Jerusalem, Her Ruins.

JERUSALEM , HER RUINS .

\ V . S . HOOPER . IN all the antiquities of Masonry , there are none more closely allied to the interest of masonic hearts than those of the city and temple of Jerusalem .

This is not peculiarly true in the fact of her antiquity , but because of the sacred position ancl relation she occupied toward God ; because of the relation she sustained towards other nations , and because of the moral influence she exerted at that

time , ancl continues to exert at the present . If there be any moral virtue in a nation or individual it Avill not cease to exist at the death of the one , or the destruction of the other . It was this princi ple in the city

of Jerusalem that tended to her perpetuity in the memory of man as much as the relation she sustained to God . It may be , ancl , perhaps is , true that this fact grows out of that relation ; but certain it is that there Avas a great influence that clings to her memory as much in this age , as in that of her existence . It really matters very little in Masonry

Avhether the history of Avhat is called legendary , is real or not , enough is true that the location of all the prominent interests of Masonry is centred in that city . This fact adds to the interest in ' every article or address upon that history .

Jerusalem and her temple being the centre of masonic interest , her influence is very great ; indeed , there is not any mention of her name Avithout calling to mind pleasant memories ancl thoughts concerning her .

Though hundreds of years have passed since the sad tale of her woes were first repeated and her destruction complete , yet many call to mind the history of those Avoes Avith a feeling of very deep interest . These memories of historic interest have

generally had a tendency to make men better , and should lead men into a hi'dier plane of action ancl usefulness . The teachings of those historic incidents , Avhether brought to masonic early history or by masonic tradition , are full of the real elements of human life . Indeed in

some of the formulas of Masonry , there could be no better or more thorough instruction in human life . We have neither disposition nor desire to advance tbe Order above the Church , but there is one query that it might be Avell for us to examine , to Avit : Why does the one give so much more

prominence to this than the other ? Masonry , Avbile she does not extol , yet teaches the grand principles there taught , Avhile the Church many times pays her but little attention . It may be argued that in the latter there are hi gher ancl grander

principles than much of Masonry inculcates , but tbe very one Avho taught these to the grandest effect , emanated from that city , and by a master stroke cleansed the entire temple , and it certainl y Avould not be out of place that the place Avhere the very foundation principles were inaugurated should be held up to the attention and honour of the world .

In ancient times this city was one of great commercial power , much as the metropolis of any country , having Avithin her borders representatives from all nations of the Avorld . In her ruins there are many evidences of her having a commerce with nations from every adjacent country and some far distant lands .

It may be a matter of interest that Ave trace some of the points connected with both the ancient and modern Jerusalem . There is a very great contrast betAveen them ; the present city being of a IOAV , clingy and uninviting aspect , having few

objects of interest except in the one fact of the hallowed incidents ancl history of ancient times . The old city , which Avithout doubt , lies buried far beneath the present surface , Avas , doubtless , a city of much magnificenceespeciallif we are

, y allowed to judge any of her character from the temple or palace . It v . ill not be presumed that there Avere any other such edifices , but there must have been some certain characteristics of correspondence , as in all cities and of all . In the

ages ancient city there must have been a great profusion of Avealth , if the spoil taken by her various conquerors in any way approximated to an estimate of her financial

poAver . In her architectu-e Avas a grand display of perhaps the finest skill in that direction . Her private homes Avere many times of a