First Sentence

"THE great desire of that part of the world, who are not yet initiated in the Masonic Order, is, to be acquainted with that grand secrecy, by which so many men of different nations, languages, dispositions, views, stations, and interests, are, above all other societies in the universe, so united in one undivisible chain of friendship and brotherhood; and, because this secret still remains perfect and entire, within the limits of the Order, some ridicule us, some slander us, and some are splenetic enough to surmise much evil of us, and totally to condemn us."