Jachin and Boaz

VIDE AUDE TACE. 5776

JACHIN AND BOAZ; OR, AN AUTHENTIC KEY TO THE DOOR OF FREE-MASONRY, Both ANCIENT and MODERN. Calculated not only for the Inſtruction of every New made MASON; but alſo for the Information of all who intend to become BRETHREN.

I. A circumſtantial Account of all the Proceedings in making a Maſon, with the ſeveral Obligations of an ENTERED APPRENTICE, FELLOW-CRAFT, and MASTER; the Prayers, and alſo the Sign, Grip, and Paſs-Word of each Degree, with the Ceremony of the Mop and Pail.

II. The manner of opening a Lodge, and ſetting the Craft to work.

III. The Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft, and Maſter's Lectures, verbatim, as delivered in all Lodges; with the Song at the Concluſion of each Part.

IV. The Origin of Maſonry; Deſcription of Solomon's Temple; Hiſtory of the Murder of the Grand Maſter Hiram by the three Fellow-Crafts; their Diſcovery and Puniſhment; the Burial of Hiram by King Solomon's Order; with the Five Points of Fellowſhip, &c.

V. The Ceremony of the Inſtalment of the Maſters of diff •• ent Lodges on St. John's Day.—Deſcription of the Regalia, &c.

VI. Ceremonies uſed at the Funeral of a Maſon.

VII. A ſafe and eaſy Method propoſed, by which a Man may obtain Admittance into any Lodge, without paſſing through the Form required, and thereby ſave a guinea or two in his pocket.

VIII. Anthems, Odes, Songs, Toaſts, &c.

ILLUSTRATED WITH A Beautiful FRONTISPIECE of the REGALIA, JEWELS, and Emblematical ORNAMENTS belonging to MASONRY. AND An Accurate Plan of the DRAWING on the Floor of a Lodge, Interſperſed with a Variety of NOTES and REMARKS, Neceſſary to explain and render the Whole clear to the meaneſt Capacity.

By a GENTLEMAN belonging to the Jeruſalem Lodge; a frequent Viſitor at the Queen's Arms, St. Paul's Church-yard; the Horn, in Fleet-ſtreet; Crown and Anchor, Strand; and the Salutation, Newgate-ſtreet.

Try me—prove me.

A NEW EDITION, GREATLY ENLARGED AND IMPROVED.

NEW-YORK: PRINTED BY TIEBOUT & O'BRIEN, FOR EVERT DUYCKINCK & Co. BOOKSELLERS AND STATIONERS, NO. 110, PEARL-STREET. M, DCC, XCVI.

TO ALL FREE-MASONS.

THE Author of the following pages has the honour of being well reſpected in moſt of the Lodges of reputation in this metropolis, and has been a frequent viſitor at the Queen's Arms, St. Paul's Church-yard; the Globe, in Fleet-ſtreet; the Jeruſalem, at Clerkenwell; Half-moon, Cheapſide; Crown and Anchor, in the Strand; Salutation, Grey-Friars; and ſeveral others of leſs note.

An earneſt deſire of becoming a perfect maſter of MASONRY, and the ſucceſs he met with in his firſt attempt, has rendered him capable of revealing thoſe myſteries to the world, which, till now, have been kept ſecret as the grave.

He acquired his knowledge at firſt from ſome looſe papers belonging to a merchant to whom he was nearly related, who had been a member of the Queen's Arms, St. Paul's Church-yard. This relation dying about ten years ago, the Editor became poſſeſſed of his effects; and on looking over his papers, among others he found ſome memorandums or remarks on MASONRY, which excited his curioſity ſo far, that he reſolved on accompliſhing his ſcheme, without going through the ceremonies required by the ſociety.

The remarks of his friend above-mentioned furniſhed hints ſufficient to make a trial on an intimate acquaintance, a FREE MASON, who readily gave him the Sign in the manner he expected. After a more narrow inſpection on the part of his friend, ſuch as, where he was made, and when, &c. &c. (to all which he anſwered with great readineſs) he received an invitation to ſpend an evening at a tavern in the Strand, with ſeveral acquaintances. Elated by this ſucceſs, he boldly advanced with his company; all of whom belonged to the Lodge, and were well known by the TYLER at the door. After the uſual ceremony, in which he gave full ſatisfaction, he was admitted and took his ſeat. That night he ſaw two MAKINGS MAKING, the term uſed in the circular letters to the members of the Ledge, acquainting them that new members are to be admitted the next Ledge night., and came off full of ſpirits.

Soon after he went to another Lodge, where he diſtinguiſhed himſelf greatly in anſwering the queſtions propoſed by the Maſter, which he acquired from his friend's manuſcripts of the ENTERED APPRENTICE, and FELLOW-CRAFT's Lectures.

His regard to the ſociety, and reſpect to the public, is the only inducement to this publication, which is intended not only to aſſiſt thoſe who have been lately made, and ſtill remain ignorant of the true foundation of the Art, but alſo to give all that have an inclination to become Maſons an opportunity of conſidering the advantages and diſadvantages of the engagements and oaths by which they are bound.— Such is the intention of this undertaking; and the Editor flatters himſelf the Brotherhood will not condemn his officiouſneſs in this reſpect, as it will rather ſtrengthen than hurt the intereſt of the ſociety; the fear of going through the ceremony, which hitherto has been repreſented in ſuch frightful ſhapes, being the greateſt obſtacle to its future welfare and increaſe.

The Editor's ambition is to pleaſe; and the work is ſubmitted to the only proper judges, viz. his Brethren the FREE MASONS; to whom he begs leave to declare, that no private or public quarrel, the view of gain, nor any other motive than the public good could ever have induced him to write upon this ſubject; and he declares to the world, that the following is the whole of true MASONRY in all its branches.

SINCE the former edition of this pamphlet was put to preſs the author has received from his publiſher ſeveral annonymous letters, containing the loweſt abuſe and ſcurrilous invectives; nay, ſome have proceeded ſo far as to threaten his perſon. He requeſts the favour of all enraged brethren, who ſhall chuſe to diſplay their talents for the future, that they will be ſo kind as to pay the poſtage of their letters, for there can be no reaſon why he ſhould put up with their ill treatment, and pay the piper into the bargain. Surely there muſt be ſomething in this book very extraordinary; a ſomething they cannot digeſt, thus to excite the wrath and ire of thoſe hot brained Maſon-bit gentry! But however unwiling the Editor may be to publiſh all the letters and meſſages he has received on this occaſion, yet he cannot be ſo deficient in returning the compliment, as to conceal one, which notwithſtanding the threatenings contained in it, appears to be wrote with very little meaning, and he has (ſans ceremonie) ventured to publiſh it verbatim.

For R. S. at Mr. Wm. Nicholls at the Paper Mill St. Paul's Church-yard, London. R. S. London. Try thee prove thee Alluding to the Motto in the Title Page, taken from the Fellow Craft's Lecture. I ſhall find thee a ſcandalous ſtinking powcatt, thou pretends to have declared the truth of Maſonry to the world. And has impoſed a lie on the public not in one part but in all parts thou mentions, I ſhall meet thee in a few days and will give the • the ſatisfaction ſuch a pike thonk ſcandalous villain deſerves.

The original of this ſpirited letter, with the poſt-mark to authenticate it, is left in the hands of Mr. NICOLL, bookſeller, in St. Paul's Church-yard, who has the Editor's leave to ſhew it to any gentleman deſirous to peruſe ſo pretty an epiſtle; and ſtrict orders are given the publiſher to receive none, for the future, that are not poſt-paid.

*⁎* Thoſe gentlemen who ſo often ſend for JACHIN AND BOAZ, and deſire the publiſher to tie it up and ſeal it carefully, to hide it from the meſſenger, may ſafely continue their commiſſions, and the publiſher will carefully obſerve their order.

R. S.

DESCRIPTION of the REGALIA and EMBLEMATICAL FIGURES uſed in MASONRY, repreſented in the FRONTISPIECE.

1. THE two Pillars called JACHIN and BOAZ, the firſt ſignifying ſtrength, the ſecond to eſtabliſh in the Lord.

2. The Holy Bible opened, as an emblem that it ſhould be the rule of our faith.

3. The Compaſs and Square, to ſquare our actions, and keep them within bounds, the Maſter's emblem or jewel, which is ſuſpended with a ribbon round the neck, and always worn when the Lodge is opened, and on public days of meeting, funerals, &c.

4. The Level, the Senior Warden's emblem or jewel.

5. The 24 Inch Gauge, to meaſure Maſon's work.

6. The Key, the Treaſurer's emblem.

7. The Sword, preſented to the naked left breaſt of the Apprentice.

8. The Cable, or Rope, put round the neck of every new-made Maſon at the time of making.

9. The Trowel, an inſtrument of great uſe among Maſons.

10. The Gavel, or ſetting Maul, uſed in building Solomon's Temple, the firſt grand work of Maſonry.

11. The Plumb, Level, Compaſs, and Plumb Rule, the Junior Warden's emblem.

12. The ſmall Hammer, to knock off ſuperfluous pieces.

13. The Croſs Pens, the Secretary's emblem.

14. A Coffin, with a figure of the maimed body of Hiram (the firſt Grand Maſter) painted on it. He was murdered by three Fellow-Crafts, for refuſing to reveal the Secret. See. p. 31.

15. The Hand Plummet, for taking perpendiculars.

16. The Sun riſing in the eaſt, emblematical of the Maſter-Maſon, ſtanding in the eaſt, and ſetting the men to work.

17. The Seven Stars, an aſtronomical emblem, frequently engraved on the medals worn by Maſons.

18. The Moon, that rules the night. See p. 14.

19. The Candleſticks, placed in a triangular form.

20. The Columns, uſed by the Senior and Junior Wardens in the Lodge. See p. 37.

21. Two black Rods, carried by the Senior and Junior Deacons.

22. The Three Steps and Pavement.

23. Entrance or Porch to Solomon's Temple.

24. The Terreſtrial and Celeſtial Globes, repreſenting the works of creation.

25. A Machine uſed by Maſons for forming Triangles.

26. The large Rule for meaſuring the work.

27. The three Step Ladder uſed in Maſonry.

28. Hiram's Tent.

29. The White Aprons and Gloves, emblems of innocence.

30. Eye of Providence, the great ſuperintendent of all the works of the Univerſe, and Maſonry repreſented as under its immediate influence.

