D. 10.

The celebrated architect Vitruvius PoUio establishes in his writings upon architecture — ^works translated into all languages — ^the flourishing condition in which this art existed at this time at Kome. He depicts the humanita- rian doctrines which go hand in hand with the material objects of the Fraternity, and which, enveloped in allego- ries and illustrated by symbols, formed the basis of the teachings of these colleges.
A. D. 14.
The palace of the Caesars is commenced during the reign of Tiberius. It was continued under that of Cali- gula, and finished under Domitian. Tiberius erected an arch of triumph in honor of his brother Claudius Drusus, and another in honor of Augustus. That consecrated to Castor is also due to his orders.
The cities of Pergamus, Nicomedia, Mylassa, Cesarea, Pouzzolea, and Pola, brought architects and companions from Rome to erect in their midst temples in honor of Augustus.
A. D. 25.
The bridge of Rimini, commenced by Augustus, is finished under Tiberius, who also ordered the erection of temples in honor of Proserpine, Juno, and the goddess Concord.
272 GBNEEAL HISTORY OF FKEBMASONRY.
A. D, 41.
A superb aqueduct, which bears his name, is constructed under the reign of Claudius.
A. D. 43.
Some brigades of constructors are detached firom the fraternities which are stationed on the banks of the Ehine, and led by the emperor Claudius to Britain, where the legions experience difficulty in maintaining their ground against the incursions of the Scots. The better to enable them to hold their position, these brigades of con- structors erect a line of fortified camps and a certain number of strong castles,
A. D. 50.
Architecture at fiome has attained, at this time, its culminating point. The colleges of constructors, deprived of encouragement under the despotism of the Emperors, who by turns gradually took from them their privileges, seem to have lost their powers of architectural conception. The monuments of this time are greatly inferior in the elevation of their character to those which placed them at the summit of human intelligence. The same deceC- dence is observed in the monuments of Greece, of which the Eomans had borrowed their most beautiful models. "WTiat contributed to bring about this fall in the architec- ture of Rome was the absence from that city of all the principal men of talent that the colleges of constructors had produced, and who had become celebrated in some branch of the art. Those men had been sent by Julius Caesar and Augustus into the conquered provinces, there to erect temples; and, in fact, to give to those conquered peoples an elevated idea of the science and art of their conquerors, and to inspire them with admiration for the latter. The colleges of constructors, who concentrated within their membership a great amount of the knowl-
FIRST CHRONOLOGHOAL EPOCH. 273
edge acquired at this period, thus contributed, by their science and the magnificence of their constructions, at much as did the arms of Rome to the consolidation and glory of the Roman power.
Among the architects or magistri, as they are called — such as Cossutius, Caius, Marcus Stallius, Menallippus, Cyrus, Clautius, Ohrysippus, Corumbus — who belonged to those times, there were a certain number who especially occupied themselves with making known, by their writ- ings, the theory and rules of their art. In this manner was the time of Yitruvius PoUio, Tulfitius, Varron, Pub- lius, and Septimus occupied; and they were thus enabled to communicate with the brethren situated at a distance from the principal center of their schools of architecture. Of these writings those of Vitruvius Pollio alone have come down to us.
A. D. 54.
The temple of Bellona; that of Roman Charity; also, some baths and aqueducts are constructed at Rome by the orders of ISTero, and bear his name. This emperor, after having set fire to the capital, by which the most beautiful monuments were destroyed, ordered the construction of his famous palace, called the palace of gold, upon which the two masters, Severus and Celler, directed the work. Under the preceding reign — of the emperor Claudius — Rome was greatly increased; an arch of triumph was dedi- cated to the Tiber, and a beautiful aqueduct, which bore the name of Claudius, was begun.
A. D. 70.
At this time were constructed, under the reign of F. Vespasian, the famous temple of Peace, and the Colos- seum, or Flavian amphitheater, capable of containing one hundred and ten thousand persons, and upon which were forced to labor twelve thousand Jews, carried captive to Rome after the overthrow of Jerusalenai. 18
274 GENERAL HISTORY Q'E rREBMASONRT.
This amphitheater was not finished until the year 80, when, under Titus, it was completed.
A. D. 80.
Under the emperor Titus public baths, which bear his name, are completed; he also constructed a palace. The houses and public edifices, destroyed by fire the preceding year, are not rebuilt until the reign of his brother Domitian.
A. D. 85.
The emperor Domitian greatly enlarged and embellished the palace of the Csesars ; a new theater and many temples are erected by his orders at Rome, and a number of tem- ples in Gaul. He finished the famous military road that crosses Savoy and Provence.
A. D. 90.
The fraternities of constructors in Britain, by order of the general Agricola, constructed fortifications which ex- tended from the Gulf of Solway to where he had pene- trated in repulsing the Scots, and there, with his legions, he fixed his residence to hold the country.
A. D. 98.
Of numerous celebrated temples, among others those of Eaunus and Diana, that of Quirinus, with its sixty-six columns, is, under the reign of Trajan, consti'ucted at Home, and many others in the Roman provinces. At Amonias is erected to his honor an arch of triumph, while he himself orders the erection of one in honor of Vespa- sian Augustus, and another to Pautanus. He also built hot baths, and the famous circus, capable of containing two hundred and sixty thousand persons,
A. D. 120. New temples are erected at Rome, under the reign of
FIRST CHKONOLOQIOAL EPOCH. 275
Adrian — ^that of Venus, among others. He orders tlie erection of the Trajan column, in honor of that emperor, and also constructs a mausoleum, known to-day as the castle of St. Angelo. The celebrated architect Apollo- dorus, to whom were due the plans of that building, is bi-nished for having spoken the truth. This emperor, with indefatigable ability, visited the most distant prov- inces of his vast empire. In Britain he ordered the con- struction, by the fraternities of architects, of an immense wall, which, extending from the Tyne to the G-ulf of Solway, thus crossed the country from east to west, to protect the military colonies from the continual invasion of the Scots. In Spain he finished temples begun by Augustus; and it is to his orders are due several temples erected in Africa, particularly those which to-day are to be seen in Algiers and Tunis. Asia is equally indebted to him for numerous public monuments; but it was Greece that was particularly favored by his constructive genius, and in which country he ordered the erection of the most celebrated of her temples, such as the Pantheon and the temples to Jupiter Panhellenes, and that to Jupiter Olympus, with its one hundred and twenty-two columns.
^ A. D. 130.
After the fall of the Roman Eepublic, all the other corporations founded at the same time as the colleges of constructors by Numa Pompilius, have lost their ancient privileges, in consequence of the distrust entertained for them by the despotic emperors. The colleges of con- structors are also restrained by Trajan and Adrian, but their love of glory and luxury made it necessary that these colleges should be allowed to retain their privileges nearly intact; for, without the aid of the artist constructors, all hope of transmitting to posterity the grandeur of their names and actions would have been vain.
276 GENERAL HISTORY OJ FREEMASONRY.
A. D. 140. Under Antoninus the temples of Mars, of Faustinas and Antoninus -Pius are erected at Rome, besides many others ah-eady begun are finished. He "orders the construction of another wall in Britain, where the legions are unceasingly menaced by the Scots. This immcDse wall, which ex- tended from the Forth to the Clyde, required the aid of the natives for its completion, many of whom became in- corporated in the fraternities of the Romans, and learned their art. But that which, above all, distinguished the reign of Antoninus are the magnificent edifices of colossal dimensions which he constructed at Balbec, (Heliopolis,) of which the two principal temples, dedicated to the sun, are inexplicable marvels of masonry. It was by the Masonic fraternities, remains of the ancient Roman col- leges, who, in the time of the Christian persecutions ordered by Nero, Domitian, and Trajan, sought refuge ia those provinces the most distant from Rome, and which were governed by men more humane than the emperors, that those masterpieces of architectural grandeur were ejected.
A. D. 166. The famous road which, leading from Civita Vecchia, — at the Aurelian Forum — to Aries, is commenced'by the colleges of constructors, under the orders of Marcus Au- relius, and finished during his reign. Most of the mem- bers of the colleges of constructors embrace Christianity. At this time their number had greatly increased, as well in Rome as in the provinces. The emperor Marcus Au- relias, greatly irritated in view of the astonishing progress made by the new doctrine, and wishing to destroy it by force, followed the example of his predecessors, and this year ordaiiied new persecutions against the Christians. In consequence many took refuge in Gaul and Britain — ■ particularly within the latter country — where they found,
FIRST CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 277
among the Masonic corporations, that protection they sought for in vain elsewhere.
Numbers of Christian Masons, finding themselves unable to leave Rome, sought in the catacombs a secret asylum, in which to sustain themselves against the bloody edicts launched at them, and to escape the punishment to which they are condemned. It is in the dark bosom of these subterranean caverns that they often met in fraternal em- brace with their fellow religionists, with whom they found refuge. During the ten years of continued persecution against the Christians, under Marcu? Aurelius, these cata- combs are transforrned by those Christian artists into churches,- ornamented with sarcophagi, paintings, and encaustic adornment — ^the faith that inspired them induc- ing them to there erect chapels over the graves of martyred fellow-Christians, and thus the tombs which covered their precious remains became altars for sacrifice and prayer. The number of the martyrs augmenting, these chapels were subsequently replaced by sarcophagi, which, in later times marked the places in which their remains reposed.
A. D. 180. Some temples and hot baths are constructed by order of the emperor Titus. He also ordered the erection of pillars in honor of Antonius and Marcus Aurelius. The members of the corporations of constructors are atrociously perse- cuted anew for their doctrine, and of them those who escaped fled to the east. In this manner the constructors were driven from the city of their birth, and none re- mained but the few who had not been converted to Christianity.
A, D. 193.
A temple to Minerva, an arch of triumph to Rome, and another to Valabro, in honor of Septimus Severus, are the only important monuments erected at Rome under the reign of this emperor. In Britain, in the year 207, he
278 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREBMASONKT.
■5
commenced a third wall, further north, with the old object of protecting the legions; but the fraternities, find- ing themselves unequal in numbers to the task of under- taking a work so gigantic, accorded to the Britons, who had learned their art, to assure themselves of their assist- ance, the same advantages and the same privileges which they enjoyed themselves.^
A. D. 211.
The construction of many temples, baths, and a circus, marked the reign of Cara§alla.
A. T>. 222. Under the reign of Alexander Severus, who openly pro- tected architecture, and secretly Christianity, some new monuments are erected at Rome. He ordered the restora- tion of many ancient edifices, and the erection of a city hall and magnificent baths. He desired also to consecrate a temple to Christ, but was restrained in so doing by the representations made to him that, were he to do so, the other temples would go to ruin.
A. D. 235. Numerous new temples are erected at Rome and in the provinces, under Maximin and Gordian. By the former, amphitheaters were erected in various cities in Italy, and, by the latter, baths at Rome, that bore his name.
A. D. 250.
No construction of any importance signalized the reigns of Decius or Valerian, except the baths which were con- etructed by order of the former. The new persecutions directed by them against the Christians greatly diminished
' The most important of the military colonies at this time in Britain was Eboracum — the city of York — which became celebrated in the history of Freemasonry.
FIRST CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 279
the colleges of constructors, and dispersed such of their members — a great number — as had embraced the tenets of that faith which inculcated the doctrine of fraternity. Flying from Eome, they sought refuge in that country wherein they would be least persecuted, viz., Britain, where the new doctrine had already numerous partisans. Those who could not leave the city took refuge in the cata- combs, the asylum of the Christians.
A. D. 260.
Reformation of the colleges or fraternities of constructors in Q-aul and Britain. The new doctrine, notwithstanding its affinity with that professed by the artists, produced, however, some schisms among them — a portion of those who belonged to different professions separating themselves from the general association, as it had existed until that time, to form separate associations, composed of one art or one trade.'
A. D. 270.
The Masonic fraternities in Gaul, as in Britain — whose members had generally adopted the Christian doctrine, devoting themselves, particularly in Gaul, to the construc- tion of religious edifices — undertook to build the new churches that the apostles, who came from Eome in the year 257, desired to erect at Amiens, Beauvais, Soissons, Rheims, and Paris, where these apostles have established themselves in the capacity of bishops.
A. D. 275. This epoch is marked in the history of architecture by
1 II is these associations that we subsequently find organized under the name of corporations of arts and trades, the laws of which exhibit more or less traces of the ancient constitution of the Roman colleges, from which they have descended. The Masonic Fraternity preserved only its antique organ- ization, together with 'ts humanitarian and artistic secrets, and its privileges, all of which, howevei; were very much modified.
280 GENERAL HISTOKY OF EREEMASONKT.
one of the moat sublime conceptions of the artistic gonius of the philosopher constructors, executed under the reign and by the orders of the emperor Aurelian. They are the two temples of the sun at Palmyra, which- surpass in beauty and grandeur those of Heliopolis. The principal one of these temples has four hundred and sixty-four col- amns, many of which are composed of a single block of marble. The whole number of columns which ornament the two temples and the galleries attached to them is four- teen hundred and fifty. Aurelian employed the last two years of his short reign to, among other peaceful measures, the revival of architecture at Rome, and in this project was ably assisted by the Byzantine architects, Cleodamus and Athenacus.
A. D. 280. Architects who have acquired great celebrity in Britain are called by Diocletian to construct the monuments he has designed to erect in Gaul.
A. D. 287-290. Carausius, commanding the B,oman navy, takes posses- sion of Britain and proclaims himself emperor. To con- ciliate the Masonic fraternities, then wielding an immense influence in the country, he confirmed to them at Verulam, (Saint Albans,) the place of his residence, in the year 290, all their ancient privileges, as they had been established by ITuma Pompilius, in the year 715 B. C. ; and it is from this time that the Freemasons began to be distinguished from those who were not free, or upon whom these privl. eges had not been bestowed.
A. D. 293. Albanus, architect and first grand inspector of the Free- masons in Briton, who represented the Masonic societies in their negotiations with Carausius, originally a pagan,
FIRST OHBONOLOeieAL EPOCH. 281
is converted to Christianity; and, at the risk of his life, he preaches the doctrines of the new faith to the emperor, and is consequently beheaded. In this manner a grand master of Freemasons became the first Christian martyr in Britain.
A. D. 296.
The city of York, in which are found the most impor- tant lodges of Freemasons in the country, is chosen as his residence by the under-emperor, Constantius Chlorus, who, upon the death of Carausius, came to Britain by order of Maximin, to assume the government of that country.
A. D. 300. At this epoch Rome counted within its walls more than five hundred temples, thirty-seven gates and arches of triumph, six bridges, seventeen amphitheaters and theaters, fourteen aqueducts, five obelisks, and of monumental col- umns a great number, such as military, warlike, statuary, honorary, legal, (upon which were engraved the laws,) and lactary, (at the base of which were laid children found astray,) and, finally, palaces, mausoleums, baths, and sepulchers in proportionate number. All of these monu- ments, without exception, were erected by the fraternities or colleges of architects and builders.
A. D. 303. The emperor Diocletian — ^under whose reign were erected, in many of the Roman provinces, temples, aqueducts, and baths — distinguished himself particularly by the most atrocious persecution of the Christians, and whom were executed with cruelty in the more distant provinces. Notwithstanding the humanity of the (at this time) gov- ernor of Britain, the Christians, of whom a great number were members of the Masonic fraternities, found it neces- sary to seek refuge in Scotland and the Orkney Islands, and there they carried Christianity and architecture. It
282 SENBRAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
was by them that those strong and admirably-constracted castles — ^built in a style so peculiarly appropriate to the char- acter of the country and the people — were erected for the clans of the Scots. The artist constructors attached to the colleges established at Rome also fled to the east, or buried themselves within the catacombs — their usual refuge in times of religious and social persecution — ^where many of them perished.
The last monuments of any importance which were erected at Rome were due to Diocletian — the baths which he built surpassing, for grandeur and magnificence, even those of Alexander Severus; but the most remarkable monument of the times of this emperor was the palace he had erected for himself at Salona, in Dalmatia, and wherein he passed the remainder of his life after he had resigned his government of the empire.
A. D. 313.
This year closed the persecutions of the Christians, and by the edict of Milan, rendered by Constantine the Great, Christianity was declared the religion of the State. Sub- sequently, (A. D. 325,) by the Council of Nice, in Bythnia, the forms and doctrines of the Christian religion were arranged, and thereupon, with the advent of peace, the Masonic corporations awoke to new life.
A. D. 825. The fraternities, no more persecuted in the persons oi their membership, multiplied in Rome with extraordinary activity, and displayed great ability and alacrity in the construction of the Christian churches ordered by Con- stantine. In the year 823 the first Christian church was built upon the Lateran Hill, and thereafter are erected", upon the ground occupied and in great part with the materials afforded by the pagan temples and halls, the cathedrals of Saint Lawrence of Sessomanca, of Saint Marcellus, of
PIKST CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 283
Saint Agnes, and of Saint Constance. Constantino ordered the erection of an obelisk to Saint John of Lateran, and also the erection, upon the Vatican, of a church, which was by hijn dedicated to Saint Paul. This church was built in the form of a cross, in commemoration of that cross' which had been seen by him in the heavens, and to which he attributed his victory over Maxentius. The people subsequently erected an arch of triumph, which they dedicated to Constantino the Great.
A. D. 330. Constantino the Great changes the name of Byzantia to Constantinople, and raises it to the rank of capital city of the Eastern Eoman Empire. At this place the building brethren concentrate, to engage in the immense construc- tions which he projects there. The church of St. Sophia, begun in the year 326, was the first Christian church Byzantia saw erected within her walls. The foundations of many others are laid. A new style of architecture is
1 The Greek cross, which was copied by Christian architects as the model upon which to erect all edifices devoted to Christian worship, was chosen by them, not because Constantine had prescribed this form, but because this cross mysteriously attached itself to the worship of every people, and made part of the symbolism of their art, and a knowledge of which formed a por- tion of the secret teachings of the colleges. This cross exhibits, in its pro- portions what are known as the sacred numbers, and which numbers are the basis of geometry. It was also the form and base of the Holy of Holies, in the temple of Solomon; and, in a word, it represents the unity and the trinity. For the other dispositions, proportions, and details of the religious edifices, the temple at Jerusalem — of which the holy books of the Hebrews contained precise details — served always as a, model; that temple being recognized as the great masterpiece of architecture, as it was also the first temple erected and consecrated to an only God. It is this temple which even yet, and in our own day, is considered the most significant symbol of Free- masonry. The plans of Christian churches, from the fourth century to the present time, following those which have preceded them, are derived from a mixture of Jewish and pagan elements. The form of the cross was subse- quently adopted for the foundation of nearly all the religious edifices of, the Christian world.
284 GENERAL HISTORY OF FRBEMASOKBT.
formed — the Latin and Greek intermixing with the Arab, and giving birth to what was subsequently known as the Byzantine, which was not distinctly developed until the eighth century.
The emperor Constantine, who had proclaimed that the sign of the cross should ornament the imperial standard, continued, nevertheless, to sacrifice to the gods of pagan- ism. He despoiled Rome, Athens, Rhodes, Chios, Cyprus, and Sicily of their riches and their monuments of past-time art ; and thus the cities of Italy, Greece, and Asia Minor furnished him with works of art wherewith to adorn the new capital of his empire.
The Masonic fraternities, who, during the persecutions of the Christians, had taken refuge in Syria and in Pales- tine, are now, by the orders of Constantine, occupied in those provinces in the erection of churches. Heliopolis, Jerusalem, and the village of Bethlehem are the places wherein the first of these churches were constructed; and subsequently he ordered the erection of the church of the Holy Sepulcher, at Jerusalem. In Syria and Palestine the Masonic corporations greatly increased, and extended into the borders of Arabia and countries beyond the Roman empire.
A. D. 340.
The Masonic fraternities continued to increase in By- zantia. All those who had acquired celebrity iu religious architecture, such as constructors, sculptors, and painters, sought occupation within this great city, ani therein helped to complete the twenty-three churches which, in ten years, were erected inside its walls.
A. D. 355-360.
The emperor Julian, who at this time commanded in
Gaul, ordered the construction at Paris, which had become
the capital of the Parisians, a magnificent temple, with vast
baths, the ruins of which may be seen in the Hue de la
FIRST CHBONOLOaiCAL EPOCH. 285
Harpe at the present day. After his victory over the Franks, he arranged to reside at Paris, and therein ordered the construction of churches UDon the ruins of pagan temples.
A. D. 380. During the incessant invasions of the Germans, Saxons, and Burgundians, followed by the Alans and Huns, who pillaged and devastated the country, the Masonic fraterni- ties were dispersed, while art of all kinds, and more par- ticularly architecture, took refuge within the monasteries, where the ecclesiastics, who had affiliated with the frater- nities of architects, studied and preserved the artistic and humanitarian doctrines of their art.
