Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-08
THE TEMPLE OF THE MIND.
A MASONIC ODE.

Himself to sing. and build the lofty rhyme
W hen the Great Architect divine,
First framed the world with Rule and Line.
And turned the golden Compussps
To clrcumscribe this earth of his,
the morning stars together SANG.
And heavens high Arch with praises rang.
Thsn the mountains o 'er the lea,
Then flowed the river to the SEA.
And rolled the clouds, and fell the showers,
And flushed the fruit. and bloome'i the bowers,
And birds ami i,-asi, and upright man,
Completed the prlmeval plan.
Then men began with Rule and Square
To build Jehovah Hilnrs fair
Fair Out in various orders set,
Of temple. mosque. anu minaret,
As light and know ledge o'rr the soul
Oh heaven votaries del ii 10 "oii.
Rich was the Temple framed of old,
OF Hrriuon = cellars, lined with gold,
BS p'inceiy Architect Of ryre;-
And bright the innrs of sun ami Fire.
Built many hundred years ago.
Ia Ind. or western MtNicu.
But fabrics formed bv human hand.
Though they III noblest grandeur stand,
On LOFTY pillars rich und rare
OF FURNISHED gold can meier compare
With LIVING Temples. pure and line.
Built by the trcnttect divine.
lie, us. who live in latter days,
10 Gpu 4 npDlsr ltInpl" raIsc,
With orn.r stone deep laid IN youth,
Whiie knowledge, Temperance. and Truth
In all their iair proportion, hIud
That nuDlrr Temple oi the mind.
Let fortItude the basis BE-,
AMI high resuiNe the pletnory;
The stone shall be ui Reasons proof,
Celestial Love shall form the roof;
And prudence AT the threshold STAY,
i % drive each vagrant guest away.
Two Columns in the front shall stand
r. ,ch formed by Wisdom's plastic hand:
ruth w.lh her celestial ray Imbued.
And te ,sen- aspiring Rectitude;
l he DIOR shall move Itself, atone.
And Virtue form tn. threshold stone.
Within shall seven pillars shine,
The purest produce al the mind;
Religion, Honor, Gratitude,
devotion. with heavens light endu-d;
Friendship and Purity sinc.re,
And understanding right and clear.
Three shining Seraphs there shall meet.
With rim.nt flowing round their feet:
Faith. with her clear and ardent eye,
1aat views n v-sts through the sky,
And Hope with features mild and bland.
And steahtast anchor IN her hand;
And IN the midst sweet Charity.
falrest and brightest of the Three.
Tie work must be all finished fair,
For no Rough ASHER shall be there;
M Stone uI,uiIsh ID from the mine.
But ali with purest usiIe shine.
W ttti gems, ana EOlu, anu 5apphires Drisht,
And diamonds sparkling like the light.
such was the temple that of old,
he prophet bard IN song iorstdid,
When standing upon Carncl's brow,
lie saw the river roll below;
And, rapt in vision, told how free
The Mansion Of his Mind should be.
Then, Brethren, let the Rule and square.
Tie justness of your lives declare:
The Level mark your perfect WAY,
The Irowel smooth your path by day,
And all Your word. and actions shine
Upright a. Is the PlumInet line.
| The sun al morn shall lend his ray
| 10 guide the lauOrcrs oil til" day; o.,
| Nor shall the moon and siars by might,
Withhold their kind and netdtui light,
| That your work may be finished here,
| When the Grand Master ehali appear.