PROGRESSION.-Peace and prosperity have been the cause of the decline and fall of nearly all nations and societies of men that have passed away. The enervating and seductive influences of such a condition, have proved more destructive to those nations who reveled in wealth than the power of mighty armies. Love of excitement, or fame, may carry a man boldly to the cannon's mouth; but it is a purer and holier heroism that can raise the soul to the capability of long years of endurance and toil, to confer an unacknowledged benefit upon the race. Therefore, if Odd-Fellowship is to be a living and enduring institution there can be no resting place for its members. We must ever press forward to secure for it some new triumph in the use of man. We must advance it as rapidly as the stirring spirit of the age moves forward the world in which it exists, or it will fail to perform its mission. For it we must be selfsacrificing and enduring; for it we must acquire the true heroism. The cause is worthy of the effort, for nothing better than Odd-Fellowship, properly carried into practice, can demonstrate the fact, that "man is but little lower than the angels."

IMPORTANT TRUTHS.-In a work lately published by Lieber on civil liberty and self-government, he says, "There is no right, without a parallel duty; no liberty, without the supremacy of law; no high destiny, without earnest perseverence; no greatness, without self-denial."

FANNY FORRESTER, in one of her late poems, thus adverts to her own "closing scene:”—

My life is waning. All its hopes are dead.

The rich warm glow has faded from my heart,
The light, the joy of bounding health have fled,
And shroud-like fears in shadowy awe upstart,
Scareing the sunlight from my fading day—
My life my life is waning fast away.

The year is waning-mine is almost done;
Together turn we to our last repose,
Waiting another spring-a brighter sun,

Waiting-ah me!-beneath these chilling snows!
Stoops there no pitying angel, whose soft wing
May bear me tidings of the promised spring?

AN INQUIRING MIND.-A stripling some eight years of age was engaged in the manufacture of a stool, which on account of a disparity in the length of the legs, refused to stand up. After fruitless efforts to make it do so,

"Mother," said he, "does the Lord see every thing?"

"Yes, my son."

"Well," replied the young hopeful, "then I guess he'll laugh when he sees this stool."

EDITOR'S TABLE.

CELEBRATION AT WASHINGTON, O.-Having been invited by the Lodge of this place to deliver an address, we took the Cincinnati, Wilmington and Zanesville train, on the afternoon of the 12th ultimo. When we left the city it was very warm, and clouds of dust were flying in all directions. We had not proceeded far up the Little Miami, until we noticed a change in the atmosphere; the dust had disappeared, and in looking out upon the hills and fields we discovered that they had been visited by a most copious and refreshing shower. How genial to the cracked and thirsty earth! After a long drouth, however unprepared we may be for it, who does not rejoice in seeing rain. We saw many persons standing uncovered while it was pouring down as if they were enjoying the greatest luxury, and a gentleman remarked that he would be willing to walk all day in the hardest shower, if that would secure its continuance.

We passed rapidly over this most excellent road from station to station, and about half-past 7 o'clock, we arrived at the depot in Washington, where we found several brethren in waiting, and entering the carriage of our excellent brother Yeoman, Vice Grand of Temple Lodge, we were taken to his beautiful residence, a short distance from town, embowered in a grove of forest trees. We had the pleasure of an acquaintance in other years with his estimable lady, and our visit was thus made doubly pleasant and delightful. We formed several interesting acquaintances in the town, and had the pleasure of meeting our old friend, Judge Green, of the Court of Common Pleas. The Judge looks well, and presides over his Court with great dignity and urbanity, having the esteem of all the gentlemen of the bar.

The celebration came off on the 13th, at 2 o'clock, and the brethren formed a procession, headed by the Lancaster band, and marched through the principal streets to the Methodist Church. Ringgold Lodge, from Greenfield, Columbia, from Circleville, besides several brethren from Wilmington, New Holland, Lancaster, Jamestown, Clarksburgh and New Lexington, joined in the procession. The brethren had made arrangements for having the exercises in a beautiful grove near the town, but the rain prevented them from occupying that place. The church was crowded in every part, and many had to go away unable to obtain seats. The exercises commenced by singing an appropriate ode by the choir, after which the Rev. Mr. Bowman addressed the Throne of Grace. The next in order was the presentation of a Bible by the wives of the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The presentation

address was delivered by Mrs. Parrish, in the following appropriate language:

"As a testimonial of the high regard in which your honorable and charitable Order is held, on behalf of the wives of the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Washington, I present, through you, to your Lodge, this Bible; and in so doing, we feel that, as it is the guide to all truth, the foundation to all hope, and the light to direct man in the path of duty, you will appreciate the gift and practice its precepts, by clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and educating the orphan, as in times past your Order has done."

We had the pleasure of receiving the gift from the hands of the fair donors, and were charged by the Lodge, to express thanks for the same, which we did in the best manner in which we were capable. After the presentation, the choir sang another beautiful ode (originally published in the Casket, from the pen of our talented contributor, “Licinius,”) which was followed by the address. When the address was concluded, the choir sang a valedictory, and the audience was dismissed by the benediction. There were several Daughters of Rebekah present, among whom were some who had recently been initiated, and seemed pleased with the degree. Bro. Stees succeeded in raising us a good subscription list, and we hope it may be increased among the numerous brotherhood in that section of the country. We shall visit Washington again.

