fraternity in all those points which erect it into an exclusive society, protected by laws, and guarded by Landmarks, which are permanent and unchangeable. In the narrow limits even of two Lectures, it has been found impossible to do ample justice to the TracingBoard of an E. A. P. But the sketch, however brief and hastily drawn, will be sufficient to demonstrate the moral teaching of Freemasonry.

"Men were our masters to teach us to speak, but we learn silence from the gods. From these we learn to hold our peace in their rites and initiations."

LECTURE VI.

THE FORM, SITUATION, AND EXTENT OF THE LOdge.

Our Lodge is situated due east and west, because all places of divine worship, as well as all well-formed and regularly constituted Lodges, are, or ought to be, so situated; for which we assign three Masonic reasons: 1. The sun, the glory of the Lord, rises in the east and sets in the west; 2. Learning originated in the east, and from thence extended its benign influence to the west; 3. The third, last, and grand reason, refers to the situation of the tabernacle in the wilderness."-DR. HEMMING.

"It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.”—JOB. XI. 8, 9.

THE Construction of Speculative Masonry, as it is now practised, has been beautifully conceived; and the arrangement embraces points which conduct the mind gradually to the uppermost step of the theological ladder, and leave it surrounded by a blaze of light and glory. The elements of Masonic morality are first propounded to the candidate at his initiation, and when his mind is sufficiently enlightened to entitle him to the advantage of new communications, he is passed on to a view of our scientific pursuits, and shown the connexion which exists between them and the moral lessons, in which he has already displayed

his proficiency. After due probation, he descends into the bowels of the earth' to search for truth; is raised to a state of intellectual superiority, which confers actual destinction, and taught the wisdom which is derived from our history, tradition, and holy

Hence, in some of the philosophical degrees, the place of meeting is figuratively termed a cavern, in imitation, probably, of the spurious Freemasonry, which was always held in the bowels of the earth; and the most stupendous specimens of the fact are visible to this day in the Indian, Persian, and Egyptian subterranean temples. In some places, entire mountains were excavated, and the cavern was constructed with cells, chambers, galleries, and streets, all supported by columns, and forming a subterranean labyrinth. Examples of this practice are found in the excavations underneath the great pyramid of Egypt; at Baix and Sena Julia, in Italy; near Nauplia, in Greece; at Elephanta and Salsette, in India; at Ceylon; and in Malta is a cave, where we are told that "the rock is not only cut into spacious passages, but hollowed out into numerous contiguous halls and apartments" Similar cavern temples are found in every country upon earth.

2 Masonic history is at present in a very detached and imperfect state. We have no professed history of Freemasonry, which constitutes a reflection on our great society patronized by kings, princes, and nobles, of a very serious character. It is true, we have the compilation of Anderson, which has been continued by Preston, so far as it relates to this country, and by Laurie for Scottish Masonry. But the work of Anderson is manifestly imperfect, because it treats of operative Masonry only, and passes over the speculative division, as though it were of no importance. In many respects, this book is not of any great authority. Our Grand Lodge was convinced of this, when it delegated to Bro. Williams its sanction to compile a new history, in which both its branches should be extensively considered. And, again, little is really known in this country about continental Masonry, although its history and antiquities combine subjects of the greatest interest, and are fruitful in events of vast importance to the fraternity. In Lecture XXV., this subject will

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legend, to harmonize the heart, and lead it to reflections which show in strong colours the vanity of all human pursuits, and the necessity of preparing for death and resurrection; and while they inculcate his duties to God, exhort him punctually to observe the points of fellowship to his Brother, by assisting him in his distresses, supporting him in his virtuous undertakings, praying for his welfare, keeping inviolate his secrets, and vindicating his reputation as well in his absence as in his presence.

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Occupy our attention. America, too, is prolific in materials for investigation; and the recent struggle to extinguish its light in that free country, which terminated so triumphantly for the institution, would be an instructive source of information, from which the most genial and beneficial results might be made to flow. The American Grand Lodges are at this moment making arrangements for a general history of the Order.

3 The legendary or traditional history of Masonry is more accessible to inquiring Brethren. It is preserved in the several degrees. Much of it may be found in blue and red Masonry, and much in the military and philosophical degrees. The historical Landmarks are open to public investigation; but Freemasonry contains Landmarks of another description, on which it is not lawful to expatiate. They are locked up in faithful breasts, under the watchful guardianship of Fidelity. The ear hears them in the tiled recesses of the Lodge; the heart retains them, and out of that asylum the tongue never violates the Masons' faith.

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Bro. Blanchard, a learned barrister in Connecticut, thus expresses himself on the virtue of Masonic secrecy, in a lecture delivered before the Union Lodge, New London, and printed by request: "The means devised for promoting the welfare of Freemasonry are the secrecy, the language, and the government of the Lodge. Secrecy is wisely adopted to begin and continue Masonry, because it is necessary. If the Lodge should work in public, who, in a short time, would be its members? Besides, secrecy is, of itself, a virtue;

Here we find completed the true philosophy of Freemasonry. The three degrees blend doctrine, morality, and science, tradition and history, into a grand and beautiful system, which, if studied with attention, and practised with sincerity, will inspire a holy confidence that the Lord of Life will enable us to trample the king of terrors beneath our feet, and lift our eyes to the bright morning star, whose rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient to the holy word of God. There is, indeed, scarcely a point of duty or morality, which man has been presumed to owe to God, his neighbour, or himself, under the Patriarchal, the Mosaic, or the Christian

and is taught as such in the Lodge, and taught effectually. Men should be able to keep their own secrets, and should never violate the confidence of others. Masonic secrecy is, I acknowledge, a mysterious thing; but to the fact. a Mason, keeps this one secret; discipline, expel-he never tells. tells. Does he talk in his sleep? him in his wants, tempt him in his pleasures, threaten him or torture him, he is a martyr here-but he never tells. Thus, secrecy is one of the means essential and effectual."

The most tattling man, if he be there is no risk of him. Enrage, Mad, drunk, or crazy-he never It is not about Masonry. Bribe

The first, or initiatory degree, contains the rudiments of knowledge, and has been aptly referred to the patriarchal dispensation, when mankind were acquainted only with the first principles of religion, and worshipped God only in simplicity as the Creator and Governor of the world, when his laws and precepts were few, and written in the hearts of the faithful race. These precepts were,— 1. The trial and punishment of malefactors. 2. Reverence for the seventh day, and divine worship. 3. The renunciation of idolatry. 4. The prohibition of nakedness. 5. Homicide forbidden. 6. Against fraud, dissimulation, and robbery. 7. Prohibition against eating the flesh of any animal taken from it before it was dead.

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In the patriarchal dispensation, we find many Masonic Landmarks,