ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN LODGE, No. 170, CINCINNATI.-The third anniversary of this young and flourishing Lodge was appropriately celebrated at their hall, on the evening of the 19th December. P. G., W. Z. Rees was called to the Chair, Bro. W. W. Wiltsee chosen Vice President, and Bro. C. H. Erwin, Secretary. Invitations having been extended to brethren of other Lodges, a large attendance was present, and a sumptuous entertainment provided. After the supper, a number of toasts were read, and responded to by P. G.'s W. G. Williams, W. G. Neilson, P. Coates, M. Ruffner, W. Chidsey, and A. Foote. Several volunteer toasts were offered, among which was the following, by the Chairman, containing a new suggestion, which we insert:

"The Widow and Orphan's Fund, as it now exists, and remodeling, as a general fund, by the establishment of a College to educate the orphans, and an Infirmary for the sick, which should be a home for all good Odd Fellows who may be so unfortunate as to need relief."

This Lodge was organized on the 19th of December, 1850, and consisted of only five members. Although that little band of brothers had many difficulties to contend with, yet their progress has been most remarkable—now numbering, at the end of the third year, one hundred and twenty-eight members.

ODD FELLOWS' PROPERTY.-We observe that propositions have been made by some capitalists, to purchase the site of the present Odd Fellows' Hall, in this city. The location being favorable for business houses, renders this property valuable; and it is thought that the ground might be much more profitably occupied than it is at present, while suitable rooms for the use of the Lodges might be provided elsewhere, or in upper part of a new building erected on the same site.

the

Various suggestions are made for the disposition of this property, by sale or lease, on the part of the members of the several Lodges to which it belongs, viz., the Ohio Lodge, No. 1, Washington Lodge, No. 2, Cincinnati Lodge, No. 3, and Franklin Lodge, No. 4. These Lodges being the oldest in the State, the nucleus of Odd Fellowship in Ohio, may be said to sustain a parental relation to a very large portion of the Order throughout the State. From long association many have learned to regard the corner of Third and Walnut streets as a spot dedicated to the cause of Odd-Fellowship-as inseparably connected with their holy brotherhood, and almost identified with their sacred obligations.

These causes produce some difference of opinion in regard to the course to be pursued in this matter, among those directly interested; but we doubt not, that plan will be adopted which will most advance the interests of these flourishing Lodges.

HOPE FOR THE ORPHAN.-The Cincinnati Lodge, No. 3, recently gave a soiree for the benefit of the widows and orphan's fund. In addition to the social enjoyments of the occasion, we learn that a sum of $600 was realized.

LECTURES.-We are pleased to learn that arrangements are being made for the delivery of a course of Lectures before the members of Eagle Lodge, No. 100, in this city. They will be delivered in their hall, in the Mechanics' Institute Building. We do not know of a more pleasant or profitable entertainment, or one better calculated to excite an interest in the doings of the Order, than a well-timed and appropriate course of lectures.

EDITORIAL CONVENTION.-A convention of the Editors and Publishers of Ohio, for the consideration of questions involving the interests, and tending to the elevation and improvement of the newspaper press, will be held in Cincinnati, commencing on the 10th of January. An address will be delivered before the convention on some popular topic relating to journalism by E. D. Mansfield, Esq., of this city. Invitations have been sent to all the leading editors of the Union, and a large and interesting meeting may be expected. It is to be hoped that this social reunion will, in addition to its other objects, accomplish the good work of again uniting in bonds of friendship those whom the warmth of political discussion and the acrimony of polemical warfare have forced assunder, and rivet more firmly the ties of those who have stood aloof from the exciting rencounters of their more fiery neighbors.

IMMORTALITY OF MAN.-Why is it that the rainbow and cloud come over us whith a beauty that is not of earth, and then pass away and leave us to muse on their faded loveliness? Why is it that the stars, which hold their bright festival around their midnight thrones, are set above the grasp of our limited faculties, forever mocking us with unapproachable glory? And why is it that forms of human beauty are presented to our view and taken from us, leaving the thousand streams of affection to flow back in Alpine torrents upon our hearts? We are born for a higher destiny than that of earth. There is a realm where the rainbow never fades; where the stars will set out before us like islands that slumber on the ocean; and where the beautiful being that now passes fore us like the meteor, will stay in our presence forever.

be

INFLUENCE is to be measured, not by the extent of surface it covers, but by its kind. A man may spread his opinions through a great extent, but if his mind be a low one, he manifests no greatness.

Book Notices.

NOTES ON THE TWENTY-FIVE ARTICLES OF RELIGION, as received and taught by Methodists in the United States; in which the doctrines are carefully considered, and supported by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures. By Rev. A. A. JIMESON, M.D. Cincinnati Published by Applegate & Co. 1853.

The enterprising firm of Applegate & Co. have done a good service to the Methodist community in the very neat and handsome manner in which they have brought out Dr. JIMESON's Notes on the XXV Articles of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and the Doctor himself has given evidence of a skill and ability, in the production of the work, worthy of all praise.

It was said by the Earl of Chatham, that "the Church of England had a Calvinistic creed, a Popish liturgy, and an Arminian clergy." How far this may be true, we do not take it upon ourselves to say; but one thing is perfectly obvious-at least to our mind-and that is, that for clearness of statement and soundness of doctrine, in regard to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, the XXXIX Articles of the Established Church are not excelled by any in the world. All are aware that the XXV Articles, so clearly and appropriately elucidated by the Doctor in his "Notes," were taken by Mr. Wesley, who was himself a member of the Protestant Episcopal or Established Church, and remained in its communion till the day of his death-from the Thirty-nine.

