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Article INFORMATION RECEIVED ABOUT RABBI JACOB JEHUDAH LEON. ← Page 2 of 2 Article A LIVING WORKING FORCE. Page 1 of 2 Article A LIVING WORKING FORCE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Information Received About Rabbi Jacob Jehudah Leon.
about the man , hia workB , and his models . It is unknown where tho latter can havo gone to . " I may add that a model of Solomon ' s Temple docs actually exist
in thiB country . It is in the possession of tho Rev . Sohouton , Minister of the Gospel at Utrecht , who had it made entirely at his own expense . The model is on view at tho Minister ' s honse , ou certain days , for a email contribution , destined for the poor . "
All of whioh Bro . Speth certifies , as follows : — " Copies of the letters of Bro . Yaillant G . Sec , and Bro . Geestor . anus Dep . G . M . to Geo . Speth—copied by Mrs . Speth , for Bro . Jacob Norton , of Boston , 29 th May 1889 . "
The above correspondence proves that Rabbi Leon existed ; that he built a model of Solomon ' s Temple , and that he published a book about his workmanship . It disproves , however , that the States of Holland had ordered Rabbi Leon to make the said model , or that tbey had paid him any money for making it . Ono point , howover , remains undecided , viz ., was Rabbi Leon ' s book illustrated and emblazoned with the grand colour ? , as described by
Dermobfc , or , m other words , did Dermott copy his Masons Arms from Rabbi Leon ' s book ? In conclusion , I respectfully thank our distinguished Dutch brethren for tho trouble they took in hunting up the
above information . I thank Bro . Speth for his part of the performance in the Jacob Jehudah Leon question . And
last , though not least , I sincerely thank my good SISTER SPETH for transcribing four folio sheets of paper for my enlightenment and gratification . BOSTON , U . S ., 12 th July 1889 .
A Living Working Force.
A LIVING WORKING FORCE .
Eulogy delivered by Rev . William Nichols Acldey , Past Grand Blaster , at thc Dedication of the Monument to Bro . and Hon . Thomas Arthur Doyle , at Providence , Rhode Island , 24 ^/ t June 1889 . "TTYVERY institution , like the individual man , must
ex-SU pect to be judged on a twofold basis—upon the ground of its inherent character , and its relations with that with which it is surrounded , its power to perform for the world those offices suggested in its principles . To be entitled to recognition as a factor in our busy life it must demonstrate its ability to touch society with vital influence .
Great truths may be engrossed upon enduring materials , sealed and laid away , securely guarded from tho eye and touch of men . But to guard truth so is to insult its dignity , to invest it with that too common royalty which is simply impotent isolation from tbe throbbing life of man .
That alone is truly royal which can tolerate the strong gnzo of the world—can respond to the demands of society upon it . In this , as in our religion , the servant is nobler than tho lord . That truth is not worth the seeking which
has , as it takes shape in our thoughts , no servico to ronder to mankind . And , inasmuch as our Masonic institution is a monument to truths that are fundamental , so , to warrant
our presence as its representatives here to-day , must it be a living , working force , bringing its embodied truth into vital connection with tho world ' s life . The eye of tho loyal
Mason glances back into the past , only that ifc may more keenly take account of tho present , of tho needs which may guide into hopeful channels tho influence at onr command .
As to-day we cluster about this memorial to our hononred chief , whose personality touched with such potent influence the hearts of the people of this great city , and made itself felt not seldom in the largor commonwealth ,
because the interest of the peoplo were his own , are there to be seen any features of our Institution , with whoso statoly words we consccrato this statue , that may , like him wo
honour , touch tho weal of the every-day lives of men ? If tho life wo revere and the body , whoso offices wo bring are in accord , then are we we fitly gathered hero .
