The Spirit Of Freemasonry.

whom the tetra-grammon is the symbol . And the Mason ' s first prayer is for the gift of divine wisdom , that he may be enabled to display the beauties of virtue , to the praise and glory of that holy name . It has been wisely said by one of the greatest philosophers of antiquitythat " reverence

, for the Supreme Being is the foundation of all religion . " This spirit of reverence for the Supreme Being is fully recognized in Masonic Ritual , and enters largely into all its teachings . Nor do we wonder at this , for we find that even the cultured minds

among the heathen of old would never allow the names of their gods to be profaned ; but informed as are Masons as to God ' s glorious character and excellent glory , how much more weighty are our obligations to reverence his holy name . And it is a

question which every one must individually settle , whether a Mason who takes the name of the Supreme being in vain and profanely , whether he is not by reason of such conduct unmasonic and recreant to the solemn pledge which he has made . Following immediately after this confession comes , as a matter of course , a

Mason ' s obligation , to remember the Sabbath , and keep it holy , I do not mean to infer from this that a Blason is bound to keep the Sabbath either in the Jewish or Christian manner ; but the Sabbath , as a wise provision of Providence , is a fact

recognized by all enlightened creeds , from the Brahmin upwards , and is founded in the very requirements of human nature . This fact is recognized and enforced in that sacred Volume of the Law , which is ever open in our lodgeand is a feet fully established b

, y the historic traditions and lectures of our organization . These all tell us that the Almighty Builder of the Universe having accomplished his six days work , rested on the seventh . He blessed , hallowed , and sanctified it . He thereby taught man to

work industriousl y for six days in the week , but strictly commanded him to rest on the seventh . Do you ask why in the divine economy this arrangement was deemed necessary and beneficial ? We answer it was in order that man might contemplate the

wisdom , goodness and providential arrangements of his great Creator , and that be might offer praises for his unspeakable gifts to the children of men . " In holy duties let the day In holy pleasures pass away ;

How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend , In hope of one which ne'er shall end . " As we advance upward through the Masonic degrees , we shall find new landscapes continually presenting themselves to our view ; we shall perceive a new colouring in every gleam of lightand a new emphasis in

, every deepening shade of Masonic mysteries . Without dwelling too minutely upon the symbols of all the degrees , I cannot but call your attention to the facts indicated by the 3 rd degree . In this we are taught the grand and glorious truths of the

resurrection of the dead , and the life which is eternal . It clearly symbolizes that death is not the end of man ; but . that this corruption shall put on incorruption , and this mortal shall put on immortality , This is the spirit of Masonry . To deny the truth of

the resurrection and the life to come is to open the door to all licentiousness . If this body is simply to drop of , or be laid aside for ever in death , what matters how we use it in this life ? How narrow must be

such a one in his views , and how dwarfed in intellect and human sympathy , who can see no prospect beyond the earthly horizon ; what low ambitions control him , and how essentially weak he must be in the great conflict of life . If you as Masons would act well your part in life ; if you would

live in full sympathy with your fellow men and with the spirit of the age in which you live , then look well and earnestly to the future , and to the final approval of the great Master , The man who does this becomes , as the ancients would say , athanatos or immortal .

" Corruption and the grave Shall but refine the flesh , Till my triumphant spirit conies To put it on afresh . Arrayed in glorious grace , Shall their vile bodies shine ; And every shape and every face Look heavenly and divine .

For it is not all of life to live ; nor all of death to die , For beyond this vale of tears ; unmeasured By the flight of years , there is a life above . '' ( To be continual . )

The Solomonic Origin Of Freemasonry.

THE SOLOMONIC ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY .

BY ALI 3 EKT G . 3 IACKET , Jt . D . One of the most important results of the revolution which is now taking place in the