What Can I Do ?

no man in the ranks of our Society , we aro proud to believe , but would cede some portion of that which goes to cater for his own gratification , if by so doing he could confer even a transcient ray of pleasure upon one less highly favoured than himself . If this spirit animated all

who are ranged under tho banner of tho Craft , a more cosmopolitan display of manhood and love would be at once evinced , and there would be no complaining in our streets . Thus , amidst all the festivities in which young and old , who are in the enjoyment of health

and comfort , hope to participate at this season , may our little motto glisten in every mind as the holly berry blushes amidst the dark and thorny foliage , and smile as the mistletoe which invites to pure and innocent merriment . Then

may we look forward with additional zest to the merry season that is only a fortnight distant from us ; and , because we have cherished such thoughts , wo may be snre fche " merry " festival will be rendered a thousand times more cheery and hilarious than it has ever been before .

New York Masonic Charities.

NEW YORK MASONIC CHARITIES .

ARE we approaching the period when our Home Charities will take a more prominent and tangible position ? We cannot pursuade ourself that the future is distant when the aged of our Fraternity will be enabled to offer their thanksgivings to the Creator for having endowed man with His godly attribute , Charity—when

the orphaned youth may not only receive mental culture and an education in the arts and sciences , but a training in the habits of industry , with a development of their physical systems , that will prepare them to become useful men and worthy citizens . The Asylum that was and

is intended to follow the physical fruition of success of a Masonic Hall in this city was not determined as exclusively an edifice wherein to maintain in perfect repose

fche indigent aged , but , fco the best of our memory , we believe in the report of 1851—the rising generation that had lost the natural protector was to be cared for and prepared for a life of future usefulness as well . *

What are the prospects ? We know the response of that too numerous throng ever ready to hold back the brightening fates and point to the dismal creation of their own minds . Thafc the picture is not a brilliant one

in the foreground all must admit , nor do we desire to mislead in the colouring , but we can look beyond the vailed present into the sunlight of the future with strong hope . We also appreciate the present financial shadow , but that is fleecy , for it is admitted the country

at bottom is prosperous . It is impossible to close our eyes to the era of good feeling and heartiness which is the mainstay of healthfulness , pervading our Fraternity , at least locally . Distrust

is passing away , confidence is manifest , a reliance upon the faithfulness of the Trustees is evident , the resources are widening and deepening , and the accountability nnder the new regime guaranteed .

New York , with over seven hundred Lodges , and a spirit of determination , will not fail to accomplish a declared purpose in relation to an Asylum ; Missouri , with but forty-two Lodges and eight hundred members , in 1844 carried to a successful issue a similar movement ,

although upon a minor scale . Surely we cannot think of receding when Kentucky bristles with the light of Charity in its true Masonic Home , which is a glory to the State ; when we reflect that Old Kentucky was an uninhabited wilderness at the time Masonry was

established within the boundaries of New York . We do not lack , in means , in energy , in pride , in desire , and certainly not in motive , in such an undertaking—then in

whatsimply a financial leader . With a backing of nearly eighty thousand active enrolled men , there is needed but a General , quick to devise and determined to execute , in order to accomplish the desired end .

The debt on the Hall looks formidable—seven dollars

per capita on each enrolled member . The reduction of the debt during the pasfc year was over 35 , 000 dollars ; but by putting the proper machinery to work , the

principal would be reduced , and consequently the enormous sum required to pay interest , which is the canker eating into the vitals of the people . Massachusetts , in her dilemma , found her General ; will

New York Masonic Charities.

not New York shortly in her emergency find a leader worthy of tho cause , who , sweeping away the bani . ir , will open tho road to the early establishment of our intended beneficent Homo Charities ? If the State has provided for tho education of youth , it

does not give them a support nor a homo-training and influence j it leaves them to eke out the substance of the widow , while developing their talents to become fitted for accomplished mechanics or successful merchants , scientific philosophers , or renowned statesmen . But , apart from

school or college , how welcome would bo tho resting-place for the sick or enfeebled old man who has littlo before him for relief from the cares of this world , and who otherwise can only contemplate tho pauper ward of an almshouse , in

hen of the tender care of his kindly brethren , and know and feel that the bed , the food , and the attention he receives are his duo , and thafc in the past he has earned them all .

It is not necessary to speak of our principles , our duties , nor other hackneyed urgencies to motion , but rather let us set ourselves about the various courses to be pursued , the selecting of a directing genius , and bending our wills and our efforts to crowning the consummation of our desires with an early success .

Our strides in the last three decades , toward the accomplishment of the Hall and the Asylum , have been bold ; they were well conceived , notwithstanding they were injudiciously carried out ; but we have no reflections for the pasfc , wo accept the present aud the inevitable .

We have great confidence in the fight of the faithful , and will earnestly assist in the great contest of throwing off the incubus of debt , and thus smoothing the pillow of the deserving aged ; for the wants of such aro our

wantstheir sorrows are our sorrows , and their life cares are eminently ours . So long as they shall tabernacle on earth , they are entitled to and shall receive our regard and sympathy as brethren , even until tho Grand Master of all

" Shall gather them home from every land , one by one , As their weary feet touch the shining strand , one by one . " Our sister state of Pennsylvania has very recently set us

an additional bright example . The mode adopted has been unique , but success is unquestioned . Their near future is to-day , and the benefits and blessings of Homo Charities are already upon them . —Hebrew Leader .

The Charlestown Mother Supreme Grand Council Of The World.

THE CHARLESTOWN MOTHER SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL OF THE WORLD .

BT BEO . JACOB NORTON . I IMAGINED that the Charleston high degree concern , which Bro . Albert Pike designates by the pompons title at the head of this article , which manufactured the Frederick the Great Charter with eight additional degrees , and which imposed her eight degrees upon the French Orient , and changed the very title of the Rite

from " Lodge of Perfection" to that of " Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry , " I say , I imagined that the concern was in possession of a complete set of records from 1762 . Recently , however , I learned from some publications issued by Bro . Folger , Grand Secretary of one of

tbe Cerneau concerns at New York , that Bro . Pike ' s mother is not in possession of any records earlier than 1860 , and that Bro . Pike does nofc know when he was made a member of fche Scotch Rite , nor when he was made Grand Commander , & c . It seems then that Bro . Pike received

his high degrees merely from a " Degree peddler . " The whole story seemed to me so strange as to induce me to consult the Proceedings of Southern Supreme Council for 1878 , p 19 , and I herewith send you an exact copy on tbe question above hinted , Bro . Pike says :

" I have also placed in the hands of the printer here , to be reprinted , our Transactions of 1857 to 1866 , of the parts of which we have no copy to furnish to any one , and of the other only some half-dozen . I have found them among

what we call our ' Archives , ' connected with the previous history of this Rite in the Jurisdiction . As you will see b y fche small package of the originals , they are few in number .

" I am often asked why we do nofc publish onr old Tran sacfcions , to which I am compelled to reply , that we hav none to publish . We have no record of the transaction