A Lodge Of Sorrow In America.

placing on the coffin a bouquet of violets , emblematical of the pure life to which the departed had been called . Retiring to his place , and after an interval of silence , the procession again formed and moved as before , and the head of the procession again having reached the East , the column

opened and the Senior Warden advanced and placed another bouquet of flowers as a symbol of the remembrance of all the virtues of the brethren that had preceded them . On completing the third circuit around the hall , the Master placed a wreath of evergreen on the tomb , as a symbol of faith in immortal life .

The pall-bearers now took the casket from the catafalque and slowly conveyed it to the East . U pon reaching the monument , a panel in the base was lifted , and the casket deposited from : sight ,. the hymn " Rest , * Brothers , Rest " being sung at the tomb . •. " - Hymns emblematical of " Faith , " . "Jdope , " and the "Resurrection" were rendered , the lights ; in the South , West , and East were relighted , and the Chaplains exclaimed

"The will of God is accomplished . Blessed be the name of the Lord . " A eulogy was pronounced by 111 , Dennis F . Dealy on the lives of the deceased brethren , 111 . Bros . James B . Van Osten , George W . Haines , Lloyd H . Walton , George L . Rauch ' , Charles E . Sutherland , Henry F . Bucher , Robt . Gray , Francis Blackburne , Harmauus Neff , all of whom were thirty-second degree members . —PA . fa ; paper . ,

Grand Orient Of France.

GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE .

Extract of Minute of Grand Committee of Grand Lodge of Scotland . We take the following from the Scottish Freemason : — Convened in Freemasons' Hall , this 27 th November , 1877 , the Grand Committee of the Grand Lodge of

Scotland—the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Mason ( Sir Michael R . Shaw Stewart , Bart ., ) presiding : — " Having had their attention directed by the Grand Orient of France , whereby a profession of belief in Almighty God , the Great Architect of the Universe , and the immortality of the soul , is not now exacted of candidates

for admission as Freemasons , and having-maturely considered the same , instruct the Grand Secretary . to intimate to the Grand Orient of France that , should it be the case that such a radical change in the fundamental principles of Anci-r . t Freemasonry has indeed been confirmed by the

Grand Orient of France , Grand Committee will be under the painful necessity of recommending to Grand Lodge to sever the fraternal relations that have for so long a period subsisted between it and the Grand Orient of France . " ( Certified ) D . MURRAY Lvov , Sec . to G . L . of Scotland .

Grand Lodge of Scotland Grand Secretary ' s Office , 98 , George-street , Edinburgh , 3 rd December , 1877 . MONS . TiinvENOT , Grand Secretary , Grand Orient of France , Dear Sir and Right Wor . Brother , —1 have the honour

to forward through you the accompanying extiact from the minutes of the Grand Committee of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , to be submitted to the Grand Orient of France . I very much regret the circumstances that have led to this resolution , and sincerely trust that at no distant date the

Grand Orient will restoie a landmark , the removal of which has given so much pain to the Scottish Craft . With the assurance of my profound regard , believe me to be , faithfully and fraternally yours , D . MURRAY LYON , Sec . to the Grand Lodge of Scotland .

R.W. Bro. D. Murray Lyon, Grand Secretary Of The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

R . W . BRO . D . MURRAY LYON , GRAND SECRETARY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

It must be gratifying to all our Scottish brethren to know that the newly appointed Grand Secretary , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , is paying great and prompt attention to the welfare of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and of all her Provincial

