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fession; not because they are deemed unworthy of the secret, 66 nor because the mechanical tools of the craft are too ponderous for them to wield," but from a consciousness of our own weakness. Should they be permitted to enter the lodge, love would oftentimes enter with them, jealousy would probably rankle in the hearts of the brethren, and fraternal affection be perverted into rivalship. Although the most amiable and lovely part of nature's works are excluded from our meetings, yet our order protects them from the attacks of vitious and unprincipled men. It forbids us to sacrifice the ease and peace of families for a momentary gratification; and it forbids us to undermine and take away that transcendent happiness from those whose hearts are united by the bond of sincere affection.

The feelings of women are more exquisitely fine, and their generous sympathy is more easily awakened, by the misfortunes of their fellowcreatures, than the stronger sex. The soft tear of pity bedews their cheeks at the tale of wo, and their gentle bosoms heave with tender emotions at the sight of human wretchedness. They require not the adventitious aid of mystic institutions to urge them to acts of charity and benevolence, nor the use of symbols to lead them to virtue. Their own hearts are the lodges in which virtue presides; and the dictates of her will is their only incentive to action.

MASONIC CORRESPONDENCE

wife, who was kind and affectionate in other respects, was an inveterate enemy to, and persecutor of the order, which she has since acknowledged to be (under Providence) her only friend and protector, în a strange land; for she was not only supplied with every necessary, during the sickness of herself and family, but was, after her recovery, furnished by the brethren of Pittsburgh, with ample means to return to her native place, and to the arms of her friends. This is but one instance out of thousands, where females have experienced the benevolence of an institution, which some of their sex despise, and have used all their feeble powers, in vain, to bring into disrepute, an institution, one of whose greatest objects is to protect the honour of our fair sisters, and in every possible manner to administer to their comfort and happiness, and "in a way that they know not," to rescue them from the intrigues of the "vile libertine," and debauchee.

Extract of a letter from the officers of Morton Lodge, No. 50, New-York, to the officers and brethren of No. 45, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

New-York, Jan. 25, 1819.

DEAR BRETHREN,

It has become the duty of us, the undersigned officers of Morton Lodge, No. 50, of Ancient York Masons, held in the city of New-York, that by a resolution of said lodge, they have directed us to express to you their sincere gratitude, for the brotherly love and affection which you have shown to our late brother, who, not long since, withdrew from us, and moved himself and family to your city. His premature death, and that of his three infant children, we have learned with sincere regret. You, having committed his remains to its mother clay, (though a stranger among you) with masonic honours, have impressed us with a due sense of our ob

The following letters were originally published in the late "Masonic Chronicle," upwards of two years since, and are now copied into the "Register," by particular request. We are informed, that the brother to whom they allude, was a respect-ligations to your respectable body,

able and industrious mechanic, in the city of New-York, and much beloved, not only by the members of his own lodge, but by all the brethren, with whom he was acquainted. We are also informed, that his

and demands our warmest acknowledgments. Your attention to his disconsolate widow, since the decease of her husband and offspring, while on the bed of sickness, with foreboding

symptoms that she must soon follow him to the silent tomb, command, and receive our warmest thanks.

wants, and can reach the ear of masonic benevolence with the tale of his distresses; so that not only does he ex

Should any of the fraternity associ-perience the openness of their charity, ated with you, be travelling towards us, you will please recommend them to our particular notice; and, if occasion should require, we should be happy to reciprocate the brotherly love which you have bestowed upon one who was esteemed among us. should be happy to engage your attention by a correspondence.

whilst living, but the afflictions of his family, after his decease, are tempered by the kindness of the brotherhood, and even his corpse, instead of being deserted to the callous indifference of strangers, is deposited in its last meWelancholy resting place, accompanied by those honours which are coeval with masonry herself.

Wishing you health and prosperity, in your private and public undertakings, we subscribe ourselves, in behalf of the lodge, your affectionate breth

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The benefits of masonry are experienced here by the numerous and flourishing societies of the order that are daily rising to light. To brethren, it must be pleasure, and afford ample gratification, not only that the sublime principles of the craft are hourly extending, but that in consequence of those principles, a mason can scarcely be a stranger in the remotest corner of the world; for, the language of masonry is so truly universal, that though he make his abiding place in the country of those who are foreigners to his native tongue, he can nevertheless find a medium of correspondence which is adapted to his

The honours bestowed upon our late brother, and the atten

tion paid to his disconsolate widow, were duties, in the performance of which, we were amply remunerated, by the consideration that the deceased was a brother, and a stranger. That this circumstance has been an inducement with you to open a correspondence with us upon masonic subjects, is the more gratifying, inasmuch as it was totally unexpected. Whilst we receive your thanks with pleasure, we in return thank you for your good intentions towards those way-faring brethren of our lodge, who may be travelling your way; and we shall embrace, with pleasure, the opportunity of becoming better acquainted with our brethren in your city, by recommending such travelling brethren to your kind protection.

