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would be completely out of the reach of the inhabitants of many districts. or at any rate they would not be able to attend more than once or twice in the course of the year; for it must be remembered that there is no church within twenty or thirty leagues of some parts.

POETICAL.

FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER.

LOVE.

Hast thou e'er lov'd, and know'st thou not
Love's chain is form'd of bitter tears?
Of joys, in one short hour forgot,

Of grief, remembered still for years?
Of gladness, lighting lovers eyes

With beams that mock the painter's art? And also form'd of secret sighs, That dim the eye, and break the heart? HENRIETTA.

FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER. SOLUTION OF THE POETICAL ENIGMA IN THE LAST NUMBER. ACROSTIC.

Lo! all things are changing as time rolls along,

E 'en the names of great heroes scarce live but in song.

View the tribe of old Levi of which he was head,

It flourished awhile, and then sunk with the dead.

View the fate of the vile as in Sodom of old,

In Lot's wife the justice of Heaven behold!

Let their overthrow warn us each error to shun;

E ver" keep to the right" as life's journey

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Let the storms of affliction still gather a round;

In vain may they roll, while hope shall abound,

V ain man would still cling to his mansion below,

E ver here would he live, tho' surrounded with woe.

ANOTHER.

A patriarch liv'd in days of yore,
Four letters form'd his name,
And Levi, (which contains the four,)
Spells vile when we're to blame."

And when our shame we seek to hide,
A veil those letters makes ;
And should we into evil slide,
The blame the devil takes.

On fancy's wing we often range,
In search of pleasure's prize,
But still would live, nor e'er exchange,
The earth to gain the skies.

FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER.

THE SNOW-COVERED GRAVE. Fair stranger! hither bend thy course, To reason's port thy passage force,

Secur'd from folly's wave;

For soon thy voyage of life is o'er,
Come then, and view its farther shore,
The cold, snow-cover'd grave.

The sun around now throws his rays,
The glist'ning fields reflect the blaze,

Where sleep the silent brave;
But not ambition's gaudy wreath,
Can charm the eye that sleeps beneath,
The cold, snow-cover'd grave.

The flowers of beauty wither'd lie,
And wealth, and honour swiftly fly,

Here fashion frees her slave,
The willow's verdure now has fled,
Its boughs hang dreary o'er the dead,
The cold, snow-cover'd grave.

Reflect! this is thy certain doom,
There is no arm that from the tomb

Thy feeble form can save:
Each prospect fair, which smiles to view:
Is but a light, to guide thee to

The cold, snow-cover'd grave.

THE ONLY HAPPINESS. Our life at best is but a dream, A transient meteor flying; Whatever we enjoy therein, Loses its zest by dying.

The bliss it gives tho' e'er so bright,
With pain and grief is blended:
And whilst it glitters in the sight,
Our short lived joy is ended.

The mind pursues the earth around,
In search of lasting treasure;
But does she find her labour crown'd
With one substantial pleasure?
Still anxious and unsatisfied

With what she now possesses:
She's pleas'd, amused, and oft derides
The object she caresses.
The only happiness on earth
To us poor mortals given,
Is to be born of heav'nly birth,
And taste the joys of heaven.

WINTER EVENING'S AMUSEMENT
FOR JANE AND ME.

In summer days I till the ground,
And tug and toil and get my bread;
No interval can then be found,

Between my labour and my bed.
My wife declines o knit by night,
And I to read by candle light.

But when the south receives the sun
Beyond the equinoctial line;
When all my summer work is done,
Substantial pleasures then are mine.
Then Jane begins to knit at night,
And I to read by candle light.

I'm then content, and never sigh,
Nor fly from home some bliss to find;
And Jane is pleased as well as I,

It so completely feasts her mind,
To sit her down to knit by night,
And hear me read by candle light.

For when I read she always hears,

And when she hears she tries to scan; When aught to her obscure appears, Then I explain it if I can.

O how she loves to knit by night,
And hear me read by candle light.

But when she drops a stich, and gapes,
Soon gapes again, and nods her head,
I close my book, and say, perhaps
"Tis time my dear to go to bed:
So knit again to morrow night,
And hear me read by candle light.

THE CYPRESS TREE.

