her husband, and eateth not the bread of idleness: her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."— As a good and pious Christian, she looks up with an eye of gratitude to the dispenser and disposer of all things, to the husband of the widow, and the father of the fatherless, intreating his divine favour and assistance in this and every other moral and religious duty; well satisfied, that if she duly and punctually discharges her several offices in this life, she shall be blessed and rewarded for it in another.-" Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord shall be praised."

THE ILLUMINATED.
NATED

Extract from Lord GARDENSTONE's Travels on the Continent of Europe, 1787, Vol. II. P. 184, respecting THE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS of Bavaria.

MUN

UNICH, Oct. 6.-After noticing several particulars, foreign to our purpose, he goes on as follows:

Some years ago, a very singular and almost incredible species of fanaticism arose, and has been propagated in this country so far as to alarm the friends and associates of regular government and established religion.—It is, indeed, a system of total infidelity of all religion, and, in the room of it, they attempt to substitute a sort of ADORATION OF VIRTUE, as the principle and source of all wisdom and happiness among mankind. As to the appellation of this new sect, they call themselves "THE ILLUMINATED. The author and preacher of this extraordinary doctrine was a Monsieur Waishaurt, professor of canon and civil law at Ingolstad. He first taught those lessons to his students, and when obliged to abandon his office, he went about and propagated his faith, with no small success, among the younger sort of all ranks and professions. He for some time has retired, and is allowed to live in quiet at Saxe Gotha; but several of his disciples in this country have been severely punished, and some of them are now in prison. As this singular sect began to assume the character of FREEMASONS, for the sake of protection and safety to their meetings, the Elector of Bavaria published edicts against them in the assumed character of MASONS.-This circumstance, I remember, gave rise to articles in our English newspapers, injurious to the humanity and good sense of the elector; as if, merely from superstitious prejudice, he had persecuted the honest and charitable societies, called THE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS,

ADDRESS

OF THE

GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS,

OF THE

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETS IN NORTH AMERICA,

TO THEIR

BROTHER GEORGE WASHINGTON,

Transmitted by Brother JAMES SOMERVILLE, E. S. R. E. E. No. 212.

WHILST the historian is describing the career of your glory,

and the inhabitants of an extensive empire are made happy in your unexampled exertions; whilst some celebrate the HERO, SO distinguished in liberating United America, and others the PATRIOT who presides over her councils, a band of Brothers, having always joined the acclamations of their countrymen, now testify their respect for those milder virtues which have ever graced the MAN.

Taught by the precepts of our Society, that all its Members stand upon a LEVEL, we venture to assume this station, and to approach you with that freedom which diminishes our diffidence, without lessening our respect. Desirous to enlarge the boundaries of social happiness, and to vindicate the ceremonies of their Institution, this GRAND LODGE has published " A Book of Constitutions," (and a copy for your acceptance accompanies this) which, by discovering the principles that actuate, will speak the eulogy of the Society, though they fervently wish the conduct of its members may prove its higher commendation.

Convinced of his attachment to its cause, and readiness to enCourage its benevolent designs, they have taken the liberty to dedicate this work to one, the qualities of whose heart, and the actions of whose life, have contributed to improve personal virtue, and extend throughout the world the most endearing cordialities; and they humbly hope he will pardon this freedom, and accept the tribute of their esteem and homage.

May the Supreme Architect of the Universe protect and bless you, give you length of days and increase of felicity in this world, and then receive you to the harmonious and exalted Society in Heaven.

Boston, ·Dec. 27, A. L. 5792.

JOHN CUTLER, G. M.

JOSIAH BARTLET, S. G. W.
MUNGO MACKAY, J. G. W.

ANSWER

TO THE GRAND LODGE

OF THE

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF MASSACHUSETTS,

FLA

LATTERING as it may be to the human mind, and truly honourable as it is, to receive from our fellow-citizens testi monies of approbation for exertions to promote the public welfare it is not less pleasing to know, that the milder virtues of the heart are highly respected by a Society whose liberal principles are founded in the immutable laws of truth and justice,

To enlarge the sphere of social happiness, is worthy the benevolent design of a Masonic Institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the Fraternity, as well as those publications that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind, that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.

While I beg your acceptance of my thanks for "the Book of Con stitutions" which you have sent me, and for the honour you have done me in the Dedication, permit me to assure you, that I feel all those emotions of gratitude which your affectionate address,' and cordial wishes, are calculated to inspire; and I sincerely pray that the GREAT ARCHITECT of the Universe may bless you here, and receive you hereafter in his immortal Temple.

GEO. WASHINGTON,

ON THE

VICE OF SWEARING.

SIR,

IT

TO THE

EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE.

