assigned to the 15th regt. He fell at the battle of Pittsburg, fighting gallantly in command of his company. Has any regiment in any one battle lost three such men as Colonel Ellis, Major Goddard and Captain Wayne? His body was taken to McHenry county, and buried with Masonic honors.

Several years since he married Miss Ellen Deitz, whom he leaves, a sorrowing widow, with one child.

Captain Wayne was inducted into the mysteries of Masonry in Marengo Lodge in 1857.

In 1860, he was appointed Senior Warden of Orion Lodge, U. D., at Union, his place of residence, and of which Lodge he was a member at the time of his death.

CAPTAIN E. W. TRUE.

Capt. True was born in Bourbon county, Ky., in the year 1814. His education was such as is usually obtained in common schools, and he was trained to the business of a merchant.

Upon the breaking out of the war, he went into it with his whole soul, and served through the three months service as Lieutenant in the 7th regiment, Col. Cook.

At the expiration of the three months, he raised a company and went into the field as a Captain, did good service in every position, and fell in the discharge of his duty at Donelson.

We are unable to say where Captain True was made a Mason. Upon the formation of the Lodge at Mattoon he was appointed Treasurer; elected Senior Warden, in 1:59, Master in 1860, and represented the Lodge that year. The distinguished honor of being the first Master of a Military Lodge in this State, fell to his lot. Dubois Military Lodge was under his Mastership during the three month's service.

The Chapter degrees were conferred on him in Keystone Chapter at Charles ton, in 1859, and the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Young Council, at Paris, in the winter of 1860.

He was the first Master of Mattoon Council, which was organized immediately afterwards.

A very zealous Mason, and while careful to omit no necessary attention to other duties, he found time to devote to Masonry in all its departments.

He was respected as a citizen, beloved as a Mason, and his sudden death universally lamented. His Lodge adopted an admirable and highly creditable set of resolutions in respect to his memory.

CAPT. JOHN STEVENS.

We are not in possession of much information in regard to Bro. Stevens, except what is to be found in our achives, a note from Bro. Hawley, and our personal knowledge. Our Brother was an attorney by profession, in which we are informed he was quite successful. He was a communicant of the Episcopalian church, and an exemplary citizen. We are not able to say whether he was at any time married.

Last season he succeeded in raising a company, and was engaged in the battle at Pittsburg, where he was wounded, from the effect of which he died on his way

home. Upon the reception of the body the people assembled in large numbers, several Lodges were present, and under the direction of Friendship Lodge, the body was buried with Masonic honors. It was a season of general lamentation for he was a man of noble impulses, warm heart and benevolent feelings, and had few or no enemies, but many warm friends. He was made a Mason in Dix on, in 1852, was Master in 1855, 1856 and 1857, and represented his Lodge in 1854 as Senior Warden, at which time he acted as Senior Grand Deacon.

Exalted in Aurora Chapter May 19, 1855, and afterwards High Priest of NaChu-Sa Chapter at Dixon. The last we saw of him was in camp at Dixon where he seemed to be as much at home as in the Court room or Masonic Hall. Few men could make a better appearance; modest, but self-possessed, well-poised, clear-headed, tall, light complexioned, with a handsome figure, a fine countenance, and a mild blue eye, as penetrating as an eagle's. While Master, he was unceasing in his efforts to perfect the records of his Lodge, which he found in a bad condition.

But he, like others, has crossed the great river.

"Friend after friend departs,
Who hath not lost a friend?"

MAJOR CHARLES N. LEVANWAY.

This brave officer was a Brother of the estimable High Priest of Na-Chu-Sa Chapter at Dixon, Dr. W. A. Levan way. vember, at which time he was quiet ill. ious to be raised, but was not, we believe. man and gentleman.

We met the Major at Dixon last NoHe had taken two degrees, and was anxAn attorney by profession and a brave

He entered the service as Major of the Thirty fourth under Col. Kirke, and was killed at Pittsburg in the view of his commanding General, who certified that he died a hero and a soldier.

MASONRY AMONG THE SOLDIERS.

