Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Part 7

K. S.--"What is the cause of confusion?"

H. K. T.--"* * *"

First and Second Search.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

During Second Search. 12 F. C. (Ordered Confine).

Choose from the bands * * * Those traveling in a * * *

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sea Coast of Joppa]

Third Search.

Fourth Search. * * * Acacia and voices. Capture--Sentence.--W. W. F. T.

F. C. Released.

Procession.

Funeral Dirge.

1. Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound!

Mine ears attend the cry: "Ye living men come view the ground Where you must shortly lie.

2. "Princes! this clay must be your bed, In spite of all your towers; The tall, the wise, the reverend head, Must lie as low as ours."

3. Great G.o.d! is this our certain doom!

And are we still secure, Still walking downward to the tomb, And yet prepared no more?

4. Grant us the power of quick'ning grace, To fit our souls to fly.

Then, when we drop this dying flesh, We'll rise above the sky.

Pleyel's Hymn.

Solemn strikes the fun'ral chime, Notes of our departing time; As we journey here below Through a pilgrimage of woe.

Mortals, now indulge a tear, For mortality is here!

See how wide her trophies wave O'er the slumbers of the grave!

Here another guest we bring!

Seraphs of celestial wing, To our fun'ral altar come, Waft our friend and brother home.

Lord of all! below--above-- Fill our hearts with truth and love; When dissolves our earthly tie Take us to Thy Lodge on high.

The following Prayer is used at the raising of a brother to the degree of Master Mason:

Thou, O G.o.d! knowest our down-sitting and our up-rising, and understandest our thoughts afar off. s.h.i.+eld and defend us from the evil intentions of our enemies, and support us under the trials and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through this vale of tears. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee; Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pa.s.s. Turn from him that he may rest till he shall accomplish his day. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down, and riseth not till the heavens be no more. Yet, O Lord, have compa.s.sion on the children of Thy creation; administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an everlasting salvation.

Amen!

Response: So mote it be!

[Ill.u.s.tration]

That we should be ever ready to go on foot, and even barefoot, on a worthy M. M.'s errand, should his necessities require it, and we be no better provided.

That we should ever remember our brethren in our devotions to Deity.

That the secrets of a worthy M. M., when communicated to us as such, should be as secure and inviolate in our b.r.e.a.s.t.s as they were in his before communication.

That we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to support a falling brother, and aid him on all lawful occasions.

That we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel in the ear of a brother, and warn him of approaching danger.

It has been the practice of all ages to erect monuments to the memory of exalted worth.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THIRD SECTION.

This section ill.u.s.trates certain hieroglyphical emblems, and inculcates many useful and impressive moral lessons. It also details many particulars relative to the building of the Temple at Jerusalem.

King Solomon's Temple.

This magnificent structure was founded in the fourth year of the reign of Solomon, on the second day of the month Zif, being the second month of the sacred year. It was located on Mt. Moriah, near the place where Abraham was about to offer up his son Isaac, and where David met and appeased the destroying angel. Josephus informs us that, though more than seven years were occupied in building it, yet, during the whole term it did not rain in the day time, that the workmen might not be obstructed in their labor. From sacred history we also learn that there was not the sound of ax, hammer or any tool of iron heard in the house while it was building. It is said to have been supported by 1,453 columns and 2,906 pilasters, all hewn from the finest Parian marble. It was symbolically supported, also, by three pillars.