carefully examine the evidences pro and con, and endeavour to solve the problem on the surest and most irrefragable testimony, viz., a reference to facts which admit of neither contradiction nor dispute. At present I shall call your attention solely to the ancient Gothic Charges, which are designated as permanent Landmarks by Desaguliers, Anderson, Sayer, Payne, and the worthies who formed the first Grand Lodge, and brought about the revival of Masonry at the beginning of the last century. To preserve their integrity unimpaired by keeping them constantly before the fraternal eye, it was strictly enjoined that they should be rehearsed at the Installation of every Master, and that he should be required to give his unfeigned consent to them without hesitation, mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind. The question then is, Have these Charges sustained any alteration? The following comparison will answer the inquiry: Extracts from the Ancient Charges, A.D. 1723. 1. Although in ancient times Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation, whatever it was, yet it is now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular opinions to themselves; that is, to be good men and true, or men of honour and honesty, by whatever deno Extracts from the Ancient Charges, as inserted in our present Book of Constitutions, A.D. 1855. I. A Mason, of all men, should best understand that God seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh at the outward appearance, but God looketh at the heart. A Mason is, therefore, particularly bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience. Let a man's religion or mode of worship be minations or persuasions they may be distinguished. II. A Mason is a peaceable subject, never to be concerned in plots against the state, nor disrespectful to inferior magistrates. Of old, kings, princes, and states encouraged the fraternity for their loyalty, who ever flourished most in times of peace. But, though a Brother is not to be countenanced in his rebellion against the state, yet, if convicted of no other crime, his relation to the Lodge remains indefeasible. III. A duly-organized body of Masons is called a Lodge, just as the word church is expressed both of the congregation and the place of worship. The men made Masons must be free-born, no bondmen, of mature age and good report, hale and sound, not deformed, nor dismembered at the time of their making. No woman, no eunuch. what it may, he is not excluded from the Order, provided he believe in the G.A.O.T.U., and practise the sacred duties of morality. II. A Mason is a peaceable subject to the civil powers where he resides or works, and is never to be concerned in plots or conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates. He is cheerfully to conform to every lawful authority; to hold on every occasion the interest of the community, and zealously promote the prosperity of his own country. III. Every regular assembly or duly-organized meeting of Masons is called a Lodge. The persons made Masons, or admitted members of a Lodge, must be good and true men, free-born, of mature and discreet age and sound judgment, no bondmen, no women, no immoral or scandalous men, but of good report. V. Freemasons shall not work with those who are not free without an urgent necessity; nor shall they teach labourers or unaccepted Masons as they would teach a Brother or Fellow. In these passages (and others of a similar nature might have been added) the alterations speak for themselves, and require no comment. And it may be further observed that, even so early as the revival, an alteration of the Landmarks was publicly announced in these express terms: "In ancient times the Christian Masons were charged to comply with the Christian usages of each country where they travelled or worked. But Masons being found in all nations, even of divers religions, they are now only charged to adhere to that religion in which all men agree," &c. This revision has not only been acceded to by all successive Grand Lodges, but the concluding clause of the fourth charge-"that no number without three Master Masons can form a Lodge," which is in itself an important Landmark, has been entirely expunged. Again, the old charge, vi. 1, says, "As Masons, we are of the oldest catholic religion," &c.; this also has been omitted. And, lastly, not to be tedious on this point, the time of the annual festival has been changed from St. John's-day, as enjoined by the old Constitutions, to that of St. George, and by it the annual communication is now governed. Now, whether these alterations be improvements or not forms no part of the present inquiry, which relates solely to a question of fact; and rests upon the postulatum already mentioned-whether such corrections be admissible under the clause which prohibits any alteration of Landmarks. The truth is, that how pleasing soever the doctrine of irremovable Landmarks may sound in theory, it is not borne out by practice; nor can it be, amidst the ever varying changes in manners and customs, and improvements in science and arts; for Freemasonry, to hold its own, must keep pace with the progress of other institutions; and this can scarcely be accomplished without the occasional pruning of antiquated observances to meet the requirements of an altered state of society. For which purpose I shall refer you, in the following Lectures, to the usage of successive Grand Lodges, which have resorted to it under urgent circumstances, not merely in isolated and exceptional instances, but as a general principle and an unquestionable right. In all inquiries it is wise to look Truth steadily in the face; for what benefit can be derived from an argument, if the attainment of truth be not its object and end? And it cannot be denied that several instances have occurred between the year 1717 and the present time in which old Landmarks have been ameliorated by Grand Lodges when any pressing necessity presented itself in favour of the change. "The number three was an object of great veneration both to the Greeks and Latins, as is evidenced by Theocritus, Ovid, and Virgil. Whether this fancy owes its original to this number including a beginning, middle, and end, and thus signifying all things in the world; or whether to the esteem the Pythagoreans and other philosophers had for it, on account of their Triad, or Trinity; or to its aptness to signify the power of all the gods, who were divided into three classes, celestial, terrestrial, and infernal,-I shall leave to be determined by others."DR. ANDERSON. "The reason why Freemasons accompany their toasts with three times three is, because there were anciently but three words, three signs, and three grips."-GERMAN LECTURE. THE origin of the Triad must be sought for in the remotest period of time. We find it existing at the deliverance from Egyptian bondage; for the Rabbins affirm that the appearance of Jehovah to Moses at the Burning Bush-JEKARAH, MEMRA, SHEKINAH, or Glory, Word, Majesty, was an exemplification of it; and, accordingly, this remarkable event has been embodied in Masonry along with the creation of the world, where the Triad was first exhibited. The ternary number, therefore, is as old as the hills; and, though extensively applied in the system of Freemasonry, the reasons for its adoption are very inadequately explained in the ritual. I shall, therefore, |