WE cut the following anecdote from the Amherst (Mass.) Cabinet, the editor of which vouches for its authenticity :

"A little circumstance happened at James Island, after the battle, that I will mention, though it may not particularly interest you. Maj. Sissons of the Rhode Island 3d was bearer of a flag of truce, accompanied by three officers, all happening to be Masons. The rebel officer that came down to meet them happened to be a Mason also. Maj. Sissons remarked, 'I suppose by the tools you carry I have the honor of meeting a Craftsman, as well as an enemy in war? The rebel officer replied You do, and I am happy to meet you as such, and regret that circumstances compel us to meet in any other manner than the former-but such are the fortunes of war.'

While they were awaiting answer the rebel officer sent after some more Masons, they cracked a bottle of wine and drank to the health of the craftsmen, whether in peace or in war.' The rebel officers remarked: We take the New York papers regular, and should we find your names down as prisoners we will

remember you-and should your names escape our notice, please send us your cards.' Major S. thanked them for their kindness, but jokingly informed them they were 'reckoning prisoners in the wrong column,' and assured them that they, when taken, should be dealt as kindly with as they have promised to do by him and the others."

This is a practical illustration of the true spirit of Masonry, as taught in our Lodges and inculcated by our principles and ceremonies. It teaches that men may be enemies on the battle-field, without being barbarians, and that they may faithfully discharge all their duties as soldiers, without neglecting the more important duties of humanity. It is painful to find Brother arrayed against Brother in the field of strife, but it is pleasant to know that even under such circumstances, the relation and its obligations are mutually recognized and acknowledged. This is as it should be. Much can be done, and doubtless much is done, through the influence of the humanizing principles of our Order, to soften the asperities and relieve the distresses incident to the fratracidal war in which the country is now engaged. Other instances than the above have come to our knowledge, and probably many are continually occurring, of which little or nothing is ever known beyond the immediate place of their occurrence. Through our army Lodges, also, Masonry is quietly and unostentaciously doing its appropriate work; and surely there was never more occasion for the exercise of its kindly and benefi cent influences.-Ed. Mag.

If our readers will reflect for a few moments on the claims set up by the advocates of Masonry, and fearlessly laid before the Masonic and profane world, by Brethren of every rank, we shall find that there is no good thing accomplished by any of the existing institutions of the earth, whether moral, charitable, literary or scientific, but what has been at least as effectually and extensively accomplished by the Masonic Fraternity-if all that has been said be true.

Presented thus abruptly to our readers, some of them at the moment may be disposed to shrink from the responsibility of maintaining these high claims without considerable abatement or modification. But they should not shrink, nor doubt, nor question the facts as stated and repeated by those who, in many lands, and tongues, have maintained them in the hands of friends and foes. But we would not have them maintain the same declarations merely because they have heard them maintained by those whom they believe; not to run the risk of being treated with contempt, as ignorant, false pretenders deserve to be who lay high claims to regard and respect for themselves, or the Institutions they belong to without the evidence necessary to vindicate their veracity. What we would have them do is simply this. Whatever is claimed for Masonry by a Brother of experience and learning, who, from his position in the Institution, or in the world, would not lightly risk his reputation as a man of sense and honor, require of him the evidences of his statements and examine them thoroughly. If from the cir

cumstances, it is impossible to obtain from the author of a statement the foundation upon which he made it, let those who desire to get at the truth go into a careful investigation of the subject for themselves. If the document is old in which they find the averment they desire to prove, let them endeavor to ascertain if it has not been commented upon by some seeker after truth before them; for all the most noted of the existing old Masonic documents have been tested with severe scrutiny.

Amongst all authorities there is no one but must stand subordinate to that which is in the hand of every Mason, and at all times accessible in every just and perfect Lodge. Without an intimate acquaintance with the sacred writings, all conversations, all readings, all study of Masonry will lead to but an imperfect knowledge of the subject. As it is the most ancient volume of human history so it is the most ancient Masonic document, and furnishes the most indisputable evidence of the antiquity and nature of the Institution, corroborates its traditions, and gives the true origin of its Constitution, its most remarkable peculiarities and all its duties.

