spect him; if he be in want, you are to relieve im, or direct him how he may be relieved; you are to employ him, or recommend him to employment: however, you are never charged to do beyond your ability; only to prefer a poor brother, who is a good man and true, before any other person in the same circumstances.

Finally: These rules you are always to observe and enforce, and also the dutics which have been communicated in the lectures; culti vating brotherly love, the foundation and capestone, the cement and glory of this ancient fraternity; avoiding, upon every occasion, wrangling and quarrelling, slandering and backbiting; not permitting others to slander honest brethren, but defending their characters, and doing them good offices, as far as may be consistent with your honour and safety, but no farther. Hence all may see the benign influence of masonry, as all true masons have done from the beginning of the world, and will do to the end of time. Amen. So mote it be.

CHAP. VII.

Prerequisites for a Candidate.

By a late regulation, adopted by most of the grand lodges in America, no candidate for the mysteries of masonry can be initiated without having been proposed at a previous meeting of

the lodge; in order that no one may be introduced without due inquiry relative to his character and qualifications.

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 years; his occupation

(Signed)

his age

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.

3*

Declaration to be assented to by a Candidate, in an adjoining apartment, previous to Initiation.

"Do you seriously declare upon your honour, before these gentlemen,* that, unbiassed by friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary motives you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of masonry " I do.

"Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, before these gentlemen that you are prompted to solicit the privileges 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 mysterics 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.

CHAP. VIII.

REMARKS ON THE FIRST LECTURE..

We shall now enter on a disquisition of the different sections of the lectures appropriated to the several degrees of masonry, giving a brief summary of the whole, and annexing to every remark the particulars to which the section alludes. By these means the industrious mason will be instructed in the regular arrangement of the sections in each lecture, and be enabled with more ease to acquire a knowledge of the art.

The first lecture of masonry is divided into three sections, and each section into different clauses. Virtue is painted in the most beautiful colours, and the duties of morality are enforced. In it we are taught such useful lessons as prepare the mind for a regular advancement in the principles of knowledge and philosophy. These are imprinted on the memory by lively and sensible images, to influence our conduct in the proper discharge of the duties of social life.

THE FIRST SECTION

In this lecture is suited to all capacities, and may and ought to be known by every person who ranks as a mason. It consists of general heads, which, though short and simple, carry weight with them. They not only serve as marks of distinction, but communicate useful and interesting knowledge, when they are duly

investigated. They qualify us to try and examine the rights of others to our privileges, while they prove ourselves; and, as they induce us to inquire more minutely into other particulars of greater importance, they serve as an introduction to subjects more amply explained in the following sections.

A prayer used at the Initiation of a Candidate.

"Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention; and grant that this candidate for masonry may dedicate and devote his life to thy service, and be. come a true and faithful brother among us! Endue him with a competency of thy divine wisdom, that, by the secrets of our art, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of brotherly love, relief, and truth, to the honour of thy holy name! Amen.

It is a duty incumbent on every master of a lodge, before the ceremony of initiation takes place, to inform the candidate of the purpose and design of the institution; to explain the nature of his solemn engagements; and, in a manner peculiar to masons alone, to require his cheerful acquiescence to the duties of morality and virtue, and all the sacred tenets of the order.

Towards the close of the section is explained that peculiar ensign of masonry, the lamb-skin, or white leather apron, which is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a mason; more ancient than the golden fleece or Roman eagle; more