THE DUTIES OF A FREEMASON
by Thomas Dunckerly, Esq.
THE DUTIES OF A FREE-MASON IN SEVERAL
CHARGES, DELIVERED In regular LODGES, held under the
Constitution of the GRAND MASTER OF ENGLAND. Honour all
Men. Love the Brother-hood. Fear God. Honour the King.
I
PET. ii. V. I7. A CHARGE , delivered to the Members of the
Lodge of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS, held at the
Castleinn, MARLBOROUGH, at a Meeting for the Distribution
Of CHARITY to twenty-four poor People, at which most of
the Ladies in MARLBOROUGH were present, Sept. 11, A.
L. 5769. Right
Worshipful Provincial Grand Master over the Lodge in Hampshire,
and Right Worshipful Master of that Lodge.
Blessed is he that
considereth the Poor. - PSALM xli., v. 1.
BRETHREN, IT is
with the greatest satisfaction I meet you here in the cause of
charity. Charity is the basis of our order; it is for this
purpose we have a Grand Lodge at London, another at Edinburgh,
and a third at Dublin. Lodges are now held on every part of this
globe, and charities are collected and sent to the respective
grand lodge of each kingdom or state: There the different
Brethren apply and find relief; nor is any exception made to
difference of country or religion. For, as in the sight of
God we are all equally his children, having the same common
parent and preserver, so we, in like manner, look on every
Free-Mason as our Brother; nor regard where he was born or
educated, provided he is a good man, an honest man, which is "the
noblest work of God:' A laudable custom prevailed among our
antient Brethren; after they had sent. their donations to the
general charities, they considered the distress of those in
particular that resided in their respective neighbourhoods, and
assisted them with such a sum as could be conveniently spared
from the lodge. In humble imitation of this masonic principle, I
recommended the present charity to your consideration; to which
you readily and unanimously consented. The sum is, indeed, but
small, yet, when it is considered that this lodge is in its
infant state, having been constituted little more three months; I
hope, as the widow's mite was acceptable, this act of ours will
be considered, not with respect to the sum, but the principles
by which we were influenced. I have told you in the lodge,
and I repeat it now, that Brotherly-love, Relief and Truth, are
the grand principles of Masonry, and as the principal part of the
company are unacquainted with the original intention of this
society, it may be proper for their information, and your
instruction, that I explain those principles, by which it is our
duty in particular to be actuated. By Brotherly-love,. we
are to understand that generous principle of the soul, which
respects the human species as one family, created by an All-wise
Being, and placed on this globe for the mutual assistance of each
other. It is this attractive principle, or power, that draws men
together and unites them in bodies politic, families, societies,
and the various orders and denominations among men. But as most
of these are partial, contracted, or confined to a particular
country, religion, or opinion; our order, on the contrary, is
calculated to unite mankind as one family: High and low, rich and
poor, one with another; to adore the same God, and observe his
law. All worthy members of this society are free to visit every
lodge in the world; and though he knows not the language of the
country, yet by a silent universal language of our own, he will
gain admittance, and find that true friendship, which flows from
the Brotherly-love I am now describing. At that peaceable
and harmonious meeting he will hear no disputes concerning
religion or politics; no swearing; no obscene, immoral, or
ludicrous discourse; no other contention but who can work best,
who can agree best. To subdue our passions, and improve in
useful scientific knowledge; to instruct the younger Brethren,
and initiate the unenlightened, are principal duties in the
lodge; which, when done, and the word of God is closed, we
indulge with the song and cheerful glass, still observing the
same decency and regularity, with strict attention to the golden
mean, believing, with the poet, that
God is paid when man
receives
T' enjoy is to obey.
