The Masonic Ladder.

sin—Avaste its energies and dim its sight . We are too carnal , too earthly ; Ave cultivate not enough our spiritual senses . Let us be wise , and not fail to invigorate our spiritual parts . Life will smile in . gladness , and eternity rejoice in

glory , if Ave are faithful in this duty . Hope is thafc angel within , AA'hich whispers of triumph over evil or the success of good , of the victory of truth , of the achievement of right . ¦ " It hopeth all things" Ifc is a strong ingredient

. of courage . It is the friend of virtue . It is the prophet of " a good time coming . " It is full of glorious anticipations . Ifc points on the sandy wilderness a picture of tranquil beauty , and a

picture that Ave feel assured is no fading mirage to vanish at our approach . It promises to veneration a time when all nations shall feel their dependence on the Giver of all Good , and in the light of His love shall rejoice in the unsullied purity of immortal youth — a time Avhen that which is evil shall be banished for ever , Avhen

The right with might anil truth shall be , Anil come ivhat there may to stand in the Avay , That day the world shall see . Ifc breathes everyAvhere the idea of victory . Such are its religious sentiments . Its morality is equally inspiring , rich , and beneficent . Ic encourages all

things good , great , noble . It Avhispers liberty to the slave , freedom to the captive , health to the sick , home to the Avanderer , friends to the forsaken , peace to the troubled , supplies to the needy , bread to the hungry , strength to the weak , rest to the

weary , life to the dying . Ifc has sunshine in its eye , encouragement in its tongue , ancl inspiration in its hand . Rich and glorious is hope , and faithfully should ifc be cultivated . Let its inspiring influence ever dwell in our hearts . It will give

strength ancl courage . Let ifcs cheerful Avords fall from the tongue , and ifcs bright smile play ever on the countenance . Cultivate this ever-shinin a

fewer of the spirit . It is the evergreen of life in the soul ' s garden . NOAV the first day on which a child opens its unconscious eyes and raises its feeble Availing cry in this world of trial , it is generally the object of

trusting hope to some anxious parents or some affectionate , friends , and when the aged Christian is carried out to his rest , Ave consign dust to dust , and ashes to ashes , in a sure , and certain , and exalted " hope . " The annals of our nation recognise how much of the success and greatness of the English is owing to their habit , so to speak ,

of hoping almost against hope . The emigrant driven from his home when there seems no bread for him to earn , and no part for him to play , packs up his scanty wardrobe and seeks other climes in the hope of finding " work for honest labour . "

The arfcizan , under the disadvantage of high prices and failing trade , consoles himself with the prospect of " the good time coming / - ' for which amid his privations he is content to " Avait a little longer . " And the hardy sailor , tossed on the

wide ocean , a thousand miles from land , toils cheerfully on , trusting in some vague and shadoAvy conviction that the '' sweet little cherub" of whom

Dibdin sang , Avill " keep Avafcch for the life of poor Jack . " These are homely instances , but they seem to show hope to be the moving spring of action , without which the throbbing pulse of enterprise would soon be numbed and poAverless .

Charity is that which seekefch the good of others—that which would pour out from the treasures of its munificence , gifts of good things upon all . It . is that feeling which blesses and curses not . It is the good Samaritan of the

heart . It is that Avhich thinketh no evil , and island ; Avhich hopeth all things , believeth all things , endureth all things . Ifc is the angel of mercy Avhich forgives seventy and seven times , and still is rich in the treasures of pardon . It visits the

sick , . smoothes the pilloAV of the dying , drops a tear wifch the mourner , buries the dead , educates the orphan . It sets free the captive , unburdens the slave , instructs the ignorant , relieves the distressed , and preaches good tidings to the poor .

Its look is like the face of an angel , its Avords are more precious than rubies , its voice is sweeter than honey , ifcs hand is softer than CIOAVU , its step is , gentle as loA'e .

But it needs no encomium , it is its own praise ,, it works its own plaudits . Whoever would be respected , AvhoeA r er Avould be beloved , whoever Avould be useful , whoever would be remembered AA'ith pleasure Avhen life is over , must cherish

this glorious feeling . Whoever would be truly happy , Avould feel the real charms of goodness , must cultivate this affection . It is a glorious affection because of the number and extent of its objects . It is as AA'ide as the world of

suffering , deep as the heart of sorrow , extensive as the Avants of creation , and as boundless as the kingdom of need . It is the messenger of peace holding out to Avrangling mortals the Avhite flag of truce . It is needed everywhere , in all times and