Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-01-12
Fraternally yours,
 AUGUSTUS D. HARDY.

heht patrons ot our order has rolled around - And III commemoration of custom long ob served among Masons, we have assembled this day 10 celebrate his anniversary St. John the Evangelist, whose virtues revere as a Mason and as we are informed by tradition of the lraternty-held he position of Bishop of Eph- eSus; and, in his time our institutions be;n9 somewhat in decline seven of our most eni- nent members were deFuted to request him to take the office of Grand Master He rotnrna1 tor a' yer, that though well stricken ;n wears Cben4 upwaris af u;naty,) vet having been ;n the early part of his life initiated into Masonry 1 ha would take upon himself that office lie d'd ~o, and thereby comoieteA hv his }aarrir5 what St. John the Baptist had accomplished | ny hs zeal, and thus drew hat the old records term line parallel
 1 Atter bis decease the christian lodges were dedicated to him and the other St. John. they both beng regarded as eminent christian pa trohs oi Freemasonry. LoG ges in ancient times were dedicated to King Solomon. We have ! tradition which informs us that they were thua dedicated from the building of the first Tom pie at Jerusalem to the Babvlonish cartivitv From thence to the coming of the Messiah thav were dedicated to Zerrubbabel. the bnil1ar of the second Tempe and from that time to inc final destruction of the Temple by Ttus ln the reign of the Emporer Vespasion they were dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The tradition goes on to say that owing to the many massacres and disorders which attended that memorable event, Freemasonarv fell very much into decay Many lodges were entirely broken up, and but few could meet in sufficient numbers to constitute their legality. Under these circumstances general meeting of the craft was neid m the city oi be' jamn when it was ob- served that the prlnclpal reasons for the decline ol MaSohrv was the want of a Grand Master to uIect US aiialrs Then was our celebrated patron appointed Grand Master of Masons winch has been said to be the highest honor in the gift ot mankind. More noble and bonora he station than of the king upon the throne the president in his chair of State or any other position excpt 1t be in the gift of Masons. We nave tradition hat the existence of Masonry Is co-extensive with the human family: that even creation itself by the Grand Master of the universe was performed upon principles of ge~ oiheUv, "hlch Is synonomous term with oper- atlVe Masonfv, and we are informed that the art existed m greater or less degree of perfec- tloil, uhtl the Supreme Architect of the universe saw proper in his divine wisdom to reveal to his favored son Noah the de- structon ot the human family for transores smg hls divine commands, and inspired him With wisdom from on high to construct the Ark upon principles of geometry, whereby he and hls family might be saved from impendino destruction, whilest all except Noah and his family were doomed to perish in the waters of an versal deluge. And we find the sacred and pure principles of our institution preserved through the royal line of David to the days of King Solomon, who, by the assistance of the Most High God by inspiration erected to his honor and glory superb Temple. Then we hnd our order at the summit of its ancient perfection, and by the cementing power of bro- therly love- which existed among the brethren at the building of that noble edifce-its con- struction was carried on in a system of peace and harmony unparalleled in ancient and mo. dern history, and by the wisdom of Solomon. the strength of King Hiram of Tyre, and the beautiful workmanship of Hiram the architect, who was of the tribe of Napthali, the structure arose to the astonishment and admiration of succeeding generations. Then Masonry became system, and events which originated at that period, through succession of time, ripened into traditions to which our order at the present time traces its permanent origin We are in formed that this magnificent structure the Temple of Solomon, was founded in the fourth year of his reign, on the second day of the month ot Zlt, being the second month of the second year. It was located on Mount Moriah near the place where Abraham vas about to offer up his son lsaac and where David met and appeased the destroying angel
 Josephus informs us that although more than seven years were occupied in building it, vet l 1t did not rain in the day time that the work men might not be obstructed in their labor. .- From sacred history we also learn that there was not the sound of an axe hammer, or any other tool of Iron, heard in the house while it was building
 It is said to have been supported by fourteen hundred and flftv-three columns. and two thousand nine hundred aud six pilasters. all hewn from the finest parian marble There were employed at its building three Grand Masters, three thousand and three hundred Masters or overseers of the work, eighty thou sand fellow crafts, and seventy thousand en- tered apprentices or bearers of burthens. All these were chased and arranged in such manner by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither envy. discord, nor confusion was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good fellowship which prevailed among the workmen. In front of the magnificent porch, were placed the two cele- brated pillars, one on the left hand, and one on the right hand. They are supposed to have been placed there as memoria to the children of Israel fom the happy deliverence of their forefathers from Egyptian bondage and in com memoration of the miraculous pillars of fire and cloud. The pillar of fire gave ight to the Israelites and facilitated their march; and the cloud proved darkness to Pharoah and his hos, and retarded their pursuit. King Solomon therefore, ordered these pillars to be placed al the entrance of the Temple, as the most con. spicous part that the children of Israel nigh, have that happy event continually before thei, eyes in going to and from divine worship.
 It may be asked by the initiated why dc Masons make go much display, and why do we see them so frequently ill public wearing ths badge of their order. We answer, that we have our peculiar public ceremonies. such as constitut- ing and dedicating lodges laying corner stones of Masonic as we'll as other edifices, which cere monies are generally performed on our fsstiva