The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARBonaparte and this event;may be considered as thecommencement of the suppression of the Order asan active power. All tha remains of it now is butthe diluted shadow of its former existence. TheOrder, during its residence in Rhodes, underwentseveral changes in its organization, by which thesimpler system observed during its infancy in theHoly Land was rendered more perfect and morecomplicated. In 1320 the Order was divided intoeight languages, covering that number of provinces,over each of which presided one of the Grand dignatarieswith the title of Conventual Bailiff. Each ofthese dignitaries resided in the palace or inn, whilethe Hospitallers were at Rhodes and later at Malta,which was appropriated to his language. In everyprovince there were one or more Grand Prioriespresided over by Grand Priors, and beneath thesewere the Commanderies, over each of which wasa Commander. Now only the languages of Italyand Germany remain, and the functions of theGrand Master are exercised by a Lieutenant of theMagistery, who resides at Rome.The Ancient Order of Malta has no connectionwith Masonry whatever, but was probably introducedby Thomas S. Webb as an appendant degreeto the Order of the Temple, and in this country isconferred in the Asylum of a Commandery, or ina Priory regularly convened for that purpose.THE END.157