authority to make new regulations, or to alter these, for the real benefit of this ancient fraternity, provided always that the old landmarks be carefully preserved," certain variations have, from time to time, been introduced into the lectures and mode of working; which, though unimportant as respects the general system, have created a diversity in the minuter details, to meet the gradual improvements which ingenious men have effected in the arts and sciences.48 The revision of the Lectures by Wright, Shadbolt, Hemming, and others, under the above authority, has had only a partial operation, and while their version has been received by a portion of the fraternity, others, residing at a distance from the metropo

47 Dr. Anderson says, that in his time, "the system, as taught in the regular lodges, may have some redundancies or defects, occasioned by the indolence or ignorance of the old members. And, indeed, considering through what obscurity and darkness the mystery has been delivered down; the many centuries it has survived; the many countries, and languages, and sects, and parties it has run through, we are rather to wonder it ever arrived to the present age without more imperfections. In short, I am apt to think that Masonry, as it is now explained, has in some circumstances declined from its original purity. It has run long in muddy streams, and, as it were, under ground; but notwithstanding the great rust it may have contracted, and the forbidding light it is placed in by its enemies, there is (if I judge right) much of the old fabric still remaining; the foundation is still entire the essential pillars of the building may be discovered through the rubbish, though the superstructure may be overrun with moss and ivy, and the stones, by length of time, disjointed. And, therefore, as the busto of an old hero is of great value among the curious, though it has lost an eye, the nose, or the right hand, so Masonry, with all its blemishes and misfortunes, instead of appearing ridiculous, ought (in my humble opinion) to be received with some candour and esteem, from a veneration to its antiquity."

48 The reason assigned by the Grand Lodge, at the Union, for such alterations is, "That there may be the most perfect unity of obligation, of discipline, of working the lodges, of making, passing, and raising; instructing and clothing brothers; so that but one pure, unsullied system, according to the genuine landmarks, laws, and traditions of the Craft shall be maintained, upheld, and practised throughout the Masonic world." (Art. of Union, 3.)

49 In a Dutch work, quoted in the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review" for the present year, I find the following passage: "Some time before the total destruction of the order of the Templars, a certain junior prior of Montfaucon, called Carolus de Monte Carmel, was murdered by three traitors, whereby it is thought that the first deathblow was struck at the Order; from the events which accompanied and followed this murder, some are of opinion that the mystical and ritual part of a great portion of Freemasonry is derived; for the prior

lis, still retain the old system; and thus a perfect uniformity has not been successfully accomplished.50 Under such circumstances, these preliminary remarks will not be without their use; and I refer their consideration to the candid judgment of the fraternity at large.

THE EDITOR.

was murdered by three traitors, and by this murder an irreparable loss was inflicted on the Order. The murderers of Charles de Monte Carmel concealed his body under the earth, and in order to mark the spot, planted a young thorn-tree upon it. The knights of the temple, in searching for the body, had their attention drawn to that particular spot by the tree, and in that manner they discovered his remains," &c.

50 To explain my meaning, I shall quote the words of a correspondent of the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," vol. i., New Series, p. 45. "I am residing 200 miles from London, and about a fortnight ago, a very intelligent brother and Past Master, from one of the eastern counties, (Norfolk, I think,) visited our lodge, where he witnessed an initiation according to the union system. He afterwards expressed his surprise to me, at the great difference between his own and our mode; and said he had never seen the ceremony performed in that manner before."

31

LECTURE I.

THE DESIGN.

THE design of the following lecture is to investigate the orders of Freemasonry; and, under distinct heads, to arrange my observations on the nature of this Society. On initiation, I was struck with the ceremonials; and immediately apprehended there was more conveyed by them than appeared to the vulgar eye; attention to the matter convinced me my first impressions were just; and by researches to discover their implications, some degree of knowledge hath been acquired touching the origin of Masonry, the reasons which supported its several institutions, the meaning and import of its various symbols, together with the progress of the profession.

It is known to the world, but more particularly to the brethren, that there are three degrees of MasonsApprentices, Craftsmen, and Masters; their initiation, and the several advancements from the order of Apprentices, will necessarily lead us to observations in three distinct channels.

How the several mysteries are revealed to Masons, they alone know; so steadfastly have the fraternity preserved their faith for many ages, that this remains a secret to the world, in defiance of the corruptions and vices of mankind.

