The Chief Corner Stone.

racter can stop the approach of death ; no attainments can neutralize its poAver , no wisdom lift us abo \ r e its reach . I cannot conclude this discourse better than in the words , of St . Peter , in his first Epistle ,

second chapter , second and following verses : " As newborn babes , desire the sincere milk of the woi'd , that ye may grow thereby ; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious . To Avhom scorning , as unto a living stone , disalloAved indeed

of men , but chosen of God , and precious , ye also , as lively stones , are built up a spiritual house , an holy priesthood , to offer up spiritual sacrifices , acceptable to God by Jesus Christ . Wherefore

: also it is contained in the Scripture , behold , I lay in Zion a Chief Corner Stone , elect precious ; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded . Unto you , therefore , Avhich believe he is precious ; but unto them Avhich be disobedient ,

• the stone Avhich the builders disalloAved , the same is become the head of the corner , and a stone of rstumbling , and a rock of offence , even to them -which stumble at the world , being disobedient , -whereunto also they were appointed . But ye are

a chosen generation , a royal priesthood , an holy nation , a peculiar people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light . "

Recollections Of The Lodge Of Freemasons At Thornhill.

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LODGE OF FREEMASONS AT THORNHILL .

By D . MURRAY LYON , one of the Grand Sfeivards in the Grand Lodge of Scotland . ( Continued from page 45 . ) . Dinner having been discussed , about two hundred of the brethren being present , those of the

company Avho did not require to leave by train harmonised in the li ght for a few hours Avith the members of St . John ' s . * # ¦ # # * "Music wo have too

Yet no loose strains excite unchaste desire , " So wanton sounds profane Urania ' s lyre : — There Concord and Decorum bear the sway , -And moral music tunes the instructive lay ; For Thee shall music strike the harmonious lyre , And while she charms the ear , Morality inspire . "

So sang the poet , and well did the several vocalists of the evening sustain the above truthful . portraiture of the social gatherings of the Craft . Bros . J . and A . Hastings , J . Bennet , J . Sibbald , Joseph M'Caig , and A . Glendenning , having been

called upon by the R . W . M ., rose and sang in a most effective sty le the following Ode , composed for the occasion by Bro . W . R , Richardson , Middlesbro ' , Yorkshire : — Hail ! g lorious art Divine ;

May thy lig ht over s , hine Over the land . Kings have knelt at thy shrine , Sceptres to thee resign , And own thy command . Strong in our country ' s cause ,

In God and honour ' s laws , Forward we move ; Working with all our might , •*' AM iiiahkiiul to Uiiftilj In hoiids of love . i > Israel ' s wise king We know ,

Well understood our laws , And it approv'd ; And kings of our own land Have joined our Mystic Band , And liave it lov'd .

Ages are witness , then , That great and noble men , Brothers have been ; And on this Jubilee , Joyous our shout shall be—God save the Queen !

# * - » * # # # Bro . Cook's rendering of Burns ' s well-known " Heart-warm fond Adieu" was greatly admired , as was also " The Dress of Freemasons , " sung to the tune of " Garb of Old Gaul , " as , among the

sons of St . John ' s , Bro . Robert Brown . only can do—the chorus being given Avith a Avill that would have sadly disturbed the equanimity of eavesdroppers , had any such been Avithin earshot : — In the dress of Freemasons , fit garments for Jove ,

With the strongest attachment , true brotherly love , AA e here are assembled , all jovial and free , For who are so wise and so happy as we .

Then since we're bound by secresy to unity and love , Let us like brethren faithful to every brother prove ; Then hand in hand we'll firmly stand , all Masons in a ring , Protectors of our native land , the Craft , and the Queen . AVith justice , with candour , our bosoms are warm'd , Our tongues are with truth and sincerity arm'd ,

We are . loyal , we've trusty , we've faithful to those AYho treat us as friends , and smile at our foes . Then since we're bound , & c . Though some with ambition for glory contend , And when they ' ve attained that , despise each poor friend ; But a Mason tho' noble his fame to ensure ,

Counts each Mason his brother tho' ever so poor . Then since we're bound , & c . But not to our brethren alone we confine True brotherly love , that affection divine ; For our kind-hearted Sisters in that have a share , For as we admire , we're beloved by the fair . Then since we ' re hound , & c