father of Heaven , together with the wisdom of the blessed Son , through the grace of God , three persons in one Godhead , be with us at our beginning , and

bestow upon us grace so to govern ourselves in this life , that we may obtain to His blessedness , whicli will never end . "

The old Y ork Constitutions commence the first charge by declaring "That yee shall be true men to God and the Holy Church , and to use no error or . heresie by your understanding and by wise men ' s teaching . "

The prayers of the Craft further elucidate this subject and abundantly prove that the Christian religion was held in great veneration by the Fraternity all over the globe . ( To be continued- in Vol . xviii . )

The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By ANTIIOXY UNEAL HAYE . ( Continued from-page 427 . ) CHAPTER N . GRAND MASTER—GERARD DE RIDEEOET .

llenaud de Chatillon continues his raids . —Saladin terminates the irv . ee . —Assembles an army . —Council at Jerusalem . —Saladin storms Tiberias . —The Christians assemble at Sephouri . —Intrigues of tlie Count of Tripoli . The Christians advance -upon Saladin . —Heroism of Templars . —The first day ' s battle . —Dismay and exhaustion of

the Christian army . —Treachery of the Count of Tripolii —Battle of Tiberias . —Loss of the true Gross . —Slaughter of the Christians . —Goytv . ra of the hing and Gerard do Bidefoii . —Saladin hills De Chatillon , and massacres tlie captive Templars . —A . D . 1187 . The truce which had been entered into between

the Christians and Saladin had not yefc been put an end to , for the irruption of the Mussulmen , which had been headed by Malek-el-Afdal , was more caused by the rebellion of the Count of Tripoli than by any direct act of the Sultan's , The army had not been sent to battle with the Christians , but rather to assist the Count in anv

war he might be engaged in with his brethren . Saladin , however , was anxious to renew hostilities , ancl an opportunity for throwing the onus of such a jn-oceediiig upon the Christians occurred . This he eagerly seized upon to terminate the truce .

The brave but unscrupulous leader , Renaud cle Chatillon , in spite of the solemn treaty of peace , refused to lay clown his arms , or cease to continue war with the Musseknen . He was the commander of a fine body of . Knights , who obeyed him as an

oracle , and followed him through all difficulties ancl clangers with unswerving fidelity . He carried his raids into the heart of the Musselnien territory , defeated and slaughtered the armies sent against him , pillaged and fired the villages , ancl

then returned with great deliberation to his own place , burdened with booty . Saladiu complained bitterly of these inroads , but was unable , on account of the rebellious state of the Turcoinen , to avenge himself upon the Christians ; while the commands of King Guy were laughed at bv the