rules or by-laws of the lodge may require, which is for feited to the lodge if the candidate should not attend according to his proposal; but is to be returned to him, if he should not be approved or elected. In case he is elected, he is to pay (in addition to his deposit) such further sums as the laws of the lodge may require, and clothe the lodge, or make some other present, if his circumstances will admit, and the brethren agree to accept the same for the benefit of the craft, and of distressed members.

Having shewn that a strict enquiry will be made into your character, justice requires that you should also be advised to be alike circumspect on your side, and to make enquiry into the character of the lodge into which you desire admission; for there is no excellence without its opposite, and no true coin without counterfeits.

In the first place, then, you have a right before admission, to desire your friend to shew you the warrant or dispensation by which the lodge is held; which, if genuine, you will find to be an instrument printed or written upon parchment, and signed by some grand master, his deputy, and grand secretary, sealed with the G. Lodge seal, constituting particular persons (therein named) as master and wardens, with full power to congregate and hold a lodge at such place, and therein "make and admit free masons, according to the most ancient and most hon orable custom of the royal craft, in all ages and nations, throughout the known world; with full power and au thority to nominate and choose their successors," &c.

You may request the perusal of the by-laws, which being short, you may read in the presence of your friend, or he will read to you, and shew you also a list of the members of the lodge, by all which, you will be the better able to judge, whether you would choose to associate with them, and submit to be conformable to their rules. Being

thu free to judge for yourself, you will not be liable to the dangers of deception, nor of having your pocket picked by impostors, and of perhaps being afterwards laughed at into the bargain; but on the contrary, you will be admitted into a society, where you will converse with men of honour and honesty, be exercised in all the offices of brotherly love, and be made acquainted with mysteries, of which it is not lawful to speak further, or to reveal out of the lodge.

All applications for initiation should be made by petition in writing, signed by the applicant, giving an account of his age, quality, occupation, and place of residence, and that he is desirous of being admitted a member of the fraternity; which petition should be kept on file by the secretary.

FORM OF A PETITION TO BE PRESENTED BY A CANDIDATE FOR INITIATION.

"To the worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

"The petition of the subscriber respectfully sheweth, that having long entertained a favourable opinion of your ancient institution, he is desirous of being admitted a member thereof, if found worthy.

"His place of residence is his occupation

(Signed)

his

age

years;

“A. B.”

After this petition is read, the candidate must be proposed in form, by a member of the lodge, and the proposition seconded by another member; a committee is then appointed to make inquiry relative to his character and qualifications.

DECLARATION TO BE ASSENTED TO BY A CANDIDATE, IN AN ADJOINING APARTMENT, PREVIOUS TO INITIATION.

Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, before

1

these gentlemen,* that, unbiased by friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of masoury I do.

"Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, before these gentlemen, that you are prompted to solicit the privilges of masonry by a favourable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow-creatures ?" I do.

"Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, before these gentlemen, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and customs of the fraternity ?" I do.

After the above declarations are made, and reported to the master, he makes it known to the lodge, in manner following, viz:

"BRETHREN,

"At the request of Mr. A. B. he has been proposed and accepted in regular form; I therefore recommend him as a proper candidate for the mysteries of masonry, and worthy to partake of the privileges of the fraternity; and, in consequence of a declaration of his intentions, voluntarily made, I believe he will cheerfully conform to the rules of the order."

If there are then no objections made, the candidate is Introduced in due form.

The Stewards of the lodge are usually present,

CHAPTER VI.

REGULATIONS FOR THE CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOUR OF ANCIENT YORK MASONS.

A REHEARSAL of the ancient charges properly sucseeds the opening, and precedes the closing, of a lodge. This was the constant practice of our ancient brethren, and ought never to be neglected in our regular assemblies. A recapitulation of our duty cannot be disagreeable to those who are acquainted with it; and to those who know it not, should any such be, it must be highly proper to recommend it.

· The ceremony of opening and closing a lodge with solemnity and decorum, is therefore universally admitted among masons; and though the mode in some lodges may vary, and in every degree must vary, still an uniformity in the general practice prevails in every lodge; and the variation, if any, is solely occasioned by a want of methød, which a little application might easily remove.

To conduct this ceremony with propriety ought to be the peculiar study of every mason; especially of those who have the honour to rule in our assemblies. To persons who are thus dignified, every eye is naturally direct, ed for propriety of conduct and behaviour; and from them, other brethren, who are less informed, will naturally expect to derive an example worthy of imitation.

From a share in this ceremony no mason can be exempted. It is a general concern, in which all must assist, This is the first request of the master, and the prelude to all business. No sooner has it been signified, than eve ry officer repairs to his station, and the brethren rank according to their degrees. The intent of the meeting becomes the sole object of attention, and the mind is insensi bly drawn from those indiscriminate subjects of conversa

tion, which are apt to intrude on our less serious moments. This effect accomplished, our care is directed to the external avenues of the lodge, and the proper officers, whose province it is to discharge that duty; execute their trust with fidelity; and by certain mystic forms, of no recent date, intimate that we may safely proceed. To detect impostors among ourselves, an adherence to order in the character of masons ensues, and the lodge is either opened or closed in solemn form.

At opening the lodge, two purposes are wisely effected: the master is reminded of the dignity of his character, and the brethren of the homage and veneration due from them in their sundry stations. These are not the only advantages resulting from a due observance of this ceremony; a reverential awe for the Deity is inculcated, and the eye fixed on that object, from whose radiant beams light only can be derived. Here we are taught to adore the God of Heaven, and to 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 The brethren then, with one accord, unite in duty and respect, and the ceremony concludes.

At closing the lodge, a similar form takes place. Here the less important duties of masonry are not passed over unobserved. The necessary degree of subordination in the government of a lodge is peculiarly marked, while the proper tribute of gratitude is offered up to the benificent Author of Life, and his blessing invoked and extended to the whole fraternity. Each brother faithfully locks up the treasure which he has acquired, in his own secret repository; and, pleased with his reward, retires to enjoy and disseminate, among the private circle of his brethren, the fruits of his labour and industry in the lodge.