Slender tree upon a bank

In lonely beauty towers,

So dark, as if it only drank

The essence of the thunder showers:

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Or the bubbling sound of the pearly rill, Which softly breaks on the sacred still: "Tis an hour when the thoughts of man should rise

To the splendour above these darken'd skies

When the soul should rest on the Throne of Light,

In Hope, through the vista of changing night.

Should the moon shine forth with her milder rays

'Tis a temper'd gleam of a brighter blaze, Of a beaming light from the Fount of Love, Which shows us darkly the worlds above; "'Tis a ray from the Great Jehovah's eye, Which flashes its radiance through the sky. We can see that blaze-but we cannot see The vastly depths of ETERNITY!

PHILO OSCAR.

HOYT AND BOLMORE PRINTERS, No. 70 Bowery, New-York.

AMERICAN MASONIC REGISTER,

AND

Ladies' and Gentlemen's Magazine.

BY LUTHER PRATT.

Judge not according to appearance; but judge righteous judgment. Judge nothing before the time.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

BIBLE.

[No. VII.]

FOR MARCH, A. D. 1821. A. L. 5821.

[VOL. I.]

MASONIC.

A NEW INQUISITION.

Under this head, we published, in our January number, an article from the Western Register, purporting that at a "meeting of the Presbyterian Synod of Pittsburgh, (Pennsylvania,) some of the clergy introduced a resolution to exclude Free Masons from the rights of the church, except in case where they might confess their errors, and abjure their Masonic principles," with some very appropriate remarks by the editor of the Commercial Advertiser, and a hint to the Synod by the editor of the Freeman's Journal. At the time, we were disposed to doubt, with the editor of the Advertiser, the validity of the report, thinking it almost incredible that a body of men, whose proceedings ought to be such as to command the respect and veneration of all classes of citizens, should so debase the cause of that religion which it is their bounden duty to support, and inculcate, as to denounce an institution whose principles are drawn from the Holy Scriptures, and are, in themselves, "pure as the drifted snow." But it is now ascertained

that a committee was really appointed by that body, to "consider the inquiry respecting Free Masonry," and the report of that committee is now before the public, to which, together with the subjoined remarks, and the protest of the three lodges of the city of Pittsburgh, the candid attention of our readers is requested.

FROM THE PITTSBURGH MERCURY.

MASONIC SOCIETIES.

Mr. Snowden-An article denouncing the reverend Synod of Pittsburgh, as a "NEW INQUISITION," and charging them with excluding Free Masons from the rights and privileges of the church, has been published in many of the newspapers of the United States, and was last week copied into the Pittsburgh Gazette. The charge is not founded in fact. I send you a copy of the report and resolutions, for publication in your useful paper. It is an act of justice due to the synod, that they should be published. The subject was finally referred to the general assembly. Let the friends of Christian principles and Christian morals, reflect seriously on this document, and then say whether the synod was governed by an inquisitorial disposition, or by a sincere desire to pro

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mote the true and everlasting interests of their fellow men.

A PRESBYTERIAN.

January 13, 1821.

REPORT.

The committee appointed by the synod to consider the inquiry respecting Free Masonry, report :

That having seriously deliberated on the same, they are of opinion that this subject imperiously demands the attention of this synod, and of the church at large. We are aware that in discharging our duty, and in the expression of our sentiments relative to Masonic societies, unpleasant sensations may be excited in the minds of many who are alive to every thing, affecting, in any way, the supposed sacredness of their order. We are, also, aware, that the subject ought to be treated with due caution, so as not, unnecessarily, to provoke hostility, and, with suitable respect to some valuable members of society, who are partial to Masonry, and are still connected with its institutions, as well as those who, upon experience in the practical effects of Masonry, have discontinued their attendance on their lodges.

character of a society which seeks concealment and darkness for its proceedings. Your committee confine their attention chiefly to the effect of these societies, on religion and morals. In this view we think it an incumbent duty solemnly and affectionately to warn our members, and especially our youth.

