Jotting From Masonic Journals.

Jotting from Masonic Journals .

—«—From the Masonic Trowel , Springfield , Illinois , we extract the following , which originally appeared jnjhe Iowa Evergreen : —

HOW AND WHERE DID SOLOMON DIE ? _ The records in the Old Testament merely state that he died and was buried with his fathers . But hcnu did he die ? and where ? The eleventh chapter and forty-third verse * of I Kings reads thus : — " And Solomon slept with his fathers , and was buried in the city of David his father . "

The thirty-first verse of the ninth chapter of 2 Chronicles , says the same in almost the same words . No particulars of his last illness are given , no statement as to the immediate cause of his death is made , and we know not whether he died of old age , or of lingering and wasting disease—we only kno % v that he died and was buried . There may have been a record of the manner and place

of his death , for we are told in the forty-first chapter of I Kings , that " the rest of the acts of Solomon , and all that he did , " are recorded in "the book of the acts of Solomon . " And in the twenty-ninth verse of the ninth chapter of 2 Chronicles , we find the following : — " Now the rest of the Acts of Solomon first and last , are they not written in the booh of Nathan the Prophetand

, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite , and in the visions of Iddo the seer against * Jeroboam the son of Nebat ? AVe have no knowlege of the subject matter of this book of Nathan , the purport of Ahijah ' s prophecy , or Iddo ' s visions , save what it is given in the verse above quoted , those writings having probably been destroyed in the

Jewish wars . The Rabbins , however , have a strange legend of the latter days of the wise king . AVe have once seen a metrical version of it , which we append below . It was written by a rising English poet , Mr . Owen Meredith , who acknowleges his indebtedness for the matter of the poem , to his friend , the somewhat celebrated Robert Browning . We proceed to quote it entire : —

King Solomon stood in his crown of gold . Between the pillars ; before the altar In the House of the Lord . And the King was old And his strength began to falter , So that he lean'd on his ebony staff , Seal'd with the seal of the Pentegraph .

All of the golden fretted work , AVithout and within , so rich and so rare , As high as the nest of the buildirg stork , Those pillars of cedar were ; AVrought up to the brazen chapiters Of the Sidonian artificers .

And the King stood still as a carven King , The carven cedar beams below , In his purple robe , with his signet ring , And his beard as white as snow , And his face to that Oracle , where the hymn Dies under the wing ofthe Cherubim .

The wings folded over the Oracle , And cover thc heart and the eyes of God ; The Spouse with pomegranite , lily , and bell , Is glorious in her abode ; For with gold of Ophir and with scent of myrrh , And with purple of Tyre , the King cloth'd her .

By the soul of each slumbrous instrument Drawn soft through the musical misty air , The stream of the folk that came and went , For worship and praise , and prayer , Flow'd to and fro , and up and down And round the King in his golden crown .

And it came to pass , as the King stood there And look'd on the house he had built with pride , That the Hand of the Lord came unaware , And touch'd him ; so that he died , In his purple robe , with his signet ring , And the crown wherewith they had crowned him king .

And the stream of the folk that came and went To worship the Lord with prayer and praise , AVent softly over , in wonderment , For the King stood there always : And it was solemn and strange to behold That dead King crowned with a crown of gold .

For he leaned on his ebony staff upright , And over his shoulder a purple robe ; And his hair , and his beard , were both snow-white ; And the fear of him fdl'd the globe , So that none dared touch him , though he was dead , lie look'd so royal about thc head .

And the moons were changed , and the years rolled on ; And the new King reigned in the old King ' s stead , And men were married and buried anon ; But the King stood stark and dead ; Leaning upright on his ebony staff ; Preserved hy the sign of the Pentegraph .

And the stream of life , as it went and came , Ever for worship and praise and prayer , AVas awed by the face , and the fear , and thc fame , Ofthe dead King standing there ; For his hair was so white , and his eyes so cold , That they left him alone with his crown of gold .

