IV. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrates, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably by all men.

V. You agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of the order of Masonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations; and to submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren, when convened, in every case consistent, with the constitutions of the order.

VI. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and excess. VII. You agree to be cautious in carriage and behavior, courteous to your brethren, and faithful to your lodge.

VIII. You promise to respect genuine brethren, and to discountenance impostors, and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry.

IX. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the social virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the art.

X. You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master for the time being, and to his officers when duly installed; and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge, or general assembly of masons, that is not subversive of the principles and groundwork of Masonry.

XI. You admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry.

XII. You promise a regular attendance on the committees and communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and to pay attention to all the duties of Masonry, on convenient occasions

XIII. You admit that no new lodge shall be formed without permission of the Grand Lodge, and that no countenance be given to an irregular lodge, or to any person clandestinely initiated therein, being contrary to the ancient charges of the order.

XIV. You admit that no person can be regularly made a mason in, or admitted a member of, any regular lodge, without previous notice, and due inquiry into his character.

XV. You agree that no visitors shall be received into your lodge without due examination, and producing proper vouchers of their having been initiated in a regular lodge.

These are the regulations of free and accepted

masons.

Do you submit to these charges and promise to support these regulations, as Masters have done in all ages before you?

THE GIBLEMITES OR STONE-SQUARERS.

The Giblemites, or, as they are called in Scripture, the Giblim, were inhabitants of the city and district of Gebal, in Phoenicia, near Mount Lebanon, and were, therefore, under the dominion of the King of Tyre. The Phoenician word "gibal," which makes "giblim" in the plural, signifies a mason or stone-squarer. In the Second Book of Kings, chapter v., and verses 17 and 18, we read that "the King commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers," which last word is, in the original, gillim. Gesenius* says that the inhabitants of Gebal were seamen and builders, and Sir William Drummond asserts that "the Gibalim were Master Masons, who put the finishing hand to Solomon's temple." In this sense the word is also used in the Book of Constitutions, which records that John de Spoulee, who, as one of the deputies of Edward III., assisted in rebuilding Windsor Castle, was called the "Master of the Ghiblim." The Giblim, or the Giblimites, were, therefore, stone-squarers or Master Masons.

IMPLEMENTS OF A PAST MASTER.

The implements necessary to a Present or Past Master are sometimes presented to the candidate, and their uses explained.

The Book of the Law, that great light in Ma sonry, will guide you to all truth; it will direct your path to the temple of happiness, and point out to you the whole duty of man.

The Square teaches us to regulate our actions by rule and line, and to harmonize our conduct by the principles of morality and virtue.

The Compasses teach us to limit our desires in every station-that, rising to eminence by merit, we may live respected and die regretted.

The Rule directs that we should punctually observe our duty, press forward in the path of virtue, and, neither inclining to the right nor to the left, in all our actions have eternity in view.

The Line teaches the criterion of moral rectitude,

to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action,

and to direct our steps to the path which leads to a glorious immortality

The Book of Constitutions you are to search at all times. Cause it to be read in your lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent precepts it enjoins.

You now receive in charge the Charter, by the authority of which this lodge is held. You are carefully to preserve and duly transmit it to your successors in office.

You will also receive in charge the By-Laws of your lodge, which you ar to see carefully and punctually executed.