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and to fupplicate his protection on our well meant endeavours. The mafter affumes his government in due form, and under him his wardens; who accept their truft, after the customary falutations. The brethren then, with one accord, unite in duty and respect, and the ceremony concludes.

At clofing the lodge, a fimilar form takes place. Here the lefs important duties of mafonry are not paffed over unobferved. The neceffary degree of fubordination in the government of a lodge is peculiarly marked, while the proper tribute of gratitude is offered up to the beneficent Author of life, and his bleffing invoked and extended to the whole fraternity. Each brother faithfully locks up the treasure he has acquired, in his own fecret repofitory; and, pleased with his reward, retires to enjoy and diffeminate among the private circle of his brethren, the fruits of his labour and industry in the lodge.

Thefe are faint outlines of a ceremony, which univerfally prevails among mafons in every country, and diftinguishes all their meetings. It is arranged as a general fection in every degree, and takes the lead in all our illuftrations.

Charge ufed at Opening a Lodge."

Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the fkirts of his gar

ment:

As the dew of Hermon, that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded a bleffing, even life forevermore.

A Prayer ufed at Clofing the Lodge.

May the bleffing of Heaven reft upon us, and all regular mafons! may brotherly love prevail, and every moral and focial virtue cement us! Amen.

CHAPTER VI.

Charges and Regulations for the Conduct and Behaviour of Mafons.

A REHEARSAL of the ancient charges properly fucceeds the opening, and precedes the clofing, of a lodge. This was the conftant practice of our ancient brethren, and ought never to be neglected in our regular affemblies. A recapitulation of our duty cannot be disagreeable to those who are acquainted with it; and to those who know it not, fhould any fuch be, it must be highly proper to recommend it.

ANCIENT CHARGES.

On the Management of the Craft in Working.

Mafons employ themselves diligently in their fundry vocations, live creditably, and conform

with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which they refide.

[The most expert craftsman is chofen or appointed master of the work, and is duly honoured by thofe over whom he prefides.

[The master, knowing himself qualified, undertakes the government of the lodge, and truly difpenfes his rewards, giving to every brother the approbation which he merits.

[A craftsman, who is appointed warden of the work under the mafter, is true to mafter and fellows, carefully overfees the work, and his brethren obey him.]

The mafter, wardens, and brethren, receive their rewards juftly, are faithful, and carefully finish the work they begin, whether it be in the firft or fecond degree; but never put that work to the first which has been accustomed to the fecond degree, nor that to the second or first which has been accustomed to the third.

Neither envy nor cenfure is difcovered among true mafons. No brother is fupplanted, or put out of his work, if he be capable to finish it; as no man, who is not perfectly skilled in the original defign, can, with equal advantage to the master, finish the work begun by another.

All employed in masonry meekly receive their rewards, and ufe no difobliging name. Brother ⚫ or fellow are the terms or appellations they beftow on each other. They behave courteously within and without the lodge, and never defert the mafter till the work is finished.

3

Laws for the Government of the Lodge.

*

You are to falute one another in a courteous manner, agreeably to the forms established among mafons; you are freely to give fuch mutual inftructions as fhall be thought neceffary or expedient, not being overfeen or overheard, without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that refpect which is due to any gentleman were he not a mafon; for though, as mafons, we rank as brethren on a level, yet mafonry deprives no man of the honour due to his rank or character, but rather adds to his honour, especially if he has deferved 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 converfations encouraged; the master or wardens are not to be interrupted, or any brother speaking to the mafter; but due decorum is to be obferved, and a proper respect paid to the mafter and prefiding officers.

These laws are to be ftrictly enforced, that harmony may be preserved, and the bufinefs of the lodge be carried on with order and regularity. Amen. So mote it be.

Charge on the Behaviour of Mafons out of the Lodge,

When the lodge is clofed, you may enjoy yourselves with innocent mirth; but you are

* In a lodge, masons meet as members of one family; all prejudices, therefore, on account of religion, country, or private opinion, are removed.

carefully to avoid excefs. 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 eafy converfation. You are to use no immoral or obfcene difcourfe, but at all times fupport with propriety the dignity of your cha

racter.

You are to be cautious in your words and carriage, that the moft penetrating stranger may not discover, or find out, what is not proper to be intimated; and, if neceffary, you are to wave a difcourfe, and manage it prudently, for the honour of the fraternity.

You

At home, and in your feveral neighbourhoods, you are to behave as wife and moral men. are never to communicate to your families, friends or acquaintance, the private tranfactions of our different affemblies; but upon every occafion to confult your own honour, and the reputation of the fraternity at large.

You are to ftudy the preservation of health, by avoiding irregularity and intemperance, that your families may not be neglected and injured, or yourselves difabled from attending to your neceffary employments in life.

If a stranger apply in the character of a mafon, you are cautioufly to examine him in such -a method as prudence may direct, and agreeably to the forms established among mafons; that you may not be impofed upon by an ignorant, false pretender, whom you are to reject with contempt; and beware of giving him any fecret hints of knowledge. But if you discover him to be a true and genuine brother, you are to re

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