CHAPTER VI.

Modern Free-Masonry Speculative and Religious.

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MODERN Masonry is not operative, but speculative and religious.By speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity." "It leads the contemplative mind, to view with wonder and admiration, the stupendous works of creation, and inspires the most exalted ideas of the perfections of the divine Creator."

Speculative Masonry, according to present acceptation, has an ultimate reference to that spiritual building erected by virtue in the heart, and summarily implies the arrangement and perfection of those holy and sublime principles by which the soul is fitted for a meet temple of God in a world of immortality. In this point of view every enlightened Mason understands that excellent system of Masonic virtues which adorns the man, and displays the superior excellencies of a benevolent heart. Such is

the only proper and significant meaning, which accords with the profession, and such the only one justly drawn from the true nature of the Institution under its present form. The superior excellence of Masonic precepts greatly consists in that lively display of truth by which deep and lasting impressions are made on the heart. Little, therefore, need be said under this head. If what has been exhibited, in relation to belief and principle, as embraced in the body of the system, be true; if the duties of a Mason are what have been stated, something of a serious nature must be attached to the Institution. And we again appeal to every enlightened Mason on the globe for the truth and correctness of the above positions.

There are men of eminent piety, meek and humble Christians, who greatly delight in Masonic instructions. There are men who minister before the sacred altar, who conscientiously approve and admire this system of moral virtues. There are multitudes who possess an honest heart, a correct taste, a sound understanding, and an inflexible attachment to truth, who by practice and profession support the dignity, and evidence the worth of

this Institution. Some few there are who speak with indifference and act with coldness; but such, most surely, are ignorant of the true Masonic principles. It is confidently believed no man. well instructed in Free-Masonry, and possessing a correct taste, can avoid being pleased with its moral beauties. Notwithstanding the system may be abused, and its principles perverted by men. of corrupt hearts and licentious conduct; notwithstanding individual members may bring odium on the Masonic name by an irreligious life; and notwithstanding some lodges may improperly neglect discipline and duty, by suffering disorderly members to pass with impunity, yet these defects do not subvert the fundamental principles of the system, or in any important sense alter the real nature of the Institution. The same interesting truths are retained, and the same duties continue solemnly binding, and must be thus considered, as long as virtue shall retain its amiable nature, and religion and morality necessarily promote the happiness of mankind.

Speculative Free-Masonry unfolds the outlines of the History in several great and leading Events, both in the natural and moral World.

AN attempt will now be made to show that the great leading events, both in the natural and moral world, are in some respects brought to view in the Masonic system, In this point of light, Masonry becomes a subject highly interesting, and worthy the attention of every investigating mind. According to the great plan of Divine operation, we know that all things are happily ordered to answer the best and wisest purposes. Even "the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead." Hence we may discover so many things in the natural world, in some respects analogous to others in the moral, that we are without excuse if we neglect suitably to improve those means of knowledge to our own edifica-tion, and the declarative glory of our

God. From a due and careful attention to Masonic emblems, we may, without any unnatural or forced construction, derive some knowledge as to the creation of the material world, the general deluge, and the final consummation of all things in the end of time. Masonic representations are peculiarly calculated to raise, in the contemplative mind, ideas which allude to those grand and sublime events. The first, both in the order of nature and time, was that, when, by the voice of Omnipotence, sleeping nature awoke, and the first flood of light burst on the astonished world. A manifest allusion to this event appears in the first degree of Masonry. An audible voice is heard by the candidate, which is followed by scenes new, mysterious, beautiful and subline. Was it adinissible to enumerate the ceremonies of initiation, every person would at once discover a manifest reference to the creation of the material world. Such are the 1 ceremonies in their coincidence, that the manner of the one may be infered from the manner of the other. The grandeur and sublimity of the former event, compared with the simplicity and beauty of the latter, detracts nothing from