Afliction's cold and cheerless blast,

I unrepining will endure.

When death's cold hand shall dim my eyes,
And blot thy vision from my view,
Sink to the tomb-then from it rise,
To dwell in heaven-to dwell with you!
Ak pardon me, this heart has long

Been cold as Zembla's frozen shore,
Where winter howls its dreary song,
With wild and never ceasing roar.
I've trac'd each stream of earthly bliss,
Each spring alas! did bitter prove:
But if there's one that's sweet, it's this,
The spring of friendship, and of love.
EUGENIUS.

FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER.
THE WAY-WORN PILGRIM.
O'er rugged hills, through deserts wild,
The way-worn pilgrim forc'd to roam ;-
Finds many a tedious hour beguil'd,
In thinking of his native home.

Where wily snakes encircled lie
In every lonely shade and brake,
Doom'd the untasted spring to fly;

Hungry, the fruit he dare not take.

Umbrageous trees whose lofty heads,

Entwin'd obstruct the solar ray :
Lonely with cautious feet he treads,
The briery path, the thorny way.

Whilst lightnings flash, near thunders roll,
Fierce winds pursue the drifting rain,
While terror half unmans his soul,
He seeks the shelter'd cot in vain.
A. F. B.

.......

FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER.
ENIGMA.

Four letters form a patriarch's name,
And what applies when we're to blame,
And what is used to cover shame,
And that which from the devil came,
And what all wish to do-the same.

N. B. A solution is requested.

Religion, sacred, awful, deep,

And warm devotion flows; Whilst thou art lock'd in stupid sleep; And bound in soft repose.

Lethargic soul, awake! for shame, And purify thy breast;

Break the vain cobwebs of a dream, The silken bands of rest.

No longer clasp an airy shade,
A visionary form;
You shamefully the man degrade,
Your soul with guilt deform.

THE DRUNKARD.

Go! self polluted loathsome wretch-
Disgrace of human kind,
Go-waste thy substance and thy health,.
And brutalize thy mind!

Go-haunt the tavern night and day,
And live, exist in vain;
Go-league thyself with every vice!
And barter peace for pain!

Go-live accurst to social joys,
Till life a burthen is;

Go-court disease, and death and shame.
Then mock thy miseries!

Go-like a demon to thy home,
Destroy each comfort there,
And from thy sorrowing family
Wring out the bitter tear.

Enough! enough! if ought remain
Of virtue in thy soul,

Forsake thy mad and loathsome path,
And spurn the treacherous bowl.

SOLOMON.

Principal Architect,

[VOL. I.]

Grand secretary and treasurer, Bible, square and compass, carried by a master of a lodge, supported by two stewards: when not supported by stewards, the grand chaplain walks with the master of the lodge who supports the bible, square, and compass,

Grand Marshal.

Past grand wardens,
Past deputy grand masters,
Past grand masters,

Chief magistrate of the place, Two large lights, borne by two masters of lodges,

Grand Wardens,

One great light, borne by a master of a lodge,

Deputy grand masters,

Master of the oldest lodge, bearing the book of constitutions,

Grand deacons, with black rods, placed five feet apart,

Grand Master,

Grand sword bearer, with a drawn sword,

Two stewards, with white rods, Gentlemen who choose to join the procession follow.

NOTE.-When two or more lodges walk in procession, they form as above, either in one body, or in sepa

ORDER OF PROCESSION AT A FUNERAL, OR ON ANY COMMON OCCASION.

Tyler, with a drawn sword, Stewards, with white rods, Musicians, if brethren; otherwise they form on the right and left of the procession, or precede the tyler,

Marshal.

Entered Apprentices,
Fellow Crafts,

Master Masons,
Deacons,

Secretary and Treasurer,
Senior and Junior Warden,
Past Masters,

The Holy Bible, square, and compass,
carried by the oldest member of
the lodge not in office, ac-
companied with the
chaplain.
Master.
Clergy.

NOTE. At funerals, the cushion on which is carried the Holy Bible, should be covered with black crape, or silk; a black knot should be placed on the hilt of the tyler's sword, at the end of each steward's rod, and on the musical instruments. The body follows next in order, to the clergy, with the insignia, and two swords crossed on the coffin.

