Masonic Musings.

was , therefore , public worship by which these descendants of Adam sought openly to declare themselves on the Lord ' s side . Now the inference is natural that public

worship requires , more especially in towns and cities , a p lace or edifice for its celebration ; and we may presume that the common supposition of there being no place of public worship except hills and

groves , before the building of the Tabernacle , to be incorrect , or at least , improbable . In what divine worshi p consisted is a different question , and one plainly belonging to another branch of

our system , Of the two sons of Lamech , the seventh in direct descent from Adam , Jabel , the son of Adah , is said to have been the father of such as

dwell in tents , leading a wandering nomadic life , surrounded by flocks and herds , and moving hither and thither to obtain the pasturage and water supply , necessary for that which , no doubt ,

formed no small item of their earthly possessions , for it is distinctly added that that Jabal was the father also of such as have cattle , and the brother of Jabal , by the same mother , was Jubal , and he is described as the Father of all such as

handle the harp and organ . Of 1 ubal Cam , the third son of Lamech , by Zillah , we read that he was an instructor of every artifice in brass and iron . Hence we learn first that the general mode

of life in those days was social , in more or less fixed habitations , such as to necessitate a knowledge and practice of building ; for it may with good reason be inferred that 1 abal was the first

to make use of tents , or of such dwelling places as could be hastily erected and easily removed and secondly , [ we learn that Jubal cultivated the science of music , and employed his skill in the

construction of musical instruments . The original names given to the instruments handled by the followers of Jubal , are probably generic , and not specific denominations , indicating the two classes

of stringed and wind instruments , each of various kinds . But a knowledge of the laws of harmony and modulation , and the invention of musical instruments , bespeak no small advance in science ,

while the formation of such as would answer to the terms emploj'ed , implies no inconsiderable proficiency in manual art and mechanical dexterity ; and thirdly , we learn that Tubal Cain

was an instructor , or rather according to the metaphorical expression of the original , a udieller or x / mrlieiwr of that class ol ' workman , by which not only many of the conveniences , but many

also of the necessaries and ornaments of life arc chiefl y fabricated . We cannot , indeed , doubt that much more is meant than that Tubal Cain merely accomplished the reduction * of the metal ,

and the application of copper , zinc , and iron to rough and common uses and purposes , because the same identical words are employed to express the extraordinary ( altnts of Hiram of Tyre , the

most eminent artificer mentioned in Holy Writ ; and Hiram himself was the son and pupil of one who was cunning , " endued with

understanding , and skilful to work in gola' and in silver , in brass , in iron , in stone , and in timber , in purple , in blue , and in fine lin en and in

crimson . It is worth y of remark , that each of . the names of the three brothers , Jabal , Jubal , acid Tubal Cain , is derived from the same root » meaning " to lead , " or •' to bring , " implying that they

Masonic Musings.

were all eminent leading men , fathers in their day ; hence was derived also Jubilee , and the Hebrew Jobel , signifying a " trumpet , "

indicating , in no obscure manner , that connection of the arts and sciences with religion and public worship , even in the infancy of the human race , which , according to our definition , is

Freemasonry . In this short review * of the antediluvian period , we may discover , if 1 may so speak , the elements of our Sacred Science , and in the further

investigation of this still unexplored domain a brief specimen of the mode of going to work is thus offered to all intellectual Freemasons , and this pursuit 1 would most earnestly recommend to

all . The jungle of falsehood , the pitfalls of superstition , and the huge boulders of ignorance , have already been removed and levelled by the labours and exertions of those illustrious pioneers

of science , whose names I have before mentioned ; but a rich vega . of knowledge must be reaped ere we enter the Alhambra of our desires ; a wide and fruitful plain of research lies before us , which we

must boldly traverse ere we can reach the glittering star which beckons us on in our path ol enquiry , and whenso ' er exhausted and overpowered by our exertions , or alarmed and

disheartened b y the streams of mistrust orthe hedges of scepticism , which cannot fail at times to beset and oppose us in our progress , we shall ever find renewed strength and inspiration by falling

back on the assistance and support of our only true and safe guide , and diligently pursuing the course traced out for us in the Book of Truth , for

" 1 here springs From that same book that lustre , and those rays , Of light , that turns our darkest nights to days . "

An Ancient Charge.

AN ANCIENT CHARGE .

A Charge delivered to a Constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , at the King ' s Arms , in Helston , Cornwall , on Tuesday , 2 ist April , Anno Domini , 1752 , V . A . L . 5752 . Friends and Fellow Brethren .

