fires, he unloosed the cords that bound him, and embraced him as a friend. Numberless other instances we might cite to prove the utility of Masonry, but we are enjoined "not to let our right hand know what our left hand doeth," but to let our conduct and actions speak for themselves, that the omniscient eye, which looks down from the temple above, may reward us openly. Yet, strange as it may seem, this institution, so humane in its design, so mild and peaceful in its movements, has excited the suspicions, the envy, and the censure of mankind. It is little consolation to us to reflect, that Christianity has done the same; that its disciples too, have had their persecutors and calumniators. We could weep in silence over this depravity of the human heart, and forget its consequences. But these aspersions, "based on empty air," we are anxious to refute and silence. We have been accused of being disorganizing and factious. Where is Where is the evidence of this? Is it in the good order, subordination, and perfect government of our lodges? Is it to be found in the mild maxims of benevolence, philosophy and philanthropy which are there taught? Or is it in our lives and conduct that this is discovered? Doubtless there have been Masons who were factious, but did their proportion exceed that of other bodies of men? What government have they disturbed? What people have they excited to commotion ? Some malignant writers of the French revolution have accused us. The bigotted emperor of Austria, the detestable and sanguinary inquisition of Spain still persecute us. We could well exclaim under such rule, "the only post of honour is a private station." We might pride ourselves in being persecuted by them; we might hold it up to the world as the strongest proof of the purity of our maxims and conduct. We might triumphantly exclaim, it is our love of mankind that has alarmed their fears: they evidently shew, that they believe us a barrier between them and absolute despotism. They fear that we stand between them and the people, to protect the rights of the latter. In France, when the whirlwinds and tempests of revolution overturned every institution, venerable for its antiquity, or lovely for its purity, how could we expect to escape? When the pestilential breath of the storm reached and polluted every thing pure in morals, or sacred in character, how could our institution stand unaffected? Malignant, envious pollution would cry out she had seized us; she would glory in destroying what she could not corrupt. Does the persecution of us in Austria and Spain furnish any proof of our factious disposition? From Austria we have heard no whispers of danger; not a breeze has wafted to us the accents of complaint. How then could the Masonic institution be plotting injury to that government? It was false. The monks deceived her monarch: our enemies have caught him in their toils. We cannot join hands with corruption or oppression. With the haters, persecutors, and oppressors of man, we can hold no communion: hence we have become obnoxious to the inquisition. Why are there no complaints against us from turbulent England, suffering Ireland, or injured France? countries where the language of faction is louder; where the materials for its support are more abundant than in any other: In these countries, why do we not hear complaints of the cabals, the intrigues, and the factions of Masonry? Because there are none. In these United States, where there are more than six hundred lodges; where the proportion of Masons exceeds that of any other country; where party-spirit runs higher than in any other, why do we never hear the voice of complaint ? It is because there are no grounds for such complaints; and here, the people tiags: yet it would be very unfair and unreasonable, to conclude from this, that the principles of Masonry or Christianity were bad. When human nature arrives to perfection, then may societies be formed, whose members will be free from reproach. Until then, we must be content in rendering them as perfect as possible. Time will not are too liberal and enlightened, to suspect an institution, which has numbered among its members and patrons, a Putnam, a Warren, a Franklin, a Washington, and a long list of worthies, to whom they are indebted for their liberties and their happiness. No; when the Mason enters the lodge, he treads upon consecrated ground: he leaves the sandals of his feet, his poli-permit that we should further unveil tics, his prejudices, his ambition, at the portal. His angry passions are subdued; the raging of the lion is soothed to the gentleness of the lamb. None but feelings of benevolence, friendship and philanthropy, can here legally find place. the beauties, or answer