The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-05-27
NiS0NEC CRE.ttIN.


she scattered stones
BY BoB MORRIS.
There are fe, subjects in the Masonic
connection so painful to contemplate as
that of the scattering of lodge memberships
in the Border States during the late war.
We have Il lodge in our mind at this pres
ent writing, which. in the winter of 1SGO--l
rejoiccd in membership of more than
sixty good fellows. 1t was what we love to
hear called "a living lodge" "a pile of per-
feet bricks well set up and well cemented."
1t was a lodge greatly valued by its own
members, greatly respected by the world
without. Its ritualistc labors were we'll
squared. Its representation in Grand
Lodge was ever worthy of its reputation
no less than seven of its members having
been honored by Grand Lodge ofIices-one
by that of Grand Master Its st. Johns
day celebrations were ever conducted up
on large and intelligent basis-even such
as the enthusiastic Guilbcrt himself would
delight in embracing the elements of good
VI "tNio, Spph bhhlANNo anu StHNlbuo uSt
of printers ink, bath precedent and conse-
queni.
Now. in 1867, that lodge is q lodgc IN
ruins, To 20 there now is to visit Baalbec,
Luxcr, Tadmor, or any other Of the ruined
notorietcs of the ancient world. Its his
tory in six years is the decline and fall of
an empire. Its members divided upon the
great political question of 1901, and, DON
ming uniforms of different colors, drew I'M
friendly swords against each other. A por-
ton went off with Buclner and Zoliconer
and Pride, and in many Il campaign and up
on many battlefield vndicatcd their
choice, so far as zeal and valor could do
it, Of these ece,y one was slair during the
war; Their bones lie at Mill Spring Pitts
burgh Landing, Stone River and about At
lanta. Their memory is fragrant for kind
nesses BESTOWED upon prisoners. They are
known for good deeds done in hospitals, in
prisons, upon the scene of action, at the
grave side, and wherever else kind words
and ready aid were in greatest demand
Therefore, around their portraits upon the
walls of mother-lodge are woven green
sprigs, and in its records whole pages full
of good words are consecrated to their men,
DRY.
Another portion enlisted under the flag
whose emblazonry denoted union. OF
these many fell, as their brethren of OPP
posing principles had done, upon the field
of battle One has his resting place at
Corinth and one at Cynthana, Kentucky.
They, too, vndicated their choice by val
or, dauntless and persevering zeal. They,
too, proved good their clam to the title
Of generosity and fidelity. ''For their
brethren's and companions sake" they be-
slowed timely aid upon all those, no mat
ter what uniform they wore, who were
entitled to the name of Freemasons. And
when the war was ended and the few who
survived its devastating influences returned
home, they set themselves mournfully at
work to rebuild the altar, SO long thrown
down, and the temple, SO long destroyed,
and the city so long in ruins.
The writer, contemplating the condition
OF THIS lodge, the type of so many others,
was moved to express in verse, thoughts
inspired by the'subject;
How scattered they who entered here
By the same familiar door,
me same peaee-accents met their ear
Now stunned with battles roar;
one chain of love enlnked each hand,
Now grasplng brands OF steel;
ana 1hey who now own wars command,
beneath one impulse fell.
sweet music, lovc-notcs, blest them then,
Now yeXed by bugle-blast:
In ordered cadence moved their train,
Now urged 10 battles haste:
Where Irowels taught in ancient lore
cement OF Peace TO spresd,
The Instruments OF cruel war
Our peaceful walks invade
Alas. the abyss that yawns between
The children OF one home:
our mother lodge bereit Is seen
Her hopes all sunk in gloom
They who I'm deeds OF mercy struVc
Now strive IN deadly fight,
AND hate has quenched the flame OF love-
Ana MONDAY changed TO night.
How scattered they Yet blest be GOD
Who.e symbol crowns our East,
Ihe EYE DIylNE has marked their road,
And sees them where they rest.
In fostering trench--'neath bloody Wavo-
ON plain or forted height
There cannot be Il MasOn's grave
Elude the MASTERS sight!
And, when attuned TO mystic rhyme,
His gavel-summons falls,
Each form shall rise, by Grip sublime,
And mount the heavenly walls,
There met again shall chant the LAYS
or everlasting Peace,
And rapt In their GRAND MASTERS praise
Enjoy Vncndlng bliss.
We said in the opening of this article
that to visit such lodge as the one de-
scribed, is to visit one of the ruined cities
Of antiquity. The anology will be seen to
be sufficiently striking If we make brief
sketch of Baalbec, one of the principal of
these. Its situation is on the great plain
of Coele-Syria, between the two Lebanon
ranges and near the western base of Mount
Hermon; its ruins are among the most
famous in the world for extent massive
ness and splendor The plan of the great
Temple of Baal there was that of Solo
mons Temple, viz; a ground floor with a
succession of courts, the outer of which
were enclosed by elaborate porches The
temple faced, of course, to the rising sun,
Baal being the sun-god of the pagans. Its
runs are visible at a great distance. 1t
was 200 feet long and 100 broad. A colo
made OF 81 Corinthian columns ran clear
around it, each column being seven feet in
diameter and 10 feet high! Six of these
grand objects are still standing, inspiring
the beholder with equal wonder and awe.
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