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existed from time immemorial; honorable, as tending to make all men so, who are strictly obedient to its precepts. It is an Institution having for its foundation the practice of the social and moral virtues. And to so high an eminence has its credit been advanced, that, in every age and country, men preeminent for their moral and intellectual attainments, have encouraged and promoted its interests. Nor has it been thought derogatory to their dignity, that Monarchs have, for a season, exchanged the sceptre for the trowel, to patronize our mysteries, and join in our assemblies.

As a Mason, you are to regard the volume of the Sacred Law as the great light in your profession; to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice, and to regulate your actions by the Divine precepts it contains. In it you will learn the important duties you owe to God, your neighbor, and 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 neighbor, 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 that he should do unto 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, you are enjoined to be exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties, by never proposing, or countenancing, any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society; by paying due obedience to the laws under whose protection you live, and by never losing sight of the alle giance due to your country.

As an Individual, you are charged to practise the domestic and public virtues. Let Temperance chasten, Fortitude support, Prudence direct you, and Justice be the guide of all your actions. Be especially careful to maintain, in their fullest splendor, those truly Masonic ornaments, Brotherly-Love, Relief and Truth.

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Finally: Be faithful to the trust committed to your care, and manifest your fidelity to your principles, by a strict observance of the Constitutions of the Fraternity; by adhering to the ancient land-marks of the Order; and by refraining to recommend any one to a participation in our privileges, unless you have strong. reasons to believe, that, by a similar fidelity, he will ultimately reflect honor on our ancient Institution.

CHAPTER VII.

REMARKS ON SECOND DEGREE.

LIKE all sciences, whether moral or physical, Freemasonry is progressive; and a perfect knowledge of it can only be acquired by time, patience, and a sedulous application to elementary principles. The first degree is admirably calculated to enforce the duties of morality, and imprint on the memory some of the noblest principles which can enrich and adorn the mind. The second degree extends the same plan, but comprehends a more diffusive system of moral science; a more enlarged view is presented to the mind of the candidate; the heart is improved, while the ideas expand under a course of training which blends interest with instruction. And all the illustrations tend to inculcate a knowledge of those three great branches of Masonic morality and true religion-the duties we owe to God, our neighbor, and ourselves.

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FIRST SECTION.

The first section of this degree is initiatory, and should be familiar to every Craftsman, but particularly to the officers of the Lodge. If properly illustrated, the candi date is deeply impressed with the importance of the cere monies through which he is passing, and of the necessity of adhering to all the established usages of the Order.

PRAYER THAT MAY BE USED IN THIS DEGREE

We supplicate the continuance of thine aid, O Merciful Lord, in behalf of ourselves, and the candidate who kneels before thee. May the work, begun in thy name, be continued to thy glory, and evermore be established in us, in obedience to thy Divine precepts. Amen.

The following passages of Scripture are appropriate to this degree:

1 CORINTHIANS: CHAPTER XIII.*

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. * And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

* *

AMOS: CHAPTER VII: 7, 8.

"Thus he showed me; and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, a plumb-line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.

The PLUMB, SQUARE, and LEVEL, are implements peculiar to this degree.

*The following hymn, from Br. THOMAS POWER's Masonic Melodies, is sometimes sung as a substitute for this Scripture:

Come, Craftsmen, assembled our pleasure to share,

Who walk by the PLUMB, and who work by the SQUARE;
While travelling in love on the LEVEL of time,
Sweet hope shall light on to a far better clime.

We'll seek, in our labors, the Spirit Divine,

Our temple to bless, and our hearts to refine;
And thus to our altar a tribute we 'll bring,

While, joined in true friendship, our anthem we sing.

See Order and Beauty rise gently to view,
Each Brother a column, so perfect and true!

When Order shall cease, and when temples decay,

May each, fairer columns, immortal, survey.

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