CHAPTER XVII.

Motives, Persuasives and Inducements to maintain the true Dignity of the Mason- ic Character.
To attain a character, justly distinguish- ed by true greatness and goodness, is an object worthy of human existence. The principles of imitation are engendered in our nature, and excited by a spirit of em- ulation. Various are the ways and means, suggested by different minds, for the at- tainment of the same desirable end. To each profession or station in civilized life, is necessarily attached a corresponding propriety of conduct and deportment, suit-, ed to the sphere in which we move, or the station we fill. A corresponding proprie- ty between practice and profession, forms a consistency in character.
Excellency of character, in the view of the world, is principally estimated from the honourable nature, or religious impor- tance of profession, harmonizing with a uniformity of practice. If the employ- ment be of a public nature, or in any way open to the inspection of mankind, a de- portment corresponding thereto, is uni- formly expected. Such is the propensity of the human heart to censure and con
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tlenin each devious step, each semblance of inconsistency when found in another*
Amongst all those numerous associations oi men, on which the jealous and scrutini- zing eye of the world has been fixed, none is more conspicuous, or more narrowly observed, than the Masonic. Hence, the more special necessity oi maintaining such a character, and exhihiting such examples, as it may be virtuous and praiseworthy in others to imitate. Every member of the institution is, by profession, magnanimous, liberal, humane, benevolent and upright. These are woros of very great latitude and high import. To these we add justice, integ- rity of heart, fidelity , sobi iety and temper- am ; , prudence arid enonomy, friendship and brotherly affection, with every virtue which ran ddorn human nature, and consti- tute all the appendages of a finished charac- ter. Here then is a puhlic pioiession which demands a corresponding dignity in the life and conduct of every member of the institu- tion. Notwithstanding the high import of this profession, yet, it is believed, the con- stituted means to form the character to this standard, are truly adequate. Long has it been evinced to the world, that the most brilliant and overwhelming oratory, even when employed in the cause of truhs the most weighty in themselves, often iades
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from the mind like the fictions of a dream.
The mind of desultory man, flying from object to object, with the rapidity of thought, is never seriously affected, except by what does, in some way, engage the understanding and interest the feelings. Through this medium, lies that avenue which leads directly to the heart, and fast- ens convictions on the conscience.
In Speculative Free-Masonry, precept and example are most happily designed to harmonize, and thereby present the most powerful motives to impress on the mind the sentiments of virtue, and the precepts of wisdom, with a favourahle prospect of success. On this ground the Lodge becomes a school for improvement, where man is taught the duties of life, and the sublime precepts of our holy religion. Here the candidate is instructed in the numerous relative duties of decorum, subordination and modesty, kindness, gentleness and af- fability, which can render the possessor amiable and lovely in the ejes of the world. Within these walls, impervious to the vulgar eje, the mind is nurtured in all that soundness of intellect, that discreet, engaging deportment, thai benevolence and charity of disposition, which constitute the more excellent and noble appendages of the human character. An habitual pntc-
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tice of every commendable virtue, is taught by suitable and appropriate Masonic em- blems, with that gravity and solemnity, which comport with the nature of the insti- tution. The maxims of wisdom are gradu- ally unfolded, till the whole duty of man is clearly and persuasively exhibited to the mind. By duly improving those means, the intellectual faculties may receive high improvement, and the manners, those soft blandishments for social intercourse, which give currency and importance to charac- ter. Such, indeed, are the instructive les- sons of Speculative Free- Masonry.
An unjustifiable neglect, or obstinate re- fusal to comply with, and improve, instruc- tions of this nature, betrays a heart wholly inclined to malevolent designs, or a judg- ment fatally misguided. VVe are hence furnished with the proper means of form- ing a character, as nearly answerable to our public profession, as human frailties and imperfections will admit.
Brethren, the more prominent features of a true Masonic character, are literally marked with the highest beauties. They are such as will survive the ruins of a per* ishable world, and shine with increasing lustre, when time shall have merged in the ocean of eternity. If such are the excel- lencies of our Institution, and such the in-
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junctions we, as Masons, are under to im- prove all those faculties which Heaven has bestowed to render ourselves and others happy, by forming and supporting a cha- racter, pure and blameless, before God and man ; how circumspect should we ever be found ! How scrupulous to maintain the true dignity of our profession ! An habitual practice of justice, equity, truth, benevo- lence, charity and sobriety, should ever ap- pear conspicuous in our lives, shed a lus- tre on our actions, and adorn our publie and private walks. The whole tenou.- of life should manifestly appear to be the fruit of an honest, sincere, and upright heart. Each manly feeling of the soul should swell with those tender emotions of gratitude and love, which meet and mingle in kindred spirits. Such a life and con- duct would draw benedictions even from the adamantine heart.