The Frontiſpiece is a Medallion, in imitation of thoſe medals, or plates that are common among the brotherhood. Theſe medals are uſually of ſilver, and ſome of them highly finiſhed and ornamented, ſo as to be worth ten or twenty guineas. They are ſuſpended round the neck with Ribbons of various colours, and worn on their public days of meeting, at funeral proceſſions, &c. in honour of the Craft. On the reverſe of theſe medals it is uſual to put the owner's coat of arms, or cypher, or any other device that the owner fancies, and ſome even add to the emblems other fancy things that bear ſome analogy to Maſonry.

The Candleſticks, &c. in many Lodges are curiouſly wrought, the Chair in which the Grand Maſter ſits, as well as thoſe of the Maſters of inferior Lodges, are richly carved with emblematical figures; their apions are bound with ribbons of various colours; and, in ſhort, every thing belonging to them is finiſhed in the moſt elegant teſte.

AN AUTHENTIC KEY TO THE DOOR OF FREE-MASONRY.

THE origin The rife of this ſcience (ſays a • original record) was before the flood in the 4th chapter of Geneſis it is ſaid, there was a man named Lamech who had two wives named Adah and Zillah; by Adah he begat two ſons. Jubal and Jubal: by Zillah be begat one ſon. called Tubal Cain, and a daughter named Naamah. Theſe children found out the beginning of all the Crafts in the world; Jubal found out Geometry; he divided flocks of ſheep, and built the firſt houſe of timber and ſtone. Jubal found out the art of Muſic, and was the father of all thoſe who handled the harp. Tubal Cain was the inſtructor of all artificers in iron and braſs; and his daughter diſcovered the Craft of Weaving. of the ſociety called Free-Maſons is ſaid by ſome to have been a certain number of perſons who formed a reſolution to rebuild the Temple of Solomon By an old record it appears, that king Solomon confirmed all the charges which king David had given to Maſons in Jeruſalem; and that the Temple was finiſhed A. M. 3000. In the year 43. after Chriſt, Maſons firſt came into England and built the Monaſtery of Glaſtonbury in Somerſetſhire. . This appears from the lecture, or rather hiſtory, of the Order, at the making or raiſing of a member to the degree of Maſter, which is fully deſcribed in the following work. But I am inclined to think that the chief deſign of the eſtabliſhment is to rectify the heart, inform the mind, and promote the moral and ſocial virtues of humanity, decency, and good order, as much 〈◊〉 poſſible in the world: and ſome of the emblems of Free-Maſons confirm this opinion, ſuch as the Compaſs, Rule, Square, &c.

In all countries where Maſonry is practiſed, or eſtabliſhed at this time, there is a Grand Maſter; but formerly there was only one Grand Maſter, and he was an Engliſhman. HIS ROYAL HICHNESS GEORCE PRINCE OF WALES is the perſon on whom the dignity is now beſtowed, who governs all the Lodges in Great-Britain, and has the power of delivering the conſtitutions and laws of the ſociety to the Maſters who preſide over the ſubordinate aſſemblies: which conſtitutions muſt always be ſigned by the Grand Secretary of the Order.—The Grand Maſter can hold a Meeting or Lodge when he thinks proper, which is generally the ſecond Saturday in every month in the ſummer, but oftener in the winter.

The other Lodges meet regularly twice a month in the winter half-year, and once a month in the ſummer; and the members of each Lodge pay quarterly, from 3 s. 6 d. to 5 s. into the hands of the Treaſurer; and this generally defrays the expence of their meetings.

There are alſo quarterly communications or meetings, held, at which are preſent the Maſter and Wardens of every regular conſtitution in and near London, where the ſeveral Lodges ſend, by the ſaid Wardens, different ſums of money to be paid into the hands of the Treaſurer-General, and appropriated to ſuch charitable uſes as the Grand Maſter, and the Maſters of the different Lodges under him, think proper; but theſe charities are chiefly confined to Maſons only. Such as have good recommendations as to their behaviour and character, will be aſſiſted with five, ten, or twenty pounds; and lefs ſums are diſtributed to the indigent brethren, in proportion to their wants, and the number of years they have been members. At theſe quarterly communications, large ſums are likewiſe ſent from Lodges in the moſt remote parts of the world, viz. in the Eaſt and Weſt-Indies. and accounts tranſmitted of the growth of Maſonry there. The ſtate of the funds of the ſociety are likewiſe communicated to the company, and the deliberations of the meeting taken down by the Secretary, who lays them before the Grand Maſter at the yearly meeting.

The number of members which compoſe a Lodge is indeterminate: but it is no Lodge except there are preſent one Maſter, three Fellow Crafts, and two Apprentices.

When a Lodge is met, there are two principal officers under the Maſter, called Senior and Junior Wardens, whoſe buſineſs it is to ſee the laws of the ſociety ſtrictly adhered to, and the word of command given by the Grand Maſter, regularly followed.

It muſt be remarked, that the authority of a Maſter, though chief of the Lodge, reach 〈◊〉 no farther than he is himſelf an obſerver of the laws; ſhould he infringe them, the brethren never fail to cenſure him; and if this has no effect, they have a power of dopoſing him, and appealing to the Grand Maſter, and giving their reaſons for it; but they ſeldom proceed to this extremity.

As no doubt the reader chuſes to be made acquainted with every circumſtance of the ceremony of making a Maſon, I ſhall begin with the following directions, and proceed regularly in the deſcription of what further concerns Maſonry.

A man deſirous of becoming a Free-Maſon, ſhould endeavour to get acquainted with a member of ſome good Lodge, who will propoſe him as a candidate for admiſſion the next Lodge-night. The Brother who propoſes a new member, is likewiſe obliged to inform the Brethren of the qualifications of the candidate For the good of this, and all other ſocieties, it were to be wiſhed a more ſtrict regard was paid, on the part of the propoſers, to the character and morals of every candidate.. Upon this it is debated whether or not he ſhall be admitted; and it being carried in the affirmative, the next ſtep is to go with the propoſer the enſuing Lodge-night.

The evening being come when a Lodge is to be held, which generally begins about ſeven in the winter, and nine in the ſummer, as previous notices are ſent to the members for this purpoſe; the Maſons are punctual to time, and it frequently happens, that, in half an hour, the whole Lodge, to the number of fifty or ſixty, are aſſembled.

The Maſter, the two Aſſiſtants, Secretary, and Treaſurer, begin with putting over their necks a blue ribbon of a triangular ſhape; to the Maſter's ribbon hangs a Rule and Compaſs, which is in ſome Lodges made of gold, though in others only gilt: the Aſſiſtants, Senior Wardens, and the other officers, carry the Compaſs alone.

The candles are placed upon the table in the form of a triangle; and in the beſt Lodges the candleſticks are finely carved with emblematical figures. Every Brother has an apron made of white ſkin, and the ſtrings are alſo of ſkin; though ſome of them chuſe to ornament them with ribbons of various colours. On the grand days, ſuch as quarterly communications, or general meetings, the grand officers aprons are finely decorated, and they carry the Rule and Compaſs, the emblems of the Order.

When they ſit down to the table, the Maſter's place is on the eaſt ſide, the bible being opened before him, with the Compaſs laid thereon, and the points of them covered with a lignum vitae or box Square; and the Senior and Junior Wardens oppoſite to him on the weſt and ſouth. On the table is likewiſe wine, punch, &c. to regale the Brethren, who take their places according to their ſeniority. Being thus ſeated, after a few minutes, the Maſter proceeds to To open a Lodge, in Maſonry, ſignifies that it is allowed to ſpeak freely among one another of the myſteries of the Order open the Lodge in the following manner:

Manner of opening a Lodge, and ſetting the men to work.

[The Junior Deacon gives three knocks at the door; and theA Tyler is properly no more than a guard or centinel placed at the Lodge door, to give the ſign when any one craves admittance, that the Wardens may come out and examine him; but he is always one of the Brethren. Tyler on the other ſide of the door anſwereth, by giving three knocks. Then the Junior Deacon tells the Maſter, ſaying]

The Maſter gives three knocks upon the table with a wooden hammer, and puts on his hat, the Brethren being uncovered; he then aſks, if the gentleman propoſed laſt Lodge-night is ready to be made? and on being anſwered in the affimative, he orders the Wardens to go out and prepare the perſon, who is generally waiting in a room at ſome diſtance from the Lodge room by himſelf, being left there by his friend who propoſed him. He is conducted into another room, which is totally dark; and then aſked, Whether he is conſcious of having the vocation neceſſary to be received? On anſwering yes, he is aſked his name, ſurname, and profeſſion. When he has anſwered theſe queſtions, whatever he has about him made of metal is taken away, as buckles, buttons, rings, &c. and even the money in his pocket.In ſome Lodges they are ſo particular, that the candidate's clothes are taken off, if there be lace on them. Then they uncover his right knee, and put his left foot with his ſhoe on into a ſlipper;This is not practiſed in every Lodge; ſome only ſlipping the heel of the ſhoe down. hoodwink him with a handkerchief, and leave him to his reflection for about half an hour. The chamber is alſo guarded within and without by ſome of the Brethren who have drawn ſwords in their hands. The perſon who propoſed the candidate ſtays in the room with him: but they are not permitted to converſe together.

During this ſilence, and while the candidate is preparing, the Brethren in the Lodge are putting • very thing in order for his reception there; ſuch as drawing the annexed figure on the floor at the upper part of the room; which is generally done with chalk and charcoal intermixed; though ſome Lodges uſe tape and little nails to form it; which prevents any mark or ſtain on the floor. It is drawn caſt and weſt. The Maſter ſtands in the eaſt, with the Square hanging at his breaſt, the holy bible opened at the goſpel of St. John, and three lighted tapers are placed in the form of a triangle in the midſt of the drawing on the floor.

The propoſer then goes and knocks three times at the door of the grand apartment, in which the ceremony is to be performed. The Maſter anſwers within by three ſtrokes with the hammer, and the Junior Warden aſks, who comes there? The candidate anſwers (after another who prompts him) One who begs to receive part of the benefit of this Right Worſhipful Lodge, dedicated to St. John, as many Brothers and Fellows have done before me. The doors are then opened, and the Senior and Junior Wardens, or their Aſſiſtants, receive him, one on the right, and the other on the left, and conduct him blindfolded three timesIn ſome Lodges the candidates are led nine times round; but as this is very tireſome to the perſon who is to undergo the operation, his patience being pretty well tired by being blinded ſo long beforehand, it is very juſtly omitted. round the drawing on the floor, and bring him up to the foot of it, with his face to the Maſter,Many Lodges throw a fine powder, or roſin on the floor, which with the illumination of the room, has a pretty effect. the Brethren ranging themſelves on each ſide, and making a confuſed noiſe, by ſtriking on the attributes of the Order, which they carry in their hands.This cuſtom is not obſerved in all Lodges.

