science, which inculcates the chief doctrines and morality of Christianity; and assumes, as an universal axiom, the broad tenet of unrestrained union and brotherly love.

The second reason is derived from the general affectation, which seems to pervade the uninitiated, of believing that our institution was established for the purpose of sensual conviviality; and hence it is ranked merely on a level with the societies of "Odd Fellows," and "Good Fellows;" "Catch Clubs ;" and "Smoking Clubs ;" and

"Dated from Rome, at St. Mary's the Greater, in the year of the incarnation of our Lord 1738, the 4th of the calends of May, in the eighth of

that therefore our professions of intellectual pursuits are altogether fallacious.

My third reason is of a personal nature. At the conclusion of ch. 6. of "The Antiquities of Freemasonry," I offered some observations on the intimate and necessary connexion which subsists between Masonry and Christianity. These remarks appear to have created a sensation in the minds of certain brethren, which I did not anticipate. I have received several admonitory letters, whose common object is to impugn this doctrine, which I consider the fairest gem that Masonry can boast. As all my disquisitions were intended to establish this

alliance, I have, in the following pages, attempted to place the matter beyond the reach of dispute or contradiction; and I flatter myself I have satisfactorily proved that Freemasonry is not only a vehicle of religion in general, but of Christianity in particular,

To render this little work more. generally acceptable, I have interwoven in its pages a considerable portion of our lectures; distinguishing the several degrees in which each portion is delivered in our Lodges; which will afford an unobjectionable answer to those cavillers, who will not be persuaded that any salutary benefits are derivable from the practice of Freemasonry,

have here described our science as it is practised in a Lodge which is indebted to my exertionsfor its origin, and over which I presided during many years. If my information on the subject be incorrect, it proceeds not from a want of assiduity in the research, for I have bestowed upon it much anxious attention: and I may be allowed to express my own conviction, that those who are persuaded of the non-existence of religion in the science of Freemasonry, have not given the subject that mature consideration which its importance demands. For surely it must be a question of some magnitude to the community at large, whether religion be the basis of an institution which

The

comprehends every description of mankind: which is patronized by crowned heads, and diffuses itself through every rank and station; and I think that a minute comparison between the spirit of religion, and the spirit of Masonry, would be sufficient to convince any ingenuous mind of their indissoluble connexion. whole Jewish Ritual was but the perfection of Masonry, exhibited in types and emblems of spiritual things. The sublime mark or token of Ezekiel,* which was impressed on the foreheads of the Jewish masons to preserve them amidst the threatened destruction, was doubtless that significant