the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary shall find rest.

- The Forty-Seventh Problem of Euclid, was an invention of our ancient friend and brother, the great Pythagoras, who, in his travels through Asia, Africa, and Europe, was initiated into several orders of priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. This wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general knowledge of things, and more especially in Geometry and Masonry; on this subject he drew out many problems and theorems, and among the most distinguished, he erected this, which, in the joy of his heart, he called Ureka, in the Grecian language signifying, I have found it; and upon the discovery of which, he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches Masons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences.

The Hour Glass is an emblem of human life. Behold! how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives

are drawing to a close. We cannot without astonishment behold the little particles which are contained in this machine, how they pass away almost imperceptibly, and yet to our surprise, in the short space of an hour they are all exhausted. Thus wastes man; today he puts forth the tender leaves of hope; to-morrow, blossoms, and bears his blushing honours thick upon him; the next day comes a frost, which nips the shoot, and when he thinks his greatness is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth.

The Scythe is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life and launches us into eternity. Behold! what havock the scythe of time makes among the human race; if by chance we should escape the numer ous evils incident to childhood and youth, and with health and vigour arrive to the years of manhood, yet withal we must soon be cut down by the all-devouring scythe of time, and be gathered into the land where our fathers have gone before us.

592291!

CHAPTER VI.

REMARKS ON THE LECTURE OF THE FOURTH DEGREE.

The First Section explains the manner of convocating and opening a Mark Master's Lodge. It teaches the stations and duties of the respective officers, and recapitulates the Mystick ceremony of introducing a candidate.

In this section is exemplified the regularity and good order that was observed by the Craftsmen on Mount Libanus, and in the plains and quarries of Zeradathah, and it ends with a beautiful display of the manner in which one of the principal events originated, which characterizes this degree,

In the Second Section, the Mark Master is particularly instructed in the origin and history of this degree, and the indispensable obligations he is under to stretch forth his assisting hand to the relief of an indigent and worthy

brother, to a certain and specified ex

tent.

The progress made in architecture, particularly in the reign of Solomon, is remarked; the number of Artists employed in building the Temple of Jerusalem, and the privileges they enjoyed, are specified; the mode of rewarding merit, and of punishing the guilty, are pointed out; and the marks of distinction, which were conferred on our ancient brethren, as the rewards of excellence, are named.

In the course of the lecture the fol lowing texts of Scripture are introduced, and explained, viz.

Rev. chap. 2. cometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth sav. ing him that receiveth it.”

"To him that over.

"And we will

ii. Chron. chap. 2. cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will bring it

to thee in floats by sea to Joppa, and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem."

Psalm 118. "The stone which the builders refused, is become the head stone of the corner."

Matt. chap. 21. "Did ye never read in the Scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner?"

Mark, chap. 12.

"And have ye

not read this Scripture, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner ?"

Luke, chap. 20. "What is this then ⚫ that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner ?”

Acts, chap. 4. "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."