Lying Fallow.

necessarily lying idle . As the fields have other work to do besides continually bearing crops , so Masons have other work to perform beyond and above the continued exemplification of the ritual and the increase of numbers . While we rest from

the labour of initiation there is a natural and appropriate opportunity for us to acquire those princip les which underlie the institution , and which , being wrought into our daily lives and practice , fructify the mind and make it rich in those graces

Masonry is intended , to call forth and exemplify . At this season of leisure Ave may well apply ourselves to the acquirement of a greater knoAvledge of our art , that Avhen again the time for labour arrives we may obey the call with hearts and minds

prepared for a better exampliflcation of our tenets , a more practical elucidation of real Masonry , a stronger determination not to be satisfied Avith the same old routine of petition , ballot , and initiation , but with a zeal according to knowledge to

make manifest that Avith us Masonry is a reality , encouraging the exercise of faith , but demanding the exhibition of Avorks becoming the custodians of a great trust ; becoming men to Avhom light has been given that it might shine in the darkness ;

becoming faithful stewards who desire to render a just account of the talent committed to their care . And so shall our falloAV fields be justified by greater fruitfulness . —Masonic Eclectic .

Sermon Preached Before The Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

By the Eev . E . J . SIMPSON , M . A ., Prov . G . Chap ., Senior Curate of Kensington . The sermon was preached from 1 Kings , xix ., 18— "And after the fire , a still small voice . " The rev . brother spoke as folloAvs : — " I need

scarcely remind you , my beloved brethren , that these are the concluding * Avords of that very sublime passage in Avhich the Divine presence is represented as being made knoAvn to Elijah . The most terrific images from the natural world

are first introduced , but merely for the sake of contrast , and to heighten the mysterious solemnity of the circumstance which folloAvs . The prophet , we may suppose , Avitnessed the c strong Avind , ' 'the earthquake / and 'the fire' with emotions

suited to the contemplation of those tremendous ministers of ruin ; yet these were but material agents , parts of the constituted order of

thingsthe servants , not the Lord . Ifc ivas not till th © ' still small voice' signified the presence of another Being , distinct from nature , and speaking with the composure of irresistible power amidst all the confusion and havoc of the elements , that

Elijah is described as awe-struck , and that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave . But to comment on these circumstances would tend toweaken rather than to increase their effect . It

will be more useful to notice some views of religion Avhich may appear to be silently pointed " at in this remarkable passage , and Avhich are not unsuitecl to the special object for which Ave are assembled to-day . It is Avell to be cautious , lest

we allow our imaginations to fasten upon Scripture our wandering fancies ; yet in some passages moreis doubtless meant than meets the outward eye and ear . The beautiful description before us appears to contain an intimation of the character

of true religion , as opposed to superstition on the one hand and infidelity on the other . In the first of these aspects Ave may suppose it specially addressed to the JeAvs , who , notwithstanding all the instructions of Moses and the prophets , were unaccountably prone to the lowest superstitions ^

In the time of Elijah particularly , there Avas a ; very general falling off from the true religion , and the altars of God Avere deserted for those of Baal . Now the rise of idolatry and superstitionmay very naturally be traced to that disposition ,,

so deeply felt in unenlightened minds , of supposing every part of nature to be endowed with feeling and with a spirit ; and as the unity ancT connection Avhich run so beautifully through the Avhole plan are not so apparent as to arrest the .

attention of the barbarian , he will commonly beinduced to regard every detached and separateappearance as the proof of a separate Being , Avhich , according to the bent of his own mind , he-Avill clothe Avith a gloomy character . It is also a :

feature in human nature to be inattentive to what is common , hoAvever great it may be in reality , and to bestow admiration only on what is neAV and surprising . The feeling of dread and apprehension , too , excited by unexpected exertions of

terrible power , operates on the mind of uninstructed man far more powerfully than that of gratitude for familiar and accustomed bounty ; and he is more disposed to tremble before the destructive energies of nature than to confide in the mildness of its ordinary administration ; henc ©