The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-01-01

DELIVERED BY FRANK JOHNSTON, Esq,
on. the occasion of laying the cornerstone
of a re,c Lodge at Bottoms Depot, Oct.
30, 1869. Published By unanimous re-
quest of the Grand Lodge then conue1aed.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have assembled to-day to initiate the
work of erecting a Masonic edifce-in ac-
cordance with most ancient and honored
ceremonial of our Order.
The ceremony of laying the corner or
foundation stone of Masonic Lodges, though
probably not as ancient as the Institution OF
Masonry, is certainly of sufficient antiquity
to invest it with a peculiar interest
The corner stone of the second temple at
Jerusalem, we are credibly informed, was
laid by Zerubbabel, ''with pluInmet inhand,'
"with great pomp and ceremony" And
to revert to an earlier period King Solomon
four hundred and eighty years after the de-
parture of the Israelites from Egypt, lald
the foundation stone OF the first Temple, at
the north east corner; not with the pOmp
and outward demonstration OF LeruDDaDel,
but with silent rites equally as solemn ana
impressive. A style of ceremonial which
was in perfect accord with the subllmltV OF
work which was characterized throughout
by harmony and quiet.
The selection by King Solomon, OF the
angle or corner to which Masonry attaches
peculiar Significance, leads us to think
that the custom has a much earlier origin
than the building of the Temple.
At all events this ceremony has been
steadily observed by our Craft in the cree
ton of its Lodges, since the building and
conservation of that Respondent Temple
which God himself honored with his visible
presence.
In fact, not only Masonic Lodges, but
Churches, Cathedrals and other great pubic
buildings. are commenced by some ceremo-
ny attending the laying of the foundation
stone. Doubtless all having its origin in our
Institution.
On the present occasion, it will not be in
appropriate, to advert to the origin and his
tory OF our honored Institution, and TO ex-
plain its objects and principles so far as 1t
can be done without an improper reference
to that portion of our Science which can De
impaired only to the initiated.
The study of its origin presents a most
fascinating field for the researches of the
Jealous and learned Mason; and it would
prove an interesting, and even an instruc-
tive investigation, for an inquiring student
who was not possessed OF its secret history.
Masonry can be traced to a more ancient
origin than any other human institution
Many Masonic writers of celebrity, claim
that it originated years before the flood
That in fact, it is cO-eval with the origin of
the first teachings of moral science and re-
ligion. The precise date when it originated
can scarcely be ascertained clearly or estab-
lished, at this day, by convincing evidence.
Yet, in the snadowy, sombre and uncertain
half light that hOverS like a vail over the
infancy of earth and the new creation, the
learned and investigating Mason of our day,
peeriGg into this hazy light, will see some
objects in the landscape strongly suggestive
of Masonry, and will even recognize a few
as the landmarks of our science.
When we recognize the strong analogy eX-
isting now. and which has existed. between
Masonry and natural and revealed religion,
as tar back in the twilight of tradition as
we can see. the idea becomes plausible, that
the origin of the former is probably co-eYal
with the earliest dawn of the principles of
morality and religion.
In the primitive agesof the world.as far back
as we can trace the history ofour Institution,
in its earliest infancy, its corner stone was
religion or the pure worship of God. 1t was
erected upon the solid and enduring princi
pies of truth and morality, as they were
given by the Great Creator to man And
this is proved by the existence of the Insti-
tuition at the present day; for had it been
instituted upon any other basis, had it been
founded for the ordinary pusposes of other
human societies, like them it would pass
away:
And like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not wreck behind. ="
Among the earliest incidents connected
with our Institution in remote intiquity, is
the life of Enoch, andparticulary the wonder
full subterranean Temple built by him. 1t
said by learned writers, that he was a Mason,
distinguished as bright eXemplar of our
principles, aud learned in all the mysteries
of the craft. Having received a pre-moni-
tica that all mankind, except q few just per-
sons, would be destroyed, we are told, he de-
termined to secure if possible the secrets of
Masonry. To effect this, he built q subter-
ranean Temple i'm Mount Moriah, and hav-
ing dedicated it to God-deposited therein
these secrets. Upon a high mountain ne
erected two pillarS-one of marble and the
other of brass. Upon each, he inscribed the
elements of The liberal sciences, including
Masonry. The pillar of brass was destroy
ed by the flood, but the pillar of marble was
preserved, and thus formed the connecting
link between Masonry before and after the
flood.
The eventful life of Abraham presents an
other salient point in Masonic history lie
devoted his life to the promotion of the true
worship of God, and the restoration of the
purity of Masonry, which had at that time,
been debased by the Persians and Chaldeans,
and Cabri.
The sacrifice of his son. directed BY God,
on Mount Moriah, is an incident in his life,
corded in Masonic history.
The extraordinary visions of Jacob, where
in he saw ladder extending from earth to
heaven. is known TO us tradionally, and up
on 1t Masonry has erected a more beautiful
ana sublime moral lesson. in which is con-
tanned grand portrayal of the three vir-
tueS-Falth, Hope, and Charity.
The vision OF Moses on Mount Horeb
where the Grand Master of the Universe
revealed himself in the burning bush, and
gave to him the miraculous rod SO consnIc
uously mentioned in the sacred WRITINGS
forms another landmark in the ancient
history of our order.
Tradition also tells us that at the foot of
Mount Sinai, after the victory of the Israel
ties over the Anelakites, Moses opened a
Lodge. assisted by Joshua as Deputy Master
and Aholiab and Bezaleel as Grand Wardens,
for the purpose of giving thanks TO God for
the defeat of their enemies.
The first building erected and dedicated
to the worship of God. of which We have
any account was the Tabernacle erected by
Moses aud his followers From the facts
connected with this work it Is claimed as an
achievement of our science.
The mention of this event brings US in
proper genealogical order TO great and
accomplished by operative and speculative
Masonry combined, which Is famous in both
sacred ana profane history. L allude 70 the
Temple of Solomon at Jerusalem.
This event great, not only in our history,
but in the history of the world. in its radient
beauty and shining light stands forth in
bold relief TO the shadowy back vround of
the era preceding it; and indeed at this point
we see s'the light shining in the darkness.r
Whatever may be the doubts and shad-
ows hanging over Masonic history prior to
this event. we may confidently say that at
this point they are all dispelled by the radi-
anee OF those beams of Heavenly light
which descended and crowned this great
Masonic Ednicer with the approval OF the
Masonic historian fingers lovingly DER this