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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
foundations of many important buildings , but that even a vestige should have been preserved , may be considered as little less than jnirnculous , when we remember the many ages which have passed over its desolation . Diodorus Siculus speaks of it in his da ) ' as being reduced almost to nothing . The penitence of Israel being accepted , and the days of
her slavery and suiTering accomplished , it p leased the Supreme Architect of the world to inspire the heart of Cyrus with sentiments of compassion ; the grateful conqueror doubtless traced in his success the working of an overruling power , prosperity exalted not his heart , and from the downfall of his enemies he learnt the wholesome lesson of wisdom .
Two years after the mi g hty fall of Bab ylon , he issued his edict for the return of the Jews , restoring to them the consecrated vessels of the temple , and additional treasures from the royal chamber . With sad , yet grateful hearts , the once more rescued people prepared for their return to Jerusalem .
Well can imagination paint the joy of the restored Israelites at again beholding the land of their inheritance , the land endeared to them by so many miracles , hallowed by repeated blessings . The skill of the ancient Craft was called into requisition , and the vast trenches prepared to receive the foundations of a second Temple , sacred to the living
God . The following beautiful passage is from the book of Ezra the scribe , whose records , whatever may be the opinion of the world respecting their inspired character , must ever be precious to the Mason . " And when the builders laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord , they set the p riests in their apparel with trumpets , and the Levites , the sons of
Asaph , witli cymbals , to praise the Lord , after the ordinance of David , king of Israel . And they sang together by course in praising and g iving thanks unto the Lord , because he is good ; for his mercy eudureth for ever towards Israel . And all the peop le shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord , because the foundations of the House of the Lord
were raised . But many of the priests , and Levites , and chief of the fathers , who were ancient men that had seen the first house , when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes , wept with a loud voice , and many shouted aloud with joy . So that the people could not discern , the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people , for the people shouted with a loud shout , and the noise was heard afar off . " To encourage them in their undertaking ; , a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
foundations of many important buildings , but that even a vestige should have been preserved , may be considered as little less than jnirnculous , when we remember the many ages which have passed over its desolation . Diodorus Siculus speaks of it in his da ) ' as being reduced almost to nothing . The penitence of Israel being accepted , and the days of
her slavery and suiTering accomplished , it p leased the Supreme Architect of the world to inspire the heart of Cyrus with sentiments of compassion ; the grateful conqueror doubtless traced in his success the working of an overruling power , prosperity exalted not his heart , and from the downfall of his enemies he learnt the wholesome lesson of wisdom .
Two years after the mi g hty fall of Bab ylon , he issued his edict for the return of the Jews , restoring to them the consecrated vessels of the temple , and additional treasures from the royal chamber . With sad , yet grateful hearts , the once more rescued people prepared for their return to Jerusalem .
Well can imagination paint the joy of the restored Israelites at again beholding the land of their inheritance , the land endeared to them by so many miracles , hallowed by repeated blessings . The skill of the ancient Craft was called into requisition , and the vast trenches prepared to receive the foundations of a second Temple , sacred to the living
God . The following beautiful passage is from the book of Ezra the scribe , whose records , whatever may be the opinion of the world respecting their inspired character , must ever be precious to the Mason . " And when the builders laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord , they set the p riests in their apparel with trumpets , and the Levites , the sons of
Asaph , witli cymbals , to praise the Lord , after the ordinance of David , king of Israel . And they sang together by course in praising and g iving thanks unto the Lord , because he is good ; for his mercy eudureth for ever towards Israel . And all the peop le shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord , because the foundations of the House of the Lord
were raised . But many of the priests , and Levites , and chief of the fathers , who were ancient men that had seen the first house , when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes , wept with a loud voice , and many shouted aloud with joy . So that the people could not discern , the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people , for the people shouted with a loud shout , and the noise was heard afar off . " To encourage them in their undertaking ; , a