The Rosicrucian.

servants of our beneficent Creator , * Ave perform His will , and in that consists our happiness . AVe suffer no pain , no care ; doing no sin , we have no sorrow ; our life is a life of love to each other and to man whose ministers we are . Are we not then happy ?" " It may be so , " said Basil thoughtfully . "Ye are

the creatures of Him who never made ought but good ; " and he bowed his head in deep meditation , while there arose from the mystic fire an etherial chorus ; melodiously it pealed upon the opened ears of the enraptured student . The spirits sang of praise ; ofthe universal voice

which nature lifts up of joy , of thankfulness , to the Origin of all good ; of the perfect harmony of all His works , from the mighty planets that roll through illimitable space , down to tbe fresh green moss that springs up at the foot of the wayfaring child ; ofthe world of spirits—those etherial essences Avhich

people the earth and float in the air , like motes in the sunbeams , invisible but influencing man ' s actions ; how the good spirits strive with the fallen ones for the dominion over him , and how the struggle must continue until evil is permitted to be overcome of good , and tbe earth becomes all holy , worthy to be the habitation of glorified beings .

And then they sang of man ; of his divine origin and nature ; ofthe sin which defiled that fair mirror of his being , Avhich once reflected the image of God himself ; of tbat sin effaced , atoned for , that man might now aspire to perfect purity and holiness , and again revive and receive into his soul that divine likeness .

Happy art thou , O man , " they sang . " Even in thy infirmity , what is like unto thee ? An earthly life is thine , of which thou may ' st remove half the sorrow by patience and love ; an earthly death is thine , which is the footstool of immortality . It is ours to guide thee to that gate of heaven which wc

ourselves may never enter . " And all the spirits sang in a strain that died away as the fire sung down and smouldered in stillness and gloom— " Blessed art thou , O man !—strong in thy Aveakness , happy in thv sufferings , thrice blessed art thou !"

The student was roused from his trance by alight footstep . A hand was laid on his shoulder , and a soft woman ' s voice whispered" Art thou , then , here all alone , and in darkness , my Basil ?"

"All was light with me—tbe darkness came with thee , " answered the student , harshly , like one roused from delicious slumbers by an unwelcome hand ; and yet the hand was none other than Isilda ' s .

Once thou used to call me thy light of life , Basil , " murmured the girl . " I Avould not come to anger thee . " There was not light to discern faces ; but as Isilda turned to depart , Basil thought she was weeping , and bis heart was melted . AVhat would he

not have given , at that moment , for thc days of old—the feelings of old , when he would have drawn her to his bosom , and soothed her there Avith assurances of never-ending love . But noAV he dared not ; the link between him and earth was broken . He thought of thc immortal

gift just acquired , and he would not renounce its ecstatic joys—no , not even for Isilda . He took her hand kindly , but coldly , saying"Forgive me , Isilda ; 1 have been studyingdreaming ; I did not mean to sav thou wert unwelcome . "

Bless thee for that , my Basil , my beloved ! " cried the girl , weeping , as she pressed his hand passionately to her heart and her lips . "Thou could not be unkind to me—to thy betrothed wife . " Basil turned away ; he could not tell her that the tie was only a name ; and Isilda went

on"Thou hast not looked the same of late ; thou art too anxious ; or thou hast some hidden sorrow upon thee . Tel ! it to me , my Basil , " she continued caressingly . " AVho should share and lighten it but I . Avho love thee so ! ' ' "Dost thou indeed love me so well , Isilda ?"

"Thou art my all—my life—my soul ! It were death itself to part from thee , " cried the girl , in a bust of impassioned feeling , as she knelt beside the bending form of her lover , and stove to wind her arms around his neck . She had hardly dared to do so now to him who had once wooed that fondness

with so many prayers . " AVoe is me , alas ! " muttered the student . "Must thou also be sacrificed , O Isilda !" She did not hear his words , but she felt him unclasp her arms from his neck ; and Isilda sank

insensible at Basil ' s feet . The die was cast . Slowly thc student laid her down—ber the once beloved—on thc cold floor . He called " Margareta , " and before his sister entered , went out into the open air . ( To lie eon finned ) .

