The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

mountable obstacle to the ambition of Philip of Macedon , the latter had him removed by poison . The grandfather of Paulus had settled in Corinth , and Avith Paulus died the last descendant of the noble Aratus . He Avas gentle hy nature , of rare

learning , and greatly beloved by all classes of the ¦ community . He had taken a great interest in studying the manners and customs of the JeAvs , and in these researches had learned the doctrine of the Cross , and become a Christian . Shortly after

the death of his only son , a gallant youth of tAventy summers , he disposed of all his wealth to the poor , and came to Rome , where he earned a precarious livelihood in farming . He took up his residence in the Marsh , that he might the better

be enabled to carry out his great Avork of Avinning souls to Christ , and to escape the notice of the priests , whose myrmidons Avere everywhere . His ministry had been attended Avith the greatest success , and his flock numbered nearly a hundred

souls drawn from all grades of society . There were other congregations who met in different parts of the catacombs , for it was not considered prudent for large numbers to assemble at one spot . Sentinels were stationed at various points to

intimate the appearance of anything suspicious , and . at the slightest indication of such the congregation silentl y but expeditiousl y dispersed in a hundred different directions . In a cell hewed out of the earth , then , Avere

assembled Paulus and his flock . Upon a rudely fashioned earthen kind of altar , was spread a white cloth concealing the bread and wine to be administered to the communicants . 'Twas a strange , 'twas a marvellously moving sight .

There close beside the squalid beggar , knelt a descendant of the Claudii , a fair beautiful maiden beside a swarthy negro , a child just bursting into youth beside ah ancient Avarrior tottering on the threshold of the grave . See , there in the far off corner , with her face buried in her mantle kneels

one , Avhom it is almost incredible can have admission here . It is Myra , the younger daughter of Murtius . Yes , in this holy band we find her , the gentle Myra , whose soft pensive eye , and seraphic smile , tells as she eats the bread and

drinks the wine of the sacrament that her heart is pure and true , her mind uncontaminated by vice , and her soul only knows the presence and will of God . Yes , even in the debauchery of his house , Murtius has one pure spirit , even as in the rebellious host of heavea , one was found faithful

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

LOAV and trembling come the priest ' s words as he murmurs , " I am the Resurrection and the life —Come all ye that are Avearyand heavy laden , and I Avill give you rest . This is my body Avhieh Avas broken for you , come eat you all of it , yea eat most

abundantly . " Then arose the sweet song of praise , and tenderly do they approach the altar , their hearts throbbing before that symbol of the great atonement . No fears of the dark and threatening Avorldfor Avhere one or two are gathered in

, His name , the Shepherd is AA ifch them to comfort and to do them good . The faint echoes die in the distant passages , and the parting song in praise oi God and Him who died upon the accursed tree is

ended . The AA orshippers arise and go forth to meet all dangers , dreading no ill , but having their trust in the God of Sabaoth . Myra goes forth with Paulus , and he leads her along the passages , till they enter the city at the Temple of Diana .

Not far off is the house of Murtius ; there the priest leaves her , and by other passages escapes from' out the city to his OAvn home . "Not arrived yet , " said Myra , as the janitor opened the door , " where can they be , Avhat can

detain them ?" " The pleasures of the Suburra , innocent child , the dance and the Avine cup of Bacchus . " ( To be continued . )

Freemasonry.

FREEMASONRY .

( Concluded from page 289 . ) Ancient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees—including the Royal Arch—Entered Apprentice , tho Fellow Craft , and the Master Mason . The regulations regarding the admission of members into the fraternity are necessarily very

stringent , in order that none but worthy men may be admitted into the Craft . A lodge of Masons is called together by summons sent to each member , and in each summons are set out the names , addresses , and occupations of all persons applying for admission into the lodge . When the lodge

is held , each candidate is proposed and seconded , and then balloted for . If three black balls appear against him he is rejected . In some lodges , one or tAvo balls will exclude a candidate ; but in any case three will . Each candidate must be of the nobler sex , of the age of tiventy-one ( except in certain

cases ) , and at the time of his initiation , in reputable circumstances ; and as the candidate has to sign his name to a declaration of these facts , an individual Avho cannot write is therefore ineligible . The "Book of Constitutions , " published in London by the command of the Grand Master , and