Page 32 - Nov Dec 2018 MFM FINAL.indd

construction of his own hands and view the wide
o'er-spreading canopy of the stars, whether fi xed as
centers of vast systems or all noiselessly pursuing
their geometrical paths in accordance with the never
changing laws of nature. Nay, more, the vast fi elds
of illimitable space are all formed of an infi nitude
of circles traced by the compass of the Almighty
Architect, whose every work is set by the Level,
adjusted by the Plumb, and perfected by the Square.
Do this, my Brother, and you must admit with Plato,
that God geometrizes continually, and be assured with
Job that He who stretcheth the earth upon emptiness
and fi xeth the foundation thereof upon nothing, so
it cannot be moved, can bind the sweet infl uence of
Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion. A survey of nature,
and the observation of her beautiful proportions, fi rst
determined man to imitate the Divine plan, and study
symmetry and order. This gave rise to societies, and
birth to every useful art. The architect began to design,
and the plans which he laid down, being improved by
experience and time, have produced works which are
the admiration of every age.

The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance,
and the devastations of war, have laid waste and
destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity on
which the utmost exertions of human genius have been
employed. Even the temple of Solomon, so spacious
and magnifi cent, and constructed by so many artists,
escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force.
Freemasonry, notwithstanding, has still survived. The
attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive
tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely
lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Tools and
instruments of architecture, and symbolic emblems,
most expressive, are selected by the fraternity to imprint
on the mind wise and serious truths; and thus, through
a succession of ages, are transmitted, unimpaired, the
most excellent tenets of our institution.

Page 32 Montana Freemason November December 2018