With the fraternal affection of masons, we subscribe ourselves, in behalf of our lodge,

Your brethren,
C. S. W. M. pro. tem,

T. B. Sec❜ry.

INSTRUCTION AND DISCIPLINE.

The following extract, from a sermon delivered by the reverend Mr. Beede, a number of years since, is deserving the careful perusal of every person who has been initiated into the mysteries of freemasonry; but it more particularly claims the attention of those, who have been selected by their brethren, as masters, or other offcers. Sentiments more pure, never pro

mechanic arts were carried to a high degree of perfection, and were gene

eeeded from the lips, or peu of any finite being. Were these sentiments carefully studied, and strictly practised by the guar-rally known in all civilized countries, dians of the craft, those in subordinate situations would follow their example, and our beloved institution would appear to the world, in all its original usefulness and respectability, and the shafts of malevolence, bigotry, and superstition, might be pointed at it in vain.

"The first business of masons, in ancient times, was to divide the members of the order into distinct classes, rising in grades one above another, according to their respective degrees of merit.

It was the duty of masters and officers, to dispense instruction, to provide employment, and to secure to the labourer his wages, as they became due. It was their business also, to examine persons, and recommend them to such employments as were adapted to their capacities and qualifications, to the end, that business of importance might never be intrusted to the unskilful or faithless.

and of course needed no extraordinary patronage, the mechanical branch of this institution gradually yielded to the moral. So that freemasonry, in modern times, may properly be called a moral science; and the meetings of lodges, may, with the same propriety, be called "feasts of charity," it being their great business and object, to teach and enforce the observance of piety and benevolence. Veneration for God, and love to the human kind, are among their fundamental principles. And by means of a universal language, and a number of salutary rites and regulations peculiar to the order, they are able to maintain mutual harmony and friendship, and to carry on a free and general commerce of virtuous principles, and benevolent offices, throughout the world.

Hence we see the importance of the masonic institution under its present form, and the propriety of entering into that respectable fraternity for the purpose of correcting vice, and diffus ing knowledge and philanthropy.

But if this institution, according to its original plan and design, be really good, if it be calculated to render mankind social and harmonious; to make them honest, and upright, true to God, and to their country, and to cement them together in the bonds of a virtuous affection; then it will evi

All persons belonging to the lodge, and in particular, candidates for masonic honours, were obliged to be industrious, and frugal, that they might not only support themselves, but lay up something for charitable purposes. Great care was taken to encourage the lower grades to make proficiency in labour, learning, and morality. Such as excelled were promoted; and as often as promoted, entitled to higher wages, and more desirable employ-dently follow, that much care should be taken to prevent so good an institution from being corrupted. Feasts of charity should never be turned into licentious revels; nor temples of friendship into theatres of treachery. And to prevent these, and other evils, to which lodges may be exposed, I beg leave to suggest to the fraternity three things. First, Caution. Secondly, Instruction. And thirdly, Discipline.

ments.

A plan so happily concerted, and so ably executed, could not fail of producing the most beneficial effects. Lodges at once became schools of science, and nurseries of virtue. None but honest, industrious, and skilful workmen, or those who discovered a disposition of becoming so, could be encouraged; but all such persons under the protection of the fraternity, were sure to find employment, and reward, according to their rank.

But, in process of time, when the

First, In regard to the admission of members, much caution will be necessary, that you may not be imposed upon by improper characters.

ther with all domestic broils and contentions, that they may live in love and peace, having consciences void of offence, and characters unspotted from the world.

Thirdly, That there may be no spots in your feasts of charity, it will be necessary to attend to discipline.

As it is the design of freemasonry to create friendship; to make provision for the relief of poor and distressed brethren; to inculcate a filial reverence for Almighty God; and to encourage those personal and social virtues, which adorn and dignify human nature, and render mankind peaceful and happy; the doors of the lodge. It is to be expected that unworthy must, therefore, be for ever barred against the malevolent, the profane, the idle, the seditious, and unruly of every description. For all such persons would prove but spots in your feasts of charity. While feasting with you, and feeding without fear, they would spy out your liberty, interrupt your peaceful intercourse, trifle with your moral lectures, sow discord among brethren, and thereby bring up an evil report upon the society, so as to counteract the benevolent purposes for which it was instituted.

members will sometimes creep into the lodge, notwithstanding all your caution, instruction, and exertion to prevent them. And not only so, but persons who were once regular, may grow careless, and so yield to sinful indulgences, as greatly to affect the reputation of the order. These things will require discipline. Unruly mem bers must be reduced to order. Superfluities must be lopped off. The first risings of vice must be suppressed. Otherwise the lodge will resemble the field of the slothful, or the vineyard of a man void of understanding, where the stone wall is broken down, and the face thereof is overgrown with thorns and nettles.

