you will form a proper estimate of the value of Free-Masonry, and imprint on your mind the dictates of truth, honour, and justice.*] *The late Lodge of Reconciliation (the Rev. Samuel Hemming, D. D., Master) recommended the use of the following CHARGE; to be recited to every Mason immediately subsequent to his initiation; which was honoured with the approbation of the United Grand Lodge, their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex being present; the former illustrious Prince being Past, and the latter Present M. W. Grand Master. The Editor, however, did not think himself justified in omitting the Charge to which Brother Preston's readers and hearers had hitherto been accustomed. BROTHER, As you have how passed through the ceremonies of your initiaation, allow me to congratulate you on being admitted a member of our ancient and honourable society. Ancient, no doubt it is, as having subsisted from time immemorial; and honourable it must be acknowledged to be-because, by a natural tendency, it conduces to make all those honourable who are strictly obedient to its precepts. Indeed, no institution can boast a more solid foundation than that on which Free-masonry rests-The practice of social and moral virtue: and to so high an eminence has its credit been advanced, that in every age, monarchs themselves have become the promoters of the Art;-have not thought it derogatory from their dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel ;-have patronised our mysteries;-and even joined in our assemblies. As a Mason, I would first recommend to your most serious contemplation the volume of the Sacred Law: charging you to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice, and to regulate your actions by the divine precepts it contains. Therein you will be taught the important duties you owe to God, to your neighbour, and to yourself. To God, by never mentioning his name, but with that awe and reverence which are due from the creature to his Creator; by imploring his aid on all your lawful undertakings, and by looking up to him in every emergency, for comfort and support. To your neighbour, by acting with him upon the square; by rendering him every kind office which justice or mercy may require; by relieving his distresses, and soothing his afflictions; and by doing to him, as, in similar cases, you would wish he should do to you. And to yourself, by such a prudent and well-regulated course of discipline, as may best conduce to the preservation of your corporeal and mental faculties in their fullest energy; thereby enabling you to exert the talents wherewith God has blest you, as well to his glory, as to the welfare of your fellow-creatures. As a citizen of the world, I am next to enjoin you to be exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties, by never proposing, or at all countenancing, any act that may have a tendency to subvert This section usually closes with the following EULOGIUM. Masonry comprehends within its circle every branch of useful knowledge and learning, and the peace and good order of society; by paying due obedience to the laws of any state which may for a time become the place of your residence, or afford you its protection; and above all, by never losing sight of the allegiance due to the Sovereign of your native land; ever remembering, that Nature has implanted in your breast a sacred and indissoluble attachment to that country, from which you derived your birth and infant nurture. As an individual, I am further to recommend the practice of every domestic as well as public virtue. Let Prudence direct you! Temperance chasten you! Fortitude support you! and Justice be the guide of all your actions. Be especially careful to maintain, in their fullest splendour, those truly Masonic ornaments, which have already been amply illustrated, Benevolence and Charity. Still, however, as a Mason, there are other excellencies of character to which your attention may be peculiarly and forcibly directed. Among the foremost of these are, Secrecy, Fidelity, and Obedience. Secrecy may be said to consist in an inviolable adherence to the obligation you have entered into, never improperly to reveal any of those Masonic Secrets which have now been, or may at any future time be, intrusted to your keeping; and cautiously to shun all occa-` sions which might inadvertently lead you so to do. Your Fidelity must be exemplified by a strict observance of the constitutions of the fraternity; by adhering to the ancient landmarks of the order; by never attempting to extort, or otherwise unduly obtain, the secrets of a superior degree; and by refraining to recommend any one to a participation of our secrets, unless you have strong grounds to believe that, by a similar fidelity, he will ultimately reflect honour on our choice. So must your Obedience be proved by a close conformity to our laws and regulations; by prompt attention to all signs and summonses; by modest and correct demeanour whilst in the lodge; by abstaining from every topic of religious or political discussion; by ready acquiescence in all votes and resolutions duly passed by the Brethren; and by perfect submission to the Master and his Wardens, whilst acting in the discharge of their respective offices. And, as a last general recommendation, let me exhort you to dedicate yourself to such pursuits as may enable you to become at once respectable in your rank of life; useful to mankind; and an ornament to the Society of which you have this day been admitted a member; that you