Uniformity Of Ritual.

independent bodies of the Order first connected themselves with the Masonic fraternity . Preceptory for the Temple and Priory , or Coiamander for the Order of St . J ohn or Malta , ought to be the designation . The title of Prelate is also a modern innovation ; Chaplain was the only name by which

brethren ordained for religious duties , and exempt from military service , were known in the Order . Captains of Columns and Lines are not to be found amongst the titles . In the costume , since the ridiculous appendage of the apron has been superseded by the surcoat or tunic , a move has been made in the

right direction , but why not add the red skull cap and spurs , which Avould be in accordance with ancient usage . Discontinue the theatrical black silk gauntlets , and substitute the buff leather ones—a distinction in the costume of the Chaplain is necessary . The jewels or insignia of the Order demand

consideration . The silver star now worn , was never a badge of the ancient Order , and is but a paltry affair at best . The old authors ou the Orders of Knighthood , say : — " Les Chevaliers du Temple iis etoient vetus d ' un habit blanc , et par dessus iis partoient selons , les un une croix patriarchal rouge potence ,

_ et une croix a huit points , aussi , rouge et bordu d'or selons les autres . " This cross ' ' has the extremities concave , > 5 « to show the eight points , and this varies from our " * - cross patee . The cross patriarchal , with the white habit , appears to have been given them when they first made their professions to the Patriarch of Jerusalem , but when they exempted themselves from obedience to him they changed the cross

patriarchal to a block one of eight points , Avith an orle or bordure white , and this has been adopted by the Scottish Templars . Your correspondent , "Lupus " who wrote so interesting a letter on heraldic badges , page 24 S , will find mention of this cross in " Andrew Flavine , Theatre of Honour , '' Book ix ., p . 7 , and

• also in a note on the Beauseant in the " Statutes of the Scottish Templars , "—bearing testimony , as I do , to the correctness of the remarks of "Lupus" on the armorial bearings of the Hospitallers , I cannot agree Avith him that the present cross for a Prior of the Masonic Order of Malta ( borrowed from the

Ordre du Temple of France ) , is at all inappropriate , for here Ave have the true eight pointed Avhite cross of Malta , charged with the red cross of the Templar , thus combining the two Orders , as practised in England . For the armorial hearings of English Knights , Bro .

Oneal Haye has suggested , page 150 , an excellent augmentation by placing ( as I now understand him ) the cross of the Temple aud St . John on a chief parted in the centre by the shield of England , the three golden lions . The old ceremonies of a receptionand the rituals

, used in the three kingdoms will require to be carefully examined to form a correct and uniform one , based on historical accuracy . The Orders are now viewed in their true character , as chivalrie , and the fable of their origin as secret high degrees of Masonry quite discorded .

These remarks refer equally to the Order of Malta , the ritual adopted in England being capable of great improvement . It is the same , Avith some trifling alterations , as that used in Scotland , where it has

Uniformity Of Ritual.

been known since the end of the last century , and then spoken of as of long standing . The late Judge Waller Rodwell Wright , who was at one time Grand Master of the English Templars , in a report to the Grand Lodge of England , from the Island of Malta , stated , that although there was

evidence of a lodge of Freemasons having existed there amongst the Knights in the middle of the last century , Freemasonry was not connected with the Order of St . John . We are , therefore , led to believe that the present Masonic Order of Malta was derivedwith that of the Templefrom Scotland

, , , where the two Orders were united , ancl existed as State Orders to the period of the Reformation , when their scattered members associated themselves with the Masonic fraternity . I am satisfied that any brother interested in the Orders will with me thatas far as the altered

agree , state of society permits a return to correct usages and customs cannot be too strongly advocated . 9 th April , 1869 . CANADA .

2 &

Masonic Persecution.—Witnesses To The Truth.

MASONIC PERSECUTION . —WITNESSES TO THE TRUTH .

TO THE BDITOn OF THE FBEEMASOJfS MAGAZINE AUD MASOKIC MIBEOB . Dear Sir and Brother . —Another contributor to " Notes and Queries , " page 330 of your Magazine , alluding to the re-discovered mysteries , asks whether Bro . Melville "is not trying to impose upon the public , " verily the question is an invidious one ,

persecuting a brother—a scholar—whose truth alone performed the herculean task of disintegrating from the lumber , the historic debris of by-gone ages—the sacred mysteries which the distinguished historian , the late Bro . Oliver , with singular foresight and perspicuity , so far knew Avere held secret by the Order ,

that he ingeniously declared they had been long , long lost . Had your contributor , with brotherly courtesy , gone , to and earnestly sought "light , " from Bro . Melville , on the subject of the sacred mysteries , and had he been thereafter ' competent to prove their fallacy , then and not until then , he would have been

amply justified in denounced their author as an " impostor . " " Take nothing for granted " is the sage ' s advice to students , but it is not by denials , however lustily uttered , any more than by analytical inaction that students can ever hope to solve problems , or test the

properties of simples . Your contributor ignores the sage's advice , for he disregards e \ idenee , and passes sentence Avithout even giving the accused the benefit of a doubt ; what would have been said of the judge in the case of Miss Saurin , had he not devoted the most patient , the most

undivided attention to the most minute testimony for days in succession , before summing up and pronouncing judgment thereon ? In the case of Bro . Melville , the Grand Registrar bears witness he had been shown by him that the " ceremonies " were registered in heaven ! and who in their philosophy could ever before have dreamt