Freemasonry & Israelitism.

predicted should rule , notwithstanding that this eminence , by right of primogeniture , belonged to Reuben . David , however , was not , as Saul was , elected by the people . He was by Divine command anointed king by Samuel , on the

prophet ' s visit to Bethlehem , in which David ' s family dwelt , and afterwards he was chosen king over the house of Judea alone , while Ish-boshetli , the son of Saul , became king over the rest ofthe tribes . The wars between the two peoples were

fierce and long , but after a reign of seven years and six months over the tribe of Judah , the other tribes submitted to David at Hebron , and he was anointed king over all Israel ( 2 Sam . v . ) . The reign of David was a glorious one , for ,

understanding and keeping 111 mind his Divine mission , he regarded himself as the vassal of Jehovah . The Lord found in him " a man after His own heart " —that is , he realised the true spirit of the theocracy , and effected those reforms in the affairs of

government and of public worship which were calculated to awaken and keep alive in the minds and affections of the people a sincere and exclusive adoration of Jehovah . His arms were victorious in every quarter , the borders of Israel

were , in consonance with ancient prophecy , extended to the Euphrates , and all the neighbouring peoples were inspired with reverence or fear for the God of Israel . His desire to build a temple for the worship of the true and living

God Most High was not permitted to be realised . That singular honour and glory was reserved for Solomon his son and successor , whose reign was the golden era of the Hebrew monarchy . As the Misses Rothschild beautifully remark

( Hist , and Lit . ofthe Israelites , 1 ., 413 ) , " Like the Augustan age of Rome , the time of Solomon seemed to combine the power and the splendour of foregone and succeeding generations . Its brilliancy and magnificence rejoiced the hearts

of all Israel , and dazzled the strangers of distant lands . Every trace of their being a people rescued from Egyptian slavery and settled in a conquered land , after violent feuds , had vanished , and no sign of future reverses or humiliations

clouded the horizon . The Hebrew commonwealth was in the verynoon-day of its happiness . Solomon , ' the peaceful one , ' or Jedadiah , 'the darling of the Lord , ' was to bring glory and power to the well-established empire , " and he did

so . But glorious as Solomon ' s reign commenced and continued for some years , it at length degenerated . The well-governed and flourishing commonwealth was changed into a kingdom , menaced by both foreign and domestic foes , and

was tainted by the grossest idolatry . The licentious worship of Astarte , and the detestable rites of Chemosh , Milcom , and Moloch were introduced and almost universally prevailed , and , after a reign of nearly forty years , this once

wise and powerful monarch died , unhappy and piteously , having passed from the summit of earthly happiness to the depth of human misery . At his death the kingdom collapsed . Kehoboam , his son and successor , by his inordinate

pretensions and galling menaces , inflamed the discontent and disaffection which the oppressive character of the latter years of Solomon's reign had crcakd , and Is-rael rebelled , Judah and Benjamin alone adhering to Kehoboam . For

some time previously , jealousy and rivalry had existed between the tribes of Judah and Joseph , the two most powerful in the commonwealth The latter inherited a double portion , being divided into two , Ephraim and Manassc h , who

valued themselves upon their descent from such an ancestor as Joseph , who had been so markedly and honourably distinguished from his brethren in thc prophetic blessings pronounced by Moses and Jacob , and they were

perpetually struggling for thc pre-eminence which they ultimately attained to , Ephraim being represented as all Israel , and becoming another name for thc kingdom . From the time of the

revolt there were two separate and distinct kingdoms , governed each by its own monarch , often at war with each other , and distinguished in the sacred annals and in the prophets as I VDAH , and ISRAEL , or EPHRAIM .

The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.

THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY .

ARTICLE VII . In meditating upon the social and religious aspects of the different races known to exist , I have frequently regretted that Christianity should have received in various

parts of the world , so much opposition and hostility . That it has stimulated the worst passions no one can , after carefully reviewing the scenes of bloodshed and persecution , feel justified in disclaiming . That it has

been confined to narrow limits , and that it has from time to time been denounced as a barbarian institution is alike incontrovertible . It must be a matter of great surprise to the reflective that the number

of its disciples should be in so great a minority to that of followers of Paganism , notwithstanding the persistent efforts of conscientious men to disseminate its doctrines among nations where its influence is

considered so essential to the well-being of the inhabitants . It would be almost impossible to enumerate the valuable lives that have , since the advent of Christ , been sacrified in this extremely hazardous

undertaking . Will Christianity ultimately triumph over the many difficulties that now surround it ? and will its adoption be universal ? are questions that naturally suggest themselves to the mind , but

can only be solved by the great truthteller—Time . The systems of worship in vogue among the peoples of the earth are , it is well known , very considerable , and

may be divided into four g ** eat classes , viz ., the Jewish , Christian , Mahommedan , and Pagan . The number of devotees to each sect is , as near as possible , represented by the following figures : —