From the days of Bishops Coke and Asbury, who had written notes explanatory of the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which were bound up with the Discipline, nothing in book form on this subject has appeared-at least in this country-until the publication of the work now under consideration. The work will doubtless, as it deserves to be, become a standard of doctrine in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and should find a place in every Methodist minister's library. To those who may wish to become acquainted with the doctrines of said Church, we would most cordially recommend the above work.

ODD FELLOWS' OFFERING FOR 1854. Published by E. WALKER, 114 Fulton st., N. Y. This elegant volume constitutes the twelfth of the series of the "Offering." It is one of the handsomest gift-books of the season. It is an octavo volume of three hundred and twenty pages, embellished with four beautifully colored illustrations of the several Degrees of the Order, an elegant presentation plate, and view of the city of New York. These engravings are faithful copies of the great master productions of Wilkie. There are engravings also, entitled, "The Letter of Introduction," "Reading the Will," "The Village Politician," and "The Kingdom of Peace," all of which are finely executed.

The literary productions are of a high order, comprehending a rich variety of interesting and attractive papers from some of the most gifted American authors. The publisher deserves great praise for the enterprising manner in which he has executed his task, and the Order is especially indebted to him for so rich and appropriate an "Offering."

FINLEY'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Swormstedt & Poe, Publishers, Cincinnati.

This interesting volume of the "Old Chief” and Indian Missionary, embracing many thrilling incidents of pioneer life, in the West, is having a rapid sale. It has only been from the press about three months, and already six thousand have been sold.

Odd Fellows' LITERARY CASKET.

"FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND TRUTH.

VOL. I.

FEBRUARY, 1854.

The True Brotherhood.

CHAPTER II.

NO. 2.

As the assembled multitude dispersed to their homes, every heart was impressed with the wonderful scenes that had transpired before them, and they went away wiser, if not better men. Though they had publicly renounced the divine allegiance, they were still the subjects of the divine government, and would be held, for their sins as a nation, to the retributions of that Justice, which, with sleepless vigilance, presided over their fate.

Israel was now a monarchy. The tribes had asked for a king, and had by acclamation accepted the man whom God had appointed to reign over them. Under the most wonderful circumstances, attended with the most solemn and impressive rites, they had deliberately recognized his divine right to rule over them, notwithstanding the admonition of the venerable prophet, that they and their children, under his reign, would be crushed under the iron heel of oppression, and the very idol of their hearts would become an object of utter abhorrence and detestation; and as the sweetest wines make the strongest vinegar, and the greatest blessings are often converted into the direst curses, so would they realize that the desires of their hearts, ill-directed, would, in their gratification, turn into sources of grief and sorrow.

It is ever thus with man. Suffering his affections to be misplaced, or what is the same thing, allowing them to fasten upon improper objects, the tides of feeling, embittered by a thousand disappointments rush back upon the heart, and, like a wave of wormwood, roll their bitterness over the soul. Thus it was with the people of Israel. While God was the object of their affections, and the source of their joys, they enjoyed the highest happiness, and the richest blessings of heaven were poured with

vol. 1-5

out measure upon their hearts and their homes; but the evil hour that witnessed their departure from God, and the evil act that separated them from His government as their king, became the signal of events as disastrous as they were certain.

It was not, however, until after a successful reign of several years, so far as the protection and permanency of the government of Israel was concerned, that the nation began to reap the bitter fruits of its rash and reckless departure from the divine sovereignty. After the expiration of two years' reign, King Saul, for the purpose of defense, and the subjugation of the enemies round about, but more especially the Philistines, raised an army of chosen warriors, three thousand of which were under his own command, and stationed at Michmash and the garrison at Bethel, and one thousand were placed under the command of his son, the valiant and youthful Jonathan, whose head quarters were at Gibeah. Soon after, Jonathan, with his well-trained band of soldiers, entered upon an expedition against the proud and haughty Philistines, who held all Israel in contempt and abhorrence. Marching upon the strongly fortified garrison of the enemy at Geba, he stormed the fortresses, and achieved a victory. The tocsin of war was now sounded throughout all the ranks of the Philistine army, and the king of Israel, causing the war trumpet to be blown throughout all his provinces, summoned all Israel together at Gilgal. Jonathan soon joined the forces of his father, and every preparation was made for an anticipated attack ftom the Philistines. It was not long before the adjacent hills and plains were darkened by the advancing hosts of the Philistine army. The sacred historian informs us that the army consisted of thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and a multitude of footmen numerous as the sands of the seashore. This vast army encamped in Michmash eastward from Bethaven. So great were the numbers of the Philistine hosts, and so terrible was their aspect when compared with the army of Israel, that great fear fell upon the Israelites, and multitudes deserted and fled to the dens and caves of the mountains and the dense thickets of the forest. Some of them in, their flight, passed to the other side of Jordan to the country of Gad and Gilead. Saul and Jonathan did their utmost to inspire the trembling hearts of the people with courage and hope.

The aged prophet Samuel had sent a message from Ramah to the king, informing him that he would meet him and the army seven days from that time, and would offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings to the God of Israel, in behalf of the nation. Saul, however, becoming impatient, and fearing that perhaps the prophet might be intercepted in his journey by the enemy, ere the time had fully arrived, ordered that preparations be made for making a burnt offering. All things being in readiness, and the prophet not having arrived, Saul usurped his place, and