Secondly, To preserve the purity of the order, instruction is necessary. Masters and officers, therefore, should make it their business to pay a particular attention to lecturing. The mys- But in the exercise of discipline, teries of the craft are to be unfolded, much prudence will be requisite. and the moral duties inculcated. Ma- Some will be corrected by a gentle resons are not to be trained up in igno- buke, while others may require severance and vice. Their minds are to rity. A proper discrimination, therebe enlarged, and improved. They fore, must be made. Such as have are to be frequently reminded of their been guilty of a mere indiscretion, obligations to love and worship Al- must not be dealt with like wilful and mighty God; to acknowledge him as notorious offenders, but must be aptheir sovereign lord and master; to proached in all the kind and compaskeep his name sacred; and to govern sionate offices of friendship; and if their lives by the unerring precepts of they possess a masonic temper, their his word. They must be taught to sensibility will be affected by such an be good men, and true; to be sober, admonition, and their penitence maniindustrious, and charitable, upright infested by a speedy amendment. their dealings, and peaceable, and be- Others again, who have grown more hardened in wickedness, and have re

nevolent in all their social intercourse.

They are to be taught to walk in wis-peatedly rejected your affectionate redom toward them that are without, making a diligent improvement of their time and talents; and having their speech always with grace, seasoned with salt, that they may know how they ought to answer every man. They are to be admonished to avoid political and religious disputes, toge

monstrances, you must approach with earnestness, trembling for the reputation of the craft, and snatching them as brands from the burning. But, if they will not suffer themselves to be reclaimed either by your gentle, or more zealous exertions, after having exhausted upon them in vain, every

expedient of reformation, you must remove them, as so many spots and nuisances, from the society."

.......

COMMUNICATED FOR THE REGISTER.

WEBB ENCAMPMENT.

At a meeting of Webb Encampment of Knights Templars, and the appendant orders, held at Mason's Hall, in Lexington, on the 22d Aug. the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

M. E. Sir David Graham Cowan, of Danville, Mercer county, Grand Commander.

E. Sir Isaac Thom,,of Louisville, Generalissimo.

E. Sir Thomas Nelson, of Lexington, Captain General.

Sir William Gibbes Hunt, of Lexington, Prelate,

Sir John H. Crane, of Louisville, Senior Warden.

Sir Edward Tyler, jun. of Louisville, Junior Warden.

Sir James Graves, of Lexington, Treasurer.

Sir James M. Pike, of Lexington, Recorder.

Sir Harry I. Thornton, of Frankfort, Sword Bearer.

W. Asa K. Lewis, of Clark County, Grand Senior Warden.

W. John Speed Smith, of Richmond, Grand Junior Warden. William T. Barry, of Lexington, Grand Orator.

Caleb W. Cloud, of Lexington, Grand Chaplain.

Daniel Bradford, of Lexington, Grand Secretary.

Michael Fishel, of Lexington, Grand Treasurer.

David C. Irvine, of Richmond, Grand Senior Deacon.

Robert Talliaferro, of Paris, Grand Junior Deacon.

John II. Crane, of Louisville, Grand Marshal.

Thomas Smith, of Lexington, Grand Sword Bearer.

John D. Halstead, of Lexington, Grand Pursuivant.

Francis Walker, of Lexington, Grand Steward and Tyler.

FROM THE MASONIC MISCELLANY. SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN TENNESSEE. Previously to the 27th of December, A. L. 5813, A. D. 1813, the

Sir Anthony Dumesnill, of Lexing-lodges in the state of Tennessee, (eight ton, Standard Bearer.

Sir John Trott, of Louisville, War

der.

Sir Francis Walker, of Lexington, Guard.

Attest.

J. M. PIKE, Recorder.

From the Masonic Miscellany. GRAND LODGE OF KENTUCKY. The Annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, was held in Lexington, during the last week in August, 1821, and the following brethren were duly elected Grand Officers, for the year ensuing:

M. W. John McKinney, jun. of Versailles, Grand Master.

R. W. David G. Cowan, of Danville, Deputy Grand Master.

in number) worked under charters from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. On that day, representatives from the lodges of Tennessee, assembled in Grand Convention at Knoxville, when a charter, or deed of relinquishment, from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, bearing date the 30th September, A. L. 5813, was laid before the convention. This instrument relinquished all authority and jurisdiction over the several lodges in this state, and gave assent to the erection of a Grand Lodge for the state of Tennessee.

The convention having been duly organized, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the following bre thren elected and solemnly installed officers thereof, viz.

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