What Is Freemasonry ?

honour and distinguished privilege of performing this sacred service was denied to David , King of Israel , because he was a man of blood , and during almost the whole period of his reign he was agitated and disturbed by the tumultuous confusions of war .

We learn also that the God of Israel promised David that out of his loins He would raise up seed to serve Him . This divine and ever memorable promise was afterwards fulfilled in the person of Solomon , and in the splendid and unrivalled career of his prosperity .

When David had been gathered to the land of his fathers , and the last honours paid to his memory , Solomon wielded the sceptre of Israel , peace reigned within her borders , and

the Children of Israel looked forward with peculiar satisfaction for the display of that wisdom which was destined to amaze and astonish the world .

In the second month of the fourth year of his reign Solomon commenced the building of the Temple , the curious workmanship of which was calculated to excite the wonder and admiration of all succeeding ages . It was located on

Mount Moriah , thrice hallowed by the power of Deity made manifest to man , being the place where Abraham was about to offer up his son Isaac , where Enoch was translated , and where David met and appeased the destroying angel who was visible over the threshing floor of" Oman , the Jebusite .

This historical account , viewed as an allegory , is used to illustrate the lessons taught in Masonry . In the conclusions arrived at by the Councils of Infinite Wisdom , we learn that it was determined that man should

be created in the image of God , and that this creature , man , should devote his life and service to his maker . In the denial to David to build an house unto the Lord , we are reminded that he who would undertake any great work

must enter thereon with clean hands , with good intent , and with conscious probity , if he hopes to gain therefor the approval of just men , and therein to serve Him for whose service all were created .

In the promise of David we see the sublime conception in the creation of man , the creation of a being endowed with the faculty of acquiring knowledge , of transmitting it to posterity , whereby each succeeding generation may

acquire a higher degree of intelligence . This divine promise , fulfilled in the person of Solomon , is an exemplification of advancement in art , science and literature , aud

the unrivalled course of Solomon ' s prosperity illustrates the changed condition of man from his rude and barbarous state to a cultivated and enlightened condition , aud is further illustrative of a higher order of civilisation .

In the death of David aud the succession of Solomon , we note the changed condition from turbulence to quietude , from war to peace , from which we learn the important lesson that brotherly love is dependent on

harmony , that harmony can exist only by the aid of a spirit of compromise , the spirit of tolerance and forbearance which submits to mediation every difference , which was happily illustrated in a convention between the two great English

speaking nations ( a convention presided over by an eminent Mason ) , wherein , by mutual concessions , important matters of difference were harmoniously settled , whereby peace obtained a victory more renowned than victory of war .

In the founding of the temple , the creation of the earth and all things therein contained is represented ; in its curious workmanship it illustrates the symmetry of Nature ' s handiwork , and the precision and infallibility of

Nature's laws , and in its location , being erected on hallowed ground , thrice hallowed by the special manifestations of Deity , we are reminded that the protecting care of Divine Providence is over us and around us on

every side . Who could have stood within tho temple ' s porch without feeling the influence of these hallowed associations ? From this also the Mason may draw an instructive lesson , that he should surround his work with

the best influences , ancl when he opens the portals of his Lodge to strangers , ancl introduces them to tho workmen , he should take care that they , too , after serving their

apprenticeship and becoming master workmen , shall not only faithfully perform their duties , but by the maintenance of their own good standing add something- to the a ggregate character of Masonry for good .

This magnificent edifice was seven years in building , yet during this entire period it rained not in the day , that the workmen might not be impeded in their labours . It was supported by 1453 columns , and 2906 pilasters , all

What Is Freemasonry ?

hewn from the finest Parian marble ; it roof was of olive wood , overlaid with pure gold , so that when the sun shown thereon it dazzled the eyes of all who beheld it . Its interior was embellished with carved work ,

representing cherubims , palm leaves and flowers ; its doors , beams , posts ancl floors were covered with plates of gold , beautifully engraved and ornamented with precious stones of various colours .