A. D. 410.
The Scots and the Picts, continuing to disturb the peace of the Romans in Britain, and to destroy their walls and fortifications, the latter are rebuilt by the great concourse of Masons from all parts of the island of Britain. Even the new constructions not proving adequate, however, to defend them from the constant inroads of these barbarous tribes, and the Romans being attacked upon all sides, and their legions being enfeebled by the withdrawal of num- bers of their forces from Britain to the continent, they judged it prudent to abandon the island of Britain entirely, a decision which they carried out, according to seme au- thorities, in the year 411, and according to others in the year 426. After their retreat, the fraternities, who found themselves composed of various elements — that of native Britons not being the least — ^took refuge where they might be protected by the Romans, upon the continent, in Gaul, and in Scotland. , Here, as in the time of the first Chris- tian persecutions, they propagated Chrstianity and archi- tecture, and, above all, religiously preserved the antique organization of their lodges.
286 GENEEAL HISTORY OF FKBEMASONBY
A. D. 430. The Masonic fraternities, dispersed and dissolved since the beginning of barbarian invasions, which devastated Gaul, Italy, and even Rome, experience great difficulty, notwithstanding the encouragement offered them by the' clergy, led by the Popes, to reestablish themselves in the latter city. They commenced, however, to repair and re- construct some churches, and for this purpose freely helped themselves with the materials composing pagan temples.
A, D. 455.
Under Genseric new invasions of the barbarians every- where destroyed the public monuments, and for a Ipng time arrested, in Rome and Italy, all new constructions.
A. D. 476. Rome is invaded for the sixth time within the fifth cen- tury. During these invasions — ^those of Alaric in 410, of Genseric in 455, and, at this time, of Odoacre — the cities were sacked and burnt, and their temples and monuments destroyed, the greater number of them never to be replaced, and the masterpieces of art buried beneath their ruins. The fraternities of builders, finding themselves, in these times of war, without occupation, and unprotected in the west by the Roman power, dispersed into Greece and Egypt, and many of them took up their residence perma- nently in Syria. All the masterpieces of art, which were at this time buried beneath the ruins of temples overthrown or destroyed, subsequently served to ornament Christian churches, and the palaces and museums of the affluent in various parts of the continent.
A. D. 500. The remains of ancient fraternities, who had sought refuge in other countries, appear in Rome, and endeavor
EIBST CHEONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 287
to revive the colleges of builders. Architecture revives, and some of the churches are repaired and reconstructed.
A. D. 525.
The example of Rome is imitated in Gaul; and every- where such beautiful temples as were erected to the gods of the Romans, and which hitherto have escaped the de- structive tendency of the international invasions, are de- stroyed to give place to and with the remains of which churches are built and consecrated to the saints. Under the reign of Childeric (460-481), of Clovis (481-511), of Clothaire (511-561), who have protected the Masonic cor- porations and encouraged their labors, there are erected many churches. The fraternities of Roman architects, as well as those of Gaul, who remained in the country after the retreat of the Romans (486), are recognized and con- firmed in their ancient privileges.
A. D. 530.
Some fragments of the Roman colleges, which had taken up their residence in Syria, are called, at different times, by the kings of Persia to erect monuments of a public character, bearing the characteristics of the Persian taste. Latin, Greek, and -Byzantine styles here enter into a new intermarriage, with the pomp and display of Persian magnificence.
A. D. 550.
By order of Justinian I, the great church of St. Sophia, at Constantinople, is constructed by a fraternity of Greek architects, over the remains of that erected by Constantino the Great, which had been destroyed by fire.
This monument, converted by the Turks into an impe- rial mosque, is the most magnificent conception of our time, as it was of that most flourishing period when art
288 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
received its most powerful impulse.* The Masonic frater- nities of Byzantia and other provinces of the empire, spreading themselves at this time into Italy, Sardinia, Corsica, and a part of Africa, submitted once more to be swayfed by the scepter of their ancient masters. These countries, relieved of the rule of the Goths and Vandals, encouraged the erection of religious monuments, for which the great church, of St. Sophia served as the model. Subsequently (726) all these monuments were destroyed during the revolutions which prevailed under the icono- clastic emperors.
A. D. 557.
Austin, a Benedictine monk and architect, arrived in England for the purpose of converting the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. He placed himself at the head of the Masonic fraternities, and lifted them out of the many difficulties into which they had fallen during the last wars.
A. D. 580.
At this time the Freemasons became fully recognized in Britain, by the fact that their numbers were insufficient to execute the immense constructions projected by* the
'Justinian I, in reconstructing the great churCh of St. Sophia, con- fided the general direction to two Greek architects. These were assisted by one hundred master worknfien, who had each one hundred workmen to execute their orders, and each of whom had ten laborers under their direction. Five thousand men were, in this manner, employed on each side of the building; and in the sixteenth year from the commencement or its construction it was finished, and inaugurated by the slaughter of one thousand oxen, ten thousand sheep, six hundred stags, one thousand hogs, ten thousand hens and ten thousand pullets, which, with thirty thousand measures of grain, were distributed to the people. Justinian, having expended enormous sums for the erection of this construction, was forced to order taxes to be levied for its completion. It is said that before the walls had risen three feet above the ground, he had expended four hundred and flfty-two hundred weight of golden coin
FIRST CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 289
new apostles of Christianity. In their voyages to Rome, whither they went to collect statues and pictures where with to adorn the churches in Britain, these apostles always returned bringing with them workmen, sculptors, and painters; and the bishop of "Weymouth imported from Gaul into Britain men of like professions in great number.
A. D. 600-602. During these years the cathedrals of Canterbury and Rochester were erected.
A. D. 607. The cathedral of St. Paul, at London, begun in 604, is finished, and that of St. John, at Winchester, begun in 605.
A. D. 610. Death of Austin, grand inspector of the Freemasons. He is subsequently canonized under the name of St. Augustine.
A. D. 620. The Masonic corporations at this time, although gov- erned by the same laws and characterized by the same principles, partook not every-where of the same qualifi- cations, or rather they were known by different names in diiferent countries. For instance, in Italy they were known as the Colleges of Architects or Builders, and oftentimes simply as the Masonic Fraternities; while in Gaul they were called Brother Masons, Brother Bridgers, (bridge-builders,) or Free Corporations; and in Britain, by reason of their well-known privileges, they were called Freemasons. At this time they are all employed exclu- sively by the religious orders, directed by them, and even quartered in the monasteries. The abbot, or such other ecclesiastic as may be sufficiently acquainted with the rules and practice of architecture, upon this account, pre- 19
290 QENBKAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
sides over the meetings of the lodges — general asseniWy of all the artists and workmen — and, consequently, is ad- dressed in such assembly as Worshipful Master. [To the present time does this title attach to the presiding officer in a lodge of Freemasons.]
A. D. 660. The arts and architecture take refuge within the mon- asteries, whenever their progress is arrested or paralyzed by international wars. There they are cultivated with success by the most distinguished ecclesiastics, who are admitted as members of the Masonic fraternities. It was also, in great part, according to the designs and plans drawn by these ecclesiastics that the corporations executed the religious monuments of this time. The monastic schools of architecture not only produced some ecclesiastics celebrated as architects, such as St. Eloi, bishop of N'oyon (669): St. Ferol, bishop of Limoges; Dalmac, bishop of Rhodes ; Agricola, bishop of Chalons (680-700) ; but they also gave to the profession of architecture laymen not less distinguished, and under whose direction numerous public monuments were erected in Gaul and Britain.
A. D. 680. The Freemasons of Britain, having remained without a chief since the death of Austin, the king of Mersey, grand protector of the Fraternity, appointed Bennet, abbot of Wirral, inspector-general and superintendent of Ma- sonry. K'evertheless, the labors of the Fraternity were conducted with but little spirit during a century.
A. D. 685. The Masonic, fraternities of Roman origin, who had been ordered into the East, and many of whom had re- mained in Constantinople, acquired great reputation, and were successively sought for by Persian, Arabian, and
FIRST CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 291
Syrian potentates. Among others, the caliphs of Damas- cus and Medina intrusted to them the erection ■ of the mosques of those cities.
A. D. 700. Architecture has attained at this time a high degree v,l perfection in England/ the style and expression of the edifices presenting exclusively the characteristics of what was then known as Scottish architecture, which, at this time, was considered among the Fraternity the most per- fect in outlines and details, and the masters of it the most learned of any of the brethren. Qn this account they were called Scottish Masters.
A. D. 720. The progress that architecture had made in Gaul, in the course of the last century and the early part of the present, was arrested by the incursion of the Arabs, in the year 718, and remained .in a paralytic condition for many years.
A. D. 740. Upon the demand of the Anglo-Saxon kings, Charles Martel, who had at this time governed Gaul as "Mayor of the Palace," sent to Britain many architects and Masons.
A. D. 750. Under the reign of the caliph of Bagdad, architecture
1 When Honorius abandoned Britain, in 426, in consequence of his inability to hold the country against the invasions of the Plots and Soots, the Britons called to their aid, for that purpose, the Angles and the Saxons. After mak- ing themselTCS masters of the country, the latter founded within it four kingdoms, and the former founded three, which in 827 were united, under the general name of Angle-land, with the Saxon king Egbert as ruler. In 835 the Danes and Normans desolated the country, but between 871 and 900 Alfred the Great forced them to terms of peace. Shortly afterward, however they invaded the country anew, and nearly all the public monument* churches, and monasteries became a prey to fire and pillage.
292 SENEEAL HISTORY OP FKEBMAS^T'RY.
and tlie arts generally attained to a high degree of per- fection. Arabia, at this time, exhibited a degree of civil- ization far in advance of that known in Asia or Africa. The fraternities of architects who, after the fall of the Roman Empire of the "West, remained in Syria and Arabia, contributed in a great degree, by their knowledge of art, to the splendor and reputation Bagdad at this time enjoyed.
A. D. 775.
Arabian architecture is introduced into Spain, under the rule of the caliphs of the East, and directed, as it was every-where, by the Masonic associations. These corpora- tions, called from Bagdad by the viceroys of the caliphs to Cordova— a city founded by the Eomans 252 years before the birth of Christ — ^there successively erected a series of marvelous monuments, inspired by Byzantine art. The organization of these corporations is unknown, and they were, no doubt, subjected-i-in contradistinction to those of the Roman colleges, from which they de- scended— to modifications according with the manners and character of the people among whom these associa- tions had place; but it is not probable that there was any essential difierence. The Mussulmans were, at this time, more advanced in the scale of art and civilization than the Christians, and consequently they exercised very con- siderable influence in the various provinces of the Penin- sula.
Abderam I, viceroy of Cordova under the caliph of Damascus, having declared his independence of the Da- mascene, enriched his caliphate, the city of Cordova, with so great a degree of splendor that the character of the architecture therein exhibited created a school of archi- tecture, whose reputation was only equaled by the mag- nificence of its monuments. From this time that city became the center of Moorish art.
HRST OHRONOLOaiOAL EPOCH. 293
A. D. 780. Under the reign of Charlemagne architecture flourished anew in France, that monarch halving invited from Lom- bardy numbers of architects and workmen, who were then generally called stone-cutters
A. D. 850. Many religious edifices, burnt or destroyed by the Danes, are reconstructed by the corporations under the Saxon king Ethelwolf, and the immediate direction of the priest and architect St. Swithin. At this time were renewed the meetings of the brethren, which were much inter- rupted during the previous century.
A. D. 875. Under the reign of that most illustrious of Saxon kings, Alfred the Great, the arts, and particularly architecture, flourished. The fraternities rebuilt the towns, castles, monasteries, and churches, which were destroyed during iJie Danish wars.
A. D. 900. The successor of Alfred, Edward king of Mersey, ap- pointed, as grand inspectors of the fraternities, his brother Ethelward, and his brother-in-law, Ethred, who had be- come practica^ architects in the school of the Freemasons.
A. D. 925. At this time all the more important towns in England had their lodge of Freemasons ; but, notwithstanding the general conformity of their laws and principles, but little connection existed between them. The cause of this is explained by the fact that, for the five centuries in which existed the heptarchy, or seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, there was little connection between those brethren scat-
294 QBNBRAL HISTORY OF FEBEMASONRT.
tered throughout the kingdoms ; and, following the union of the government, the wars of the Danes kept the coun- try in a condition into which the arts of peace entered but in the smallest proportion. During these wars the monasteries being burnt, the fraternities suffered an irre- parable loss in the destruction of all their documents, written in various languages and at various times, brought into the country by the Romans, Greeks, Syrians, Lom- bards, and Gauls. Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, who at this time governed England, with his palace at York, having been elected as their chief by the priest architects — himself an architect before he ascended the throne — had also in ducted his younger son (Edwin) into the mysteries of art, and appointed him chief or grand master of the Fraternity. In this position the latter convoked all the lodges scattered throughout the country to a general assembly, to be held at York, and there to present all the documents and deeds which they had saved from the fire of the invaders, to the end that the Fraternity be regu- larly constituted anew, according to the forms of those written laws. It was at this assembly that a constitution, prepared and submitted by the king, was discussed and accepted by the representatives of the lodges, and thence- forth proclaimed as the law. Promulgated the following year, this constitution, styled the Charter of York, formed the basis of all subsequent Masonic constitutions. Thence- forth York became the seat of the grand mastership of English Masonry.
A. D. 930.
Henry I (the Fowler) invites from England to Germany the corporations of Freemasons, for the purpose of con- structing edifices projected by him, such as the cathedrals of Madgeburg, etc. These edifices were not erected, how- ever, until the subsequent reign — that of his son, Otho the Great.
PIEST OHEONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 295
A. D. 936. The Arabian fraternities of Masons and artists, of Ro- man origin, commence this year the construction of that famous royal castle Alcazar, that was built for the caliph Abderam at Zara, near Seville, and ornamented with four thousand three hundred columns of purest marble. This prince invited the most skillful and learned architects of Bagdad and Constantinople to direct and aid the frater- nities of the country in their labors upon this important and magnificent edifice.
A. D. 940. The queen — Bertha of Burgundy — ^wishing to renew the prosperity of her country, which had been devastated and demoralized by the wars, sent to England for masters and workmen, who, under the direction of a Scottish master named Mackenbrey, undertook a series of con- structions to be consecrated as churches and convents, which they executed with astonishing rapidity, and con- summate skill. The abbot, Majolus of Cluny, had the superior direction of these great erections, which were commenced in the year 930. The grandest and most magnificent of these constructions were the abbey and the church of the Benedictines at Payerne. From this time the Masonic corporations of England spread themselves upon the continent, under the name of St. John Brothers.
A. D. 960. The death of king Athelstan again disperses the Free- masons of England. Some of the most important con- structions are, however, undertaken during the reign of Edgar, under the grand mastership of Dunstan, (St. Dun- stan,) archbishop of Canterbury. Many of the brethren pass over to Germany, and there permanently locate themselves, under the name of St. John Brothers, and Brothers of St. John.
296 aEITEKAL HISTOKT OF FKEEMASOlilRT.
From the year 1001 to the year 1717.
A. D. 1001. In the course of the tenth century the Christian popu- lation of the west found themselves under the influence of an unhappy discouragement, which had seized upon their spirits, in consequence of the predictions that the end of the world might be expected at this time, "and the result of which was their abandonment of all works of art. The artists, and principally the fraternities of Ma- sons, condemned to inaction, fall into the miseries and unhappiness of the times. The schools of architecture of Lombardy, at Padua, and at Como, are not, however, entirely deserted. The learned architects of these schools, initiated — as had been those of Egypt — into the secrets of nature and the study of astronomy, happily did not partake of this general terror, which was invented by the priests, for selfish purposes; and such schools contiuued to teach, as in times past.
A. D. 1003. N'o unnatural movement having thrust our planet from its course, the people welcomed with joy the aurora of a new world; and it is from this epoch it is proper to date modern civilization. The terror of the Christian world had continued to the close of this year, as the reign of Antichrist, it was believed, would continue for two years and a half subsequent to the year 1000; and now art and society in general awoke from their long trance, to re- newed life and usefulness.
SECOND CHEOHOLOGICAL EPOCH. 297
A., D. 1005.
It was necessai,, that nearly all the religious edifices of the Christian world should be renewed. Up to this time Bueh buildings were principally composed of wood and plaster; but now these are razed to the ground, and re- built in more enduring material.
A. D. 1010.
A great number of ecclesiastics repair to Lombardy, there to study religious architecture, and to form an Italian school- Lombardy is, at this time, an active center of civilization, where the fragments of the ancient colleges of constructors, reside, having lived through the ordeal of international wars, and maintained their ancient organization and their privileges, under the name of Free Corporations. The most celebrated of these was that of Como, which had acquired such superiority that the title of magistri comacini (Masters of Como) had become the generic name of all the members of the architect corpo- rations. Always teaching in secret, they had their mys- teries, their judiciary and jurisdiction. The architects from distant countries, from Spain, Greece, and Asia, at this time were accustomed to repair to their school at Como for in- struction, to attain a knowledge of the new combinations of the Latin and Greek styles of architecture, which had been modified by intermixing with that style which was developed during the ninth century at Constantinople, and which was considered the most suitable for religious build- ings. It was this combination that gave birth to the style called " Eoman." >
' It was in this style that were erected the religious edifices of the 11th century and part of those of the 12th, and following which succeeded the newer style, called Roman ogee, which latter prevailed but from the year 1160 to the year 1200, or thereabouts.
298 GENERAL HISTORY OF FRBEMASONRX.
A. D. 1040.
The Masonic corporations covered Italy, anO more par- ticularly Lombardy, with religious edifices, and to such an extent did the membership of the corporations increase that the country could no longer offer occupation to all. Then they formed particular corporations, which traveled into foreign countries ; and a large number of them united in forming a general association, and constituting them- selves into a great fraternity that should travel into all Christian countries wherein the necessary churches and monasteries had not yet been erected, and demanding for this object authority from the pope, and the confirmation to them by him of all the ancient immunities which had at any time attached to the building corporations, as also the protection necessary to so grand an enterprise. The pope, without delay, seconded this design, and conferred upon them the exclusive monopoly of erecting all religious mon- uments, as also making them free of all local laws, all royal edicts and municipal regulations concerning statute labor, together with immunity from every other obligation imposed upon the inhabitants of whatever .country, city, or town they might be employed in. These monopolies are respected and sanctioned by all the kings and all the governments.
A. D. 1060.
The Masonic fraternities of Lombardy extend themselves into Germany, into France, and into Brittany and E'or- mandy. William the Conqueror, king of England (1054,) sent from !If ormandy a crowd of prelates and architects, grad- uates of the school of the Lombards, such as Mauserius, Le Franc, Robert of Blois, E.emy of Fecamp, and many others, to plan and construct the most magnificent cathedrals in England. Every-where, in all Christian countries, the same passion for religious edifices seemed to prevail at this
SECOND CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 299
time, and, in consequence, religious architecture made great progress.
A. D. 1080. Some Masonic corporations fixed themselves in the Low Country, and there erected churches and monasteries. The bishop of Utrecht, desirous of constructing a great cathedral, sought the aid of the leading architect of that city, a man named Plebel, and obtained from him the neces- sary plans for the proposed construction. Having obtained possession of these papers, the bishop dismissed Plebel, and, desirous of passing himself as the author of the plans, and en- gage in directing the labors of the workmen without having been initiated into the secrets of the art, sought, by all sorts of menaces and promises, to wring from the son of the archi- tect Plebel, a young master mason, the secrets and manner {arcanum magisteriurn) of laying the foundations. These rules, applied to the construction of religious edifices, were held in the most inviolable secrecy by all members of the association of Freemasons — a secret solemnly imposed upon them by their oath. The architect, indignant at a perfidy so base on the part of one whom the people regarded as their supreme spiritual adviser, on learning of the perjury of his son, determined to prevent the divulging the secret of his art, and thereupon, having obtained an opportunity, killed the bishop.
A. D. 1100. During the century just closed, the Masonic corporations completed the construction of more than one hundred cathe- drals, churches, monasteries, abbeys, and «mstles, scattered over the five principal European countries of that time, viz. : England, Prance, Q-ermany, Italy, and Switzerland.
A. D. 1125.
The Masonic corporations, under the style and name of Brothers of St. John, extend themselves over civilized
300 SBNEKAL HISTORY OF FEBEMASONRT.
Eufope anew, and give their assemblies the name of Lodges of St. John. This qualification, which was first knoWn in England, goes back to the sixth century, and originated as follows : In those days the Freemasons' feasts, following the ancient usage of the Roman colleges, were held upon the return of the yearly solstices, particularly upon that of summer. Christianity having taken the place of pagan- ism, induced them to invest the occasion of their feasts with another sign, more in keeping with the wishes of the clergy. .They, therefore, chose St. John for their patron, because it was the ancient Janus, a god of the Romans, whose feast fell upon the 24th of June, which was also the epoch of the solstice of summer, and which anniversary they could thus continue to celebrate under the name of St. John's day. From the importance they attached to these party assemblies, they came to be called St. John Brothers — a name under which they were universally known upon the continent during the twelfth century.
