When he makes his demand, by the Master's command,

To know if he's fit for the station,

Around he is brought, ere he get what he sought

From a Free and an Accepted Mason.

When girded with care, by the help of the square,
The emblem of truth and of reason,

In form he is placed, while to him are rehearsed
The mysteries of a Freemason.

Then full in his sight doth shine the grand light,
To illumine the works which we trace on;
And now, as his due, he's cloth'd in full view
With the badge of an Accepted Mason.

Now, hark! we enlarge on the duties and charge,
Where his conduct and walk he must place on;
Then a bumper we'll fill, and show our good will
To a Free and an Accepted Mason.

WHEN a Lodge of Freemasons are cloth'd in their aprons,

In order to make a new Brother,

With firm hearts and clean hands they repair to their stands, And justly support one another.

Trusty Brother, take care, of eaves-droppers beware,

'Tis a just and a solemn occasion; Give the word and the blow, that workmen You are going to make a Freemason.

may

know

The Master stands due, and his officers too,
While Craftsmen are plying their station;
The Deacons do stand right for the command
Of a Free and an Accepted Mason.

Now traverse your ground, as in duty you're bound,

And revere the authentic oration,

That leads to the

way, and

proves

the first ray

Of the light of an Accepted Mason.

Here are words, here are signs, here are problems and lines,

And room too for deep speculation:

Here virtue and truth are taught to the youth

When first he is bound to a Mason.

Hieroglyphics shine bright, and light reverts light
On the rules and the tools of vocation;
We work and we sing, the Craft and the King,
'Tis both duty and choice in a Mason.

What's said or is done is here truly laid down,
In this form of our high installation;
Yet I challenge a man to know what I mean,
Unless he's an Accepted Mason.

The ladies claim right to come into our light,
Since the apron, they say, is their bearing;

Can they subject their will, can they keep their tongues still,
And let talking be changed into hearing?

This difficult task is the least we can ask,
To secure us on sundry occasions;

When with this they comply, our utmost we'll try

To raise Lodges for lady Freemasons.

Till this can be done, must each Brother be mum,
Though the fair one should wheedle and teaze on;

Be just, true, and kind; but still bear in mind
At all times that you are a Freemason.

CHAPTER XI.

THE SECOND DEGREE, OR FELLOW-CRAFT.

"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 pass by them any more."-AMOS vii. 7, 8.

MASONRY is a progressive science, and is divided into different classes, or degrees, for the more regular advancement in the knowledge of its mysteries. According to the progress we make, we limit or extend our inquiries; and, in proportion to our talents, we attain to a lesser or greater degree of perfection.

Masonry includes almost every branch of polite learning under the veil of its mysteries, which comprehend a regular system of virtue and science. Many of its illustrations may appear unimportant to the confined genius; but the man of more enlarged faculties will consider them in the highest degree useful and interesting. To please the accomplished scholar and ingenious artist, the institution is well suited; and in the investigation of its latent doctrines, the philosopher and mathematician may experience equal satisfaction and delight.

To exhaust the various subjects of which Masonry treats, would transcend the powers of the brightest genius: still, however, nearer approaches to perfection may be made; and the man of wisdom will not check the progress of his abilities,

F

though the task he attempts may at first seem insurmountable. Perseverance and application will remove each difficulty as it occurs; every step he advances, new pleasures will open to his view, and instruction of the noblest kind attend his researches. In the diligent pursuit of knowledge great discoveries are made; and the intellectual faculties are wisely employed in promoting the glory of God and the good of mankind.

SUCH IS THE TENDENCY OF ALL THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN MASONRY. REVERENCE FOR THE DEITY AND GRATITUDE FOR THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN ARE INCULCATED IN EVERY

DEGREE.

inquiries.

This is the plan of our system and the result of our

The Entered Apprentice duly qualified by time is thus in open Lodge required to undergo an examination as to his preparation for being initiated, when and where he underwent the ceremony, his knowledge of what he had been entrusted with, with proofs, and also what Freemasonry was.

The candidate having satisfactorily replied to these inquiries, or any other method of proof deemed necessary, he is then, under a solemn promise of secrecy, entrusted with a password to enable him to present himself at the portal of a Fellow-Craft's Lodge.

The First Degree being intended to enforce the duties of morality, and imprint on the memory the noblest principles which can adorn the human mind, the Second Degree extends the plan, and comprehends a more diffusive system of knowledge. Practice and theory are united, to qualify the industrious Mason to share the pleasures which an advancement in the art necessarily affords. Listening with attention to the opinions of experienced men on important subjects, the mind of the Craftsman is gradually familiarized to useful instruction, and he is soon enabled to investigate truths of the utmost concern in the general transactions of life.

From this system proceeds a rational amusement. While the