! : ever long characterised as Masons, and received the initiatory grades of the order, except such as by a long series of trial, patience, endurance, and perseverance, accompanied with the 'most piercing scrutiny of their principles and conduct, have been found worthy to enter in and behold? Shall the mystery now dissolve, and this sublime order, at once be lost in the chaotic wreck of almost every other system? This will never; no, it never can be! "It is impossible but that offences should conte," and through the weakness and depravity of human nature, the best of institutions are frequently disreputed by the mal-conduct of their members. The keepers of the gates of the temple, arrogate not the prerogative of judging man by his heart. Hence the address of many an Absalom, and a Judas prevails. Let the "woe" then fall upon him "by whom the offence cometh;" but let this excellent institution be screened from corrupt imputation: for the objection, if admitted, will, in due proportion, affect every system of virtue, propriety, and true religion among men. Although for the present, as heretofore, the votaries of Masonry may expect to be made the objects of ridicule and persecution, yet the true and faithful brother is enabled to discover within the veil, the glowing spark of charity which shall flame in every heart, and the dawning light of that day which is at no distant period, shall illumine the world with its high meridian splendour, when the triumphant arch of universal benevolence shall sensibly include the whole human family, and when peace, eternal peace, shall spread wide its wings, and cover all the borders of the inhabited world. Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and Brethren, permit me to congratulate you on the return of the anniversary of our beloved and long departed brother, whose virtues we this day commemorate, and while we reflect upon his Heavenly character, his exalted virtue, his unbounded benevolence, and compassionate sympathy: let our hearts be inflamed with a laudable emulation to imitate his life and follow his example. He styles himself. "a brother and companion in tribulation;" not only as having shared the bitter draught of adversity himself, but also, as one who voluntarily claimed relationship with the numerous sons of sorrow. As a fait ful companion, he mingled his tears with the weeping child of misfortune and woe. and by the soothing sympathy of a k ndred spirit, infuses life and vigour into the soul sinking under the accumulated pressure of wretchedness. While the resplendent glory of his character, who was the faithful steward of the manifold mysteries of wisdom and godliness, bursts upon our slumbering memory, let us consider the importance of adapting this festive celebration to the principles and practice of him whom we commemorate. Brethren, a great and valuable deposit has been placed in our hands, and on the regularity and uprightness of your conduct and practice, much of the glory and renown of this institution depends. From the principles of the order, and especially on account of the declarations of its happy tendency, the world expects an abundant harvest of wholesome and delicious fruit. Let us then cautiously avoid those tempestuous blasts of passion, and dashing torrents of corruption, which devastate the mental cultivation, blight the sweet and fragrant flowers of virtue, and eclipse in despairing gloom the bright prospects of an abundant reward. As the further growth and additional glory of our sublime edifice depends much upon the rectitude and assiduous industry of the labourers employed, let us this day, while encircling the altar of virtue, "pass an irrevocable decree" of exclusion against every vice and impropriety that has ever intruded among us; raise the cautious hand of repulsion against the approach of profligate infidelity, and with salutary || are rendered capable of keeping pure discipline, terminate the evil use of "untenpered mortar." and unsullied, the prime characteristic of the order, and from a feeling sense of our own wants, the good seed of benevolence is sown in the heart. While I would invite you to rejoice with me on account of the vigilance and determined resolutions, which apBy increased light we discover ourpear to exist in the breast of each selves on the level of time, and that member of the chapter lately estab- we must soon launch into the boundlished in this vicinity, against impro-less ocean of eternity; yet if we walk per admissions to that exalted grade, let every companion renew his vows, and with unceasing anxiety, solemnly reffect upon the vital importance of a cautions selection, and tremble in view of the probability, if not certainty, that the admission of a single degenerate, unwholesome plant into "the garden of the lodge," will bring disease and ruin upon the healthy and vigorous in its vicinity. And let it not be considered presuming, to sug-ternal affection, and that by happy exgest to lodges of an inferior grade, the propriety of following the example, or at least, of pursuing, with increased energy, a similar course: "so that our good may not be evil spoken of, and that with well doing we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, and