MODEL MASON.

There's a fine old Mason in the land, he's genial, wise, and true,
His list of brothers comprehends, dear Brothers, me and you;

So warm's his heart the snow blast fails to chill his generous blood,

And his hand is like a giant's when outstretched to man or God;

Reproach nor blame, nor any shame, has checked his course or dimmed his fame — All honor to his name!

This fine old Mason is but one of a large family;

In every LODGE you'll find his kin, you'll find them two or three;

You'll know them when you see them, for they have their father's face,

A generous knack of speaking truth and doing good always;

Reproach nor blame, nor any shame, has checked their course or dimmed their fame

FREEMASON is their name!

Ah, many an orphan smiles upon the kindred as they pass;

And many a widow's prayers confess the sympathizing grace;

The FATHER of this Brotherhood himself is joyed to see

Their works they're numbered all in Heaven, those deeds of charity!

Reproach nor blame, nor any shame, can check their course or dim their fame All honor to their name!

TRIBUTE TO ROBERT BURNS.

The sun is uprising on Scotia's far hills,
Day's labor is opening, the Grand Master wills,
But Lodge lights are gleaming in cheerfulness yet,
Afar in the West where we Masons are met.

There's song for the tuneful, kind words for the kind,
There's cheer for the social, and light for the blind.
But when we, uprising, prepare us to go,
With one thought and feeling we'll sing thy ADIEU.

A melting farewell to the favored and bright,—
A sorrowful thought for the sun set in night,—
A round to the Bard whom misfortunes befell,-
A prayer that his spirit with Masons may dwell.
When freedom and harmony bless our design,
We'll think of thee, Brother, who loved every line;
And when gloomy clouds shall our Temple enshroud,
The voice of thy music shall come from the cloud.

Across the broad ocean two hands shall unite,
Columbia,- Scotia,- the Symbol is bright!

The world one Grand Lodge, and the Heaven above,
Shall witness the triumph of Faith, Hope, and Love;
And thou, sweetest Bard, when our gems we enshrine,
Thy jewel, the brightest, most precious, shall shine,
Shall gleam from the East to the far-distant West,
While morning shall call us, or evening shall rest.

Your eyes with love's own language free
Your hand grip, strong and true,
Your voice, your heart do welcome me
To spend an hour with you.

I come when morning skies are bright,
To work my Mason's due-
To labor is my chief delight,

And spend an hour with you.

I go when evening gilds the West,
I breathe the fond adieu,
But hope again, by fortune blest,
To spend an hour with you.

And if, perchance, the page is closed
On which my life is given,

I would beseech the Mason's GOD

That we may meet in HEAVEN!

In HEAVEN with you, and you, and you,

To join the blissful strain;

Oh may we there these joys renew

And meet in HEAVEN again!

These lines, wedded to Auld Lang Syne, are much used in the closing of American Lodges.

TO-DAY AS THEN.

CORNERSTONE, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PEORIA, ILL., JUNE 3, 1875.

How ever fresh and vigorous

The tie that binds these men !

Three thousand years,— and yet as strong

And true to-day as then!

The Sacred Hill, that owned the might

And skill of Hiram's men,

Rears up its summit, gray and bold
And grand to-day as then!

The tears, the sighs of broken hearts,
The wails of dying men,

Appeal to sympathy as true,
And strong to-day as then!

The arm Divine maintains its power.

The All-seeing Eye its ken,

As gracious and as wonderful

And wise to-day as then!

Lay deep the stone; apply the SQUARE,

The Level and the Plumb;

Happy the work and bright the day
When mystic craftsmen come.

THE LOVING TIE.

The loving tie we feel,

No language can reveal

'Tis seen in the sheen of a fond Brother's eye.

It trembles on the ear

When melting with a tear,

A Brother bids us cease to sigh.

Behold how good and how pleasant

For Brothers in unity to dwell!
As Heaven's dew are shed

On Sion's sacred head,

The blessings of the Lord we feel.

'Twas at the sufferer's bed

Now moldering with the dead,

This Bond, ah, so fond, was discovered first to me!

I saw his dying eye,

Light up with speechless joy,

And I felt how fond that love must be

I ever will proclaim

With gratitude the name

Of Him, the DIVINE, who has granted this to me!

That weary tho' I stray

O'er nature's rugged way,

I never, never, alone can be.

There's some I know will smile

And others may revile —

'Tis so as we know with the evil heart alway – But if I can but prove

Through life a Mason's love,

I little care what man may say!