T was a saying of a great man of our nation, that Common swearers give their souls to the devil gratis, having no pleasure in return for it; and doubtless it was well observed; for no man in his senses can pretend to say there is any enjoyment in the practice of that particular vice: let us then search a little into the motives that prompt men so often to fall into it. It must, I think, proceed either from a barrenness of invention, keeping continually bad company, being overpowered by liquor, from a false modesty, which is afraid to be particular, or, finally, from a monstrous desire of being thought

wicked, merely for the sake of wickedness, without either pleasure or profit. Barrenness of invention is, I believe, the principal motive to swearing; men are frequently at a loss for something to say in company; a sudden thought arises; that it may be of use to them as long as possible, they eke it out with oaths and blasphemies, never giving themselves time to reflect whether it is a vice or not; they find that fools pay a more particular regard to their conversation, and as none are so stupid but they know how to flatter, the brightness of their intellects is too often complimented, and they continue to practice that which they think gains them universal attention and admiration, and by that means become incorrigible. Bad company will often, by the force of example, cause a man to swear; if he has sense, reflection instantly seizes him, and he corrects himself in time; but if otherwise, ten to one but he approves of it, and consequently practises it. Drunkenness, also, which is the source of almost every vice, is often the cause of this in question; let a man's parts be ever so bright, if he suffers liquor to take possession of the seat of his understanding, reason no longer presides; his passions, which before lay dormant, rise up with redoubled vigour, and hurry him away impetuously into the abyss of vice, and swearing in that case is generally the forerunner of all the rest, being, as it were, a signal to let us know that we are no longer our own masters. Happy is the man that will take the hint, and resign himself into the arms of health-restoring sleep. I have often known young men, upon their first introduction into life, through a false modesty, give into all the vices of their companions; they could not stand the ridicule of the thorough-paced debauchees; to be any ways particular was to them impossible; they had not as yet enough considered the beauty of virtue, that se.fconsciousness of having done well, which enables us to despise the vices and follies of the giddy multitude, instead of imitating them. Many a man has been lost for want of that virtuous confidence. As for the last set of swearers, I mean those who practice it merely because it is a sin, there is no way of reclaiming them; they seem to be the devil's agents on earth, prowling about, and seeking whom they may devour. There is one more motive to it, which I am sorry to have room to mention, which is, the desire young men of spirit have to be in the fashion. It has been of late too much the custom for men of quality and fashion to swear by way of giving a grace to their conversation; others have heedlessly followed their pernicious example, which has been no small reason of its spreading so much. Would the fair sex but for once undertake to be the reformers as well as the polishers of mankind, and never give encouragement to any man, let him be otherwise ever so well qualified, who should demean himself so much as to swear; would but our men of quality look upon it as much an affront for a person to swear in their company as to give them the lie, then would the vice be extirpated; there needs no other means to induce men to be virtuous, than to make virtue the fashion, Tho' vice may short-liv'd pleasure give to sense, "Tis virtue only can true joys dispense.

J. S.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE OF LORDS, DEC. 30.

"HIS day his Majesty came to the House of Lords, and being in his royal

Trobes seated on the Throne with the usual solemnity, Sir Francis Mo

lyneux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, was sent with a Message from his Majesty to the House of Commons, commanding their attendance in the House of Lords. The Commons being come thither accordingly, his Majesty was pleased to make the following most gracious Speech:

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"After the uniform experience which I have had of your zealous regard for the interests of my people, it is a great satisfaction to me to recur to your advice and assistance at a period which calls for the full exertion of your energy and wisdom.

"Notwithstanding the disappointments and reverses which we have experienced in the course of the last campaign, I retain a firm conviction of the necessity of persisting in a vigorous prosecution of the just and necessary war in which we are engaged.

"You will I am confident agree with me, that it is only from firmness and perseverance that we can hope for the restoration of peace on safe and honourable grounds, and for the preservation and permanent security of our dearest interests. "In considering the situation of our enemies, you will not fail to observe, that the efforts which have led to their successes, and the unexampled means by which alone those efforts could have been supported, have produced among themselves the pernicious effects which were to be expected; and that every thing which has passed in the interior of the country has shewn the progressive and rapid decay of their resources, and the instability of every part of that violent and unnatural system, which is equally ruinous to France, and incompatible with the tranquillity of other nations.

"The States-General of the United Provinces have nevertheless been led, by a sense of present difficulties, to enter into negotiations for. peace with the party now prevailing in that unhappy country. No established government or independent state can, under the present circumstances, derive any real security from such negotiations: on our part, they could not be attempted without sacrificing both our honour and safety to an enemy whose chief animosity is avowedly directed against these kingdoms.

"I have therefore continued to use the most effectual means for the further augmentation of my forces; and I shall omit no opportunity of concerting the operations of the next campaign with such of the powers of Europe as are impressed with the same sense of the necessity of vigour and exertion. I place the fullest reliance on the valour of my forces, and on the affection and public spirit of my people, in whose behalf I am contending, and whose safety and happiness are the objects of my constant solicitude.

"The local importance of Corsica, and the spirited efforts of its inhabitants to deliver themselves from the yoke of France, determined me not to withhold the protection which they sought for; and I have since accepted the Crown and Sovereignty of that country, according to an instrument, a copy of which I have directed to be laid before you.

"I have great pleasure in informing you, that I have concluded a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, with the United States of America, in which it has been my object to remove, as far as possible, all grounds of jealousy and misunderstanding, and to improve an intercourse beneficial to both countries. As soon as the ratifications shall have been exchanged, I will direct a copy of this treaty to be laid before you, in order that you may consider of the propriety of making such provisions as may appear necessary for carrying it into effect.

"I have the greatest satisfaction in announcing to you the happy event of the conclusion of a treaty for the marriage of my son the Prince of Wales, VOL. III.

H