assiduous Mason's view it lies open and exposed. To him it is like a burning and a shining Light, elevated on a lofty candlestick, and darting its pure and perfect rays to enlighten and invigorate the Soul.

There exist two opinions amongst the fraternity respecting the expediency and usefulness of Masonic publications generally. My own private view of this question is already recorded in the Preface to the " Antiquities of Freemasonry." In corrobation of the sentiments there expressed, I shall not content myself with simply urging the princely and liberal patronage which has been extended to these Lectures, though this alone might be sufficient to determine that the general sense of our brethren is in favour of extending the knowledge of Masonry by a spirit of enquiry, confined within the proper limits of a due restraint; but I shall insert, even at the risk of imputed vanity, some positive testimonies, selected from an infinite number of the like nature and purport, which, though rather of a personal character, and highly flattering to my feelings, may add weight to the negative evidence drawn from the number and respectability of the names which are prefixed to this volume. The Brethren from whose communications the following extracts are made, will, I am sure, pardon the liberty I have taken in thus bringing their compositions before the public, in proof of the benefits which may result from scientific investigations into the nature and design of Free Masonry.

Bro. William Madox, Grove-Lane, Camberwell, W. M. 275, writes thus ;

"With feelings of considerable pleasure, I have perused your little work of "The Star in the East;" the motive for the publication of which, is as gratifying as the triumphant manner in which you have proved the holy alliance of Masonry and Religion."

"It will give me real gratification to possess whatever future works you may favour the Masonic Public by writing "

The Rev. Thomas Turner, P. G. Chaplain for Cheshire.

"You deserve the Thanks of the Fraternity, for your strenuous endeavours to rescue the craft from the unmerited obloquy to which it has been so long unjustly subjected."*

.* I have been favoured with a Copy of the Resolution entered into by the Members of the King's Friends' Lodge, of which the above gentleman is W. M., relative to the publication of these Lectures, and I subjoin an extract.

"King's Friends' Lodge, No. 553, Lamb Inn, Nantwich, Feb. 6, 1826.

"At a Lodge of Emergency, a Letter from the Rev. Brother Oliver, proposing to publish a Course of Lectures on Masonry, was submitted to the inspection of the Brethren present.

"We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being Members of the Lodge, do pledge ourselves to become Subscribers, highly approving of the Work intended to be published, from a conviction that it will tend greatly to promote the interests of our Royal Art."

Signed by Nineteen Brethren.

Bro. Nicholas Lee Torre, Avon Dasset, Oxon. "The interest I have felt in the perusal of your former publications, added to the instruction I have derived from them, leads me to hail with pleasure the forthcoming Lectures on Masonry, &c. &c."

Bro. Joseph Shrigley, W. M. 527, Lancaster.

"Your zealous endeavours in the cause of Masonry, entitle you to every respect from the whole Fraternity, and I hope you will live long to continue the same laudable exertions."

Bro. John Nunns, Lancaster.

"Your publication on " The Antiquities of Masonry," and "The Star in the East," have been read with great interest by many of the brotherhood here, and indeed wherever I have visited; and in a short time, I doubt not but they will be in the hands of all enlightened Brethren, who wish to be acquainted with the true basis on which their System rests. Your next publication, I assure you, is anxiously looked for, and by no one more than myself."

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Bro. George Capes, W. M. 488, Barton, Lincolnshire. "That so much of your valuable time should be employed in advocating so good a Cause, and defending our Institution from the abominable and impudent tirades so unceasingly

* This gentleman, with whom I was personally acquainted, is, I regret to say, since dead. Society has lost a valuable Member, and the fraternity a most able and zealous coadjutor.

urged against it, demands, in my opinion, from the whole Fraternity, their warmest Thanks, &c. &c.

Bro. Arthur Browne, W. M. 68, Norwich.

"I cannot permit this opportunity to pass without expressing the great pleasure, interest, and information, I have derived from "The Antiquities of Masonry," and "The Star in the East;" more especially the latter, which I regard as a Jewel of inestimable value; for it certainly has produced in my mind that conviction of the origin, nature, and intention, as well as the spirit of Freemasonry, which you have so powerfully and so beautifully endeavoured to establish; and it may be gratifying to you to know that this is also the opinion of those Brethren who, within my observation, have read the Works. With the above conviction you will readily believe that I anticipate with much pleasure, the appearance of your proposed Lectures, and I trust that nothing will occur to prevent their publication, and I hope at an early period."

Bro. George Thompson, W. M. 120, Woodbridge. "I am much pleased at seeing a Work of this sort in agitation; as from the prospectus sent, I have no doubt but it will be a source of much instruction and information to the Fraternity at large, and I heartily wish you success."

Bro. Richard Griffiths, W. M. 714, Northampton.

"Your undertaking is laudable and praiseworthy, and I wish you every success."

Bro. Edward Hill Creasy, W. M. 511, Brighton.

"I cannot omit this opportunity of expressing the great satisfaction I have experienced in reading your former publications."

Bro. Samuel Johnson, Treasurer, 498, Shrewsbury.

"I have much pleasure in handing you a list of the Members of our Lodge who are desirous of being Subscribers to your Work; fully assured from a perusal of the Prospectus that it will confer an additional honour on its Author, and render his name dear to the Fraternity, as the Work on "The Antiquities of Masonry" has already done; at the same time diffusing that information which is so much wanted in the masonic world; and putting to silence the scoffer at its mysteries, who has, in too many instances, deterred the timid candidate from joining under its sacred banner."

Bro. Samuel Smith, W. M. 556, Sheffield.

"You will confer a favour on the Brethren of the Royal Brunswick Lodge by your acceptance of the inclosed small Present, as a mark of their sense of the beneficial effects which must inevitably result to the good Cause of Masonry, from the production of such a Work at the present period."*

This Letter was accompanied by a most splendid Present of the Manufacture of Sheffield, which is highly valuable in my estimation, as a spontaneous testimony of the expected usefulness of my masonic labours; and I beg to return my most sincere acknowledgements to the W. M., Officers, and Brethren of the Royal Brunswick Lodge, for so unostentatious a specimen of good taste and honourable feeling, which shall ever be preserved by me as permanent memorial of their esteem.