For the truth of these sentiments, and the correctness of their statement, an appeal is made to every Mason, who understands the system, and every just memorial of the order, both ancient and modern. It bence appears, that the same system of faith, and the same practical duties taught by revelation, are contained in, and required by, the Masonic Institution. If, therefore, the former be justly entitled to the approbation of mankind, from the nature and excellence of its principles, the latter must be.-If the former is wisely calculated to alleviate human misery and promote the happiness of man, so must the latter be. As the former accords with the nature and fitness of things, so does the latter.-If the Christian system displays the glory of the moral Governor of the universe, and constrains us to adinire and love his character, so also does the Masonic. It is, therefore, confidently believed, in view of these considerations, every unprejudiced mind will draw a favorable conclusion of our system.-Surely it cannot be otherwise. These are the genuine principles of Masonry, and every member is solemnly bound to believe them in his heart, and practice them in his life. Ancient Masonry Operative and Religious. THE next point in order, will be to establish this position, that Ancient Masonry was Operative and Religious. "By operative Masonry, we alJude to the proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure will derive its figure, strength and beauty." Hence, Masonry and architecture or geometry were anciently used as synonymous. "In the beginning," we are informed, "the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.' Then did the Supreme Architect of universal nature display the greatness of his power, and the excellency of his wisdom. "He spake, and it was done, He commanded, and it stood fast."----The amazing sublimity and grandeur of the material creation, the beauty and variety, the harmony and order, excited the liveliest emotions of joy amongst the angelic hosts. This was the first display of the operative principles pertaining to the science of geometry... Not that we would convey the idea that the Creator performed the work of creation by the formal application of the principles of geometry or architecture, but that such principles may clearly be deduced from the order, beauty, symmetry and proportion discoverable in his works. In this point of view only we wish to be understood, in relation to the first display of those principles whence operative Masonry anciently arose. It will be easy to prove that the science of architecture, or operative Masonry, in the first ages of the world, was divinely taught to men divinely inspired;—that moral and religious instructions were originally designed to accompany, and be inferred from the operative part, for the improvement and happiness of mankind. --- To the law and the testimony we appeal. The experience and testimony of Noah, Moses and Solomon are directly in point. Noah was a preacher of righteousness to the inhabitants of the old world * Let it be remarked in this place, and carefully recollected by every reader, that when mention is made of Noah, Abram, Moses and others who lived before the building of the first temple, that the Masonic character and knowledge of those persons is to be understood in a qual a hundred and twenty years. In cousequence of the wickedness of man, God determined to destroy all flesh, except Noah and his family. The divine. purpose was, therefore, made known to this man, and the way by which his deliverance should be effected. Divine instructions were from time to time communicated in relation to that great undertaking, by which his deliverance should be effected; and it is literally true, that Noah was specially taught by the Spirit of God, the length and breadth, the height and depth, the form, manner and workmanship of that building, which he prepared, by divine command, to the saving of his house. It hence appears, that the Ark was erected under the immediate and special superintendence of ified sense. It is not meant to be asserted that they belonged to regular bodies, and associated as members of this Institution, It is not pretended that they were initiated into the Order, as in modern times: neither is it supposed they were known by the name or style of Mason.All we wish to have understood is, that Noah, and others after him, embraced and taught such geometrical and moral principles as were fundamental in the first establishment of the Institution, when duly organized, and such as are essential in the system of Speculative Masonry as it now exists. We, therefore, mean to say, that many principles peculiar to our Institution were understood and pa tronised by those men Such, we feel confident, is the fact. Hence we claim them as ancient patrons, because through their hands have been transmitted those excellent principles which now characterize Speculative Masonry. a divine agent. Such is the testimony of inspiration, as recorded in the scriptures of truth. When Moses conducted the Hebrews from Egypt towards the promised land, his journeyings and encampments were directed by a pillar of a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. Divine agency was abundantly manifest in the deliverance and protection, the support and preservation of that people, during forty years travel in the wilderness.Moses, their prophet and leader, being called up into Mount Sinai, talked with God, face to face, as a man talketh with his friend. Here were delivered to him the tables of stone containing the decalogue, written by the finger of God:Here, also, was shewed to Moses the whole pattern of the tabernacle. This tabernacle was designed as a visible pledge and token that God would go with that people, that he would communicate divine instructions, that he would guide them in their duty, as well as in their journey, and finally cause the nation to inherit the promised land. Moses was not only directed by words how to build this tabernacle, but was shewed a model, exactly representing the form, |