Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1896-12-18

Wv h~Hs eCtbohinS oua c0NctAo8
flesh confessions and renuncistions
that gold aud silver could not pur-
chase. In every case that has been
recorded those Mascns who have
been tested in this way, have proved
themselves worthy Of the confidence
reposed in them. They have been
unwavering in their fidelity, aud un
hinching in their devotion to TIE
principles they had been taught.
One of the most noted cases of
prosecution was that of John Cous.
tos, Freemason in Lisbon in 1743.
Coustos was born at Berne, Switzer-
land in l716 he migrated with his
father to En9lan where he became
naturalize subject. In l743 he re
moved to Lisbon, where he engaged
In business as a dealer in precious
stones.
Masonic Lodges in Spain were
held in private residences. and not 10
public halls, as in England and other
countries. This was owing to the
bull of Pope Clement XII. denounc
ing the fraternity Coustos a
Jealous Mason was Master of his
lodge. A female revealed the fact
of the existence Of this lodge and it's
place of meeting. The Inquisition
ordered the arrest of Coustos and
objected that he receive the tender
care of the Holy Office" He was
accordingly seized one night in q
coffee house, charged with stealing a
diamond, on which another jeweler
had been falsely accused, and pre-.
viously arrested. The jewellers name
was MoultOn, n member and Senior
Warden of Coustos' Lodge. The
chare of theft against both men, was
OF course, false. Their crime was
membership in that hated Society
OF Freemasons.
Custos was confined in cell whose
horrors were heightened by the COM
plants, the dismal cries and groans
OF other prisoners. The next day
after his arrest he was lead, bare
headed before the inqui>itors. He
was made to tell under oath, his
name, age, time of residence in Lis
bon, his religious belief, and other
things, after which he was ordered
to confess all of his crimes he had
committed during his lifetime. This
he refused 10 do, saying that from
his infancy he had been taught to
make confession to God, aud rot to
man. He was sent back to his lone.
ly dungeon, where be was expressly
forbidden to speak aloud or knock
against the walls, or make any noise
or sign of distress. After ell Turing
the tortures of confinement for three
days longer he was again brought
before the Inquisitors, and at this
examination his crime of .being
Mason" wat revealed After many
searching questions. and the prison
er's refusal to reveal the secrets of
the fraternity, he was remauded to
deeper and more horrible dungeon.
and there confined for three weeks.
He was repeatedly brought befor,
the lnquisitors, and every time wa.
firm in his fidelity to his obligations
Your oath is nothing before us"
they told HIM, I've will absolve you
from it."
Your lordships are very gracious
Coustos replied, ''but 1 am frml,
persuaded that it is not tie power of
any being on earth to free me from nv
oath, aud 1 am firmly determined
never to violate it."
After this came triris that seem
almost incredible. He was conde,u
ned to the torture of the holy Of
hce." What supreme mockery! He
was taken TO the torture room, where
no light appeared but what was af
forded by two candles. First they
put around the unfortunate mans
peck color of iron which was fas
tened to the scaffold; they then fixed
ring TO each foot and stretched bis
limbs with all their might. They
next wound two ropes around each
arm, and two around each thigh.
which ropes passed under the scat
fold. These ropes, about as large
as ones little finger. were drawn
tightly by four men. and cut through
the flesh, quite TO the bone, making
the blood gush out at eight different