The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1856-07-05
IlPI0N, CEDAR Co. I0WA----SATURDAY JULY 5, 1856

received from all the nations Of. the earth
to carry on this great work. which, for
magnifcence, splendor and wealth the
world never saw its equal.
The workmen were employed upon
this building tor the space OF seven years,
during which time, Josephus informs us,
that ii did not rain during the day, tha,
the workmen might no, be delayed in
their work, aud the Bible informs us that
there was heard neither the sound Of axe,
hammer or any tool OF iron during IFS en-
tire construction. 1t was supported by
l ,453 columns and 1856 pilasters, all
bewn from the finest Parlan marble. 1t
was built Of large stones OF white marble,
50 artfully joined together as to appear
like one entire stone. Its inner walls,
beams, doors, floors and posts were made
Of cedar and olive wood, and planks ol
hr. oil Of which were entirely covered
with gold--wi,h beautiful engravings,
and adorned with precious jewels Of many
oolors. All the nails were Of solid gold,
with heads OF curious wrought workman.
ship. The roof was Of olivs wood cover.
I'd with gold, and whsn the sua shone
thereon, the reflection from il Was of such
refulgent splendor that it daxzlod the
eyes Of all who beheld it. Jcsephas
states that within the temple were l4O,.
600 vessels, made of gold; l,34O, 900 OF
OF silver, 10000 vestments for priests,
100000 vestments for singers, 2OO,-
600 uumpets, and 10000 other inst-u-
ments, all made use of in the worship OF
God.
An accurate computation Of the num-
ber Of talents Of gold, silver and brass
lad out upon the temple, is 6,904, ,S22,-
800 pounds sterling, being abou, S3i,-
524, liz 500. The gold vessels are es,i.
mated at 545, ,29O6, 203 pounds and the
silver ones at 439,3i4, 900 pounds. Ia
addition to this were the expenses Of the
workmen, and the cost Of the materials
brought from Mount Lebanon and Zere-
datha. There were 10000 men per
month in Lebanon, employed in telling
and preparing tlmbers for the craftsmen
to hew them, 70, 900 entered apprentices
to carry the burdens, S0,0 900 feIlow-cratts
to hew the timbers and square the stones;
besides $500 overseers OF the work, all of
whom were employed for 2 years, TO
whom, besides their wages, their exrens-
es and diet, King Solomon gave as free
gift, G,733, ,977 pounds. Truly this was
the most magnificent and stupenduous
structure ever erected, and this can be
the mere readily received, as We are as
sured il was bullt by the immediate d.
rec,on Of Heaven. z
We low have given our views Of the
origin OF Masonry, and the inducements
and causes which led to it. We will
now turn to make few brief remarks as
to its objects, benefits and its pretensiops ps.
But first, we will step aside from our
path, to make a few remarks upon what
Is, with some people, an Objectionable
feature IN Masonry, TO wit: its secrecy.
Free Masonry is secret society; it
teaches It's reat truths in secret it holds
no open demonstrations of its material
proceedings; but this we remark, extends
no farther than the ceremony of conferr.
ing our means Of recognition upon the
uninitiated. That we do this only as a
means of safety, to prevent being the
dupes Of impostors and scoundrels, Of
whom there are plenty in every vicinity
and who are constantly travelling the
country, who would impose upon our fra.
ternlty by claiming the benefits designed
only for our own brethren and their fam
lies, and by our tenets recommended TO
all who are found worthy.
Our order is based upon certain grea,
truths, and our grand design is to make
mankind happier and better. II the pri.
vileges Of Masonry are to be indiscrimi-
aately bestowed, the design of the ns,itu-
ton would be frustrated. Being famil-
lar, like many other important matters,
would soon lose then value and sink into
disuse,
1t is weakness ,ha. mankind are
generally more charmed with novelty
than the ZEAL worth or intrinsic value Of
a thing,
The operations of nature, however
beautiful, magnificent aud useful, are
overlooked, because familiar and COM
mon. The sun rises and sets, the sea
flows and rsaows, the rivers glide along
their channels, trees and plants yegetate,
yet they being perpetuaIly open 10 the
view, attract no admiration. Novelty
influences al: our acts and determine
tions. Did the peculiar secrets and
forms OF our order constitute the essence
OF our acts, i! might be alleged our cere-
monies were tri1iug, bu. this is not the
case. Having the.f use they are retain.
ed, and, from the recollection OF The les.
sons they teach, the well informed Ma
son derives instruction. All our cere.
monies aud the implements we use are
designed to teach in emblamat.c guise
certain exalted truths, aud 10 impress
upon the candidate in the strongest man
ner possible his duty to God, his neigh.
Dor, and himself, and by doing this in
secret and giving to the candidate the
benefits OF our secrets known onlg 10 such
as are found worthy and will appreciate
them. we make our influence to be felt
by society, better the moral condition OF
our members and retain our own princi-
Piles and moral lessons as pure, as fresh
and unfading as the cassla, and accom-.