Roman Catholic Persecution Of Freemasons.

Catholics had him in their power . They induced him to join their church , take the sacrament , renounce Masonry and make a will bequeathing all his property to those new friends ? A few weeks ago a Brother Mason was visiting him , when Slevin related what had happenedand said that

, he had made his will and was kept there without his consent ; that he was still a Mason and wanted the Masons to take him away . An informal meeting of the two Lodges in Keokuk was immediately called and a committee appointed to visit him

and inquire into the matter . They found him at the bar , half dressed , drinking with other men , with a roll of bills in his hand , and the proprietor dealing out the liquor . When the committee made known their business he retired with them to another

room where they conversed together for an hour . He seemed confused and excited and appeared to be under the influence of some drug as well as liquor , but he declared that he wanted to leave that place and desired the committee to take him away . They promised to do so the next morning . . A report was made to the Lodges and a committee of two was

appointed to procure a carriage , call for him in the morning , remove him from the influences which then surrounded him , keep him until he became sober and calm , and then ascertain what his real wishes were . The committee endeavoured to carry out this plan . Slevin prepared to

go with them when the saloon keeper interposed and refused to permit it until he had seen the priest . He was sent for and soon ajjpeared in a state of great excitement . As soon as his eyes met Slevin ' s it was apparent that he had him

completely under his control . He extorted from him an acknowled gment that he had joined the Roman Catholic Church , that he had renounced Masonry , that he was well treated and desired to remain where he was . Although satisfied that these

were not his real sentiments and wishes his Masonic friends were obliged to leave . As a last resort the Commissioners of Insanity were petitioned to make an examination . They found him in such a state that they could not decide what

should be done further than to remove him to a comfortable and quiet boarding place until the following Monday , when further consultation should be had . He

Roman Catholic Persecution Of Freemasons.

was accordingly moved on Friday . The priest and his followers tried every means in their power to get possession of him again , but in vain . A physician was called in on Saturday , but on Sunday night the patient died . To all with whom he conversed he expressed satisfaction at his

removal , declared that he loved Masonry and the Masons , averred that he had made a will under compulsion , and expressed the hope that the Masons would stand b y him until he was able to make another . The breath had hardly left the poor

man ' s body when the 2 'riest produced the will and demanded the remains . By the terms of the will the body was given to the priest , together with the sum of $ 2 , 000 . The other bequests were $ 2 , 000 to the

sisters of Charity of Keokuk ; $ 2 , 000 to the Sisters of Charity of Ottumwa ; $ 3 , 060 to the wife of the saloon keeper ( a stranger ) and $ 100 to her child . The priest was made residuary legatee , and named executor without surety .

Much indignation is felt throughout the whole community at these shameful proceedings , even Romanists denouncing the conduct of the priest . So strong is the feeling against him that the Bishop has determined to transfer him to another

parish , The Sunday after the death of Slevin , the priest delivered a violent harangue against Masonry and denounced Masons in vulgar and indecent language . —New England Freemason .

Immortality.

IMMORTALITY .

BY BRO . EDWIN K . PAYNTEE . This earth cannot be man ' s abiding place , Our lives were never cast up by the sea Of vast eternity to float a space , Then in its depths to sink and cease to be . Else why do glorious aspirations leap ,

Like angels from the temple of our heart , And , ever wandering , forever keep Our souls dissatisfied with this world's part ? Why does the rainbow , with its heav ' nborn hues

, Set in the clouds , God ' s covenant to express , So soon depart , and leave us but to muse Upon its past and favoured loveliness ?