Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-12-28
SERMON


Delivered In the M. f. Church.
ThurmOnt, en- sunday Evening.
Dec. ~, 1908, by
Rev. f. II. Bayley, 70 Acaci"
Lodge I15 A. #. Il 4. N.
St John IS: %. "Now there was leaning
on Jesus bosom one of his disciples, whom
Jesus loved"
Masonic lodges are erected to God and
dedicated to the Holy Saints John st John
the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist
IT Is a Masonic custom therefore to observe
two St Johns days every year. one for each
of its patron saints. This service is in hon.
or of the Evangelist.
The text calls attention to the intimate
relationship existing between Jesus and It,
John the evangelist. But It is not on this
account, nor because he Is the author OF
several of the most beautiful books OF the
Bible, but because Of his character-which
after all is the test of every man-that Ma
sonic lodges are dedicated to him. As Ma
sony 10 said to be supported by three great
pill +, denomnated, Wisdom, Strength and
Beau;r. so by the same words may the char
Ter St. John be described. II is our
Il rpose to use these words as our outline IN
.peaking @: his life Thus shall We see the
appropriateness of dedica'ing our Frntern
ity to him; and in studying his character VI
may learn some lessons that shall make VI
PETER men, and better Masons.
I. Go back in history with me to the
time when Moses. under God was leading
the Jews through the wilderness. Here
we find people, primitive in language, arts
and customs, but especially crude in their
thoughts of God Man:festly it was impos'
sible for God to educate such people ex.
cept by symbols. 30 10 Moses God gave the
plan of the tabernacle, and its furniture. II
was to be divided into three parts. the outer
court; the Holy place or inner chamber, and
the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holy of Holes.
IN the outer court were to he placed the al
tar Of burnt offerings and the laver OF water
The former suggested that some offering
was due from man to God, the latter tina.
man II,st We clean in heart to worship ac-
reptaoly IN the inner chamber were to be
the altar of incense, suggesting that as the
smoke assembled 80 does true worship 60 up
As sweet SAVIOR; the shcw bread, suggest
ing the heavenly mama for the nourishing
of the soul; and the candlestick. typifying
the heavenly light. In the Sanctum Sane.
forum was to be the mercy seat on the ark
of the covenant and between the Cherubim
suggesting that the sinner might find par
don.
As the Jews advanced in civilization our
first Grand Master Solomon built larger
and more magnificent house, which was an
exact reproduction Of the tabernacle in plan
and furnishing This stood throughout the
golden age of Jewish history and for long
while afterward the pride Of the loyal Jew
the ccrter of national life and monument
to Jewish devotion. But when the nation
weakened through sin, the temple WAS de-
stroyed by heather invaders However, In
the time of ST. John a revival Of religious
enthusiasm was rebuilding the formerly
beautiful, but now long ruined, sanctuary
St. John was familiar with the temple and
its elaborate services. Trained, as was ev-
cry Jewish youth. in the history of his peo-
pie, end with an intense spiritual imagina-
ton, be was the very flower Of Jewish teach
ing and tradition. Here, however, we note
the difference between him and his contem.
poraries. TO the average Jew the symbols
Of the temple had long since lost their s'g-
nifcance Instead of worshipping God
through or by means of those symbols, they
worshipped the things themselves. In
sense these pieces of brass and OF wood,
which were intended as symbols only Of
higher truths became idols to them. Their
religion consisted largely Of reverence for
those symbols as relics Of bygone days of
glory, and in the perfunctory performance
of the rites and ceremonies of temple wor-
ship. II scas not 70 scith ST. John. To him
tho LAYER of W ater symbolized tho One who
al,ne could cleanse from sin; the candle
stir pointed to the Light Of the world; tho
che bread to the Bread Of Life, and the
,ercy seat to the Messiah who would come
TO atone for the sins of the world. These
things became his meditation day and night,
until an intense longing to see the One pos
sessed hiI And as he meditated, and
prayed, and waited he heard the call of
HIM who was to be the fulfillment Of oil
symbols-the Christ. He acknowledged
the Nazarene rs his Master. He modelled
his life after the plan of Divine Wisdom en-
bodied in tho Christ. here then is the wis
don, Of St John: lie recognized that al Jsw.
ish synsbol wsrs typical Of the Son Of God, and
he accepted tie dioine plan for tho ordering Of
he sodys.
Now as Masnns our lessons are taught
largely in the language of symbolism. The
lamb skin, gaYel, plumb, square. level, trow.
el, ark, anchor, broken column, hour glass.
No Opium In Chamberiain's Cough
Remedy.
There ia not the least danger in ei.
\ ing CHI mberlainhs Cough Remedy to
smal. children as 1t contains no opium
or ether harmful drug. 1t has an es-
tahliebad renntst,ou Of more than thirty