French Masonry.—The Sanctuary Of Memphis.

Youthful initiate , listen still , ancl lend me thy attention . Avoid having to feel , like so many others , that experience has been to thee but as the stern light of a vessel traversing the ocean , merely illuminating the wake which it hath left behind . Allegory is the voice of wisdom . Study tho meaning of the hieroglyphs and the emblems which the Order shall present to thee in each degree .

Secluded in some sombre ancl silent place , given over to profound meditation , in presence of lugubrious objects , thou oughtest to reflect upon the vanities of the things of this perishable world . Thou hast doubtless sufficiently comprehended that , by this allegory , the Masonic Order hath taught thee that , in order to cuter within its bosom , it was necessary , casting off the Old Man , to die to vice in order to be reborn to virtue .

The bandage which covered thine eyes is the emblem of the darkness in which the profane are plunged . The Sun illuminates the universe . It is for thee to imitate this beneficent luminary . The Moon softens the mournful gloom which the shades of night cast upon the earth ; it guides our uncertain steps in the midst of obscurity . B y its

presence it proclaims that there is no darkness thick enough to veil crime from the eye of Jehovah . Thus it is with all our emblems . The Compass indicates the correctness ancl rectitude of our behaviour . The Square serves to measure the justness of our actions . The Level shows that all mon are equal . Respect in civil society the

distances ancl distinctions established or tolerated b y the law . Often an inane variety has imagined them . It mi ght be meet and fitting to despise and ignore them ; but beware of introducing them amongst us . In the Temple of Wisdom we revere solely Masonic dignities . Leave thy outside ancl secular distinctions at the portal . Enter only with the escort of thy worthiness ancl thy virtues . Never be ashamed of an undistinguished man , so that he be honest ancl good , whom in our fraternal lodges thou hast encountered ancl regarded as a brother but a few moments before . In its turn the Order would blush for thee .

I he Plummet demonstrates the stability of the Order , built upon all the virtues . Make use of the Trowel to hide the faults of thy brothers , and , according to the counsel of the wise Pythagoras , " Sow the mallow , but do not eat it . " Another sage has said : " Do not weigh thy like ( brother men ) in a single scale , and if that which is evil should overweigh , take away the surcharge which human weakness has imposedand let Charitadjust the equitable

, y balance . Thus shalt thou please the Author of all Good . " Learn likewise that the Unwrought Stone is the emblem of thy soulsusceptible of good or bad impressions . Lastly , the Scalloped Tuft , which so intertwines , indicates the union of all the brothers , ancl the secresy which should surround our mysterious ceremonies .

Many other emblems shall be developed to thee ; the time , however , has not yet come . Meditate upon those which it has been given thee to know at present . M y brother , all those duties which have been so hastily sketched for thee thou shoulclst fulfil to all men . They are still more sacred as regards th y brethren ; for , amidst the immense mass of beings with whom this world is peopledthou hast chosenba voluntary and spontaneous vow

, , y , Masons for th y brothers . Every Mason , of whatever reli gion , country , or condition he may be , on presenting his right hand—symbol of freedom and equality—lias sacred claims upon th y friendship ancl assistance . If he be in clanger , fly to his aid , and fear not even to expose for him thy life . A sacred sign , which shall be revealed to thee , if thou provest worthy of it , shall show to