LECTURE XXVI.

THE TRACING-BOARD OF THE THIRD DEGREE EXPLAINED.

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Diligently search the Scriptures for the secrets of your art, and while you toil to pry into the covenant, the signs, and symbols that subsisted between the Kings of Judah and of Tyre, O may the spirit of the widow's son be in you! filling you with a knowledge of the points on which all the above turned, even wisdom to design, strength to execute, and the beauties of holiness to adorn."-TURNER.

"The obscurity of the mysteries preserves their veneration, for which reason they are entrusted to the cover of night."-SYNESIUS.

THE great characteristic of genuine Freemasonry consists in the incitements to virtue, which spring from a desire of pleasing God; and the prevention of vice, from the fear of offending him. But in the imitative, or spurious Freemasonry, no such principle is found. Whether we consider the abstruse speculations of the wisest of its hierophants, or the gross and sensual opinions of the vulgar, the same conclusion obviously presents itself. No trace of vital religion will be discovered in either. The former is all uncertainty and confusion, with no clear moral stimulus emanating from their belief, for their ideas of a future state were inoperative; the latter, a headstrong submission to prescribed systems, stained with the most brutal lusts and degrading observances; and even the religion of the initiated was rendered useless by the mass of superstition and absurdity with which it was burdened. Nor does it appear that religion was anywhere inculcated except in the true system of worship, as affording a relief from existing. evil, by the prospect of happiness in a future state as the reward of its practice.

The abstract doctrine, however, was preserved and transmitted in the spurious Freemasonry; and Bishop Warburton was so fully impressed with this truth, that the arguments in the second book of his Divine Legation are wholly founded on it; and his profound_researches into the writings of antiquity, appear to bear

out the conclusion; for happiness in a future state was promised to the initiated alone. And hence the sages term the mysteries those supernal things which are most useful to us in our mortal state, and the best preparation for immortality.3

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These observations will aptly introduce to our notice the Master Mason's Tracing-board, covered with emblems of mortality, and reading a lesson to the initiated of the certainty of death, and also of a resurrection from the dead. Like that of the two preceding degrees, it is an oblong square, circumscribed by a black border within the four cardinal points of the compass. The principal figure is a black coffin, on a white ground,' at the head of which is placed a sprig of evergreen, called Cassia, or Acacia, which appears to bloom and flourish over the grave, as though it said, "O death where is thy sting! O grave where is thy victory!"9

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The coffin is a striking emblem of mortality, which cannot be misunderstood." It shows the instability of human life;12 and reminds us of the dark abode in which our bodies must be consigned to our mother earth,1 to become the prey of worms and corruption.14 Here we view a striking instance of the uncertainty of life, and the vanity of all human pursuits. The last offices paid to the dead are only useful as lectures to the living; from them we derive instruction, and consider every solemnity of this kind as a summons to prepare for our approaching dissolution.15

Notwithstanding the various mementoes of mortality which we daily meet, notwithstanding death has established his empire over all the works of nature, yet, through some unaccountable infatuation, we forget that we are born to die. We go on from one design to another, add hope to hope, and lay out plans for the enployment of many years, 16 till we are suddenly alarmed with the approach of death, when we least expect him, and at an hour which we probably conclude to be the meridian of our existence. What are all the externals of majesty, the pride of wealth, or charms of beauty, when ture has paid her just debt? Fix your eyes on the last scene, and view life stripped of her ornaments, and exposed in her natural meanness, you will then be convinced of the futility of those empty delusions. In the

grave all fallacies are detected, all ranks are levelled, and all distinctions done away.13

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There is some difficulty attending the explanation of the sprig of cassia, and in assigning the true reason why it was introduced into the system of Freemasonry.1 Some say it originated in the Jewish custom of planting a branch of acacia vera (gum arabic plant) on the grave of a departed relative; others in the custom of mourners bearing a branch of it in their hands at funerals. But no writer of any authority mentions either of these customs, and it is doubtful whether they ever existed amongst the Jews.21 The cassia is not indigenous to the soil of Palestine, and is only mentioned in Scripture as a fragrant herb or spice, the bark being used in unguents, and sometimes employed for embalming; and therefore if the legend refer to the branch of a real tree, it could be neither the cassia, or acacia; and ti.is has given rise to an opinion that the branch or sprig is analogous to that alluded to by Virgil," in his description of the mysteries, and consequently was the olive. Others, again, doubt whether our acacia (azazia) has any reference to a tree or shrub at all, but means the texture and colour of the Masonic apron which those Brethren wore who were deputed by Solomon to search for and simply refers to their innocence.25 If this conjecture be correct, they add, it corroborates the accuracy of the legend which says, "they took a sprig of cassia in their hands (with them);" rather than the version which marks the place of interment by it. I am rather inclined to think that the choice of the cassia, which is a kind of laurel, was founded on some mysterious reference which it was supposed to possess, either mythological26 or symbolical.27 There are, however, great difficulties to be surmounted before the truth can be ascertained.

