"It is only recently that Freemasonry has been in vogue in Turkey, for the enemies of this fraternity had impressed the Oriental people with the idea that the association was an impious one, so that the title of ' Far-masson,' a corruption of the French Franc masson, came to be considered as synonymous with freethinkers.

"Besides those already established, it is proposed to have one for the Germans, the Deutscher Bund; another for the English, the Bulwer; and another still for the Americans-the last two to be under the Grand Lodge of England."

In view of the facts which we have stated, it is but fair to presume that this whole empire will soon be opened to the enlightened and beneficent influences of Freemasonry.-N. Y. Despatch.

MASONRY IN SWITZERLAND.

THE Grand Lodge of the Swiss Union is called the Alpina, and is conducted according to the ancient English Rites of the Free and Accepted Masons. It has its own rituals, not recognizing any high grade, and not accepting the direct influence of any foreign Masonic authority. The regular place of meeting of the Lodge is always at the principal place of the Canton where the Grand Master lives. Its ordinary sittings take place every other year, at the period of the festival of St. John the Baptist. Every regular Mason has the right to be present at its meetings as auditor only, unless, however, the debates are only concerning purely administrative questions. Further, if circumstances require it, the administrative council are authorized to declare the sittings secret, and then only effective and honorary members can be present.

The following Masonic Lodges form among themselves, under the direction of a supreme national authority, a Masonic alliance, bearing the special and distinctive denomination of the Union of Swiss Lodges :

1. Aarau.-Zur Brudertreue-Brotherly Faith.

2. Aigle.-La Chrétienne des Alpes-The Christian Woman of the Alps.

3. Aubonne.-La Constance-Constancy.

4. Basel.-Zur Freundschaft-Friendship.

5. Berne.-Zur Hoffnung-Hope.

6. Chaux-de-Fonds.-L'Amitié-Friendship.

7. Fribourg.-La Régénérée-The Regenerated.

8.

9.

Geneva.-L'Amité-Friendship.

Geneva.-L'Union des Cœurs-The Union of Hearts.

10. Geneva.-La Fidélité-Fidelity.

11. Geneva.-La Prudence-Prudence,

12. Rex.-La Réunion-The Reunion.

13. Lausanne.-Espérance et Cordialité-Hope and Cordiality.

14. Liestal.-Zur Bunderstreue-Federal Faith.

15. Loile.-Les Vrais Frères Unis-The True United Brothers.

16. Morges. Les Amis-The Friends.

17. Motiers-Travers.-Egalité-Equality.

18. Neufchâtel.-Frederick Guillaume la Bonne Harmonie-Frederick William,

Good Harmony.

19. Nyon.-La Vraie Union-The True Union.

20. Orbe.-La Nouvelle Etoile-The New Star.

21. Winterthur.-L'Acacia-The Acacia.

22. Vevey.-La Constance-Constance.

23. Zurich.-Modestia cum Libertate-Modesty with Liberty.

The Union of the Swiss Lodges has for its object

1. To promote relations of friendship and brotherhood between the various Lodges (ateliers) of which it is composed.

2. To endeavor in common to promote and ennoble Freemasonry in Switzerland. 3. To co-operate for the advancement of Freemasonry in general, in forming relations with Masonic bodies belonging to other countries.

The Union of the Swiss Lodges recognizes the constitutions and all the Masonic rites sanctioned by a legal Grand Orient; it recognizes all the Lodges (ateliers), and all the Freemasons whose consecrations or confirmation emanate regularly from such an authority, or from its regular organs; but it rejects as nonmasonic all fraternities and members of such who do not possess these qualities. The Union of the Swiss Lodges only recognizes or exercises in its province the Masonry of St. John. However, the Scotch Lodges which now exist are admitted to be in force as purely and scientific societies; but neither the Swiss Union nor its organs recognizes them as members of the national alliance, nor accords to them any kind of exterior influence upon it; and, so far as it concerns them, discharges itself of all responsibility.

In the Masonry of St. John, or of the three symbolical grades, the Union of the Swiss Lodges recognizes the following principles :

1. The Masonic Order is an association of free men, who mutually engage to learn and exercise the art of Freemasonry.

2. Its essential aim is the propagation of a true philanthropy. Thus a knowledge of moral truth, the practice of virtue, and the advancement of the general good, are the triple aim to which its efforts tend.

