Ere God the Universe Began

Ere God the Universe began, In one rude heap all matter lay, And wide disorder overran, Nor knew one glimpse, one glimmering ray, While confusion o'er the whole, And darkness reign'd without controul

Then God arose, his thunders hurl'd, And bade the elements arise; In air he hung the pendant world, And round it fix'd the azure skies, Stars in circles caus'd to run, And in the centre fix'd the sun.

Then man he call'd forth out of dust, And breath'd in him a living soul, All things committed to his trust, He made him master o'er the whole; But ungrateful unto Heaven He prov'd, and was from Eden driven.

From thence proceeded all our woes, Nor could mankind one comfort share; Until FREE MASONS great arose, And form'd another Eden here: Where true pleasure ever reigns, And native innocence remains.

There streams of comfort gently flow, There's nought that's vile dare enter in, The tree of knowledge there doth grow, Whose fruit we taste yet free from sin, Sol shines one universal ray, This we enjoy whilst we obey.