Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-07-03
For the GsIlipOli, Journal.
AN ADDRESS,
Delivered before a ConvocasIsn OF the Ma
sonsc Lodges OF this Congressional Dis
trlct, at GaIIIPoIis. Jane 24th, 1s51-
BY REV. WIN. P. STRICKLAND.

niversary Of one of the patrons o
an institution which for ages ha
been denominated "ancient and hon.
orable." We have no sympathy 10
the wildness of that imagination
which makes il co-eviI with the Gre
alton and claims for il an antiquity
which, while il adds nothing TO the
true greatness of its character, may
excite the ridicuIe of IFS foes.
Twenty-eight centuries ago, on
an eminence in the heart of the rich.
est and most lovely country in the
eastern world, whose f1owery noun.
tains, verdant plains and flowing
rivers have been forever consecrated
to the lolliest strains Of poetry and
song, preparations were made for the
erection of the most magnificent edi-
fice the world ever saw. Its archi-
tect was prince gifted with wisdom
above all others, and divinely in
spired for the originaiion and COM
pIelion of the great design. The
kingdom OF which this edi6ce was
to be the great national Temple and
constitute the sacred bond Of union
for eight millions, extended from the
Euphrates on the East TO the Medi-
terranean on the West, and from the
more ancient kingdom of Phenecia
on the North to Arabia on the South.
1t commanded the ports on line OF
Mediterranean coast extending from
Berytus to the river of Egypt and
also on the EIanite gulf OF the Red
Sea. By means Of these an extern
sive commerce was carried on be-
tween Africa, Arabia, Persia and
India, while her ships made three
years voyages to the far off land of
gold and returned iadened with the
precious products OF Ophir.
The alliance which Solomon
formed with Egypt and Phenecia,
but especially the latter, was Of great
importance in relation TO the arts Of
civilized lie. The Tyrian artists
employed in the erection and decora-
ton OF the temple elevated the ideas
OF the Israelites in everything con-
nected with taste and inspired them
with a fondness for elegance and
symmetry. A peculiar finish was
given to the stones for the temple by
these Tyrian artists unknown TO any
operatives at that time. The orien-
tai traveller at the present day speaks
of certain stones found among the
rubbish of the temple area, as having
the "Tyrian 6eUel," thus identifying
them as the stones which originally
occupied a place in the temple OF
Solomon. Many OF the stones which
held place in this ancient and mag
nificent building have in progress Of
time been removed to different and
distant parts of Palestine and other
countries, and have been wrought in
10 palaces, Notifications and arches,
where they may be still seen, unlike
all others and hearing the unmistak-
able marks Of their origin and use.-l
Their peculiar form has ELECTED many
attempts from ruder and less skillful
hands to copy them, but in vain, for
when compared with the genuine
original the disparity is easily detec-
ted by The practical eye.
In listening to course Of lectures
from the Rev. Mr.. Thompson, mis-
sionary of the American Board to
Syria, and who has resided in Jerusa-
lem and its eavirons for the last fl
teen years, | was forclbly struck with
this interesting fact in the history Of
the work Of the Tyrian craft. Have
we not here an instructive lesson in
relation to our order. Does not this
fact furnish US with a most striking
and significant emblem Of the nature
and character of that Institution
which was founded at the erection
Of Solomon's Temple. These crafts
men were aot distinguished by their
name or country or the noble Hiram
under whose direction they prosecu-
ted their work. II was not one nor
all of these that constituted the great
striking popularity OF the Tyrian
masons. 1t was their toork, and their
work alone that distinguished them
from all other workmen of that or
any other subsequent time, and
though the temple which they erec-
ted has been destroyed and they
themselves have fallen by the rough
hand Of death, their work still sur
wives, imperishabls and inimitable
wherever found. They lived to see
that temple completed and dedicated
to God, they beheld its MAJ bic walls
and golden dome and pillars Of
strength and beauty stand out in
grace, boldness and majesty, the won-
der Of the world and an astonish-
ment to themselves. They have
passed away but they have left be-
| hind them rich memorials of their
skill, and enduring monuments Of
their art. The mysteries connected