A. D. 1150. A fraternity of Masons, called from Lombardy direct to England, in the reign of Alexander III, erect, under this prince and his successors, a great many beautiful monu- ments of their art, the major part of which are apparent but as ruins. Among the others, the town and abbey of Kilwinning, where subsequently were held the general as- semblies of this fraternity, were constructed by them.
A. D. 1155.
The grand master of the Templars, Richard, king of England, surnamed the Lion Heart, is elected by the lodges of English Freemasons to the like position over them ; and he governs the two fraternities until his death, A Masouie fraternity, of Syrian origin, detained in Europe by the immense constructions which were then erected, in this year construct for the Templars their church in Fleet
SECOND CHBONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 801
Street, London. This fraternity had preserved intact the ancient initiation practiced among the Romans.
A. D. 1175. A. Masonic fraternity, to which was given the name of Brother Bridgers, and which occupied itself particularly with the construction of bridges and roads, located itself in the midst of Erance, where, at Avignon, in 1180, it con- structed the bridge of that name, and, subsequently, all the bridges of Provence, of Lorraine, and of Lyons.
A. D. 1200. During the century which this year closed, the fraterni- ties of builders have added to the numerous magnificent erections of the preceding period some of the finest con- structions of the middle ages. In England, France, Ger- many, Italy, and Spain such of the oldest ecclesiastic and monastic erections as have survived the decaying touch of' time, were completed during the twelfth century.
A. D. 1225. Lofflbardy has attained its preeminence as the principal European school of architecture. Thither, from all coun- tries, the master masons repair for new ideas and new knowledge. The Scottish artists, the Byzantine, and also those of Cordova, who affected more of pomp, and what was known as the style Arabesque, in their details of deco- ration, there modified their art; while, in their turn, the Lombards, recognizing the beauties of these different forms, intermix them with the more severe simplicity of their Roman ogival, from which intermixture there results a new combination, inappropriately styled Gothic,' which is
1 We find in that most remarkable work, 'published in 1843, and o'f which the architect Daniel Ram6o is the author, some passages bearing upon this fact, one of which we will take the liberty to quote. After haying enumer- ated the different opinions upon the origin of the ogival style, the author, in
302 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
distinguislied. by the most harmonious reunion of opposite elements, by hardihood of conception and solidity of exe- cution. This style is immediately adopted in all Christian countries, and totally changes nearly all the established plans which, up to this period, prevailed in the construc- tion of religious edifices.
A. D. 1250. The changes which have been introduced within the past twenty-five years in the outlines and details of Chris- tian architecture, stamp this period as the most remark- able of any preceding time. The striking analogy which the monuments of this time afford when contrasted with those of the fifteenth century, is explained by the tie of the Fraternity which, uniting the Masonic brethren of every nation, afforded them identity of progress and knowledge in their -art. Lombardy, that central school of art, had its prototype in the fifteenth century at Stras- burg and Cologne ; while, ever obedient during the past three hundred years to the lessons taught in those central schools of their art, the knowledge of one became the property of the whole, and individual promptings of beauty in ornament or decoration were not admissible, as none were free from that obedience which involved the use of a similar style of ornament. The symbolic and satirical markings which distinguished the architectural monuments of the fifteenth from those of the twelfth century are indicative of the gradual changp that had been wrought by the abuses of the clergy, and by those attempts to enslave the popular mind in ignorance and
his turn, although very desirous of claiming the credit of the inTentiou for France, is compelled by his regard for truth to say: "There is no doubt that the employment of the ogee, or pointed arch, and the style which resulted therefrom, was first practiced among the learned, modest, pious, and truly Christian Freemasons of foreign countries, and the knowledge of which they communicated to their brethren in G-ermauy, England, France, Spain, and Italy.'
SECOND CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 303
Buperstition, which subsequently culminated in the Prot- estant Reformation.
A. D. 1251. Louis IX, called St. Louis, directs the architect Eudes, of Montreuil, to fortifj the harbor and town of Joppa, and he is accompanied thither by a certain number of Freemasons.
A. D. 1272. The construction of "Westminster Abbey is completed this year, under the direction of the grand master Giffard, archbishop of York.
A. D. 1275.
Erwin of Steinbach' evoked at Strasburg a Masonic congress, for the purpose of adopting measures to continue the labors which for a long time had been interrupted, upon the cathedral of that city, and to enlarge the dimen- sions of that structure to a plan more ^extended than that by which the foundations had been laid in the year 1015, and upon which latter plan a part of the church was erected. The architects from all countries of Europe repaired to Strasburg, and there, according to their usage, organized a general assembly, or grand lodge, at which each representative renewed the oath to observe the laws and rules of the Fraternity. Near the foundations of the cathedral is constructed a wooden building, wherein are held the meetings of the assembled brethren, and the ob- jects of that assembly discussed and adopted. Erwin of Steinbach is elected, by the architects and directors of the
1 Since the thirteenth century the names of some of the most celebrated architects who conducted the labors upon the most remarkable cathedrals of the middle ages are known to us ; but, for the chief part, their names remain unknown, and this is easily explained : these monuments were the creation of a general association, and it was not necessary that the proper names of persons comprising its membership, no matter how important, Bhould be publicly mentioned.
304 GENERAL HISTORY OF BRBBMASONRT.
edifice, president (chair master) ; and, as a sign of the judicial character delegated to him by these brethren, he is seated under a canopy, with a sword in his hand. Signs and tokens which enable the workmen upon the cathedral to distinguish themselves from others not so engaged are adopted, and made known to all the brethren assembled, some of which words and signs being those in use among the brethren in England. Apprentices, fellow-crafts, and masters are initiated with particular symbolic ceremonies, under which are indicated the most profound secrets of architecture.
A. D. 1300. The number of monuments commenced or finished within the thirteenth century, just closed, far exceed any previous similar period. Among the most remarkable were, in England, Westminster Abbey, at London, and the cathedral of Litchfield, at Exeter. In France, the cathedrals of Paris,' of Rheims, of Chartres, of Rouen, of Amicus, Bruges, Beauvais, and Strasburg; the holy chapel at Paris, and the church and abbey of St. Denis. In Germany, the cathedrals of Cologne, Friburg and Breslau; the domes of Madgeburg and Halberstadt; the churches of Notre Dame of Cologne and St. Elizabeth, at Marburg, and of St. Catharine, at Oppenheim. In Belgium, the churches of St. John at Tournay, those of the Dominicans
' This cathedral was built, according to undisputed authority, with the money that Maurice, hiahop of Paris, obtained from the sale of indulgences, and of which he had sufficient to also erect four abbies. The French bishops, following the example set in 1016 by the pontifical bishop of Aries, who was the first to preach this matter, established tliis principle, viz.: that whoever consecrated a small sum of money to the erection or restoration of a church or a ohapel, received, in the name of the Lord, remission of the third to the fourth part of the penitential punishment awarded them in the confessional. When Pope Julian II wished to build St. Peter's church at Rome, he followed the example set by the French bishops, and promul- gated his order for the sale of indulgences. The Protestant Reformation was the result.
SECOND CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 305
at Gand and at Louvain ; of St. Paul and of Sante Croix at Liege; of St. Gudule and Our Lady of the chapel, at Brussels. In Italy, the cathedral of Venice, the dome of Arezzo, and the churches of St. Francis of Padua, and those of Campo Santo and St. Marie della Pina ; of St. Margaret at Crotona, of St. Mary the HJTew, of St. Croix, and of St. Mary of the Flowers, at Florence; of St. John and of St. Paul; at Venice ; of St. Francis, at Bologna ; the lodge of the public palace at Padua; the old palace at Florence ; and the ducal palace at Venice. In Spain, the cathedrals of Burgos and Toledo; the monastery of Pobelt, and the churches of St. Thomas and St. Maria Blanca, at Toledo.
A. D. 1310. The construction of the magnificent cathedral of Co- logne, commenced in 1248, elevates the fraternity engaged in this work to a high degree of superiority — in fact, raises it to the rank of a school to which repair brethren from all countries for the purpose of studying this master- piece of architectural genius. The lodges of Germany, recognizing this superiority, regard the master of this work as the master of all the German masons, and the brethren engaged upon it as the Grand Lodge, {Haupt- hutte.)
A. D. 1312.
During the persecutions directed by Philip the Fair, king of France, and Pope Clement V, against the Knights Templar, many of the latter sought refuge in the fast- nesses of Scotland, where, until after the death of their grand master, Jaques de Molay, they found security for their persons in the bosom of the Masonic lodges.
A. D. 1360.
At this time nearly every city in Germany had its lodges, for wherever religious edifices were being con- 20
306 GENERAL HISTORY OF BREEMASONET.
structed, there the fraternities of builders were congre- gated. These lodges had accorded to and recognized a superiority as existing among some of their numbers, and, in consequence, characterized them, as in England, by the title of grand lodges. That at Cologne was from at first the most important of all, and continued to be the central lodge for a long time after that at Strasburg was elevated to the same rank ; and the master of the work w^as equallj' recognized as chief of the Masons of upper Germany, as him of Cologne was of those of the lower country.
A. D. 1380.
The fortress and palace of the Alhambra at Grenada, the capital of the kingdom of this name, which was founded by the Moors, under Mahomet I, creator of the dynasty of the Alhamarides, in. 1235, and the construction of which fortress and palace was begun in 1248, is finished during this year.
This marvelous monument is the most beautiful that Moorish architecture has produced in Spain. If we exam- ine this edifice in all its details, we will find that it is un- surpassed in luxury and taste by any construction of mod- ern times. The palace of the Alhambra is the work of a happy congregation of artists of every kind, such as com- posed the Roman colleges until after the third century of our era ; and this fact allows us to believe that this mon- ument of human genius, like others in Grenada, was equally the work of Masonic and artistic associations, or- ganized' and directed in manner similar to those of other countries at the same period, of whom, however, history has failed to furnish us with any record.
A. D. 1400. The monuments the most remarkable which have been erected, begun, or finished by the Masonic fraternities within the century just closed, are, in England, the cathe-
SECOND CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 307
drals of York and Exeter, and the King's College at Cam- bridge. In France, the cathedrals of Perpignan, Meaux, Auxerre, Toul, Tours, and Mdtz; the churches of St. Owen at Rouen, and of St. James at Dieppe. In Bel- gium, the belfry, the cloth hall, the city hall, and acad- emy of fine arts at Tournay ; the church of the Domin cans, and the cloth hall at Louvain; the city hall at Brussels, and the cathedral of Malines. In Germany, the dome of Gefurth, as also those of Prague and of Ulm ; the church of ]!^otre Dame at Niiremberg, and that of St. ]S"ich- olas at Stralsund. In Italy, the cathedrals of Como and Milan ; the dome of Orvita ; the churches of Anastasia and St. Peter at Verona, of St. Mary at Rome, and of St. Stephen at Venice ; the ducal palace at Venice, and those of Flor- ence and of Bologna. In Spain, the cathedrals of Seville and Barcelona ; and the church of St. Mary at Toledo. In Switzerland, the cathedrals of Berne, of Lausanne, of Fri- burg, and of Zurich.'
A. D. 1480. The astonishing sacrifices which the people had made to erect so many magnificent churches, joined to the cry- ing abuses of the clergy and of the popes at this time, have relaxed the religious ardor and weakened the popu- lar faith to such an extent as not Only to preclude the idea of erecting new church edifices, but also to stop opera- tions upon many of those which were yet unfinished for want of funds. In consequence of this condition, and notwithstanding the renewal, in 1459, by the emperor MaxinCiilian, of their ancient privileges, and his sanction to their constitution, tho number of the Masonic corpora- tions established in every continental country declined, and their privileges became of little value; so that, hav- ing no more religious edifices to construct, they disperse
1 For the years 1425, '37, '42, '59, '64, and '69, see those dates at pp. 239 and 240, ante.
308 GENERAL HISTORY OF EREEMASONET.
and seek employment at such places and of such kind aa hitherto had been occupied and executed by men not con- nected with the fraternities of builders. More particularly was this the case in France ; while in Germany they, still preserved some consistence and connection among them- selves— the fortune of their French brethren not having overtaken them until later; and in England they con- tinued to flourish with unabated prosperity.*
A. D. 1500. During the century just closed, the Masonic fraternities may be said to have finished their labors in church archi- tecture, and dispersed to find occupation in their individ- ual capacities as constructors of public buildings for civic and municipal purposes.
A. D. 1575.
Since the beginning of this century, when the greater part of the fraternities found it necessary to dissolve their associations, the more wealthy architects undertook the erection of public buildings, and employed the others to construct the same, in the capacity of hired workmen. The tie of brotherhood which, up to this time, had closely united master and workmen, was gradually dis- solved, and they assumed such relationship toward each other as was habitual with other bodies of tradesmen since the fourth century. In this manner, and at this time, the trades unions appear to have had their origin.
A. D. 1600. With the close of the sixteenth century, the Masonic corporations had entirely disappeared in continental Eu-
1 It was not until the middle of the seyenteenth century that the Masonic corporations in England abandoned, to some extent, the material object of their organization, and admitted to honorary membership many persons not artists as accepted Masons. It was this element that subsequently caused their entire dissolution as operatiTe Masonic bodies.
SECOND CHKONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 309
rope, as long before that time all religious constructionB had been abandoned. After this date no traces of any regular Masonic organization can be found "Outside of the kingdom of England.
A. D. 1646. The Masonic corporations in England are found to be composed for some time and in great part by learned per- sons, artists, and men eminent for their knowledge of sci- ence and art, as well as their influential positions in society, who had been received into the corporations as honorary members, under the designation of Accented Masons. It was at this time that the association, no more occupied with the material object of its organization, in- itiated as an accepted Mason the celebrated antiquary Elias Ashmole, who founded the museum at Oxford, and who re-arranged and composed the forms of the society of the Rose Cross Brothers, which had been organized in Lon- don, after the model of the new Atlantis of Lord Bacon, and held its assemblies in the hall which had been hitherto used by the Freemasons. To the rituals of reception of the Eose Cross Brethren, which consisted of some cere- monies having a historical foundation, and the commu- nication of the signs of recognition, and which, to some extent, resembled those used among the Freemasons, Ash- mole added some others. This labor inspired him with the idea of arranging also a new ritual for the Freemasons, and he therefore composed and substituted for the ritual then in use another mode of initiation, copied in part from the ancient" manuscripts and the Anglo-Saxon and Syrian rituals, and in part from the mysteries of Egypt, and otherwise, as he supposed, most resembled the initia- tion ceremony, as it was conducted in the colleges of Ro- man architects and builders. These rituals were at once adopted by the lodges in London, and subsequently by those every-where in England.
310 GKNERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
A. D. 1670.
The progress of Masonry having been suspended by the civil wars which during the previous twenty years had been desolating England, Charles 11 sought its revival by assuming its protectorship ; and the fire of London, which took place four years previous, gives employment to the lodges, of which, at present, seven exist in the city of London.
A. D. 1685.
When James 11 ascended the throne in 1683, his lean- ing toward Roman Catholicism greatly agitated a num- ber of his subjects ; but in this year, having accorded freedom of conscience in religious matters the most com- plete to all within the bounds of his kingdom, the Free- masons divided into two camps, which, arrayed against each other, threw their whole influence into the political rather than the architectural or philosophical arena. The Scottish Masons, having at its head the knights of St. Andrew, adhered to James 11, or the Catholic party, while the English Masons ranged themselves among the ranks of that party which decided to remove the Catholic king. This latter party succeeding; James was forced into exile, and, accompanied by many of the nobles of his court and the leading Jesuits, took up his residence in Paris, in the convent of Clermont. [The revival of the order of St. Andrew' engendered the Templar system, sub- sequently called Strict Observance, which gave birth to various fashions of exclusive Christian Freemasonry dur- ing the last century, with the hierarcljical forms of the Knights of the Temple, and the ancient titles of grand commander, etc.^]
A. D. 1695.
The revolutions in England which succeeded the exile
1 See pages 238 and 243, (A. D. 1314 and 1685.)
2 See History of all the Rites for High Degrees, p. 212.
SECOND CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 311
of James II having completely suspended the labors of the Masonic institution, king "William III afforded it some protection and character by being himself initiated, and often presiding in the lodge he assembled at Hampton Court.
A. D. 1700.
At this time, except in England, the Masonic corpora- tions were every-where dissolved. The close of the sev- enteenth century, in consequence of the active part taken by the fraternity in politics, wars, and revolution, saw them scattered, their lodges dissolved, and the operative members of the Masonic lodges exerting no influence upon architecture, and had no rank or importance in the land. Having ceased their labors as operative Masons, the vast crowd of operatives, the protectors, the friends of art and of humanity, who, during fourteen centuries, had ■ contrib- uted, through the organization of the Masonic fraternity, so much to the increase of civilization in Europe, are to- day represented by a few persons, who resolve to perpetu- ate the name of their ancient organization by remodeling it as a purely philosophic institution; and at a meeting of the lodge of St. Paul, held on St. John's day,
A. D. 1703, Resolve, " That the privileges of Masonry shall no longer be confined to operative Masons, but be free to men of all professions, provided they are regularly approved and in- itiated into the Fraternity." At this time Christopher Wren, Knt., was grand master of Freemasonry, nearly all the operative Masons in England being employed under him upon the construction of St. Paul's cathedral. Ht opposed the execution of this famous resolution while he lived ; so that it was not until after his death, which oc- curred in 1716, that the brethren were at liberty to en- force their new regulation.
812 GENERAL HISTORY OE ERBBMASONRT.
From the year 1717 to the present time.
A. D. 1717.
After the death of the grand master, GlbiiiBtopher "Wren, the four lodges of London resolve to elect a new grand master, detach themselves from thei/ connection with the brethren at York, of whom they held their con- stitution, for the purpose of forming a new grand lodge, and thus be at liberty to put into execution the resolution of 1703. The four lodges, with these objects in view, in- voked in general assembly all the Masons of London and vicinity, and constituted a central authority, under the title of the Grand Lodge of England, and recognizing in the three symbolic degrees alone all the principles of Masonry.
It is from this time we must date the era of modern or philosophic Freemasonry.
A. D. 1720. The Grand Lodge of England has, since its installation, organized a certain number* of lodges, in which many persons of distinction have been initiated. The Grand Lodge of York, suddenly excited with sentiments of jeal- ousy at the growing prosperity of its young rival, the Grand Lodge of England, and in defiance of the principles of the Fraternity, proscribes those members as illegitimately made. An irreparable loss has been perpetrated by some too jealous brethren of the lodge of St. Paul, who, fear- ing that improper use may be made of them, burn all
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 313
the ancient manuscripts, charters, rituals, and documents of all kinds.
A. D. 1721.
Freemasonry begins to extend upon the continent. The grand lodge organize a lodge at Dunkirk, and an- other at Mons, and the rules and regulations of the Fra- ternity are revised. George Payne, being reelected grand master, compiled from the ancient charter documents a series of " charges " and " regulations " more suited to the present condition and objects of the Society, and, prefaced by a history of the Fraternity as an association of arch- itects, he submitted the same to the grand lodge. This work being submitted by that body to the examination of a committee composed of fourteen of its members, was intrusted to the critical revision of Dr. James Ander- son, with directions to prepare the same for publication, as a body of law and doctrine, for the use of the lodges
of England.
A. D. 1722.
The manuscript, with the revision of which he was in- trusted, is presented by Dr. Anderson to the grand lodge, and upon reception of the report of the commission of fourteen, it is adopted and ordered to be printed under the title of " The Constitutions of the Freemasons, con- taining the History, Charges, Regulations, etc., of that Most Ancient and Right "Worshipful Fraternity."
From this time the organization of the new Freema- sonry was established in prosperity. In accordance with the constitution — which is, in fact, but an adaptation of that of York of 926, more suited to the people and pres- ent time — ^the new grand lodge of England took up its position as the only legitimate Masonic authority in Eng- land, and thus excited the ill-will of such scattered bodies as assumed to be invested with inherent rights, because antedating the grand lodge in authority. This constitu- tion, in fact, deprived Freemasons in their lodge capacities
314 GENEBAL HISTORY OF EKEEMASONKT.
of their ancient privileges, in prohibiting, among other restrictions, the formation of any lodge withont being au- thorized in such act by this grand lodge. The conse- quence of this assumption of authority on the part of the grand lodge promptly occasioned the protest and denial of such rights by the grand lodges of York ahd Edin- burgh.
A. D. 1725. This year the new Freemasonry is introduced into Paris, where many lodges are organized within a few years.
A. D. 1728. Baron Eamsay, a Scotchman, and a partisan of the Stuarts, sought to introduce in London a new style of Masonry, created in the interest of " the Pretender," and which he asserted had descended from the crusades, as it was created by Godfrey of Bouillon, and of which the lodge of St. Andrew, at Edinburgh, was the principal modern authority. The political character of this Ma- sonry caused it to be very promptly rejected, and he returned to Prance without meeting with any success.
