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To soothe the unhappy, to sympathise with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the grand aim we have in view. These duties no true Mason can set aside.

Charity-the best attribute of the GREAT I AM-we are at all times to extend to an erring Brother. In fact, whenever a worthy Brother calls, that call should be heeded and such aid afforded as the circumstances may seem to require. Yet in all our actions we should do nothing which would in any manner violate our obligation as true and loyal citizens of this noble and glorious Republic.

Our duties as citizens and Masons are clearly presented in all the teachings which we have received, from the time of our first entrance upon the ground floor to our admission within the most sacred place. And while we are guided by the unerring principle of Divine Truth, as laid down in the book of Revelations, and follow the teachings of the Symbolism of Masonry, we cannot materially err.-Address of G. M. of Illinois,

LODGES IN THE ARMY.

THE following is extracted from a speech delivered by R. W. James Burnes, K. H., Prov. G. M. of Bombay, India, on his visit to the Prov. Grand Lodge in Calcutta :

"The Duke of York, when he sanctioned Lodges in the army, foresaw their advantages, not only as inducing the soldier to obtain and retain a character, but in conferring on him also a sure protection in the time of need. Every one knows that even in the fury of the late war, the charters, diplomas, and insignia of Lodges used to be returned with courtesy after an engagement. I am old enough to recollect when my own father, the Master of a Lodge, and a magistrate, took the responsibility of removing some French prisoners from jail to his own house, because they were Brethren. And it was only last night that Col. Logan, a brave officer of the Peninsula, but no Mason, mentioned to me an authentic anecdote, which will interest you. A whole battalion of the 4th Foot had been taken prisoners, and the officers stripped of everything. Several of them were bemoaning their lot in a dreary abode, when to their surprise they saw a subaltern of their corps passing along with a gay step, in full dress. The explanation was very simple. Having been discovered to be a Mason, his uniform and baggage had been immediately restored to him, and he was then going by special invitation to dine with the French Field Marshal! Some of you may have heard the revered Bro. Blaquiere, whose Masonic reminiscences, communicated as they are with such perfect courtesy and taste, possess the most intense interest, mention the circumstance of a party of ladies and gentlemen having been taken prisoners in the Bay of Bengal by the French frigate La Forte, but who were all afforded the means of escape on the captain's discovering that there was the Master of one of the Calcutta Lodges among them. It is needless to multiply instances, since every one knows that a Masonic token has often arrested the sword of the destroyer, and I would but ask those who represent our Order as a musty relic of bygone

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MASONIC JOTTINGS FROM ABROAD.

times, altogether incompatible with the golden age in which we live, to point out any other invention of man which could so soften the miseries of war, and heighten the courtesies of life between individuals of contending nations. For my own part, I conceive that, until the light of true religion shall pervade the universe, and the happy period arrive when the whole world shall become a Lodge, and every man a Brother, the fondest enthusiast for the amelioration of the human race can scarcely dream of a condition of society, to which the enforcement of the obligation of Brotherly love, relief, and truth can be inapplicable, or otherwise than a blessing; and I glory in the conviction, that Masonry was never more extended, triumphant, and influential than at the present moment."

MASONIC JOTTINGS FROM ABROAD. GRAND ORIENT OF ITALY.-Bro. Hayman, of the Supreme Grand Council of France, has been nominated and received as the representative of the Grand Ori. ent of Italy to the Grand Orient of France.

GRAND ORIENT OF CONSTANTINE, ALGERIA. A new Lodge, which was working under dispensation, has been formally consecrated in Algeria. This Lodge, named Les Hospitaliers de Constantine, is No. 163 on the roll of the Supreme Grand Council of the 33d Ecossais of France, and bids fair to be of great service amongst the French colonists and the Arab tribes, by which they are surrounded.

THE MASONIC FLAG OF FRANCE.-The Supreme Council of France, some years since, originated a decree by which Masonic sailors should be more readily able to ask assistance, in time of need, from other ships, manned or commanded by Brethren of the Order. This very useful suggestion consists in hoisting a flag bearing a square and circle on a blue ground. To change this sign of recog nition into one of distress, the method is to reverse it similarly to the mode adopted in the French Navy with the national flag under the like circumstances.

