Sary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

THE THIRD SECTION.

The third section explains the nature and principles of our constitution, and teaches us to discharge with propriety the duties of our respective stations. Here, too, we receive instruction relative to the form, supports, covering, furniture, ornaments, lights and jewels of a Lodge, how it should be situated, and to whom dedicated. A proper attention is also paid to our ancient and venerable patrons.

From east to West, Freemasonry extends, and between the north and south, in every clime and nation, are Masons to be found.

Modern investigations prove this assertion to be well founded. Every civilized land has its Lodges; every nation possessing the spark of liberty and religion, its trestle-board of Masonic secrets.

Our institution is said to be supported by Wisdom, Strength and Beauty; because it is necessary that there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. Its dimensions are unlimited, and its covering no less than the canopy of heaven. To this object the Mason's mind is continually directed, and thither he hopes at last to arrive, by the aid of the theological

ladder, which Jacob in his vision saw ascending from earth to heaven; the three principal rounds of which are denominated Faith, Hope and Charity; and which admonish us to have faith in God, hope in immortality, and charity to all mankind. Every well governed Lodge is furnished with the Holy Bible, the Square, and the Compass; the Bible points out the path that leads to happiness and is dedicated to God; the Square teaches us to regulate our conduct by the principles of morality and

virtue, and is dedicated to the Master; the Compass teaches us to limit our desires in every station, and is dedicated to the Craft.

The Bible is dedicated to the service of God, because it is the inestimable gift of God to man; the Square to the Master, because, being the proper Masonic emblem of his office, it is constantly to remind him of the duty he owes to the Lodge over which he is appointed to preside; and the Compass to the Craft, because by a due attention to its use, they are taught to regulate their desires, and keep their passions within due bounds.

The ornamental parts of a Lodge, displayed in this section, are, the Mosaic pavement, the Indented tessel, and the Blazing star. The Mosaic pavement is a representation of the ground floor of king Solomon's temple; the Indented tessel, that beautiful tesselated border, or skirting, which surrounded it; and the Blazing star, in the center, is commemorative of the

star which appeared, to guide the wise men of the east to the place of our Savior's nativity. The Mosaic pavement is emblematic of human life, checkered with good and evil; the Beautiful border which urrounds it, those blessings a d comforts which surround us, and which we hope to obtain by a faithful reliance on Divine Providence, which is hieroglyphically represented by the Blazing star in the center.

The Movable and Immovable jewels also claim our attention in this section.

By the general usage the square, level and plumb are styled the immovable jewels, and this is in accordance with Webb's private instructions.

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