morality, sometimes in the stillness and quiet of the night, would assemble the virtuous of his neighbors and impart to them such instruction as had been handed down from his ancestors? May we not readily conceive his emblems to have been selected from the implements of work wherewith they were surrounded? To one he would give the level in token of their equality before God, notwithstanding the unequal distribution of this world's goods between them and their oppressors. To another, he might present the plummet to teach the constant duty of rectitude in the midst of adversity or straightened circumstances. To another, the square, to indicate the test of virtue. Would he not expound their several duties to God and man? Teaching them, moreover, and above all things, the precepts of charity that charity towards their oppressors which "suffereth long and is kind; beareth all things, endureth all things;" that charity towards each other which would manifest itself in mutual relief in their multiplied distresses. How far, Brethren, would this fall short of genuine Masonry? Tracing down the various periods first adverted to, as possessing distinctive features in operative Masonry, we come next in order to the building of the temple at Jerusalem. It were hardly necessary to name it to you, as being the combined effort of operative and speculative Masonry. You possess evidences thereof too plain to be rejected. Here, by the wisdom of the mighty Solomon, the_various implements of work were indeed made so many emblems of virtue. Here speculative Masonry assumed a distinct system, whether based upon previous attempts or not-and thenceforward an impulse was given to a Fraternity still existing throughout the globe, a portion of which is now assembled within these walls. Whence came the skill and science which directed the building of Ancient Rome? and whose art constructed the monuments of national glory? History tells us that the nations of the earth became tributary unto her and that their armies were brought captives to grace the triumphs of the conqueror. Wealth and hosts of men in slavery here again were at hand to combine in the creation of her finest works of art. We farther learn also, that there was a society of men skilled in the arts and sciences, governed by their own peculiar rules, whose knowledge guided the work from commencement to completion. This was the "collegio fabrorum," (lodge of Masons,) instituted, it is said, by Numa. Here, then, again we find the spread of speculative Masonry, for such we deem to be the character of this college of architects, judging from their peculiar privileges and conduct. Descending into later days, how were the majestic cathedrals of the middle ages built? By whom, and by what combination of wealth and mechanical force? For these no conquered nations wrought in slavery, but kingdoms and empires bending to Him, whose "yoke is easy" and "whose service is perfect freedom," contributed their forces and their wealth to construct temples to the great Jehovah, whose fronts should stand forth glorious, and whose spires should attract from Heaven in a silent and continued stream the blessings of Divine Grace upon the devout worshippers therein." Again, we ask, whose skill and talents directed the workmen, planned the edifice, and completed the structure? Let the answer be taken from the pen of one who is not a friend to our Fraternity. "Long before the origin of the corporations of the separate Crafts in any parts of Modern Europe, there existed corporations or societies of artificers who united all the Crafts necessary for building (and we must keep in mind what the building of the middle ages was) under the direction of one or more leaders. "The Architects.' Protected by the charters of the clerical and secular powers and united in one great society for the construction of each great building, as the cathedrals, &c., these societies erected in all countries of Europe, those gigantic monuments, generally termed Gothic, which excite our amazement, and, as has been remarked, by Dr. Henry in his History of Great Britain, with an economy of time and expense truly surprising. We find these societies of Architects every where. They were composed of members from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, France, England, Scotland, and other countries, (sometimes even from Greece,) and uni 66 6 The ted under very similar constitutions." Architects' with their assistants and pupils, formed associations called 'Hutten,' or lodges," &c.* Time will not permit a more full investigation of the nature of these corporations. The architects (architectonici) were protected by especial charters from both secular and ecclesiastical powers, and, in consequence, assumed the title "liberi," or "free"-whence we derive the peculiar name of our Fraternity, “Liberi architectonici," or "Freemasons." May we not, then, infer from what has been said, that in the progress of operative Masonry an association was formed having for its objects the furtherance of Brotherly love, administration of Relief to the distressed, the perpetuating lessons of Truth by means of tradition; and communicating to its members the symbols of virtue and purity by means of the working tools of their profession-that this originated with the descendents of Jacob in captivity in Egypt-was reduced by their monarch, Solomon, at a subsequent period to a perfect system-and spread after his day into all lands-building the temple on Mount Moriah, and after its destruction, raising splendid altars to the Messiah amongst Christian nations? MASONIC MELODIES. BY R. W. BR. THOMAS POWER. No. 2. OPENING AN ENTERED APPRENTICES' LODGE. AIR-" Auld Lang Syne." SOLO. COME Brothers of the mystic tie Our social work begun We'll raise an offering song on high, CHORUS. With hearts united firm and free, SOLO. Come, kindle at our holy fire, Fraternal thoughts and kind; CHORUS. With hearts united, firm and free, *Encyc. Amer. Art. "Masonry." No. 3. OPENING AN ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. AIR-" Indian Philosopher."