gation to induce him to kind and friendly offices. The spirit of the fulminating priest will be tamed, and a moral brother, though of a different persuasion, engage his esteem: for mutual toleration in religious opinions is one of the most distinguishing and valuable characteristics of the Craft. As all religions teach morality, if a brother be found to act the part of a truly honest man, his private speculative opinions are left to God and himself. Thus, through the influence of Masonry, which is reconcilable to the best policy, all those disputes which embitter life, and sour the tempers of men, are avoided; while the common good, the general object, is zealously pursued.

From this view of our system, its utility must be sufficiently obvious. The universal principles of the art unite, in one indissoluble bond of affection, men of the most opposite tenets, of the most distant countries, and of the most contradictory opinions; so that in every nation a Mason may find a friend, and in every climate a home.*

*On this principle, unfortunate captives in war, and sojourners, accidentally cast on a distant shore, are particular objects of attention, and seldom fail to experience indulgence from Masons; and it is very remarkable that there is not an instance on record of a breach of fidelity, or of ingratitude, where that indulgence has been liberally extended. The two following facts are extracted from Lawrie's History of Freemasonry in Scotland. In the year 1748, Mons. Preverox, a gentleman in the navy, and brother of the celebrated M. Preverot, M.D., in the faculty of Paris, was unfortunately shipwrecked on an island, whose viceroy was a Freemason. Along with his ship M. Preverot had lost all his money and effects. In this destitute condition he presented himself to the viceroy, and related his misfortune in a manner which completely proved that he was no impostor. The viceroy made the masonic signs, which being instantly returned by the Frenchman, they recognized and embraced each other as brethren of the same order. M. Preverot was conducted to the viceroy's house, who furnished him with all the comforts of life, till a ship bound for France touched at the island. Before his departure in this vessel, the viceroy loaded him with presents, and gave him as much money as was necessary for carrying him into his native country. The next instance is still

Such is the nature of our institution, that in the lodge, which is confined to no particular spot, union is cemented by sincere attachment, and pleasure reciprocally communicated in the cheerful observance of every obliging office. Virtue, the grand object in view, luminous as the meridian sun, shines refulgent on the mind, enlivens the heart, and heightens cool approbation into warm sympathy and cordial attention.

SECT. IV.

Masonry considered under two Denominations.

MASONRY passes under two denominations,operative and speculative. By the former, we allude to a proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure derives figure, strength, and beauty; and whence result a due proportion and a just correspondence in all its parts. By the latter, we learn to rule and direct the passions, act upon the square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, practise charity, and other virtue that can adorn the Man.

every

Speculative Masonry is so far interwoven with religion, as to lay us under the strongest obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity, which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It

more striking. In the battle of Dettingen, în 1743, one of the king's guards having his horse killed under him, was so entangled among the animal's limbs, that he was unable to extricate himself. While he was in this situation, an English dragoon galloped up to him, and, with his uplifted sabre, was about to deprive him of life. The French soldier having, with much difficulty, made the signs of Masonry, the dragoon recognized him as a brother, and not only spared his life, but freed him from his dangerous situation. He was made a prisoner by the English dragoon, who was well aware that the ties of masonry cannot dissolve those of patriotism.-EDITOR.

leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of creation, and inspires them with the most exalted ideas of the perfections of the divine Creator. Operative Masonry furnishes us with dwellings, and convenient shelter from the inclemencies of seasons; and whilst it displays the effects of human wisdom, as well in the choice as in the arrangement of the materials of which an edifice is composed, it demonstrates, that a fund of science and industry is implanted in man, for the best, most salutary, and beneficent purposes.

The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastations of war, have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed. Even the temple of SOLOMON, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. Free-masonry, notwithstanding, has still survived. The attentive

*This once famous temple is no more. Its destruction by the Romans, as predicted by Jesus Christ, was fulfilled in the most minute particulars; and, on the same authority, we are quite certain that it will never be rebuilt. It may not, however, be uninteresting to notice briefly the account which travellers give of the site of this celebrated Masonic pile. "Near St. Stephen's gate," says M. Maundrell, "stands an indifferent Turkish house, said to have been the spot whereon stood the palace of Pilate. From the terrace of this house you have a fair prospect of all the place whereon the temple stood-indeed the only good prospect that is allowed you of it; for there is no going between the borders of it without forfeiting your life, or, what is worse, your religion. A fitter place for an august building could not be found in the world than in this It lies on the top of Mount Moriah, over against Mount Olivet. One may still discover marks of the great labour that it cost to cut away the hard rock, and to level such a space upon so strong a mountain. In the middle of the area stands at present a mosque, of an octagonal figure, supposed to be built upon the same ground whereon anciently stood the Sanctum Sanctorum. It is neither eminent for its largeness nor its structure, and yet it makes a stately figure, by the sole advantage of its situation. EDITOR.

area.

ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the sacred mysteries are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Tools and implements of architecture (symbols the most expressive!) are selected by the Fraternity, to imprint on the memory serious and solemn truths; and thus the excellent tenets of the institution are transmitted, unimpaired, under circumstances precarious, ad even adverse, through a succession of ages.

SECT. V.

The Government of the Fraternity.

THE mode of government observed by the Fraternity will give the best idea of the nature and design of the Masonic institution.

Three classes are established among Masons, under different appellations. The privileges of each class are distinct; and particular means are adopted to preserve those privileges to the just and meritorious. Honour and probity are recommendations to the First Class; in which the practice of virtue is enforced, and the duties of morality are inculcated; while the mind is prepared for a regular progress in the principles of knowledge and philosophy. Diligence, assiduity, and application, are qualifications for the second class; in which is given an accurate elucidation of science, both in theory and practice. Here human reason is cultivated, by a due exertion of the intellectual powers and faculties; nice and difficult theories are explained; new discoveries are produced, and those already known beautifully embellished. The Third Class is restricted to a selected few, whom truth and fidelity have distinguished, whom years and experience have improved, and whom merit

and abilities have entitled to preferment. With them the ancient land-marks of the Order are preserved; and from them we learn the necessary instructive lessons which dignify the art, and qualify the professors to illustrate its excellence and utility.

Such is the established plan of the Masonic system. By this judicious arrangement, true friendship is cultivated among different ranks of men, hospitality promoted, industry rewarded, and ingenuity encouraged.

SECT. VI.

Reasons why the Secrets of Masonry ought not to be publicly exposed; and the Importance of those Secrets demonstrated.

IF the secrets of Masonry are replete with such advantage to mankind, it may be asked, Why are they not divulged for the general good? To this it may be answered Were the privileges of Masonry to be indiscriminately dispensed, the purposes of the institution would not only be subverted, but our secrets, being familiar, like other important matters, would lose their value, and sink into disregard.

It is a weakness in human nature, that men are generally more charmed with novelty than with the intrinsic value of things. Innumerable testimonies might be adduced to confirm this truth. Do we not find that the most wonderful operations of the Divine Artificer, however beautiful, magnificent, and useful, are overlooked, because common and familiar? The sun rises and sets, the sea ebbs and flows, rivers glide along their channels, trees and plants vegetate, men and beasts act; yet these,