A. D. 1729. The activity displayed by the lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of England, and the brilliancy which attached to their labors, stimulated the zeal of the Masons of Ire- land and Scotland, who previously had assembled them- selves together, but at irregular and uncertain periods. The Masonic temples are opened in all parts of the king- dom, and the initiations greatly multiplied. A convoca- tion of Irish Freemasons resolve to organize a grand lodge upon the basis and constitution of that of London ; and thus a central power is constituted under the title of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 316
A. D. 1730. The lodges greatly increase as well in England as upon the continent — ^the latest being those at Hamburg and the Hague. A provincial grand master, named Pemfrees, is employed to go to India, and in a short time he organ- ized in Bengal eleven lodges. A central committee of charity is instituted in London to succor brethren in dis- tress, and the funds for this institution are raised by a voluntary annual contribution of four shillings from each member of a lodge in London, and two shillings from each member of a lodge elsewhere in England.
A. D. 1732. The Grand Lodge of York, representing the ancient system of operative Masonry, and of which the regula- tions conform more readily to the free system of the an- cient Masonic corporations, recognized the necessity of changing this system to correspond in 'greater degree with the object of the new Freemasonry.
A. D. 1733. The first provincial grand lodge in America is insti- tuted at Boston. During this year lodges have been or- ganized in Italy, at Eome and Florence; in Spain, at Gibraltar and Malta; in Eussia, at St. Petersburg. The lodges in Bengal have sent abundant aid to the charity fund in London.
A. D. 1734.
A general assembly of the Masons of Holland is con- voked at the Hague, for the purpose of organizing a pro- vincial grand lodge, which being done, the same is char- tered regularly by the Grand Lodge of England, in 1735
A. D. 1735. The Grand Lodge of England nominate provincial grand masters for South America and Africa. Lodges are or-
316. GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
ganized at Madrid and at Lisbon. This year is rendei'ed memorable by the commencement of persecutions directed against the Fraternity by the general government of Hol- land, which interests the Masonic assemblies.
A. D. 1736.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland, at Edinburgh, believing the great prosperity of the new English lodges to be con- sequent upon the more liberal constitution of the new grand lodge, is desirous to introduce similar changes into its own system ; but the hereditary charge of patron that James I had, in 1430, conceded to the family of B,oslin prevented. The baron Sinclair of Roslin, the grand mas- ter, being approached by the grand lodge upon the subject, acceded readily to the request; and, in an assembly con- voked by the four oldest lodges of Scotland, at Edinburgh, after reading his renunciation to the rights and privileges of patron, George Sinclair, baron of Roslin, was duly elected grand master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland for 1737, and the same was properly organized under a con- stitution, charges, and regulations similar to those of the Grand Lodge of England.
In this year, also, a provincial grand lodge of England was organized as the governing body of the lodges in Paris.
The Grand Lodge of England named the count Scheffer provincial grand master for the lodges of Sweden.
A. D. 1737. During this year the English provincial grand lodges of Switzerland and Saxony are founded, respectively at Geneva and Hamburg ; and the Grand Lodge of England nominates William, king of Prussia, provincial grand master for the lodges of Lower Saxony.
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 817
A. D. 1788. Pope Clement XII promulgates his bull of excommuni- cation against the rreemasons ; and it is followed by the edict of the emperor Charles VI, who interdicts the assemblies of Freemasons in the Low Country. Prince Frederick subsequently, as Frederick 11, king of Prussia, iS initiated, at Brunswick, on the night of August 15 of this year.
A. D. 1739.
The Grand Lodge of England is accused, by many of the brethren, with having suppressed some of the cere- monies, altered the ritual, and introduced innovations ; also of having appointed provincial grand masters to or- ganize lodges in towns under the jurisdiction of the Grand. Lodge of York — a measure that of itself was considered suf- ficiently offensive. From these charges there resulted some new divisions among the lodges of the north and south of England. Many of the discontented separated themselves from the grand lodge at London, and declared themselves adherents of the grand lodge at York, and then formed a new grand lodge, neither of England nor York, which they styled the Grand Lodge of "Ancient and Accepted Ma- sons." The grand lodges of Ireland and Scotland, having recognized this body as truly representatives of the ancient rite, refused to correspond with the elder jurisdiction, con- cemptuously styled by this new body as modern. N^ever- theless, the so-called modem grand lodge augmented in importance and consideration, while the latter organization, though styling itself ancient, remained in obscurity, and was but little known outside of London city.
A. D. 1739.
The cardinal Ferraro, in his edict, published on the 14th
January, wishing to remove all doubt and equivocation in
the interpretation of the bull of excommunication of his
holiness the pope, launched against the Freemasons on the
318 ^ GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
27th of April of the preceding year, explained that docu- ment in the following manner : " That no persons should assemble or meet in any place in the capacity of a society, nor be found present at such assemblies, under the penalty of death and confiscation of all their goods, and also incur damnation without hope of grace." By the same edict it is expressly directed that "all house-holders are prohibited from allowing meetings of Freemasons to take place within their houses, under penalty of having the same demolished, and themselves mulcted in a fine of one thousand crowns of gold, and being condemned to the galleys."
A. D. 1740. The Grand Lodge of England named a provincial mas- ter for the lodges founded in Russia. At this time France had two hundred lodges, twenty-two of which were located in Paris. The provincial grand lodges instituted, to the present time, in ditterent countries, by the Grand Lodge of England, in their turn now began to organize themselves into independent grand lodges.
A. D. 1741. .Foundation of the provincial grand lodge of Hanover, at Hanover ; and the provincial grand lodge of Saxony, at Dresden, by the Count Rutowski, who is elected grand master, and which became an independent grand lodge in 1755.
A. D. 1742.
Founding of the provincial grand lodge of the Sun at Beyreuth, and a provincial grand lodge at Antigua, for the Euglish West Indies.
A. D. 1744. The grand lodge at the Three Globes, in Berlin, which was organized in 1640 by Baron Bielfeld is this year ele- vated to the rank of % grand lodge by Frederick the Great,
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 319
king of Prussia, and he is elected its permanent grand master, a position which he filled until 1747. (In 1849 this grand lodge had organized fourteen operative lodges.)
A. D. 1746. Lord Derwentwater, the first grand master of the prov- incial grand lodge of France, perishes upon the scaffold, a victim of his attachment to the Pretender, Charles Edward Stuart.
A. D. 1747.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland institutes, at Copenhagen, a provincial grand lodge for Denmark, which, shortly after- ward, proclaimed its independence of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. In this year Charles Edward Stuart, known as "the Pretender," son of James II, deposed king of Eng- land, institutes the chapter of Arras, and delivers to the Masons who are attached to his person a bull of institution, or letters patent, for a governing chapter of what he named the Scottish Jacobite Rite.
A. D. 1751.
Freemasonry, as constituted in London thirty years ago, has now extended into nearly every civilized country. Its humanitarian doctrines and the civilizing principles it manifested, together with its radical leaning toward the dogma of " Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," had, by this time, intimidated kings, popes, and princes to such an ex- tent that they seek to arrest its progress. As early as 1731 edicts had been promulgated against it in Eussia, while in 1735, in Holland, and in 1737-'38-'44-'45, at Paris, similar interdictions had been drdered. At Rome and in Florence, the meetings of Freemasons were prohibited, as -also in Sweden, Hamburg, and Geneva the bull of Pope Clement was enforced. The Holy Inquisition, as the court accusa- tive in those countries wherein it existed, caused the breth- ren to be imprisoned, and their books and papers to be
820 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
burned by the hands of the public executioner. But to crown all these persecutions, King Charles of N'aples, as also Ferdinand VII, king of Spain, wishing to interdict Masonry within their States, rendered edicts prohibiting the assemblage of Freemasons, under pain of death ; and the pope, Benedict XIV, renewed this year the bull of excommunication of Clement XII, in 1738, against the Freemasons, whose assemblies he interdicted under penalty of death. But all these violent measures had but slight effect in stopping the progress of Masonry, which finds it- self propagated upon the civilized globe with a rapidity that nothing can arrest. Notwithstanding the bull of Benedict XTV, Freemasonry is practiced at this time openly in Tuscany, at Naples, and in many other parts of the Ital- ian peninsula. At Rome, even, there are lodges which adopt but feeble measures to keep themselves hidden.
A. D. 1753.
The Masonic Orphan Asylum is established at Stock- holm. Its fund is the accumulation of special collections taken up in the Swedish lodges. (At the present time this institution is very rich.)
A. D. 1754. Under a patent or charter from the Grand Lodge of Scot- land, the provincial grand lodge of Sweden is organized. The G-rand Lodge of England transmits charters to organize lodges in South Carolina, Guadaloupe, and Gibraltar, and in this year many new lodges are instituted in England. The Templar system, created by the partisans of the Stuarts, is revived at Paris by the institution of the chapter of Cler- mont, ill the convent of that name, under the direction of the Chevalier de Bonneville.
A. D. 1763.
The Grand Lodge of England, in consequence of the
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 321
Bcliism that has taken place in its ranks, establiBlies the cus- tom of granting diplomas to the brethren under its jurisdic- tion, to distinguish them from those initiated by the seceders.
A. D. 1756.
The English grand lodge in France, instituted in 1736, and which took the title in 1743, detaches itself from the Grand Lodge of London, and proclaims itself the Grand Lodge of France. The confusion manifested under the grand mastership of the Duke of Clermont, however, does not abate, but rather increases. By constitutions delivered to masters of lodges, securing them in the enjoyment of such office for life, Masonic authorities never contemplated are established in France. The practice, begun with a political motive by the lodge of St. Andrew of Scotland, situate at Edinburgh, was continued by the English pro- vincial grand lodge of France, and the confusion thus en- gendered the new Masonic authority, into which that body has resolved itself, now finds it impossible to correct. Those masters of lodges, for the sake of gain, vend the privileges accorded to themselves ; and, to do this the more easily, they fabricate false titles, and antedate charters and diplomas. In shaking off the control of the Grand Lodge of England, and in proclaiming itself the grand lodge of the kingdom of France, that body declared in its constitu- tion to sacredly continue the custom of granting personal titles to these lodge masters ad vitam and, by so doing, in- creased the existing confusion ; for the result was that these masters governed their lodges not more by the forms laid down by the grand lodge than by their individual caprices, and this, taken with the vending of authorities to open lodges, which lodges, in their turn, felt at liberty to organize grand lodges, (or bodies in authority amounting thereto,) chapters, councils, and tribunals embracing the objects and practice of all the degrees then known, created, at this time, so chaotic a condition that it was apparently impossible 21
322 GENERAL HISTORY OP FREEMASONRY.
to determine the legal governing Masonic authority in France.
A. D. 1756.
In this year the national grand lodge of Italy was or- ganized at I^aples. (In 1790 this body was dissolved.) A.t the Hague the representatives of thirty lodges in the ^Netherlands constitute a grand lodge of the United Prov- inces, and elect the Baron of Aersen-Beyeren first grand master.
A. D. 1758.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland, at Edinburgh, in adopting and conferring the high degrees, and establishing rituals for each of these degrees, renders herself liable to the same charges of unmasonic conduct which she had but a shorl time before directed against the Grand Lodge of England, viz. : of changing the basis of Freemasonry and altering the rituals. These high degrees give her, however, an in- fluence not before enjoyed, and creates a corresponding energy in the work of the Scotch lodges. Perceiving the increasing prosperity of her sister grand lodge at London, occasioned mainly by the custom, originated by the latter, of establishing, every-where, provincial grand lodges, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, for the purpose of initiating a like proceeding, authorized a Colonel Young as provincial grand master of such lodges as he might organize, as well as those already existing and holding their charters from the Grand Lodge of Scotland in ISTorth America and the British West Indies, with plenary powers to introduce the high degrees then known to Scottish Masonry into those countries.
A. D. 1760.
At Avignon, the mother lodge of the Rite of Swedenborg is instituted by the Benedictine monk Dom Pernetti, and a Pole named Grabiauca. The philosopher Swedenborg, one of the most loarned and illustrious Freemasons of his
THIRD CHRONOLOaiCAL EPOCH. 323
time, in instituting this rite, had in view a desire to reform the Koman Catholic religion. The dogmas of the reform of Swedenborg are adopted by a good many influential persons in Sweden, England, and Germany, where societies which practice his religious system have been formed by these persons.
A. D. 1760. In this year Freemasonry in. Germany was greatly con- fused and injured by the introduction of the high degrees of every kind known to and having their inception in 'France. Chapters of Emperors of the East and Westjwith a rite of twenty-five degrees, (subsequently known as the Rite of Perfection,) founded in Paris in 1758 by the estab- lishment of the Chapter of Clermont, are the children of this parent, and they are introduced by the Marquis of Berny, a French gentleman, into the lodge at the Three Globes, in Berlin. This lodge propagates this right by the aid of its deputy Rosa, a Lutheran priest, who in a short time has organized seventeen lodges. Subsequently the army of Broglie introduced the other rites, such as Tem- plarism, Rosecrucianism, etc., until, in a few years, the brethren in Germany are in as great confusion, as to what is and what is not Freemasonry, as they are in France.
A. D. 1762.
At this time Freemasonry had attained great progress, the diflfereut grand lodges of Europe having instituted lodges in nearly every part of the world. The baron of Hund introduces into Germany the Templar system known as " Strict Observance," which he has studied at Paris, wliere he was initiated into the high degrees of the chapter of Clermont.
A. D. 1763.
The two parties into which the Grand Lodge of France had been divided, in consequence of the maladministration
324 GENERAL HISTORY OF FRBBMASONRT.
of the grand master, the duke of Clermont, reunited Id
1762, after having, during their separation, injured the Masonic institution almost beyond repair, by their crea- tions of moveable lodges and immoveable matters. Not* withstanding the union, confusion, consequent upon their previous misconduct, continued, and the effects of the high degrees are as apparent for evil as they are lamentable, not only in France, but wherever they have been introduced.
A. D. 1764. A man named Johnson, a secret agent of the Jesuits, who styled himself Envoy and Plenipotentiary of the un- known superiors of Strict Observance, establishes at Jena some chapters of this system. He announced, in an assem- bly that he convoked at this place on the 25th December,
1763, that he alone had the power of conferring the de- grees of the system and organizing chapters, by virtue of the documents, patents, and briefs granted to him by the unknown superiors of his system in Scotland. At a sec- ond convention, assembled on the 14th of June of this year (1764), he invited the presence of Baron Hund, who had been engaged in similar duty elsewhere in Germany since 1762. At this convention the baron, who had never heard of unknown superiors, requested the privilege of inspecting the documents, patents, etc., possessed by Johnson, which request being refused, the baron denounced this self-styled plenipotentiary as an arrant imposter.
A. D. 1765. The baron of Hund is elected at Jena, grand master of the Templar System of Germany, styled " Strict Observ- ance."
A. D. 1766.
By an edict of the Grand Lodge of France, all charters granted by chapters, councils, colleges, and tribunals of the high degrees are declared void and of no effect. The at-
XHIBD CHKONOLOGIOAL EPOCH.
tempt to enforce this decree causes greater confusion than ever among the Masons in France. The Grand Lodge of England organizes a provincial grand lodge for the country of the Lower Rhine.
A. D. 1770. At Avignon is orgainized the grand Scottish lodge of the county Veuaissin, which adopts the Hermetic Rite of Sweden- borg. The Grand Lodge of the United Provinces, sitting at the Hague, proclaims itself the Ifational Grand Lodge of Holland, in accordance with an agreement entered into with the Grand Lodge of England, and notifies all the grand lodges of Europe of this fact.
A. D. 1772.
Under the grand mastership of Louis Philippe Joseph D'Orleans, duke of Ghartres, the i^Tational Grand Lodge of France is dissolved, and the Grand Orient of France organ- ized.' Ferdinand, duke of Brunswick, is elected grand master of the lodges organized under the Templar system of Strict Observance.
A. D. 1773.
Under letters patent from the Grand Lodge of England is organized the N^ational Grand Lodge of Germany. This grand lodge had been in course of organization since 1770, and this year, representing twelve operative lodges, its first act was to adopt the ritual of Ziennendorf, its most intelli- gent and able friend and chief officer.
A. D. 1775.
A grand lodge is organized at Basle, under the name of
1 The Grand Orient at first adopted the modern English rite of three sym- bolic degrees, and called it the French Rite. Five years afterward, in its circular of the 3d of August, 1777, it exhibited all that was dangerous and anti-masonic in the rituals qf the high degrees, and refused to recognize them; and yet, ten years afterward, it is obliged, perhaps unwillingly to constitute chapters of those verv high degrees
326 GENERAL HISTORY OF FRBBMASONRT.
the Scottish Helvetian Directory. The grand master, Ferdi- nand of Brunswick, convoked in that city a congress, to consider the idea of uniting all the rites. The baron of Hund, and the representatives of twenty-two lodges of the system propagated by him, were present at this assembly. The discussions began on the 23d of May, and closed on the 6th of July, with no result.
A. D. 1775. A mother lodge of the Scotch Philosophic Rite, under the name of " Social Contract," is constituted by the grand lodge of the county Venaissin.
A. D. 1778.
Under the pretext to reform Masonry, and throw light upon many obscure points in the rituals, the lodge styled Benevolent Knights of the Templars (Strict Observance) System, convoke a congress at Lyons; but as there was nothing discussed but a proposed change of rituals, it was evident that the real object of the assembly was to substi- tute the Martinist for the Templar ritual, which was so done.
The congress of Wolfenbuttel, convoked by Ferdinand, duke of Brunswick, grand master of the Templar system in Germany, assembled at Brunswick for the same object that had been discussed at the previous meeting, called by him in 1775. The congress remained in session from the 15th July to the 27th August ; and the assembly, finding it impossible to work their way through the chaos of mys- ticism into which the numerous systems of high degrees had plunged Freemasonry, decided that there should De convened, the following year, at Wiesbaden, a gen- eral congress of all the most intelligent Masons in Ger- many.
In this year is instituted a grand lodge at St. Petersburg, Russia.
THIRD C^RONOLOGIOAL EPOCH. 327
A. D. 1779. This year the Masonic Benevolent School is instituted at London, by some members of the Grand Lodge of England. The object of the society is to help and support the infirm, the agied, and those in prison; also to protect the wives, children, or orphans of deceased members.
A. D. 1780. A council of the high degrees, called the Emperors of' the East and West, take the title of Sublime Scottish Mother Lodge of the great globe of France, and Sovereign Grand Lodge. This authority sets itself up as the rival of the M^ational Grand Lodge, and the Grand Orient disgraces itself by a shameful commerce of the Masonic degrees.
A. D. 1782.
The congress of Wilhelmsbad, convoked by Ferdinand, duke of Brunswick, agreeably with the decision of the con- gress of 1778, invites all the grand lodges of Europe to participate. Proposed to convene, at first, on the 15th of October, 1781, it was postponed until Easter week, 1782, and finally assembled on the 16th July of this year. In this congress, the way for which was opened by those of "Wolfenbuttel and Lyons, where a general reform of Free- masonry, as practiced generally upon the continent, was urgently recommended, a great many questions were pro- posed for discussion and decision, among which were the following :
Is Freemasonry a modern society ? Is it, on the con- trary, derived from an ancient society ? If so, what society is it the descendant of? Has the present society unknown superiors? If so, what are their privileges and attri- butes ?
These questions, and others of minor importance, sub- mitted, during a session of thirty daily meetings, though freely discussed, elicited no satisfactory solution. The con-
328 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
gress, however, succeeded in extinguisliing a number of so- called Masonic systems, and altering others.
It was in this year that Joseph Balsamo, better known as Count Cagliastro, succeeded in organizing at . Lyons the mother lodge of his rite, styled Egyptian, under the title of " Wisdom Triumphant."
A. D. 1783. A grand lodge of the Eclectic Rite, composed of the provincial grand lodges, of Frankfort and Wetzlar, is or- ganized at Frankfort. This rite was the creation of mem- bers of this grand lodge, who, selecting from all the rites and systems, as exhibited at the congress of Wilhelmsbad, such points and parts as seemed to them most rational, styled their creation the " Eclectic Rite." In the circular addressed by this grand lodge to the Masonic authorities of Europe, announcing the reform they had instituted, it was distinctly declared that all speculation in magic, cabal- istics, Templarism, and other follies of the day, were by this grand lodge renounced and forbidden to its jurisdiction, and that Freemasonry, in the purity of its institution, ac- cording to the regulations of the Grand Lodge of England, as promulgated in 1723, was the only «tyie of Freemasonry it would thereafter recognize.
A. D. 1784. A new grand orient of Poland is organized at Varsovia. A grand lodge of Austria is organized at Vienna. A mother lodge of adoption of the Egyptian masonry of Count Cagliastro is instituted by him, of which the prince of Montmorenci Luxembourg accepts the grand master- ship. \
A. D. 1785. The congress of the Philal^tes is convoked at Pans to disentangle Freemasomy from the mass of high degreea
THIBD OHEONOLOQIOAIi EPOCH.