ERRATUM . —In the report last week of Grand Lonclavc Knights Templar ( page 282 ) , "C . arnechi " should be Cxamteki .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the AA eek ending January 8 , 1870 . MONDAY , JAN . 3 . Lodge 12 , " Fortitude and Old Cumberland , " Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . * ,, 25 , " Robert Burns , " Freemasons' Hall . „ 72 , " Royal Jubilee , " Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-st . ,, 83 , " United Lodge of Prudence , " Albion Tav .,

"Aldersgate-street . ,, 90 , "St . John ' s , " Radley ' s Hotel , Blackfriars . „ 144 , "St . Luke ' s , " Pier Hotel , Chelsea . ,, 171 , "Amity , " Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . „ 188 , "Joppa , " ditto . Chap . 28 , " Old King ' s Arms , " Freemasons' Hall . Kent Mark Masters' Lodge of Instruction , Lyceum Tav .,

354 , Strand , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . C . Swan , Preceptor . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , White Swan Tavern , Deptford , at 8 . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock-hill , at S ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Mileend-roacl , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . St . Mark ' s Lodge of Mark Masters , George Hotel , Aldcrmanburr .

1 tJESDAY , JAN . 4 . Colonial Board , Freemasons' HaU , at 3 . Lodge 7 , "Rl . York of Friendship , "Freemasons' Hall . ,, 9 , "Albion , " ditto .

„ 172 , "Old Concord , " ditto . „ 765 , " St . James ' s , " Market Tavern , New AVestonstreet , Bermondsey . ., 1257 . "Grosvenor , " A'ictoria Station , Pimlico . ¦ 1 Iz 59 . "Duke of Edinburgh , " New Globe Hole ! , Bow-road .

„ 1261 , "'Golden Rule , " Great AA ' estem Hotel , Bayswater . Chap . 169 , "Temperance , " AA'hite Swan , Deptford . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , George Hotel , Aldermanbury , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instruction , Palmerston Tav ., Grosvenorpark , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 . Faith Lodge of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria

Station , at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . A arborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . AVilliam Lodge of Instrnction ( 753 ) Knights of St . John ' s Tavern , St . John ' s-wood ; Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Prestonian Club of Instruction ( for M . M . ' s only ) , Lyceum Tavern , Strand .

AVEDNESDAY , J . 5 . Lodge 121 ( 5 , "Macdonald , " Head Quarters 1 st Surrey Rifles , Camberwell . Pythagorian Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich , at 8 . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 228 ) , Bull & Gate , Kentish Town-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instiuction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globeroad , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor .

Confidence Lodge of Instruction ( 193 ) , Railway Tavern , Railway-place , Fenchurch-street , at 7 . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , The Grapes Tavern , Duke-street , Manchester-square , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , P . G . P ., Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , at S . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( S 29 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 .

THURSDAY , JAX . 6 . Lodge 45 , "Strong Man , " Freemasons' Hall . ,, 136 , "Good Report , " Terminus Hotel , Cannon-st . ,, 192 , " Lion and Lamb , " ditto . ,, 231 , "St . Andrew ' s , " Freemasons'Hall . , > SJ 8 , " La Tolerance , " ditto .

» 554 . " A ' arborough , " Green Dragon , Stepney . „ 1155 , "Excelsior , " Sydney Arms , Lewisham-road . „ 1178 , "Perfect Ashlar , " Gregorian Arms , Berluondsey-road .

Chap . 733 , " AVestboiirne , " New Inn , Edgwarc-road . „ 742 , "Crystal Palace , " Crystal Palace , Sydenham . Finsbury Club of Instruction , Jolly Anglers' Tavern , 42 , Bath-street , City-road . United Mariners' Lodge uf Instruction , Three Cranes , Mile-cnd-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . J . Barnes , Preceptor . St . George ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 140 ) , Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich , at 8 .

FKIIMA- , ) . \ s . 7 . Lodge S 90 , "Hornsey , " Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . i . 1275 . " Star , " Marquis of Granby , New-cross-road . Chap . 3 , "Fidelity , " London Tav ., Bishopsgate-strcct . St . Luke ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 144 ) , Pier llll ., Chelsea . Stability Lodge of Instruction , Guildhall Coffee House , Gresham-street , at 6 . Emulation Lodge of Improvement f"r M . M . '« .

Freemasons Hall , at 7 . Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , George Hotel , Aldcrmanbury , at 7 ; Bro . Brett , Preceptor . United Pilgrims' Lodge of Instruction , Horns Tavern , Kennington , at 7 . Belgrave Lodge of Instruction , Duke of AA ' ellim-lon Htl .,

Spring-gardens , Charing-cross ; Br . Pulsford , l'rcceptor Doric Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes Tavern , Milceiid-road , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Breceplor . Duke of Edinburgh Lodge of Instruction , Silver Lion , Penny-fields , Poplar . Temperance Lodge of Instruction , A'ictoria Tav ., Vieloriaroad , Deptford , at 8 .

SATURDAY , JAN . S . Lodge 10 S , "London , " Freemasons' Hall . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1 * 78 ) , Marquis of Granbv , New Cross-road , at 7 .

