indiscriminate subjects of conversation, which are apt to intrude on our less serious moments. THE FIRST AND LAST CARE OF A OUR first care is directed to the external avenues of the lodge, and the proper officers, whose province it is to discharge that duty, execute the trust with fidelity. By certain mystic forms, of no recent date, it is intimated that we may safely proceed. To detect impostors among ourselves, an adherence to order in the character of Masons ensues, and the lodge is opened or closed in solemn form. to enjoy, and disseminate among the private circle of his friends, the fruits of his labour and industry in the lodge. These are faint outlines of a ceremony which universally prevails among Masons, and distinguishes all their meetings. A PRAYER SUITABLE TO BE USED AT Most holy, most glorious, and ever to be adored, Lord, God Almighty; thou great Architect of the Universe, thou giver of all good gifts and graces; who hast promised thy presence where two or three are gathered together in thy name; we would most humbly beseech thee, to bless us in our labours, and all undertakings that are agreeable to thy holy will; and to grant us wisdom and strength, that we may in all things, be enabled to discharge our duty to thee, to each other, and to the actions may tend to thy glory, and our advancement in knowledge, and in virtue. So mote it be. At opening the lodge, two purposes are effected the master is reminded of the dignity of his character, and the brethren of the homage and veneration due from them in their sundry stations. These are not the only advantages resulting from a due observ-whole human family; and that all our ance of the ceremony; a reverential awe for the Deity is inculcated, and the eye fixed on that object from whose radiant beams light only can be derived. Hence in this ceremony we are taught to adore God, and supplicate his protection on our wellmeant endeavours. The master assumes his government in due form, and under him his wardens; who accept their trust, after the customary salutations. Then the brethren, with one accord, unite in duty and respect, and the ceremony concludes. After closing the lodge, a similar form takes place. Here the less important duties of the order are not passed over unobserved. The necessary degree of subordination which takes place in the government of the lodge is peculiarly marked, while the proper tribute of gratitude is offered up to the beneficent Author of life, whose blessing is invoked and extended to the whole fraternity. Each brother then faithfully locks up the treasure which he has acquired, in his own repository; and, pleased with his reward, retires, A CHARGE GIVEN AT THE OPENING OF The ways of science are beautiful. Knowledge is attained by degrees. Wisdom dwells with contemplation. There are we to seek her. Though the passage be difficult, the farther we proceed, the easier it will become. Let If we are united, our society must flourish. Let all things give place to peace and good fellowship. Uniting in the grand design, let us be happy in ourselves, and endeavour to contribute to the happiness of others. us promote the useful arts; and by them mark our superiority and distinction. Let us cultivate the moral virtues; and improve in all that is good and amiable. Let the genius of Masonry preside over our conduct; and under its sovereign sway let us act with becoming dignity. Let our recreations be innocent, and pursued with You are now to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue. to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget not the duties you have heard so frequent A PRAYER SUITABLE TO BE USED AT CLOSING A LODGE. May the blessing of Heaven rest throughout the world; may brotherly upon us, and all regular Masons love prevail; may we be cemented by the moral and social virtues; and may we in all places, so perform our work, as to meet the approbation of our Great Grand Master in Heaven. So mote it be. A PRAYER SUITABLE TO BE USED AT MAKING A MASON. Grand Architect! Behold us aspi ly inculcated, and forcibly recommend-ring towards thee. And let thy works ed in this lodge. Be diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. Remember, that around this altar you have promised to befriend and relieve every brother, who shall need your assistance. Remember, that you have promised to remind him, in the most tender manner, of his failings, and aid his reformation. Vindicate his character, when wrongfully traduced, and when he is justly reprehended, suggest in his behalf the most candid and favourable circumstances. Let the world observe how Masons love one another. These generous principles are to extend farther. Every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. "Do good unto all." Recommend it more "especially to the household of the faithful." By diligence in the duties of your respective callings, by liberal benevolence and diffusive charity, by constancy and fidelity in your friendships, discover the beneficial and happy effects of this ancient and honourable institution. Let it not be supposed that you have here "laboured in vain, and spent your strength for nought; for your work is with the Lord, and your recompense with your God.” "Finally, brethren, be ye all of one mind, live in peace, and may the God of love and peace delight to dwell with and to bless you!" fill us with rapture. Heaven's gates stand open to welcome those who are faithful, to glory. Behold our friend, and soon to be our brother! May his confidence in thee be unshaken! May love burst the silence around him, and salute him welcome at the first step. May joy triumph in his heart, and friendship guide him as he ascends. May his countenance be cheered by the light, and confidence increase as he passes on. May he behold the emblems of his labour, and his heart reply in ready obedience. May the cheerfulness inspired by the dawning light, attend him through the day: and when a long day is complete, may he find his lot with the faithful, in the immortal glory of the temple, which is pure with the light of God, and eternal in the Heavens! So mote it be. tions; for these are on no account to be neglected: neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it.