the creator of the world, and the author and giver of every good and perfect gift.

Freemasonry must not, however, be mistaken for a religious sect, although it embraces that universal system in which all men agree; while the infidel and atheist are excluded, because they prefer the dangerous alternative of disbelieving the divine existence. It was on this rock that the efforts of Barruel, and some other opponents of Masonry, who, labouring to neutralize and destroy its influence, were miserably shipwrecked amongst the quicksands of ignorance and error. They endeavoured to make out that it was a religious sect of a most exclusive nature, founded on the principles of deism; and, failing in their proofs, all the elaborate superstructure which they had raised with so much labour and toil on this sandy foundation, fell to the ground in ruins.

The trust of a Mason is in the Most High God, as a basis which can never fail, and a rock which never can be shaken. Nor is it a mere empty profession; for it is borne out and illustrated by our practice. We open and close our Lodges with prayer; the same formula is used at the initiation of candidates; and no business of any importance is conducted without invoking the Divine assistance on our labours; and the blessing of God cannot be expected to follow any man's profession, unless it be verified by a good and virtuous life.

The Lectures of Freemasonry inculcate and enforce brotherly love as a means of inciting the performance of duty and the promotion of social happiness. But this doctrine, beautiful as it is, was thrown into shade by the introduction of the Theological Virtues, which display a Love that is divine; the operation of which, even the extinction of Faith and Hope, will not affect it in the slightest degree. This virtue is immortal, and will form the chief attraction amidst those everlasting hills which lie beyond the summit of the Masonic Ladder. TGAOTU himself taught it as it was never understood before; and by his instructions Masonry became an universal science; for he promulgated that great truth which Jew and Gentile alike refused to admit, that all mankind are brethren. No matter what may be the birth, language, or colour of the skin, every man is a brother if he faithfully performs his duty to God, his neighbour, and himself.

And what are all other connections when compared with this great principle? It is true, friendship is exceedingly pleasant; the relations of husband and wife, parent and child, are still more dear. But they fall into insignificance before the glorious immunity of being a brother to the whole human race; and by consequence, a son of God. And every one who keeps the commandments delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai, is entitled to participate in all the privileges of the Covenant made with the general Father of us all, by which we are constituted his children. A blessed fraternity; consecrated by Faith; supported by Hope; and cemented by universal Charity.

Now, in the arrangements of this world, a parent is generally desirous of having his children about him; and when arrived at years of maturity, he becomes solicitous to advance them to a prosperous situation in the world. And he rejoices when he finds them sober, industrious, and respected by worthy men. Is it not equally credible that our Father which is in heaven should rejoice when his children obey the truth; and that he is desirous of seeing them in the Grand Lodge above, standing round about his throne.

Again, all earthly connections, how endearing soever they may be, have their portion of sorrow. Friends may deceive us, and bring us into trouble. A beloved child may pursue evil courses, and bring down upon himself shame, and on his parents grief and care. A contentious wife or husband embitters life, and proves the uncertainty of perfect happiness on earth. And there is another consideration urged by Freemasonry, which may stimulate us to prepare assiduously for a state where pain, and care, and disappointment have no existence; and that is, the uncertainty which attends the enjoyment of all human felicity; symbolized in a Mason's Lodge by the legend of the third degree.

The relation of a father to a child, or of a husband to his wife, is delightful. But how excruciating is the sorrow with which the death of any one of them covers the survivors. Observe the weeping children at their father's grave;-observe the father, overwhelmed with grief, crying out bitterly, "My son, my son, would to God I had died for thee;"-observe a distracted mother, who

will not be comforted, because her child is dead. Such sorrows attend all temporal pleasures and comforts; as is indicated by the Mosaic pavement of a lodge. We are happy to-day-we may be miserable to-morrow. If we are worldly, we are sure to feel the sorrows of the world. Is it not better to be spiritual, as all good Masons ought to be, who value their privileges and respect their obligation.

By such reasoning the doctrines of Freemasonry are brought to bear on the duties of social life; and if our sublime Order did not improve the condition of man as a citizen of the world, its practice would be an useless waste of time, and would scarcely deserve the attention of any conscientious brother.

