Death Of The Oldest Mason In The World.

which he continued to conduct until about ten years ago , when , finding himself too old for labour , he relinquished the control to his sons , the youngest of whom is now in his fifty-ninth year . " Bro . McCtte enjoyed excellent health until within a few days of his death , and is said never to have taken a dose of medicine in his life . He retained all his mental

powers in full vigour to the last , retaining and repeating to those about him . the incidents of his youth , and later times , before he left his native land , with a mind ancl memory apparently quite unimpaired and clear . His last words were , ' Lord Jesus , receive my spirit . ' " Daring the last years of his life , his hearing became somewhat impaired ; and more than one will remember

for long the picture of that venerable figure , slightly bent forward , and grasping the hand rail of the large square pew in front of the reading-desk , in the old church of St . James , where he frequently stood during a great part of the service , in order not to lose a word . " His loyalty to the Queen and government was a distinguishing trait in his character . He has been

known to resent with physical vigour , since he was a century old , a disrespectful remark applied to his beloved Queen . "His wife , Margaret , died April 1 st , 1867 , aged ninetynine years . She had been quite blind for a number of years , but still continued to conduct the affairs of her own household , until shortly before her death . They

have left a large family of children , grandchildren , and great grandchildren , a number of whom followed the remains of their aged ancestor to the grave . "Bro . Charles McCue was initiated , passed and raised , to the sublime degree of a Master Master , in Ballanderry Lodge , Wo . 404 , County Antrim , Ireland , in the yea ? 1775 , at the age of eighteen years , his father having been a Freemason . He affiliated with St . John's Lodge , No . 68 , Ingersoll , on the 7 th August , 1862 , the last time he visited the lodge being on the 30 th July , 1863 . He

was made an honorary member , with full privileges , m 1866 . His expressed object in taking this step , many times expressed to different brethren , was in order to ensure to himself the right and privilege of Masonic burial . Bsfore his affiliation , the W . M . of St . John ' s communicated with the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and procured a copy of his Grand Lodge certificate , giving

his age and the date of his initiation , passing and raising . "The remains of our venerable brother were , in accordance with his own earnest desire above alluded to , interred with full Masonic honours , on the afternoon of the 7 th current . The following lodges were represented on the occasion : —

" St . John ' s No . 20 , London ; King Hiram No . 37 , Ingersoll ; St . George's No . 42 , London ; King Solomon No . 43 , "Woodstock ; Oxford , No . 76 , AVoodstock ; King Hiram , No . 78 , Tillsonbnrg ; Kidoufc No . 95 , Ottet-ville ; St . John ' s No . 68 , Ingersoll , of which last the deceased was a member . There were present—B . AV . Bro . AA estlake , Past Dep . Dist . G . M . London District , and E . W .

Bro . P . J . Brown , G . S . AV , Tho funeral service , according to the ancient custom , was read by A -W . Bro . A . McLeon , AV . M . St . John ' s Lodge , tho Eev . J . P . Hincks , incumbent of St . James' Church , Ingersoll , having previously performed the burial service of the Church of England , of which the deceased was a member . " AVe have devoted an unusual amount of space in thus

chronicling the incidents of our late brother ' s remarkable career , from a consciousness that any authenticated particulars—and ours are given on the highest and most competent authority—relative to the life of the oldest Mason in the world , who , after ninety-five years of Masonic toil , has but the other day been raised to his reward in the Supreme Grand Lodge above , cannot but be received with interest , not only by his brethren in Canada , but by the whole fraternity , of which , till ten days ago , he was tho oldest representative . "

Poetry.

Poetry .

ARE YOU A FREEMASON ? Tho Rov . Mr . MAGILL , Rector of St . Paul's Church , Peru , Illinois , U . S ., being asked the above question by a lady , responded aa follows ;—I am ono of the band

AA'ho -will faithfully stand In the bonds of affection , and love ; I have knocked at th . 3 door , Onco wretched and poor , Ancl there for admission I strove . By tho help- of a friend , AA'ho assistance did lend , I succoodod an outranco to gain : AVas received in the " AVost " By command from tho " East , "'

But not without fooling some pain . How my conscience was taught , AA ith a moral quite fraught AA'ith sentiments holy aud true ; Thou onward I travelled To see it unravelled AA'hat Hiram intended to do .

A ory soon to tho " East " I made known my request , And "light" by command did attend , AVhen , lo ! I perceived , In due form revealed .

A Mastor , and Bivther , and Inond . Thus far I- have stated And simply related AAliat happened when I was made free , But I've " passed " siue ' o then , And was " raised " up again To a sublime and ancient degree .

Then onward I marched , That I might bo " Aroh'd , " And find out those treasures long lost . AA'hou , behold ! a bright flamo , From tho midst of which came

A voice that mine oars did accost . Through tho " vails " I then went And succoodod at length Tho " Sanctum Sanctorum " to find , By tho "Signet " I gained And quicklv obtained

Employment which suited my mind . In tho depths I thon wrought Aud most carefully sought For treasures so long hidden there , Ancl by labour and toil I discovered rich spoil , AA'hich are kept by tho Craft duo care .

Having thus far arrived , I further contrived Among valiant Knights to appear , And as Pilgrim aud Knight I stood ready to light , Nor Saracen foo did I fear . For tho widow distress :

Thoro ' s a chord in uiy breast , For tho helpless and orphan I fee ) , And my sword I could draw To maintain tho truo huv AVhich tho duty of Masons reveal . Thus have I reveals-: ! ( Yet wisely concealed )

What tho " freo and accepted '' will know ; I am ono of the baud AVho will faithfully stand As a brother wherever I go .