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At opening the lodge, two purposes are effected: the Master is reminded of the dignity of his cha

live creditably, and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which they reside.

The most expert Craftsman is chosen or appointed Master of the work, and is duly honoured in that character by those over whom he presides.

The master, knowing himself qualified, undertakes the government of the lodge, and truly dispenses his rewards according to merit.

A Craftsman who is appointed Warden of the work, under the Master, is true to Master and Fellows, carefully oversees the work, and the brethren obey him.

The Master, Wardens, and Brethren, are just and faithful, and carefully finish the work they begin, whether it be in the First or Second Degree; but never put that work to the First, which has been appropriated to the Second Degree.

Neither envy nor censure is discovered among Masons. No brother is supplanted, or put out of his work, if he be capable to finish it; for he who is not perfectly skilled in the original design, can never, with equal advantage to the Master, finish the work which bas been begun by another.

All employed in Masonry meekly receive their rewards, and use no disobliging name. "Brother" is the appellation they bestow on each other. They behave courteously within and without the lodge, and never desert the master till the work be finished.*

Laws for the Government of the Lodge.

You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, agreeably to the forms established among Masons ;† you are freely to give such mutual instructions as shall be thought necessary or expedient, not being overseen or overheard, without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that respect which is due to a gentleman were he not a Mason; for though, as Masons, we meet as brethren on a level, yet Masonry deprives no man of the honour due to his rank or character, but rather adds to his honour, especially if he have deserved well of the Fraternity, who always render honour to whom it in due, and avoid ill-manners.

No private committees are to be allowed, or separate conversations encouraged the Master or Wardens are not to be interrupted, or any brother who is speaking to the Master; but due decorum is to

* These Charges were originally rehearsed by the seven representatives of the three Degrees of the Order; but it is now the province of the Chaplain or Secretary of the lodge to deliver them.

+In the lodge, Masons meet as Members of the same family, and represen tatives for the time being of all the brethren throughout the world: every prejudice, therefore, on account of religion, country, or private opinion, is removed.

racter, and the brethren of the homage and veneration due to him in their sundry stations. These, however, are not the only advantages resulting from a due observance of the ceremony; a reverential awe for the Deity is inculcated, and the eye is fixed on that object from whose radiant beams alone light can be derived. Hence, in this ceremony, we are taught to adore God, and supplicate his protection on our well-meant endeavours. The Master assumes his government in due form, and under him his Wardens; who accept their trust, after the customary salutations. Then the brethren, with one accord, unite in duty and respect, and the ceremony concludes.

At closing the lodge,* a similar form takes place.

be observed, and a proper respect paid to the Master and presiding officers.

These laws are to be strictly enforced, that harmony may be preserved, and the business of the lodge be carried on with order and regularity. So mote it be.

* Charge on the Behaviour of Masons.

[To be rehearsed at closing the Lodge.]

When the lodge is closed, you are to enjoy yourselves with innocent mirth, but carefully avoid excess. You are not to compel any brother to act contrary to his inclination, or give offence by word or deed, but enjoy a free and easy conversation. You are to avoid immoral or obscene discourse, and at all times support with propriety the dignity of your character.

You are to be cautious in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger may not discover what is not proper to be intimated; and, if necessary, you are to wave the discourse, and manage it prudently, for the honour of the Fraternity.

At home, and in your several neighbourhoods, you are to behave as wise and moral men. You are never to communicate to your families, friends, or acquaintances, the private transactions of our different assemblies; but, on every occasion, consult your own honour, and the reputation of the Fraternity at large.

Your are to study the preservation of health, by avoiding irregularity and intemperance; that your families may not be neglected and injured, or yourselves disabled from attending to your necessary employments in life.

