offices of the fraternity, they relieved a captain of a merchant vessel, who was cast away on the coast, with twentyseven Moidores, (equal to one hundred and eighty dollars.) In the Hague, the capital of Holland, a purse was made up of one thousand guilders, for the relief of a foreigner, whose house and effects had been destroyed by fire. With honour to the Masonic fraternity of France be it said, that during the last war with England, men were employed along the coast to find out who were Masons among the prisoners of war, and those who were fortunately found to be such were immediately taken out of confinement, had liberty to walk in the cities wherever they pleased, and were most generously supplied with every thing they in their different stations stood in need of. At Eisenach, in Germany, under the patronage of the lodge Des trois Glaives, they have a school for the tuition of poor children of all classes. There are upwards of seven hundred children educated. For the diffusion of knowledge, the brethren have, at their expense, erected a public Library, which is thrown open for public utility. At Prague, in Bohemia, the brethren have erected an extensive Asylum, for poor Masonic children and orphans, called St. John the Baptist's Asylum, where the children are educated in the duties of religion, reading, writing, arithmetic, universal geography, with such parts of drawing as are necessary in arts, trades, and agriculture; and the girls are taught house-wifery, spinning, knitting, sewing, and every other necessary female occupation. The lodge Au Lion Couronné, at Cassel, erected a school for educating the children of poor Masons, which is now in a flourishing condition. Two hundred and fortyfive children have already been educated, from the age eight years until they could in some measure provide for themselves. of In Emden, (Kingdom of Holland,) at the festival of St. John, a collection was made among the fraternity and the proceeds sent to the church wardens of the various religious denominations, to be distributed among their poor. In the united lodges of Dresden and Leipsig, a fund was raised for the support and education of the poor children of every denomination in the electorate of Saxony; for which purpose they purchased a large and commodious house in Frederichstadt, and converted it into a seminary of learning. The Masonic subscription for this laudable purpose amounted during the first year to seventeen thousand Rix dollars.* This school is at present in the most flourishing condition, having in the short space of five years educated eleven hundred children. Some years ago, at a time when all kind of provisions were so exceeding dear that the poor people could scarcely procure any, and a famine was apprehended, the lodges in Saxony, especially Dresden, Leipsig, and Sachsenfeld, opened a subscription for the relief of the needy, when upwards of two thousand families were relieved, who in all probability must have perished through want. In Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Holland, the Masonic fraternity are continually establishing seminaries of learning for the education of youth of both sexes, not only for Free Mason's children, but for the poor of every denomination. 1 Thousands of similar acts could be mentioned here, and in all countries where Masonry exists, members are never found wanting in acts of Charity and Philanthropy. Hence, by the liberality of the brotherhood they enjoy a kind of foretaste, and an anticipation of the joys above; whilst they are more and more fitting and preparing themselves, by the uniform practice of virtue, especially of cha Upwards of eight thousand dollars. * rity and fraternal kindness, for the beatific vision, or the enjoyment of the august presence of the supreme GRAND MASTER of us, and all things, where, may we all meet to love, praise, and glorify him for ever. The following beautiful stanzas I thought would be acceptable to my readers. It is a translation of the famous Gellert, from the German: Charity decent, modest, easy, kind, Softens the high, and rears the abject mind: Not soon provok'd, she easily forgives, And much she suffers as she much believes ; Each other gift which God on men bestows, Nor bound by time, nor subject to decay, An happy triumph shall forever live, And endless good diffuse, and endless praise receive. To Heaven's high Architect all praise, Who deign'd the human soul to raise, ENTERED APPRENTICE. THE first lecture in Masonry is divided into three Sections, and each Section in several clauses. Virtue is painted in the most beautiful colours, and the duties of morality properly inculcated. In it we are taught various useful lessons, to prepare the mind for a regular advancement in the principles of Philanthropy. They are imprinted on the memory by lively and sensible hieroglyphical figures, which are here explained and which have a moral tendency, and inculcate the practice of virtue. SECTION I. The first Section consists of general heads, and is suited to all capacities. It ought to be studied by all who desire to rank as a Mason. It consists of useful rules, which, though short and simple, carry weight with them. Independent of communicating valuable knowledge, they qualify us to try and examine the rights of others to our privileges, while they prove ourselves. It also properly explains the mode of initiation in our noble order. Towards the close of the section is explained that peculiar ensign of Masonry, the lamb-skin, or white leather apron, which is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason; more ancient than the golden fleece or Roman Eagle; more honourable than the star and garter, or any other order that could be conferred upon the candidate at that or any future period, by king, prince, potentate, or any other person, except he be a Mason; and which every one |