* Odd-Fellowship is emphatically a benevolent institution. It teaches the meaning of charity in its broadest sense; and, as members of this fraternity, we should so practise that virtue. It instructs us never to turn a deserving brother away, and it tells us to be merciful and forgiving to all. It requires us to pity and strive to reform an erring brother. Charity stands among the desolate homes of men, by the poor and the neglected, an angel of light and mercy, always ready to pour the balm of consolation into the bleeding heart."

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But while our laws require us to be "men of benevolence and charity," and to do all the good we can to our neighbor, they also teach us that a lodge of Odd-Fellows is not a merely benevolent association, in which the relief afforded to brothers is a bestowment of alms. Perhaps this subject has not heretofore been presented even to the brotherhood in this light; and I would therefore beg to impress it on their minds. As Odd-Fellows in good standing, brothers, you are under no obligation to this lodge for what you receive during sickness; for you obtain, in such cases, no more than is strictly and justly your I due. Does the merchant who insures his property against loss by water or fire, feel himself under an obligation to the company to whom that insurance is paid? Assuredly not. If his property should be lost or damaged, he receives the amount he has agreed for. So with Odd-Fellows they insure themselves against destitution in sickness. They pay a certain amount per year for such

insurance; and when disease overtakes them, they receive that for which they have contracted, and nothing more. Charity, then, as it is understood by the world at large, is not, in that sense, the prominent feature of Odd-Fellowship; and those who, in their public addresses, present it in that light, do great injustice to those brothers who are so unfortunate as to need "benefits."

*** The opponents of Odd-Fellowship are not now very bitter in their prejudice. They have seen the good this society has effected-and they are dumb. Let us do nothing that may tend to eradicate the good opinion our enemies have been compelled to form concerning us. Let us be united in our efforts to give character to the Order; let us, in a word, act as becomes those who have taken on themselves the task of ameliorating, as far as may be, the condition of the human family.

NEW YORK, August, 1846.

REFLECTIONS OVER A SLEEPING CHILD.

BY P. SQUIRES.

SOFT be thy rest, thy slumber sweet, my boy;
Drink thou to fulness from the sunny streams
Of life's young spring; and may no base alloy,
No rude alarm, disturb thy cherub joy,

Or call thee from the pleasant land of dreams.

What are the thoughts that swell thy siniess breast?
And what the scenes thy spirit wanders through?
Perchance thou 'rt holding converse with the blest,
The cherub throng, in shining vesture dressed,
And joining their sweet songs, for ever new.

As thus I stand and gaze upon thee now,
And watch upon thy curling lips the smile,
And the deep calm upon thy placid brow

Whose heart, nor sin, nor grief, nor perjured vow,

Hath known-I fain would cease to breathe awhile,

Lest I should break the silken links that bind
Thy spirit in its cloudless home of light,

And call thee back again, and thou shouldst find
Each cherished vision fled, and thy young mind
Become a prey to sorrow and to blight.

But thou wilt wake again, and time, ere long,
Unfold its checkered scenes for thee to meet;
And life, which now is like the early song
Of birds, will darken; but if thou art strong
In virtue's cause, God will direct thy feet.

Then slumber on, sweet babe: thou art the care

Of Him whose hand the arching heavens outspread; Who set the stars on high, and holds them there; Asleep awake-he'll save thee from despair, And be a flaming shield above thy head.