AMERICAN MASONIC REGISTER,

Ladies' and Gentlemen's Magazine.

BY LUTHER PRATT.

Remove not the OLD LANDMARK, and enter not into the fields of the

of which, are still visible. See, also, in the walls which surround us, the two parallel lines, on the vertex of which,

convictions. Neither shall I under- || take to answer objections made to our order, by ignorance, bigotry, envy, and malice. The candid inquirer af-rests the square work, in the east!

ter truth, will find more information concerning freemasonry, than I have now time to furnish, in the writings of Preston, Harris, Webb, and Cross. To these authors, and to the book of constitutions, I must refer those, who, without initiation into our sublime mysteries, wish to become acquainted with the principles of freemasonry. Nor shall I undertake to furnish you, with a history of an order, which has existed through all ages of the world, and in every country where the arts and sciences have been nursed.* Addressing myself to persons, standing in the centre of an ancient, open temple, erected by a people evidently acquainted with astronomy, trigonometry and many of the arts and sciences, need I attempt to prove to you, the great antiquity of freemasonry? The circles and squares, triangles, and other mathematical figures, so often found among the works of that people, who raised in the early ages of mankind, the open lodge, whose walls now surround us, demonstrate that their authors were acquainted with the "royal art." Works like these, are uniformly situated either on the highest hills, or in the lowest vales. Where we find square lodges, are they not situated due east and west? Behold this circular, and that square work! Here, at the centre, once stood a funeral pyre: is it not now represented on our carpets by the blazing star? This funeral pyre, used also as an altar, had a semicircular, Mosaic pavewent on the east side of it, the remains

* See Archæologia Americana, article Circleville, where the antiquities of the place are described.

The court house, where this address was delivered, is at the centre of a round work. Adjoining this round work, on the eastern side, is a square work. It is impossible to convey an idea of these works without a plate, which is in the book above ferred to.

re

Have we not perverted the ancient simplicity of the craft, in our traditions, in some cases, referring to things comparatively recent, instead of travelling back to the earliest ages of mankind, when our brethren worshipped in open lodges? Assembled then, at the centre of an ancient lodge, erected by our ancient brethren, in the earliest ages of the world, whose only covering was the cloudy canopy, or starry heavens, are you surprised that freemasonry dates its origin from a high antiquity?

With such proofs of the antiquity of our order, constantly before our eyes, for additional ones, need we travel to Egypt, to Tyre, to Jerusalem? Are our proofs less ancient than theirs, or less conclusive? The very reverse is the real fact. Our proofs, how simple, yet how sublime! Through what a long lapse of time have they withstood his dilapidating hand! How venerable appear they, in their decay! How afflicting the idea, that they will soon disappear before us, so that not even a trace shall tell where they once were! The working tools of the craft are often found in them; several of which I have seen, and can entertain no doubt as to their authors, nor of the uses to which they were put. All I can do, is to call your attention to a subject, which has occupied my mind for some time past, assuring the FRATERNITY, that, should they demand it, a memoir on this subject, will, in due time, be laid before them.

My Brethren-this day is dedicated to departed, worthy masons. In every age, in every country, mankind have observed stated anniversaries. Before a knowledge of letters became general among men, this custom was necessary, in order to preserve the recollection of important events in the history of nations. But, though the knowledge of letters, through the in

vention of the art of printing, is widely || successful a preacher of repentance,
diffused, yet, from the very constitu-
tion of the human mind, the observ-
ance of stated anniversaries is almost
as necessary now, as it was formerly.
Need we not to be reminded of duties
to be performed, of principles to be
regarded, of vices to be shunned!
This festival is kept by us, ir honour
of a great patron of freemasonry, St.
John the Baptist. He was the im-and listened to his eloquence.
mediate forerunner of Jesus Christ.