the reproaches upon Masonry. This we assure you is but a feeble and imperfect sketch, though true and faithful. Worshipful Master, Respected officers, and beloved Brethren-On this natal day of our sainted brother, it behoves us to call to mind the virtues of that bright constellation of worthies, who have adorned our institution:though many of them have been raised to that Grand Lodge above, "from whose bourne no traveller returns ;" yet their names and their bright examples live. Let us honor them, not only with our lips, but in our lives.Though our course may not be as brilliant, yet we can render our hearts as pure as theirs. Though it may not be marked by the dazzling blaze of the comet, yet we can shed upon it the pure lustre of the evening star. This should be our ambition, and our emulation.A pure heart, the germe of all noble sentiments, "the spring of all truly great and glorious deeds," should be the jewel which we should prize above all price. In prosperity, or in adversity; in peace or amid perils, we should cling to it, as the only anchor of hope; the only ark, which, on this troubled and tempestuous sea of life, will bear us safe to port. This we may possess, in the cottage, as well as the palace; it is equally within the grasp of the humble peasant, and the powerful prince: by this alone, can we vindicate our institution: by this alone, can we gain credit for our professions. Our institution has also been accused of being subversive of Christianity : what! an institution blended with the Christian history; based upon Christian maxims, subversive of Christianity? An institution, embracing among its patrons the early saints, and the modern clergy, subversive of Christianity? Think you that Locke and Washington would not have denounced it, if this allegation were true? Think you, that the numerous host of pious Christians, who have enrolled themselves among Masons, would not, long since, have abandoned and denounced such an institution? Do you believe that it could have triumphed, over the fall of every other fabric, both material and moral, if it enibraced such principles? Those stupendous works, which once excited the astonishment and admiration of the world, have crumbled into dust; the gnawing tooth of time has demolished all cœval with this institution; yet this, "joining the vigour of youth to the maturity of age, outlives their glory, and mourns their fall" could this have been, if it embraced such principles? No; no. It would long since have sunk under the curtain of oblivion. The best test of the soundness of its principles, is, its durability, its general progress, and its Let us rise then, in our strength, and Fresent flourishing state. Masons, we clothe ourselves with caution, prudence ale sorry to confess, have often proved and wisdom. Let us place a faithful fral human beings. So have Chris-tyler at every portal of our hearts, in character, he plunges into the deep bosom of destruction, or rushes, "unannealed, with all his sins upon his for the enemy is subtle, and advances upon us by slow and unperceived degrees. We must not flatter ourselves, that we can gratify this passion, or in-head," into the presence of his God. dulge this practice, and go no further. We cannot remain stationary: we must either go forward in the daring career of vice, or retrace our steps.So intimately blended are all the moral virtues, that, like a well modelled machine, one spring impaired, and the whole is disordered. We may as well expect to pierce one of the vesicles of the heart, and preserve its vitality, as to practise one vice, and preserve our morals in other respects. He that is now the inexorable midnight robber, began by pilfering. The sottish maniac, who now infests our streets, loathsome to the eye, a leech upon the vitals of society, began by taking a social glass. These, often re Let us then, take heed to our steps; and not deceive ourselves in the fancied hope, that we can practise one vice, or indulge one evil propensity, and exclaim "thus far shalt thou go, and no farther." No; let us exemplify and enforce the principles of our institution, by cherishing and practising all the virtues, and eschewing all the vices, incident to humanity. Let us live together in peace and harmony: let us extirpate every evil passion; let us nip the young shoots of envy, jealousy, and anger, that may spring up in our hearts, ere they become rank in vigour and strength. Let us also remember our own frailties, and hence learn to for peated, generated the habit; this form-give the errors of a brother: let us re ed, reason loses her controul; rum, like the roaring tornado, sweeps from him his property, his morals, his reputation, bis mental faculties. So it is with