So King Solomon slood up , dead in the House Of the Lord , held there by the Pentegraph , Until out from a pillar there ran a red mouse , And gnaw'd through his ebony staff ; Then , fiat on his face , thc King fell down ; And they pick'd from the dust a golden crown . Our readers must not suppose that we endorse this Hebrew legend as true . AVe only say that there may have

Jotting From Masonic Journals.

been a record made of the manner and place of the great King ' s death , and on this record , it may be , the legend is founded . We reproduce the following from ' the Philadelphia Keystone of 9 th inst . : SUMMER "WORK .. " During the present "heated term , " as it is called ,

when the actual " work " of a lodge might be omitted , because it cannot be well done , as when all the members are comfortably and pleasantly arranged in order and quiet , we suggest that a lodge of instruction might be opened by the AV . M . AVhen we say a lodge of instruction , we mean that the members meet , and let the AV . M . explain to them the princi ples , landmarks , teachings , the

ritual and symbology of Masonry . An hour devoted to this instruction would have the best results when the work of the lodge begins in the autumn . There is , in our opinion , too little time devoted to teaching the members of the lodges . The AV . M . has his responsibilities placed upon him . He must either do it himself , or see that it is done . He can no move omit

this teaching than any other duty enjoined by his installation . He is bound by every obligation of headship over the brethren of his lodge , which the office of AVorshipful Master creates , to see to it that the Craft has Masonic light and knowledge . He is charged with the duties thus established as his duties , and ignorance , or lack of interest , or satisfied ambition , or inability , or any other motive

which hinders him from the performance of these duties , is a violation of obligations . If the AV . M . is not competent to give instruction he is not fit for the East , for in Masonry it is expected that the Junior AVarden learns , as Senior AVarden he improves , and as AV . M . he is qualified for the government ofthe lodge , and the diffusion of light and knowledge among the members of the lodge . AVe call the serious attention of our brethren to this

subject , because in a few months lodge elections will be held for officers , and now is the time to ascertain who is fit for the several stations ; and those , and those only , should be placed in them . AVhoever asks , solicits , or " electioneers" for a station in a lodge , he never should

obtain it . The moment that a member begins to intrigue for station that is proof positive , in Masonry , he is unfit for it . Let the brethren reflect over these suggestions , and try a meeting or two for instruction . It will give great satisfaction to all who attend , if a competent teacher undertakes the work .

" THE GREAT LIGHT . " By the public papers we see that a commission has been appointed in England to revise the Bible . AVhat is proposed by this proceeding we do not understand . If it is intended to introduce into the Holy Text the new-fangled notions of the German philology , then is a crime about to be committed against the faith and

confidence of trusting souls . It is an invidious attack upon the Divine authority of the "Great Light , " and an infidel assault on the inspiration which gave man "The Book . " If it is proposed to introduce words which are now better fitted , as it is thought , to express the mind of the writer than those used in the text , we think that the benefits to be thus attained will not compensate for the controversies which might be thus created . In any view of

the subject , we regret the attempt now being made to unsettle the uses ofthe "Great Light . " Millions of able , learned , faithful , trusting souls have read thc text as it is now , and they have been enabled to see from it their faith clear over the road through the valley of the shadow of death to the joys of heaven . " The Great Light " has done this as it is ; why , then , dim the light by putting a mist over it from the worldly wisdom of man ?

POISONOUS TEA . —The trade in thc lowest class of adulterated tea still continues , and this month Dr . Muter reports that there have been no less than So chests exposed for sale , of which he procured samples . This so-called tea consisted ofa variety of rubbish , and is being sold for 2 jjM . per lb . It yielded an ash amounting to 22 * 86 per cent ., consisting chiefly of iron filings , and

under the microscope presented thc structures of many foerign vegetable matters . But the worst sample which came under his notice was a green tea from India , highly faced , and yielding an ash containing a quantity of copper . This is really a sad thing , because it has previously been a noteworthy fact that our Indian planters refrained from such practices , and that tea from our own possessions

could be depended on . AVe trust , however , that this prompt discovery and exposure of what we think is the first case may discourage thc unprincipled persons who are thus disgracing the commercial honour of our Indian planters . The colour seemed to have been produced by roasting in contact with copper , probably in copper pans . — Food Journal .

