The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-18
THE MASONIC TgMPLE.
typical in Conception Pointing to a Temple
not Made With Hands

lAllowing the mind to travel backward
brings to light the fact that the SolomUnic
Temple in all its beauty was only the type
Of the mansion in glory; the Masonic
Temple, therefore, is simply typical in
it's conception, pointing to that Temple
not made with hands where all good Ma
sons hope to moor their ark of well spent
life. where the rainbow of promise IL
lumines the shore beyond.
And while the Jews worshipped Jehovah
1000 years before the erection of the
Temple. our ancient brethren met on high
cliffs or in low dells, having no Temple
save the one of nature, rooted with the
azure sky, lighted by the myriads of
stars, yet we must coneede that man has
made progress in his onward march and
as he found it beneficial to group to-
gether for benefit and edification, he
gradually outgrew these ancient ideas and
aggregations of individuals became the
very centers of intelligence, yea the birth
places and cradles of new ideas; thus
nothing was more natural than the dawn
ing of a new era, stimulating taste for
the beautiful in art and architecture;
hence we are not surprised at the erection
of the grand structure upon Mt. Moriah.
1t occupied the highest place in the af-
icctons of every true Israelte and to en-
bellish it with all that was good and
beautiful caused the native TO go into the
quarries for marble, into the mines for
gol0 and precious stones to far away
Lebanon for fragrant cedars; the Temple
was their greatest pride, because it point
ed to the Eternal, every true craftsman
will be interested in the erection of the
Masonic Temple at Raleigh as a landmark
to coming generations, an Ebenezer to our
childrens children.
Let us work together for the successful
issue of this great undertaking, for the
influence OF this Temple on the citizens
of the Old North State is very difficult,
If not impossible to measure. Brethren,
let it be the gem of the Southland a
monument of the broadcast fraternal feel
ings, possible to be attained among men.
Let it be erected by free will offerings,
touching, gladdening, Frightening and
uplifting our fraternity as the sun
touches, Eliminates and glorifies with it's
radiance the system of which it is the
center.
Egypt expressed the sovereign passion
of her life in three enduring forms. the
temple for worship, the obclisk for re-
membrance, the pyramid for the solemn
mystery of death; shall not Masonry per-
petuate these three in one by giving to
our children the temple at Raleigh, as a
shrine for the weary pilgrim, haven for
the storm tossed mariner? From North,
South, East and West | hear the glad
melody of joy and good will, 1--WE are GO
ing to build"
Praise God from whom all blessings
flow has never sounded so sweet as when
man realized that what he considers a
sacrifice is really only a sacred trust be-
slowed upon him by the eternal to be
used for the bettering of human condi-
tions.
Brethren, this will be the last time /
come to you during the great Fair. beg
OF you bid il Gods speed by prayer and
offering; uphold those whose very life is
WRAPPED UP in this project ana let US
never forget that the benefits derived from
this undertaking viii go far toward re
lieving the wants of our children at OK
ford, who by the acts of the cruel de
stroyer have been given into our care
and sacred keeping.
May the Universal Father bless you
all may he touch your hearts and may a
reverently uttered amen rest upon the
| pleas made in behalf of the Temple
REV. G. r. MEROTE, Phi. ID.
| Southern Pines, N. G.