Reuben Swinburne Clymer, editor - The Beautiful Philosophy of Life, 1920

At THE BEAUTIFUL At PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE.

The M",::IlIitf. SloIuli_ Mysticism and High<lst New Thought,a. taugbt by the Gnnli LalDll in U,,, 'fell>1'le at Lasa, Thibet. Transl",,_ UOli m,;,de from tlie original Temple Mauulleript =d brought"" the Otcident iJ> lUll.

..e<l loy tile CllUn.:h of lllllmill3ti0lt· Edit';" 'IJ), Or. R. swiMl";"e Clymer, l'i0l.£:li by Frank BlueMel". '"

Published by the Private Press of The PhiloMphical l"ublillhing COlllDllny.

Preface to tbe Beautiful PHILOSOPHY OF liFE.

.IN PRESENTING the!ie l"eSSOrls to the earnestsoUJ.'\Ve hold the tIl ought: "To do the best for is not Iya duty. but a work of Lova."

,. lnihe present age-the Aquartan age-there is II ,'err great demand for tIle Occult and Mystical illlitemtnTe. PeopIe· of all classes and creeds "want to know" what they should believe; and to satisfy this ('mving. tlai!5 hlmger for spiritual trnth; the sacred hook? of· al" religiolls, h.n'e been searched. and explanations upon explanation!'. philosophies (even more mystical than the original books) ha';e been given to tbe. reading public, and still the cry is for more. The result of all this vast NBW, THOUGHT and Occult literature not seeJn·to have been of ,-ery much usefulness. No doubt SOfne of the have been excellent. and desen'e success, hut a.great deal is scarcely worth reading, And the. cause of this is not far to seek. 1:Iost of these writings are simply tbeories. philosophies. without any practical ideasdreamstbat Hoot tbrough the lW:y mintts of tbese so-called philosophers-words. words. some beautifnl. but \\'Ords onl)' -nothing of any practkal value to the student.

"Faith 1lJi/lund'lwrks is dcad:' .

"He 'Zi4UJ Iit1dlillte lile !hallk,:c'i€' lite (/odrhrt. OJ

Tbe present work is not origwaJ with publisher or editor.

.. f am Ike IAe Truth (l,nd THE LIFE."

JOHN xiv, 6 .

No S;tch claim is ma1e. We are inJebted for these most healtH! 11.1 teachiugs to an old Bramin Priest. They were copied froiD the sacred t'.ooks of the in Thibet, abont the year 1749. and sent to England. The original was owned by Mr. Sylvester Caleb Robinsou,'.ll.l!d they were first pubHshed ill this country by J05qlh Hazard • .\. re\v years later, this Hentical hook was copied ;and published nnder the title of "Khoumit," and copyrighted by one Professor Elliott Coues, but no credit at all was given to tbe fiBt p\lblishers. Sr> much for honesty among the educated.

,. The teachings are so very valuable. that it \vas thought best to present them under the form of Lessons, in order to impress upon the mind of the Neophite tbeir great i.mPortance.

,. We wOldd can spe::hl atte'ltlO:l to the chaste language, the sublimity of style, and the depth and greatness of tholtght. 'rhey cannot be ::mrpa.'>Seil. In all so-called sacred books we find p:tss:tges whi::h the nloilern education" calls or obsceiJ.e. (bezause the sense is not understoon;) hut ill these Les50:15 the language, is pllre and chaste throngholit.

l' We would earnestly urge the studeat to dwell npoll every Lesso:l. and meditate: but'if YOU would attain 'I'rue IlIumi· nation. yOUlDllst conform yom' life to this very

,. "BY'CUL'tUlut OF 'tHR SoUL THROUGH 'tHINGS, TUB CRORD ATTBNUA'l'BS, AND UNDRR. ·THB HAND OF '1'HR SPIR,; I1'UA(, TUNRR IS WORK.ED iNTO A PI{RF.BCT VIBRATiON IN ACCORD Wf'l'H GoD." "HlDPnN WAY"

,. Perhaps there may be some wbo, j udgillg these I«/essons hy thc:ir very simplicity. wiU be unable to see the beauty lmd truth hid.lell therein. They would prefer the Occult and Mystical, although they may 1Iot be able to tttlderstalld the Mystical or Mythical

To all these we would g1\'C a friendly wannng- "Be llllcieceived" AU the' mys· teries,of Life. aU the secrets of Being, which are said. to be in the Bible and oUler sacreci books, are brongbt fare you in the most simple-, yet beautiful; chaste and purest

expressions, and yet nnder this very simple garb of Truth are hidden the great mysteries of Life for those "WBOHA'Vll RYRS TO SEE AND BARS TO HBAR."

"Before beginning and wit110Ut an end, As Space eternal and as surety sure, Is fixed a Power Divine which moves to good; Only its laws endure ...

"Out of the (lark it wrought the lleart of Ulan; Out of dull shells, the pheasant's penciled neck; Ever at tail, it brings to lovelilless. All ancient wratb and wreck."

"It slayeth, it savdh. nowise moved. Except in the working out of doom. Its threads are Love and Life. and DeaUI and Pain, The shuttles of its loom ...

,. Life is a sellOa!. Life is an opportunity. and every moment of onr life is a change-a variation of tbis opportunity. This we must become conscious of. If we let our opporlt:l1ities go, we are the losers, and we go down the scale of Life by some degrees. To huild ollr CHARACTJtIl. to become INDIVIDUALS, is the Meaning of Life.' Then let liS work faithfully, honestly. and lovingly; and, to dose this introcuction, let liS sing a sacred hymn to LlFE:-

"All hail, 0 Son of Life, tholl Lord of radiant beams; All hail to Tbee. the self-existent One. Our divine Father and Mother. inseparable; Although in essence Olle. yet Thou hlL"t maile Motber Isis our Truth. Father Osiris our Power.

In Thy supreme, unmeasured glory, o Thou grand, majestic Form, incomprehensible, Thotl pervadest all. the etemal LU.l'lt of Lh'es, For TIlOu art the Tmtb oCal1 in all:

And on Thy head is placed the dual crown. The glory of suhlimest thought of men.

Hail, 0 Fountain of everlasting Love: Hail, 0 River of everlasting 1Tuth: Hail, 0 Sun 'of everlasting Power; Creator God, 0 Self-Creator, bail: In homage to 'thy everlasting good, To Thee aU hail; forever hail, 0 hail

FRANK O$cAR BIBaRSTatN. 38Li.

lily Lord:

TO THE EARL OF ...

PitKIN, May 12th, 1749.

IN THE last letter which I had the honor of writing to your - Lordship, dated December 23rd, 1748. I think I con·· cluded all I had to say in regard to the topography and ns· tural history of this great empire, I propose in this and some succeeding" have set dOwn such observationS as I have been able to make on the laws, government; religion and manners of the people. But a remarkable occurrence has happened lately, which ingrosseses the conversation of the literati here; and may hereafter, perhaps, afford much of speculation to tbe learned in nnrope. As it is of a nature which I knowwiU furnish some entet;tainment tOyOUT Lord· ship, I will endeavor to give 10n as distiuct and particular aroonnt of it as I have been able

. "Adjoining to China,'on the west. is the large country of Thibet, called by some BarantoH. In a province of this connby named Lasa. resides the Grand Lama, or high priest of these idolaters; who is reverenced. and even adored as a God by most of the neighboring nation.s. The high opinion which is entertained .of his sacred character, induces prodigious numbers of religions people to resort to Lasa, .to pay their homage to him, and to give him presents in order to receive his bles&ing. His residence is in a most magnificentpagod or temple. htlilt on the top of the mountain Pout ala. The foot

of this mOttutain, and even the whole district of :rAsa, is in- . habited by an incredible number of Lamas, of different ranks and orders; several of whom have very grand pagods erected ' to their honor. in which they receive a kind of an inferior worship. The whole country, like ItalY,aoounds with priests; and they entirely subsist 011 the great numbers of rich presents which are sent them from tbeutmost extent of Tartary, from the empire of the Great Mogul. and from aImost all parts of the Indies. When the great 'Lan1a receives the admoration of the people, he is raised On a magnificent altar, and .its cross-It::gged upon a splendid cushion. His worshippers prostrate themselves before him in the bumblest and most abject.manner; but he returns not tbe least sign of respect, nor ever speaks. even to the greatest princes. He only lays his hand upon their heads, and they are fully pur• .suaded that they receive,from. thence a full forgiveness for all their sins. They are like\\o'ise no extravagant as to imal'(inethat be knows. all things, eveu the secrets of the heart; and his particular disciples, being a select number ofabaut two huudred of the most eminent Lamas. have the: address to make the people. before he is immortal, aDd that when he appears to die he onlychallges his abode. and animates a :new body. '

,. The leamed in China have long been of the opinion that, in the archives of this grand temple, some very ancient books have for nlany years been concealed; and thepresentemperor, who is very curious in searching after the writing of antiquity, became at length so fully convinced of the probability of tbis opinion. that he determined to try whether discovery of this kind could be made. To this end, his first care was to find Ollt a person eminently skilful in the ancient languages and characters. He at length pitched . upon one of the hanlins, or doctors of the first order, whose name was Coa-TSO\l. a man about fifty years of age, of a grave and noble aspect, of great eloquence, and who, by an accidental friendship With a certain. learned Lama, who had resided many years at' Pekin. ,was become entirely master of the language which the of Thibet use among themselves.

