Poetry.

Poetry .

THE RUSTY MASON . BY BRO . P . H . TAYLOR .

Once on a time I sought to know The mysteries of Masonry , and seeking Knocked , and knocking , found the door wide open for me .

And when I looked within I saw a band of men all clothed in white Around an altar , and on the altar Lay the Word of God with square and compass . Of that band of men , I saw one more kingly than the rest , For on a throne he sat , and gave to each , And all , lessons of wisdom ,

He came and gave to me A lamb-skin , pure and white , and Told its meaning . He told me , too , that kings and princes Long had worn it , and how free it was From stain , or spot , or blemish .

He gave me tools to work with , A guage , a gavel , level , plumb , and square , And last of all , a trowel that had no spot Of rust upon it , for earth ' s noblest sons Had used it ages long upon the Mystic Temple . He told me , too , I stood an upright Mason—He spoke to me of Temperance , Fortitude , Of Prudence , and of Justice .

I listened still with wondering ears To learn a Mason ' s tenets . And when they sang of Faith , of Hope , And Charity , the true steps that lead From the level of time to the Grand Lodge on high .

I pledged myself then , that the tools to me given , Should never find rest , till the cap stone was laid ; And my lamb-skin , if spotted , should know but the stain Of Masonic cement , while on life ' s rugged road . This pledge was freely given , For I meant to act as Masons act ;

And if my memory serves me right , I started for the work , but found the world All cold and selfish , and then I feared To make the effort .

I never used my tools one hour , And all are lost , save this , this rusty trowel , It seemed to mc it might have kept its brightness , If never used , but as I laid it by T . ie rust began to gather , and now It has no affinity for any save Untempered mortar .

I hope some Craftsman true has found My gauge , my gavel , level , plumb and square , And laid them by for better workmen . Inactive as I was My lamb-skin gathered dust , And with gathering dust , It lost its whiteness , and now that , too , is gone .

If I remember rightly , they gave me Passes , signs , and grips , whereby To know my brethren . Though they were truly given , They were not safely lodged .

And now to tell the summing Of this matter , this much I know , / once was made a Mason . Ionia , Mich .

Masonic Alphabet.

MASONIC ALPHABET .

Written for Lodge 402 , Abbeyleix , Ireland , by Bro . J HARRISON , P . M . 402 , 646 . A is the Azure Arch , under which the Mason stands ; B is for Bro . Boate , who sailed to foreign lands ; Also for Bro . Brandon , who in Masonry is bright

Punctual in attendance , he s with us every night . C is the Compass , within bounds our course to steer ; D indicates Bro . StanleyDobbs , that Civil Engineer . E is the East , where , in the Oriental chair , Sits Bro . Betts , at high twelve we placed him there ,

F for Bro . Finnegan , who wears the silver keys , And as our trusted Treasurer endeavours all to please . G is the Gavel our angularities to define ; H for Bro . Harrison , who often strings a rhyme , I is our Inner Guard , with heart so true and warm ; J represents the Jewels , which our officers adorn ,

K , we honour the King , or Governor of every State-Freemasons respect the laws , where e ' er they congregate . L stands for Bro . Legate , first Master of our lodge was he , M for Past Master Maxwill , of the Surrey Infantry ;

Masonic Alphabet.

Also for Bro . Maurice , who lives convenient to the Nore , A large-hearted brother , and Masonic to the core . N , may the muses Nine inspire our willing pen To chant in flowing verse the merits of such men . O is our ancient Order , so honourable and true ; P stands for Bro . Porter , well up in Masonry that ' s

blue . Q is the Quadrant , to measure height and distance ; R the Masonic Rule , which to merit grants assisance . S is our worthy Secretary , may his shadow not decline ; T stands for the Temple of Freemasonrv sublime .

