Houshold or Lodge; and that Love, which is the lasting cement of his Family, disposes all the Brethren to act with One Mind and Heart. But not so hath it been among mankind in general. For although they have busied themselves in all ages, in the framing civil Constitutions, and plans of Government; in forming, and reforming them, in pulling down and building up-yet still their labours have been too much in vain-because they have daubed with untempered mortar, and their corner-stones, have not been laid (as in the Lodge, and according to our text,) in Wisdom and in Knowledge and in Equity of Rights!

Secondly, the Lodge may be said to resemble Heaven, on account of the universal Good Will which reigns therein, among the Brethren, although of different languages and countries. It is not necessary to have the labour of learning various tongues in the earthly, more than in the heavenly Lodge. And although, at the building of Babel, the universal language of the workmen was confounded and divided, because they were divided in their hearts and workmanship; yet among the true Master-builders who have since remained at unity among themselves, there is but one language and the same tokens, which are known and understood by all in every country and clime; namely, the language of Love, and the tokens of Good Will!

In the Lodge, as in Heaven, there are no distinctions of Rich and Poor, but all meet on the Level, and act on the Square; distinguished only by their different Skill in their Craft; and a zealous desire, both in the Lodge and out of the same, to promote all that is

praise-worthy among the Brethren, and tending to enlighten and bless mankind, by an amiable condescension, and a benevolent freedom, which pervades and actuates every member, and reigns undisturbed in the Lodge.

In the third place, the Lodge may be said to resemble Heaven, because in Heaven, without respect of persons, they who fear God and work righteousness are received into happiness; so likewise the Lodge opens its bosom to receive good men (who come with the proper signs and tokens) of all Nations, Sects and Professions; and entertains them with sincere Love and Friendship-even as the quiet harbour of some hospitable port, opens its arms to the tempest-driven voyager, and offers him that se curity and rest, which, on the common ocean, he sought to enjoy in vain!

And now, Brethren, (a word being enough to the Wise) I trust that nothing more need be added on this occasion, respecting the nature and excellency of our Grand Masonic Institutions! Wherefore, it remains only for me to wind up the labours of many years among you (beloved and beloving!) by one solemn Charge and Exhortation; namely, "That you would inflexibly adhere to those great and wise institutions; and that you will accept this my last public Labour of Love, as a token of my Love to the Brotherhood, and honour it with a place among the Archives of the Lodge."

"I Charge you, then, in the first place, since we declare such excellent things concerning the Lodge, and have even compared it, in Beauty and Order, to

the Lodge in Heaven;-to remember that you will destroy all ground for this comparison, unless you labour earnestly, like faithful workmen, to imitate the inhabitants of Heaven, by a pure life and unblemished conversation; walking worthy of your vocation as Men and as Christians;-considering that speculative Masonry, which was the glory of the former house under the Law, must be perfected and made sublime by operative Masonry and Vital Practice, which constitute the glory of the latter House!"

"Remember that you are pledged in the most solemn manner to this conduct. Behold that book, which contains the writings of your master Solomon, of your beloved St. John, and above all, of your great master Christ, and his other holy Apostles. In your procession to the house of God this day, as in all former processions, not only with much respect, but also with magnificence, that book, the Holy Bible, has been borne before you, as the sign and evidence of your profession. Be careful that your practice square with your profession. Let that Bible be

your Charter of Rules and Rights; and while it calls you to Love and Good-will, let not its divine precepts, as pressed upon you by our master Christ, and both our St. Johns, be violated by Evil-speaking, or the contemptible words of Malice, Slander, or want of Charity, to any of the human kind; not even to the least of those whom Christ loved unto death; and still less, if possible, to a Brother, with whom you are pledged especially to live, as on the Square of doing as you would have done unto

you.

The elder St. John, called the Baptist, whose Festival we celebrate this day, was the forerunner of the Saviour of the world; the divine Messenger or Harbinger, who first proclaimed the glad tidings of Salvation, in the truly evangelical language of Love. The second John, stiled the beloved disciple, admitted into his Master's bosom, to lean or to lie on his breast, was a very flame of Love! All he writes, all he preaches, is Love divine, and social-the Love of God, manifested in the redemption of the world; and that Love which man ought to bear to man, on account of our Redemption; "for," says St. John, " if God so "loved us, we ought to love one another. By this "mark or token shall we know that we have passed "from death to life, because we love the Brethren; for "he wholoveth not his Brother, abideth in Death, and " he that hateth his Brother is a murderer; and ye "know that no murderer hath eternal life. This com"mandment, therefore, we have from him-That he "who loveth God, love his Brother also."

Thus instructed, and thus professing the principles and doctrines of the true Lodge, remember the fate of that first of Masons and of Men, our great progenitor Adam, who being found unworthy of the bliss which he enjoyed in his Paradisaical Lodge, was driven from thence by order of the omnipotent GRANDMASTER; and a celestial Tyler, a mighty Cherubim, with a Sword of fire (mark the emblem) was placed to guard the door, and forbid his future entrance.

Since that time, the Lodges of his posterity have fallen from primitive order and perfection. Yet still they will be a resemblance of the Paradisaical lodge,

and even of Heaven itself, so far as you labour earnestly in the exercise of Love, that great badge of your profession. For Love, producing good works, not only in your walk as Masons, but as Christians, is justly stiled-the fulfilling of the whole law, the sum and substance of all duty.

Let those Pharisaical zealots, who flatter themselves in a superior sanctity, and self-righteousness, belie their professions by slandering their neighbours, and putting the worst constructions on their actions, while Charity would suggest those which are more liberal-But let it never be so among you, looking chiefly upon the bright and lovely parts of the human character, casting a veil, where possible, over its weaknesses and failings.

Are you calumniated by any, who, through ignorance or misrepresentation, entertain prejudices against your order-Answer not a Fool according to his Folly-Return not Railing for Railing; but let your converse in the world be a living answer to the Reproach. And while you remember that you are Masons, forget not that you are Christians, to be judged at the great day, by the same Laws of God as other Christians, in the sight of Men and Angels.

As a further assistance in your labours, keep in constant view the bright examples of those who have been eminent in your Fraternity, through ages that are past-rejoice in their Memory, and be incited to follow their steps, in Wisdom, and Knowledge and Equity; considering that those steps led them, and may lead you, from one degree of Knowledge and Virtue, to degrees still higher; raising you to the