CHARGE at Initiation into the First Degree. BROTHER,

As you are now introduced into the first principles of masonry, I congratulate you on being accepted into this ancient and honourable order :ancient, as having subsisted from time immemorial, and honourable, as tending, in every particular, so to render all men who will be conformable to its precepts. No institution was ever raised on a better principle, or more solid foundation; nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down, than are inculcated in the several masonic lectures. The greatest and best of men, in all ages, have been encouragers and promoters of the art; and have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity, to level themselves with the fraternity, extend their privileges, and patronize their assemblies. There are three great duties, which, as a mason, you are charged to inculcate-to God, your neighbour, and yourself. To God, in never mentioning his name, but with that reverential awe which is due from a creature to his Creator; to implore his aid in all your laudable undertakings, and to esteem him as the chief good:to your neighbour, in acting upon the square, and doing unto him as you wish he should do unto you :—and to yourself, in avoiding all irregularity and intemperance, which may impair your faculties, or debase the dignity of your profession. A zealous attachment to these duties, will insure public and private esteem.

In the State, you are to be a quiet and peaceful subject, true to your government, and just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live. In your outward demeanour, be particularly careful to avoid censure or reproach.

Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meant that masonry should interfere with your necessary vocations; for these are on no account to be neglected; neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it.

At your leisure hours, that you may improve in masonic knowledge, you are to converse with well informed brethren, who will be always as ready to give, as you will be ready to receive, instruction.

Finally, keep sacred and inviolable the mysteries of the order; as these are to distinguish you from the rest of the community, and mark your consequence among masons. If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person desirous of being initiated into masonry, be particularly attentive not to recommend him, unless you are convinced he will conform to our rules; that the honour, glory, and reputation of the institution, may be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good effects.

FELLOW-CRAFT'S DEGREE.

SECTION FIRST.

THE first section recapitulates the ceremony of initiation into this class; and instructs the diligent craftsman how to proceed in the proper arrangement of the ceremonies used on the occasion. It should therefore be well understood by every officer and member of the Lodge.

AMOS vii. 7, 8.

"Thus he shewed me; and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb-line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more."

The working tools of a fellow-craft are here introduced and explained; which are the plumb, square, and level.

The plumb is an instrument made use of by operative masons, to raise perpendiculars; the square, to square the work; and the level, to lay horizontals; but we, as free and accepted masons, are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes: The plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our ac

tions by the square of virtue, and remembering that we are travelling upon the level of time, to "that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveller returns."

SECTION SECOND.

The second section of this degree refers to the origin of the institution; and views masonry under two denominations, operative and speculative. The period stipulated for rewarding merit, is here fixed; and the inimitable moral to which that circumstance aliudes, is explained. The celestial and terrestrial globes are considered; and here the accomplished mason may display his talents to advantage, in elucidating the Orders of Architecture, the Senses of human nature, and the liberal Arts and Sciences, which are severally classed in a regular arrangement.

Masonry is considered under two denominations; operative and speculative.

Operative Masonry.

By operative masonry, we allude to a proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure will derive figure, strength, and beauty, and whence will result a due proportion and a just correspondence in all its parts. It furnishes us with dwellings, and convenient shelters from the vicissitudes and inclemencies of seasons: and while it displays the effects of human wisdom, as well in the choice, as in the arrangement, of the sundry materials of which an edifice is composed, it demonstrates that a fund of science and industry is implanted in man, for the best, most salutary, and beneficent purposes.

Speculative Masonry.

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 is

so far interwoven with religion, as to lay us under obligation to pay that rational homage to the Deity, which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It leads the contemplative to view, with reverence and admiration, the glorious works of creation, and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfections of his divine Creator.

In six days, God created the heavens and the earth, and rested upon the seventh day;-the seventh, therefore, our ancient brethren consecrated as a day of rest from their labors; thereby enjoying frequent opportunities to contemplate the glorious works of creation, and to adore their great Creator.

Peace, Unity, and Plenty, are here introduced and explained.

The next is the doctrine of the Spheres in the science of Astronomy, introduced and considered.

Of the Globes.

The Globes are two artificial and spherical bodies; on the convex surface of which are represented, the countries, seas, and various parts of the earth, the face of the heavens, the planetary revolutions, and other particulars.

The Use of the Globes.

Their principal use, beside serving as maps to distinguish the outward parts of the earth, and the situation of the fixed stars, is to illustrate and explain the phenomena arising from the annual revolution, and the diurnal rotation, of the earth round its own axis. They are the noblest instruments for improving the mind, and giving it the most distinct idea of any problem or proposition, as well as enabling it to solve the same. Contemplating these bodies, we are inspired with a due reverence for the Deity and his works, and are induced to encourage the studies of astronomy, geography, and navigation, and the arts dependent on them, by which society has been so much benefitted.