A Sermon

doctrine on which he founded every church he planted , • Salvation in Christ crucified , through the grace of r * od ' and justification by faith as the means , a faith proved be o-enuine by its producing as its fruit good works in accordance with the will of God . But , says the Apostle , " let every man take heed how he buildcth thereupon . " The foundation may be good , but unless the superstructure

be also sound , the building will come to ruin . The material must be sound , and the cement perfect : there must be perfect symmetry in every part of the work , and fair proportion . What , then , is the lesson the Apostle wishes to convey but this ? that just as each successive workman carries out the plan of the architect , under the superintendence of the master builder , so each teacher in Christ ' s

Church must take care that his doctrine accords with the foundation laid down by the Apostle lest he mar the work and spoil God ' s building . As I remarked before , each of us is called in some degree to buiW for God , and to aid in rearing His church on earth . Each father , each brother , each mother , each sister , by actual instruction , or by the force of example , becomes a builder—a good one

er an evil one according as each carries out the will of God . Let each , then , apply this to himself , let each ask the questions , " Am I taking heed how I build thereupon ? Do I , by my words and actions , beautify God ' s Church ? Is my conduct measured by the rule of rectitude ? Are my actions squared by the principles of morality ? Arc my words , and even my very thoughts , kept within the

compass of propriety ? Do I look to Christ alone as the foundation , building all my hopes on Him , and humbly trying to follow in His steps ? " Put these t-uestions to yourselves with all sincerity , and may God , in His mercy , arant that each of you may be a faithful builder . But I should not work out this subject fully without referring to the parallel passage in the Epistle to the Ephesians . At

Ep hesus was the most beautiful temple in existence , celebrated by heathen writers , as one of the seven wonders of the world , and dedicated to the heathen goddess . In allusion to this beautiful building , the Apostle says ( Ch . II . 16 p . ) "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners , but fellow citizens with the Saints and of the household of God ; and are built upon the foundation of

the Apostles and Prophets , Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone , in whom all the building fitly framed trgether growcth unto an holy temple in the Lord ; in whom ye also arc builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit . " When St . Paul says , " Build on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets , " is this passage at variance with my text ? Certainly not . He docs not

mean that the Apostles and Prophets are the foundation in themselves , but that the Ephesians are built on the Apostles' and Prophets' foundation , i . e ., the foundation on which the Apostles and Prophets themselves were built , and this was none other than Christ . Thus , when analysed , one passage illustrates the other , and both teach the same doctrine . But he goes on to say that Christ is also

the chief corner stone . What , then , does he mean by this ? There are two interpretations , and from each we learn the same lesson . Our Lord applied to Himself the words of the Psalmist , " The stone which the builders rejected the same is become the head of the corner ; " and tradition says that at the building of the Temple a particular stone was rejected again and again as unsuitable , until at last

it was put in the important position of chief corner stone , which binds the whole building firmly together . Or by chief corner stone may be meant that important stone , which , carefully set with squat e , level , and plumb rule , stands up at the corner to guide the builders , and from which all measurements arc taken . But take which ever of these interpretations ycu like , and the teaching is the

same , viz ., that Christ is to be the foundation and Christ the crowning stone to which all others must be subservient . God ' s Temple , i . e ., His Church , is founded in Christ and perfected in Christ ; each Apostle and holy Prophet is built into it as a separate stone ; the building thus fitly framed growcth into an holy temple in the Lord ; into this same temple each Christian is built , and the whole edifice is

a habitation of God by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit . If we arc to be built into this holy temple of God we must be sound and living stones , not moss-eaten and decaying ones , or else when the Architect comes to view the building he will order such bad material to be removed and thrown away as useless rubbish . "Know ye not , " says the Apostle , " that you are

the Temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? If any man defile the Temple of God , him will God destroy , for the Temple of God is holy , which temple ye arc . " Each Christian is a part of God's Temple ( the Church ) and so must be holy ; but still further each ought lobe in himself a separate Temple of God in which his spirit dwells . Here , then , wc have ( if possible ) even a