MASONIC FESTIVAL FOR ORPHANS.-The eleventh fete for the benefit of Masonic Orphans, took place at the Lac Saint Fargeau, Paris, on the 25th ult. It comprised a concert, dinner, a second concert, ball, fireworks, waterworks, and amusements of every kind. This new institution has been very successful, and is one of the principal resources of the charity in question; so much so, that the authorities will be enabled to extend its benefits to six more children at once, with a prospect of further increasing the number.

TWO OLD MASONS.-The Lodge of "The Happy Ferdinand," at Magilebourg, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the reception of one of its most distinguished Brethren, Bro. Kapherr, the father of the Lodge, an old town councillor, of eightynine years of age. After sixty years' membership he is still a constant attendant at his mother Lodge. The Lodge Hermine, of Buckbourn, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its Master, Bro. Funk, with great rejoicing, and, after a banquet, presented their W. M. with an elegant candelabra.

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THE ORIGIN AND EARLY HISTORY OF THE FRATERNITY OF MASONS.

[Concluded from page 55.]

HAVING now reviewed the history and organization of the German Stone-masons, we will turn our attention to the English branch of the Fraternity, and endeavor to trace it from its first establishment, until its final transformation into a universal humanitary institution, whose sole future aim was to be the erection of a temple based on the broad foundation of brotherly love, relief and truth.

When in the 5th century, Britain became the spoil of northern warriors, all progress was nipped in the bud. The various works erected by the Romans were destroyed. Civilization became stationary, or rather, retrograded, as in other decaying Roman provinces. The demi-savage conquerors, the Angles and Saxons, like all other nations in their infancy, destroyed whatever they knew not how to prize, until finally, with the increasing spread of Christianity, manners became more gentle, and more humane views began to prevail. The people began to improve their public and private buildings, and to repair and rebuild what had been destroyed by the ravages of time and war. Alfred the Great, the founder of the University of Oxford, (872-900,) and a patron of Art and Science, also gave his attention to Architecture, employing for this purpose such Architects as he could find. During the reign of Athelstan, many skillful Architects came from foreign lands, especially from the neighboring countries of France and Germany, where the art of building had already made important progress. At this time the construction of all religious edifices in England, was under the supervision of the clergy. Among those monks who were especially noted for their architectural skill, we may mention Dunstan, a Benedictine, Archbishop of Canterbury, (946,) Oswald, Bishop of Worcester, and Ethelbald, Bishop of Winchester.

From the 6th to the 9th century, many British monks travelled to Germany, in order to propagate the Christian religion, and here they also erected churches and monasteries. Towards the end of the 13th century and at the beginning of the 14th, we find that German architects and workmen were invited to come to England and Scotland, in order to assist in the construction of religious edifices. We thus see that there was at a very early day a constant and reciprocal communication between these countries. The German element had already been introduced among the English masons, when the Normans became masters of the land, and the Danes and Saxons had usurped all crafts and trades. This was still more the case, when the Gothic style, which was the peculiar secret of the Ger man Stone-masons, began to be adopted in England. There is scarcely any doubt that German workmen were employed in the erection of the Gothic edifices of England, constructed during the 14th century, and it is not improbable that most of the architects of that period were Germans. In the absence of details concerning the history of medieval English architecture, this fact can not be shown with certainty, yet many well known names of architects, such as Schaw, J. Swalwe, Stephen Lote, &c., seem to furnish testimony that such was actually the case. The rolls of the workmen employed in the erection of the old English Cathedrals, also

contain a large proportion of German names. When we take into consideration the number of immense buildings, erected in England and Scotland during the 14th and 15th centuries, and which required a countless host of workmen and a long series of years for their completion, we must be convinced that the native artizans could not possibly have sufficed. The English historians all admit this. Laurie(1) says, "In every country where the temporal and spiritual jurisdiction of the Pope was acknowledged, there was a continual demand, particularly during the 12th century, for religious structures, and consequently for operative masons, and there was no kingdom in Europe, where the zeal of the inhabitants for Popery was more ardent,-the kings and nobles more liberal to the clergy, or the church more richly endowed than in Scotland. The demand, therefore, for elegant Cathedrals, and ingenious artists, must have been proportionally greater here than in other countries, and that demand could be supplied only from the trading associations on the Continent. When we consider in addition to these facts, that this society monopolized the building of all the religious edifices of Christendom, we are authorized to conclude that the numerous and elegant ruins which still adorn various parts of Scotland, were erected by foreign Masons, who introduced into this island the customs of their Order."

