An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

whereas before the union such of the fraternity who were Christians could enjoy the ceremonies of Craft Masonry , because they contained references to Christianity as their chief corner-stone ; since 1813 the Christian relig ion has been virtually

unrepresented in the rituals—Jews , Turks , and Christians meet on one common religious level , and are required to worship in the lodge as believers in Natural Theology only ; hence the " hautes grades" in retaining ceremonies of a

¦ character such as the Rose Croix , afford an opportunity to Christian Masons to still carry out their ideas with respect to Christianity . On the other hand , it is argued , that Masonry at the beginning was intended to be of universal

application , and that Christianity was but an accident ¦ of its birth , in fact , in no sense an essential of its -character or existence . To prove which we are

referred to many of the ancient charges which breathe a spirit of Natural Religion , and permit of all classes of religionists to become members ( e . g ., " Let a man ' s religion , or mode of worship , be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order ,

provided he believe in tho glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and practice the sacred duties of morality * * * and seek by the purity of their own lives to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess ) . " Here

we leave the question . It would be foreign to our present purpose , as a member of several of the higher ^ degrees , to consider the relevancy or point of the objections made to their utility , as our subject is purely a Masonic one , and already our

analysis has outgrown its legitimate proportions . There is one of the higher degrees , however , which deserves to be better known , viz ., the Royal Order of Scotlaud . Dr . Oliver declares it to be " The

only ancient system of Masonry m existence , except the three blue degrees . " We ourselves have traced its records from A . D . 1743 , and we are assured there are still earlier in existence . One more thing we may be assured of—Craft Masonry

knows neither equal nor rival for sublimity , grandeur , and importance in the Masonic edifice , and were but the fraternity to study and examine its history and records , according to their value and significance , the pure and simple English rite of

Masonry would be accepted on all bauds as the glorious legacy of our forefathers , and the progress of the society from the commencement until now , would be but as the vestibule to the pregnant future .

An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

We must also omit for the reasons previously stated , any more lengthy notice of the extinct Grand Lodges . They are now of the past , and but one united Grand Lodg-e of England , under the esteemed Grand Mastership of the M . W . the

Earl of Zetland , bears sway in this country . The jealous rivalries of sister Grand Lodges held respectively at York and London , have all been merg-ed in the reciprocal desire to act according to the sublime precepts of the Craft , and to live

in unity and brotherly love . Accordingly , Masonry in England presents a most pleasing aspect , and under its illustrious Grand Master , who has wielded the gavel for a quarter of a century , was never more united , healthy , and prosperous than at the present time . Long may prosperity continue , but let it never be said that in the midst of such

activity and usefulness , we have neglected to guard our portals by allowing our sentinels to fall asleep at the outposts , or permitting numbers to join who are both mentally and morally unfit to become neophytes of so ancient and honourable

a brotherhood ; on the contrary , may we ever be found as anxious to black-ball improper candidates as we are ready to welcome those who will be an honour to our institution . Then Freemasonry will flourish in deed and'truth , for its prosperity will

flow from temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice , and its three grand principles—Faith , Hope , and Charity . " We build upon the noblest plan , For friendship rivets man to man , And makes us all as one . " THE END .

The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By ANTHONY ONEAL HATE . ( Continued from page 264 ) . BOOK FOURTH—CHAPTER V . The King orders proceedings to be followed up—Imbert visits the Knights at Melun , and converses with them—¦

The Parisians present a petition to the King at his instigation , agednst the Order Contents of the petition — The Great Idol—Imbert orders the Dominicans to proceed with the investigations The accusation Easam / iw * tions at Paris—The torture applied— -Thirty-siss die tinder it—Imbert forges a letter , in the name of the

Grand Master , avowing the guilt of tho Order—Conflicting confessions—The Grand Master ' s—Hugo do Peyrand's—Prince Guy Dauphin ' s— -Falseness of the charges—A . D . 1307—1308 . Affairs being now in a fit state for proceeding with the examinations of the Templars , Imbert