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  • The Masonic Monthly
  • Aug. 1, 1882
  • Page 54
  • ST. GEORGE FOR MERRY ENGLAND.
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The Masonic Monthly, Aug. 1, 1882: Page 54

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    Article ST. GEORGE FOR MERRY ENGLAND. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Page 54

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St. George For Merry England.

and would do and dare anything so we could only maintain his lustre and dignity undimmed . About his personality we know nothing and care less . We believe he flourished in some outlandish century , in an outlandish country , and slew an outlandish dragon ; but we know no more . Let us see what we can glean from old accounts concerning him .

History tells of a certain George of Cappadocia , who flourished as a contemporary of Constantino the Great , Avhose kingdom , at his decease , it will be remembered , was divided between - Constans and Constantius . The former swore by Athanasius , and the latter adopted the Arian tenets . When Constans died , Athanasius ( another

" saint" of the same water ) was deposed by Cappadocian George , who appropriated to himself his see . The previous history of George was somewhat doubtful . We are told he was of humble parentage , and by a certain charm of manner , combined with a good capability for business , succeeded in ingratiating himself with those who

were rich and powerful . Through the influence of his patrons he was made purveyor to the army , and while in this employment he abused his position by foisting upon the soldiers " rusty bacon . " The grumblings which resulted from this conduct at length reached the ears of his superiors , and he was dismissed in deep disgrace . A . philosophical spirit , however , compensated him for his deprivation , and he retired to his own house and became on enthusiastic

bibliophile . His collection of books and rare manuscripts became famous , and had the effect of causing his offences against morality to be condoned if not forgotten . In the revolution by which Athanasius was driven from Alexandria , George of Cappadocia , ( assisted by Sebastian and Constantius ) was a

prominent character . He received ordination from the hands of an Arian dignitary , and finding- himself secure in civil as well as ecclesiastical poAver , soon went back to his old bacon-SAvindling tricks . He oppressed his friends and foes alike . He plundered without mercy or distinction Arians and the followers of Athanasius . His

conduct was tolerated by Constantius in return for the injuries and slights he had received from the citizens of Alexandria . At length Constantius died , and the smouldering hate of the city broke forth in remorseless fury against George and his oppressions . He was seized by a mob , slain , his body dragged from the east to the

west gate of the city , after Avhich it Avas cut to pieces and thrown tothe sea so as to prevent his being raised to the dignity of a martyr . After his murder , AA hen his works Avere partly forgotten , his coreligionists who were undergoing considerable persecution had him canonised , and raised him to the dignity of their patron saint . He

“The Masonic Monthly: 1882-08-01, Page 54” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 23 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/msm/issues/mxr_01081882/page/54/.
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Title Category Page
ART AND THE BUILDERS OF MONTE CASSINO, CEREMONIOUS DEDICATIONS, MASTER WORKMEN, ETC., IN THE MIDDLE AGES. Article 1
CURIOUS BOOKS.—I. Article 5
THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF THE COUNT DE GABALIS: Article 6
THE TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. Article 6
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ROSICRUCIANS. Article 7
CRAFT CUSTOMS OF THE ANCIENT STONEHEWERS, MASONS, AND CARPENTERS. Article 9
THE GREETING Article 9
BESPEAKING THE MASTER. Article 11
LODGE USAGES. Article 13
With the Greeters: Article 15
THE SEVEN CHIEF POINTS. Article 17
THE WORSHIPFUL KNOCKS. Article 17
CONCERNING USAGES. Article 17
DRESS. Article 18
THE MANNER OF CALLING UPON SECONDS. Article 18
THE MANNER OF SETTLING QUARRELS. Article 18
SECRET SOCIETIES. Article 22
FAR EASTERN ANCIENT RITES AND MYSTERIES. Article 26
WHERE SHALL WE GO TO FOR A HOLIDAY? Article 28
"FROM LABOUR TO REFRESHMENT." Article 30
THE LEGEND OF THE INTRODUCTION OF MASONS INTO ENGLAND. Article 31
EARLY HAUNTS OF FREEMASONRY. Article 46
SHOULD LADIES BE BANISHED FROM OUR RECREATION BANQUETS ? Article 50
ST. GEORGE FOR MERRY ENGLAND. Article 53
LET US ALL BE GIPSIES. Article 56
WELL DONE, CONDOR! Article 57
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 59
EXTRACT OF THE DEFENCE MADE BY SEVENTY-FIVE TEMPLARS. Article 60
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Page 54

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

St. George For Merry England.

and would do and dare anything so we could only maintain his lustre and dignity undimmed . About his personality we know nothing and care less . We believe he flourished in some outlandish century , in an outlandish country , and slew an outlandish dragon ; but we know no more . Let us see what we can glean from old accounts concerning him .

History tells of a certain George of Cappadocia , who flourished as a contemporary of Constantino the Great , Avhose kingdom , at his decease , it will be remembered , was divided between - Constans and Constantius . The former swore by Athanasius , and the latter adopted the Arian tenets . When Constans died , Athanasius ( another

" saint" of the same water ) was deposed by Cappadocian George , who appropriated to himself his see . The previous history of George was somewhat doubtful . We are told he was of humble parentage , and by a certain charm of manner , combined with a good capability for business , succeeded in ingratiating himself with those who

were rich and powerful . Through the influence of his patrons he was made purveyor to the army , and while in this employment he abused his position by foisting upon the soldiers " rusty bacon . " The grumblings which resulted from this conduct at length reached the ears of his superiors , and he was dismissed in deep disgrace . A . philosophical spirit , however , compensated him for his deprivation , and he retired to his own house and became on enthusiastic

bibliophile . His collection of books and rare manuscripts became famous , and had the effect of causing his offences against morality to be condoned if not forgotten . In the revolution by which Athanasius was driven from Alexandria , George of Cappadocia , ( assisted by Sebastian and Constantius ) was a

prominent character . He received ordination from the hands of an Arian dignitary , and finding- himself secure in civil as well as ecclesiastical poAver , soon went back to his old bacon-SAvindling tricks . He oppressed his friends and foes alike . He plundered without mercy or distinction Arians and the followers of Athanasius . His

conduct was tolerated by Constantius in return for the injuries and slights he had received from the citizens of Alexandria . At length Constantius died , and the smouldering hate of the city broke forth in remorseless fury against George and his oppressions . He was seized by a mob , slain , his body dragged from the east to the

west gate of the city , after Avhich it Avas cut to pieces and thrown tothe sea so as to prevent his being raised to the dignity of a martyr . After his murder , AA hen his works Avere partly forgotten , his coreligionists who were undergoing considerable persecution had him canonised , and raised him to the dignity of their patron saint . He

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