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Article HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY. Page 2 of 2
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History Of Freemasonry.
a lapin ( rabbit ) , tbe a . pivant a renard ( fox ) , tbe Companion a dog , and tlio master a singe ( ape ) , because of his greater knowledge ancl cunning . Of tbe customs of tbe Compngnionage , the one which Bro . Gonld rightly sets clown as among the most curious
and tbe most pernicious and unreasonable is , the topage , the word toper being nsed in challenging to mortal combat . If two Companions of rival Crafts meet in the highway , they challenge each other , and tbe result is a battle royal , bill one or other of them can fight no longer , and tbe
conqueror stalks off the field in triumph , bearing with him his rival ' s cane as a trophy . Sometimes these fi ghts , from tho number engaged on each side , assume the dimensions of pitched battles , and terminate with disastrous , and even fatal , results . Bnt if the two Companions meeting proved to
beof tbe sameor friendly Crafts , they rnsbed into each other ' s arms , as if they had been brothers long separated , and adjourned to tbe nearest tavern . Against this brutal custom of topage , Perdiguier , we are told , set his face very strongly , and did his best to unroot it .
As ^ to their houses of resort , they formed the quarters of the Companions when on their travels , the whole society being m a measnre responsible to la Mere for the expenses of any particular member . " It was here , " writes Bro . Gould , •that the new corner received his welcomeancl lied for
, app work ; it was here that on his departure he took a solemn yet jovial farewell of his fellows •it was here that he first was admitted to join the society ; here that he entered into the serions questions of trade policy , or joined in the excitement of an annual dance . " A member ' s advantages were
numerous . On arriving in a city he was directed where to find employment . "If destitute of funds , he obtained credit at his ' mother ' s . ' If important matters called him away and he bad no money , the society would help him from town to townuntil be arrived at his own village or
, destination . In tbe event of sickness , each member would take it in turn to visit him , and to provide for his wants . In some societies he is granted a sum of ten sons per diem during the time he is in hospital , which amonnt is
presented in a lump sum on his leaving . If he should be cast into p rison for any offence not entailing disgrace , he is assisted in every possible way ; and if he dies , the society pays for his funeral , and honours his memory by a special service a year afterwards . " In every society there is
appointed a fresh Eouleur , whose duties are onerous , and who " welcomes tbe new arrivals , finds them work , and on their desiring to leave the town , sees that all their old
scores are cleared off , and accompanies them to the gate of the town . " This Bouletir likewise convokes the assemblies , or which the general assemblies are usually held on the first Sunday of every month , while special assemblies meet as
occasion requires . He is also " bound to be present at all partings between master and man , and to take care that their accounts are adjusted . He then calls a special meeting , when the accounts between the society and the journeyman are likewise settled , also anv obligations towards bis
fellowworkmen . On arriving at a fresh town , the society there always inquires of the branch at the last cit y in which be worked whether the member had cleared off all scores . " It is the Bouletir who procures the number of men recmired
by a master , who , however , mnst not employ in one shop the members of two different societies ; though , if he is dissatisfied with the members of one great division , he may discharge all in his employ , and seek assistance from the
cniers of another di vision . In the event of a master seriously offending the society , he is placed nnder an interdict , and jf his fellow-masters support him the whole town is banned . The manner of providing work for members—the technical term is embaucltage—which differs in the different systems—is described . Of other customs there is the
regular convoy or Gonduiie en regie , which attends a po ^ ipanion when leaving a city to resume his travels . •Respecting this we are told that " the leave taking with bis ¦ Qla ster was usually on a Saturday afternoon . Tbe special fssembly took place in tbe evening . On Sunday morning .
