ARGUMENT XX.

ARGUMENT ON THE FIRST MASONIC LECTURE GIVEN IN A LODGE. THE DECLARATION TO BE ASSENTED TO A PRAYER USED AT INITIATION. CHARGE AT INITIATION INTO THE FIRST DEGREE.

HAVING illustrated the ceremony of opening and closing a Lodge, and inserted the charges and prayers usually rehearsed in our regular assemblies on those occasions, we shall now enter on a disquisition of the different sections of the arguments appropriated to the three degrees of Masonry, giving a brief summary of the whole, and annexing to every remark the particulars to which the section alludes. By these means the industrious Mason will be the better instructed in the regular arrangement of the sections in each Argument, and be enabled with more ease to acquire a knowledge of

the art.

The first Argument is divided into sections, and each section into clauses. In this Argument virtue is painted in the most beautiful colours, and the duties of morality are strictly enforced. In it, we are taught such useful lessons as prepare the mind for a regular advancement in the principles of knowledge and philosophy, and these are imprinted on the memory by lively and sensible images, to influence our conduct in the proper discharge of the duties of social life.

Have the three degrees of Masonry any hidden reference to the three heavens mentioned by St. Paul, and the three degrees of blessedness conferred on the human soul?-1. Some shall shine as the stars; 2. Others as the brightness of the firmament; 3. And others as the sun, for ever and ever.-The moon and stars are symbols of the first degree; the clear firmanent, represented by the spherical balls placed on the two pillars, of the second; and the sun, figurative of the light of revelation and the resurrection from the dead, of the third. It may be also remarked, although merely as a coincidence, without assuming any typical reference, that our holy religion mentions also three states of punishment, viz. :-1. Beaten with few stripes; 2. Beaten with many stripes; 3. The punishment of the lake that burneth with brimstone and fire.-EDITOR.

The first section of this Argument is suited to all capacities, and ought to be known by every person who wishes to rank as a Mason. It consists of general heads, which, though short and simple, carry weight with them. They not only serve as marks of distinction, but communicate useful and interesting knowledge when they are duly investigated. They qualify us to try and examine the rights of others in relation with our privileges, while they prove ourselves; and as they induce us to inquire more minutely into other particulars of greater importance, they serve as an introduction to subjects which are more amply explained in the following

sections.

As we can annex to this remark no other explanation consistent with the rules of Masonry, we must refer the more inquisitive to our regular assemblies for farther instruction.2

The second section makes us acquainted with the peculiar forms and ceremonies at the initiation of candidates into Masonry, and convinces us, beyond the power of contradiction, of the propriety of our rites, while it demonstrates to the most sceptical and hesitating mind their excellence and utility.

The following particulars relative to that ceremony may be here introduced with propriety.

A Declaration to be assented to by every Candidate in an adjoining apartment, previous to Initiation.

"Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, before these gentlemen, that, unbiassed by your friends against your own inclinations, and uninfluenced by mercenary

2 Here I would call the attention of the Brethren to the three points of entrance, which are said to include the whole ceremony of initiation, as embracing preparation, admission, and O. B. On this point our lectures are evidently imperfect, because the ceremony embraces several points which are not included in the general definition. For instance, it comprehends opening and closing, a trust, an investment, and a peculiar place for the candidate. I prefer that passage in the old lecture which gives twelve original points, constituting the basis of the system, and without which no person ever was, or can be, legally and essentially received into the Order. And it is quite true that every person who is made a Mason must go through all these twelve forms and ceremonies, not only in the first, but in every subsequent Degree. -EDITOR.

motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of Masonry ?"—"I do."

"Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, before these gentlemen, that you are solely prompted to solicit an initiation into the privileges of Masonry by a favourable opinion conceived of the Institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow-creatures ?"—" I do."

"Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, before these gentlemen, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and customs of the Fraternity ?”—“I do.”

