Masonic Triples.

Antiquity , the-efore , for the Christian morality which breathes through every part of Speculative Masonry . cannot he conceded A sorfc of caste or brotherhood may be traced in systems of tho " Mysteries " prior to th

Christian era , it is true , but thafc fraternity was not founded upon the law of sacrifice , inculcated by the " Golden Rule , " which is the present basis of the Masonio profession , nnd which has only been known since the first Christmas anthem was suns * amid Judean hills . The brother wh <>

denies the " Glad Tidings : " " Peace on earth : good will t " man , " or who seeks to hide the living personality behind a vague generalization , rejects the central support in the foundation of the Fraternity to which he would fain adhere .

and throws to the winds his best argument ivhy Masonry exists . A supernatural foundation is necessary because of deadly evil to remedy ; if natural morality is sufficient why is the Masonic brotherhood desirable as au auxiliary of Christian civilization or for any other purpose ?

The brother ' s future Masonic and moral edifice is to be builded according to the divine plan of tho Temple , the pattern and details whereof were a matter of direct revelation . The contrast or comparison between this

sacred edifice and the symbolism of Masonry form an invaluable and almost inexhaustible mine of knowledge . The number three is the only key which satisfactorily unlocks the sealed recesses of our mystic temple . Let us look at a few of the Triples .

The Tabernacle was the type ; the Temple was ito consummation . They each had three apartments , the holy of holies where the highest act of worshi p was to be per formed , the apartment of sacrifice , aud the outer court of

congregation . Corollary we find Masonry to possess a triple : Faith , Hope , Charity . Reference being had to the Ancient Constitutions ( above ) , we find this tri ple to mean belief ancl worship ( Faith ) , sacrifice for the good of others

( Hope the mainspring ) , Love the centre of union ( " Charity that never faileth . " ) Thrice in the Temple Builder ' s life was Solomon directed by prophetic dreams ancl visions—at the three epochs of his rise , his climax and his fall . Masonry

directs special attention to the three steps , which are em blematical of youth , manhood , and age . The parallel symbolism from authentic history and our monitors is striking . Entered Apprentices should strive after the

attainment of knowled ge , so that as Fellow Crifts they may discharge their duty to God , to their neighbours , and to themselves , that so as Master Masons they may enjov the rewards of a well-spent life and attain unto a blissful

immortality . Solomon was blessed in just so much as he followed these divine maxims . The Temple itself had a threefold history . David was the Proposer ; Solemon was the Founder ; ancl latter men were the Purifiers and " Restorers .

So in Masonry we find three degrees , of the original body , and several supplemental or restored mysteries . Like all great works the ori ginal Temple was the result of a long

succession of events . This is also true of Masonry in its early history as a progressive institution , ancl which will reasonably account for many things not plain to the profane .

Ancl this introduces the first part of our subject : the foundation of our Speculative Masonic and moral edifice . The permanence of our Institution depends upon the answer given , and just here we shall be obliged to differ

with many brothers and those whose interpretations have called oufc the quotation in the Encyclopaedia mentioned above . The true ground to take is to plant one ' s feet firmly upon the triune God of the Bible . This position is

historically accurate as well . Masonically it breathes in every ceremony of the Grand and Secular Lodge . The invocation iu the charge to the Grand Master afc his installafcian is : " May the Father of Light , of Life , and of Love

[ Father , Saviour , Comforter ] , give you wisdom , & c . Tho Worshipful Master at his installation is particularly charged : '' The Holy Writings , that great

light in Masonry , will guide you to all truth : it will direct your paths to the temple of happiness , and point out to you the whole duty of man . " Historically , it is now known , from recent discoveries and translations of tho

rifcuals of the dead of the ancient E gyptians , thafc their Deity was triune . Their religion was not a belief in many gods , bufc in Oue Threefold Deity , represented to the eye by diverse ancl varied forms . Granted , then , that our

Fraternity has descended from the " Ancient Mysteries , *' the foundation afc the first is consistent with the premises that under a Christian dispensation Masonry believes in the Triune God of Revelation . And this need be no

