and it instructs us that He now requires his people to offer unto him the incense of prayer and praise, of gratitude and thanksgiving; and will only accept the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart."* "Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first, be reconciled to thy brother, and THEN come and offer thy gift." t CHAPTER XIX. OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. §1. Summary of preceding Degrees. As this is the highest degree of the Subordinates, it may not be amiss in this place briefly to array the line of special principles and applications of Fraternity through which the candidate has passed in arriving at it. The First Degree inculcated Fidelity as its leading idea, illustrated by Purity, Benevolence, and Charity. The prominent idea of the Second Degree is Covenanted Love, (as in the case of David and Jonathan,) illustrated by deeds of mutual relief in seasons of difficulty, danger, and distress. The Third Degree prominently sets forth an extension of this, in self-sacrificing Friendship on a larger scale, (as in the case of Moses,) illustrated by risking ease, property, and even life, to save a brother. The Fourth Degree makes the principle of universal * Odd-Fellow, 1842. + Matt. v. 23, 24. Love its theme: Love, not to the Order only, but to all mankind, as underlying all the preceding. The Fifth Degree makes Truth, in action and in sentiment, its leading idea, illustrated by correctness of speech and conduct, by fraternal watchcare and loving correction of our brethren. The Patriarchal Degree makes special application of the foregoing, in the duty of Hospitality to the stranger, and especially to the brother. And the Golden Rule Degree, carrying the sentiment of charity into the domain of mind, enforces Toleration (not indifference, nor yet approval) of all differences of opinion, faith, and worship, for the sake of unity in working in the cause of God and humanity. We now reach, in this most sublime degree, the idea of REST (not indolence, or cessation of the powers of mind and heart, but) the Rest of Faith, that prelibation of the immortal, glorious Repose of Immortality itself. For heaven is the Reality of all that Regeneration prefigures—of Faith, which is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." That heavenly, purely spiritual repose, is but a higher, greater freedom for the soul to exercise its powers aright, easily, willingly, gladly. § 2. Introduction to the R. P. Degree. 1. Let all who are weary of ill-doing, and heavy laden with doubt and error, seek the unwearying activity of true righteousness, and the calm search after truth and Divine assurance: such will find rest to their souls. And they will find it only by travelling the road the Patriarchs trod before them. 2. There is no true, real rest on earth. Once entered on life, all is toil and trouble, from infancy to old age. We are enticed and hurried onward, and still onward, without power of halting to enjoy the beautiful and pleasing of present time on the journey. The child enjoys not the sunshine of a mother's caress, he longs to be a youth. The youth is beguiled from his gladsome sports by the wish to become a man. The man is impelled onward, yet onward, through perils, struggling and striving ever after enjoyments which burst in his grasp and flee as he approaches. And thus the restless spirit is impelled on life's swift current, till it is merged in the ocean of eternity! 3. But you are strong in body and stout in heart, and the experience of others is naught to you. You hope for a better fate than has been won by those who preceded you. The wreck of their joys will save you from their disasters; the wild torrents that overwhelmed them, you feel strong to stem. Be it as you say. Onward, then, and God speed you in your laudable endeavors, and furnish you with good guidance and sure protection. 4. If true principle, combined with stern integrity, be your guide and safeguard in the journey, all will be well. However derided by the worldly-wise, and abused by the imprudent, it alone can lead you through the intricacies of your path, and deliver you from the temptations that would allure you from your onward course. 5. Onward, but be wary. Narrow and rough though the path be, it is better than the broad and flower-strewn way that leads to death. Press on, though obstacles increase and the gloom thickens and the dark forests threaten to shut out the day. Seek not ease, O pilgrim, for it can be obtained only at the risk of delay and perhaps destruction. 6. Be principle still your guide. If Sensuality calls in syren tones and songs of mirth, opening an easy road beneath your feet, turn not in. Look down, and behold serpents twined among the roses; note that the laughter is that of giddy intoxication; see the iron bands concealed in the flower-wreaths, rusting into flesh, and mind, and heart. Oh, there is no canker equal to sensual lust! If Ambition invites to worldly glory, behold beneath her robes meek humanity bleeding in the |