The Charter Of Cologne.

consuetudine illorum temporum magistros esse vocatos ex peritissimis et optimis disoipulorum collaborators collegisse atque cooptasse , unde nomen socii exortum , qnum caeteri collect ! , non vero cooptati , more hebraeorum , graecorum et romanorum p hilosophorum , discipuli appellatione

designarentur . B . Consociationem nostrumut olim

, , ita et nunc , tribns hisce , discipuli , socii , magistrique gradibus , postremos autem , . magistros , electis magistris , summisque electis magistris constare : omnes vero consociationes , vel fratemitates sic dictas , quae plures , aliasve , admittunt denominationes , subdivisiones , aliamve sibi adsciscunt originem , politicis vel ecclesiasticis

nogotiis se admiscentes , odium et invidiam cuipiam jm-atae pollicentur atque obtestantnr , quibuscunque id tandem fiat titulis caementariorum liberorum , fratrumve Joannis sacris adscriptornm , aliisve , non ad nostrum pertinere ordinem , sed veluti schismaticas ex eo repelli atque ejici .

P . Illos inter doctores , hujus que ordinis magistros mathematicas , astronomicas , aliasve disciplinas exercentes , post illorum per totum terrarum orbem dispersum , matuum doctrinae atque lueis conimercium constitisse , quo factum est , ut ex iis quidem electis magistris unus insuper eligi coeptus sit , veluti prae caeteris excellens , qui ut summus magister

electus vel patriarcha veneraretur , solis electis magistris cognitus , simulque et visibile atque invisibile totoisque consociationis nostrae caput et princeps haberetur , quemadmodum et hodie hoc pacto supremus magister atque patriarcha , siquidem paucissimis notus , re vera exstitit . Hisce igitur praemissis , ex vetnstissimorum

membranorum ordinis , ipsiusque chartarum congerie collatis , nostri patriarchae auctoritate , Sanctis cum documentis , in posterum praesidis ejusque successorum fidei - commissis , sedulo comparatis ejnsdem illustrissimi patriarchae auctoritate muniti , statuimus atque praecipimus . A . Societatis nostrae imen modus

reg atque ratio , quibus lueis igneae radii ad illuminatos fratres , sicnti et in orben profanum , deferantur atque promoveantur , sunt penes summos electus magistros : iis vigilandum est et videndum , ne quid contra vera societatis nostrae principia moliantur cujuscunque status et ordinis socii : iisdem etiam . ordinis proceribus incumbit societatis

defensio , ipsiusque incolumitatis eonservatio atque tutamen : hunc , si casus incident , suarum fortunarum devotions , vitaeque poriculo , contra omnes instituti

called Brethren dedicated to John , following the example and imitation of John the Baptist , precursor of the Rising Light , first among the Martyr Stars of the Morning . That these Doctors and Scribes who were also , according to the customs of those times , called Masters , did from the most experienced

and best of the disciples ( i . e ., Apprentices ) , collect and choose fellow labourers , whence arose the name of Socius ( Fellow Craft ) . When others were elected but not chosen , they were designed after the manner of the Hebrew , Greek , and Roman Philosophers by the appellation of Disciple ( recti non vero cooptati )—i . e ., Apprentices .

B . That our Association now , as formerly , consists of Three Degrees of Disciple , Fellow , and Master—the last , or Masters , admitting of Elect Masters and Superior Elect Masters , { i . e ., Masters of Lodges , and Provincial Grand Masters or rulers of Districts ) . But that all Associations or Fraternities so called who admit of more or other denominations

or subdivisions , and who ascribe to themselves another origin , and intermeddling with political and ecclesiastical affairs , make promises and protestations , under whatever titles they may assume of Free Masons and Brethren attached to the solemnities of John , or others which belong not to our Order , but are to be expelled and ejected from it as schismatics .

r . That among the Doctors , Masters of this Order cultivating the sciences of mathematics , astronomy , and other studies , a mutual interchange of doctrine and light was maintained , which led to the practice of electing out of those who were already Elect Masters . , One in particular , who , as excelling the rest , should be venerated as

Supreme Elect Master or Patriarch ; being known only to the Elect Master , he was regarded both as the Visible and the Invisible Head and Chief of our whole Association , so that according to this ordinance the Supreme Master and Patriarch , though known to very few , yet still exists . The premises being compiled from the mass of parchments and

charter of the Order itself committed by authority of our Patriarchs , and the sacred documents , in future to the charge of our Preses and his successors , aud being therewith diligently compared , We , sanctioned by authority of the same illustrious Patriarch , ordain and command as follows : — A- The Government of our Societthe

y , mode and rule according to which the Flaming Light may be imparted and diffused among the Illuminated Brethren as well as the profane world , rest entirely with the highest Elect Masters . To them belongs the charge of watching and taking care lest the members ( Socii ) of whatever rank or order should attempt anything contrary to the true

principles of our Society . Upon the same Cheifs of the Society are incumbent the defence of the Order , the preservation and safeguard of its welfare , which , should