,. With these qualification, he set forward on his jonmey; and, to give his mission greater weight, the emperor honored him "">1th tlie title of Calao, or prime minister. To which he .added a most magnificent equipage and with presents for the Grand Lama, and other principaJ Lamas. of an immense valne,also l;\ letter written with his own hand, in the following terms.

"WE,the Emperor of China, Soverign of all the sover· eigns of the earth, in the presence of this our most respected prime minister Cao-Tsou, with all reverence and humility prostrate ourselves beneath thy sacred feet, and implore for ourselves, our friends, and our empire, thy most powerful and gracious benediction.

,- "Having a strong desire to seare:h in the records of antiquity, to learn andretrive the wisdOlil of the ages that are past; and being well informed tbat, in the sacred repositories of thy most andept and venerable hierarchy, there aTe some mbst valuable boOks, which, from· their great antiquity, are become to the generality. even of the learned, almost wholly unintelligible: in order, as far as in us lies, to prevent their being totally lost. we have tbonght proper to authorize and employ onr most respected minister, Cao-Tsou. in this oltr present embassy to tby sublime boliness. The business of which is to desire that he may be pennitted to read and examine the said writings: we expecting from bis great and uncommon skill intbe ancient languages, that be will be aMe to interpret whatever may be found, though of the highest and most obscure antiquity. And we have him to throw himself at thy feet, with such testimonies of our re· spect, as we trust will procure him the admithUlce we desire."

,Wost f/{f[h, i1/(l$t and -:- fVtJrlhy to be Adored.

,.

I will not detain your Lordship with any partIculars of his jOltrney, thoul!'h he hath published a J.argeattOunt of it, a.bonnding with many surprising relations, and which, at my return to England, I may probably translate and publish entire. Let suffice, :at present, that when he arrived in these -saeredtenitories, the magnHicence of his appearance, and the richness of his presents, failed not to give him a ready admission. He had. apartments appointed him in the sacred college, and was aSsisted in his enquiry by one uftbe most learned Lamas. He continued there six months; during which time he had the satisfaction of Dnding many valuable pieces of alltifluity; from some of which he hath made very curlolls extracts, and hath formed such probable conjectures concerning tbeir authors, and the times wherein they were as proves him to be a man of great jndgment and penetration, as well as most extensive reading. ,. Bnt the most ancient piece be hath discovered. and which . none of the Lamas ror many years had been able to interpret or understand, is a small system of morality, written in the language and character of the atldent. Gynmosophists or Bramins; but by \vbich particular persons, or in what time, he does not pretend to determine. This piece, however, be whony translated. though, as he himself l'onfesses, what an ntter incapacity of in' the Chinese language. the strength and sublimity of the original. The judgments and opinions of the bonzes and the learned doctors are very much divided concerning it. Those who admire it most higbly are fOllnd of attributing it to Confucius their. own greatphilosopber; and get over the difficlllty of its being written. in the.· language and character of the andent Bramills, by. snpposillg this to be only a and that the original work of Confucius was lost Some will have it to he tbe of Lao-Kitm, another Chinese philosopber. contemporary 'With Confucius and founder of the sect Tao-s."le; but these labor under the same ditlkulty in regard to. the language. with those who attribute it to Confucius. There are others who f:rom some particnIarmarks and sentiments which they find in it, suppose it to be writterl by the Bramin Dan·

damls, whose famous letter to Alexander the Great is record· ed by the European writers. With tbese himself seems most inc1111ed to agree; at least so far as to think. that: it is really the work of some ancient Bramin. Being fully persuaded, from the spirit in which it is written, that it isuo tran!'.latioll. One thing, howe,·er. occasions some doubt amongst them; SlId that is tbe plan of it; wbich is entirely new to the eastern people, and so unlike any thing they have ever seen, that if it was not for some ttlrn of expression peculiar to the East, and the impossibility of accounting for its being written in this very ancient language, many would suppose it to be tbe work of an European.

, But whoever was the author of it, the great noise which it makes in this city. and all over the empire. the great eager« ness with which it is reacl by all kinds of people, and the high encouiums which are gil-en to it by some, at length determined me to attempt a translation of it into English; especially as I am persuaded it would be an agreeable present to your Lordship. And as I am more easily indnee-:1 to make this trial. as very happily for me yOlt cannot jUdge how far I have faUen short of the original, or- of tbe Chinese translation. One thing, however, it nlay perhaps be necessary to apologize for, ·at least to give some a<;OOltnt of, and thaI: is the style and manner in which I have translated it. I can assure yon! Lordship that when I first sat down to the work, I had not the least intention of doing it in this way; but tbe sublime manner of thinking whkq appeared

, In the introduction, tbe great energy of expression, and tbe shortness of the sentences, naturally led me into this kind of style, And I hope the having SO elegant a pattern to form myself upOn, as the vision of the book of ]ob,tbe Psalms. the works of Solomon and the Prophets. havebeell of some advantage to my translation.

,- Such as it is, if it affords our Lordship any entertainment, I shall think myself extremely happy; and in my next will resume all account of this people and their empire.

I am, my Lord,

Yours Truly, &C.

BOW DOWN your heads nnto the dust. 0 ye inhabitants of earth! be silent. and receive with reverence instruction from on high.

\Vheresoever the sun doth shine. wheresoever the wind <loth blow, wheresoever there is an ear to bear, and a mind to conceive, there let the precept:;; of life be made ,known; let the, maxims of truth be hQllored and obeyed.

All things proceed fromGqd. power is unbounded, his wisdom is from eternity. and his.'goo#oess endnreth for ever. .' 'li{ " ,

He sitteth on "his throne in and the breath of his mouth to the ",qrld.

He toucheth the,stars with lJisfinger,l1ndJhey nUl their conrse rejoieill g.

On the wings of the wind he wiuketh abrOad. and performeth his will tbrougb all the regions of tinlimited space. Order, and grace, and beauty, spring from his head.

The voice of wisdom speaketh in all his works; but the understanding comprehelldeth it not. '

The shadow of knowledge passeth over tbe mind of man as a dream: he seeth as in the dark, he reasoneth, and is deceived.

But the wisdom of God is the light of heaven; he reason· eth not; his mind is the fouutain of truth.

Justice and mercy wait before his throne; benevolence and love eniighten his cO\lIltenance forever.

Who is like unto the Lord in glory? Who in power shall cQBtend with the Almirhty? Hath he any equal in wisdom ?

Can any in goodness be compared unto him!

He it is, 0 man! who hath created thee! thy statiQll 00 earth is fixed by his appointment; the powers of. thy ·niilld are the gifts of hisgoodlless, the wonders of thy are the works of his hand. .

Hear then his voice; for it is graciOlls! and he that obeyeth. shall establish his soul .i11 peace. .

COMMUNE with thyself, and consider thou wert made. , Contemplate thy powers; contemplate thy wants, and thy conne<::1:ions; so shalt thou discover tile duties of life, and be directed in all thy ways., , '

Proceed not to speak, or to act, before thou bast weighed thy words, andexamined theteQdency of every step thou shalt take; so shalt disgrace fly fllT from thee, and in thy house shall shame be a stranger; repentance shall not visit thee, nor sorrow dwell upon tbycheek.

The thoughtless man bridleth not his tongue; he llpeaketh at and isel)tangled; in the {oolishlless of his, own words.

As one that rtllllldh in, h,apte. and lea:peth over a, fe,nce, may fall into a pit on the other sidlJ which ,he dQes not see; so is the man that phmgeth suddenly into an action, before he hath considered the cOllsequen,ces thereof.

Harken therefore unto the voice of consideration; HQI worr!s are the words,of wisdom, ,and her paths lead thee to safetv and truth.

WHO art tbon,·O man! that pt.esumest ollthi.ne own wis-

. donI?· f)t why dost thou. vaunt on thine own . 8C'quirlnents ?. '

The first step towards being wise, is to know that thou art ignorant: and, if th,ou wouldst not be esteelned foolish in the judgment of others, off the folly of being wise in thine Own conceit.

As, a plain garment best adorneth it beautiful woman; so a decent beha,vionr is the greatest ()mamentof wisdom. .'

., The speech ofa TDDdest man givetb lustre to truth, and tbe diffidence of his wor£1s al::soJveth bisertor.

, He relietb JWt. in his own \\isdom; he weigheth the CO\1lIsets of a frieu<l, and receiveth tbe be,nent thereof.

He tllrndh his ear from his own praise, and believeth it oot:, he is the1alst discovering his OWl! perfections.

, Yet, as a veil :adc1eth to b!;auty, so are his .virtlJeS set off by the sbadewhieh his modesty caSetbupon them.

