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has Freemasonry provided against any mistake as to its peculiar tenets. No Brother can be ignorant of the great points of Masonic duty, although he may be unacquainted with the minuter details. The traditions and peculiar doctrines which are included in the more abstruse portions of the Lectures, may have remained unexplored; but, of its moral and religious tendency, he cannot be uninformed. The details of wisdom are

The strictest attention to the duties of morality is inculcated in the first degree, as an apt preparation for what is to follow.

'There is one distinguishing feature of the present age, which displays an increasing regard for the interests of morality. And the most auspicious anticipations of the ultimate prevalence of right principles may be entertained from this source alone. Even in the absence of all the public institutions for the dissemination of useful knowledge with which the present age abounds, this alone would proclaim the rapid progress of civilization, which can only be sound and useful when found in connexion with the practice of virtue. I allude to the prevalence of an anxiety for the increase of religious edifices for the worship of the Creator, and of Masonic halls for the inculcation of morals.

And, therefore, those Brethren who have found a pleasure in decrying the institution, have rested their hopes in invidious abuse. Thus, Southwick, an American seceding Brother, asserts, in a note to his oration delivered before the convention of seceding and expelled Masons, assembled to keep up the excitement about Morgan, that his speech will inflict a death blow on Masonry. "In Masonry," says he, "there are three distinct knocks given on certain occasions. In this oration, I shall have given the Order three distinct knocks, which will knock them down, [beautiful phraseology!] to rise no more for ever." And how, gentle reader, dost thou think this giant proposed to demolish the mighty fabric? Why, by the simple process of "calling hard names." Surely such epithets as the following, which are liberally dispersed throughout an oration of eightyone closely printed pages (to say nothing of thirty pages, which he says were delivered, but not printed), like the ancient catapulta,

inscribed on its Tracing-Board, in broad and indelible characters, and its general principles are so plain, that he who runs may read."

The motto which I have chosen to place at the head of this Lecture, calls our attention to an uniformity of arrangement in the details of King Solomon's temple, and a Lodge of Masons. As the work of building

must have levelled her bulwarks to their foundation! Masonic Lodges are called,-" Dark dens of idolatry and superstition-temples of mummery and quackery," in which are found, "blasphemous rites, wily and treacherous machinations, foul and deadly plots, and dark, bloody, and abominable ceremonies." He terms the Order, "Black bannered-destitute of charity, benevolence, morality, and religion-the abomination of the earth-the mother of harlotsvenomous and wily serpent- monstrous offspring of earth and hell," &c. While the Brethren are termed, "lawless and bloodthirsty villains-thieves and money changers-swindlers," &c. &c. Poor, vain-glorious boaster! The sun shines more brightly when it has been obscured by clouds, and Masonry became more brilliant after having silenced the slanders of its foes.

From these considerations our Rev. Bro. Dakeyne, in his late sermon at Lincoln, fairly argues,-"I am to be told, it may be, that if these matters are so good, they ought not to be kept secret. Why, they are not kept secret; it is only the terms and ceremonials of our Brotherhood that we conceal. And why should we not? If the peculiar mysteries of Masonry were laid open to the world, it might be that their charm would cease to operate. We have no secrets which are not open to the ingenious and candid inquirer, if he seek them by the legitimate process, while they are carefully concealed from those who use them improperly, or convert them to purposes which would prove injurious to society. The good and worthy may come amongst us. Our doings are displayed before them, and it is too much to hear any complain of ignorance, or speak evil of a science which they want the inclination, or the capacity, or the qualification to understand."

There are many peculiarities which identify a Freemason's Lodge

the temple was conducted by the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hiram, King of Tyre, and the beauty, or cunning workmanship of Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, so the labours of the Lodge are supported by the wisdom, strength, and beauty of the three presiding officers, who occupy prominent stations in the East, West, and South; thus locally forming a triangle,

with the city and temple of Jerusalem. The city was built on the high hills of Sion and Moriah, and near the deep valley of Jehosaphat; our Lodge is symbolically constructed on the highest of hills, or in the lowest of vallies. The temple was built due East and West; so is a Mason's Lodge. The temple was an oblong square, and its ground was holy; such are the form and ground of the Lodge. The cherubims of the mercy seat were surmounted by a crown of glory; and our Lodge, in like manner, is covered with a cloudy canopy.

