gard, and my best wishes for the honour, happiness, and prosperity of all the members of the grand lodge of Massachusetts,

I am, &c.

George Washington."

Although professor Robinson exempts the English lodges from the charge of disloyalty or want of attachment to government, it is evident from the whole tenour of his book, that he intended to sound the tocsin of alarm in the ears of the British ministry, by the thunder of his extraordinary denunciations. It must, however, have been gratifying to the fraternity, that after all his fulminations against masonry, as well as those of his predecessor, the Abbe Barruel, who had written a book in four volumes entitled "The memoirs of Jacobinism in France," none of the members of the royal family in great Britain, nor of the European sovereigns or princes, who were free-masons, have been induced, on that account, to desert the society. On the contrary, we have a positive proof of their steadfast attachment to the order, from the following sentiments, which occur in an address delivered to the brethren, on the 3d of June, 1800, by the earl of Moira, who was then deputy grand master:

"Certain modern publications," says his lordship, "have been holding forth to the world the society of masons as in league against all constituted authorities." This im

putation, he repels by a number of powerful arguments, of which, this last is certainly irresistibly conclusive. "The foundation stone of the lodge," says he, "is Fear God and honour the king.* In confirmation of this solemn assertion, what can we advance more irrefragable than that so many of his Majesty's illustrious family stand in the highest order of masonry, are fully instructed in all its tendencies, and have intimate knowledge of every particular, in its current administration under the grand lodge of England."

After so many testimonies, which sufficiently prove, that the principles of the institution are not only innocent, but benevolent, and highly laudable, little more need be said to refute the ungenerous aspersions, which have been so wantonly thrown out against it. I shall, therefore, close this chapter with this observation, that when on the 12th July, 1798, an act was passed by the British parliament, "for the more effectual suppression of societies established for seditious and treasonable purposes," such was the confidence of government in the loyalty of free-masons, that their lodges were exempted from its penalties. I shall close with this remark, that those, who are best acquainted with the mysteries of our order, must be sensible, that it is founded in WISDOM; supported by STRENGTH; adorned

* Or the government of the country under which we live.

with BEAUTY; and cemented by CORDIALITY and TRUTH. May it, therefore, be our constant study, to act in such a manner, that our practice may prove the best comment on the principles of our craft, and thereby teach the world, that Charity and Brotherly Love, Integrity of Heart, and Purity of Manners, are not less the characteristics of Masonry than of Religion. Then may we hope, that when a period even still more awful than the hour of our dissolution shall arrive, when the last trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised, when our scattered atoms shall be collected, and we shall appear in the presence of the Lord God Omnipotent, "the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity," that our transgressions will be graciously forgiven, and that the GRAND MASTER of the UNIVERSE will be pleased to give us rest, from all our labours, by an admission into the celestial fraternity of angels, and "the spirits of just men made perfect.

CHAPTER VI.

Of Qualifications necessary for those, who wish to become Free-Masons.

No one ought to think of becoming a candidate for admission into this ancient

G

an

honourable fraternity, who is not in the prac tice of all the private virtues. Intemperance, the great bane of human happiness, ought to be avoided, and no indulgence in any kind of excess allowed, which might prevent him from the use of his mental faculties, and the faithful performance of those moral and religious duties, which are incumbent on all men, particularly on masons. He ought to be industrious in his vocation, and adore the Lord and Master, who made heaven and earth. He ought not to eat any man's bread for nought; but should conduct himself in such a manner. as to be able to pay for all the necessaries and conveniencies of life. When he is at leisure from his necessary avocations, he should employ himself in studying the arts and sciences, so that he may be better enabled to perform all his duties to his Creator, his country, his neighbour, and himself.

He is to seek and acquire, as far as possible, the virtues of patience, meekness, self denial, and forbearance; virtues, which give him the command over himself, and enable him to govern his own family with affection, dignity, and prudence. At the same time he ought to check every disposition, which might tend to the injury of his fellow creatures, and by every means in his power, promote that love and friendship, which brethren of the same household owe to each other.

To afford succour to the distressed, to divide our bread with the industrious poor, and

to put the misguided traveller into the right way, are duties, which essentially belong to the craft; but though a mason should never shut his ear against any of the human race, yet when a brother is oppressed or in indigent circumstances, he is, in a peculiar manner, called to relieve him as far as prudence will permit.

It is also necessary, that all, who would be free-masons,should learn to abstain from malice, slander, and evil speaking; from all provoking and indecorous language, and that they should keep the tongue of good report. They should reflect, that the society, which they intend to join, is a band of brothers; and it ought to be their endeavour as soon as they have got admission, to strive, by every means in their power, that brotherly love should continue.

A mason should be obedient to the laws of his country, and respect the superior powers. Treason and sedition are held in abhorrence by all, who rightly understand the principles of the institution. A mason should, likewise, learn to obey those, who are set over him in the lodge; nor is he to omit this important duty, in consequence of their being inferior to him in worldly rank or condition. Masonry divests no man of his honours; yet in the lodge, pre-eminence of virtue, and superior knowledge in the art, is considered as the source of all nobility and good government.

The virtue indispensibly requisite in ma