Let me travel from east to
west, or between north and south, when I meet a true Brother I
shall find a friend, who will do all. in his power to serve me,
without having the least view of self-interest. And if I am poor,
and in distress, he will relieve me to the utmost of his power,
interest, and capacity. This is the second grand principle. For
relief will follow where there is Brotherly-love. I have
already mentioned our general charities as they are at present
conducted; it remains now that I consider particular donations
given from private lodges, either to those that are not Masons,
or to a. Brother in distress. And first, with respect to a
charity like this before us; perhaps it is better to
be distributed in small sums, that more may receive the
benefit, than to give it in larger sums, which would confine it
to few. With regard to a Brother in distress, who should
happen to apply to this lodge, or any particular member for
relief, it is necessary that I inform you in what manner you are
to receive him. And here I cannot help regretting, that such is
the depravity of the human heart, there is no religion or society
free from bad professors, or unworthy members, for, as it
is impossible for us to read the heart of man, the best
regulated societies may be imposed on, by the insinuations of the
artful, and hypocrisy of the abandoned. It should, therefore, by
no means lessen the dignity and excellency of the royal
craft, because it is our misfortune to have bad men among us,
any more than the purity and holiness of the Christian
religion should be doubted because too many of the wicked
and profligate approach the holy altar. Since, therefore,
these things are so, be careful whenever a Brother applies for
relief, to examine strictly whether he is worthy of acceptance;
enquire the cause of his misfortunes, and if you are satisfied
they are not the result of vice or extravagance, relieve him with
such a sum as the lodge shall think proper, and assist him with
your interest and recommendation, that he may be employed
according to his capacity, and not eat the bread of idleness.
This will be acting consistent with Truth, which is the third
grand principle of Masonry. Truth is a divine attribute,
and the foundation of all masonic virtues. To be good men anal
tree, is part of the first great lesson we are taught ; and at
the commencement of our freedom, we are exhorted to be fervent
and zealous in the practice of truth and goodness. It is not
sufficient that we walk in the light, unless we do the truth. All
hypocrisy and deceit must be banished from us:- Sincerity and
plain dealing complete the harmony of the Brethren, within and
without the lodge; and will render us acceptable in the sight of
that great Being, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires
known, and from whom no secrets are hid. There is a charm in
truth that draws and attracts the mind continually towards it;
the more we discover, the more we desire, and the great reward is
wisdom, virtue, and happiness. This is au edifice founded upon a
rock, which malice cannot shake, or time destroy. What a
secret satisfaction do we enjoy, when in searching for truth, we
find the first principles of useful science, still preserved
among us, as we received them by oral tradition from the earliest
ages ; and we also find this truth corroborated by the
testimonies of the best and greatest men the world has produced.
But this is not all; the sacred writings confirm what I assert;
the sublime part of our antient mystery being there to be found;
nor can any Christian Brother be a good Mason that does not make
the word of God his first and principal study. I sincerely
congratulate you on the happy establishment of this lodge, and
the prospect you have of its utility and permanency, by the
choice you have made of members capable to conduct it. Let wisdom
direct you to contrive for the best. - Strengthen the cause of
Masonry, by mutual friendship, which is the companion and support
of fraternal love, and which will never suffer any
misunderstanding to inflame a Brother, or cause him to behave
unbecoming a member of our peaceable and harmonious society. Let
us, then, resolve to beautify and adorn our order, by discharging
the duties of our respective stations, as good subjects, good
parents, good husbands, good masters, and dutiful children; for
by so doing, we shall put to silence the reproaches of foolish
men. As you know these things, Brethren, happy are ye if you do
them; and thrice happy shall I esteem it to be looked on as the
founder of a society in Marlborough whose grand principles are,
Brotherly-love. Relief, and Truth. Let us consider these
poor persons as our brothers and sisters, and be thankful to
Almighty God, that he has been pleased to make us his instruments
of affording them this small relief; most humbly supplicating the
GRAND ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE, from whom all holy desires, all
good councels, and all just works do proceed, to bless
our undertaking, and grant that we may continue to add some
little comfort to the poor of this town. Next to the
Deity, whom can I so properly address myself to, as the most
beautiful part of the creation? You have heard, Ladies, our
grand principles explained, with the instructions given to the
Brethren, and I doubt not but at other times you have heard many
disrespectful things said of this society. Envy, malice, and all
uncharitableness will never be at a loss to decry, find fault,
and raise objections to what they do not know. How great, then,
are the obligations you lay on this lodge! With what superior
esteem, respect, and regard, are we to look on every Lady present
that has done us the honor of her company this evening. To have
the sanction of the fair is our highest ambition, as our greatest
care will be to preserve it. The virtues of humanity are peculiar
to your sex; and we flatter ourselves, the most splendid ball
could not afford you greater pleasure than to see the human heart
made happy, and the poor and distrest obtain present
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