〈…〉 of a MASON. Third Degree, or Maſter's Step, Kneel with both Knees. Second Degree, or Fellow-Craft's Step, Kneel with the Right Knee. Firſt Degree, or Entered Apprentice's Step, Kneel with the Left Knee.

A Senior Deacon, with a black Rod.

B Paſt-Maſter, with the Sun and Compaſſes, and a String of Cords.

C Senior Warden, with the Level, and a Column in his Hand.

D Junior Deacon, with a black Rod.

E Junior Warden, with a Column in his Hand.

F the Secretary, with Croſs Pens.

G H I Candles.Maſons ſtanding round at the Ceremony

When this part of the ceremony is ended, the Maſter, who ſtands at the upper end, facing the foot or ſteps of the drawing on the floor, behind a low arm-chair, aſks the following queſtion, Whether you have a deſire to become a Maſon? and if it is of your own free will and choice? Upon which the candidate anſwers, Yes. "Let him ſee the Light." ſays the Maſter: They then take the handkerchief from his eyes, and whilſt they are ſo doing, the Brethren form a circle round him, with their ſwords drawn in their hands, the points of which are preſented to his breaſt. The ornaments borne by the officers, the glittering of the ſwords, and fantaſtic appearance of the Brethren in white aprons, creates great ſurpriſe, eſpecially to a perſon, who for above an hour has been fatigued with the bandage over his eyes; and his uncertainty concerning what is further to be done for his reception, muſt, no doubt, throw his mind into great perplexity.The ancient Maſons made uſe of a prayer inſerted in the Apprentice's Lecture; but the moderns leave it out when they make a Brother.

The candidate is then directed to advance three times to a ſtool at the foot of the arm-chair; he is taught to ſtep in a proper manner by one of the aſſiſtants. Upon the ſtool are placed the rule and compaſs; and one of the Brethren ſays to the candidate to this effect: You are now entering into a reſpectable ſociety, which is more ſerious and important than you imagine. It admits of nothing contrary to law, religion, or morality; nor does it allow any thing inconſiſtent with the allegiance due to his Majeſty; the Worſhipful Grand Maſter will inform you of the reſtIt is here to be underſtood, that in different Lodges this ſpeech varies; as alſo do the forms of making, in ſome reſpects, which may be ſeen in the Entered Apprentice's Lecture; where the only proper and ancient method a clearly pounted out..

As ſoon as the ſpeaker has ended his ſpeech, he is deſired to put his right knee upon the ſtool, which is bare, as mentioned aboveThe ancient cuſtom was thus: The candidate, though kneeling on his right knee, ſhould have his left foot in the air; but this poſition being fatiguing, it is omitted in moſt Lodges., and his left foot is put into a ſlipper, with the ſhoe on, or the ſhoe ſlipped at the heel, to repreſent a ſlipper.

The candidate being in this poſture, the Worſhipful Grand Maſter addreſſes him to the following effect: Do you promiſe never to tell, write, or diſcloſe, in any manner whatever, the ſecrets of Free Maſonry and Free Maſons, except to a Brother at the Lodge, and in the preſence of the Worſhipful Grand Maſter? On which the perſon ſays, "I do." His waiſtcoat is then unbuttonedThis is done left a woman ſhould offer herſelf. If we believe the Iriſh. there is a lady at this time in Ireland, who has gone through the whole ceremony, and is as good a Maſon as any of them., and the point of a pair of compaſſesThe ancients uſed a ſword or ſpear inſtead of a compaſs. placed upon his naked left breaſt, and he himſelf holds it with his left hand, his right being laid upon the goſpel opened at St. John; when the following oath is adminiſtered to him, he repeating it after the Maſter:

THE OATH. I—A.B. of my own free will and accord, and in the preſence of Almighty GodThe form of the oath differs in many Lodges, though this is the ſtricteſt in uſe; and in ſome ſocieties inſtead of ſaying, In the preſence of Almighty mighty God, it runs thus, I promiſe before the Grant Architect of the Univerſe, &c., and this Right Worſhipful Lodge, dedicated to St. John, do hereby, and herein moſt ſolemnly and ſincerely ſwear, that I will always hale, conceal, and never reveal any of tho ſecrets or myſteries of Free-Maſonry, that ſhall be delivered to me now, or at any time hereafter, except it be to a true and lawful Brother, or in a juſt and lawful Lodge of Brothers and Fellows, him or them whom I ſhall find to be ſuch, after juſt trial and due examination. I furthermore do ſwear that I will not write it, print it, cut it, paint it, ſtint it, mark it, ſtain or engrave it, or cauſe it ſo to be done, upon any thing moveable or immoveable under the canopy of heaven, whereby it may become legible or intelligible, or the leaſt appearance of the character of a letter, whereby the ſecret art may be unlawfully obtained. All this I ſwear, with a ſtrong and ſteady reſolution to perform the ſame, without any heſitation, mental reſervation, or ſelf-evaſion of mind in me whatſoever; under no leſs penalty than to have my throat cut acroſs, my tongue torn out by the root, and that it be buried in the ſands of the ſea, at low water mark, a cable's length from the ſhore, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours. So help me God, and keep me ſtedfaſt in this my Entered Apprentice's Obligation.

[He kiſſes the book.]

The new made member is then taught the Sign, Grip, and Paſs-word of the Entered Apprentice, which will be ſeen more clearly in the following lecture belonging to that part of Maſonry.

He is alſo learnt th • ſtep, or how to advance to the Maſter upon the drawing on the floor, which in ſome Lodges reſembles the grand building, termed a Moſaic Palace, and is deſcribed with the utmoſt exactneſs. They alſo draw other figures, one of which is called the Laced Tuft, and the other, the Throne beſet with Stars. There is alſo repreſented a perpendicular line in the form of a Maſons' inſtrument, commonly called the Plumb-Line; and another figure which repreſents the Tomb of Hiram, the firſt Grand Maſter, who has been dead almoſt three thouſand years. Theſe are all explained to him in the moſt accurate manner, and the ornaments or emblems of the Order are deſcribed with great facility. The ceremony being now ended, the new made member is obliged to take a mop out of a pail of water brought for that purpoſe, and rub out the drawing on the floor, if it is done with chalk and charcoal. Then he is conducted back, and every thing that he was d •• cſted of is reſtored, and he takes his ſeat on the right hand of the Maſter. He alſo receives an apron, which he puts on, and the liſt of the Lodges is likewiſe given him.

The Brethren now congratulate the new-made member, and all return to the table to regale themſelves; when the Maſter propoſes a health to the young Brother, which is drank with the greateſt applauſe by the whole body, the new Maſon ſitting all the while. After which he, inſtructed by a Brother, takes a bumper, and drinks To the Worſhipful Grand Maſter, the Senior and Junior Wardens, the reſt of the Officers and Members of the Lodge, wiſhing them ſucceſs in all their public and private undertakings, to Maſonry in general, and that Lodge in particular, craving their aſſiſtance. To which they anſwer, "they will aſſiſt him." And after he has drank, the throws his glaſs from him, and brings it back three times, and then ſets it down on the table, the reſt doing the ſame in exact order. This they call firing: then they clap their hands nine times divided into three, and ſtop between each, keeping true time.

The reader having been led thus far, it is high time to introduce the Apprentice's Lecture, which is intended not only to amuſe, but likewiſe to inſtruct him in the part he is entered into. The readineſs of many of the Brethren in anſwering the queſtions, adds a luſtre to the Order, the members vying with each other who ſhall moſt contribute to the edification of their new Brother.

The Entered Apprentice's Lecture The Reader is deſired to obſerve, that here I gave the 〈◊〉 of the Lectures, as delivered in the primitive time, but the 〈…〉 out at leaſt one-half..

Brethren, let us pray.

O LORD God, thou great and univerſal Maſon of the World, and firſt builder of man, as it were a temple; be with us, O Lord, as thou has promiſed, when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt be in the midſt of them: be with, O Lord, and bleſs all our undertakings, and grant that this our friend may become a faithful Brother. Let grace and peace be multiplied unto him, through the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and grant, O Lord, as he putteth forth his hand to thy Holy Word, that he may alſo put forth his Hand to ſerve a Brother, but not to hurt himſelf or his Family; that wereby may be given to us great and precious Promiſes, that by this we may be Partakers of thy divine nature, having eſcaped the corruption that this is in the world through luſt.

O Lord God, add to our faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance prudence, and to prudence patience, and to patience godlineſs, and to godlineſs brotherly love, and to brotherly love charity; and grant, O Lord, that Maſonry may be bleſſed throughout the world, and thy peace be upon us, O Lord, and grant that we may be all united as one, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.

[Here the oath is repeated, as mentioned before. After repeating this obligation, they drink a toaſt to the heart that conceals, and to the tongue that never reveals. The Maſter in the chair gives it, and they all ſay ditto, and draw the glaſſes acroſs their throats, as aforeſaid.]

[Sometimes they ſhew you the ſign before the grip and word is given, which is JACHIN: It is the Entered Apprentice's word, and the grip thereto belonging is to pinch with your right thumb nail upon the firſt joint of your Brother's right hand.]

I come now to the entered apprentice's reaſons; but as the ceremony of drinking healths among the Maſons takes up much of their time, we muſt ſtop a little, in order to introduce ſome of them. The firſt is, To the Heart that conceals, and the tongue that never reveals;" Then "the King and Royal Family;" and, "To all Brethren whereſoever diſperſedTheſe toaſts or healths are all drank with three times three, which is performed in a moſt regular manner, and an HUZZA at the end of each, as before deſcribed.. The pleaſures they enjoy, purity of their ſentiments, and the uniformity that always reign in their Aſſemblies, is far from being tireſome or inſipid. I next proceed to the

Entered Apprentice's Reaſons This in fact is only a continuation of the lecture..

[Here the Brethern reſume their glaſſes, and drink a health ſometimes to the Grand Maſter; at other times to the Wardens, or other officers, and then proceed.]

The form of a Lodge.

