The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1870-02-25

NUMBER "a.
they had brothers among the Saracens, they
invited them into their country TO teach
them their knowledge of architecture.
Much Of what 10 termed modern Gothic
architecture bears unmistakeable evidence
that It was introduced into Europe by the
6aracens. In an article in the Nsw Ameri-
can Cyclcped;a upoa architecture I nnd the
following:
"During the gloom and the disastrous
"infiuences Of the bloody wars OF the mid
idle ages, We ind the venerable institution
"sf Free Masonry nourishing under tho
"ashes of it, ancient mysteries the social
" fires Of architecture and art" And again:
I'm Italy, during ths tenth century, we
"hnd the corporation of Majistri Comacini
exercising great influence, and giving
"Grecian artists shelter from the political
"troubles Of the East and the prosecutions
"of the lconoclasts"
10 It not singular that IN ailocution of the
Pope. q 1t IL claimed, should call into ex.
istence secret order Of architects composed
Of Greeks, Saracens and Christians, persons
then embracing the three great hostile re-
ligions Of the age, and at = period, too, Of
bitter religious animosities; and IN order,
too, which afforded shelter to its members
when prosecuted. In the same article it 10
claimed that Lodges were organized first in
Germany during the thirteenth century by
Edwin Won steinbaugh. We ind, however,
that in the tenth century, as early as A. D.
o9o, king Athlestane, Of England, gave .
charter 70 Lodge Of Free Masons At York.
This Lodge must have existed before it Re.
ceived its charter. King Alfred employed
quitsa number Of architects during his reign,
and It undoubtedly existed At that time.
It has been doubted by some that this Lodge
existed as early as stated. Mr.. Halliwell,
however, distinguished antiquarian, a few
years since discovered in the old royal library
in the British Museum, the original Charter
confirming its constitution, which puts the
question to rest.
This constitution contains some very in.
tsresting recitstions to Masons, and if there
were no other means of proving that this
Lodge held to the same traditions Masons do
to-day, they would be very strong presu'np-
tive evidence Of the fact. It shows further.
that this Lodge had some connection with
the Roman Brotherhood. 1t is thought in
this Lodge was collected the remnant of the
Roman Brotherhood which remained in
England after the withdrawal Of the Roman
troopa 1t ID matter Of history that there
was Christian organization in England Of.
ter this tune known ~ the Culdees. They
were persecuted first by the Saxons and sf-
tsrwsrd BY the Catholics, and were compel.
led to take refuge In Wales, Scotland ani
Ireland, and in the islands between England
and Ireland. 1t 10 claimed that they prac.
tice their religious rights in Secret. Some
Scotch Presbyterians claim that their Society
was founded by members Of this organiza.
ton, which ID not at all improbable; yet
there is much more evidence to show that
they founded this Lodge Of Masons at York.
Certain 1t Is that in their constitution they
do not propose to organize any new frater-
nifty, but one that they claim TO have existed
In England from A. D. 800, whenit was char.
tered by Roman Emperor, and claimed
also connection with the builders of King
solomon's Temple. Most of the Masonic
traditions held by the fraternity in England,
Scotland, Ireland and the United States were
derived from this Lodge It is matter of
history that the organization Of Free Ma.
sons erected most Of the religious etliaccs of
the Middle Ages. From 1915 to 1880 they
labored upon the cathedral of Strasburg:
for several centuries upon the cathedral 1t
Cologne, and upon the magnificent convent
Of Batalha in Portugal, in about 1900 In
the twelfth century they built the abbey Of
Kilwinning in Scotland. Members Of tho
Order designed and the craft labored upon
about all the grand religious ediiccsof Italy.
might detain you some time in reciting
their architectural labors They travelled
from one country to anothcr-wherever they
could ind employment upon any grand
structure. They settled in the neighborhood
Of the labor to be performed. They pos.
sessed . remarkable degree of morality for
those ages, and they conducted their labors
in most systematic manner. Al the times
changed, the organization of operative Ma.
sonry began to decrease. This was partly
owing 70 the wars In which Europe became
involved, and the disputes which were en.
rendered in the Mother Church. During
such periods architecture never fourishes.
Finally the Mother Church which had 20 long
encouraged the organisation became hostile
70 it. What offence Free Masonry gave to
the Mother Church I am not prepared 70
say; or Why It should bs 20 hostile u the
organisation to-day thcir
member who join its more than I can
eonpsshsnd. Formerly many Of IL clergy
w@e members Of the Fraternity, and under.
STOOD it, workings well. TheFs may BE- su..
lcions reasons tee i In ths polity Of that
1 INA~>>A ,.o>.,. 49, eD>n,, 1,S> >..n.>A