Now those that are worthy, Our toils who have shar'd, Have our approbation, Have gained our good will. We accept and receive them, Most Excellent Masters, Among worthy craftsmen, wherever assembled, Descend now and fill This Lodge with thy glory, True pleasure in teaching Good will to mankind. Thy wisdom inspired the great institution, Its beauty shall rise through the midst of the fire. "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. "And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."-II. CHRON. vii. 1–3. THE FOLLOWING PSALM IS READ AT CLOSING. He "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."-PSALM Xxiii. Charge to the Candidate. "BROTHER-Your admittance to this degree of Masonry, is a proof of the good opinion the brethren of this Lodge entertain of your Masonic abilities. Let this consideration induce you to be careful of forfeiting, by misconduct and inattention to our rules, that esteem which has raised you to the rank you now possess. "It is one of your great duties, as a Most Excellent Master, to dispense light and truth to the uninformed Mason; and I need not remind you of the impossibility of complying with this obligation without possessing an accurate acquaintance with the lectures of each degree. "If you are not already completely conversant in all the degrees heretofore conferred on you, remember, that an indulgence, prompted by a belief that you will apply yourself with double diligence to make yourself so, has induced the brethren to accept you. "Let it therefore, be your unremitting study to acquire such a degree of knowledge and information as shall enable you to discharge, with propriety, the various duties incumbent on you, and to preserve unsullied the title now conferred upon you of a Most Excellent Master." A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. THIS structure, for beauty, magnificence and expense, exceeded any building which was ever erected. It was built of large stones of white marble, curiously hewn, and so artfully joined together, that they appeared like one entire stone. Its inner walls, beams, posts, doors, floors and ceilings, were made of cedar and olive wood, and planks of fir, which were entirely covered with plates of gold, with various beautiful engravings, and adorned with precious jewels of many colors. The nails which fastened those plates were also of gold, with heads of curious workmanship. The roof was of olive wood, covered with gold; and when the sun shone thereon, the reflection from it was of such a refulgent splendor, that it dazzled the eyes of all who beheld it. The court in which the temple stood, and the courts without, were adorned on all sides with stately buildings and cloisters; and the gates entering therein, were exquisitely beautiful and elegant. The vessels consecrated to the perpetual use of the temple, were suited to the magnificence of the edifice in which they were deposited and used. Josephus states, that there were one hundred and forty thousand of those vessels, which were made of gold, and one million three hundred and forty thousand of silver; ten thousand vestments for the priests, made of silk, with purple girdles; and two millions of purple vestments for the singers. There were also two hundred thousand trumpets, and forty thousand other musical instruments, made use of in the temple, and in worshipping God. According to the most accurate computation of the number of talents of gold, silver and brass, laid out upon the temple, the sum amounts to six thousand nine hundred and four millions, eight hundred and twenty-two thousand and five hundred pounds sterling; and the jewels are reckoned to exceed this sum. The gold vessels are estimated at five hundred and forty-five millions, two hundred and ninety-six thousand, two hundred and three pounds, and four shillings sterling; and the silver ones, at four hundred and thirty-nine millions, three hundred and forty-four thousand pounds sterling; amounting in all, to nine hundred and eighty-four millions, six hundred and thirty thousand, two hundred and thirty pounds, four shillings. In addition to this, there were expenses for workmen, and for materials brought from Mount Libanus, and the quarries of Zeradatha. There were ten thousand men per month in Lebanon, employed in falling and preparing the timbers for the craftsmen to hew them; seventy thousand to carry burdens; eighty thousand to hew the stones and timber; and three thousand three hundred overseers of the work; who were all employed for seven years; to whom, besides their wages and diet, King Solomon gave as a free gift, six millions, seven hundred and thirty-three thousand, nine hundred and seventy-seven pounds. The treasure left by David, towards carrying on this noble and glorious work, is reckoned to be nine hundred and eleven millions four hundred and sixteen thousand, two hundred and seven pounds; to which, if we add King Solomon's annual revenue, his trading to Ophir for gold, and the presents made him by all the earth, we shall not wonder at his being able to carry on so stupendous a work; nor can we, without impiety, question its surpassing all other structures, since we are assured that it was built by the immediate direction of HEAVEN. |