To His Royal Highness George Prince Of Wales.

me , than any patronage I could possess : —•' If my addressing an attempt of this nature to your Highness , should need an apology , I shall be fatally defective in that respect ; but as a good intention will be of estimation , with your Highness , that , and a

sincere regard for you , and your illustrious family , must be the only advocates for Your Royal Highness ' s Servant , With the most dutiful Respect and Regard , M . CONCANEN , Jun . No . 22 , Castle-street , Southwark .

Thoughts On Masonry.

THOUGHTS ON MASONRY .

If a well intended effort for increasing the honour of a science which has been sanctioned by the approbation of ages , and which has lost nothing in its reputation by the effect of time , can be acceptable to the Brethrenthe author flatters himself

, his . present address will . be received with that candour , which distinguishes the Craft , and that benevolence of opinion , which Masonry has ever embraced as its darling attribute . The reader need not be told , that his

search will be fruitless , should he expect to find any written instructions , or explana : tions to aid him in'his progress in masonry , or in the knowledge of those emblematical beauties , to which he must be introduced by the steady assistance of time , and a faithful application of his own diligence :

if he is a mason , he knows that such communications are not contained in books , if he is not a mason , this early information will prevent an unsuccessful pursuit . The principles of masonry are generally known , and the purity of their institution renders them a popular theme .

Charity cannot diffuse its divine and universal rays in secret , nor can the tongue of gratitude desist from praising that fund which relieves the necessitous . It is to these princijfles I would call the attention of the brethren I presume to

address j I would call them to their recollection in then- fullest , most secret , and most extensive sense ; and hope , ere I proceed , the brethren in this place will attend in their minds to every part of those doctrines , by the observance of which , and their application , masonry is enthroned in its true and unequivocal dignity .

' . I have not the desire , and should think it an unbecoming arrogance , were I so inclined , to set up for an instructor to those , who , by being well skilled in the mysteries of masonry , are so much my superiors : I consider myself as FREE to ive inionand that the brethren

g my op , will ACCEPT it as a token of my zeal , for the establishment of duties ,, which should be imprinted on the mind , by something more than words . The most rational and best concerted institutions will become contemptible

, when prostituted to purposes which , in the remotest degree , tend to subvert the basis , of perfection , upon which they wish to establish their foundation . I profess , in my present attempt , to animadvert on the very negligent mode of

receiving persons into the fraternity , and to offer my thoughts on a subject ,, which is every mason ' s concern , and the reformation of which I trust , is seated near the heart of the greater part of the brethren . In doing what I consider my duty , I shall study truth more than elegance , and I trust what I need in masonic knowledge , will be so far recompenced by my zeal to

extirpate avarice and folly , that I shall not meet with censure for any assertion , however bold , while I have truth for my conductor , and that an honest indignation will be pardoned , when it springs from the sincerity of the heart . My reflections on this subject I shall

apply chiefly to the middle order of men ; because from my situation in life it is with them my intercourse has been most habitual , and the greater number of masons , as well as the community in generalbeing of this descriptionrenders

, , such an address more applicable . I do not in this place forget that equality which every honest man may boast , and which we so beautifully illustrate by our professional maxims , the order and connexion of human transactions rendering

distinction necessary ; in that sense I apply myself according to a system of national propriety . Masonry is a science , the contemplation of which must give extreme delight to the benevolent mindand whatever opinion

, we may have formed hi point of religion , the universality of its humane and liberal doctrines , engages the breast of genuine compassion in its behalf : Charity is " a