Our Christmas Lodge Of Emergency.

which always come at this season of tho year , there is the darker side of tho picture , where piuching misery and want stand shivering af tho portals of our gleo , and appeal to us for aid . To assist in such a work is a privilego and a joy , but it likewise rcquiivs a perfect freedom of inclination iu every one who takes a part . Are you therefore willing to help forward so laudable an enterprise ?"

Chorns of assent , headed by tho Treasurer , who has long borne tho soubriquet of the " stnrdy beggar , " from his great and earnest zeal in the cause of Charity . " Well said , " almost roared tho W . M ., as ho dashed his fist in triumph npon the oak tab'o . " Right well I knew you would . And

now , seeing that wo are not actually in Lodge , but still en camera , I will tell yon a Christmas story , which may perhaps whet your appetites for the work to which you have put your hands . " And as a Christmas story mnst always havo a ghost or goblin , lot me nt ouco inform you I havo seen

"A TERRIBLE GHOST . " " None of your ordinary churchyard spectres , with long white shroud and blanched face , who , with outstretched hand and pointed finger , beckons yon on to mystic scenes , and to somo dreadful goal of possible perdition . Worse , far worse , than that . Shall I proceed , brethren ?" Never shall I forget the enthusiasm thnt lighted np the old man ' s

eyes ns ho perceived how eagerly we caught the interest of his tale . He seemed to draw himself erect in his high-backed chair , and puffing away with increasing gnsto at his pipe , he snrveyed us with a benignant paternal smilo , as though proud of scholars who were so apt .

" Are you all charged ? " was his lusty inquiry . The Wardens gave the nsual reply , and then the old man went on : " Only a night or two ago I was returning from a long and tedious jonrney , driving over yonder heath . Tho snow fell in huge feathery flakes , which blinded me almost , and rose above the tyres of my gig wheels .

" Old Bob—dear old faithful nag , who Avonld carry me anywhereshivered in his harness as tho sweeping gusts of wind drove the snow like sheets into our faces , while tho moaning across the bleak common sounded like tho voices of the dead , crying ont in the frenzy of remorse .

" Before ns , and aronnd , was the dreary snow-drift , with not a tree , a habitation , a living soul in sight . And the thought came over me of cheery firesides and of household games , little children warmed into new life by the gambols and games prepared for them by loving parents and friends at this glad Ynle-tide . "The scene was altogether so weird and Avild that , in spite of all

my natural courage , I felt afraid and benumbed with cold . " ' Press on , brave Bob ! ' I said to the poor old nag ; and , as if cheered by a well-known voice amidst the howling of the tempest , he started on afresh , although it was now almost impossible to discern the road , so thick had grown tho carpet of snow . " How long I had turned over the thoughts which haunted me thns

I scarcely know , but all at once I descried , curled np under a tuft of stunted furze , the figure of a man ! " Instinctively I pnlled up , and on Hearing the figure , by the light of my lamp I saw a pale-faced youth , dressed in a sailor ' s tattered garb , without shoes , and in a semi-stupor . He had been beaten by the blast , ngainst whoso power he cou'd not stand , and he had

evidently laid down either to sleep or die . " Hastily administering some brandy , the poor fellow was soon sufficiently restored to acquaint me he was on his way to M ; and with some difficulty I raised him into the gig , and set forth again as rapidly as we could . " With new life infused into him , the lad , whom I found to be

more intelligent than I conld have hoped , told me his wretched story . He had been well brought up , and his father was a Mason . " But circumstances of unavoidable calamity and misfortnne had reduced him to the lowest ebb of poverty and distress . His business failed , and he vvas overtaken with paralysis , and , continued the lad , —

"' Poor mother had to earn her living as best she conld for me and the little ones , and as soon as I was old enough I resolved to go to sea and try to help . "' They didn ' t like parting with me , sir ; but I had made np my mind to go—and I went . I havo been to Australia , and as my little earnings accumulated in the chest my father made me , I thought of

the trifling happiness I might be able to carry home to make Christ . mas happy—for I knew I shonld reach home on Christmas Eve . But when we were nearly homo we were Avreckod , and brought to England in another ship , having lost all we had . " ' Still tho dear old folks will be glad to seo me , even in this dreary plight . We live half a mile this side of the town , rnd if yon will

drop mo near the door I will go home and ask them to bless you , sir , for saving my life . Bnt for your kindness I should have died almost at their very door . ' "In a short time we saw a light , which the unhappy youth said was at his mother ' s cottage , and so affected was I at his tale of woe that I could not resist alighting . Possibly I might bo able to render somo assistance .

With a bound the lad wa 3 at the open door , and with a wild shriek the mother clasped him in her arms . "Then all was hushed a moment , and in a minuto more both mother and son threw themselves in an agony at my feet . Father had died that very day ! "

" Shall I tell you the rest , brethren ?" " By all means ; proceed , Worshipful Master . ' " Having sent my family to rest , T packed np somo things , which I sent by messenger , nnd poor old Bob had to go another journey in the storm . " But by the powers , brethren , ho was only loo glad to go ! Bless the old nag for that , lie ' s a thorough Mason !"

Our Christmas Lodge Of Emergency.