Brethren, should you ask for additional motives to the performance of the practi- cal duties of Speculative Free-Masonry, let me point each individual to his own personal character and fame. Where is the man so callous to nature's feelings ; so lost to inbred honour; so indifferent to the attainment of virtuous fame, as not to as- pire to human excellence ?
The love of personal character is so nicely
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interwoven with the filaments of the heart, as usually to form a predominant motive to action, a powerful incentive to glory. It therefore becomes a noble and high- minded emulation, for the attainment of unusual and exalted merit. The agency of this principle is confined to no class, ei- ther in savage or civilized life, and often inspires that magnanimity which leads to the exercise of those amiable charities and virtues of the heart, which always charac- terize the man of real worth. Such has been the force of this ruling motive, in e- very age and every country. Multitudes of our ancient brethren, stimulated to ac- tion through the force of this principle, have, by the greatness of their achieve- ments, and goodness of their lives, enrol- led their names on the imperishable records of fame, and left an everlasting memorial of their virtue and pre-eminent usefulness. Brethren, do we still ask for motives, in a case involving such high considerations and desirable consequences ? They are found in that eternal weight of glory, that ciown of joy and rejoicing, laid up for the faithful in a future world. Here is an in- finite reward ; here is that ultimate point, to which all others are subordinate, and in which all others do eventually centre. A more interesting and weighty considera-
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tion cannot be presented; Yet, astonish- ing to be told, some of our brethren, not merely in foreign countries, but even in these United States, with such powerful motives before them, and such momentous consequences staring them in the face, plunge headlong into vice, and riot on the precipice of their own destruction. Such persons violate, not only the very laws of nature, but the most solemn injunctions of Masonry. Having thrown off all restraint, in vie w of principle, character or fame, they have plunged themselves into the depths of human degradation, and literally pulled down the curses of mankind on their heads. Totally regardless of the dictates of wis- dom, their temporal enjoyments or eternal happiness, they have awfully apostatized ' from their profession, disgraced themselves and their friends, brought misery on their families, and merited the sovereign con- tempt of the world.
Wretched spectacle of human depravi- ty ! A man endowed with reason and un- derstanding, privileged with light and in- formation, to debase the dignity of his na- ture, and overleap every barrier of human restraint, could not be credited, had we not witnessed the melancholy truth. What brother does not shrink back in amazement at such a spectacle ? Let such apostate
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numbers (should any be found) make one leep and solemn pause, even in the midst )f their unrestrained licentiousness: Jet it i)e the awful pause of that mind, fixed on "uture and eternal consequences. Let hem remember, " of them to whom much s given, much will" most assuredly " be equired." Let them call to mind for one noment those precious Masonic instruc- tors, which they once received, and duly onsider the amazing event to which their nrestrained conduct will infallibly lead. Conscience will not always slumber. Ere >n postate, with more awful thunder's than lose which shook Sinai's mount. Such re the festering wounds of unpitying re- lorse ; such the stints of conscience, in it* breast of him, who has long wandered i the bewildering mazes of vice, that
" Sh:MiUl he bestride the swiftest steeds of day, Or mount on whirlwinds with unnumbered wings, Stilt guilt would seize the dastard on his way, \nd conscience dart unutterable stings.
4 IK uce, no sweet balm from consolation caught, n >vorlds uuheen, the guilty soul can find, Unless it fly as rapidly from thought, \.ud leave both sense and memory behind."
Should he look back on his past life, jen remorse must seize on every thought ; forward, black despair hangs on bis sight d shrouds his trembling hope in dismal ospects. Not a single ray of consolation
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to cheer the desponding soul, or ease the pained heart. Who then, in the sober ex- ercise of his reason, would not avoid the path of vice as the bane of his happiness? Who would not choose and delight in vir- tue, as the soul of his existence ? Be assur- ed the reward is not only inestimable, but commensurate with eternity itself.
The stars shall fade, the sun's broad beams expire,
Creation sink on nature's funeral pyre;
Hut virtue's gifts, unfa ling shall endure,
When skies and stars and sun's shall be no more.
What heaving bosom breathes not forth one ardent s : g!», To grasp th' immortal prize, and triumph in the joy !
