The Fourth Section.

The Fourth and last Section of this Degree is no less replete with useful instruction. Circumstances of real importance to the Fraternity are here particularised, and many traditional tenets and customs confirmed by sacred and profane record. The celestial and terrestrial globes are considered with accuracy; and here the accomplished gentleman may display his talents to advantage in the elucidation of the sciences, which are classed in a regular arrangement. The stimulus to preferment, and the mode of rewarding merit, are pointed out; the marks of distinction which were conferred on our ancient Brethren, as the reward of excellence, are explained; and the duties, as well as privileges, of the first branch of their male offspring defined. In short, this Section contains some curious observations on the validity of our forms, and concludes with the most powerful incentives to the practice of piety and virtue.

As the seven liberal Arts and Sciences are illustrated in this Section, it may not be improper to give a short explanation of them:

Grammar teaches the proper arrangement of words, according to the idiom or dialect of any particular people; and that excellency of pronun

even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there!

And when thy servant, and thy people Israel, shall pray towards this house, hearken to their supplication; hear thou them in heaven, thy dwelling place; and when thou hearest, forgive!

And the Lord answered, and said, I have hallowed the house which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

And all the people answered and said-The Lord is gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever.

ciation, which enables us to speak or write a language with accuracy, agreeably to reason and

correct usage.

Rhetoric teaches us to speak copiously and fluently on any subject, not merely with propriety, but with all the advantages of force and elegance; wisely contriving to captivate the hearer by strength of argument and beauty of expression, whether it be to entreat or exhort, to admonish or applaud.

Logic teaches us to guide our reason discretionally in the general knowledge of things, and direct our inquiries after truth. It consists of a regular train of argument, whence we infer, deduce, and conclude, according to certain premises laid down, admitted, or granted; and in it are employed the faculties of conceiving, judging, reasoning, and disposing; which are naturally led on from one gradation to another, till the point in question is finally determined.

Arithmetic teaches the powers and properties of numbers; which is variously effected by letters, tables, figures, and instruments. By this art, reasons and demonstrations are given for finding out any certain number, whose relation or affinity to others is already known.

Geometry treats of the powers and properties of magnitudes in general, where length, breadth, and thickness, are considered.* By this science, the architect is enabled to construct his plans; the general, to arrange his soldiers; the engineer, to mark out ground for encampments; the geographer, to give us the dimensions of the world, deli

* Thus the progression is, from a point to a line, from a line to a superficies, and from a superficies to a solid. A point has no dimensions, but is an indivisible part of space. A line is the continuation of a point, embracing only the single capacity of length. A superficies has two dimensions, length and breadth; and a solid has three dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness.

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neate the extent of seas, and specify the divisions of empires, kingdoms, and provinces; and by it, also, the astronomer is enabled to make his observations, and fix the duration of times and seasons, years and cycles. In short, Geometry is the foundation of architecture, and the root of the mathematics.

Music teaches the art of forming concords, so as to compose delightful harmony, by a proportional arrangement of acute, grave, and mixed sounds. This art, by a series of experiments, is reduced to a science, with respect to tones, and the intervals of sound only. It inquires into the nature of concords and discords, and enables us to find out the proportion between them by numbers.

Astronomy is that art by which we are taught to read the wonderful works of the Almighty Creator in those sacred pages, the celestial hemisphere. Assisted by Astronomy, we observe the motions, measure the distances, comprehend the magnitudes, and calculate the periods and eclipses, of the heavenly bodies. By it we learn the use of the globes, the system of the world, and the primary law of nature. While we are employed in the study of this science, we perceive unparalleled instances of wisdom and goodness, and through the whole of creation trace the glorious Author by his works.*

* The Doctrine of the Spheres, which is included in the Science of Astronomy, is also particularly considered in this Section.

The globes are two artificial spherical bodies, on the convex surface of which are represented the countries, seas, and various parts of the earth; the face of the heavens, the planetary revolutions, and other important particulars. The sphere, with the parts of the earth delineated on its surface, is called the terrestrial globe; and that with the constellations, and other heavenly bodies, the celestial globe. Their principal use, besides serving as maps to distinguish the outward parts of the earth, and the situation of the fixed stars, is, to illustrate and explain the phenomena arising from the annual revolution, and the diurnal rotation of the earth round its own axis.

Thus end the different Sections of the Second Lecture; which, with the ceremony used at opening and closing the lodge, comprehend the whole of the Second Degree of Masonry. Besides a complete theory of philosophy and physics, this Lecture contains a regular system of science, demonstrated on the clearest principles, and established on the firmest foundation.

SECT. V.

REMARKS on the THIRD LECTURE.

In treating with propriety on any subject, it is necessary to observe a regular course; in the former Degrees we have recapitulated the contents of the several Sections, and should willingly pursue the same plan in this Degree, did not the variety of particulars of which it is composed render it impossible to give an abstract, without violating the rules of the Order. It may be sufficient to remark, that, in twelve Sections, of which this Lecture consists, every circumstance that respects government and system, ancient lore and deep research, curious invention and ingenious discovery, is collected, and accurately traced; while the mode of practising our rites, on public as well as private occasions, is satisfactorily explained. Among the brethren of this Degree, the land

They are the noblest instruments for giving the most distinct idea of any problem or proposition, as well as for enabling us to solve it. Contemplating these bodies, Masons are inspired with a due reverence for the Deity and his works; and are induced to apply with diligence and attention to astronomy, geography, navigation, and all the arts dependent on them, by which society has been so much benefited.

marks of the Order are preserved; and from them is derived that fund of information, which expert and ingenious Craftsmen only can afford, whose judgment has been matured by years and experience. To a complete knowledge of this Lecture, few attain; but it is an infallible truth, that he who acquires by merit the mark of pre-eminence to which this Degree entitles him, receives a reward which amply compensates for all his past diligence and assiduity.

From this class of the Order, the rules of the Craft are selected; as it is only from those who are capable of giving instruction, that we can properly expect to receive it with advantage.

The First Section.

The ceremony of initiation into the Third Degree is particularly specified in this branch of the Lecture, and many useful instructions are given.

Such is the importance of this Section, that we may safely aver, whoever is unacquainted with it, is ill qualified to act as a ruler or governor of the work of Masonry.

Prayer at Initiation into the Third Degree.

O Lord, direct us to know and serve thee aright! prosper our laudable undertakings! and grant that, as we increase in knowledge, we may improve in virtue, and still farther promote thy honour and glory! So mote it be.

* Our American brethren use an abundance of scripture quotations in the opening and conduct of this degree, particularly that sublime observation of King Solomon recorded in Ecclesiastes xii. 1-7.

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