Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

VNLTEU PRECEPTORIES OF KEMEYS TYNTE AND TEMPLE CRESSING . In May last , there became united in the bonds of fraternal regard all that remained of these two preceptories—a closing up of the ranks , so to speak . To say the ever increasing demand upon the time of the zealous Mason of to-day has left the Knights

Temp lar Degree behind numerically , is to repeat an oft told story . England as a nation , perhaps , has not the same interesting facts connected with its history , and the history of this Degree as other natrons . Most of us who care to inquire know that the monastery of La Rabida stands on a long headland between the Odiel and Pinlo rivers , and that it was

originally erected during the reign of Hadrian , in the second century . Records are in existence showing that it was re-constructed in the eleventh century by the Knights Templar , who occupied it as a fortress . The very name , in the Moorish language , means an outpost on the frontier . At this moment these particulars are very interesting to the Order , showing its importance ,

from the fact that at this moment there exists in the World's Fair a complete model of the old monastry of La Rabida , or rather Santa Maria de la Rabida , or the monastery of St . Mary of the Frontier , which is doubly interesting from the fact of its close connection with the career of Columbus . It was in the original building the great discoverer derived hope and inspiration ; here

he lived the best and noblest hours of his life . It was considerably enlarged after his death , and has been restored to its original condition only within the last two years by the Spanish Government . But what you will ask has this ancient Order to do with Columbus and the discovery of America . Well , it is only necessary to relate in 1484 , shortly after he left Portugal , the

discoverer paid a visit to the Franciscan monks at La Rabida , and while on his way to Moquer , a small villsge , where he intended to leave his son Diego , weary , hungry , and penniless , he begged food for himself and his child at the monastery door . Not only was his appeal answered , but these good men became interested in his plans , gave him the sympathy he re

quired , and practically assisted him by giving him letters to influential persons at Court . Thus La Rabida —which was built by the Knights Templar—was evidently the great impulse and controlling force in the career of Columbus . He next appeared at La Rabida several years later , when he was about to leave Spain to seek aid either from the King of France or the Republics of Genoa or Venice .

I'or the second time Columbus was welcomed and encouraged by the good Monks of La Rabida . His third visit is dated at 1494 , when he returned bearing the contract with the sovereigns of Spain , a commission of Grand Admiral on the Ocean with a Royal requisition on the people of Palos to furnish the discoverer with vessels and supplies for his momentous voyage . The last appearance of Columbus at the

monastery was on his return bearing news of his triumph in celebration of which the monks sang a Te Deum in their chapel . They kept Columbus as a guest until he was duly summoned to Court . Small wonder then , is it , that in America the Knights Templar Degree is so important and considered so popular . Here in the

Old Country it has been considered purely a military Order . And properly so , as every Knights Templar knows . As an evidence of this , the Kemeys Tynte Preceptory was founded in the year iS 56 at Blackhcath . Dr . H . J . Hinxman , of Blackheath , being the first Preceptor or Commander , as the Presiding Officer was then called .

Of the family of Tynte ( 3 urke says ) , at the battle of Ascalon , 11 92 , a young knight of the noble house of Arundel , clad all in white , with his horse's housings ol Ihe same colour , so gallantly distinguished himself that Richard Cceur de Lion remarked publicly , after the victory , that the maiden knight had borne himself as a lion , and donr > dpfdi pnupl in thr , ««»

Y six Crusaders . The king then rewarded him 'rrr his prowess , conferring on him for arms a lion argent on a field gul s between six crosslets of the first h and for motto tiucius critore saraccni . Members of the famil y are still to hi found in Monmouthshire : o this day , Col . Charles Kemeys-Ktmeys Tynte , having granted his warrant for a new encampment for 'heprcvince , being at that time the Prior , the Grand

^ hancellor , Sir Knight John Mason , and other Military " ' ^ n'ghts , proceeded to Blackheath on the 19 th May , I 8 5 o , and consecrated this preceptory . Since that day many important Masonic names have been placed upon 'is muster roll , such as General Clerk , Peter Laurie , Lol . Burnt-y , J . Lewis ' 1 homas , Col . Shadwell Gierke , « ev . P . Holden , George Kenning , Capt . Philips , Dr .

^ empster , General Randolph , John Aird , M . P ., Sir ^ eorge Prescc-tf , Bart ., Frederick West , Dr . Lott , and _ ni-rs , each name bearing a complete Masonic history , ' « in the latter part of its career . Other Knights VV-1 r P haVe been installcd in 't ' m the persons of \ V u 0 mas ' Wl Stcvcnton Hoyte , Major Gir . n-, ivh ' ' ' ? ° ' R- P- Stevens - and J- I ' ercy Fitzgerald , VJbl l \|

^ . .. ^ LI . II . Uf the Temple Crossing Preceptory jewel interesting tu -i C ? ' Writte " - Sir Knight Dr . E . Shedd has eivk Us wilh a h'story , which we would gladly WOI-I ! > ¦ ' f our 3 P lce permitted . According to this clul 1 K ^ ' 'S " t , the name Crossing is taken from the J . V of the manor of that name at Mithan , in r-Sicx , ' ll , e preceptory of that name was founded at

Knights Templar.

