Mason were to pursue these maxims to their fullest extent, he would experience their beneficent effect, not only in his own person, but in his intercourse with society; and mankind in every grade, would feel the influence of his example;-the social institutions and civilities of life would become more engaging-human frailty would have fewer opportunities of displaying itself temptation would be circumscribed within narrow limits, and the world would be governed by Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, under the guidance of Virtue, Honour, and Mercy. The mind of man would be his Compass "his conduct would be 29 taught them to live in charity with all mankind. The level was an emblem of equality, and reminded them that in the eyes of God all men were equal; that he caused the sun to shine upon the poor man's cottage as well as the king's palace; with him there was no distinction, unless they so far forgot their duty as to neglect and disobey the divine commands. The plumb-rule, signifying uprightness, reminded them to use justice and equity in all their dealings on earth, so that, through the great mercy of God, and the mediation of his blessed Son, they might hope to obtain an entrance into the great Lodge above, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 29 In the ancient mythology of Rome, Truth was called the mother of virtue, and was depicted with white and flowing garments. Her looks were cheerful and pleasant, though modest and serene. She was the protectress of honour and honesty, and the light and joy of human society. Democritus, from the difficulty, I suppose, of meeting with her, feigned that she lay hidden at the bottom of a well. 30 66 Virtue," says Took, "derives her name from vir, because virtue is the most manly ornament. She was esteemed a goddess, and worshipped as an elderly matron sitting upon a square stone. A temple was dedicated to her, beyond which was another dedicated to Honour. Thus it was said that the temple of virtue was the passage to the temple of honour; meaning that it was by virtue alone that true honour could be attained." 31 "The compass," says Dr. Jicans, in his oration at the Audit squared by strict rectitude and justice towards his fellow-creatures; his demeanour would be marked by the level of courtesy and kindness; while uprightness of heart and integrity of action, symbolized by the Plumb,32 would be his distinguishing characteristic ; and thus guided by the Moveable Jewels of Masonry, he might descend the vale of life with joy, in the hope of being accepted by the Most High as a successful candidate for admission into the Grand Lodge above.34 33 house in Southampton, 1792, "is a mathematical instrument, used to describe circles. This we adopt as an emblem of prudence; it symbolically instructs us to put moral restraints on our appetites; to circumscribe within rational bounds, our wants, our pleasures, our expenses; warning us, that by an opposite course, we shall endanger our quiet and our health, our reputation and our liberty." 32" The plumb-rule is an instrument of art, by whose application the building is raised in a perpendicular direction. This is another of our symbols. It is figurative of a fair and honourable plan of life, and typically cautions us against any deviation from an upright conduct, in all our intercourse and transactions, whether private or public." (Masonic Miscellanies, p. 229.) 33 In the philosophical degrees, these instruments of operative Masonry are rather differently explained. By the square, it is shown that, at the creation of the world, every thing was made good; by the level, uprightness and sincerity, and a knowledge of truth; and by the perpendicular, or plumb-rule, to subdue the veil of prejudice, and be guided solely by the Word of God. 34 66 Forms and ceremonies," says the Rev. James Wright, in his Address to the Scottish Brethren in St. Andrew's Church, Edinburgh, Nov. 30, 1786, "are necessary to the being and preservation of every great institution; but forms are of no value, except in so far as they produce a regard to the spirit or principle of the institution itself. Therefore, use their forms as being only so many handmaids to your feeling the power of the moral and beneficial influence of the Strive to make your science subservient to the purpose of strengthening in you pious and charitable dispositions, that these art. Mason were to pursue these maxims to their fullest extent, he would experience their beneficent effect, not only in his own person, but in his intercourse with society; and mankind in every grade, would feel the influence of his example; -the social institutions and civilities of life would become more engaging-human frailty would have fewer opportunities of displaying itself temptation would be circumscribed within narrow limits, and the world would be governed by Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth," under the guidance of Virtue, Honour, and Mercy. The mind of man would be his Compass "his conduct would be taught them to live in charity with all mankind. The level was an emblem of equality, and reminded them that in the eyes of God all men were equal; that he caused the sun to shine upon the poor man's cottage as well as the king's palace; with him there was no distinction, unless they so far forgot their duty as to neglect and disobey the divine commands. The plumb-rule, signifying uprightness, reminded them to use justice and equity in all their