SONG, at the Concluſion of the Entered Apprentice's LECTURE. COME, let us prepare, We Brothers that are, Aſſembled on ev'ry Occaſion; Let us drink, laugh, and ſing, Our Wine has a Spring; Here's a Health to an Accepted Maſon. Chorus. Let's drink, &c. The World is in Pain, Our Secrets to gain, And ſtill let them wonder and gaze on! They ne'er can divine, The Word or the Sign Of a free and an Accepted Maſon, 'Tis this, and 'tis that, They cannot tell what, Why ſo many great men of the nation, Should aprons put on, To make themſelves one, With a free and an Accepted Maſon. Great kings, dukes, and lords, Have laid by their ſwords, Our Myſt'ry to put a good grace on; And ne'er been aſham'd To hear themſelves nam'd, With a free and an Accepted Maſon. Antiquity's pride, We have on our ſide, And it maketh men juſt in their ſtation; There's nought but what's good, To be underſtood, By a free and an Accepted Maſon. We're true and ſincere, And juſt to the fair, Who will truſt us on ev'ry occaſion; No mortal can more The ladies adore, Than a free and an Accepted Maſon. Then join hand and hand, T'each other firm ſtand, Let's be merry, and put a bright face on; What mortal can boaſt, So noble a toaſt, As a free and an Accepted Maſon?

While this ſong is ſinging, they all ſtand round the table, and when they come to the laſt verſe they join hands croſsways in the following manner: the right hand man takes hold of the left hand of his neighbour with his right hand: and the left hand man takes hold of the right hand of his next Brother with his left hand, ſo as to form a chain by ſo many links, and all join in the chorus, jumping violently with their feet on the floor, and ſhaking their hands up and down, linked together as above, keeping exact time with both.

Every one now talks of what he pleaſes; and as it is generally half an hour before they proceed to buſineſs, thoſe who perhaps have ordered a ſupper retire into another room; but before they are permited, the Maſter proceeds to call the 〈◊〉 off from work, as it is termed, which is done in this manner: the Maſter whiſpers to the Senior Deacon, who ſits on his right hand, and ſays, "It is high time to call the men from work to refreſh themſelves:" The Senior Deacon whiſpers it to the Senior Warden; and it is communicated from him to the Junior Deacon, who carries it to the Junior Warden; he preclaims it openly to the Lodge, and ſets his column uprightThe Senior and Junior Warden's Columns are about twenty-five inches long, and repreſent the Columns that ſupport the Porch of Solomon's Temple; The Senior's is called JACHIN, and ſignifies Strength; the Junior's • OAZ, and ſignifies, • o 〈◊〉 in the Lord. 〈◊〉 the Firſt 〈◊〉 of King's, Chap. VII., and the Senior Warden lays his down, which ſignifies that the Junior Warden is intruſted with the care of the Lodge, while the Brethren refreſh themſelves.

In this place it will be neceſſary to acquaint the reader how he may diſcover an Entered Apprentice by drinking with him in company. Take the glaſs with your right hand, and draw it acroſs your throat, either before or after you drink; and if an Apprentice is preſent, he will immediately take notice of it, by aſking you ſome queſtion in Maſonry, which you will readily anſwer from this book. If he aſks you the meaning of your doing that, you may whiſper to him, that it is the penalty of the Obligation of an Entered Apprentice. From this anſwer he will proceed farther in his Inquiry.

The Brethern having now regaled themſelves, they take their ſeats, and the maſter proceeds to ſet them on again, which is performed in the ſame manner as the calling off; with this difference, the Warden proclaims, It is our Worſhipful Maſter's pleaſure that this Lodge is called from refreſhment to work. The Junior Warden lays down his Column, and the Senior ſets his up. But as it often happens, that the time will not permit for the Fellow-Craft's Lecture, they cloſe the Lodge, which is done after the ſame manner as that of opening. The Senior Warden declares it in the following words: It is our Maſter's will and pleaſure, that this Lodge ſtand cloſed till the firſt or third Wedneſday in the next month, according to the night the Lodge is held. Then the Maſter, Wardens, Deacons, Secretary, &c. take off the Enſigns and Ornaments from their necks, and every one is at liberty to depart or ſtay longer; every thing of Maſonry is excluded; they talk of what they pleaſe, and ſing various ſongs for their amuſement.

I ſhall now proceed to the ſecond degree of Maſonry, called the Fellow-Craft's: that is, one who has ſerved his time juſtly and lawfully as an Entered Apprentice, and deſires to 〈…〉 perfect in Maſonry, by being admitted a Fellow-Craft. But in moſt Lodges at this time, they are made entered apprentices and Fellow-Craft the ſame evening. The ceremony is the ſame, though they have different lectures, paſsword, and grip belonging to each.

The Fellow-Craft's Lecture.

The Obligation of a Fellow-Craft.

I—A. B. of my own free will and accord, and in the preſence of Almighty God, and this Right Worſhipful Lodge, dedicated to St. John, do hereby ſwear, that I will always hale, conceal, and never reveal, that part of a Fellow-Craft to an Entered Apprentice, or either of them, except it be in a true and lawful Lodge of Crafts, him or them whom I ſhall find to be ſuch, after juſt trial and examination. I do furthermore ſwear, that I will anſwer all ſigns and ſummonſes ſent to me from a Lodge of Crafts, within the length of a cable-towA Cable Tow is three miles in length: ſo that if a Fellow-Craft is at that diſtance from his Lodge, he is not culpable on account of his Non-Attendance.. I alſo ſwear, that I will not wrong a Brother, nor ſee him wronged, but give him timely notice of all approaching dangers whatſoever, as far as in me is. I will alſo ſerve a Brother as much as lies in my power, without being detrimental to myſelf or family: and I will keep all my Brother's ſecrets as my own, that ſhall be delivered to me as ſuch, murder and treaſon excepted. All this I ſwear, with a firm and ſteady reſolution to perform the ſame, without any equivocation or heſitation in me whatſoever, under no leſs penalty than to have my heart torn from my naked left breaſt, and given to the vultures of the air as a prey. So help me God, and keep me ſtedfaſt in this my Fellow-Craft's obligation. [Kiſſes the Book.]

[This is deſcribed more clearly in the Third Chapter of the ſecond book of Chronicles, verſe 15th.]

This generally finiſhes the Fellow-Craft's lecture, and very few Lodges go ſo far in their queſtions and anſwers: therefore, in order to enliven the company, the Maſter aſks ſome good ſinger to favour them with the following ſong, which I have heard ſung with great energy and rapture throughout the Lodge; every Brother bearing a part in the chorus.

HALL, Maſonry! thou Craft divine! Glory of earth from heaven reveal'd, Which does with jewels precious ſhine, From all but Maſon's eyes conceal'd. Thy praiſes due who can rehearſe, In nervous proſe, or flowing verſe? As men from brutes diſtinguiſh'd are, A Maſon other men excels, For what's in knowledge choice or rare But in his breaſt ſecurely dwells. His ſilent breaſt and faithful heart Preſerve the ſecrets of the art. From ſcorching heat and piercing cold, From beaſts whoſe roar the Foreſt rends; From the aſſaults of Warriors bold, The Maſon's art mankind defends, Be to this art due honour paid, From which mankind receives ſuch aid. Enſigns of ſtate that feed our pride, Diſtinctions troubleſome and vain, By Maſons true are laid aſide: Art's free-born ſons ſuch toys diſdain. Ennobled by the name they bear, Diſtinguiſh'd by the badge Here the whole Lodge ſtrike their right hands all at once on their Aprons, keeping as regular time as the ſoldiers in St. James's Park, when 〈…〉 their C •• iou • h Bo • es they wear. Sweet fellowſhip, from envy free, Friendly converſe of Brotherhood! The Lodge's laſting cement be, Which has for ages firmly ſtood. A Lodge thus built for ages paſt. Has laſted, and will ever laſt. Then in our ſongs be Juſtice done, To thoſe who have enrich'd the art, From Jabal down to Aberdour Lord Aberdour was formerly Grand Maſter; at preſent Lord Petre fills that ſtation; and they make uſe of his name accordingly. For the entertainment of our readers, the editor obtained a complete lift of all the Grand Maſters, ſince the year 1722, viz. Fr • ncis Scott▪ Earl of Dalkeith, ••••• ies Lenox. Duke of Richmond Lenox and Auhigny, J. Hamilton▪ Lord Puſley, Wra. O •• rien, Earl of Inchiquia, H •• ry H • re, Lord Colraine, James King, Lord Kingſton, Tho. Howard, Duke of Norfolk, T Coke. Lord Lov • ll▪ A •• Brown. Ld. Viſe. Montacute, James Lion, Earl of Strathmore, John Lindſey, Earl of Craufurd, Thomas Thy ••• , Lord Viſcount Weymouth, John Campbell, Earl of London, Edward Rligh, Earl of Darnley, H. Bridges, Marq. of Caernarvon, Rob Raymond, Lord Raymond, John Keith, Earl of Kintore, J. Douglas, Earl of Morton, John Ward, Lord Ward, Tho. Lyon, Earl of Strathmore. James Cranſtoun, Lord Cranſtoun, William Byron, Lord Byron, John Proby, Lord Carvalort, James Brydges, E. of Caernarvon, Shoito Ch. Douglas, Lord Aberdour, W. Shirley, Lord Forrers, and the preſent Lord Petre. By the above noble liſt of Grand Maſters, ſuch as no age, ſociety, or kin • dom could ever boaſt to have ruled them, Maſonry has been fixed on the ſo •• Brias it now ſtands. : And let each Brother bear a part. Let noble Maſon's healths go round, Their praiſe in lofty Lodge reſound.

In company the Fellow-Craft takes the pot or glaſs, and d •• ws it acroſs his left breaſt, and touches it; the penalty being this, that he would ſooner have his heart torn from his left breaſt, and given to the fowls of the air, than diſcover the ſecrets of Maſonry. Sometimes this is done with the right hand only, as it is leſs taken Notice of by Strangers.

Having given the Entered Apprentice and Fellow-Craft's part, I now proceed to the third and laſt degree of Maſonry, which is termed the Maſter's part, it being performed in the ſame manner as the other two, viz. by way of queſtion and anſwer, and is as follows:

[This ſign is given by drawing your right-hand acroſs your belly, which is the penalty of the obligation. then he gives the Maſter the Grip of an Apprentice, who ſays, What's this? The perſon anſwers, the grip of an Entered Apprentice]

The form obſerved at the inftalment of a Maſter, and the other Officers, on St. John's day.

