JAMES E. MATTHE WS

JA MES Z. NJ A L L HE " )
Auditor of Public Accounts.

DEFINITION. OF MASONRY.
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Masonry passes under two denominations
operative aud speculative. By the for.
mer we allude TO the proper application OF
the useful rules of architecture. whence a
structure derives figure, strength, and
beauty and whence results due proper
ton and a just correspob dence in all lis
parts. By the latter we learn to govern
the passions, act upon the square. keep a
tongue of good report, maintain secresy,
and practice charity.


Speculative Masonry is so far interwo-
ven with religion, as TO lay US under the
strongest obligations to pay that homage %
the deity, which at once constit utes our du.
ty and our happiness. II leads the conten-
plalive 10 view with reverence and admi>
ration the glorious works of creation, and
inspires them with the most exalted ideas of
the perfection of the divin Creator, Ope.
rative Masonry furnishes US with dwellings
and convenient shelters nom the iaclemen-
cies of seasons and while 1t displays the ef-
fects of human wisdom, as we'll In the
choice as in the arrangement of the mates
rials of which that edihce is COM posed, II
demonstrates that a fund of science and
industry Is implanted in man for the best,
most salutary, and benefcent purposes.


The lapse of time, the ruthless hand OF
ignorance, and the devastations Of war, have
laid waste and destroyed many valuable
monuments of antiquity, on which the Ut
most eXertIons OF human genius have been
employed. Even the Temple of Solomon,
so spacious and magnificent and construct
| ed by so many celebrated artists, especially
not the unsparing ravages of barbarous
force. Free Masonry, notwithstanding,
has still survived. The attentive ear re-
ceives the sound from the instructive tongue,
and the sacred mysteries are safely lodged


in the repository of faithful breasts. Tools
-
nity, to imprint on the memory serious
! truths: and thus the excellent tenets of the
/ Institution are transmitted uEimpaired, un-
der the circumstances precarious aud ad'
verse, through a succession of ages.-Free
| Mason.