Jacob's Ladder.

JACOB'S LADDER .

r " 11 HIS article , which was written by Brother M . L . Youngs JL over twenty years ago tor the '" r reemason Monthly " of Michigan , or vvmcii u ^ was men " associate editor , has been recently resurrected and published by some of our contemporaries as rurnishmg roou tor thought for the Masons of to-day , equally as important and suggestive as for those of a quarter of a century ago .

Among the many emblems used by the Fraternity as symbols , picturing to the mind s eye by appropriate representation the principles and teachings or Masonry , in order to better illustrate and explain them and in the most forcible manner impress us witn their real worth and importance ,

there are none more beautiful or instructive than the ladder , which in our monitorial instructions we are wont to explain as representing that theological ladder which J acob saw ascending from earth to heaven , the three principle rounds of which we dominate faith , hope , and charity .

ihis explanation of its use and illusions , though brief and imperfect , yet furnishes food for thought to every intelligent Mason , and should lead him to explore its interior significance , and look beyond the letter and grasp the spirit . Like all our emblems , it is but a reminder ot something

deeper and better ; an index pointing us onward and upward . Each has its peculiar teaching , but to my mind there is none so beautiful as this , and none which so clearl y brings to yiew the religious thought which underlies our institution , and which is so well calculated to elevate the Fraternity , and lead its

votaries to higher and purer thoughts , not only of this life , of its duties and responsibilities , but of that other to which this is but preparatory . It brings to our view the connecting

link between the two , and teaches us to look beyond this temporary and transient existence to that better world- to which we are all bound , and to the grand possibilities which are in store for the true and faithful of earth ' s children .

There is a beauty and symmetry in all our symbols , whether presented by torms and ceremonies or by figurative and emblematical representations , all of which are intended to form and mould character here that will prepare us for our reception into that Grand Lodge or assembly of Masons

above , to which every one of us looks forward with joyful anticipations ; and so complete and perfect are they in arrangement and presentation , that the mind of tire candidate is prepared as he advances , and is led step by step onward and upward until he arrives at a full contemplation not only

of their primary and earthly importance , but of their grandeur and spiritual significance . As an illustration of this let us for a few moments contemplate this beautiful emblem , which is so prominently brought to view in the Entered Apprentice degree , and see if we can more fully bring to light its true import .

In so doing the first thing that strikes us is the peculiar arrangement and time of presentation . The candidate ' s mind is first prepared lor a lull appreciation of its beauties by successive steps , in each of which he is conducted through

ceremonies most impressive , from a state of moral and mental darkness to one ol light and truth . Figuratively , starting in doubt and ignorance , he arrives at last at that point where he is prepared to receive all truth .

In his advance he first learns those principles which should mould and govern his conduct while here below , and which will fit him tor an advance into the heavenly Lodge ; grasping these in beauty and excellence , he is next led to a contemplation of that earthly Lodge into which he has been

admitted , and by allegorical representations is taught that it is but a type of the grand whole , embracing the entire universe , extending from the East to the West and from between the North and the South , with depth sufficient to take in all earth ' s surrounding and sorrowing children who are

striving for improvement , and lift them up to the highest heaven ; with wisdom to direct them in their upward course , strength to sustain them in their trials and temptations , she will at last adorn their brows with the beauty of truth and purity , that true manhood which will fit them for the higher

Lodge , to which his attention is now directed by a representation of that which is above , and which forms the covering of the whole . Through his physical eyes he sees the symbol of the starry-decked heaven , whose dome seems so high as to

be beyond the reach of mortals ; beholding it in its beauty and erandeur , his mind is turned to its true significance , and with eyes spiritual he sees the goal of his ambition , the Supreme Grand Lodge , of whose magnificence he can only gain a feeble and imperfect view , " For eye hath not seen ,

Jacob's Ladder.

nor ear heard , neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which the Lord hath prepared for those who love Him . " With wondering eyes he gazes into those almost unknown realms until , lost in doubt and amazement ,

his heart fails him , and he despairs of ever attaining heights so sublime , or of being admitted to dwell with those glorified ones who there constitute its membership . But when just ready to faint and fall by the wayside he , like Jacob of old , sees in his vision the connecting link between the two .

There stands the ladder , hrm and strong , reaching from the earthly to the heavenly Lodge , which will furnish him the means of ascent to those bright spheres ; he contemplates : the distance between the two and the difficulties in the way , but being prepared by " temperance . in lite , in thought and in

speech , he grasps the first round and commences its upward course ; then nerved with " fortitude " to battle for the right , and " prudence" in all his varied relations , having for his standard that " justice " which will render to every man his just due , without distinction , he is not only qualified but

anxious to ascend still higher , and with " faith " in God , in his goodness and his love , he is filled with " hope " of a blessed immortality and a membership in a higher Lodge , where he will be permitted to participate in those labours of love which are represented by the last and most important of the rounds

by which he had thus far ascended— " Charity "—which covers the whole , and admits us into the glorious assembly above , and a participation in those grand schemes whose object is to elevate humanity and fit them for an entrance into those joys unspeakable .

Onward and upward has been his advance , and in each succeeding step has he been taught the extent and importance of this earthly Lodge , and that its true mission is to fit us not only to act well our part here below , but to prepare us for an entrance into higher and more exalted duties , and

that whilst here our progress may be difficult and dangerous , our pathway beset with trials and temptations , yet having overcome every obstacle , and at last arrived at the inner door , we shall find ourselves in possession of the pass which will admit us into full membership in the Grand Lodge

above and a participation in its schemes of love and benevolence ; then we shall learn what was represented to the ancient patriarch in his vision on tine lonely plains of Arabia— -that this ladder also affords a ready and sure means of return . Fie saw angels not only ascending but descending

¦ —ascending to higher spheres with messages of love and truth , but descending on missions of mercy , affording strength to the weary pilgrim and enabling him to successfully wrestle with and overcome evervthing which impedes his progress . How few of us appreciate this part of its teachings

and realise the probability of the return of those who have gone before , and of their labours in our behalf . In the still watches of the night they are around us and would , were we to heed their monitions , lead us to live more perfect lives . Let us then heed well the lessons taught by the ladder ,

and learning there the way of ascent , let us not forget the mission we shall be called upon to perform , and that while it affords a means of ascent , it at the same time shows a way of return , easy of accomplishment ; and from these lessons may we not be led to presume that our labours of

love , of charity , and of benevolence will not be there ended , nor that we can remain in idleness , singing praises for our own deliverance ; but rather that our work has just begun , and that it be a part of our mission to return , assist and

elevate earth ' s fainting children ? Let us look beyond the letter and accept the spirit of all our symbols , and thus be fitted as living stones for that spiritual temple , that " house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . "— " Masonic Tidings . "

Efforts To Establish A General Grand Lodce.

EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH A GENERAL GRAND LODCE .

rjnHE recent agitation regarding negro Masonry has again _ L caused a discussion in some places on the subject of a " General Grand Lodge . " The history of former efforts to establish a supreme body in this country ( the United States of America ) may prove of interest .

Prior to the revolution nearly all of our Lodges were under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , Provincial Grand Lodges , with little power , acting as intermediate authorities . At the outbreak of the war our Masonic forefathers bes ? an to shake off the shackles and assume an independent character . An agitation was soon