Though "he was not the true light,
that lighteth every man that cometh
into the world, yet he came to bear
witness of that light;" to point out to
his countrymen, Jesus, as the Saviour
of the world, and as a herald to pro-
claim his near approach. A great
prophet, he foretold the coming of the
Messiah, a great reformer of man-
kind; he called on them to repent
and be baptized.

so great a masou, a saint so eminent. Virtues so scarce, so exemplary, so honourable to himself, so useful to mankind, so acceptable to God, are worthy of being for ever remembered. He forgot his own ease, amidst his indefatigable labours; he sighed not for conforts amidst the multitudes who foilowed his footsteps, Thrown into a dungeon by a brutal tyrant, he neither forgot his duty, nor feared to perform it: he reproved Herod for his incestuous life; a life so contrary to the principles of freemasonry: a courtezan demanded his head in a charger, as a reward for her dancing, and a tyrant granted the demand. Thus fell our great patron, in consequence of the faithful performance of his duty: his soul ascended to God, his fame fills the world. What an example of courage, of constancy, of zeal, of fidelity, of fortitude in the performance of our duty, has he left to us! Like his, our path may be rough, our fare hard, our perils many, our labours severe; a cruel and capricious

Austere and exemplary, his food was locusts and wild honey; his bed was the earth, his covering the cloudy canopy of heaven, his drink the limpid rill, his clothing sackcloth, his usual abode amidst the shady bowers of Enon's hill, his company the thou-tyrant may take away our lives, but

sands who followed him, to hear his zeal, courage, fidelity, fortitude, paeloquent discourses; nightly, his medi-tience, and perseverance in the pertations were on heaven and heavenly formance of our duty, will bring fame things; daily, his discourses pointed here, and everlasting felicity hereafter. out to man his duty to himself, his || Though we need not anticipate trials as numerous and severe as were those of our great eat patron, yet the same virtues, to a certain extent, are as necessary for us as they were for him. Destitute of those virtues, what is man? If in the full possession and constant exercise of them, man is but a little lower than the angels above; without them, he is far beneath the reptile below. Let us then, my brethren, prac tise those virtues, as we are commanded, with frequency, fervency, and zeal, so shall our lives be useful on earth, and acceptable in heaven. In the path of duty let us walk on, regardless of opposition from ungodly men; fearing nothing but disobedience to the commands of our Grand

neighbour, and his God. His zeal, his temperance, his truth, his justice, his courage, his fortitude, his fidelity, his love to God, and man, deserve our reverence, our admiration, gratitude, and esteem. Undaunted by the terrors with which he was surrounded; unawed by the difficulties with which he was compelled to encounter; unappalled by the dangers which threatened his ruin, he moved on in his course, dispensing light to the spiritually blind, life to those who were dead in sin.

If the vassals of despots celebrate the birth-day of a tyrant's babe, surely we ought not to be condemned for setting apart a day in honour of so good a man, so great a prophet, so

1

the lightnings from heaven, and the sceptre from tyrants? It was FRANKLIN, who was at the head of freemasonry in Pennsylvania.

Master above. Such is the important || Who was it, in fine, that "snatched lesson taught us by the example of John the Baptist. In the school of virtue may we commit it to memory, and often repeat it by the way, as we are travelling home to the Grand Lodge above.

But although this day is dedicated to the recollection of the worthy Baptist, it is not improper to recollect other brethren, who, like him, have deserved well of the craft, received honour from men, and been highly blessed by heaven. Our own beloved country has produced brethren, whose memory we are bound to honour, whose virtues we ought to imitate. To mention them all, would occupy too much time, and will not be attempted. But who was it, that, quitting the peaceful shades of Vernon's hill; all the pleasures which wealth could purchase, friendship offer, or domestic felicity afford-placing himself at the head of our armies, at the unanimous call of his countrymen, and contended many a year for our liberties and independence, until victory crowned his efforts with success?

It was WASHINGTON, who was a freemason, and delighted to meet his brethren upon the level, and to part with them upon the square, So may we always meet and part, my breth

ren.

Who was it, that, quitting the pursuits of private life, an useful, honourable, and lucrative profession, assumed the sword, and fell in defence of our liberties on Bunker's hill? It was WARREN, who was our brother, and at the head of our order in his native state, when he fell.

Whe was it, that, by his discoveries in electricity, gained a high place, as a philosopher in fame's temple? Who, by his indefatigable exertions, raised himself from the humblest walks of life to the highest eminence as a statesman? Who, from poverty, became rich, by his industry, economy, and prudence? Whose writings are read in every part of the civilized world?

