Freemasonry And Its Institutes.—Vi.

to the tribunal all crimes Avhich fall beneath the secret ban of the emperor which he knows to be true , or which he has hoard from trustworthy report ; ancl that he will not forbear to do so , for love nor for loathing , for gold nor for silver , nor precious stones . This oath being imposed upon him , the neiv Freischopff was then intrusted with the secrets of the Vehinic tribunalwhich consisted of the password by ivhich

, he was fco knoAV his fellows , ancl the grip or sign by Avhieh they recognized each other in silence ; ancl lie was warned of the terrible punishment awaiting the perjured brother . If he discloses the secrets of the court , he is to expect that he will be " suddenly seized by the ministers of vengeance . His eyes are bound , he is cast down on the soil , his tongue is

torn out through the back of his neck , ancl he is then to be hanged seven times higher than any other criminal . Whether restrained by the fear of punishment or the stronger ties of mystery , no instance was ever knoivn of a betrayal of the secrets of the tribunal . The Vehmec jericht is saicl to have been founded by Charlemagne ; ancl as late as the middle of

the eighteenth century , a few Vehmic tribunals existed in name , though without possessing any of tlieir pristine power . In this singular society the ancient mysteries can be easily detected in a modified and quasi Christianized form ; it , as in the old mysteries , combined a religious ancl legal

government , for , says Palgrave , they " designated their j urisdiction as comprehending every offence against the honour of man , or the precepts of religion . " The form of oath and the punishment of its violation are similar ; it in principle also differs in no essential character from the summary jurisdiction exercised in the toivnships and hundreds of Anglo-Saxon

England . Indeed , " the Vehmic tribunals can only be considered as the ori ginal jurisdictions of the olcl Saxons , which survived the subjugation of their country . The singular and . mystic forms of initiation , the system of enigmatical phrases , the use of the signs and symbols of recognition , may probably be ascribed to the period when the whole system

was united to the worshi p of the deities of vengeance , and when the sentence was promulgated by the doomsmen , assembled , like the Asi of old , before the altars of Thor or Woden . " The derivation of the Avord is doubtful ; Palgrave derives it from Ehnie laAv , AA'hich seems probable . In the Vehmic

institution , a union not only of the ancient mysteries ancl religions but also of those sacred rites and laAv , thus forming an interesting ancl connecting link in the middle ages between the laAvs ancl superstitions of olden time and modern days . The primary design of the Order AA-HS good , ancl inculcated the same principles as those displayed in the Welsh Triads" to reform morals , fco secure peace , and to encourage goodness . "

In the old charges of the Free ancl Accepted Masons , collected from their old records at the command of the Grand Master , approved by Grand Loclge , aucl ordered to be printed in the first Book of Constitutions , 25 th March , 1722 , wc read—concernin g Gocl ancl religion- — "A Mason is obliged by his tenure to obey the moral law , as a true Noachide ; " IIOAV

Avhat this is seems explained in the three great principles of Freemasonry—brotherly love , relief , and truth . These principles were , to a certain extent , inculcated in . all the heathen systems , especially among the esoteric members ; We find them more plainly expressed in the books of Moses ; ancl lastly Christ himself sums up the whole law as being comprised in love of Gocl and one ' s neighbour . And in an old MS . in the British Museum ( Bib . Reg . 17 ) are the followin < r lines : —

At thys semble ivere poyntes ye ordeynt mo , Of grete lordys and maystrys also , That whose Avot conne thys Craft and com to astate He most love Avel Gocl , and holy church algate . " Ancl again , " The tenthe poynte presentyeth Avel gocl Jyf To Vyven ivitboute care and stryf . "

Freemasonry And Its Institutes.—Vi.

And in the first antient charge it is further stated that Masons are to be " good men and true , men of honour ancl honesty , by whatever names , religions , or jiersuasions they may be distinguished ; for they all agree in the three great articles of Noah , enough to preserve the cement of the Lodge . " Now Noah , we know ( Gen . vi . 9 ) , " was a just . man ,

and perfect in his generations ; ancl Noah Avalked with God . " In a MS . belonging to the Lodge of Antiquity , written in the time of James II ., ifc states thafc " Every man who is a Freemason must consider it a sacred duty to fix on his mind the following charges , and to observe them with due care , principally for dread ofthe most high Goclby whose

, holy name he hath sworn to obey them ; for ifc is a great error to be guilty of perjury . The first charge is that you worship God in sincerity and truth , aucl that you do not attempt any heresy or schism in the church . 2 . You shall be true liege men to the goverment and laws of your country , and never be guilty of falsehood or treason ; ancl

should any treasonable practices come to your knowledge , you are forthwith to g ive , information thereof to the properauthority . You are also to be true to one another , ancl to observe the golden rule of doing to every brother as you should wish he would do to you . 3 . You shall keep with inviolable secrecy all the mysteries of Freemasonry which may

be communicated to you in the Lodge . You must conduct yourselves as men of honesty ancl integrity , and serve your master in such a manner as may be most conducive to his honour aud profit . 4 . You shall call all Masons brother , ancl never apply to them any opprobrious epithets . 5 . You shall respect the chastity of a brother ' s wifehis daughter

, , ancl his servant ; and shall commit no act which can cast a reflection on his character ,. or expose him to shame . 6 . Wherever you go you shall be careful to pay for your board and lodging , ancl always act in such a manner as may reflect honour on the Craft . "

Indeed , no institution can boast a more solid foundation than that on which Freemasonry rests—the practice of every moral ancl social virtue . No one who has ever been admitted to a participation of its mysteries can forget that in every case of difficulty , clanger or distress , he is taught to place his trust in Gocl ; that to his most serious contemplation is recommended

the volume of the Sacred Laiv , being charged to consider it as the unerring standard of truth ancl justice , aud to regulate his actions by the divine precepts it contains , as therein he is taught the important duties he owes to Gocl , his neighbour and himself . To God , by never mentioning His name but with that awe and reverence which are clue from the

creature to his Creator , by imploring his aid on all lawful undertakings , and by looking up to him in every emergency for comfort and support . To his neighbour , by acting to him on the square , by rendering him every kind office which , justice or mercy may require , by relieving his necessities , by soothing his afflictions , and doing him as in similar cases you would wish him to clo to yourself . To himselfby such

, a course of prudence and well-regulated discipline as may best conduce to the preservation of his mental and corporeal faculties in their fullest energy , thereby enabling him to exert those talents with which God has blessed him , as well to his glory as the welfare of his fellow-creatures . What can be more moralwhat more in accordance with the divine

, precepts than ivhat is here inculcated % Did all , nay , half the world only , act in such a manner , human laws would come to an end , ancl there would indeed be 23 eace on earth and good will among men ; but since , alas , suck a course is contrary to the fallen nature of mankind , Freemasonry wisely 2 ) rescribes other additional laws for the guidance of its members .

As citizens ofthe Avorld , she enjoins the brethren to be exemplary in the discharge of their civil duties , by never proposing or at all countenancing any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society ; to pay clue obedience to the laivs of auy state which may for a time become the place of tlieir residence , or afford them its