The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-13
LODGES AND UNIONS.

The Rough Ashlar has the following
beautiful piece concerning Masonry:
Ihere Is n tradition among Freemas ons
that the site upon which the Temple of
Solomon was built was owned in com
mon by two brothers, one Of whom had
family, the other none. on the evening
after harvest the elder brother said 10
his wife, my younger brother is unable
10 bear the heat and burden OF the day.
/ will arise, take some OF my shocks and
place them without his knowledge among
his shocks" The younger brother, being
actuated by similar kind motives. eaid
within himself: my brother has a family.
and haye>pone. i will contribute TO their
support. j will take Of my shocks and
place them with his without his knOwl-
edge" Great was the establishment Of
both, when on the following morning,
they found their shocks undlminished.
This happened several nights In success
sion, when each resolved 10 stand guard
and solve the mystery. They did so. and
on the following night the two brothers
met half way between their respective
shocks with arms fun OF golden grain.
Upon ground hallowed by such associa-
lions was the Temple Of Solomon erected
that temple so spacious, so magnificent,
the admiration and wonder of the world.
1t is only upon ground hallowed by love
that any enduring structure can be built.
On no other basis can peace and good
Will, justice and righteousness be estab-
lished among men for ali generations.
Other foundations for all the interests OF
mankind can no one lay than those which
are laid in the best affections Of the
heart.
The Temple of Solomon has long ago
crumbled to ruins and the place where IL
once stood can hardly be pointed out TO
the pious pilgrim; but Freemasonry, which
eNemplihcs the beautiful tradition OF the
location OF the temple, and transmits the
legend Of its building. has defed the raw
ages OF time and the prosecutions Of ig-
norance, bigotry and intolerance. ana
survives In all the plenitude OF youthful
vigor and activity Malignant priests may
illuminate and harmless popes may howl.
but Freemasonry. whose foundations
are laid deep in the God-given principles
OF brotherly love. relief and truth, whose
empire is the world and whose covering
is the clouded canopy or star-decked
heavens. to be reached by the theological
ladder OF Faith, Hope and Charity. will
live las long as the cloud shadows shall
rest on the mountains and the rivers roll
10 the sea"
Masons have Just cause 10 reverence
ana hohor their ancient fraternity. Duty
still bids them be true 10 the eternal
principles they profess. giving every wor-
thy craftsman the assurance that
"He who ever following her commands.
On with toll OF heart and knees and hands
Through the long gorge to the fair light
has won,
His path upward and prevailed,
Shall find the topping crags OF duty
scaled.
And close upon the shining table lands.
To which our God himself Is moon and
sum-"
The Lounger says I'VE talk about
charity" brotherly love-" forgiveness"
and other virtues. but how few OF us
practice what we preach. From what
hear sometimes I think charity means
selfishness; brotherly love, brotherly
hatred and forgiveness damnation.
We preach these tenets OF our pro-
fession, and in the lodge-room tell n can
didate he should not harbor malice; but
in the ante-room-well. that's another
place. Our short memory does not go that
far. What we said in the lodge was for
the benefit OF the candidate. Suppose the
candidate should hear you condemning,
as you do sometimes, using emphatic Ian
guage. too with a big. big D." what
sort OF an impression. think you. would
he receive? VIII he not be apt TO have
n '.short memory" too. or TO say: BE
hold these brethren dwell together In -"
He stops to think-what.
The pioneer Of the fratsrnAl bsnsnesary