Norton of Boston, some of whose communications we printed about a year since, but a majority of which we refused, and sent back to their author. The readers of our journals can form no just conception of the bitterness of this writer toward his opponents, from the fact that only the mildest of his productions are printed. Having some ability as a writer and always complaining of persecution from the leading Masons in and about Boston, he appeals to Masonic publishers for opportunity of defence of himself and his drown-trodden principles. As Masonry is tolerant, and knows no man by his wealth or honors, our Masonic editors and publishers are apt to heed the importunities of Mr. Norton, and consent to print at least a few of his articles; but as a rule a few only, and experience teaches us that the fewer the better, as the influence of these compositions is always to stir up discord among brethren.

We are led to write thus because one of our ablest Masonic editors is at this very time permitting Jacob Norton to publish in the columns of his paper a series of very sectarian articles against sectarianism. Four of these articles have already appeared, the last of which is before us, in which the writer labors hard to make it appear that the early Christians were rascals, and lying and deceiving the sanctioned maxims of the Christian Church for some ages past! The manner in which this absurd argument is conducted, would make Thomas Paine blush, and yield up the palm to Norton. Mosheim in his ecclesiastical history has been frank enough to concede that professed Christians, or rather the monks of the Catholic church, had deceived and lied in their "enthusiastic frenzy" to aid the church, therefore the Christian religion teaches her votaries to deceive and lie! What an astounding argument! What a rational, logical conclusion! Of course it could not be turned against the Jews? Let us see. Moses, the Jewish Lawgiver, in recording the history of the Hebrew patriarchs, gives it impartially, and in so doing notes how Rachel, the most esteemed wife of Jacob, stole the images of Laban, and secreted them when pursued, and deceived, and shall we say lied unto her own father, when he was searching for them? (See Gen. Chapt. xxxi; verse 34. And as we peruse the history a little further do we not read of the inhumanity of the brothers of Joseph in selling him into captivity, and of their deceiving and lying unto their father, when exhibiting the coat of Joseph, stained with blood, saying, "This have we found: know thou whether it be thy son's coat or no." If such was the scandalous conduct of the earlier Jews, and if their favorite historian and prophet has given us such a record of the acts of the Jewish patriarchs, how is it possible that Jacob Norton, the immaculate truth-loving Jacob Norton

can tolerate either Jews or Judaism! Why should he, when he writes down the whole system of Christanity as false, because some monks, in the dark ages, are represented as holding that it was admissable to lie in behalf of their church.

In the article before us Jacob Norton asails bitterly the persecutions which Jews receive, even now, at the hands of Christians. He represents that children are taught to call Jews "Christ Killers," and that pettifoggers before jurys constantly prejudice the cause of justice, by harping on the fact that the opponent is a Jew, etc., etc. To this we can reply, from our own experience, that it is utterly untrue. We number among our best friends quite a number of Hebrews. For twenty years we have dealt extensively with houses the proprietors of which were Jews. Among the patrons of this journal are many of the Jewish Faith. Many of the most wealthy merchants in every village and city of the West are Jews. They are neither persecuted nor dishonored on account of their religion. And these wholesale charges against Christians are both false and unmasonic, and should not be allowed to mar the pages of a journal or paper devoted to the interests of the Craft. And we wonder that so able and judicious an editor as is our worthy Brother John W. Simons, should permit such scurrilous articles to appear from week to week in his paper. It is refreshing to receive lessons on toleration from a man so full of bitterness toward his Christian neighbors that in his every article against sectarianism and in favor of toleration, Christian ministers are denominated "Rev. Man-worms!"

After becoming more acquainted with Jacob Norton we do not wonder that he finds himself in unpleasant company with our leading Masons. We do not wonder that he absents himself from Masonic Lodges, and calls Grand Masters and Masonic editors the worst names he can find in the vocabulary of Billingsgate. We do not wonder that he would remove the Bible from Lodges, and quench the Great Light of Masonry. But we do wonder that he cherishes any love for the Order, and that he is eternally writing about it. And we wonder most of all that those who know him well, will impose on their Masonic readers, especially those who entertain any respect for the Christian religion, by publishing an article so full of vituperation and calumny as the one before us, headed "WHAT IS SECTARIANISM? AND WHAT IS TOLERANCE?" Can our Worthy Sir Knight of the New York Dispatch give a reason for publishing such scurrilous attacks upon the Christian religion? As for us we would not mar the pages of this journal by printing an article that would call a Jewish Rabbi, a Mahometan priest, or even a Pagan priest, a Rev. Man-worm.

THE MICHIGAN SOUTHERN RAILROAD.

BY S. C. COFFINBERRY.

THE United States, upon its geographical surface, presents a complete net work of railroads, which sends the traveler from point to point, and from extremity to extremity with almost lightning speed. But the traveler knows nothing of the luxury of travel until he strikes the line of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad. Many circumstances combine to render this road the most comfortable and commodious channel of travel in the United States, as well as a favorite road with habitual travelers.

