Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-07-16
A Sermon by Rev. Geo. Il. Lyle.
PREACHED BEFORE ALDERsoN (w
VA.) LODGE, NO. 20, A. F. A.
NJ, JUNE, oath, AND PUB
LIsHED BY ORDER OF
THE LODGE.

THE LODGE.
Psalm, cxxxiii, l: " Behold how good and
gether In unity
This Psalm is entitled song of
degrees, and its authorship is accred.
tied to David. There are various
conjectures as to what is meant by
the terms, "Song of Degrees. -
From among these opinions 1 have
adopted the one that makes it song,
written to be sung by a solemn pro-
cession approaching the altar of Je-
hovah for the purpose of sacrifice
The Hebrew term rendered degrees,
means steps or ascents in other places
OF scripture, and as the tabernacle
of the covenant was set on an eleva-
ted place, this psalm may be .regar-
ded as a song prepared for the steps
or ascents to it, when the people
would go up, leaving their sacrifices
and accompanied by singers and mu-
sicians. The song was most proba-
bly, written after some period of
great trouble in Israel, when David
had succeeded in allaying the pas
sions of the people and wished to
render the blessing Of peace as per-
manent as possible by calling atten-
tion to 1t in a sacred song.
On some such occasion, then, as
the pacification Of the nation after
the rebellion of Absolam, let us
imagine the people of Israel gath
cred in their annual assembly at
Jerusalem, great procession formed
to accompany the priests as they
went with the sacrifices to the
threshing floor Of Obed Edom atten-
ded by singers and musicians. AS
the trained choir of David broke
forth with this song in the ascent
the effect upon the attending and ad-
miring multitude must have been
great indeed. Let us suppose it
sung somewhat thus:
IA select chorus)-
Behold how good and how pleas
anti
Chorus of the whole)-
For brethren to dwell together in
unity"
Select chorus)-
Like the precious ointment that
ran down upon the beard-Aaron's 3
beard''-
Chorus of the whole)-
"That went down to the skirts of his
garment"
(Select chorus)-
"As the dew of Hermon that which
descended upon the mountains Of
Zion"-
Chorus of the whole)-'
For there the Lord commanded the
blessing-life forever more"
AS Deighbors would return to
their homes in companies, enliven-
ing the journey with imitation of
the grand music they had heard, the
sentiments Of the song would be i'm
bibed by others, and the national
effect would be almost incalculab BILE.
The statesman Burke Is accredited
with the judicious remark: "Let
me make the nations songs, and I
care not who makes their laws"
No more worthy song was ever
composed than this one, intended as
1t wGs to cement the broken factions
Of a nation In peace and love, and to
be an exhortation to that same peace
and love during all the coming gen.
erations of men.
If there is any feeling of solemnity
to be awakened In a mans soul, II
will be aroused when the solemn
words Of this Psalm fall upon the
ears In the solemn rites Of our lodges
1t Is my wish at this hour, brethren
to deepen that solemnity by making
you more appreciative Of the senti
ments of this noble composition.
The writer intends to illustrat,
the benefits of brotherly unity BY
instancing the occasion as an illus
tration; by comparing it to the pre-
cious ointment with which Moses
anointed Aaron In setting him apar
to the priesthood and by likenini
1t to the dew which descended upoI