THE BLOOD IN OLD AGE . — As age advances lhe blood becomes thin and cloudy—or , in a full habit , thick and cloudy . The failing of the powers of life requires extra nutrition and support , and lhe blood yielding the excess required is soon overcharged with carbon , which gives to it the cloudy appearance . Being then impure , clay by day the vitiated matter increases , and the bod y suffers from a thousand ailments . "The Blood Purifier ,

old Dr . Jacob Townsend's Sarsaparilla , supplies the extra nutrition to the blood and restores to it its florid hue , and then the progress of decay is arrested and the ailment disappear—man lives out his days , and the sunset of life is unattended with suffering . Testimonials with each bottle from the Hon . the Dean of Lismore , General Wm .

Gilbert , of the Indian Army ; and Hev . l ' nincis Monck , of "The Gospel Evangelist . " Ordered also for Apothecaries' Hall , London . Sold by all druggists , in bottles 2 s . 6 d ., 4 s ., 4 s . 6 d ., 7 s . 61 I ., us . Pills and Ointment , each in boxes is . i ' / i < S \ ., zs . gd ., 4 s . 6 d . —Caution : Get the red and blue wrappers , with the old Doctor ' s head in the centre . No other genuine . —[ Advt . ]

Jotting From Masonic Journals.

MARK MASONRY . —The Rev . G . Portal , M . W . Grand Mark Master of England , & c , has appointed the R . W . Bro . W . Romaine Callender to be Prov . Grand Mark Master for Lancashire . We may augur a new era for English Mark Masonry in this province from this most felicitous appointment .

REPORT of Dr . Arthur Hill Hassall , Analyst of the "Lancet" Sanitary Commission , Author of " Food and its Adulterations , " & c , & c , on Mayar ' s Semolina : "Ihave carefully tested , chemically and microscopically , the samples of Semolina sent hy Messrs . L . Mayar & Co ., 36 , Mark Lane , London , E . C . I find them to be perfectly genuine , of excellent quality , and eminently nutritious . They contain a very large percentage of

nitrogenous matter , chiefly gluten , and are far more nutritious than any other food , such as Arrowroot , Tapioca , Sago , Corn Flour , Farinaceous Food , ordinary Wheat Flour , or any of the Cereals in use as food in this country . — ( Signed ) ARTHUR HILL HASSALL , M . D ., London . "Highly recommended by the Faculty for Infants , Invalids , & c . Makes delicious Pudding , Custards , Blanc Mange , & c . After a trial no family will be without Mayar ' s Semolina .

CROSBY ' S BALSAMIC COUGH ELIXER . —Opiates Narcotics , and Squills are too often invoked to give relief in Coughs , Colds , and all Pulmonary diseases . Instead of such fallacious remedies , which yield momentary relief at the expense of enfeebling the digestive organs and thus increasing that debility which lie at the root of the malady , modern science points to Crosby's Balsamic Cough Elixer , as the true remedy . —Select Testimonial . Dr . Rooke , Scarboroughauthor of the " Anti-Lancet , " says : "I have repeat

, edly observed how very rapidly _ and invariably it subdued cough Pain , and irritation of the chest in cases of pulmonary consumption , and I can , with the greatest confidence , recommend it as a most valuable adjunct to an otherwise strengthening treatment for this disease . " —This medicine , which is free from opium and squills , not only allays thc local irritation , but improves digestion and strengthens the constitution . Hence it is used with thc most signal success in

Asthmas , Bronchitis , Consumption , Coughs , Influenza , Night Sweats of Consumption , Quinsy , and all alTections of the throad and chest . Sold by all respectable Chemists and Patent Medicine Dealers , in bottles at is . od ., 4 s . 6 d . and its each , and wholesale by JAS . M . CROSBY , Chemist , Scarborough . % * Invalids should read Crosby's Prize Treatise on" Diseases of the Lungs and Air-Vessels , " a copy of which can be obtained gratis of any respectable Chemist . - - [ Advt *]