would more especially devote your leisure hours to the study of such of the liberal arts and sciences as may lie within the compass of your attainment; and that, without neglect→ stamps an indelible mark of pre-eminence on its genuine professors, which neither chance, power, nor fortune, can bestow. When its rules are strictly observed, it is a sure foundation of tranquillity amid the various disappointments of life; a friend, that will not deceive, but will comfort and assist, in prosperity and adversity; a blessing, that will remain with all times, circumstances, and places; and to which recourse may be had, when other earthly comforts sink into disregard. Masonry gives real and intrinsic excellency to man, and renders him fit for the duties of society. It strengthens the mind against the storms of life, paves the way to peace, and promotes domestic happiness. It meliorates the temper, and improves the understanding; it is company in solitude, and gives vivacity, variety, and energy, to social conversation. In youth, it governs the passions, and employs usefully our most active faculties; and in age, when sickness, imbecility, and disease, have benumbed the corporeal frame, and rendered the union of soul and body almost intolerable, it yields an ample fund of comfort and satisfaction. These are its general advantages: to enumerate them separately, would be an endless labour. It may be sufficient to observe, that he who cultivates this science, and acts agreeably to the character of a Mason, has within himself the spring and support of every social virtue; a subject of contemplation, that enlarges the mind, and expands all its powers; a theme that is inexhaustible, ever new, and always interesting. ing the ordinary duties of your station, you would consider yourself called upon to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge. [From the very commendable attention which you appear to have given to this Charge, I am led to hope that you will duly appreciate the excellence of Free-masonry, and imprint indelibly on your mind the sacred dictates of Truth, of Honour, and of Virtue!] The Fourth Section. The Fourth Section rationally accounts for the origin of our hieroglyphical instruction, and points out the advantages which accompany a faithful observance of our duty. It illustrates, at the same time, certain particulars, our ignorance of which might lead us into error; and which, as Masons, we are indispensably bound to know. To make daily progress in the Art, is a constant duty, and expressly required by our general laws. What end can be more noble, than the pursuit of virtue? what motive more alluring, than the practice of justice? or what instruction more beneficial, than an accurate elucidation of symbols which tend to improve and embellish the mind? Every thing that strikes the eye, more immediately engages the attention, and imprints on the memory serious and solemn truths. Masons have, thereforé, universally adopted the plan of inculcating the tenets of their Order by typical figures and allegorical emblems, to prevent their mysteries from descending within the familiar reach of inattentive and unprepared novices, from whom they might not receive due veneration. The usages and customs of Masons have ever corresponded with those of the ancient Egyptians; to which, indeed, they bear a near affinity. Those philosophers, unwilling to expose their mysteries to vulgar eyes, concealed their particular tenets and principles of polity and philosophy under hieroglyphical figures; and expressed their notions of government by signs and symbols, which they communicated to their Magi alone, who were bound by oath* never to reveal them. Pythagoras *"The oath proposed to the aspirant for the Pythagorean mysteries was made on the number FOUR, or Tetractys, which was expressed seems to have established his system on a similar plan; and many Orders of a more recent date have copied the example. Masonry, however, is not only the most ancient, but the most moral Institution that ever subsisted; as every character, figure, and emblem, depicted in the lodge, has a moral meaning, and tends to inculcate the practice of virtue on those who behold it.* The Fifth Section. The Fifth Section explains the nature and principles of our institution, and teaches us to discharge with propriety the duties of the different departments which we are appointed to sustain in the government of the lodge. Here, too, our ornaments are displayed, and our jewels and furniture specified; while a proper attention is paid to our ancient and venerable patron. To explain the subjects treated in this Section, and assist the industrious Mason to acquire them, we can only recommend a punctual attendance on the duties of the lodge, and a diligent application to the lessons which are there inculcated. by TEN commas or jods, (supposing it to be derived from the Tetragrammaton of the Jews,) disposed in the form of an equilateral triangle, each side containing four, as follows: Monad, fire, or the active principle. Duad, the passive principle. Triad, the world proceeding from their union. This triangle, as some authors suppose, bore a reference to the triune God, whence it was termed Trigonon mysticum. Iamblichus gives us the words of this tremendous oath. Ου με τον άμιτερη, με By the GREAT TETRACTYS, or name IAO, who hath communicated the fountain of eternity to our souls, &c." (Oliver's Hist. Init. p. 124, in notâ.) EDITOR. * This Section closes with a definition of Charity, for which see p. 17. |