Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-12-21

Hiram was n widows son OF the tribe
of Napthali. a worker in brass, to
whom seems to have been given the
work of decorating the temple and OF
making the various metal ornaments
with which IL was adorned through
out. Thus We read that he made TWO
immense pillars OF brass Is cubits
high and 4 oubits In diameter and
chapters of cubits on top of each
with nets OF checkerwork and wreaths
of chainwork for the chapters. seven
for each chapter. and covered them
with pomegranates using for this pur.
these pillars In the porch OF the tenn
pie. He also made a molten sea 10
cubits Wide standing upon the backs
of twelve oxen and this was also rich
ly wrought. All of these ornaments
were made OF brass and from the ac-
count given In the Bible 1t is very
evident that the workers in brass to.
day might well bow their heads In
reverence to the artisan from Tyre
This temple was erected on Mount
Moriah where the Lord appeared to
David and on the place David had pre-
pared in the thrashing floor of Ornan,
the Jebusite.
This is the first building OF which
we have any definite information that
was built entirely by Union workmen
and in the building of which union
rules and regulations were strictly oh.
served. And from that time down
through many ages and In many
climes and countries the craftsmen
working under those rules and regu,
lations erected temples and other edi
fees which continue to be the admir-
alton OF those who have learned to ap-
preciatc beauty and symmetry.
1T was built by the best labor un-
ion that ever existed and under labor
union rules that far surpass any of
those adopted by modern labor un-
ions, Modern labor unions. like all
other copyists. only copied what they
saw superficially and omitted many of
the rules that combined with others
TO make the old Mother Union far su-
pcrior 10 any of Its imitators
AS | said the temple was built by
union workmen working under union
rules and many of those rules have
been transmitted TO us and are used
by MS in speculative Masonry and OBJ
served the same as they were while
the temple was building. Among the
rules laid down then for the govern
ment of the craft a few are selected to
Illustrate my meaning: The master
must be steadfast. trusty and true;
provide victuals for his men and pay
their wages promptly
Modern labor unions plant them
selves equally upon this proposition.
Their wages must be paid promptly.
and they are right. The man who la
as soon as 1t is earned
NO master shall take an apprentice
for less than seven years
This is part OF the ancient regu-
lations OF our craft that | am afraid
that modern labor unions do not al
ways incorporate into their rules. 1t
Is wise and sensible regulation and
is in line with the practice of our fra
ternlty both in operative and specu-
latlve Masonry in requiring the ap-
prentice to learn the trade before he
could do craftsmen's work and re-
ceive craftsmen's wages therefor
"A candidate must be without
blemish and have the full and proper
use Of his limbs
The Master shall harbor no thief
nor thiefs' retainer
This was another wise measure cal.
culated to protect all employers OF the
craft from dishonest workmen. In
fact all through the rules adopted by
our ancient workmen we find the idea
OF protecting the employe seems to be
predominant.
If he unknowingly employ an i'm
perfect man he shall discharge him
when his inability is discovered
This wise regulation also seems to
have been omitted by at least some
OF our modern imitators. This was
another safeguard TO protect the EN-
ployer and in line with the theory of
our ancient brethren that none but
competent workmen should be EN-
ployed, and when our labor unions go
back and adopt all the laws, rules and
regulations OF the old Mother Union
of all. they will rule the world as our
ancient brethren ruled the world OF
architecture In their day.
The ruins Of every important edi-
fee that has yet been discovered on
the eastern continent reveal the fact
that all these old buildings were un-
doubtedly built by the same free mas
ons. or rather the same masonic fra
ternity that built the temple of Solo
mon which sacred writ informs us was
put up from timbers already hewed
and stones luarried and squared. each
prepared for its particular place In
the building and SO well fitted that 1t
was not necessary to employ either
axe, hammer or any tool OF iron in
putting the several parts OF the build
ing together The men employed at
the building of this temple and under
whose care and skill the same was
completed. were artisans In every
sense OF the word. There was not a
poor workman on the job One in
competent man, one careless workman
would have destroyed the symmetry OF
the entire structure and to the credit
OF those who assisted in this build