208 HISTORY OF THE DEGREE. 6 his natural life. In proof of these facts, we have but to point to the Records of the Society for this period, which are happily still preserved. Some have advocated its being conferred after that of the Templar Degree, considering such was the custom during the period alluded to, but it is quite an error, the only pre-requisite masonically being then as now, viz., a duly certified Master Mason. As an instance of this, we may remark that Brother William Henry White (who succeeded his father as Grand Secretary) was entrusted with this Red Cross Degree on the 13th March, 1809, before he received either the Royal Arch or Knight Templar. The prefix Sir was used, not Sir Knight, as now. The signature as Grand Master, by H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, is carefully treasured by the present authorities, bearing date 22nd November, 1813, being a resolution of the High Council' approved by their illustrious Grand Master. The MS. ritual of the ceremony observed on the installation of the Duke of Sussex as G.M., lately discovered amongst certain papers in the Grand Lodge, has been duly forwarded to the Grand Imperial Council for custody. The ritual of the Grand Cross is still kept, and is in Brother W. R. Wright's own handwriting. The ritual of the Red Cross is that sent by Colonel M'Leod Moore (the Knight Templar historian), as executor of Brother Wright, to Brother Henry Emly, 33 Grand Chancellor, K.T.), by whom it was given to one of the three members who revived the degree quite recently. These three members obtained the Novitiate Cross' from Brothers Henry Emly, William Henry White, and Sir J. Doratt, who were all at one time active in their support of the Grand Council. Permission was given by the High Council' early this century to grand officers to confer the degree, and it is clear therefore that an unbroken line of descent has been preserved in the manner noted. One of the three original members named was elected Grand Secretary of the revived order (Brother W. H. White), who was succeeded by the Earl of Bective (then Lord Kenlis); afterwards Bro. Sir Frederick M. Williams, Bart., M.P., occu FORM OF PETITION. 209 pied the chair; and now Bro. Colonel Sir Francis Burdett, Bart., is the accepted chief in this country. The body in England comprises a Grand Imperial Council and Grand Senate, and Intendants-General are appointed corresponding to the Inspectors-General of the Ancient and Accepted Rite. The Knights of the Grand Cross' comprise the foregoing and about twenty others. There is likewise a Patriarchal Council' for the control and working of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and St. John, the Grand Sovereign being the Grand Commander. Sanctuaries and Commanderies are warranted separately, about twenty having been issued in England. Granting the desirability of degrees of Christian knighthood in connexion with Freemasonry, the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine' has clearly proved its legitimate descent from the Council worked in the last. century, and that we apprehend is all that any can do of the kind. Its votaries will not soon forget their indebtedness to the late Brother R. W. Little for the excellent management displayed by him on its revival. FORM OF PETITION FOR A CHARTER. To the Most Illustrious Grand Council of the Order of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine for England, Wales, and the British Dominions. The Petition of the undersigned respectfully represents that they are severally Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, residing in and its vicinity; that they are in good standing as Knights of that Illustrious Order, and competent to form and open a Conclave, and to properly discharge the various duties thereof, according to ancient usage. Having the good of the Order at heart, and being desirous to extend its benefits to worthy Brethren, they pray for a Charter of Constitution, empowering them to form, open, and hold a regular Conclave of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, and the appendant Orders, at be named The 6 to in the Conclave,' subordinate to, and 210 PRINCIPLES OF THE RED CROSS. to be conducted in strict accordance with the Statutes, and the Eminent Sir Knight [Signatures, &c., of Petitioners.] I beg to recommend the prayer of this petition to the favourable consideration of the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign. Intendant-General. Date. Declaration of the Principles of the Order, written in 1806 by the late Judge Waller Rodwell Wright, the M. I. G. Master of the Order, and R. W. Prov. G. Master for the Ionian Isles, under the G. Lodge of England.* The Order of Red Cross is one of those numerous branches of chivalry which had their origin in the Holy Wars, and the distinction won by its knights was the original badge of the Crusaders in general. As this Örder never was endowed with particular revenues, its members were for the most part persons of independent condition, or associated with one of the great Sovereign Orders of the Temple, or St. John of Jerusalem. As, however, the distinguishing characteristics and constitutions of this Order, though existing only in unwritten tradition, have been partially preserved to the present age, some Knights Templars, zealous in the united cause of Masonry and Chivalry, have thought it expedient to revive it, on the footing of its ancient establishment, and that for various reasons: First. Because the original intent of the Masonic Institution has been greatly frustrated by the indiscriminate * Bro. Waller Rodwell Wright is said to have formed the present elaborate Ritual of the Order. OBJECTS OF THE RED CROSS. 211 admission of persons of every description and charac ter. Second. Because it unfortunately happens that the sublime branch of our system known by the denomination of Christian Masonry has fallen into still worse hands, whereby the Test of Faith originally required of the Candidates for initiation has been dispensed with, the rites and mysteries of the Order degraded, and selection rendered indispensably necessary. Thirdly and this, indeed, is the most powerful reason which has induced them to bring forward this ancient Order They earnestly wish to counteract the evil designs to which the privileges of the Masonic System have been perverted by men of unprincipled character, and to combat the enemies of Christianity and social order by the same secret and powerful means which they have made use of to effect their purposes. The objects therefore of the Red Cross are these: 'To draw closer the bond of Masonic union, purify the system of Masonic science, extend its limits, and increase its influence by combining such of its professors as are best qualified, by character and principle, respectability and influence, genius and talent, to effectuate this great purpose. To prevent the perversion of its institutions and privileges to objects contrary to, and abhorrent from, its original intent. To combat infidelity and treason under whatever form existing, and promote, by every humble means, the social happiness and eternal welfare of our fellow creatures. It is therefore necessary : 'That we observe the greatest circumspection in the choice of our members and associates. That we adhere inviolably and scrupulously to the principles and constitutions of our Order. That we cultivate a strict and fraternal union among ourselves. 'And that we on all occasions give our decided pre 212 HISTORICAL ORATION. ference to intellectual and moral excellence over every other consideration whatsoever.' 'I hereby certify that the manuscript, of which the above is a verbatim extract, is one of the documents relating to the Red Cross Order, which were found in the archives of the Grand Lodge of England, and handed over, by command of the Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland, P. G. M., then M. W. Grand Master, to Lord Kenlis, the head of the Order of the Red Cross in England. 'JOHN HERVEY (P. S. G. Deacon), 'Grand Sec. of the United G. Lodge of England. 'FREEMASONS' HALL, LONDON, '1st Sept., 1870.' HISTORICAL ORATION. (IN THE CEREMONY OF RECEPTION.) The founder of our Chivalric and Illustrious Order was Constantine, the great Roman Emperor, by whom it was instituted, A.D. 313, as a memorial of the Divine miracle which effected his conversion to the Christian faith, and also as a reward for the valour of certain of his soldiers. Our Order is therefore not only the most ancient, but the most honourable institution of Christian Knighthood recorded in the pages of history; and it behoves us, beloved Sir Knights, to prize the privileges which we have obtained as descendants of these worthy men, ever remembering the watchwords of our Conclave --Faith, Unity and Zeal.' Before proceeding to relate the circumstance of Constantine's conversion, which produced such momentous results, I may first observe, that in tracing the influence of this great event upon the world in general, it is more particularly our duty, as Masons, to remember that our Royal Founder had been at an early period of his life initiated into the mysteries |