buffer me for a brief period to centre our thoughts upon those features of our Masonic Institution which manifest its inherent character and its practical influence upon life , leaving meanwhile those numberless qualities
which may indeed interest the curious , but which aro accidental rather than inherent . Ifc is the symbol on which the eye rests . The fundamental truth is that which
takes possession of the discriminating mind . So , they who find in tho sign and ceremony and symbol tho essence of Masonry mistake tho colour for the texture of tho fabric . Just as in a man thc wealth of power is in the character
A Living Working Force.
and the ability to bring that character into vital connection with the interest of men , so it is is with onr ancient Institution . Ifc is a life , a developed life , trained in tho sohool of human necessity . Its soul is found in the unflagging championship of those immortal truths which
underlie even religion , which aro tho sanction of all moral conduct , which are tho stay of men ' s hearts iu life ' s extremost hours . We need nofc linger to set forth anew here thoso old truths , even new to each new life , to each
life newly awakened to the highest things—the truth about God , eternity , immortality , responsibility ; truths echoing through all the language of our forms , flashing out in our varied ceremonials . It has been
said that persons dwelling in close intimacy with strong and noblo souls grow by degrees into their likeness . The Mason dwells in the presence of embodied truth , whose voice speaks ever the same unvarying counsel , and appeals to him with the same eternal
sanctions . Something of truth ' s glorious features should shme out ere long in the lineaments of his character . And need
we wonder , in the light of these facts , that so often tho silvery-haired veteran in our ranks , to whom long ago life ' s playthings had lost their charm , and who is growing more and more to value things according to their essential
qualities , should enter our asylums with fresh , warm devotion to a brotherhood he has known so long . He has dwelt in tbe presence of truth personified in our stately ceremonial and been suffused with its lofty spirit . The lifo
of man and of every lasting institution must anchor itself in those immutable truths which lie at the root of all religion and of all morality . And so , while Masonry never intrudes itself unbidden within the sacred domain of
religion , never assumes to do more than second and farther that work committed especially to the church of Christ ,
never haughtily frowns upon other groups of men seeking the same noble ends , it plants itself solidly upon tho immutable doctrines of God , of eternity , of a resurrection to the immortal life , of responsibility to the God of
heaven for the lives we live . Upon these foundations rises our Masonic structure , and thoy who dwell within its sacred precincts dwell where God is , where truth reigns ; are guilty of profaning the sacredness of heavenly things
when word or act fails to accord with the spirit of the divine law . Symbolic ceremony , traditional and historic illustrations combine within our walls to implant indelibly these divine teachings upon the hearts of our disciples . But they are guilty of grave error who pronounce Masonry
a thing of the past , becauso its lessons are couched in ancient symbolism and because it deals in eternal verities . Eternity reaches forward as well as backward—forward always to every soul truly awake to the grandest things .
The conservative tenacity of Masonry for immutable truth is its safeguard , the ground of its power to be a sure and lasting help to thc interests of men . Only the spirit of anarchy would change that which ought to be counted
immutable . But , just as eternity touches time by including it within itself , so these eternal principles touch the over-varying interests of humanity . Thoy who are well versed in the teachings of Masonry will wonder at their
breadth of range , afc their vivid setting forth of tbe facts and experiences of life . And what does this reveal ? Why , the fact that Masonry has been a growth , that it has grown
out of a keen appreciation of those changeless truths wo have catalogued , and , in addition to that , a clear , sympathetic knowledge of the longings and needs of humanity . Through unnumbered generations tho
handicraft of spoculativo and symbolic Masonry has been exorcised in working into its structure the varied experiences , tho drama of human life—setting tho whole story to tho key-note of principle . What men need and
feel most keenly it has made the subject of its thought and study ; so that , while tho world outside may think of us as secluded within a shrine where everything is ancient , our practical relations are with the living realities of to-day ;
just as love and sympathy and sense of mutual obligation are but empty words , except as they deal with the real life of the present , with which we come in contact . Does society desire to learn a wholesome lesson in the rightful
relation between tho so-called highest and lowest among its ranks ? We will teach them that he who , as our Grand Master , holds the highest office in the gift of Masonry , and ,
with it , an authority extremely exceptional in this modern age , nevertheless , as far as his fraternal relations with his fellows and pergonal character are concerned , stands for
what he is worth as a man , on a level as a brother among
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Information Received About Rabbi Jacob Jehudah Leon.