This magnificent structure is the grandest enigmatic symbol used to illustrate the lessons taught in Masonry . In it we behold the exemplification of man ' s life ; in its years of erection we see that the time is required for the

acquirement of knowledge and the formation of character , and in tbe unobstructed labour we are taught the importance of diligence in the work of self improvement . In its columns and pilasters we recognize the supports

and aids furnished by the united efforts of good men , for the accomplishment of a given purpose ; in the material from which they were wrought we perceive that pure

morality , which is so necessary to every important undertaking , and its roof of gold appears the approving conscience and the full fruition of the builders' hopes .

Its embellished interior represents the mind endowed with the graces of intelligence , culture and wisdom ; its ornaments represent the mind adorned with the higher attributes , which ensure the reward promised to all who faithfully perform their tasks .

These few illustrations serve to show that an allegory has no bounds and a symbol has no compass . The illustrations drawn from each are so numerous and diversified that volumes and years could furnish neither space nor

time for all which might be said . Even the youngest of us could hardly enter upon the work , ere he would arrive at that stage of life represented by my venerable brother when the last summons came to call him home " to the

home of his immortal longing , " when he said , " I feel my body perishing and it will quickly pass away like a snow wreath floating on the stream and be mingled with the waters that flow in the vast bosom of earth . Then will

ray soul be borne on the wings of a genuine sacred transport to Paradise . " Therefore your orator may here pause , leaving to you and to each of you the further consideration of these subjects . —Texas Masonic Journal .

Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

— : o : — POLISH NATIONAL LODGE . No . 534 .

r \ lllB installation meeting was held at the Freemasons Tavern , L Great Queen Stiver on Thursday , 11 th April . There was a large attendance of Craftsmen to do honour to the occasion , and Bro . Tongue , whoso services havo been well apor ciated by the Loclgo , could but be gratified by th ^ influential attendance of those present in his hononr . Bro . Oliver Bryant , the retirins : W . M .,

opened the Lodge , supported by Bros . John Garrett " ongnp W . M . elect , and J . V . Bieling I . P . M . ; P . M . ' s Dr . Jagielski , " W . Paas , Dr . Jackson , F . Rath , Ebner , E . T . Smith , J . Nowakowski ( Treasorer ) , and J . Lancaster ( Secretary ) , all of whom have passed the ch-iir of the Polish National . After Lodge had been dul y opened and the

minutes of the last meeting confirmed , the Secretary ' s report of the Audit Committee Sleeting was read and unanimously prononnced by the brethren most satisfactory . Bro . Bryant thea vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Bieling , when Bro . Tongue was presented by

Dr . Corne Jackson . A Board of Installed Masters , numbering 28 , was then formed , and the impressive ceremony was performed in a most eloquent and painstaking manner by Bro . Bie 1 in

Bros . Apsey S . W ., Turner J . W ., J . Nowakowski S . D , Renner J . D ., Lincoln I . G-., i ' auser D . C , and Rev . A . Whittaker , M . A . Ox for J , Chaplain . The addresses to the Master , Wardoug and Brethren were delivered in mi eloquent aud impressive ctyle by the InstrtlHna Officer . The W . M . next presented to his immediate predecessor tho

P . M . ' s jewel , which had been unanimously voted him by the members of the Lodgo . Ho said it was a most agreeable duty to ask Bro . 3 ryaut ' s acceptance of that token of esteem ; he hoped he would long live to wear it . To this Bro . Bryant briefly responded . AU other business being ended , the brethren sat down to a banquet ,

under the presidency of the u > wly-iustallecl W . M . When grace had been sung and the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts honoured , Bro . Bryant I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M . Bro . Tongue had evidently mad' ? up his mind to make the brethren as lutpny as pussibie during his year of offio ' , aud trusted t <> the good feel uvr of

the brethren to support him in his endeavours . To this the W . M . isiitably replied , saying that ho should do all in his power to promote she welfare and happiuess of the Lodge , and expressed his pleasure it seeing so many visitors present ; he ventured to propose their health ,

jailing on Bro . Terry torespoud . This was done in the well-known amusing and interesting manner of this able brother , who alluded to the way in which the installation ceremouy had beeu p-rformed , especially considering tho circumstances of the Installing Officer