Grand Lodge Of Iowa.—Ii.

Respect for the power of the magistrate is inculcated , that no brother whether at home or abroad might by taking part in plots or conspiracies bring discredit upon the Fraternity , and cause the government to view it with distrust . Internal order is also insisted upon , reverence to be paid to the commands

of Masters and Wardens , while the younger members are to be instructed and cherished by the elder , taught how to use the tools , and instructed in the mysteries of the Craft . The mode of dealing with questions arising among the brethren , discipline , rewards and

punishments , each are treated of in clear perspicuous language , and no quibbling can overthrow the meaning of each term . Much depends upon a code of laws , for the success of any society , and there cannot exist a doubt that

a great deal of the success of the Masonic body has arisen from its excellent Constitution . The very universality of the Order arises from it , and therefore it is much to be desired that no change be made upon it , even if such change should meet with the approval

of all Grand Lodges . What has existed and proved of so much benefit for so many centuries , has proved alike its usefulness and truth , and what is characterized by utility and veracity can need no change .

Masonic Persecution.—Ii.

MASONIC PERSECUTION . —II .

As the History of the Craft previous to the year 1700 is enveloped in considerable darkness , an account of its persecutions is necessarily liable to be looked upon as legendary . Macoy writes that no society or order of men has been the subject of greater abuse or more malicious misrepresentation aud unreasonable

persecution than that of Freemasonry . Even among the Jews , not many years after the building of the Temple , Freemasons were accused of idolatry , the temples in which they practised their mysteries were destroyed , and many of them were put to death . This

arose iu a great degree from the ignorance of the Jews of that age . They misapprehended the lofty ideas of their greatest King and wisest sage , Solomon , and were made to believe , after his death , that the symbolical decorations of the Temple were of a profane

and idolatrous character . They were also taught to distrust the liberal views entertained in regard to other nations , and saw in his friendly and fraternal intercourse with Iiirarn of Tyre , and other distinguished Gentiles , a departure from the strictness of

the Hebrew faith . During the life of Solomon the company of Hiram continued to practice their rights unmolested ; but , after his death , a strong and bitter opposition sprang up amongst them . Their mysteries , not being understood , were called abomimlions , and a general movement for the extermination of the

Sidonian architects was organized . This ancient persecution of the Sidonian Masons finds its parallel in the persecution of the modern Masons by the Church of Rome . The persecution of the Jewish builders of the Second Temple will eome forcibly to the memory of all

Masons . During the early Middle Ages of Christianity , the jealousy of the Roman Church , the sworn foe to popular education and advancement of mankind ., crushed down all secret societies , and the builders suffered in consequence . Laurie says that , though the buildinr * societies were dissolved in the fifth

century by command of the Roman Emperor , yet there exist many reasons for believing that the ancient mysteries -were observed in private , long after their public abolition , by those enemieB of Christianity who were still attached to the religion of their fathers .

The introduction of Freemasonry into Britain brought down upon the fraternity the jealousy of the authorities , who viewed their meetings with suspicion , and considered the secrecy of their proceedings as covering inimicable projects against the state .

Although during several centuries the brethren held their public assemblies , and were sometimes prohibited from meeting by the interference of the legislature , it can scarcely be said to have attracted general attention till the beginning of the seventeenth

century . In the third year of the reign of Henry VI . the Parliament passed a severe act against the fraternity , at the instigation of Henry Beaufort , Bishop of Winchester , who was at the time entrusted with the education of the young King . It enacted

that the Masons should no longer hold their chapters and annual assemblies , that those who summoned them should be considered felons , and those who resorted to them should be fined and imprisoned . * It would appear , however , that this Act was never enforced , as a lodge was held in Canterbury in the year 1129 , under the patronage of the Archbishop himself , as may be seen in the MSS . Register of