He further

reign, who cannot keep his own secrets. more sayeth, that he who discovers secrets is a traitor, and that he who keeps his tongue, keeps his sou!.

The apostle James, in speaking on the same subject, thus expresseth himself," if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds; yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter, a little fire kindleth, and the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea is tamed and hath beeen tamed of mankind; but the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not so to be." James iii. 2-10, verses.

The improper use of the tongue, has, unquestionably, occasioned more animosity amongst mankind, than all their other malignant passions. For masons, therefore, who, in a peculiar manner profess to be votaries of peace and good will amongst men, this assertion of the apostle, that the tongue is an unruly member," ought ever to be kept in remembrance and the evil guarded against, as far as may be practicable.

To the preceding, I shall add the words of another wise man, as recorded in the book of Ecclesiasticus, Chap. xxvii. from the 16th to the 22nd verse.

Whoso

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discovereth secrets, loses his credit, and shall never find a friend to his mind. Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him; but if thou bewrayest his secrets, follow no more after him; for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbour. As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again. Follow after him no more; for he is too far off. He is as a roe escaped out of the snare. As for a wound, it may be bound up, and after reviling, there may be reconcilement; but he that bewrayeth secrets is without hope."

I could, if I deemed it expedient, mention other proofs from sacred as well as profane writ, respecting the duty, the expediency, and the propriety of secrecy; but as I presume, that I have already advanced enough upon this subject, I shall forbear. I shall, however, venture this assertion, that the greatest honour, justice, truth, and fidelity, have been always found among those who could keep their own secrets as well as those of others. Hence it follows, that if secrecy and silence be duly considered, they will be found essentially necessary to qualify a man for any business of importance, and if this be granted, I feel confident, it will not be disputed, that free-masons have been superior to all others in taciturnity. Bad members have been expelled; but they keep the secrets, with which they have been entrusted. Neither the power of gold, which has often betrayed kings and princes, and sometimes overthrown states, empires, and kingdoms, nor the most cruel punishment, which the most malignant tyrants could devise, ever extorted the secrets of free-masonry, even from the weakest member of the fraternity.

From what has been said, I presume, it will not be disputed, that the happiness of mankind was the cause of so grand an institution as that of free-masonry, no art having, as yet, been so extensively useful. It not only

tends to protect its members from external injury; but to polish their morals, and to detain them within the bounds of true religion and virtue; for such are the doctrines inculcated by this sublime art, that if those, who have the honour of being members, would only live up to them, every man of the least reflection, would lead such a life as becomes a being possessed of a precious and immortal soul. And although very few brethren may arrive at the sublimity and beautiful contrivance of Hiram Abiff, yet the very enemies of masonry must own, that it is the most renowned society, that ever was, is now, or perhaps ever will be in the world.

The following poetic description of the royal art will show its great use to mankind.

"Hail mighty art! Hail gracious gift of heaven!

To aid mankind by our Creator given.

'Twas you alone, which gave the ark its form,

And saved the faithful from th' impending storm;
When sinful cowans grovelled in the tide,

The mason's ark triumphantly did ride

O'er mighty waves, nor cared they where it steered,
Till floods abated and dry land appeared.

On Ararat, on ceasing of the storm,

There stood their ark. They opened lodge in form.
There the good mason of his own accord,
An altar bailt, to serve the heavenly Lord,
Returned thanks and offered sacrifice,

Which pleased God, and to himself he cries,
For sake of man, I'll curse the ground no more,
Nor smite the living, as I've done before.
While earth remains, this blessing I'll bestow,
A proper time, when you your seed may sow;
The harvest time to bless the labouring swain
With fruitful crops for all his care and pain.
Nights, days, and seasons shall surround this ball,
Nor shall they cease until the end of all;
And to confirm my promise unto thee,
Amidst the clouds, my bow a witness be,
An heavenly arch, to show God saved the lives
Of masons four, likewise their happy wives

Such are the blessings of each time and season,
Which God has promised to the master-mason,
By which we see, that mighty things were done,
By this great art, since first the world begun.
What mortal living, whether far or near,
Around the globe, within the heavenly sphere,
Can name an art so much by God approved
As masonry in David, whom he loved?
On mount Moriah, God appeared to man,
And gave the prince the holy temple's plan,
Which charge his son did afterwards fulfil,
By aid of Tyre and Hiram's wonderous skill.
This is the art, which others doth excel,
And pleased the Lord of Hosts to come and dwell
Amongst the men, who did the temple frame,
To worship God and reverence his name.
By mason's art, aspiring domes appear,
Where God is worshipped still in truth and fear.
By mason's art, the greedy miser's breast,
Though iron bound much closer than his chest,
Compassion feels, and values not his store,
But freely gives what he would not before.
By mason's art, the busy tongue doth fall,
And silence reigns upon the master's call.
By mason's art the wings of loose desire
Are clipt so short, that they can soar no higher.
The vicious mind, the ancient craft restrains
From bents immodest, lawless, and profane.
By mason's art, the puny foppish ass
(Mankind's disgrace and sport of every lass,)
Soon quits his folly, and when wiser grown,
Looks on himself as one before unknown.
By mason's art, the proud ensigns of state,
Ambition's nursery and her lofty seat,
Are deemed but useless, idle, foolish toys.
Free-masons seek for more substantial joys.
While here on earth they're blest with an abode,
They must prepare for e'er to live with God.
They ought to live in harmony and love,
And thus ascend to the grand lodge above."

CHAPTER VIII.

Of the conduct of Masons.

SECTION 1.-OF BEHAVIOUR IN THE LODGE.

Ir need scarcely be observed, that a society of men, united, as a band of brothers by the strongest ties, ought to be kind and courteous to each other in all places where they meet. This, however, is more essentially requisite when they assemble in a lodge, in which brotherly love ought always in a peculiar manner to prevail; and where no disputes about nations, families, religion, or politics, can, on any account whatever, be introduced.

While the lodge is open for work, every member should attend to the business under consideration, and not interrupt any brother while speaking. He must, likewise, hold no private conversation, nor be concerned with any committee without permission from the presiding officer. If he rightly understand the rules of the craft, he will always treat the master and wardens with that respect which is due to those, whom the fraternity have appointed to preside at their meetings, and will, likewise, pay due respect to all his fellows. The Christian advice of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, will be found peculiarly applicable to free-masons. "We beseech you, brethren,” says he," to know them, which labour among you and are · over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love, for their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselves." II. Thess. v. 12, 13.

Every brother, deemed guilty of a fault, is bound to submit to the decision of the lodge; unless he appeal to› the grand lodge.

SECTION 2-OF BEHAVIOUR AFTER THE LODGE IS

CLOSED.

After the business is finished, the brethren may remain