A Serious Talk.

there is little difficulty Avith our pledge Avhich Ave shall have to remedy , no doubt . A . —What is that . I thought it covered the entire ground . L . —Why , 1 am surprised—astonished . You should have been the first to discover

the blunder . A . —What in the world can it be . We have not left out the ivine clause 1 L . —Worse than that I A . —The pledge against beer was not forgotten . L . — -Still worse than that !

A . —We did not forget the cider clause ? L . —We did much Averse than that ! A . —Do tell me Avhat the matter is with the pledge ? L . —It does not name Christ , nor recognize his form of religion in the remotest

possible manner . A .-. —Why , it Avas not intended it should . Do you not remember that it Avas said , the evening Ave adopted it , that Ave must have a good pledge and a liberal one , so that all Avell-clisposed people could sign it ? Of

course you do . Why , neighbour Jones Avould not have signed it had we put in anything in favour of Christianity . L . —Then you believe it was good policy to leave out of the pledge a recognition of the Christian systemthat such as

neigh-, bour Jones may become members . A , —It seems to be necessary , Avhere a society is formed out of all sorts and forms of religious faith , that its laws should not dictate Avhat faith should be professed by the members .

L . —Exactly . A . —And in a society Avhich is got up for a purpose , Ave must look for people as members Avho agree Avith us so far as that purpose is concerned . L . —True ! If Ave cannot agree in all pointslet us Avork together for the good of

, mankind according to those principles on Avhich Ave can agree . A . —That is the right doctrine , Brother Leming . L . —Yes , Brother Aikin , that is the right doctrine . Masonry is not established

as a Christian society ; but , to use your OAVU language , it is a moral association Avhich all well-disposed people arc invited to join , whatever their country or creed . Should we incorporate with it faith in Christ , it would be a Christian society , shutting out some of the bad "detectives" of many

A Serious Talk.

that exist , even as it would if adopted in your horse-thief association ; as it Avould shut out neig hbour Jones from the temperance pledge . A . —I see how it works . L . —As in these societies , so in Masonry , Many come in Avho are not Christians , but

Avho are patient workers in a good cause . Neither of these societies Avork against Christianity—neither docs Masonry . A . —It is plain that you speak truly and sensibly . L . —Thank yon , Brother , for the

compliment . I hope you have passed a pleasant evening , and that our " serious talk " has not been unprofitable . A . —The evening has been spent agreeably , and , I hope , to profit and advantage . Good-byemy brother .

, I , —Good nig ht . Think of Avhat has been said , and imitate the Bereans of old Avho sought to find out the truth . — Voice of Masonry and Family Magazine , America .

Recollection.

RECOLLECTION .

When the heart is full of heaviness , When the broAv is pained by care , When alike to-day , to-morroAv , Dark clouds are everyAvhere , 'Tis Avell to muse on other clays , To think of ancient friends , In all those fair and softening thoughts Which Recollection lends .

For then a sudden , magic change , Falls o ' er this troubl'd scene , The mind throughvanish'd hours will range To the visions that have been ; The present becomes invested With a deeper , calmer hue ,

And time itself , arrested , Brings the past back to our view . We are lingering in some softer seasons , Around some fairy boAver , W e hear the joyous roundelays Of many a festive hour ;

The tender voice is speaking still , True trust can trust once more , For Ave are joyously expectant , Mid the buoyant hopes of yore . Once more Ave seem to hear the echoes Of many a pleasant song , Fond memory with magician ' s wand Does each gracious strain prolong ;