As I have the honour of being distinguished by a badge of office in this regularly constituted Lodge , 1 beg to make my best choice of this opportunity to assure you that 1 will use my best endeavours to execute tin . trust which vou have

reposed in me with freedom , fervency , and zeal ; and here I beg the favour of your attention for a few minutes while I exhort you to consider , with a becoming seriousness , some useful hints which concern all of us . And first , I beg leave to recommend an unwearied diligence and

assiduity in the great work wherein you are immediately concerned , to be upon your guard at all times , and on all occasions , especially before strangers , who will certainly watch every opportunity to extract from y-. 11 that secret which has for ages and generations been hid from

those who are unqualified to receive it . The proper observance and diligent execution of this part of your duty will recommend you to the notice of the world in general , and the regard of the lodge in particular . Be ye also careful , my brethren , to avoid every action which has the

least tendency to brand you with the odious name and character of a cuvetuous man , which our holy brother the apostle Paul has with great reason , declared to be idolatry . For what , my brethren , can beexpected from the man who makes gold

his hope , and p laces his confidence in his riches r What , but that he will be deaf to the cries of the destitute orphan , and entreaties of the distressed widow . Let the contrary disposition prevail with us , and let not our charity be circumscribed within a narrow circle , but like that glorious

An Ancient Charge.

luminary which opens the day , dispenses it kindly influence to all around us , indeed , if we are good Masons , we can not be capable of abusing the means with which Providence has supplied us to do good unto all men , as opportunity shall offer , and in a more especial manner ,

the miserable and distressed . These are objects which not only deserve our commiseration , but also claim relief at our hands . Let the grand princi ple of brotherl y love , relief , and truth , at all time distinguish us in this world , and ever prevail amongst us . This compassionate tempe ;

cannot fail of obtaining the love and esteem of all good and wise men ; and what is of infinitel y greater importance , the approbation of that Gracious Being whose favour is better than life . Lea us also be resolutel y fixed in the great duty of sobriety , and not suffer liquor to get the

ascendancy of our reason . It is reason , my brethren , informs us that we are creatures every way adapted to , and fitted for society ; and that God has given us knowledge and understanding superior to other beings on this inhabitable globe , wdio all tend by a natural impulse to answer in

their respective spheres the end of their Creation ; and shall the creatures thus fulfil with the great- ; t regularity , the different purposes to which Providence assigned them ; and men , the glory of this lower world , pervert the gracious designs of his Creator in appointing proper liquids to

satisfy his thirst and exhilirate his heart . B y abusing the means , and forgetting the end of their appointment , use them beyond the bounds of moderation , and thereby render himself equal , I had almost said inferior , even to the beastly swine . Did we but ri ghtly and seriously

consider the many mischiefs to which this vice exposeth us , we should certainly be very cautious of drinking to excess , well-knowing the fatal consequences which attend it , that it lays our reason asleep , and rouses the many , too often , predominant passions which disturb the mind of man . As we are careful to avoid the

shameful sin of drunkenness , let us at the same time remember , that we are in duty bound to abstain from another vice , which is too common in the present age ; I mean the destestable practice of swearing by , and invoking the solemn name of the great and glorious God , on the

most trifling occasions . This vice , my brethren , has not one motive or inducement , that I know of , to support the practice of it . It is practised by the vulgar , it is forbid by the ipositive command of an Almighty God , who s ever jealous of his honour , and will not hold any guiltless who take his hoi } ' name in vain .

This vice is a scandal to society , and disgraces the man below the level of the brutal tribe , who all join with the feathered choir in the praises of their great Creator . Let us , therefore , keep a constant watch upon the door of our lips , le ; us , if possible , live peaceable with all men , let us keep our passions in constant subjection . By this means we shall be enabled to demonstrate

to the world that we are good men and true , that we aim at no other character than that of piety towards God , and unfeigned love to one another . Love , my brethren , is the bond of perfectness ; it is the divine temper , which enables us to

preserve the unity of spirit in the bond of peace , and makes us like Him , who is the pure and inexhaustible ori g in of it , stand fast in one spirit , and be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment ; let us consider that this is a duty incumbent on

us , that it is recommended to our notice a d imitation by our Great Leader and Exemplar , who came to seek and to save that which was lost , and laid down His Jife , even for His enemie .. What a powerful motive and inducement have we : n this unparalelled instance of Divine

love opened to our view , for our instruction and government in this state of trial , unto which we shall do well if we tak * heed as unto a light shining in a dark place . And I hope there is not one member of this community , who does not endeavour to the utmost of his power , to

discharge this duty , as it behoves every good and wise man ; and that there are not any amongst us who are not truly sensible of the necessity we lie under to fulfil this great , this important part of an obligation which is an indissoluble bond by which the particular members are united and