praise of God. If a spirit of meekness and gentleness is found in individuals of the brotherhood, it belongs to Christianity, and not to Masonry. How can Masonry produce or nourish this spirit, when it is said to unite men of the most opposite tenets, and of the most contradictory opinions?

"The spirit of Masonry is the spirit of the world, and not of Christ. Christianity lays aside every needless ornament, every thing that glitters, and every thing the world admires, and passes through it like a still small voice; often unobserved by the great, except as an object of ridicule and contempt. Not so with Masonry; its parade is well known, and is often seen, in pompous ceremonies, and emblems, and splendid attire, which dazzle the eyes of gazing multitudes. The world has no war with this; it is perfectly congenial with its spirit But how far, how very far from

the spirit of Christianity. Call a man a high priest of Masonry; clothe him in all the insignia of his office; write нOLINESS TO THE LORD on his front; does he look like an humble disciple of Jesus?

"Christianity teaches the doctrine and precepts of morality in plain language, in a plain simple manner; but Masonry pretends to teach them by a routine of ceremonies. The former is God's method; the latter is man's.

"Masons may tell us, that certain things in their institution are designed to teach certain truths, and to be emblems of certain virtues; but by whose authority? and what instruction can they give us from these things? Where has the Lord informed us, in his word, that a chisel, a mallet, a square, a compass, a trowel, a scythe, and a white leather apron, are emblems of the virtues of the human heart, and are designed to inculcate moral truth? Mr. Town tells us, 'that a habitual practice of every commendable virtue, is taught by suitable and appropriate masonic emblems;' also, in a word, the history of nature and grace is most beautifully prefigured in a lively display of masonic symbols.' (pp. 184. 24.)

"Now, the Almighty has taught us these things in his

written word, in plain and definite language; not by chisels, and mallets, and white leather aprons, and other masonic symbols. I may say that my candle and snuffers before me, are emblems of the virtues of the heart, and are designed to teach moral truth; I should be as nobly employed, should I attempt to communicate religious instruction. from these to lost, dying men, as from a chisel, or a mallet. My authority is as good in one case as in the other."

This is good sense, and it came upon my ear like pure water upon parched lips, soothing, refreshing, and strengthening. With a view to make Mr. Stearns' effort better known, and at the same time to touch the most ancient institution on a point that otherwise might be overlooked, I continue to extract from the same fourth chapter of "Stearns' Inquiry.”

If he has,

"There is something worthy of notice respecting the dedication of masonic lodges and halls. Our ancient brethren,' says Mr. Bradley, dedicated their lodges to king Solomon; yet Masons professing Christianity, dedicate theirs to St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, who were eminent patrons of Masonry.' (p. 59.) Has Mr. B. any proof that these two men were Masons? it would have been important to Masonry had he produced it. No proof is offered, and there is none to offer, unless it be masonic tradition. This may satisfy Masons, but it never will satisfy those who think for themselves. We are at liberty to reject the proposition, and to believe that those men were not Masons; (and we take the liberty;) and when Masons say they were, they say what they cannot prove. In dedicating their lodges to them, they are guilty of consummate folly, for even if they were Masons, and Masonry were of God, why dedicate lodges to them? Strange if the property of the Almighty must be dedicated in solemn form to some of his creatures.

"The method of dedicating a masonic hall is, in its nature, nothing less than blasphemy; though Masons may intend to perform a religious, and a very solemn ceremony.

The hall is first dedicated in the name of the great Jehovah, then in the name of the holy St. John, then in the name of the whole fraternity. In the name of the great Jehovah, to whom be all honour and glory, I do solemnly dedicate this hall to Masonry.' 'In the name of the holy St. John, I do solemnly dedicate this hall to virtue.' 'In the name of the whole fraternity, I do solemnly dedicate this hall to universal benevolence.' (See Monitor, pp. 130 131.) On this occasion the great name of God is taken in vain, trifled with, and blasphemed."

Mr. Stearns is a Mason, and well understands of what he affirms. The manner of dedicating masonic halls is correctly described, according to the form given also in the Book of Constitutions, (p. 99.)

Here observe one of the sweet catches of our dark Mistress,

"Whose word at any time will pass,

"Point blank on both sides of a case."

She says: "In the name of the holy St. John, I do solemnly dedicate this hall to virtue." Very well.

The lecture on the first degree, accords with the following: "Our ancient brethren dedicated their lodges to Solomon, yet Masons professing Christianity dedicate theirs to St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist." (F. M. L. p. 148.)

But the ceremony of dedication says: "In the name of the holy St. John," and not St. Johns: which has this masonic advantage, that Jews, Turks, and Infidels, will understand the dedication as made to the Baptist; for him they honour; while Christians will understand the Beloved disciple. Thus all parties are pleased, and the harmony of the lodge is preserved; whereas, if the dedication were to the holy St. Johns, the infidels might fly, and discord break the bonds of affection among the brethren.

In the appendix, Mr. Stearns offers a few remarks upon

Mr. Town's Speculative Free Masonry, which will be ap proved by the reader.

"It has been said by some of the fraternity, that Mr. Town's book is incorrect, and of little consequence; that it does not contain the sentiments of Masons, only those of the author. This is an impeachment of the grand body of Masons in the State of New-York, some of whom are of high standing in various departments of life. The book professes, on its title-page, to be, 'A System of Speculative Free Masonry; 'exhibited in a course of lectures before the Grand Chapter of the State of New-York, at their annual meetings in the city of Albany.' 'It was reduced to a regular system by their special request;' and recommended by them to the public, as A System of Free Masonry." It is further recommended by no less than nine grand officers, in whose presence the lectures were delivered, by another who had examined them, and by the honourable De Witt Clinton, General Grand High Priest, &c. At the time. of its publication, it was patronized by individuals of nearly 150 different lodges and chapters through the States, and more than four thousand copies were subscribed for. All this may be seen by examining the book."

Free Masonry is capable both of solemnly recommending, and solemnly denouncing Mr. Town's Speculative Masonry, having regard not to the book itself, but solely to her own locality and convenience; as in Britain or Turkey, among Christians or Hindoos:

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Ashamed of Jesus! sooner far

“Let evening blush to own a star:

No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere his name."

Gregg.

FREE MASONRY, within the two thousand lodges of this free country, and within the lodges of all countries, is, in all its rites and services, deeply died with Deism. This weighty charge is considerately made, as will appear from the accompanying documents.

It is the common boast of the books, and treatises, and orators of Free Masonry, that in a lodge, all the members, of whatever country or religion, character or sect, meet on the level, and part on the square; that the Arab and Turk, Chinese and American, Hindoo and European, harmoniously join in the work and services of the lodge, with mutual pleasure and edification.

Now, if any man name the Lord Jesus, except lightly, in such an assembly, he must offend the Musselmen to say something reverential of Mahomet, &c., and the harmony of the lodge would be sacrificed. If Vishnu were praised, the Christians present might take alarm at the proselyting spirit of their Hindoo brethren, and withdraw from the discordant lodge. No peculiar views of religion are taught, but only grand, moral principles; duty to heaven, to self, and to neighbours; leaving the Chinese to worship their emperor, the Hindoos, their three millions, &c. &c.

But every lodge is opened or closed with prayer. Every master and apprentice is made with prayer; and prayer to