The candidate is then proposed in open Lodge as follows:

"R. W. Master and Brethren,

"At the request of Mr. A. B. [mentioning his profession and residence,] I propose him in form as a proper candidate for the mysteries of Masonry; I recommend him as worthy to partake the privileges of the Fraternity; and in consequence of a declaration of his intentions, voluntarily made and properly attested, I believe he will cheerfully conform to the rules of the Order."

A Prayer used at Initiation.

"Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention, and grant that this candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to thy service, and become a true and faithful Brother among us! Endue him with a competence of thy divine wisdom, that by the secrets of this our art, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of godliness, to the honour of thy holy name! So mote it be."

It is a duty incumbent on every Master of a Lodge, before the ceremony of initiation takes place, to inform the candidate of the purpose and design of the Institu tion; to explain the nature of his solemn engagements •

In France, aussitôt que le récipiendaire entre dans la chambre de réception, on jette de la poudre ou de la poix-résine, dont inflammation fait toujours un certain effet.

and, in a manner peculiar to Masons alone, to require his cheerful acquiescence to the duties of morality and virtue, and all the sacred tenets of the Order.

The third section, by the reciprocal communication of our marks of distinction, proves us to be regular members of the Order; and inculcates those necessary and instructive duties which at once dignify our characters in the double capacity of men and Masons.

We cannot better illustrate this section, than by inserting the following

Charge at Initiation into the First Degree.

"BROTHER,-As you are now introduced into the first principles of our Order, it is my duty to congratulate you on being accepted a member of an ancient and honourable Society; ancient, as having subsisted from time immemorial, and honourable, as tending, in every particular, so to render all men, who will be conformable to its precepts. No Institution was ever raised on a better principle, or more solid foundation; nor were more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down, than are inculcated on all persons at their initiation into our mysteries. Monarchs, in every age, have been encouragers and promoters of our art, and have never deemed it derogatory from their dignities, to level themselves with the Fraternity, to extend its privileges and to patronize its assemblies.

"As a Mason, you are to study the moral law, as contained in the sacred code; to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice, and to regulate your life and actions by its divine precepts.

"The three great moral duties-to God, your neighbour, and yourself, you are strictly to observe. To God, by never mentioning His name but with that awe and reverence which is due from a creature; to implore his aid in your laudable undertakings, and to esteem and worship Him as the chief good. To your neighbour, by acting upon the square, and considering him equally entitled, with yourself, to share the blessings of Providence, rendering unto him those favours, which in a similar situation you would expect to receive from him. And to yourself, by avoiding irregularity and intemper

ance, which might impair your faculties, and debase the dignity of your profession.

"In the state, you are to be a quiet and peaceable subject, true to your sovereign, and just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to the government under which you live, yielding obedience to the laws which afford you protection, and never forgetting the attachment you owe to the country where you first drew breath.

"In your outward demeanour, you are to avoid censure or reproach, and beware of all who may artfully endeavour to insinuate themselves into your esteem, with a view to betray your virtuous resolutions, or to make you swerve from the principles of the Institution. Let not interest, favour, or prejudice bias your integrity, or influence you to be guilty of a dishonourable action, but let your conduct and behaviour be regular and uniform, and your deportment suitable to the dignity of the profession.

"Above all, practice benevolence and charity; for by these virtues, Masons have been distinguished in every age and country. The inconceivable pleasure of contributing towards the relief of our fellow creatures, is truly experienced by persons of a humane disposition, who are naturally excited by sympathy to extend their aid to alleviate the miseries of others. This encourages the generous Mason to distribute his bounty with cheerfulness: supposing himself in the situation of the unhappy being he relieves, as he would wish to be relieved were he himself in similar distress.

"The Constitutions of the Order ought next to engage your attention. These contain the history of Masonry from the earliest periods, with an account of illustrious characters who have enriched the arts in various countries, and the laws and charges by which the Brethren have been long governed.

"A punctual attendance on our assemblies I am earnestly to enjoin, especially on the duties of the Lodge in which you are enrolled a member. Here, and in all other regular meetings of the Fraternity, you are to behave with order and decorum, that harmony may be preserved, and the business of Masonry properly conducted. The rules of moral propriety and behaviour