tions consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.* *

Illustration of the Master's Degree.

The master mason imposes a duty on himself, full of moral virtue and christian charity, by enforcing that brotherly love which every man should extend to his neighbour.

First-That when the calamities of our brother call for our aid, we should not withdraw the hand that might sustain him from sinking; but that we should render him those services, which, not incumbering or injuring our families or fortunes, charity and religion may dictate, for the saving of our fellow-creature.

Second-From which purpose, indolence should not persuade the foot to halt, or wrath turn our steps out of the way: but forgetting injuries and selfish feelings, and remembering that man was born for the aid of his generation, and not for his own enjoyments only, but to do that which is good; we should be swift to have mercy, to save, to strengthen, and execute benevolence.

Third-As the good things of this life are partially dispensed, and some are opulent whilst others are in distress; such principles also enjoin a mason, be he ever so poor, to testify his good will towards his brother. Riches alone do not allow the means of doing good; virtue and benevolence are not confined to the walks of opulence: the rich man, from his many talents, is required to make extensive works under the principles of virtue; and yet poverty is no excuse for an omission of that exercise; for as the cry of innocence ascendeth up to heaven, as the voice of babes and sucklings reach the throne of God, and as the breathings of a contrite heart are heard in the regions of dominion; so a mason's prayers, devoted to the welfare of his brother, are required of him.

Fourth-The fourth principle is never to injure the confidence of your brother, by revealing his secrets; for per

As the great testimonial that we are risen from the state of corruption, we bear the emblem of the holy trinity, as the insignia of our vows, and of the origin of the Master's order. This emblem is given by geometricians as a demonstration of the trinity in unity.

On receiving this ensign, the mason professeth himself in a short distich, in the Greek language, which, from the rules of our order, I am forbid to commit to writing; the literal meaning of which is, "vehementer cupio vitam," ardently I wish for life; meaning the everlasting life of redemption and regeneration; an avowal which carries with it the most religious import, and must proceed from a pure faith.

haps that were to rob him of the guard which protects his property or life. The tongue of a mason should be void of offence, and without guile; speaking truth with discretion, and keeping itself within the rule of judgment; maintaining a heart void of uncharitableness, locking up secrets, and communing in charity and love.

Fifth-Of Charity. So much is required of a mason, in his gifts, as discretion shall limit; charity begins at home, but like a fruitful olive tree planted by the side of a fountain, whose boughs overshoot the wall, so is charity: it spreads its arms abroad from the strength and opulence of its station, and lendeth its shade for the repose and relief of those who are gathered under its branches. Charity, when given with imprudence, is no longer a virtue; but when flowing from abundance, it is glorious as the beams of morning, in whose beauty thousands rejoice. When donations, extorted by pity, are detrimental to a man's family, they become sacrifices to superstition, and, like incense to idols, are disapproved by heaven.

The five points of Fellowship farther Illustrated.

First-When the necessities of a brother call for my aid and support, I will be ever ready to lend him such assistance to save him from sinking, as may not be detrimental to myself or connexions, if I find him worthy thereof.

Second-Indolence shall not cause my footsteps to halt, nor wrath turn them aside; but forgetting every selfish consideration, I will be ever swift of foot to serve, help, and execute benevolence to a fellow-creature in distress; and more particularly to a brother mason.

Third-When I offer up my ejaculations to Almighty God, a brother's welfare I will remember as my own; for as the voices of babes and sucklings ascend to the throne of grace, so most assuredly will the breathings of a fervent heart arise to the mansions of bliss, as our prayers are certainly required of each other.

Fourth-A brother's secrets, delivered to me as such, I will keep as I would my own; as betraying that trust might be doing him the greatest injury he could sustain in this mortal life; nay, it would be like the villainy of an assassin, who lurks in darkness to stab his adversary, when unarmed and least prepared to meet an enemy.

Fifth-A brother's character I will support, in his absence as I would in his presence: I will not wrongfully revile him

myself nor will I suffer it to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it.

Thus by the five points of fellowship are we linked together in one indivisible chain of sincere affection, brotherly love, relief, and truth,

The advantages which the truly worthy Brother may derive from a perfect knowledge of this sublime degree.