3. Besides the practice and the use of the symbolic forms, the means which the Masonic Order employs to achieve its aim are the following:-Mutual instruction in the dearest interests of humanity; edification of the soul by symbols, speeches, music, and singing; encouragement to wisdom and virtue by the enjoyment of social pleasures in society.

The bonds of fraternity which unite its members, and exercise in common of charity, form the complement of these means.

The Swiss Masonic Union requires of all its members an entire submission to the laws of the country, obedience and fidelity to the government legally established.

The organs of the Union are

The Grand Lodge.

The Grand Master.

The Administrative Council.

The Provincial Masters.

The Deputy Masters.

The Lodges of St. John.

The Colleges of the Officers.

The Lodges of Master Masons.

The Lodges of Companions (Fellow Crafts).

The Lodges of Apprentices.

The organization, the powers, and the attributes of these different organs are determined by the constitution. All the other arrangements relative to the organization of the Union, and of each of its parts, proceed from legislation, or are the object of regulating measures.

HON. SYLVESTER BAXTER.

THIS estimable Brother died at his residence in Hyannis, (Cape Cod,) on Wednesday evening, Sept. 25th, aged 62 years. He was at the time of his death District Deputy Grand Master for the 8th Masonic District of this Commonwealth, which office he had held for several years. He was a faithful and earnest Mason, and greatly beloved and respected by the Brethren. "He was," says one* who knew him intimately, in his social and business relations, a man of frank and noble nature, and his acquaintance was quite extensive. For many years a successful shipmaster and shipowner, he long since acquired that competence which enabled him to retire from the profession of his earlier life. He was always respected and beloved, and ever took an active and influential position in every society or association with which he became connected. He will be greatly missed in the Society with which he worshipped-Rev. Mr. Pope's; nor will his loss be less severely felt by the Masonic Fraternity.

"His funeral was attended from the Universalist Church in Hyannis, on Saturday last, (Sept. 28,) at which time a most impressive sermon was delivered by Rev. R. S. Pope, with whom he had been so long and so well acquainted. His text was from Proverbs, 18th chap. 1st verse :

"Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.'

"Hon. Geo. Marston served as Marshal.

"The ceremonies at the tomb consisted of the Order of the Masonic Ritual, admirably performed by Grand Master W. D. Coolidge, Esq., of Boston, and a prayer by Rev. Mr. Bacon, of Centreville.

"Capt. Baxter bad long been a member of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and the following gentlemen were present at his funeral as representatives, viz. : William D. Coolidge, M. W. Grand Master; Jesse P. Pattee, as R. W. D. G. M.; William H. Sampson, as S. G. W.; Isaac Cary, as J. G. W.; Jabez W. Barton, as G. Treas.; Lovell Bicknell, as G. Sec.; Z. L. Bicknell, as G. Marshal; Eben F. Gay, G. Tyler.

*Editor Barnstable Courier.

"Capt. Baxter has for years held various offices of trust and responsibility, and was recently a member of the Senate of Massachusetts, and at the time of his death was Deputy Collector and Inspector at the Port of Hyannis; and the sympathy for his loss was best attested by the immense concourse assembled at his funeral, which was one of the largest ever attended in this section of the State. "The representatives from the Grand Lodge remained in town until Monday, and expressed themselves as pleased with their visit to this section, although coupled with duties of so melancholy a nature. They are men distinguished for their intelligence and gentlemanly bearing-noble representatives of a noble association."

MEETING OF FRATERNAL LODGE.

At the close of the funeral services on Saturday, the members of Fraternal Lodge met at Masonic Hall in Hyannis, and chose a committee of three to report a series of Resolutions, expressive of the sense of the meeting upon the death of Brother Baxter. The Resolutions were unanimously adopted as follows:

FRATERNAL LODGE,

Hyannis, Sept. 28, A. L. 5861. }

Again has the messenger of Death invaded our Brotherhood. Another member has been suddenly called away. Our dearly beloved and "elder Brother," Past Master SYLVESTER BAXTER, has finished his work, and "entered in, through the gates, into the city" where all good and true Masons shall dwell together forever, in the fullness of Light. In view of this afflictive dispensation, it is therefore Resolved, That in the death of this well-known and honored Brother, the whole Masonic Fraternity of this State, has suffered bereavement.