* COME, soldier of the cross, draw nigh, With manly arm and pitying eye, To guard the Pilgrim band; Though countless foes shall gather round, To orphan's cry and woman's wo, When true to Knighthood's claim; No. 4. RELIEF. AIR" Near the Lake where droops a Willow." BRING, to heal a Brother's sorrow, Love whispered low; Grief the light of hope may borrow, Let fraternal thoughts and feeling, Hark! the orphan's cry is ringing! Sad notes of wo! Pity in each thought is springing, On the heart, though grief is falling, On the bed of anguish lying Days passing slow Calm shall be the loved one dying, When tears shall flow. * Arranged as a sacred melody by the name of " Redeeming Love," and "Ganges." STATUTES OF THE RELIGIOUS AND MILITARY ORDER OF THE TEMPLE, The second Class consists of three grades, 1. Knights created by Priories. 2. Knights Commanders, elected from the Knights, on Memorial to the Grand Master and Council, supported by the recommendation of the Priories to which they belong. 3. Knights Grand Crosses, to be nominated by the Grand Master. CHAPTER II. The Grand Conclave. THE Grand Conclave is composed of 1. The Grand Officers of the Order. 2. The Knights Grand Crosses, who, after investiture, have the privilege of voting by proxy. 3. The Knights Commanders. 4. The Prior of, or one Procurator from each Priory. These must be at least of the second Class, chosen annually, and have received a Diploma from the Grand Master. Four Grand Chapters to be held annually on the first Monday of January, July, and November, and on the 11th March, (or on the day following, should the 11th March fall on Sunday,) being the anniversary of the death of JACQUES DE MOLAY, on which last mentioned day the annual election of Grand Office-Bearers takes place. The Grand Master may call Extraordinary Meetings. Any Esquire or Knight, not a member of Concalve, may be introduced at meetings by a Member, but has not the privilege of voting. No motion for the alteration, enaction, or abrogation of a law can be considered in Conclave, unless notice thereof has been given at a previous Meeting, nor adopted without the concurrence of three-fourths of those present. The Grand Master is the President of the Grand Conclave, but when absent, the highest of the annually elected Office-bearers present presides, taking a Chair immediately on the right of the Throne. No business can take place unless five Members are present, one of whom must be a member of the Grand Council. CHAPTER III. The Grand Council. THE Grand Council consists of 1. The Grand Officers of the Order. 2. Grand Priors of Foreign Langues. 3. The Knights Grand Crosses. The Grand Officers, with the exception of the Past Grand Masters, who remain so for life,—of the Grand Master, who is elected or re-elected for three years, and the Grand Aides-de-Camp, who are appointed by him, removable at his pleasure, and, unless of the rank of Knights Commanders, have no vote, are to be elected annually by the Conclave, and are as follows:-* In the event of any of those Grand Office-bearers, who are elected annually, being unable from absence, or other causes, to attend to their duties, the Conclave may appoint acting officers in their stead; but as it is the duty of all the Office-bearers to attend the Meetings of Conclave and Council regularly, no one shall be elected an Office-bearer, with the exception of the Grand Master, Past Grand Masters, and Grand Seneschal, who is not likely to be able to perform the duties of his office during the ensuing year. No elected Office-bearer can act as such, or claim his privileges, until he has taken the oath de fideli. The Grand Master and Grand Council, without power to alter the Statutes, shall conduct the affairs of the Order during the intervals of the stated Chapters of Conclave, and shall meet when summoned for that purpose by the Grand Secretary; three to be a quorum, and the Senior Officer, commencing with the Grand Seneschal, to preside in absence of the Grand Master. The election of Knights to the rank of Commander is entrusted entirely to the Grand Master and Grand Council. It is in the power of the Grand Master, with the concurrence of the Grand Council, to convoke that body as a Provisional Priory, open to all Members of the Order, for the purpose of receiving, after the usual forms, gentlemen into the Order of the Temple. Persons initiated in the Provisional Priory shall pay a fee direct to Conclave of Four Guineas. A Member of the Grand Council, at all Meetings of the Brethren, takes precedence of every other Knight, according to his rank in the Grand Council: but he cannot claim this privilege unless in full, or at least half dress costume. Applications for Charters of Constitution, the revision of By-laws of subordinate Priories, &c. may be submitted to and passed by the Grand Council, in the intervals between the stated Meetings of the Grand Conclave. *The peculiar duties of these Officers, with the ceremony of Installation of the Grand Master, are recorded in the Books of Conclave, p. 119, &c. |