Brotherly Love.

" Which does you honour , sir , " said the young clergyman , " and believe me , I can sympathise in your affliction . " " Tou know not what I have lost , in this poor parent . The world has trampled on me , and throughout life I had not a solitary being to care for me . It was only a few days since that I discovered all the circumstances of my parentage , and that this suffering father , whose reason was returning ,

wished to fling himself in my arms , and beseech me not to desert him . Here , then , was what I yearned for through my bleak existence , some of my own flesh and blood to love , I hastened here to clasp his hand , to ask his blessing , and —" "I am a clergyman , " said Jeunegrace , " and my profession makes me acquainted with misery in its many forms , but I never knew yet an

instance where the Divine Being was appealed to in a contrite spirit , and with resignation to His will , that He did not send consolation . In this instance I can see His wisdom and mercy , for though your father might have been restored to reason , still his wasted form proves that hishfe would have been one of physical suffering . Then , say with me , my friend , God ' s will be done . "

"Gods will be done , repeated the young man fervently . "I know of nothing in . life besides this event that could cause me a pang , but I will not murmur . And perhaps it is all for the better . I knew not my fellow man till , recently , except iii his worst attributes , and my past life has been one of hatred towards my species at large . Honor and wealth have come suddenl y upon me and I will devote myself to

ministering to the comforts of my fellow beings without being fettered by closer ties of relationship than those of common brotherhood . I have recently joined that ancient fraternity , the Masonic body , and my own experience confirms the value of those principles which they wish to extend . I have found that Brotherly Love is its own reward . " " I , too , am a Freemason , and consider the system on which

Freemasonry is established admirably calculated to promote those sentiments of universal fraternity which religion inculcates . I have found it in many instances an efficient handmaid in preparing the mind for the reception and conservation of a practical spirit of charity . And it stands with reason that it must be so , considering the constitution of humanity which requires some bond of union to give effect toand strengthen its better

, nature . But can I render you any assistance ? I have friends in the neighbourhood . " " No , " said the young man , " I have brought my servants here . They are remaining at an inn in the town , but on second consideration I will avail myself of your offer , so far as requesting you to send some of them here , and to make the neccessary arrangements for the performance of the last sad rites . "

Jeunegrace promised compliance , and the two young men whose acquaintance commenced junder such sad circumstances , shook hands feeling mutually interested in each other . Great was the suprise of Mrs . St . Claire and Ida when they heard what had occurred , and both were grieved , for they were indebted to him for his benevolence in the trying moment of sickness . Ida easily conjectured that