A Curious Masonic Tract.

are Masons and those who are not ; and as he degenerates from ns , we are by no means culpable in forsaking him . The reader cannot suppose that all these subjects are canvassed over each lodge night . No ; some nights two of them , some three or four , and sometimes but one ; and when they have the works of several brethren to inspect , the corrections and amendments in some of the performances take up so much

time as to oblige them to adjourn the examination of the remainder till the next lodge night . The applause that each brother meets with from the whole society , upon his duly and proportionably finishing a piece in architecture , always expressed by loud acclamations , generally alarms and surprizes those who are sitting by and under the room where the lodge is held .

I am not conscious to myself that I have in any one point in this relation of Masonry said more or less than what it really is . For what may be omitted in some lodges and what more innovated in others I am not accountable . But in all the lodges that I have belonged to and visited for several years the transactions were neither more nor less than this description of it sets forth ; for I took a good deal of pains in minuting down every transaction in each

lodge that I visited , to carry it to those of which I was a member . I say this is the whole of the Masons' proceedings in their lodges , etc ., ancl is sufficient to introduce any person ( whose morals are well known to either of the members to be good ) to a lodge who is inclinable to visit one , provided upon his examination he be not deficient in giving to the examiners ' a full detail and account of it as this book sets forth ; and no lodge can refuse any

person thus duly qualified to visit them but upon these two pretences : first , that he does not understand geometry , etc ., and therefore may as well pay for the learning it in the lodge as elsewhere ; and , secondly , that he never subscribed towards the support of the grand Charity . But upon his tendering the customary subscription of each brother , they are obliged to admit him . I come next to the songs which are in great esteem among the Masons , and sung each night of their meeting in every lodge , unless their buildings take up so much time as not to admit a song .

1 . YE thrice happy few "Whose hearts have been true , In concord and unity found ; Let us sing and rejoice , And ¦ unite ev ' ry voice , To send the gay chorus around . CHORUS .

Like pillars we stand , An immoveable band , Cemented by power from above ; Then freely let pass The generous glass To Masonry , friendship , and love . Like pillars we stand , etc .

II . The Grand Architect , Whose word did erect Eternity , measure , and space , First laid the fair plan Whereon we began , The cement of harmony and place . Like pillars we stand , etc .

III . . "Whose firmness of hearts Fair treasure of arts , To the eye of the vulgar unknown ; Whose lustre can beam New dignity and fame , To the pulpit , the bar , and the throne

Like pillars we stand , etc . IV . The great David's son , tTnmatch'd Solomon , As recorded in sacred page , Through Masonry became The first fav ' rite of fame

, The wonder and pride of his age . Like pillars we stand , etc . V . Indissoluble bands Our hearts and our hands In social benevolence bind ;

For true to his cause , By immutable laws , A Mason ' s a friend to mankind . Like pillars we stand , etc .