M A S 
The Line teaches the criterion of moral re&itude ; to 
avoid diflimulation in word and deed ; and points out the 
direft, but narrow, path which leads to a glorious im¬ 
mortality’. 
The Rough Aflilar is the brute ftone, without fhape or 
form, as taken from the quarry ; and is emblematic of the 
mind of man in its prittine ftate, rude and unfaftiioned 
like that ftone. 
The Smooth or PcrfeEl AJklar is a poliflied ftone, of a 
true die fquare, which has undergone the (kill of the ex¬ 
perienced Mafon ; and is emblematic of the mind of man 
in its improved ftate ; having enjoyed the advantages of 
a liberal education, parental admonition, and good ex¬ 
ample. 
The Tracing-board is, in architecture, that implement 
on which the Mafter of the work, delineates his defigns; 
and by which the workmen are enabled to execute his 
plans according to the rules of (ymmetry and proportion : 
in a moral point of view, it reprefents the great Book of 
Nature; in which he who runs may read; but he who 
contemplates it as he ought, will be led to purfue fuch a 
mode of conduct as fhall deferve temporal, and enfure 
eternal, happinefs. 
The Trowel teaches, that nothing can be united with¬ 
out proper cement; and that the perfection of the build¬ 
ing mult depend on the fuitable difpofition of that ce¬ 
ment : fo Charity, the bond of perfection and focial union, 
muft link feparate minds and Separate interefts ; that, like 
the radii, of a circle, which extend from the centre to 
every part of the circumference, the principle of univer- 
fal benevolence may be diffufed to every member of the 
community. 
The Mallet teaches to lop off the excrefcences, and 
fntooth furfaces; or, in other words, to correct irregulari¬ 
ties, and reduce man to a proper level; fo that, by quiet 
deportment, he may, in the fchool of difcipline, learn to 
be content. What the mallet is to the workman, enlight¬ 
ened reafon is to the paflions; it curbs ambition, deprelfes 
envy, moderates anger, and encourages good difpofitions. 
The Chijel demonftrates the advantages of difcipline and 
education. The mind, like the diamond, in its original 
ftate, is unpolithed; but, as the effeCts of the chifel on 
the external coat foon prefents to view the latent beauties 
of the diamond, fo education difcovers the latent virtues 
of the mind, and draws them forth to range the large 
field of matter and fpace, in order to difplay the fummit 
of human knowledge, our duty to God and to man. 
The above fymbols, and fome others which are not to be 
explained in writing, are represented in the Engraving. 
From an Oration pronounced by Dr. Jieans, of South¬ 
ampton, we ftiall tranfcribe a Mafon’s account of the 
Square, the Level , the Plumb-rule, and the Compajfes: 
“ The Square (fays he), which enables the artift to form 
and fathion his work, teaches us, fymbolically, to form 
and fafliion our lives. It is an emblem of morality, and 
inftruCts us in that moft important moral obligation, to 
do as We would be done unto—to live upon the fquare 
with all mankind. 
“ The Level, ufed in art to make the building plain and 
even, morally teaches us the equality of our nature: it 
ferves as a memorial that we are equally born to aft our 
parts on this great theatre of life; that we are equally 
fubjeft to difeafes—to accidents—to Sorrows; that we are 
equally under the care and protection of the Great Parent 
of all; that we are equally doomed to die—to be levelled 
with the earth—to corrupt—to be forgotten. Art and 
accident vary our chances and Situations; but, taking life 
all together, we fhall find a more equal participation of good 
and evil than is commonly imagined. In the edifice of 
Free-Mafonry, equality is the great corner-ftone—without 
it, we know that friendfhips are ill cemented amongft men ; 
the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the proud 
and the humble, cannot form an intimate bond of union 
of anyconfiderable duration. Every Brother, therefore, 
at his initiation, enters the Lodge, not in fplendour of 
O N R Y. 409 
drefs nor pride of heart, but in a garb of humility—in a 
mind of lowlinefs; and he finds, when admitted, that the 
laws of the Society have abolished, as far as order will 
permit, all adventitious diftinfiions. 
