The Van Buren press., 1871-01-10

which were governed by Master and
Wardens. In their ceremonials they en-
ployed many Of the implements now
found among Masons, and also had a
universal language, by which one brother
might know another in the darn rs well
as in the light They were scattered
throughout India, Persia and Syria, and
doubtless to their architectural skill is to
be attributed many Of the splendid tent
pies and palaces Of antiquity that nowex
ist only in history or song. That this
Fraternity existed in Tyre at the time OF
the building Of King Solomons Temple,
is conceded-and that Hiram, the wild
ows son, who was the chief architect and
superintendent Of the building OF this
temple, was member OF the Fraternity
requires no great crcdulity to believe
We may readily infer that when King
Solomon applied to Hiram, King OF Tyre
for workmcn for the Temple, that the
Dionysian Architects were sent, they be-
ing peculiarly skilled and cunning work
men From the building ofthis Temple,
of such marvellous beauty, We date the
origin of Masonry as an organized order.
AS seen, the living principles, the soul
Of Masonry, had existed for over two
thousand years, and at the brilding OF
the Temple, to be dedicated to the au.
thor Of those principles, those who had
long preserved them, met and finally set
them in a frame work Of order,' in
which they are brightly shining to the
present day. Many other theories are
INDUCED in and advocated by able Ma
sonic writer's, all useful and entertaining.
Many very plausible, but the one just
given appears better founded in reason
and history than any other have seen.
1t must not be supposed that the dii-
fercnt theories Of the history and origin
of our order are promulgated merely
from desire for idle speculation. Far
from it. While it is fraught with the
livliest interest to the Mason, it teaches
the unintiated that Masonry is not an
empty pageant or idle pastme. That
it has living, meaning aim. That while
no religious test is required of candi-
date, except belief in our fundamental
dogmas, yet It's doctrines are SO far in
terwoven with religion as to keep the
mind continually fixed upon the great
and solemn .ssuaH!i ..ssuaH.!i, that we build, not for
time, but for eternity. At the building
Of the Temple Of Solomon, then, our or
der commenced its career of honor and
usefulness. The workmen from Tyre,
led by Hiram, the widows son, who was
q man high in authority in his own land
and among his own people, taught their
Jewish fellow laborers the great advan
tages resulting from the association, to
which they had long belonged. We may
readily suppose this new order was not
SLOW III becoming universal among tho
workmen of the temple The apocryphal
legend ofthe Diohysians, however, gave
way to the true legend of the Masons,
which was furnished by melancholy in
cdent, that occurred at the time. What
a spectacle is presented in the building
Of this Templc--to be dedicated to the
Great jehovah! 1t was commenced by
Solomon, the SOP Of David, in the year
Of the world 2992, and completed and
dedicated in the year 5000. There were
employed in its construction, according
to Webb, three Grand Masters. $500
Masters or Ovcrscers, $4,000 Fellow
Crafts, and 10000 Entered Apprentices
or Bearers of Burdens, making grand
total Of 1903 persons employed. BY
the mysterious power OF our order, per-
feet order reigned among them. Broth
erly love and charity banished strife
from among them. For seven years and
six months, there our ancient brethren,
held together by the mystic ties Of Ma.
sonry, toilcd on in the accomplishment
of the grand common object, without
with one fearful cxception,--a single I'M
pleasant occurrence to mar the general
peace and harmony. This was the most
wonderful and magnificent editice Of all
antiquity. 1t arose like magic before the
eyes Of a wondering world and astonish-
ed all by its unparalleled and unprece-
dented beauty. The various parts were
all prepared for their respective places,
in the forests and quarries, with such
niccness and accuracy as that in their
final erection no sound of hammer or
tool Of iron was heard. Noselcssly this
structure, like the work of
Fairy Land, was elevated above the top
of Moriah. Each stone and timber and
frescoe, and column, and all the splendid
ornaments Of gold and silver. and brass,
were quietly PIT in their allotted places ;
each contributing to the common grand.
eur Of the whole. The threshing floor
Of the humble Jebusite had become IA
nous forever as the site Of this Temple
of unparalleled magnifccnce, dedicated
to the Living God The site was emf.
nently fitted for such n sanctuary. 1t
was here that the father Of the Jewish
people gave the most convincing proof
Of his unhesitating faith in the promises
OF the God of Israel 1t was here that
the aged Abraham built the altar and put
upon it the fire that was to consume his
only son, the child of his old age. .''
We may picture to ourselves the work
men, after the completion Of this struct-
ure, the like of which the world had
never seen After the last stone, and
timber is in place, the last ornament and
frescoe adjusted with folded arms they
stand gazing in amazement upon this
wonderful result OF their own handiwork.
How their hearts must have filed and
their bosoms heavcd with pride, as they
reflected that this perfection of humanin-
genuity was a lasting monument to their
architectural skill And when the glori.
ous God of Day arose from his Eastern