The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-03

splendid work. and I desire to than, them for their service for their prompt report.
 Committee on Code.
 annointed on this committee Brother R. E. Steiner, Brother Dan A. Greene, Brother George A. Beauchamp and Brother A. M Scott. who with the Grand Master as chairman was instructed by the Grand Lolge to codify the laws of this Grand Lodge.
 Early in the spring this committee met in Montgomery and elected Brother Dan A. Greene as a subcommittee of one to do the work The committee will make its report at this communication.
 After reporting the finances to be In a most excellent condition, the Grand Master Continued:
 The Mason's Trestle-Board.
 The traditional text books of Masonry are a book of "Divine Revelation" and the great Book of Nature" The former is some sacred writing purporting to be inspired by Almighty God, and carefully and faithfully recorded. This book with us Is the Holy Bible--the Book of Ma ture" Is the Material Universe. The study of these books is duty as old as Mason ic tradition history and charge. Masons are taught that Masonry Is "science and art, that 1t Is Operative and specu!a- tive" that it is a Speculative and moral science founded on an operative art Masons are taught that as the Operative workman erects his temporal building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the Master on his trestle board, so should they. both operative and spec ulative, endeavor to erect their spiritual building agreeabIy to the rules and de- signs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe. in the great Book Of Nature and Revelation which are their spiritual, moral and Masonic trestle- board"
 Purposes of Masonry.
 It appears therefore. that the real pur- pose of speculative Masonry is the build ing of spiritual and moral character in accordance with the designs of the great Architect of the Universe, which designs are to be found in his books of Revelation and Nature.
 Man Is not born with a knowledge of either of these He must, therefore. be educated in their truths if he is to fol- low their teachings. Hence, Masonry is perpetual inspiration to an enlightened education Thus the study of the lib eraI arts and sciences grammar, rhetor- ic. logic. arithmetic. geometry, music and astronomy, lS urgently FIiJpiiiSh. Such study in speculative Masonry. Heads the contempIative Mason to view. with reverence and admiration, the glorious works of creation. and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfection hf the Divine Creator" It cannot be de- nied. therefore. that Masonry is a patron of science and art and teaches the'r study and practice. Each of these books. ReveIat ation and the Book of Nature is es sentiaI to a thorough Masonic education they differ in many respects in purpose. method. manner. order, etc. but both declare the existence of a Creator, ere ation and for law and order in the spir- ituaI and natural spheres of life
 Points of difference In the two hooks
 Revelation.
 First-Was inspired.
 Second-Many books
 Third-were written by men.
 Fourth-written In words.
 Fifth-Truth revealed.
 Sixth-Truth accepted through faith.
 Seventh-Differ as to what is truth.
 Eighth-If there is error 1t may pe the mistake of the book.
 Ninth-Have the human element of re- cording and perpetuating
 Tenth-None universally known. there fore cannot be universally read
 Eleventh-Teach divine intervr ariOn for the government of the universe.
 Twelfth-Teach moral law for the gov ernment of man.