Ad01702

% bbtximmmts , JAMAICA . POTSDAM SCHOOL , St . Elizabeth , Malvern , P . O . THE Undersigned continues to receive PRIVATE PUPILS , and engages to prepare them for filling situations in the Colony , or for proceeding to Public Schools in England . TERMS : Boarders £ 30 and £ 40 per annum . Bay Pupils £ 10 per annum . REFERENCES . The Hon . J . SALMON , Gustos of St . Elizabeth . „ Venerable Archdeacon ROWE , M . A ., County of Cornwall . ,, Rev . J . STONE , Rector of St , Elizabeth . „ Rev . D . H . CAM -B KU , M . A ., Rector of Kingston . ,, Rev . H . BROWNE , Rector of Metcalfe , AND Parents of Pupils now at School . C . KEHNROTH , Master .

Ad01703

THE NEW MUSICAL PITCH . — 1 COLLARD MOUTRIE has just invented , perfected , and secured by Royal Letters Patent , an important improvement in the manufacture of Pianofortes , by which the Pitch is raised to the Philharmonic or lowered to that of thc French normal diapason in an instant , at the option of the performer . This invention can be applied to any pianoforte . The Profession , Amateurs , Musical Critics , Musical Public , and the Trade are invited to witness its utility and effect , between the hours of Eleven and Four , at the Manufactory , 77 , Southampton-row , Russell-square , Established 1 S 49 .

Ad01704

- "THE AMERICAN FREEMASON JL is Monthly , of sixteen double-column quarto pages of entirely original matter , and translations from the French , Italian , and German Masonic papers and periodicals of the day . It is devoted to the discussion of the rights of Lodges and individual Freemasons , in contradistinction to the assumption of Grand Lodges , and the un-Masonic doctrines and arrangements of "hi gh degrees . " Its motto is—Belief in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . Its price is Five Shillings a yeara sum so small that no Freemason , for pecuniary reasons , need be a non-subscriber lo it . Trans--Atlantic Subscribers to the AMERICAN * FREEMASON will receive it Post-paid from the Office of Publication direct , at their respective Post-offices , upon payment of the subscription to BRO . GEORGE KENNING , 2 , 3 & 4 , LITTLE BRITAIN , LONDON , E . C . All Subscriptions begin with March 15 th , 1869 , and end with February , 1 S 70 . The AMERICAN FREEMASON is not the organ of any Grand Lodge , but speaking thc words of truth , manhood , and independence , advocates freedom for Masonry in America , ami the rights of Freemasons in their Lodgesrights which , by our Grand Lodges , in their subserviency to high degrees , have been invaded , until at present they are nearly obliterated . Subscribers in the British Colonies will please address all Subscriptions and Correspondence to J . FLETCHER BRENNAN , Editor , 114 , Main-street , Cincinnati , Ohio .

Ad01705

• "TO THE CRAFT . —A SOLICITOR ( M . M . ) , X of great experience and ability , would feel obliged by the introduction of business , whieh he will be happy to transact ( for Brethren ) at about two-thirds of thc usual charges . —Address , Le . \ , Post-office , A'igo-street , Regentstreet , AA .

Ad01706

WANTED , by a Brother , aged 22 , a SITUATION . Is a good penman , quick and accurate at figures , is willing to make himself generally useful ; first-class certificates as to character , ability , & e . —Address J . M . R ., Office of THE FREEMASON .

Ad01707

A LADY , 28 years of age , having jnst quitted a Clergyman ' s family , would gladly fulfil an engagement as LADV-HOUSEKEEI'EK & GOVERNESS to one or two children . A ' erygood references . Salary , , £ 40 . —Address , Office of this Paper .

Ad01708

W ANTED , by a BROTHER , in reduced circumstances , a situation as keeper of a gentleman's lodge , time-keeper , or in any similar capacity . Firstclass testimonials as to character , & c . —Apply to J . S ., Office ot THE FREEMASON .

Ad01709

\ "X / "ANTED , a situation in the Drapery Trade , VV by a young woman ( 17 ) of good appearance and address , has been 18 months in the trade , salisfactory reasons for leaving last situation . —P . O ., Mrs . Arlett , 15 , I'limdeU-strc -t , Caledonian-road , N .

Ad01710

W ANTED , by an active , practical man ( a Brother Mason ) , a SITUATION in any position where trust and confidence arc required . Has many years' experience as a Builder's Foreman , and Superintendent of Railway and other AVorks . Most satisfactory testimonials as to character and efficiency . ' —Address , Mr . George Potter , 2 , Satulers-road , Pcckham-grove , S . E .

Ad01711

WILLIAM WINSOR , of 8 , Miles ' s-Iane , London-bridge , import CIGARS of the very Finest Brands only , and manufactuers Cigars from the Choicest Tobaccos . AVholesale and retail .