Firth THE FREEMASON'S MONITOR. PART FIRST. BOOK I. CHAPTER I. Origin of Masonry and its general Advantages. FROM the commencement of the world we may trace the foundation of Mafonry. Ever fince fymmetry began, and harmony displayed her charms, our order has had a being. During many ages, and in many different countries, it has flourished. In the dark periods of antiquity, when literature was in a low ftate, and the rude manners of our forefathers withheld from them that knowledge we now fo amply fhare, masonry diffufed its influence. This fcience unveiled, arts arose, civilization took place, and the progrefs of knowledge and philofophy gradually dispelled the gloom of ignorance and barbarism. Government being fettled, authority was given to laws, and the affemblies of the fraternity ac * Masonry and Geometry are sometimes used as synonimous terms. quired the patronage of the great and the good, while the tenets of the profeffion were attended with unbounded utility. Masonry is a science confined to no particular country, but diffused over the whole terreftrial globe. Wherever arts flourish, there it flourishes too. Add to this, that by fecret and inviolable figns, carefully preferved among the fraternity throughout the world, mafonry becomes an univerfal language. Hence many advantages are gained the diftant Chinese, the wild Arab, and the American favage, will embrace a brother Briton, Frank, or German; and will know, that beside the common ties of humanity there is still a ftronger obligation to induce him to kind and friendly offices. The fpirit of the fulminating priest will be tamed; and a moral brother, though of a different perfuafion, engage his ef teem. Thus, through the influence of masonry, which is reconcileable to the best policy, all those disputes, which embitter life, and four the tempers of men, are avoided: while the common good, the general defign of the craft, is zealoufly purfued. From this view of the fyftem, its utility must be fufficiently obvious. The univerfal principles of the art unite men of the moft oppofite tenets, of the moft diftant countries, and of the moft contradictory opinions, in one indiffoluble bond of affection, fo that in every nation a mafon finds a friend, and in every climate a home. CHAPTER II. The Government of the Fraternity explained. THE mode of government obferved by the fraternity will best explain the importance, and give the trueft idea of the nature and defign of the masonic fyftem. There are feveral claffes of masons, under different appellations. The privileges of thefe claffes are diftinct, and particular means are adopted to preferve thofe privileges to the juft and meritorious of each clafs. Honour and probity are recommendations to the first class; in which the practice of virtue is enforced, and the duties of morality inculcated, while the mind is prepared for regular and focial converse in the principles of knowledge and philofophy. Diligence, affiduity and application, are qualifications for the fecond clafs; in which an accurate elucidation of science, both in theory and practice, is given. Here human reafon is cultivated by a due exertion of the rational and intellectual powers and faculties: nice and difficult theories are explained; new discoveries produced, and those already known beautifully embellished. The third clafs is compofed of those whom truth and fidelity have diftinguished; who, when affaulted by threats and violence, after folicitation and perfuafion have failed, have evinced their firmness and integrity in preferving inviolate the myfteries of the order. The fourth clafs confifts of those who have perfeveringly studied the scientific branches of the art, and exhibited proofs of their skill and acquirements, and who have confequently obtained the honour of this degree, as a reward of merit. The fifth clafs confifts of those who, having acquired a proficiency of knowledge to become teachers, have been elected to prefide over regularly conftituted bodies of masons. The fixth clafs confifts of thofe who, having discharged the duties of the chair with honour and reputation, are acknowledged and recorded as excellent mafters. The feventh clafs confifts of a felect few, whom years and experience have improved, and whom merit and abilities have entitled to preferment. With this class the ancient landmarks of the order are preferved; and from them we learn and practife the neceffary and inftructive leffons, which at once dignify the art, and qualify its profeffors to illuftrate its excellence and utility. This is the established mode of the mafonic government, when the rules of the fyftem are obferved. By this judicious arrangement, true friendship is cultivated among different ranks and degrees of men, hofpitality promoted, induftry rewarded, and ingenuity encouraged. CHAPTER III. The Importance of the Secrets of Masonry If the fecrets of masonry are replete with fuch advantages to mankind, it may be asked, Why are they not divulged for the general good of fociety? To which it may be answered: Were the privileges of mafonry to be indifcriminately bestowed, the defign of the inftitution would be fubverted; and, being familiar, like many other important matters, would foon lose their value, and fink into difregard. It is a weakness in human nature, that men are generally more charmed with novelty, than the real worth or intrific value of things. Novelty influences all our actions and determinations. What is new, or difficult in the acquifition, however trifling or infignificant, readily captivates the imagination, and enfures a temporary admiration; while what is familiar, or eafily obtained, however noble and eminent for its utility, is fure to be difregarded by the giddy and unthinking. Did the particular fecrets or peculiar forms prevalent among masons conftitute the effence of the art, it might be alledged that our amusements were trifling, and our ceremonies fuperficial. But this is not the cafe. Having their ufe, they are preferved; and from the recollection of the leffons they inculcate, the well informed mafon derives instruction. Drawing |