If a stranger apply in the character of a Mason, you are cau

Here the less important duties of the Order are not passed unobserved. The necessary degree of subordination which takes place in the government of the lodge is peculiarly marked; while the proper tribute of gratitude is offered up to the beneficient Author of life, whose blessing is invoked, and extended to the whole Fraternity. Each brother then

tiously to examine him, in such a method as prudence may direct, and agreeably to the forms established among Masons; that you may not be imposed upon by an ignorant false pretender, whom you are to reject with contempt;* and beware of giving him any secret hints of knowledge. But if you discover him to be a true and genuine brother, you are to respect him; if he be in want, you are, without prejudice, to relieve him, or direct him how he may be relieved; you are to employ him, or recommend him to employment: however, you are never charged to do beyond your ability; only to prefer a poor Mason, who is a good man and true, before any other person in the same circumstances.

Finally, These rules you are always to observe and enforce, and also the duties which have been communicated in the lecture; cultivating brotherly love, the foundation and cape-stone, the cement and glory of this ancient Fraternity; avoiding, on every occasion, wrangling and quarrelling, slandering and back-biting; not permitting others to slander honest brethren, but defending their characters, and doing them good offices, as far as may be consistent with your honour and safety, but no farther. Hence all may see the benign influence of Masonry; as all true Masons have done from the beginning of the world, and will do to the end of time. So mote it be.

* A Prayer used at opening the Lodge.

May the favour of Heaven be upon this meeting! and, as it is happily begun, may it be conducted in order, and closed in harmony! So mote it be.

A Prayer used at closing the Lodge.

May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us, and on all egular Masons throughout the world! may brotherly love prevail, and beautify and cement us with every moral and social virtue. So mote it be.

This injunction may seem uncharitable; but when it is considered, that the secrets of Masonry are open to all men of probity and honour who are well recommended, an illegal intruder, who would wish to obtain that to which he has no claim, and deprive the public charity of a small pittance at bis admission, can deserve no better treatment.

faithfully locks up in his own repository the treasure which he has acquired; and, pleased with his reward, retires to enjoy, and disseminate among the private circle of his friends, the fruits of his labour and industry in the lodge.

These are faint outlines of a ceremony which universally prevails among Masons, and distinguishes all their meeting. Hence, it is arranged as a general Section in every Degree of the Order, and takes the lead in all our illustrations.

SECT. III.

REMARKS on the FIRST LECTURE.

HAVING illustrated the ceremony of opening and closing the lodge, and inserted the Prayers and Charges, usually rehearsed in our regular assemblies on those occasions, we shall now enter on a disquisition of the different Sections of the Lectures which are appropriated to the three Degrees of the Order; giving a brief summary of the whole, and annexing to every Remark the particulars to which the Section alludes. By these means the industrious Mason, will be better instructed in the regular arrangement of the Lectures, and be enabled with more ease to acquire a competent knowledge of the Art.

The First Lecture is divided into sections, and each section is subdivided into Clauses. In this Lecture, virtue is painted in the most beautiful colours, and the duties of morality are strictly enforced. Here we are taught such wise and useful lessons as prepare the mind for a regular advancement in the principles of knowledge and philosophy;

and these are imprinted on the memory by lively and sensible images, well calculated to influence our conduct in the proper discharge of the duties of social life.

The First Section.

The First Section of this Lecture is suited to all capacities, and may, and ought to be known by every person who wishes to rank as a Mason. It consists of general heads, which, though they be short and simple, will be found to carry weight with them. They not only serve as marks of distinction, but communicate useful and interesting knowledge when they are duly investigated. They qualify us to try and examine the rights of others to our privileges, while they demonstrate our own claim; and as they induce us to inquire minutely into other particulars of greater importance, they serve as a proper introduction to subjects which are more amply explained in the following Sections.*

The Second Section.

The Second Section makes us acquainted with the peculiar forms and ceremonies which are adopted at the initiation of candidates into Masonry; and convinces us, beyond the power of contradiction, of the propriety of our rites; whilst it demonstrates to the most sceptical and hesitating mind their excellence and utility.†

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* As we can annex to this remark no other explanation, consistently with the rules of Masonry, we must refer the more inquisitive to our regular assemblies for farther instruction.

†The following particulars, relative to the ceremony of initiation, may be introduced here with propriety:

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