about the man , hia workB , and his models . It is unknown where tho latter can havo gone to . " I may add that a model of Solomon ' s Temple docs actually exist
in thiB country . It is in the possession of tho Rev . Sohouton , Minister of the Gospel at Utrecht , who had it made entirely at his own expense . The model is on view at tho Minister ' s honse , ou certain days , for a email contribution , destined for the poor . "
All of whioh Bro . Speth certifies , as follows : — " Copies of the letters of Bro . Yaillant G . Sec , and Bro . Geestor . anus Dep . G . M . to Geo . Speth—copied by Mrs . Speth , for Bro . Jacob Norton , of Boston , 29 th May 1889 . "
The above correspondence proves that Rabbi Leon existed ; that he built a model of Solomon ' s Temple , and that he published a book about his workmanship . It disproves , however , that the States of Holland had ordered Rabbi Leon to make the said model , or that tbey had paid him any money for making it . Ono point , howover , remains undecided , viz ., was Rabbi Leon ' s book illustrated and emblazoned with the grand colour ? , as described by
Dermobfc , or , m other words , did Dermott copy his Masons Arms from Rabbi Leon ' s book ? In conclusion , I respectfully thank our distinguished Dutch brethren for tho trouble they took in hunting up the
above information . I thank Bro . Speth for his part of the performance in the Jacob Jehudah Leon question . And
last , though not least , I sincerely thank my good SISTER SPETH for transcribing four folio sheets of paper for my enlightenment and gratification . BOSTON , U . S ., 12 th July 1889 .
A Living Working Force.
A LIVING WORKING FORCE .
Eulogy delivered by Rev . William Nichols Acldey , Past Grand Blaster , at thc Dedication of the Monument to Bro . and Hon . Thomas Arthur Doyle , at Providence , Rhode Island , 24 ^/ t June 1889 . "TTYVERY institution , like the individual man , must
ex-SU pect to be judged on a twofold basis—upon the ground of its inherent character , and its relations with that with which it is surrounded , its power to perform for the world those offices suggested in its principles . To be entitled to recognition as a factor in our busy life it must demonstrate its ability to touch society with vital influence .
Great truths may be engrossed upon enduring materials , sealed and laid away , securely guarded from tho eye and touch of men . But to guard truth so is to insult its dignity , to invest it with that too common royalty which is simply impotent isolation from tbe throbbing life of man .
That alone is truly royal which can tolerate the strong gnzo of the world—can respond to the demands of society upon it . In this , as in our religion , the servant is nobler than tho lord . That truth is not worth the seeking which
has , as it takes shape in our thoughts , no servico to ronder to mankind . And , inasmuch as our Masonic institution is a monument to truths that are fundamental , so , to warrant
our presence as its representatives here to-day , must it be a living , working force , bringing its embodied truth into vital connection with tho world ' s life . The eye of tho loyal
Mason glances back into the past , only that ifc may more keenly take account of tho present , of tho needs which may guide into hopeful channels tho influence at onr command .
As to-day we cluster about this memorial to our hononred chief , whose personality touched with such potent influence the hearts of the people of this great city , and made itself felt not seldom in the largor commonwealth ,
because the interest of the peoplo were his own , are there to be seen any features of our Institution , with whoso statoly words we consccrato this statue , that may , like him wo
honour , touch tho weal of the every-day lives of men ? If tho life wo revere and the body , whoso offices wo bring are in accord , then are we we fitly gathered hero .
buffer me for a brief period to centre our thoughts upon those features of our Masonic Institution which manifest its inherent character and its practical influence upon life , leaving meanwhile those numberless qualities
which may indeed interest the curious , but which aro accidental rather than inherent . Ifc is the symbol on which the eye rests . The fundamental truth is that which
takes possession of the discriminating mind . So , they who find in tho sign and ceremony and symbol tho essence of Masonry mistake tho colour for the texture of tho fabric . Just as in a man thc wealth of power is in the character
A Living Working Force.
