though they were numbered and classed under different denominations, as princes, rulers, provosts, comforters of the people, stone-squarers, sculptors, &c. such was their unanimity, that they seemed actuated by one spirit, influenced by one principle.

MERIT alone then entitled to preferment; an indisputable instance of which we have in the Deputy Grand-Master of that great undertaking, who, without either wealth or rower, or any other distinction, than that of being the widow's son, was appointed by the Grand-Master, and approved by the people for this single reason, because he was a skilful artificer.

LET these considerations, my worthy brethren, animate us in the pursuits of so noble à science, that we may all be qualified to fill, in rotation, the most distinguished places in the Lodge, and keep the honours of the craft, which are the just rewards of our labour, in a regular circulation..

AND, as none are less qualified to govern than those who have not learned to obey, permit me, in the warmest manner, to recommend to you all a constant attendance in this place, a due obedience to the laws of our institution, and a respectful submission to the directions of your officers, that you may prove to mankind the propriety of your election, and secure the establishment of this society to latest posterity.

Cc a

A SHORT CHARGE

DELIVERED TO THE MASTER ON HIS BEING
INVESTED AND INSTALLED.

Right Worshipful Sir,

By the unanimous voice of the members of this Lodge, you are elected to the mastership thereof for the ensuing half year; and I have the happiness of being deputed to invest you with this ensign of your office; be it ever in your thoughts, that the ancients particularly held this symbol to be a just, a striking emblem of the Divinity. They said the gods, who are the authors of every thing established in wisdom, strength, and beauty, were properly represented by this figure. May you, worthy brother, not only consider it a mark of honour in this assembly, but also let it ever remind you of your duty both to God and man. And, as you profess the sacred volume to be your spiritual tressel board, may you make it your particular care to square your life and conversation according to the rules and designs laid down therein.

You have been of too long standing, and are too good a member of our community, to require now any information in the duty of your office. What you have seen praise-worthy in others, we doubt not you will imitate; and what you have seen defective, you will in yourself amend.

WE have therefore the greatest reason to expect you will be constant and regular in your attendance

on the Lodge, faithful and diligent in the discharge of your duty, and that you will make the honour of the supreme Architect of the universe, and the good of the eraft, chief objects of your regard.

WE

We likewise trust you will pay a punctual attention to the laws and regulations of this society, as more particularly becoming your present station, and that you will at the same time require a due obedience to them, from every other member, well knowing, that without this, the best of laws become useless.

FOR a pattern of imitation, consider the great luminary of nature, which, rising in the east, regularly diffuses light and lustre to all within its circle. In like manner it is your province, with due decorum, to spread and communicate light and instruction to the brethren in the Lodge.

FROM the knowledge we already have of your zeal and abilities, we rest assured you will discharge the duties of this important station in such a manner as will redound greatly to the honour of yourself, as well as of those members over whom you are elected to preside.

AN ADDRESS

TO THE LODGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INVESTITURE AND INSTALLMENT OF THE REST OF THE OFFICERS.

Brethren,

I FLATTER myself there is no Mason of my

acquaintance insensible of the sincere regard I ever had, and hope ever to retain, for our venerable institution; certain I am, if this establishment should ever be held in little esteem by the members, it must be owing to the want of a due sense of the excellence of its principles, and the salutary laws and social duties on which it is founded.

BUT sometimes mere curiosity, views of selfinterest, or a groundless presumption, that the principal business of the Lodge is mirth and entertainment, hath induced men of loose principles and discordant tempers to procure admission into our community; this, together with an unpardonable inattention of those who proposed them, to their lives and conversations, have constantly occasioned great discredit and uneasiness to the craft; such persons being no ways qualified for a society founded upon wisdom, and cemented by morality and Christian love.

1

THEREFORE let it be your peculiar care to pay strict attention to the merit and character of those, who, from among the circle of your acquaintance, may be desirous of becoming members of our society, lest

through your inadvertency, the unworthy part of mankind should find means to introduce themselves among you, whereby you will discourage the reputable and worthy.

SELF-LOVE is a reigning principle in all men; and there is not a more effectual method of ingratiating ourselves with each other, than by mutual complaisance and respect; by agreement with each other in judgment and practice. This makes society pleasing, and friendship durable; which can never be the case when men's principles and dispositions are opposite, and not adapted for unity. We must be moved by the same passions, governed by the same inclinations, and moulded by the same morals, before we can please or be pleased in society. No community or place can make a man happy, who is not furnished with a temper of mind to relish felicity. The wise and royal Grand-Master SOLOMON tells us, and experience confirms it, "That the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is to behold the sun." Yet for this pleasure we are wholly indebted to that astonishing piece of heavenly workmanship, the eye, and the several organs of sight. Let the eye be distenipered, and all objects, which, though they remain the same in themselves, to us lose their beauty and lustre; let the eye be totally destroyed, then the sense which depends upon it is lost also, and the whole body is full of darkness. So is it with that Mason who has not a frame and temper of mind adapted to our institution, without which the blended allurements of pleasure and instructions to be found in the Lodge, must become tasteless, and of no effect. Likewise let his conduct and circumstances