THE year being expired, a proper perſon is fixed on by the Members of every Lodge to preſide over and govern the ſocieties in the capacity of Maſter. The Qualifications for this office are, 1ſt, that he muſt be regularly and lawfully raiſed: 2dly, He ought to be a man of good character, and irreproachable in his private conduct: 3dly, He muſt be well verſed in the laws and conſtitutions of the order, and ought to be temperate, cool, and quite perfect in going through the before-mentioned lectures, as all the queſtions are put by him, and he is often obliged to aſſiſt the brethern in making the proper anſwersI have been in a Lodge, where the Maſter was quite ignorant of the common rules of Grammer; frequently making ſuch egregious blanders, that the Brethern could ſcarce refrain from burſling into Laughter; and often embelliſhing his Queſtions with, Brether you have let a body know as how you cannot be raiſed but by the five points of fellowſhip, &c tell us which they be. ; for every Maſon ſitting round the table anſwers in his turn, in the ſame manner as boys at church ſaying the catechiſm. This is termed Working. For Inſtance; Suppoſe a Brother meets another, and aſks him if he was at his Lodge laſt night? He ſays, yes. Well, replied the other, did you work? that is, did you go through the ſeveral queſtions and anſwers in any of the lectures?—If any member cannot, or does not chuſe to work, when the queſtion is put, and it comes to his turn, he gets up, and clapping his hand on his breaſt, addreſſes himſelf to the Maſter, and begs to be excuſed; then the left hand man anſwers in his room.

The Brethren having choſe a proper man for this office, and he being approved of by the Grand Maſter, they proceed to the inſtalling him as follows: he kneels down in the ſouth part of the Lodge, and the la • e Maſter gives him the following obligation before he reſigns the chair, which he repeats:

I—A. B. of my own free will and conſent, in the preſence of Almighty God, and this Right Worſhipful Lodge, dedicated to St. John, do moſt ſolemnly and ſincerely ſwear, that I will not deliver the word and grip belonging to the chair whilſt I am Maſter, or at any time hereafter, except it be to a Maſter in the chair, or a Paſt-Maſter, him or them whom I ſhall find to be ſuch, after a due trial and examination. — 〈◊〉 alſo ſwear, that I will act as Maſter of this Lodge till n ••• St. John's day, and fill the chair every Lodge, night, • f I am within the length of my table-tow.—I likewiſe further promiſe, that I will not wrong this Lodge, but act in every reſpect for the good of Maſonry, by behaving myſelf agreeable to the reſt of the Brethren; and maintaining good order and regularity in this Lodge, as far as lies in my power. All this I ſwear, with a firm and ſteadfaſt reſolution to perform the ſame, under no leſs than the four following penalties: My throat cut acroſs, my tongue torn out, my heart torn from my left breaſt, and my body ſevered in two. So help me God, and aſſiſt me in this my obligation belonging to the chair.. [Kiſſes the book.]

The Paſt Maſter raiſes him up, and takes off the jewels and ribbon from his own neck, and puts it on the new Maſter, taking him at the ſame time by the Maſter's grip, and whiſpering in his ear the word CHIBBELUMCHIBBELUM ſignifies a worthy Maſon. The origin of the words and ſigns among Free Maſons was on this account: Haram the chief architect of the temple, had ſo great a number of workmen to pay, that he could not poſſibly know them all; he therefore gave each degree or claſs, a particular ſign and word, by which he could diſtinguiſh them more readily in order to pay them their different ſalaries.; after which he ſlips his hand from the Maſter's grip to the elbow, and preſſes his nails in, as is done in the grip of the Maſter under the wriſt.

The Senior and Junior Warden, Secretary, &c. receive the obligation as the maſter, except the grip and word; there being none peculiar to them.

Having now gone through the ſeveral degrees and lectures belonging to the Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft, Maſter, and the manner of inſtalment, I ſhall cloſe the work with a few general directions, dividing them under the following heads:

I. A deſcription of the ornaments worn by the different effects when aſſembled in the Lodge, and their proper places of ſitting.

The MASTER, who ſits in the caſt of the lodge, has the rule and compaſs, and the ſquare hanging to a ribbon round his neck, and a black rod in his hand, when he opens the lodge, near ſeven feet high.

The SENIOR WARDEN, ſits in the weſt, with a level hanging by a ribbon round his neck, and a column placed on the table about twenty-nine inches long.

The JUNIOR WARDEN's place is in the ſouth, with the plumb rule hanging by a ribbon from his neck, and a column in his hand.

The SECRETARY wears the croſs-pens, hanging in the ſame manner.

The Senior and Junior DEACONS have each a black rod, with the compaſs hanging round their necks; the Senior ſits at the back of the Maſter, or at his right hand; the Junior at the Senior Warden's right hand.

The PAST-MASTER has the compaſſes and ſun, with a line of cords about his neck.

The TREASURER has a key hanging from his neck.

II. The manner of giving the ſigns of each degree, and the word belonging to it, with the Fellow-Craft and Maſter's Clap.

The Maſter's Sign, Grip, and Word, &c.

The ſign. Draw the right hand edgeways acroſs your belly, which is the penalty of the obligation.

The Grip. Take hold of the right hand of your brother with your right hand, and preſs the four finger nails hard under the wriſt of his right hand; put your right foot to his right foot: your right knee to his right knee; and his right breaſt to yours, with your left hand ſupporting his back.

The word is MAHABONE; or, in ſome Lodges, MACBENACH.

The paſs-word is TUBAL-CAIN.

〈◊〉 mayer's 〈◊〉 , is by holding bo •• your na •• s above your head, and ſtriking them down at once upon your apron, both feet keeping time. They aſſign two reaſons for this ſign, viz. when the twelve Fellow-Crafts ſaw ther Maſter he dead, they lifted up their hands in ſurprize, and ſaid, O Lord our God! and that when Solomon dedicated the temple to the Lord, he ſtood up, and lifting up both his hands, exclaimed, O Lord my God, great art thou above all Gods.

The Fellow-Craft's ſign, grip, word, and clap.

Sign. Put your right hand to your left breaſt, keeping your thumb ſquare, and your left hand upright, forming a ſquare.

The paſs-grip, is by putting the thumb nail of your right hand between the firſt and ſecond joint of a Brother's right hand.

The paſs-word is SHIBBOLETH.

The grip is the ſame as the paſs-grip, except preſſing your thumb nail on the ſecond joint inſtead of between the firſt and ſecond.

The word is BOAZ.

The Fellow-Craft's clap is by forming the ſign of a Craft as above, holding your left hand ſquare and upright; then clap your right and left hands together; and afterwards ſtrike your left breaſt with your right hand, and from thence give a ſlap on your apron, your right foot going at the ſame time.

The Entered Apprentice's ſign, grip, and word.

The ſign. Draw your hand acroſs your throat edgeways. the penalty of the obligation being this, that an Appientice would ſooner have his throat cut than diſcover the ſecrets of Maſonry.

The grip. Take a Brother with your right hand, and preſs hard with your thumb nail upon the firſt joint of the forefinger of his right hand.

The word. Whiſper in his ear JACHIN.

The Maſter kneels upon both knees in the ceremony of making.

The Craft kneels with the right knee.

The Apprentice with the left knee.

III. The form obſerved in drinking.

The table being plentifully ſtored with wine and punch, &c. every man his a glaſs ſet before him, and fills it with what he chooſes, and as often as he pleaſes. But he 〈◊〉 drink his glaſs in turn, or at leaſt keep the motion with the reſt. When therefore a public health is given, the Maſter fills firſt, and deſires the Brethern to charge their glaſſes: and when this is ſuppoſed to be done, the Maſter ſays, Brethern, are you all charged? The Senior and Junior Wardens anſwer, We are all charged in the ſouth and weſt. Then they all ſtand up, and obſerving the Maſter's motion, (like the ſoldier his right hand man) drink their glaſſes off; and if the Maſter propoſes the heath or toaſt with three times three claps, they throw the glaſſes with the right hand at full length, bringing them acroſs their throats three times, and making three motions to put them down on the table; at the third they are ſet down, (though perhaps fifty in number) as if it was but one: then raiſing their hands breaſt high, they clap nine times againſt the right, divided into three diviſions, which is termed Drinking with three times three, and at the end they give a huzza.

Having at length gone through my plan, I have nothing further to add than this, that the following is the beſt method for a ſtranger to gain admittance, being what I have often tried in many places, in order to be fully ſatisfied.

As ſoon as you come to the door of the Lodge, you will find the Tyler on the outſide, with a drawn ſword in his hand, and a white apron on. Aſk him if there is a full Lodge? And tell him you ſhould be glad of admittance as a viſiting member; taking care to provide yourſelf with a white leather apron, which you may ſhew him as if by accident. He will, perhaps, aſk you what degree you are of, and deſire a ſign, which you may ſhew him with Readineſs, and likewiſe inform him what Lodge you belong to.

It being contrary to the Rules of the ſociety that the Tyler ſhould admit a ſtranger, he will go in, and acquaint the Maſter, that ſuch a perſon (mentioning your name, and the Lodge you told him you belonged to) craves admittance, upon which one of the Wardens will come out to examine you, draw your right hand acroſs your throat edgeways, and he will ſay, "Whats that?" Your anſwer muſt be "The due guard of an Apprentice." Then he will take you by the firſt joint of the thumb of your right hand, and preſs it hand with the thumb-nail of the right hand, and aſk, "What's this?"—You muſt immediately anſwer, "The grip of an Entered Apprentice."—If he is not fully ſatisfied with this, he will go further on in this manner.

Queſ. Has it got a name?—You muſt anſwer, "It has." Then he will aſk you to give it him.

〈…〉

Maſon. CHIN. Anſ. JACHIN.

Queſ. Will you be of or from? Anſ From.

Queſ. From what? Anſ. From an Entered Apprentice to a Fellow-Craft. He will then ſhift his thumb from the Apprentice's grip towards the Fellow-Craft's, and aſk. What's this? Anſ. The paſs-word of a Fellow-Craft. Give it me, ſays he. Whiſper in his car SHIBBOLETH. On this he will pat his thumb to the ſecond joint, and ſay. What's this? Anſ. The grip of a Fellow-Craft. Has it a name? ſays he. Anſ. It has. Prav give it me. Anſ. I will letter it or halve 〈◊〉 with you. Maſon, I'll letter it with you. Anſ. Begin. Maſon. No. you begin. Anſ. B. Maſon, O. Anſ. A. Maſon, 〈◊〉 Anſ. BOAZ.

