house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. The working tools of a mark-master are the chisel and mallet. The chisel morally demonstrates the advantages of discipline and education. The mind, like the diamond in its original state, is rude and unpolished; but, as the effect of the chisel on the external coat soon presents to view the latent beauties of the diamond, so education discovers the latent virtues of the mind, and draws them forth to range the large field of matter and space, to display the summit of human knowledge, our duty to God and to man. The mallet morally teaches to correct irregularities, and to reduce man to a proper level; so that, by quiet deportment, he may, in the school of discipline, learn to be content. What the mallet is to the workman, enlightened reason is to the passions: it curbs ambition, it depresses envy, it moderates anger, and it encourages good dispositions; whence arises, among good masons, that comely order, "Which nothing earthly gives, or can destroy- H Charge to be delivered when a candidate is ad vanced to the Fourth Degree. "BROTHER, "I congratulate you on having been thought worthy of being promoted to this honourable degree of masonry. Permit me to impress it on your mind, that your assiduity should ever be commensurate with your duties, which become more and more extensive as you advance in masonry. "The situation to which you are now promoted will draw upon you not only the scrutinizing eyes of the world at large, but those also of your brethren, on whom this degree of masonry has not been conferred: all will be justified in expecting your conduct and behaviour to be such as may with safety be imitated. "In the honourable character of mark-master mason, it is more particularly your duty to endea-vour to let your conduct in the world, as well as in the lodge and among your brethren, be such as may stand the test of the Grand Overseer's square, that you may not, like the unfinished and imperfect work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times, be rejected and thrown aside, as un fit for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. "While such is your conduct, should misfor-tunes assail you, should friends forsake you, should envy traduce your good name, and malice persecute you; yet may you have confidence, that among mark-master masons, you will find friendswho will administer relief to your distresses, and comfort your afflictions; ever bearing in mind, as a consolation under all the frowns of fortune, and as an encouragement to hope for better prospects, that the stone which the builders rejected (possessing merits to them unknown) became the chief stone of the corner.. Previous to closing the Lodge, the following Parable is recited. "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vine-yard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vine-yard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour, he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more, and they likewise, received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burthen and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because E am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." The ceremony of closing a lodge in this degree, when properly conducted, is peculiarly interesting. It assists in strengthening the social affections; it teaches us the duty we owe to our brethren in particular, and the whole family of mankind in general; by ascribing praise to the meritorious, and dispensing rewards to the diligent and industrious. The following Song is sung during the Closing Ceremony. I. MARK MASTERS, all appear In concert move; Let him your work inspect, If there is no defect, He will approve. II. Those who have pass'd the Square, Join heart and hand; Each with his mark in view, March with the just and true; Wages to you are due, At your command. III. Hiram, the widow's son, Our great key-stone |