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'At the building of the temple, the number three was peculiarly exemplified. There were three Grand Masters, three places where the materials were prepared, and the edifice had three divisions. Amongst the workmen were,-Harodim, 300; Menatzchim, 3,300; Andoniram, 30,000; Master Masons, 3,600, &c. And the dimensions of the temple were in exact proportion with the three concords in music. The height was thirty cubits, and the length three times greater than the breadth. The harmony and symmetry of these three dimensions were as grateful to the eye as harmony in music is ravishing to the ear.

s" Wisdom," says Fellows, in his Astronomical Freemasonry, "as applicable to the true God, according to Pagan theology, resides in the immensity of space, is kept out of view, and Osiris, the sun, is substituted in its place. Strength, which is required for labour, at the opening of the day, which is applicable to the sun, is transferred to its close, when the men are called from labour. The Senior Warden properly personates Isis, indicating the productions of the earth in the fall, which ornaments and beautifies the creation. The Sun, Moon, and Orus, or Orion (which lies directly over the equator), form the Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty of the three

which is a sacred emblem, and unitedly constituting one chief governor," by which the affairs of the Lodge are conducted, and without the presence of all three, no Lodge can be opened for the transaction of business, nor can any candidate be legally initiated therein.10

In the holy city and temple at Jerusalem," we have

first degrees; and they also composed the vulgar trinity of the Egyptians." (P. 285.)

These three officers, thus bearing rule, refer to the most sacred parts of the temple; viz., the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place, and the Holy Porch.

10 There is no end to the fancies which are entertained by the uninitiated on the tendency of Freemasonry. Some modern writers identify it with Rosicrucianism. They say that Ashmole was the last of the Rosicrucians, or Alchymists, and he it was who moulded it into the form of Freemasonry. "It is true," they add, "Rosicrucianism is not Freemasonry; but the latter borrowed its form from the first. He that gives himself out for a Rosicrucian, without knowing the general ritual of Masonry, is unquestionably an impostor. Some peculiar sects there are which adopt certain follies and chimeras of the Rosicrucians (as gold making), and to these he may belong; but a legitimate Rosicrucian, in the original sense and spirit of the Order, he cannot be." (London Mag., 1824, p. 10.)

"It was said of the holy city of Jerusalem, "Very excellent things are spoken of thee, thou city of God." And well might excellent things be spoken of it; for it was not only placed in the centre of a fertile country, and abounded in magnificent buildingsit was not only the scat of government, and the residence of the kings of Judah-it was not only the joy of the whole earth, but it was the abode of Jehovah; it contained his glorious temple, where he was essentially present; where his altars burned with the purest sacrifices; where the High Priest was his chosen oracle; where the symbols of his glory were displayed, and where the Prince of Peace at length appeared in human form to work out the salvation of mankind.

a transcript of a Mason's 'Lodge. Like the city of God, our Lodge is founded on the mercies of Jehovah,12 consecrated in his name, dedicated to his honour, and, from the foundation to the cope stone, it proclaims "glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will towards men. The assemblies which are

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"The arrangement of the Lodge-room displays symbols of his power, and mercy, and goodness in every quarter. In the East, West, and South, we discover tokens of his omnipotence in living emblems, which refer to the Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty displayed in the works of creation. The way to another and a better world is designated by a symbol which rests on the Holy Bible, the foundation of our faith, and veils its superior glories in the cloudy canopy; while the All-seeing Eye looks down upon us with complacency, as we are engaged in labours which purify the heart, and prepare it for a more exalted employment in the Grand Lodge above.

13 On Mount Moriah, where the three great offerings were made which consecrate the floor of the Lodge, three temples were successively constructed, each being furnished by the union of as many principles and powers. The first by Solomon, and the two Hirams; the second was erected under the superintendence of Z., J., and H., who filled the three great offices of King, Priest, and Prophet; the third by Herod, Hillel, and Shammai, who officiated as the three principal officers of the Lodge. The length of Solomon's temple was three times its breadth; it contained three courts, and the body of the temple consisted of three parts,-the portico, the sanctuary, and the most holy place. There were three curtains, each of three colours; three orders of priests, and three keepers of the door. The golden candlestick had three branches on each side; and there were three stones in each row of the high priest's breastplate. The oxen, which supported the molten sea, were arranged in threes, each triad looking towards one of the cardinal points, and the vessel was made of sufficient capacity to contain three thousand baths. To this holy place the Jews were commanded to assemble three times a-year at the three grand festivals.

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