not using our liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as servants of God," and safe depositories of invaluable mystery. uprightly, and form our actions by the square of virtue, we are furnished with the sure anchor of hope, which will eventually moor us in the haven of eternal repose. Let us endeavour, with a cautious unerring hand, to spread the cement of brotherly love, that the noise of contention may never be heard, that de incense of charity out of a pure heart may flame on the altar of fra As we commence and progress in Masonic science, it is our indispensable duty to look well to our steps, and by the help of the three great lights of our order, to preserve a dislinct view of the straight and narrow path, lest, we err and grope in the dark. If the blindfolding influence of moral depravity, has ever been taken from the eyes of our understanding, if we have been truly brought to light, however mortified by the discovery of our impoverished and forlorn situafion in ourselves, yet we rejoice in the light, because of the soul-ravishing charms, which by it we are enabled to behold and enjoy. Faith is thereby created, and conffdence infused; and by a proper attention to the means of cultivation, in an acceptable division of our time, we perience we may find it to be "a good and a pleasant thing for brethren to dwell together in unity." The particular impressions which may be made on any of our hearts and consciences, we shall do well to cherish while we live, and avoid that vanity, and self-righteousness which will cause us to be offended at, and reject the tried corner stone, and with the infuriate mob of sanguinary Jews, accept of a thief and a malefactor in preference. But let us, rather, search after that without which all is confusion, and the grand system of salvation incomplete. Let us inquire into the mysterious excellencies and advantages of that "new name which no man knoweth saving him that receiveth it;" that we may be filled with that joy which the world can neither give nor take away, and with which the stranger intermeddleth not. In whatever station we may be placed, order, and a strict adherence to the constitution of our system is indispensably necessary, remembering that "the fear of man bringeth a snare," thus by faithful perseverance we shall at length be enabled to finish the great and glorious performance of wisdom, strength, and beauty, and our work ! • Awake the tuneful lay; Unite in friendship, peace, and love, 'Tis Masons' holy day. be rendered complete in him who is || Come, Masons, join the festive board, Tedious, difficult, and dangerous is "Then we shall see, and hear, and know, FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER. The author of the following original ode, Marietta, Ohio, 1820. S. *. W. *...... MASONIC ODE, Sung at the festival of St. John the Evangel- All hail! the great mysterious art, To him whose birth this day returns, To him we'll join in solemn praise, Come, bring the wreath, the trio bind, source, And as they upward roll, Then hail! the great, mysterious art, FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER. TO THE GRAND ARCHITECT OF To the great Master of the skies, The arch of heaven proclaims his power, Points out his goodness still. Where yonder orbs unshaken move, 'Midst Afric's sands, or India's groves, The lightning's glance, the thunder's roar, Bear his dread frown from shore to shore, For though he's kind, he's also just, Prepare, and square your lives while heres What though the tott'ring fabric fall, When the grand master shall appear, GEOGRAPHICAL. FROM AFRICA. We have been favoured with the perusal of the log-book kept on board the ship Elizabeth, on a voyage to Sherbro, on the west coast of Africa, with 81 free people of colour, for the purpose of establishing a colony on that coast. The ship sailed from New-York, on the 6th of February, and arrived at Sierra Leone, on the 9th day of March, 1820, all in good health and spirits, from whence she returned in safety, leaving the colonists at the island of Campelar. She performed the whole voyage in the space of 120 days, 50 of which she lay in port. This log-book, which was kept by Mr. Gray, mate of the ship, contains, besides a particular account of the voyage, many very interesting remarks, and geographical descriptions of various parts of Africa; together with a correct statement of the conduct and proceedings of the colonists during the time the writer was with them. The whole is short pub to be properly arranged, and lished in a handsome volume, under the direction of Messrs. A. & J. W. Picket. We have been allowed to make the following extracts: "On our first sight of land, the agents, as well as the coloured people, were quite overjoyed. The bustle and coufusion that ensued, and the variety of opinions that were already expressed, can be better conceived * pilot, we were boarded by a number than described. At the time we took a waist of Africans naked, excepting were ty was equally surprised, the Africans came along side in canoes; they were no sooner on board, than they surrounded by the colonists of both sexes. One African was completely clothed almost the moment he