In the large and beautiful hall which belongs to this Lodge, is carried on the labor, not only of the Grand Lodge itself, but of the before-named Scottish and four St. John's Lodges. They also possess a good library, and an excellent museum of coins, medals, natural curiosities, antiquities, and ancient urns. following is a list of Grand Masters and Deputies: 1740-Grand Master, King Frederick the Great. 1747-Deputy G. M. the Duke of Holstein, at that time Governor of Berlin. 1754-G. M. Privy Councilor, Von Bielfeld. 1757-G. M. Margrave, Charles von Brandenburg. 1761-G. M. Baron von Prinzen. The 1772-97-G. M. Frederick August Herzoy von Braunschwing Oels. D. G. M. John Christopher von Weollner, Royal State Minister. 1798-1805-G. M. John Frederick Zeollner, Dr. of Theology, Provost and Chief Consistorial Councilor. D. G. M. Doctor Martin Henry Klaproth, Chief Medicine Councilor and Professor of Chemistry. 1805-G. M. Ludwis Aug von Guionneau, Royal General Major and Knight of the Order of Merit. D. G. M. Klaproth continued, and after his death 1807-D. G. M. George Frederick Ebertard von Beyer, Privy Chief Minister of Finance. On St. John's day, 1816, this Grand Lodge had upon its books sixtyuine St. John's Lodges, fortythree Scottish Lodges, and 6,182 members. C. Royal York Grand Lodge, Friendship. Founded in 1752, and forined into a Grand Lodge, 1790, under which Grand Lodge, and in the same hall, are held the following Daughter Lodges: 1. St. John's Lodge, Frederick William, Crowned Justice. 2. St. John's Lodge, Urania, Immortality. 3. St. John's Lodge, The Conquering Truth. 4. St. John's Lodge, Pythagoras, The Flaming Star. These four Lodges may be said to have been founded on the 11th June, 1798, inasmuch as, before that time, they all wrought together as one Lodge, and were divided into four Lodges on the day of the formation of the Grand Lodge. The formation of the Royal York Grand Lodge, Friendship, is ascribed partly to native and partly to French Brethren, whom Frederick the Great had invited to Berlin as Statesmen, shortly after his accession to the throne. This took place in 1750, under the name of St. John's Lodge, l'Amitié aux trois Colombes, on the 12th April, 1761; they took a warrant from the Berlin Grand Lodge, The Three Globes, but separated from that Grand Lodge again in 1767. In 1765, on the 27th July, they initiated the late Duke of York, who was travelling through the city, into the three first degrees of the Order, and from that time have called themselves the Royal York de l'Amitié. In the year 1767, on the 12th June, they joined the Grand Lodge in London; remained in connexion with it until 11th June, 1798, and then came forward as a Grand Lodge with a Royal Protectorium, dated Jan. 4, 1798. Until towards 1796, they had wrought for the most part in the French language, and quite according to the French Ritual, in both the lower and higher degrees of the Order, but, about this time, they adopted the ritual of Br. Fessler, and introduced it in December, 1796; after Br. Fessler left the Lodge, about the end of 1800, this ritual was abandoned and the English ritual, previous to 1717, was introduced for the three St. John's degrees. Besides those degrees there are higher degrees, which are only communicated to the initiated Grand Masters and Deputy-Grand Masters (or Appertained Grand Masters). 1796-G. M. John Peter Delagranere, General Excise Director. D. G M. Ignatz Aurelius Fessler, Doctor and Professor. 1798-G. M. Frederick William Augustus Von Selentin, Royal Privy Coun cillor. 1801-G. M. Ernst Ferdinand Klein, Privy Chief Tribunal Councillor. D. G. M. Carl Augustus Frederick Amalary, Councillor of War. In 1816 this Grand Lodge had nineteen Lodges on its books. D. Grand Lodge of the Freemasons of Germany, and Native Grand Lodge, both of which names are given to its yearly communications. It was founded in 1796, and on the 30th December, 1773, was constituted, from London, as a Grand Lodge of Germany; this constitution was withdrawn in 1788. This is thus according to its date the third Grand Lodge in Berlin, to which the following St. John's Lodges belong, and which work in the same hall : : 1. St. John's Lodge, The Three Golden Keys, founded 11th Aug. 1769. 2. St. John's Lodge, The Golden Ship, founded 11th March, 1771. 3. St. John's Lodge, Pegasus, founded 27th Sept. 1772. 4. St. John's Lodge, Constancy, founded 12th October, 1775. 5. St. John's Lodge, The Pilgrim, founded 1st Nov. 1776. 6. St. John's Lodge, The Golden Plough, founded 8th Nov. 1776. 