Brethren, do we not evidently discover the imperious necessity of plain dealing with those who may err from the path of duty ? A Mason, above all others, is under solemn obligations to be a good man, and faithful to his charge. Where, I ask, is the advantage, or what the benefit, of uni- ting with this Society, if there is nothing to be done ? What good can result from that capacity of usefulness, that wisdom and prudence, which is never exercised ? The fact is, our brethren need our advice, counsels, admonitions and reproofs ; and we need theirs. We are all imperfect, fal- lible beings, and should freely consult each other, in all matters of importance, remem- bering, that " in the multitude of counsel-
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lors there is safety." It is our privilege to unbosom our souls to a brother, and his duty to hear and advise. We feel a con- fidence in this relation, to which the world is an utter stranger.
Are we not also under solemn obliga- tions to deal faithfully and affectionately with each other as beloved brethren I Are we 'not bound, and it may be hoped, con- sistently with the feelings of our hearts, to use every wise, prudent and friendly ex- ertion, to warn a brother of approaching danger, to reclaim his wandering steps, if he stray from the path of duty ? The best of men are but imperfect, liable at times, in some evil hour, to be overtaken in vice. As one error often paves the way for oth- ers more dangerous, seasonable and saluta- ry advice, given by an affectionate brother may be the means of preventing a once a- miable and virtuous character from being plunged into vice, with all its attendant ca- lamities. No satisfactory reason can be assigned, why we as Masons, and acting in that character, ought not to aim at the ab- solute extinction of vice and immorality ; and no substantial excuse can be urged in the neglect of one duty for the accomplish- ment of this end. Vice necessarily in- volves the vicious in difficulties, destroys character and reputation, and is the high
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road to wretchedness and misery. Had we rather our Masonic brother, when once be- ginning to stray from duty, should be suf- fered to persist till his ruin is inevitable, than lake him by the hand, in a most friend- ly and affectionate manner, and point out his danger, and strive by all the means in our power to reclaim him ? Should kind admoiiit ions be faithfully administered, with the true spirit of brotherly love and ten- derness of affection, we have every reason to believe, scarcely one instance in a thou- sand would fail of restoring to the world a usi'ful citizen, to the lodge a grateful bro- ther, and to his family a friend indeed. Such affectionate solicitude in behalf of our brethren, would at once seal the lips of slander, check the spread of vice, avert the stings of an accusing conscience, and save a brother from impending ruin.
Do we fear the giving of offence ? Let us rather fear to neglect our duty. Do we ; dread our brother's displeasure? Let us ra- ther dread an accusing conscience. Are we unwilling to interfere, lest his feelings should be wounded ? Let us rather fear to have them wounded when they can never be healed ; let us rather guide his feet to the path of virtuous enjoyment, which is substantial, and to that happiness, which will be everlasting. Such a course would
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truly be characteristic of Masonic friend- ship ; such would be the dictates of hu- manity and benevolence, and such, breth- ren, is our unequivocal duly.
What brother, now beloved and esteem- ed by all who know him, happy and pros- perous in all his relations and pursuits, could he foresee himself, at some future pe- riod, ensnared and seduced from the path of virtue, and in danger of becoming a nui- sance to society, would not solemnly en- gage his brethren beforehand, to pursue him, should he stray, to the very last extre- mity, and if possible, compel him to aban- don what eventually would land him in wretchedness ? No virtuous brother, on the truth of this supposition, but with tear* in his eyes would pledge his friends by the most sacred promises to be faithful to him.
The beneficial effects resulting from such frankness and affection, would be pro- ductive of consequences durable as tbey are important. Instead of producing en- mity, it would create tiue love. Instead of alienating the feelings of brethren, it Would warm, cement and harmonize. In- stead of weakening our social bonds, il would make them " stronger than a three- fold cord. Vice would stand appalled, and virtue in smiling countenance. Such faith- fulness would add an unextinguishable lus-
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ire to the Masonic Institution, and secure to posteiity the piecious blessings result- ing from " precept, teaching by example."
Brethren and Companions, let it be ask- ed with solemn emphasis, what would be the probable result, if every worthy mem- ber, in all our numerous Institutions, should in this paiticulai discharge hisduty Av.ilb fidelity I Would it riot be a glorious fart, that immorality of every description would be banished from the Society, and seldom he chargeable against a single individual! Would not the great Institution literally become a nursery of piety, its members the pillars of state, and the salt of the earth? Tlii
From the experience of ages we are taught, that where precept and example are united in a good cause, they are atit nd- ecl with powerful influence over the human heart. Seldom do they fail of controlling the general current of opinion in society. Tie principles of imitation are inherent in our nature, and imperceptibly incline us to imbibe the sentiments, and adopt the ha- bits of those we esteem. How exceeding- ly impoi tant then, that every Masonic bro- ther embrace those sentiments, exercise that friendship, culivate those habits, and maintain that excellence of character, tti icb may render it truly virtuous to imi- tate his examples.