Resolved, That in the decease of this endeared and lamented member, this Lodge has sustained a loss the greatness of which we cannot yet comprehend, and which will be easily recalled, and impressed on our hearts, at every communication and assembly of this Masonic body, for many years to come.

Resolved, That even now, in the suddenness of our affliction and the freshness of our grief, we remember his high appreciation of the worth of Masonic labor and learning; his faithful, intelligent and eminent services in many posts of Masonic duty; his constant, punctual, and patient attendance on all Masonic occasions, and his zeal, fidelity and accuracy as a workman; his sincere and unfailing temper of fraternal affection; the warmth of his friendship, the depth of his sympathy, the benevolence of his heart, the integrity of his character, and his worthy example in all the relations of life.

Resolved, That we hereby express to his stricken widow, to his orphaned children, and to the again broken band of brothers and sisters of which he was so cherished a member, our truest and deepest sympathy and condolence.

Resolved, That these expressions of our feelings on this sad occasion be entered on our records; and that a copy of the same be transmitted to the family of our departed Brother, and to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and to the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars; and that they be published in the newspapers of the County.

S. B. PHINNEY,
GEO. MARSTON,
GEO. W. DOANE,

Committee.

"BEAUSEANT AND BANNER OF WAR." To the Editor of the London Freemasons' Magazine :

Dear Sir and Brother-I am not a Knight Templar, but having held the office of Standard Bearer in the Supreme Grand Chapter of England, I have been led to inquire into the origin and application of the various standards, banners, &c., and herewith send you an extract from the result of my researches, which will, I think, in some measure answer the inquiry of a correspondent under the above head in your number of the 7th instant, and which I had hoped would have been answered by some one more conversant with the subject.

When Constantine the Great was on the eve of a battle with Maxentius, we are told that a luminous standard appeared to him in the sky, with a cross upon it and this inscription :-" In hoc signo vinces-By this sign you shall conquer," and that this sign so encouraged Constantine and his soldiers that they gained the next day a great victory. When Waldemar the Second, of Denmark, was engaged in a great battle with the Livonians, in the year 1219, it is said that a sacred banner fell from heaven into the midst of his army, and so revived the courage of his troops, that they gained a complete victory over the Livonians, and in memory of the event, Waldemar instituted an order of knighthood called "St. Danebrog," or the strength of the Danes, and which is still the principal order of knighthood in Denmark,

Now, taking these legends for as much as they are worth, and no more, what do they prove? Not that this miraculous standard and cross came to the assistance of Constantine; not that this miraculous banner came to the aid of Waldemar; but they prove that such was the paramount importance attached to the sacred banner among the forces, that, wherever it was present, it was a great means of inspirit. ing the men with increased confidence and courage, and so contributed to the victory.

In this country the introduction of banners was clearly of a religious origin. Venerable Bede says that when St. Augustine and his companions came to preach Christianity in Britain, in the latter part of the sixth century (his Queen Bertha had already embraced the Christian faith), the monk and his followers entered Canterbury in procession, chanting, "We beseech thee, O Lord, of thy mercy let thy wrath and anger be turned away from this city, and from thy holy place, for we have sinned. Hallelujah." And they carried in their hands little banners, on which were depicted crosses. The missionaries were allowed to settle in the Isle of Thanet, and Canterbury became the first Christian Church.

The great importance attached to the banner in the middle ages is not to be wondered at, when we consider that it was a kind of connecting link between the military and the clergy: it was a religious symbol applied to a military purpose; and this was the feeling which animated the Crusaders and the Templars in their great struggle against the enemies of Christianity. The contest, then, was between the Cross and the Crescent-between Christ and Mahomet.

The Knights Templars had a very remarkable banner, being simply divided into black and white,* the white portion symbolizing peace to their friends, the black portion evil to their enemies, and their dreaded war cry, "Beauseant."

September 17th, 1861.

Yours,

*The upper half (horizontal) black.

VERITAS.