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the very lowest of them on the level of condescension, and may we never venture to despise the man, for whom, perhaps, a Saviour died, that so we may be able to hold up our heads, when justice is laid to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. Let our benevolence spread in every direction, and even extend to our enemies when in distress; that thus, we may prove ourselves to be the children of the Most High, who extends his mercies to the wicked and the ungrateful,

Philanthrophy ought not to be confined to any name, sect, or party, or to any climate or language. Like the power of attraction, which reacheth from the largest to the smallest bodies in the universe, it unites men from the throne to the cottage. Whether our lodge meets on the high mountains of earthly grandeur, and is beheld from afar, or in the lower vales of obscurity, and noticed only by a few; and in whatever situation you may be placed, O sit not at a brother's call. If he be in danger, fly to his relief. If he be deceived, tell him the truth. If he be calumniated, justify his character; bear his burdens; allay his sorrows, and espouse his cause. Nay, if in many things he hath erred, still let us recollect, that indiscretion in him, ought not to supersede humanity in us.

As the Eastern Magi opened their treasures, which doubtless were various, to the Redeemer of Souls, so every brother should be given to hospitality, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, and eager to employ his gift or power, whatever it may be, for the mutual good of each other, and the common benefit of all. Owing to the prevalency of this endearing munificence, king David, who collected materials so magnificently towards the building of the temple, aided by the spirit of inspiration, informs us in the book of Psalms, that the followers of the glorious head of the church, and Grand Master in Israel, of whom the whole family in heaven and

on earth is called, may, amongst other things, be found out by this, that as God loves them, they will shew their love to one another.

On, on, then, my dear brethren; let us pursue the great lesson of benevolence, which is the most important duty of human life, with alacrity and firmness, each moving on the square of truth, by the compass of God's word, according to our respective stations, in all the rules of symmetry, order, and proportion. Then we need not dread, that when our earthly lodge shall be dissolved, our jewels will still be safe, and we shall be admited into a more glorious lodge, even "an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ;" where Cherubim and Seraphim,angels and saints, and the spirits of just men made perfect, shall be our fellow-crafts and companions, and the Supreme Architect of the Universe, will be our ineffably great and glorious Grand Master, our light, our joy, our hope, our all, for ever.

Amen. So mote it be.

CHAPTER XXII.

Royal Arch Masonry.

The degree of Holy Royal Arch Masons is one of the most august and important in the masonic order, and may be justly considered as the summit of ancient masonry. While it impresses on our minds the most solemn conviction of the being and existence of a Supreme Deity, who is "from everlasting to everlasting, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever;" and with whom" there is no variableness or shadow of turning;" it also reminds us of the reverence which is due to his holy name. It presents to view many mysteries of essential importance

to the craft, which were for the space of four hundred and seventy years, or until the rebuilding of the temple, involved in impenetrable darkness-In a word, without a knowledge of this degree, our pretensions to the character of complete masons will be, by no means, well founded.

In the "Rules and Regulations for the government of the Grand Royal Arch chapter," held under the protection of, and supported by, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, unanimously agreed to, and established at a Grand Chapter held in Philadelphia, February 24th, 1798, and confirmed in Grand Lodge, 5th March, 1798, it is declared that ancient masonry consists of four degrees, the three first of which are that of the apprentice, the fellow craft and the sublime degree of master; and a brother, being well versed in these degrees, and having served as Worshipful Master of his lodge, or having passed the chair, which is generally done by a dispensation from theGrand, is eligible to the fourth degree, the Holy Royal Arch. This degree is, however, in general, considered as the seventh; to which the three following, which the Royal Arch Masons have the power to confer, are deemed preparatory steps, viz. that of mark master, past master, most excellent master. These, as has been already observed, are considered by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania as parts of the fourth or Holy Royal Arch degree, and also by Grand Chapters in other parts. of the world; although there is reason to believe, that they are generally considered as distinct and separate degrees, into which every brother must be initiated, previous to his being permitted to a participation in those mysteries which constitute, as it were, the essence of Royal Arch Masonry. But whether, the three dif ferent branches of masonic knowledge, which one ought to acquire after he has attained the sublime degree of

and

master mason, previous to his entering within the vail of the H. R. A. ought to be considered as three separate and distinct preparatory degrees or steps immediately connected with, and constituting a part of this last degree, appears to be a subject, which merits but little consideration for as the three degrees received under the blue, are universally acknowledged to be requisite before we attempt to make any farther progress in the art; and as we must likewise be made acquainted with that knowledge, which has been imparted to Mark Masters, Past Masters, and most Excellent Masters, it is of very little consequence, whether all this knowledge be acquired under the name of one or four degrees. Thus,

If we say the degrees are seven, they will be arranged thus,

1st. Entered Apprentice,
2d.' Fellow craft,
3d. Master Mason,

4th. Master Mason,

5th. Mark Master.

6th. Past Master,

ter.

If we say the degrees are four, they will stand thus,

1st. Entered Apprentice, 2d. Fellow craft,

3d. Master Mason,

4th. The Royal Arch. including, 1st. the Mark Master; 2d. The Past mas

7th. Most Excellent Master; and 3d. The most Ex

cellent master.

Every Royal Arch Chapter is governed by proper officers, who are, at such times as are prescribed in the bye-laws, elected to fill their respective offices. There are three Chiefs to each Chapter, who are styled the Most Excellent High-Priest, King, and Scribe. They are all distinguished by certain robes, with various insignia appertaining to their office. Besides the three Chiefs, there are other officers, such as the Grand Masters, Treasurer, Secretary, Captains, &c. The construction of the Chapter

Room, in representation of the apartment in Solomon's Temple, the furniture, jewels, decorations, emblems,&c. as well as the clothing of the Arch Mason, in a peculiar manner exhibit to our view, the sublimity and beauty of the degree; which, when added to the ceremonials of the exaltation,both in the preparatory and subsequent degrees, unfolds a variety of incidental circumstances appertaining to the origin, progress and usefulness of the order. When the work is conducted with that solemnity which its importance requires, with piety to God and love towards man, it cannot fail to call our attention to the existence, wisdom, power and goodness of HIM, who said, "Let there be light and there was light."

With respect to the organization and constitutional powers of Grand Royal Arch Chapters, there may, in some points of minor importance, be found, owing to local circumstances, a slight difference; but, in regard to those principles which are deemed essential, there is, in every state, country or nation, where such bodies exist, the most perfect harmony and union.

The power and mode of government observed by a Grand Chapter over its subordinate chapters is exactly similar to that of a grand lodge over the several private lodges, of which we have already given an account, Chap. 26, to which the reader is requested to turn, Grand Chapters are, therefore, composed of the three principal offices, of all the Royal Arch Chapters in a certain district, and of past officers of the same grade. Every GrandChapter has an inherent right to elect their own officers; to make their own bye laws; to grant warrants to such new chapters as they may deem proper, and to hear and decide upon allcomplaints and appeals from each and every Chapter which may be under their jurisdiction. To the meetings of Grand Chapters, Royal Arch Masons, who are members of private chapters and certified sojourners,