Freemasonry Considered In Its Relation To Society.

tne standard , and deserted to the enemy , Albert Edward Prince of Wales , boldly stepped forward and raised it ; and when the noble old man , who for two generations ruled the craft in Ireland so well , died true to his colours , another noble brother , the Duke of Abercorn accepted the high office of Grand Master . Thus we have in the

one country the heir to the throne , and in the other the viceroy , the chiefs of the order , proving that to civil society at least there is nothing inimical in Freemasonry . While it is pleasant to have the names of illustrious men associated with the

craft , it must not be forgotten they can add no fresh lustre to it ; and were all its titled members to withdraw , Freemasonry would suffer no more than any of the sciences would lose by the death of their ablest exponents . The humblest

individual who worthily performs the round of his Masonic duties , exerts an influence in his own circle relatively as great as the most exalted personage in the realm ; and by his conduct in an opposite direction may lead the outer world to infer that the charges made against Freemasonry have some foundation .

Freemasonry has been misunderstood and therefore misrepresented . It inculcates a spirit of intoleration—a universal brotherhood . It endeavours to leave society better than it found it . It has mitigated the horrors of war , and endeavoured to obviate its necessity . Its high aim has been to seek the Truth and to disseminate

Light , and to assist m fulfilling the dream of one who " * * Dipt into the future , far as human eye could see , Saw the vision of the world , and all the wonder that would be ; Saw the heavens filled with commerce

, argosies of magic sails , Pilots of the purple twilight , dropping down with costly bales ; Heard the heavens filled with shouting , and their rain'd a ghastly clew , From the nations' airy navies grappling in

the central blue ; Far along the world-wide whisper of the south wind rushing warm , With the standards of the peoples plunging through the thunder-storm ; Till the war-drum throbb'd no lonya ; and the battle fags were furl'd

Freemasonry Considered In Its Relation To Society.

In the Parliament of man , the Federation of the world ! ' *

Muriel Halsie.

MURIEL HALSIE .

Number nine , Percy Terrace , was closed . During the night the Angel of Death had visited the house . " The last of his race and his father's name" had passed behind the veil that hides the vague , mysterious hereafter from human gaze .

" Heart disease , " said the doctor , gravely , as he stood by the bedside , looking down on the handsome face half pillowed on the arm that had so often been raised in defence of Queen and country . " Heart disease" he repeatedraising his eyesto

, , , meet those of a young lady standing on the other side , pale and motionless as a statue . She seemed as though she heard him not . "Your father suffered no pain , " he added , in a lower tone ; " he died in his sleep . " The tig htly-clasped hands of the girl

unlocked themselves suddenly and covered her quivering face , deeply-drawn breath heaved her chest for a few moments , and then the tears gushed forth as though they

would never cease . For a while the doctor let her weep ; presently he spoke , again : " It is a quiet ending to a well-spent life , my clear Miss Halsie . Do not weep . Your father has been saved much trouble ; he would never have been happy out of

harness ; already inaction has begun to chafe his energetic spirit . " " Do you think that all my tears are dropped for him ? " cried the girl , passionately . " No , they are partly for myself ! He is happy—at rest ; but I—I am lonely

and desolate ; before me spreads a dark future I fear to tread , for I have no one to lead or guide me . " The doctor did not know what reply to make ; and , suddenly remembering that he hael other people waiting for him , he

held out his hand and said " Good-bye , " promising to call again next day . * * * » * * * Colonel Halsie was a retired Indian . For some months he had been residing with his youngest daughter at Newcombe , a seaside village in Devonshire . His wife had died when her children were very