stronger inducement to personal holiness , lest we grieve His Spirit and drive Him from us . Oh let us ever cherish this precious gift of the indwelling Spirit , for " without holiness no man can see God . " We are not our own . >> e are God ' s by creation ; Christ ' s by redemption , ihe Spirit ' s by sanctification . Thus we belong to each person of the Holy Trinity for the work that

they have done for us . Let us then resign ourselves entiret y to their will ; let us give up all sensual pleasures , all earthl y lusts , and strive after holiness . Let our aim be to be counted worthy of a place in God ' s Temple here , 'hat being gradually assimilated by the sanctifying influence of the Spirit into the likeness of Christ , we may hercalter be translated into His kingdom aboie , there to shine

as precious stones in that holy temple not made with hands , « ernal in the heavens . Having thus examined into the meaning of the text , I would now pass on to apply it to snow that the only temple which can stand is the one ounded on Christ . We read this afternoon in our first esson ( I . Kings IX . ) of the acceptance by God of the wautiful building which Solomon erected , and how He promised to " put His name there for ever , and that His

A Sermon

eyes and His heart should be there perpetually ; " but at the same time Hethreatened that if the people forsook Him and served other Gods , He " would cast Israel out of the land which He had given them , and this house which He had hallowed for His name he would cast out of His sight . " Everything in the worship of the Jews looked forward to the coming of Christ ; the sacrifice was a type

of Christ ; the shewbread was a type of Christ ; the High Priest both in dress and office was a type of Christ , in fact the whole service was typical of Christ , and the visible glory of God filled the temple . But the Jews were not careful to continue to build thereupon and fell into idolatry , and so after repeated warnings God carried his threat into execution . The temple was destroyed , and

the Jews were carried away to Babylon ; after a time they were restored to their land again , and a second temple rose where the first temple stood . It did not indeed like the first contain the visible glory of God , but when the fulness of time was come , and Gorl sent his Son into the world , Jesus , the son of God , himself frequented that temple and brought to it by His presence even greater glory

than the first ever enjoyed . But a second time the people seemed beyond the hope of pardon . They " rejected the Holy One and the just , and preferred a wanderer ; " before Pilate they cried , " His blood be en us and on our children . " Goel heard that cry , and as they refused to recognise and accept the Messiah , so he destroyed their temple utterly , scattered them into every part of the world , and to

the present day they are a living testimony of the truth of God's word , existing as a separate people , yet utterly unable to carry out the rites of their religion . The Jewish religion , "" the law , was in itself perfect , a pure system of morality ; but man in his fallen state could not fulfil it , and by it alone could none attain salvation ; thus as St . Paul says " the law is our schoolmaster to bring us to

Christ , that we might be justified by faith , " and not by works . The new covenant could not be justified upon the old , the Gospel upon the law , as our Lord showed by the parable of the new wine in old bottles , and the new patch upon the old garment . Thus the law came to an end together with the temple , for when the temple was destroyed it was impossible to fulfil the law . And now ,

brethren , let us apply the subject more closely to ourselves as Freemasons . We are bound together to observe a pure system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . Wc are taught to look on everything by which we are surrounded in life as reminding us of some duty and conveying some moral lesson , and nothing can be more perfect in moral teaching

than the charges delivered in our lodges . Above all , Masonry directs us to the Bible as the great light which will guide us into all truth , directs our steps in the paths of happiness , and teaches us the whole duty of man . What , then , is the teaching of God ' s Word ? That no system of morality , however pure , can save a man . No temple , however stately , however beautiful , can be perfect and

stand the test which God will apply to it , unless it is founded on Christ . Be careful then , I exhort you , not to trust in Masonry as if it could save you by itself , but lay Christ as your foundation , place all your hope of existence with God in the merits of his atonement , look for justification by faith in Him , and let your sincerity be proved by the holy life you lead . Look to Him for strength to

