On Lodges And Their Furniture.

peculiarly diffusive in those places . Upon the top of the mountain , the whole limit thereof round about shall be holy . The Master of each lodge should found his government in concord and universal love ; for as fche Great Architect moves the systems with his finger ,

and touches the spheres with harmony , so that the morning stars together sang * the songs of gratitude , and the floods clap their hands , amidst the invariable beauties of order , so should we , rejoicing , bo of one accord and of one law , in unanimity , in character , and in affection ; moving by one unchanging system , and actuated by one principle , in ¦ rectitude of manners .

A Mason , sitting the member of a lodge , claiming these emblems as the testimonies of his Order , ought at that instant to transfer his thoughts to the august scene which is imitated , and remember that he then appears professing himself a member of the great temple of the universe , to obey the

laws of the mighty Master of all , in whose presence he seeks to be approved . An ancient record expresses that the first Masons received their knowledge from God , by which means they are endowed with the due understanding of what is leasing to himand the

p , only true method of propagating their doctrines . As we derived many of our mysteries and moral principles from the doctrines of Pythagoras , who had acquired his learning in Egypt , and others from the Phoenicians , who had received the Egyptian theology in an early age , it is not to be

wondered that we should adopt Egyptian symbols to represent or express the attributes of the Divinity . The Pythagorean system of philosophy also points out fco us a reason for the figure of the sun being introduced into the lodge , as being the

centre of the planetary system which he taught , as well as the emblem of the Deity which he served . This grand M « r K p W « i was a symbol expressing the first and greatest principle of his doctrines . This was also a representation of the Abrax which governed the stellary world and our diurnal revolutions *

In the books of Hermes Trismegistes , who was an . Egyptian , and said to be contemporary with Abraham ' s grandfather , is this remarkable

passage . Speaking of the Deity , he says , — " Bufc if thou wilt see him , consider and understand the sun , consider the course of the moon , consider the order of the stars . Oh , thou unspeakable , unutterable , to be praised wifch silence . " From hence we are naturally led to perceive the

origin of the Egyptian symbolisation , and the reason for their adopting * those objects , as expressive of the mighty majesty and omnipresence of the Deity . Posterity , to record the wise doctrines and religious princiles of the first professors of the true

p worship , have adopted these descriptions of the lodge in which they assemble , and maintain those religious tenets which nature dictates , gratitude to him under whom we exist ; and working in the acceptable service of him who rejoiceth in the upright man .

As such it is to be a Freemason , or such is a lodge of Masons , as such are the principles of this society , as these were the original institutions of our brotherhood , let the ignorant laugh on , and the wicked ones scoff . And that these are true solutions of our emblems , I am convinced myself ; and with humble deference to the rest of my brethren , offer them for their attention .

In every regular assembly of men , who are convened for wise and useful purposes , the commencemeut and termination of business is attended with some form . Though ceremonies are in themselves of little importance , yet as they serve to engage the attention and to impress the mind with

reverence , they musfc be considered as necessary on solemn occasions . They recall to memory the intent of the association , and banish many of those trifling amusements which too frequently intrude on our less serious moments . The opening and closing of our lodges may be

traced from the most remote period of antiquity . Being founded on a rational basis , fche more refined improvements of modern education have not altogether disregarded it ; on the contrary , the custom seems still to prevail in every civilised country of the world .

The veneration due to antiquity , setting aside the reasonableness of the practice , would of itself recommend it . To enlarge on the propriety of observing ifc in this society , which has received the sanction of the earliest ages as well as fche patronage of the wisest men in more recent periods , would , I apprehend , be equally needless and unimportant .

ihe ceremony used at the opening of our assemblies reminds the Master of the dignity of his character , and the brethren of fidelity to their trust . These are not the only advantages resulting from it ; a reverential awe for the Deity is inculcated , and the great end of fche creation demonstrated .

Here we are taught to adore the God who made us , and fco supplicate his protection on our wellmeant endeavours . The closing of our meetings teaches us to offer