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^ bbcriiswmtts . 'HPHE FREEMASONS' LIFE BOAT . — JL Committee Room : Bro . FOSTER ' S , Railway Tavern , Londonstreet , E . C . COMMITTEE : Bro . A . E . Harris , P . M . 141 , Bro . Thos . White , W . M . 22 . President . ,, Jas . Wyld , 511 , Prop . Lie . ,, S . Davis , 141 , the Promoter Vict . Guardian . and Treasurer . „ Mann , P . M . and P . Z . 186 , „ E . Gottheil , P . M . 141 , Hon , W . M .-desig . 1306 , & c . Secretary . „ T . Bartlett , W . M . 813 . , John Thomas , P . M . 507 , „ S . Mellish , 188 . P . G . D . C . „ H . F . Isaacs , 188 . ,, Jas , Stevens , P . M . 720 . ,, Lacey , P . M . 174 . „ M . Manns , 188 . „ Alex . Levy , P . M . 188 . ,, J . Kennett , 141 . ,, Wm . Carter , P . M . & Treas . „ H . M . Levy , P . M . 188 . 141 . „ N . Gluckstein , 141 , P . M . 51 , „ J . G . Dickie , P . M . 45 . P-2 . P . P . S . G . W . 177 , P . G . P . „ C . C . Taylor , J . W . 141 . „ J . R . Stebbing , P . M ., and ., B . Salmon , 141 . P . G . D . England . „ T . S . Mortlock , P . M . 174 . „ J . L . Mather , P . M . 65 , S . W . ,, Chas . Davis , 223 . 1267 . BANKERS . London and Westminster Bank , Eastern Branch . The following brethren who are not on the Committee have promised their support : —Br . Col . Maletde Carteret , P . G . M . Channel Islands ; Br . Prosscr , P . M . 244 , Jersey : Br . Gardiner , W . M . 84 , Guernsey ; Br . Ashley , P . M . 254 , Coventry , P . G . J . W . Warwickshire : Br . De Grute , Birmingham ; Br . Woolf , P . M . 223 , Plymouth : and others . Tlie Committee meet at their Room on the first Thursday in every month at 8 p . m . All subscriptions , together with the names of the donors , will be acknowledged in THE FKEEMASON . In order to en * sure success , it is hoped that every Brother will personally interest himself in thc movement . Bro . E . GOTTHEIL , P . M . 141 , Hon . Sec , z-2 o , Mile End Road , E .

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IMPROVED DWELLINGS FOR THE PEOPLE . THE ARTIZANS LABOURERS' & GENERAL DWELLINGS COMPANY , Limited . Capital , . £ 250 , 000 . Shares , jQio . £ 2 paid per Share . President—The DEAN of WESTMINSTER . Arbitrators . Local Council . Right lion . Earl Shaftsbury Sir Thomas Bazley , M . P . Right Hon . Earl Litchfield Jacob Bright , Esq . M . P . Lord Elcho , M . P . J . Cheetham , Esq . ( late ) M . P . & c . & c . W B . Ca ) lendar , jun ., Esi ] ., J . P . W . SWINIILEHURST , Manager and Secretary . The Company is especially formed to erect improved workmens * dwellings on the co-operative principle . No becrshop or tavern to be erected on thc Company ' s property . Deposits , 5 percent ., guaranteed . Prospectuses on application , enclosing postage stamps . OlTice : —i , Great College-street ( opposite the House of Lords ) , Westminster , London .

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AUCTION ROOMS , No . 100 , WESTMINSTER 1 JRIDGE ROAD , Opposite the Orphan Asylum . Bros . Geo * Richards and Co ., AUCTIONEERS , VALUERS , & HOUSE AGENTS , RESPECTFULLY announce that they have taken those old-established Rooms previously occupied by Messrs . BAKTOS nnd SON , for the purpose of holding Sales by Auction of Household Furniture , Stocks-in-Trade , and everv description of property . Goods bought . Cash advanced . Rents collected . Distrains made . Valuations for Probate or Transfer . Sales every Monday , ai One o ' clock , of Household Furnitura and Effects . Established 40 years in Rathbonc-place .

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Bro , WILLIAM PLATT , Manufacturer of Masonic Je-avts , Clothing , Banners , Furniture , Emhroiderics , < S-v ., 6 , BEAUFORT BUILDINGS , STRAND , LONDON , ( Established 1848 ) , Lodge and Chapter Furniture supplied at the lowest prices . A ' mclc article at the Wholesale Price . Terms Cash .