New Year's Day.—A Masonic Carol.

NEW YEAR'S DAY . —A MASONIC CAROL .

OH SODALKS ET AMIOI . Where ' er in this Aride world to-day , At home or in distant' lands , Surrounded by his brethren true Each worthy Master stands ; Whan amid the pleasant gathering , And faces fair and dear

, The words of festive greeting Usher in a glad New Year , At we wish God-speed to others With whom we ' ve loved and laugh'd , Let ' s not forget each brother true , Of our good and ancient Craft , But with real Masonic sympathy

In friendship's loving way Let ' s bid to all good Mason hearts A happy New Year ' s Day . Twelve months of work are over , Twelve more have just begun , Yet how many fellow workeis . Their course of life have run ; .

How many are sadly missing : From our roll call of to . day , How many are wandering pilgrims In strange countries far away . ,

And yet each passing year recalls Old mates and comrades true , As it rises in its sadden'd vision Before our spell-bound view ; We listen in vain for the cheery strain . Or that voice of fun and glee , Which gladden'd some very ancient hours , In a happy company .

Alas ! no more shall we hear that song , Nor list to that blithesome strain , Which told us of truth and pleasantness , And of honour without . a stain ; We yet behold that joyous gathering , And the masters smiling face ; And the greeting of fraternal trust ,

And friendship's loving grace . But yet if each onward witness Of hastening time to day , Thus recalls our brother Masons And fair meetings past away , It still can tell of a Brotherhood Whom friendship ' s bonds unite ,

Whose words are words of truthfulness , Whose hearts are in the right .. . So let ns wish with words sincere In this new year so fair , . Good luck to all Freemasons At home and everywhere , May seventy-four but witness For this English Craft of ours , True work and happy labour , Fresh efforts , quick ' ning pow ' rs .

New Year's Day.—A Masonic Carol.

And where ' er upon this world of ours , Freemasons gaily roam ; Amid our lodges the most distant , Or our sheltered Craft at home ; May all of good attend them , Tho' the clouds be dark above , May theirs bo friendship all unwavering , And unity and love .

So as once more we greet to-day With loving voice and will , And the New Tear looks benignly On us Freemasons still ; May the next twelve-months but tell a tale When they in turn depart , Of that charity unwearied , AYhich has rul'd each Freemasons heart . . W .

Monthly Odds And Ends.

Monthly Odds and Ends .

A HINT FOE SCHOOL BOARDS . — " If I had a mince pie , and should give two-twelfths to Harry , two-twelfths to John , two-twelfths to Isaac , and should keep half the pie myself , what Avould be left ? " There Avas a profound study among the scholars , but finally one lad held up his hand as a signal that he was ready

to answer . "Well , sir , what would there be left ? Speak up so loud that all can hear , " said the committeeman . "The plate ! " shouted the hopeful fellow . The committeeman turned red in the face , Avhile the other members roared aloud . The boy was excused from answering any more questions .

THE vicar of a parish not many miles from Bath , England , was recently preaching a charity sermon , and in the course of his remarks he rebuked some of his parishioners ' who , he thought , simulated distress for the sake of obtaining assistance they did not really require . As an illustration of this

weakness , he mentioned that during one of his pastoral visits he entered a cottage of one of the supposed delinquents , where he found everything neat and ciean , and , what was more , a large plateful of buttered toast before the fire . "Yes , " he repeated , emphatically , "buttered toast ; and did that , " he asked ,

" look like want r In the brief pause which ensued this outburst of energy a voice indignantly responded : " No ; 'twern't butter , neither ; 'twere only drippen ! " The effect of this correction upon the pastor and flock can be more easily imagined than described Acquired Tastes . —Olives and babies . A Warning for fashionable Assemblies . — Look out for paint .