The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-09-28

MASONIC LODGES IN THE EAS4.-A
Masonic Lodge is in contemplation at
Bagdad, in MesOpOtamia, the supposed
primitive abode of man, where there is
already quite number of FreemasOns,
among whom are some Persian Mussul-
mans. The Chief Minister of the Shah
of Persia, the Commander-in in chief OF
his army, and many others of his highest
funcdonaries belong to the Order. 1t
il believed that lodge will soon be
founded at feheran, the capital of Per-
sia, if. indeed, one does not already ex-
ist there, under the Grand Orient OF
France. ..-. a...
Another Lodge English is about to
be founded in Jerusalem, the ancient
city of Kings David and Solomon. The
Consul of the United States of America
has taken the initiative in its formation
Besides a gOOdly number of resident
brethren there, Jerusalem is annually
visited by travellers of. faiths and nation
alities, who are Freemasons thus the
great Order of Universal Brotherhood
after making the circuit of the entire
world, returns to the scene of its prim-
tive creation, and the Temple of Solo.
mon will once more shed light upon the
footsteps of Freemas0nry. The I" Jeru.
salem Lodge is to contain as much OF
the ancient fragments of the Lodge
OF Solomon" as can be collected tOgeth-
er. g. The cedars Of Mount Lebanon will
furnish its working tools JOppa and
Baalbek will lend their aid in the re.
construction of the edifice and Hiram
King of Tyre, live in the memories OF
those who humbly initiate his faithful
career in life, as well as in his faith.
Notwithstanding the misconceptions
existing among many Mussulmans OF
Turkey regarding the principles Oi
t'TemasOnTy, it gradually recommends
itself to their better opinion. It tends
very much to dispossess them of theil
great animosity against men of all 9th.
er religious bodies than. their own. II
is, to this hostility that may be attribu-
ted the slow progress amongst Musslll-
mans i'll mental culture and improve
ment, even in the arts and sciences Oi
other peoples and other countries
Everthing, therefore, which, tends to
dispel it, must he q great advantage to
them and it is cnly when it has been
removed, and religious hostility fades
warmth or one Universal Brotherhood
that there will exist not only harmony
between the MOsleln and men of all 9TH
them.-E London Freemas0n.
---usHsn------ ".'
MASONRY TOO COMMON. Grand Mas.
ter Champlain, of Michigan, uttered
truthful remarks when he said " Mason
~ seeks to elevate and refine those who
enter her sacred portals; her code is an
exalted morality her object, fraternity
and her type, perfection. AS the temple
at Jerusalem was perfect in all it's parts
so we aim to have the model temple
which we are building. lit will not &c
to place in this model temple any inper-
feet material. We are each, and all in
spectors of the material and work Oi
which it is being constructed, and if il
cannot pass the square of each and a1l
let it be rejected. a@
"We should feel that cur Masonic ties
are reciprocal, and realize that in each
member of our lodge we have friend
that stieketh closer than brother. II
any member should say, during the ad-
yancement of a candidate [ do moi
want him to become one of u.s. then
each member should also be ready TIC
say: Then neither do want him. In
a lodge thus constituted, harmony and
fraternity would prevail to the greatest
extent. There would be no disc0rdant
element within our lodges to mar theil
harmony, The greatest source of danger
is the desire for increase of membership
Masonic strength does not consist ii
numbers, but in unanimity."
We are fond of relies-we love relics
we have veneration for relics. A good
brother has presented us with adipIoms
given in 1893 by the Lodge of Edin
borFgh, st. Mary's Chapel, working
under the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
1t is a parchment much worn, with an
impress of Lodge Seal made on sealing