Andover-1.

Northborough-1.

Pearson, Eliphalet, Rev. L, L. D. Allen, Joseph, Rev.

Considerable pains has been taken to have the list of members correct, as to names, titles, and places of abode. Still some doubts exist, and the names of some who were supposed to be members, are not to be found in the Treasurer's books. In order to a regular distribution of pamphlets, it is important that the Executive Committee should have a complete list of the members of the society; and any information which will enable them to correct the list will be very acceptable.

Several names have been added since the annual meeting. The present number is 185, of which 58 are ministers of religion: "AND YET THERE IS ROOM."

Mr. Philo Pacificus,

AN INSTRUCTIVE CONTRAST.

THOUGH several emperours and kings seem disposed to relinquish their claims to immortality in the "Temple of Fame," for spreading devastation and ruin among the human species; the petty heroes of the age, for ought that appears to the contrary, are as desirous as their predecessors, of obtaining the fancied boon; and may, even now, be undertaking a prosecution for its attainment. For their

admonition, therefore, I send you the decision of two
causes, transmitted to us, by Alexander Pope, Esq. report.
er of the decisions made in that court.
The contrast may
be instructive to them; and should it produce its full effect,
may save them from expending much blood, from preclud-
ing much virtue, from destroying much happiness, "for
that which profiteth not."

A TROOP came next, who crowns and armour wore,
And proud defiance in their looks they bore:
For thee, (they cry'd,) amidst alarms and strife,
We sail'd in tempests down the stream of life;
For thee, whole nations fill'd with flames and blood,
And swam to empire through the purple flood:
Those ills we dar'd, thy inspiration own;
What virtue seem'd, was done for thee alone.'
'Ambitious fools! (the queen replied and frown'd)
Be all your acts in dark oblivion drown'd;
There sleep forgot, with mighty tyrants gone,
Your statues moulder'd, and your names unknown!'
A sudden cloud straight snatch'd them from my sight,
And each majestick phantom sunk in night.

Then came the smallest tribe I yet had seen; Plain was their dress, and modest was their mien : 'Great idol of mankind! we never claim

The praise of merit, nor aspire to fame!
But safe in deserts from th' applause of men,
Would die unheard of, as we liv'd unseen;
'Tis all we beg thee, to conceal from sight
Those acts of goodness which themselves requite.
O let us still the secret joy partake,

To follow virtue, ev'n for virtue's sake.'

And live there men who slight immortal fame?
Who then with incense shall adore our name?
But, mortals! know, 'tis still our greatest pride
To blaze those virtues which the good would hide.
Rise! muses, rise! add all your tuneful breath,
These must not sleep in darkness and in death."
She said in air the trembling musick floats,
And on the winds triumphant swell the notes;
So soft, though high, so loud, and yet so clear,
Ev'n listening angels lean'd from Heaven to hear:
To farthest shores the' ambrosial spirit flies,
Sweet to the world, and grateful to the skies.

Z.

THE FRIEND OF PEACE.

No. VIII.

A RESPECTFUL address to THE MASONIC FRATERNITY.

BRETHREN,

In addressing you, I adopt the appellation of brethren, not as a Mason, but as a man, a Christian, a friend of peace. I am a stranger to your secrets, but not to your avowed principles. These cordially approve. Of these you will suffer me to avail myself in calling your attention to an object which is deeply interesting to yourselves, to your posterity, and to the whole family of mankind-the ab olition of war and the establishment of peace on earth.

I have examined the Discourses of one of your chaplains,* “ illustrating the principles, displaying the tendency, As these and vindicating the design, of Free Masonry." Discourses were delivered on public occasions and published at the request of his brethren, and as the author professes to have given, from personal knowledge, "a faithful delineation of the spirit and principles" of your institution, I shall regard his testimony as valid and correct. Candour requires this of me; for I have no evidence, nor any suspicion, of insincerity in these professions, as they relate to the genuine I know it has oftprinciples and objects of the institution. en been said, that there are unworthy characters of your society; but the same may justly be affirmed of other societies, which are, nevertheless, entitled to high respect, and whose avowed principles are taken from the oracles of God.

But as Christians in general have not been duly aware of the extent of their own principles, and of the benefits which

Rev. T. M. Harris, D. D.

would result to society if they were more fully reduced to practice; so it may have been-so it probably has been, with Free Masons. In reading the Discourses of your chaplain, I was much gratified with some passages, which I shall take the liberty to transcribe. They have excited a strong hope that the masonic institution is destined by Providence to be employed in a manner, which will free it from all suspicion, and greatly contribute to the happiness of the world.

We are told that this institution inspires its members with the most exalted ideas of God, and leads to the exercise of the most pure and sublime piety :" that "it interests us also in the duties and engagements of humanity; produces an affectionate concern for the welfare of all around us; and raising us superior to every selfish view, or party prejudice, fills the heart with an unlimited good will to man:" that "all its plans are pacific-in one hand it holds the olive branch of peace; and in the other the liberal donation of charity." p. p. 49, 50.

Again your preacher thus addresses you :-" Recollect for one moment, my brethren, the peculiar objects of our association. Is it not to form us to the habits and to the most liberal exercise of candour, forbearance and placability, humanity and peace? Are we not instructed to wear the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit,' and to retain the law of kindness in our mouth? Are we not instructed not only to dwell together in unity, but to follow peace with all men ?” p. 66.

Of your institution it is farther asserted:" It collects men of all nations and all opinions into one amiable and permanent association, and binds them by new and irrefragable obligations to the discharge of every moral duty; and thus becomes the most effectual support and brightest ornament of social life, and opens a wider channel for the cur rent of benevolent affections, and a new source of human happiness:"

In summing up the whole in few words it is affirmed ;— "Its laws are REASON and EQUITY; its principles, RENEVOLENCE and LOVE; its intention is PEACE ON EARTH; and its disposition, GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN." P. 181.

Admitting this as a correct and "faithful delineation," who will not adopt the language which was quoted from a "fine writer ?" "I think we are warranted in concluding that a society thus constituted, and which may be rendered so admirable an engine of improvement-far from deserving any reproach or contumelious treatment, deserves highly of the community."

"

As your institution is spread over all the countries of the world, as "it collects men of all nations and opinions into one amiable and permanent association," it is easy to per ceive that it may be rendered an admirable engine of improvement"-an engine for promoting peace on earth, and for abolishing war. Indeed, you have no occasion to adopt any new principles to convert your Lodges into efficient and permanent Peace Societies. All that seems to be wanting is, to have the avowed principles of the institution thoroughly understood by its members, powerfully impressed on their minds, and resolutely carried into effect.

Not only does your association embrace men of every country and every religion, but also men of almost every rank. Your members occupy some of the highest stations in society. They can have influence in the houses of legisla tion and in the cabinets of princes and presidents. And such is their number and such their situations, that, by combining their influence and giving it a proper impulse and direction, they may produce a pacific and powerful effect throughout the civilized world.

But profession is one thing and practice another. Your chaplain has the following pertinent remark: "As a good pieture strikes us more forcibly, and gives a more adequate. lively and impressive idea of the object than any description in words could do; so goodness, or excellence of any kind, represented by precepts, does not so powerfully move the af fections, as when we see it delineated in the life. Nor is there any thing, which can so effectually recommend any system as worthy of all acceptation-exclusive of its own intrinsie worth-as its beneficial effects made visible in the character of its advocates. These carry with them undeniable evidence of the value of those principles from whence