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

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARWardens, Censors, Treasurers, Keepers of theSeals, Architects and Secretaries ;there was in eachof them a priest. The Workmen were divided intothree classes :Elders, or chief men of the trade, andtheir journeymen and apprentices; they had secretmeetings paid monthly dues, by which means a;common fund was accumulated for the maintenanceor relief of indigent or destitute members; theyelected the candidates for admission by voice of themembers, and performed a secret ceremony of initiationand made a symbolic use of the implementsof their art or profession. No college could consistof less than three members. In all these respectsthey were like modern Lodges of Freemasonry.With the advance of the empire, their numbers increasedand their privileges greatly extended, sothat they became an important element in the bodypolitic.The Romans were early distinguished for a spiritwhich was conducted through theof colonization,legionary soldiers of the army. To each legionthere was attached a College or Corporation of Artificers,which was organized with the legion atRome, and passed with itthroughall its campaigns,and when it colonized remained in the colonyto plant the seeds of Roman civilization, and toteach the principles of Roman arts. The membersof the college erected fortificationsfor the legionsin times of war, and in times of peace, or when thelegion became stationary, constructed temples anddwelling-houses. When England was invaded bythe Roman armies in the year 55 R. C, the legionswhich went there carried with them their Collegesof Artificers. One of these legions, under Tulius60