We ask, what good moral effects have these societies ever produced ? What reformation have they ever effected? What youth have they ever reclaimed? What Christian has ever improved in piety, by entering a Masonic lodge and holding fellowship and communion with its members? Is such a fellowship at all consistent with communion with the people of God; and with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ? And what Christian, eminent for piety, has not abandoned his intercourse with them? How many mournful instances of degradation and ruin to the bodies and souls of men, may be traced to a connection and intercourse with such characters as too generally compose the lodges in our country? At how vast a risk does any one, and especially an unguarded youth, enter an association, Nevertheless, it appears to us to be "embracing with equal affection, the the duty of the synod, firmly to bear Pagan, the Turk, and the Christian ?” their testimony, and freely to express How humiliating and disgusting must their sentiments on this subject; and it be, to persons of intelligence and also to warn and admonish the pro- taste, to mingle in the close intimacy fessors of religion, with whom they of brotherhood, with those whose soare specially connected, against be-ciety they would spurn on all ordinary coming members of Free Mason lodg- occasions? es, or if members, against continuing to attend on their meetings.

Your committee do not design to trace the origin, nor to enter into a discussion on the merits of Masonry, We do not mean to urge the objections against the very nature of this institution, from the fact of keeping secret from the world that which is held to be so important to the object of charity and benevolence; and also from the requisition of an oath of secrecy, without knowing its nature or object, nor to dwell on the suspicious

We think it not unimportant to notice, how inconsistent with the holy charity and extensive benevolence of the gospel, is that peculiar attachment and preference of the brethren, which is the boast of their order. A preference not founded on intrinsic worth, but merely on the badges of Masonry; not to mention the baleful influence which Masonic partialities may be expected to produce in the distribution of justice, in elections, or appointments to office, and in the various transactions of society,

How vain also, if not presumptuous, the pretence of instituting a soci ety, the benevolence of which shall exceed the charity enforced by the Son of God? The gospel of Christ explains and enforces, with the highest possible motives, the principles of charity. The gospel and its rites and institutions, are the means appointed of God for the reformation of the world. It needs not the lights nor the aids of Masonry, by which it is unknown to us, that one instance of genuine reformation was ever effected.

We also consider Masonry, in excluding from its rites, its confidence, and its privileges, all females, as insulting to the dignity, and hostile to the comfort, of the most amiable of our species. Woman was destined by our benevolent Creator to be the affectionate friend, the counsellor, and most intimate confidante of man. It is believed then, that a man of a generous and affectionate heart, will hesitate before entering an institution, which would forbid him to entrust to the wife of his bosom, secret communications, imparted to the most worthless of his own sex; and which would alienate from her and her children their common property, without the privilege of being permitted to know for what purpose, or to what object.

We think it also not unworthy the consideration of American youth, who justly revere the free political institutions of their country, what a dangerous medium secret societies have furnished to designing men for accomplishing purposes, ruinous to the interests of other governments, and how dangerous they may yet prove to our

own.

Under the influence of the above, and other reflections, your committee would not hesitate to say to all the members of our church, and especially to our youth, "come out from among them and be separate: have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them :"

and do recommend the synod to adopt the following resolutions :

1. Resolved, That Masonic lodges, especially as composed and conducted in various parts of our country, have had, and are calculated to have, a pernicious influence on morals and religion; and that attendance on them is unsuitable to the profession of the holy religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, Therefore

2. Resolved, That it is the duty of all ministers of the gospel, elders, parents, and professional Christians, to use their influence to prevent those under their care from entering these associations, and induce those who may have entered, to discontinue their attendance.

3. The synod, deeply impressed with concern for the general interest of society, civil and religious; particularly with concern for some amiable men, who now stand connected with the aforesaid society, [recommend them] to take with earnestness the course of safety for themselves; and in the present crisis of the conflict of the kingdom of God with the kingdom of darkness, to show themselves on the Lord's side, and to perform zealously, the duties which their attitude in relation to the church of Christ, and to those societies, particularly recommend; so as not only to promote the cause of godliness generally, but also the eternal welfare of their brethren, with whom they may be connected, and upon whom they may exert a salutary influence.

REMARKS.

With suitable deference to the synod, we would ask, upon what grounds this inquiry was instituted, and upon what information the committee founded their report? Did they take up, and in a dispassionate and unprejudiced manner, read the various authors who have written in different ages on the subject of Free Masonry ? Did they examine the Masonic "Book of Constitutions," in which the gene

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