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE EXCELLENCE OF MASONRY. MASONRY is an art useful and extensive. In every art there is a mystery, which requires a progress of study and application to arrive at any degree of perfection. Without much instruction, and more exercise, no

man can be skilful in any art; in like manner, without an assiduous application to the various subjects treated in the different lectures of Masonry, no person can be sufficiently acquainted with its true value.

From this remark it must not be inferred, that persons who labour under the disadvantage of a confined education, or whose sphere of life requires assiduous attention to business or useful employment, are to be discouraged in their endeavours to gain a knowledge of Masonry. To qualify an individual to enjoy the benefits of the society at large, or to partake of its privileges, it is not absolutely necessary that he should be acquainted with all the intricate parts of the science. These are only intended for have leisure and oppersons who may portunity to indulge such pursuits.

Some may be more able than others, some more eminent, some more useful, but all, in their different spheres, may prove advantageous to the community; and our necessities, as well as our consciences, bind us to love one another. It must be admitted, that those who accept offices and exercise authority in the lodge, ought to be men of prudence and address, enjoying all the advantages of a wellcultivated mind, and retentive memory. All men are not blessed with the same powers and talents; all men, therefore, are not equally qualified to govern. He who wishes to teach, must submit to learn; and no one is qualified to support the higher offices of the lodge, who has not previously discharged the duties of those which are subordinate. Experience is the best preceptor. All men may rise by gradation, and merit and industry are the first steps to preferment.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRATERNITY.

The mode of government observed by the fraternity will give the best idea of the nature and design of the Masonic system.

;

Three classes are established among Masons, under different appellations. The privileges of each class are distinct, and particular means adopted to preserve those privileges to the just and meritorious. Honour and probity are recommendations to the first class; in which the practice of virtue is enforced, and the duties of morality are inculcated, while the mind is prepared for a regular progress in the principles of knowledge and philosophy.Diligence, assiduity, and application, are qualifications for the second class in which is given an accurate elucidation of science, both in theory and practice. Here human reason is cultivated by a due exertion of the intellectual powers and faculties; nice and difficult theories are explained; new discoveries are produced, and those already known are beautifully embellished. The third class is restricted to a selected few, whom truth and fidelity have distinguished, whom years and experience have improved, and whom merit and abilities have entitled to preferment. With them the ancient landmarks of the order are preserved; and from them we learn the necessary instructive lessons, which dignify the art, and qualify its professors to illustrate its excellence and utility.

and the refined improvements of modern times have not abolished it.

Ceremonies simply considered, are little more than visionary delusions; but their effects are sometimes important. When they impress awe and reverence on the mind, and attract the attention to solemn rites by external forms, they are interesting objects. These purposes are effected, when judicious ceremonies are regularly conducted and properly arranged. On this ground they have received the sanction of the wisest men in all ages, and consequently could not escape the notice of Masons. To begin well, is the most likely means to end well; and it is justly remarked, that where order and method are neglected at the beginning, they will seldom be found. to take place at the end.

The ceremony of opening and closing the lodge with solemnity and decorum, is therefore universally adopted among Masons; and though the mode in some meetings may vary, and in every degree must vary, still an uniformity in the general practice prevails in the lodges; and the variation (if any) is solely occasioned by a want of method, which a little appli cation will easily remove.

To conduct this ceremony with propriety, ought to be the peculiar study of every Mason; especially of those who have the honour to rule in our

THE CEREMONY OF OPENING AND CLOSING A LODGE.

In all regular assemblies of men, who are convened for wise and useful purposes, the commencement and conclusion of business is accompanied with some form. In every country of the world the practice prevails, and is deemed essential. From the most remote periods of antiquity it is traced,

dignified, every eye is directed for regularity of conduct and behaviour; and by their example, other brethren, less informed, are naturally expected to derive instruction.

From a share in this ceremony no Mason is exempted; it is a general concern, in which all must assist. This is the first request of the master, and the prelude to business. No sooner has it been signified, than every officer repairs to his station, and the brethren rank according to their degrees. The intent of the meeting becomes the object of attention, and the mind is insensibly drawn from the