Down By The Sea.

I had conned my love speech o'er and o ' er—I meant to kneel upon the shore , Then , with the pathos of despair , Beg her to love or kill me there , Down by the sea . My heart heat wildly in my breast

As hotly o'er the path I pressed ; I saw a white-robed figure stand Tracing some letters on the sand , Down by the sea .

Perhaps my name was written there , And by that hand so wondrous fair ! Now would I end all doubt and see What fortune had in store for me , Down by the sea .

Softly I crept up to the place—So dark I scarce could see hev face—. ' 0 , Lilian ! " cried I , frantic'ly , " Pity a wretch who dies for thee , " Down by the sea .

As down I plumped upon the sand , Pressing hot kisses on her hand , A sooty face looked into mine—I knew the cook in " just no time " Down by the sea .

A pair of lips of monstrous size Muttered some words of sweet " surprise , " While I , with dizzy brain and sick , Sought my hotel in " double quick , " Down by the sea .

I left for town that very ni ght , Of Lilian never got a sight ; She's married now , and far away , While I ' m a bachelor to-day Down by the sea .

Counsel To Live Masonically.

COUNSEL TO LIVE MASONICALLY .

Before concluding my address , the last probabl y which it will be my privilege to present to you , permit me to refer briefly to the importance of a faithful adherence in principle and practice to the sacred tenets and cardinal virtues of our

institution . It may seem trite to say that these are of far greater importance than its ritual ; and yet the fact remains and is a reproach to Masonry that Masons here and there , and among them some who spare no pains to make themselves perfect in the ritual , sadl

are y indifferent to its moral precepts and obligations . Do not understand me to depreciate the value of hi gh

acquirements in the ritual . We should all be brig ht Masons . Let it be remembered , however , that the brightest ritual can never hide a tarnished character . The ritual is only the shadow of the real body of Masonry . It is the casket which

contains the jewels of Masonic principle and character . Too many of us carry caskets hi which the jewels are either wanting or so defaced with careless handling that we dare no longer call them jewels . I am aware that to some Masons these

admonitions are distasteful , and will probably be received with some impatience . They will say that Masonry is not religion , and that it is not to be so preached and enforced . I answer that it is true that

Masonry is not religion , and that any man who accepts it as such makes a mistake which may be fatal to his happiness here and hereafter . But I answer further , that Masonry is a pure , high-toned morality , to the practice of which every brother has voluntarilyand in the presence of that

, God in whom he has avowed his trust , solemnly pledged himself . The obligations thus assumed cannot be set aside or neglected without condemnation and loss of character both to the individual and to

Masonry . Further , any brother who , after faithful instruction and warning , finds himself unwilling to abandon immoral practices , becomes a proper subject of Masonic disciplineand where a lodge unfortunately

in-, cludes in its membership a controlling immoral element and influence , there can be no question as to the propriety of promptly arresting its charter .

AYe are not to content ourselves , bowever , with merely abstaining from immorality . It is especially the duty of Masons to carry into daily life the tenets of our profession , which are brotherl y Love , Relief , and Truth . It has been

represented to me that some of the brethren have been careless in this direction . We should not wait for invitations to visit the sick , relieve the distressed , or rally to the S pport of a falling brother . Our eyes should be open to see and our ears to hear

and our hands ready to supply the needs of those in distress . I am persuaded that any failure in duty in this direction will be found mainly in our larger towns , where the pressure of business and other preoccupations sometimes seem to leave little