The Solomonic Origin Of Freemasonry.

The critical problem , then , which we have hereafter to resolve , is not how did Speculative Masonry descend from the Operative Masonry of the Solomonic Temple , but rather how did the idea of that Temple first become incorporated into the modern Masonic system ? At what period

was the allegory first invented ? This problem is full of interest , and alone would furnish an ample field for discussion . If we adopt the now more popular belief that our Speculative Masonry will find its true origin in the operative

stonemasonry of the Middle Ages , we shall be impressed with the pertinent fact that the idea of the Temple of Solomon was not altogether unknown to those mediaeval workmen , and that their master builders preserved the reference to it in many of

their architectural symbols . The " Compagnonnage " , of Germany , and especially of France , which was undoubtedly a close resemblance to Freemasonry , and which is supposed to have been an organization of the Craftsmen in rivalry ofor in defence

, against , the corporations of the Masters , traced its ori gin to the Temple of Jerusalem , and had many legends connected with that building . Indeed , one of its divsions was called " the children of Solomon . "

Most probably the introduction of the idea of the Temple of Solomon into Freemasonry is partly , jserhaps wholly , to be attributed to the natural connection that existed—so far as there was a common reli gious purpose—between the labours of the Christian workmen on their cathedrals

and those of the Jewish and Tyrian workmen on their great Temple . The idea of the cathedral suggested the idea of the Temple , and the labours and labourers on each became fancifully and allegorically identified . Everything- in the ancient Temple worship was applied to the modern cathedral worship . Everything in the labours on the one was transferred in idea

to the labours on the other , and the workmen of Strasburg and Cologne began at last to be confused with those of Jerusalem and Tyre . And then , when the organization of the Order which now prevails was established , and its present form , given to it , it was an easy and natural task to

introduce the Temple of Solomon , so long familiarised as an idea , into the ritual , and to adopt the mediaeval myths connected with it , which in time were , gradually

The Solomonic Origin Of Freemasonry.

accepted as historical narratives . Modern researches and modern scepticism are beginning to take them back to their original condition . We may then say , I think , that , while we are not permitted to recognise the

Freemasons of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries , as the legitimate descendants of the " stone-squarers " of Solomon and Hiram , yet we must admit that the Freemasonry of this day is a symbolical development of the Temple which was

constructed at Jerusalem . And therefore , whatever may become of the historical question we can never abandon the symbolic idea , and must still truthfully call the Temple allegorically the type of the Lodge . —Mackey ' s National Freemason .

Three Things.

THREE THINGS .

Three things to admire : Intellectual Power , Dignity , and Gracefulness . Three things to love : Courage , Gentleness , and Affection .

Three things to hate : Cruelty , Arrogance , and Ingratitude . Three things to delight in : Frankness , Freedom , and Beauty .

Three things to wish for : Health , Friends , and a Cheerful Spirit . Three things to avoid : Idleness , Loquacity , and Flippant Jesting . Three things to pray for .

Faith , Peace , and Purity of Heart . Three things to contend for : Honour , Country , and Friends . Three things to govern :

Temper , Tongue , and Conduct . Three things to think about : Life , Death , and Eternity . American Freemason .