On Lodges And Their Furniture.

up fche proper tribute of gratitude to the beneficent Author of life ; and here the less important duties of the society are not passed over unobserved . By this ceremony we are taught how to support the regularity of our assemblies- and the necessary degree of subordination whicu takes place in the government of our lodges . Such is the nature of these ceremonies and their utility , that it becomes our duty never to omit them .

FrjKNITORE Of ? THE LoDGE . Ifc is with jrleasure I proceed to give solutions of fche mysteries in Masonry ; which , to minds inattentive to the real import of the objects in thenview , might remain undiscovered , and the professor of Masonry might pass on , without receiving a just sense of those dignities which he has assumed .

I have defined what is intended to be represented by a lodge , and its origin and nature ; it is now my duty fco discover to my readers the import of the furniture of a lodge . As Solomon at Jerusalem carried into the Jewish temple all fche vessels and instruments requisite for

the service of Jehovah , according to the law of his people ; so we Masons , as workers in moral duties , and as servants of the Great Architect of the World , have placed in our view those emblems which should constantly remind us of what we are , and what is required of us . The third emanation of Abrax in the Gnostic

hierarchy , was Phronsesis , the emblem of prudence , which is the first and most exalted object thafc demands our attention in the lodge : it is placed in the centre , ever to be present to the eye of the Mason , that his hearfc may be attentive to her dictates , and steadfast in her laws ; for prudence is

the rule of all virtues ; prudence is the path which leads to every degree of propriety ; prudence is the channel where self-approbation flows for ever ; she leads us forth to worthy actions , aud , as a blazing star , enlighteneth us through the dreary and darksome paths of this life .

Virtue , by Masons and moralists , is defined to be that stedfasfc purpose and firm will of doing * those things which nature hath dictated to us , as the best and nidst salutary ; a habit of the soul by which mankind are inclined to do tilings which are upright and good , and to avoid those that are

evil . In short , virtue is moral honesty and good princi ples . Of the virtues of which prudence is the rule , three are called cardinal virtues , of which , most properly a Mason should be j ^ ossessed , are fortitude , temperance , and justice ; for without these ,

fche name of Mason is an empty title , and but a painted bubble . That fortitude must be the characteristic of a Mason I need nob argue , by which , in the midst of pressing evils , he is enabled always to do thafc which is agreeable to the dictates of right reason . Temperance also must be one of his principles ,

being a moderating * and resfci * aming of our passions , especially in sobriety and chastity . We regard temperance under the various definitions of moralists , as constituting honesty , decency , and bashfulness , and in its potential parts instituting meekness , clemency , and modesty . We profess justice as dictated to us to do right to all , and to yield to every man what belongeth to him .

The cardinal virtues , prudence , fortitude , temperance , and justice , hold in their train the inferior powers of peace , concord , quietness , liberty , safety , honour , felicity , piety , and charity , with many others which were adored by the ancients in those ages , when they confounded mythology with

theworship ofthe Divinity . Within the starry girdle of prudence all virtues are enfolded . As the steps of men are trod in the various and uncertain incidents of life ; as our days are chequered wifch a strange contrariety of events , and our passage through this existence , though

sometimes attended with prosperous circumstances , is often beset by a multitude of evils ; hence is thelodge furnished with Mosaic work to remind us of the precariousuess of our state on earth' today our feet tread in prosperity , to-morrow we totter ou tho uneven paths of weakness ,

temptation , and adversity . Whilst this emblem is beforeus , we are instructed to boast of nothing ; to havecompassion and give aid to those who are in adversity ; to walk uprightly , and with humility ; for such is the existence , that there is no station in which pride can be stably founded : all men in

birth , and in the grave , are on the level . Whilst we tread on this Mosaic work , let our ideas return to . the original which it copies , and let every Mason act as the dictates of reason prompt him , to live in brotherly love .

As jnore immediate guides for a Freemason , thelodge is furnished with unerring rules , whereby heshall form his conduct ; the book of his law is laid before him , that lie may not say through ignorance he erred ; whatever the Great Architect of the World hath dictated to mankind , as the

modein which he would be served , and the path in which he is to tread to obtain his approbation ; . whatever precepts he hath administered , and with whatever laws he hath inspired the sages of old , the same are faithfully comprised in the book of the law of Masonry . The book and the former

are never closed in any lodge , for they reveal the duties which the great Master of all exacts from us ; open fco every eye , comprehensible to every mind ; then who shall say among us , thafc he knoweth not the acceptable service ? Bub as the frailty of human nature wagefch . war

with truth , and man's infirmities struggle with his virtues , to aid the conduct of every Mason , the Grand Master holdeth the compass , limiting the distance , progress , and circumference of fche work : he dictateth the manners , he giveth the direction of the design , and delineateth each