What I have here offered being more than ſufficient, you will be admitted, and you muſt put your apron on, and take 〈◊〉 ſear. If there ſhould be a making that night, you will be perfect in the firſt principles, and know more than one in ten who have been Malous many years, and have never read this book.

If you ſhould, after this, chuſe to go to a Lodge of Maſters, the ceremony is the ſame as above; but you are interrogated as to the grip, paſs-grip, and word of a Maſter, which you cannot fail of anſwering by reading the Maſter's part before mentioned. In all this you muſt take care not to betray any fear, but put on an air of aſſurance.

The ceremony obſerved at the Free-Maſons ſunerals, according to ancient cuſtom.

No Maſon can be interred with the formalities of the Order, unleſs by his own eſpecial requeſt, communicated to the Maſter of the lodge of which he died a member: nor unleſs he had been advanced to the third degree of Maſonry.

The Maſter of the lodge, on receiving intelligence of his death, and being made acquainted with the day and hour appointed for his funeral, is to iſſue his commands for ſummoning the lodge; and immediately to make application, by the grand Secretaty, to the deputary Grand Maſter, for a legal power and authority to attend the proceſſion, with his officers and ſuch Brethern as he may approve of, properly clothed.

The diſpenſation being obtained, the Maſter may invite as many Lodges as he thinks proper, and the members of the ſaid Lodges many accompany their officers in form; but the whole ceremony muſt be under the direction of the Maſter of the lodge to which the deceaſed belonged; and he, and his officers muſt be duly honoured and chearfully obeyed on the occaſion.

An the 〈◊〉 who walk in procemon, 〈…〉 , as much as poſſible, and uniformity in their dreſs. Decent mourning, with white ſteekings, gloves, and aprons is moſt ſailable and becoming. No perſon ought to be diſtinguiſhed with a jewel, unleſs he is an officer of one of the Lodges united to attend in form, and the officers of ſuch Lodges ſhould be ornamented with white faſhes and ••• bands: as alto the officers of the Lodge to whom the dispensation is granted, who ſhould likewiſe be diſtinguiſhed with white rods.

In the proceſſion to the place of interment, the different Lodges rank according to their ſemority; the junior ones preceding. Each Lodge forms one diviſion, and the following order is obſerved.

The Tyler with his ſword; The Stewards with white rods; The Brethren out of office, two and two; The Secretary with a roll; The Treaſurer with his badge of office; Senior and Junior Wardens, hand in hand; The Paſt-Maſter, The Maſter. The Lodge to which the deceaſed Brother belonged, in the following order; all the members having flowers or herbs in their hands. The Tyler; The Stewards; The muſic [drums muffled, and trumpets covered;] The members of the Lodge; The Secretary and Treaſurer; The Senior and Junior Wardens; The Paſt-Maſter. The bible and book of conſtitutions on a cuſhion, covered with black cloth, carried by a member of the Lodge: The MASTER. The Choriſters ſinging an anthem. The Clergyman: Pall bearers, The BODY, with the regalia placed thereon, and two ſwords croſſed. Pall bearers, Chief Mourner; Aſſiſtant Mourners; Two Stewards; A Tyler.

One or two Lodges ••• ch, before the proceſſion begans to the church-yard, to prevent confuſion, and make the neceſſary preparations. The Brethren are on no account to deſert then ranks or change their places, but keep in their different departments. When the proceſſion arrives at the g •• e of the church-yard, the Lodge to which the deceaſed Brother belonged, and all the reſt of the Brethren, muſt na •• , till the members of the different Lodges have formed a perfect cu •• e round the grave, when an opening is made to receive them. They then march up to the grave; and the Clergyman, and the officers of the acting Lodge, taking their ſtation at the head of the grave: with the Choriſters on each ſide, and the Mourners at the foot, the ſervice is rehe • r • ed, an anthem ſung, and that particular part of the ceremony is conc •• ded with the uſual forms. In returning from the funeral, the ſame order of proceſſion is to be obſerved.

This is the whole of Maſonry in all its branches; and I defy any Maſon to prove the contrary, being ready to anſwer any queſtion propoſed, which muſt be carefully ſealed up, and directed for R. S. to be left with my publiſher, mentioning the name and reſidence of every perſon deſiring any farther information. And as to any annonymous letters or threatnings on account of this publication, they will be treated with contempt, let them come from what quarter they will. I alſo declare, that I will always attend and viſit at the Lodges mentioned in the introduction, or any others as I have done for ſome years paſt.

ODE I.

HAIL to the CRAFY! at whoſe ſerene command, The gentle ARTS in glad obedience ſtand; Hail, ſacred MASONRY! of ſource divine, Unerring ſov'reign of th' unerring line, Whoſe plumb of truth, with never-failing ſway, Makes the join'd parts of ſymmetry obey: Whoſe magic ſtroke makes all confuſion ceaſe, And to the finiſh'd ORDERS gives a place: Who rears vaſt ſtructures from the womb of earth, And gives imperial cities glorious birth.

To works of art HER merit not confin'd, SHE regulates the morals, ſquares the mind; Corrects with care the ſallies of the ſoul, And points the tide of paſſions where to roll: On virtue's tablet marks her moral rule, And forms her Lodge an univerſal ſchool, Where nature's myſtic laws unfolded ſtand, And ſenſe and ſcience join'd, go hand in hand.

O may her ſocial rules inſtructive ſpread, Till Truth er • ct HER long neglected head! Till through deceitful night ſhe dart her • ay, And be •• full glorious in the blare of day! Till men by virtuous maxims learn to move. Till all the peopled world HER laws approve, And Adam's race are bound in Brother's love.

ODE II.

WAKE the lute and quiv'ring ſtrings, Myſtic truths Urania brings; Friendly viſitant, to thee We owe the depths of MASONRY: Faireſt of the virgin choir, Warbling to the golden lyre. Welcome here thy ART prevail: Hail! divine Urania, hail! Here in friendſhip's facred bower, The downy wing'd and ſmiling hour, Mirth invites, and ſocial ſong, Nameleſs myſteries among: Crown the bowl and fill the glaſs, To every virtue, every grace, To the BROTHERHOOD reſound Health, and let it thrice go round.

We reſtore the times of old, The blooming glorious age of gold; As the new creation free, Bleſt with gay Euphroſyne! We with god-like Science talk, And with fair Aſtraea walk; Innocence adorn the day, Brighter than the ſmiles of May. Pour the roſy wine again, Wake a louder, louder ſtrain! Rapid Zephyrs, as ye fly, Waft our voices to the ſky; While we celebrate the NINE, And the wonders of the trine, While the ANGELS ſing above, As we below, of PEACE and LOVE.

ANTHEM I.

GRANT us kind Heav'n what we requeſt, In Maſonry let us be bleſt; Direct us to that happy place, Where friendſhip ſmiles on every face, Where Freedom and ſweet innocence Enlarge the mind and cheer the ſenſe.

Where ſcep • er • d Reaſon from her throne, Surveys the LODGE, and makes us one; And Harmony's delightful ſway For ever ſh • d • ambro •• al day: Where we bleſt Eden's pleaſure taſte, Whilſt balmy joys are our repaſt.

No prving eye can view us here: No fool or knave diſturb our cheer: Our well-form'd laws ſet mankind free, And give relief to miſery. The poor oppreſs'd with woe and grief, Gain from our bountcous hands relief.

Our LODGE the ſocial Virtues grace, And Wiſdom's rules we fondly trace; All Nature open to our view, Points out the paths we ſhould purſue. Let us ſubſiſt in laſting peace. And may our happineſs increaſe.

ANTHEM II.

BY Maſon's Art th' aſpiring dome On ſtately columns ſhall ariſe, All climates have their native home, Their god-like actions reach the ſkies. Heroes and Kings revere their name, While Poets ſing their laſting fame.

Great. noble. gen'rous. good. and brave; All virtues they moſt juſtly claim; Their deeds ſhall live beyond the grave, And thoſe unborn their praiſe proclaim. Time ſhall their glorious acts enroll. While love and friendſhip charm the ſoul.

SONG I.

[Tune, Attic Fire.]

ARISE. and blow thy trumpet, Fame! Free-Maſonry aloud proclaim, To realms and worlds unknown; Tell them of mighty David's ſon, The wiſe the matchleſs Solomon, Priz'd far above ais 〈◊〉 .

The ſolemn Temple's cloud-capt Towers, T' aſpiring domes are works of ours, By us thoſe piles were rais'd: Then bid mankind with ſongs advance, And through th' ethereal vaſt expanſe, Let Maſonry be prais'd.

We help the poor in time of need, The naked clothe, the hungry feed, 'Tis our foundation ſtone: We build upon the nobleſt plan; For friendſhip rivets man to man; And makes us all as one.

Still louder, fame, thy trumpet blow; Let all the diſtant regions know Free Maſonry is this: Almighty wiſdom gave it birth, And heav'n has fix'd it here on earth, A type of future bliſs.

SONG II.

[Tune, Rule Britannia.]

WHEN earth's foundation firſt was laid, By the Almighty artiſt's hand, 'Twas then our perfect, our perfect laws were made, Eſtabliſh'd by his ſtrict command.

Hail, myſterious; hail glorious Maſonry! That makes us ever great and free.

As man throughout for ſhelter ſought, In vain from place to place did roam, Until from heaven, from heaven he was taught, To plan, to build, to fix his home. Hail, myſterious, &c.

Hence illuſtrious roſe our art, And now in beautious piles appear; Which ſhall to endleſs, to endleſs time impart, How worthy and how great we are. Hail, myſterious, &c.

Nor we leſs fam'd, for ev'ry tye, By which the human thought is bound; Love, truth, and friendſhip, and friendſhip ſocially, Join all our hearts and hands around. Hail, myſterious, &c.

Our actions ſtill by virtue bleſt, And to our precepts ever true, The world admiring, admiring ſhall requeſt To learn, and our bright paths purſue. Hail, myſterious, &c.

SONG III.

[Tune, Goddeſs of Eaſe.]

GENIUS of Maſonry deſcend, And with thee bring thy ſpotleſs train; Conſtant our ſacred rites attend, While we adore thy peaceful reign: Bring with thee virtue, brighteſt maid, Bring love, bring truth, and friendſhip here, While ſocial mirth ſhall lend her aid, To ſmooth the wrinkled brow of care.

