The Present Influence And Future Mission Of Masonry.

forget to ascribe all the praise to the Grand Master of the universe . Let us acknowledge the Providence that has Avatched over us from the infancy of the Order ancl preserved us from external dangers , which has given us the victory over all our foes , prospered and '

preserved us as an Order , Avhile so many of the proudest of the institutions of man have perished . Let us thank Him for an enlightened philanthropy in advance of the age in Avhich our Order has acted , ancl Avhich exerted such an influence for cood unon

human society . In short , let us thank Him for Avhatever good Ave as an Order have accomplished for humanity , and taking ! coinage , ever relying upon divine assistance , let us press Avith fresh zeal into the thickest of the moral conflict in Avhich fihtand however

Ave g , long the victory hangs in doubtful poise , be cheered Avith the thought that " This is Thy work , Almighty Providence , Whose poiver , beyond the reach of human thought ,

Revolves the orbs of empire—bids them sink Deep in the dead ' ning night of Thy displeasure , Or rise majestic o ' er a Avondering Avorld . —American Freemason ' s Repository .

On The Stairway—11 P. M.

ON THE STAIRWAY—11 P . M .

BY ELLA 31 . PIT 2 PATKICK , 'Tis one of the sweet Strauss waltzes , A dreamy , exquisite strain , Though each passionate swell and cadence

Dies away in a wail of pain ; Arthur and Edith dancing—I watch them from the stair—Her flower-like head half drooping Till his breath just stirs her hair .

Blonde and brune ; 'tis a picture Fair , though I see through tears ; Arthur—my Arthur no longer ! I am tortured with doubts and fears Only to see them together , And I alone on the stair ; 1 hate her for all her beauty Since she weaves it into a snare .

There ' s a lull in the sobbing music ; They ' re coming—the alcove ' s near ; If they choose to flirt on the stairway , I cannot choose but hear . Beside , this marble Psyche , AVho lifts her lily of light , I will hide away from their glances , Lest they read my grief aright .

Oh ! innocent eyes upturning To his fervid Southern face ! Oh ! dainty lingers swaying A fan with such perfect grace ! Did he read your tale as I do , He would not bend so low

To whisper the mad , sweet sayings That highten your fair cheek ' s glow . Her bright face dimples archly , And Arthur listens now ;

AAliat is it she says that flushes His olive cheek and brow ? Is she speaking of me ? " Dear Mabel , She loves you—and you ? " My heart stands still for his answer" I shall love her my whole life through . "

I hear no more—in a transport Of the bliss his words have brought , I sit and weave sweet fancies To the burden of my thought , Till the opening strains of the "Lancers " Call Edith away from the stair , And I fly through the half-lit passage , Lest Arthur should find me there .

Again through the crowded parlours A dreamy waltz tune floats , And Arthur and I arc dancing In perfect rythm with the notes . Our steps , our thoughts , together , As the music swells and dies ;

AVhile Edith sits on the stairway , And smiles in mock surprise . Nciv York Dispatch .

"How many deaths last night ? " inquired a hospital physician of a nurse . "Nine , " was the answer . "Why , I ordered medicine for ten . " " Yes ; but one wouldn't take it . "