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.

Freemasonry in its general and universal application, as comprehending the two divisions of human and moral science -operative and speculative-is wisely planned and adapted for the welfare of man; for as man is a compound of body and soul, so Masonry, as a compound of human and moral science, is admirably calculated for the promotion of man's highest interests in his present as well as future state, and to make him what his Creator intended him to be-useful, wise, happy; and not only to be happy in himself, but, as far as humanity will admit, to make all around him equally happy.

The teachings of Masonry in its operative and speculative departments will be treated upon in their proper divisions: but in a general view of the institution it is necessary to state, that 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 our passions, act upon the square, keep the tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, practise charity and every other virtue that can adorn the man.

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 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 attentive 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, and even adverse, through a succession of ages.

Thus speculative Masonry is a science, which, borrowing from the operative art its working tools and implements, sanctifies them, by symbolic instruction, to the holiest of purposes-the veneration of God, and the purity of the soul.

The operative Mason constructs his edifice of material substances; the speculative Mason is taught to erect a spiritual building, pure and spotless, and fit for the residence of Him who dwelleth only with the good. The operative Mason works according to the designs laid down for him on the trestle board by the architect; the speculative is guided by the great trestle board, on which is inscribed the revealed will of God, the supreme architect of heaven and earth. The operative Mason tries each stone and part of the building by the square, level, and plumb; the speculative Mason examines every action of his life by the square of morality, seeing that no presumption nor vain-glory has caused him to transcend the level of his allotted destiny, and no vicious propensity has led him to swerve from the plumb-line of rectitude. And, lastly, as it is the business of the operative Mason, when his work is done, to prove every thing "true and trusty," so it is the object of the speculative Mason, by a uniform tenor of virtuous conduct, to receive, when

his allotted course has passed, the inappreciable reward, from his celestial Grand Master, of "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

The good Mason might justly say with Job, that "the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out. The stranger did not lodge in the street, but I opened my doors to the traveller. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me it beamed with delight; because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him."

The law as promulgated by Moses has a clause to a like effect. "And if thy brother be waxen poor and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him; yea, though he be a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with thee."-Levit. xxv. 35.

Masonry is a progressive science, and not to be attained in any degree of perfection excepting by time, patience, and a considerable degree of application and industry; for no one should be admitted to the profoundest secrets or highest honours of the Fraternity till by time he has learned secrecy and morality.

In our own times, the vast progress and general diffusion of Masonry throughout the habitable globe cannot but be satisfactory to every one interested in the cause of humanity and the happiness of his species. At present, as in every former age over which it hath spread its principles, Masonry constitutes the affectionate and indissoluble alliance which unites in warm cordiality man to man. It forms the most liberal and extensive connexions. No private prepossession, nor national predilection; no civil policy, nor ecclesiastical tyranny; no party spirit, nor dissocial passion, is suffered to prevent the engagement, or

interfere with the free exercise of that brotherly love, relief, and fidelity, which it never fails to produce. It has for ages been lamented that petty distinctions and partial considerations, irrational prejudices and contracted sentiments, should so much obstruct the free intercourse of mankind. Masonry breaks down these barriers. In its solemn assembly, around its social altar, meet the inhabitants of different countries with benignant looks of esteem, and sentiments of unfeigned friendship. Around distant lands it casts philanthropy's connecting zone, and binds together in the same sympathies the whole family on earth.

Blending their resources in a common stock, and forming a community of interests, Freemasonry makes the prosperity of each individual the object of the whole; the prosperity of the whole the object of each. How nearly does this approach the patriarchal life, and the state of the primitive Christians, who were "of one heart and soul; neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common." Were such the unanimity, love, equality, generosity, and disinterestedness of professing Christians now, Freemasonry would be less necessary than it is for the welfare of man.

CHAPTER IV.

REASONS WHY THE SECRETS OF FREEMASONRY OUGHT NOT TO BE PUBLICLY EXPOSED; AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THOSE SECRETS DEMONSTRATED.

"Damnant quod non intelligunt."—OVID.

ONE of the most frequent objections raised against Freemasonry is the profound secrecy observed upon certain parts of the institution. To have secrets is not peculiar to Freemasonry: every trade, every art, and every occupation has its secrets, not to be communicated but to such as have become proficient in the science connected with them, nor then but with proper caution and restriction; and often under the guard of heavy penalties. Charters of incorporation are granted by civil governments for their greater security, and patents for their encouragement. Nay, every government, every statesman, and every individual, has secrets which are concealed with prudent and confided only to the trusty and the true.

care,

We [Freemasons] only claim a like indulgence,-that of conducting ourselves by our own rules, and of admitting to a participation of our secrets and privileges such as choose to apply for them on our own terms. So far from wishing to deprive any one of the light we enjoy, we sincerely wish all the race of men were qualified to receive it; and if so, our doors would never be shut against them, but our Lodge, our hearts and souls, would be open to their reception.