that great work in the space of seven years and six months, when the two succeeding temples, though much inferior, employed so much more time; and when we have good authority to believe that the temple of Diana at Ephesus, a structure not comparable to the temple at Jerusalem, was two hundred and twenty years in building.

The building being conducted by a set of religious, makes it natural to conceive, that from devotion and pious fervour, as well as emulation, those employed had unceasing motives to prompt their diligence, and preserve harmony and order; as their labour was probationary, and led to an advancement to superior privileges, higher points of knowledge, and at the last, to that honorable pre-eminence of a Master of the holy work.

Solomon himself was an extraordinary personage, and his wisdom and magnificence had gained him the wonder and attention of the neighbouring nations; but this splendid structure, the wonder of the earth, thus raised by the pious hands of men labouring in the worship and service of the God of Israel, would of consequence extend his fame, and attract the admiration of the more distant parts of the world: his name, and his artificers, would become the wonder of mankind, and his works their example and emulation: from thence the masons of Solomon would be dispersed into different states, to superintend the works of other princes, and there would convert infidels, initiate brethren in their mysteries, and extend their order over the distant quarters of the known world.

We find that the like distinction was retained on rebuilding the temple in the reign of Cyrus, and that the work was performed by the religious of the Israelites, and not by ordinary mechanics; for they refused to admit the Samaritans to a share of the work, although they petitioned it, under the denomination of servants of the same God: but they were rejected, as unworthy of the works of piety, and

unacceptable to the God of Israel: for though they professed themselves to be servants of the true God, they polluted their worship by idols.

Josephus, in his History of the Antiquities of the Jews, speaking of Solomon's going about to erect the Temple at Jerusalem, gives copies of the epistles which passed between Solomon and Hiram of Tyre on that matter; and which he says remained in his days preserved in their books, and amongst the Tyrians also: which epistles are as follow:

SOLOMON TO KING HIRAM.

“Know thou, that my father would have built a temple to God, but was hindered by wars and continual expeditions; for he did not leave off to overthrow his enemies, till he made them all subject to tribute: But I give thanks to God for the peace I at present enjoy: and on that account I am at leisure, and design to build an house to God; for God foretold to my father, that such an house should be built by me: Wherefore I desire thee to send some of thy subjects with mine to Mount Lebanon, to cut down timber; for the Sidonians are more skilful than our people in cutting of wood as for wages for the hewers of wood, I will pay whatsoever price thou shalt determine."

HIRAM TO KING SOLOMON.

"There is reason to bless God that he hath committed thy father's government to thee, who art a wise man and endued with all virtues: As for myself, I rejoice at the condition thou art in, and will be subservient to thee in all that thou requirest; for when by my servants I have cut down many and large trees, of Cedar and Cypress wood: I will send them to sea, and will order my subjects to make floats of them, and to sail to what place soever of thy country thou shalt desire, and leave them there; after which thy servants may carry them to Jerusalem: but do thou

take care to procure corn for this timber, which we stand much in need of, because we inhabit an island."

Josephus, speaking of the progress of the building, says: "Solomon sent for an artificer out of Tyre, whose name was Hiram, by birth of the tribe of Naphtali, on the mother's side. This man was skilful in all sorts of works, but his chief skill lay in working in gold, silver, and brass."

Solomon was wise in all the learning of the ancients; he was possessed of all the mystical knowledge of the eastern nations; and to perfect the same, was enlightened by the immediate gift of heaven. It was also the mode and manners of the times, in which the temple of Jerusalem was erected, to use emblematical and symbolic ornaments in the public edifices; a fashion derived from the hieroglyphic monuments of the Egyptians, and the mysterious mode in which their sages concealed their wisdom and learning from the vulgar eye, and communicated science to those of their own order only.

The pillars erected at the porch of the temple were not only ornamental, but also carried with them an emblematical import in their names. The one being in its literal translation, in thee is strength; and the other, it shall be established; which, by a very natural transposition, may be put thus: O Lord thou art mighty, and thy power is established from everlasting to everlasting: Or otherwise they might imply, as Boaz was the father of David, the house of David shall be established forever. I am justified in this latter application, by the express words of Nathan the prophet unto David, inspired by the vision of the Lord.

2 Sam. vii. 12.-" And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

Ver. 13. "He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

Ver. 16. "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee; thy throne shall be established for ever."

This degree of Masonry was not less useful in its original institution, nor are its effects less beneficial to mankind, than those which precede it.

By the influence of this degree, each operative Mason, at the erection of the temple of Solomon, was known and distinguished by the Senior Grand Warden.

By its effects the disorder and confusion that might otherwise have attended so immense an undertaking was completely prevented; and not only the craftsmen themselves, who were eighty thousand in number, but every part of their workmanship, was discriminated with the greatest nicety, and the utmost facility. If defects were found, by the help of this degree, the overseers were enabled, without difficulty, to ascertain who was the faulty workman; so that deficiencies might be remedied without injuring the credit, or diminishing the ward of the industrious and faithful of the craft.

CHARGE

TO BE READ IN THE LODGE.

"Wherefore, brethren, lay aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.

"If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also, as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God.

Wherefore, also, it is contained in the scriptures, Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a tried stone, a pre

cious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste to pass it over. Unto you, therefore, which believe, it is an honour; and even to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.

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Brethren, this is the will of God, that with well-doing ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God."

REMARKS ON THE FOURTH LECTURE.

THE FIRST SECTION.

The first section explains the manner of convocating and opening a Mark Master's Lodge. It teaches the stations and duties of the respective officers, and recapitulates the mystic ceremony of introducing a candidate.

In this section is exemplified the regularity and good order that was observed by the craftsmen on Mount Libanus, and in the plains and quarries of Zeredathah, and it ends with a beautiful display of the manner in which one of the principal events originated, which characterizes this degree.

THE SECOND SECTION.

In the second section the Mark Master is particularly instructed in the origin and history of this degree, and the indispensable obligations he is under to stretch forth his assisting hand to the relief of an indigent and worthy brother, to a certain and specified extent.

Charity, heaven-born charity, is here particularly inculcated, and specially enjoined.

In the course of the lecture, a selection of the following