Colchester , and consecrated on the 4 th day of February , 1 S 57 , by the then Grand Chancellor of thc Order , Very Eminent Sir Knight Masson , after which he installed Sir Knight Maydwell , as the first Eminent Commander , and Sir Knight H . S . Burney , the first Captain , this being the present Very Eminent Sir Knight Col . Somerville Burney , one of the

members of the United Preceptory already referred to . Here , at Colchester , the Temple Cressing Preceptory flourished for nearly 10 years , afterwards removing to Romford , remaining there for two years . Its next field ot encampment was held at Kennington , in London , then at London Bridge , until its amalgamation with the Kemeys Tynte .

On May 9 th last , at 33 , Golden-square , the formal amalgamation of the two preceptories took place , being hereafter known as the United Preceptories of Kemeys Tynte and Temple Cressing , Sir Knight R . P . Pittam Stevens being the present Preceptor ; Sir Knight Dr . Fisher Constable ; and Sir Knight Shedd , Marshal . Sir Knight Sir George Prescott , Bart , ( who , we regret

to say , has since been removed from amongst us ) , was the Treasurer—an office he had creditably filled for several years in the Kemeys Tynte . With such excellent material , the future of an important section of this interesting Order should make successful headway , and induce good men to be very anxious to join its ranks .

Roohdale Freemasonry.

ROOHDALE FREEMASONRY .

CENTENARY MEMORIALS . The rate of mortality among societies and institutions is so high that in no town do we find more than a few which have had continuous existence for a hundred years . Here in Rochdale there are the Parish Church , the Grammar School , the Blackwater , Union-street ,

and West-street Noncomformist churches , and several other lesser known institutions , including the Lodge of Harmony of the ancient Craft of Masons . This lodge celebrated its centenary on December 7 th of last year . Some " Memorials " of its 100 years' history have been compiled by Bro . Robinson Greenwood , S . D , and Bro . Robert R . Grey , P . M ., and Secretary , and printed in

worthy form by Bro . James Clegg , of the Aldine Press . There is nothing of sensational interest in the book . It tells a story of quiet and peaceful progress , which is perhaps the best thing one can say of any history . There have been occasional " tiffs , " brothers have quarrelled , some have seceded , and others have been expelled , but these have been infrequent and

exceptional incidents , and on the whole the lodge seems to have abundantly justified its name of " Harmony . " Freemasonry was not established in Rochdale until nearly 60 years after it had secured a lodgment in the neighbouring towns of Bury and Bolton . The first Rochdale lodge was the Amity , which was founded in 1791 , but was soon afterwards removed to Haslingden .

The Lodge of Harmony was started in 1793 at the Unicorn Inn , Royton , then kept by John Ogden . The names of 12 members are given on the " cash statement for registration , " which is dated November 6 th , 1794 . One of them was Mr . Charles Hopwood , who kept the Blue Ball Inn , Yorkshire-street , Rochdale , and his house being a more convenient centre , the lodge was removed there early in 1794—not 18943 s

wrongly stated on page 43 . F ' rom 1844 to 1850 the meeting-place was the Grapes Inn , kept by one Abraham Tweedale ; in 1850 , 1851 , and 1852 the lodge met at the Wellington Hotel ; from 1853 to 1857 at the Grapes Inn , and for a short time at Waterloo House , the residence of Bro . W . Roberts ; in 1858 and 1859 at the Masonic Rooms , Cheetham-street ; and from 18 . 59 to the present time at the Masonic rooms at the corner of Drake-street and Ann-street .

Here and there the selections which are given from the lodge minute books cast a curious sidelight on the manners of the time as well as on the customs of Freemasonry . In 1797 , John Sladen was " expelled for holding Jacobinical principles "—in other words for being a Radical . A footnote suggests that Bro . Sladen ' s offence wasone of promulgating his principles

in lodge , and not merely holding them , but this is only a suggestion , and we question very much whether in the temper which prevailed during the closing years of the eighteenth century a Freemason would have been expelled for opposing the principles of the English Jacobins , even if he attempted it during the sacred

hour of lodge meeting . Most people were ignorant in those days , and honestly believed that a movement to lower the franchise and to sweep away Parliamentary corruption was an attack on Church , Crown , and Constitution . The Freemasons were loyal to the backbone , as evidenced by this jumble of a resolution passed in 1800 :

' We congratulate his Royal Majisty for the late Providential and Happy escape against his Sacred Person whilst it filled the hearts of this country with alarm and abhorance has authorised every class of your Subjects to offer at your throne the expression of their ardent attachment without Fear of i . icuring the Charge of Intrution . "

On November nth Bro . Hopwood moved : "That no Bro . Joins this Lodge , and a loge of Orangemen or oddfellows , if he does to be expelld and to be made a Law on St . John ' s . " The record does not s ry whether this strange motion was carried or not but on

December 6 th , 1810 , there occurs this entry : " Any person being iiuOrenge Man , or odd Lad , altho being a Mason , is not to be admitted as a visitor so long as being a member of either of them societies . " On August 29 th , 1833 , it was ordered "that there be no Licqur alowd before the Lodge be opened , the Tyler excepted , " On

Roohdale Freemasonry.

