always be disregarded. The time will come when man shall be a friend to man ; when peace and harmony shall reign; when brotherly love shall abound, and all shall practice what is now taught within the Lodge.

CHAPTER XVII.

Motives, Persuasives and Inducements to maintain the true Dignity of the Masonic Character.

A CHARACTER of celebrity, marked with the distinguishing characteristics of true greatness, forms a motive for incitement irresistibly persuasive. Such is the natural propensity in man, that he ardently aspires after equal or superior fame. The principles of imitation are engendered in his nature, fostered in his pride, and excited by a spirit of emulation. Various are the ways and means suggested by different minds, for the attainment of the same desirable end. To each profession or station in civilized life, is necessarily attached a corresponding propriety of conduct and deportment of manners, in some way suited to the sphere in which we move, or the station we fill. A corresponding propriety between practice and profession, forms that consistency in character, observable through every grade of social intercourse, or civilized life.

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Excellency of character, in the view of the world, is principally estimated from the honorable nature, or religious importance of profession, harmonizing with a uniform propriety of practice. If the employment be of a public nature, or in any way open to the inspection of mankind, a deportment corresponding thereto, is uniformly expected. Such is the propensity of the human heart, as to be inclined to censure and condemn each devious step, each semblance of inconsistency when found in another.

Amongst all those numerous associations of men, on which the jealous and scrutinizing eye of the world has been fixed, none is more conspicuous, or more narrowly observed, than the Masonic. Hence, the more special necessity of maintaining such a character, and exhibiting such examples, as it may be virtuous and praiseworthy in others to imitate.

Every member of the institution is, by profession, magnanimous, liberal, humane, benevolent, and upright. These are words of very great latitude and high import. To these we add justice, integrity of heart, fidelity, sobriety and

temperance, prudence and economy, friendship and brotherly affection, with every virtue which can adorn human nature, and constitute all the appendages of a finished character..

Here is a public profession of the highest cast, and demands a corresponding dignity of deportment in the life and conduct of every member of the institution..

Notwithstanding the high import of this Masonic profession, yet, it is believed, the constituted means to form a corresponding character, are truly adequate. Long has it been evinced to the world, that the most brilliant and overwhelming oratory, even when employed in the cause of truths the most weighty in themselves, often fades from the mind like the fictions of a dream..

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The mind of desultory man, flying: from object to object, with the rapidity of thought, is never seriously affected,. except by what does, in some way, engage the understanding and interest the feelings. Through this medium lies that avenue, which leads directly to the heart, and fastens convictions on the con-science.

In Speculative Free-Masonry, pre-

cept and example are most happily designed to harmonize, and thereby present the most powerful motives to impress on the mind the sentiments of virtue, and the precepts of wisdom, with a favorable prospect of success.

Hence, the lodge becomes a school for improvement, where man is taught the duties of life, and the sublime precepts of our holy religion. Here the

candidate is instructed in the numerous relative duties of decorum, subordination and modesty, kindness, gentleness and affability, which can render the possessor amiable and lovely in the eyes of the world. Within these walls, impervi ous to the vulgar eye, the mind is nurtured in all that soundness of intellect, that discreet, engaging deportment, that benevolence and charity of disposition, which constitute the more excellent and noble appendages of the human characracter. A habitual practice of every commendable virtue, is taught by suitable and appropriate Masonic emblems, with that gravity and solemnity, which comport with the nature of the institution.

The maxims of wisdom are gradually unfolded, till the whole duty of man is