The Charter Of Cologne.

nostri aggressores , qnoties et ubicunque conveniat , tueantur . E . Neutiquam nobis eluxit , hanc fratrum consociationem ante annum millesimum quadringentesimum quadragesimum post Christum

natum alia quam Joannaeorum fratrum denominatione notam fuisse ; tunc vero primum , at nobis patiut , fi-aternitatem liberorum caementariorum nomine , sicque quidem speciatim intra Valenciam Flandrorum , vocari coepisse , quo tempore in alioquibus Hannoniae plagis eorum fratrum ope et opibushospitia ad egenosqui i

, , gne sacro , malo Sancti Antonii dicto , laborarent , sanandos aedificari coeperunt . Z . Quamvis in benefaciendo nullam religionis vel patriae rationem habemus , necesse tamen et tutum adhucdum putamus , non alios , quam qui se in profanornm vel obscurorum coetibus christianos profitentur , ordine nostro recipere : in inquirendoet

, periclitationes instituendo eorum , qui se primi gradus initiation ! , qui discipulorum est , offerunt , nulla corporis tormenta , sed ea sola , quae ad inquirendum de novitiorum ingenio , voluntatibus , et indole juvaut , tentamina adhibenda sunt .

H . Hs quae jubentur , et solemn ! Sacramento obtestanda sunt officiis , adnumerantuifidelitas et obedientia secularibus et legitime nobis praepositis imperantibus . ® . Principia nostrorum actuum , et omnia ea quo quorsumque tendant nostra molimina , hisce duobus praeceptis enunciantur : omnes homines veluti fratres et propinquos ama et dilige ; Deo quod Dei , imperatori quod imperatoris est , tribuito .

I . Secreta atque arcana , quibus nostra conamina occultantur , huic unico scopulo inserviunt , ut sine ostentatione beneficiamus , et absque turbatione agendo nostra proposita ad extremum prosequamur . K . Sancti Joannis , Christi praecursoris , et communionis nostrae patroni , memoriam quotannis celebramus .

A . Hae instituti , caeteraeque his consentaneae ceremoniae , dum in fratrum coetibus vel designando vel dicendo , aliisve modis peraguntur , ab ecclesiarum ritibus nihilominus sunt alienissima .

M . Solus is quidem Joanneae societatis frater , vel caementarius liber reputatur , qui legitime'modo , auxilio praesidioque eujusdam magistri electi , adjuvantibus ad minimum septem fratribus nostris mysteriis est initiatus , aptusque signis et tesseris , quibus caeteri utuntur fratres , snam adoptionem comprobare . Quibus tamen signis et verbis

et ea complectuntur , qua mansione vel tabernaculo Edimburgensi , ipsiusque affiliatis , nee non ¦ Hamburgeiisi , Rotteraedamensi , Medioburgensi , et eo , quod Venetiis

exstrucoccasion reqmre , they are to protect at the expense of their fortunes and the risk of their lives , against all who attack our Institution — whatsoever and wheresoever this may be done . E . To us it is by no means clear that this Association of Brethren , prior to the year one thousand four hundred and forty , were

known by any other denomination than that of Joannite Brethren ; but at that time we are informed , the Fraternity , especially in Valence in Flanders , began to be called by the name of Free Masons , from which period in some parts of Hanover , hospitals began to be built by the aid and pecuniary assistance of the Brethren for those who laboured under the sacred fire called St . Anthony ' s Evil .

Z . Although in works of Benevolence we pay no regard to religion or country , we , however , consider it safe and necessary hitherto to receive none into our Order but those who , in the Society of the profane and unlightened , are professedly Christians . In conducting the inquisition and trial of those who apply for the initiation of the First

Degree , which is that of Disciple ( Apprentices ) , no bodily tortures are employed , but only trials which tend to develop the nature , inclinations , and dispositions of the candididates . H . To those duties which are commanded and undertaken by a solemn oath , are added those of fidelity and obedience to

the secular rulers lawfully placed over us . © . The principle on which we act , and all these , our efforts , to whatever purpose and direction they may tend , are expressed in the two precepts— " Love and regard all men as Brethren and Relations ; " " Render to God what is is God ' sand to Caasar what

, is CEesar ' s . " I . The secrets and mysteries which veil our undertakings conduce to this end : that without ostentation we may do good , and without disunion of action prosecute our designs to the uttermost . K . We celebrate annuall y the memory of

St . John , the forerunner of Christ , and Patron of our community . A . These and the rest of the corresponding ceremonies of the Institution , though conducted in the meetings of the Brethren by signs or speech , or otherwise , do , nevertheless , differ totally from the rites of the Churches .

M . He alone is considered a Brother of the Joannite Society , or a Free Mason , who , in a lawful manner , by the help and under the direction of some Elect Master , with the assistance of at least seven Brethren , is initiated into our Mysteries , and who is ready to prove his adoption by the signs and tokens which are used by other Brethren ,

but in which signs and words are includsd those which are in use in The Edinburgh Lodge or Tabernacle , aud its affiliated Lodges ; as also , in the Hamburg , Rotterdam ,