But. behOld the vainm.'ln, RJld observe the arrogant! He clotheth hilnself iii rich attire: be walketh in the pnbJic street; he casteth rollud his eyes, Wild COltrtetb observation.

He tQSSetb up his head, and· overlooketh the poor; he trealeth his inferiors with insolence; and his Sttperiors, in re· turu, look: down on his pride and foUy wi.thi:lughter.

: He dispiseth, the. j11dglllent of others; he relieth'on his own

opinion. and is confounded.

, He is pldfed up with the vanity of his imagination; his delight is to hear. and to speak of himself aU the. day. big.• I'

, He s\valloweth with greediness, his own pmise: and *he flatterer. in returu.eatethbilll up. '

SINCg the days that are past anr! gone forever, .and those that are to come lllay not come to thee; it bellOveth thee. 0 man I to employ thepresent time, without regretting the loss of that which is past, or too much depending on that which is to come.

This instant is thine; the next is in the womb of futurity,· and thou.kuowest not what it may bring forth.

Whatsoever thon resolveth to do, do it quickly. Defer not till the evening what the morning may accomplish.

Idleness is the parent of want, and of pain; but the labOr of virtue bringeth forth pleasure.

The hand of dilligence defeateth want; prosperity and success are the industrious mau's attendants.

Who is he that hath acquired wealth, that hath risen to power. that hath clothed himself with bonar, that is spoken of in the city with praise, and that standeth before the king in his counsel? even he that bath said unto Sloth, thou ar t mine enemy.

He riseth up early, and Iieth down late; he exerdseth his mind with contemplation, and his body with action; aud preseryeth tbe health of botll.

The slothful man is a burden to himself, bis hours hallg heavy 011 his head; he loiteretb about, and knoweth not what be would do.

days pass away like the shadow of a cloud, and he leaveth l:ebind llim 1:0 m:lrk for remembrance.

His body is diseased for want of exercise; he wisheth for action, but hath 110t power to move; his mind is in darkness; his thoughts are confused; he longeth for hut hath no application.

He would eat of the almond, but hateth the troublie of breaking its shell.

His house is in disorder, his servants are wasteful and riotous, and he runneth on towards ruill. He seeth it with his eyes; he heareth it with his ears; he shaketh his head, and wishes. but hath 110 resolution. till ruin cometh upon him like a whirlwind, and shame and repentance descend with him to tbe grave.

IFTHY soul thirsteth for honor; if thy ear hath any pleas, ure in the voice of praise; raise thyself from the dust, whereof thou art made-and exalt thy aim to something that is praise-worthy.

The oak that now spreadeth its branches towards the' heavens, was once but an acorn in the bowels of the earth.

Endeavor to be first in thy calling, whateverit be; neither let anyone go before thee in well-doing. Nevertheless do not envy the merits of another, but improve thine own talents. " .

Scorn also to depress thy competitor. by any dishonest or unworthy method; strive to raise thyself above him, only by excelling him. So shaH they that contest for superiority be crowned with bonor, if not with success.

By a virtuous emulation, the spirit of a man is exalted within him; he panteth after fame, and rejoiceth as a racer to rUll his conrse.

He riseth like the palm tree. in spite of oppression; and, as an eagle in the firnlament of heaven; he soareth aloft, and fixeth his eye upon the glories of the SUll.

The examples of the eminent men are in his visions by night; and his delight is to follow them all the day long.

He formeth great designs, he rejoiceth in the execution thereof, and his name goeth forth to the end of the world.

But the heart of the envionsman ,is gilll and bitterness; his tongue spitteth venom; the success of his neighbor break· eth his rest.

He sittdh in his cell repining; and the good that happeneth to another, to him it is an evil.

Hatred and malice feed upon his heart. and there is no rest in him.

fle in his own breast no love of goodness. and therefOre his like ullto

He endeaVQr$ to dePNCiate those tbl1t excel him, aQd putteth an evil interpretati<m on 1111 their doings.

He on tlte watch. and meditate!> mischief.Bllt the desti11ation of a man hilm he is crushed as a spider in bis own web.

HEAR the words of give heed unto sels, and store them m thme heart; her maXIms are l1nivetSal. and all the virtues lean upon her. She is the guide and mistress of humall life .

. Put a bridle 011 thy tougue; set a guard before tby , tile words of thin€ own mouth destroy tby peace.

Let bim that scoffeth at the lame, take care that he bait not hilUself. Whosoever speaketh of another's failings with pleasure •. shall bear of bis Own with bittemessof beart..

Of much speaking cometh repentahce, bnt. in silence is . safety.

A talkative mall is a nuisance to society; the ear is sick of his babbling, tbe torrent of his worils overwhelmeth conversation. .

Boast not of thyself, for it shall bring COD tempt upon thee; neither deride another, for it is dangerous.

A bitter jest is tbe poison of frielld5hip; anil he who can not restrain his tongue, shall have trouble •

. Furnish thyself with the proper accommodations belongingto tby condition; yet spend not to the utmost of wiJat tlloucaust afford, that the providence of thy youth may be a comfort in thy old age.

Avarice is the parent of evil deeds; but frugality is the lSlIre guardian of our virtues.

I.et thine own blllSiness eugage thine attention; leave the care of the state to the guvernors thereof.

Let 110t thy recreatiQ!1s be expensive. Ie!;t the pain of purchasing them exceed the pleasllre thou hast in their enjoyment.

Neither let prosperity put 011t the eyes of circumspection,

nor abundance 'cut off the hands of frugality. He that too much indulgeth in the superfluities of life, shall,live to lament the want of its

From the experience of others, do thou learn wisdoDl; .and from their failings, correct thine own faults.

Trust no man before thou hast tried him; yet mistrust 110t without reason, it is uncharitable.

But when thou hast proved a man to be honest, lock him tip in thine heart as a treasnre; regard. him as a jewel of int'stillluble price.

Receive not the favors of a mercenary Irian, or join in friendship with wicked; they' shall be snares \1I1tO thy virtue, and bring grief unto thy soul. .

Use not to-day wIlat to-morrow may want; neither'leave that to haphazard, which foresight may provide for, or care prevent,

Yet expect not. even from Prudence, infallible success for the day knoweth not what the night may bring forth.

The fool is nol always fortunate; 110r the wise man always successful; yet never had a fool thorough enjoyment, never was a wise lllan wholly unhappy.

Sixth Degree.

pERILS and misfortunes, and want, and pain. and injury, are more or less the certain lot of every man tbat cometh into the world.

It behoveth thee, therefore. 0 child of calamity! early to fortify thy mind with courage and patience, that thou mayest support. with a becoming resolution, the allotted portion of human evil.

As the camel bareth labor and heat, and hunger and thirst, through deserts of s:md. and fainteth not; so the fortitude of man shall sustain him through all perils.

A noble spirit disdaineth the maliceof fortitune; his greatness of soul is not to be cast down.

He hath not suffered his happiness to depend upon her smiles, and therefore with l1er frowns he shall not be dismayed.

As a rock on the seashore he standeth finn. and the dashing of the waves distnrbeth him not . He raiseth his head like a tower all a hill, and the arrows of fortune drop at hi;; feet.

III the instant of danger, the courage of his l1eart snstaineth him: and the steadiness of his mind beareth him ant.

He meeteth the evils of life as a Ulall that goeth forth into battle, and retumetll with victoryin his hand.

Under the pressure of misfortunes, ,his calmness alleviates their weight; and by his he shall surmount them.

But the dastardly spirit of a timerous man betrayeth him to shame.

By shirking t1llderpoverty.

be stoopeth down to meanness; and by tamely bearing insults be illviteth hljuries.

As the reed is shaken by the breath of the air; so the shadow of evil maketh him tremble.

In tIle hour of danger, he is embarrassed and confounded; in the day of misfortunll, he sinketh, and despair overwhelm· eth his soul.

Seventh Degree.

FORGET not. 0 man I that thy station on earth is appointed by the wisdom of the Eterrial; who knoweth thy heart, who seetb the vanity of all thy wishes, and who often in mercy denietb thy requests.

Yet for all reasonable desires, for all honest endeavors, his benevolence hath established, in the natnre of things, a probability of success.

Th,e uneasiness thou feelest, the misfortune thou hewailest; behold tIle root from whence they spring I even thine own folly, tIline own pride, thine own distempered fancy.

Murmur not, therefore. at these dispensations of God, but correct thine own heart. Neither say within thyself. if I had wealth or power or leisure I s]lOuld be happy; for know they all bring to their several pGl'sessors, their peculiar inconveniences.

The poor man seeth not the vexations and anxieties of the rich, he feeleth not the tlifficnlties and perplexities of power, neither knoweth lIe the wearisomeness of and therefore it is that he repineth at his own lot.

Envy not. therefore, the appearance of happiness in any man. for thou knowestnot his secret griefs.

'fo he satisfied with little, is the greatest wisdom; and he who encreaseth l;i5 riches encreaseth his ,'ares. But a contented mine! is a hidden treasure. and trouble findeth it not.