829
and mystic systems ; but though in session from the 15th February to the 26th May, it failed in its object.
A. D. 1786. A Grand Orient of Geneva is organized by the seven lodges in that city. (This grand lodge was dissolved in 1790 by the incorporation of this city into the territory of France.) A provincial grand lodge is instituted at Rouen, by the Grand Lodge of St. John, at Edinburgh, with a chapter of the order of Harodim, of Kilwinning,
A. D. 1787. The second congress of the Philal^tes is convoked at Paris, to continue the discussions begun at that of 1785, upon such dogmatic and historical points as had been sub- mitted to the congress of Wilhelmsbad. E"one of the questions, however, were satisfactorily decided, and the origin, nature, and object of Freemasonry continued to be an insoluble problem to the greater number of the Free- masons of "the continent,
A. P. 1800. During the past century the modern or philosophic Freemasonry, as instituted by the Grand Lodge of London in 1717-'23, was introduced at the dates given in the various countries and states named below :
England 1717.
Ireland 1720.
Scotland 1721.
France 1721.
Belgium 1721.
Holland 1725.
Gibraltar 1726.
Spain 1728.
Hamburg 1736.
Sweden 1731.
Naples 1782.
EUBOFI!.
Tuscany 1732.
Russia 1782.
Florence 1733.
Portugal 1733.
Switzerland 1736.
Sardinia , 1737.
Saxony 1738.
Bavaria 1788.
Prussia 1788.
Austria 1738.
Turkey 178a
Poland 1739.
Malta 1741.
Denmark 1742.
Rome 1742.
Bohemia 1744.
Hungary 1744.
Norway 1744.
Guernsey 1753,
Jersey 1758,
Hanover 1751
330
GENERAL HISTOKY OP PKEEMASONRY.
Asia.
Benga
Bombay 1728. Ceylon 1771.
Madras .1752.
OOEANIOA.
Java..'. 1730. Sumatra....
Prince of Wales
Islands 1780.
Persia 1789.
.1772.
Aebioa.
Cape ofGood Hope, 1783. Senegambia 1786.
Cape Coast 1786. Mauritius 1744.
Canada 1721.
Massacbusetts 1733.
Georgia 1784.
South Carolina 1736.
New York 1737.
St. Christopher 1738.
Martinique 1738.
Antigua 1742.
Ameeioa.
Jamaica 1743.
St. Vincent 1745.
Porto Rico 1746.
St Domingo 1746.
Barbadoes 1750.
Guadaloupe 1751.
Pennsylvania 1753.
Trinidad 1760.
North Carolina.. ..1788.
Isle of France 1778.
St. Helena 1798.
Grenada 1764.
Newfoundland 1765.
Dutch Guiana 1770.
Vermont 1770.
Bermuda 1771.
Louisiana 1780.
Maryland 1781.
Nova Scotia 1762.
Freemasonry was interdicted or prohibited during tlie past century in the countries and cities named, and at the different dates given below, viz.:
Russia 1731, '94, '97.
Holland 1735, '37.
Paris 1737, '38, '44.
Sweden 1738.
Hamburg 1738.
Geneva i 1738.
Roman States 1739, '51.
Portugal 1739, '42, '76, '92.
Florence 1739.
Marseilles 1742.
Vienna 1743,
Canton of Berne 1748, '70, 82.
Austrian States 1742, '64.
Turkey 1748
Spain 1751.
Naples 1752, '75.
Dantzio 1768.
Aix-la-Chapelle 1779.
Morocco 1784.
Basle 1785.
A. D. 1804.
The Count De Grasse Tilly organizes a central grand odge of France, with a supreme council, at Paris.
A. D. 1805. The Grand Orient of Lusitania is organized at Lisbon ; also the Grand Orient of Italy at Milan.
THIRD CHRONOLOeiOAL EPOCH. 831
A. D. 1806. The Grand Lodge of Scotland organizes at Xeres a grand lodge for all Spain. The Grand Orient of Baden is organ- ized at Mannheim.
A. D. 1807. The Grand Lodge of Harodim of Kilwinning, acknowl- edged to have existed as Canongate Kilwinning lodge of Freemasons since the construction of the abbey of Kil- winning, in 1150, surrenders its independence as a self- constituted grand lodge, and takes rank with the lodges of its creation, under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, as Can- ongate Kilwinning, No. 2. -
A. D. 1809. A grand orient of Naples is organized mider the direc- tion of Prince Joachim, duke of Berg. Also a grand orient of Spain is organized at Madrid.
A. D. 1811. A grand orient of Westphalia is organized at Cassel. Charles XTTT, king of Sweden, institutes a civil order, which he confers upon deserving Freemasons.
A. D, 1813. The two grand lodges of England — ^that of York, the legitimate successor of the organization of 926, and which in 1755 merged into the schismatic grand lodge, under the title of the " Grand Lodge of Ancient Tork Masons," and that of London, founded in 1717, under the title of the " Grand Lodge of Free and Ac(?epted Masons " — are this year united. By this union are terminated all the differ- ences which had caused so much bitterness during the past fifty or sixty years. In the act of union, dated De- cember 1, 1813, the ancient laws, as well written as tra- ditional, are explicitly recognized, and taken for the basis
332 GBNBKAL HISTORY OF PRBEMASONRT.
of this act, and it is drawn up ia tliat spirit of fraternity which dictated the charter of York, A. D. 926. It also recognized and proclaimed that the ancient and true Free- masonry is composed of but three degrees, viz.: those of apprentice, fellow-craft, and master mason.
A, D. 1814,
On the 15th of August of this year Pope Pius Vli pub- lishes his edict against the Masonic society, in which he pronounces corporal punishment, even to death, and the confiscation of all his property, upon any person who should join or be known by the authorities to belong to this society. This edict is immediately followed with like prohibitions by the regent of Milan, Henry IV of Venice, Maximien Joseph, king of Bavaria, the emperor of Aus- tria, the king of Spain, the grand duke of Baden, and finally by the duke of Parma. All these edicts repeat, in their turn, accusations similar to those contained in the bull of Pius VII, and interdicted, in their several States, all Masonic assemblies, under whatever name they might be held. AU the lodges existing in these countries are immediately closed.
The famous edict of Pius VII is a document as curious as it is incomprehensible for the time at which it was pub- lished ; for the accusations it .contains against the Frater- nity are without a sliadow of foundation. The tendency of the Masonic society being continually toward the ame- lioration of the moral and intellectual condition of the people, it is a natural but free auxiliary of an enlightened government desiring progress, and desiring it gradually. This same pope reestablished the order of the Jesuits, which had been abolished by Clement XIV.
A. D. 1816,
Foundation, in Paris, of the mother lodge of the Rite of Misraim, under the title of the " Rainbow."
THIED OHROHOLOQIOAI, EPOCH. 338
A. D. 1817. The Fraternity in Holland mark the bounds of their grand lodge jurisdiction by the organization of two grand lodges independent of the grand orient situate at the Hague. One of these is located at the Hague ; the other at Brussels.
A. D. 1818. Prince Frederick, grand master of the lodges of the Low Countries, interdicts the exercise of the Rite of Misraim.
A. D. 1822. The emperor of Russia publishes a ukase which inter- dicts the meetings of Freemasons within the empire.
A. D. 1824. The king of Portugal interdicts Freemasonry in his kingdom.
A. D. 1825. General Lafayette is welcomed to Boston, is feasted by the brethren and citizens, and attends at the laying of the corner-stone of the monument subsequently erected near that city to perpetuate the remembrance of the defense of the rights and liberties of America.
A. D. 1827.
Renewal by the pope of the edict of Pius VII against the Freemasons.
A. D. 1827.
The Mexican Congress, provoked by the calumnies of the clergy, take measures to retain the Freemasons of that country from increasing their meetings, which were be- lieved to be devoted more to political discussions than to any other business.
In the United States some circumstances take place, in the State of HiTew York, calculated to fix the public mind
334 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREBMASONKT.
upon the Fraternity, and, for the first time, public notice is taken of the society in the Congress of that country.
A. D. 1828. The king of Spain renews his edict against the Free- masons.
A. D. 1832.
The Grand Orient of Belgium is instituted at Brussels, and a Masonic authority, styled the Supreme Council for Belgium, is also organized. At Frankfort, a Jewish lodge, styled the "Frankfort Eagle," is instituted, under the authority of the Grand Orient of France. In Germany, obedient to the injunctions of the authorities which insti- tuted them, the operative lodges refused to acknowledge the members of the Jewish lodge, and, contrary to the principles of Masonry, they close their doors against them.
A. D. 1836. Some disputes spring up among the lodges of Germany, principally in Berlin, with regard to the admission of Is- raelites into the lodges. The refusal of many of the lodges to affiliate, or to admit them to seats in their assemblies, notwithstanding they have been regularly initiated, pro- duced numerous controversies. In a sort of congress of Jewish Masons, held at Berlin, they prepare an address to the mother lodges of Berlin, and adjure them, in the name of Masonic principles, in the name of justice and reason, to withdraw the restrictions against them. This important question, introduced and discussed at divers meetings of grand lodges of Berlin, Dresden, and Frankfort, can not be decided satisfactorily. To the assertion of those lodges which refused to admit the Israelites, upon the principle that Masonry is essentially a Christian institution, with the Holy Bible its greatest symbol, and upon which no Jew can be sworn, was opposed by the counter assertion that Masonry is not a Christian but a universal institution, hav-
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 335
ing for its object to rally under one banner and unite un- der one bond all religionists ; that, following the standard of no prophet, neither Moses, Christ, nor Mahomet, it adopts the sublime doctrine of the second of these law- givers, seeing that such doctrine embodies more nearly than any other the universal spirit of charity and brotherly love which Freemasonry would inculcate, to the end that by opening her temples to men of every worship she may therein free them from the prejudices of their country and the errors of their religious education, and teach them to regard each other but as brethren all united in the bonds of peace, science, and labor.*
A. D. 1841. The three grand lodges of Berlin adopt measures to ex- clude Jews from their assemblies, and the benefit and privileges of Freemasonry.
A. D. 1844. Formation of the Alpine Grand Lodge at Zurich, by the union of the two Swiss Masonic authorities, viz. : the Scottish Helvetian Directory, at Zurich, and the Itfational Grand Lodge, at Berne. The new grand lodge is consti- tuted in conformity with a charter signed and accepted by fourteen lodges at Zurich, on the 22d June, 1844.
A. D. 1845. On the 30th of August, of this year, agreeably to the in- vitation extended by the lodge " United Brothers," of Stras- burg, there assembled at Steinbach, the birth-place of Er- win, architect of the cathedral of Strasburg, Masons from many parts, to inaugurate a statue to his memory, as the first grand master of the Masons of Germany and France.
1 The true principles of Freemasonry, as herein set forth, have not, how- eyer, even to the present time, removed those absurd gothio prejudioes; for to this' hour Jewish Masons are excluded from many German lodges.
336 GENBKAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONKT.
Before the dedication of the statue, it was decreed, at a general assembly which had taken place in the town hall, which was wreathed and adorned for the occasion as a Ma- sonic temple, that a Masonic congress should thereafter take plp,ce, in succession, in the village, town, or city repre- sented by every brother assenting to this proposition.
A. D. 1847.
The law of exclusion of 1841, by which the three grand lodges of Berlin had prohibited certain brethren from par- ticipation in the privileges of intercommunion with the lodges of their jurisdiction, is at this time again brought up in those grand lodges. The formal declaration of the Grand Lodge of England to cease all correspondence and relations with them, if the paragraph relating to the exclu- sion of the Israelites was not effaced from their statutes, produced this result.
A. D. 1848.
In conformity with the constitution discussed and agreed to in December of this year, in a congress to which had been invited all the lodges of France, a Ifational Grand Lodge for France is organized. Based upon the demo- cratic system in its largest conception, this grand lodge adopted the modern English rite, and gave it the name of Unitary Rite. It notified all the lodges of Europe of its organization and decision as to a rite.
A. D. 1849. After the political discussions of the preceding year, which shook a great part of Europe, the necessity for re- forms in the Masonic institutions was felt more than ever. Already at different periods, since 1820 more particularly, views had been expressed by a great many lodges and sub- mitted to their grand lodges, for the purpose of obtaining changes in the laws, and particularly in the exceedingly aristocratic organization of the mother lodges ; and also
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 337
demanding to be represented near* these governing bodies in a manner more in harmony with the ancient Masonic device of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity." These views, however, were provocative of little response and no resuh
Th6 political events, joined to the symptoms of discon- tent which generally became manifest, and which appeared likely to lead to complete revolution, determined some grand lodges to undertake some degrees of reform.
A. D. 1850.
At this time Freemasonry has extended into all parts of the civilized world. In Europe it is in a most flourishing condition, protected and respected. England, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Prussia, Saxony, and the German States, France, Switzerland, and the Protest- ant part of Bavaria, number nearly three thousand lodges, governed by twenty-one grand lodges.
In Russia, Austria, and their dependent States, it is, on the contrary, prohibited ; also, in the kingdoms of Naples, Sardinia, Home, Tuscany, Spain, and Portugal.
In Abrica we find lodges in Algiers, at Alexandria, Senegal, Senegambia, Guinea, the Cape of Good Hope, Mozambique, Canaries, and St. Helena, Bourbon, and Mauritius; while there are no lodges in Tunis, Morocco, or the Barbary States.
In America it is every- where prosperous, there being few, if any, of the States of the American Union which has not its grand lodge. Freemasonry has penetrated into every portion of this vast continent. The British possessions of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada, and Newfound- land have each their provincial grand or independent grand and operative Masonic lodges; while all the more south- ern and western States which latterly have been received mto the Union have each their grand and operative lodges. The. "West India islands, Cuba, Porto Rico, have their 22
338 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRT.
lodges, and that of Hayti its grand and operative lodges. In Central America it is to be found in the French, Dutch, and British Guianas, and also in the republics of Venezuela, Guatemala, Columbia, Bolivia, and Peru, and the united provinces of La Plata, Uruguay and Paraguay; while in Rio Janiero, capital of the empir§ of Brazil, there is a grand lodge with twenty-five operative lodges under its jurisdiction.
In Asia, Freemasonry has existed for more than a century in Hindostan. Lodges are to be found in Bombay, Pondicherry, Alahabad, Bejapoor, Chazepoor, Carnute, Darrely, Concan, Futteghur, etc. At Agrah is to be found the Grand Lodge of Bengal ; while in China, at Canton, and the islands -of Ceylon and Prince of Wales, in Persia and in Turkey, lodges exist. There is no lodge in Japan.
In Ogeanica, Freemasonry was introduced in 1730, into the island of Java. At the present time, Sumatra, Ifew Holland, N"ew South "Wales, ]!few Zealand, and Van Die- man's Land have all their Masonic lodges.
The number of lodges upon the globe, at present, has been variously estimated as high as live thousand ; of this number, three thousand are in Europe, fifteen hundred in America, and five hundred in Asia, Africa, and Oceanica.
Thus, within a century and a half, the modern or Phil- osophic Freemasonry has been propagated over the whole surface of the earth, and in its progress always spreading seeds of civilization and friendly intercourse. From habits practiced in the lodges, have gone out principles of peace, (fraternity, freedom, and equality, which have softened the asperities of social intercourse, given birth to a greater breadth of charity for the prejudices of mankind, and ex- panded the human mind beyond the exclusiveness of caste, origin, national education, and religion. Is it, then, aston- ishing that the Roman Catholic clergy, who are notorious as partisans of the stationary order of things, and bitter opponents of all progressive views in human affairs, should
THIRD CHRONOLOGICAL EPOCH. 339
be opposed to an institution that operates so insensibly in transforming and enlightening man to a knowledge of his true manhood ; and that they should, from so early a pe- riod in its history, have perceived the true tendency of the Masonic institution, and opposed, vfith all their power, its establishment? On the contrary, the wonder is that thej' have not carried its persecution more fully to the bitter end, as it was and has been the only institution of a non-clerical or^ lay character which has stood between them and unlimited power; but, fortunately for it, and unfortunately for them, it had assumed shape and consist- ence in a country where, and at a time when, their power was not in the ascendant. Upon the continent, however, whither the institution rapidly extended, the clergy, being very powerful, had more success; yet here, finding it im- possible, from the peculiar nature of its constitution, to use Freemasonry, they resolved to abuse it, ban it, and ex- communicate its adherents from religious privileges here and hope of heaven hereafter. This failing, they finally resolved to introduce into its lodges a number of rites with their degrees, appealing to the weaker points in the human character, and thus they succeeded in denaturalizing the mstitution to such an extent that its original constitution became, in a great measure, lost sight of. So intense, how- ever, did Jesuitism labor in this regard, that it overdid itself; for this very denaturalization led to inquiry and in- vestigation which, in evolving the true condition, urvmasked the perpetrators of these wrongs inflicted on the institution, and restored it, in a great degree, to its primitive simplicity and usefulness.
340 aEI7EBAL HISTOBY OF I'BEEMASONBT.
EDICT
or
POPE PIUS VII AGAINST THE FREEMASONS.
EDICT.
If the ancient legislation of the Roman States has inter- dicted, under penalties the most rigorous, all secret and hidden assemblies, by reason that their jealous clandes- tineship induced the belief that, in such assemblies, the well-being of the state and public tranquillity were en- dangered, and that therein were formed schools of de- pravity, the sovereign pontiffs, in like manner, are equally bound to entertain a similar opinion as to the object of those assemblies of Freemasons, Illuminati, Egyptians and others, who, surrounding their hidden operations with forms, ceremonies, and oaths to guard secrets which they niust believe are, at least, liable to be suspected ; and as their assemblies are particularly composed of persons of divers nations and conditions, worships and degrees of morality, admitted without distinction, they can not free themselves from the suspicion that their assemblies are gotten up to arrange the destruction of not only thrones and governments, but even religion itself, and particularly the only true religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, of which the Roman pontiff was constituted chief, master, and guardian by its divine founder and legislator himself.
Informed as to these facts, and animated by their evan- gelical zeal — although then they had not foreseen, as has been since generally remarked, the murderous develop- ment and hidden designs of these secret assemblies and
EDICT dS POPE PIUS VH. 341
infernal conventicles — the pontiffs Clement XII and. Bene- dict XIV, of glorious memory, who have since appeared at the bar- of God, opposed all their force and their apos- tolic ministry to the debauchery which these assemblies every-where threatened. The first, by his decree, which, commencing " Jn eminenti apostolatus specula," published the 27th April, 1738, not only forbade, but condemned in all their extent, the meetings or assemblies of these so- styled Freemasons, or other similar societies, of whatever denomination or by whatever designation they might be known ; and, subsequently, by the thunders of excommunica- tion, to be incurred by the act, without regard to any decla- ration made by the accused, and from the effects of which none other than the Roman poMiff could absolve him, ex- cept at the ppint of death, promulgated against all indi- viduals proscribed, whether such accusation proceeded from their being initiated into any of the degrees of these so- cieties or from being accessorv to the initiation of others. His immediate successor, Bvjnedict XIV, knowing the great interests involved and the necessity for this dispo- sition, particularly as regarded the well-being of the Cath- olic religion and the public security, did, by a new decree, which, commencing in these words, " Providias Roman- orum Pontificum," published on the 18th of May, 1751, confirmed in its fullest extent the decree of his prede- cessor, not only in the insertion of it, word for word, in his own decree, but in explaining and expounding with his usual wisdom (§7) the motives which determined all the powers of the earth to prohibit Freemasonry, which motives it would be here unnecessary to enumerate, but of which the justness is demonstrated by experience, as they are well known to most enlightened people,
The foresight of these two pontiffs was not confined to this measure. They were not ignorant that the horror of crime and the thunders of the Church were ordinarily sufficient to convince and advantageously secure the con-
342 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
sciences of the good, but that these means must, when di- rected toward the wicked, be aided by afflictive penalties. Hence the pontiflF, Clement XII, by his edict, published by the cardinal Joseph Ferraro, his secretary of state, on the 14th January, 1739, inflicted the most severe temporal punishments against the contumacious, and ordered even, among other dispositions, their efl'ective execution ; and to which His Holiness, Benedict XIV, by his published de- cree, gave a new and additional force, charging all magis- trates for the prosecution under these decrees to employ their most active and energetic assistants to fully execute the penalties therein prescribed.
However, in the general overthrow of the order of things which has been accomplished during the unhappiness of the Holy See and of the Church, these dispositions have been treated with impunity, notwithstanding their justness, wholesomeness, and indispensability; and the meetings and assemblies interdicted by them have had all sorts of fa- cilities of communication, not only at Rome, but also in all parts of the pontifical states.