The first of these circumstances is, that the principle length of the road runs over a surface naturally adapted to the purpose of railroad construction, being a level route through the most fertile and beautiful district of the northwest, which has been brought to the highest state of agricultural perfection by the scientific skill and industry of the farmer, and marked by beautiful villages and prosperous cities, by, the enterprise and wealth which the natural resources have invited and stimulated into active operation. Hence, from Cleveland to Chicago by the route of the old line, and the air line from Toledo, including the Kalamazoo branch to Grand Rapids, there is not the same length of railroad in the United States that can claim equal advantages, of the kind mentioned above, with this road.

Another circumstance is that this road so well constructed, from the beginning, through the experience of its managers for so great a length of time that it has been in operation, has been, in its management, brought to the most perfect system of discipline. This system embraces what may be properly divided into fiscal, dynamical and moral discipline. The first of these embraces simply its financial economy; the second, every department of its mechanical operations, from the supply of pens and pencils to employés, to the running of its massive trains of freight and superb palatial passenger coaches; while the last relates entirely to the moral conduct of the employés. No person need to apply for employment on this road who cannot present some recommendation of sobriety and integrity. Inebriation not only forfeits the place of the employé, but the confidence of the company.

Another circumstance is the system of promotion of employés adopted by this company, which comes under the head of its moral management. This system respects only the merits, good conduct, and peculiar qualifications of the subject of promotion.

While this

rule is constantly presenting incentives to sobriety, morality, fidelity and industry to the employés, it is, at the same time, educating and qualifying those in the lower grades of employment for higher and more responsible positions.

It is a fact that those who now fill the highest positions and discharge the most onerous and responsible duties of this company, commenced at the foot of the ladder, and have gradually, with the highest aims and most earnest purposes, worked their ways, by merit, to the highest round.

Another reason for the great success of this company is the system it has adopted of dividing its management into a general and subordinate superintendencies. The general superintending being under the supervision of Mr. Hatch, who, from his office at Cleveland, overlooks the management of the entire road, while Mr. Curtis, with his office at Adrian, has charge from Toledo to Chicago, and Mr. Charlesworth, whose office is at Kalamazoo, has the management of the branch from White Pigeon to Grand Rapids.

Either of these gentlemen, especially Mr. Hatch, the General Superintendent, are capable of taking charge of the most complicated railroad management in the United States, for there is not a piece of machinery, an incident, an accident, an emergency or a circumstance in any department of railroading that they are not, from their own experience, familiar with.

Another circumstance in favor of this company is the sumptuous passenger cars, with every provision for comfort and safety, gently swaying over the smooth and well kept iron rails. The traveler leaving the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio road, and striking the Lake Shore road, feels as if he were rocked in a cradle, and wonders at the change, the ease, the speed, the ventilation, the cleanliness, the splendid cars, the pure air, the polite, the well dressed and cheerful conductors and brakemen. Yes, there is a marked change when the passenger feels himself once more at home on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern cars.

Another circumstance, and one of great importance in giving character to this road is the class of men to whom it commits the conduct of its passenger cars. No traveler entering the cars, for the first time, can overlook the fact that those conductors are no ordinary men, and must be deeply impressed with the fact that they are capable of filling positions of high responsibility. Men whose high characters are deeply impressed upon their countenances.

Who that takes his seat at Toledo, in the Michigan Southern cars for Chicago, gets fairly under way, and sees Sears with his pleasant but

thoughtful countenance, or Bennet with his cheerful and benevolent expression, or Smith with his polite and gentlemanly face, or Clark with his smiling business-like aspect approaching him for his ticket, that does not at once perceive, not only the gentleman, but the man of deep thought, high purposes, and noble impulses?

Such men impress themselves upon the traveler not only as railroad conductors, but as friends, friends of such marked individuality that one feels a regret at leaving them. Their genial presence, their general courtesy, their kindness and humanity in particular instances, and their broad whole-souled character which speaks in every word and action, go far in making the road upon which they are employed a favorite among travelers.

Upon this road there is not a conductor employed that is not entitled to as high commendation as either of those above mentioned. The writer would not be insidious in mentioning the above to the exclusion of others, but while he knows every conductor, and feels himself indebted to each for some especial kindness or courtesy, he is ignorant of their names, though not of their countenances.

Would that all railroads employed only such men !

On the Kalamazoo Division of this excellant road, we find Morrison, Cole and Marshall as conductors, who are so well known for their courtesy and kindness, their stability and probity, and their spirit of politeness and accommodation as to require no commendation. In the short time this branch of the road has been in operation, they have now the favor of the traveling public.

GRAND LODGE OF MICHIGAN.

THE annual communication of the Grand Lodge of this Jurisdiction was held at the Opera House, Detroit, convening on Tuesday, January 9th, and closing on Friday, the 12th inst. Its sessions were most harmonious, and the results of its deliberations will prove to be in our judgment, highly beneficial and satisfactory to the Craft.

M. W. J. W. Champlin presided in the E. with dignity and ability.

We propose to notice only the more important proceedings.

In the matter of tenure of real estate and other property by subordinate Lodges, the committee appointed by the last Grand Lodge reported that the necessary legislation had been secured; and reported, also, a complete set of By-Laws, Rules and Forms to aid and regulate the Lodges in this most important matter. It will be understood by the Craft, that under this new law, whenever Lodges see fit, their titles