This institution, which was first founded in the mysteries of religion, as I have before rehearsed to you, is now maintained by us on the principles of lending mutual aid and consolation to each other. How should we be able to discern the brethren of this family, but through such tokens as should point them out from other men? Language is now provincial, and the dialects of different nations would not be comprehensible to men ignorant and unlettered. Hence it became necessary to use an expression which should be cognizable by people of all nations. So it is with masons; they are possessed of that universal expression, and of such remains of the original language, that they can communicate their history, their wants, and prayers, to every brother mason throughout the globe: from whence, it is certain, that multitudes of lives have been saved in foreign countries, when shipwreck and misery had overwhelmed them: when robbers had pillaged, when sickness, want, and misery had brought them even to the brink of the grave, the discovery of masonry has saved them: the discovery of being a brother, hath staid the savage hand of the conqueror, lifted in the field of battle to cut off the captive; hath withheld the sword embrued in carnage and slaughter, and subdued the insolence of triumph to pay homage to the craft.*

The importance of secrecy with us, is such, that we may not be deceived in the dispensing of our charities; that we may not be betrayed in the tenderness of our benevolence, and others usurp the portion which is prepared for those of our own family.

To betray the watchword, which should keep the enemy from the walls of our citadel, so as to open our strong holds to robbers and deceivers, is as great a moral crime, as to shew the common thief the weaknesses and secret places of our neighbour's dwelling-houses, that he may pillage their goods. Nay, it is still greater, for it is like aiding the sacri

* Among thousands of instances which might be recorded, many of which have come to my knowledge, there can be no doubt, but the recent escape of the celebrated General Lavallette, may be traced to this source.

legious robber to ransack the holy places, and steal the sacred vessels devoted to the most solemn rites of religion. It is snatching from the divine hand of charity, the balm which she holds forth to heal the distresses of her children; the cordial cup of consolation, which she offers to the lip of calamity, and the sustenance her fainting infants should receive from the bosom of her celestial love.

As this, then, is the importance of masons' secrecy, wherefore should the world wonder that the most profligate tongue which ever had expression, hath not revealed it? The sport is too criminal to afford delight, even to the wickedest of mankind; for it must be wantonness only which could induce any man to divulge it, as no profit could arise therefrom, nor selfish view be gratified. It was mentioned by divine lips as a crime not in nature: "What man is there of you, whom, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone; or if he ask a fish, will give him a serpent?" Then can there be a man so iniquitous among masons, as to guide the thief to steal from his sick brother the medicine which should restore his health? the balsam which should close his wounds? the clothing which should shield his trembling limbs from the severity of the winter? the drink which should moisten his fainting lip? the bread which should save his soul alive?

Such is the importance of our secrecy: were there no other ties upon our affections or consciences, than merely the sense of the injury we should do to the poor and the wretched, by a transgression of this rule, I am persuaded it would be sufficient to lock up the tongue of every man who professes himself to be a mason.

The Freemason's Memento.

-M-Magnitude, Moderation, Magnanimity.
A-Affability, Affection, Attention.

-S-Silence, Secrecy, Security.

-O-Obedience, Order, Economy.

-N-Noble, Natural, Neighborly.

-R-Rational, Reciprocative, Receptive.

-Y-Yielding, Ypright, Yare.

EXPLANATION.

Masonry, of things, teacheth how to attain the

Magnitude, Moderation; Magnanintity.

Fielding,

truly

and, without reserve,

It instilleth principles indisputably

and formeth in us a disposition

and

It maketh us to things indifferent

to what is absolutely necessary, perfectly - Ypright,* and to do all that is truly good, most willingly, Yare.t

An Address to Free-masons in General.

Stretch forth your hands to assist a brother, whenever it is in your power; to be always ready to go any where to serve him; to offer your warmest petitions for his welfare; to open your breasts and hearts to him; to assist him with your best counsel and advice; to sooth the anguish of his soul, and betray no confidence he reposes in you; to support him with your authority; to use your utmost endeavours to prevent him from falling; to relieve his wants as far as you are able, without injuring yourselves or your families. In short, mutually to support and assist each other, and earnestly to promote one another's interests, are duties which (well you know) are incumbent upon you. But do these duties always influence you? Are they not too often forgotten? Your worthy brother too frequently neglected, and the stranger preferred to those of your own household? Ye are connected by solemn promises; let those always be so remembered as to direct your actions: for then, and then only, will you preserve your consciences void of offence, and prepare that firm cement of utility and affection, which time will have no power to destroy.

*Fixed.

tReady. Vide Johnson's quarto Dictionary.