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in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary shall find rest.

The Forty-Seventh Problem of Euclid.

This was an invention of our ancient friend and brother, the great Pythagoras, who, in his travels through Asia, Africa, and Europe, was initiated into several orders of priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of a master mason. This wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general knowledge of things, and more especially in geometry, or masonry. On this subject, he drew out many problems and theorems; and among the most distinguished, he erected this, which, in the joy of his heart, he called Evonka, (Eureka,) in the Grecian language, signifying I have found it; and upon the discovery of which, he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches masons to

be general lovers of the arts and sciences.

The Hour-Glass

Is an emblem of human life. Behold! how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close! We cannot without astonishment behold the little particles which are contained in this machine;-how they pass away almost imperceptibly! and yet, to our surprise, in the short space of an hour, "they are all exhausted. Thus wastes man! To-day, he puts forth the tender leaves of hope; to-morrow, blossoms, and bears his blushing honours thick upon him; the next day comes a frost, which nips the shoot; and when he thinks his greatness is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth.

The Scythe

Is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life, and launches us into eternity.-Behold! what havock the scythe of time makes among the human race! If by chance we should escape the numerous evils incident to childhood and youth, and with health

and vigour arrive to the years of manhood; yet, withal, we must soon be cut down by the all-devouring scythe of time, and be gathered into the land where our fathers have gone before us.

Thus we close the explanation of the emblems upon the solemn thought of death, which, without revelation, is dark and gloomy; but the Christian is suddenly revived by the ever green and ever living sprig of Faith in the merits of the Lion of the tribe of Judah; which strengthens him, with confidence and composure, to look forward to a blessed immortality; and doubts not, but in the glorious morn of the resurrection, his body will rise, and become as incorruptible as his soul.

Then let us imitate the Christian in his virtuous and amiable conduct; in his unfeigned piety to God; in his inflexible fidelity to his trust; that we may welcome the grim tyrant Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our Supreme Grand Master, to translate us from this imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious, and celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the universe presides.

CHARGE at raising to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

BROTHER,

Your zeal for the institution of masonry; the progress you have made in the mystery; and your conformity to our regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor and esteem. You are now bound by duty, honour and gratitude, to be faithful to your trust; to support the dignity of your character on every occasion; and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the tenets of the order.

In the character of a master mason, you are

authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them against a breach of fidelity. To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied, must be your constant care; and for this purpose, it is your province to recommend to your inferiors, obedidience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate; and, by the regularity of your own behaviour, afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient land-marks of the order, entrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve; and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity.

Your virtue, honour and reputation, are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows, or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist,

whom you this evening represent. Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honour which we have conferred, and merit the confidence that we have reposed.

MARK MASTER'S DEGREE.

BY the influence of this degree, each operative mason, at the erection of King Solomon's temple, was known and distinguished, by the Senior Grand Warden. If defects were found, the overseers were ena bled, without difficulty, to ascertain who was the faulty workman: so that deficiencies might be remedied, without injuring the credit or diminishing the reward of the industrious and faithful of the craft.

CHARGE to be read at Opening.

Wherefore, brethren, lay aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious; to whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also, as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God.

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Brethren, this is the will of God, that with well-doing, ye put to silence the ignoranae of foolish men. As free, and not as using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness; but as the servants of God. Honour all men; love the brotherhood; fear God."

SECTION FIRST.

The first section explains the manner of opening a Mark Master's Lodge; and recapitulates the mystic ceremony of the preparatory circumstance of introducing a candidate. The number of artists employed in building the Temple is specified; and the progress they made in architecture, is remarked; and it ends with a beautiful display of the manner in which one of the principal events originated, which characterizes this degree.

SECTION SECOND.

In the second section is recited the mode of advancing a candidate to this degree-By which the mark master is instructed in the origin and history of the Degree, and in the indispensable obligations he is under to stretch forth his assisting hand for the relief of an indigent and worthy brother, to a certain specified extent. We are here taught to ascribe praise to the meritorious, and to dispense rewards to the diligent and industrious.

The following texts of scripture are introduced and explained.

PSALM CXViii. 22.

"The stone which the builders refused, is become the head stone of the corner.". -MATT. xxi. 42. "Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner ?" -MARK Xii. 10. "And have you not read this scripture, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner ?"--LUKE XX. 17. "What is this, then, that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner."

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