Grand Lodges , both at home and abroad . The R . W brother ' s diligence and promptitude are highly spoken of by various distinguished brethren . Having such a zealous brother as Grand Secretary , the Grand Lodge of Scotland ought to strengthen her stakes and lengthen her cords . "Disaffection" has been engendered in certain minds , which has well nigh been fanned into total " alienation "

from the Mother Grand Lodge , for reasons which need not be specified ; but the promptitude and alacrity with which R . W . Bro . Murray Lyon despatches Masonic business have contributed not a little in removing to a great extent the estrangement and dislike of brethren . Even the members of Scottish lodges at " the distant ends of the earth , " though so far away , are quite safe in the hands of such

a distinguished Scottish Grand Officer as Bro . Murray Lyon . Our Scotch brethren are well-known for possessing ' the virtue of perseverance . " Not only from their Masonic but national annals we find that the sons of " Caledonia , stern , and wild , " were never wanting in this Masonic virtue . They knew that h ? who would enjoy the sweets of

the spring or obtain the honeycombs cf Mount Hybla should never dread his face being stung or be annoyed by briers . "The rose is guarded by his thorn , the honey is defended by the bee , " and whatever might be the discouragements , difficulties , and stumbling blocks , our R . W . Brother , as a Scottish Mason , will set a stout heart to " a slae brae , " ( a steep hill side ) with a Masonic

perseverance"That wins each God-like act and plucks success Even from the spear-proof crest of rugged danger . " He that tholes ( endures ) overcomes . "—Australian Fret mason .

Poetry.

Poetry .

CHRISTMAS . "Christmas comes but once a year " Is a saying often heard , Yet by its living presence , Man ' s heart is deeply stirred ; For Christmas takes us back again Through ages long gone by , And brings a great and glorious truth , Full voiced to memory .

In some old troubled hours , And in some ancient days , Mid human hate and sadness , Dim wishes , reckless ways . There comes a glad announcement Made by an angel throng , Which now . should rule the-ages ,-A goodly blessed song .

••-Sweet was the choral melody , . Which then poured on this " earth , Dear the Divine " Good Tidings , " Which in yori gracious birth , Came " to the weak and erring , The grieving and the lost ; The tempted and the wandering , Hard pressed and tempest-toss't .

What was that message gracious ? - ¦ What was that anthem glad , .. Which spoke in love and harmony To hearts all cold and sad ? Oh I was it not the goodliest That has reached our mortal race ? Or was it not the truest That e ' er came from God ' s own Grace ?

Glory to God on high , on earth Peace to poor man man below , Was the song of Angel joyfulness The cure of human woe , A hlessing for the curse shone forth , A hope midst doubt and shame , The " Bright and Morning Star" appeared In God's own Holy Name .

Oh brethren then 'vho still declare That yours is the " Mystic Tie , " Which teaches Masons how to live , Which warns them how to die ; Welcome once more that Christmas song Which until the world shall cease , Shall ever be the harbinger Of Brotherhood and Peace . - « . —

The Angel Of Mercy.

THE ANGEL OF MERCY .

BRO . ROD MORRIS . The Angel of Mercy to-night is abroad : There gleams from her fingers the signet of God ; Her work in beneficence all is designed , The sad to condole , to give light to the blind : Oh brightest of beings that nestle above The Angel of Mercy , the Anrel of Love !

The sound of her wings rustles light on the air ; She bends her bright course to th' abode of despair Her features entrance the dull vision of pain And the joyless are kindled with rapture again . Oh sunniest object that sparkles above The Angel of Mercy , the Angel of Love I

To the lips of fevered , she tenders the cup The heads of the drooping her hand beareth up ; The friendless she points to the land far away , And the dying makes hopeful with visions of day Oh nearest divine of the powers above The Angel of Mercy , the Angel of Love !

Dear sisters , to you is her mission consigned , To you she , departing , leaves duty behind , In errand celestial she bids you go forth , And be the beneficent Angel of earth ; , Yes each of you prove , on the model above An Angel of Mercy , the Angel of Love I —Masonic Journal .

The Mason's Jewels.

THE MASON'S JEWELS .

Ere Masonry came down from heaven , A precious trinity was given To be her rule and guide . Then Truth was spoken into birth . From heaven descended to this earth With Masonry t'abide .