was on deck, by contributions from the colonists. His deception was however soon discovered, for he shortly went on shore, and after securing the clothing already bestowed, he again made his appearance, if possible more naked than at first, in hopes of obtaining another suit, from those who were in greater want of them than himself. The pity of our adventurers, for these naked men soon ceased, when they are called, were well provided they learned that the Crew men, as for, and could, at their pleasure, dress themselves with better suits, than many of our adventurers possessed. whence these men came, is situated "The Crew nation, or tribe, from near 200 miles south of Sierra Leone. Their daily wages West Indies, to Sierra Leone, appears hard and earthen wares, all kinds of to be considerable. The imports are, dry goods and groceries, small stores, furniture, butter, cheese, &c. The exports are, camwood, bees-wax, palm oil, ivory, and gold dust; together with considerable quantities of excellent ship timber, which is taken on board, about thirty miles up the where the Crew men, who are generiver from Sierra Leone, at Ben island, rally industrious, are found very useful in loading ships, boating, rafting, &c. They perform the labours of the day with much cheerfulness, regardless of the burning rays of the tropical upon their naked bodies, which to an sun, which at noon day darts its beams "The trade from England and the D American or European, would be almost insupportable. "We had no sooner come to anchor at Sierra Leone, than two Spaniards came on board, and enquired particularly after the schooner Centinel, which they observed was fitting out at New-York, and on being informed she was detained on suspicion of fitting out for the slave trade, they appeared much surprised. There were then lying there, four slave vessels, under Spanish colours, which had been captured by the British, having every thing prepared, for taking on board 500 slaves; and, as stated by one of their crew, would have accomplished their object in 24 hours, had they not been taken. being a branch of the church of England, besides several meeting houses, in one of which Mr. Coker preached to a very large congregation, the first Sunday after our arrival in Africa. "At this place is a governor, deputy governor, and all other necessary civil officers. Their trials are by jury, which consists of twelve coloured men. "The military strength, consists of a garrison, mounting from ten to twenty heavy cannon; and at this time, the force consists of but two companies of regular coloured soldiers, and part of a West India regiment. This fortress is built of stone, on an elevated situation, commanding the town and harbour. "All the back country, which is very mountainous and woody, is interspersed with small settlements. The soil is of a reddish colour, and the stones which lie scattered about, resemble iron ore, but are not so heavy. The coloured inhabitants dress very gay on Sundays, and many them appear respectable. The i moderate use of ardent spirits is. existing evil, which certainly great measure might be disprac with, and whoever wishes to his good health in Africa, must rosy; from this practice altogether. e of "All that part of Africa we had an opportunity of seeing, including a great part of the country opposite Sierra Leone, under the left bank of the river, is high and mountainous, rising gradually, in some places, from the shores bordering on the sea-side; and in other places, the land is very high within half a mile of the sea, particularly that part of the coast from cape Sierra Leone to cape Shilling, and from thence, in an easterly direction, as far as the eye can distinguish, the land is very high and mountainous, covered with small wood, interspersed with tall trees, among which is seen the cocoanut tree towering its leafless truuk, above ali the rest, the whole clothed with a beautiful green foilage, excepting the tree last mentioned, whose top puts forth a few slender branches, and these only cloth-ing all imported from England, or the ed with leaves. That the trees of Africa are immensely large, we could plainly discover, from the monstrous size of the canoes we saw at Sierra Leone, many of which are from 30 to 50 feet in length, and from 4 to 6 feet in breadth. The trees of which the largest of these canoes were made, must have been from 30 to 45 feet in circumference. "The population of Sierra Leone, including Freetown and Crewtown, is about 15,000. In this settlement is a regular court house and jail, a church, "Tobacco, sugar cane, and code might be cultivated in this vicinity great advantage; but their cultivato does not appear to be encouraged, be British plantations in the West Indies, at a very advanced price, owing to the heavy duties imposed on all such goods. "Freetown is built on the declivity of a mountain, commanding a fair prospect from the sea. Several considerable buildings were going on, and great advantages held out to mechanSeveral of our colonists had offers, which they of course declined. The governor's house is two stories high; the windows have green blinds on the outside, and it is surrounded by a number of outhouses, all of which ICS. |