BOOK II.

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GENERAL REMARKS: INCLUDING AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE LECTURES; A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE
ANCIENT CEREMONIES ; AND THE CHARGES USED IN THE DIFFERENT DEGREES.
SECT. I. General Remarks.
MASONRY is an art useful and extensive. In every art there is a mystery, which requires a progress of study and application before we can arrive at any degree of perfection. Without much instruction, and more exer- cise, no man can be skilful in any art ; in like manner, without an assiduous application to the various subjects treated in the different lectures of Masonry, no person can be sufficiently acquainted with the true value of the institution.
From this remark it is not to be inferred, that those who labour under the disadvantage of a confined educa- tion, or whose sphere of life requires assiduous attention to business or useful employment, are to be discouraged in their endeavours to gain a knowledge of Masonry. To qualify an individual to enjoy the benefits of the society at large, or to partake of its privileges, it is no* absolutely necessary that he should be acquainted with all the intricate parts of the science: these are only intended for persons who may have leisure and opportu- nity to indulge the pursuit.
Some may be more able than others, some more emi- nent, some more useful ; but all, in their different spheres, may prove advantageous to the community; and our necessities, as well as our consciences, bind us to love one another. To persons, however, whose early years have been dedicated to literary pursuits, or whose cir- cumstances and situation in life render them independent,
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the offices of the lodge ought principally to be restricted. The industrious tradesman proves himself a valuable member of society, and worthy of every honour that we* can confer; but the nature of every man's profession will not admit of that leisure which is necessary to qualify him to become an expert Mason, so as to discharge the official duties of the. lodge with propriety. And it must also be admitted, that those who accept offices and exercise authority in the lodge ought to be men of pru- dence and address, enjoying the advantages of a well- cultivated mind and retentive memory. All men are not blessed with the same powers and talents; all men, therefore, are not equally qualified to govern. He who wishes to teach, must submit to learn ; and no one can be qualified to support the higher offices of the lodge, who has not previously discharged the duties of those which are subordinate. Experience is the best preceptor. Every man may rise by gradation, but merit and industry are the first steps to preferment. Masonry is wisely instituted for different ranks and degrees of men; and every brother, according to his station and ability, may be employed in the lodge, and class with his equal. Actuated by the best principles, no disquietude is found among the professors of the art. Each class is happy in its particular association ; and when all the classes meet in general convention, one plan regulates the whole: neither arrogance nor presumption appear on the one hand, nor diffidence nor inability on the other ; but every brother vies to excel in promoting that endearing happiness which constitutes the essence of civil society.
SECT. II.
The Ceremony of Opening and Closing the Lodge.
IN all regular assemblies of men which are convened for wise and useful purposes, the commencement and conclusion of business is accompanied with some form. In every country of the world the practice prevails, and is deemed essential. From the most remote periods of antiquity it is traced, and the refined improvements of modern times have not abolished it.
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Ceremonies, simply considered, are little more than visionary delusions; but their effects are sometimes im- portant.— When they impress awe and reverence on the mind, and attract the attention to solemn rites by external forms, they are interesting objects. These purposes are effected when judicious ceremonies are regularly conducted and properly arranged. On this ground they have received the sanction of the wisest men in all ages, and, consequently, could not escape the notice of Masons. To begin well, is the most likely means to end well : and it is justly remarked, that when order and method are neglected at the beginning, they will be seldom found to take place at the end.
The ceremony of opening and closing the lodge with solemnity and decorum is, therefore, universally adopted among Masons ; and though the mode in some meetings may vary, and in every Degree must vary, still an uni- formity in the general practice prevails in the lodge; and the variation (if any) is solely occasioned by a want of method, which a little application will easily remove.
To conduct this ceremony with propriety, ought to be the peculiar study of all Masons, especially of those who have the honour to rule in our assemblies. To persons who are thus dignified, every eye is directed for regularity of conduct and behaviour; and by their example, other brethren, less informed, may naturally expect to derive instruction.
