A Curious Masonic Tract.

by illiterate men , whose ignorance raised an aversion to the Craft ; at which time the Masons thought it necessary , in order to preserve and secure themselves from the many dangers and cruelties to which they were exposed by the blind and unwarrantable zeal of those men of darkness , to have words of alarm that when any brother discovered one of their enemies approaching , he should apprize those that were with him of it , by speaking the word of the day or night on which such approach should be made and discoveredin order for the

, whole to separate , and prevent the threatened danger . They have another word for the approach of a brother , which is Heber , i . e ., a companion . In all countries , since literature has been encouraged and the liberal arts and sciences acquired and indulged , the Masons have been greatly caressed and free from molestation , on account of their great skill and abilities in geometry , architecture , etc ., and much more so in England since the Protestant

succession , and in particular since the accession of the illustrious house of Hanover to these realms , some of whose royal branches have given a sanction to Masonry by their immediate presence . So that these words are made use of ( without any apprehensions of fear ) only to advertise the brethren of the lodge . that a stranger is near . The words are so expressive of the design and end for which they were intended and invented , that no brother could hesitate

upon or suspend his assent to them one moment after they were explained to him . For instance , Gera a stranger , Gomer a consumer , Ionia making sad , Iockshean an offence , Peleg a division , & c , bears so near an affinit y to the end designed , that no Mason could refuse to acquiesce with them . Every man so soon as he is made a Mason of the tuscan order , or first degree , is obliged to get these fourteen words by heart , and the word for a brother ' s approach , before he leaves the lodge room .

OF THE FINDING A MASON WHEN IN A STRANGE PLACE . When Masons travel , or go into a strange place , and destitute of a friend or acquaintance , the method they make use of to find out a brother Mason is this -. they visit the places frequented by gentlemen to transact business , as exchanges , tolzeys , parades , etc ., and place themselves so as to be seen by every oneand whatever day it be they ive the sign of that dayancl Mason

, g , every will take notice of it , and it will pass undiscovered by all others . For instance , suppose Wednesday to be the day , they give the sign of the day by putting the left hand in the left-side waistcoat pocket , the thumb out , and pointing to the right side . A Mason will observe this , but will make no reply till the strange brother gives him the signs of the two preceding days , and then he returns the seventh sign , which the other is to answer ; and the residing

brother being fully satisfied by those signs that the stranger is a Mason , gives him an invitation to his house , entertains him chearfnlly , converses freely with him , introduces him into the best company frequented by himself , or such as suits the degree and desire of the strange brother , supplies his wants in all eases agreeable to the circumstances of each , and regrets his departure . These are privileges which the Masons boast to be peculiar to themselvesand

, say that they challenge any society in the universe to cement brotherl y love , relief , and truth together upon so strong and permanent a foundation as theirs ; for they hold that the intention and design of the first Freemasons was to be firm and steady to each other , by promoting the good of a brother in every respect ( so long as it could be done with jus [ sic ] to mankind in general ) , to espouse the cause of an injured brother , in supporting and enabling him to

maintain and vindicate himself in justice and equity , and never suffer him to be illused . They say , further , that they do not deviate from this primum ¦ mobile of the Masons , to abandon a brother in ease he is the aggressor ; for , say they , if he engages in broils , riots , quarrels , etc ., he cannot be a true brother of ours , whose principles are to be true to our sovereign , peaceable with our nei g hbours , and to administer justice impartiall y between those who