Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-07-14

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 Yours, fraternally,
 R. H. CRozIER.
 
 The history of Gods dealings with the ancient Israelites is the most re- markable contained in the annals of time. There was one scene, however, which beautifully Illustrates the office of Masonry. Methinks that when the complaining children of Abraham had gone from the presence of Pharaoh, and the shades of the first night had settled upon them, there was confusion and fear throughout the entire host. The Almighty temporarily withdrew his presence in order to teach them an i'm portant lesson. Moses, the leader was vociferously called for, and was doubt less severely ccnsurcd for the condi- tion in which they found themselves. Why said they, "hast thou brought us out hither? Would to God we had remained ill bondage and served the Egyptian task-mastcrs. But Moses, a poor mortal like themselves, was pow crless; and God had determined that His people should not trust to human beings for dclivcrancc. He allowed them 10 wander on in darkness till the patience and faith of even Moses were almost exhausted, and the Jews were becoming insocn. and blasphcmous in mutiny. Then all at once a bright Pillar of Fire flashed forth from the bosom of night. stood before the mur- muring, disobcdicnt people, aud voice was heard cxclaiming in thunder tones, 'l am the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob" Then they rcpented of their sin, and followed on after the light without doubt or fear. But morn. ing dawns. and the pillar disappears; aud now while the Jews stand wonder ing what will next be done, a beautiful white cloud rises up at the head of the marching column, and the people know that the God of Salvation is near them, III Ailt odi IN sto NCll dS III tlt IHiil.
 Lo, at one time, the world lay slum- boring in sin and superstition. The worship of the Most High had degen- crated into system of external cerc- monies; and the miracles which He had performed were probably regarded as mere myths similar to those of Ro- man mythology. Men were now wait ing for an event to transpirc which had long before been predicted by the prophets of olden times. At last the star appeared to the wise men in the cast, and stood over the birthplace of that great Light. of which St. John spoke. There the Pillar of Fire reap pcarcd, and burst forth upon world of spiritual darkness, and scattered the mists of religious ignoiVhce which had been degrading the mind of man for ages. Anew and startling era was now dated in the history of Adams fallen race. The Kingdom of Christianity was established, and by the excellence of it's doctrines, the exalted character of it's precepts, and by the splendor of its spiritual achievements, eclipsed all other municipalities and powers" But 1t was not left alone to combat the er- TOTS of men-to sow the seeds of virtue and to soften down the harsher feelings of human nature and the asperities of life. Side by side with the Empire of Christ, the Institution of Free Masonry arose; and in it's form the magnificent Pillar of Cloud reappearcd, to guide men in the way of peace and holiness that leads to the celestial lodge above, prepared for all true brothers and fel- lows. We do not claim for it the su- pernatural brilliancy of the Pillar of Fire. We do not say that it as now practiced, is capable of dethroning ig- norance and like the reformation of Martin Luther, ovcrturning the pre- conceived opinions of men and creating revolutions. But we do claim, that as coadiutant of Christianity it is almost as necessary to the world as was the Pillar of Cloud to the ancient Israelites. Blot out christianity, and where, l ask would the knowledge of the true God and the destiny of man be found ex- cept with the Masonic fraternity !! Where is any other Institution on this earth in which the Bible is regarded with reverence and devotion? In well regulated lodges the Book of God is never shut But there on the altar 1t lies open night and day that all may read and gather wisdom and consola- ton from it's sacred pages. Enter, east bat frcf