sensible man he will not think his time lost. If beyond the White, the Blue, the Scarlet, and the Gold, he would know more, he applies to the District (when he has served the offices) for the signs and pass-words of Past Secretary, Past V.G., Past N.G., and the Purple Degree, and, it may be hoped, "for his own advantage and the credit of the order," he may also in time be able to claim the distinguishing secret of a P.P.G.M. and P.G.M. Now, upon this plain statement, do you think we shall ever be able to get our member to "reason" who talks about "absurdity?" Why, he has prejudged our arguments, and we must consider ourselves effectually clinched if he says-"Oh, it's all nonsense-rubbish; it's treating men like children; it may be all very well for clodhoppers, but in these days, for intelligent people in a city, it is almost insulting. The fact is we don't want them, and country folks don't care about them, therefore we can do without them, and we shall do away with them." We remember it is a saying of great thinkers that a man with little knowledge assumes airs, and jumps at conclusions, of which he is ashamed when he has learnt, and thought, more. Our friend lets his "little knowledge intolerance" peep out we must try to get him to reason with us-not be angry with him-but if he can't, or won't, feel what we think the truth within us, we must leave him with the remark that "time works wonders," and, perhaps, will in him. He may retort "very little time will swamp the lectures and degrees." It is not "Friendship, Love, and Truth," we may be certain, prompts this remark. We may be pardoned if we reply that the swamping will not be such an easy matter, whilst we have leading patriarchs among us, and steady-going, thoughtful majorities, to oppose a few seemingwise discontents. If any one who may don the purple or any other sash, does not choose to do so, he can let it alone. There are few members who think it absolutely necessary to the proper discharge of duty to inconvenience themselves with the broad emblematic band of their position, though we sometimes hear strong jokes about the persistence of certain brothers" carrying out the principles of the order." If they were right, it would follow that, in a procession to church, the broader the sash, and the bigger the apron, a member wears, the more "principles" would he " carry out." Even this subject deserves some consideration, although the "Times" sneers very pleasantly upon it. How strange it is the great guns don't sneer at Freemasons with their tools and trappings-the tavern feast-and "tottering steps, and rosy faces all about the streets" (which is quite as true of them as it is concerning Odd-fellows, that is-not true at all). And the horsehair gentlemen at Westminster, with their ermined blue and scarlet smocks -the train bearers-sword bearers-and other wonderfully sensible accessories; not to speak of the javelin-men, and "Bumbles," at assize time! What boobies indeed must the City Artillery be to wear uniform. And the Rifle Volunteers! Surely there is no special reason why our members should not wear simple distinctive "regalia," and who has any right to interfere with them, seeing that only those who like them pay for them? Besides, these things have proved serviceable in saving the cost of other advertisements, and there seems to be inherent in mankind a deep craving for, and resolve to assume, such decorations; or how shall we account for new model societies fostered by that "aristocracy" which the leading paper says must "show itself worth its salt," following exactly in our footsteps. To explain :-I saw, one evening in November last, a long procession of members of the various benefit clubs of the Sons of Temperance League parading the streets of London, with Bands and Banners, and each wearing an Odd-fellows' sash, as also a sort of naval cap with gold band! Going to Exeter Hall," they said, at the expense of their patrons! Couldn't they adhere to the principles of cold water without wearing that particular dress? 66 The truth seems to be that this aristocracy is being lashed into indirect interference with us; and the general population predjudiced (if it can be) against the Unity, because we have hitherto, for working men, been 100 successful. But we need not fear. We have borne the brunt of insult from Actuaries, Earls, and other disinterested (?) people, and have yet progressed; and we shall progress; not by favour of, but in spite of the "Times" and other " Organs.' We shall teach those who will hear us, to practise Charity, Truth, Benevolence, Purity, Justice, Gratitude, and Patience, and, if they do so, they will be good "Odd Fellows." Have you noticed (in the country particularly) how members not only take care of their sashes and aprons, but that the two best pictures in humble homes, are "The Emblems?" You have heard the "youngsters" want to know what they mean, and not at all satisfied with the account Father gives them in his simple way. If we look at that of the "Order" we cannot mistake the Figures-Faith with the Cross; Hope with the Anchor; and Charity, tending children-supporting "the Arms," whereon are quartered, in the Christian Cross, the Hour-glass, plainly typifying Time-the Bees, Industry-the Keys, Knowledge-and the Lamb, Innocence: the centre having the Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle on a minor shield. The significant Hand and Heart in the Globe, resting on a mural wreath, and circled with Laurel, appropriately surmounts the Arms; and below are seen the Dove, with Olive-branch, for Peace; and the Horn of