Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lecture
granting them the miraculous passage through the Eed Sea . They parted on the square , for they resolutely determined to stand by aud defend each other from the deadly enemies with whom they foresaw they must encounter before reaching
a land of Avhich they knew little except that it ¦ was promised by their Supreme Euler , and that it was a gift Avorthy of His holy name . The Israelites having crossed the Eed Sea in safety , came to Marah Avhere the waters Avere bitter , which caused
great murmuring among the people . The waters , however , having been miraculously healed by Moses , they journey to Elim , where there were twelve wells of Avater , and seventy palm trees , ¦ and there they encamped . They next proceeded
to the dreary desert of Sin or Zin , Avhere having exhausted all the provisions they had brought from Egypt , they began to feel the keen demands of
hunger . Here quails and manna Avere sent for their sustenance and support , and this latter food continued with them until they reached the borders of Canaan , Avhen , it being no longer necessary , was withdrawn . They next proceed to Sinai , Avhere
they solemnly dedicate themselves anew to God ' s service . It Avas here at the foot of Horeb that "this Holy Lodge was held . In our Masonic Avorks Ave are told that this event took place two years after the departure from Egypt , but modern
inquiries into chronology have shown that writers of the early history of the world have been greatly mistaken as to dates . It has now been ascertained , Avithout the shadow of a doubt , that all the « vents connected with the abode of the Israelites
• at Sinai , including the giving of the lav / , took place the very same year of the Exodus , or departure from Egypt , viz ., B . C . 1491 , or A . M . 2513 .
Ihe solemn service offered to God on this occasion was predicted by the great I Am himself on the occasion of his appearing to Moses in the burning bush . While engaged in the humble office of shepherd , God made known his will to
Moses , and appointed him a deliverer and leader of his people Isreal ; and as a sign of Divine presence , and to assure Moses that the scene was more than a passing vision or dream , God said , " Certainly I will be with thee , and this shall be
a token unto thee that I have sent thee . When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt , ye shall serve God upon this mountain . " This lodge was held on consecrated ground . It Avas ¦ consecrated by the appearance of the Almightv in
the burning ¦ bush , when the Lord said to Moses , " Draw not nigh hither , put off thy shoes from off thy feet , for the place Avhereon thou standest is holy ground . " It Avas upon this occasion that Moses hid his face from the brightness of the Divine presence , as was fully explained in the Eoyal Arch
ceremonies . But this mountain was more especially holy on account of the memorable events Avhich occurred there at the giving of the law , when Mount Sinai was alto . o-ether on a smoke . " The Lord descended
upon it in fire , and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace , and the Avhole mount quaked greatly . " It is this moral law which even noAV regulates our actions ; for if Masonry teaches us the knoAvledge of ourselves , it also teaches us a
knoAvledge of God , for it is by forgetting ourselves that Ave are tempted to dishonour God ; ancl moreover every Mason binds himself to be a moral man , which it is impossible to be unless the holy code of Sinai be respected and observed .
Moreover , a copy of a decalogue , or ten commandments , forms part of the furniture of this chapter ; ancl let us remember that Avhile Ave are surrounded by emblems and symbols , that there is no mystery there , but plain commands sent by ¦ the Most High as beacons to Avarn his
erring children , and to guard them from the rocks of sin ancl iniquity . One word respecting the three holy names AVIIO made this lodge just , perfect and regular . In Moses Ave see meekness ancl courage combined . Iu Aaron , piety combined
with Aveakness , for it was shortly after this that he was persuaded by the people to sanction idolatry . But in Bezaliel , although his name is not so prominently set forward as the two former , we see a blessed character—he Avas a man of
piety and a most skilful Avorkman combined . We find that he Avas filled with the spirit of God , and thus enabled to Avork for a tabernacle—for the service of God . May Ave worthy companions possess such a heart and such a mind !
