To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied, must be your constant care; and for this purpose it is your province to recommend to your inferiors, obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate; and, by the regularity of your own behaviour, afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient landmarks of the order, entrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve; and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity.

Your virtue, honour, and reputation, are concerned in supportiug with dignity the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows, or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you this evening represent. Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honour which we have conferred, and merit the confidence that we have reposed.

CHAPTER VIII.

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE FIRST LECTURE.

WE shall now enter on a disquisition of the different sections of the lectures appropriated to the several degrees of masonry, giving a brief summary of the whole, and annexing to every remark the particulars to which the section alludes. By these means the industrious mason will be instructed in the regular arrangement of the sections in each lecture, and be enabled with more ease to acquire a knowledge of the art.

The first lecture of masonry is divided into three sec tions, and each section into different clauses. Virtue is painted in the most beautiful colours, and the duties of morality are enforced. In it we are taught such useful lessons as prepare the mind for a regular advancement in the principles of knowledge and philosophy. These are imprinted on the memory by lively and sensible images, to influence our conduct in the proper discharge of the du ties of social life.

THE FIRST SECTION.

The first section in this lecture is suited to all capaci ties, and may and ought to be known by every person who ranks as a mason. It consists of general heads, which, though short and simple, carry weight with them. They not only serve as marks of distinction, but communicate useful and interesting knowledge when they are duly investigated. They qualify us to try and examine the rights of others to our privileges, while they prove ourselves; and as they induce us to inquire more minutely into other particulars of greater importance, they serve as an introduction to subjects more amply explained in the following sections.

It is a duty incumbent on every master of a lodge, before the ceremony of initiation takes place, to inform the candidate of the purpose and design of the institution; to explain the nature of his solemn engagements; and, in a manner peculiar to masons alone, to require his cheerful acquiescence to the duties of morality and virtue, and all the sacred tenets of the order.

Towards the close of this section is explained that peculiar ensign of masonry, the lambskin, or white leather apron, which is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a mason; more ancient than the golden fleece, or Roman eagle; more honourable than the star and garter, or any

other order that could be conferred upon the candidate at the time of his initiation, or at any time thereafter, by king, prince, potentate, or any other person except he be a mason; and which every one ought to wear with equal pleasure to himself, and honour to the fraternity.

This section closes with an explanation of the working tools and implements of an entered apprentice.

The twenty-four inch gauge is an instrument made use of by operative masons, to measure and lay out their work; but we, as free and accepted masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts, is emblematical of the twenty four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy brother; eight hours for our usual avocations; and eight for refreshment and sleep.*

The common gavel is an instrument made use of by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as free and accepted masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our minds and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our bodies, as living stones, for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

THE SECOND SECTION.

This section rationally accounts for the origin of our byeroglyphical instruction, and convinces us of the ad

*"The most effectual expedient employed by Alfred the Great, for the encouragement of learning, was his own example, and the constant assiduity with which he employed himself in the pursuit of knowledge. He usually divided his time into three equal portions; one was employed in sleep and the refection of his body; another in the dispatch of business; and a third in study and devotion," HUME'S HIST. ENG♪

vantages which will ever accompany a faithful observance of our duty; it maintains, beyond the power of contradiction, the propriety of our rites, while it demonstrates to the most sceptical and hesitating mind, their excellency and utility; it illustrates, at the same time, certain particulars, of which our ignorance might lead us into error, and which, as masons, we are indispensably bound to know.

To make a daily progress in the art, is our constant duty, and expressly required by our general laws. What end can be more noble, than the pursuit of virtue? what motive more alluring, than the practice of justice? or what instruction more beneficial, than an accurate elucidation of symbolical mysteries which tend to embellish and adorn the mind? Every thing that strikes the eye, more immediately engages the attention, and imprints on the memory serious and solemn truths; hence masons, universally adopting this method of inculcating the tenets of their order by typical figures and allegorical emblems, prevent their mysteries from descending into the familiar reach of inattentive and unprepared novices, from whom they might not receive due veneration.

Our records inform us, that the usages and customs of masons have ever corresponded with those of the Egyptian philosophers, to which they bear a near affinity. Unwilling to expose their mysteries to vulgar eyes, they concealed their particular tenets, and principles of polity, under hieroglyphical figures; and expressed their notions of government by signs and symbols, which they communicated to their Magi alone, who were bound by oath not to reveal them. The Pythagorean system seems to have been established on a similar plán, and many orders of a more recent date. Masonry, however, is not only the most ancient, but the most moral institution that ever

subsisted; every character, figure, and emblem, depicted in a lodge, has a moral tendency, and inculcates the practice of virtue.

THE BADGE OF A MASON.

Every candidate, at his initiation, is presented with a lambskin, or white leather apron.

The lamb has, in all ages, been deemed an emblem of innocence; he, therefore, who wears the lamb skin as a badge of masonry, is hereby continually reminded of that purity of life and conduct, which is essentially necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the universe presides.

THE THIRD SECTION.

This section explains the nature and principles of our institution, and teaches us to discharge with propriety the duties of our respective stations. Here, too, we receive instruction relative to the form, supports, covering, furniture, ornaments, lights and jewels, of a lodge, how it should be situated, and to whom dedicated. A proper attention is also paid to our ancient and venerable pa

trons.

From east to west, freemasonry extends, and between the north and south, in every clime and nation, are masons to be found.

Our institution is said to be supported by wisdom, strength, and beauty, because it is necessary that there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adorn, all great and important undertakings. Its dimensions are unlimited, and its covering no less than the canopy of heaven. To this object the mason's mind is continually directed, and thither he hopes at last to arrive, by the aid of the theological ladder, which Jacob in