ODE.[1]
At dawn of creation, when bright beams of morning
Broke through the regions of clmos and night,
And angels rejoic'd at the glory adorning
The framework of nature with order and light;
Soon as the brilliant ray,
Symbol of endless day,
Suffus'd with its blush the earth and the sea,
Then on the new-born man
Beam'd the grand mystic plan
Of Masonry's Orders, accepted and free.
From caves of old ocean, whose deep rolling fountain
Gush where foundations of earth darkly lie,
Grand colums rise into ice-cover'd mountains,
To prop up the arch of the star spangled sky.
His was the shrine of love,
Who, from His throne above,
Ancient of days! gave the sovereign decree;
And from the corner-stone
Were all the virtues shown
Of Masonry's Orders, accepted and free.
A cherub there came of beauty in vision,
Whom mortals have call'd by Faith's holy name;
Beside her next stood Hope, pure and elysian,
As ever appear'd in the first dream of fame;
And whilst immortals there,
Charity, gracious fair!
Daughter of heaven! burnt incense to thee;
Swell'd anthems glorious!
Triumph victorious!
Of Masonry's Orders, accepted and free.
- ↑ This ode, written by Brother St. John Phillips, M.D., was substituted by, the Grand Lodge of South Carolinain 1841, on the occasion of the dedication of Masonic Hall in Charleston, for the one formerly used.