His Holiness, Pope Pius VII, wishing to administer a prompt and efficacious remedy to an evil which it is neces- sary to extirpate immediately, and opposing himself to the spread of this pernicious cancer ere it takes root throughout the state, does enjoin and ordain, and by this present edict makes known, to all his supreme wish, which should have the force of law, and should so serve in the tribunals of justice both civil and spiritual, in all coun- tries, cities, lands, and provinces which appertain or n any wise recognize allegiance to the temporal dominion of the Holy Apostolic See.
By these dispositions it is intended to say that, for those who regard the pains and penalties to be incurred by these unhappy persons who, during the lapse of time which they have had wherein to have allowed their tendency to favor these assemblies to subside, (G-od forbid that this be not a
EDICT OF POPE PIUS vn. 343
question witli our welUbeloved subjects,) or at tae present or in the future shall have the unhappiness to become, in any manner, a party to or connected with the Masonic or other similar assemblies, His Holiness relinquishes them entirely and without exception to the penalties and dispo- sitions pronounced by the aforesaid decrees of his prede cessors of glorious memory; hereby recalling and maintain- ing the same in their fullest force s-nd tenor, as his special care.
The Holy Father, moved by the energetic sentiments of his pontifical zeal, and by the affections of his paternal heart, warns all the faithful who shall fall into this de- plorable error to seriously consider the state of damnation into which they have plunged their souls, by incurring the penalty of major excommunication with which they are afflicted, as also of being deprived of all the advantages of communion in the Church, and to pass away in this condi- tion to that awful tribunal where nothing is hidden, and before which vanish the vain supports which they may iind to lean upon in this world. That they humble them- selves, therefore, by a sincere repentance, and be taken (mce more into the arms of the holy Church, that coinpas- J'onate mother who calls them, and who would receive Ihem tenderly, to the end that she may reconcile them with the Father of all mercy, whom they have abandoned with ingratitude.
"With regard to the outside world and the feelings which, under these imperious circumstances, should animate the general police of a well-ordered state, His Holiness wishes also to be understood as to the measures of clemency which may have been adopted for those times of disorder and impiety which preceded his happy return to the holy city, and the promulgation of this edict. Now this detestable pest has but to little if any extent infected the territory , and the subjects of the pontifical state, but many individ- uals have allowed themselves to be entrapped by circum-
344 SENEBAL UISTOBT OF FBEEMASONBT
stances. The Holy Father deplores their unhappy blind- ness, and would remove them from its influence forever; it is for them, however, to render themselves worthy, by a return prompt and permanent, at least so far as concerns their outward conduct, for which every citizen is respon- sible to society. Otherwise, that they hold themselves in readiness to inform and not seek to hide from the knowl- edge of the government oflicers, the places wherein thfey may be assembled at any time, that - the same may be watched; and that, to prevent the return of similar ojffenses, the names of the principal persons among them should be communicated to the chiefs of the tribunals, in order that, in case of relapse, the old offenses should be aggregated with the new. l^obody, then, at the present or any future time, can allege, for a pretext, that he has found no evil in this following of preparatory scenes, sometimes indif- ferent and sometimes ridiculous, but by which is arti- ficially held in suspense the curiosity of the initiate, the better to dispose and enlist him in mysteries of greater atrocity. In consequence we decree, as follows, the meas- ures which we believe necessary and just to prevent such offenses in the future :
1. In conformity with the dispositions of the edict of the 14th January, 1739, it is forbidden, in the first place, to all persons, as well in Home as in the other parts of the pontifical domain, to continue, extend, renew or establish the said assemblies of Freemasons, or any similar society, whether instituted under ancient or modern denomina- tions, or under the newly-imagined title of Carbonari, thv latter of which have exhibited a pretended pontifical letter of approbation which bears upon its face evidence of its own falsity. It is also forbidden to all persons to act in the capacity of clerk or scrivener to these societies, or to assist in such capacity one single time, from any reason or pretext whatever; or to invite or solicit any body within the room wherein such assemblies may take place, or to
EDICT OP POPE PIUS VJ. 845
receive iuto his house, or any other place, any member of such societies, or bail or loan money to, or favor such per- sons in any manner whatever.
2. The dispositions of the present edict bear also upon those persons who may transgress its requirements, in entering into any relations direct or indirect, immediate or remote, with the aforesaid associations which are now established, or which may at any future time be established, outside of the pontifical state
3. It is forbidden to all persons to have in possession or under their charge or care, within their dwelling or elsewhere, instruments, weapons, emblems, laws, records, patents, or any other thing used by or in any manner ap- pertaining to the societies aforesaid.
4. Whoever shall know of the existence of such secret ^d clandestine meetings, or shall have been engaged therein, either as assistant or scrivener, shall be held as a witness against such assembly — for that wiiich concerns the capital to the governor of Rome, and, for the other parts of the state, to the commandants of provinces or to the apostolic delegates. Those who, in view of the require- ments of this article, shall be obliged to inform against and denounce such assemblies may be certain that they shall be held entirely blameless and unknown to the ac- cused; that they shall be free from all penalty which they would otherwise incur as accessories or accomplices, and that they shall receive, at the expense of the delinquent, a recompense corresponding to the value of the informa- tion conveyed by them tending to convict the accused. And, upon this subject, His Holiness desires to be fully understood to announce and decide, that nothing improper or dishonorable can attach to a revelation to the proper authorities of that which may prevent to the government and to the state the consequences of a conspiracy menac- ing good order and religion itself; and that all oaths, in opposition to this principle, become a bond of iniquity, in
o46 GENERAL HISTOKT OP FREEMASONRT.
no degree binding, and leaving the obligated as free as if he had never taken such oath or obligation.
5. The penalties to be undergone by all who may contra- vene the dispositions of the present edict shall be corporeM and afflictive, and even very serious, according to the impor- tance or malignity of the circumstances attending the trans- gression ; and, in addition thereto, there shall attach partial or entire confiscation of the property of the condemned, or fine, to be paid in money, of which the judges and agents of the tribunals shall receive a part, in proportion to the extent of their labors and exercise of care in discovering and establishing the guilt of the delinquent, who shall be con- victed according to law.
6. His Holiness especially orders and decrees that all edifices, such as palaces, public and private residences, or any other description of inclosed building, wherein an as- sembly of any of the societies aforesaid, under whatever name, may have taken place, shall be- immediately, and without any delay beii?g incurred to prove the offense, de- clared confiscated, and put in charge of the Government treasurer; and if the fact of offense can not be proved satisfactorily, then a fine may be levied and collected from the owner of the property.
7. Finally, it is enjoined upon all the chiefs of tribunals, as well as all local judicial authorities, to use every care in the execution of the dispositions of this edict; and should they, upon any point, entertain doubt as to the proper understanding of such dispositions, they shall address, without delay, the Cardinal Consalvi, Secretary of State, who will communicate to them the decision of the Sovereign Pontiff.
Done at the Secretariat of State, this 15th day of August, 1814
P. Card. Pacca,
Chamberlain of the Holy Church,
and Assistant Secretary of State.
MASONIC LAWS AND CHARTERS. 847
PRIMITIVE
MASONIC LAWS AND CHARTEES
In examining the basis of the charter of York, the text of which follows these observations — and which charter, although presented to the Masonic lodges as emanating from the king, could not be other than the production of the chiefs of the lodges — we find it imbued with the spirit of the first Christian communities, whose members, having separated themselves from those who were animated by totally different feelings, had surrendered themselves to such apostolic teaching as might present to them the pure doctrines of the new faith. The fraternal and uniformly equable principles of the ancient laws of the Roman col- leges were very intimately known to those who preached the primitive doctrine of Christ. The teachings of the Hermit schools, the most prominent instructors at that time in the doctrines of the new faith in Britain, were found by the assembly of Freemasons convened at York so identical with the principles professed by them and their predecessors, for nearly five hundred years, that they did not believe it necessary to envelope such teach- ings in new forms, and the more so as already there ex- isted great divergence among the various creeds of the new church, consequent upon the spirit of investigation which even at .that early day had place. The assembly, therefore, adopted, as the basis of its new constitution, its ancient humanitarian principles, which were in entire harmony with universal morality, and in entire conformity with the early Christian doctrine.
848 GENERAL HISTORT OF FREEMASONRY.
The freedom from Roman Catholic influence of the Masonic lodges at this time exhibits itself in this charter in a very striking manner, in the prayer or invocation which begins thus : " All powerful and eternal God, Fa- ther and Creator of heaven and earth," etc. In this prayer we perceive no mention made of a Trinity, the Deity invoked being none other than the great Arch- itect of the Universe, that great first cause recognized by the Ifoachidean doctrine, and the belief in the eternal existence of which can readily be concurred in by men of every confession.
The third and fourth articles of this constitution sup- pose, in fact, and with a degree of tolerance very humane, that the true religion, inborn in the hearts and consciences of all men, can not fail to harmonize characters the most diverse, seeing that it is to the conscience of every man, and to that alone, that the religion of justice strictly ap- peals. The other articles of this constitution or charter are confined to the consideration of the state of art, and to the simple and dignified oversight and arrangement of Masonic affairs proper, but always imbued with this same spirit, embracing humanity as an entire whole.
The constitution or charter of York is not only the basis of the British Masonic corporations, from the time of its promulgation to the separation of the lodges of Freemasons from the companionship of ordinary stone dressers and masons, (which virtually took place, as we have shown, in 1717,) and as the different ordinances, published under the reigns of different kings, relating to the affairs of these corporations, distinctly prove; but it became the model of the Masonic corporations, which, subsequent to its promulgation, were gradually organized upon the continent. The ancient corporations of Lom- bardy, of which the principal branches were at Como and at Pavia, and which should have conserved the laws aa they were known to the ancient Roman colleges, adopted
MASONIC LAWS AND OHAETBRS. ' 84J»
this charter immediately, as did also those of Germany and France ; for we find it the basis of that printed con- stitution of the Freemasons of Strasburg which was adopted in 1459, and into which it is copied in all its ex- tent, except the opening prayer, which, in accordance with the Roman Catholic influence of that period, is changed to read : « In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and the "Worthy Mother Mary," etc. This influence was inevitable ; for the Ger- man Masons at this time were organized, and in great measure controlled, by the ecclesiastic architects of the convents and monasteries ; and it was not until the latter part of the fifteenth century they obtained from the popes the confirmation of the exclusive privileges accorded at the beginning to the corporations of Lombardy. More favored than the latter, however, they were in receipt of special diplomas which made them free of royal edicts, and conceded to them the right of communicating directly with the popes in all matters connected with operations of any magnitude. This clerical influence, however, did not protect the clergy from complaint, rendered in a man- ner at once spirited and daring, against their tendency to vice and immorality; and this fact has come to us in the shape of numerous marks which figure upon the religious edifices of the period, sometimes symbolic, sometimes satiric, expressive of their criticism of the abuses of the clergy, as contrasted with their own religious belief and doctrine.- The charter of York also served as the basis of that constitution of modern Freemasonry which was adopted at London in 1717, and altered but in those points neces- sary to make that constitution correspond with the new object of the society, and the changes and developments wrought by the lapse of eight centuries in the condition of British law, customs, and usages. This constitution of the Grand Lodge of London has, in its turn, served as the model for the constitutions of all the grand lodges
350 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
which have been formed siuce 1717 upon our globe; and it is only to be regretted that, among this great number of lodges, there should be found so few who have had the courage and the Masonic spirit to reform that part of the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England which pro- vides for -the predomination of that body, and replace it by a form In harmony with the fundamental principles of the Masonic institution.
The small number of documents which the Masonic society possess besides its charters, of which the most an- cient have been destroyed, is easily accounted for by the fact that absolute silence had been imposed by oath upon every member of the society, solemnly binding them not to communicate in any manner except verbally, and in that way only to each other, any of the secrets confided to them; while, as an association, the society imposed upon itself similar restrictions. Its existen^ce is engraved upon the fronts of the monuments of its art, in the orna- mMits and symbols reproduced upon the stones which have entered into their construction. Triie Freemasonry has never had any secrets other than those which have been connected with its art, its humanitarian doctrines. and its signs of recognition.
CHAETBE OF TOEK. A. D. 926. 'Fundamental laws of the Fraternity/ of Masons, based upon the ancient writings concerning the laws and privileges of the ancient corporations of Roman builders, as they were confirmed to Albanus, in the yeojr 290, hg the emperor Ga/roMsius, at his resi- dence at Verulam (^St. Albans"), received, discussed, and accepted by the lodges of England, convoked for this object in a general assembly at York, in the year 926, by prince Edwin, son of king Athekfan.
The omnipotence of the Eternal God, of the Father ^ and Creator of heaven and earth, the wisdom of his Di-
'^/^^^aA/'^'^/f-
^ ^/^/^a //// .
MASONIC LAWS AND CHAKTEKS. 351
vine Word, and the cooperation of his Spirit sent among lis, may be with our commencement, and grant us grace so to govern ourselves in this life, as to obtain his appro- bation now, and, after our death, life eternal.'
* * * * * * *
Finally, peace is restored, and the bishop of Eome con- certs the Angles and the Saxons to the Christian faith, among which are found to be many flative craftsmen in Britain who had been instructed by those vigilant old mas- ters who remained in this country. Then they erected the churches of Canterbury (600) and of Rochester (602), and they repaired the ancient houses of G-od. Subsequently, the king, Charles Martel, sent masons from beyond the sea, upon the demand of the Saxon kings, and it was then that architecture flourished anew, under the direction of the ancient master masons of Britain. It is to be regretted that many Roman edifices should have been devastated upon the occasion of the incursions of the Danes, and that many documents and records of lodges, which in those times were held and preserved in the convents, should have been burnt, under like circumstances. But the pious king Athelstan (925), who has much esteem for the art, and who has es- tablished many superb edifices since the peace concluded with the Danes, has desired to make up this deficiency. He has ordained that the institution founded in the time of the Romans by St. Alban should be reestablished and con- firmed anew. It is in this intention that he has remitted
1 After this introduction, or prayer, follows a long history, in two parts, of architecture in Great Britain and other countries; a historic abridge- ment of the art of building from the most ancient mythical times to that of Athelstan; and, after that, the particular rules which served as funda- mental laws to the Masonic corporations. To convey an idea of the man- ner«in which this history is written, we submit its closing passages. Its similarity of style to that which is given by Dr. Anderson, in his "Consti- tutions," etc., of 1723, will doubtless be remarked by the reader, and con- vince him of the truth of our statement, that the charter of York was th» model as it was the basis of these " Constitutions," etc.
352 GENEKAL HISTORY OP FRBBMASONBT.
to his son Edwin (member of the association) an edict by which the Masons can have their own government, and establish aU ■proper rules to render their art prosperous. He has also invited Masons from Gaul, and appointed some chiefs. Fi- nally, he has examined the Greek, Roman, and GalHc institutions which these last have brought in writing with them, and compared them with those of St. Alban, and it is after such that aU the Masonic corporations ought to be organized.
Behold, then, in the pious prince Edwin, your protector, who will execute the orders of the king, and who would encourage and exhort you no more to fall into past faults.
Thus, each year, the masters and the chiefs of all the lodges shall assemble themselves together, and make a re- port of all the constructions and ameliorations which they have produced, and such assembly shall be convoked here at York, and the chiefs shall proclaim the laws which are to be found in the ancient writings, and w;hich they have found good, and useful to observe. The following are the obligations which you are to accept, and which, when you shall have accepted, you must promise to observe by placing your hand upon the holy book of the Gospel, which the chief shall present to you. Each master, also, must cause the same to be read in his lodge, and he Diust likewise cause the same to be read at the reception of a new brother, as he must require him, upon the authority of the Gospel, to observe the same.
Ftjhdamental Laws of the Brother Masons.
Article I. Your first duty is that you reverence God with sincerity, and submit to the laws of the !N"oachides, because thfese are the divine laws to which all the world should submit. For this reason you should also avoid following false doc- triue and offending against God.
MASONIC LAWS AND OHARTEKS. 853
Article- II. You should be faithful to your king, without treason, and obedient to constituted authority, without deception, wherever you may find yourself, to the end that high trea- son should be unknown to you; but if you should be ap- prised of it, you must immediately inform the king.
Article III.
You should be serviceable to all men, and a faithful friend, to the extent of your ability, without disquieting yourself as to what religion or opinion they shall hold or belong to.
Article IV.
You should be, above all, faithful among yourselves, in- structing each other and aiding each other, not calumniating one another, but doing to each other as you would have done to yourself; so that, according as a brother shall have failed in his engagement with his fellow, you ought to help him to repair his fault, in order that he may reform.
Article V. You should assist assiduously at the discussions and la- bors of your brethren in the lodge, and keep the secret of the signs from all who are not brethren.
Article VI. Each should guard himself against infidelity, seeing that without fidelity and probity the fraternity can not exist, and a good reputation is a valuable property. Also constantly hold to the interests of the master whom you may serve, and honestly finish your labor.
Article VII. You should always pay honorably that which you owe, and, in general, do nothing that will injure the good repu- tation of the Fraternity. 23
354 GENERAL HISTORY OP FREEMASONRY.
Article Yin.
Furthermore, no master ought to undertake a work which he may be unable to perform, for, by doing so, he puts his fellows to shame. Masters, however, ought to demand that a sufficient salary be paid them, so that they can live and pay their fellow-workmen.
ArticU IX. Furthermore, no master ought to supplant another, but leave him to finish the work that he has found to do ; at least to the extent of his ability.
Article X. Furthermore, no master ought to accept an apprentice for less than seven years, and not until after the expiration of that time ought he to be made a Mason, after the advice and consent of his fellows.
Artide XI. Furthermore, no master or fellow-craftsman should ac • cept indemnity for admitting any person as a Mason if he be not free-born, of good reputation, of good capacity, and sound of limbs.
Article XII. Furthermore, no fellow-craftsman ought to blame another if he does not know better than him whom he may repri- mand.
Article XIII.
Furthermore, each master, when he is reprimanded by the architect (chief of the lodge), or each fellow-craftsman, when he is reprimanded by the master, should listen re- spectfully, correct his work, and conform to instructions.
Article XIV. Furthermore, all Masons should be obedient to their
MASONIC LAWS AND CHARTERS. 355
chiefs, and execute with good will that which may be ordered.
Article XY.
Furthermore, all Masons should receive their fellows coming from abroad, and who will give the signs; but they ought to be careful, and as they have been taught. They also ought to come to the relief of brethren who may need assistance, as soon as they shall learn, in manner as they have been taught, that such assistance is necessary, and the distance be within half a league.
Article XVI. Furthermore, no master or fellow-craftsman shall admit into a lodge another who has not been received a Mason, to learn the art of dressing stones, or allow him to dress ; neither shall he show him how to use square or compass.
These are the duties which he well and truly ought to observe. Those which shall yet be found good and useful in the future ought always to be written and published by the chiefs of the lodges, for all the brothers to learn the same, and to be sworn to their performance.
STJMMAET
ANCIENT MASONIC CHARTERS.
Roman Charter, 715 B. C. Containing the laws relating to and governing the Col- leges of Builders, founded by Ifuma Pompilius. These laws are to be found on the 8th of the Twelve Tables of the Eoman Laws, created in the year 451 B. C.
356 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Charter of St. Alban, A. D. 290. Based upon the ancient laws of the Roman colleges, as collected by Albanus, an architect, and sanctioned by the emperor Carausius.
Charter op York, A. D. 926.* The original of this charter, preserved during many centuries in the archives of the grand lodge at York, was probably destroyed during the wars of the Roses, of which York was the theater. Its contents have come to us through the constitution of Edward III, which is simply a copy of it, with some additional articles concerning the rights and privileges of the grand masters, and their duties in connection with the government of the country. Au- thentic copies of this charter were to be found in the beginning of the 18th century, in the lodges of London and York, and one of them served the grand master, George Paine, as the basis of that collection which he had been charged to present to the new grand lodge, and which collection, as subsequently arranged and compiled by Dr. Anderson, was printed in 1723. In 1720, it is believed, members of the lodge of St. Paul, alarmed at the publicity that promised to be made of papers which they believed very private, burnt many documents, and, among the num- ber, such copies of the charter of Edward III as they could discover.
Charter of Edward m, A. D. 1350. Fundamental laws of the charter of York revised, with some slight changes, and the addition of some articles con- cerning the rights of grand masters, and the emoluments appertaining to their office.
' See preceding article.
MASONIC LAWS AND OHABTERS, 857
Charter op Scotland, A. D. 1439. This document, which is rather a diploma than a charter proper, recounts the privileges and the duties which attaeh to the position of grand master, that James II conceded, in 1430, to William Sinclair, baron of Eoslin, and to his heirs — a position that the lodges of Scotland, through the representatives whose signatures it bears, recognize, under the terms of this instrument, to attach to the said Sinclair and his descendants. This document, as contained in a manuscript of the year 1700, may be seen in the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh.
The Charters oe Strasburg, of 1459 and 1563. These are entitled " Statutes and Eules of the Fraternity of Stone Cutters, founded upon those of the year 1275, revised, and their publication ordered by the Masonic Congress of Eatisbonne in 1464, and by that of Basle in 1563." The charter of York formed the basis of these (.barters. Many lodges in Q-ermany are in possession of (,opies of the 1464 edition.