7. St. John's Lodge, Aries, or the Ram, founded 15th Nov. 1776. This Grand Lodge was founded by Brethren, who declared off the Grand Lodge at the three Globes in 1767. After they had separated from the Grand Lodge in London, they adopted a system somewhat altered by Brother John William von Zinnendorf, General Staff Surgeon. They wrought also in the higher degrees, with a royal Protextorio, dated 16th July, 1774. GRAND MASTERS. 1770. Martin Kronke, Director General of the Mint. 1773. Lewis George Charles, Prince of Hesse Darmstadt. 1774. John William von Zinnendorf, General Staff Surgeon. 1775. Ernest, reigning Duke of Gotha. 1777. Jacob Mumsen, Doctor of Medicine, Hamburgh. 1780. Von Zinnendorf, again. 2762. Frederick von Bastillor, Professor and Member of the Academy of Sciences. 1789. Charles August von Beulwitz, Captain and Chief of the Cadet Corps. 1799. Von Castillon again. 1814. Joachim Friedrick von Neaader, General Major. This Grand Lodge had a: St. John's day, 1816, fortythree Lodges on its books. Besuchende Bruder. Visiting Brethren. If a Freemason is a member of any Lodge, he has a right to be admitted into all other Lodges as a visiting Brother, but a visiting Brother must either be introduced by a member of the Lodge, or he must be able to legitimise himself, by producing his Grand Lodge certificate, and proving himself by his work. At labor, as well as at the table, a visiting Brother having duly proved himself, and gained his admittance, should always be treated with the greatest kindness and civility by the members of the Lodge. Bewaffnung oder Degen. Arms or swords. In ancient times, every Brother was obliged to be armed in the Lodge to protect himself, in case the Lodge was assaulted, and as a symbol of manly strength. At present, swords are not necessary ia many Lodges, and in others, they are only used as symbols of obedience, in case that one should be necessary, and to be regarded as the sword of justice. For the protection of his fatherland, every faithful Brother ought to draw the sword of defence, cheerfully, but he ought never to stain it with a Brother's blood, even though that Brother is a foe. FREEMASONRY ON THE CONTINENT OF EU ROPE DURING THE PAST CENTURY. [Continued from page 208.] THE independent city of Hambro', led the way for the dissemination of Masonic knowledge in Germany, where its future course was either fostered or upposed as the various religions, politics, or interests of each particular state were affected. From the great variety of Sovereignties, of which Germany was composed, it was not to be expected that one system of Masonry, or one general law upon the subject would be sanctioned. All the people, therefore, who speak the German language will come under the present heading. However much they may be divided upon general matters, the language is one common bond of union, and wherever it is spoken on the Continent, is understood to be included under the term "Germany." HAMBRO' AND PRUSSIA. A warrant was granted from London in the year 1740, for the purpose of forming a Grand Lodge in Hambro', in which place the first Masonic meeting had been held in 1737. Seventy years elapsed without any necessity being found for dividing the interest, but the political affairs of 1811 compelled the Grand Lodge of Hambro' to sever the connexion, and declare itself independent, having at that time five subordinate Hambro' Lodges, and a number in various other localitics. Up to a comparatively recent period, a strange mode of workings and ceremonials had been introduced into the Hambro' Lodges, and those under its control, called the Strict Observance; but the indefatigable spirit of that well-known philanthropist, and highly esteemed Mason, Br. Schroeder, could not countenance the disfigurement of Freemasonry by such innovations, and he gently, yet successfully, introduced such reforms, as were needed to reinstate the pure and holy doctrines of the Order; they have likewise been adopted by the Lodges in Saxony, Brunswick, Mecklenberg, Wirtenberg, &c. The manner of work is, what is by us understood as Craft Masonry; higher degrees are obtainable, for which different arrangements are made. Several charitable institutions were founded by the Masonic body of Hambro', principally suggested by Scroeder. Many Lodges exist in Hambro' independent, and unconnected with the one of which we have been speaking, they are under the command of either one of the Prussian Orients, or Saxon Lodge. One of the first events of the Hambro' Lodge was the Initiation of Frederick the Great, while Crown Prince. This monarch, in the year 1740, authorised the establishing of a Grand Lodge in Prussia, under the title of the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes,-in 1744 it commenced extending its powers by the formation of Lodges,-two other G. Lodges exist, (with the above named) in Berlin-the Royal York, founded 1752, and the National Lodge of 1770, this last