abundance, be thankful, not in words merely, but in deeds. If thou hast plenty and to spare, and wouldst be happy, give of thy abundance in the cause of Benevolence. So shalt thou greatly aid in carrying out the noble designs of this Fraternity.

CHAPTER VI.

ADIANT TRUTH, by its mild and heavenly influence, will light man's steps, through the benighted paths of error, to the lustre of unclouded day.

Truth is that grand virtue which

deals plainly and honestly in all actions, without disguise, without falsehood, and without hypocrisy; it comprehends all that is wise and good; it is the vital spirit of every community which is well founded among men. Where the name of God is sanctified, where his ordinances are duly at

tended, where good laws are enacted against immorality, and those laws diligently executed-in short, where that celebrated rule is the standard of dealing, that every man do to others as he would they should do to him-these people may be truly said to execute judgment and seek after the truth. What eulogiums does not the world give, and give deservedly, to the lovers of truth? The man that

does good, and speaks truth, resembles the Deity, whose essential properties are goodness and truth; when a man has acquired a reputation for veracity, his word is taken implicitly-it has all the authority of an oath-and all receive what he says with a sort of religious respect. No man is greater in truth than he is in God's esteem.

Truth presents us with a rule to ascertain what Virtue is, and guides us into its personal possession. Virtue is the voluntary homage we pay to Truth, which thus becomes the basis of Virtue. Truth is essentially the only foundation of confidence, and confidence is the only bond of association among the wise, the good, and the intelligent. To it we are indebted for the whole sum of happiness enjoyed in time.

Truth mingles its unclouded perceptions of duty with the generous grasp of Friendship and the sympathizing voice of Love. It is the great law of their being and mainspring of their action. Its robe is the spotless vestment of sincerity, snow-white and lustrous; it is an attribute of Deity, and has been made attainable to man, that his race might be blessed and improved. Without it, society is like a world without a sun. There are the towering mountains, the broom-clad vale, the gushing fountain, the broad expanse of ocean lifting its foam-crested billows to the embraces of the skies, and laving with its waters the golden sands of a hundred isles: but over all rests the deformity of darkness. The mountain

has no greenness; the lovely flower and the enamelled vale wear the hue of death; the waters sparkle not, and the golden sands on their island-gems send forth no lines of reflected light! Truth rises like the daygod upon the scene, and every object is flooded with

beauty and loveliness; and a blessed influence is breathed through every portion of society. These three duties-Friendship, Love, and Truth-indissolubly joined in the teachings of our lessons, furnish the broad foundation upon which is erected those extensive plans of relief which distinguish associations formed for the purpose of uniting men in the bonds of brotherhood.

How vivid the contrast exhibited between the abodes of Error and those delightful habitations where Truth reigns in its unclouded beauty, and every tongue and every heart sweetly think and speak under the influence of its teachings! United in bonds of kindred feelings, Truth is, by every member of this vast and happy Brotherhood, loved, studied, embraced, and spoken for ever; and Confidence springs up in the soul, and claims its pure mansion as an eternal residence. Friendship, twinsister of Confidence, joins hand in hand with deathless grasp; while Love, with links of holy Brotherhood, binds heart to heart in purified communion. From heaven God looks down with complacency, and sheds over all in rich profusion the enduring blessings of his favor.

2. A Fraternity whose broad foundation is Universal Brotherhood; which opens its doors of relief and sympathy to all; which teaches the sacred and sublime sentiments of Friendship and Love, and clothes its adherents with the dignity of Truth-will be owned of Heaven, and shall confer incalculable benefits on mankind.

Let us, then, BE TRUE to our professions. Let our walk and conversation in life be such that the world shall be compelled to acknowledge the sublime theory we teach. Thus shall we live in the enjoyment of