The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-12-28
NEW MASONIC TEMPLE HONOLUIr H. r

apprentices, fellows OF the craft and mas
ters. 1t had its rules OF government, It's
instructions and its signs and passwords,
Just as We have now.
The grand architectural monuments OF
the middle ages and Of the time OF the
renaissance cathedrals, churches, pal
aces, bridges and other ornamental and
useful structures were built by the most
skillful workmen. Those who followed
the vocation of masons and attained
master5hips travelled from one place to
many other places where their skill and
services were needed and priced.
As passport recommending them for
possessing the requis te skill and a stain
less character, certain words and signs
were impaired to them, by means Of
which they were sure OF being accepted,
though they came from foreign lands
These were the operative masons, and
their art IS called by us operative ma
sorry in cCntradistinction from specula-
tive masonry, TO which We devote our
selves.
From the intermingling of operative
masons with men, who though not of the
craft, were imbued with the love and APP
probation OF the arts and sciences, and
especially of architecture, our modern or
speculative masonry took its rise. This
latter art and science did not aid in the
erection of beautiful editices and struc-
lures, but set for its task to make man
better and more perfect, and in him to
raise an edifice worthy OF acceptance by
the Great Builder of the world
In the same manner wherein the bene-
fits mentioned were bestowed upon
operative master masons, SO in specula-
tive masonry, those members who are
sufficiently advanced in worth aud
knowledge receive tokens and signs by
means OF which they can make them
selves known as masOns at home and
abroad.
Even in foreign parts and where they
are unacqaintedwitht the tongue of the land
they can by those signs and words gain
recognition and claim as right the as
sistance and protection OF the members
OF orr order. You may think that a keen
and shrewd observer could accidently
or surreptitiously obtain those signs and
tokens which are simple indeed, but
nothing is more difficult than for an i'm
poster to continue his imposition for any
length OF time.
From this by no means lowly source
then sprang this institution Of Free
masonry. and naturally it adopted for its
symbols many OF the tools OF nroratiun
masons.
For instance the twenty-four inch
guage which is to teach us the proper
division OF the hours of the day alloting
one third to the service of God and char
ity, another third to our usual vocations
and another third to refreshment and re-
pose.
Again the plumb, symbol to teach
us to walk uprightly in the sight of God
and man; the square to teach us to
practice honestly in all our dealings ;
the level to remind US OF the right of all
mankind to equal consideration.
We have also our traditions. The out
side world derides them as mythical
and puerile, but we find in them sub
lime teaching; we find in them ethics
far above any other except the gospel
We find in them thoughts above sub
lunary aspirations; we find in them
guide and Inspiration to the noblest
efforts OF humaness.
Ii we believe those traditions feeling
and knowing that their influence works
good, why should the outside world OBJ
ject?
In every word, in every legend, in
every charge and in every lecture in
Masonry nothing is contained except
that which makes man purer and better.
All our lore teens with admOnitions 10
be charitable, to be just, to be honest, to
be temperate, to be loyal, as men and as
citizens.
Then If We choose to place the begin
ming OF our institution as coeval with the
beginning of the world, or with the
time of the flood, or with the build
ing of the temple at Jerusalem, or
with any time, and accept that as
an esoteric fact, whom does it concern?
It is only the purposes OF Masonry
which may concern the world at large.
What are those purposes? Essentially
these: To command the practice OF
charity, not in its narrower, but in its
broader application; to improve the mind
and to preserve the morale of the mem
bcrs.
TO promote good fellowship and fra
ternal love among mon who are not
bound thereto by blood relationship.
To remove Irritating differences created
through diversity of nationality or relig-
ion. To bring all our fellowmen, as far
as possible, to a recognition OF the broth
erhood of mankind and of the necessity
and propriety OF goodwill among all men
and nations. To enable us bY precept
and example to curb our passions, re-
press our selfish aims and learn to prac-
tice that consideration toward others
which is distinguishing mark of gentle
men.
These aims are noble and high enough
to condone for the slight offence OF pomp
III our traditions, in our rites and in our
regalia. There is 4 seriousness and So
lemnity in our work which may well ex-
clude the commonplace from our cere-
monies.
The site upon which our temple is to
stand Is connected with some historic
"reminiscences OF the town OF Honolulu.
Upon this land, where a few months ago
the COW OF our good friend Dr. McGrew
was wont 10 chew the solitary cud and
where now the busy noise OF the builders
resounds, stood in olden times Temple
OF Thespis devoted to the drama and TO
music.
In that house many OF the masterpieces
OF the poets were presented for the in
structiOn of the art-loving citizens Of Ho-
nolulu: in it were heard beautiful strains
OF music, and delightful songs Of some
OF the great artists of the day.
In that house were evoked touching
memories OF homes and OF loved ones far
away from this ultima thule OF Western
civilization.
What more appropriate site for our
Masonic temple could have been chosen?
As fellowcratts we were hidden to cuIti
vate the seven liberal arts, among them
grammar, rhetoric and music. And is