holding its patent from the Grand Lodge of England. The Royal patronage and support have at all times been given to the Freemasons in Prussia, and every Sovereign, since Frederick the Great, has been a member of the Order. No Lodge dare exist in the kingdom, unless under warrant of one or the other of the Grand Lodges, and no candidate can be received under the age of twentyfive. It is said that the late king was initiated by the Emperor of Russia (Alexander) in Paris. The Latomia, No. 1., page 34, remarks, "It is strange that the Freemasonry of one of the most enlightened countries in Europe, should be the most intolerant on the earth, and in preventing the admission of Jews into its halls, place itself in an insulated position as regards the Freemasonry of the world, it would lead one to suppose that the Prussians regarded Freemasonry as an entirely Christian institution; we cannot trace any reason for this. They decline not only to initiate the members of the Jewish faith, but refuse admission as visitors to such as have been regularly made free of the Craft in other countries, whether Germans or not, insulting by such means the members of Lodges with whom they are in closest intimacy, and offending the Grand Lodges with which they stand in correspondence, undoing one of the principal points and objects of our institution--universal benevolence, and Brotherly love. The members of the Prussian Lodges admit and feel the invidiousness of this law, particularly as the Lodge of the Rising Sun, at Frankfort-on-Maine, consists entirely of Jews, and is under the Grand Lodge of England. The Lodge, the Frankfort Eagle, under the Grand Orient of France, consists of members of various persuasions and creeds, yet those of the Jewish faith are not permitted to visit a Lodge of Prussia; this anomaly must soon be annually, and we sincerely pray that the singleness of purpose which constitutes the primary object of the Masons, may soon extend itself to our Prussian Brethren, and induce them to unite to form a law for the admission of all worthy and honorable men." SAXONY. In the year 1841, the Lodge of Minerva, in Leipzig, celebrated its centenary, and the following year the same happy ceremony was performed in the Lodge of Altenburg; it is pretty clear that Masonry has progressed in an undisturbed state in this kingdom. The introduction took place by an officer in the French service, the General Rutowsky, at Dresden, the first assemblage of foreign Brethren having taken place there in 1738, who formed a Lodge called the Three White Eagles, the subscribers numbered upwards of a hundred the first year. Royal support was never publicly conceded to the Fraternity, but they were never molested by the police or government. It would be tedious and out of place, in so slight a sketch of Continental Masonry, to re-capitulate any of the details of "the Craft," but we cannot silently pass the charities and institutions of which our Saxon Brethren have been founders and supporters. Their charities are as numerous, and as well maintained as any, and reflect alike honor on the Craft, and on the State; among the most prominent are The Educational Institution-The Sunday School-The Children's Charity-Clothing Orphans, &c. The Grand Lodge in this kingdom was formed in 1812, and one universal system is adopted by its subordinates, namely, Craft Masonry, known as St. Johns, two exceptions exist, one working (or professing so to do,) according to the old Scotch system-all the other Lodges acknowledge the Grand Lodge as their head; the Lodge at Weimar (Amalia,) is constituted from the Grand Lodge of Hambro.' FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE. The Lodges of Nurnberg, Erlangen, Worms, Mayence, Offenbach, Darmstadt, and Alzey, are under the control of the Grand Lodge at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, which was acknowledged as a Provincial Grand Lodge of England in 1766, but according to a previous arrangement, it became independent in 1782. Its officers refused to place themselves under the Grand Lodge of Prussia, from a dislike to the intolerance of its laws, and therefore, with others, under the management, and through the indefatigable exertions of Zinnendorf, formed the present Grand Lodge. Austria, Bavaria, and Baden, Are under Catholic sway, and although Freemasonry established itself in those countries, the clergy opposed it with ultimate success. The first law against the practice of the Craft is that of the Empress Maria Theresa, in 1764, in consequence of the refusal of three Masters of Lodges to make her acquainted with the secrets and arrangements of the Order. It does not appear that she was aware of her husband being a member; we mentioned it under the