On the other hand, though it be our incumbent duty to love ALL and to do good to ALL, even this is to be but as we have oppunity; and it is still to be understood that some have a more special claim upon our esteem, and a more immediate need of our assistance. Widely as we extend the circle of our benevolent regards, universal and disinterested as our good will may be, yet it is certain we can neither know the need, nor administer to the comfort, of every individual. Ignorance of the former, and inability to the latter, restrain even our attempts. The very circumstances of the case require a more special appropriation while our reason, our instincts, and natural propensities, lead us to make choice of some on whom to gratify our kind inclinations and benevolent acts, where they may be indulged and applied with dearer interest and happier effect. And this may be done in entire consistency with that UNIVERSAL LAW OF LOVE which the gospel enjoins.

Ir remains, then, that we enquire for some medium, where our affections may be exercised without being partial and without being

manner, that, although friendship is not expressly enjoined in the gospel, yet it is implicated in many of its precept,s and recommended in the example of the Saviour.

indiscriminate. And how shall we attain this desirable mean between the diffusedness of general regard and the contractedness of individual attachment, but in a selection of those among our acquaintance who possess congenial hearts, mutual good dispositions and propensities, and reciprocal esteem and love? Who are inspired with like ardour in the pursuit of wisdom, like zeal in the cause of virtue? Of whom to form an association which shall partake of the liberal spirit of Philanthropy and the intimate union of Friendship; combining the benevolence of the one with the tenderness of the other. And what society answers so exactly to this description, and unites so many of these purposes and advantages, as that of FREE MASONS? Founded on a liberal and extensive plan, its benignities extend to every individual of the human race, and its adherents are collected from every nation under heaven. It invites to its lodges the sons of virtue, of love, and of peace; that it might connect them by vows of eternal amity in a most sacred, intimate, and endeared alliance, and unite and invigorate their best endeavours for mutual and general advantage. Blending their resources in a common stock, and forming a community of interests, it makes the prosperity of each individual the object of the whole, the prosD

perity of the whole the object of each individual. How nearly does this approach the state of the primitive Christians, who were "of one heart and one soul, neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common!" Were such the unanimity, love, equality, generosity, and disinterestedness, of professing Christians now, Free Masonry would be less necessary among them.

MOREOVER, in the association we are describing is also realized that constancy of affection which friendship boastingly promises, but frequently fails to retain; and that tender sympathy which fraternal love ought ever to express. There is to be found "the friend that loveth at all times, and the brother that is born for adversity." And such are the mutual relations and connections which compose the sodality,* that "if one member suffer all the members suffer with it, and if one member rejoice all the members rejoice with it.”

THE order, though composed of persons from various countries, separated by all the natural barriers which prevent men from running into coherent masses, yet seems to

"Fraternum vere dulce sodalitium!" CATUL.

be one body actuated by one soul. Thousands and thousands have one heart, one hand; the heart of benevolence, the hand of charity.

SWEET are its uses in adversity! Then, when the offices of general Philanthropy would not reach us; or our share in its benignities be inadequate to our need: when Friendship grows cold, and its most zealous professor forsakes us; Masonry triumphs in the exercise of its lovely charities. The noblest sphere of its operation is in redressing the calamities of neglected, injured, merit; investigating the wants and supplying the need of indigence, relieving pain, pitying and softening infirmity; admiring and fostering virtue. Yes, the true Mason (and all who are not so should not be numbered among us,) the true Mason looks as much to the welfare of his colleague as to his own; feels more satisfaction when he can give him assistance, when he can benefit him or suffer for him, than when he receives help or favours from him; and is most forward to relieve him when his occasion is most urgent and his ability to requite the favour appears the least. He is emphatically the "brother born for adversity." If his means of assistance are small, and his powers of relief lim

ited, he will at least discover those soft and gentle attentions, and that tender and heart felt compassion, which sooth the distress he cannot remove, and bathe with tears the wound he cannot heal. He remains true and faithful to his brother when he can procure him no more profit and afford him no more help, and has no tribute to make him but sighs of simpathy and tears of pity. He forsakes not his bed of languishment. He stays to support his drooping head, to catch his expiring breath, and close his eyes with the last offices of fraternal affection. Nor does his love cease to act in his brother's behalf because his spirit is departed, and his person is no more an object of necessity. It is stronger than death. It is the inheritance of his family. It sympathizes in the sorrows of his bereaved relations, inquires out their necessities, and strives to be all that to them which he was in kindness and in care.

SUCH are the offices of Free Masonry in adversity. Such its affection and its sympathy. What sweet cordials may thus be infused even into the bitterest sorrows of life! What cheering light spread over the darknesses that surround it! With what vigour and courage will it inspire the weary and heavy laden heart! With what a lenient hand

will it bind up its wounds; with what ani