Dr. Dassigny's Enquiry.

rather to be exposed than concealed , that they themselves may see their evil deeds in a proper light , and turn from their iniquities : where such may be found belonging to our order , I have attempted , by cordial advice , to admonish and rouse them up from their fallen-state insomuch that

they may not at any time wander from the paths of virtue , but enjoy fully Avith the true brethren the lasting relish of its ever pleasing fountain . Then will they meet Avith the reAvard of their Labours , be countenanced and approved of by their lords and masters , and like profitable and worthy servants meet with a general esteem from all mankind .

THE old and new regulations of the London constitutions have , hy the worshipful secretary , been carefully transcribed and adapted to the regulations of the Grand Lodge of this kingdom , Avhich will prove of general use to the brethren , AVIIO may hereafter haA'e the honour of becomin . o-

members of that August assembly , and that my attempts to increase their welfare may not be fruitless , but meet Avith the intended success , I heartily implore from him alone AVIIO is able to grant my boon , and from Avhom I also crave that perfectnessplentypeaceand unanimity

, , , , may crown the brethren ' s days , so that this life ended , they may receive the recompence of their toils , and thvell in the presence of that immortal stone belonging to outbuilding , even the Alpha and Omega of our redemption .

A SERIOUS AND IMPARTIAL ENQUIRY Into the Cause of the present Decay of FREE-MASONRY . Brethren , IT is Avith the utmost anxiety of mind that I have any occasion to employ my

pen in representing the decay of Freemasonry ; the increase of its Avelfare and advancement Avould have been a more pleasing task to me , but as the design of the present labour is to promote the latter , I shall proceed to make the following

enquiries . First , AVhen or at what time the craft of Freemasonry Avas instituted . Secondly , The cause or motive of its Institution . Thirdly , The qualities or principles of the Craft .

Fourthly , The benefits ausing from a strict observance of the princip les thereof . In order to solve the first question , ' twill be necessary to trace antiquity , even unto its infant state , and take a view of our parent Adam , in his sylvan lodge , where the Almighty Architect imprinted on the

very tablets of his heart the amazing symmetry and silent harmony of Geometrical proportion—Avith these principles our Primogenitor readily instructed his offspring , well knowing that they were absolutely essential to the discovery of the secret

powers of nature , into whose adamantine gates , Avhen once entered , Ave are struck Avith admiration at the Avisdom , strength and beauty of its great Creator . Cain , inspired with his father ' s knowledge , soon erected a fair city and called it after the

name of his eldest son Enoch , whose posterity daily improved in the discovery and cultivation of various arts , as the way of Avorking in metal , the surprising harmony and modulation of sounds in musick , husbandry , tent-making , and formation of

structures in stone and timber . Enoch ( who hy gift of pmphecy foretold the deluge , and that great day yet to come of final conflagration ) formed tAvo pillars , the one made of brick , the other of stone , Avhereon he engraved the liberal arts and

sciences , in order to preserve them from the implacable fury of the mighty waters , or the irresistible force of elements on fire .

Noah , and his three sons , by the skill the } ' had in geometrical masonry , and by the power of divine inspiration , built for themselves and their families a Avooden world , which saved the faithful from the impending destruction . In Shinar ' s plain the masons next

appeared , AVIIO fraught Avith vain ambitious A'ieAvs of forming unto themselves a name , laid the foundation of Babel's stupendous tower which they intended should reach the summit of JEther ' s Avide expanse ; but the Omniscient Power ( whose edicts none

dare dispute ) thought it necessary to curb the pride of haughty man , and inarr their grand design , for when they had rais'd the building to a prodigious height , having spent 53 years labour therein , he caused their lips to loose their usual soundsand

, made each language AOAV in confus'd terms : yet still the faithful preserved their sacred mysteries , and formed a compact amongst A A