The Red Cross And The Templars.

THE RED CROSS AND THE TEMPLARS .

TO THE EDITOR OF . THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Your correspondent >_ b asks whether Constantine the Great was a Freemason , a question which , it is to he hoped , some of our leading authorities in Masonic antiquities will answer . It would be just as rational to assert this as many other

things . Your other correspondent , " No Cross , no Crown , " asserts that our late Bro . the Duke of Sussex , M . W . G . M ., and Bro . W . H . White , G . Sec , were engaged in promoting a Masonic reform under the name of the Red Cross Knights , so as to get rid of the reveries of Ramsay . This is a strange mission

for the G . M . and G . Sec . of the Grand Lodge of England , and it will be interesting to know how far they were successful in extending the principles of the Craft in this direction . It is to be hoped the present M . W . G . M . and G . Sec are likewise enrolled as members for the completion of this noble mission ,

in which the Duke of Sussex so far failed that his Order nearly became extinct . Is it not generally believed that the Templar degree owes its origin to Ramsay and his school ? In what respect are we called upon to sacrifice Templarism to the Red Crosswhen the Duke of Sussex

, , G . M . of the Templars , never gave up Templarism to the Red Cross , so far as is known or apparent ? Yours fraternally , A TEMPLAR .

Order Of The Garter.

ORDER OF THE GARTER .

TO TUB ED 1 T 0 O . OF THE FREEMASONS * MAGAZINE AND MASONKS MlftfiOSV . DearSir and Brother , —As I have been exposed to some ridicule , and most unduly , for society must allow it is a usual jolace , in talking about meetings of the ancient Order of the Garter being held in publichouses , I have found out that our ancient brethren did meet in public-housesas see bthe

, you may y Atltenceum , literary newspaper , of this day , in which it says that King Henry the Sixth held a Chapter of the Order of the Garter in 1445 at the Lion at Brentford , when a night was made of it , and Lord Hastings and the Earl of Avranches were installed Knights on the following morning .

There was once a famous Red Lion at Brentford , and there were kings there . Yours fraternally , WM . HARRIS . 4 th April , 1868 . [ We are really very much obliged to our esteemed

correspondent , Bro . Wm . Harris , for calling attention to this interesting matter . We take this opportunity , by calling attention to the present communication , of answering once for all the numerous inquiries made of us as to the reality of Bro . Wm . Harris , respecting whose existence aud whereabouts

several hi gh Masonic dignitaries , Craft , Arch , Kni ght Templar , A . and A . Rite , Red Cross , and of many other Masonic bodies , and of non-Masonic and woulclhe Masonic bodies have made anxious and confidential requests to be favoured with his address or the number or name of his lodge & c . Our answer isBro . Win .

, , Harris does exist , and lie was well known in the Graft before many of the present members of Grand Lodge , Grand Chapter , Grand Conclave , and the S . G . Council were born . —ED . F M . l

Masonic Exchange.

MASONIC EXCHANGE .

NOTICE . The system of exchanges of objests wanted , by newspaper correspondence , has of late afforded considerable assistance in mutual accommodation , and we are disposed to afford the same facilities to our

subscribers . Communications addressed to us will meet with attention . Non-subscribers can remit sixpence in postage stamps for notices to be inserted of objects wanted , or at disposal .

The following inquiries have heen received . 1 . D . C . wishes to dispose of some old seals and diplomas . 2 . 31 . M . wishes to exchange a jewel of No . 29 . 3 . X . Y . Z . has a set of new clothing for the officers of a lodge under the Grand Orient of Franceor

, Grand Oost of the Netherlands . 4 . T . B . would exchange copies of seals . 5 . W . J . L . wants rituals of the degrees below the ISth in English and French . He does not want what are called philosophic rituals . 6 . R . T . wants the loan of the ritual of the old

Templars , which is partly in Latin . 7 . W . H . is open to exchange originals or copies of Masonic documents , charters , & c . 8 . D . C . L . has a set of miniature furniture and officers' collars and jewels , & c , for a Lodge of Instructionthe pedestals fold ; he will be glad to

ex-, change them for a complete set of "Masonic Quarterly , Monthly , and Weekly Magazine and Mirror . " 9 . 11 . S . T . has a 30 ° jewel , about three inches diameter , together with a silver embroidered sash as good as new ; will exchange it for a 31 ° jewel and

collar of the regulation pattern . 10 . X . offers a perfect set of the quarto series ot the Freemasons' Magazine for a collar and jewel of the English 31 ° , and a set of Provincial Grand Officers' clothing . 11 . R . R . S . will exchange a K . H . silver gilt 30 °

jewel , set with French brilliants , and a sash , nearly new , for a complete set of Dr . Oliver ' s Masonic works . 12 . J . L . wants an Irish Past Master ' s apron , collar , and jewel , and will give in exchange those of an English P . M . 13 . Miles wishes to exchange a large handsome

Bible , suitable for presentation to an English lodge , for a K . T . signet gold ring . All answers to be addressed ( post paid ) to the respective numbers and initials , Freemasons' Magazine office , Salisbury-street , W . C , London .

JUSTICE is one of the cardinal virtues of tlie Masonic code . It is a principle simply recognising what is right , and giving ' what is due . Its requirements demand an observance of the moral ]« iv . Equity is what she claims must be strictly established between contending parties . ZSo revenge or cruelty can be instituted to satisfy the demands of justice . This must be tho teachings of justice , connected with the institution of Masonry .