The Anti-Masonic Vicar

these four . First : There is nothing Church about you !" The deputation stared . " I repeat , that of Freemasons as a body the Church knows nothing . You admit into your fellowship men of all creeds .

Your princi ples and intentions may be pure and praiseAvorthy ; and such I trust they are . But the Church is not privy to them . The Church is in ignorance respecting them . The Church does not recognize them . And , therefore , as a

ministering servant of the Church , I must decline affording you any countenance or support . " The banker here submitted to the vicar , that in Avorks of charity—in supporting an infirmary , a dispensary , a clothing club ,

a stranger ' s friend society—identity of creed Avas not essential . Men of different shades of religious belief could harmoniously and advantageously combine in carrying out a benevolent project . And one of the leading principles of

Freemasonry was actiA'e , and untiring : the Avidely-spread benevolence . Could success crown any charitable project , any scheme of plvilauthroplvy , any plan for succouring

the suffering and the necessitous ( the operalion of which was to be extended , and not partial ) , if no assistance Avas accepted saA'e from those AVIIO held one and the same religious creed 1 " Charity , " he contended , " knew no creed . No shackles , forged by

human opinions , could or ought to trammel her . He Avas no friend to his species Avho Avould seek to impose them . " The vicar shook his head repeatedly , in token of vehement dissent from these observationsand proceeded :

, " Next I object to you because you are friendl y to processions ; and I am given to understand , purpose ach'ancing to church in long and elaborate array . All processions , all symbols , I abominate . Such accessories are , in the sanctuary ,

absolutel y indecent ; I will not call them unhol y : I term them doAvnright profane , and none contradicted them—that their leading object was to relieve distress and sorrow . Of him they seek an audience . When gainedthey use it to request the

, use of his pulpit , Avith the view of making their principles better known ; of effacing some erroneous impressions afloat respecting them ; mother Avords , of strengthening their cause .

The Anti-Masonic Vicar

That cause they maintain to be identical with disinterested benevolence and brotherly love . Mr . Gresham declares " off , " refuses them his church ; and will have nothing to clo with them ! " They may solve the riddle

Avho can , " said I , as thoroughly baffled , I sought my pillow . "Each and all are incomprehensible . I don ' t knoAV which party is the most confounding—the Masons , Avith their Avell-guarded secret , or Mr . Gresham , Avith his insurmountable prejudices ! "— The Craftsman .

To A Snowdrop

TO A SNOWDROP

BY MRS . G . M . TAVEDDELL , Authoress of " Rhymes and Sketches to illustrate the Cleveland Dialect , " etc . EMBLEM of purity , 0 Snowdrop so Avbite !

, Again thou appearest To gladden our sight . Thou seemest to whisper That Springtime is nigh , And flowers more gorgeous Will come by and bye .

Truest lessons of hope Thou teachest to me ; Su , SnoAvdrop , I meekly Do bow unto thee . The storms thou hast borne I too should endure ; And like thee , fair Snowdrop , I still should be pure .

When things look the darkest And clouds fill the sky , T'is good to remember That Springtime is nigh ; And brig ht rays of sunshine May still fall on me ; So , Snowdrop , fair SnoAvdrop , I boAV unto thee .

There is none but the Lily Thy rival can be ; But it Avaits for sunshine , Quite unlike to thee , Who cometh to cheer us Ere Winter hath gone : 0 , SnoAvdrop , fair Snowdrop For ever bloom on . 2 P