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from Eden, from the patriarchs, and from the sages of the east; all which are made perfect under the christian dispensation. The light and doctrines which we possess, are derived from the beginning of time, and have descended through this long succession of ages uncorrupted; but our modes and manners are deduced from the different æras of paradise, the building of the temple at Jerusalem, and the christian revelation.

WE have explained to you, that the structure of the lodge is a pattern of the universe, and that the first entry of a Mason represents the first worship of the true God. We have retained the Egyptian symbols of the sun and moon, as the emblems of God's power, eternity, omnipresence, and benevolence; and thereby we signify, that we are the children of light, and that the first foundation of our profession, is the knowledge and adoration of the Almighty, Mirovgave who seateth himself in the centre of the heavens:we derive from the Druids many of the Amonian rites; and are bold to say, that we retain more of the ceremonials and doctrines of the Druids, than is to be found in the whole world besides; and have saved from oblivion, many of their religious rites, in our initiation to the first degree of Masonry, which otherwise would have slept in eternity. These we seem to have mixed and tempered with the principles of the Essenes, who are a sect as ancient as the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt.-The philosophy of the Egyptians, and the manners, principles, and customs of the He. brews, were introduced to this land by the Phoenicians, and make a part of our profession, so far as they are

adapted to the worship of Nature's great Author, unpolluted by idolatry.

WE hold our grand festival on the day of St. John, which is midsummer day; in which we celebrate that season when the sun is in its greatest altitude, and in the midst of its prolific powers: the great type of the omnipotence of the Deity.

THE famous lawyer, Lord Cook, in his Treatise on Littleton's Institutes, says, "Prudent antiquity did "for more solemnity and better memory and observa"tion of that which is to be done, express substances "under cerenonies."

IT has been pointed out to you, that the furnitures of the lodge are emblems excitive of morality and good government :-Prudence shines in the centre, or

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you would apply this object to more sacred principles, it represents the blazing star which conducted the wise men to Bethlehem, and proclaimed the presence of the Son of God. It is here placed in your view, that you may remember to work out the works of salvation, which is at hand: --and that you may pass on in acts of strict propriety with great alacrity, the Tassalata or Mosaic work intimates to you, the chequered diversity and uncertainty of human affairs; that you may not set your hearts on the things of this world, but lay up your treasures where the rust cannot deface their polish and lustre, neither can the moth despoil the garment for the wedding-feast.

To protect and support us under the infirmities

of nature, and lead us to the paths of propriety, the book of true knowledge is in the lodge ;---the Master circumscribes you, as with the sweep of the compass; and the square is your trial, whereby you shall prove the rectitude and uniformity of your manners.

In the next lecture it was demonstrated to you, that to be a worthy servant in the temple of God, you must be cloathed with innocence, that your service may stand in approbation, and you may be accepted in heaven.---Our jewels are emblems of that good working in a moral mind which adorns the life of man ; faith, charity, and uprightness.

IN the succeeding lecture, you were led to a discernment of the second race of the servants of God, under the Mosaic law; the truth being stripped of the errors of idolatry.---This stage is adapted to the second gradation of Masonry.

We have argued for the propriety of our adopting geometry in this society, as being a science, from whence the mighty powers of God are revealed and demonstrated to mankind.

AFTERWARDS the estate of the worshippers of the Deity, was attended to under the corruptions of the house of Israel, and under the rottenness of the old law. In this assembly of christians, it is in no wise requisite to attempt an argument on the necessity which there was upon earth for a Mediator and Saviour for man:-in the rubbish, superstitions, ceremonials, and filth of the Jewish temple, the true worship of

God was buried and confounded, and innocence became only the ornaments of its monument.-Then it was that the Divinity, looking down with an eye of commiseration on the deplorable state of man, in his mercy and love sent us a Preceptor and Mediator, who should teach to us the doctrine of regeneration, and raise us from the sepulchre of sin, to which the human race had resigned themselves:-he gave to us the precepts of that acceptable service, wherewith his father should be well pleased: he made the sacrifice of expi ation, and becoming the first-fruits of them that slept, manifested to mankind the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.In the Master's Order this whole doctrine is symbolized, and the christian conduct is by types presented to us.

WE Masons have adopted three particular charac teristics, secrecy, charity, and brotherly love.---Our sense of these three great duties, has been explained and of what especial import they are of to Masons; or to men who have separated themselves from the rest of mankind, and professed they are servants of him who ruleth in the midst of Heaven.

LASTLY, we have attempted to examine into the origin of our society, and in many instances, wandering without evidence, have been left to probability in conjecture only.-It doth not now seem material to us what our originals and predecessors were, if we occupy ourselves in the true Spirit of Masonry; in that divine spirit which inspired the patriarchs when they erected altars unto the Lord; if we are true servants to our king, faithful and true to our chartered liberties,

Christians in profession and in practice, and to each other, and mankind in general, affectionate and upright.

WHETHER Masons were originally builders or religious, it matters not to us in this age :-comparing these works with the righteousness to which you have been exhorted, the honor of antiquity would be swallowed up in the virtues of practice, and in the splendor of that light of acceptation, which at once proclaims to the world that we are servants of the true God, who saves our souls alive.

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IF our ceremonies mean not the matter which has been expressed; if they imply not the moral and religious principles which we have endeavoured to unveil; It may be asked of you, Masons, what they do imply, import, or indicate?

CAN we presume so many learned and noble personages would, for many successive ages, have been steady members of this fraternity, if the mysteries were unimportant, and the ceremonies unintelligible? -It cannot be;-take away their Spirit, and they become ridiculous.

HATH it been for ages a maxim of foolish sport, to introduce men to a silly snare, in which the guide, having been entrapped into ridicule, longs to laugh at another for revenge?-It is too ridiculous to be presumed.-Besides, if it was only so, the snare might be formed and ornamented with simple things, and there was no need to introduce sacred matters into the device.