King Sol-Om-On’s Temple.

King Sol-Om-On’s Temple. [No. 50]

That was a splendid Temple which was raised
By the great Sol-Om-On,—three names in one,
All from “the god of day” whose sheen was on
Those Masons’ labours which e’en yet are praised.
Each Brother must build up, in his own heart, 5
A nobler Temple than e’er graced the brow
Of Mount Moriah, fro which will ever flow
Incense more pure than e’er can form a part
Of priestly fumigations. Let us be
Builders of Spiritual Temples, where our Lord 10
Will find our Souls constantly in accord
With Him through Time and all Eternity.
We must, all life long, Build for Sin or God:
Happy the Mason who his Maker’s paths hath trod.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Hiram, King of Tyre

Hiram, King of Tyre. [No. 51]

Tis well when Rulers can allow the Sword
To rest within the Scabbard; it is wise
To strive alone in peaceful enterprise,
Binding each Land in Commerce,—silken chain
Which never chafes. ’Twas wise in Israel’s King 5
To make such Treaty with the King of Tyre,
When he to Build the temple did aspire.
Even now we seem to hear the Axes ring
In Lebanon’s big Forest. How they fall,
Those Pines and Cedars! And Sidonian skill 10
Soon carves them into shape; the Craftsman’s will
Bringing rude matter into forms which all
Admire for Strength and Beauty. So must we
Carve Thoughts and Feelings with true Masonry.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Widow’s Son.

The Widow’s Son. [No. 52]

Behold a Sculptor!—he, the Widow’s Son,
We learnt in all the Plastic Arts of Tyre,
As practices with skill’d Sidonian Sire:
Which with his Mother’s Piety did run
Blended, as she received it from her Tribe 5
Of Naphtali. He upon Jordan’s Plain,
Between Succoth and Zarthan, with hands and brain
Modell’d the clay in forms which every scribe
Delights to chronicle; in metal cast,
They had endured to the end of time, 10
Had man permitted: and in every clime
Masons his name have honour’d. It will last
For ever; and, in all our Lodges, he
Is the grand type of faithful Secrecy.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Valley of the Shadow of Death.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death. [No. 53]

Dark is the Valley where Death’s Shadow flings
Its sombre hue around: most dense to him
Whose life being evil, all before is dim
To his Soul’s vision. The Master Mason clings
Fast to Hope’s anchor, and perceives a Light, 5
At first seen faintly glimmering in the East,
To guide him onward,—which he knows at least
Is no mere quagmire flame, delusive, bright
To lead astray. That Light is seen more clear
When worldly cares have ceased to dim our sight, 10
And, like true heroes, we resolve to fight
Life’s battle bravely; deeming nothing dear
To wise and worthy Masons here below
Which will not on Mankind true Happiness bestow.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Seeking for the Word.

Seeking for the Word. [No. 54]

Know’st thou what’s meant by Seeking for the Word?
’Tis emblematic of the Search for Truth,—
The Mason’s great desire. He must in youth
And manhood labour to afford
The Mind free scope for growth. All Nature must 5
Be as a Book in which he loves to read
And study well; so that he may be freed
From grovelling Superstition. To be Just,
Courageous in all Righteousness, and Wise;
Trusty, and Merciful to all; to be 10
A man of Honour and Integrity,—
Is ever the true Mason’s high emprise.
He alone Finds the Word who comprehends
His purpose here, and to all Duty humbly bends.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Acacia.

The Acacia. [No. 55]

Revered by Masons let the Acacia be!
The Hebrews used the plant to mark a grave;
And o’er a Brother’s breast I have
Dropp’d it upon the coffin; just when we
Were taking our last look; ere the priest had done 5
His obsequies—or his fellow Volunteers
Discharged their farewell volleys—and the tears
Were trickling down our cheeks. And I have gone
Often alone to visit the green spot
Where the true Brother’s ashes calmly rest: 10
For, when we muse among the tombs, ‘tis best
To be alone. Those Friends we ne’er forget
Seem then to visit us. Then let us be,
Acacia emblem, innocent as thee!

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Legends of the Craft.

The Legends of the Craft. [No. 56]

Whether out legends Facts or Fictions be,
Their Teaching is the same: and that man knows
Little of Ethics who too rashly vows
All Fiction must be Falsehood. Do not we
Find highest Truths in Parables? And He 5
Who taught in Palestine so long ago,
As none else taught, used them to strike a blow
At all Untruth. But we must have the Key
To unlock Symbolic Teaching, in the Mind,
Or Allegories ne’er can benefit 10
The sluggish brain of country clown or cit.
He who knows how to Search, will surely Find
Truth hid e’en in her Well; but they who boast
Sole love of Literal Facts, too often Err the most.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887