Explanation of the Device.

THE Nine Letters are the Initials of the Surnames of the first Nine Members who formed this Society: These Initials are placed in the Angles of three equilateral Triangles, so drawn, that no one Side can be taken away, without destroying the whole Symetry; as a Memento to this Society, that when any of its Members shall fail to observe its Laws, they then will destroy the Meaning and Intent of its Institution, which was to bind its Members in the Bond of social Friendship, by uniformly observing good Rule and Order.

The Bible, in the Centre, being shut, alludes to our Law; wherein it is forbidden its Use in Matters of Religious Controversy, (we holding all Religious Controversies improper for a Tavern Disputation); but at the fame Time fhews, that though it is shut to the Disputes of this Society, we hold it the greatest blessing the Divine Being ever beftowed upon his Creatures, and conftantly make its Precepts our Rule and Guide.

The Clouds repreſent Man in the State of Nature, uninformed, and uncultivated,

By the Star is repreſented Man in the State of social Improvement, produceing his Sentiments in Society, and fhining among his Brethren like a Star in the Firmament.

The Motto, " UNITE TO IMPROVE, " is thus to be understood. We unite our Abilities each other to improve.

The Circle encloſing these significant Characters, is here uſed as an Emblem of the Creator and Preferver of All! having neither Beginning nor Ending.

The Ellipſis of ſmall Circles, repreſents the Sciences, ſome tending to a greater Uſe, others to a leſ, forming together the whole Chain of Knowledge: These Circles being drawn in an Ellipſis, alludes to the Motion of the Heavenly Bodies in their Elliptical Orbits.

The Books point out to us the ready Road to Knowledge, containing the Observations and Sentiments of those worthy Men, who have devoted their Time and Talents to the Improvement of the Human Understanding; and have left their laborious Reſearches and Remarks recorded in them for our Inſtruction, and to guide us in the Paths of true Religion and Virtue, that we may pafs through this Life with Happineſs to ourſelves, Benefit to the Community, and close this moral Scene, with this comfortable Reſlection, that a well ſpent Life gives a rational and reviving Hope of a better in the Regions of eternal Blifs! prepared for all those who virtuouſly live, and ſteadfaſtly die, in the Faith of a BLESSED REDEEMER.