U for our Universal Family , wherever they may dwell , V for the Virtues in which that Brotherhood excel . W for Bro . Waldron , a builder of much skill , Who all his undertakings is punctual to fulfil ; Also for Bro . Wills , he of the flowing beard , By the members of our lodge such Masons are

revered . X is for the Excellence of our by-laws and our rules , Y is the Yewan timber in many of our tools ; Z , noble name of Zetland , which to the end of time High on Masonic roll of Fame conspicuous shall shine

Jottings From Masonic Journals.

Jottings from Masonic Journals .

—*—WE have received the Keystone , of Philadelphia , for August 20 th and 27 th . From the first we extract the following , which coincides with our own views on the subject—only , if we cannot have union amongst our many conflicting rites , let us have at least unity , fraternity , and peace : — "It is a very serious question if a 'Grand

Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons' ought not to possess all Masonic authority . We know such a doctrine is not now very popular , but that which is popular is not always wise or stable . Rather than divide the symbolic , capitular , and ' High Degrees , ' with separate authorities , we would prefer to consolidate them under the supreme jurisdiction ofaGrandLodgeofFreeand Accepted Masons .

The old fable of the ' Bundle of Sticks' has wisdom in it , and wisdom , strength , fraternity , are not obtained in separating the sticks , so that one by one can more easily be broken than when they are firmly united . " In the number for August 27 th , the editor quotes our article on "Masonic Reform , " under the heading "Sound and Just , " with the following remarks : — " \ Ve cannot too

highly commend the Masonic spirit which dictated the following extract from a leading article in ' The Freemason ' ( London ) . It rejoices us to know that the innovators , reformers , infidels , the isimists and the restless ignorance of modem days are receiving such a rebuke from our brother of 'The Freemason . ' The Keystone has devoted much labour to prevent these destructives

from making a beginning of their evil designs among the brethren . We hope to stand on the eternal principles , and immutable and unalterable landmarksof Freemasonry , and there to defend the stability , the unity , and the harmony of the Order against all enemies . We are glad to

have such aid as 'The rrcemason can so well give . We can assure our brother editor that we value his comments , and although we may not always agree with his conclusions , we cheerfully acknowledge the zeal and ability with which he labours to promote the truest and best interests of the Craft .

The Chained' Union of Paris , for September 1 st and 15 th , has also reached us , but we purpose making some extracts from it ; and it is with regret we note that Bro . Hubert , the editor , fears that he has issued its last number for the present .

Le Libau Lodge , recently authorised at . Beyrout , are allowed to work in Arabic , but the minutes have to be kept in French as well as Arabic , as it hails from the Grand Orient of France . There is an old tradition among Masons , that the banks of the river Joppa were so sleep as to render it necessary for the workmen to assist each other up by a peculiar locking of the right hand , which is still preserved

in the Mark Master ' s degree . In the dome of Wortsberg , in front of the entrance to the chamber of the dead , we see on one side , on the chapiter of a column , the inscription Jachin ; and at the opposite side , the word Boaz , on the shaft of pillar . And the figure of Christ which occupies the top of the portal of the church of St . Denis , has his hand placed in a position well known to all existing Freemasons . —Clat . el .

WAR AND ITS EFFECT UPON OUR GRAIN SUPI ' LIUS . —Altogether our prospects for the supply of bread arc by no means unsatisfactory , especially when we learn that the United States , Russia , and other countries , have been blessed with an abundant harvest . What we have really to deplore are our prospecls as regards barley and oats , which are decidedly scarce at home , and arc

usually imported in large quantities from the north of Europe . But the ports of Russia , Denmark , and Sweden arc likely to continue open , and much of the Prussian produce may come to us through those channels . Should , then , our requirements not prove extravagant , and the

supplies continue lo flow m from neutral countries almost uninterruptedly , we cannot expect prices to rule very high . Let it not be imagined that war must of necessity have a considerable influence on prices , from the fact lhat a considerable amount of money is expended in food and other purposes . Money has no such power . —Food Journal .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending Oetober I , 1870 . MONDAY , SEPT . 26 . Lodge 79 , Pythagorean , Ship Hotel , Greenwich . ,, 831 , British Oak . Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile-end-road . ,, 902 , Burgoyne , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . . 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 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel , Mile ,

end-road , at 7 . 30 , Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , at 7 for 8 .