and the ability to bring that character into vital connection with the interest of men , so it is is with onr ancient Institution . Ifc is a life , a developed life , trained in tho sohool of human necessity . Its soul is found in the unflagging championship of those immortal truths which
underlie even religion , which aro tho sanction of all moral conduct , which are tho stay of men ' s hearts iu life ' s extremost hours . We need nofc linger to set forth anew here thoso old truths , even new to each new life , to each
life newly awakened to the highest things—the truth about God , eternity , immortality , responsibility ; truths echoing through all the language of our forms , flashing out in our varied ceremonials . It has been
said that persons dwelling in close intimacy with strong and noblo souls grow by degrees into their likeness . The Mason dwells in the presence of embodied truth , whose voice speaks ever the same unvarying counsel , and appeals to him with the same eternal
sanctions . Something of truth ' s glorious features should shme out ere long in the lineaments of his character . And need
we wonder , in the light of these facts , that so often tho silvery-haired veteran in our ranks , to whom long ago life ' s playthings had lost their charm , and who is growing more and more to value things according to their essential
qualities , should enter our asylums with fresh , warm devotion to a brotherhood he has known so long . He has dwelt in tbe presence of truth personified in our stately ceremonial and been suffused with its lofty spirit . The lifo
of man and of every lasting institution must anchor itself in those immutable truths which lie at the root of all religion and of all morality . And so , while Masonry never intrudes itself unbidden within the sacred domain of
religion , never assumes to do more than second and farther that work committed especially to the church of Christ ,
never haughtily frowns upon other groups of men seeking the same noble ends , it plants itself solidly upon tho immutable doctrines of God , of eternity , of a resurrection to the immortal life , of responsibility to the God of
heaven for the lives we live . Upon these foundations rises our Masonic structure , and thoy who dwell within its sacred precincts dwell where God is , where truth reigns ; are guilty of profaning the sacredness of heavenly things
when word or act fails to accord with the spirit of the divine law . Symbolic ceremony , traditional and historic illustrations combine within our walls to implant indelibly these divine teachings upon the hearts of our disciples . But they are guilty of grave error who pronounce Masonry
a thing of the past , becauso its lessons are couched in ancient symbolism and because it deals in eternal verities . Eternity reaches forward as well as backward—forward always to every soul truly awake to the grandest things .
The conservative tenacity of Masonry for immutable truth is its safeguard , the ground of its power to be a sure and lasting help to thc interests of men . Only the spirit of anarchy would change that which ought to be counted
immutable . But , just as eternity touches time by including it within itself , so these eternal principles touch the over-varying interests of humanity . Thoy who are well versed in the teachings of Masonry will wonder at their
breadth of range , afc their vivid setting forth of tbe facts and experiences of life . And what does this reveal ? Why , the fact that Masonry has been a growth , that it has grown
out of a keen appreciation of those changeless truths wo have catalogued , and , in addition to that , a clear , sympathetic knowledge of the longings and needs of humanity . Through unnumbered generations tho
handicraft of spoculativo and symbolic Masonry has been exorcised in working into its structure the varied experiences , tho drama of human life—setting tho whole story to tho key-note of principle . What men need and
feel most keenly it has made the subject of its thought and study ; so that , while tho world outside may think of us as secluded within a shrine where everything is ancient , our practical relations are with the living realities of to-day ;
just as love and sympathy and sense of mutual obligation are but empty words , except as they deal with the real life of the present , with which we come in contact . Does society desire to learn a wholesome lesson in the rightful
relation between tho so-called highest and lowest among its ranks ? We will teach them that he who , as our Grand Master , holds the highest office in the gift of Masonry , and ,
with it , an authority extremely exceptional in this modern age , nevertheless , as far as his fraternal relations with his fellows and pergonal character are concerned , stands for
what he is worth as a man , on a level as a brother among