Poetry.

Poetry .

THE MASON'S JOURNEY . Bx COME . SAJIUEE P . KELLY , The day is declining , the shadows fall , Across the darkened path they lie ; But little time for labour and toil Is left to men who are born to die .

Arouse , ye craftsmen ? the ashlar waits For the guage , the level , the plumb and square ; There are quarries of duty in which to work , They are opening here and everywhere . Chairs to be passed , from which to guide Brethren with lesser lights than we ;

Most Excellent Master ' s work to do E ' er the Temple of life completed be . Roads to travel , rugged and rough , Rubbish of error to clear away ; But a rod and staff to comfort us , Aud manna to strengthen by the way .

The Book of the Law for counsel and aid , The Ark of his presence ever nigh ; AVhile incense of prayer to his Holy Name Eises like clouds 0 : 1 a summer sky . AVeary sojourners , humbly we Are treading out the life-long march ,

To find , in the rest of the land above , The glorious light of the Eoyal Arch . Keystone . \

Duties Of The Craft.

DUTIES OF THE CRAFT .

" To afford succour to the distressed , to divide our bread with tho industrious poor , and to put the misguided traveller in the way , are duties of the Craft , suitable to its dignity , and expressive of its usefulness . "—Ancient Constitutions . Come , and let us seek the straying ,

Lead him to the shepherd back ; Come , the traveller ' s feet betraying , Guide him from the dangerous track . Come , a solemn voice reminds us—Come , a mystic fetter binds us—Masons here your duties lie—Hark , the poor and needy cry .

Duties Of The Craft.

Come , and help the worthy poor—Break to him the needed bread—Longer he cannot endure—Come , ere famine mark him dead ; Bounties rich to us supplying , To the poor are oft denying :

Masons , hero your duties lie—Hark , the poor and needy cry . Come , where sorrow has its dwelling , Comfort bring to souls distressed To the friendliest mourner telling , Of the rock that offers rest . AVhat would life be but for heaven ? Come to us this message

given—Masons , here your duties lie—Hark , the poor and needy cry . Band of brothers , every nation Hails your bright and orient light ! Fervent , zealous , free , your station Calls for deeds of noblest might !

Seek—the world is full of sorrow—Act—your life will end to-morrow—Masons , here your duties lie—Hark , the poor and needy cry . Pomeroy ' s Democrat .

Lines By A Lady.

LINES BY A LADY .

Oh ! why should womau , who so truly needs Mankind's protection , and so much admires The truly noble , feel aught of bitterness Toward Masonry ? Methinks no truthful heart Can e ' er be moved with unkind feelings toward The sous of virtue , charity , and love .

How can I but admire the mystic hand AVhen he ? whom I revere and truly love , Whose every act through a long life , which counts , Now , fourscore years , has been so truly pure—An honoured member is ? Oh ! well I know , The gray-haired pilgrim I delight to call By the sweet appellation , father , ne ' er AA ould approbate with his whole heart and soul ,

An undeserving Order . Oh ! I've seen His mild eye kindle , as I sang to him , That rich and plaintive song of Scotland ' s Bard . I learned it when a child , and loved it too ; But love it better now , that 'tis a source AAliich yieldeth joy to those I dearly prize .

Oh 1 woman , wherefore seek to learn , or censure , What we cau never know ? Enough for us To see and share the fruits borne on the tree AA'hich e ' er , to us , must be invisible , Are we , the daughters of our mother , Eve , More wise than she , that we should not transgress ,

AVere we permitted to advance within The sanctum ? No 1 Then let ns he content , To know that sickly soil nor staunted free Can bear the fruits of Charity and Love . Tne Masonic Trowel .