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Finally, we ought to love one another, if we consider how much this principle contributes to the happiness of society and the perfection of human nature. It is not the man of great talents, but the man of a good heart, who is most useful to his fellow-creatures. To do acts of publick and extensive utility, to scatter plenty over a land, to raise a fallen or support a sinking state, are indeed noble exertions, and call forth the admiration and gratitude of mankind. But they are the lot of only a few men in an age or nation. Whereas the situation of no man prevents him from cultivating a benevolent heart: there is not a day nor hour of our lives wherein we may not wish well and do good to our neighbour. Indeed, did this principle universally prevail,the labours of the legislator, of the hero and of the patriot would be, in a great measure, unnecessary. Were men actuated by true brotherly love, they would respect the rights of their neighbour, without the injunctions of law, or the fear of punishment. Wars and rumours of war would be heard no more; the animosities, discords and debates which agitate private society, would instantly give place to peace and mutual good-will. Then, and not till then,may

we expect the fulfilment of those happy predictions that the wolf and the lamb shall lie down together, and a little child shall lead them. Then the wilderness and the solitary place would be glad, the desert would rejoice and blossom as the rose. Then they would not hurt nor destroy in all the holy mountain of the Lord. And can we conceive greater perfection in human nature? Behold how pleasant and how comely it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is as the dew of Hermon, as the dew that descended on the mountains of Zion. Indeed we cannot form a more exalted idea of the happiness of the higher mansions, where every thing, like the calm and untroubled ocean, reflects the serenity of God's countenance; where the angers, quarrels, dissentions and storms which render this sea of life so troublesome and tempestuous, are all blown over, and where the reign of universal peace, harmony and love has begun, never to termin

ate.

Thus, my brethren, I have endeavoured shortly to illustrate and recommend the love of your neighbour, on a day sacred to the memory of that beloved disciple, whose writings breathe so much of that spirit of love which

his intimacy and friendship with his master must have inspired; a day rendered still more memorable by being the anniversary of a society whose fundamental principle is brotherly love, shining forth in the fair fruits of peace and harmony, charity and good works-a society the most liberal in its plan, the most benevolent in its intention, and the most inoffensive in its conduct, that ever was instituted in the world—a society which encourages and observes the most profound respect for the Supreme Being, the great architect of nature-a society which embraces the whole human race, considers all mankind as one blessed family of brethren, and unites men of all ranks and conditions, of all parties and sects, of all nations and religions-a society which inculcates rectitude and moderation of conduct by the most significant emblems-a society from whose meetings all strife and vain argument, all riot and intemperance are, by the laws of it's institution, carefully excluded-a society whose ears have been ever open to the cry of the indigent and needy-a society which, if it did not stand secure in its own intrinsick excellence, might well claim respect from its high antiquity and the nume

rous catalogue of great and shining names of which it can boast-a society which has not excited nor can excite the indignation of any but the suspicious despot, or the blood-thirsty inquisitor.

The great objection which has been so often made to our institution, is the secrecy of our proceedings; that we have laws which are not to be divulged, and meetings removed from the eye of the inquisitive. Such an objection may excite fear in the breast of the tyrant, whose throne totters under him, and whose feeble arm is unable to wield the sceptre which he holds; but scarcely deserves attention in a land of freedom where no man has an inquisitorial power over the private opinions and conduct of another. By their actions all men ought to be judged; and to these, the members of this society need not be afraid to appeal. For it has been proved by universal experience, that our meetings have never once been prostituted to purposes hurtful to society; and that, while every other human institution has degenerated, this alone has preserved it's original purity and exemption from every thing not calculated for the good of mankind. Societies instituted for the laudable purpose of

promoting knowledge and literature, forsaking the peaceful walks of science, have become the tools of a party, and given the sanction of their authority to the varying doctrines of the day. Even religion itself has been made the engine of despotism, or has yielded to the fury of popular commotion; and the pulpit has at one time resounded with the maxims of nonresistance, and at another with incentives to insurrection. But free masonry has ever kept itself pure from the blood of all men. In no age nor nation have the assemblies of the Brotherhood become the seats of sedition, or the scenes of intrigue. In their meetings no dark cabals are formed against the constituted authorities; no secret shaft is aimed at the reputation of the innocent; no foul crime is committed which shuns the examination of the light. Like every other society, we have secrets and signs of distinction, which, upon application, may be made known to the duly qualified; but thesc regard only ourselves, As far as the world is concerned, our grand secret is LOVE: Love, the cement of soci ety and the balm of life; Love, that adamantine chain which reaches from heaven to earth, and binds the universe together;Yy

VOL. I.