CALIFORNIA.-Yuba Lodge No. 5, of Marysville, celebrated the first anniversary of its institution of the 27th of July last. The celebration was got up in very excellent style and taste, and went off to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Grand Master J. F. Morse delivered the address, which, for classical elegance and beauty of diction, says the Marysville Herald, has never been surpassed in California. In the evening, the brethren gave a ball at a Ranch near the city, which was suddenly and distressingly marred and broken up by the breaking out of the great fire which occurred in the city on that evening. Many of the fair votaries of Terpsichore flew from the ball-room to find themselves stripped of all worldly wealth, except the festive robes which decorated their persons.

NEW CONSTITUTION.-We publish this month the Constitution adopted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, at the last session. The new Constitution, it is generally conceded, is a great improvement upon the old one, and is much better adapted to the requirements of the Order. The vote upon its adoption stood ayes eighty-six, noes six. We will publish the by-laws adopted, in our December number.

GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS.-This body held its annual session in the city of Quincy, commencing on the 10th of October. Over one hundred and twenty-five members were present. The Grand Master, Bro. Wm. Rounseville, in his able report, a copy of which he has kindly furnished us, gives the following summary of the doings of our brethren in that State:

Permit me to congratulate you upon the continued and increasing prosperity of Odd-Fellowship in this jurisdiction. At no period of its history has there been more zeal manifested-more determination to be prosperous shown-more scrupulous observance of the fundamental principles of the Order been rendered. With very few exceptions our Subordinate Lodges are in a flourishing condition. Peace and harmony reign within our borders-activity and energy give token of future usefulness and triumph.

Since the last communication, twenty-five Lodges have been instituted, making the highest number one hundred and fifty-nine. A great majority of these new Lodges are located in places that are fast growing into numerical and commercial importance, and will, almost as a matter of course, steadily and permanently go forward to triumphant prosperity. The initiatious during the present year have been 1665, being an increase over last year of 446. The number of contributing members at the close of the last term was 6848, exceeding the number reported last year by 1550. The revenue of this year is set down at $51,131 77, exceeding the report of last year by nearly $12,000. The amount of relief rendered is about $8,844 against $8,578 73, a fact showing a very desirable state of health to have existed generally, although an epidemic has prevailed in some localities.

The election for officers resulted as follows: James E. Starr, of Alton, G. M.; A. C. Lewis, of Chicago, D.G.M.; W. R. Lockwood, of Quincy, G.W.; S. A. Corneau, Springfield, G.S.; J. G. Ives, Springfield, G.T.; William Rounseville, Peoria, Grand Representative.

GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI.-The annual communication of this body was held in St. Louis, commencing on the 19th of October. A large number of representatives from all parts of the State were in attendance, and the reports and proceedings indicate that the Order in Missouri is in a highly prosperous condition. The following are the officers elected for the ensuing year.

Wm. A. Moffett, of St. Louis, G. M.; V. C. Peers, of Farmington, D. G. M.; C. C. Archer, of St. Louis, G. W.; I. M. Veitch, of St. Louis, G. S.; B. F. Crane, of St. Louis, G. T.; John How, of St. Louis, and James Carr, of Paris, G. Representatives.

MASONIC.-The Grand Lodge of Ohio held its annual session in the city of Chillicothe, during the third week in October. Charters were granted for quite a number of new Lodges, and the session was one of mnch interest and importance. Wm. B. Dodds, of Cincinnati. was elected Grand Master; Benj. F. Smith, of Mt. Vernon, Deputy Grand Master, and John D. Caldwell, of Cincinnati, Grand Secretary.

KENTUCKY GARLAND.-After many vexatious delays, Mrs. Lindsey has at last issued the first number of this excellent publication. It was at first her intention to publish it in newspaper form; but by the advice of her friends she has concluded to issue it as a monthly magazine. It contains sixty-four pages in each number, is printed on good paper, and in typographical execution is very neat. The non-appearance of the Garland at the time promised, was the result of causes entirely beyond the control of the editress. Mrs. Lindsey has been prostrated by severe illness for several weeks, from which she has now but partially recov ered, and with commendable energy, she commenced the redemption of her pledge to the patrons of the Garland as soon as she was able to leave her couch. It will be published at Louisville at two dollars per annum, payable in advance.

THE MORALS OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP -We are indebted to William J. Moses, the publisher, of Auburn, New York, for a copy of a little work bearing this title. It is the substance of an address delivered before the Grand Lodge of Northern New York, at the annual session of 1853, by Bro. D. W. Bristol. The views taken of the character of the Order by the writer are calculated to remove the prejudice existing in the minds of many against the Order, and the work should be extensively circulated among those who entertain ill-founded objections to one of the noblest and most powerful agencies for moral and physical good, presented by the present active and eventful age.

ANATOMY OF THE BRAIN. This is the title of a work published by Messrs. Middleton, Wallace & Co., Lithographers and Engravers, 115 Walnut street, which we regard as a valuable contribution to medical science. The work is edited by Dr. Landon C. Rives of this city. It consists of fifteen beautiful plates, printed in colors, representing all parts of the brain in natural size. The plates are accompanied with descriptions. To the medical student this work must prove highly acceptable and useful, and will, no doubt, meet with an extensive sale.

DR. DAVISSON'S SERMONS.-This work is on sale at the Methodist Book Concern. To those who desire to be refreshed by reading sermons of the right stamp, full of the marrow and fatness of truth, we advise them to purchase this book.

DEATH.-Death is the liberator of him whom freedom can not release, the physician of him whom medicines can not cure, and the comforter of him whom time can not console.