continued his protection by a miraculous pillar, which had two wonderful effects, one was of light to the Israelites by night, to conduct them through the Red Sea, and the other as a pillar of cloud and smoke by day, which was darkness to the Egyptians, and prevented their pursuit. He also sent a further plague amongst them; for he sent an angel by night to strike off their chariotwheels, which caused them to drag so heavily, that the two armies came not together all that night.

more.

When day appeared, Pharaoh perceiving the hand of God working sorely against him, attempted to return; but it was then too late; for, by the time the Israelites had gained the opposite shore, Moses desired them to look back upon their long-dreaded enemy, the Egyptians; because, from that time, they should see them no He then, by God's command, stretched forth his hand a second time over the Red Sea, when the waters returned into their primitive channel, and overwhelmed Pharaoh and all his host. And in commemoration of so happy and glorious a deliverance, Moses marched the children of Israel three days into the wilderness, singing hymns of praise to the Most High. They also erected a tent or tabernacle in the wilderness agreeably to the plan given to Moses on Mount Sinai, which afterwards proved to be the model or ground plan of that magnificent temple, which was afterwards built at Jerusalem by king Solomon.

CHAPTER XXI.

Of the Master Mason's Order.

Or the three first orders of masonry. viz. those of the ENTERED APPRENTICE, the FELLOW CRAFT, and the MASTER MASON, the latter is by far the most sacred and solemn.

By the apprentice's order is implied the first knowledge of the God of nature, in the earliest age of man. By the craftsman's order, reference is had to the Mosaic legation, and Solomon's temple at Jerusalem, as also to the light, which men received for the discovery of the divine wisdom by geometrical solutions; but the order of master masons is analogous to a dispensation, which is by far more perfect and sublime.

The initiation into the two first orders is attended with rites of great solemnity; but those attached to the third degree, are calculated to leave a far more lasting impression on the mind, than those which belong to either of the preceding. During the performance of these last ceremonies, of which none but those who are admitted to the degree of master masons, can have any conception, the soul is struck with reverence, and all the spiritual faculties are called forth to worship and adoration.

This order is, therefore, a positive contradiction of those, who know not God, and gives the most irrefragable proof of the resurrection of the body.

The divine construction put upon the emblem of the master mason's order, which he declares to be the prin ciple by which he is raised from darkness to light, is also the emblem of moral duties, professed by the mason, and to which, in former ages, the most religious attention was paid. These also, are principles immediately resulting from the doctrines of Christianity.

The MASTER MASON imposes upon himself, duties replete with moral virtue and Christian charity; duties, which enforce upon him in the strongest terms, that love which every man should extend to his neighbour, but more especially to his brother; these, however, are best illustrated by the explanation generally given of the

FIVE POINTS OF FELLOWSHIP.

FIRST, That when the calamities of our brother call for

our aid, we should not withdraw the hand which might sustain him from sinking, but that we should render him those services, which, without being detrimental to ourselves or families, charity and religion may dictate.

SECOND, From the preceding purpose, indolence should not permit the foot to halt, or wrath to turn our steps out of the way; but forgetting injuries and selfish feelings, and remembering, that man was born for the aid of his fellow-creatures, not for his own enjoyments only, but to do that which is good, we should be swift to extend our mercy and benevolence to all, but more particular to a BROTHER MASON.

THIRD, As the good things of this life are partially dispensed, so that whilst some are in opulent circumstances, others are in poverty and want, it is the duty of a mason, to testify his good will towards his brother, let him be ever so poor; and the more distressed he may be by sickness, or any other casualty, the stronger are his claims on his more opulent brother. RICHES alone, do not allow the means of doing good. VIRTUE and BENEVOLENCE are not solely confined to the opulent. The rich man from his wealth, is required to give employment and subsistence to the poor; but on the most indigent brother of our community, there is likewise imposed an important duty; for as the cry of innocence ascendeth to heaven, as the voice of babes and sucklings reach the throne of the Most High, and the breathings of a con trite heart are always acceptible to Him, so the prayers of a mason for the welfare of his friend and brother, if made with sincerity, will ascend to the throne of grace, and meet with a gracious reception from the God of mercy. Our prayers, therefore, for the temporal and eternal happiness of our fellow mortals, should never be neglected

FOURTH, It is a duty incumbent on us, never to injure

the confidence of a brother, by revealing his secrets, as we might thereby do him the greatest injury which he could possibly sustain. It would be like the villainy of an assassin, who lurks in darkness to stab his adversary when unarmed, and least prepared to meet him.

FIFTH, So much is required of a mason, in his bene. volence and charity to his distressed brother, as may be compatible with his own situation and circumstances in life. "Charity begins at home;" but like a fruitful olive tree planted by the side of a river, so is charity. It spreads its arms abroad from the fertility of its situation, and lends its shade for the repose and comfort of those, who are gathered under its branches.

Charity, when given with imprudence, ceases to be a virtue; but when flowing from persons in easy circumstances, and bestowed with discretion, it is glorious as the beams of the morning sun, in whose beauty, many millions of created beings rejoice. When, however, donations, extorted by piteous supplications, are detrimental to a man's family, they become sacrifices to superstition; and like incense to idols, are disapproved of by the Great Jehovah.

And here it may be proper to observe, that as Moses was commanded to take the shoes from off his feet on Mount Horeb, because the ground which he trod, was sanctified by the presence of the Deity, so the brother, who would prepare himself for the third degree of masonry, should advance in the paths of truth, without reserve or disguise, be divested of every degree of arrogance and self-assurance, and come forward in the steps of innocence, humility, and virtue, to challenge the ensigns of an order, whose institutions are founded on the most solemn and sacred principles of morality and reli gion.

It is, further, the peculiar duty of master masons, to

search the scriptures diligently for the secrets of our art, which are therein contained, as well as for other purposes, which they will ultimately find to be highly conducive to their everlasting happiness; and while they endeavour to pry into the covenant, the signs, and tokens which were communicated between the kings of Judah and Tyre, it is to be hoped, that the spirit of the widow's son will be in them, and fill them with the knowledge of all the points on which our mystic art depends, and these are, WISDOM to design, STRENGTH to execute, and the BEAUTY OF HOLINESs to adorn. Let us remember, that the same pages contain an inestimable pearl of great price, and that those individuals are the only wise and good, who make that pearl their own. Numberless are our encouragements to this duty. We are told, that if we ask, we shall receive, if we seek, we shall find, and that if we knock, it shall be opened to us. Luke xi. 9. In that case, we lay hold on the right pillar in the temple, both of solid fame and spiritual wealth, whereby we shall be established; and then we may safely rest upon the left, a still higher column in the Masonic department, as in that we shall find STRength.

Another motive to this, flows from the examples before us. Whatever may be our rank in life, we shall find, on a close investigation, many, who in a similar station, have dignified themselves, and been useful to mankind. Let us remember, that the widow, who threw in her mite into the treasury, was, in the opinion of the the Saviour of the world, more generous and compassionate than any who had, on that occasion, entered the temple.

Verbal love is nothing. Therefore, let his example, who went about continually doing good, be the pillar so elegantly adorned with lily work, kindly directing and inflaming our hearts towards the brethren. Let us meet