Though we must mourn that human skill still fails
Perfection's mark to reach, it yet avails
To feebly shadow forth the Art supreme-
CREATION I-like the dimness of a dream,
Imperfect; or the semblance of a truth
But ill-developed, as the thews of youth !

That structure is at fault, abortive, void,
Or by a passing gale too soon destroy'd,
Whose base extends not on a just design,
Where wisdom, strength, and beauty, all combine-
Wisdom, whose piercing eye beholds the end;
Strength, that unswerving principles can lend;
Beauty, whose form harmonious ever charms,
And cynic discontent at once disarms !
Then, shall the moral fabric Masons teach
Be long deform'd by an unsightly breach
The vacant spot, whereon the “OLD MAN'S HOME'
Should raise to heav'n its venerable dome,
To point Time's finger to one sacred spot
Where Man his brothers' wants had not forgot ?

One voice her summons sends to bid ye speed,
For reverend heads a peaceful shelter need:
Fraternal Love, her aged vot’ries' cause
Pleads with a fervour that admits no pause !
Then, take your "level" (Justice), and supply
A minaret, that, tow'ring to the sky,
Shall nobly crown fair Charity's abode,
And rest the weary pilgrim on his road
To the bright land where Mercy's deeds are sung
With raptured eloquence by old and young !

NOTE.

A very beautiful and commodious building has been erected at Croydon, as an Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons, since the foregoing piece was written, which it is due to the philanthropy of the late Dr. Robert Crucefix, the Founder and Treasurer of this really excellent charity, to regard as a monument of his energy and benevolence. The Brotherhood have lost in him an inestimable friend and coadjutor, and the needy and suffering a benefactor. He possessed a fine and clear intellect, a liberal heart, and was remarkable for the courteous urbanity of his manners. He was a friend to Letters and an enemy to needless mysticism, as was evinced by his persevering efforts to establish a Masonic literary organ, “The Freemasons' Quarterly Review,” which he originated, and which, since the year 1834 till the period of his demise, he edited with ability and success, though he had to contend with a strong prejudice against it arising out of a remote oral law,“ neither to carve, mark, nor indite," &c., and the more recent opposition of the Grand Lodge to the publication of any Craft proceedings whatever.

Regarding Masonry as an institution having professedly highly moral principles to develop, it is to be hoped a successor equally persevering and able will manifest the same constancy in carrying on the work, and that it will not lack support from the Brotherhood; for it must be clear, that any secresy beyond the preservation of the Craft signs from the knowledge of the uninitiated, is worse than unnecessary, where men congregate to put in practice the principles of

Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.”

66

ODE TO CHARITY:

WRITTEN POR TAB

ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL

OP TRB

ROYAL FREEMASONS' SCHOOL FOR FEMALE CHILDREN,

WESTMINSTER BOAD.

MAY, 1847.

STROPH E.

INVOCATION.

SEMICHORUS.

HITHER! hither bend thy flight,

See us votive off’rings bring -
Come from realms of peace and light,

Charity! to thee we sing.

CHORUS.

Hither! hither come, and stay-
Thine our garland, thine our lay.

RECITATIVE.

Throned above the starry sky,
Thine ear received the widow's cry,
Caught the Orphan's tale of woe
Raised in accents sad and low,
Heard the clam'ring voice of strife
Mar the choicest scenes of life-
Heard, and then resplendent came,
That a temple, in thy name,
Here, on earth, proportion'd fair,
Masons' skill might fitly rear:
Lol thy earthly throne invites—
Come from Love's imperial heights !

[The last line to be sustained while the following

Chorus is commenced in full.

CHORUS.

Come, and grace thy dwelling here;
Come, and with thy presence cheer !
Come, celestial Charity-
Come, and join our symphony !