Filial Duty, Or Parents' Claims And Children's Liabilities.

his father die for the want of that medicine . ' It was twelve years after this that I went alone to the grave of my father ; it took me some time to find it , but there it was , with its humble tombstone , and as I stood over it I seemed to be back at his bedsideto see his pale faceand hear his voice .

, , Oh ! the thought of that sin and wickedness cut me to the heart , it seemed that the world would not be too much to give , could I have called loud enough for him to hear me ask his forgiveness , but it was too late , and I must live and die , weeping over that falsehoodthat act of disobedience .

, May God forgive me . The offence seemed at the time but a trivial matter , but what enduring pangs of conscience did it involve . " We thus learn bow pitiable is the state , and how great and lasting is the punishment which the disobedient child inflicts upon himself . Turn we now to the other

picture , where no qualms of conscience are pourtrayed , no bitter self-reproach , are indicated in the features , but instead thereof , the complacent smile of him who can review the past with the conviction that the golden precept has been faithfully observed . The Athenians of old attached great importance to its observance . Indeed

filial piety may be denominated as one of their national characteristics . Unmindfulness of parental claims , disqualified a candidate , who was otherwise eligible , for the office of Archon or chief magistrate , and it operated as a bar to the exercise of the calling of an Orator . Laws were enacted to

enforce due regard of the sacred obligation , whilst rewards in the shape of preferments conduced to a like object . Let him ( says one of their clauses ) be infamous who beats his parents , or who does not provide for them . Another is to this effect . ' If any man be found guilty of abusing his parents

, the eleven shall fetch him , and bring him to trial at the Helian Court , where any who is empowered thereto may accuse him . If he be here cast , the Helian judges shall inflict upon him what punishment they please , and if they fine him , let him be clapped in prison till he pays the whole . ' It is

evident that I erudite nation fully understood the true meaning of the commandment " Honour thy Father and thy Mother , " one of their ordinances is " Let no man be a public orator , who has struck his parent , denied their maintainance , or shut them out of doors , or who hath run out of his father ' s estate . ( To be continued . )

Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD .

The following incident illustrates in a small degree some ofthe good effects produced by the teachings of Masonry , when properly understood and practised , and shows bow it conciliates true friendship among

those who might have otherwise remained at a perpetual distance . " Two men had been fast friends . In an evil hour they quarrelled . They did not speak , and had not spoken for years . Mutual friends tried the art of

reconciliation in vain . They were avowed enemies for life . One of them became a Mason after the estrangement , audit happened that the otherremained ignorant of this fact . One evening he too was admitted into a lodge . Almost the first voice he heard

, and certainly the first face he saw , was that of his enemy , who presided over the ceremony of initiation , and was obliged , according to usage , to address bim by the title of ' brother . ' This was a peculiarsituation , and a severe ordeal for both . After the

lodge was closed the Apprentice sought the Master , and without any preliminaries , the following colloquy ensued , commenced by the newly-made Mason : — "' Are you a member of this lodge ?' " The answer was ' I am '

. " ' " Were you present when I was elected ?' "' I was . ' "' May I ask if you voted ?' '" I did . '

"' Now will you tell me how many votes it requires to reject a candidate on ballot for admission ? ' The Worshipful Master answered ' One . ' " There was nothing more to say . The initiated extended his hand , which was warmly grasped by the

other , and uttered with thrilling accents , deep emotion mellowing his voice , ' Friend ! Brother ! You have taught me a lesson I shall never forget . This is a little ray of Masonic ligbt . No language is so eloquent as the silent throbbing of a heart full of

joyful tears . ' While this kind of cement is used in our moral edifice , should it not be enduring ? Who can wonder that it is so strong . "—Masonic Mirror ? San Francisco .

Of the Order of the Eastern Star the' " Masonic Mirror of San Francisco , " says : — " We are glad to notice the increasing prospect of the auxiliary organization for the dispensing of Masonic charity among the needy in our midst . It is a noble institution , and

deserves the encouragement of every brother of the Craft , wherever found . Our beautiful Masonic-Temple in this city has an ornamental niche in the front of the building , with the statue of Charity throwing her arms for protection around the orphans ,

whom she has taken under her charge ; but that is only a cold and stony representation of charity , and is on the outside , while only members of the male persuasion are admitted within its walls , and whose