The covering of a lodge is no less than the clouded canopy, or starry-decked heaven, where all good Masons hope at last to arrive by aid of that ladder which Jacob in his vision saw extended from earth to heaven, the principal rounds of which are denominated Faith, Hope and Charity, which admonish us to have Faith in God, Hope in immortality, and Charity to all mankind. The greatest of these is Charity; for our Faith may be lost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity. FAITH is the foundation of justice, the bond of amity, and the chief support of society. We live by Faith; we walk by Faith; by Faith we have a continual hope in the acknowledgment of a Supreme Being; by Faith we are justified, accepted and finally saved. HOPE is the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and enters into that within the veil: let a firm reliance on the Almighty's faithfulness animate our endeavors, and teach us to fix our Hopes within the limits of his promises. CHARITY is the brightest gem that can adorn our Masonic profession. Happy is the man who has sowed in his breast the seeds of benevolence; the produce thereof is love and peace. The objects of true charity among Masons are merit and virtue in distress; persons who are incapable of extricating themselves from misfortunes in their journey through life; industrious men who, from unavoidable accidents, have fallen into ruin; widows left destitute by lack of husbands' support; orphans in tender years, needing a father's care; and the aged, whose strength is exhausted, and who are thereby rendered unable to procure for themselves that substance necessary to nourish their declining years. This is Charity-the keystone of our mystic institution.

As a more definite guide for a Freemason, the Lodge furnishes him with unerring rules whereby he should form his conduct. The Book of the Law is laid before him, that he may not say through ignorance he erred. Whatever the Great Architect of the world hath dictated to mankind, as to the path in which to tread, and to the mode in which He would be served, is upright and just, and will obtain His approbation; whatever precepts He hath administered, and with whatever laws He hath inspired the sages of old, the same are faithfully comprised in the Book of the Law of Freemasonry. The Rule, the Square, and the Compasses are emblematical of the conduct we should pursue in society; to observe punctuality in all our engagements; faithfully and religiously to discharge those important obligations which we owe to God and to our neighbor; to be upright in all our dealings; to keep within bounds those unruly passions which often oftentimes interfere with the enjoyment of society and degrade both the man and the Freemason.

By the Rough Ashlar we are reminded of our rude and imperfect state by nature; by the Perfect Ashlar, of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education, our own endeavors and the blessing of Deity; and as the operative workman erects his temporal building in accordance with the designs laid down upon the Trestle-board by the master workman, so should we, both operative and speculative, endeavor to erect our spiritual building in accordance with the designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe in the Great Book of Nature and Revelation, which is our spiritual, moral and Masonic Trestle board.

By the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human race as one family--the high, the low, the rich, the poor--who, being created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, ought to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

To Relieve the Distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be good men and true is the first lesson we are taught in Freemasonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain-dealing distinguish us, and the heart and the tongue join in promoting each other's welfare and rejoicing in each other's prosperity.

Fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger, when prudently deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice, and should be deeply impressed upon your mind as a safeguard or, security against any attempt that may be made, by force or otherwise, to extort from you any of those valuable secrets with which you have been so solemnly entrusted, and which was emblematically represented upon your first admission into the Lodge.

Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of Reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge and prudently determine on all things relative to our present as well as to our future happiness. This virtue should be your peculiar characteristic, not only for the government of your conduct while in the Lodge, but also when abroad in the world. You should be particularly cautious in all strange or mixed companies never to let fall the least sign, token or word whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be obtained.

Temperance is that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the allurements of vice. This virtue should be your constant practice, as you are thereby taught to avoid excess or contracting any licentious or vicious habits, the indulgence of which might lead you to disclose some of those valuable secrets which you have promised to conceal and never reveal, and which would consequently subject you to the contempt and detestation of all good Masons.

Justice is that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render to every man his just due without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with divine and human laws, but it is the very cement and support of civil society; and as justice in a great measure constitutes the really good man, so should it be your invariable practice never to deviate from the minutest principles thereof.

Peace that here on the broad platform of brotherly love, the high, the low, the rich, the poor, can meet together with one common purpose--the perpetuation of each other's friendship and each other's love.

Unity, being linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere friendship.

Plenty, that though it may be given to some to have more of the world's goods than others, yet the man that has his health, strength and ambition has indeed his plenty.

The Beehive is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves.

1. To congregate his Lodge upon any emergency.
2. To preside at all communications of his Lodge.
3. To fill temporarily all vacancies that may occur in the Lodge offices, unless otherwise provided by the constitution and by-laws.
4. To regulate the admission of visitors.
5. To control and terminate discussions.
6. To be the custodian and preserve the Charter the Lodge, and transmit it to his successor.
7. To determine all questions of Order and of Business.
8. To appoint all committees.
9. To order the issuance of notifications to members.
10. To give the casting vote in case of a tie, in addition to his own vote. This is limited, however, to votes taken viva voice or by upraised hands.
11. To sign all drafts upon the Treasurer for the payment of Lodge disbursements, by order of the Lodge. Nor may the Treasurer lawfully pay out the funds without such order.
12. To represent the Lodge in Grand Lodge.
13. To appoint the Senior Deacon and such other officers as may be prescribed in the by-laws of the Lodge.
14. To install his successor.

To refuse to initiate a candidate, notwithstanding his acceptance by the Lodge, if in his judgment, such initiation would be improper.

To order a second ballot when the first is unfavorable-he taking care that the necessary precautions be observed.

To discuss all questions without regard to the parliamentary etiquette of leaving the chair, because it is his duty at all times to give the Craft guard and wholesome instruction.

To be exempt from trial by his Lodge. The Grand Lodge alone has penal jurisdiction over him.

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