The Knights Templars.

before Castel Blanc and other fortresses of the Templars had fallen . At length a truce of ten years and ten months was agreed upon , as far as regarded Acre and the road to Nazareth . On the 18 th of June , 1272 , Prince Edward was stabbed

by an assassin armed with a poisoned dagger . Although dangerously wounded , the Prince struck down the assassin , who was despatched by his attendants . Thereupon the Prince made his will , the Grand Master of the Templars being a

witness . Thomas de Beraud , however , administered an antidote to the Prince aud his life was preserved . A few months after the Prince returned to England , when he ascended the throne as Edward I ., his father having died on his passage

home . Thomas de Beraud died on the Sth of April , 1273 , at Acre . ( To be continued . )

Black And White Freemasons.

BLACK AND WHITE FREEMASONS .

The National Anti-slavery Standard of New York has long been conspicuous no less for its intellectual ability and the verve of its articles than for the zeal and energy which it has consecrated to the cause of human freedom . Its reputation as

an influential organ of public opinion is not confined to the United States , but has extended to Great Britain and other parts of the world , aud its statements are regarded as authoritative on all matters relating to the peculiar work which it has

so nobly undertaken . We therefore regret to find the following in a z-ecent number of our American contemporary , under the head of "Philadelphia Correspondence " : —

" Philadelphia , June 29 th , 1868 . " The Freemasons had a great parade here last week , in connection with the laying of the cornerstone of their new Masonic Temple , to be erected at Broad and Filbert-streets in this city . The

event attracted hither a vast number of people , and a great multitude assembled to witness the imposing ceremonies . These were of a character peculiar to the order , and interesting , doubtless , to those who have a fondness for such

demonstrations . " The building to be constructed will be an elaborate specimen of architecture , massive , grand and magnificent . Five years is the estimated time that will be required for its erection and com-

Black And White Freemasons.

pletion . Such a noble edifice as this promises tobe cannot fail to add to the splendid and substantial adornments of our city . It is thought that it will involve an expenditure of about seven hundred thousand dollars , and in calculating the annual

interest on that sum , one is apt to consider how far fifty thousand dollars will go towards benefitting the widows and orphans of the poor brethren . This , however , is not our affair . " In glancing at the ceremonies of this occasion

as reported in our daily papers , one is inclined towonder how large a measure of influence the Masonic Order exerts upon the politics of the nation , and whether that influence is not counter tn the

spirit of just and liberal principles . In the record of exercises some of the prominent names are familiar as belonging to the catalogue of conspicuous copperheads that dwell in our midst . The chief Tycoon participating was Richard Yaux , an

inveterate politician of that school , and the opening prayer was by Rev . John Chambers , one of the most blatant aud disgusting rebel sympathisers that infested our city during the war . Does any one believe that the spirit of genuine "fraternity "

and perfect " brotherhood " resides with such men as these ? It is only a white " fraternity " and a white " brotherhood " that they believe in , and ii . those children of God who have a dark complexion

were to depend upon their mercy , instead of realizing the blessings and joy of fraternity , and the beneficent fruits of brotherhood , they would be far more likely to suffer from the stings of an intolerable persecution .

" Although there are black Masons , there are none among the " Masonic brethren . " Beyond a white face their fraternal ardour does not extend . Masonic benevolence has no sympathy for the sorrows and affliction which a black face conceals .

Masonic justice has eyes , and those eyes distinguish colour , for the word ' white' appears in the Masonic ' Constitution / just as it shamefully blotches that of our commonwealth .

"Inasmuch as this Order is based upon fraternity as one of its leading characteristics , there seems to be an evident inconsistency between this and the essential spirit of that political organisation of which Vaux is one of our local lights . It is no

more marvelous , however , than is the case of those who are prominent in the church , like Chambers , champions of a hated persecution and prejudice which a truly Christian soul abhors , and identified with that political creed which is a standing war-