Yet if tholt sliffere>;t not the allurements of fortune to rob

thee of justice, or temperance, or charity, or modesty, even riches themselves shall not make thee unhappy.

But hence shalt thou learn, that the cup of pure

and unmixed, is by no means a draught for mortal man.

Virtue is the race which God hath set him to run, and happiness the goal; which Ilone can arrive at, till he hath finished his conrse and received his croWll in the mansions of eternity.

TEMPERANCE. Eighth Degree.

THE nearest approach thou \:<'1nst make to happiness on this 5ineof the grave, i5 to enjoy from Heaven, health. wisdom. ami peace of mind.

'These blessing5 if thml p05sessed, and wouldst preserve to old age. avoid the allurements of voluptuousness, and tIy. froUt her temptations.

\Vheu she spreadeth her delicacies on the board, when her wille sparkleth in the cnp, when she smileth upon thee. and persuadeth thee to be joyful and happy; then is the hour of dallger, and let reasoll stand firmly 011 her guard.

For if thou harkellcst unto the words of this adversary of virtue. thou art rleceived aud betrayed.

The joy which she promisetlI changeth to madness. and . her enjoyments lead on to diseases alld deatll.

Look round her board. cast thine eyes upon her guests, and observe those who have been allured by hersrniles, who have listeued to her temptations.

Are they not meagre? are they not sickly? are they not spiritless?

Their short hours of jollity and riot, are followed by tedihours of pain and dejection. She h;)th debauched and palled their appetites. that they have now lJO relish for her nicest dainties; her votaries are become her victims; the just and nalllral consequence which God hath ordained ill the cOll:ititlltioll of thillg;;, for the pllnishmcnt of thol;;; who a huse his gifts.

But who is she that, with graceful steps, and with a lively air, trips over yonder plain?

The rose blusheth on her cheeks, the sweetness of the mornillg breatheth from her lips; joy, tempered with innocence and modesty, sparkleth in her eyes, and from the cheerfulness of her heart she singeth as she walks.

Her name is Health; she is the daughter of E:xercise, who begot her own temperance; their sons inhabit the mountains that stretch over the northern regions of San Ton Hoe.

They are brave, active, and lively, and partake of all the beauties and virtues of their sister, Vigor stringeth their nerves, strength dwelleth in their bones, and labor is their delight all the da:r long.

The el"ployments of their father e:xcite their appetites, and the repasts of their motber refresh them.

To combat the passions is their delight; to conquer evil habits, their glory.

Their pleasures are moderate, and therefore they endure; their repose is short, but sound and undisburbed.

Tbeir blood is pure, their minds are serene, and the physician findeth not the way to their habitations.

But safety dwelletb not with the sons of men, neither is security found within their gates.

Behold them exposed to new dangers from without, while a traitor within 111rketh to betray them.

Their health, their strength. their' beattty. and activity, have raised desire in the bosom ot lascivious love.

She standeth in her bower, sb.e courtetb their regard. she spreadeth her temptations.

Her limbs are soft, her air is delicate, her attire is loose and inviting. Wautonness speaketb in her eyes, and on her bosom sits temptation. She beckoneth them with hedinger, she wooeth them with her lonks, and by the smoothness of her tongue she endeavoreth to deceive.

Ah I fly from her allurements, and stop thine ears to her enchanting words. If thou meeteth the languishing of her eyes, if thou beaIest the softness of her voice, if she casteth her arms about thee she bindeth thee in chains forever.

Shame followeth, and disease, andwant, and care, and repentance.

Enfeebled by dalliance, with luxury pampered, and softened by sloth, strength" shall forsake thy limbs, and health thy constitntion. Thy days shall be few, and those inglorious; thy griefs shall be many, yet meet with no compassion.

HOPE AND FEAR.

Ninth Degree.

THE promises of hope li.re sweeter than roses in the bud, and far more flattering to expectation; but threatenings of fear are a terror the heart.

Nevertheless let 110t hope allure, nor fear deter thee, from doing that which is right; so shalt thou be prepared to meet all events with an equal miud.

The terrors even of death are no terrors to the good. He that committeth no evil hath nothing to fear.

In all thy undertakings. let a reasonable assurance ani· mate thy endeavors; if thon despairest of success thou shalt not succeed.

Terrify not thy soul with vain fears, neither let thine heart sink within thee from the phantoms of imagination.

From fear proceedeth miEforhme; but he that hopeth helpeth himself.

As the ostrich. when pnrsned hideth his head, but forget. teth his body; so the fears of a coward expose him to dan· ger.

If thou believest a thing impossible, thy despondency shall make it so; bnt he that persevereth,shall overcome all difficulties.

A vain. hope flattereth the heart of ;a t>ol; but he that is wise pursuetb it not.

.T11. aU thy desires, let reason go along with thee, and fix, not thy hopes beyond the bounds of probability; so shall success at/end thy undertakings, undthy heart shall not be vexed with disappointments.

JOY AND GRIEF.

Tenth Degree.

LETNOT thy mirth be so extravagant as to intoxicate thy mind, nor thy sorrow so heavy as to depress thy heart. 'fhis world ai'fordeth' no good so transporting, nor infiicteth no evil so severe as should raise thee far above or sink thee much beneath the balance of moderation.

Lo! yonder standeth the house of joy. It is painted on the outside, and looketh gay; thou mayest know it by the continual noise of mirth and exultation that issl1eth from it.

The mistress standeth at the door, and calleth aloud to all who pass by; she singeth, and shouteth, and laugheth withQut ceasing.

She inviteth them to go in and taste the pleasures of life, which she telleth them are no where to be found but beneath her roof.

But enter thou not into her neither associate thyself with those who freqnent her bouse.

'rhey call themselves the SOns of joy; they laugh and seem' delighted, but madness and folly are in all their doings.

They are linked 'with mischief hand in hand. and their steps lead ':lawn to evil.

Dallgers beset them round about, and the pit of destructiOIl yawneth beneath their feet.

Look now on the other side: and behold, in that vale overshadowed with trees, and hid from the sight of men, the habitation of sorrow,

Her bosom heaveth with sighs, her month is filled with lamentatioll; sbedelightetl1 todweU on the subjeCt of human . misery.

She looketh all the cotnmonaccidents of life, and weepeth;

the weakness and wickedness of man is the theme of her lips.

All nature to her teemethwith evil; every object she see· eth is tinged with the gloom of her own mino. and the voice of complaint saddeneth her dwelling day and night.

Come 110t near her cell; her breath is contagious; she will blast the fruits, and wither the flowers that adorn and sweeten the garden of life.

In avoiding the house of joy, let not thy feet betray thee to the borders of this dismal mansion; but pursue with care the middle path, whicli shall lead thee, by a gentle ascent, to the bower of tranquility.

With her dwelleth peace, with her dwelleth safety and contentment. She. is cheerful, but not gay; she is Serious. but not grave; she vieweth the joys and sorrows of life with an equal and steady eye.

From hence, as from an eminence, shall than behold the folly and the misery of those who. either led by the gaity of their hearts. take up their abode with the companions of jol. lity and riotous lnirth; or. infected by gloominess and melancholy. spend all their days in complaining of the woes and calamities of human life.

Thou shalt view them both with pitv, and the error of their ways shall keep tby'feet from straying.

ANGER.

AS THE whirlwind in its fury teareth up the and deformeth the face of ullture; or, as an earthquake in its convulsions, overtllrneth cities; so the rage of an angry man t11TOweth mischief around him; danger and destruction wait on his hand.

Hut consider, and forget not thine ownweakness; soshalt .. thou pardon the failings of others.

Indulge thyself not in the passion of anger; it is whetting a sword to wound thine own' breast, or murder a friend.

If thou bearest slight provocations with patience, it shall be illlputed uuto thee for wisdom; and if thou wipest them from thy remembrance, thy heart shall feel rest, and thy mind shall not reproach thee.

Seest thou 110t that the angry man loseth his understanding? Whilst thou art yet in thy ienses, let the wrath of allother be a lesson to thyself.

Do nothing in a passion, Why wilt thou put to sea in the violence of a storm?

If it he difficult to mit' thine anger, it is wise to prevent it; avoid therefore all occasions of falling into wrath, or guard thyself against them whenever they occur.

A fool js provoked with l11rolel1t speeches but a wise man langheth them to scorn.

Harbor 110 revenge in thy breast; it will tonnent thy heart and discolor its best inclinations.

Be always more ready to forgive than to return aninjury. He that watcheth for all opportunity of revenge, lieth in wait againbt himself, and draweth dovm mischief 011 his own head.

A mild answer to an angry man, like water cast upon :fire.

abateth his heat, and from an enemy be shall' become thy friend.

Consider how few things are worthy of anger, aridthotI wilt wonder that any but fools should be wrath ..

In folly or weakness it always beginneth; and be well assured, it seldom concludeth without repentance.

On the heels of folly treadeth shame; at the back of anger standeth remorse.

