The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-10
&. OF L. Ash
Fron the st, Louis Advocate,

LIS luCcIluS VI ~. VI -. ~ hSSA' ~">,e8
Friday night was well attended by the
members, and was one of the most inter-
esting meetings they have held. The
members of 8O3 came up in body, and
4 number of 495 and other assemblies
we're present. Several new members
we're initiated, among them some ladies.
After the initiation ceremonies recess
was had, during which there, was some
singing and a general hand shaking and
exchange of greetings. After recess the
order of business was rushed through
with, until the proper order was reached
when some time was spent hearing re-
marks from old and prominent members
of the order, all of which were very
good and instructive. One or two essays
were read by sisters in 4S1, and others
made short speeches. The essays and.
remarks of the sisters were highly ap-
preciated by the brothers, and were
repeatedly applauded. After the speak
ing and reading, Brother G. w. Hoffman,
the painter, artist and genius of 4Sl,
favored those present with an exhibition
offhis panorama, each picture or scene
being accompanied with a short lecture.
We have not time and space this week
to give full description of his exhibi-
tion, but suffice it to say that it is good
and very instructive and is worthy of
special mention. .4
The first two pictures placed upon the
canvas represented 'The Chair of
Honor" These pictures illustrate a
tradition Of Solomon's temple and its
builders. The scenes represented in the
inner court of the temple. and imme-
diately in front of the porch of the cen
trail structure. The occasion illustrated
is the feast prepared by Solomon after
the temple had been finished.
The explanation of the scenes given
were about as follows:
Solomon had prepared the feast and
invited all the chief craftsmen and
artifcers who had taken a part in the
construction of the temple. The seat of
Solomon was on raised dais facing the
head of the table, and the two famous
pillars of bronze, with their beautiful
capitals of lilies, pomegranates and
delicate net work, stood, one on the
right and the other on the left, and the
Intel thereof was as canopy over the
head of the king.
Solomon had also had prepared seat
of honor on his right for that craftsman
who might be pronounced most worthy
among all who had taken part in the
erection of the temple. When all was
ready he called the chief architects and
master overseers and the head artificers
who we're cunning workers in gold and
silver, III bronze and ivory, and in wood
and stone, all who had labored in build
ing the temple, said
"Come now with me and partake of
the feast which have prepared. Stretch
forth your hands; eat, drink and be
merry. The skilled artifcer is worthy
of honor: Is not the laborer worthy of
his hire? MuzEle not the OK that
treadeth out the corn upon the thresh-
ing floor" ,
And when Solomon and his guests had
arrived at the place of the feast, thev
beheld man, clad in the garb and
covered with the soil of labor, seated in
the chair of honor not yet awarded
And the king waxed wroth, and said
What manner of man art thou? Why
CONTEST thou thus unseemly and uDbid-
den to our feast, where none are invited
save the chief workers on the temple?"
And the man answered and sale,
please you, came not unbidden. Was
it not proclaimed that this day the chief
workmen of the temple dine with the
king? Therefore am come"
And whenthe man had thus spoken,
the guests talked with each other, and
he who carved the cherubim spake
aloud and said, "This is no sculptor. l
know him not"
And he who inlald the roof with pure
gold said, Neither is he of those who
work in refined metals"
And he who wrought in raising the
walls said, "He belongs not with those
who are cutters of stone"
And aewho labored in shaping the
timbers for the roof said, 1--WE who are
cunning in cedar wood, and know the
mystery of joining strange timbers to-
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