Washington, Warren, and Franklin were freemasons, whose virtuous labours in public and private life, in the field, and in the cabinet, deserve our esteem, our admiration, and our gratitude. Compared with these brethren, how sink the monarchs of Europe? Though they despised the gewgaws of princes, they gloried in wear ing our jewels. The simplicity and sublimity of such characters are only estimated by the craft, and will be honoured and revered by mankind, as long as patriotism, courage, constancy, fidelity, perseverance, and all the amiable and heroic virtues find eulo gists and admirers.

We need not the illustrious examples of other ages, and distant countries, to excite us to the performance of every duty, to the practice of every virtue, while Washington, Warren, and Franklin are remembered. FREEMASONRY, they were thine! COLUMBIA, they were thy shield, thy boast, and thy glory.

To nations, tossed on the tempestu ous sea of liberty, they stand as BEA CONS, to light the mariner over quick sands, and through whirlpools, to a safe anchorage and a secure harbour. Assuming the principles of our order, which teach us, that all men are born upon a level, and ought to walk upon the square, they built up here a government, whose sole object is the pro motion of the peace, the order, and the happiness of the whole community. How simple in theory, how sublime in practice, is such a government, when compared with the governments of Europe? There, government is founded on the principle that the many are made to be governed by the few; here, rulers are the mere agents of the people; and at short, stated periods, they are entirely divested even of this agency, and so rentain,

and continental rags were given to them. Of late years, an act was pass

mless reinvested with authority by || While in service, they asked for pay, the people from whom it emanated. Such is the government founded by the patriots of the revolution. Howed for their relief, and soon afterwards

glorious are its principles, how illustrious its founders; how happy are those who live under it, provided they faithfully administer it!

an other was enacted, in order to defraud them out of it. With soldiers thus treated, our brethren, Washington, Montgomery, Warren, Clinton, Gates, Lee, Scammel, La Fayette, and others, conquered the best appointed armies Britain ever sent into the field. Patriots of every age and country, shall repeat the story to their children, while every freemason shall rejoice, that the principal actors, in those days of peril, were our brethren. Let us honour their memories, by preserv

Freemasonry! thy sages, thy philosophers, thy warriors, and thy statesmen of our country, who have fought, and toiled, and bled, and died in our defence, are this day remembered with gratitude by thy sons, wherever they are assembled. History has raised a monument to their fame more durable than marble, which shall stand firm, and its inscriptioning the government which they found

ed, as it came from their hands. Let us resist, by all constitutional means, every attempt to abridge our rights, by the insidious doctrines of impli

continue undefaced, while the world shall stand. Patriots of every country, read the inscription upon this pillar, dedicated to patriotism, and to virtue. Tell us not of European he-cation and necessity. These doc

roes, for they are covered with the blood of their fellow-citizens. Tell us

trines belong to tyrants, and ought not to be transplanted into our soil. As freemasons, we cannot meddle with political affairs, but as CITIZENS, it is our duty to do so, whenever our vote, or our exertions can be of any service to our country. Let us, then, honour the memory of our departed brethren, who, under Heaven, made us a nation, by an adherence to their principles; by practising those virtues, moral and social, public and private; the possession of which rendered them so good, so amiable, so great and illustrious. Thus shall we become blessings to ourselves, our families, our friends, and our country; be an honour to freemasonry and to human nature. Though, from a variety of causes, we cannot equal Warren, Franklin, Washington, and Clinton, in extensive usefulness to our own country, and the world at large, yet, by practising the same virtues, we may be useful, honoured, and happy. We can promote the welfare of our country, by electing into office virtu

not of modern statesmen, for they mounted aloft upon ambition's ladder, the principal rounds of which, are flattery, falsehood, and intrigue. Their object is self-aggrandizement, and they have attained it. But the patriots of the revolution, guided by the eternal principles of justice, truth, and patriotism, sought to exalt their country, and they succeeded in the attempt. How sickening to the eye of every genuine patriot, are the courtiers of this silken age, compared with those, who in an iron age, endured every privation, passed through all manner of perils, toiled, and bled, and died, for their country! How sink the potent patriots of these days, when compared with those, who, during our struggle for independence, might have been tracked by the blood, which at every step, distilled in crimson cur rents from their weary feet! Their clothes, consisting of "shreds and patches" of every colour, barefoot and hungry, they redeemed us from sla-ous, enlightened, and patriotic men;

very. A peculiar fatality seems to have attended them, from first to last.

by holding up to scorn, the ignoramus who aspires to honours which he