Charter of Cologne, A. D. 1535. Laws and Doctrines of Philosophic Freemasonry, or a profession of their principles, rendered by a number of Ma- sons assembled at Cologne in the year 1535. The Grand Lodge of Holland, at the Hague, is in possession of the original of this charter. It is upon parchment, written in Masonic characters rendered into the Latin of the middle ages. The authenticity of this document is disputed. Ex perts in the examination of ancient documents are divided, some believing it an original, and others a spurious pro- duction, written at a much later date than that which it bears. [See pp. 51 and 127 for further details as to this charter.]
B58 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Charter of Scotland, A. D. 1630. This charter contains nothing beyond the confirmation of the privileges, etc., enumerated in that of 1439,- granted to "William Sinclair, baron of Roslin, by the lodges of Scot- land. This confirmation was rendered necessary in conse- quence of the document of 1439 having been destroyed by fire in the conflagration of Roslin Castle, and the privileges acceded thereby having been subsequently denied to the heirs of " St. Clair of Roslin." The original of this charter or diploma is to be found in the Law Library at Edinburgh, with the copy of that which was burned.
Charter of London, A. D. 1717. This charter, the basis of modern Freemasonry, is con- tained, as revised by George Paine, in 1717, from the charter of Edward III, in the work first published by order of the Grand Lodge of England in 1723, and which is generally known as Anderson's " Constitutions," etc.
>^
1
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ANCIENT WORSHIPS AND MYSTBKIES. 869
EPITOME
OF THE
WORSHIPS AND THE MYSTERIES' OF THE ANCIENT EASTERN WORLD.
"The wise man brings all to the tribunal of reason— even reason itaelf."—Kan(.
INTEODUCTIOlir.
From amidst the thick darkness which covers their nature, we propose to deduce the origin and the history of the opinions which have been taught us by the instruct- ors of the peoples, and which, imposed by the force of authority-inculcated by education and example-have been perpetuated from age to age, and their empire established by habit and inattention. But when man, enlightened by reflection and experience, turns to a close examination of these prejudices of his infancy, he immediately finds a crowd of disparities and contradictions which challenge his sagacity and provoke his reason.
Remarking the diversity and opposition of the beliefs which distinguish different peoples, he naturally doubts that infallibility each of them arrogate to themselves; and, falling back upon his own sense and reason, which must have emanated immediately from God, he conceives that the result of such a combination, when brought to bear upon this, as upon all other subjects, can not be a law less holy or a guide less certain than the mediatorial codes and contradictions of priests and prophets. For,
' See jf/iotes, 1 to 38, illustratiye of this text, commencing at page 384.
860 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRr.
when he examines the fabric of these codes, he perceives that these laws, pretended to be divine — ^that is to say, im- mutable and eternal — are but begotten by circumstances of time, of place, and of person; and that they are de- rived from each other in a special order of genealogy, since that there is imprinted upon their derivation a re- Bemblance of ideas modified by the taste of each people to more fully satisfy its own intelligence.
If we mount to the source of these ideas, we find they are lost in the night of time, in the very infancy of the human race, and that to reach them we iaaust approach almost the origin of the world itself; and there, in the obscurity of chaos and the fabulous empire of tradition, they are presented to us, accompanied by a condition of things so superhuman that they interdict all approach to judgment or reason. But even this very superhuman condition resuscitates a train of reasoning which resolved the difficulty ; for, if the prodigious existences which are presented to us in the theological systems of the world have really existed- -if, for example, the metamorphoses, the apparitions, the conversations held by one or by sev- eral gods with man, traced in the sacred books of the Hindoos, the Persians, and the Hebrews, are historical events — it necessarily follows that the nature of these gods of the two former, or the one god of the latter, at that time differed entirely from that which now exists; that the men of our day have nothing in common with those- of that period ; and that such men as then existed exist no longer, nor have they existed for ages of time. If, on the contrary, these prodigious occurrences and existences have not really had place in physical order, we will nat- urally believe that they existed only in and wei« the crea- tions of the imagination of those who penned them ; and our own natures, capable as they are to-day of executing fantastic compositions, immediately recognize a reason for such monstrosities to appear in a history of the world.
ANCIENT ■WORSHIPS AND MTSTEEIBS. 361
No longer, then, does the student agitate himself with eflbrts to explain the why and the wherefore of the sub- jects of these pictures, or in analyzing the ideas they combine and associate; but, putting together all the cir- cumstances that they allege, he thinks he ought to dis- cover a solution conformable to the laws of nature. Yet he does not arrive at such a solution. He perceives that these recitals of a fabulous character have a figurative sense other than the sense apparent ; that these pretended marvels are physical facts, simple as the elements of na- ture, but which, ill conceived and badly painted, have been denaturalized by accidental causes independent of the human spirit: by the confusion of the signs which were employed to represent the objects, by the equivo- cality of the words which described them, the degeneracy of language, and the imperfection of writing. He finds that these gods, for example, who play such singular parts in all the theological systems of the eastern world, are no other than the physical powers and play of the elements of nature, which, by the necessary mechanism of language, have been personified ; that their lives, their manners, and their actions are nothing but the play of their operations, and that all their pretended history is nothing but the description of their phenomena, traced by such of their first observers as were competent to do so, and these descriptions ' taken in a literal sense by the ignorant and vulgar who understood not the spiritual or real sense, and which sense, in consequence, was by sub- sequent generations forgotten and lost; in fine, he will observe that all the theological dogmas about the origin of the world, the nature of God, the revelation of his laws, the apparition of his person, are nothing but the recitals of astronomical facts— nothing but figurative nar- ratives of the movements of the solar system. It is by such a course of reasoning that one becomes convinced that the idea of the Divinity, which even at present is
'662 GENBRAIi HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
with us so obseurj, was not, in its primitive state, but that of the physical powers of the universe, considered sometimes as multiples, by reason of their agents and their phenomena, and soinetimes as a single being, by the complete connection of all their pairts ; in short, that the being called God has been sometimes the sun, sometimes the stars, the planets and their influences ; sometimes the matter of the visible world — the universe as a whole; sometimes the abstract and metaphysical qualities of the universe, such as time, space, movement, and intelligence ; and always with this result, that the idea of the Divinity has not been a miraculous revelation of invisible beings, but a natural production of the reasoning faculty, an operation of the human spirit, in which it has followed the progress and been influenced by the revolutions which have taken place in our knowledge of the physical world and of its agents.
Thus, then, the ideas of God and religion — ^ideas which absorb all others — ^have their origin in physical objects, and have been, in the mind of man, the product of his sensations, his cares, the circumstances of his life, and the progressive state of his knowledge.
Now, as the ideas of a Divinity had for their earliest models physical beings, it resulted that the Divinity was at first varied and multiplinary, as were the forms under which he appeared to act. Each being was a power, a genius ; and in the eyes of the first men the universe was filled with innumerable gods. Then, as the affections of the human heart and its passions became enlisted, there was superinduced an order of division of these gods, based upon pleasure and pain, love and hate : the natural pow- ers, the gods, or geni, were separated into benefactors and malefactors — workers of good and workers of evil; and hence the uniformity with which these opposite charac- ters appear in all systems of religion.
ANCIENT WORSHIPS ANP MYSTERIES. 363
SABEISM, OE SUN WOESHIP, AND ITS LEGENDS.
And first, among these systems may be found Sabeism, or the woi-ship of the Sun.
From what has been already stated, it necessarily re- sulted that the theologies^ of all the peoples, after those of the Hindoos and the Persians, down to those of the Egyptians and the Greeks, as we find them in their sacred books* — their cosmogonies* — were nothing but a system of physics — a tabular arrangement of the operations of nature, enveloped in mysterious allegories and enigmatic symbols." Thus we find the worship of the Sun to be the primordial basis of all the worships and mysteries of antiquity. The Sun is, in fact, to every living thing upon the earth, the most attractive and interesting of all the heavenly bodies. He constantly directs our attention and attracts our admiration to the magnificence of the solar system. As the innate fire of the body, the fire of nature, author of light, heat, and ignition, he is the efficient cause of all generation ; for without him there can be no movement, no existence, no formation. He is immense, indivisible, imperishable, and ever-existing. It is this want of light — it is his creative energy which has been felt by all mankind, who see nothing more frightful than his continued absence. Thus he becomes their divinity. His presence is the happy influence that revives every thing, and thus has he become the basis of all worship, whether ancient or modern — then directly, now indi- rectly— under symbolic forms; and the Brahma of the Hindoos, the Mithra of the Persians, the Osiris of the Egyptians, the Adonai of the Phenicians, the Adonis and Apollo of the Greeks are but representatives of the Sun, the principles of beauty, generation, and perfection— the images of that principle of reproduction which perpetu- ates and rejuvenates the world. The Sun is likewise the physical representative of that Supreme Being that the
364 GENERAL HISTORY OP FREEMASONRY.
Hindoos named JBaghaven, the Persians Zerouarte-Akerene, the Hebrews Jehovah, the Egyptians Ammon and YoupUer, the Greeks Zeus, the Mohammedans Allah, and the Ghins- tians Lord and God.
The legends upon which repose the worships of the ancients, like that of Hiram among the Freemasons,' are founded upon the apparent progress of the Sun, which, to speak figuratively, having ceased to ascend when he attains his highest point in the southern horizon, begins to descend, and finally is vanquished and put to death by darkness, which is represented in the same language as the spirit of evil; but, returning toward our hemisphere, he appears as the revived conqueror. This death and this resurrection thus prefigure the succession of day and night — of that death which is a necessity of life — of that life which is the child of death — in fact, of the combat of those two principles, directly the antagonists of each other, and which may be discovered every-where — in Ty- phon, in opposition to Osiris, of the Egyptians ; in Juno, in opposition to Hercules, among the Greeks; in the Titans against Jupiter, in Ohromaze against Ahrimane, among the Persians ; and in Satan, among the Chris- tians, against God^ — do we perceive the types of evil as opposed to good exhibited among the peoples of every clime and worship, whether they be more or less advanced in the scale of civilization.
THE MTSTEEIBS OP INDIA.
Bhuddist Priests, Brahmins, or Gymnosophists.
It is in India, the cradle of the human race, that the history of the world began; to that vast and fruitful country are we indebted for the first fanailies of man ; for no other portion of the world offered to him a dwelling-
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ANCIENT WOJRSHIPS AND MYSTERIES. 365
place so ricli and so delicious. In these regions, the most elevated of the globe, may be found vegetation the most luxuriant, and the products of the soil the most useful and varied. All science, then, as well as all history, indi- cate the fact that it was in the highest lands of India man first appeared upon our earth.
The Hindoos adored in Bhagavan, the eternal being who, in his own person, fills all worlds, comprises all the forms and all the principles of living creatures, and who acted through Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva the triple man- ifestation of himself. Menou, a Hindoo legislator, is the founder of the doctrine of the three principles or gods; the first of whom, named Brahma, being the creator (the sun of spring-time); the second, named Shiva, being the destroyer (sun of winter); and the third, named Vishnu, being the preserver (the sun of autumn, middle, or ripen- ing sun) ; all three powers being distinct, but forming the representatives of an only god or power.
The doctrines of the immortality of the soul, of future rewards and punishments, and transmigration of souls after death, composed the secret teachings of the priests ; and it was from them that the neighboring peoples bor- rowed these doctrines and the idea of an only all-powerful and eternal God. After Menou, the most anicent re- former of the religion of the Hindoos (sun worship) whose name has been transmitted to us, came Bhudda-Shauca- sam, who announced himself as the mediator and expiator of the crimes of man (3600 B, C), to whom succeeded, about 1000 years apart, three others of the like name, and of whom Bhudda-Guatama was the most celebrated (657 B. 0.) These four moral reformers differently modi- fied the principles of Menou, and deduced therefrom some mystic doctrines. Men of rare genius, without doubt, these four reformers were regarded by the Hindoos as incarnations cf the Supreme intelligence, and, in this quality, divine. Following this example, the other nations
866 GBNBRAL HISTORY OF FKEEMASONRT.
elevatfed their great citizens and reformers to the rank of gods.
In India, as subsequently in Persia, Ethiopia, and Egypt, the priests were the sole depositaries of scripture knowl- edge, and exercised power without bounds ; for every thing was founded upon religion. The great monuments of India' are immeasurably ancient. The immense grot- toes, believed to be the most ancient Hindoo temples, the caverns of Elephanta, of Elora, of Salcette and of Carli, the temple of Kailaea — a most prodigious monument, cut in the bosom of a rock mountain, an open and roofless pantheon of Indian divinities — presuppose in the people who have produced them a knowledge of art and a degree of civilization far in advance of that of the Egyptians, as evinced in their works, and exhibit the magnificence of a highly enlightened people. All that mind could invent and heart appreciate of the grand and the beautiful, the noble and the elevated in conception, the elegant in design, and the perfect in execution, are found united in these groups of sanctuaries. These works recall far distant periods, going back to the night of time, and since which immense intellectual development has wrought a gradual change in the history of the Hindoo people. The bas-reliefs the figures, and the thousands of columns which ornament those Hindoo temples, scooped out and graven in the solid rock, indicate at least three thousand years of consecutive labor, and their present appearance indicates the lapse of a like number of years since they were finished.
The doctrine of Bhudda,' or Brahma, passed into Asia Minor and became the basis of the Persian worship, and subsequently that of the Ethiopian. Bhuddism penetrated into China; in that country Bhudda was called I^ot (Bood^, and his priests bonzes. His worship spread over all Thibet, where it was known as Lamaism, from the title of Dalai- Lama given to the supreme pontiff of the worship, who resided at Lahsa. The higher classes of the Chinese have
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ANCIENT -WORSHIPS AND MYSTERIES. 367
generally adopted the doctrine of Confucius (Kong-Tseu), the reformer of the degenerate Bhuddism, or Lamaism, which, in our day, fills a part of China and Japan with the most ridiculous and revolting superstitions.
MYSTEKIES OF THE PEKSIANS.
Worship of Fire; worship of the Magi; worship of Mithra;
worship of Zoroaster. {Assyria, Babylon, and
Chaldea.)
The ancient Persians adored a being unrevealed, and who, self-consuming, self-absorbing, lost his individuality under the name ,of Zerouane-akerene. The worship of fire, among the Persians, preceded the worship of the sun. Hom, their first prophet, was its founder. After him came Djemschid, who brought them the worship of the Hindoos, founded upon the three principles or gods personified by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, mani- fested by the principles of generation, preservation, and destruction. But the astrological doctrine of the magi was developed by time, and after they had acquired a gen- eral knowledge of the use of the globes, they observed vegetable and animal nature from a single point of view. Afterward, perceiving that this nature was susceptible of division, composed, as it was, of a principle of life which was the presence of the sun, causing heat and light, and a principle of death, caused by his absence, and consequent cold and darkness, they divided it. Then the priests, aban- doning the system of the Hindoos, and admiring nothing but the principles of good and bad, or the struggle between light and darkness, life and death, supplied with their im- agination a personification of each of these principles. The good principle received the name of Ohromaze and
368 flENBRAL HISTOBY OE FKEEMASONRT.
the bad that of Ahrimane. The priests of this worship, called magi,^" were celebrated for their mathematical and astrological knowledge, which they had imbibed from their neighbors the Hindoos; all the occult sciences were prac- ticed by them, and by the exercise of which they attained the name of being possessed of supernatural power, and, indeed, among the people and their kings, they were all- powerful. The most ancient and the most celebrated of their temples was that consecrated to Belus, god of light, at Babylon. This temple, called the Tower of Babel," was erected by them, with a great number of other monuments, at Persepolis, at Ecbatane, and at Babylon,'^ smd. to-day is buried under a vigorous vegetation ; but their mausoleums, cut into the everlasting rock, yet exist, to remind present generations of their science, their morals, and respect for their dead.
A reformer, named Mithra (2250 B. C), born in Midia, overthrew among the Medes the system of the magi, and founded a worship more austere. Deified, Mithra was re- garded by the Medes as the personification of Ohromaze and Ahrimane, the divine duality of the Persians, and consequently became himself the object of a special wor- ship. The mysteries of this worship were celebrated in subterranean temples, as among the ancient Hindoos, and were called " Retreats of Mithra."'^ The aspirants for the privileges of these mysteries submitted to proofs so terrible that many became insensible. In the initiation there were seven distinct degrees. Mithra, regarded as the sun-god, is represented in Persian art under the form of a young man with a Phrygian bonnet, armed with a sword, which he is in the act of plunging into the throat of a bull."
Another religious legislator, named Zoroaster, (1220 to 1200 B. C.) who came after Mithra, renewed his worship. Zoroaster^^ having found it necessary to quit his country, then subjugated, retired with some disciples into a cavern of the neighboring mountains in Persia, which he there-
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upon consecrated to Mithra (the sun), creator of all things. This retreat he partitioned into geometrical divisions, which represented the climates, the elements, the plants, and, in fact, imitated the universe. There he studied, with his disciples, the movements of the heavenly bodies and the mechanism of the world. His theology was that of the Hindoos — the study of nature and its original contriver in the movements of the celestial and terrestrial bodies.
Zoroaster, after having passed twenty years in this re- treat, returned to his country, and began to promulgate his doctrine at Bactria, the capital of the kingdom of the Bac- trians. There he became their prophet, and the grand master of the priest magicians, who were then more power- ful than ever. He reassembled the remains of the ancient laws of the magi, which dated back to the highest anti- quity, and formed with his own theology a new body of doctrines, contained in the Zendavesta,*" of which he is the author, and which became the religious code of the Medes and the Bactrians, and, subsequently, that of the Persians, Chaldeans, and Parthians.
The great institutions of the primitive races — those learned corporations in which they took so much pride — have disappeared ; and we are pained to recognize, in the unhappy Parsees of to-dayj disgraced and persecuted, the scattered remains of an ancient enlightened people, and the last inheritors of much that was glorious. JSTeverthe- less, by the practice of some simple symbolic ceremonies, to which the Parsees themselves are no less attached than their opponents are zealous to proscribe, we are assured that they are the successors of the ancient Mithraiques. Their meetings — imitations of those of the retreat of Mithra — ^have caused them to be accused, according to modern custom, of the most atrocious crimes, and to re- ceive the epithet of Guehers — a term that, from all time, designates that moral turpitude attributed by the igno- rant to the members of all secret societies. 24
370 GENBBAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
MYSTEKIES OF ISIS AND OSIRIS. Ethiopia and Egypt.
The worship of the ancient Ethiopians and Egyptians iS a sort of pantheism, in which all the forces of nature are personified and deified. Superior to all the gods, however, is placed a God eternal and infinite, who is the source of all things.
The most anci6nt trinity of the Ethiopians and the people of that part of Abyssinia adjoining Arabia, the blest, and of Chaldea, was Oneph-Ammon (Youpiter), god creator, of which the emblem was a ram; Ptha (Brama-Theos), god of matter, primitive earth, the emblem of which was an egg or sphere ; Neith, god of thought, the emblem of which was light, which germinates all things. Thus was comprised a triple manifestation of an only God (lehov), considered under three connections, the creative power, goodness, and wisdom — merely the Hindoo trinity, with other names.
The number of super-celestial gods augment by follow- ing those of Fta, the god of fire and of life, representing the generative principle ; of Pan-Mendes, the male prin- ciple,' and Athor, the female principle, which are the aux- iliaries of Fta, generator ; of Frea or Osiris, the sun ; of ' Pijoh or Isis, the moon. But, besides these which we have mentioned, they had twelve other celestial and three terrestrial gods. Of these the celestial gods were called respectively Zeous, Rempha, Artes, Surot, Pi-Hermes, Imuthes, corresponding to the mythological Jupiter, Sat- urn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and one other known but to the Ethiopians, viz. : Starry Heavens. 'These were all male gods ; and after them came six females, viz. : Ehea, or the Earth, the Moon, Ether, 'E'ive, Air, and Water. Then, in the third rank, were placed the terrestrial gods, viz. : Osiris,
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genius of good, whose brother, Typhon, was genius of evil ; Isie, the wife of Osiris, and Horus, their son, and genius of labor. This trinity subsequently became the principal object of the Egyptian worship. Isis, as the generative divinity, was sister and wife of Osiris, the sun-god, and figured as the earth, which latter, in fact, is simply leudered productive by the action of the former; and hence that worship which, at a later day, merged, in the eyes of other nations, into bestiality, though held very sacred among the Egyptians.
