A CHARGE, DELIVERED TO SEVERAL NEWLY INITIATED BRETHREN. Brethren, HOEVER considers the dignity of his own nature, or consults his own ease, safety, comfort, or happiness, will soon find them all to be founded in social life; in friendly intercourse, in communications of knowledge and pleasure, in mutual assistance and support, we are a blessing to each other. And, with the sincerest joy, I welcome you into a Society, to which the good report and persausion of your own worth and moral character have introduced you; and wherein I hope you will give and receive reciprocal pleasure, satisfaction, and benefit. KNOWLEDGE and virtue, my brethren, are the objects of our pursuit; these are the foundations which are laid by the GREAT ARCHITECT of the universe, upon which our wise master-builders have rested secure, and compleated a fabric in truth, strength, and beauty, which will stand unshaken till time shall be no more. Do Masons then arrogate to themselves every thing that is great, good, and honourable? By no means. The gates of knowledge, and the paths of truth and beauty, are open to every one who desires to enter and walk therein. But this I affirm, that Masonry favours us with great and peculiar advantages; which, if duly improved, and properly attended to, ought tỡ exalt us above the rest of mankind. Though every good man is prepared in his heart to be a Mason, yet none but ourselves can know those ties and obligations, those particular privileges by which we are distinguished, and which afford us the fairest opportunities of accomplishing our present honour and happiness, and of securing eternal felicity; but, like every other display of light and truth, will, if abused, greatly aggravate our vice and folly. Favour me then with your candid attention, whilst I propose a few things to your serious consideration, which I hope may impress your minds with a proper sense of the importance of those objects and pursuits which we recommend and enjoin of the privileges to which you are now admitted, and of the real benefits, of which I hope you will shortly partake. OUR belief in the great GOD, the Architect and Ruler of nature; a submission to his will, and reliance on his protection; a devout and diligent enquiry into his works, and the laws by which he governs the natural and moral world; a due observance of moral duties and obligations, with universal charity, being our first and leading principles; so our society admits and embraces all good men, of whatever sect, country, or religious persuasion. No institution in the world was ever more comprehensive; harmony, peace, and brotherly love, are the great ornaments of our Lodges; and whatever interrupts them is inimical to our constitution, and in every well regulated Lodge should be severely reprehended. You are therefore cautiously to avoid all religious disputes; as quarrels from this source have ever been found prejudicial, and often destructive, to society.— Let every brother freely enjoy his own opinion, but not lord it over another, nor introduce any particular intri cate wranglings into the Lodge. Our religion is not founded in subtle metaphysical disquisitions, or angry disputations about forms, opinions, and ceremonies, but upon a good life and practice. POLITICAL disputes, having an equal tendency to inflame the passions and sour the temper, are therefore, with equal propriety, excluded from our Lodges. You are enjoined to pay a due obedience to the laws, and respect to the government of your country; and to live as peaceable subjects, but never to disturb or embroil the Lodge with your particular opinions of state affairs. NEITHER are you to let any private quarrels or animosities accompany you, to defile what is peculiarly devoted to the purest brotherly love. If you differ from any of your brethren, hear them with patience, and reason with coolness and moderation; and take care that hastiness of temper or expression betray you not into an improper behaviour. It would indeed be well if every wrangling, overbearing, turbulent, or mischievous temper could be utterly excluded from our Lodges. We have all our imperfections, prejudices, and passions; but Masons profess, and should study and labour diligently to reform or suppress them; to bear with the infirmities of our brethren, which are never helped by wrath or contention; but may be much assisted by mutual affection and good offices. You are likewise exhorted to avoid, especially whilst the Lodge is sitting, a certain levity of behaviour, and trifling impertinence; which, however harmless it may be thought, is seldom consistent with good manners; but is more highly culpable, when it rudely draws the attention of your brethren from important truths and rational pleasures, it is inconsistent with your characters as Masons, gentlemen, or good moral men; it shews a contempt of the company, where true politeness ought to appear in mutual respect. THE laying or offering of wagers is justly prohibited as incompatible with the dignity of our conversation. You are likewise enjoined to refrain from all profane and obscene discourse. The first is an insolent contempt of the supreme God, who, both in our outward conversation and deportment, and the inmost recesses of our minds, claims our highest adoration and reverence; the other is brutal and unmanly, a most indecent affront and injury to that sex, which, though not admitted into our Lodges, we are bound, as Masons and men, tenderly to respect, support, and defend. YOUR punctual and willing attendance upon our stated meetings is expected, so far as it may not interfere with your duty to yourself, family, or friends; but you are by no means required to neglect your private affairs or proper business on this account. Diligence and fidelity in our respective callings and professions are what Masonry recommends and enforces, but ought never to interrupt. As the worshipful Master and presiding officers are placed in their several departments by the voice of the brethren, you are required to behave towards them with a becoming respect, to address them by their accustomed titles, and candidly submit to their just orders, admonitions, and reproofs; consider that every affront to them is an offence to the whole society, whom they represent, and over whom they are appointed to preside.. As the different regular Lodges and brethren, wherever dispersed, not only through this kingdom, bút over the whole face of the globe, are united into one grand body; provincial and general officers, whose duty it is to preside over all the Lodges in their several provinces or districts, are appointed by the fraternity, to preserve all the ancient laws and land-marks of the constitution; and every thing relative to the general interests of Masonry ought, by them, to be duly weighed and properly regulated. We are therefore to pay a due regard to the book of constitutions, which is published by their authority; to prevent, or endeavour to heal, any jealousies, animosities, or differences, which may unhappily arise between those societies, which are, or ought to be, united in one common interest, and under one common head. Let this band of union be broken, and we become a rope of sand, and lose that strength, weight, and influence, which concord and unanimity will secure to us. THOUGH your first engagement, and principle at-tachment, ought to be to the Lodge of which you are members; to the bye-laws of which you are required to conform, and the true interests of which you are bound Ꮓ |