the gamester: he first sits down for amusement: to give more interest to the game, a small wager is laid: in a little time, it is doubled, trebled, and quadrupled he wins; he cannot, in honour, now leave his companions; his fortune turns: he loses. His avarice is excited; stung to the quick with the loss, he is anxious to regain it: hope stimulates him to proceed: he wastes his time; he impairs his health; he squanders his property; his feelings are racked; his heart is transformed; he becomes a malignant misanthrope. Resort is had to the "liquid poison," to restore his spirits, to drive away his ennui, and his soul-corroding care: but he has placed in his bosom that vulture, which "gnaweth without ceasing.". No more the tender ties of friendship, soothe or restrain him; the lisping accents of his children, are no longer sweet to his ears; the imploring tears of an affectionate wife, only add poignancy to his misery. Deaf to their intreaties; now desperate in fortune and prove him with gentleness: let us "inscribe his virtues on brass; his faults in water." Let us beware how we suffer the tempest of passion to rise in our bosoms. In its course, it wil' sweep our ark from its moorings; it will engulph us "in the rough sands of the sea." If we have cause of offence, let us "bear and forbear; forget and forgive:" in short, let us obey our grand precept, and "learn to subdue our passions." Thus shall we sail down the stream of life with a prosperous breeze; and when arrived at the gate of that "Temple not built with hands," the grim Tyler death, will usher us into that Lodge of pure and happy spirits, where trouble is unknown, and "the righteous are at rest:" So mote it be. STATE OF MASONRY IN UPPER Extract of a letter from brother Jou "Enclosed you will receive a list of officers, chapters, lodges, &c., of th G. R. A. C. of Upper Canada, an the Masonic Convention. By giving it an insertion in your valuable work, the Masonic Register, (should you deem it sufficiently interesting) you will greatly oblige the craft in this quarter." FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER. MASONIC CONVENTION OF UPPER CANADA, HELD AT KINGSTON. This convention is composed of the following lodges, who entered into articles of association, adopting temporary regulations for their government, until a regularly organized provincial grand lodge could be established, under the authority of the Grand Lodge of England, for which purpose they have petitioned for a charter for its establishment. Much good has resulted from the adoption of these regulations. For a long time the lodges, generally, had been in a declining state, owing in a great measure, to an unfortunate division between the brethren of York and Niagara, arising from the removal of the late grand lodge from the latter to the former place, and for a considerable length of time after the death of William Jarvis, Esq., our late provincial grand master, Masonry was suffered to languish. To remedy these evils the convention was formed, and we have reason to congratulate the eraft upon the salutary effects already experienced from its measures. In our lodge, order and regularity have succeeded anarchy and confusion. A regular and uniform system of working is established, a regular correspondence exists among the lodges; their internal discipline is becoming more strict; and the line is drawn between worthy and unworthy Masons, and our lodges are daily increasing in respectability by the admission of worthy and respectable members; and it is confidently expected that ere long we shall be able to announce the establishment of a provincial grand lodge, by which we hope to see Masonry in this province raised to that exalted state which its principles merit. 327 William Campbell, for the district of Johnstown. Christian Fry, for the district of Medland. Elisha Rugg, for the district of NewCastle. Josiah Cushman, for the district of Abner Everett, for the districts of vention. BROCKVILLE Lodge. Noah Lee, worshipful master; KINGSTON LODGE. Ezra Annes, worshipful master; ADDINGTON LODGE. (Bath.) Titus Wilson, worshipful master; UNION LODGE. (Dundas.) Communications, Saturday, on, or preceding each full moon. UNITED LODGE. (Murray.) MOUNT MORIAH LODGE. (Westminster.) Charles Duncombe, worhipful master; Communications, Tuesday, on, or preceding each full moon. UNION LODGE. (Grimsby.) Communications, Thursday, on, or preceding each full moon. KING HIRAM LODGE. (Oxford.) Communications, Tuesday, succeeding each full moon. ROYAL EDWARD'S LODGE. (Johnstown.) FREDERICKSBURGH LODGE. HARMONY LODGE. (Johnstown.) UNION LODGE. (South Gower.) MACKAY LODGE. (Wolford.) PRINCE EDWARD LODGE. (Hallowell.) John H. Davis, secretary; John Roche, tyler; |