Come, charity, with goodneſs crown'd, Encircled in thy heav'nly robe, Diffuſe thy bleſſings all around, To ev'ry corner of the globe; See where ſhe comes with power to bleſs, With open hand and tender heart, Which wounded is at man's diſt •• ſs, And bleeds at ev'ry human ſmart.

Envy may ev'ry ill deviſe, And falſehood be thy deadlieſt foe, Though friendſhip ſtill ſhall tow'ring riſe, And ſink thy adverſaries low; Thy well-built pile ſhall long endure, Through rolling years preſerve its prime, Upon a rock it ſtands ſecure, And braves the rude aſſaults of time.

Ye happy few, who here extend In perfect lines from eaſt to weſt, With fervent zeal the Lodge defend, And lock its ſecrets in each breaſt: Since ye are met upon the ſquare, Bid love and friendſhip jointly reign, Be peace and harmony your care, Nor break the adamantine chain.

〈1 line〉 Yet keep due order as they run; Then imitate the ſtars above, And ſhine reſplendant as the ſun; That future Maſon's when they meet, May all our glorious deeds rehearſe, And ſay their fathers were ſo great, That they adorn'd the univerſe.

SONG IV.

[Tune, In Infancy, &c.]

LET Maſonry from pole to pole Her ſacred laws expand, Far as the mighty waters roll, To waſh remoted land; That virtue has not left mankind, Her ſocial maxims prove, For ſtamp'd upon the Maſon's mind, Are unity and love.

Aſcending to her native ſky, Let Maſonry increaſe; A glorious pillar rais'd on high, Integrity its baſe. Peace adds to olive bows, entwin'd, An emblematic dove, As ſtamp'd upon the Maſon's mind Are unity and love.

SONG V.

LET drunkards boaſt the pow'r of wine, And reel from ſide to ſide; Let lovers kneel at beauty's ſhrine, The ſport of female pride: Be ours the more exalted part, To celebrate the Maſon's art, And ſpread its praiſes wide.

To dens and thickets dark and rude, For ſhelter beaſts repair; With ſticks and ſtraws the feather'd brood, Suſpend their neſts in air: And man untaught, as wild as theſe, Binds up ſad huts with boughs of trees, And feeds on wretched fare.

〈1 line〉 The quarry he explores; Induſtry and the arts combin'd, Improv'd all nature's ſtores: Thus walls were built and houſes rear'd, No ſtorms nor tempeſts now are fear'd Within his well-fram'd doors.

When ſtately palaces ariſe, When columns grace the hall, When towr's and ſpires ſalute the ſkies, We owe to Maſons all: Nor buildings only do they give, But teach men how within to live, And yield to reaſons's call.

All party quarrels they deteſt, For virtue and the arts, Lodg'd in each true Maſon's breaſts, Unite and rule their hearts: By theſe, while Maſon's ſquare their minds, The ſtate no better ſubjects find, None act more upright parts.

When bucks and albions are forgot, Free-Maſons will remain; Muſhreoms, each day, ſpring up and rot, While oaks ſtretch o'er the plain: Let others quarrel, rant and roar; Their noiſy revels when no more, Still Maſonry ſhall reign.

Our leathern aprons may compare With garters red or blue; Princes and Kings our brothers are: May they our rules purſue: Then drink ſucceſs and health to all The Craft around this earthly ball, May brethren ſtill prove truo.

SONG VI.

ONE night as Ned crept into bed, Beyond his uſual hour, His loving Kate, his conſtant mate, Began to ſcold and low'r. You naughty man, where have you been, No longer I'il be ſlighted, Nor thus at home will mope and moan, While your abroad delighted?

I own, dear Kate, 'tis ſomewhat late, But hear me out with patience, All wives you know, are bound to ſhew Their huſbands due obeiſance; In truth, dear Kate, 'tis ſomewhat late, But put a ſmiling face on, For I, this night, am made a bright, Free, and accepted Maſon.

If this be ſo, I pray now ſhow Some certain ſign or token, For Maſons can erect a plan, Or ſtop a breach that's open. I have a breach, a huge wide breach, That gives me much vexation, This if you ſtop, you will o'er top, All Maſons in the nation.

Then Ned aroſe, pull'd off his clothes, Drew out his line and level, He plac'd his plumb beneath her bomb, And brought it to a bevil; He took his guage, his nine-inch guage, And plac'd it with a ſloping, He fix'd his ſtones like Inigo Jones, And left no crevice open.

Dear Ned, ſays Kate, you've done a feat, A feat of mighty wonder, And as for me, you painly ſee, I fairly do knock under. I'd pawn my gown, my robe and coat, My Cardinal with lace on, If you each night would be a bright, Free, and accepted Maſon.

SONG VII.

[Tune, God ſave the King.]

LET Maſons fame reſound Through all the nations round, From pole to pole! See what felicity, Harmleſs ſimplicity, Like electricity. Runs through the whole.

Such ſweet variety, Ne'er had Society Ever before: Faith, hope, and charity, Love and ſincerity, Without temerity, Charm more and more.

When in the Lodge we're me • , And in due order ſet, Happy are we: Our works are glorious, Deeds meritorious, Never cenſorious, But great and free.

When folly's ſons ariſe, Maſonry to deſpiſe, Scorn all their ſpite; Laugh at their ignorance, Pity their want of ſenſe, Ne'er let them give offence, Firmer unite.

Maſons have long been free, And may they ever be Great as of yore: For many ages paſt, Maſonry has ſtood faſt, And may its Glories laſt Till Time's no more.

New ODE, written by a member of the ALFRED LODGE, at Oxford, and ſet to muſic by Dr. Fiſher, and performed at the dedication of Free-Maſons Hall.

Sung by Meſſrs. Vernon, Reinhold, Norris, &c.

AIR.

WHAT ſolemn ſounds on holy Sinai rung, When heavenly lyres, by angel-fingers ſtrung, According to immortal lay, That hymn'd creation's natal day!

RECITATIVE, accompanied,

'Twas when the ſnouting ſons of morn Bleſs'd the great omnific word:— "Abaſh'd, hoarſe jarring atoms heard, "Forgot their peating ſtrife, "And ſoftly crouded into life," When order, law, and harmony were born.

CHORUS.

The mighty Maſter's Pencil warm

Trac'd out of each the ſhadowy form,

And bade each fair proportion grace

Smiling nature's modeſt face.

AIR.

Heav'n's rareſt gifts were ſeen to join, To deck a finiſh'd form divine, And fill the ſov'reign artiſt's plan; Th' Almighty image ſtamp's the glorious frame, And ſeal'd h •• with the nobleſt name, Archetype of beauty, man.

SEMICHORUS and CHORUS.

Ye ſpirits pure, that rous'd the tuneful throg,

And rous'd to rapture each triumphant tongue;

Again, with quick inſtinctive fire,

Each harmonious lip inſpire:

Again bid every vocal throat

Diſſolve in tender votive ſtrain!

AIR.

Now while yonder white-rob'd-train Before the myſtic ſhrine, In lowly adoration join, Now ſweep the living lyre, and ſwell the melting note,

RECITATIVE.

Yet ere the holy rites begin The conſcious ſhrine within, Did your magic ſong impart.

AIR.

How within the waſted heart Shook by paſſion's ruthleſs power, Virtue trim'd her faded flower, To op ••• ng buds of faireſt fruit. The lines in italic were omitted in the muſic. How from majectic nature's glowing face 〈◊〉 ••• gn • each animating grace, 〈◊〉 planted there th' immortal root.

RECITATIVE, accompanied.

〈…〉 of God's, fair virtue, if to thee, 〈…〉 bright ſiſter, univerſal love, 〈…〉 g • od, e'er flow'd the ſoothing harmony 〈◊〉 p ••• g ••• lation—from above: 〈…〉 ••• ous votaries, impart 〈◊〉 divine!—

AIR.

In high myſterous jubilee With paean loud, ſolemn rite, Thy holy ſtep invite, And court thy liſt'ning Ear, To drink the cadence clear That ſweets the choral ſymphony.

CHORUS.

To thee, by foot profane untrod,

Their votive hands have rear'd the high abode.

RECITATIVE.

Here ſhall your impulſe kind Inſpire the tranced mind!

AIR.

And lips of truth ſhall ſweetly tell What heavenly deeds befit, The ſoul by wiſdom's leſſons ſmit: What praiſe he claims, who nobly ſpurns Gay vanities of life, and tinſel joys, For which unpurged fancy burns.

CHORUS.

What pain he ſhuns who dares be wiſe

What glory wins, who dares excel!

SONG VIII. The Maſter's ſong.

THUS mighty Eaſtern kings, and ſome Of Abraham's race, and monarchs good, Of Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome True Architecture underſtood: No wonder then if Maſons join, To celebrate thoſe Maſons kings, With ſolemn note and flowing wine, Whilſt ev'ry Brother jointly ſings.

Who can unfold the royal art? Or ſing its Secrets in a ſong? They'er ſafely kept in Maſon's heart, And to the ancient Lodge belong.

SONG IX. The WARDEN's SONG: Or, Hiſtory of MASONRY.

By Dr. ANDERSON.

To be ſung at the Quarterly Communication.

WHENE'ER we are alone, And ev'ry ſtranger gone, In ſummer, autumn, winter, ſpring, Begin to play, begin to ſing, The mighty ge •• us of the lofty Lodge, In every age That did engage, And well inſpir'd the prince, the prieſt, the judge, The noble and the wiſe to join In rearing Maſon's grand deſign. The grand deſign to rear, Was ever Maſon's care, From Adam down, before the flood, Whoſe art old Noah underſtood, And did impart to Japhet, Shem, and Ham, Who taught their race To build apace Babel's town and tow'r, until it came To be admir'd too much, and then Diſperſed were the ſons of men. But though their tongues confus'd In diſtant climes they u •• d. They brought from Shinah orders good, To fear the art they underſtood: Therefore ſing firſt the princes of the iſles; Next B • lus great, Who fix'd his ſeat In old Aſſyrian building ſtately piles; And Mitzraim's pyramids among The other ſubjects of our ſong.

And Sh • m, who did inſtil The uſeful wond'rous ſkill Into the minds of nations great; And Abram next who did relate Th' Aſſyrian learning to his ſons, that when In Egypt's land, By Pharaoh's hand, Were roughly taught to be moſt ſkilful men; 'Till their grand maſter Moſes roſe, And them deliver'd from their foes.

