Masonic Colleges In Britain.

MASONIC COLLEGES IN BRITAIN .

BY JAS . B . GRANT , 32 ° . EROM the beginning of the third century the Romans had to contend almost constantly with the mountaineers of Scotland , a warlike people , the aborig ines of their country , and who , like the Welsh or Cambrians , had

never been conquered . ( It was not until between the years 273 and 1307 that the Welsh were finally conquered by Edward I ., son of Henry III ., and grandson of John , the hero of English Kings . ) It was during this time that the Masons ancl civilized inhabitants fled to the mountains of Wales , to Scotland , or to the isles beyond . It was among these Masonic refugees that the ancient language was preserved , ancl with it primitive Masonry , and the knowledge of

architecture as practised by guilds of Masonic corporations . After the first barbarous impetuosity of the Anglo-Saxons had been calmed , and more peaceful pursuits taken their place , some of these Masons withdrew from their mountain caves ancl fortresses , and , returning once more to their homes , promulgated the principles of Masonry among the Pagan nobles and people , ancl thus toward the close of the sixth century the mild and faithful light of the primitive Masonic doctrine began to diffuse its gentle rays almost to the centre of the seven kingdoms . The Roman Catholic Church permits none of the faithful to become

members of an esoteric body , but it was reserved for the Benedictine monks , whom Pope Gregory I . sent to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons , and at whose head presided Austin , a celebrated priest , architect and Mason , to succeed in gradually opening the eyes of the Anglo-Saxons to further light . In accordance with the teachings of their founder ( Austin ) , these monks and brothers worked more than they fasted or prayed . Austin himself , the first Masonic apostle of Englandand first Archbishop of Canterbury , was no

, less celebrated for his knowledge of architecture than for his other powers of mind and varied acquirements ; and it was he who , at this time , began to rebuild and re-establish the ancient Masonic corporations . It was in this manner that at this time , in England as upon the Continent , the Lodges became attached to the convents , and were more or less governed by Monk Masons , according as the leading architects were monks or lay brethren ; ancl from this

fact arose the condition that Lodges held their meetings almost exclusively in the convents , where , if an abbot was proposed as Master or Warden of a Lodge , they addressed him as Worshipful Brother or Worshipful Master , thus establishing a mode of address which has descended even to our own day as the usual one in speaking to or of the first officer within a Lodge .

After the close of the seventh century many of these Abbot Masons made journeys to Rome , to try to induce superior workmen to return with them and settle among the Masons in England . The introduction of these Masons produced a particular modification in the constitution of the Lodges . Masons occupied themselves with architecture of a general character ; but some particular members of the fraternity formed themselves into a separate organizationancl their aim was to copy exclusively after the Scottish models . From

, York , therefore , we think we may properly call them Select Masters , made frequent journeys to Scotland , where a rendezvous was fixed upon , at which each of them might deliberate , after he had arrived , upon the observations made by others during their travels in the country , ancl record his own . For this purpose was chosen the valley of Glenbeg , on the north-east coast of