From a share in this ceremony no Mason is exempted; it is a general concern, in which all must assist. This is the first request of the Master, and the prelude to business. No sooner has it been signified, than every officer repairs to his station, and the brethren rank according to their degrees. The intent of the meeting becomes the object of attention; and the mind is insensibly drawn from the indiscriminate subjects of conversation which are apt to intrude on our less serious moments.
Our first care is directed to the external avenues of the lodge ; and the officers, whose province it is to dis- charge that duty, execute the trust with fidelity. By certain mystic forms, of no recent date, it is intimated that we may safely proceed. To detect impostors among ourselves, an adherence to order in the character
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of Masons ensues, and the lodge is opened1 or closed in solemn form.
1 Charges and Regulations for the Conduct and Behaviour of Masons
A rehearsal of the Ancient Charges properly succeeds the opening and precedes the closing of the lodge. This was the constant prac- tice of our ancient Brethren, and ought never to be neglected in our regular assemblies. A recapitulation of our duty cannot be disagree- able to those who are acquainted with it ; and to those to whom it is not known, should any such be, it must be highly proper to recom- mend it.
On the Management of the Craft in Working. [To be rehearsed at opening the Lodge.]
Masons employ themselves diligenlty in their sundry vocations, live creditably, and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which they reside.
The most expert Craftsman is chosen or appointed Master of the work, and is duly honoured in that character by those over whom he presides.
The Master, knowing himself qualified, undertakes the government of the lodge, and truly dispenses his rewards according to merit.
A Craftsman who is appointed Warden of the work, under the Master, is true to Master and Fellows, carefully oversees the work, and the brethren obey him.
The Master, Wardens, and Brethren, are just and faithful, and care- fully finish the work they begin, whether it be in the First or Second Degree ; but never put that work to the First, which has been appro- priated to the Second Degree.
Neither envy nor censure is discovered among Masons. No brother is supplanted, or put out of his work, if he be capable to finish it ; for he who is not perfectly skilled in the original design, can never, with equal advantage to the Master, finish the work which has been begun by another.
All employed in Masonry meekly receive their rewards, and use no disobliging name. " Brother" is the appellation they bestow on each other. They behave courteously within and without the lodge, and never desert the Master till the work be finished.*
Laws for the Government of the Lodge.
You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, agreeably to / the forms established among Masons ;f you are freely to give such mutual instructions as shall be thought necessary or expedient, not being overseen or overheard, without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that respect which is due to a gentleman were he not a Mason ; for though, as Masons, we meet as brethren on a level, yet
* These Charges were originally rehearsed by the seven representatives of the three Degrees of the Order; but.it is now the province of the Chaplain or Secretary of the lod»e to deliver them.
t In the lodge, Masons meet as members of the same family, and representatives for tho tiiuo being of all the brethren throughout the world ; every prejudice, therefore, OB acoortnt of religion, country, or private opinion, is removed.
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At opening the lodge, two purposes are effected ; the Master is reminded of the dignity of his character, and the brethren of the homage and veneration due to him in their sundry stations. These, however, are not the only advantages resulting from a due observance of the ceremony; a reverential awe for the Deity is inculcated, and the eye is fixed on that object from whose radiant beams alone light can be derived. Hence, in this cere- mony, we are taught to adore God, and supplicate his protection on our well-meant endeavours. The Master assumes his government in due form, and under him his Wardens ; who accept their trust, after the customary salutations. Then the Brethren, with one accord, unite in duty and respect, and the ceremony concludes.
At closing the lodge,2 a similar form takes place.
Masonry deprives no man of the honour due to his rank or character, but rather adds to his honour, especially if he have deserved well of the Fraternity, who always render honour to whom it is due, and avoid ill-manners.
No private committees are to be allowed, or separate conversations encouraged: the Master or Wardens are not to be interrupted, or anj* brother who is speaking to the Master; but due decorum is to be observed, and a proper respect paid to the Master and presiding officers.
These laws are to be strictly enforced, that harmony may be pre- served, and the business of the lodge be carried on with order and regularity. So mote it be.
