Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1898-02-03
FREE MASONRY.
A Splendid Address Delivered by Hon
Frank Jesse, OF Mexico. Highly
Appreciated by the Auxvasse
(Mo0 Lodge.


Appreciated by the Auxvasse
(Mo.l Lodge.
From the Auxyasse Review.
The following address was delivered
by Hon. Frank r. Jesse, of Mexico,
before the Masonic Lodge of Aux
vase at tho Presbyterian church. Dec.
"a, 1897:
Mans frat laws were craven on tab
let's OF stone. "And the tablets were
the work of God, and the writing was
the writing of God, craven upon the
tablets" There from midst the fire
and thunderings of Mount Sinai was
sent forth the grandest code OF law
and morale that the world has ever
seen. God ordained that those laws
and stone tablets should be preserved
for the guidance of nations yet un-
born. To this end he gave Moses di-
reetions for the building Of the Ark of
the Covenant, with its cherubim and
mercy seat made of fine gold, wherein
these precious tablets should be kept.
This ark for long time was kept in a
tabernacle built by the children of
israel while wandering in the wilder
ness. After many generations God
put it into the heart of David to build,
at Jerusalem, temple in which to
keep the Ark Of the Covenant, with
its precious contents, as well as for
the in dwelling of Gods holy spirit 1t
was to be Gods. house and for this
purpose David collected a large
amount of material, consisting of gold,
silver, precious stones, etc, but as
David was man of war, whose hands
had been stained by blood of his fell
low men, God reserved the building
for his SOD, Solomon, who should rule
after him. Solomon called upon to
assist him In this great work, Hiram,
King of Tyre, who furnished cedar
and FIR trees from Lebanon. "And
Solomon's builders and Hiram's build
ers did hew them, and King Solomon
sent and fetched Hiram, he, the
widows son of the tribe of Napthalia,
who was Q worker in brass, and he
was filled with wisdom and UNDER
standing and cunning to work in
wood and brass, and he came to King
Solomon and wrought all his works."
This wonderful temple was built on
Mount Moriah-a sacred spot-where
Abram offered up his son, Isaac, and
where David met and appeased the
destroying angel-and was completed
in the year 5000, and so complete was
the architecture and workmanship
thereof that it was put together with
out the sound of q hammer, ak or any
other tool of iron. Its dedication was
attended with scenes of splendor and
nnagnificence that astonished and be-
wildered even the people of God. Fire
came down from heaven and con-
sumed the sacrifices, while the pres
ence of Jehovah, Himself, was pro-
eIalmeu rrOm roCweeu uno cnerup1m,
and the glory of the Lord filled the
temple. No human sight could brave
the splendor of that flow of light
which yelled His presence and His
awful form. With such wonderful
glory and demonstration did God
mark his approval of the Mason's
work.
Brother, whence came your You
came from this house of the Lord this
sublime lodge from this wonderful
temple of Jerusalem. For every Ma
sonic lodge on the broad earth to-day
is q symbolic representation of King
Solomon's temple. It 10 no trifing
thing to be Mason. Hoary with
time and ripe in honor, it has come
down through the centuries with no
light extinguished, no ornament dis
placed, no jewel tarnished, unaffected
by age, prejudice or calumny, good
| in its charities and wise in its ends.
Since its dawn upon the earth, since
that blazing star first threw its beauti-
full light upon the ground floor Of the
temple, kingdoms have withered and
| gone, thrones have crumbled and
fallen, principalities and powers have
been overthrown, revolutions have
changed empires, republics, peoples
and tongues, and yet Freemasonry.
the twin of the ages, is obedient, now.
az then, to the same strange and mys-
terious signs; and whether assembled
az at first within King Solomon'stem-
pie or as afterwards in mountainous
cliffs or secluded vale, or az now, In
consecrated halls, they are called
together by the same mysterious
sound of the gavei in the East and
governed by the same mysterious
rites.
What code is this that needs ne
amendment? What theory is thil
that has not becone obsoletea Whai
tongue is this with its language o.
signs, old as the stars and plain as thu
day2 1t is Freemasonry. Founded
upon everlasting truth, sustained b,
brotherhood of love and beautifiet
by q morality traced by the finger o
God upon the tablets of stone. to be
rule and guide for the conduct Of mel
throughout all time.
4 My brother, Freemasonry is NOR
than q sign; 1t is more than q word; !
Ia more than q grip. 1t stamps tn
Character with the dignity OF man
hood, with the purity of love and tn
sanctity of>truth. The Mason VIII
lightly regards the subiimity OF hi
profession should remove the hood
wink and behold the light by whic
Masons work. Enter between th
brazen pillows snd stand upon th
ground floor; here Is the great light
the book Of the law; rule and guild
for your faith and practice; on ever
hand suggestions to virtue and moral
ity, and above You that star-decke
| R1nO6