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Article among their ranks were many learned eccl... ← Page 11 of 12 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Among Their Ranks Were Many Learned Eccl...
proficiency in what are known as the higher degrees in Ereemasonry ; and about the year 1786 he established in dPrussia the Supreme Council of Grand Inspectors-General ( which rite is believed to have been practised in Scotland from time immemorial ) , in order to
preserve to his successors the Masonic privileges which he possess the acknowledged head of that rite . As Grand Commander , also , of the Order of Princes of the Eoyal Secret ( the 32 nd Degree ) , his authority was acknowledged by the Lodges and Councils throughout the continent of Europe .
with regard to the present government of the order , w e must acknowledge that serious anomalies have arisen , which we would gladly see reconciled . According to the constitutions of the Order , it is clear that there can be but one supreme Grand Master , whose authority all Preceptories ( or , as they are now termed , Encampments ) are bound to acknowledge . The subordinate heads of the brotherhood in the various parts of Christendom are properly designated Masters , or Grand Priors . If then the succession of Grand Masters
is allowed to have continued unbroken in Erance ^ it is clear that to the Grand Master of the Temple in Paris belongs the right of appointment of the heads of all subordinate Precepts ments . If , on the other hand , this authority be disavowed , to whom of right belongs the rule of the Order , and what becomes of its ancient customs , traditions , and landmarks ? "When the late Duke
of Sussex was in the zenith of his power as Grand Master of Masons in England , he wished to obtain also the supreme authority in the higher degrees , as well in Craft as Royal Arch Masonry ; and to this end , carrying out the wishes of the majority of the brethren in this country , he applied to the Emperor Alexander of Eussia , as the nominal head of the Knights of Malta , for authority to rule the
chivalrie orders established in this country , and received from that potentate the title of Grand Prior of England , uniting under his control the three degrees of Knights Templar , Knights of St . John , and Knights of Malta . At the duke ' s death the supreme authority in England was conferred upon that very worthy and highly-esteemed Mason Colonel Kemeys Tynte , who was styled " Grand Master" of
the Knights Templar , —an innovation which caused considerable discontent at the time , and in some measure tended to results to be regretted . In the year 1851 the degrees of Knight of Malta , or Knight of St . John , and also the Kadosh , were separated from the Templar degree , a severance w hich caused much dissatisfaction , and the heart-burnings arising from which can hardly yet be said to have subsided .
The appointment of the Duke of Sussex himself , as derived from the Emperor Alexander , is liable to the following objections : — The Knights Templar , it . is acknowledged , were incorporated with the Knights of Sfc . John , or Knights of Malta , who , after their expulsion from that island , elected , undoubtedly , as their Grand Master , the Emperor Paul of Eussia . But the title of Grand Master , assumed by his son and successor Alexander , was never con-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Among Their Ranks Were Many Learned Eccl...
proficiency in what are known as the higher degrees in Ereemasonry ; and about the year 1786 he established in dPrussia the Supreme Council of Grand Inspectors-General ( which rite is believed to have been practised in Scotland from time immemorial ) , in order to
preserve to his successors the Masonic privileges which he possess the acknowledged head of that rite . As Grand Commander , also , of the Order of Princes of the Eoyal Secret ( the 32 nd Degree ) , his authority was acknowledged by the Lodges and Councils throughout the continent of Europe .
with regard to the present government of the order , w e must acknowledge that serious anomalies have arisen , which we would gladly see reconciled . According to the constitutions of the Order , it is clear that there can be but one supreme Grand Master , whose authority all Preceptories ( or , as they are now termed , Encampments ) are bound to acknowledge . The subordinate heads of the brotherhood in the various parts of Christendom are properly designated Masters , or Grand Priors . If then the succession of Grand Masters
is allowed to have continued unbroken in Erance ^ it is clear that to the Grand Master of the Temple in Paris belongs the right of appointment of the heads of all subordinate Precepts ments . If , on the other hand , this authority be disavowed , to whom of right belongs the rule of the Order , and what becomes of its ancient customs , traditions , and landmarks ? "When the late Duke
of Sussex was in the zenith of his power as Grand Master of Masons in England , he wished to obtain also the supreme authority in the higher degrees , as well in Craft as Royal Arch Masonry ; and to this end , carrying out the wishes of the majority of the brethren in this country , he applied to the Emperor Alexander of Eussia , as the nominal head of the Knights of Malta , for authority to rule the
chivalrie orders established in this country , and received from that potentate the title of Grand Prior of England , uniting under his control the three degrees of Knights Templar , Knights of St . John , and Knights of Malta . At the duke ' s death the supreme authority in England was conferred upon that very worthy and highly-esteemed Mason Colonel Kemeys Tynte , who was styled " Grand Master" of
the Knights Templar , —an innovation which caused considerable discontent at the time , and in some measure tended to results to be regretted . In the year 1851 the degrees of Knight of Malta , or Knight of St . John , and also the Kadosh , were separated from the Templar degree , a severance w hich caused much dissatisfaction , and the heart-burnings arising from which can hardly yet be said to have subsided .
The appointment of the Duke of Sussex himself , as derived from the Emperor Alexander , is liable to the following objections : — The Knights Templar , it . is acknowledged , were incorporated with the Knights of Sfc . John , or Knights of Malta , who , after their expulsion from that island , elected , undoubtedly , as their Grand Master , the Emperor Paul of Eussia . But the title of Grand Master , assumed by his son and successor Alexander , was never con-