A German Masonic Song.

A GERMAN MASONIC SONG .

Dedicated fraUmally to my German brethren . EINEU . So schliesst euch denn ihr schonen Stunden , Danu unsre Ruhezeit geht an . Das maass bestimmet Stund and zeiten , Die Ordutmg muss die lust begleiten Das man das ziel erreichen karn .

CHORUS . So schliesst euch denn ihr schonen Stunden , Und , nach der arbeit ruhe man ! EINER . Verandening ziert die sclionsten Werke , Sie schmiickt der Baukunst edle Pracht , Daraus ihr Briider zieht die Lelu-e , Audi die Verandening bringt ehre , Weil sie die arbeit schoner macht .

CIIOKUS . Verandening ziert die sclionsten Werke , Sie schmiickt der Baukunst edle Pracht . EINEK . Doch euro Freundschaft sei bestandig Nur sie kennt die Verandrung nicht , Stets in der Tugend holier steigen Die Eintraeht thatiger zu zeigen , Das will des Ordens wahre Phlicht .

CHORUS . Ya ! unsre Froundschaft bleibt bestandig , Und die Veranderung kennt sie nicht . EINER . Nun Briider reiehet euch die Hands , Euch schmiiche Weisheit Stark' und Pracht , Seyd in der Maurer-phlicht beschaftig ; Zeigt das der Orden munter , kriiftig , Und alle Glieder sittlich macht .

CHORI 7 S . Wir reiehen uns die frohenHande , Es bluhe Weisheit , Stark' and Pracht ! [ The Editor of the Masonic Magazine will be veryhappy to receive an English translation of the above pleasant German " Refrain , " from some one of the

many able German Brethren in this country . Address , Editor , Masonic Magazine , 198 , Fleet Street , London , E . G . ] September 4 , 1873 .

Sympathy.

SYMPATHY .

Ah ! who can tell what in this Avorld of ours , Amid its many crosses day by day , Amid its fading joys and fleeting hours Those happy moments which pass too soon away , True Sympathy can do to bind each heart , - In loving union or in gentle trust ? To lighten up the Avay , the home , the mart , With some bright gleams for our poor crumbling dust ?

For on this earth of ours , amid those scenes Which often seem so soft , so dear , so fair , Little the selfish heart full often weens , How much another can its burdens share ; Yet there is magic in that tender faith That Sympathy so simple , but so true ,

AVluch mid the griefs which wound , the ills Avhich scathe , Can throw enchantment o'er each earthbound A'iew .

For Ave have found that in Time ' s pathway still , We still are companied when most alone , By those who ' midst each changing good and ill , We call our dear , our cherished , and our own ; With them we commune now in loving guise , With them we speak in accents soft and low , With them we share the " language of the eyes , " AVith them we watch affections tranquil How .

And thus to man , amid this lower clime Of faltering steps and failing words 'tis given , Oft to create a Sympathy sublime ; Leading us wanderers ivhen tempest driven , To find below in fond affection ' s joys , Those hopes which bless , those memories which

delight ; To leave earth ' s perishable and worthless toys , For purer Sympathies , beautiful and bright .

Type of a better day , when in our world Have ceased the long estrangements of our race ; AVhen the war-sword is sheathed , the standard furl'd , Arid angry passions leave no further trace Of these fell scenes they here have caused to man , For Sympathy at last asserts her sway :

Fulfilled is that divine and glorious plan , Which gives to gentle hearts fair Love ' s eternal day . W .