The Three Rabbonis.

enlightened nations , is said to be " the perfection of reason , and those laws , coming directly from the Head and Source of all power , are not only the perfection of reason , but are the reasons of Divinity . In the numerous constitutions and organic laws through which commonwealths are

governed , in the thousands of enactments legislatures send forth , in the multitudinous forms in whioh men engage in the daily course of business , those rules , or laws , or commandments deliveied to the Hebrew prophet by the Great Jehovah forty centuries ago , from the summit aud

amidst the thunders of Mount Sinai , may be claimed to be tho Alpha and Omega , the beginning and ond of all human jurisprudence . Tho moral of those sublime rules applies alike to Jew and Christian , and is the great bulwark of liberty against oppression , and they still exist w ( th four

thousand years of longevity in the same youthful vigour as when first promulgated . The Most Excellent Master Mason , as he bears the Ark to its final resting place , can realise and appreciate tho veneration in which our ancient brethren held the Ark and its sacred contents . The Ark

being " safely seated , " let us devote a moment a to the meaning of the expression , "City of David which is Zion . " The site of Jerusalem belonged originally to a people called Jebusites , one of the tribes of Canaanites or

Philistines . They were predatory bands dwelling among the rocks and hills , whence they descended to prey upon the flocks and herds in the valleys below . One of those hills was called Zion . When David finally succeeded in driving out the Jebusites , he erected a palace and ofcher

buildings on this and the neighbouring hills , and it was known as the City of David . He also built the Tabernacle on Zion , and placed the Ark of the Covenant therein , and it was from there that the Ark was brought afc the dedication of the Temple .

We have directed the attention of the Brethren to the Ark of the Covenant , its contents and purpose ; let . us now turn to the copestone and consider it as one of the prominent and expressive symbols of the Sixth degree . It is something confounded with the keystone , but the two

are entirely distinct ; there is no analogy between them The keystone is tho instrument that gives security to the arch , and wbile to the Mark Master Mason it is of vital importance , it holds no relationship to the copestone .

There might be a thousand arches in a building , each with ita particular keystone , and still tbe building be far from completion ; but when you lay the copestone , the structure is finished , the work is done and the Temple is ready for dedication to ifcs holy purpose .

" There is no more occasion for level or plamb line , For trowel or gavel , for compass or sqnare , Onr works are completed , the ark safely seated ,

And we shall be greeted as workmen most rare . " The Most Excellent Master has been instructed in the duties and obligations of his office , and the dedication with all its solemn rites is Hearing its conclusion .

And he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel . " The king stands before the assembly of the people and lifts up his voice to the great Jehovah . There were no electric messengers travelling on the wings of the lightning

to summon the children of Israel , no swift lines of communication to convey the people to the sacred city , but that subtle , mysterious , undefined medium , through which

humanity communicates intelligence often outstripping the winds in the rapidity of its progress , had made it known far beyond the borders of Israel that the great Temple was finished and about to be dedicated to the God of Israel .

It was a scene of solemn grandeur . Below lay the sacred city ; its towers , walls and battlements covered with the masses of humanity gathered from all parts of the Jewish kingdom and the surrounding nations . High above upon tuo sacred mount stood the vast and wondrous Temple ,

bright and fair and beautiful , glittering in the broad glare of the noonday sun . Before the entrance rose the massive columns upon which the Man " cunning in works of brass , of silver , of gold , and of stone , " had with his own hands carved the emblems of an everlasting principle , which

under the divine , protaction was to be " established in the strength " that was to endure for ever . There was a great multitude that had come together , the men of Tyre and of Sidon , the priests and people of Egypt , the idolatrous tribes of the Philistines , the barbarians from far Ethiopia , the sons of Ishmael , all came to look on in curious wonder

The Three Rabbonis.

whilo tho descendants of Abraham completed the work laid out for them as God's chosen people . It was the supreme moment in Jewish history , the completion of Israel ' s glory . When our ancient Master raised his voice in that matchless invocation to Deity , tho surrounding hills reverberated

with the shouts of the assembled multitude , until the descending fire hushed into silence the awe-stricken people , giving assurance of the presence and approbation of the Omnipotent . The echoes of that sublime oration having survived the storms and shocks of time through all the

changes of thirty centuries . The Temple has crumbled and disappeared , the man has returned to the dust from whence he came , bnt the light of the immortal flame is still reflected from tbe altar of Freemasonry , guiding its votaries along the pathway leading to the Temple of

everlasting truth . My brethren , each succeeding step in the Masonic journey brings with it new obligations and more important responsibilities . We climb the stairs leading to tho higher chambers , giving and receiving instruction in onward progress , and no part of this interesting science is

without its Masonic significance , illustrated by its symbolism . Is it the Entered Apprentice who , in the darkness and with faltering steps , crosses the threshold aud commences a journey along the road to him as yet unknown ? Is ifc tho Fellow Craffc who has seen the darkness turned to light and

that lig ht become a beacon to his further advancement ? Is it fche Master Mason who has confronted death , and in tbe victory over the grave learned the sublime lesson of immortality ? Is it tbe Mark Master who , with mercy and charity ou either hand , presents his perfect piece of work ,

and pointing to the mark upon it , is recognised as worthy and receives the approval of the Grand Overseer ? Thus the faithful Craftsman , always guided by the Great Light tbat never fades , learns the truths of Masonic history , Masonic traditions , Masonic law , Masonic symbolism , and

above all the moral meaning of the several degrees . He becomes a Rabboni , in fact as well as name . He builds his mortal Temple , cornerstone , foundation , base , column , capital and pediment , until finally his work is done , his task completed , mortality ceases , ho

lays the copestone that marks the end of life and in the immortal Temple is received and accepted a Most Excellent Master . The Ark of the Covenant , as used in the ceRemonies of the Sixth degree , may be accepted as the symbol of perfected manhood ; in stature

the image of his Creator , and in intellect the nearest approach to Divinity ; while the laying of the copestone symbolises tbe " inevitable fate to which all living things must finally succumb . " You that have passed the square , you thafc have borne

the burden and heat of the day , you thafc came in at the eleventh hour , and you that have brought up the Ark of the Covenant to the lasfc and final resting place , be sure that the copestone shall crown a true and perfect fabric , so that the Great Architect shall hail you , Rabboni , Most Excellent Master . —Keystone .

Masonic Sonnets.—No. 20.

MASONIC SONNETS . —No . 20 .

BY BRO . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D ., 2417 . — : o : — TRUTH . —II .

"What were Masonio Arts if Truth came not To pnrify , attract , and elevate ? TJpon the Craft would rest a lasting blofc , Which Masons' deeds eonld ne ' er obliterate . When opening Lodge , how vividly it shines ; When secrets are locked np ; ' tis sparkling still ; Tt flashes forth amid onr Words and Signs ,

Beaming with brightness like some crystal rill . Truth is allied to Faith—twin gifts are they ; Without the one , most useless is the other ; But with them both earth's sorrows fly away , Amid the greetings of " My Friend and Brother . " Let ns hold fast to Truth—onr deeds will then Make ns beloved by all oar fellow men . Winder House , Bradford . 3 rd November 1892 .

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