Next to this undoubtedly the Mason must search the oldest books of oriental philosophy and history within his reach and passing down from age to age, and from nation to nation, he will trace the distinctive marks of the Institution in its progress to the West, and of its successive developments in the advancement of civilizations and the improvements of the arts of life. If the Masonic student can once obtain possession of the silver thread of wisdom, he will exclaim, in the fulness of his rapture, 'I have found it;' and he will never be disposed to abandon his hold, as in it is strength to sustain him in every future labor for the cause to which he will then feel himself bound for ever.

Of such students, unfortunately, we have but few in this country, though they are increasing, and there are not many in Europe. The mysteries of Masonry, like those of Dionysius and Ceres, have been intrusted to many hands, who have lost a knowledge of their original design, and have delighted more in the exhibition of the liberalia before the profane world, than in the solemn services of the sacred retreat. But there is a change gradually and steadily coming over the Fraternity, in many respects full of hope for its redemption. Attention has been turned to errors of long standing, which we need not here attempt to enumerate. A spirit of inquiry is actively at work, which, seeking for information, will never rest satisfied with the mere shells of knowledge which have been sparingly dealt out to the young and ardent aspirants of past times.

We are aware that at present the number of those who are diligently seeking after light and truth in Masonry is comparatively small in this State, but the same spirit is abroad in other States and in other lands; and now that the intercourse between the two hemispheres is established by the exchange of Representatives, the correspondence between the few who, previously unknown to each other, have been engaged in the same cause, and on the same track, has assumed a character of deep interest; and, as a natural result, the means of knowledge, concerning the History of our Order, is likely to be rendered of more easy attainment than heretofore.-N. Y. Sat. Courier.

THE DUTY OF MASONS AT THE PRESENT TIME.

[From the Annual Address of M. W. Grand Master Drummond, of Maine.]

I HAVE said that, as Masons, we have peculiar duties in this contest. What are those duties?

In order to understand what our duties are, we must consider what the circumstances are in which we are placed, and which affect our duties.

Recall for a moment the history of the past. Those who peopled these shores, left their homes in the old world, where the spirit of persecution was up in its fury, that they might enjoy and perpetuate religious freedom, the sacred herald of civil liberty. They banished themselves from their country, and encountered a stormy sea, a savage waste, and a fearful destiny, for HEAVEN and for Us.

Like unto them were those giant spirits who battled for Independence, who staked upon the issue their fortunes and their lives, and by whose valor, self-sacrifice and devotion we obtained civil liberty. Having labored that we might find rest, having fought that we might enjoy peace, having conquered that we might inherit freedom, they founded a government of the people. Rejecting the doctrine of the divine right of kings, they announced as the corner stone of their government, the equality of man. At first, friends gazed in fear and foes in scorn; but fear was lost in joy, and scorn was turned into wonder. The oppressed and the friends of humanity throughout the world rejoiced with us. The oppressors feared, but hated us. The great experiment of free government seemed to have succeeded. For eighty years, we ran the glorious race of empire. We increased in prosperity beyond the wildest hopes of the most sanguine. The thirteen weak colonies had become a mighty nation extending from the Lakes to the Gulf, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Our flag was known and honored throughout the whole earth. The words, "I am an American citizen," were a talisman in every land.

But amid all this prosperity, suddenly dark clouds lowered in the southern sky, from which the thunderbolt of civil war was launched among us. A portion of our fellow-citizens have appealed from the ballot box to the bayonet. On one side they are seeking to overthrow the government and establish one for themselves; on the other they are endeavoring to sustain the government and maintain the Union in its integrity. Among the many issues involved in this contest is one which dims in importance all the rest. The very existence of republican institutions is at stake. The power of men to govern themselves is in question. It is to be determined whether a government of the people can be sustained. The despots of the old world are already exulting in our hoped for ruin. This is the very trial they predicted for us, in which we were to fail. Already they are shouting "The bubble has burst-popular government is a failure!" For with the destruction of our government, they see the end of popular government. For if this nation, with all the advantages of wealth, civilization, education and Christianity caenot maintain self-government, what nation on earth can? If we, under all these favorable circumstances, cannot govern in the name of the peo ple, it will be taken as conclusive evidence, that no nation ever can, and that free institutions are a miserable failure.