Masonry's Origin And Beauty.

But science waa necessary to the perfection of Masonry . Thero could not be an organized body of Masons without tho principles of scionce as the basis of the organization Accordingly , it is probable that Masonry did not exist aan organized institution in its present form until the world

had made considerable progress in mathematical science . It required the union of Operative aud Speculative Masonry to make the structure complete . This union way doubtless affected at the building of Kim ? SolomonV Temple . The people of Israel were the preservers of the

pure principles of Speculative Masonry , while the arts and sciences were cultivated with wonderful success by the rest of the world . Among the great architects of antiquity , the Tyrians hold a conspicuous rank . For more than two centuries their ancestors had ruled Egypt , and when

driven out , seven hundred years before tho building or Solomon ' s Temple , they carried with them a knowledge of those arts for which they soon after became so celebrated . Their posterity lived in constant communication with Egypt , and were continually improved by studying tho

models which the splendid architecture of that country exhibited . Two hundred years before the building of the Temple , we find in the city of Tyre itself some splendid specimens of the skill of the architects of that people . It was with the prince of this people , Hiram , King of Tyro ,

that David , King of Israel , was on terms of strictest amity and brotherly love . While Hiram was celebrating , with fabulous pomp and splendour , the spurious Freemasonry of

tho Tyrians , or tho mysteries of Thammuz , as it was called , tho Israelites were engaged in the beauteous celebrations of Speculative Masonry under their Grand Master , King David . The ancient historians tells us that the children of Israel

were fascinated by the splendour and magnificence of the spurious Freemasonry of the Tyrians , and that it was to savo them from the power of this irresistible charm , and attach them to their own religion , that King David conceived the plan of building a temple that should rival

in splendour the most famous productions of Tyrian skill . Ho hoped to give his people that magnificence and beauty at home which they so admired abroad , and to consecrate it by the ceremonies of a higher and purer worship . But , with all his good intentions , it was not permitted the

warrior king to build the temple . This work was reserved for his son Solomon . This sagacious prince , conscious of the incompetence of his own people to design and complete so great a work of art , lost no time in cultivating the friendship of tho King of Tyre . He wrote Hiram a letter ,

setting forth the design of his royal father , King David , to erect a temple to God , aud soliciting his aid . Hiram returned an answer in the language of respect and esteem . In the truo spirit of Freemasonry , he promised his assistance , by furnishing cedars and other timber from the

forests of Lebanon , for tho construction of the temple . He further offered tho aid of the most expert architects in his kingdom to design and complete the work . But even all this would have been of but little value to King Solomon without the further assistance of a master mind to

organize , animate , and direct tho whole . Now , there was a man in the dominions of tho King of Tyre who possessed in a preeminent degree the qualifications for such an office . He had been born in Tyre of an Israelitish mother , was initiated in the mvsteries of the spurious

Freemasonry of the Tyrians , and was doubtless versed in all the sublime principles of tho Speculative Masonry of the Israelites . He was , indeed , one of tho great men of his time—of mighty intellect , extended knowledge of all the science and art of his times , aud besides , a man of the

highest and purest principles . This man , selected by the King of Tyre for tho great work of superintending tho construction of the Temple , was no other than Hiram Abiff , the widow's son , whom every Master Mason recognizes as the model of integrity and honour . As an architect ,

embroiderer , sculptor , and mechanic , he stands unrivalled in all antiquity . " Ho was , " says Anderson , " the most accomplished designer and operator on earth , whose abilities were not confined to building only , but extended to all kinds of work , whother in gold , silver , brass , or iron ;

whether in linen , tapestry , or embroidery . Whether considered as an architect , statuary , or founder , he equally excelled . From his designs , and under his directions , all the rich and splendid furniture of the temple , and its

several appendages were begun , carried on and finished . Hiram Abiff saw that a great central organization was needed , in which should be united the two systems of

Speculative and Operative Masonry , with tho essential principles of both—morality , brotherly love , and science , tie soon instituted a Grand Lodge , which became tho mainspring that put iu motion and directed tho vast machinery of ihe construction of that splendid edifice . He also

formed Lodges of Master Masons , Fellow Crafts , and Entered Apprentices , each class under its Grand Lodge of excellent and super-excelleut Masters . Many of tho Israelitish people were admitted to the inferior degrees , while their chiefs or princes were raised to the highest honours of the Craft .

It is to the establishment of this Grand Lodge that wo owe tho union of Speculative and Operative Masonry—a union which has been productive of the grandest and most beneficial results . Its first production was tho magnificent temple of Solomon . The whole history of Masonry

acknowledges the advantages of this union , in tho permanence , and beauty of this institution , in the systematic adjustment of all the machinery of its government , and in the beautiful symbolical representation of truth , and inculcation of morality , which give it a charm

to captivate the heart , and a power to withstand the shock of ages . Speculative Masonry was represented by wisdom , in the person of King Solomon , and Operativo Masonry by strength , in the person of King Hiram , while Hiram Abiff , or beauty , was the personification of both united . From

this beautiful union of three of the greatest men of antiquity , personating tho three great elcmeutfl of a true , manly life , proceeded tho harmonious organization , tho splendid symbolism , and sublime precepts of Freemasonry . To the moral teachings , the wisdom and

piety of these men does Masonry owe its greatest beauty , its inculcation of virtue , its principles of brotherly love—ia a word , all that makes it the beautiful , the benevolent , and the permanent system that it is . For , whatever other claims the Order may have to esteem and

immortality , it owes its existence to-day , and must for all ages , to the religious teachings that are interwoven with all its ceremonies , inculcated in all its lectures , and shadowed forth in its sublime aud impressive symbols . This is its great recommendation to tho world ; this is its true title to immortality .

| " Virtue alone outbuilds tbe pyramids ; Her monuments shall last when Egypt's fall . " , And we are reminded of the permanence and indestructibility of our Order when we look back to find traces in history of tho gorgeous temple and of the magnificent

people that worshipped in its courts . We ask , Whero is this splendid edifice now ? Where are the altars and golden vessels , the priests in gorgeous robes , the musicians and the vast congregation ? Where are the kings and | their palaces , glittering with fabulous wealth ? Where is

all the beautiful garden of Palestine , with its cities and merchants , its commerce and its gold ? All gone—swept from the face of the earth . The land of milk and honey is a land of desolation and bitter waters—a desert unfit for the abode of man . And Mount Moriah , on whose twice

consecrated summit onco glittered the gorgeous temple , stands the solitary witness of the surrounding ruin ; and the sighing of the winds through its rocky caverns is like a wail and a requiem over the departed glory of

Israel . " The Niobe of nations ! There she stands , Childless and crowniess in her voiceless woe : An empty urn within her withered hand a , Whose holy dust was scattered long ago . "

But Masonry survived even the desolation of Israel , and the ruin of the temple in which it was celebrated in all its ancient grandeur . Its principles were dearer to the heart of man than even national g lory aud historic fame . Its Truth is its title to immortality . Institutions that are

merely national in their spirit and aim have no assurance from history or from reason that they shall endure for ever . But a system that is based on the eternal principles of

right and justice , and is broad enough , like Masonry , to embrace the sentiment of universal brotherhood , may claim to be able to stand for ever , and grow for ever great and beautiful .

Masonry appears in its most beautiful aspect when considered as a system of moral instruction . As a science , it challenges our admiration by its regularity , its harmony ,

and its truth to nature ; but as a system of morals it reveals divine beauties aud inspires the love of every mau who has the soul of a true Mason . He cannot but think , as he listens to the voice of the Master in the lectures ,