perfon? Or does Washington countenance confpiracy against government? Are not the members of the fraternity known? Are they fuch as are generally thought to harbor inimical defigns against the civil or ecclefiaftical establishment? Are the lodges principally compofed of, or governed by, men fuspected of diforganizing projects or demoralizing views? You will unite in anfwering No! Scarcely an individual can be found in our order who can be thought to favor fuch principles. BUT enough, furely has been faid to convince every candid and unprejudiced mind that the members of the antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Mafons are incapable of a design so base and villanous as "a confpiracy against religion, government, and focial order." AND we, my brethren, know, and it is our boaft, that a profound veneration for the christian verity; and a dignified refpect for the government and a patriotic zeal for the welfare of our country, are among our facred duties and our dearest interests. In this character and conduct may we still be known and respected; continuing to "walk by the fame rule, and to mind the fame thing.". THE officers and members of King David'sLodge, this day to be inftalled and confecrated, will permit me, ere I retire, to congratu late their establishment, and tender them my best wishes. WHILE your attachment to Free Masonry. and zeal in its caufe demand the approbation of all its friends, may your lives and virtues confute the flanderous reports of all its ene mies. MAY your lodge be beautiful as the temple, peaceful as its ark, and facred as its moft holy place! May your oblations of piety and praise be grateful as the incenfe, your love warm as its flame, and your charity diffufive as its fragrance! May your hearts be pure as the altar, and your whole conduct acceptable as the offering! May the approbation of Heaven be your encouragement; and may that benignant Being, "who feeth in fecret, reward you openly!" Finally May we all be accepted of God; workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly discharging the duties of life. May we abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good; approving ourselves to evry man's confcience in the fight of God: and be continually making approaches to that ftate where the credit of virtue is ef tablished and fecure, and its fatisfactions perfect and eternal ! |