In Solomon's Quarries.

IN SOLOMON'S QUARRIES .

Speech delivered by the Worshipful Master Bro . William Henry Kayat , of Solomon Mother Lodge , No . 293 , at a special meeting of American Masons , in the Caves of the Ancient Quarries of Solomon , located upon the outskirts of Jerusalem , Palestine , 15 th March

1898 . BRETHRE N—It is a happy occasion that has called us together It is only a few weeks since this city of historic and Masonic association beheld so numerous and distinguished a gathering of Craftsmen . Our British guests , who were about

forty Masons under the leadership of Archdeacon Stevens , Vicar of Stratford , Masonic Past Grand Chaplain , met with us here on this very spot on the third day of last month , and . we had a very pleasant and successful meeting together . Also , three years have elapsed since our American guests , under the direction and

management of our beloved and most esteemed friend and Brother Frank C . Clark , visited us , and we likewise held pleasant meetings then in these quarries , and now -we , who are residents in this ancient centre of Masonic science , are glad once again to extend a cordial and Fraternal greeting , on the five points of

fellowship , to those others who , braving all dangers which beset the path of the true Mason , and all temptations which are only too ready to allure him from the path of duty , have , with rare perseverance and fortitude , crossed sea and land in order to visit the site of the ancient temple of the Great Architect of the

Universe , and , as they survey the ruins of past ages , to gather inspiration from the memories of those workmen who , though now at rest , in this historic city , the centre of the three monotheistic religions of the world , Islamism , Judaism and Christianity , used the tools of the workman and the builder , the

twenty-four-inch gauge , common gavel , square , level , chisel , skirret , etc ., in order to raise a spiritual structure that in its turn should serve as a foundation for the achievements of others who , like us , are desirous of receiving " light . " In your name , Brethren of the Royal Solomon Mother Lodge , I address myself to our honoured and welcome visitors here present , and say :

Brethren from the west , who have travelled eastward to this ancient centre of Masonic science and light , accept our hearty felicitations on the most praiseworthy zeal which has brought you hither . In order to assist you in your researches for light during the short stay you must necessarily make with us , I would take the liberty of calling your attention to some of the most interesting points for your study .

We are ' now assembled within the very quarry where the ancient craftsmen of King Solomon ' s day laboured each in his little corner , illuminated only by a little oil lamp , the resting place and soot of which has remained fo this day , in order to hew silently and unobserved ( for all good work is silent and unobtrusive ) the

great stones lor that great edifice which was one of the wonders of the world , the chief centre of true spiritual and intellecDual light , and which , though now in ruins , is one day ( I trust not far distant ) to be rebuilt by the exertions of Brethren of the Craft .

The old masters have left the quarry , but you may still see the marks they left behind them , not only here , but in almost every nook and corner of the sacred city . Visit the Haram Area and there , underground indeed , but none the less intact and well

preserved , you see the ancient gates of the ancient temple , while deep underground , buried from 80 to 110 feet below the present surface , lie the ancient and massive blocks which silently , without the sound of " metal" being heard , our Brethren piled up as an enduring monument of their own knowledge and industry . .

Or , if you seek for more recent monuments of Masonic skill , just visit and study the ancient Abbey of St . Anne , just inside the gate of St . Stephen . Enter its western gateway , and standing in the centre of the middle aisle , notice the remarkable

one-sidedness of the structure , the lintel windows over the high altar , the remarkable carvings on the capitals of the piers , and you will have had many an illustration of the wonderful way in which the ancient Craftsmen succeeded in conveying through dead and lifeless material solemn and instructive lessons .

Then visit the remains at the Sisters of Zion ; at the Russian Hospice , east of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre ; of the ruins of the Knights of St . John ' s Palace , with its hosts of " Mason ' s marks , " the hour-glass , the arrow , the gridiron , the richly carved zodiac—and you will have a mass of Masonic ideas' surging

through your , mind which you will , in the short period of your visit here , have scarcely time to note down , much less to digest . Then , if you will , you can pass on to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre . This is neither the time nor the place to discuss the question as to whether it is the genuine site . It is sufficient for

us modern Masons to know that at different periods during the last fifteen centuries Brethren of the Craft not only helped to build the venerable pile and have left their marks upon it , but , sincerely believing it to be what it is said to be , laid down their lives in its defence . — " Masonic Home Journal . "

Whom Shall We Elect?

WHOM SHALL WE ELECT ?

NOTHING is more common than for individuals , as soon as they have been introduced into a faith , a society or a Lodge , to want immediately to obtain an office , through which they may gratify their own self-love of teaching , before they have even learned to obey or have digested the principles they wish to

teach . Such do not teach for the good of t'he whole , but draw about them little circles of friends , who minister to their vanity and ambition ; such , the older members of the society first gently admonish , and then retire ; and , not unfrequently the teacher is heard complaining of the absence of those whom he has failed to

edify . No man should be elected to an office in a Lodge until every member is satisfied that the principles of the Institution have been well digested and received by the affections into the will ; so that the will of the man takes the form of the truth which teaches , and he is actuated by the principles of mutual

love . Such a Master and Wardens will make a Lodge a pleasure to all , giving the proper attention to each individual of the Society , and every heart is made glad with the wine of instruction , and every wound is healed by the oil of joy . In such a Lodge there is no contention heard , save that noble contention of who can best work and can best agree . — " Mysteries of Masonry . "

Brotherly Love.

BROTHERLY LOVE .

BY the exercise of brotherly love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family ; the high and low , the rich and poor ; who , as created by one Almighty parent , and inhabitants of one planet , are to aid and support each other . On this principle Masonry unites men of every country , sect sect , and opinion , and . conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance .

We wonder how our Brethren who are so opposed to negro Masonry interpret this part of our Monitor ? Do they try to free their minds from all prejudices and take this grand doctrine for just what , it means , or do they simply read it without thought , and pass it by without careful contemplation ?

We fear there are too many members of our Order who have passed mechanically through our ceremonies without that careful thought so necessary to understand and appreciate the grand p rinciples of Masonry . — " Pacific Mason . "

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