And down came tho old man ' s list again npon ihe table , with a life mil power no gavel can possess . We could not but shout our applause it the quaint , but well-meant eulogy . " [ couldn't go myself , " he continued , " a repetition of such grntinido as I had already received would have killed me . " Well , during tho timo my man was gone , I must have fallen

isleep by the fire , for such a train of varying visions rose up before mo—of houses all aglow with light , and luxury , and pleasino ; of hovels such as I had soon , stricken down with poverty , into which the Angel of Death had entered ! " T heard tho prattlo of happy children , danoing aud frolicking in warm lighted rooms , amidst tho festive dance and glistening

Christmas trees ; and when these passed away , I saw the pale , wan faces of others , huddled into tho corners of filthy rooms , where bread would havo been hailed as a luxury . Then c . imo pictures of happy homes , where paronts and children wero sitting round the Christmas lire , telling gladsome tales ; then othor circles , half naked , wallowing in the mire , and wailing forth their woe . In tho changing vista there

dawned scenes of glad Masonic festivity , whore brethren joined , and as thoy pledged to each other , in goblets of sparkling wine , they spoke of Charity [ " That awoke me , and in my heart I resolved to seo what could bo done . The terrible ghost of which I spoko is that of penury and want , existing far and wide , at our very doors , and which it is our

duty by tho professions we hold to help to relieve . " That ghost stalks stealthily abroad amongst ns , and as it has summoned away onr Brother , lying now in yondor cot , how know we what wo may do to help destroy his power ? Yon havo promised to help . " "Agreed , " we shouted , one and all . But how was it tobodono ?

The story of tho " Ghost" had somewhat subdued us ; the thought of our W . Master ' s idea of " laying " it rekiudled oar mirth . " Are yon all charged ? " again demanded " Master Neptnno , " as our burly Master is callod ; and the voices of the Wardens sounded pleasantly . "Then I request our Junior Deacon to station himself in the

northeast corner of this room . I need not remind the brethren what they are not to bring there . The hint was sufficient , and the jovial laugh went round as the " poor and penniless" deposited their paper in the Junior Deacon ' s hands . Our W . M . watched the ceremony with intense delight , and when the last cheque had been handed in , he cried in triumph , " Now ,

brethren , wo will close this Lodge . Immediately the door was untyled there Avas a shuffling in tho stone passage , aud serving men Avho had been engaged for the purpose filed in , in procession , each bearing prodigious , basket ? , laden with provisions of evory shape and kind . Geese , fowls , huge joint 3 of meat , puddings of langhable obesity , vegetables , cakes , groceries ,

and other luxuries , too numerous to mention , were brought in and landed in the centre of the spacious kitchen , amidst such a chorus of delighted cheers that might well make the heart of every true Mason leap in unison . Our W . M ., in his forethought , had provided all these in secret , and merely observed that if he had not had the support of tee

brethren—though ho had never doubted it for an instant—ho should havo as secretly takeu them round to the poor families himself . We each then tried to think of some deserving poor of our own acquaintance ; and it was wonderful what a long list each and | either of ns could make . The Secretary took the names and addresses , as they were

called ont , and arrrangemonts were made for initiating them into the mysteries provided for them . It is hardly necessary to say onr meeting closed in harmony , and not a man amongst ns felt anything but nnbonnded pleasure at having been summoned to that "Christinas Lodge of Emergency ; " and having onr hearts' impulses stirred into active exercise by the curious

story of a " Ghost , " which , though terribly real , is allowed far too much liberty . Before next day had fairly dawned there was not a cottage or impoverished dwelling in the town but was rejoicing in the prospect of what they had not enjoyed for many a year—a rare good Christ , mas dinner . There were over a hundred such families—all

deserving , for those who were of known bad character were left outwho blessed an unseen hand that Christmas Day for benefits not the less relished because they wore unexpected . The story of the " early morning cart" going round laden with good things , sent by some mysterious hand , spread like wildfire through the placo next clay . Mothers related how that , having retired on Christmas Eve , frenzied with the thought of little or

nothing to eat on the festal day , found all her wants supplied ! Children , who had not even so much as a wooden doll , realised that Santa Clans had really come , for their stockings were filled with toys and sweets , all hnng np iu orthodox fashion at the feet of their humble bedsteads ! Fathers , " snowed-out " by the prolonged winter , and in despair because their wives and little ones were so scantily clad , felt strange emotions of gratitude as they sat around well-filled tables , their families dressed as well as fed by unseen

hands . It would prolong my story too far to relate a tithe of these tales of gratitude which reached the ears of tho brethren in various ways , but as onr Worshipful Master observed at onr next meeting , thoy had made at least a hundred initiates at that Christmas Lodge of Emergency . They could not all be obligated , but this was quite compensated for by the approving smile which they might be convinced they would

receive from the G . A . O . T . lJ . The success of the experiment was so complete that it was resolved to repeat it the next year ; aud it is hardly needful for mo to add that , whilst a due tributo of respect was paid to onr deceased brother at ' tho cottage , and provision m : ulo for Ihe family , the poor sailor lad ivas not forgotten who had been the means of engendering in the mind of our dear Worship ful Muster the idea of enrolling a hundred iniliatf . i at onr Christinas Lodge of Emergency , If . J . A ,