Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
lie was pleased to confound their language , and thereby caused their dispersion . This consternation did not interfere with their skill in building , as they had practised conversing without speech , by signs and tokens . The progress that was made after tins migration in the Royal Art , under the patronage of kings and great men , is inconceivable : the numerous Athenian cities , the walls of Babylon , the Pyramidsthe temple of DianatheColossusand other
, , . , vast structures that were built , abundantly testhty ; nay , the distinct palaces , temples , obelisks , - and statues they finished , proved even their early and refined taste in operative Masonry . We read in history many successive progresses in Masonry hy the Israelites , Sidonians , Phoenicians , and others , which are almost endless to particularize ; but I must take notice of the famous ,
temple of Dagon , at Gaza , as a parallel to a modern building I shall hereafter mention , which would contain four thousand people , supported by two pillars only , which were of so . delicate and elegant a taste , that Sampson grasping his arms about them , pulled the whole down , and killed three thousand Philistines , sharing himself the same fate in the riiins . I now come to the glorious Temple of King Solomonwhere I
, might entertain you with a volume in aiming to describe its magnificence and enriched beauties . I shall then only say , that it was built under that divine faculty , wisdom , which the Almighty Architect of the world blessed King Solomon with ; from the amazinf executive parts of which , King Hiram of Tyre , who had been
grand master in King David ' s reign , proclaimed King Solomon grand master of the world .. * ' . It is needless to expatiate on this immense structure , or unon the compact settled between king Hiram and king Solomon , therefore shall only add , that the learned and most renowned antiquarian Hifam-abiff , was employed by king Solomon , on the recommendation of king Hiramas deputy grand-master in this building . I mie-ht
, here take an opportunity of explaining some obscurities , did I not think I should take up too much of your time . As I propose drawing to a conclusion as fast as possible , I shall hot enumerate the increase of lodges in Israel under king Solomon , to the honour of the Craft ; but upon his . death , I . must observe , many of his master Masons travelled into all parts of the world . In
places where they found employment , they became well received , and obtaining special privileges , they constituted lodges , butwould teach the liberal arts to none but gentlemen and their sons who Were free-born , from whence they took the name of free-Masons , . The great men and nobles , under this prudent distinction and regulation , became members , and were , from merit only , made
masters and wardens . They cultivated , ' with great emulation ,.. the Royal Craft , and various cities and buildings were carried on under the direction of various lodges , constituted in all parts , who strove to excel each other , and to surpars the magnificence of their designs by the exalted spirit of the execution , : Tis enough 1 think to say , 4 A
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
lie was pleased to confound their language , and thereby caused their dispersion . This consternation did not interfere with their skill in building , as they had practised conversing without speech , by signs and tokens . The progress that was made after tins migration in the Royal Art , under the patronage of kings and great men , is inconceivable : the numerous Athenian cities , the walls of Babylon , the Pyramidsthe temple of DianatheColossusand other
, , . , vast structures that were built , abundantly testhty ; nay , the distinct palaces , temples , obelisks , - and statues they finished , proved even their early and refined taste in operative Masonry . We read in history many successive progresses in Masonry hy the Israelites , Sidonians , Phoenicians , and others , which are almost endless to particularize ; but I must take notice of the famous ,
temple of Dagon , at Gaza , as a parallel to a modern building I shall hereafter mention , which would contain four thousand people , supported by two pillars only , which were of so . delicate and elegant a taste , that Sampson grasping his arms about them , pulled the whole down , and killed three thousand Philistines , sharing himself the same fate in the riiins . I now come to the glorious Temple of King Solomonwhere I
, might entertain you with a volume in aiming to describe its magnificence and enriched beauties . I shall then only say , that it was built under that divine faculty , wisdom , which the Almighty Architect of the world blessed King Solomon with ; from the amazinf executive parts of which , King Hiram of Tyre , who had been
grand master in King David ' s reign , proclaimed King Solomon grand master of the world .. * ' . It is needless to expatiate on this immense structure , or unon the compact settled between king Hiram and king Solomon , therefore shall only add , that the learned and most renowned antiquarian Hifam-abiff , was employed by king Solomon , on the recommendation of king Hiramas deputy grand-master in this building . I mie-ht
, here take an opportunity of explaining some obscurities , did I not think I should take up too much of your time . As I propose drawing to a conclusion as fast as possible , I shall hot enumerate the increase of lodges in Israel under king Solomon , to the honour of the Craft ; but upon his . death , I . must observe , many of his master Masons travelled into all parts of the world . In
places where they found employment , they became well received , and obtaining special privileges , they constituted lodges , butwould teach the liberal arts to none but gentlemen and their sons who Were free-born , from whence they took the name of free-Masons , . The great men and nobles , under this prudent distinction and regulation , became members , and were , from merit only , made
masters and wardens . They cultivated , ' with great emulation ,.. the Royal Craft , and various cities and buildings were carried on under the direction of various lodges , constituted in all parts , who strove to excel each other , and to surpars the magnificence of their designs by the exalted spirit of the execution , : Tis enough 1 think to say , 4 A