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
1 CAS 0 X 1 C OATHS . My answer to a Cambridge Master of Arts is that my letter and memorandum books contain numerous entries on the subject of Masonic oatbs , and that I originally intended ' to convert those entries into coin-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lecture
granting them the miraculous passage through the Eed Sea . They parted on the square , for they resolutely determined to stand by aud defend each other from the deadly enemies with whom they foresaw they must encounter before reaching
a land of Avhich they knew little except that it ¦ was promised by their Supreme Euler , and that it was a gift Avorthy of His holy name . The Israelites having crossed the Eed Sea in safety , came to Marah Avhere the waters Avere bitter , which caused
great murmuring among the people . The waters , however , having been miraculously healed by Moses , they journey to Elim , where there were twelve wells of Avater , and seventy palm trees , ¦ and there they encamped . They next proceeded
to the dreary desert of Sin or Zin , Avhere having exhausted all the provisions they had brought from Egypt , they began to feel the keen demands of
hunger . Here quails and manna Avere sent for their sustenance and support , and this latter food continued with them until they reached the borders of Canaan , Avhen , it being no longer necessary , was withdrawn . They next proceed to Sinai , Avhere
they solemnly dedicate themselves anew to God ' s service . It Avas here at the foot of Horeb that "this Holy Lodge was held . In our Masonic Avorks Ave are told that this event took place two years after the departure from Egypt , but modern
inquiries into chronology have shown that writers of the early history of the world have been greatly mistaken as to dates . It has now been ascertained , Avithout the shadow of a doubt , that all the « vents connected with the abode of the Israelites
• at Sinai , including the giving of the lav / , took place the very same year of the Exodus , or departure from Egypt , viz ., B . C . 1491 , or A . M . 2513 .
Ihe solemn service offered to God on this occasion was predicted by the great I Am himself on the occasion of his appearing to Moses in the burning bush . While engaged in the humble office of shepherd , God made known his will to
Moses , and appointed him a deliverer and leader of his people Isreal ; and as a sign of Divine presence , and to assure Moses that the scene was more than a passing vision or dream , God said , " Certainly I will be with thee , and this shall be
a token unto thee that I have sent thee . When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt , ye shall serve God upon this mountain . " This lodge was held on consecrated ground . It Avas ¦ consecrated by the appearance of the Almightv in
the burning ¦ bush , when the Lord said to Moses , " Draw not nigh hither , put off thy shoes from off thy feet , for the place Avhereon thou standest is holy ground . " It Avas upon this occasion that Moses hid his face from the brightness of the Divine presence , as was fully explained in the Eoyal Arch
ceremonies . But this mountain was more especially holy on account of the memorable events Avhich occurred there at the giving of the law , when Mount Sinai was alto . o-ether on a smoke . " The Lord descended
upon it in fire , and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace , and the Avhole mount quaked greatly . " It is this moral law which even noAV regulates our actions ; for if Masonry teaches us the knoAvledge of ourselves , it also teaches us a
knoAvledge of God , for it is by forgetting ourselves that Ave are tempted to dishonour God ; ancl moreover every Mason binds himself to be a moral man , which it is impossible to be unless the holy code of Sinai be respected and observed .
Moreover , a copy of a decalogue , or ten commandments , forms part of the furniture of this chapter ; ancl let us remember that Avhile Ave are surrounded by emblems and symbols , that there is no mystery there , but plain commands sent by ¦ the Most High as beacons to Avarn his
erring children , and to guard them from the rocks of sin ancl iniquity . One word respecting the three holy names AVIIO made this lodge just , perfect and regular . In Moses Ave see meekness ancl courage combined . Iu Aaron , piety combined
with Aveakness , for it was shortly after this that he was persuaded by the people to sanction idolatry . But in Bezaliel , although his name is not so prominently set forward as the two former , we see a blessed character—he Avas a man of
piety and a most skilful Avorkman combined . We find that he Avas filled with the spirit of God , and thus enabled to Avork for a tabernacle—for the service of God . May Ave worthy companions possess such a heart and such a mind !
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
1 CAS 0 X 1 C OATHS . My answer to a Cambridge Master of Arts is that my letter and memorandum books contain numerous entries on the subject of Masonic oatbs , and that I originally intended ' to convert those entries into coin-