ACTs iv. 11. "This is the stone which was set at nought of you, builders, which is become the head of the corner." REV. OF ST. JOHN ii. 17. "To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden manna; and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving him that receiveth it." REV. iii. 13. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear." "And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa, and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem." EZEKIEL xliv. 1 and 5. "Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary, which looketh towards the east, and it was shut. And the Lord said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, all that I say unto thee, concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary." The working tools of a mark master, are the chisel and mallet. The Chisel Morally demonstrates the advantages of discipline and education. The mind, like the diamond in its original state, is rude and unpolished; but as the effect of the chisel on the external coat soon presents to view the latent beauties of the diamond; so education discovers the latent virtues of the mind, and draws them forth to range the large field of matter and space, to display the summit of human knowledge, our duty to God and to man. The Mallet Morally teaches to correct irregularities, and to reduce man to a proper level; so that, by quiet deportment, he may, in the school of discipline, learn to be content. What the mallet is to the workman, enlightened reason is to the passions: it curbs ambition, it depresses envy, it moderates anger, and it encourages good dispositions; whence arises among good masons that comely order, "Which nothing earthly gives, or can destroy, "The soul's calm sunshine, and the heart-felt joy." CHARGE to be delivered when a candidate is advanced to the degree of Mark Master. BROTHER, I congratulate you on having been thought worthy of being advanced to this honourable degree of masonry. Permit me to impress it on your mind, that your assiduity should ever be commensurate with your duties, which become more and more extensive, as you advance in mâ sonry. In the honorable character of mark master mason, it is more particularly your duty to endeavour to let your conduct in the lodge, and among your brethren, be such as may stand the test of the Grand Overseer's square; that you may not, like the unfinished and imperfect work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times, be rejected and thrown aside, as unfit for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. While such is your conduct, should misfortunes assail you, should friends forsake you, should envy traduce your good name, and malice persecute you; yet may you have confidence, that among mark master masons you will find friends who will administer relief to your distresses, and comfort your afflictions; ever bearing in mind, as a consolation under all the frowns of fortune, and as an encouragement to hope for better prospects, that the stone which the builders rejected, [possessing merits to them unknown,] became the chief stone of the corner. The following Song is sung previous to closing. Our great key-stone; On it appears the name Which raises high the fame Of all to whom the same Now to the westward move, Where, full of strength and love, But if impostors are Mix'd with the worthy there, Caution them to beware Of the right hand. Now to the praise of those Who triumph'd o'er the foes |