“ So, again, the Plumb-rule —an inftrument of art, by 
whofe application the building is raifed in a perpendicu¬ 
lar direction, is another of our fymbols.—It is figurative 
of a fair and honourable plan of life—and typically cau¬ 
tions us againft any deviation from an upright conduit, 
in all our intercourfes and tranfactions, whether private 
or public. 
“ The Compajfes are a mathematical inftrument ufed to 
defcribe circles: this we adopt as an emblem of prudence-— 
it fymbolically inrtrufts us to put moral reftraints on our 
appetites; to circumfcribe, within rational bounds, our 
wants, our pleafures, our expenfes—warning us, that, by 
an oppofite courfe, we fhall endanger our quiet and our 
health, our reputation and our liberty.” 
Free-Mafonry, therefore, we have feen, deals in hiero¬ 
glyphics—fymbols — allegories-, and, to be qualified to reveal 
their meaning, a man muft know more than a mere no¬ 
minal Mafon : the full interpretation of them, like that 
of the myfteries of old, is in felefit hands—-has'been com¬ 
mitted only to thofe of tried fidelity, who conceal it with 
fuitable care: others, if not deficient in intellect, yet 
wanting induftry or inclination to explore the penetralia 
of the Temple, are not qualified, if willing, to betray it. 
Hence the fecrecy which has fo long diftinguifhed the 
fraternity. 
Dr. Jieans goes on to fay, what will perhaps very pro¬ 
perly conclude this article : “ The dodtrine of Free-Ma¬ 
fonry embraces all the natural, moral, and political, obli¬ 
gations of Society.—It directs us to fulfil our duty to our 
God —our king—-our neighbours—and ourfelves ; it in¬ 
culcates reverence, refignation, and gratitude, to Him 
who made and preserves us; obedience and loyalty to him 
who in juftice and clemency rules over us; courtefy and 
amity to our neighbour;-equity and compafiion to all 
mankind. It teaches us to pity and forgive our enemies, 
to love and reward our friends, to relieve the diftrefted, 
and cherifh the neglected. Mafonry is confined to no 
form of faith, nor fedt of religion ; and her charity, like 
her creed, is univerfal. So, too, as fhe rejedts all bigotry 
in matters of faith, flie nourifties no blind zeal on the 
fubjedt of politics, nor affords any fupport to civil difcord 
or popular commotion. Private benevolence, in its ex- 
teniive operation, becomes patriotifm—which is, in fadt, 
public benevolence ; from liberality of thinking and adting 
towards individuals, it becomes propitious to general li¬ 
berty—but it is liberty void of licentioufnefs. The grand 
principles of our order are thofe of peace, and patience, 
and good-will; they hold out no encouragement to fao- 
tion—no extenuation of private defamation and fiander. 
As far as the welfare of the ftate depends, our wilhes, as 
thofe of all good members of the community, are for its 
improvement; but under the guidance of order and wif- 
dom :—in the hands of the vulgar and the violent, at¬ 
tempts at national reforms lead to anarchy and confufion— 
to every violation of property, liberty, and life. Under 
the aufpices of Free Mafonry, therefore, we are taught to 
improve the public tranquillity, by following a life of vir¬ 
tue and obedience; and, in union with the wife and tbs 
good, to feek peace, and enjoy it.” 
The following authorities have been confulted in the 
compilation of this article :—The Book of Conftitutions, 
by Noorthouck, 4to. 1784.—Prefton’s Uluftrations of Ma¬ 
fonry.—Smith’s Ufe and Abufe of Freemafonry.—Cal~ 
cott’s candid Dilquifition.—HutchinfonV Spirit of Ma¬ 
fonry.—Lawrie’s Hiftory of Freemafonry.—Jones’s Ma- 
fonic Mifcellanies.—Dr. Alhe’s Mafonic Manual.—Free- 
mafons’ Magazine.—Lives of Leland, Hearne, and Wood. 
—Dermott’s Ahiman Rezon.—Articles of Union. 
MASO'RA, f. in the Jewifh theology, a work on 
the Bible, performed by feveral learned rabbins, to fe- 
cure it from alterations which might otherwife happen. 
The 