AS BLOSSOMS and flowers are strewed upon the earth by the hand of spring; as the kin dness of summer pro<1tlceth in perfection the bounties of harvest; so the smiles of pity shed blessings on the children of misfortune.

He who piteth another, recommendeth himself; but he who is without compaSsion, deservetb it not. .

, The butcher relenteth not at the bleating of the lamb; neither is the heart of the cruel moved with distress.

But the tears of the compassionate are sweeter than dew drops. falling from roses on the bosom of the earth.

Shut not thine ear therefore against the cries of the poor; neither barden thine heart against the calamities of the innocent.

\\Then the fatherless call upon thee; when the widow's heart iSSllllk, and she emploreth thy assistance with tears of sorrow; 0 pity her affliction, ana extend thy hand to those wlm have none to help them.

When thou seest the naked wanderer of the street shivering with cold, and destitute of habitation; let bounty open thine heart, let the wings of charity shelter him from death, that thh'le owu 5Qul may live.

Whilst the poor Ulan growneth on the bed of sickness, whilst tile unfortunate languish in the horrors of a dungeon, or the hoary head of age lift up a feeble eye to thee for pity; 'O! how caust thou riot ill superfluous enjoyments, regardless of their wants, unfeeling for their woes?

DESIRE AND LOVE I Thirteenth

BEWARE, young man I be\\'are of tlle allurements of wantonness, aud let not the harlot tempt the to excess in her delights.

The madness of desire will defeat its own pnrsuits; from the blinrlness of its rage thou shalt rush upon destruction.

Therefore give not up thy heart to her sweet enticements. neither suffer thy soul to be enslaved by her erichanting delusiolls,

The fonntain of health, Wllich must supply tIle stream of pleasure, shall quickly be dried up, and every spring ot joy shall be exhausted.

III the prime of thy life, old age shall overtake thee; thy sun shall declille in the morning of thy days,

But when virtue and modesty enlighten her charmes, the lltstre of a beautiful woman is brighter than the stars of heaven, and the influence of her power it is in vain to resist.

The whiteness of her bosom transcelldeth the lily; her smiles are more delicious than a garden of roses,

The innocence of her eye is the tnrtle; sITnplkity and trnth d\vell in her heart,

.

The kisses of her mouth are sweeter than honey; the perfumes of Arabia breathe from her lips.

Shnt not thy bosom to the tendemess of 100'e; the pttrity of its flame shall ennoble thine heart, and soften it to receive the fairest impressions,

GIVE EAR, fair daughter of love! to the instructions of prudence, and let the precepts of truth sink deep in thy heart; so shall the charms of thy mind add lustre to the elegance of thy form; and thy beauty, like the rose it resembleth, shall retain its sweetness when its bloom is withered.

In the spring of thy youth, in the morning of thy days; when the eyes of men gaze on thee with delight, and nature whispereth in thine ear the meaning of their looks; all ! hear with caution their seducing words, guard well thy beart, nor listen to their soft persuasions.

Remember thou art made mali's reasonable companion, not the slave of bis passion; the end of thy being is not merely to gratify his loose desire: but to assist him ill the toils of life, to sooth him with thy tendemess, and recompense his care with soft endearments.

Who is she dlat wilmeth the heart of man, tbat subduetb llim to love, and reineth in his breast?

Lo! yonder she walketh ill maiden sweetn.ess, "ith inllocence in her mind, and modesty on her cheek.

Her hand seeketh employment, her foot delighteth 1I0t in gali<1ing abroad.

She is clothed willI neatness, she is fed with temperance; humility and meekness are as a crown of glory circling her head.

On her tongue dwelleth music, the sweetness of honey dl\lelleth 011 her lips.

Decency is in all her words; in ber answers are mildness and trnth.

Submission and obedience are the lessons of her life, and peace and happiness are her reward.

Before her steps walketh and virtue attendeth her right hand.

Her eyes speaketh softness and love; but discretion with a sceptre sitteth on her brow.

. The tongue of the licentious are dunlb in her presence, the awe of her virtue keepeth him silent.

Wben scandal is busy, and the fame of her neighbor is tossed from tongue to tongue; if charity and good nature open not her mouth, the finger of silence resteth on her lip.

Her breast is the mansion of goodness, and therefore she l:il1specteth no evil in others.

Happy is the man that shall make her his wife; happy is the '-hild that shall call her mother.

She presideth in the house, and there is peace; she commandeth with judgment. and is obeyed.

She ariseth in the morning, she cOllsiderth her affairs, and appointeth to every one their proper business.

The care of the faulily is ber whole delight; to that alone she applietb her study; and elegance witb frugality is seen in her mansions.

The prudence of ber management is an bonor to her husband, alld be heareth her praise with a secret delight.

She informeth the milldsof her children with wisdom, she fashioneth their manllers from the example of her own goodl1ess.

The word of her nl0uth is the law of their youth, the motion of her eye commandeth their obedience.

She speaketh, and her servants fly; she pointeth, and the thing is done.

For the law of love is in their hearts, and her kindness addeth wings to their feet.

III prosperity, she is not puffed up; ill adversity, she healeth the wound of fortUM with patience.

The troubles of her husband are alleviated byhercoU11sels. and sweetened by her endearments; he pllUeth his heart in her bosom, and receiveth comfort.

Happy is the man that hath made her his wife; happy is the child that calletb her mother.

TAKE UNTO thyself a wife, and obey the of God. Take unto thYself a wife, and herome a faithful member of society.

But examine with care, and fix not suddenly. On thy present choice depends thy future happiness.

If much of her time is destroyed in dress and adornments; if she is enamoured with her own beauty and delighted with her own praise; if she laugheth much and tallfeth loud; if her foot abideth not in her father's house, and her eyes with boldness rove 011 the faces of men; though her beauty were as the sun in the firmallent of heaven, turn thine eyes from her charms, turn thy feet from her paths; and suffer not thy soul to be ensnared by the allurements of imagination.

But when thou find est sensibility of beart, joined with softness of manners; an accomplished mind, with a form agreeable to thy fancy; take her to thine house; she is worthy to be thy friend. thy companion in life. the wife of thy 00som.

o eherish her as a blessing sent thee from Heaven. Let the kindness of thy behavior endear thee to her heart.

She is the mistress of thy house; treat her therefore with respect. that thy servants may obey her.

Oppose not her inclinations without cause; she is the partner of thy cares. make her also the companion of thy pleasnres.

Reprove her faults with gentleness, exact not her obedience with rigor.

'frust thy secrets in her breast; her counsels are sincere, thon shalt not be deceived.

Be faithful to her bed; for she is the mother of thy dren.

When pain and sickness assault her, let thy tenderoes.... sooth her affiiction; a look from thetof pity and love, shall alleviate her grief, Or mitigate her pain, and be of more avail than ten physcians.

Consider the tenderness of her sex, the delicacy of heT frame; and be not severe to her weakness, but remember thine own imperfections.

FATHER. Sixteenth Degree.

CONSIDER thou who art a parent the importance of thy trust; the being thou hast produced, it is thy duty to support.

Upon thee also it dependeth. whether the child of thy boSOlD shan be a blessing or a curse to thyself; a useful or a . worthless member to the community.

Prepare him early with instruction, and season his ,mind with the maxitns of truth.

Watch the bent of his inclination, set him right in his youth, and let no evil habit gain strength with his years.

So sllaU be rise like the cedar on the mountains; his head shall be seen above the trees of the forest.

A wicked son is a reproach to his father; but he that deeth right is an honor'to his grey hairs. .

The soil is thine own, let it not want cultivation; the seed which thou sowest, that also shalt thou reap.

Teach him obedience, and he shall bless thee; teach him modesty, and }le shall not be ashamed.

Teach him gratitude. and he shall receive benefits; teach bim ""hanty, ani! he shall gain love.

Teach him temperance. and he shall have health; teach him prudence. and fortune shall attend him.

Teach him justice. and he shall be honored by the world; teach him sincerity, and his own heart shall not reproach birn.

Teach him diligence, alld bis wealth shall increase; teach him benevolence, and his mind shall be exalted.

Teach him science, and his life Shall be useful; teach him religion, and his death will be happy.

FROM THE creatnres of God let man learn. wisdom; :and apply himself to the instruction they give.

Go to the desert, my son I Observe the young stork of the wilderness, let him speak to thy heart; he bearethon his wings his aged sire, he lodgeth 1}im in safety, and snpplieth him with food.

The piety of II cbild is sweeter than the incense of Persia, offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than odors, wafted from a field of Arabian spices by the western gales.

Be grateful then to thy father, for he gave thee life; and to thy motht:r, for she sustained thee.

Hear the words of bis inouth, for they are spoken for thy good; give ear to his adnlonition, for itproceedeth from love.

He hath watched for. thy welfate, he hath toiled for thy elise; do honor therefore to his age, and let not his grey hairs be treated with irreverence.

Forget not thy helpless inrancy, nor the frowarlhless of thy youth. and indulge the infirmities of thy Ilged parents; assist and suppert them in the deCline of life.