help you through his holy spirit dwelling in you , and seek for the gift of that spirit by diligent prayer and paiticipation in the sacraments . Look on Masonry only as a help to guide you on your path of Christian duty , as echoing the Apostle ' s advice , that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly , righteously , and godly in the present world , " looking forward to that great day

when Masonry and all other human institutions will have passed way , and wc shall behold the Most High as he is in his temple not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . Our blessed Saviour whilst upon caith was constantly employed in rendering assistance to suffering man . We can scarcely turn over a single page of the Gospels without reading some miracle of healing , or some instance of love

shown by words of comfort and sympathy to fellow creatures in the time of trouble and distress . The test that he ordained of being true disciples was that of love , " as I have loved you that you should love one another . " If then , my brethren , you belong to the temple of God and rest on the foundations of Jesus Christ , I appeal to you today to give a tangible proof of this by your Christian

love . 1 ask you to contribute towards the funds of the Croydon Hospital . It is a noble institution which needs no words of recommendation of mine , and one which has year by year been increasing in usefulness . Nearly 4000 cases of suffering were last year relieved , and as the population increases in these parts so rapidly , in all probability the calls upon it in the present year will be still greater .

It depends wholly on charity , and has dispensed even more than its income in hope of increased support . Brethren , I need not use many words to urge you to be liberal to-day . As Christians I ask you to think of all the mercies for which you have reason to be thankful , and to express your gratitude by giving back to Him , who gave you all , some thank-offering for health and strength , some

recognition of His love . As Masons you are doubly pledged to liberality , and should show the genuineness of your principles by your willingness to extend your charity to your fellow creatures in the hour of suffering and distress . Ycu have many reasons for thankfulness which I cannct mention now , but I urge you to give to-day not a coin carelessly or hastily bestowed out of your abundance ,

but to consider carefully the recipient and the cause . Recollect you give not only to the blind , the lame , the sick , the suffering , but even to Christ himself ; and the day is drawing near when the gift now liberally bestowed will be acknowledged by Him in the presence of His Father , and will cause one more gem to sparkle in the crown which you hope to receive in the realms of happiness above .

Consecration Of The Southern Star Lodge, Instruction, No. 1158.

CONSECRATION OF THE SOUTHERN STAR LODGE , INSTRUCTION , No . 1158 .

Another of those extremely useful adjuncts of Freemasonry , yclept Lodges of Instruction , has been added to . the southern district of the metropolitan circle by the inauguration at the Crown Hotel , Blackfriars-road , of a lodge under the warrant of the Southern Star , 1158 .

The further extension of the means of obtaining Masonic instruction is always a matter for congratulation to the Masonic world at large , and that the present instance was recognised as a bocn to a large section of brethren inhabiting the neighbourhood was evinced by the numerous assemblage of brethren who met to assist in the opening of the new lodge . Situated as it is within but a

few minutes' walk from the foot of Blackfriars Bridge , it is easy of access from the City , while tram-cars passing the house afford the best possible means of communication to the southern suburbs . Within a few minutes of the time appointed Bro . Terry assumed the chair , having for his Wardens Bros . Wise and A . Wright , P . M . ' s of the parent lodge ; G .

Macdonald , W . M . 1158 , as D . C ; Burr , 1158 , Org . ; and Beavis , 1158 , as acting Sec ; and amongst the brethren present we noticed Bros . C . J . Hogg , ' P . G . S ., P . M . 58 ; G . W . F . Loftus , P . P . J . G . W . Middx , 1193 ; J . Wright and Towers , P . M . 's ; Stewart , I . G . ; Fortune , D . C . ; Holland , W . S . ; and Bros . Brady , Beavis , Wilks , F . H . Smith , Parker , Holloway , Austin , Wills ,