Hope , much-loved pearl , our Master gave , From cradle to relenlless grave The Mason ' s guest to be—The Hope that centres , Lord , in Thee , The Hope of immortality .

The peerless jewel , Charity , The last of Mason ' s trinity Of grace from above ! Quintessence of the Deity , Most precious jewel of three , All crystalize in Love !

Three peerless graces sent to bloom , And eyeiy Mason's , life illume , While on the green earth he stays . Sweet , sweet the Mason ' s trinity Of Faith , Hope , Love or Charity , Until prayer ' s lost in praise . —N . y . Dispatch .

The Christmas Tree.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE .

Oh merry Jane and Mary , And JIuriel and Fan , Oh laughing Amy , Ethel ,

Pnscilla , Mary Ann , Oh Polly , Carry , Sophie , And fair Hermione , Gather in mystic order Around the Christmas Tree .

And you stout George and Henry Fat Arthur , our Sam , Bold Rupert , Mark , and Tommy , And Joe , and Jim , and Gam , And Francis , Kit , and Charlie , Oh mind you couiteous be , Let every Jack attend his Gill Around the Christmas tree I

Midst merry peals of laughter , And . the fresh and silvery voice , In , all of genial gaiety , Oh , _ let your . hearts rejoice . As in that goodly . lighted room , And much of radiant glee , . The old ones and the young ones Welcome the Christmas tree .

See now those tapers brightly shine , To lighten up your joys , What goodly presents meet the eyes Of happy girls and boys . Ah , me , how time is slipping , Before the " Sisters Three , " * As now I mind , when first I saw A gleaming Christmas tree .

Yes , life which leaves us daily , All weary in the race , Recalls the stately presence , The dear and wistful face , As now once more I greet again , Those who were dear to me , Who once could gather gladly Around the Christmas tree .

But vain are chants of sadness , On this fair Christmas eve , Let ' s banish needless troubles Afar 1—the thoughts which grieve , Rather we'll raise together , ' In heart and fancy free , A cheery Christmas Carol Around our Christmas tree .

Bold hearts , fair faces , meek and gay , In pleasant mirth and love May all God ' s truest blessings , Attend you from above ; May you as on your way you wend , And older years you see , Remember ancient mates and friends , Around your Christmas tree .

I hear soft viices singing A glorious refrain , I think for the shadowy moment , That I am young again , Alas ! the echo vanishes . The loving shadows flee ; The " Sojourner ' s " alone once more , Faded his Christmas tree . N .

* The Three Fates , a classical allusion , which out boys , and certainly our girls , will understand . ¦ A

THE GRASP OF FRIENDSHIP'S HAND . Come sit thou at my table—thou the friend of early years : To see the face of those we love , the coldest bosom cheers . Come thou , and share the blessings that Providence has sent To glad my humble dwelling still , and welcome real

content . I care not for thy thread-bare coat , such pride I'd ne ' er bequeath , The heart that was my friend in need still beats , I'm sure beneath ; I scorn their pomp and empty slate , tho' what the world

deems grand ; Give me the man that well deserves the grasp of Friendship ' s hand . Some tell us Friendship ' s very rare , it doth not much abound ; If that be true , we'll prize it more when once the jewel ' s found .

The man whose Friendship ' s formed of words , like empty air it speeds ; A man ' s real worth is always known by good and honest deeds . I would that all were friends on earth , as angels are above ,

That man to man would nobly prove a friend—a brother ' s love ; That no mean boast of wealth or birth ' twixt honest hearts should stand , Then all alike would well deserve the grasp of Friendship's hand . —Scottish Freemason .

MASONIC SONGS . —A selection of Masonic Songs set to popular airs , written by Bro . E . P . Philpots , M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now ready , forming a handsome , 'olume , bound in cloth , with gilt edges , 3 s . Sent post ree from the office of this paper on receipt of stamps or lost-office order value 3 s . 2 d . —ADVT .