conscience shed peace in your soul. Search deep into those hidden mysteries to which your profession leads. Raise your admiring views, and look abroad in the vast fields of Masonic research. Look through the forms of Masonry to the substance; through the symbols contemplate their high and sacred allusions. Think not you understand Speculative Free-Masonry, when you have regularly received the degrees. You are then just prepared to acquire true knowledge. You are just entering the school of moral improvement. Think not, when all those useful and interesting lectures are thoroughly committed you have done. Much, very much, still remains. Those principles must be exemplified by a regular life and honest deportment. Nor is this the end of your duty. You may still look forward in boundless prospect. You may view the collective excellences of the whole moral system, summarily comprised in the body of Speculative Free-Masonry. You may dwell on the subject, till overwhelmed and lost in admiration. Such is the nature of our Institution; and it is hoped every brother will be suitably af fected with those momentous considera

tions; that every member will duly appreciate his privileges; that each presiding officer exhibit a bright example of all that is praiseworthy, and the whole body universally appear to the world, as a "spiritual building, in which every part being fitly joined together, may grow up into a building of God.”

Finally, brethren, "let us keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of PEACE." "Let us love one another, for love is of God."

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, which ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, which went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountain of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

CHAPTER XIX.

Evidences, that Masonry has been the medium through which the Pentateuch, or five Books of Moses, have been Preserved to the world.

A SUBJECT is now to be present ed for consideration, which cannot fail to engage the attention, and interest the feelings of every friend of truth and sober inquiry. It is, therefore, presumed every brother will prepare his mind to judge of such facts, and candidly examine such evidence, as may be exhibited.

It is my design to quote some of the highest authorities to be found, in proof of this grand proposition; viz. that ancient Masonry has been that medium, through which the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses, have been preserved to the world. If this position can be supported by argument, and proved to the reasonable satisfaction of the judicious and candid, the result will seal the true dignity of our Institution. In view of such an important truth, if supported by preponderating evidence, the world

would be constrained to acknowledge the instrumentality of the Masonic Institution, in a matter deeply involving the universal good, and general happiness of the whole human family.

A few preliminary remarks are necessary, to prepare the way, and lead our minds to a natural introduction of this subject.

When God separated Abram, the Hebrew, from his country and kindreď, he had a fixed and unalterable purpose, eventually, to make the greatest displays of the infinite excellence of his own character. Hence, the posterity of this man were chosen, to be the active instruments under Providence, of introducing and perpetuating the greatest subordinate good in the moral system. This is a plain truth, clearly and fully attested by incontrovertible facts, in connexion with divine testimony.

By those early communications, made to Abram and his descendants, God manifested his immutable designs to preserve the Hebrew nation as his covenant people, and through them to magnify the riches of his goodness, by unfolding, and carrying into effect, his infinite plan of grace and salvation. Numerous

were the intermediate steps, to the accomplishment of this great and important end.

The land of Canaan was, therefore, given to Abram by promise, and fixed as the theatre of divine exhibition. Many ages, however, must intervene; during which, Jacob and his sons should remain under Egyptian bondage. When the time of their servitude was about to expire, it became necessary, in the chain of events, that God should raise up a deliverer for his chosen people. Moses, the man-child, who had been preserved in an ark of bulrushes, and instructed in all the wisdom of Egypt, received this high mission. Under the guidance of a special Providence, he delivered his nation, and led that holy enterprise, which was made to issue in the introduction and promulgation of the greatest manifestations of goodness, and displays of mercy, our world has ever witnessed..

Moses, in executing his mission, conducted the Hebrews to the mount of God. There he received the decalogue on tables of stone, written by the finger of Jehovah, and delivered amidst thunderings and lightnings and trembling. elements. Moses was here commanded