So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace, and thine own children, in reverence of thy example. shall repay thy piety with filial love.

BROTHERS. Eighteenth Degree..

yEARE the children of one father, provided for by his care; and the breast .of one mother batb given you suck.

Let the bonds of affection therefore unite thee with thy bwthers, that peace and hapiness may dwell in thy father's house.

And when ye separate in the world, remember the relation that bindeth you to love and nuity, and prefer not a stranger to thine own blood.

If thy brother is in adversity, assist him; if tlly sister is in trouble. forsake her 110t.

So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the support of his whole race; and his. care be continued to you all. in your love to each other.

Nineteenth Degree.

THE GIFTS of the understanding are tbe treasures of God; and be appointetll to everyone his portion ill what measure seemeth 'good unto himself.

Hath he endued thee with wisdom? hath he enlightened thy mind with the knowledge of truth? Communicate it to the ignorant for their instruction; communicate to tile wise for thine own improvement.

l'rlJe wisdom is less presuming than folly. The wise'man doubteth often, and changeth his mind. The fool isobstillate and d011bteth not; he knoweth all things, but his ignorance.

The pride of emptiness is an abomination; and to talk much is the foolishness of folly. Nevertheless, it is the part of wisdom. to bear the impertinence of fools; to hear their absurdities with patience. and pity their wCQkness.

Yet he not puffed up in thine own conceit, neither boast of superior the clearest human knowledge is but blindness and folly.

The wise man feeleth his imperfections. and is humbled; he laboreth ill vain for his own approbation. But the fool peepetll into the shallow stream of his own mind. and is pleased with the pebbles which he seeth at the bottom; he bringeth them up. and showeth them as pearls; and with the applause of his brethren delighteth he himself.

He boasteUI of attainments in things that are of no worth; where it is a shame to be igllOnmt, there he hath no unJerstancl ing.

Even in the paths of wisdolll, lIe toileth after folly; aud shame and disappointment are the reward of his labor.

But the wise lllan cultivates his mind with knowledge; the improvement of arts is his delight, and tlleir utility to the public crowneth him with honor.

Nevertheless. HIe attainment to virtue he accountetl1 as the highest learning; and the science of happiness is the study of his life.

RICH AND POOR. I Twentieth Degree.

THE MAN to whom God hath given riches, and blessed with a mind to employ them aright, is peculiarly favored and highly distinguished.

He looketh on l1is wealth with pleasure, it affordets him the llleallS to do good, .

He protecteth the poor that are injured; he suffereth not the mighty to oppress the weak.

He seeketh out objects of compassion: he euquireth into their wants; he relieveth them with judgment, and witbout ostentation.

He assisteth and rewardetb merit; he encourageth ingenuity, liberally promoteth every useful design.

He carrieth 011 great works; his country is enriched, and the laborer is employed; he new schemes, and the arts receive improvement.

He considereth the snperfltlities of his table as belonging to the poor of his neighborhood, and be defraudeth themllol.

The benevolence of his mind is not checked by his fortune; he rejoiceth therefore in riches, and his joy is blameJes.<;, Bllt woe unto him that heapeth np wealth in abundance, and rejoiceth alone in the possession thereof.

That grindeth tbe face of the poor, and considereth not the sweat of their bro\\'s.

He tbriveth on oppressiOll withont feeling; the ruin of his brotller disturbetb him not. .

The tears of the orphan be drlnketh as milk; the cries of the widow are music to his ears.

His heart is hardened with the love of wealth; no grief nor distress Call make impression upon it.

But the curse of iniquity pursueth him; he liveth continual fear; the anxiety of his mind, the rapaciolls desire of his soul, take vengeance upon him, for the calamities he hathbronght uponothers.

Oh! what are the miseries of poverty in comparison with the gnawings of this man's heart?

Let the poor m.an comfort himself, yea, rejoice; for he hath many reasons.

He sitteth down to his morsel in peace; his table is not crowded with flatterers an<:l devourers.

He is not embarrassed with a train of dependants, nor teased with the clamors of solicitation.

Debarred from the dainties of the rich, he escapeth also their diseases. '

The bread that be eateth, is it not sweet to his taste? the water he drinketh, is it not pleasant to his thirst? yea, far more delicious than the richest draughts of the luxurious.

His labor preserveth his health, and procureth him a repose, to which the downy bed of sloth is a stranger.

He limiteth his desires. with humility; and the calm of contentment is sweeter to his soul than the acquirements of wealth and grandeur.

Let not the ricb, therefore, presume on bis riches, nor the poordespond in his poverty; for the providence of God dispensetb happiness to them both, and the distribution there, of is more equally made than the fool can believe.

REPINE not. 0 man! attl1e state or servitude. It is the appointment of God, qud hath many advantages; it removeth thee from the cares and solicitudes ofllfe. .

'fhe honor of a servant is his fidelity; his highest virtues are submission and obedience.

Be patient, therefore. under the reproofs of thy master; and when he rebukedl thee, answer not again. The silence of thy resignation shall 1I0t be forgotten.

Be studious of l1is interests. be diligent in his affairs, and faithful to the trust which he reposeth in thee.

Thy time and thy labor belong unto him. Defraud him not thereof, for he payeth thee for them,

And thou who. art a master, be just to thy servant if thou expectest from hhn fidelity; and resonable in thy demands, if thon expectest a ready obedience.

The spirit of a man is within him; !'everity and rigor may create fear, but can never command Jove.

Mix kindness with reproof, and reason with authority; so shall thy admonitions take place ill his heart. and his duty shan become his pleasure.

He shall serve thee faithfully. from the motive of gratitude; he shall obey thee cheerfully, froln the principle of love; and fail not thOll, in retum, to give his diligence and fidelity their proper reward.

Magistrates-·Subjects. Twenty-Second Degree.

oTHOU, the favorite of Heaven! wbom tbe sons of men, tby eqnals, have agreed to raise to sovereign power. and set as mler over themselves, consider the ends and importance of their trust, far more than the dignity and height of tby station.

Thou art clothed in purple, and seated on a throne; the crown of majesty investeth tby temples, tbe scepter of power is placed in tby hand; but not for thyself were these ensigns given; not meant for tbine own, bllt the good of thy kingdom.

The glory of a king is tbe welfare of his people; bis power and dominion rest Oil the hearts of his subjects.

The Olind of a great prince is exalted with tbe grandeur of his situation; he revolveth high things, and searcheth for business worthy of his power.

He calJetb together the wise men of bis kingdom, lIe can· sulteth among tbeln with freedom, and beareth the opinions of all.

He looketh among his people with discernment; he discovereth the abilities ot men, and employetb tbem according to their merits.

His magistrates are just, 11is ministers are wise, and the favorite of his bosom deceiveth him not

He smileth on the arts, and they Homish; the sciences improve beneatll the culture of his hand.

With the learned and ingeniol1s he delighteth himself, he kindleth in their breasts ell1ulation, and the glory of his kingdom is exalted by their labors..

"rhe spirit of the merchant who extendeth hili commerce, the skill of Ule farmer who enricheth his lands, the ingeulli-

.

tyof tIle artist, the improvements of tIle scholar, all these be llOlIoreth with his favor, or rewardeth with his bounty.

He planteth new colonies, he buildeth new ships, be openeth rivers for convenience, he formeth harbors for safety; his people abound in riches, 31ld the strength of his kingdom enereaseth.

He frameth his statutes with equity and wisdom; his subjtcts enjoy the fruits of their labor in seeurity; and their happiness eonsists in their observance of the law.

He foundeth his judgments on principles of merry; but in the punishment ot offenders, he is strict and impartial.

His ears are open to the complaints of his subjects; he restmiueth the hand of their oppressors, and delivereth them frOlll their tyranny.

His lJeople look, therefore, to him as a father, with reverence and love; tlley consider him as the guardian of all they enjoy.

Their affection unto him begetteth in bis breast a love of the public; the security of their happiness is tbe object of his care.

Na mummfS against him arise in their hearts; the machanatiolls of his enemies end auger 1I0t his state.

His subjects are faithful, and firm. in his cause; they stand in his defence as a wall of brass; the anny of his enemy fIieth before them as c1laffhefore the wind.

Security and peace bless tlle dwellings of his people; and glory and strength encircle his throne for ever.

Jt BENEVOLENCE.

Jt I Twenty-Third

Degree.

WHEN thon considerests thy wants, when thou beholdest thy imperiections, acknowledg-e his goodness, 0 son of humanity! who hOllored thee with reason, endued thee with speech, and placed thee in society to and confer reciprocal helps alld mutual obligations.

Thy food. thy clothing, thy convenience of habitation; thy protection from the injuries, thy enjoyment of the fomforts and pleasures of life! all these thou owest to the ef others, alld conldest not enjoy but in the bands of society.

It is thy duty, therefore. to be a friend to mankind. as it is thy interest that men should be friendlY to thee.

As the rose breatheth sweetness from its own nature; so the heart of a benevolent man produceth good works.

