Our Altar.

most sanguine hopes of the most ardent among the early brethren . This temple , the home of the Lodges of this city and tho homo of this mosfc Most Worshipful G . Lodge ; this templo beautiful , spacious and grand , has been solemnly dedicated

to Freemasonry , to virtue and to universal benevolence : it has been set apart for use by our Fraternity to cultivate social intercourse and elevate humanity ; it has been given over to the advancement of all that is good and noble , and to the development of those faculties which beautify

the soul . This does not mean merely that the secret sessions of the Lodge are to be held in these halls , for it is not all of Masonry to receive her degrees , nor even to learn to quote her ritual with parrot-like precision ; nor does it mean merely that the feasts and festivals and banquets of

our Order are to be celebrated here , for Masonry has food for the soul as well as for the body ; bnt it does mean that he who enters these rooms shall utilize all the light he may receive and all the knowledge he may gain for the advancement of the Craft , the good of humanity ,

and the development of his own moral and spiritual nature ; it means that the teachings of these beautiful symbols shall become as indelibly stamped upon our minds as they are engraved upon the glass in these windows , to the end that we may individually become stronger and more useful in

the great and glorious work of Masonry ; ifc means thafc we aro humbly fco approach the altar , accept the Holy Bible as the rule and guide of our faith , and permit the rays of its light to penetrate the inmost recesses of our souls ; it means thafc we are to practice brotherly love , relief and truth , and

exercise faith in God , hopo of immortality , and charity to all mankind ; ifc means personal activity and personal consecration of body , mind and soul to tho advancement of the Craft and the service of our Supreme Grand Master . —Voice of Masonry .

The Jews In Freemasonry.

THE JEWS IN FREEMASONRY .

AS tar as distinctly Jewish names are concerned , we find but few of them in tbe early lists of the Fraternity , in fact but two of them in the 1725 register , eight years after the establishment of the firsfc Grand Lodge , viz ., Israel Segelas , of the Solomon ' s Temple Lodge , Hemming ' s Row , and Nicholas Abraham , of the

Golden Lyon Lodge , Dean Street , London . The 1730-2 register contains the following names of membership of No . 84 , at Daniel ' s Coffee House , Lombard Street ; Solomon Mountford , Solomon Mendez , Abraham Ximinez , Jacob Alvarcs , Isaac Barnch , and Abraham De Medina ,

and several others that are somewhat doubtful . The earliest instance of a Lodge being started by Jews is the Lebeck ' s Head Lodge , for which there were 23 petitioners , 13 of whom have unmistakably Jewish names , and the

records inform us that several others were initiated at the first meeting of the Lodge . As a curiosity , we copy the minutes of this meeting as originally , recorded , with all its orthographical variations , confessing at the same time to be hardly able to do justice to tbe original .

" these Right Brothers Jaoub moses . Lazars Levy . Edward morley .

Solomon Levy . Jacob Aaroes ware made Masons and Past felo Crafts , and pad thiaie youaell I * eaa and became M & mbers of the Lodge .

" Abraham pelips was this night purposed to be made A mason the Next night by mr . Lyon peleps Pad five Shilling to Ward the making . " Ofor For the Haf e year Esueing . Brother hopthrow , master .

Brother Senur Warden , Yoel . Bro . Jnner Warden , Pusevall . Secatary , Brother Henry Lyon . Tresher , Brother Ross , mases Levy , Past master .

Sep : the 16 th , 1759 . " The writer was evidently in doubt ns to the word " officers , " for , having got as far as " Ofor , " he changed his mind and wiped the letters ont with his finger .

This proves that Jews almost from the establishment of tbe Premier Grand Lodge were received as members into the Fraternity , and refutes the opinion of Dr . Oliver thafc they were admitted some timo between 1747 and r 1760 . — Hebrew Standard .

Who Shall Rule Over Us ?

WHO SHALL RULE OVER US ?

THIS is a question tbat all Masonic bodies will soon be called upon to answer . In Indiana , and in the other States generally , all elections of Officers are held on the last stated meeting preceding the Anniversary of St . John the Evangelist . That time is near at hand , and the important

business of selecting Officers for the coming year is soon to take place . In view of this fact a few words of admonition and advice from one whose experience extends back over a period of more than thirty years , mnch of the time in official positions , may nofc be considered as out of place .

The prosperity of every Masonic body depends largely upon its chief officer . It is a peculiarity of Masonry that extraordinary authority and powers are conferred upon one who thus occupies the highest official position . Whilo presiding he is essentially an autocrat , and no appeal can

be taken from his rulings to the body over which he presides . Ifc must be apparent that , occupying such a position , much of weal or woe to the body is placed in his bands . If he is competent , a true Mason , and can devote such time as is necessary for a proper discharge of the

duties of his office , then he is the rig ht man for the place ; while , on the other hand , if he lacks the necessary qualifications , or is indifferent and careless , and has but little love for Masonry , he will soon drag the body down to his own level , and its prosperity and usefulness will be greatly impaired if not wholly destroyed .

In the Lodge the office of Warden is made a stepping , stone to that of Worshipful Master . ThU affords the member a chance to form a correct opinion of tho qualifications of those who are eligible to rule in that body . It also makes the office of Warden almost equal in importance

to that of the first officer , and hence , while voting for a Warden , brethren should bear in mind that they are electing a prospective Master . A Brother who has been elected and served as Warden naturally expects , in due time , to become the presiding officer , and it should he so

when he has shown himself to be possessed of the necessary qualifications to entitle him to the highest honour . Oa the other band , if he has not established this claim to advancement he should stop where he is , and his place as Warden should be filled by another , so that the Lodge may

improve its material for future Masters . Let the rule be established in every Lodge that no Warden shall be advanced unless he has served faithfully in tbat station , and has exhibited such other qualifications as will assure

his fitness to become its chief officer . If a Lodge has a good W . M . who has met all the requirements of the place and made the Lodge prosperous , it is tbe part of wisdom to keep him there until a worthy and well qualified Warden appears to take his place .

We will not at this time discuss the necessary qualifications pertaining to the various officers of a Lodge or other Masonic body . They must be apparent to every attentive Mason who attends his Lodge regularly . If all are actuated by only one motive , and that an earnest desire to secure

best men for each position , the result will be all that could be desired . Let every one vote as though he expected his ballot to decide the result . Above all , do not waste a ballot by voting for some good fellow sitting by your side , just for the fun of accusing him of having voted for himselff—Masonic Advocate

The Uplands And Lowlands Of Masonry.

THE UPLANDS AND LOWLANDS OF MASONRY .

ALL history and tradition attach glory to the highlands . They satisfy both the eye and the mind . The pure air which bathes the mountain summits gives strength to the body , vigour to the mind , and charity of sig ht to the eye . One sees farther—farther in

space , farther in time , farther in thought . When you look out from Mount Washington , or Wbiteface , or Pen Mar , you seem to see all the kingdoms of tbe earth . Hills and valleys , lakes and rivers , woods

and fields , all are spread in panoramic beauty before you . Besides , it seems as though the eye of tbe mind can see farther into time , recall more readily the past and forecast more surely the future . You are lifted nigh to the cloudy canopy which veils the glory of the Grand Architect . No