head of "Holland." That enlightened monarch, Joseph the Second, allowed the Freemasons every indulgence and privilege, restricting the number of Lodges to three in large towns, but giving distinct instructions to all departments in the State, to support and assist the Freemasons. He publicly patronized them, and a Masonic Journal was published in Vienna; the enthusiasm of the people was at the highest, and daily prayers were offered for the prince; when Leopold the Second ascended the throne, affairs altered, the meetings were prohibited; his successor Francis the Second, went still further, requesting all the German princes to extirpate all secret societies, by whatever name they might be called; the ambassa dors of Hanover, Brunswick, and Prussia, protested against the request, saying the Emperor might do or order as he pleased in his country, but beyond his dominions he had no right to attempt to legislate. His wish in this respect was confined to Austria, but to be certain of its results, he insisted that every man officially employed should swear, that he was not, and never would become a member of either of the secret societies of Freemasons, Rosicrusians, Illuminati, or whatever other name they might bear. No alteration has taken place, and Freemasonry is not tolerated in Austria. In Bavaria, Masonic matters were very similar; it appears to have been introduced from France in 1737. The Prince Frederick of Pfalz was master in 1766, and caused several Lodges to be formed in various places, but as several Jesuitical enactments were attached to the laws of the Craft, and the Illuminati were becoming obnoxious to the State, Charles Theodore, the reigning Duke, ordered on the 22nd June, 1784, the suspension of all meetings. Maximillian Joseph, king of Bavaria, renewed the orders of suspension in 1799 and 1804. In the dukedoms of Bayreuth and Anspach, which were ceded to Prussia, Freemasonry was assisted, the initiation of the reigning Duke being performed by his brother-in-law, Frederick the Great. In Baden, Freemasonry was at all times looked upon as useful and praiseworthy, receiving great protection and consideration from the Duke Charles Frederick, the government supporting the formation of a Grand Orient, a Duke Charles of Ysenberg being the first Grand Master, he formed on behalf of the Lodge an intimate connexion with the Grand Orient of France. The new Duke Charles Lewis took opposite views to his predecessors, and ordered the closing of all Lodges: these edicts were made known 1813 and 1814, and remain in force. In Wurtemburg, precisely the same fortunes awaited the Masonic body as in Bavaria. The previously mentioned Vienna Masonic Journal contains an advertisement from Wurtemburg, stating the regret of the Brethren to be compelled to discontinue their meetings, and offering to refund the money in hand. The difference between this kingdow and Bavaria is, that in 1836 a Lodge was formed in Stutgard, with the consent of the king, since which, a second has been arranged under warrant from Hambro'. HESSE. In this dukedom, Masonry has always boasted among its members, the reigning Dukes. The Grand Duke Frederick of Hesse Cassell was Protector of the Dutch Masons in 1780. Lewis VIII. tried by every possible means to spread the knowledge of the Craft in his dukedom. The Duke Lewis George was Grand Master of one of the Prussian Lodges, and the Duke Charles was Grand Master in Denmark and Holstein, and Patron of the Hambro' Lodges, to which he added one. Of late all the Lodges have been closed. BRUNSWICK. In 1744, the Lodge of Brunswick, (which still exists) was formed, and of which the Duke was a member,-Ferdinand of Brunswick was a conspicuous Mason, being the introducer of the Order of Strict Observance; he commenced several Lodges upon that ritual, but was unsuccessful; he officiated personally at all the meetings. His successor, Frederick Augustus, was Grand Master of the National Lodge of Prussia, which office he sustained from 1772 to 1797. The Prince Maximillian Julius Leopold, a general in the Prussian service, was with his regiment in Frankfort-on-the-Odor, and filled the chair of the Lodge there with honor and satisfaction to himself and the Brotherhood; he died while performing an act of Masonry and humanity. He was drowned attempting to save the lives of the inhabitants from an overflow of the river. The Brotherhood has a handsome institute for children. HANOVER. The Grand Lodge was constituted from London in 1755 and boasts of some of the most distinguished names among its members; it has never been in erfered with except in some notable sermons and charges from a neighboring Catholic Bishop, which have had but little influence on the members of the Craft. |