He enjoyeth the ease and tranquillity of his OWIl breast, and rejoiceth in the bappiness and prosperit}- of bis neigh. bor. '

He openeth not his ear to slander: the faults and failings of men give pain to his heart.

His desire is to do good, and he searcheth out the occa. sions thereof; in removing the oppressions of another he re· lieveth himself.

From the largeness of his mind, he comprebendeth in his wishes the happiness of all men; and from the generosity of his heart, he endeavoreth to promote it.

JUSTICE. Twenty-Fourth Degree.

THE PEACE of society dependeth on Justice; the happiness of individnals, on the safe enjoyment of all their possessions.

Keep the desires of thy heart. therefore, within the bounds of moderatioll; let the hand of J u::tice lead them aright.' .'

Cast not all evil eye on the goods of thy neighbor; iet whatever is his property be sacred from thy touch.

Let 110t temptlltioll allnre, nor any provocation excite thee to lift up thy hand to the hazard of his life.

Defame him not in his character; bear no false witness . against him.

Corrupt not his servant to cheat or forsake him; and tbe wife of his bosom, 0 tempt not to.Q1l l

It will be a grief to bis hea"t. which thou canst not relieve; an injury to his life, which tlO reparation can atone.

In .thy dealings with men. be impartial and jllst; and do unto them as tlloh wouldest they should do unto thee.

Be faithful to thy tnlst, and deceive not the man tbat relieth upon thee; be assured it is less evil ill the sight of God to steal than to hetray.

Oppress not the poor. and defraud 110t of his hire the laboring- mall.

When thou sellest for gain, he"r the whispering of conscience, and be satisfietl with moderation; 'llor from the ignonlllce of the buyer make advalltage to thyself.

Pay the dehts which thou owest; for he who gave thee credit relied npon thy h0110r; 1lI1l1 to withhold from himhig d ne. iH both meun au;! lJnj IlSt.

Finally. 0 SOli of society! examine thy heart, call remembrance to thy aid; aud if ill all those thou fillc1est thon hast transgressed, take sorrow:,wl shame to thyself, :l1:d lllllke speedy reparation to the utmost of thy power.

CHARITY.

Twenty-FiUh Degree.

HAPPY is the man who hath sown in his breast the seed of benevoleuce; the prodnct thereof shall be charity and love,

From the fountain of his heart shall rise rivers of goodness; and the streams shall overflow for the uenefit of mankind.

He assisteth the poor in their trouble; be rejoiceth in furthering the prosperity of all men.

He censureth not his neighbor; he believeth not the tales of envy and malevolence, neither repeateth their slanders.

He forgiveth the injuries of men. he wipeth them from his remembrance; revenge and malice ha,'e 110 place in his heart.

For evil he returneth not evil; he hateth 1I0t even his enemies, but r.equiteth their injustice with friendly admonition.

The griefs and anxieties of men excite his compassion; be endeavoreth to lllleviate the weight of their misfortunes, and· the pleasure of success rewardeth his labor.

He calmeth the fury, he healeth the quarrels of angry meu, and preventeth the mischiefs of strife and auimo."ity.

He promoteth in his neighborllood peace and good will, and his name is repeated with praise and bellediction.

SINCERITY. ITwenty-Sixth Degree.

oTHOU who art enamou:red with the beauties of truth, and hast fixed thy heart on the Simplicity of ber charms! hold fast thy fidelity unto her, and forsake IJernol, the constancy of thy virtue shall crown thee with honor.

The tongue of the sincere is rooted in bisheart; hypocrisy and deceit have no place in his words.

He blushes at falsehood, and is confountled; but in speaking the truth, he hath a steady eye.

He supporteth, a5 a man, the dignity of his character; to the arts of hypocrisy he scorneth to sloop.

He is consistent with himself; be is never embarrassed; he hath courage enough for lmth, but to lie he is afraid.

He is far above the meanness of :lis.'.imulation; the words of his mouth are the thoughts of his heart.

Yet with prudence and caution he openeth his lips; he stndieth what is right: and speaketh with rliscretion.

He adviseth in friendship; he reproveth with freedom; and whatsoever he promiseth, shall surely be performer!.

But the heart of u hypocrite is hir! in his breast; he masketh his words in the semblance of truth, while the business of his life is only to deceive.

He lunghetb in sorrow, he weepetb in joy; and the words of his mouth have 110 interpretation.

He worketh in the dark as a mole. and fandetbhe is safe; bnt he bll1ndereth into light. and he is exposed to full view, with his dirt on bis head.

He passeth his days in perpetual constraint; his tongue and his heart are for ever at variance.

lIe labore.th for the character of a rigbteous Ulan;. and buggetbbimself in the thougbtsof hiscnnning.

o fool! .fool! the pains which thou takest til hide what thou art, are more than would make what thOlf wouldest seem; the· cl:lildrenof wisdom shall mock at thy cllnning, when, in the midst of security, thy disguise is stripped off; and the finger of derision shall point thee to scorn.

AS.THE branch,:s of a tree theil",§ap from wheuce It arose, IlS a nver hll> to the sea, whence his spring was supplied; so grateful man.delightethin returning a .. . He acknowledgeth' his obligation with '(,:tieerfwl'Iess, .he. looketh on his benefactor with love and esteem. '. '.".

And if to return it be not in bis bellouri:;;heth . lllemory of it in his breast with kindness, all the days of his life. ' . " , ., .'

Tpe hand of the generous Ulan is like the clouds of en, which drop upon 'tbe earth herbage,andfio\\-efSj. but the heart of tbe ungrateful is like a desert of:>and, :whiC'Jl swalloweth with greediness the showers that fall, burieth them in his besom, and producethnothing. '

Envy not thy benefactor, neither strive: to cOllceal the benefit he hath for though· to, oblige is better than to be obliged, though the act of 'generosity cqmmand., db admiration; yet the humility of gratitude toncheththe . heart. and is amiable in the sight of both GCldand

But receive not a favor from the band of the:: proud; to the selfish and avaricious have no obligation. ,The vanity qf .pride shall expose thee to shame, the greediness of avarice shall never be satisfied. .

THERE is but one God, the Authcir. the Creator, the , Covemor of the world; ;Almigbty ,Eternal, ancf 11'\comprehensible. " " .' . '

The sun is not God. though his lionlest image. ' fIe en Iighteneth the world with his giveth life to theprodllcts of the earth; admire himll,Ejtbec,reatl1re, the image of God; hut worsbiphjm not. ,.

Totbe Qne who is supreme: to him. alone, belong worship,adoration', ane! praise. "

Who has stretched forth theheavells with his hsnclnvho hath dl;scrihed with his finger the courses of the stars. '

Who: &etteth bounds to the' ocean. tbat it cannot 'pass; and saith to the stonn winds. Be still. " , "",;

Who shaketh the earth, and the nations tr'fnlble;wllo dartethhis. Iightnillgs; alld tbewk)d::d are dismayed.' " !

Who calleth forth worlds hy tbeWQrd Of his nlQutq; who smiteth with hi,S ariu, and t'/ley sink il1tO l1othil;lg.

"0 1 reverence the majesty of the omnipotept; and tempt not his angl:r., lest thOll be ile!lfroye4.'1 " .. , ,

The providence' of GOO is (.wenin his works; hernleth and cHredeth w,ith infinite wisoom.· ' " ..,

He bath instituted laws for the govenunent of the world. He hath wonderfully varied them in all beillgs; and each, by his natllre. ·conforineth to his will.

In the depth of his mind he, revol\'eth all knowledge. The secrets at futurity lie open before him.

The thoughts of the heart are naked to his view; be klloweth thy determinatiolls Defore they are made,

With respect to his presenee, there is nothing colltil1gent;

with respect to his providence there is notbingaecidentlil.

Wonderful he is in all his ways; his counsels are inscrutable; the manner of his knowledge transcel.1deth thy cQncep' tion.

'Pay therefore to his wisdoUl all honor anti veneration; and bow down thyself in humble and submissive obedience to his supreme directioll,"

The Lord i;l gracious beneficellt;· Ile bath created the world ill mercy and love,

His goodness is conspicuous in all his works; he is the fOltlltaiU of excellcl.1c;e. the cepler of perfectiol:)!

The creatures ot bis his all their enjoyment speaketh his praise: he c10thetb them witll . ty; he.' supporteth them with food; he preservcth them with pleasure from generation to generation. .. . .

If we lift our eyes to lleaven, his e-Iory shilleth forth; if we cast them down upon. the eartb, it is fuJI of bisgoodIless. The hills and the valleys rejoice and. sing; £elds, rivers, and woods, resound his

But thou, 0 man! he hath distingllishedwith peculiar fa\'or, and exalted thy station above all creatureS,

He hath endued tllee with reason, to maiutain thy dpmin. iOIl; Ile hath fit,ted thee with language, to improve by wcie· ty; and exalteo thy mind with the powers of llleditatiol1' to contemplate and adore his inimitable perfections. .

