Masonic Notes And Queries.

afraid . I Avill speak to thee farther again of this matter . ' "But as the Theologue advanced to the lower step of the platform , came one of those Avho stood by , and said : 'I have somewhat to offer thee ; take my guago and gavel Avith thee on thy way . ' But the other looked astonished and said : 'What have I to do Avith these ?

keep them . ' ' Nay , ' said the first , ' take them , for thoy are the symbolic guage and gavel which I give thee . The guage will be to thee to measure thy time , for , saifch Solomon , " 'there is a time for all things . ' By means of this thou mayest divide thy time into ' parts , so that one part shall be for thy labour , that nothing bo loft undone ; one part , aud no more , for rest ancl refreshment , that

thou dissipate no portion of thy time in idleness ; and one part for the service of God and the relief of distress , so that all , even thyself , may be succoured in time of need . The ga \ -el -will divest thy mind and conscience ofthe vices and superfluities of life , so that thou mayest be innocent as Avell as just in thy judgment . ' And tho other smiled and said , ' The } - are good , I will take thorn

with thanks . Truly , I Avas nob fully prepared . ' "But as ho advanced to the second step , a second one came and said : ' I have also somewhat to offer thee , which the first could not fully advise thee of . Take my plumb , square , and level . ' But tho Theologue said , ' Why should I take those , they are useless to me ? But tho second said : ' Take them , for I am a builder ,

and they are tho symbolic plumb , level , and square . The plumb is that of Amos , AA'hich was shown him by the Lord , and Avill teach tbee to Avalk uprightly before God and man . The square , to correct thy conduct by the designs of virtue , and to judge Avith equity ; and the level will teach thee humility , Avithout which thou canst not expect the praise of any . ' And the Theologue said : ' Verily , I should have these also , I will take them ; and now I am fully prepared for my work . ' "But as he advanced again , a third came and said :

'Proceed no further , I pray thee , Avithout my trowel , trestle-board and compass . ' And the other said : ' Why what have I to do with these ? ' But the third answered -. ' Take them , for they are implements of a master . Tho symbolic trowel is the implement of brotherly love . How , without this canst thou rightly speak against the act of any ? The trestle-board -will teach thee to make thy

work correspond Avith the designs of the Divine plan , and therefore seek in all nature , the Avorks and glory of God and imitate the same ; ancl the compass Avill circumscribe thy passions and desires Avithin due bounds , lest thou be moved by jealousy or eiiA-y , or seek thine own praise to the injury of others . Moreover , by this thou canst knoAv when thoa art standing on tho centre . '

Then ansAvered tho other and said : ' Thou hast done Avell , my brother , to prepare me Avith these , also ; ' and he advanced upon the fourth step . " But a fourth came aud said : ' Na } r , before thou goest further take my mallet and chisel . ' Bub the Theologue said , ' Hast thou nothing better to offer me ? ' But the fourth said : ' Take them , for they are the tools of one

who can engrave and : inlay . By these thou canst engrave thy instructions on the hearts of thy hearers , as on two tables of stone , one of Avhich shall contain the duties of man to God , and one the duty of man to his felloAV , after the manner of the tables of the law . Moreover , by those thou canst ornament and enrich thy Avork after tho designs of tho Divine plan , that beauty may bo

upon all . ' And he took them , Avith a blessing on him that gave , and stepped upon the fifth step . "But a fifth came and said : ' Hold ' , in thy present undertaking thou Avilt need my rule and line ; take them for thy more perfect preparation . ' ' Why these , ' said the other ; 'I haA-e all I Avant-. ' But the fifth said : Take them , for they pertain to the chair of Solomon . The rule Avill teach thee to frame thy designs on the trestleboard thou earnest , so that they Avill be true copies of the Divine , as drawn on the great moral trestle-board

The lino will be useful to thee ; for how , Avithout this , wilt thou lay the foundation of thy work , in accordance with thy designs , that there be no confusion in thy work , and thou thereby put to shame ?' "Then the Theologue received the gift of the fifth gladly , and sot his foot on the sixth step ; Avhen came a sixth and said : ' Take , I beseech thee , my ark and pot of

incense . ' ' I need not thy ark and censer , ' said the other ; 'let me haste and fulfil my mission . 'Nay , ' ansAvered the sixth , " go not Avithout them , for the ark contains things AA'hich are precious . Here is the law and the testimony which my ancient brethren preserved through great peril . Tho pot of manna , which is the bread of heaven AA'hich faileth notthat thou perish not by the

, way . Tho rod of Aaron , AA'hich budded , blossomed , and bore fruit in the night ; Avhich showeth that each day of thy life must produce his OAVH perfect fruits ; also , the censer contains the thoughts and aspirations of a pure heart , AA'hich is blessed ; Avhereforo , angels are said to appear in the smoke thereof ; for ' the pure in heart see God . '"

"Then tbe Theologue took them and advanced on the seventh stop ; but the Rabbi came in haste , saying : ' Sir , I perceive that thou art Avholly unprepared ; take my keystone before thou goest further . ' But the other answered : ' What is this ? I see no good in it . ' But the Rabbi responded : ' Take it , for ib is the keystone of charity . Without this thy labour will bo for ever

unfinished ; for " ho that hath not charity is in darkness and stumbleth and knoweth . not vrhither he goeth . " If thou reject it , nevertheless , it must be the headstone of the corner , and shall be brought forth Avith shouting . ' " And the Theologue was astonished and took the stone and stepped upon the portico , and behold the Rabbi stood with his companions in many costumes as of different nations , and clothed also with . Avhite aprons and Avhite gloves . " And the Theologue cried : 'HOAV is this ? Who art

thou , and Avho are those thy companions ? And the Rabbi answered : ' We are Sons of Light , according to our degrees . Come , and we will shoAV thee more wonderful things . ' Ancl the Theologue prayed the multitude to wait a time wibh patience , and followed the Rabbi . " And they Avent into the temple , ancl as thoy passed through the portal , behold , two great pillars ; on one

inscribed ' Glory to God in the highest , ' and on the other , ' Peace and goodwill among men . ' And the Theologue said to the " Rabbi : ' Who art thou , and Avhat is thy faith ? ' And the Rabbi said : ' I am of the twelve tribes of Israel , the descendant of those faithful workmen who wrought at the building of King Solomon ' s Temple . ' And the other said : ' How canst thoubeing a JeAVenter

, , Avibh me who am a Christian ; Avhat hast thou done or thy people , that they should enter a house erected to God and universal benevolence ? ' And the Rabbi said : 'Did not my fathers preserve the Holy Writings through peril and persecutions ? The seven psalms of degrees of King David , and all that thou hast in thy ancient Scriptures ? Besides , do not my brethren stand up for the

name of Jehovah Tsidkense throughout all the earth unto this day ? Dost bhou Avorship some other God ?' And the Theologue answered : ' True , Ave will even go together : but Avho is this thab walketh beside thee , with a turban upon his head ? ' 'He is from the land of Arabia , ' said the Rabbi . ' What ! ' said the other ; ' shall this Mussulman go in also ? What has he done

thab he should enter ? ' Aud the third , who was a Mufti , said : ' Shall I go in ? Have not my fathers Avorshipped the God of Abraham and abhorred idolatry above all people ? Have I not also the Avritings of the prophets ? Moreover , if thou shouldst come to my country , thou shouldst find shelber and sustenance in my tent , for ' the fire that burns for the stranger goes not out in the tenb of the Arab . ' " "'And the Theologue bowed and said : "Truly , we three are brethren , but who ai-e these others ? ' And