Masonic Triples.

tumbling block to those who rej a ot the Now Testament . Rven they admit , that man was created in tho image > f God . An analysis of man ' s being discloses the ¦ same threefold existence , separate and vet one : perfect

only when the three are united , Body , Soul [ affections ] , Wind . From this fact alone does Masonry rationall y "snrae to teach the doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body , the first , authoritative revelation of which is to be found in the New Testament : "I am tho Resurrection and

the Life . The voice of Masonic Trip ' es sp > aks to IT * in this manner , rather than in the laboured argument which relegates . Masonic-ill * , the R'vealedand Eternal Golhtal of fche Bible to merely tho abstract b * ing of Omniscience ,

Omnipotence , and Omnipresence . These are attributes , not His Personality . And the revelation which raveals to u ^ this glorious majesty at the same time defines the Being of God .

The candidate expresses his belief and trust in G > d . In the beginning God said : " Let there be light , ancl there was light . " From the earliest ages there has always been an association between the idea of the Divine Presence aud

that of visible light , and this association has influenced fche customs of worship . Light is the symbol of the everlasting Godhead . God's presence in the Old Testament is everywhere spoken of as a bright and shining light . Iu

the New Testament the aged Simeon declares the infant Saviour to be " a light to lighten the Gentiles , and tho glory of Israel . " The nowlv made Mason asks for and receives light . Now , lioV is threefold also , and the three

origi nal and primitive rays , blending into one colourpure white—is a fitting symbol of the Triune God ; for there are three distinct colours , and yefc all blended in one

makeup the one true light . The explanations following of the three Great Lig hts , the three Lesser Lights ( together with their representatives ) , become more consistent ; and instructive triples in this connection .

Look at the Lodge itself ; the trip le flior composed of the Mosaic pavement , the indented tessel , and the blazing sitarfc in the centre , and the light p ' aeed in the East and behind the monogram which symbolises the Great and

Holy Name , at the mention of which all , from the lowliest Entered Apprentice , the brethren assembled , to the Worshipful Master , most reverently bow . This act of worship , ancl the lights , as the symbol of the Ineffab ' e Presence ,

have ever been used by Jew and Christian , from the temple to the present . And the reason why true Masonry possesses the power over men that it does , is because of its

consistency in p lacing its triple lights so as fco speak to the seeing eye of man , of that light of the soul which is God Himself ! Based upon this rock the brotherhood of man , as inculcated by the Masonic system , may indeed securely

repose . [ f we are correct in our belief that the GOD whom Masons reverence and adore is none less than the I AM [ see " Light of Ages " ] of Revelation , the ever blessed and

glorious Trinity , then the situation ancl foundation of the Temple become most important in our symbolism . The Supreme Grand Master declares in connection wifch His spiritual temple : "My throne is in heaven ; " and "To

him that overcometh will I [ the Son ] make a pillar in the temple of my God . " The high ground of Mount Moriah aptly illustrates the relative position—ifc placed the temple above the people , so to speak , that they mig ht look up to

it , nofc afc ifc , or down upon it . Tbe foundation walls were built of three courses , and the precipitous contour of the Mount was such the appearance of the work when done

had the solid presentation of indestructible buttresses—as if they were a part of the earth itself , and these walls are standing to-day .

Undoubtedly the Trinity of the Godhead unlocks the mystery symbolized not only of Masonry but of all pure morality . This morality clothes the seal-stone of the Temple so that it becomes the " living temple , made

without hands , eternal in the heavens . " As intimated ab > ve , we must , in laying the foundation of morality , go back of moral law to God Himself , or we have a human affair which never rises higher than its source . Moral law is not a

mere promulgation of an edict of the Almig hty , a commandment , a law ; but ifc is the very expression of the Godhead itself . We only know God by His revealed attributes . God i . s Love , God is Truth , God is Life : "I am

the Way , the Truth , ancl the Life . " Enlarge upon this thought and the whole threefold system of the Masonic Institution becomes one consistent aud complete whoie . Having laid the foundation of our mystic temple upon an