But who can ſing his praiſe, Who did the tent upraiſe? Then ſing his workmen true as ſteel, Aholiah and Bezaleel; Sing Tyre and Sidon, and Phenecians old, But Sampſon's blot Is ne'er forgot: He blabb'd his Secrets to his wife that ſold Her huſband, who at laſt pull'd down The houſe on all in Gaza town.

But Solomon, the king, With ſolemn note we ſing, Who rear'd at length the grand deſign, By wealth, and pow'r, and art divine; Help'd by the learned Hiram Tyrian prince, By Craftſmen good, That underſtood Wiſe Hiram Abiff's charming influence: He aided Jewiſh maſters bright, Whoſe curious works none can recite.

Theſe glorious Maſon kings, Each thankful Brother ſings, The uſeful ſkill: for form the temple fine To ev'ry land. And foreign ſtrand, The Craftſmen much'd, and taught the grand deſign Of which the kings, with mighty peers, And learned men were overſeers.

Diana's temple next, In Leſſer Aſia fixt; And Babylon's proud walls, the ſeat Of Nebuchadnezzar the great; The tomb of Manſolus the Carian king; With many a pile Of lofty ſtile In Africa and Greater Aſia ſing, In Greece, in Sicily and Rome That had thoſe nations overcome.

Then ſing Auguſtus too, The gen'ral maſter true, Who by Vitruvius did refine And ſpread the Maſons' grand deſign, Through north and weſt; 'till ancient Britons choſe, The royal art In ev'ry part, And Roman Architecture could diſcloſe; Until the Saxons warlike rage, Deſtroy the ſkill of many an age.

At length the Gothic ſtyle Prevail'd in Briton's Iſle, When Maſon's grand deſign reviv'd, And in their well-form'd Lodges thriv'd, Though not as formerly in Roman days; Yet ſing the Fanes Of Saxons, D •• es, Of Scotch, Welſh, Iriſh; but ſing firſt the praiſe Of Athelſtan and Edwin prince, Our maſter of great influence.

And eke the Norman kings The Britiſh Maſon ſings; Till Roman ſtyle revived there, And Britiſh crowns united were Fine heaps of ſtones By Inigo Jowes, That rival'd wiſe Palladio, juſtly prais'd In Italy and Britain too, For Architecture firm and true.

And thence in ev'ry reign Did Maſonry obtain, With kings, the noble and the wiſe, Whoſe fame reſounding to the ſkies Excites the preſent age in Lodge to join, And aprons wear With ſkill and care, To raiſe the Maſon's ancient grand deſign, And to revive th' Auguſtan ſtyle In many an artful glorious pile.

From henceforth ever ſing The craftſman and the king, With poetry and muſic ſweet, Reſound their harmony complete; And with Geometry in ſkilful hand, Due homage pay Without delay To Byron, noble lord, our Maſter grand; He rules the Free-born ſons of art, By love and friendſhip, hand and heart.

Who can rehearſe the praiſe, In ſoft poetic lays, Or ſolid proſe, of Maſons true, Whoſe art tranſcends the common view? Their Secrets ne'er to Strangers yet expos'd, Preſerv'd ſhall be By Maſons free, And only to the ancient Lodge diſclos'd; Becauſe they're kept in Maſons heart, By Brethren of the royal art.

FOR THE SOCIETY OF FREE MASONS.

TO the king and the Craft.

To all the kings, princes and potentates who ever propagated the royal art.

To all the fraternity round the globe.

To all the noble lords, and Right Worſhipful Brothers that have been Grand Maſters.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland.

The Grand Lodge of England.

The Grand Lodge of Ireland.

To all well-diſpoſed Maſons.

To the perpetual honour of Free Maſons.

To the Maſter and Wardens of all regular Lodges.

To all true and faithful Brothers.

To all free-born ſons of the ancient and honourable Craft.

To the memory of him who firſt planted the Vine.

To Maſons and to Maſons' bairns,

And women with both wit and charms,

That love to lie in Maſous' arms.

To all the female friends of Free-Maſons.

To him that firſt the work began.

To the memory of the Tyrian artiſt.

To the ancient ſons of peace.

To all upright and pure Maſons.

Proſperity to the ancient and honourable Craft.

To the ſecret and ſilent.

To all Maſons who walk in the line.

To him that did the Temple rear.

To every true and faithful heart,

That ſtill preſerves the ſecret art.

To all that live within compaſs and ſquare.

To all ſocial Free Maſons,

To all true Maſons and upright.

Who ſaw the eaſt where roſe the light.

To the increaſe of perpetual friendſhip and peace among the ancient Craft.

To each chuming fare and faithful ſhe,

Who loves the craft of Maſonry.

To each faithful Brother both ancient and young,

Who govern, his paſſions and bridles his tongue.

To all thole who ſteer ther courſe by the three great L—s of Maſonry.

May every Maſon be enabled to act ſo as to have an approving monitor.

May the Longes in this place be diſtinguiſhed for love, peace, and harmony.

May all Free Maſons be enabled to act in a ſtrict conformity to the rules of their order.

May our actions as Maſons be properly ſquared.

A proper application of the 24 inch guage, ſo as that we may meaſure out, and huſband our time to the beſt purpoſes.

To him who uſes the malles in knocking off thoſe ſuperfluous paſſions that in any manner degrade the man or the Maſon.

May the lives of all Free Maſons be ſpent in acts of true piety, highly ſeaſoned with tranquility.

May the Maſon's conduct be ſo uniform as he may not be aſhamed to take a retroſpective view of it.

The abſent Brethren of this Lodge.

Every worthy Brother who was at firſt duly prepared, and whole heart ſtill retains an awful regard to the three great lights of Maſonry.

Every Brother who maintains a conſtancy in love, and ſincerity in friendſhip.

May the Brethern of our glorious craft be ever diſtinguiſhed in the world by their regular lives, more than by their gloves and aprons.

May the ſquare, plum-line, and level, regulate the conduct of every Brother.

May virtue ever direct our actions with reſpect to ourſelves, juſtice to thoſe with whom we deal; mercy, love and charity to all mankind.

May every worthy Brother who is willing to work and labour through the day, as his condition requires, be happy at night with his friend, his love, and a cheerful glaſs.

Every brother who keeps the key of knowledge from all intruders, but will cheerfully open it to a worthy Brother.

May Maſonry flouriſh until nature expires,

And its glo • es ne'er fade 'till the world's on ſire.

May every ſociety inſtituted for the promotion of virtue flouriſh.

May concord, peace, and harmony ſubſiſt in all regular Lodges and always diſtinguiſh the fraternity of Free Maſons.

〈…〉 upon the ſquare.

May the proſpect of riches never have that effect upon a Maſon, as to induce him to that which is repugnant to virtue.

May our converſation be ſuch, as that youth may therein find inſtruction, women modeſty, the aged reſpect, and all men civility.

May peace harmony, and concord ſubſiſt among Free Maſons; and may every idle dispute and frivolous diſtinction be buried in oblivion.

The Maſon that knows the true value and uſe of his tools.

All true friends of the craft.

May every Brother who is lawfully and regularly entered into our ſociety, which is both ancient and honourable, be as duly inſtructed in the true morals thereof.

May Maſorny prove as univerſal, as it is honourable and uſeful.

The memory of the diſtinguiſhed three.

May unity, friendſhip and brotherly love, ever diſtinguiſh the Brethren of the ancient craft.

All regular Lodges.

May the morning have no occaſion to cenſure the night ſpent by Free Maſons.

May every Brother have a heart to feel, and a hand to give.

May no Free Maſon wiſh for more liberty than conſtitutes happineſs, nor more freedom than tends to the public good.

May we never condemn that in a Brother, which we would pardon in ourſelves.

May the cares which haunt the heart of the covetous, be unknown to a Free Maſon.

May no Free Maſon deſire plenty, but with the benevolent view to relieve the indigent.

May the deformity of vice in other men, teach a Maſon to abbot his own.

May we be more ready to correct our own faults, than to publiſh the errors of the Brethren.

May every Free Maſon participate in the happinſs of a Brother.

May we never raſhly believe the report we hear, which is prejudicial to a Brother.

May diſcord, party-rage, and inſolence, be for ever rooted out from amongſt Maſons.

May all Free Maſons go hand in hand in the road of virtue.

May all Free Maſons ever taſte and reliſh the ſweets of freedom.

May the hearts of Free Maſons agree, although their heads ſhould differ.

May the Maſons' conduct be ſo uniform as to convince the natural world, that they dwell in light.

May honour and honeſty diſtinguiſh the Brethren.

The humble beggar.

May all Free Maſons live in love, and die in peace.

To Maſonry, friendſhip, and love.

The heart which conceals,

And the tongue that never reveals.

May no Free Maſon taſte the bitter apples of affliction.

To the nation's wealth and glory.

To the innocent and faithful craft.

To a happy meeting.

May the gentle ſpirit of love animate the heart of every Maſon.

May hypocriſy, faction, and ſtrife be for ever rooted from every Lodge.

May every Free Maſon be diſtinguiſhed by the internal ornament of an upright heart

May the Brethern in this place be united to one another by the bond of love.

May every Free Maſon have as much genuine philoſophy, as that he may neither be too much exaulted with the ſmiles of proſperity, not too much dejected with the frowns of adverſity.

May Free Maſons ever taſt and reliſh the ſweets of domeſtic contentment.

May the foundation of every regular Lodge be ſolid, its building ſure, and its members numerous and happy.

May every Free Maſon have health, peace, and plenty.

May every Free Maſon find conſtancy in love, and ſincerity in friendſhip.

May the Free Maſon's conſcience be ſound, though his fortune be rotten.

May temptation never conquet a Free Maſon's virtue,

Honour and influence to every public ſpirited Brother.

May every worthy Brother have a head to earn and a heart to ſpend.

May all Free Maſons pleaſe, and be pleaſed.

Peace and plenty to every Brother.

Health, love, and ready rhino to the whole fraternity.

May the Maſon's reward be equal to his merit.

May every Brother who has merit, never want encouragement.

Reproduction intégrale de la transcription citée en tête de page, dans l'orthographe d'origine, sans commentaire ni modernisation. Les titres et notes d'époque sont conservés ; l'appareil éditorial moderne a été écarté.