May 22 nd in the following year Bro . Squires , an old and esteemed member of the lodge , was " find 3 d . for haveing a Collord handkerchief on . " Bro . Squires was not alone in protesting against the sumptuary law by which this fine was justified . In 1 S 43 there was "a futile attempt to repeal the by-law as to the wearing of white neckerchiefs ; " and in the following year it was

found necessary to enforce the by-law that " white neckerchiefs and gloves and decent apparel be worn during lodge proceedings , a fine of 3 d . each to be exacted from each member breaking this law . " The lodge celebrated its jubilee on December 7 th , 1 S 43 , and the festival was attended by Bro . Thomas ' Preston , R . W . D . P . G . M ., and other of the Provincial

Grand Officers . " The assembl y , " we are informed on page 21 , " comprised nearly the whole of the members of the Lodge , together with visiting Brethren from Wakefield , Huddersfield , Manchester , Bury , etc ., etc ., who contributed by their condescension in singing , etc ., to keep up the festivities of the evening . The Lodge was called from Refreshment to Labour , and was finally

closedatu o ' clockp . m . " In the following year the lodge subscribed £ 7 to the new Sunday and day schools which Dr . Molesworth built about that time on Sparrow Hill . The gift is probably mentioned as an exceptional one . For the most part , and very properly , the generous Charities of the lodge have been kept within the ordinary channels of Masonry . Another exception

was made , however , during the time of the cotton famine . On February 28 th there was a Masonic ball in the Public Hall , one-half of the profits to be given to the Masonic Charities and the other half to help in relieving the great suffering which then prevailed in the town . Unfortunately there was nothing to divide , for the financial result of the undertaking was that the

guarantors had to bear a loss of £ 1 9 s . 2 d . Throughout this period of distress the lodge premises were allowed to be used for sewing classes organised by the Rochdale Relief Committee . Among the later efforts by which the Harmony and the three other Rochdale lodges have benefited have been the performances annually given in the Theatre by Bro . F . W . Purcell in

aid of the Masonic Charities , By means of these entertainments the Charity funds of the local lodges have been aided to the amount of , 6235 . As an introduction to the local history there is a "Brief Sketch of the Origin and History of Freemasonry , " by which the brethren of the Harmony Lodge may trace their ancestry not a brief hundred years , but right back through dead ages and dynasties

and empires to the early history of Egypt before the mighty pyramids had been reared . This chapter and the book as a whole do great credit to the compilers , Bros . Greenwood and Grey . The profits , if any , arising from the publication will be given to the Masonic Charities , and for the sake of these funds , as well as because of the high merits of thc book itself , we hope every copy of the limited issue will be sold . — Rochdale Advertiser .

Freemasonry And Religion In The Royal Hush Constabulary.

FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION IN THE ROYAL HUSH CONSTABULARY .

The following appeared in the Parliamentary Reptrts a few days since : Mr . T . M . HKALY asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he would inquire

whether , in the County Down Royal Irish Constabulary , Catholics secure their fair share of promotion ; was it the case that the county inspector and three out of the four district inspectors are Freemasons , and that of the 14 acting sergeants 10 are Freemasons ; and whether this exercises any effect on the advancement of Catholics in the force ?

Mr . J . MORLEY—I am informed b y the Inspector . General that religion i ; not and never has been an element for consideration in the matter of cmalif ying for promotion in the constabulary . The principles which are laid down for the guidance of county inspectors making their selections for promotion are : First , efficiency in the performance of duty ; secondly ,

steadiness of conduct ; thirdly , ability to write reports ; fourthly , physical fitness ; fifthly , aptitude for command ; and sixthly , length of service . Of the eight promotions to acting sergeants during the past 12 months in the County of Down five were Protestants and three Catholics . Of the 14 men of that rank now serving in that county nine are Protestants and five Catholics .

The Inspector-General has no official knowledge as to whether officers and men now serving do or do not belong to the society of Freemasons , and in this connection I may remind the hon . gentleman who puts the question that it is provided by the 19 th Section of the 0 th William IV ., that the oath taken by the persons entering the constabulary specifically exempts that

society trom the prohibition placed on members of the force . The Inspector-General is assured that the fact of a man being a Freemason exercises no effect whatever upon his promotion . Mr . KENNEDY asked the ri ght hon . gentleman how he explained the fact that every Protestant in the Royal

Irish Constabulary was a sergeant unless he was a scapegrace ' : Mr . MORLEY was understood to say that he was unable to answer the question . Mr . MACARTNEY : 1 believe the Inspector-General is not a Freemason .

Mr . SEX ION : Is the society of Freemasons a secret society , and is it the only secret society of which a member of the Irish Constabulary can be a member ' t Mr . MORLEY : I suppose the society of Freemasons in behind as elsewhere is a secret society , but I really do not know anything more about it .