1 _ - ! ( .- ~~ " . . Qe treated bis friends , nnd the convoy then started . All the ^ tubers who are anxious to assist decorate themselves in , 'l companionage colours and a band , or at least a fiddler , ' ? commonlv enerasred . First starts tbe Bouletir ,
can-vineb e knapsack or bundle of the traveller , then the premier c ° nipanion and the departing brother arm in arm , the •hers follow two and two , all of course armed with their °'. g canes . Thus they pass through the gates , singing heir companionage songs , and having arrived at some « isianoe from the town , in a wood or other quiet plaoe ,
History Of Freemasonry.
a ceremony takes place , which differs according to the society . ' Perdiguier is far too conscientious to describe this ceremony , but he adds ' they howl , or not , as the case may be , but in all cases they drink . '" Sometimes this leads to the dispatch by an hostile society of a false or fictitious
convoy , which arranges matters so as to meet the regular convoy on its return to the city , and a regular topage or fight takes place . As to the Conduite de Grenoble , or Grenoble convoy , Bro . Gould tells us it " is called into requisition when a companion has disgraced himself or his society .
In full assembly he is forced on his knees , the fellows standing round and drinking to his ' eternal damnation ' in flowing cups . Meanwhile he is compelled to drink
water until nature rebels , and he is unable to imbibe any more , when it is poured over him in torrents . The glass which he uses is broken into fragments ; his colours are torn from him and burned : the Bouleur then leads him
round the room , each companion bestowing a buffet , less to hurt him than as a sign of contempt , and the door being opened , be is finally led to ifc , and ignominiously expelled . " The annual high festival commences with a special mass , after which the general assembly is held , and the officers
elected for the ensuing year , the whole concluding with a banquet , followed by a dance , to which the companions invite their sweethearts and friends , a second dance usually taking place the following day , at which the masters and their families are present . This festival is fixed for the
day of its patron saint , who is supposed to have exercised that particular Craft , the Stonemasons , however , selecting Ascension day . It should be noted tbat the Companions
hold their festivities apart , to the exclusion of the aspirants ; but the latter , though having a jollification of their own , cannot exclude the former . The Sons of Solomon , being one fraternity , hold joint meetings .
The following account of a funeral ceremony is worth giving in its entirety , the society undertaking all the expenses of interment . " The deceased is carried by four or six of his fellows , who change from time to time . On the coffin are placed two canes crossed , a square and
compasses interlaced , and the colours of tbe society . Each Companion wears a black crepe on his left arm and on his cane , and sports his colours . They march to the church , and thence to the cemetery in two lines , place the coffin on tbe edge of tbe grave , and form around it the ' living
circle . ' One of tbe Companions next addresses the mourners , all then kneel on one knee and offer a prayer to the Snpreme Being . The coffin is lowered , ancl the accolade or guillrette follows , " consisting of the following ceremony . " Two canes are placed on the ground near the grave , so am
to form a cross . Two Companions take their places , each within one of the quarters so formed ; turn half round on the left foot , carrying the rig ht foot forward so as to face each other , and occupy with their feet all four quarters of the cross ; then , taking each other by the right hand , they
whisper in one another's ear and embrace . All perform the gidlbretle , in turn , kneel once more on tbe edge of tbe grave , offer np a prayer , throw their pellets of earth on the coffin , and retire . In a few Crafts the concluding portion of the ceremony is slightly varied , the address to the mourners is
diversified by lamentable cries , of which the public can understand nothing . This is evidently a further instance of ' howling . ' Perdiguier does not clearly indicate whether the accolade takes place or not . When the coffin has been lowered , a Companion descends and places himself beside
it ; a cloth is stretched over the mouth of the grave , and lamentations arise from below , to which the Companions above reply . If this ceremony takes place for a Companion Carpenter of Soubise , ' something occurs at this moment , of
which I am not permitted to speak . ' I am inclined to think that Perdiguier has here forgotten his usual caution , and savs too much ; there can be little doubt that the masked Companion gives the gnilbrette , or some modification thereof , to tbe deceased . "
Of other customs that of the Stonemasons , Joiners , and fjocksmiths establishing and maintaining technical schools in all the towns of the Tour de Prance is singled out for mention ; as also that of the same three Crafts with the Carpenters , all which owed a divided allegiance , whereby
when one family was well established in a particular city , fhe others refrained from intruding . This supremacy was sometimes determined by a trial of skill ( concours ) , while -ometimes it was settled by a fight , instances of which are cited . ( To be continued . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of Freemasonry.
