A
Charge at Raising
Your
zeal for our
Institution, the progress you have made in its mysteries, and your
steady
conformity to its useful Regulations,
have pointed you out as a proper
object
for this peculiar mark of the favor of the Brethren.
Duty, honor and gratitude now bind you to
be faithful to your trust, to support the dignity of your character on
all
occasions,
and strenuously to enforce by precept and example, a steady
obedience to the tenets of Freemasonry.
Exemplary conduct,
on your part, will convince the world
that merit is
the just title to our privileges, and that on you our favors are not
undeservedly bestowed.
In this respectable character you are
authorized to restrain the irregularities of less informed Brethren; to
correct
their errors,
to fortify their minds with resolution against the snares
of the
insidious; and to guard them against every allurement to viscous
practices.
To
preserve unsullied the
reputation of the Fraternity ought to be your constant care, and
therefore, it
becomes your province to
caution the inexperienced against a breach of
fidelity.
The Laws and Regulations of the Fraternity
you are to support and maintain, and be ever ready to aid in their
execution.
You are
to look impartially
upon the offenses of your Brethren; in the decision on every breach of
the
Regulations, you are to
judge with candor, to admonish with friendship,
and to
reprehend with justice.
In our private assemblies you may now offer
your opinions on whatever subjects are presented for decision. You are free to
introduce
any motion, which
you may suppose will be for the advantage or honor of the Fraternity. By the exercise of these
rights and
privileges, you may improve your rational and intellectual powers,
qualify
yourself to become a useful member of
society, and vie with skillful
Brethren
in an endeavor to excel in everything that is good and great. You are to relieve the
necessities
of your
Brethren to the utmost of your power and ability, without prejudice to
yourself
or your private concerns. Do
this in a
cheerful spirit, for our Great Master has said that He loveth a
cheerful giver.
On no account are you to injure a Brother,
or to see him injured, but you are to apprise him of all approaching
dangers
and consider
his interest as inseparable from your own.
Universal benevolence you are zealously to
inculcate, and, by your well ordered conduct, endeavor to show how
false are
the slanders,
which have been uttered against this venerable
Institution. The
Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry you are
carefully to preserve, and not
suffer them on any pretence to be
broken,
impaired, weakened, altered or destroyed; or countenance any departure
from our
established Usages and Customs.
Your virtue, honor, and character are concerned
in supporting with dignity the respectability of your Masonic
profession.
Let
no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows
to God,
or betray your trust; but be true and faithful,
and imitate the example
of that
celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented.
Thus you will render yourself deserving,
of
the honor, which this lodge has conferred, and worthy of the confidence
that it
has reposed in you.