The Masonic Angel.

THE MASONIC ANGEL .

BY JEFFERSON . WE take this interesting story from the Masonic Advocate . " When winter comes so dreary , And our hearts are sad ancl weary

Of its wearily protracted , ancl forbidding chilly reign . Like a gleam of light and gladness , To dispel our heavy sadness , Comes the promise that the cheerful spring Avill bloom for us again .

" The winds will loose their keenness , And the trees will bend with greenness , And the warbling birds , in shady giwes , Avill sing their sAveet songs o ' er ; And by rill and lake and river , As beautiful as ever , Shall the Avild rose and orchis bud and

SAveetly bloom for us once more . " We can never forget the angel face of little Stella Gregg , for in her infancy she was a bright child , for she Avas full of all those indescribable attractions which give to children their fascinating ancl all

conquering divinity . Stella ' s eyes Avere blue , her checks j > Iump , and her little tongue Avas touched as Avith an angel ' s power . Her brains Avere full ancl broad , indicating fine perceptive facultiesas Avell as exalted sensibilities . We

, thought then as Ave think still , that the child is mother to the woman . Nature , indeed , always has its lines of development , ancl even in childhood the manifestations are evident of subsequent history . The daughter of an eminent and liberal

minded physician , and the offspring of a mother Avhose substantial , unpretending accomplishments made her a model , Stella ' s early advantages Avere of the best , and diligently and Avell did she use them . None excelled her in her honest efforts to

learn , as but feAV surpassed her in the shreAvdness of her observation . Thoughtful and sedate , respectful ancl benevolent , she grew up to her young girlhood years under the careful guidance of her parents , Avith all the promise about her of the most amiable and useful developments . Her father ' s library was her favourite

place of study . His books , medical historical , literary and Masonic , entertained her and filled her mind with thoughts of scholary devotion , and impressed her nature Avith the convictions of relative responsibility aud practical humanit y .

She has always been deeply interested in reading an old copy of " Webb ' s Monitor , " a book Avhich she knew AA'as highly prized by her father , and Avhich she early learned contained the philosophic outlines of the Masonic faithand set forth the eminent

, virtues of what should be the practical lh'es of all the Fraternity . She often pointed to the four female figures illustrating the cardinal virtues of temperance , prudence , fortitude and justice , for she thought they Avere beautiful combinations

of a high moral order of life , and Avell designed to build up an honourable manhood , where the brotherhood had the stamina and intelligence to measure up to them .

Though only in her teens this mystic book became her vade mecvm , and she read it over Avith critical intelligence , Avithout a thought of condemning it , because Avomen could not be made Masons . She had faith in her father , ancl kneAV that

Masonic integrity Avould not alloAV the tender sex to be Avronged . Jealously of masculine ri ghts had no place in her heart . She Avas contented and proud to know that her father Avas a Master Mason , and she read his Masonic books because she saw

that they diligently taught the fatherhood of God ancl the brotherhood of man . She also saAv that there Avas no bigotry , no intolerance , no sectarianism , no jealous inclusiveness in the system , and she embraced its faith because of its intrinsic

Avorth , ancl of its practical value . "Pa , " said she one day , with a smile which told of her simplicity , " I believe I ' m a Mason myself . " I wouldn ' t wonder , daughter , responded the doctor , "for every good woman is a Mason . "

" Without initiation , pa 1 " she asked . " Why , yes , " he ansAvered . " " Well , then , I ' m one , pa , " said she , " I've read your books , and I know I like their teachings , and I am glad you ' ve told me I ' m a Mason , for I shall try and keep the faith , so as never to dishonour my profession . "