The Author's Address TO THE FRATERNITY, MY DEAR BRETHREN, It is well known that throughout my whole life I have been, not merely a lover of Masonry, but an enthusiast a champion for the purity of its forms and ceremonies zealous for its uninterrupted prosperityand fearful lest the world should misunderstand its references, or misinterpret its benevolent designs. Sensitively alive to its interests and reputation, I have defended it with my utmost abilities, and have mourned when the misconduct of an individual brother has given its enemies an advantage, and caused them to exult in an imaginary triumph. I well remember in my early masonic days, before I became acquainted with the true bearing and excellence of the institution, the bitter mortification to which I found myself subjected, when an expert antagonist advanced arguments against the Order, which I was not prepared to refute; for the masonic literature of that day was circumscribed within a very narrow compass, and extended information on the subject of Masonry was difficult of attainment. It is a matter of infinite gratification to me, that this unfavourable state of things no longer exists, and that I have lived to a period when the Fraternity have roused themselves to a sense of duty, and entertain a feeling that the dignity of Freemasonry requires some exertions on their part, to promote its popularity, and place it on a level with other scientific institutions; and who, for this great purpose, employ their talents through the medium of the Press, to display its utility as a benevolent Order, promoting at once the investigations of science, and the practice of every moral and social virtue. For several years I have been in the habit of receiving letters from brethren in different parts of the kingdom, who have been entrusted with the arrangement of any important masonic celebration, enquiring into the usages of antiquity on particular points, that the ceremonial may be conducted in strict accordance with the Constitutions of the Order. A marked anxiety so uniformly displayed amongst the whole body of masons, has suggested the propriety of some general answers to all enquiries of this nature, as a measure which would not only be well received, but hailed as a boon by the Fraternity at large. For this purpose it is not to be doubted but that a Manual, embracing legitimate information on all cases which can possibly arise, will be peculiarly acceptable to the W. Masters and Officers of a Lodge in particular, and to every brother who is desirous of becoming well versed in the usages and customs of Masonry in primitive times. On this plan, therefore, the present little volume has been constructed. The information which it contains has been carefully arranged, by a comparison of the rites practiced by our ancient brethren with those which are enjoined by the United Grand Lodge of England; and it appears extremely probable that the Fraternity would gladly adopt an uniformity of practice, on points where they have hitherto been at a loss to determine whether ceremonies of constant recurrence are, or are not, in accordance with ancient usage. In this enquiry the customs of foreign Lodges have not been overlooked; and it is hoped that this little volume will constitute an unerring book of reference which cannot fail to be of incalculable service to the Fraternity. It is almost entirely practical; and the directions have been drawn up in strict conformity with the Constitutions of our own Grand Lodge; so that the brethren may adopt them in full confidence that they are as sound and legitimate as if they had been enjoined by authority. CONTENTS. THE AUTHOR'S ADDRESS TO THE FRATERNITY. CHAP. I. WHAT IS MASONRY? Its nature and influence-Sym. CHAP. II. THE LODGE. Initiation of a candidate-definitions→→ explained. CHAP. III. THE RITUAL OF BUILDING. Why a mason's Lodge CHAP. IV. THE FOUNDATION STONE. The appropriate time of CHAP. V. THE DECORATIONS. Furniture of a lodge-of the walls |