And in tIle laws he hath ordained as the role of thy· life. so kindly hath he suited thydllty to thy nature. that o\>edi· ence to his precepts is happiness to thyself. '

"0 praise hill goodness with thanksgiving. ano meditate in silence all the wonders of his love; let tby hean o\'erflow with gratitude and acknowledgment, let the language of t by lips speak praise and adoration, let the actions of thy life show tbylove to his law." '.

The I.ord is just !lnd rigbteous. and,vil! judgt;' the .earth with equity and trolll

He hath established his Jaws in goodness and mercy, and shall he not punish the transgressors tpereof? .

o think not, bold lIlan! because thy pllilishment is delay.

ed,that the arn. of tpe I.ord is weakened;neithe.r l1atte.rthYi self with hopes that he winketh at thy doings. ' , , .

His eye pierceth the secrets of every heart,anp he,re· membereth them forever. He the stations of men. . "

The high and the low,tbe ricb, andthePQOr; !lJlt;I the ignorant, when the soul. hath taken pff shackles of this mortal life, shall equally re\:eive, froPlthe sentence of God a just and everlasting retributiQJl' aCCQf<Ung to their works. . '

Then shall the wicke!'1 tremble aud beafJaid;bl.Jt the heart of the righteous shall rejoice in his judgments.

..

O! fear the Lord, therefore, all oftJiYltfe, and walk in the patbswbich he prudence admonish thee; let tempE:fance reslrllin, let' Jwrtice guide thy hand, benevolence warm thy heart. and gratitude to heaven inspire thee with devotil:>ll: Tllese,shall give thee happiness ill thy present state, and., bring thee',' to the man· sions of eternal felicity in the paradise of God." '

This is the true philosophy of life. .

WEAK and ignorant as Oman I oughtest to be, 0 chdd of the I raise thy thoughts to Infinite Wisdom?

Omnipotence displayed before thee? frame. ' I! :' i'""

Fearfully and wonderfully art thott made. Pl-aise.thCrl. fore thy Creator with awe. and rejoice before bim with, rev; erence.

Wherefore of aU creatures art thou only erect. bJ:lt that thou shouldest behold his works; wbereforeart tl1olttO \:lehold. but that than mayest admire them,; wherefore to ad; mire. but that thou mayest adore their and tby Creator}

Wherefore is consciousness jl1 thee whence is it derived to thee? ' ,

It is not in flesh to think; it is not in hopes to reaSO(l. The lion knoweth not that worms will eat hiuH the per. ceiveth not that he is fed for slaughtet. (

Some' thing is added to thee unlike to what thou seest. Something informs thy clay, higher than all that is We ject of thy senses. Behold! what is it ? '

Thy body remaineth perfect after it is fled. tberefore it is no part of it. It is immaterial, therefore it is eternal. It is' free to act. therefore it is accounta1.lle for itll actions.

Knoweth the ass the use of food. because his .teeth mow dowu the herbage? or standeth thecrocodiJe erect, altb91JI:h his backbone is straight as thine? -, God formed thee as be forUled these. After tbem 'all wert thon created; superiority and were given thee over all. and of his owu' breath did he cOinlullnicate thee thy principle of knowledge.

Know thyself then the pride of (''fe tioD, the Hll k t1Ulting divinity and matter! behold a part of God himself 'in theeJ Remember thine oW1".!dignity, tlOf dare dellCend to meanness.

Who planted terror in the tail of the serpent? wboc1otbed the neck of the horse with thunder? Even he in.-:. structed thee to crush tbe thY feet, alherto thy purposes. . .' ,.

THE USE OF THE SENSES.

Thirtieth Degree.

VAUNT not thy body, because it was first fomled, nocof thy brain, because therein thy soul resideth. Is nql: the master of the house more honorable than its walls?

The groundmllst be prepared, before corn can be the potter must build his fumace 1 before he can mlloke his. porcelain.

As the breath of heaven sayeth unto the waters of the deep, This way shalt thy billows roll, and no other; thus high, shall they raise their fury. So let thy Spirit, 0 man ! actuate and direct thy flesh; so let it repress its wildness.

Thy soul is the monarch of thy frame; suffer not its sub· jects to rebel against it.

Thy body is as the globe of tIle earth, thy bones the pillars that sustain it On its basis.

As the ocean giveth rise to springs, whose waters return again into its bosom throngh the rivers; so rUllneth thy life from the he;lrt outwards, and so returneth it unto its again.

Do 1I0t hoth retain their course for ever? Behold!, the same God ordained them.

Is 1I0t thy nose the dlannel of-perfumes? thy moutb tbe patb to delicacies? Yet know that perfumes lOllg smelt become offensive, that delicacies destroy the appetite they fiatter?

Are not thine eyes the sentinels that watch for thee? yet how often they nnable to distinguish truth from error.

Keep thy soul in moderation, teach thy spirits to be attentive to its goo::!; so shall these, its ministers, be always to thee ;onveyances of truth.

Thy hand is it 110t a miracle? Is there in the creatioll

aught like unto it ?: Wherefore \fa&t it given thee, but thou mightest stretch' it out to the aSsistance of thy brother.

Why of all things living arNhotl alone made' capable of blushing? The world shall read thy shame upon tl}y face; therefore do nothing shameful.

Fear and disulay rob they thy couutenance of its ruddy splendor? Avoid guilt, and thou shalt ktrow that fear is beneath and that dismay, is unt1l<\llly.

"

Wperefore to thee alone speak: shadows in the, visions of tbypillow? Re"'erellce themj for that dn=ams'are from on high. .' , CI· • '

Thou, man, alone canst speak. ,Woud¥ at thy ,glorious prerogative; and pay to him who gave it thee Ii tational 3;i1d welcome praise, teaching thy children. wisdom, the offspring of thy loins in pietro ' '

THE SOUL OF MAN, ITS ORIGIN AND AFFECTIONS.

Thirty-First Degree.

THEBLESSINGS, 0 man! of thy extf;fIlal paTts, aTe health, vigor. and proportion. The greatest of thes!:! is health .. What health is to the body, even that is honesty to the sonl.'

That tholt hast a soul, is of all knowl.;dgemost certain, of all truths the most plain unto Ulee. Be meek, be gratefill for it. See\-:: not to kuow it perfectly. It is inscrt1table, Thinking, understanding, reasoning, willing, call not these the soul. They are its actions, but they ale not its essence.

Raise it uot too high, that thou be not despised. Be not like unto those that fall by climbing, neither debase it to the sense of brutes; nor be thou like to the horse and mule,'in whom there is no understanding.

Search it by its faculties, know it by its virtues. They are more ill number than the hairs of thy head; th(: stars of heaven are 110t lobe counte(l with them.

Think not with Arabia, that one soul is parted among all men; neither believe thou with the SOilS of Egypt, th!!t every man hath many. Know. that thy heart, w alpo thy l;IOul is one,

Does not the sun harden the clay? Doth it llot also soften the wax? As it is one sun that worketh both, even so it il' one sonl that willeth contraries.

As the moon retaineth her nature, though darkness spread itself before ller face as a curtain; so the soul remaiueth safe even in the bosom of a fool.

She is immortal; she is ullchangeable; she is alike in alL Healt11 calleth her forth to shew her loveliness, and application annoiutelh ber with the oil of wisdom,

Justice could not give her to thee exalted by virtues, lIor

mercy deliver her to thee deformed by vlces. These must be thine, and thou must answer them.

Suppose not death can shield thee flOm examination; thillk llotcorruptiou can hide thee from enquiry. He who formed thee of thou knowest not what, can he not raise thee from thou knowest not what again?

Perceiveth not the cock the 110ur of midnight? Exalteth he not his voice, to tell thee it is morning. Knoweth not the dog the footsteps of his master? and ftieth not the wounded goat to the herb that healeth him? Yet when these die, their spirit returneth to the dust; thine alone surviveth. .

Envy 1I0t these of their senses, because quicker than thine own. Learn, that the advantage Beth not in possessinj?: things, but in knowing to use them.

Ha·ist tho11 the ear of the stag. or were thine eye as strong and piercing as the eagle's, didst thou equal the hound in smell, or could the 'ape resign to thee his taste, or the tortoise her feeling; yet without reasOn, what would they avail thee? Perish not all these like their kindred?

Hath anyone of them the gift ofspeecll? Can anyone say unto thee, Threfore did I so!

The lips of the wise are as the doors of the l'abinet; no !\OOner are tlley opened, buttreasl1res arepollred out before thee.

Like unlo trees of gold arranged inbeA$ of silver, are wise sentences uttered in due season.

Canst thon think too I<reatly of thy soul? or can too much I'e said in its praise? It is the image (If bim who ga\'e it ..

Reu-;emler thou its rlignity fqrever; forget not how great a talent is committed to thy charge.

Whosoever may co good may also co barnl. Eeware that thou direct its conrse to virtue. .

Think 110t that thou eanst lose her in the crowd; suppose not that thol1 canst hury her in a closet. Action is her delight, and she will not re witllhelrl from it.

Her motion is perpetual; her attempts are universal; her agility is uot to be suppressed.

It is at the uttenllost part of the earth? she will have it.