tion at its wondrous magnificence, as well as to protect their eyes from the effect of its exceeding brilliancy.

Nothing ever equalled the splendor of its consecration. Israe. sent forth her thousands, and the assembled people beheld, in awful adoration, the vast sacrifice of Solomon accepted. The flame descended upon the altar and consumed the offering: the shadow and glory of the Eternal proclaimed His presence between the cherubim, and the voice of His thunders told to the faithful of the Craft that the perfectness of their labor was approved.

Bright was the hour

When Israel's Princes, in their pride and power,
Knelt in the Temple's court, the living flame,
The accepted sacrifice to all proclaim.
Brightly the splendor of the Godhead shone,
In awful glory, from his living throne;
Then bowed was every brow,—no human sight
Could brave the splendor of that flood of light

That veiled His presence, and his awful form,

Whose path the whirlwind is — whose breath the storm.

The following passage of Scripture is read at opening:

PSALM XXIV.

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory. Selah."

The following passage is usually read at the reception of a candidate:

PSALM Xxiii.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

The following Song is sung by the Brethren:

MOST EXCELLENT MASTER'S SONG.
Andante Moderato.

The Temple's com-plet-ed, Exalt high each voice;

Cres.

The cap-stone is fin-ished, Our labor is

o'er;

The cap-stone is fin-ished, Our la bor is

o'er ;

no more.

no more.

To the Pow-er Al- mighty, who ev-er has guid - ed

牛排

To the Pow-er Al- mighty, who ev-er has guided

To Him who hath governed our hearts un di- vid-ed,

To Him who hath governed our hearts un

di- vid-ed,

井井

#

Fortiss.

Let's send forth our voic-es to praise his great Name.

Let's send forth our voic-es to praise his great Name.

Companions, assemble
On this joyful day;
(The occasion is glorious,
The keystone to lay :
Fulfilled is the promise

By the ANCIENT of DAYS,
To bring forth the capstone
With shouting and praise.

[CEREMONIES.]

There is no more occasion for level or plumb-line,
For trowel or gavel, for compass or square:
Our works are completed, the ark safely seated,
And we shall be greeted as workmen most rare.

Now those that are worthy,

Our toils who have shared,
And proved themselves faithful,
Shall meet their reward.
Their virtue and knowledge,
Industry and skill,

Have our approbation,

Have gained our good will.

We accept and receive them, Most Excellent Masters,
Invested with honors and power to preside;

Among worthy Craftsmen, wherever assembled,
The knowledge of Masons to spread far and wide.

ALMIGHTY JEHOVAH !

Descend now and fill

This Lodge with thy glory,
Our hearts with good will!
Preside at our meetings;
Assist us to find

True pleasure in teaching
Good will to mankind.

Thy Wisdom inspired the great Institution;
Thy Strength shall support it, till nature expire;
And when the creation shall fall into ruin,

Its Beauty shall rise, through the midst of the fire!