Long Closing

You are now about to quit this safe retreat of peace and friendship; and to mix again with the busy world; amidst all its cares and employments, forget not those sacred duties which have been so frequently inculcated, and so strongly recommended in the Lodge; be ye therefore discreet, prudent, and temperate; remember that at this pedestal you have solemnly and voluntarily vowed to relieve and befriend with unhesitating cordiality every Brother who might need your assistance; that you have promised to remind him in the most gentle manner of his failings, and to aid and vindicate his character whenever wrongfully traduced; to suggest the most candid, the most palliating and the most favourable circumstances, even when his conduct is justly liable to reprehension and blame; thus shall the world see how dearly Freemasons love each other.

But, My Brethren, you are expected to extend these noble and generous sentiments still further: let me impress upon your minds, and may it be instilled into your hearts, that every human creature has a just claim on your kind offices; I therefore trust that you will be good to all, more particularly do I recommend to your care the household of the faithful, that by diligence and fidelity in the duties of your respective vocations, liberal beneficence and diffusive charity, by constancy and sincerity in your friendships; a uniformly kind, just, amiable and virtuous deportment, prove to the world the happy and beneficial effects of our ancient and honourable Institution.

Let it not be said that you laboured in vain nor wasted your strength for nought; for your work is before the Lord and your recompence is with God. Finally, Brethren, be of one mind, live in piece, and may the God of love and mercy delight to dwell amongst you, and bless you for evermore.