Masonic Unity.

captious individuals to be a mere convivial Society . Freemasonry , however , declares that the members of the Craft " ou « ht to be moral men , good husbands , good parents , good sons , and good neighbours ; not staying too long from home , and avoiding

all excess . '" No doubt there are individuals in "the popular world , " who for reasons which need not be specified , are piqued and and annoyed at Freemasons , and , therefore , they try to vent their indignation and spleen by contumely and vituperation . The

Fraternity may well afford to treat with contempt the aspersions of these ignorant defamers . The crying down of the Institution by the Cowans will do it no harm . The members of the Sacred Order need not mind . They know that they meet for

higher purposes than those of conviviality . After the grave labours of the lodge are brought to a close , the brethren respond very properly to a call from the south , and "moderate refreshment" is not denied . But let the Cowans remember , that the inhabitants from earth ' s distant lands ,

form—In happy , holy bands , One brotherhood . And they meet for the exercise of brotherl y love , truth , justice , and other Masonic virtues . Let the Cowans who try to traduce our Masonic characterremember

, that Freemasonry teaches the brethren to assuage grief and relieve distress . If a brother be in want , every heart is moved . When he is hungry , we feed him ; when he is naked , we clothe him ; when he is in troublewe fly to his relief . We strive to

, confirm the propriety of the title we bear , and convince the world , that brother among Masons , is more than the name . —American Freemason .

The Little Rift Within The Lute.

THE LITTLE RIFT WITHIN THE LUTE .

BY ELLA P . CLYDE . The room was a model of comfort , and the breakfast as perfect as it could be . Mrs . Winter looked very pretty in her tasteful attire and coquettish little breakfast cap . And yet , there was a sli ght trown upon her brow ; while her liege

The Little Rift Within The Lute.

lord steadily read the morning papers between his sips of coffee . This couple had been married but a little more than a year . " It was such a- foolish thing to do , George , " said the lady , breaking a silence

of some duration , "it was not as though time hung heavily on your hands , but that , with your business , and social duties , there was no necessity for your becoming a Mason . " Mr Winter preserved a diligent silence .

Probably he thought the subject already exhausted . " And then , you know , " she went on , " that I greatly disapprove of it . " " Mary , " he said , " I can only repeat what I have already told you ; you are

giving way to a foolish prejudice . You will think differently some time . Now let me hear no more about it . '' The lady drew a long sigh ; her . face assumed a look of injured innocence , and the breakfast was continued in silence .

George Winter was a kind-hearted , but a thoroughly unyielding man . Once impressed with the idea of right , everything , even his own interests , went down before it . Not so with Mrs . Winter . Wilful

and impulsive , if she was slightly selfish , it was the fault of circumstances . She had been spoiled as much as the only child of wealthy parents could be . With no careful , training hand , what wonder if the weeds grew thick among the flowers of her naturel

She sat , this morning , long after her husband had gone , iu the cosy sitting-room , looking with wide-open eyes , out upon the street . She was but vaguely conscious of the passers-by , her mind being deeply absorbed . She coidd not understand why

she should be crossed , nor comprehend her husband's absurd persistency . All clay long she was vexed and out of humour , but in the afternoon she dressed herself with unusual care , and received Mr . Winter with her sweetest smiles .

She kept up a graceful flow of conversation all through dinner ; but , in the evening , after he had donned his dressing-gown and slippers , and comfortably esconsed himself in the easy chair before the fire , she drew a low stool to his side , and said : " George 1 " " Well , Mary . " " Tell me the secret . "