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fect ashler is a stone made ready by the hands of the workman to be adjusted by the tools of the fellow craft. The trestle-board is for the master workman to draw his designs upon.

By the rough ashler we are reminded of our rude and imperfect state by nature; by the perfect ashler, that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive, by a virtuous education, our own endeavours, and the blessing of God; and by the trestle-board, we are reminded, that as the operative workman erects his temporal building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the master on his trestle-board, so should we, both operative and speculative, endeavour to erect our spiritual building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe, in the book of life, or the holy scriptures, which is our spiritual trestle-board.

By a recurrence to the chapter upon the dedication of lodges, it will be perceived, that although our ancient brethren dedicated their lodges to king Solomon, yet masons, professing christianity, dedicate theirs to St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, who were eminent patrons of masonry; and since their time there is represented in every regular and well governed lodge, a certain point within a circle; the point representing an individual brother, the circle representing the boundary line of his duty to God and man, beyond which he is never to suffer his passsions, prejudices or interest, to betray him on any occasion. This circle is embordered by two perpendicular, parallel lines, representing St.

John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, who were perfect parallels in christianity as well ás masonry; and upon the vertex rests the book of Holy Scriptures, which point out the whole duty of man. In going round this circle, we necessarily touch upon these two lines, as well as upon the Holy Scriptures; and while a mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, it is impossible that he should materially err.

This section, though the last in rank, is not the least considerable in importance. It strengthens those which precede, and enforces in the most engaging manner a due regard to character and behaviour, in public, as well as in private life, in the lodge, as well as in the general commerce of society. It forcibly inculcates the most instructive lessons. Brotherly love, relief and truth, are themes on which we here expatiate.

Of Brotherly love.

By the exercise of brotherly love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and low, the rich and poor; who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle, masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

Of relief.

To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men; but particularly on masons, who

are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the grand aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships, and establish our connexions.

Of truth.

Truth is a divine attribute, and the founda-, tion of every virtue. To be good and true, is the first lesson we are taught in masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavour to regulate our conduct; hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's prosperity. →

To this illustration succeeds an explanation of the four cardinal virtues-temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.

Temperance

Is that due restraint upon our affections and passions, which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the allurements of vice. This virtue should be the constant practice of every mason, as he is thereby taught. to avoid excess, or contracting any licentious or vicious habit, the indulgence of which might lead him to disclose some of those valuable secrets, which he has promised to conceal and never reveal, and which would consequently

subject him to the contempt and detestation of all good masons.

Fortitude

Is that noble and steady purpose of the mind, whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice; and, like the former, should be deeply impressed upon the mind of every mason, as a safeguard or security against any illegal attack that may be made, by force or otherwise, to extort from him any of those secrets with which he has been so solemnly entrusted, and which was emblematically represented upon his first admission into the lodge.

Prudence

Teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge, and prudentially determine, on all things relative to our present as well as to our future happiness. This virtue should be the peculiar characteristic of every mason, not only for the government of his conduct while in the lodge, but also when abroad in the world; it should be particularly attended to in all strange and mixed companies, never to let fall the least sign, token or word, whereby the secrets of masonry might be unlawfully obtained.

Justice

Is that standard, or boundary of right, which enables us to render to every man his just due,

without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with divine and human laws, but is the very cement and support of civil society; and, as justice in a great measure constitutes the real good man, so should it be the invariable practice of every mascn never to deviate from the minutest principles thereof.

The illustration of these virtues is accompanied with some general observations peculiar to

masons.

Such is the arrangement of the different sections in the first lecture, which, with the forms adopted at the opening and closing of a lodge, comprehends the whole of the first degree of masonry. This plan has the advantage of regularity to recommend it, the support of precedent and authority, and the sanction and respect which flow from antiquity. The whole is a regular system of morality, conceived in a strain of interesting allegory, which must unfold its beauties to the candid and industrious inquirer.

Charge at Initiation into the first Degree.

“ Brother,

"As you are now introduced into the first principles of masonry, I congratulate you on being accepted into this ancient and honourable order; 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 ever more excellent

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