progress of true Masonry, and strengthen every vulgar prejudice against us."4

As in the erecting of the Temple of Solomon every thing was so prepared that "there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was building;" so of Freemasons it has always been the boast that they perfect the work of edification by quiet and orderly methods, "without the hammer of contention, the axe of division, or any tool of mischief."

I speak, then, a language harmonious in your ears and congenial to your hearts, when I say that you are "kindly affectioned one to another," and "perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment;" walking by one rule and following the same thing.

Having but one interest and one object; the benefit and advancement of the whole; be persuaded to pursue it with concurring harmony and joint agreement. While particularly interested in the welfare of the lodge to which you individually belong, be regardful of the general welfare. And let there be no other contest among you than that most honorable of all contests, who shall do the most good.

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

To bind you more firmly together in the bonds of unity, and to strengthen the ties of brotherly love, has been an aim ever kept in view in my discourses before the fraternity: and, in this my final address, "I beseech you, brethren, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you!" "Fulfil ye my joy that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

I have but one direction more.

Live in peace.

This is a natural effect, and will be the certain result

Dr. James Grant's Sermon at Greenwich, June 24, 1774.

of that unanimity and concord of which I have just spoken.

So often have I, on former occasions, expatiated upon the specific genius of Freemasonry, and on the necessity and beauty of a correspondent conduct in its members, that I need now only repeat my earnest desires that you would invariably, unitedly, and affectionately "follow after peace," and "study the things that make for peace" and are conducive to mutual edification.

It has been well observed that, "no splendor of talents, no endowment of body or mind, can be put in competition with those humble but lovely virtues which serve to make us endearing and endeared. Abilities alone may excite admiration, the tribute of the understanding; but, joined with amenity of manners, they never fail to conciliate affection, the better tribute of the heart."

Let it always be known that we belong to a society, cemented by union, and edified with peace: where all the members are inviolably attached to the general good, and harmoniously conspire in its promotion; where unfeigned affection prevails; where every man is the sincere friend of every man; in a word, where all vigorously and cheerfully exert themselves in acts of kindness and labors of love. Such principles, surely, will advance and establish the happiness of the whole, and the welfare of each individual: and upon such principles our society hath bidden defiance to opposition, and been secured from dissolution or decay.

Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will towards men, is the disposition and the desire of every Free and Accepted Mason. With such a temper, brethren, you will enjoy the satisfaction of your own hearts, the approbation and concurrence of all the wise and good, and the God of love and peace will be with you. That divine Being, who is the author of peace and the lover of concord, will render your endeavors successful, and reward them with the blessings of time and the glories of eternity!

Finally, brethren, farewell! Accept the best wishes, as you share in the best affections of my heart!

The special relation in which I have stood to you will now cease; but the affection connected with it, and the gratitude arising from it, will ever remain.

My particular thanks are due to the officers and members of the Grand Lodge for the honors and the patronage with which they have distinguished me. And I intreat them, with my brethren all, to accept my warmest acknowledgments for their assistance and kindness. Their attentions have been so flattering, their benevolence so disinterested, their bounty so liberal, their sympathy so tender, that I must be inexcusably insensible not to feel; and feeling, criminally ungrateful not to express, my many obligations.

The affecting adieu I am now taking, brings forcibly to mind the last solemn parting, when death shall separate me from those whom I have cordially loved; whose society made the charm of my most privileged moments; and to whom, under Providence, I owe most of my earthly prosperity.

Tender and faithful friends! Death is hastening to interrupt, it cannot dissolve, our union. No! Virtuous attachments are eternal. They are renewed in Heaven. We meet again there, to part no more!

A

MASONIC EULOGY.

RESPECTED HEARERS,

You see before you a band of brothers, connected with each other by the firmest engagements and most affectionate ties. Warmed with the most general philanthropy, they profess to unite their endeavors in the benevolent design of assisting the perfection of the human character, and the harmony and happiness of society. Their Institution boasts its origin in the earliest ages of the world; and it retains its ancient laws uncorrupted, its venerable rites and expressive symbols unchanged, and its primeval ceremonies intire. The stupendous pyramids which were raised, the lofty obelisks inscribed, and the magnificent temples built, by masonic hands, have yielded to the ravages of time; but the Institution itself has survived their overthrow, and outlived their glory. It will continue still, and flourish, till

"The great globe itself,

And all which it inherit, be destroyed,

And, like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not a wreck behind."

Had we leisure, it would be an interesting and entertaining research to trace its progress through the various stages of society it has successively improved and adorned: To see its early honors in Egypt; its consecration at

1 Delivered at Worcester, June 24, A. L. 1794, on the Festival of St. John the Baptist, before the Officers and Brethren of the Morning Star Lodge, in that town, joined by Trinity Lodge from Lancaster.

Those who have most minutely investigated ancient history, will have reason to date the origin of the Egyptian mysteries at the times of Joseph; who, not being able to subvert the idolatry and superstition of the country, and introduce his own purer faith, com

S

Jerusalem; its subsequent glory; and its preservation and extension "in ages long gone by." It is true that in recurring to some periods of its remote history, we should have occasion to lament that the unfounded and illiberal prejudices of too many which it could not soften, and their corrupt passions which it could not subdue, at times denied the Craft its merited honors, opposed its cause, and impeded its progress. Like the sun, its emblem, it has at times been obscured. Clouds and darkness have overshadowed its lustre: the clouds of error and the darkness of ignorance. But from the temporary penumbra it always emerged with increased splendor. And though from low minds mists of prejudice may still arise, and dim the clearness of its horizon, before the meridian light of reason, truth and wisdom, they will quickly disappear.

In the dark ages Masonry yielded only a faint and glimmering radiance: "a light that shined in a dark place." But, when the gloom of ignorance and barbarism was dispelled, it revived in its pristine consequence and glory.

Those who enter minutely into the history of this society, will find it eventful and interesting. Various have been the efforts wantonly used, even in later times,

municated to select friends, under suitable cautions, the knowledge of the Divine unity and spirituality, of the immortality of the soul, and some leading truths in the patriarchal religion. These dogmas were transmitted down; but, through the lapse of ages, became somewhat obscured and corrupted.

The Eleusinian and Gentile mysteries were probably branches of this more ancient establishment; and not distinct institutions. For an account of these, consult Ælian, Var. Hist. xii., c. 24. Pausanias, x., c. 31, and Meursii Eleusinia: In tom. 7, Gronov. Antiq. Gr.

"Nor did the priests of the mysteries neglect to recommend to the brethren a spirit of friendship and the love of virtue; so pleasing even to the most corrupt minds, and so requisite to render any society respectable in its own eyes."

3

Gibbon's Obs. on the Seventh Book of the Æneid. Prepossession hurries people to condemn what they will not have patience to understand.

Happily at the present day these prejudices lose much of their pristine obstinacy. "Time has allayed the violence of party, and checked with a cool discretion the tumults of opposition. Mankind, superior to national predilection or the barriers of policy or priestcraft, begin to follow the genuine dictates of reason, and honour the wise and the good whatever be their country or their creed."