Plenty. Some say the base is allegorical, showing natives of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, acknowledging submission to Britannia; but this is not correct; for the representation is intended of Britain presenting a Dispensation (which you know is for opening a new branch) to America, in presence of the others on the shore, a ship standing off to bear the red warrior to his home, and on either side are the Arms of Manchester and Great Britain, whilst above, the beams of the All-seeing eye of the Great Architect of the Universe compass the whole. This Emblem was first used in 1838, having been resolved upon by the London A.M.C., 1837. The American Dispensation was granted about 1820, and confirmed by the Annual Meeting in 1826. On the motto, “Amicitia, Amor, et Veritas," or Friendship, Love and Truth, we will converse again. The Quarterly Report for April, 1852, announces the Widows' and Orphans' Emblem to be ready for delivery, and thus describes it: "A sorrowing widow, with her children, is seen flying in terror from a wretched and ghastly figure (the personation of Want), who threatens them from beyond the grave of the lost husband and father. At this crisis, a graceful female form, the benevolent Genius or principle of the "Order," interposes, forbidding the approach of "Want," and protecting the unfortunate family in their dis tress. Below the group are arranged the Arms of the Order, and those of England and Manchester surrounded by the emblems of Peace and Plenty, Above the design floats a silken flag, inscribed with the designation of the Order, and surmounted by the bow of Hope and Promise." It is, perhaps. hardly necessary to add, that the " ruined arch," a prominent feature in the Emblem, is also as fitly expressive of the occasioning circumstances, as the Dove of Peace and the Horn of Plenty are of the means provided to meet them, of course, under the presidency of the benevolent Genius or principle of the Order. It would be well if greater attention could be secured from the public to the discourses of the clergy with reference to Odd-Fellows; and it is pleasing to refer to one of great excellence by the Rev. W. N. St. Leger, preached in the church of St. Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich. He took for his text the words: "Love as brethren," as 66 a suitable theme for a Christian teacher to amplify and enforce," and thus addressed the Brothers : "Disclaiming the thought and the language of compliment, as alike forbidden by the stern truth which commands in this holy place with honest feeling I welcome your Society, as a present and affecting proof that brotherly love has united those (who separately are unequal to the duty) to assist the distressed, to comfort the afflicted, and in the hour of trial and sorrow to bear one another's burden. I am not anxious to criticise the title by which you choose to designate your benevolent institution-it were captious to do so-the thoughtless and uncharitable dwell most upon its peculiarity. Enough for me to know that your works are good, though done under a singular and unattractive name; well would it be for societies of more distinguished and pretending titles, if they could allege for their formation the honest, manly benevolence which has called into existence your valuable Order. In your title however, fanciful though it be, I can recognize a merited sarcasm on the heartlessness of a selfish and unfeeling world. To visit the sick, and to speak a few words of cold advice, is not perhaps uncommon; there are many-shall I say too many-who presume to do so. To give a little paltry relief, the cost of which is never felt, and cannot therefore be called a sacrifice, is not uncommon. Would that there were not so many who delude themselves into the idea that they are charitable by such mean practices! But to provide for the sick man's wants through the long and wearisome hours of illness-to protect the sick man's family, and to do this liberally and respectfully, is a very uncommon act. The man who does so may truly be called a singular character; the society which does so may aptly be designated a singular or odd fraternity; and the members who compose that benevolent "Union" may be styled, alas! too truly, the "Fellows" or associates of an "Odd" or uncommon Order. "Union is strength"-your Union, composed as it is of persons who are able and willing to provide for themselves and families by honest industry, but who cannot expect to do more, and who are certainly unable singly to afford any permanent relief to a distressed brother-your Union, I say, so constituted, and happily free from all political rancour and sectarian acerbity, applies its resources to a liberal provision for the sick-to decent burial of the deadand, when available, to the support of the widow and her orphans. These are great designs, my brethren, and here let me say, with a tribute of respect to members of your Order far from this place, that in earlier and happier times I have seen those plans honestly fulfilled: your objects are generous and noble-they address the holiest sympathies of our nature, and we humbly trust are acceptable in the sight of God. There is a prayer that pierceth the clouds-it is the widow's prayer-there are tears which angels weep to look upon-the tears of the lonely orphan, and these call down the blessing of heaven upon the friends of their affliction-the consolers of their grief." Another worthy pastor, in Guernsey, the Rev. C. P. Carey, preached to the members there, in St. John's Church, on the occasion of celebrating the