First Sentence

"BRETHREN-As this is the period of the year when the newly-elected officers of our several Lodges enter upon their official duties, this present meeting of your Lodge of Instruction appears to me to present a fitting occasion to offer to my less experienced brethren some observations on the nature of the duties of a Master in the government of his Lodge; and as the consideration of his duties will necessarily involve that of his rights, which are, correlatively, the duties of the Craft, I think the subject will be found interesting to us all."