Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Masonic Martyr—Hyppolito Jose Da Costa.
A MASONIC MASTYR—HYPPOLITO JOSE DA COSTA .
BY BBO . HIDE CLABKE , D . C . L . HXPPOMTO Jose da Costa was a Portuguese by birth ; of respectable parentage and good education . Being a man of liberal sentiments he toot great interest in Masonry , and was initiated in the beginning of this century . Masonry had long been worked in the English Lodges at the several factories in Portugal , but among the Portuguese it was under the heaviest bans of the Church . Nor were
the bulls of the popes against Masonry , and the excommunications of bishops , idle verbiage in that country , as Da Costa in the end gave proof in his own person , for they were enforced by the Most Holy Inquisition , which held its bloody sway there within the memory of those now living . After the Erench revolution there was a fresh outburst of liberalism , and Masonry acquired moral significance all over the Continent : but reaction set in , and Masonry in Portugal
was exposed , unprotected , to the vengeance of the Church . The empire of Napoleon was not favour Ale to Masonry in the Peninsula , because , although it was restored in France , with a prince of his family for Grrand Master , it suffered , with every intellectual
institution , from the brutalizing tyranny of the Napoleonic regime . French Masonry had slender relations in the Peninsula , for the French soon appeared as invaders , and everything French was marked for hatred . The chief intercourse between French and Spanish Masons was in the battle-field , where the life of many a brother was
miraculously saved . The French intrigues , however , led to the Peninsular w ar , and the occupation of Portugal by an English army of protection . With the Lodges in the factories , and the many Masons in the army , Masonry came into full work , and many Portuguese were led into the number of neophytes . Among these was Da Costa ; but as Lord Wellington interfered little—it may be said too little—with
the internal government of Portugal , the profession of Masonry became most unsafe to the Portuguese ; and the priests being in the full possession of power , several Masons were laid hold of by the Inquisition . Among these was Da Costa . I do not now remember the details , but I believe he w as rescued only in time enough to save his life by the aid of English Brethren , who got him under the protection of the English flag . Portugal was no longer a home for
him , and in England he had to take refuge , Nor even after the peace could he return , for the peace left Portugal free from English influence and from English participation in the government , and from the slight exercise of English intervention . Don John VI ., the king , who had fled to the Brazils during the French invasion , remained there , and the local government left tho clergy in full sway .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Masonic Martyr—Hyppolito Jose Da Costa.
A MASONIC MASTYR—HYPPOLITO JOSE DA COSTA .
BY BBO . HIDE CLABKE , D . C . L . HXPPOMTO Jose da Costa was a Portuguese by birth ; of respectable parentage and good education . Being a man of liberal sentiments he toot great interest in Masonry , and was initiated in the beginning of this century . Masonry had long been worked in the English Lodges at the several factories in Portugal , but among the Portuguese it was under the heaviest bans of the Church . Nor were
the bulls of the popes against Masonry , and the excommunications of bishops , idle verbiage in that country , as Da Costa in the end gave proof in his own person , for they were enforced by the Most Holy Inquisition , which held its bloody sway there within the memory of those now living . After the Erench revolution there was a fresh outburst of liberalism , and Masonry acquired moral significance all over the Continent : but reaction set in , and Masonry in Portugal
was exposed , unprotected , to the vengeance of the Church . The empire of Napoleon was not favour Ale to Masonry in the Peninsula , because , although it was restored in France , with a prince of his family for Grrand Master , it suffered , with every intellectual
institution , from the brutalizing tyranny of the Napoleonic regime . French Masonry had slender relations in the Peninsula , for the French soon appeared as invaders , and everything French was marked for hatred . The chief intercourse between French and Spanish Masons was in the battle-field , where the life of many a brother was
miraculously saved . The French intrigues , however , led to the Peninsular w ar , and the occupation of Portugal by an English army of protection . With the Lodges in the factories , and the many Masons in the army , Masonry came into full work , and many Portuguese were led into the number of neophytes . Among these was Da Costa ; but as Lord Wellington interfered little—it may be said too little—with
the internal government of Portugal , the profession of Masonry became most unsafe to the Portuguese ; and the priests being in the full possession of power , several Masons were laid hold of by the Inquisition . Among these was Da Costa . I do not now remember the details , but I believe he w as rescued only in time enough to save his life by the aid of English Brethren , who got him under the protection of the English flag . Portugal was no longer a home for
him , and in England he had to take refuge , Nor even after the peace could he return , for the peace left Portugal free from English influence and from English participation in the government , and from the slight exercise of English intervention . Don John VI ., the king , who had fled to the Brazils during the French invasion , remained there , and the local government left tho clergy in full sway .