Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-02-06


the Heaven appointed mission of Ma,
sonry was to bring the. erring nations
back to the knowledge of the Cod
To enable us to see more fully how it
aims at such a glorious result let us
call attention to few facts and Incl
dents of the royal art at the time when
it was properly arranged as a perma-
nent association. As Speculative Ma
sonry was perfected out of operative
Masonry it will greatly aid US in un-
derstanding it's aim and beauty by
passing in review some of the circam-
stances at the time when it was
brought to very high state of per-
lection.
The fragments of the knowledge of
our art were collected, enlarged, ar
ranged, and systematized by Solomon,
king of lsreal, at the time o. the build
ing of the temple to Jehovah in Jeru-
salem. BY the manner in " hich that
was accomplished. the wisdom and art
displayed i'll its erection we have most
beautifully illustrated Liberality,
Brotherly Love, and Charity or Wis
dom, Strength, and Beauty.
Different peoples are, by natural
inclinations and tendency, by amhi-
tion and envy, fear and jealously,
more or less estranged, and upon the
slightest provocation the angry pas
soins rage and they are arrayed in
fierce conflict. Free Masonry over
looks these furious quarrels, and amid
scenes of carnage transmutes contend
ing foes into brethern. Different re-
lgious sects, too, frequently forget to
exercise that forbearance. temperance,
and brotherly kindness which should
characterize their very act, while the
Masonic Fraternity throws the mantle
of charity over their imperfections,
bushes their arrangements, and
cements them in the bonds Of peace,
kindness, and courtesy. The time
was when nations regarded each 9TH
er as enemies. even in times of peace,
when cruel bondage was the certain
fate of prisoners OF war. Such was the
state of things when David was
crowned king of Isreal. His own
people were divided into sectional
factions, and war threatened on
every hand. During temporary
peace the Lord revealed unto him His
purpose TO build an house to His holy
name and David thought that he was
to be the honored instrument in Gods
hand of performing such a glorious
enterprise, but was deEied such a
marked distinction because he was a
man of war, and had shed blood. The
building Of the house was reserved for
Solomon whose reign was a reign OF
peace, But David was allowed to
make extensive preparations for the
house by collecting abundance of ma
terials and God drew its plan and
specifications upon his devout mind.
"All this, said David, the Lord made
me understand in writing by his hand
upon me, even all the works of this
pattern"
At that time the Jews, partaking
largely of the illiberal spirit of the
nations generally, were among the
most exclusive people in the world.
They arrogated to themselves all that
was Heavenly, and could not regard
with the least favor any other people.
They did not suppose that the Cen
tiles had the least interest ia the
plans of Jehovah. ALI to their minds
must be Jewish, and alone for them
selves. But Solomon in building the
Temple dare not adopt the narrow
policy of the Jews. When Jehovah
gave him wisdom for his great work,
He also gave him largeness of heart
His mind was too replete with the
charity of Jerusalem above to be con.
fined to the narrow limits of Judea
His work had a broader, higher, heller
aim. He who fills immensity design
ed otherwise. 1t was to he His
| house-for whom2 For the Jews?-
1t is written. "Mine house shall bt
called an house of prayer FOR ALI
PEOPLE," ALI have an equal right
and an equal interest here. Non,
have the pre-emincnce. The God O.
the Jews is the God of the Gentle:
also. And in the impressive cere
monies of Masonry, Wisdom is one O
its supports, and represents kins
Solomon.
I But such a great enterprise mus
be worthy the Supreme Grand Maste
of the Universe. 1t was too grea
for any one people, however highl,
favored. Whence did Solomon obtail
the needed aid? He wrote to Hiram
king of Tyre, informing him of hi
great undertaking, and requesting hi
aid by furnishing materials an.
workmen. Hiram, having been con
verted to the trde faith through th
instrumentality of David, rejoice;
and blessed Jehovah for the privilege
and strengthened the hands of Solo
mon. So in Masonry Hiram repre-
sents Strength. Solomon's builder
and Hiram's builders worked togethe
I in the quarries and forests of Leba
non preparing stones and timber
for the Lords house. Thus In th
very beginning of the work we Sc
!, Solomon, or w Wisdom, the represen
, tative of the Jews, or the, Heave
J chosen people, and Hiram, or Strentt
, the representative of the Gentle.
: or the world-powers, united and bier