to our neighbour, and teaches us not to injure him in any of his connections, and in all our dealings with him, to act with justice and impartiality. It discourages defamation; it bids us not to circulate any whisper of infamy, or improve any hint of suspicion. It orders us to be faithful to our trusts; not to deceive him who relies upon us; to be above the meanness of dissimulation; to let the words of our mouths express the thoughts of our hearts; and whatsoever we promise, religiously to perform. When the rude blast of war assails an unhappy country with its ravages, and embattled legions of kindred men are opposed in direful conflicts; when all around perish by the victor's sword, and humanity stands appalled at the sight-the Mason's extended arms pre serve him from destruction: He meets with friendship and protection from his enemy, and instead of receiving the fatal weapon in his bosom, his heart is gladdened by hearing the endearing appellation of Brother. When the Corsairs of Algiers, with unprincipled fu Ꭰ ry attack the defenceless vessels of unoffending nations, and load their unhappy crews with the bond of servitude, to drag a miserable existence under the lash of tyranny-the Mason's well known sign preserves him from chains, and the kind offices of a brother are extended to him. Such being the principles and advantages of Masonry, it ceases to be a matter of surprise, that in every country the art has been professed and encouraged by the most enlightened and virtuous of their inhabitants. The rulers of mighty empires and the chieftains of great nations have, oftentimes; joined our fraternal society, and immortalized their names by practising the virtuous principles of the order. May the whole fraternity spreading around the globe, persevere in well doing, and by the unmerited grace of Immanuel, flowing through their hearts, be invigorated to finish all their work, and finally be admitted to sit down in the kingdom of heaven. CHAPTER II. The names of the Masonick Degrees, as recorded in the report submitted to the Supreme Council of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, held in Charleston, South-Carolina, on the 4th day of December, 1802. 1st Degree called Entered Apprentice. 21st 22d 28d 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30, 31 and 32 33d Patriarch Noachite or Knight of the Brazen 2 Serpent. Commander of the Temple. Prince of the Royal Se- From the 17th to the 33d inclusive, are given by the Inspectors, who are sovereigns of Masonry. Besides the above degrees, most of the inspectors are in possession of a number of detached degrees, given in different parts of the world, and which they generally communicate, free of expense, to those Brethren, who are high enough to understand them: Making in the aggregate, Fifty Three Degrees, The seven following degrees are select ed from the Freemason's Monitor, with observations on each. These are generally communicated in the Ameri can Lodges as here described, 1st. Entered Apprentice. 3d. Master Mason. 5th. Past Master. 6th. Most Excellent Master. The privileges of these classes are distinct,and particular means are adopted, to preserve those privileges to the just and meritorious of each class. Honour and probity are recommendations to the first class; in which the practice of virtue is enforced, and the duties of morality inculcated, while the mind is prepared for regular and sociał converse, in the principles of knowledge and philosophy. Diligence, assiduty, and application, are qualifications for the second class, in which an accurate elucidation of science, both in theory and practice, is given, |