constitutes a new era in the history of masonry in the United States.

On that memorable day, the two grand lodges convened, for the last time, in their respective halls, and each nominated a grand master, two grand wardens, a grand treasurer, and a grand secretary, and also seven electors, who met in convention, and after having duly considered the two lists of candidates, unanimously elected the most worshipful John Cutler, grand master; the right worshipful Joseph Bartlet, senior grand warden; the right worshipful Mungo Mackay, junior grand warden, &c. who were installed with great solemnity on the 19th June following. It was then resolved, that the grand lodge, organized as aforesaid, shall be hereafter known by the name of " The grand lodge of the ancient and honourable society of Free and Accepted Masons for the commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Independent of the charters, which had been given to subordinate lodges by the two grand lodges, previous to their union, the grand lodge of England had in different places, appointed provincial grand masters, to whom they gave warrants for holding lodges; but the termination of the revolutionary war having finally separated the United States from the government of Great Britain, also exonerated free-masons, in this country, from subjection to any foreign grand lodge.

To maintain a friendly correspondence

with all ancient grand lodges was deemed correct, and this has carefully been attended to ever since; but it was very properly resolved, that it was inconsistent with the principles of the craft, to be subordinate to any of them, as masonry, in a peculiar degree, inculcates the doctrine of obedience on every brother, to the government of the country, under which he lives. Independent grand lodges were, therefore, formed in each of the different states, of which I shall give an account to wards the close of the work.

CHAPTER III.

Uses of Masonry.

AFTER So long a history of the rise, progress, and present state of masonry, it must be natural for those, who have not been admitted into the order, to enquire into the benefits, which result from the institution; and for what purpose it has been patronised by so many great and illustrious personages. From the profound secrecy, in which the system of masonry is so very strictly, as well as proper ly involved, its benefits now are, and will for ever be, best known to the members of the fraternity. This far, however, may be asserted without fear of contradiction, that it promotes philanthropy, benevolence, and moral

ity; and that in proportion as masonry has been cultivated, the countries in which it has shed its benign influence, have been proportionably civilized.

There is, likewise, a very important advantage attached to masonry, viz. that its signs and tokens serve as a kind of universal language; so that by means of them people of the most distant nations, may become acquainted, and enter into the most friendly intercourse, with each other. In this society, the bigot and the enthusiast throw aside their rancour, and will readily take by the hand a brother, who walks in the paths of moral rec titude, and will treat him with tenderness, humanity, and delicacy, whatever diversity of o pinion may be entertained between them, with respect either to politics or religion.

Thus through the instrumentality of Free masonry, all those disputes, which have so much agitated and disturbed the world, upon subjects, concerning which it has been found impossible to come to a final conclusion, and which only tend to irritate the mind, are avoided. Here harmony and peace predominate. The Chinese, the Algerine, the Persian,_the native of Indostan, the Turk, and the Jew, may, under the masonic banners, associate in love with their Christian brethren, and participate of all the benefits of the institution; nor is any dispute tolerated between whigs and tories, federalists and democrats, or any other political factions.

The basis of masonry is peace, good will to men; and he knows very little of its essential and fundamental principles, who does not feel it as an imperious duty to promote, as far as may be in his power, the happiness of the whole human race, particularly of those, who may be connected with himself in the same fraternity.

From these observations, the utility of masonry must be sufficiently apparent. Its benefits are well known to its members, who deem them invaluable; and to the world it must appear obvious, that a distressed mason, will, in most parts of the globe, find a brother ready and willing to assist him. Let brotherly love continue.

CHAPTER IV.

Of Modern Masons.

In a book entitled Ahiman Rezon, by Lawrance Dermott, Esq. deputy grand master, of the grand lodge of England, we have the following account of the origin of modern masonry. About the year 1717," says he, "some joyous companions, who had passed the decree of a craft, though very rusty, resolved to form a lodge for themselves, in order that, by conversation, they might be enabled to recollect what had been formerly dictated to them; or if that should be found impracticable, to sub

stitute something new, which might, in future, pass for masonry amongst themselves. At this meeting, the question was asked, whether any one present knew the master mason's part, and being answered in the negative, it was resolved nem. con. that the deficiency should be made up by a new composition; and that such fragments of the old order as were found amongst themselves, should be immediately reformed, and made more pliable to the humours of the people."

He then goes on with a ludicrous description of the manner, in which they resolved to initiate new members, which, however, I deem foreign to my purpose. But whatever may have been deemed the origin of this institution, it arose in England to a considerable degree of respectability, as we find according to Mr. Dermott's statement, that in the year 5788, the duke of Manchester was chosen grand master, and it is well known, that since that period, persons of high standing in society have successively filled the chair.

The ancient masons style themselves "free and accepted masons." The moderns "freemasons of England." But though there be a similarity of names, yet they differ greatly in their makings, ceremonies, masonic knowledge and installations.

Mr. Dermott has pointed out the difference between the two by questions and answers; I have, however, thought it better to throw aside his questions, and give the substance of his an