globe even at the present day.30 And what is still more extraordinary, the legends of these nations, wild and improbable as they may appear, are universally transcripts of some acknowledged truth, authenticated by our own sacred records.

The same custom of conveying instruction was used by the wisest of men. The proverbs of our Grand Master, King Solomon, are a system of wisdom, wrapped up in a small compass, each being expressed in a few words, that it may be more easily remembered, and, in metaphorical language, that it may be more entertaining and instructive.40 Wise men in all ages and all languages, from the inspired Solomon on his throne to the benighted Druid in his cell, have

39 I would here observe that there was this difference between the true and false religions, that while the former pointed to the happiness of mankind, both in this world and the next, the latter referred to this life only, and tended to the glory of man rather than of God. Madame Stael finely observes" The religion of the Greeks was not like Christianity, the comfort of misfortune, the luxury of misery, or the future life of the dying. Its aim was glory and triumph, and it exalted man almost to divine honours."

40 In heathen nations these solemn truths were imbedded in hieroglyphics, and particularly in Egypt; and "the most reasonable objections which can be made against the explanations of many of the hieroglyphics are counterbalanced by the evident truth, that a great many of them were invariably used in astronomy and chemistry for expressing the same objects; if the meaning of some of them does not prove satisfactory, there are others, to the truth of which no important objection can be made. Such are the hieroglyphics mentioned to have been represented on the tombs for conveying to posterity the character, mode of life, and death of the person buried therein." (Hanmer. Hier. Pref. xi.)

scattered their observations in a proverbial dress. The sages of antiquity were much attached to this method of enforcing moral virtue." Solomon chose this method of embodying and communicating his wise lessons of instruction, in compliance with the taste of the age in which he lived.

Nor had the custom fallen into desuetude in the period when the Saviour appeared on earth to execute his benevolent mission. His divine parables are of a similar nature.12 They consist of short legends or imaginary transactions, put hypothetically, for the purpose of conveying moral and religious truths, and useful lessons of instruction, without resorting to personalities which might have been considered offensive, and thus have defeated the purpose which they were intended to accomplish.

"Throughout all antiquity this custom was practised. The bardic proverbs of our own country comprehended all the morality of the Druidical order. I subjoin a few specimens for the purpose of showing how much their wise sayings resembled the Freemasonry of all other nations. They have been selected from the most ancient bardic writings." To deceive the innocent is utterly disgraceful. The most painful of diseases is that of the heart. No man will ever thrive by vice. On God alone let us place our dependence. Many are the friends of the golden tongue. Woe to the land where there is no religion. The man who disbelieves a God is incapable of reason. The man who breaks the unity of society is the blemish of the assembly, the affliction of the womb that bare him, the detestation of the country. Like a ship in the midst of the sea, without rope, or sail, or anchor, is the young man who despises advice, &c." Nothing can be more beautifully Masonic than the brief sentences contained in his divine sermon on the mount. Matt. v. 5, 7, 9, 16, 37, 44-vi. 20, 21. Luke xi. 9.

42

In like manner Freemasonry has its legends and allegorical references,43 many of them founded in fact, and capable of unquestionable proof, whilst others are based on Jewish traditions, and consequently invested with probability, while they equally inculcate and enforce the most solemn and important truths. The first degree is historical, symbolical, and moral. The second embraces history and science.** And the third legend philosophy and ceremonies. Be it my duty to separate truth from falsehood, and show to the fraternity what dependence they may safely place upon the institution, and how far its rites, doctrines, and practices may be vindicated and recommended by their conformity with the written records of truth. If the facts and legends of Freemasonry be found to connect

45

43 St. Barnabas, in his general epistle, spiritualizes, in an allegorical manner, many of the commands of the Mosaic law; as for instance, "Moses said, ye shall not eat of the swine; meaning thus much-thou shalt not join thyself to such persons as are like unto swine, who whilst they live in pleasure, forget their God; but when any want pinches them, then they know the Lord; as the sow when she is full knows not her master, but when she is hungry she makes a noise, and being again fed, is silent."

"The French have these preliminary ceremonies to the second degree:" Le neoph.. qui va sa présenter a rempli les conditions qui lui étaient imposées, il s'est retiré dans un lieu solitaire pour y méditer sur la vie humaine. Les auteurs qu'il a lus, sont . . . ., il s'est pénétré des sages leçons de ces grands philosophes; il a reconnu le prix de la science et de la vertu. Il a donne à deux infortunés de quoi vivre pendant un jour."

45 Such an exposition of the design of Freemasonry may prevent the recurrence of divisions amongst the Brethren, which are unfavourable to the prosperity of the Order.

themselves with our future hopes and prospects, a strong incentive is produced for their careful investigation; and the Christian Brother may find, not merely an amusement, but an interest in the pursuit. These lectures will contain sufficient data to excite his energies into action, and it will not be too much to anticipate that his investigations will meet with an adequate reward.

LECTURE XV.

ON THE NUMBER AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE WORKMEN AT THE BUILDING OF KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE.

King Solomon selected those of most enlightened minds and comprehensive understandings, religious men, piously zealous in good works, as masters to superintend the workmen; men skilful in geometry and proportions, who had been initiated and proved in the mystical learning of the ancient sages-those he made overseers of the work."-HUTCHINSON.

"Each operative mason at the erection of the temple of Solomon was known and distinguished by a peculiar mark. Thus the disorder and confusion that might otherwise have attended so immense an undertaking was completely prevented; and not only the craftsmen themselves, who were 80,000 in number, but every part of their workmanship, was discriminated with the greatest nicety, and the utmost facility. If defects were found, by the help of this mark the overseers were enabled without difficulty to ascertain who was the faulty workman; so that all deficiencies might be remedied without injuring the credit, or diminishing the reward, of the industrious and faithful of the craft."-CROSS.

"That no confusion might arise, owing to the great numbers employed, in paying the workmen their just wages, they were divided into three classes, according to the degree of professional knowledge possessed by each. The first class was that of the Apprentices, the second of Fellowcrafts, and the third Masters. Each class had particular signs and words entrusted to its members, and different places were assigned for the payment of each at the stated periods." ARCHDEACON MANT.

THE general statement of Anderson and his followers respecting the number of workmen at the building of the temple is expressed in these words:" To carry on this stupendous work with greater ease and speed,

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