in this, no doubt, the sharp-sighted may find the sublimity of the master's degree. "The last great event," says Mr. T., " will be the closing scene in the grand drama of nature—this final consummation of all things, is faintly prefigured in the sublime degree of a royal arch Mason." (p. 70.) This the royal arch must answer for. It is more than the writer can do, to see the resemblance of the two first named events in the ceremonies with which he is perfectly familiar. (P. 71.) "In the masonic system we are not only taught something of the history of the material world, but numerous facts pertaining to the moral, which are infinitely more important. Such is the apostacy of our first parents. (Hear, hear.) This melancholy event is explicitly brought to view in so many words; and so strikingly represented, as seldom to fail of making deep and lasting impressions on the heart. The wretched, and destitute, and deplorable situation of Adam, which was the fruit of his disobedience, are affectingly exhibited by the most lively masonic representations." This strain is continued through two pages; and, to the shame of a master Mason be it spoken, the writer could have no idea in what part of Masonry the fall of Adam is exhibited by so lively representations, until he read, (chap. 8. p. 75.) "The first degree in Masonry naturally suggests that state of moral darkness which begloomed our world. On the apostacy of our first common parent, not a gleam of light was left to irradiate or cheer his desponding mind." But there it is, in the first degree of Masonry. "Such is the very nature of the first degree, that every observing candidate is led to view his moral blindness and deplorable state by nature;" and hereby it appears that the Mason can easily do what our clergy sometimes find difficult; lead the observing candidate to see his moral blindness and deplorable state by nature. In addition to these useful lessons," says Mr. T., (p. 71.) "so often repeated, and religiously enforced within every regular lodge, the evidence of the Holy Trinity meets our view on every side. The lodge is emphatically supported by three grand pillars; the principal officers are three,” and so in eleven other enumerated cases, besides "in a great variety of instances, which may not be mentioned, the number three occurs, and as often reminds us there are three that bear record in heaven, &c. How wonderful," says Mr. T., "is this system, whence moral and religious instructions are drawn from every object and every relation !"* If Mr. Town wrote on his own responsibility, the world would, as a jury is sometimes induced to do, bring in a charitable verdict of insanity, and acquit him. But it is in vain to treat all his sponsors in this charitable manner. They must be answered; and let it be done as directed by the wisest man, according to their folly. I prove the same doctrine, then, by much more significant emblems, the three great oceans, the three principal mountains, the three sides of a triangle, the three largest rivers, the three deepest lakes, &c. &c.; too many emblems to be enumerated. To be serious a moment; a young man, in this day of doctrinal distraction, might almost hope, in so flattering an institution as Masonry, to find some help to come at the truth. But he that enters a lodge prompted by the desire of knowledge, will gain it profitably in one point alone, human infirmity; the reader may add, human folly. "So our three lights show to us the three great stages of Masonry, the knowledge and the worship of the God of nature in the purity of. Edenthe service under the Mosaic law-and the Christian revelation; or, otherwise, our lights are typical of the Holy Trinity."-Hutchinson's Spirit of Masonry, p. 81. Turks, Arabs, Chinese, and Savages, and possibly, also, the Jews, would light the lodge differently, so as to correspond with their views of the Deity. "Masons meet as members of the same family; all prejudices, therefore, on account of religion, country, &c. are removed."-Preston, p. 271. "Deceived, they fondly thinking to allay And what would a Mason that is a Jew, or Mahomedan, or heathen, say to our author's emblems, and to the masonic spirit of those who commend the doctrines of the Bible to the masonic fraternity? They would laugh at the one, and scoff at the other. Notwithstanding all this parade of the emblems of masonry, to show forth the creation, the apostacy, the deluge, redemption, the Trinity, &c. &c., Masonry has actually no concern with these subjects, nor with any thing like them. The pretence that she has, is like that set forth for her by the Monitor, and Chart, and Constitutions, in relation to the sciences, hollow as the grave. CHAPTER XXXII. Showing the Heavenly Order of the Masonic Degrees, which are, and are not Degrees; also, that ancient Free Masonry, and ancient Christianity, are one; with a concise method of proving by Free Masonry that a Heathen is a Christian. "Though envious mortals vainly try "We laugh at all their spleen." Ahiman Rezon, p. 165. OUR author, in his eighth chapter, gives a most amusing description of the "moral improvement derived from the order and succession of the masonic degrees." "Not only are the several masonic lectures replete," says Mr. T., " with moral and religious instructions, but their very order is a source of improvement. The first degree in Masonry naturally suggests the state of moral darkness consequent upon the fall of Adam. The second degree is emblematical of a state of improvement and trial. [This is the degree in which the seven liberal arts and sciences are taught.] Having diligently persevered in the use of means, the third degree prefigures the life of the good man in his pilgrimage state. (p. 77.) Advancing to the fourth degree, he is greatly encouraged to persevere in the ways of well doing even to the end; having a NAME [the same that was on the golden triangle of glorious memory] which no man knows save him that receives it. (p. 78.) Hence opens the fifth degree, where [mirabile dictu!] he discovers his election to, and his glorified station in, the kingdom of his Father. (p. 79.) Next the sixth degree is conferred, in which the riches of Divine grace are opened in boundless prospect. (p. 79.) In the seventh degree, the good man [ter quater que beatus] is truly filled with heartfelt gratitude. (p. 80.) In the eighth he beholds, that all the heavenly sojourners will be admitted within the veil of God's presence, where they will become kings and priests before the throne of his glory for ever. (p.81.) [In lingua Latina, fient reges et sacerdotes apud solium gloriæ in aeternum.] Hence, in advancing to the ineffable degrees, the pious heart is filled with joy. Here is viewed the consummation of the great plan of human redemption, where every saint will be filled with the fulness of God for ever and ever." (pp. 81, 82.) 66 "O fortunati nimiùm, sua si bona nôrunt," If such useful instruction," says Mr. T., 66 may be drawn from the order of the degrees, how great must it be from the system itself!" Chap. 9. "Ancient Masonry, Ancient Christianity," p. 83 Let our author explain for himself. "When we speak of Masonry anterior to the building of Solomon's temple, we wish to be understood as speaking of principles, geometrical, moral, religious, and sacred. In this view, we shall attempt to show, that ancient Masonry comprised what may, with much propriety, be termed ancient Christianity." Again, having spoken of Noah's ark, built by Masonry, under the divine superintendence, as a type of salvation, he adds; "It hence appears, that ancient geometry or Masonry, in relation to the ark, did involve many religious truths. Just as far, therefore, as the mind was led, through this medium, to contemplate the divine plan in the economy of redemption, just so far Ancient Masonry [or geometry] involved ancient Christianity." [p. 85.] P. 86. A knowledge, belief, and due reverence of the divine WORD, constitutes the very essence of all true religion, whether ancient or modern. St John begins his gospels, by saying, "in the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God. This WORD, however mysterious it may appear to the world, has been understood and held sacred by the masonic order, from time immemorial." This is singularly edifying to masonic brethren of Jewish and Turkish families. Each may learn, to his great surprise, that he well understands and regards as sacred, the name of our blessed Saviour, without the sacrifice of one grain of his affection for the Mosaic ritual, or the false prophet. P. 89. "This same WORD is, that by which Masons in |