The gymnosophist priests who came from the banks of the Euphrates iu Ethiopia brought with them their science and doctrines, and cultivated the knowledge of them among this people. They formed colleges known as the colleges of the priests, the principal one of which was at Meroe, the capital of Ethiopia, and the mysteries of their worship were celebrated in the temple of Ammon " (You-piter), renowned for its oracle. Ethiopia, then a powerful State,'^ and which had preseded Egypt in civilization," had a theocratic gov- ernment. The priest was more powerful than the king, and could put him to death in the name of the divinity. The magnificence of the ruins of Axom, with its obelisks, hieroglyphics, temples, tombs, and pyramids which sur- round ancient Meroe, with a hundred other pyramids in Ethiopia, are evidently of a period prior to that of the eight pyramids of Ghizze,^ near ancient Memphis, and which date from the sixth to the twelfth centuries before Christ. It then becomes certain that the Theban priests went forth from the colleges of Ethiopia. Hermes,^' priest king, the deified author of the castes, and who, bound by the legends of Isis and Osiris, taught to the Egyptian priests the occult sciences. The priests committed to the only books which at this early time were to be found among them the sciences called to-day hermetic, and to them added their own discoveries and the relations which were made to them by their sybils,^^ They occupied themselves
372 GENERAL HISTORY OF FRBEMASONET
particularly with the more abstract sciences, by which they discovered those famous geometric theorems which Pytha- goras subsequently obtained a knowledge of from them, and by which they calculated the eclipses three hun- dred years before Csesar, and regulated the year that we call Julian. Sometimes they would descend to engage in some practical researches upon the cares of life, and read to their associates the fruits of their investigations ; sind sometimes they would, in the cultivation of the fine arts, inspire the enthusiasm of the people who constructed the avenues of Thebes,^ and the Labyrinth, the admirable temples of Karnak, of Dendorah, of Edfou, and of Philae; those people who sat up so many monolythic obelisks, who hollowed, under the name of lake Moeris, an ocean, to guarantee fertility to the country ; who constructed subter- ranean cities,^ the wonders of which equaled those of any sunlit city; who, prodigal of their labor, and caring for the residence of the dead as much as for that of the living, hid under ground the colors of the most beautiful paintings in the tombs of their ancestors; to this people, finally, whose monuments delight in collossal proportions only be- cause the ideas which inspired them were grand.
The wisdom of the initiates, the high degree of morality and science which they taught excited the emulation of the most eminent men, irrespective of rank or fortune, and induced them, notwithstanding the terrible proofs to which they had to submit, to seek admission into the mysteries of Isis and Osiris.
The worship and the mysteries of the Egyptians at first passing through Moses among the Hebrews, where the primitive god of the Ethiopians, Youpiter or Jupiter, re- ceived the name of You or Jehova,^ and Typhon, the genius of evil, was called Satan, and represented under the form of a serpent, passed subsequently into Phenicia, where they were celebrated at Tyre.^° There the name of Osiris was changed to Adonai or Dyonisius, which also meant the sun
ANCIENT WOKSHIPS AND MYSTERIES. 873
Tlien these mysteries were successively introduced into Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, Sicily, and Italy. In Greece and in Sicily Osirus took the name of Bacchus, and Isis that of Ceres, of Cybele, of Rhea, and of Venus; while at Rome she was called the good goddess.
MTSTBEIES OF THE HEBEEWS.
This worship was founded by Moses, a son of the tribe of Levi, educated in Egypt and initiated at Heliopolis into the mysteries of Isis and, Osiris, of which he became a priest. Informed of his origin, he forsook the court of Pharaoh at the age of forty years, and, it is said, passed the subsequent forty years of his life in exile, after which he abode with the Hebrews. Driven from Egypt,^ under the reign of Amenophis, because they were infected with the leprosy, this people elected Moses as their chief. He became their legislator and adapted to the ideas of his peo- ple the science and philosophy which he had obtained in the Egyptian mysteries ; proofs of this are to be found m the symbols, in the initiation, and in his precepts and com- mandments. Moses passes for the author of the first five books of the Old Testament of our Bible, or the Penta- teuch.^ The wonders which Moses narrates as having taken place upon the mountain of Sinai, upon the occasion of his reception of the tables of the law, are, in part,, a dis- guised account of the initiation of the Hebrews. Moses formed with his priests a separate caste or class, who were alone possessed of scientific knowledge, and who stole the knowledge of their sacred books from the " gentiles ;" who forbade their own people to enter their dwellings, and punished with death the Levites who, being placed in charge of the sanctuary, neglected that charge night or day, as also the timorous person, unknown to their order, who
374 GENERAL HISTORY OP FREEMASONRY.
should dare to approacli the entrance to the tabernacle. Moses wished to separate the Hebrew nation from every other, and to form of it an empire isolated and distinct; and, for this purpose, he conceived the design of fixing its foundation upon the religious prejudices of his people, and erecting around them a sacred rampart of opinions and rites. But in vain did he prescribe the worship of symbols; the dogma of an only God,™ which he taught, was equally the Egyptian god, the invention of the priests of whom he had been a disciple. In the construction of the tabernacle, likewise, Moses observed the manner of the Egyptian priests, and its proportions and measurements were an imi- tation of their system of the world. This tabernacle was divided into three parts : the holy of holies, the sanctuary, or court of the priests, and the court of the people. "Within the holy of holies none but the high priest was admitted, and he but once a year ; within the sanctuary, or court of the priests, none but the Levites and the priests ; and the people were confined to the outer court of the people. Moses, who had, not only in the construction of the taber- nacle, but in many other 'matters, imitated the symbolism of the Egyptian priests, sought, however, to efface from his religion all that recalled the worship of the stars,^* but in vain ; for a crowd of its characteristics remained. The twelve signs of the zodiac were but repeated on the ban- ners of the twelve tribes, and on the twelve jewels in the urim of the high priest; the Pleiades, or seven stars, in the seven lights of the sacred candlesticks ; the feast of the two equinoxes, openings and closings of the two hemi- spheres, the ceremony of the lamb or celestial ram; finally, the name of Osiris, preserved in his canticles, and the ark or coffer, imitated from the tomb within which this god was inclosed, all served as witnesses of the birth-place of these ideas and to their extraction from an Egyptian source. Subsequently we find in the construction of the temple at Jerusalem but a repetition, on a grander scale, of the same
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pi'oportions and measurements which characterize the tab- ernacle of the fugitive Israelites in the wilderness.
All the doctrines of the Hebrews were not writtgn ; they had oral traditions which were known to but a few among them. These traditions were preserved in the arcance of divers secret Hebrew associations — among the Kasedeens the Therapeutes, and the Essenians.^ It was in this lattei sect that Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity,^ was educated, and wherein he imbibed the sublime doctrine which he revealed to the world. In the beginning, the initiation into the mysteries of Christianity,^ which was composed of three degrees, was similar to that of the pa- gans, and the connection between the Christian legend and all those by which the priests allegorically represented the • annual revolution of the sun are very striking, as they can not fail to excite the thought that the disciples of Christ had prefigured his birth, his life, and his death under solar appearances.
Among the secret societies who best resisted the uni- versal tendency, and transmitted an uninterrupted succes- sion of the mysteries, after the fall of Jerusalem, should be placed, after the Essenians, those called the Cabbalists, who have never ceased to exist, and of whom there are to-day numerous branches among the Jews of the eastern world, in Germany and Poland.
MTSTBEIBS OP ELEUSIS.
9
The worship 'of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, (the Isls of the Egyptians,) was established at Eleusis, after its initiation in Egypt, toward the fifteenth century before Christ. This worship was founded upon that of Isis and Osiris and the Egyptian gods, and subsequently became, among the Greeks, so fertile in imagination, the beginning
376 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
of the errors of Polytheism. By the abuse of the figura- tive language, the phenomena of the heavens and the earth became, in this system, a record of human events, births, marriages, adulteries,, combats, flights, and murders — ^in a word, fables and myths, in the representation of which their original meaning was lost.
The initiation into the mysteries of Ceres was divided into greater and lesser mysteries; the latter were celebrated at the time of the vernal equinox, and the former at that of autumn. The lesser mysteries were a preparation for the greater mysteries by the young, of purifications and expiations, to be followed by a historic interpretation of the fables. In submitting to them, the youths were purged of the polytheism of their principal fancies and immoralities. In the greater mysteries was begun the allegorical explana- tions of the most abstruse mysteries. By the initiation •into these greater mysteries, polytheism was destroyed at its root, and the doctrine of the unity of God and the im- mortality of the soul was taught, together with a reVelation of philosophical truths more extended, more profound, and more mysterious than those of any other known worship. In lapse of time these mysteries were altered and corrupted, like all the others.
MTSTBEIBS OP SAMOTHEAOIA.
The worship and the mysteries of the Cabires (Egyptian gods), - established in the, island of Samothracia, by Or- pheus (1330 B. C), were originally from Egypt, having passed through Phenicia and there taken other names. The four principal gods of this worship were called, in Samothracia, Axieros, Axiokersa, Axiokersos, and Cad- millus. The initiation was based upon a solar legend, like that of Osiris and Typhon, Adonis and Yenus. Subse- -
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, quently the names of the Cabires was again cuanged to that of Ceres, Proserpine, Pluto, and Mercury (Hermes),
MYSTEEIBS OF THE PHEYGIANS AND PHENIOIANS
The mysterious worship of the Phrygians in honor of Cybele '(the goddess of nature or reproduction), and of her son Atys, had two temjples, the one upon Mount Ida, and the other in the city of Pessinuntus. Atys was a deified priest, who taught the Phrygians the mysteries of nature. He represents the sun, and in the legend which forms the basis of the initiation, he is subjected to the same fortune as Osiris and Adonis — always the fictitious death of the sun and his resurrection.
The worship and the mysteries of Adonai, among the Phenicians and the Syrians, is identically the same. Cybele there takes the name of Adonai, (of which the Greek was Adonis,) always indicative of the goddess Nature, who, as widow of him in whom she had her joy and her fruitfulness, renews with haste her vows at that moment when, conqueror of darkness, he has again as- sumed the heat and brilliancy which he had lost.
The feasts which were celebrated among the Phrygians and Phenicians took place at the time of the equinoxes. Their most celebrated temples are to be found at Balbek" and at Tadmor, known to-day as Palmyra.^'
MTSTEEIES OF THE EOMANS.
The most ancient god of Latium — brought from the East, however, and not aboriginal with the Latins — was Janus^ or Saturn, who took many names and many attri-
378 flENERAIi HISTORY OP FREEMASONRY.
butcs, without ceasing to be recognizable. He preBi over revolutions in nature, and particularly that principal and most remarkable of all revolutions, the year or circle of the months. He is sometimes regarded as time, sometimes as astronomy, and often the sun himself, the great regu- lator of the seasons and the cycles. Janus, with his double face, with the keys which also served him as a more distinctive mark, represented the end and the begin- ning of a period : he opened and closed the year, which commenced with the equinox of spring-time and ended with the shortest day in December. The eagle, given as a companion to Janus (the St. John of the Freemasons), is the famous cock of the Guebers.
The myth upon which reposed the worship of Janus or Saturn was very mysterious, and was explained but to the highest initiates. The saturnalian feasts were the cele- bration of the winter solstice.
The worship of the good goddess, which followed that of Janus, was brought to Italy by a colony of Phrygians. The mysteries of Eleusis were imported by Roman in- itiates from Greece. This worship, adopted and propa-. gate the basis of the religious ceremonies and the initiation of the colleges of builders founded by him.
The mysteries of Mithra and of Isis, which, under the reign of the emperors, were established at Rome, were polluted with corruption from the beginning, and at many times their abuse caused them to be proscribed. They were a bad resemblance of the old Egyptian or Persian ceremonies from which they were borrowed, and like them only in name.
Rome, which had received from the East gods, legends, and religious customs, having become the conqueror of that vast country, returned to it more than one new divinity and new forms of worship.
ANCIENT WORSHIPS, AND MTST^IMES. 379
SYBILS AND OEACLBS
The ClairvoyoMU and Ecstatic Somnambulists of Our Bay.
The name of sybils was given \j the Egyptians to those priestesses who were endowed with the gift of clair- voyance, whether acquired naturally or by means of mag- netism, and who revealed to the priests a portion of the secrets of nature; while the name of oracles was given to those who, plunged into an ecstatic state, predicted future events. There were generally reckoned ten of the first, viz.: the Cumean, the Lybian, the Chaldean, the Delphic, the Erythrean, the Samnian, the Lucanian, the Phrygian, the Hellespontine, and the Tiburtine. The most famous oracles were those of Fta at Memphis, of Frea at Heliop- olis, of Isis at Bubaste, of Trephonius at Boetia, of Am- phiarus at Oropus, of Fortune at Atium, of Serapis at Alexandria, of Hercules at Athens, of u^Esculapius at Epidorus and Rome, of Pan at Arcadia, of Diana at Ephesus, of Minerva at Mycenus, of Venus at Paphos, of Mercury at Patras, of Mars in Thrace, of Apollo at Del- phos, at Claros, and at Miletus, and of Minerva at Saos. The Jews also had their sybils, of whom Huldah, in the time of the king Josias, was the most celebrated.
380 GENERAL HISTORY OF FKBEMASONKT.
THE
LEGISLATORS, REFORMERS AND FOUNDERS
OF
WOESHIPS AND MYSTERIES
India.
Bhudda (celestial man), the three most ancient reform- ers to whom this name is given by the Hindoos, and whose memory they venerate, belong to that period when, ac- cording to the hieroglyphic accounts, the stars were per- sonified. The Hindoos had arrived at a high degree of civilization a long time before the advent of Menou, as is proven by their monuments; and centuries before his coming they communicated their science and their astro- nomical knowledge to the Persians and the Egyptians, see- ing that the establishnient of the Hindoo zodiac belongs to the century that elapsed between 4700 and 4600 B. C. The three first Bhuddas should then be classed at from 5500 to 5000 B. C.
Menou, Hindoo legislator, founder of the doctrine of the three principles or God, (the sun of spring-time, the sun of summer, and the sun of winter,) all three distinct and yet forming an only god, which were subsequently personi- fied by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (the sun iti its three forms of action as the source of all triune systems). The doctrine of Menou is contained in the book, the Manava- Dharma-Shastra, of which a second Menou was the author. He disappeared between 4000 and 3800 B. C.
Bhudda- Shaucasam, reformer and founder of the doctrine contained in the Bhagavat-Ghita, the most ancient book
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ANCIENT WORSHIPS AND MYSTERIES. 381
of the Hindoos, which goes back to from 3400 to 3100 B. C. This reformer is considered as the first incarnation of the Supreme Being, and at the same time the mediator and expiator of the crimes of men. He disappeared be- tween 3600 and 3500 B. C.
Bhudda-Gonagom, a reformer, who was also deified as the econd incarnation of the Supreme Being. He disappeared about the year 2366 B. C.
Bhudda-Gaspa, a reformer, who was also deified as the third incarnation of the Supreme Being, and who disap- peared about the year 1027 B. C.
Bhudda-Somana- Guatama, a profound philosopher, author of the Guadsour (Khghiour), which contained his doctrines and precepts. He was deified as the fourth incarnation of the Supreme Being. Born in the year 607, he died in the year 557 B. C.
Persia.
Horn, founder of the worship of fire, between 3800 and 4000 B. C.
Bjemschid, founder of the worship of the sun, between 3700 and 3600 B. G.
The Magi Priests, reformers of the worship of the sun, about 3600 B. C.
Mithra, reformer of the Regenerate worship of Media, deified as the representative of the sun, about the year 2550 B, C.
Zoroaster, prophet of the Persians, grand master of the Magi priests, and founder of an austere worship, between 1400 and 1300 B. C.
Ethiopia.
Osiris, warrior and civilizer, reformer of the worship of C'neph-Ammon, of Eta and Neith, the most ancient trinity of the Abyssinians, above which was placed an eternal and infinite god (lehov), who is the source of all things, Osiris appeared about 5000 B. C
382 GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Priests of Meroe, founders of the worship of the twelve celestial gods, the same being the powers of nature, the planets, and the elements personified. The celestial bull, which opened the equinox of spring-time (from between the years 4580 and 2428), was the object of a special worship. The temple of Meroe was erected between the years 4700 and 4600 B. C, and the zodiac of the temple of Esneh was erected between 4600 and 4500 B. C.
Egypt.
Priests of Egypt, reformers of the worship of the twelve ce- lestial gods of the subordinates — ^You-piter, supreme god — to the trinity of Osiris (god of the sun), of Isis (the moon), and Horus their son (the earth), which became the prin- cipal worship of the Egyptians. Besides the worship of the bull (Aphis), they also celebrated that of the celestial ram, which, in its turn, and by the precession of the equi- noxes, opened the equinox of spring-time, from the years 2540 to 323 B. C. These priests ruled in Egypt between the years 4200 and 4000 B. C.
Hermes, priest-king, reformer, author of charts and oc- cult sciences, who taught and introduced them into the mysteries. His doctrine and science are contained in the books which bear his name. He disappeared in the year 3370 B. C.
Moses, a priest of Heliopolis, chief and legislator of the Hebrews, founder of their worship, and the doctrines of which are contained in the first five books of the Old Tes- tament; born in 1725 B. C.
Greece.
Orpheus, philosopher and legislator, initiated in Egypt, founded the mysteries in the island of Samothracia in the year 1530 B. C.
Triptoleme, son of the king Eleusis, initiated in Egypt, founded the mysteries of Eleusis in the year 1500 B. C.
ASCIENT WOKSHIPS AKD MYSTERIKS. 383
Pythagorc^, a celebrated philosopher, initiated into the mysteries of 'Egjpt and Persia, founded at Crotona his mysterious school in which were united the characteristics of worship and initiation. His doctrine embraced all the sciences known in his time.
Some. Numa PompUius, the great legislator and civilizer, in- troduced into Rome the mysteries of Greece. He founded the colleges of architects and builders (the cradle of Free- masonry) in the year 715 B. C.
Chika.
Confucius (Kong-Tseu), a celebrated philosopher and re- former of the ancient degenerated worship. His philo- sophical religious doctrine is contained in the Chou-King, the morals of which are among the most beautiful. Bom in 600, he died in the year 550 B. C.
Lao-Tseu, a reformer, who preached a mystical doctrine which is to be found in the Tao-te-King (primitive reason), was considered by the Chinese as an incarnation of the Snpreme Being. He lived in the sixth century B. C.
jTn)EA. Jesus Christ, founder of Christianity, and author of evangelical morality, breathing peace and charity, the most simple and the most sublime which has ever been taught to man. It is to be found contained in the books of the Xew Testament. His birth gives us a new era, and his death took place A. D. 33.
384 GENERAL HISTORY OP FREEMASONRY.
NOTES.'
1, — Worships and Mysteries.
Mystery properly signifies that portion of the doctrines of any form of religion for which reason is unable to account, and which, consequently, is dependent upon faith. Thus the lifS of Christ presents, as we find it in the Evangelists, many mysteries, as the incarnation, the nativity, his passion, his resurrection ; and, in the earlier days of Christianity, baptism, the eucharist, and the other sacraments, were all called holy mysteries. In the mysteries of Egypt and that of some other nations, the exterior worship, the processions, etc., all that took place outside of the temples, and in the courts of the temples, constituted the feasts. In these every body, even the slaves, could participate and assist ; but the initiated alone were admitted to the mysteries.
2. — Theology of the Ancients.
All the ancient peoples having their colleges of priests and astronomical and astrological books cotemporaneously, were alike affected by the discoveries,, disputes, errors, or perfections that in all times have agitated the students of nature and philosophy. The more we have penetrated, during the past thirty or forty years, into the secret sciences, and especially into the astronomy and cosmogony of the modern Asiatics, the Chinese and Burmese, the more we are convinced of the affinity of their doctrine with those of the ancient peoples from whom they have descended.
Indeed, in certain particulars it has been transmitted more pure than with us, because it has not been altered by those anthro- pomorphical innovations which has denaturalized every thing else. This comparison of ancient and modern theology is a fruitful mine, which, if entered in the right spirit and with the mind divested of . prejudice, will afford a crowd of ideas equally new and historically correct ; but to appreciate and welcome them, it is necessary that the reader should also be free from prejudice.
When the Chaldean priests were seeking a general knowledge of the earth's phenomena, as appears by researches in the books of the Hindoos, they studied from a single point of view the
^ Serving to illustrate and autliorize sundry passages of the text of the Warship and the Mysteries of the Ancient Haatern World.
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NOTES. 385
operations of vegetable and animal nature, and, concluding upon the hypothesis that the sun represented the principles of heat and life, and darkness those of cold and death, from this basis, true as it most assuredly is, have been built up the innumerable fictions which disfigure all ancient theology.
3. — Sacred Books of all the Peoples.
The Vedas or Vedams are the sacred books of the Hindoos, as the Bible is ours. They are three in number, the Eig-Veda, the Yadj our- Veda, and the Sama-Veda. These books are very rare, being written in the most ancient known language of the Brah- mins. Those who count four Vedas have added the Attar- Veda, which treats of the ceremonies. In addition to these books there are a .collection of commentaries upon them which is called the Oupanashada, of which a French translation has been published by Anquetil Duperron, under the title of Oupen akhat— a curious