In order to comprehend the nature of our profession, we must look back into the remotest antiquity, and from thence collect the several parts which have been united in the forming of our Order; in the first place we must give our attention to the creation of man, and the state of our first parents in the garden of Eden.1

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him. And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good. And the Lord God formed the man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Gen. i., 26, 31; ii., 7.)

It is not to be doubted, when Adam came from out the hand of his Creator-the image of God-from whom he immediately proceeded that he was perfect in symmetry and beauty; that he was made in the highest degree of excellence that human nature was capable of on earth-calculated for regions of felicity and paradise, where sin or sorrow had not known existence-made in such perfection of body and mind, that he could endure the presence of God; and was capable of conversing with the Almighty face to face,-so much was he superior to the chosen ones of Israel. He was endowed with understanding suitable to his station, as one whom the Almighty deigned to visit; and his heart was possessed of all the virtues unpolluted; endowments of an heavenly temper-his hours were full of wisdom, exultation, and transport-the book of Nature was revealed to his comprehension, and all her mysteries were open to his understanding-he knew whence and what he was. Even this was but a minute degree of his capacity; for, astonishing as it may appear to us, yet it is an incontrovertible truth, that he had a competent knowledge of the Almighty, the tremendous Creator of the universe; he saw him with his natural eyes, he heard his voice, he understood his laws, and was present to his Majesty.

To this first example of human perfection and wisdom we must necessarily look back for all the science and learning which blessed the earliest ages of the worldcalculated for such exalted felicity and elevated enjoyments, placed in regions of peace, where angels ministered and the Divinity walked abroad, was the great parent of mankind. But, alas, he fell! By disobedience,

2 The Rabbins entertained a curious opinion respecting the creation of man. Thus the R. Manasseh ben Israel says, after R. Sam. bar Nacham, that "woman was jointly created with man, being attached to his back; so that the figure of Adam was double-m e-man before, and woman behind. And therefore it should not be translated-God took one of his ribs, but one of his sides; or, in other words, that he cut or separated the two figures, and closed up, or healed the flesh which had been wounded in the operation."-EDITOR.

3 Gen. ii., 16, 17, 19; iii., 9, 10, 11, 12, 17.

4 Our first parents thus forfeited all the blessings they enjoyed by a violation of the covenant on which the tenure was suspended. In the form of a serpent the evil principle assailed the woman with the subtle and prevailing logic, that instead of death, she would enjoy

he forfeited all his glory and felicity; and, wonderful to recount, in the midst of this exalted state, Satan prevailed! 5

If we presume to estimate the change which befel Adam, on his expulsion from Paradise, by the deformity that took place on the face of the earth, we should be apt to believe the exile, though not distorted in body, was yet darkened in understanding,-instead of confidence and steady faith, that distrust and jealousy took place, and doubtfulness confounded even testimony; that argument was deprived of definition, and left to wander in eccentric propositions; that confusion usurped the throne of wisdom, and folly of judgment; thorns and thistles grew up in the place of those excellent flowers of science which flourished in Eden; and darkness clouded the day of his capacity.

It is not possible to determine, from any evidence given us, in what degree disobedience and sin immediately contracted the understanding of Adam; but we are certain that great and dreadful effects very early took place on Adam's posterity. We may conclude memory was retained by our first parent in all its energy-a terrible portion of the punishment his disobedience had incurred; restoring to him perfect images and neverdying estimates of what he had lost, and thereby increasing the bitterness of what he had purchased. Through the endowments of memory, Adam would necessarily teach to his family the sciences which he had comprehended in Eden, and the knowledge he had gained of Nature and her God. It will follow that some of them

life, and knowledge, and happiness, by tasting the delicious, but forbidden fruit; and that she and her partner would become as gods, and be able to distinguish between good and evil.-EDITOR.

5 Thus originated the introduction of a serpent among the symbols of Freemasonry, not only to commemorate the unhappy defection of our first parents, through the wiles of that crafty reptile, but also to keep perpetually in our recollection the Redeemer, who should bruise the serpent's head. Serpent-worship derived its origin from the same source; and even the name, applied with a transmitted authority to the destructive power, has reached our times. Thus the Deva or Dive of the East, who was the serpent-tempter; the Diu of ancient Hibernia, the Armoric Due, and the Gælic Dhu, was no other than the Diabolus of the Greeks and Latins, and the English Devil.EDITOR.