— At your leisure hours, that you may improve in Masonic knowledge, you are to converse with well informed brethren, who will be always as ready to give, as you will be ready to receive, instruction. Finally, keep sacred and inviolable the mysteries of the order, as these are to distinguish you from the rest of the community, and mark your conse 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 rules and useful maxims laid down, than are inculcated in the several Masonic lectures. The greatest and best of men in all ages have been encouragers and promoters of the art, and have never deemed it derogatory from their dignity, to level themselves with the fraternity, extend their priv-quence among Masons. If, in the cirileges, and patronize their assemblies. There are three great duties, which, as a Mason, you are charged to inculcate-to God, your neighbour, and yourself. To God, in never mentioning his name, but with that reverential awe which is due from a creature to his Creator; to implore his aid in all your laudable undertakings, and to esteem him as the chief good: to your neighbour, in acting upon the square, and doing unto him as you wish he should do unto you: and to yourself, in avoiding all irregularity and intemperance, which may impair your faculties, or debase the dignity of your profession. A zealous attachment to these duties will insure public and pri vate esteem. In the state, you are to be a quiet and peaceful subject, true to your goverument, and just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live. cle of your acquaintance, you find a person desirous of being initiated into Masonry, be particularly attentive not to recommend him, unless you are convinced he will conform to our rules; that the honour, glory and reputation of the institution may be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good effects. ADDRESS AT THE INITIATION OF A You, brother, are a preacher of that religion, which inculcates universal benevolence, and unbounded charity. You must, therefore, be fond of the order, and zealous for the interests of Freemasonry, which in the strongest manner, inculcates the same charity and benevolence, and which, like that religion, encourages every moral and social virtue; which introduces peace and good will among mankind. So that whoever is warmed with the spirit of Christianity, must esteem, must love Freemasonry. In your outward demeanour be particularly careful to avoid censure or reproach. Let not interest, favour, or prejudice, bias your integrity, or influence you to be guilty of a dis-pathy and affection. honourable action. Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meant that Masonry should interfere with your necessary voca Here virtue, the grand object in view, luminous as the meridian sun, shines refulgent on the mind; enliv ens the heart, and warms with sym Though every man, who carefully listens to the dictates of reason, may arrive at a clear persuasion of the beauty and necessity of virtue, both private and public, yet it is a full re commendation of a society, to have these pursuits continually in view, as the sole objects of their association: and these are the laudable bonds which unite us in one indissoluble fraternity. ADDRESS AT THE INITIATION OF A FOREIGNER. You, brother, the native and subject of another nation, by entering into our order, have connected yourself, by sacred and affectionate ties, with thousands of Masons in this and other countries. Ever recollect, that the order you have entered into, bids you always to look upon the world as one great republic, of which every nation is a family, and every particular person a child. When, therefore, you return and settle in your own country, take care that the progress of friendship be not confined to the narrow circle of national connections, or particular religions; but let it be universal, and extend to every branch of the human race. At the same time remember, that besides the common ties of humanity, you have at this time entered into obligations, which engage you to kind and friendly actions to your brother Masons, of whatever station, country, or religion. ADDRESS AT THE INITIATION OF A SOLDIER. OUR institution breathes a spirit of general philanthropy. Its benefits, considered in a social view, are extensive. It unites all mankind. It in every nation opens an asylum to virtue in distress, and grants hospitality || to the necessitous and unfortunate.The sublime principles of universal goodness, and love to all mankind, which are essential to it, cannot be lost in national distinctions, prejudices, and animosities. The rage of contest it has abated, and substituted in its stead the milder emotions of humanity. It has even taught the pride of victory to give way to the dictates of an honourable connection. Should your country demand your services in foreign wars, and