Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.

mitted by his neighbours to interfere in ; whilst be might profitably employ his leisure time in benefiting his neighbours by drawing their attention to and instructing them in such matters as he could not be allowed to actively take part . An occupation like this would yield a far more real

and lasting pleasure than does the pursuit of gossip or the purposeless meddling so characteristic of our local busy bodies . Anyhow he would be doing real work and conferring a benefit upon the community at large , and if he should get no thanks in the

present , nor even gratitude in the future , he would rest content in knowing that in his allotted sphere he had done his share of duty in the great task of the amelioration of his fellows . Should these suggestions be found iu

any particular case to be impracticable , they will yet have done their share , we trust , in the great work of Sanitary Reform by pointing out many evils which , though little in themselves , present in the aggregate a stupendous obstacle to the

attainment of that treasure which no material wealth can otherwise purchase or for which , remaining unprocured , no store of golden gain can make any adequate recompense—Health !

Sonnet.

SONNET .

( For the " Masonic Magazine . " ) BY BRO . THE KEV . . If . GOliDON . Written December , 1876 , after a long and dangerous illness , and while still seriously indisposed from its effects , NOAV wintry darkness shrouds the sullen sky

, Till spring again the world from death revive ; For death both man and nature doth deprive Of life . Ye Brothers of the Mystic Tie , Should this frail thing , men call my body ,

die , And this , my votive wreath of sonnets , live , AA'liprever random chance a place may give , Let its poor remnants there forgotten lie . But oil , my mystic self , my heart—my heart—

Sonnet.

In holy ground—m Judab s soil entomb . There bright as morn Avould be the darkest gloom , Which such a grave Avould to its veins impart . This the sole boon I from my Brothers ask-Thrice blest , Avhose bauds perform the pious task .

An Oration Upon Masonry.

AN ORATION UPON MASONRY .

SPOKEN AT THE DEDICATION AND CONSECRATION OF THE NEW HASONIC HALL OF THE LODGE OF ST , JOHN , ANTIGUA , IV . I ,, ( E . 11 . 492 ) BY BRO . WILLIAM JAMES BEAD JI . A . ( ARCIIDEACOM OF ANTIGUA ) CHAPLAIN OF THE LODGE .

, [ This oration will have a deep if painful interest to Freemasons , in that since it Avas delivered the death of the venerable and scholarly author is announced in the Times , —Eo . l

Worshipful Sir and Brethren : Having never before been called _ upon to fill the peculiarly prominent and exacting part to Avhich , according to our programme of the day's proceedings , I find myself appointedand having had no

op-, portunity of learning either by observation , by reading , or by report , how that part has been fulfilled by others , I have nothing else to fall back upon for guidance in my endeavour to answer the call now made upon me beyond the general

principles of our Order . I am desired to deliver an " Oration " upon Masonry . Now au oration requires au orator—one who is able to inform the minds of his hearers , by setting before them truths perhaps new to them , by suggesting

connections between old truths hitherto unsuspected , and by opening out pleasant vistas of thought—one who can at the same time rouse their feelings to a lively and earnest sympathy with his own , and lead them on under the charm of j Jeasurable

emotions towards whatever object he presents to them as worthy of their pursuit aud attainment . Very much of all this I know to be beyond my power . 1 can make