afts, and 70,000 Entered
Apprentices or bearers of burdens. All these were classed and arranged
in such manner, by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither envy, discord nor
confusion was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good
fellowship which prevailed among the workmen, except in one notable
instance.

* * *

In front of the magnificent porch were placed the two celebrated
pillars--one on the left hand, and one on the right hand. They are
supposed to have been placed there as a memorial to the children of
Israel of the happy deliverance of their forefathers from Egyptian
bondage, and in commemoration of those two miraculous pillars of fire
and of cloud. The pillar of fire gave light to the children of Israel
and facilitated their march. The cloud proved darkness to Pharaoh and
his host and retarded their pursuit. King Solomon, therefore, ordered
these pillars placed at the entrance of the Temple, as the most
conspicuous place, that the children of Israel might have that happy
event continually before their eyes in going to and returning from
divine worship.

The Three Steps.

The Three Steps usually delineated upon the Master's Carpet are
emblematical of the three principal stages of human life: Youth, Manhood
and Age. In Youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought industriously to
occupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge; in Manhood, as
Fellow Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our
respective duties to God, our neighbor and ourselves, so that in Age, as
Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a
well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.

The Pot of Incense.

The Pot of Incense is an emblem of a pure heart, which is always an
acceptable sacrifice to Deity; and as this glows with fervent heat, so
should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the great and
beneficent Author of our existence for the manifold blessings and
comforts we enjoy.

The Beehive.

The Beehive is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of
that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to
the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we came into the
world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious
ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us
are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without
inconvenience to ourselves.