restoration of peace with Russia. The text chosen was "On earth peace, good will towards men.' How he has studied and appreciates the Order, let two extracts from his Sermon prove : "Peace and good will are again proclaimed, and you have met to celebrate the happy event. You are men of peace! For even when in the earlier part of this day you wore an uniform (that of the Guernsey Royal Militia) different from that in which you now appear, that very uniform, and those arms which you then carried-whilst they showed that you were ready to defend yourselves, your homes, and your country, if need be, at the price of your blood-are in one sense indeed, the badges of war, but in a truer sense the real securities of peace-of peace and good will towards men. "But you appear before me now, not as soldiers, but as members-or rather, I would say, as brothers-of a Society which I may call emphatically a PEACE SOCIETY. The banners you have borne in procession have not been unfurled to lead you into the battle-field; the emblems that you have carried are the emblems, not of strife, but of peace; the decorations that you wear are not the rewards of bloodshed. You are leagued—but not for the purpose of faction, not for the subversion of society-but, as hand joins in hand, to hold up a brother in distress. Your unity is not the unity that may be found to exist even in evil,-it is the unity of friendship. Your own motto'Friendship, Love, Truth,"-pledges you to my text, "On earth peace, good will towards men." "God's good will towards us is intended, and is eminently calculated, not only to draw us towards Him, but also to draw us towards one another-to teach us the great lesson of good will towards our fellow-man. And need you to ask me what this good will towards man implies? No! I have but to point you to your own motto-the motto that stands emblazoned on the banners of your Society-" Amicitia, Amor, Veritas,"—" Friendship, Love, Truth." These are the very forms in which God's good will towards man is developed. Friendship: "God," says the Apostle, "hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself." Love: "God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son." Truth: "What is truth?" asked Pilate. Jesus is himself, in His own person, The Truth, and in him "all the promises of God are yea and amen.' It is in the carrying out of these virtues that you will yourselves best fulfil your duty of good will towards man. Friendship and Love-the hand and the heart, as the crest that surmounts your shield instructs you the open hand, not simply of cheerful bounty, but of Truth, of plain honest dealing-friendship sincere, love without dissimulation-and all under that eye which, in your emblematic devices, is depicted as all-seeing. " "I conceive that your Society-if, at least, I do not misinterpret its emblems, and its heraldic devices, and its laws-pledges you individually to much. It pledges you each one to personal religion; for without this you cannot cultivate the virtues of Friendship, Love, and Truth. You must first feel in your own souls that God is your truest Friend; that He loves you; that He is your fast and faithful God, before you can entertain these same feelings towards your fellow-creatures. You must first be at peace with Him, and have made experience of His good will towards you, before you can really make it your endeavour, as much as lieth in you, to live peaceably with all men, and to bear ill will towards none, but good will to all. Others of your emblazoned devices remind you, by the sand running in the hour-glass of time, of the value of time, of opportunity whilst you have it, the value of each passing moment; and by the keys, that you must unlock to others whatever treasures of knowledge and wisdom you may have discovered for yourselves. They point you to the bee, that you may learn to be not slothful in business;" and withal they direct your attention to "the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world." Religion, therefore, pure and undefiled, is the very basis of your Unity. It is because your unity and fellowship rest upon this foundation, that you are strong; and it is in the maintenance of these principles that you may hope to go forward and prosper. "Go forward, then, and prosper,—I would now say to you in closing, and with heartfelt acknowledgement for the spontaneous offering you are about to make to the schools of this District-Go forward and prosper! Fulfil your mission on the earth, as a society of peace and of good will towards men. Already you have extended your branches in every part of the world. You are in America and in Asia, in Africa and Australia. Spread yet, North and South, and East and West. Plant your rose and your laurel in every land. Go wherever you may meet a fellow man; extend to him the hand of brotherhood and of fellowship; tell him that you are his friend, and that you ask his friendship. Let your banners be unfurled in the train of the Gospel of Peace. Dry up the widow's tears-help forward the orphan. Go with your laws and rebuke vice where you find it. Tell statesmen who would rob you of your Sabbath, that your laws honour it as God's law. Openly proclaim your principles-exhibit them in your lives-and may God prosper you!" Poems for Recitation. II. THE EXECUTION, AND HOW IT EDIFIED THE BY W. C. BENNETT. HE staggered on upon the drop-oh, who that saw his look Of guesses how the dead man's clothes the hangman's form would fit- You might hear the platform creaking beneath the hangman's tread- You might catch the poet's mutter of his rhymes in murmurs faint |