In the lectures we are taught to consider faith in TGAOTU, which constitutes the first step of the Masonic Ladder, as primarily necessary to the attainment of its summit. But Faith must be shown by its fruits. It must lead through the portal of Hope to the consummation of Charity; for it is by the practice of morality that our faith is shown to be sincere, and made capable of producing a most refined Love. The duties taught in the Lectures of Freemasonry extend to almost every transaction of our lives, and contain rules which we may apply to every situation in which we are likely to be placed. Some of our opponents will affirm that morality is an useless qualification for any man to possess; and that nothing is required to prepare us for the happiness of another world, but a simple profession of faith. But if this be true, why did Jehovah promulgate the moral law with such ceremonial pomp? Did he reveal it with such tremendous accompaniments, without exacting obedience to its precepts? So far from it, that its obligations have been retained in the system of Christianity. The Redeemer of mankind commanded his followers to love the Lord their God with all their heart, and soul, and strength. This He pronounced to be the first great commandment. And the second is like unto it-thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

For these and other reasons equally cogent, Freemasonry teaches her members that if God had not intended the commandments of the moral law to be eternally binding on the consciences of his creatures, he would not have

revealed them with such circumstantial ceremony. Nor would the moral law of the Jews have been made the basis of our own system of religion, if Faith, the first step of the ladder, were capable, unaided, of giving us the victory. Other resplendent virtues must be superadded. And therefore the lectures of masonry enjoin that "as prudence directs us in this election of the means most proper to attain our ends, so justice teaches us to propose to ourselves such ends only as are consistent with our several relations to society, rendering to all without distinction those dues which they are respectively entitled to claim from us; bending with implicit obedience to the will of our Creator, and being scrupulously attentive to the sacred duties of life; zealous in our attachments to our native country; exemplary in our allegiance to the government under which we reside; treating our superiors with reverence, our equals with kindness, and to our inferiors extending the benefit of admonition, instruction, and protection."

As these and other similar doctrines and duties form a part of the very first Charge which is delivered to the incipient Freemason, it may be useful to take a brief view of them, as they apply to God, our neighbour, and ourselves; as they form an exemplification of the moral law which was communicated to our Grand Master Moses from the mountain where the Deity had previously manifested himself in a Burning Bush. The first Table of this law describes our duty to God; and the second our duty to our neighbour and ourselves. Let us, then, see how intimately these duties correspond with the teaching of our noble Order.

Freemasonry directs us to put our sole trust in the One God who dwelleth in the highest heavens, under the several names, in consecutive degrees, of Great Architect, Grand Geometrician of the Universe, and Most High or Jehovah. And teaches the true brother that "every blade of grass which covers the field, every flower which blows, and ever insect that wings its way in the bounds of expanded space, proves the existence of a FIRST CAUSE, and yields pleasure to the intelligent mind. Were the enquiring mason to descend into the bowels of the earth, and explore the kingdom of ores, minerals, fossils, he would find the same instances of

divine wisdom and goodness displayed in their formation and structure;-every gem and pebble proclaims the handywork of an Almighty Creator. Should he exalt his view to the more noble and elevated parts of nature, and survey the celestial orbs, how would his astonishment be increased. If, on the principles of Freemasonry and true philosophy, he contemplates the sun, the moon, the stars, and the whole concave vault of heaven, his pride will be humbled, and he will be lost in awful admiration. The immense magnitude of those bodies, the regularity and rapidity of their motions, and the vast extent of space through which they move, are equally inconceivable; and as far as they exceed human comprehension, baffle his most daring ambition, till, lost in the immensity of the theme, he sinks into his primitive insignificance. To him, the Great Geometrician of the Universe, the father of Light and Life, the fountain of eternal wisdom, let us humbly dedicate our labours; imploring him to bless and prosper the work of our hands, to his own glory, the good of mankind, and the salvation of our immortal souls."

Our Lectures teach this; and further add that we are not to defile ourselves by the worship of any other deity, but confine our adoration to Him alone. If it be asked how is it possible to worship any other gods? the answer is ready. By elevating gold into an idol, like the miser; who worships the glittering root of evil night and day; who thinks of nothing else, and hopes for nothing else.

Here, then, is an object which takes precedence of Jehovah. And I am afraid it is an idol which is worshipped by others besides the confirmed miser.

Again; how many are there who make an idol of pleasure; and even neglect the Most High, on his own sacred day, to follow it. In a word, it will be found a living fact, that whatever is inordinately loved and followed to the neglect of the allegiance which is due to the Divinity, is an idol and constitutes a breach of that preliminary law which the lectures of Freemasonry strictly enjoin the fraternity to keep unbroken.

It will not be difficult to ascertain whether such conduct be pursued by many of those who are strangers to our Order; and alas, by some who enjoy the privilege of its instructions. If, instead of imploring the aid of the