Preston,(2) in alluding to the state of Masonry under the patronage of Austin, the Benedictine monk, says that "many foreigners came into England, who introduced the Gothic style of building."

It appears, therefore, certain that German builders did travel to England, and that they brought with them and introduced among the English Masons, the peculiar usages and customs of their Lodges. It must be remembered also, that these same usages and customs, which we find reproduced almost literally in the old laws and rituals of the English Masons, are essentially German in their character; that they are based on usages and customs of the greatest antiquity, many of which existed in the earliest ages among the ancient German barbaric tribes, and have been handed down to the present day.

Like the German Stone-masons, the English Masons also formed fraternities, or associations, the members of which recognized one another by secret signs. But the latter was not as free and independent as the former, and were always more or less under the surveillance of the government, possessing merely the right to assemble, levy contributions from their members, choose their Master and Wardens, and hold their meetings and feasts. Wherever a building was being erected, their Lodges were to be found; and their meetings were usually held in the morning, before sunrise. The Master stood in the East and the Brethren formed a half circle about him. After a prayer, each Craftsman's daily work was pointed out to him, and he was instructed how to execute it. In the evening they again assembled after labor, for prayer, and their daily wages were paid to them. In stormy weather they assembled in a Convent-hall, or some other roomy place. In fair weather they met generally under the open heavens, on the top of a hill, where no one could listen to their proceedings, and these meetings they termed Lodges.(3) Before opening the Lodge, guards were stationed to keep off inquisitive strangers, and to prevent the uninitiated from approaching. The expression "it rains,"

used to denote the approach of a cowan or eavesdropper, is derived from the punishment inflicted on a listener, when caught, namely, "to be placed under the eves of the house in rainy weather, until the water ran in at his shoulders and out at his shoes."

The first known document in which the name Free-mason, Free-stonemason, (one who works in free-stone, a stone-cutter, as distinguished from Rough-mason, an ordinary mason,) is used to denote the Stone-masons of England, is an Act of Parliament of the year 1350, (25 Edward I.) In this, as well as in many following Statutes, down to the 17th century, they are treated like other Crafts, or Guilds; their rate of wages ordained, and in some of the earlier Acts they are forbidden to leave their place of residence without the permission of the authorities, or that of the landed proprietors; thus it is evident that they were considered as bondsmen of the soil. Previous to this time, they travelled with the monks of the various Convents to which they were attached, but this custom afterwards ceased. As early as 1360, "Congregations, Chapters, Regulations and Oaths,' were forbidden among them; an ordinance which in after centuries was often renewed and stringently enforced. From these Statutes we perceive that the Masons were not the proteges of the kings and nobility, whom Masonic historians are so anxious to represent as Grand Masters.

These numerous Acts and Ordinances seem also to hint at the fact, that the object of their assemblies was in opposition to the laws of the realm, and for the purpose of extorting a higher rate of wages. In 1889, it was enacted, that in case of resistance, the Justices of the Peace might call in. the assistance of the Sheriffs and other officers. An old MS. mentioned by Preston, says "That when the Masters and Wardens met in a Lodge, the Sheriff of the county, or the Mayor of the city, or the Alderman of the town in which the Congregation is held, should be made fellow and soci ate to the Master, in the help of him against rebels, and for upbearing the rights of the realm." Anderson, as usual, attempts to turn this circumstance into an honor for the fraternity, and pretends that these officers were present at the assemblies as initiated Brethren. But we can hardly believe that at this time, amateurs could have been present as accepted Masons, or honorary members. At an earlier and later period, it is possible that the patrons appointed by the King to supervise the work, may have been present at their assemblies, but they assuredly had no knowledge of the secret customs and usages of the Craft. In 1495, all artisans and workmen were again forbidden to use "liveries, signs and tokens." In 1548, all the building craft were permitted to practise their art freely, in the whole kingdom of England; but this permission was again revoked the following year, except so far as concerned the city of London. It is evident, therefore, that the Freemasons were considered as a mere guild, and were subject to the laws relating to guilds, like any other trade or company.

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That the English Freemasons and German Stone-masons were one and the same corporation can now scarcely be doubted. This being the case, we can no longer wonder at the striking resemblance which exists between the old English Constitutions and the Regulations of the German Stonemasons. The principal point in which they differ, is the difference between the English and German terms of apprenticeship, the former requir

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