their temples the representative images of their gods, with their own. The Jews were prohibited by Moses from doing this, but the mandate was often violated. Any one well acquainted with the religious history of ancient times, perceives among all nations a similarity in their faith in God, their temples for his worship, their altars. sacrifices, prayers and processions, prophets, priests, and "workers of miracles."

We do not pretend that the Hebrew and Egyptian languages were alike, but we have shown that the language employed in their sacred writings contained the ground form of words enough, which were identical, to establish their similarity. Both these languages were written from right to left.

THE OLD HOMESTEAD.

AH! here it is, that dear old place,
Unchanged through all these years;
How like some sweet familiar face

My childhood's home appears!
The grand old trees beside the door
Still spread their branches wide,

The river wanders as of yore,

With sweetly murmuring tide;
The distant hills look green and gray,
The flowers are blooming wild,
And everything looks glad to-day,
As when I was a child.

Regardless how the years have flown,
Half wondering I stand,

I catch no fond endearing tone,

I clasp no friendly hand,

I think my mother's smile to meet,
I list my father's call,

I pause to hear my brother's feet

Come bounding through the hall;
But silence all around me reigns,

A chill creeps through my heart-
No trace of those I love remains,
And tears unbidden start.

What though the sunbeams fall as fair,
What though the budding flowers
Still shed their fragrance on the air,
Within life's golden hours?

The loving ones that clustered here

These walls may not restore;

Voices that filled my youthful ear

Will greet my soul no more.
And yet I quit the dear old place

With slow and lingering tread,
As when we kiss a clay-cold face,
And leave it with the dead.

ELOQUENT AND APPROPRIATE.

THE following extract from the oration delivered by Bro. Jesse P. Anthony, at the laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple at Troy, will be read with interest:

This day, August 2d, 1871, will ever be a bright day in our annals, one ever present with us—a starting point, as it were, to a new era of Masonry.

To-day do we enthusiastically and proudly unite in placing the chief stone of the corner of our building.

To-day do we commence the erection of a material Temple, in which we all hope to assemble, and in which our children's children may gather in the years to come.

To-day do we render devout thanksgiving to Almighty God that, through the wisdom of His providence, we are permitted to start the good work.

To-day the eyes are gladdened and hearts swell with emotions too deep for utterance, as, in casting our glance over the coming months, we see this building rise, until, from corner-stone to capstone, we are permitted to behold the Temple in its beauty and grandness completed, and the joyful tidings is heard, "It is finished."

May the Line, the Level, and Square to-day

Make perfect work as this stone we lay;
May it rest secure in this chosen spot,

And a bulwark prove that changeth not,

And that as we lay this corner-stone,

May our Temple stand when the work is done.

The corner-stone, as the foundation on which the structure is supposed to rest, is the most important stone in the whole edifice, and considered from a practical point of view, necessarily needs to be square, true, of good material, and properly set. On its squareness depends the perpendicularity of the walls-from its trueness do we obtain the proper level, and on its perfection depends the perpetuity of the building.

As this is true, when considered strictly from a practical view, so may we apply it to the man who becomes a Mason; at the very

outset he is taught to take his proper place, and as an upright man and Mason, charged to see that the corner-stone of his Masonic edifice is laid true, and that it will bear the test of the Plumb, Square, and Level. He who erects his Masonic structure on such a base, giving "reverence to God and good will and charity to all,” and carries this principle through all the actions of his life, is building for himself a Temple just and beautiful in all its proportions—a Temple against which nothing will ultimately prevail-a Temple which will arise from the ruins of creation, and will be devoted to the service of Almighty God.

As with individuals, so it is with our fraternity, when we consider it as a body. All must see to it that the corner-stone of our fabric, "Charity, Fraternity, and Equality," is firmly set on the principle of reverence for and dependence upon God-having that for its permanent and its indestructible foundation; drawing all our rules and precepts from the Great Light in Masonry, we are enabled to live as brother with brother, united by that mystic chain Which heart to heart and mind to mind

In body and in soul can bind.

While we are as members of one family, yet going forth in the principles of our noble and beloved institution to the relief of the needy, the raising up of the oppressed, the joy of the sorrowing, and the support of the helpless.

As a young member of the Order, I cannot be expected to speak to you from the experience of age, or to utter words of wisdom gained through any gift of my own; still I trust that I may be able to throw out some hints that may be of profit to us all.

