were also three, and named Cadeiriaith, the Prin cipal, stationed in the East; Goronwy, who represented the Moon, occupied a place in the West; and Fleidwr Flam, the meridian Sun, stationed in the South. Other subordinate officers were necessary to the due celebration of the mysteries. Amongst these were principally Sywedydd the mystagogue, who assisted the Archdruid in illustration; and Ys yw wedydd, a Revealer of Secrets, who communicated to the initiated aspirant the mys terious tokens of the Order. The two great Lights of heaven were of some importance in these rites. The Sun was a symbol of the superior god Hu, because he is the great source of Light, and the Ruler of the day. The mild sovereign of the night typified the supreme goddess Kyd or Ceridwen, in whose sacred cauldron were involved all the mysteries of this complicated superstition. In fact, "the Cauldron" was a technical term comprising the entire system, whether considered under the denomination of doctrine or discipline, philosophy, legislation, or morality, of which these mysteries were composed. Hence, the Sun, the Moon, and Cadeiriaith or the Archdruid, formed indispensable and constituent parts of Druidism; the two former as the patrons, and the latter as the authorized dispenser of the contents of the sacred cauldron. It may be unnecessary to enumerate any other instances in detail; suffice it to say, that the government of all the mysterious institutions known in the world has been invariably the same. The government of a Mason's Lodge in like manner is vested in Three Superior Officers who are seated in the East, West, and South, to represent the rising, setting, and meridian Sun. They are distinguished by significant Jewels which are highly emblematical of their respective duties; and depicted by Three Lesser Lights which symbolize the Sun, the Moon, and the Master; to intimate that as the Sun rules the day, and the Moon the night with undeviating regularity, so ought the Master to rule with equal precision; that order and harmony may be as visibly displayed in a Mason's Lodge, as in the uniform movements of the celestial system. Hence we find that the Master's authority in the Lodge, is despotic as the Sun in the firmament, which was placed there by the Creator, never to deviate from its accustomed course till the declaration is promulgated that time shall be no more. To this purpose the old Regulations of Masonry provide that "the Rulers and Governors, supreme and subordinate of the ancient Lodge, are to be obeyed in their respective stations by all the brethren, according to the old charges and regulations, with all humility, reverence, love, and alacrity." And in the same code, directions are given to the brethren as follows: "You are not to hold private Cominittees, or separate conversation, without leave from the master, nor to talk of any thing impertinently or unseemly, nor interrupt the Master or Wardens, or any brother speaking to the Master: nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn; nor use any unbecoming language on any pretence whatsoever; but to pay due reverence to your Master, Wardens, and Fellows, and put them to worship." Towards the well governing of a Lodge of Masons, I would recommend moderation in the superior Officers, and subordination in the Brethren; for without mutual good-will, equanimity of temper, and reciprocal forbearance, the superstructure will crumble to decay, and the Lodge, sooner or later, be inevitably dissolved. Be scrupulously cautious in the choice of candidates; for the admission of one improper person may bring discredit on masonry, cause confusion amongst brethren, introduce disputes and needless controversies into the Lodge, and finally banish from your Society many worthy and excellent associates. Let none be initiated into Masonry but those who are literally "good men and true, free born, and of mature and discreet age, no bondmen, no immoral or scandalous men, but of good report." Let the requisitions of the Grand Lodge on this point be strictly adhered to. Mr. Hutchinson very judici-› ously says, "The principles which alone should attend a candidate for initiation into our society, are pathetically represented in the fifteenth Psalm."* : I subjoin for your consideration, the judicious remarks of Brother Anderson on this important subject, as worthy of being written in letters of gold. "It is to be lamented that the indulgence subjoined to this wholesome injunction (no Lodge shall ever make a Mason without due enquiry into his character) should weaken the regard seriously due to it; for as no man will build his house upon a bog or a quicksand, a man of suspicious integrity will be found equally unfit to sustain the character of a true mason: and if some corresponding regard to worldly circumstances were included, it would operate more for the welfare and credit of the Society. Charity is a leading feature in the masonic character; we deem ourselves bound to assist a distressed brother to the utmost of our power; but surely this humane obligation does not extend to *Sp. of Mas. p. 192. Ed. 1775. 1 Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle; or who shall rest upon thy holy hill? 2 Even he, that leadeth an uncorrupt life: and doeth the thing which is right, and speaketh the truth from his heart. 3 He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour: and hath not slandered his neighbour. 4 He that setteth not by himself, but is lowly in his own eyes: and maketh much of them that fear the Lord. 5 He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not; though it were to his own hindrance. 6 He that hath not given his money upon usury: nor taken reward against the innocent. 7 Whoso doeth these things shall never fall. receiving men amongst us, whose imprudence and precarious circumstances obviously tend to reduce them to be objects of charity. Nothing is more common than for giddy young men just entering into life, to join the society with the mere sinister view of extending their connections: such men dissipate their time, money and attention, in running about from one Lodge to another, where they rather aim to distinguish themselves in the licentious character of jolly companions, than in the more discreet one of steady, good masons; and finally close their masonic career by loading the table in the Committee Room with petitions for charity! The number of these applications reduces our benefactions to such scanty portions, that instead of being of effectual service in extricating men from the occasional difficulties of life, they seldom amount to more than the instant supply of pressing necessities, without reaching the cause of those necessities; whereas, were the brethren more select, fewer distresses would come before them, those which did come would be more deserving of relief, and might obtain it from a more liberal hand. "Once more; the fraternity of masons being every where distinguished by their kind reception and friendly assistance of strange brethren on journies, or, on their arrival to settle among them, gives rise to another abuse, teeming with evil effects. man on the point of removing to a distant country, recollects that the certificate of being a mason, will A |