a lapin ( rabbit ) , tbe a . pivant a renard ( fox ) , tbe Companion a dog , and tlio master a singe ( ape ) , because of his greater knowledge ancl cunning . Of tbe customs of tbe Compngnionage , the one which Bro . Gonld rightly sets clown as among the most curious
and tbe most pernicious and unreasonable is , the topage , the word toper being nsed in challenging to mortal combat . If two Companions of rival Crafts meet in the highway , they challenge each other , and tbe result is a battle royal , bill one or other of them can fight no longer , and tbe
conqueror stalks off the field in triumph , bearing with him his rival ' s cane as a trophy . Sometimes these fi ghts , from tho number engaged on each side , assume the dimensions of pitched battles , and terminate with disastrous , and even fatal , results . Bnt if the two Companions meeting proved to
beof tbe sameor friendly Crafts , they rnsbed into each other ' s arms , as if they had been brothers long separated , and adjourned to tbe nearest tavern . Against this brutal custom of topage , Perdiguier , we are told , set his face very strongly , and did his best to unroot it .
As ^ to their houses of resort , they formed the quarters of the Companions when on their travels , the whole society being m a measnre responsible to la Mere for the expenses of any particular member . " It was here , " writes Bro . Gould , •that the new corner received his welcomeancl lied for
, app work ; it was here that on his departure he took a solemn yet jovial farewell of his fellows •it was here that he first was admitted to join the society ; here that he entered into the serions questions of trade policy , or joined in the excitement of an annual dance . " A member ' s advantages were
numerous . On arriving in a city he was directed where to find employment . "If destitute of funds , he obtained credit at his ' mother ' s . ' If important matters called him away and he bad no money , the society would help him from town to townuntil be arrived at his own village or
, destination . In tbe event of sickness , each member would take it in turn to visit him , and to provide for his wants . In some societies he is granted a sum of ten sons per diem during the time he is in hospital , which amonnt is
presented in a lump sum on his leaving . If he should be cast into p rison for any offence not entailing disgrace , he is assisted in every possible way ; and if he dies , the society pays for his funeral , and honours his memory by a special service a year afterwards . " In every society there is
appointed a fresh Eouleur , whose duties are onerous , and who " welcomes tbe new arrivals , finds them work , and on their desiring to leave the town , sees that all their old
scores are cleared off , and accompanies them to the gate of the town . " This Bouletir likewise convokes the assemblies , or which the general assemblies are usually held on the first Sunday of every month , while special assemblies meet as
occasion requires . He is also " bound to be present at all partings between master and man , and to take care that their accounts are adjusted . He then calls a special meeting , when the accounts between the society and the journeyman are likewise settled , also anv obligations towards bis
fellowworkmen . On arriving at a fresh town , the society there always inquires of the branch at the last cit y in which be worked whether the member had cleared off all scores . " It is the Bouletir who procures the number of men recmired
by a master , who , however , mnst not employ in one shop the members of two different societies ; though , if he is dissatisfied with the members of one great division , he may discharge all in his employ , and seek assistance from the
cniers of another di vision . In the event of a master seriously offending the society , he is placed nnder an interdict , and jf his fellow-masters support him the whole town is banned . The manner of providing work for members—the technical term is embaucltage—which differs in the different systems—is described . Of other customs there is the
regular convoy or Gonduiie en regie , which attends a po ^ ipanion when leaving a city to resume his travels . •Respecting this we are told that " the leave taking with bis ¦ Qla ster was usually on a Saturday afternoon . Tbe special fssembly took place in tbe evening . On Sunday morning .
