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Article among their ranks were many learned eccl... ← Page 9 of 12 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Among Their Ranks Were Many Learned Eccl...
brother to infburm any strainger , " We observe also , ihat ¦ f relief of decayed brethren , or those fallen into poverty , " was provided for by an allowance of 1 M . a week from the box . AH the companies had laws of like character , and each was jealous of preserving the secrets and mysteries of their crafts . In these guilds all the more important
and essential processes of their crafts were concealed as mysteries in the true sense of the term . During the earlier periods , the hereditary character of the handicraft must have greatly assisted in preventing the profane from withdrawing the veil : other means were practised for the purpose of keeping the secrets of the trades , and defending their monopoly , including many awe-inspiring ceremonies
and initiations—sometimes terrific , sometimes painful or ludicrous . Here the candidate trembled beneath the arch of steel , with swords suspended over his head ; there , unless his agility preserved him , the incipient workman enjoyed the full application of the lash of the whip . The aspirant , admitted into the worshipful Company of Cooks , binds himself under a heavy penalty ^ not- to reveal to any stranger the secret of raising puff paste .
The most celebrated and enduring of these ancient guilds on the continent was the league of the Hanseatic Towns . This far-famed commercial confederacy was established during the rule , if not by the direct influence of the Order of Teutonic knights . The name is derived from the ancient German word " Hanse , " signifying an association for mutual support and defence . The Hanseatic League
maintained ships and soldiers at the joint expense to protect their commerce from pirates and enemies . In 1428 , they had a fleet of 248 ships , and maintained a force of 20 , 000 soldiers . This extraordinary association , and the great Order of Teutonic knights , flourished at the same period ; during the 200 years , from 1250 to
1450 , they were perhaps at their highest power and in the most perfect organization . The Teutonic order eventually became absorbed into the electorate of Brandenburg : the Hanse tow r ns existed as free republics until the year 1810 , when they were crushed by the despotic rule established over Europe by the first Napoleon .
The illustrious Order of the Temple has , through many vicissitudes , survived to our times ; and , indeed , of late years a great , and we may say an astonishing , influence has been exercised in the Masonic Craft by this brotherhood in England , on the continent of Europe , and in the United States . Notwithstanding the persecution the Order was subjected to , consequent upon the machinations of
Philip le Eel and the Pope Clement , it continued to exist , if not to flourish . Jacques de Molay , the martyred Grand Master , in anticipation of Ins fate , appointed his successor to rule the fraternity , and from that time to the present there has been an uninterrupted succession of Grand Masters . It is true , that as years passed on , and clouds arose still more ominous to the existence of the society , the
* The term has been adopted in our own tongue , and is found in two ancient charters granted by King" John to the city of York , and the town of Dvinwich , in Suffolk .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Among Their Ranks Were Many Learned Eccl...
brother to infburm any strainger , " We observe also , ihat ¦ f relief of decayed brethren , or those fallen into poverty , " was provided for by an allowance of 1 M . a week from the box . AH the companies had laws of like character , and each was jealous of preserving the secrets and mysteries of their crafts . In these guilds all the more important
and essential processes of their crafts were concealed as mysteries in the true sense of the term . During the earlier periods , the hereditary character of the handicraft must have greatly assisted in preventing the profane from withdrawing the veil : other means were practised for the purpose of keeping the secrets of the trades , and defending their monopoly , including many awe-inspiring ceremonies
and initiations—sometimes terrific , sometimes painful or ludicrous . Here the candidate trembled beneath the arch of steel , with swords suspended over his head ; there , unless his agility preserved him , the incipient workman enjoyed the full application of the lash of the whip . The aspirant , admitted into the worshipful Company of Cooks , binds himself under a heavy penalty ^ not- to reveal to any stranger the secret of raising puff paste .
The most celebrated and enduring of these ancient guilds on the continent was the league of the Hanseatic Towns . This far-famed commercial confederacy was established during the rule , if not by the direct influence of the Order of Teutonic knights . The name is derived from the ancient German word " Hanse , " signifying an association for mutual support and defence . The Hanseatic League
maintained ships and soldiers at the joint expense to protect their commerce from pirates and enemies . In 1428 , they had a fleet of 248 ships , and maintained a force of 20 , 000 soldiers . This extraordinary association , and the great Order of Teutonic knights , flourished at the same period ; during the 200 years , from 1250 to
1450 , they were perhaps at their highest power and in the most perfect organization . The Teutonic order eventually became absorbed into the electorate of Brandenburg : the Hanse tow r ns existed as free republics until the year 1810 , when they were crushed by the despotic rule established over Europe by the first Napoleon .
The illustrious Order of the Temple has , through many vicissitudes , survived to our times ; and , indeed , of late years a great , and we may say an astonishing , influence has been exercised in the Masonic Craft by this brotherhood in England , on the continent of Europe , and in the United States . Notwithstanding the persecution the Order was subjected to , consequent upon the machinations of
Philip le Eel and the Pope Clement , it continued to exist , if not to flourish . Jacques de Molay , the martyred Grand Master , in anticipation of Ins fate , appointed his successor to rule the fraternity , and from that time to the present there has been an uninterrupted succession of Grand Masters . It is true , that as years passed on , and clouds arose still more ominous to the existence of the society , the
* The term has been adopted in our own tongue , and is found in two ancient charters granted by King" John to the city of York , and the town of Dvinwich , in Suffolk .