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There are some traditions connected with the Tracingboard about the curious and skilful artist H. A. B., who beautified and adorned the temple, which are equally difficult to reconcile, because the authentic records of his history are lost. His marriage with the sister of Adoniram-his customs respecting the Tracing-boards—his revision of the laws of Carthage-his abolition of human sacrifices there-his death33-and the loss of the Master Masons' word,84 with that of his widow-and

the three pillars of brass erected to his memory, all of which are said to have taken place before the dedication of the temple, can scarcely be reconciled with history;57 for the presumption is that he was present at the dedication, and afterwards returned to Tyre, and was the adviser and principal confidant of Hiram its king; and is said to have originated that famous circumnavigation of Africa, which is mentioned by Herodotus and other authors as a most wonderful undertaking.

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Upon the coffin we find several emblems which it will be necessary to explain. First we have a square, and above that a level, plumb, and mallet, the uses of which, together with the reasons for their introduction here, every Master Mason knows; as they do also the reference of the figures of 5, standing on a Mosaic pavement.4 We see the entrance to a porch, or room, 2 being an arch supported on pillars; and perceive, by the withdrawing of a veil, that it is the S. S. of the temple, and contains the ark of the covenant, covered with its mercy seat,45 over which are a human skull and cross bones,4 which are also emblems of mortality, and prove that there is no security from death's devouring weapon. Over these emblems is the date of the year when the events occurred which are recorded on this Tracingboard, surmounted by a pair of compasses,49 as a symbol of Beauty, or the Master Architect of the Temple.50

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From these illustrations, you will be at no loss to discover how vain will be the expectation of a happy resurrection from the dead,52 if your Masonic and Christian duties have not been faithfully performed. The closing point of the Lodge is fidelity, let it also be the closing point of your life-fidelity to God and man. The present third degree is founded on this virtue,54 and if you do not practise it, how can you hope for the rewards which are promised by your religion to "him that overcometh?" How can you expect either the white stone,55 or the morning star 756 If any doubt whether it be really necessary that their Masonic teaching should be reduced to practice; if they doubt whether they ought to be peculiarly cautious in their words and actions;57 or whether, as Masons, they ought to possess a listening ear, a silent tongue, and a faithful heart; they cannot be good and worthy Masons; for the com

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plicated system of Freemasonry is not to be received or rejected as may suit their pleasure or convenience. It is true, the system is symbolical, but is it less valuable on that account ?59 By no means. It is a string of pearls to ornament the life and conversation of its members; and the initiated are bound to perform the three great moral duties which are propounded at their first entrance into a Lodge-to God, their neighbour, and themselves. Do you not understand it in that light? It is time you began to enlighten yourselves on these important points. The coffin0 lies before you, and you are not informed how soon you may be its tenant. The skull and bones are presented to your view, and you know not how speedily your own flesh may be consumed in the grave, and nothing left but those striking emblems of mortality. The sprig of cassia may convince you that no evil deeds can possibly escape the all-seeing eye of God." If you think that the dispensations of Providence may be subverted by human foresight, you will find yourselves miserably mistaken. Even your own consciences will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. Then let us learn by this sprig of cassia, to practise all Masonic virtues, that on our departure from this frail life, we may be welcomed with the joyful salutation-" Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of your Lord."

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NOTES TO LECTURE XXVI.

Bishop Mant says "The heathen nations, before the coming of Christ, wanted the blessings of revelation, and knew nothing of the destination of man after he was laid in the silent tomb. One of their own poets tells us this. Alas,' says he, when the plants and flowers of the garden have perished, they revive again, and bloom the succeeding year; but we, mighty, wise, and powerful men, when once we die, remain insensible in the hollow tomb, and sleep a long and endless sleep-a sleep from which we never shall be awakened.' Seneca said, 'post mortem nihil est.' Virgil describes death as an iron sleep, and an eternal night.'' (Æn. x. 745.) But so inconsistent were the heathen philosophers upon these abstruse subjects, which they had received only from dark and uncertain tradition, that in the sixth book of the Æneid, the same poet