Oration, By S. C. Dennison, Of Sacramento.

portant trusts committed to our care , nor in vieAv of the obligations clue from us to the Government under Avhich Ave live , neglect this opportunity to serve humanity . The Grand Lodge of California , by its surroundings , its history , its youthful fire ancl rapid groAvth , the cosmopolitan character of our population , and the fructifying influences of our mental ancl moral

atmosp here , seems peculiarly indicated for the formal promulgation of the Masonic condemnation of homicidal Avar for any purpose or upon any pretext . The history of the past gives a hopeful and cheering view , and shows that from the earliest gleams of traditional li g ht to

the present , the constant tendency of mankind has been towards enlightenment ; and I fear not successful contradiction , Avhen I declare that with all the existing evils , the moral ancl political horizon of the nineteenth century is clearer ancl bri g hter

than in any century past . We cannot hope to acquire for mortal man the quality of absolute perfection ; but Ave can and must prune aAvay his vices and imperfections , ancl cultivate and develop his inherent virtues . The result of the education ancl

advancement of each generation is m some degree transmitted to the next , and places it at a starting-point one degree higher in the scale . Each generation may advance nearer to perfection than its predecessors , and I have sometimes indulged the fancy that the cycles of eternity will evolve from

rudimentary man a perfect being , who will be enabled to comprehend the mysteries of infinity , and hold rational intercourse with the " Supreme Intelligence that rules the universe . "

We must not feel discouraged in the reflection that all the life of our generation is barely long enough , and that Avith devoted effort , to accomplish one shorf step in the lengthy journey ; but Ave should rather take courage ancl work more zealously . Indeed , the aclA'ancing steps of development calls us to hopeful and diligent labour for the Avelfare of mankind .

My brothers let us rekindle the fire upon our altar , and go hence to-day inspired with redoubled zeal and determination more vigorously to prosecute our wonted crusade against vice and folly . May fortitude , prudence , temperance , and justice ,

Oration, By S. C. Dennison, Of Sacramento.

constantly hover around our bloodless banner , ancl Hope , illuminated by the star of Faith , enable us to behold , in the distant future , a bright and beauteous field of sunshine and joy , where martial strife and bloodshed will be things forgotten ; where

the golden chains of fraternal love and charity Avill bind the children of the earth in harmonious sympathy ; Avhere brilliant rays of heaven-born reason will guide the actions of men ; Avhere the penal code will be an antique mystery ; where the

beneficent mission of Freemasonry will be accomplished , and where its forms and ceremonies , " like streaks of morning cloud , shall have melted into the infinite azure of the past . " American Freemason .

Talking To The Dead.

TALKING TO THE DEAD .

BY MADAME VON OPPEN . " 0 ye dead ! the tears I shed for ye have robbed me of my youth : From your voices I can neA'er more hear Avords of love ancl truth .

Your friendly hands are Avithered , and your loA'ing eyes decayed , Ancl ye lay there mingling with the dust of Avhich ye first Avere made .

Do ye sometimes watch the seasons as of old they come and go 1 Do ye knov . when we have sunshine ? do ye know when Ave have SUOAV ? Do ye see us ? can ye hear us ? do ye know our hopes ancl fears ? Can ye recollect the time that ye yourslves shed bitter tears ?

Don ' t you often wish to speak to us ancl help us in the strife ? When ye see IIOAV much we suffer in the thorny path of life 1 If Ave could knoAv the secrets that ye knoAV beyond the tomb , Would such knowledge make us cowards ?

would it cheer us in our gloom ? Oh , ye dead 1 oh , ye dead 1 in your peaceful blest estate , Ye can read ivhat God has Avritten in the books of life ancl fate . But since the day ye went aAvay from earth for well or ill , Ye have kept your secret from me , and alas 1 ye keep it still .