Benevolence.

BENEVOLENCE .

tS Benevolence is the most sociable of all virtues , so is it of the largest extent ; for there is not any man , either so great or so little , but he is yet capable of giving or receiving benefits . Let us always use God ' s blessings , as bounties , with moderation and temperance , and remember the poor ; for God has given to some too little for their convenience , and to others more than they need , that neither side may want an occasion for exercising their virtue . He bestows

upon us sufficient for the relief of our brethren , that we may obtain his mercy . And on the other hand , the poor , when they are refreshed by our liberality , give God thanks for putting it into our hearts , and recommend us to Him in their prayers . It _ is _ the duty of every individual to be a friend to mankind , as it is his interest that men should be friendlto him .

y The greatest benefits of all have no witness , but lie concealed in the conscience . A kind benefactor makes a man happy as soon as he can , " and as much as ho can . There should be no delay in a benefit , but the modesty of the receiver . H' we cannot foresee the request , let us however immediately grant it ; it is so grievous a thing to say I beg , the very word puts

a man out of countenance ; and it is a double kindness to do the thing , and save an honest man from the confusion of a blush . Let no one be weary of rendering good offices ; for obli ging others we are really kind to ourselves . No man ever was a loser by good works ; for , though he may not be immediately rewardedyetin process of timesome happy or

, , , emergency other occurs to convince him , that virtuous men are the darlings of Providence . The benevolence of a good man always terminates his projects in the relief _ of distress , the detection of fraud , the defeat of oppression , and the diffusion of happiness . BRO . WELLINS CALCOTT .

Consecrating A Canal Tunnel.

CONSECRATING A CANAL TUNNEL .

S N a Birmingham newspaper of 1796 , the following paragraph occurs" FEEEMASONET . Was holden in the Worcester and Birmingham Canal " Tunnel , a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons , Knights Templars " M . S . A ., & c , & c , who having assembled in ample form at Birmingham , " proceeded on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in an elegant barge , "accompanied by martial music , to King ' s Norton , and disembarking at "the east end of the tunneltook a survej' over the summit of the hill

, "through which this subterraneous passage is excavating to the western " entrance of it . The magnificence and wonderful appearance of the arch " ( which for near 500 yards in length was most brilliantly illuminated ) "had an amazing effect , and struck the Companions with a solemn and . " reverential awe . The reverberation of sounds from a bugle horn , which " continued upwards of twenty-five seconds , resembled at first a loud clap

" of thunder , but gradually softened to the most harmonious sounds such" as words cannot describe . The consecration of this stupendous arch by " the Royal-Arch Chapter of Fortitude , who piously dedicated it to Solomon , "king of Israel , was solemn and awful . A description of the arch and " the names of the artists present , will be engraved in stone and fixed " in the archin commemoration of the oriinal GCThe chapter being

, g .. '" ' closed , the brethren returned in the barge to King ' s Norton , and forming "themselves in order , disembarked , and walked in procession to the " Navigation _ Inn there , where an elegant dinner was provided , and the " day spent in the utmost harmony . " AMAXUEXSIS .