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open page, but to pronounce to all, that your sentiments and practices are to be squared and adjusted by the purity of its doctrines and precepts? Are not many of the names of your officers derived from the Scriptures? Why hold your Anniversary on the festival of St. John, and solicit a discourse on the occasion, from a minister of the gospel? These are evidences that speak aloud, that you reyere the WORD of our GOD, and cordially embrace its contents. But what mean these three illuminated CANDLES, placed triangularly upon the table? Each formed of the same substance, possessing equal properties, and all diffusing their light and heat in the same place? Is it not thereby presumable, that you profess to believe in the TRINITY IN UNITY; that there are three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST, and that these three are ONE? 1 John v. 7. Without insisting more upon these particulars, or pretending to know the secrets of MASONRY, I may venture to say, that it appears to me impossible that any man should be either a good or a consistent MASON, while he disbelieves the BIBLE. I therefore sincerely pray that you may be enriched with the grace of the Lord Jesus; be founded on the truth of the Gospel, and persevere in knowledge, virtue and benevolence. Let your light so shine before men, that they seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in heaven. Then, no man can justly reflect being FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.

upon you for

THE PAST MASTERS who have served in office, next demand my respect. You, GENTLEMEN, having already sustained the public office of the society, are supposed not only to be competent in the secrets of Masonry, but habituated to acts of brotherly-kindness,

which never fail to yield its thousand sacred charms! May you continue to abound in every good word and work, remembering, that whatsoever good thing a man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Eph. vi. 8.

THE MASTER ELECT, and the WARDENS of the Lodge, will accept my warmest wishes for their respectability and success in their new office. Benevolence is capable of cultivation; and when influenced by the love of Christ, while it dictates a boon to the needy, never fails to leave a glow of delight in the good man's breast. Let the necessities of the poor, the fatherless and the widow, lie near your heart. Go, in the discharge of your office; and like Job, be eyes to the blind and feet to the lame; be as a father to the poor, and cause the widow's heart to sing for joy! Then, like him, the blessing of him that was ready to perish shall come upon you. chap. xxix. 13.

THE CONGREGATION which has honored this MASONIC SOCIETY with their attendance on this occasion, it is presumed, may derive some instruction from this discourse. As christians, we certainly are interested in the subject. We learn the use of the sacred emblems in the Old Testament, to lead us to understand and to enjoy the important realities contained in the New; both forming a Revelation as worthy of God to make, as it is necessary for us to receive. Let us learn incessantly to adore the Son of God, as our only and great High Priest, in whose LIGHTS and PERFECTIONS, we can alone enjoy the pleasures of communion with God in the temple of his grace below, and eventually shine in the brightness of glory in heaven forever!

END.

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SERMON

ON THE DEATH OF

ELIJAH HUNTER, Esq.

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 22d OF DECEMBER, 1815, IN THE 67th YEAR OF HIS AGE.

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ADVERTISEMENT.

Since the Delivery of this Discourse, the copy was solicited by the family for publication. The Author, therefore, thought it not improper to introduce a few additional paragraphs; and to enlarge the Narrative in relation to Mr. Hunter's three deceased children, which were not recited in the Discourse when delivered, presuming it would be more gratifying to the family and their friends.

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