A Sketch Of The Philosophy, Traditions, And Records Of The Masonic Order Of The Red * Or Knights Of Constantine, At Pre- Sent Under The Command Of Lord Kenlis, M. Ill. G. Sov.

media as the viceroy or deputy of Constantine in the Order . Ifc Avould be superfluous to relate how nobly this chosen band fought in the croAA'ning victory Avhich decided the fate of the empire , and Avhich occurred

Oct . 28 th 312 , Afc the head of his Red Cross Knights , and distinguished by his splendid armour on AA'hich the motto of the Order Avas conspicuously placed , Constantine charged the cavalry of Maxentius , and notwithstanding the determined valour of

the jiroetoriau cohorts , the tyrant's army Avas soon completely routed . Maxentius in his haste to escape , fell from the Milvian bridge into the Tiber and was droAvned , and the conqueror soon after entered Rome amidst the acclamations of the

people . A triumphal arch Avas built to commemorate the victory , and a statue of the heaven-inspired commander Avas created , Avith the red cross in his hand , and an inscription setting * forth the miraculous interposition Avhich had effected the

deliverance of the city . From this circumstance the members of the Order of the Red Cross have been designated Knights of Rome and Constantine . The emperor being himself well-versed in philosophic lore , naturally encouraged learning , and

Aurelian ' s devastations having driven the sages of light or folloAvers of Ormus from Alexandria , Constantine afforded them a refuge in his new

capital , Constantinople , Avhere he opened an academ }* - in his palace , after the model of the Bruchium at Alexandria . The members AA'ho comprised it Avere called ol oliwv / ietniwi at whose head AA'aS the oiKovfievtuos SiSdfficaXos .

The Knights of the Red Cross Avere admitted into this mystic college , and formed the first class —the ecclesiastics and commanders .. of the legions composed the second class , and the third . or highest Order Avas confined to Constantine ,

Etisebius , and the Patriarch of Jerusalem . This division of the Order into three degrees prevails to this day . In Sweden Avhere Freemasonry is acknowledged by tlie State , and Avhere tlie possession of a certain degree confers the rank

of civil nobility , the three highest grades are those of "" Les Freres de la Croiz Rouge , " * the third class consists exclusively of members of the royal family . The church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem Avas built by Constantine and St . Helena , after the reputed discovery by the latter of the true cross ,

A Sketch Of The Philosophy, Traditions, And Records Of The Masonic Order Of The Red * Or Knights Of Constantine, At Pre- Sent Under The Command Of Lord Kenlis, M. Ill. G. Sov.

and in carrying out the necessary excaA-ations , the Avorkmen made a discovery Avhich materially corroborates the traditions of the Royal Arch degree , and a relation of this event , as our learned Bro . Dr . Metham of Devonport , recently stated in the

course of a lecture Avhich he delivered , is to be found in the Avork of an ancient historian of undoubted credibility .

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

THE NEMESIS : A TALE OF THE DAYS OF TRAJAN .

By Bito . A . ONEAL FATE , KM ., K Cal , Corresponding Member ofthe German Society , Leipsif / , Knight Templar , Scot . ; Author of" The History ofthe Kni ght ' s Templars ;" " Vara Qvcer ,- " " Gatherings in Wanderings ; " "Songs and Ballads ; " "I'oemata ; " " Legends of Edinburgh . ' " c j ' c , § 'c ., < 5 ' c ,- Poet . Laureate of ihe Canongate , Kilwinning ; P . M . St . Stephens ; P . P . Z . of St . Andrews , ll . A * Gha-p . ; § x . ; t )' c . ( Continued from page 449 . )

CHAPTER XIIL THE TRAITOR ' S DOOM . The quality of Mercy is not strained , It droppetli like the gentle clew from Heaven Upon the place beneath . It is twice blessed . It blesses him that gives , and him that tabes ,

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest . It becomes The throned monarch better than his crown : His sceptre shows the force of temporal power , The attribute to awe and majesty , AVherein doth sit die dread anel fear of kings , Hut Jiercy is above this scepir'd sivay ; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings : It is an attribute of God himself .

Aucl earthly power doth then show hkest Gods ' When mercy seasons justice . — Shaiespeare . The three hurried silently on toAvards Adrian ' s house , Avhere , he possessed himself of Moscus letter to Paulus . Thereafter they left Rome by the Porta Esquilina , the Centurion , by his

authority , having the gate opened . Passing the field in which criminals Avere executed , they entered upon the open plain . A quarter of a mile "' s Avalk brought them to an excavation , Avhich led to the catacombs . Lycus caught hold of Adrian ' s

hand , and led him through the passage . After pursuing the road along several Avinding roads , they came to a curiously carved doorway , Avhich Avas guarded by an armed man . To this man , Lycus muttered a few Avords , and asking Adrian

for the letter to Paulus , he left him in the charge of Sempronious and the guard . It Avas the first time Adrian had ever been in these famous catacombs , aucl though iu Rome it Avas popularly known that such excavations really existed , no definite description had ever been given