the wisdom, and the goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which connect this vast machine; by it we may discover how the planets move in their different orbits, and demonstrate their various revolutions; by it we account for the return of a season, and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye.  Numberless worlds surround us, all formed by the same Divine Architect, which roll through this vast expanse, and all conducted by the same unerring law of nature.  A survey of nature, and the observations of her beautiful proportions, first determined man to imitate the divine plan, and study symmetry and order.  The architect began to design; and the plans which he laid down, being improved by experience and time, have produced works which are the admiration of every age.  The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastations of war, have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed.  Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force.  The attentive ear received the sound from the instructive tongue; and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.  Tools and implements of architecture, and symbolic emblems, most expressive, are selected by the fraternity to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths; and thus, through a succession of ages, are transmitted, unimpaired, the most excellent tenets of our institution.”

Here the labor ends of the Fellow Craft’s degree.  It will be observed that the candidate has received, in this place, the second section of the Lecture on this degree.  This course is not generally pursued, but it is much the most instructive method; and when it is omitted, I generally conclude that it is for want of a knowledge of the Lecture.  Monitorial writers (who are by no means coeval with Masonry) all write, or copy, very much after each other, and they have all inserted in their books all those clauses of the several Lectures which are not considered by the wise ones as tending to develop the secrets of Masonry.  In some instances, they change the phraseology a little; in others, they are literal extracts from the Lectures.  This, it is said, is done to facilitate the progress of learners, or young Masons; when, in fact, it has the contrary effect.

The following charge is, or ought to be, delivered to the candidate after he has got through the ceremonies; but he is generally told, “It is in the Monitor, and you can learn it at your leisure.”  “Brother, being advanced to the second degree of Masonry, we congratulate you on your preferment.  The internal, and not the external, qualifications of a man are what Masonry regards.  As you increase in knowledge,