1 _ - ! ( .- ~~ " . . Qe treated bis friends , nnd the convoy then started . All the ^ tubers who are anxious to assist decorate themselves in , 'l companionage colours and a band , or at least a fiddler , ' ? commonlv enerasred . First starts tbe Bouletir ,
can-vineb e knapsack or bundle of the traveller , then the premier c ° nipanion and the departing brother arm in arm , the •hers follow two and two , all of course armed with their °'. g canes . Thus they pass through the gates , singing heir companionage songs , and having arrived at some « isianoe from the town , in a wood or other quiet plaoe ,
History Of Freemasonry.
a ceremony takes place , which differs according to the society . ' Perdiguier is far too conscientious to describe this ceremony , but he adds ' they howl , or not , as the case may be , but in all cases they drink . '" Sometimes this leads to the dispatch by an hostile society of a false or fictitious
convoy , which arranges matters so as to meet the regular convoy on its return to the city , and a regular topage or fight takes place . As to the Conduite de Grenoble , or Grenoble convoy , Bro . Gould tells us it " is called into requisition when a companion has disgraced himself or his society .
In full assembly he is forced on his knees , the fellows standing round and drinking to his ' eternal damnation ' in flowing cups . Meanwhile he is compelled to drink
water until nature rebels , and he is unable to imbibe any more , when it is poured over him in torrents . The glass which he uses is broken into fragments ; his colours are torn from him and burned : the Bouleur then leads him
round the room , each companion bestowing a buffet , less to hurt him than as a sign of contempt , and the door being opened , be is finally led to ifc , and ignominiously expelled . " The annual high festival commences with a special mass , after which the general assembly is held , and the officers
elected for the ensuing year , the whole concluding with a banquet , followed by a dance , to which the companions invite their sweethearts and friends , a second dance usually taking place the following day , at which the masters and their families are present . This festival is fixed for the
day of its patron saint , who is supposed to have exercised that particular Craft , the Stonemasons , however , selecting Ascension day . It should be noted tbat the Companions
hold their festivities apart , to the exclusion of the aspirants ; but the latter , though having a jollification of their own , cannot exclude the former . The Sons of Solomon , being one fraternity , hold joint meetings .
The following account of a funeral ceremony is worth giving in its entirety , the society undertaking all the expenses of interment . " The deceased is carried by four or six of his fellows , who change from time to time . On the coffin are placed two canes crossed , a square and
compasses interlaced , and the colours of tbe society . Each Companion wears a black crepe on his left arm and on his cane , and sports his colours . They march to the church , and thence to the cemetery in two lines , place the coffin on tbe edge of tbe grave , and form around it the ' living
circle . ' One of tbe Companions next addresses the mourners , all then kneel on one knee and offer a prayer to the Snpreme Being . The coffin is lowered , ancl the accolade or guillrette follows , " consisting of the following ceremony . " Two canes are placed on the ground near the grave , so am
to form a cross . Two Companions take their places , each within one of the quarters so formed ; turn half round on the left foot , carrying the rig ht foot forward so as to face each other , and occupy with their feet all four quarters of the cross ; then , taking each other by the right hand , they
whisper in one another's ear and embrace . All perform the gidlbretle , in turn , kneel once more on tbe edge of tbe grave , offer np a prayer , throw their pellets of earth on the coffin , and retire . In a few Crafts the concluding portion of the ceremony is slightly varied , the address to the mourners is
diversified by lamentable cries , of which the public can understand nothing . This is evidently a further instance of ' howling . ' Perdiguier does not clearly indicate whether the accolade takes place or not . When the coffin has been lowered , a Companion descends and places himself beside
it ; a cloth is stretched over the mouth of the grave , and lamentations arise from below , to which the Companions above reply . If this ceremony takes place for a Companion Carpenter of Soubise , ' something occurs at this moment , of
which I am not permitted to speak . ' I am inclined to think that Perdiguier has here forgotten his usual caution , and savs too much ; there can be little doubt that the masked Companion gives the gnilbrette , or some modification thereof , to tbe deceased . "
Of other customs that of the Stonemasons , Joiners , and fjocksmiths establishing and maintaining technical schools in all the towns of the Tour de Prance is singled out for mention ; as also that of the same three Crafts with the Carpenters , all which owed a divided allegiance , whereby
when one family was well established in a particular city , fhe others refrained from intruding . This supremacy was sometimes determined by a trial of skill ( concours ) , while -ometimes it was settled by a fight , instances of which are cited . ( To be continued . )