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Article THE MASONS OF THE MIDDLE AGES. ← Page 3 of 14 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masons Of The Middle Ages.
rule , and the compass , became their symbols . Resolved to form a body distinct from the crowd of workmen , they invented a word and a sign , by which to distinguish themselves . They called the former " the pass-word , "—das Wortzeichen ; the latter " the grip , "—der Gruss . The ApprenticesFellow-Craftsand Masters were
initi-, , ated with ceremonies , over which the most profound secrecy reigned . In this brief description of the Society of the affiliated Masons of Germany , the reader will have already recognised the principal characteristics of a secret Society , which in later times has acquired great historical importance , —we speak of
Freemasons . It is , in fact , to the Lodge of Strasburg , or to those even earlier established in England , that we must revert , to find the origin of the Craft of Freemasons . It is also from thence that Ave trace the source of those numerous Associations , Companies , or Guilds , which exist at the present day , but which are so modified that we with difficulty discover the first elements , which were the origin of such various institutions .
The Council of Strasburg had a large hall placed at the disposal of the Affiliated Masons , in which the most important members of the Association assembled every evening . Since the demise of Erwin de Steinbach , these reunions were frequent , and sometimes tumultuous ; the ambition of some , the jealousy of others , and the emulation of all , threw
fresh vigour into these meetings , which often degenerated into contention ; but every one , notwithstanding , confessed that Polydore , the Boulognais artist , was really intended as the successor of the elder Erwin . Several clays had elapsed since the competition commenced , but neither PoldoreJean Erwinnor Bemhard Saunclerhad
y , , , repaired thither . Polydore was with the Jewess ; Jean Erwin had not quitted his sister , ancl Bemhard Saunder , shut up in his modest garret , searched in vain for the means of escape from his inextricable difficulties . The other members of the Lodge amused themselves in canvassing the various chances of each competitorancl every evening found them divided
, into two parties , one sustaining the pretensions of Polydore , whilst the other rallied round Sabina and her brother . All , however , united in the same sentiment of impatience , ancl anxiously awaited the moment , when the competition being ended , the judge would proclaim the name of the victor . One evening , the clock having struck ten , the Masons
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masons Of The Middle Ages.
rule , and the compass , became their symbols . Resolved to form a body distinct from the crowd of workmen , they invented a word and a sign , by which to distinguish themselves . They called the former " the pass-word , "—das Wortzeichen ; the latter " the grip , "—der Gruss . The ApprenticesFellow-Craftsand Masters were
initi-, , ated with ceremonies , over which the most profound secrecy reigned . In this brief description of the Society of the affiliated Masons of Germany , the reader will have already recognised the principal characteristics of a secret Society , which in later times has acquired great historical importance , —we speak of
Freemasons . It is , in fact , to the Lodge of Strasburg , or to those even earlier established in England , that we must revert , to find the origin of the Craft of Freemasons . It is also from thence that Ave trace the source of those numerous Associations , Companies , or Guilds , which exist at the present day , but which are so modified that we with difficulty discover the first elements , which were the origin of such various institutions .
The Council of Strasburg had a large hall placed at the disposal of the Affiliated Masons , in which the most important members of the Association assembled every evening . Since the demise of Erwin de Steinbach , these reunions were frequent , and sometimes tumultuous ; the ambition of some , the jealousy of others , and the emulation of all , threw
fresh vigour into these meetings , which often degenerated into contention ; but every one , notwithstanding , confessed that Polydore , the Boulognais artist , was really intended as the successor of the elder Erwin . Several clays had elapsed since the competition commenced , but neither PoldoreJean Erwinnor Bemhard Saunclerhad
y , , , repaired thither . Polydore was with the Jewess ; Jean Erwin had not quitted his sister , ancl Bemhard Saunder , shut up in his modest garret , searched in vain for the means of escape from his inextricable difficulties . The other members of the Lodge amused themselves in canvassing the various chances of each competitorancl every evening found them divided
, into two parties , one sustaining the pretensions of Polydore , whilst the other rallied round Sabina and her brother . All , however , united in the same sentiment of impatience , ancl anxiously awaited the moment , when the competition being ended , the judge would proclaim the name of the victor . One evening , the clock having struck ten , the Masons