TUESDAY , SEPT . 27 . Audit Committee Girls' School , at 2 . 30 Lodge 141 , Faith , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . ,, 186 , Industry , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 1158 , Southern Star , Montpelier Tav ., Walworth . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , Portugal Hotel ,

Fleet-street , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instruction , PalmerstonTav ., Grosvenorpark , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction ( 382 ) , Hotel de Cologne , 60 and 61 , Haymarket , at 8 ; Bro . T . AAdams , Preceptor . Faith Lodge of Instruction / Metropolitan Railway , Victoria

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

WEDNESDAY , SEPT . 28 . Lodge 507 , United Pilgrims , Horns Tavern , Kennington 11 753 , Prince Frederick William , Knights of St John Tavern , St . John's Wood . ,, 754 , High Cross , White Hart , Tottenham . S 9 S , Temperance in the East , 6 , Newby-place ;

Poplar . Chap . 820 , Lily of Richmond , Greyhound , Richmond . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange ; Greenwich , at 8 ; J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 22 S ) , Bull & Gate , Kentish Town-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern ,

Globeroad , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , The Grapes Tavern . Duke-street , Alanchester-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 ( 829 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 . Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maismore Arms , Parkroad , Peckham ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Temperance in the East Lodge of Instruction , George the Fourth , Catherine-street , Poplar .

THURSDAY , SEPT . 29 . General Committee Girls' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 4 Mark Lodge , Keystone , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-st . Fidelity Lodge of Instruction ( 3 ) , Goat and Compasses , Euston-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Finsbury Club of Instruction , Jolly Anglers' Tavern , 42 , Bath-street , City-road .

United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes , Mile-end-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . J . Barnes , Preceptor . St . George ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 140 ) , Globe Tavern Royal Hill , Greenwich , at 8 . Burdett Coutts Lodge of Instruction ( 1278 ) , Approach Tavern , Approach-road , Victoria-park , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Tohn Saunders , Preceptor .

FRIDAY , SEPT . 30 . Robert Burns Lodge of Instruction , Union Tavern , Airstreet , Regent-street , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . W . Watson , Preceptor . Stability Lodge of Instruction , Guildhall Tavern , 33 , Gresham-st ., at 6 ; Bro . Henry Muggeridgc , Preceptor . St . Luke's Lodge of Instruction ( 144 ) , Pier Htl ., Chelsea ,

Unions Emulation Lodge of Improvement for M . M . s , Freemasons' Hall , at 7 . Domatic Chapter of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria Station , at 8 ; Comp . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Pythagorean Chapter of Instruction ( No . 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich-road , at 8 ; Comp . W . West Smith , Preceptor .

Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , Portugal Htl ., Fleetstreet , at 7 ; Bro . Brett , Preceptor . United Pilgrims' Lodge of Instruction , Duke of Edinburgh , Shepherd ' s-lane , Brixton . Belgrave Lodgeof Instruction , Duke of Wellington Htl ., Spring-gardens , Charing-cross ; Br . Pulsford , Preceptor Doric Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes Tavern , Mile

end-road , at 8 ; llro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Duke of Edinburgh Lodge of Instruction , Silver Lion , Penny-fields , Poplar , at 7 ; Br . D . S . Potts , Preceptor . Temperance Lodge of Instruction , Victoria Tav ., Victoriaroad , Deptford , at 8 . Charterhouse Club of Instruction , Hat and Feathers Tavern , 25 , Goswcll-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . Mather , P . M . 65 , Preceptor .

SATURDAY , OCT . r . General Committee Boys' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 4 Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of'Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 .