My Brother: I shall now proceed to point out to you those lines of personal conduct which you, as a Mason, are expected to follow. This part of the lecture is called the Charge, it being the special instruction, admonition and advice given, at his entrance, to every initiate, from time immemorial.
Having passed through the ceremonies of your initiation, allow me to congratulate you on your admission into our ancient and honorable Fraternity; ancient, as having existed from time immemorial; and honorable, as tending to make all men so who are strictly obedient to its precepts. It is an institution having for its foundation the practice of the social and moral virtues; and to so high an eminence has its credit been advanced, that, in every age and in every country, men pre-eminent for their moral and intellectual attainments have encouraged it and promoted its interests. Nor has it been thought derogatory to their dignity that monarchs have, for a season, exchanged the sceptre for the trowel, to patronize our mysteries and join in our assemblies.
As a Mason, you are to regard the volume of the Sacred Law as the Great Light in your profession; to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice; to regulate your actions by the divine precepts it contains. In it you will learn the important duties which you owe to God, your neighbor and yourself: To God, by never mentioning His name but with the awe and reverence which are due from the creature to his Creator; by imploring His aid in all laudable undertakings, and by looking up to Him in every emergency for comfort and support: To your neighbor, by acting with him upon the square; by rendering him every kind office which justice or mercy may require; by relieving his distresses, and soothing his afflictions; and by doing to him as, in similar cases, you would that he should do unto you: And to yourself, by such a prudent and well-regulated course of discipline as may best conduce to the preservation of your corporeal and mental faculties in their fullest energy; thereby enabling you to exert the talents wherewith God has blest you, as well to His glory as to the welfare of your fellow-creatures.
As a citizen, you are enjoined to be exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties, by never proposing or countenancing any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society; by paying due obedience to the laws under whose protection you live, and by never losing sight of the allegiance due to your country.
As an individual, you are charged to practice the domestic and public virtues. Let Temperance chasten, Fortitude support, and Prudence direct you, and let Justice be the guide of all your actions. Be especially careful to maintain, in their fullest splendor, those truly Masonic ornaments, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Finally, My Brother, be faithful to the trust committed to your care, and manifest your fidelity to our principles by a strict observance of the Constitutions of the Fraternity; by adhering to the Ancient Landmarks, and by refusing to recommend any one to a participation in our privileges unless you have strong reason to believe that, by a similar fidelity, he will reflect honor upon our Ancient Institution.