dealings on earth, so that, through the great mercy of God, and the mediation of his blessed Son, they might hope to obtain an entrance into the great Lodge above, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 29 In the ancient mythology of Rome, Truth was called the mother of virtue, and was depicted with white and flowing garments. Her looks were cheerful and pleasant, though modest and serene. She was the protectress of honour and honesty, and the light and joy of human society. Democritus, from the difficulty, I suppose, of meeting with her, feigned that she lay hidden at the bottom of a well. 30 Virtue," says Took, "derives her name from vir, because virtue is the most manly ornament. She was esteemed a goddess, and worshipped as an elderly matron sitting upon a square stone. A temple was dedicated to her, beyond which was another dedicated to Honour. Thus it was said that the temple of virtue was the passage to the temple of honour; meaning that it was by virtue alone that true honour could be attained." 31 "The compass," says Dr. Jicans, in his oration at the Audit squared by strict rectitude and justice towards his fellow-creatures; his demeanour would be marked by the level of courtesy and kindness; while uprightness of heart and integrity of action, symbolized by the Plumb,32 would be his distinguishing characteristic ; and thus guided by the Moveable Jewels of Masonry," he might descend the vale of life with joy, in the hope of being accepted by the Most High as a successful candidate for admission into the Grand Lodge above.3 33 house in Southampton, 1792, "is a mathematical instrument, used to describe circles. This we adopt as an emblem of prudence; it symbolically instructs us to put moral restraints on our appetites; to circumscribe within rational bounds, our wants, our pleasures, our expenses; warning us, that by an opposite course, we shall endanger our quiet and our health, our reputation and our liberty." 32The plumb-rule is an instrument of art, by whose application. the building is raised in a perpendicular direction. This is another of our symbols. It is figurative of a fair and honourable plan of life, and typically cautions us against any deviation from an upright conduct, in all our intercourse and transactions, whether private or public." (Masonic Miscellanies, p. 229.) "In the philosophical degrees, these instruments of operative Masonry are rather differently explained. By the square, it is shown that, at the creation of the world, every thing was made good; by the level, uprightness and sincerity, and a knowledge of truth; and by the perpendicular, or plumb-rule, to subdue the veil of prejudice, and be guided solely by the Word of God. 34.66 Forms and ceremonies," says the Rev. James Wright, in his Address to the Scottish Brethren in St. Andrew's Church, Edinburgh, Nov. 30, 1786, "are necessary to the being and preservation of every great institution; but forms are of no value, except in so far as they produce a regard to the spirit or principle of the institution itself. Therefore, use their forms as being only so many handmaids to your feeling the power of the moral and beneficial influence of the Strive to make your science subservient to the purpose of strengthening in you pious and charitable dispositions, that these art. Still higher in the Tracing-Board, we see a point within a circle supported by two vertical parallel lines. This emblem was formerly illustrated thus: "There is represented in every regular and well-governed Lodge, a certain point within a circle. The point represents an individual Brother, while the circle pourtrays the boundary-line of his duty to God and man; beyond which he is never to suffer his passions, prejudices, or interests, to betray him. This circle is embordered by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist 36 and St. John the Evangelist, who may not only operate at Masonic meetings, but may give a colour to your whole life. Unless the practice of your art shall produce in you a refined benevolence of soul, and improve the social and charitable dispositions of the art, not only toward the Brethren of your respective Lodges, but toward all mankind, ye frustrate, with respect to yourselves at least, one main end of the Masonic institution." 35 In our present system, it is thus explained by the exclusion of the two St. Johns. In all our regular, well-formed Lodges, there is a certain point within a circle, round which, it is said, the genuine professors of our science cannot err. This circle is bounded north and south by two perpendicular parallel lines. On the upper, or eastern part of the periphery, rests the Holy Bible, supporting Jacob's ladder extending to the heavens. The point is emblematic of the Omniscient and Omnipresent Deity; the circle represents his eternity, and the two perpendicular parallel lines, his equal justice and mercy. It necessarily follows, therefore, that in traversing a Masonic Lodge, we must touch upon those two great parallels, as well as upon the volume of the sacred law; and whilst a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, remembers his Creator, does justice and loves mercy, he may hope finally to arrive at that immortal centre whence all goodness emanates." 36 In the lectures which are still delivered in some of our old provincial Lodges, the following illustration is introduced: "From the building of the first temple at Jerusalem to the Babylonish captivity, the |