The Rites Of Freemasonry.

¦ conferred by accolade . Candidates have to swear allegiance to the Supreme Grand Council , and to promise to hold no Masonic intercourse in any of the Ineffable Degrees of Antient and Accepted Masonry with any except such Masons as are

recognised by it as lawful and regular . The Rose Croix is the most antient and generally practised of the histoi'ical degrees ; it is found in all the principal Rites , and where it does not exist in name , its place is supplied by others ,

whose symbols do not materially differ from it . Of its origin nothing satisfactory is known ; b ut its almost universal recognition in all countries favours the theory of its being of long standing . Its ceremonies are of the most impressive character ,

and eminently Christian . The ritual is remarkable for elegance of diction , and its teaching figuratively expresses the passage of man through the Valley of the Shadow of Death , accompanied and sustained by Faith , Hope , and Charity ; and his

final reception into the abode of life , light , and immortality . As may easily be imagined , to give this degree in the full perfection of its ceremonies , large chambers , and many accessories are required .

The Ivadosh , or Knight of the Black and White Eagle is found in many Rites . As now given in this country it is purely a philosophical degree and no reference is made to the death of Jaques de Molay . By the Antient Contitutions of the

Order , no Chapter of Knights Kadosh can be held , except under the immediate authority of the Supreme Grand Council , three of whose members must be present . The French Rite ( a modification of which " the

Antient Reformed " is practised in Belgium ) , was established by the Grand Orient of France about the year 1786 to preserve the hi gh degrees ¦ for the purpose of sirnplyfying the system the number was reduced to seven , viz ., E . A ., F . C . (

compacjnon ) , M . M ., elect , or first Order of Rose Croix Scotch , or second Order of Rose Croix Knight of the East , or third Order of Rose Croix . And the Hose Croix , the third degree , is conferred in a special chamber and in a very solemn and

awe inspiring manner . The fourth , fifth and sixth have all reference to old testament history , and require several chambers for their illustrations . The seventh is ideafcical with tlie eighteenth of the Antient and Accepted Rite . The Sweedish Rite consists of twelve degrees . In 1811 the King of Sweden established the

Order of Oharlos XII ., an Order of Knighthood to be conferred only on the principle dignitaries of the Masonic Institution in his dominions . The number of knights is twenty-seven , and the King is the perpetual Grand Master .

The Grand Lodge of the Three Globes at Berlin for a long time practised only the three primitive degrees of Craft Masonry ; it afterwards adopted seven higher ones , which are governed by an Inner Orient , elected by the Grand Lodge .

The Gross landes loege von Beutschland adopts the Swedish system , whilst the Grosse Logo des UJdeJistichen Frimaurier bundes of Frankfort on

the Maine , acknowledges only the three Antient degrees ; although tolerated , this Grand Lodge has no legal status , as a decree of 1798 prohibits all secret societies in Prussia , except Masonic lodges hailing from either of the three

Grand Lodges "The Three Globes ' ' "Germany " or " Royal York . " In 1864 was established the Verein Deutsclier

Freimauncr the sole ( but unrecognised ) central Masonic body of Germany . Its aims are to reestablish Freemasonry in its original purity , to form a united Grand Lodge of Germany , and to promote the creation of a central Masonic

authority for the Universe . The Royal Order of Scotland is perhaps the only g-enuine Order of knighthood in connection with Freemasonry . It is said to have been founded by King Robert the Bruce in 1314 to

reward the Masons who fought for him at Bannockburn . It was revived at Edinburgh during the last century , and to preserve a marked distinction between it and Craft Masonry , it confines itself entirely to the degrees of Heredom and the Rose

Cross . Its ritual breathes the purest and most catholic Christianity . The Order is confined almost entirely to Scotland , ( though it has Prov . Grand Lodges in other countries ) , and only Royal Arch Masons are admitted who are registered in

the books of the Grand Chapter . The Religious and Military Order of Knights Templar was established in the beginning of the 12 fch century to protect pilgrims in Palestine , and to guard the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem . It still exists as a variety of High Grade Freemasonry in Great Britain and the United States .