Freemasonry In Poland.

FREEMASONRY IN POLAND .

ZONDON , SATVHDAT , JUZT 8 , 1865 .

A document entitled " Universal Freemasonry " was issued lately by Bro . B . J . in the Polish language . In this paper various data on the history of Freemasonry in the land of the Jagellons are given , and Ave now lay thern before our readers as extracted from a French

translation published by the Monde Magonniqite . In 1767 , Bro . Mosziusky introduced Freemasonry into Poland , and founded at Warsaw the Grand Lodge called "The Three Brethren , " of which he became Grand Master . He had under

his command nine lodges that professed the rite of the Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons of Strict Obedience . The object of the institution was philanthropical , but most of its members , belonging to the nobility and gentry , and all of them

well educated , unfortunately adhered to a very strong exclusivism . This fact , however , is easily accounted for . The manners aud habits then prevailing in Poland , the social and political condition of the country , and especially the jealousy and

all-powerful influence of the Jesuits , precluded the spirit of the institution from penetrating into the masses of the population , and strengthening itself by Avholesome development . In face of such impediments , the Grand

Lodge did not meet Avith that success , and was unable to establish itself on such a strong ' foundation as the institution then enjoyed in most other civilised countries . This is much to be regretted , for , about 1814 , some large-hearted

patriots , instigated by the hatred of oppression and ardent love of national independence , resolved to gather in a corps , iu order to break the yoke of slavery for ever . Unfortunately , this association of men of talent and courage was very soon broken up .

Shortly after its dissolution , General Dembrowsky conceived the idea of forming a secret society , Avith the object of closely uniting the whole of the country and its outlying branches under that poAverful and legitimate standard of

nationality . He submitted his project to Prince JablonoAvski and to Messrs . Terrassinski and Prondszynski , but the idea was not carried out till 1818 , after the General's death . The society then constituted and organised itself , and assumed the name of National Freemasonry . The terms , signs , and degrees of this society Avere entirely Masonic ,

and the members had to take the engagement , upon oath , of assisting each other , to labour -with all their zeal and joint efforts towards the triumph of the national cause , and never to forget the glorious traditions of ancient Poland .

Of this association , having the character of an ecclesia militans , Major Lukasinski was appointed Grand Master , and , although every citizen Avas permitted to join it , military men and public officers and functionaries were admitted in

preference . The number of adherents was very large at the beginning , but a gradual fallingoff took place up to the year 1820 , when there remained only a Gfiapitre Secret , which , at a later epoch , formed the nucleus of a new association .

While the National Masonry fell into decline at Warsaw , it preserved its strength in the Grand Duchy of Posen , notAA ithstanding the alterations its statutes necessarily underAvent . Its members assumed the name of Kossinicri ( scythemen ) , in

remembrance of the revolution of 1794 . SazoznieAvski , an officer of the late Polish army , and General Uminski , who had principally contributed to the reforms introduced in the neAV association , aiwed at Warsaw in 1821 , and a certain number

of old aud tried Masons gathered round them , the association having a strictly political character , conformable to the circumstances . Their first meeting took place on May 1 , 1821 , at an inn called Potok , at some distance from the town . On this solemn occasion a medallion , containing Kosciusko's

portrait , Avas suspended on Prondszinski's SAVord , and those present swore to bestoAV all their forces and ability upon the work for the re-establishment of liberty , and to die for the cause of national independence .

From this epoch the Central Committee settled at WarsaAV ; and in order to facilitate the propagation of its objects , it divided the late kingdom of Poland into seven divisions , viz ., the Grand Duchy of Posen , Lithuania , Volhynia , Podolia , Galicia ,

the Free City of KracoAV , and the king dom as it then existed by virtue of the Act of Congress of 1815 . However , the committee , Avith a view to better succeed in the attainment of their object , substituted the name of Patriotic Society for the designation of National Freemasonry and

Kossimen . About the same time . Professor Zan propagated amongst the students of the University of Wilna the dogmas of the Association of the Eayonnistes ,