avoid turbulent measures, and to submit with reverence to the dicisions of legislative power. It is surely then no mean advantage, no trifling acquisition, to any community or state, to have under its power and jurisdiction, a body of men who are loyal subjects, patrons of science, and friends to mankind.

DOES not Masony, therefore, of itself command the highest regard? Does it not claim the greatest esteem? Does it not merit the most extensive patronage? Without doubt. If all that is good and amiable, if all that is useful to mankind or society, be deserving a wise man's attention, Masonry claims it in the highest degree. What beautiful ideas does it inspire? how does it open and enlarge the mind? and how abun. dant a source of satisfaction does it afford? Does it not recommend universal benevolence, and every virtue which can endear one man to another? and is it not particularly adapted to give the mind the most disinterested, the most generous notions?

AN uniformity of opinion, not only useful in exigencies but pleasing in familiar life, universally prevails among Masons, strengthens all the ties of their friendship, and equally promotes love and esteem.Masons are brethren, and amongst brothers there exist no invidious distinctions. A king is reminded, that although a crown adorns his head, and a sceptre his hand, yet the blood in his veins is derived from the common parent of mankind, and is no better than that of the meanest of his subjects. Men in inferior stations are taught to love their superiors, when they see them divested of their grandeur, and condescending to

trace the paths of wisdom, and follow virtue, assisted by those of a rank beneath them.-Virtue is true nobility, and wisdom is the channel by which it is directed and conveyed. Wisdom and virtue, therefore, are the great characteristics of Masons.

MASONRY inculcates universal love and benevolence, and disposes the heart to particular acts of goodness. A Mason, possessed of this amiable, this god-like disposition, is shocked at misery under every form or appearance. His pity is not only excited, but he is prompted, as far as is consistent with the rules of prudence, to alleviate the pain of the sufferer, and chearfully to contribute to his relief. For this end our funds are raised, and our charities established on the firmest foundation. When a brother is in distress, what heart does not ach? When he is hungary, do we not convey him food? Do we not clothe him when he is naked? Do we not fly to his relief when he is in trouble?-Thus we evince the propriety of the title we assume, and demonstrate to the world that the term Brother among Masons is not merely nominal.

If these acts are not sufficient to recommend so great and generous a plan, such a wise and good society, happy in themselves, and equally happy in the possession of every social virtue, nothing which is truly good can prevail. The man who resists arguments drawn from such topics, must be callous to every noble principle, and lost to all sense of honour.

NEVERTHELESS, though the fairest and the best ideas may be thus imprinted in the mind, there are

brethren who, careless of their own reputation, disre gard the instructive lessons of our noble science, and by yielding to vice and intemperance, not only disgrace themselves, but reflect dishonour upon Masonry in general. It is this unfortunate circumstance which has given rise to those severe and unjust reflections, which the prejudiced part of mankind have so liberally bestowed upon us. But let these apostate brethren know, and let it be proclaimed to the world at large, that they are unworthy of their trust, and that, whatever name or designation they assume, they are in reality no Masons. It is as possible for a mouse to move a mountain, or a man to calm the boisterous ocean, as it is for a principled Mason to commit a dishonourable action. Masonry consists in virtuous improvement, in chearful and innocent pastime, and not in ewd debauchery or unguarded excess.

BUT though unhappy brethren thus transgress, no wise man will draw any argument from thence against the society, or urge it as an objection against the institution. If the wicked lives of men were admitted as an argument against the religion which they profess, Christianity itself, with all its divine beauties, would be exposed to censure. Let us therefore endeavour strenuously to support the dignity of our characters, and by reforming the abuses which have crept in among us, display Masonry in its primitive lustre, and convince mankind that the source from which it flows, is truly divine.

IT is this conduct which can alone retrieve the ancient glory of the Craft. Our generous and good

actions must distinguish our title to the privileges of Masonry, and the regularity of our behaviour display their influence and utility. Thus the world will admire our sanctity of manners, and effectually reconcile our uniform conduct with the incomparable tenets we profess to admire.

As our order is founded upon harmony, and subsists by regularity and proportion; so our passions ought to be properly restrained, and be ever subservient to the dictates of right reason. As the delicate pleasures of friendship harmonize our minds, and exclude rancour, malice, and ill-nature; so we ought to live like brethren bound by the same tie, always cultivating fraternal affection, and reconciling ourselves to the practice of those duties, which are the basis on which the structure we erect must be supported. By improving our minds in the principles of morality and virtue, we enlarge our understandings, and more effectually answer the great ends of our existence. Such as violate our laws, or infringe on good order, we mark with a peculiar odium; and if our mild endeavours to reform their lives should not answer the good purposes intendwe expel them our assemblies, as unfit members of society.

ed;

THIS is the practice which should universally pre vail among Masons. Our outward conduct being directed by our inward principles, we should be equally careful to avoid censure and reproach.-Useful knowledge ought to be the great object of our desire; for the ways of wisdom are beautiful, and lead to pleasure.

We ought to search into nature, as the advantages accruing from so agreeable a study, will amply compensate our unwearied assiduity. Knowledge must be attained by degrees, and is not every where to be found. Wisdom seeks the secret shade, the lonely cell designed for contemplation; there enthroned she sits, delivering her sacred oracles: there let us seek her, and pursue the real bliss; for though the passage be difficult, the farther we trace it, the easier it will become.

connect and

GEOMETRY, that extensive art, we should particularly study, as the first and noblest of sciences.-By geometry we may curiously trace nature, through her various windings, to her most concealed recesses. By it we may discover the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of the grand Artificer of the universe, and view with amazing delight the beautiful proportions which this vast machine. By it we may grace discover how the planets move in their different orbs, and methematically demonstrate their various revolutions. By it we may rationally account for the return of seasons, and the mixed variety of scenes which they display to the discerning eye. Numberless worlds are around us, all framed by the same divine Artist, which roll through the vast expanse, and are all conducted by the same unerring laws of nature. How must we then improve? with what grand ideas must such knowledge fill our minds? and how worthy is it of the attention of all rational beings, especially of those who profess themselves promoters of our grand institution.

IT was a survey of nature and the obversation of