Bismarck daily tribune., 1903-12-22


was laid, with the aid and assistance
of his friend and ally, Hiram, King of
Tyre, who sent Hiram, the widows
son, ana q most skillful workman.
They labored for seven and q half
years, and then the temple was dedi-
Gated to the Most High God, with
memorable ceremonies, 1904, B. c.
From the upper walls of this glo-
rious edjfice on Mount Moriah could
be seen the broad valley on the south,
the broad and fertile valley on the
east, watered by the brook Kedron;
on the west, the palaces, courts and
gardens of the King, end on the north
the city of Jerusalem. AS for the
services within the temple, there was
room for 10000 Levites. a choir of
1000 voices, a chorus of $4,000 singers
and an orchestra of 400 instruments.
The choir and orchestra were divided
in equal parts on each side of the
great altar, and they rendered the
most magnificent music the world has
ever heard. The double -thrOned
chamber of Jehovah was 200 feet
high. and on the roof were golden
spikes, points upward. to prevent the
birds from alighting. Cedar steps led
up to a porch; on one side was the
0f
column of Jachin. Two priests as
cended these steps each day, lifted
the wells of scarlet, blue and purple,
passed within the holy place and Of
fered sacrifice for the people. From
this they returned swinging the CEN
ser of smelling incense. Behind this
holy place was heavier. richer veil,
covering the entrance to the ''Holy Of
Holies," where the outstretched wings
of the cherubs guarded the ARK Of
the Covenant" and the Mercy Seat.
Into this most sacred place the high
priest entered but once year, on the
LAY of Atonement, and this custom is
still observed by our Jewish friends in
every cline.
"The twelve tribes came up from all
parts of the land, there being more
than 100000 people in and around
Jerusalem. From sunset to sunset
they did not sleep, neither ate nor
drank; clad in shrOuds as though ap
pareled for the grave, they watched
through the night. AS the dawn ap.
peared they all arose, entered the
gates of the city, and ascended Mount
Moriah to the temple. There was nc
music nor singing; only silence, as OF
the grave King Solomon came, not
in robes of Oriental magniicence, OF
with a crown of jewers, but in a
shroud. The High Priest in bare feet
stripped of jewels, inter and pontifi-
cal robes, wore only linen vestment
extending to his feet. He ascended TO
the "holy of holes" and offered sacri-
fee, while the immense number OF
worshipers lay prone upon the floor
as though they we're dead. But sud
denly as he returns a thrill runs
through the assembled Hebrews az
Iney gaze upon his radiant garments
The sacrifice has been accepted; the
voices of $4,000 Levites are raised in
praise; the mighty orchestra and
mammoth choir join in the refrain Of
"Bless the Lord" and as the 103d
Psalm is chanted the multitude join
in the singing and the waves of tre-
mendous music reverbrate within the
temple.
"Such the origin of our order 1t is
founded upon the principles of charity
benevolence and brotherly love; that
in every land and cline tonight
Masons are stretching out the good
right hand of friendship to brother
Masons, binding up the wounds of the
afflicted, guarding with knightlJ
chivalry the widow and the orphan
and in their hours of sorrow and dis
tress clothing them in more than
measure!ess content.
Free Masonry has ever made fol
freedom. 1t made France a republic
turned the fight OF her imperial
eagles earthward, and has unfurled
the banner of liberty on every vine
clad hill and fertile valley OF that sun.
ny land. Wherever a Masonic lodge
exists it is menace to tyranny, In
whatever shape or form. Masonr,
broadens our citizenship and teaches
us a higher civilization.
Il think perhaps the dominant char
acteristic of the Temple in the older
time, when "Knighthood was in Flow
er," was his devotion to and his de
fense Of innocent maidens and dis
tressed womankind, and surely In thii
dawning of the twentieth century i