captivity should be your portion, may you find affectionate brethren, where others would only find enemies. In whatever nation you travel, when you meet a Mason, you will find a brother, and a friend, who will do all in his power to serve you; and who will relieve you, should you be poor or in distress, to the utmost of his ability, and with ready cheerful ness. [Having gone through with a compendium of the constitutions, rules, and regulations of our order in the three first degrees, together with various prayers, orders of procession, forms, charges, and addresses, suitable to be used on different occasions; it is our design, in the next number, to enter upon the appropriate Masonic lectures.] MASONIC CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON. By the M. W. G. M. Bigelow, of Massachusetts. HAVING already contemplated such a variety of distinguishing features in this great and amiable character, does it still admit of addition? Is there room in the portrait for another trace of the faithful pencil, that will increase its beauty? Yes, my brethren, to us another and no less interesting view remains. Animated with a generous philanthropy, our deceased brother early sought admission into our ancient and honourable fraternity, at once to enable him to cherish with advantage this heavenly principle, and enlarge the sphere of its operation. He cultivated our art with sedulous attention, and never lost an opportunity of advancing the interest, or promoting the honour of the craft.While commander in chief of the American revolutionary army, he countenanced the establishment, and encouraged the labours of a travelling lodge among the military. He wisely considered it as a school of urbanity, well calculated to disseminate those mild virtues of the heart, so ornamental to the human character, and so peculiarly useful to correct the ferocity of soldiers, and alleviate the miseries of war. The cares of his high office engrossed too much of his time to admit of his engaging in the duties of the chair; yet he found frequent opportunities to visit the lodge, and thought it no derogation from his dignity there to stand on a level with the brethren. True to our principles on all occasions, an incident once occurred which enabled him to display their influence to his foes. A body of American troops, in some successful rencounter with the enemy, possessed themselves, among other booty, of the jewels and furniture of a British travelling lodge of Masons. This property was directed by the commander in chief to be returned, under a flag of truce, to its former proprietors, accompanied with a message, purporting that the Americans did not make war upon institutions of benevolence. Of his attachment to our order in general, you, my respected brethren of the most worshipful grand lodge of this commonwealth, have had personal knowledge. His answers to your repeated addresses, breathe throughout the spirit of brotherly love; and his affectionate return of thanks for the book of constitutions which you presented him, and for the honour, as he was pleased to consider it, which you did him in the dedication, must be evidence highly satisfactory of the respectful estimation in which he held you. The information received from our brethren, who had the happiness to be members of the lodge over which he presided many years, and of which he died the master, furnishes abundant proof of his persevering zeal for the prosperity of the institution. Constant and punctual in his attendance, scrupulous in his observance of the regulations of the lodge, and solicitous at all times to communicate light and instruction, he discharged the duties of the chair with uncommon dignity and intelligence, in all the mysteries of our art. Nothing can more highly conduce to the prosperity and honor of Masonry, than a successful imitation of his bright examples. It cannot fail of its effect upon our brethren in its immediate neighbourhood in the south; they will beautify their column. And shall we be outdone in zeal? Placed geographically in the east, in a quarter of the Union from which the nation has been accustomed to learn wisdom, it should be our peculiar care to diffuse light throughout the temple of Masonry. As it is known that we shared largely in the esteem and affection of our deceased brother, it is easy to perceive that our good conduct will itself be an encomium on his memory. We see before us, among the sad emblems of mortality, not only the sword which in this neighbourhood he drew in defence of his country, but also the very attire which he has often worn as a Mason. How devoutly is it to be wished, that these striking memorials may stimulate us to a noble emulation; that, like the mantle of Elijah, they may inspire us with an unalterable attachment to virtue and benevolence! This day witnesses to the world in what veneration we hold the memory of departed greatness; let not the solemnity be without its appropriate effect upon ourselves. While with funeral pomp and Masonic honours, we celebrate the obsequies of our deceased brother, while we bend with anguish over the urn which contains a part of what was mortal in him, let us like him remember, that we are animated with a heavenly flame, which the chill damps of death cannot extinguish ; like him resolve to square our actions by the rule of rectitude, persevere in the line of our duty, and restrain our passions within the compass of pro "A lock of General Washington's hair was deposited in the urn borne in Masonic funeral procession on this occasion. |