Freeman , Melloy , and Bullock , 1158 ; Ernest Smith , 1559 ; D . Rose , P . M . 73 ; Gordon , Rutter , and Taylor , 753 ; Vincent , P . M . 666 ; Leader , 1275 ; H . Shaw , D . C . S 34 ; Jenkins , 1475 ; Catterson , 548 ; Goddard , 186 ; Kent , P . M . 879 ; T . Wingham , P . M . 25 ; Nott , J . D . 87 ; Fellowes , 871 ; W . Stewart , 141 : Brown , sir ; Downey , 186 ; and several others ,

in all exceeding sixty . The lodge having been opencel in the three degrees , Bro . Terry proceeded to rehearse the ceremony of consecration as followed in consecrating a regular lodge . The lodge being duly consecrated , Bro . Terry proceeded to instal Bro . Macdonald , W . M . of the parent lodge , into the chair of K . S ., who appointed and invested his officers as follows-. —Bros Walter , S . W . ; Allen , J . W . ; Wise ,

Treas . ; Beavis , Sec . ; S . Smith , S . D . ; Heffer , J . D . ; Stewart , I . G . ; and Stead , Tyler . The usual addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren were given in a manner that invoked the high encomiums of all present . The work of the ledge being ended , Bro . Terry was unanimously elected the first honorary member of the lodge , and the brethren present resolved nem . con . to constitute themselves the Southern Star Lodge of Instruction .

Bro . J . Walter having been elected unanimously W . M . for the ensuing Thursday , appointed his officers in rotation . Lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to a cold collation , presided over by the W . M . of the mother lodge , Bro . Govan Macdonald . After the cloth had been cleared , the W . M . briefly

introduced the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . The toast of the evening , " Prosperity to the Southern Star Lodge of Instruction , " was then proposed by Bro . Wise , I . P . M . 1158 , the original promoter of the lodge of instruction , who spoke at some length on the utility and importance of such institutions . Coupled with the toast were the

names of the W . M . and Bro . Pulsford , the Preceptor , the former of whom , in replying , called the brethren ' s attention to the fact that God helps those who help themselves , and he was convinced that those who sought the instruction they needed and required in this lodge would find it at the hands of the Preceptor , Bro . P . M . Pulsford . The latter , in rising , endorsed all that the Worshipful Master

had said . The W . M . next proposed " The Health of Bro . Terry , the Consecrating Officer . " Bro . Terry , in replying , expressed his gratification at having been of some little service to the brethren , of the Southern Star Lodge that evening , and in one of his forcible and characteristic addresses urged the brethren that

while they were seeking a knowledge of the beautiful ceremonies of the Craft not to overlook the brightest ornament that adorned it—charity . The toast of " The Promoter of the Lodge , Bro . Wise , I . P . M . 1158 , " was then given by the W . M ,, and duly responded to , and after "The Officers of the Evening" and " The Host , " Bro . Block had been similiarly honoured ,

the Tyler ' s toast brought this very successful meeting to an agreeable termination . We had we ' ll nigh omitted to mention that the musical portion of the ceremony , under the able direction of Bro . Burr , was all that could be desired , and the members of the Southern Star Lodge of Instruction may be congratulated upon the success of their first meeting .

Reviews.

Reviews .

" I HE ROYAL MASONIC CYCLOPEDIA . " By Bro . K . R . H . Mackenzie . —Bro . J . Hogg . In the interests of Masonic study and archa'ology we welcome all efforts to elucidate Masonic terms , or to harmonize Masonic discrepancies , which arc many . Bro . Mackenzie , who is proceeding with his work in monthly numbers , has put out—Bro . J . Hogg , being his

publisheranother number of his work . He now has reached N . For those who interest themselves in the abstruse speculations of so called theosophic Masonry , or the Hebrew Cabala , or Kabbalah , Bro . Mackenzie offers much of information and dwells more largely on such topics than any othe writer we know of . His article ! on " Goctia , " will be also full of noveltyfor some .