We to-day come before the world as a distinct organization, wearing that symbol of purity which is the peculiar emblem of our Order. See to it that our profession and creed is not a mockery; not only in the eyes of men, but in the eye of Him who knoweth and seeth all things, and who has promised that to him that overcometh shall be given a white stone with a new name written, which no man knoweth save him who is faithful.

What is the institution of which we are members?

Is it an association of men for social gratification only, or for the mutual protection of a few?

Is it for the purpose of carrying on any secret work in opposition to the country's laws?

Is it a mere ritual, a mere ceremony, a mere brotherhood even? No, none of these are its objects. While being social in its character, it has a higher and loftier aim.

While as a brother to brother it will succor in distress, yet a shield of protection it extends over many, outside of the Order, who are unable to withstand the misfortunes and ills of this world.

While it does its work in secret, it is not from fear of publicity, but because the very element of secrecy constitutes the cement that binds us together as a society:

"The mystic tie is more than words,

It lives within the heart;

A bond of honor, love and truth,

The Mason's constant chart."

Its aim is the welfare and happiness of mankind, and to carry forward the great principle of brotherly love." In its bosom flows cheerily the milk of human kindness, and its heart expands with love and charity." That charity which illumines many a household and makes the light of joy to reign where only despair and sorrow has had an abiding place. It throws its arm of protection about the erring, and by its laws and principles endeavors to induce such to retrace their steps. It coöperates with religion in restraining the passions, resisting the tempter, and harmonizing the discordant elements of man.

"Religion is the golden cord which unites man to God; Masonry the silver line which runs from man to man."

If the sublime and immutable principles of our Order were not deeply founded in truth and virtue, how is it that the banner of Freemasonry is spread through every land and among every people?

If the foundation of our code of morals had not the safe and sure base that it has, would it have withstood the test of time? If our corner-stone rested on an earthly and selfish principle, would it bear the attacks of the ignorant?

"No! no! the Mason's corner-stone,

A deeper, stronger, nobler base,

Which time or foes can not displace,

Is faith in God-and this alone."

Masonry is an institution not of yesterday, to-day or to-morrow, but for all time. As it has withstood adversity in the past, so it will in the future, and the only limit to it is from its own members.

And here the question naturally suggests itself, are we doing as an Order what we might or ought to do? Do we by our efforts endeavor to elevate it in honor and usefulness by laboring to promote its growth in the intelligence and purity of its members and its active charities, or do we manifest a spirit of indifference, and resting satisfied with mere ritual, let it sink into neglect and uselessness?

If the latter is too common, what will be the result, brethren? Will Masonry be respected and honored-will the pure and intelligent of society desire to be enrolled among its members? Rather will it be regarded as a useless association which neither improves character nor promotes usefulness.

As we sow, so shall we reap. If by its own members Masonry is degraded, we cannot expect that reputable men outside the Order will regard it with favor.

In your hands, as Masons and Brethren of the Royal art, is placed the welfare and prosperity of Masonry.

Brethren, the object of our gathering has been accomplished: the stone has been tested by the square of spotless virtue, by the level of changeless equality, by the plumb of infallible wisdom, and pronounced to be good.

The Craftsmen have performed their duty.

The stone has been consecrated by the symbols of that harmony so necessary to every good work.

"Round this spot may plenty reign,

Peace, with spirit all benign;

Unity, the golden three

Here their influence ever be."

For years past the Masonic fraternity has gone on receiving petitions, making Masons, and doing the regular Masonic work.

During the past forty years, to be a Mason has called for no special zeal on the part of its members. He has not been called on by adversity or any extraordinary contingency to demonstrate that he is not only a Mason in name, but that he is also one in heart, and and that as a member of the Craft he is willing to prove that he is desirous, by every means possible, to bear testimony by deeds of his love for the Institution of which he is proud to call himself a member.

While we have been walking over a smooth road, with no tasks before us requiring a self-denial, we have been presumed to be Masons. That time has passed, and the time has at length arrived when every man will be tested as to what he is willing to do for Masonry.

I am proud, for one, that I am a member at a time when something beyond mere profession is required. At a time when there is an opportunity to exhibit practically the regard in which we hold our institution, the value that we place upon it as a means of doing good. At a time when it requires us to do all that lies in our power