2 Charge on the Behaviour of Masons. [To be rehearsed at closing the Lodge.]
When the lodge is closed, you are to enjoy yourselves- with innocent mirth, but carefully avoid excess. You are not to compel any brother to act contrary to his inclination, or give offence by word or deed, but enjoy a free and easy conversation. You are to avoid immoral or obscene discourse, and at all times support with propriety the dignity of 'your character.
You are to be cautious in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger may not discover what is not proper to be inti- mated ; and, if necessary, you are to waive the discourse, and manage it prudently, for the honour of the Fraternity.
At home, and in your several neighbourhoods, you are to behave as wise and moral men. You are never to communicate to your families, friends, or acquaintances, the private transactions of our different assemblies ; but. on every occasion, consult your own honour, and the reputation of the Fraternity at large.
You are to study the preservation of health, by avoiding irregularity and intemperance ; that your families may not be neglected and injured, or yourselves disabled from attending to your necessary employments in life.
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Here the less important duties of the Order are not passed unobserved. The necessary degree of subordina- tion which takes place in the government of the lodge is peculiarly marked : while the proper tribute of grati- tude is offered up to the beneficent Author of life, whose blessing is invoked, and extended to the whole Fraternity.8 Each brother then faithfully locks up in his own repository the treasure which he has acquired ; and, pleased with his reward, retires to enjoy, and disseminate among the private circle of his friends, the fruits of his labour and industry in the lodge.
These are faint outlines of a ceremony which univers- ally prevails among Masons, and distinguishes all their
If a stranger apply in the character of a Mason, you are cautiously to examine him, iu such a method as prudence may direct, and agree- ably to the forms established among Masons, that you may not be imposed upon by an ignorant false pretender, whom you are to reject with contempt;* and beware of giving him any secret hints of know- ledge. But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother, you are to respect him ; if he be in want, you are, without prejudice, to relieve him, or direct him how he may be relieved ; you are to em- ploy him, or recommend him to employment : however, you are never charged to do beyond your ability ; only to prefer a poor Mason, who is a good man and true, before any other person in the same circum- stances.
Finally, These rules you are always to observe and enforce, and also the duties which have been communicated in the lecture ; culti- vating brotherly love, the foundation and cape-stone, the cement and glory of this ancient Fraternity ; avoiding, on every occasion, wrang- ling and quarrelling, slandering and backbiting ; not permitting others to slander honest brethren, but defending their characters, and doing them good offices, so far as may be consistent with your honour and safety, but no further. Hence all may see the benign influence of Masonry ; as all true Masons have done from the beginning of the world, and will do to the end of time. So mote it be.
3 A Prayer used at opening the Lodge.
May the favour of Heaven be upon this meeting ! and, as it is hap- pily begun, may it be conducted in order, and closed in harmony ! So mote it be.
A Prayer used at closing the Lodge.
May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us, and on all regular Masons throughout the world ! may brotherly love prevail, and beautify and cement us with every moral and social virtue ! So mote it be.
*This injunction may seem uncharitable; but when it is considered that the secret! of Masonry are open to all men of probity and honour who are well recommended, an illegal intruder, who would wish to obtain that to which he has no claim, and deprive the public chari ty of a small pittance at his admission, can deserve no better treatment.
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meetings. Hence, it is arranged as a general Section in every Degree of the Order, and takes the lead in all OUT illustrations.
SECT. III. REMARKS on the FIRST LECTURE.
HAVING illustrated the ceremony of opening and closing the lodge, and inserted the Prayers and Charges, usually rehearsed in our regular assemblies on those occasions, we shall no\*» enter on a disquisition of the different Sections of the Lectures which are appropriat^i to the three Degrees of the Order ; giving a brief sum- mary of the whole, and annexing to every remark the particulars to which the Section alludes. By these means the industrious Mason will be better instructed in the regular arrangement of the Lectures, and be enabled with more ease to acquire a competent knowledge of the Art.
The First Lecture is divided into sections, and each