A Prayer used at Initiation. "Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention! and grant, that this Candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to thy service, and become a true and faithful Brother amongst us! Endue him with a competency of thy Divine wisdom; that, by the secrets of this Art, he may be the better enabled to display the beauties of godliness, to the honour of thy holy Name! So mote it be.”* The Declaration to be assented to by every Candidate previous to Initiation, and to be subscribed by his Name at full length: "To the Worshipful Master, Wardens, Officers, and Members of the Lodge of No. "I [A. B.], being free by birth, and of the full age of twentyone years, do declare, that, unbiassed by the improper solicitation of friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motives, I freely and voluntarily offer myself a candidate for the mysteries of Masonry; that I am prompted by a favourable opinion conceived of the institution, and a desire of knowledge; and that I will cheerfully conform to all the ancient usages and established customs of the Order. Witness my hand, this [A.B.] "Witness, [C. D."] day of N. B. Copies of this Declaration may be had of the Grand Secretary. The Candidate is then proposed in open lodge, as follows: "W. Master and Brethren, "At the request of A. B. [mentioning his Christian name and sur name, addition or profession, and place of abode,] I propose him, in form, as a proper Candidate for the mysteries of Masonry. I recommend him, as worthy to share the privileges of the Fraternity; and, in consequence of a Declaration of his intentions, voluntarily made and properly attested, I believe he will strictly conform to the rules of the Order." The Candidate is then ordered to be prepared for Initiation. * It is a duty incumbent on the Master of the lodge, before the ceremony of initiation takes place, to inform the Candidate of the purpose and design of the institution; to explain the nature of his solemn engagements; and, in a manner peculiar to Masons, to require his cheerful acquiescence to the tenets of the order. The Third Section. The Third Section, by the reciprocal communication of our marks of distinction, proves the regularity of our initiation; and inculcates those necessary and instructive duties which dignify our character in the double capacity, of Men and Masons. We cannot better illustrate this Section, than by inserting the following Charge at Initiation into the First Degree.* [As you are now introduced to the first principles of our Order, it is my duty to congratulate you, on being accepted a Member of an ancient and honourable Society; ancient, as having subsisted from time immemorial; and honourable, as tending, in every particular, so to render all men who will be conformable to its precepts. No institution was ever raised on a better principle, or more solid foundation; nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down, than are inculcated on every person when he is initiated into our mysteries. Monarchs in all ages have been encouragers and promoters of the Art; and have never deemed it derogatory from their dignities, to level themselves with the brethren, to extend their privileges, and to patronize their assemblies.] As a Mason, you are to study the Sacred Law ;t to consider it as the unerring standard of truth * The paragraphs enclosed in brackets [] may be occasionally omitted, if time will not admit of delivering the whole Charge. In England, the Bible: but in countries where that book is unknown, whatever is understood to contain the will or law of God. In France and Germany the Bible is of the Hebrew Text. EDITOR. and justice, and to regulate your life and actions by its Divine precepts. The three great moral duties, to God, your neighbour, and yourself, you are strictly to ob serve: To God, by holding his name in awe and veneration viewing him as the chief good, imploring his aid in laudable pursuits, and supplicating his protection on well-meant endeavours: To your Neighbour, by always acting upon the square; and, considering him equally entitled with yourself to share the blessings of Providence, rendering unto him those favours and friendly offices, which, in a similar situation, you would expect to receive from him:-And to Yourself, by not abusing the bounties of Providence, impairing your faculties, by irregularity, or debasing our profession by intemperance. In the state, you are to be a quiet and peaceable subject, true to your sovereign, and just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to the government under which you live; yielding obedience to the laws which afford you protection; but never forgetting the attachment you owe to the place of your nativity, or the allegiance due to the sovereign or protectors of that spot. [In your outward demeanour, you are to avoid censure or reproach; and beware of all who may artfully endeavour to insinuate themselves into your esteem, with a view to betray your virtuous resolutions, or make you swerve from the principles of our institution. Let not interest, favour, or prejudice, bias your integrity, or influence you to be guilty of a dishonourable action; but let your conduct be uniform, and your deportment suitable to the dignity of the profession.] Above all, practise benevolence and charity; for these virtues have distinguished Masons in every age and country. [The inconceivable pleasure of contributing toward the relief of our fellow-creatures, is truly experienced by persons of a humane disposition; who are naturally excited, by sympathy, to extend their aid in alleviation of the miseries of others. This encourages the generous Mason to distribute his bounty with cheerfulness. Supposing himself in the situation of an unhappy sufferer, he listens to the tale of woe with attention, bewails misfortune, and speedily relieves distress.] The Constitutions of the Order* are next to engage your attention. [These consist of two parts, oral and written communications; the former, comprehending the mysteries of the Art, are only to be acquired by practice and experience in the lodge; the latter includes the history of genuine Masonry, the lives and characters of its patrons, and the ancient charges and general regulations of the Craft.] A punctual attendance on the duties of the Order we earnestly enjoin; more especially in that assembly in which your name is enrolled as a member. [There, and in all regular meetings of the Fraternity, you are to behave with order and decorum, that harmony may be preserved, and the business of Masonry be properly conducted. The rules of good-breeding you are never to violate, by using unbecoming language, in derogation of the name of God, or toward the corruption of good manners; neither are you to enter into any dispute about religion or politics; or behave irreverently, while the lodge is engaged in what is serious and im * Under the superintendence of William Williams, Esq., Barrister at Law, M. P. for Weymouth, and P. G. M. for Dorsetshire, a new edition of the Book of Constitutions has been prepared, and partly published, by order of the Grand Lodge, since the ACT OF UNION took place. portant.] On every occasion you are to pay a proper deference and respect to the Master and presiding Officers, and diligently apply to the work of Masonry, that you may the sooner become a proficient therein; as well for your own credit, as for the honour of the company with whom you associate. Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings be earnestly solicited, your necessary employments in life are not to be neglected on that account: neither are you to suffer your zeal for Masonry to exceed the bounds of discretion, or lead you into argument with persons who may ridicule. our institution; but extend your pity toward those who may be apt, through ignorance, to contemn what they never had an opportunity to comprehend. All that is required for your general observance is, that you study the liberal arts at leisure: trace science in the works of eminent masters; and improve in the disquisitions of the system, by the conversation of well-informed Brethren, who will always be as ready to give, as you can be to receive, instruction. Finally Adhere to the Constitutions; and support the privileges which are to distinguish you as a Mason above the rest of the community, and mark your consequence among the Fraternity. If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person desirous of being initiated into the Order, be particularly attentive not to recommend him, unless you are convinced that he will conform to our rules; that the value of Masonry may be enhanced by the difficulty of the purchase; the honour and reputation of the institution be established on the firmest basis; and the world at large be convinced of its benign influence. [From the attention you have paid to the recital of the duties of the Order, we are led to hope, that |