Fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of the mind, whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril, or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice-and like the former, should be deeply impressed upon the mind of every Mason, as a safeguard or security against any illegal attack that may be made, by force or otherwise, to extort from him any of those secrets with which he has been so solemnly entrusted-and which was emblematically represented upon his first admission into the lodge.

Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge and prudentially determine, on all things relative to our present, as well as our future happiness. This virtue should be the peculiar characteristick of every Mason, not only for the government of his conduct while in the lodge, but also, when abroad in the world-it should be particularly attended to in all strange and

mixed companies, never to let fall the least sign, token, or word, whereby the secrets of Masonry might be unlawfully obtained.

Justice is that standard, or boundary, of right, which enables us to render to every man his just due, without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with divine and human laws, but is the very cement and support of civil society-and as justice in a great measure constitutes the real good man, so should it be the invariable practice of every Mason never to deviate from the minutest principles thereof.

The illustration of these virtues is accompanied with some general observations peculiar to Masons.

Such is the arrangement of the different sections in the first lecture, which, with the forms adopted at the opening and closing of the lodge, comprehends the whole of the first degree of Masonry. This plan has the advantage of regularity to recommend it, the support of precedent and authority, and the sanction and respect which flow

from antiquity. The whole is a regular system of morality, conceived in a strain of interesting allegory, which must unfold its beauties to the candid and industrious inquirer.

CHAPTER IV.

REMARKS ON THE LECTURE OF THE SECOND DEGREE.

The First Section of the second degree accurately elucidates the mode of introduction into that particular classand instructs the diligent craftsman how to proceed in the proper arrangement of the ceremonies used on the occasion. It qualifies him to judge of their importance, and convinces him of the necessity of strictly adhering to every established usage of the order. Here he is entrusted with particular tests, to enable him to prove his title to the privileges of this degree, while satisfactory reasons are given for their origin. Many Many duties, which cement, in the firmest union, well informed brethren, are illustrated in this section -and an opportunity is given to make such advances in Masonry, as will always distinguish the abilities of those who have arrived at preferment. The knowledge of this section is absolutely

necessary for all craftsmen-and as it recapitulates the ceremony of initiation, and contains many other important particulars, no officer or member of a lodge should be unacquainted with it.

The Plumb, Square, and Level, those noble and useful implements of a Fellow Craft, are here introduced and moralized, and serve as a constant admonition to the practice of virtue and morality.

The Plumb is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to raise perpendiculars-the Square to square their work-and the Level to lay horizontals-but we, as free and accepted Masons, are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious pur. poses the Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the square of virtue, and remembering that we are travelling up. on the level of time to that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveller returns.

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