Jews 5 , , 000 Christians 500 , 000 , 000 Mahommcdans 160 , 000 , 000 Pagans 800 , 000 , 000

How antagonistic are thc doctrines enunciated by each order ! What sincerity to the established observances , and what extreme sensitiveness to their violation

docs each denomination manifest ! How quickly are the designs of the other orders to make converts counteracted , and how often do they result in thc bitterest strife The Christian implicitly believes in his

principles—so do the Jew , Mohammedan , and Pagan in their own . Each in his ardent zeal endeavours to point out thc fallacy of the religious dogmas of the other , and even

supports the controversy by some supposed authenticated proofs or records that have been handed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years . Shall the faith of either be condemned or

ridiculed ? I lie fanaticism shown by each has unquestionably produced vast evil , and will ever exercise its baneful effects wherever it presents itself . Let us , then , strive to

re . pect thc views and opinions expressed by others . Let us not be illiberal in our acts towards our fellow-creatures , for it must be remembered that each is

endeavouring , in his own peculiar way , to reach that mansion where all ( without distinction to caste or colour ) bask in the supreme

felicity of the great I AM . The characteristics of the Christian religion are exceedingly beautiful , and have more or less done much to refine the

feelings . May they continue to teach the duties due by man to his Creator , and may these duties be discharged with a spirit commensurate with tUcir importance . To

The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.

the true Christian the word " faith is of great significance , but how frequently is it ignored in this enlightened age , as it is termed . Education has , in its progress , broken down the barriers of superstition

and ignorance , but it has brought in its train a pernicious reveller called " Infidelity , " who is constantly flitting about in places where his presence could ^ scarcely have been expected . If evidence to

establish this assertion respecting the shameless disregard to the will and pleasure of the Creator were necessary , it would be found in the behaviour displayed by many whose views had at one time been admired in

public and private . It is sad to acknowledge that this social sore is extending every day . This fact may well cause much uneasiness to those who have silently observed its corrupting influence . It must ,

however , be some satisfaction that the supporters and sympathisers of the evil are , sooner or later , made to feel in some way the outrages they have committed before Him who gave them life . The mal-practices of men are seen in their hideousness

only when the transgressors are cast upon beds of sickness , and exposed to the keen shafts incessantly hurled by conscience . Why do men act so wickedly ? Have they not sufficient testimony of the existence of

an All-wise Being when they view the green fields , the blooming flowers , the budding trees , and the other marvels in nature , clearly demonstrating that an unseen hand is ever at work ? Can faith in these

realities be shaken by the theories conceded and advanced by Atheists ? Things do not create themselves , for there must be a

motive power . That power is God , whose infinite wisdom and mercy are written upon every page of nature ' s works . How sweet and sublime is faith 1 Let it then be

fostered throughout life . When the time shall arrive for the spirit to leave the body , the believer will be prepared to be ushered into the presence of the Great Geometrician of the Universe . " Be thou faithful unto

death , " says holy writ . The meaning of this passage is clear and impressive , and demands the strictest observance and most solemn attention from all whose hearts are inclined to love and rectitude . Those who

strive to be mindful of God ' s decrees experience the happiest feelings and support in passing through this vale of tears—showing no fear of the inevitable dissolution of the

body , but firmly relying on the supreme assistance in being guided through the shadow of death to everlasting glory . Who will feel disposed to say otherwise than

that" Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting : . The soul that rises with us , our life ' s star , Hath had elsewhere its setting , And cometh from afar :

Not in entire forgeifulness , And not in ' . itter darkness , But trailing clouds of glory , do wc come From God , who is our home : Heaven lies about us in our infancy . "

Examples of the Christian ' s adherence to faith in the hour of tribulation and peril have been numerous iu ancient and modern times , and excite the utmost pride and satisfaction to all who venerate the

principles of Christianity . Readers of the Scriptures will not have failed to find the incident in the life of Martha peculiarly interesting and instructive , and as it is fully treated in thc discourse hereunder given , I

deem it unnecessary to review it lu cxtenso . I shall therefore conclude my remarks by expressing an earnest wish that this and every other generation may be guided to emulate the characteristic that was so fervently exhibited by her in her affliction .