true to our chartered liberties, Christians in profession and in practice, and to each other, and mankind in general, affectionate and upright.

Whether Masons were originally builders or religious, it matters not to us in this age: comparing these works with the righteousness to which you have been exhorted, the honour of antiquity would be swallowed up in the virtues of practice, and in the splendour of that light of acceptation, which at once proclaims to the world that we are servants of the true God, who saves our souls alive.

If our ceremonies mean not the matter which has been expressed; if they imply not the moral and religious principles which we have endeavoured to unveil; it may be asked of you, Masons, what they do imply, import,

or indicate?

Can we presume so many learned and noble personages would, for many successive ages, have been steady members of this fraternity, if the mysteries were unimportant, and the ceremonies unintelligible? It cannot be; take away their spirit, and they become ridiculous.

Hath it been for ages a maxim of foolish sport, to introduce men to a silly snare, in which the guide, having been entrapped into ridicule, longs to laugh at another for revenge? It is too ridiculous to be presumed. Besides, if it was only so, the snare might be formed and ornamented with simple things, and there was no need to introduce sacred matters into the device. This renders the conjecture so absurd, that it will bear no further animadversion.

We Masons profess that we are pilgrims in progression from the east. The Almighty planted a garden in the east, wherein he placed the perfection of human nature, the first man full of innocence and divine knowledge, and full of honour, even bearing the image of God.

Learning had its first progression from the east after the Flood; the Egyptians were the first who represented the zodiac, and the first who demonstrated the wisdom of the great Architect of the World in the revolutions of the Heavens; they were the first projectors of the science of Geometry.

5 Appendix, P.

In regard to the doctrine of our Saviour and the Christian revelation, it proceeded from the east. The star which proclaimed the birth of the Son of God, appeared in the east. The east was an expression used by the prophets to denote the Redeemer. From thence it may well be conceived that we should profess, our progress to be from thence; if we profess by being Masons, that we are a society of the servants of that Divinity, whose abode is with the Father co-eternal, in the centre of the Heavens. But if we profess no such matter, then why should not we have alleged our progress to have been from the north, and the regions of chaos and darkness?

But we will, my brethren, forbear all further argument, and close the labours of the year with a sincere exhortation, that you will continue to act in this society as upright and religious men: that you will exert yourselves in the promotion of its honour; and let the wicked and ignorant revile ever so maliciously, be strenuous in your duties, as Masons and as Brethren: exercise your benevolence with openness of heart, and your charity with cordiality, and not as hypocrites: with attention endeavour to arrive at the utmost knowledge of your profession, the end of which, we boldly proclaim to you, is to work out the works of righteousness.

APPENDIX.

CONTENTS.

A.

A CHARGE FOR THE FESTIVAL OF ST. JOHN.

E.

A CHARGE BY THE W. M. ON LEAVING THE CHAIR.

F.

A CHARGE DELIVERED ON THE INSTALLATION OF A W. M.

G.

AN ADDRESS TO THE NEWLY-INSTALLED OFFICERS.

H.

AN ORATION AT THE DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL.

K.

AN ORATION AT THE DEDICATION OF FREEMASON'S HALL, IN

SUNDERLAND, JULY 16, 1778.

LETTER FROM MR. LOCKE TO THE EARL OF PEMBROKE.

AN OLD MANUSCRIPT ON FREEMASONRY.

L.

M.

N.

0.

A VINDICATION OF FREEMASONRY.

P. A LESSON FOR FREEMASONS.

REMARKS ON THE OLD MANUSCRIPT.

153

APPENDIX.

A.

A CHARGE FOR THE FESTIVAL OF ST. JOHN.

BRETHREN,-Being this day, by your choice, exalted into the chair, it is the fervent wish of my heart to render myself as little undeserving as possible of the distinguished honour: many important duties has a Master of a lodge to perform. To give instruction is one: I do not, however, presume upon any superior abilities to dictate to my brethren; yet I think it incumbent upon me, whilst I have the honour to sit in this chair, on this and all other occasional festivities, and indeed my office requires it of me, to exhort you to consider the nature of our institution, and to remind you of the duties it prescribes. These duties are very various and important, and have this day, I doubt not, been expatiated upon in many places by reverend brethren in the solemn Temple.

Our Order instructs us in our duty to the great Artificer of the Universe; directs us to behave as becomes to creatures their Creator; to be satisfied with his dispensations, and always to rely upon Him, whose wisdom cannot mistake our happiness, whose goodness cannot contradict it.

It directs us to be peaceable subjects, to give no umbrage to the civil powers, and never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the well being of the nation; and as political matters have sown the seeds of discord among the nearest relations and most intimate friends, we are wisely enjoined, in our assemblies, never to speak of them.

It instructs us in our duty to our neighbour; teaches us not to injure him in any of his connections, and, in all