spectfully, or have any particle hid in our pavement of rites on which we can fix our eyes or place our feet to lessen our sacred obligations to protect, defend, and render them happy. No one can find the least atom on which he can stand with any propriety, and charge Masonry as being unfriendly to female felicity. We can never admit a man to receive the honours and enjoyments of our institution, whom we know is an unkind husband, a refractory son, a contemner of his sis ters, or one who fosters a malevolent disposition towards any individual of the human family, The ladies in cvery enlightened part of the world, and in every free government, are admitted with the utmost pleasure and satisfaction to assemble with gentlemen and enjoy uninterruptedly all that is consistent, all that is virtuous, all that is charming, all that is dignifying to their existence, all that renders life important, all that fills the mind with unquenchable desires to be fitted to appear in the presence of Immanuel and dwell in the undiminished splendours of his kingdom. To them the sancti

fying word of life is proclaimed, and they are invited to receive cordially without delay, all spiritual and eternal blessings. There is an entertainment unspeakably well prepared for them in the stupendous plan of redemption.

The volume of inspiration is replete with language which describes the important excellency of women and the reciprocal obligations existing among the sexes. "The woman is the glory of the man.

God sent forth his

son made of a woman. Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good and not evil, all the days of her life. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband." When this endearing connection is revered and cherished agreeably to the plan of Deity, which has been briefly exhibited, then ask, where can a righteous man, or upright Mason be found, who could endure the sight of beholding his amiable wife, sister, or any female, clad in all the insignia of our order, and working with all the implements of the Craft?

What pious, what refined lady, array. ed in such attire, could look upon herself with approbation? Masonry cannot be accessary to the violation of nature's law, and therefore, closes the door that the fair sex may not enter and be subjected to all the manual labours designated by heaven for the stronger and hardier sex. In fine, let this subject be fully considered in all its bearings, and the objections brought against us for not admitting females into our lodges as members, though ever so amiable, virtuous, and respected, must sink into the regions of nonenity, no more to arise to interrupt the peace of families and the harmony of societies.

5th. "How can Masonry be a good institution, when a number who have been initiated do not maintain a character compatible with the principles of morality 25

It is acknowledged that some who have been members of our institution, have since their initiation become intemperate, profligate, and vicious; but will this departure from the principles

of our institution, destroy the nature and perfection of those principles? Is it fair, just, and honourable to condemn and go about to defame any society or government merely on account of the hypocrisy and disorderly conduct of some of its members? Shall an amiable family be set at naught and blotted out from under heaven, because one or two have left the purity of virtue, trampled on natural affection and wandered into a far country? If systems, principles and governments, may be calumniated with impunity, on account of the miscreant conduct of some of their members, or former pretended favourites; then may we rise and proclaim as with a voice of ten thousand thunders, that there is nothing amiable, nothing worthy of our regard, and no moral goodness in the universe. For the fair temple of Jehovah, was once echoing with the harmonious songs of angels, and not one enemy to his Supreme Majesty was found in his boundless empire; yet has that white throne on which he now sits, become less pure, because some of those angels have fallen and become

demons? Are the prophets and evan. gelists to be lightly esteemed and the Holy writings to be burnt to ashes,because some of their pretended friends, were captivated with their discourses, praised their sublime sentiments, and seemingly obeyed their commanding voice, and then turned away from all the glories of endless perfection, to wander in the mazes of infidelity and speed their way to the regions of darkness and blackness for ever? Shall the church of the living God be loaded with criminality, because some have forsaken her ordinances, who once sang hallelujahs within her walls? Certainly not. Neither can Masonry be con. sistently criminated, because some have made shipwreck of their profession and lost all title to the honours of the order and the confidence of mankind.

6th. "If Masonry possess intrinsick excellencies, why do many good men, who once attended the lodges, now neglect them?"

Masonry does not require any member to attend every communication, te