the opposing hillside, even to
the mouth of cannon belching forth fire and death.--But stop! Look
yonder! The dying soldier raises his head. His breast is already crimson
with his heart's-blood. His eye even now is dimming and glazing. The old
home comes back to him in memory. He puts his hand to his ear as if
listening. What does he hear?

(Here the organist plays softly the strains of "Home, Sweet Home," or
some well-known lullaby; during which the Deacon continues):

Ah, it is the old, old melody of youth and home! Again we are around the
old hearthstone. Again do we kneel at mother's knee to lisp the evening
prayer. Again she takes us in her arms, and sings to her tired child the
soft, low lullaby of childhood's happy days.--Oh, Music, Music! Art
Divine! Thou dost move and stir the heart as nothing else can do! Yet
never canst thy sweet potency be better used than when it inspires
praise and gratitude to the great Lord and Master of us all!

(At the word "all," the organist promptly strikes the chords of "Old
Hundred," and, to its accompaniment, the Master calling up the Lodge,
all unite in singing the long-metre doxology.)

This brings us to the outer door of the M. C., which we find partly
open, but strictly tiled by the J. W. We will see if we can gain
admission.

J. W.: "Who comes here?"

"A young F. C., on his way to the M. C. to have his name enrolled among
the workmen and to be taught the wages of a F. C."

"How do you expect to pass the outer door?"

"By the * * * and * * * of a F. C."

"Give them."

* * *

"What does this * * * denote?"

"Plenty."

"How is it represented?"

"By a sheaf of corn suspended near a waterfall."

"How did it originate?"

"It originated in consequence of a quarrel that long existed between
Jephtha, judge of Israel, and the Ephraimites. The Ephraimites were a
wicked, stubborn and rebellious people, whom Jephtha strove to subdue by
lenient means, but all to no avail. They became highly incensed because
they were not called to share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war,
raised an exceeding great army, crossed over the river Jordan, came down
upon Jephtha and gave him battle. Jephtha, being apprised of their
approach, called out the mighty men of Gilead and put the Ephraimites to
flight. And to make his victory secure, he placed guards at all the
passes on the river Jordan, giving them this password: Shibboleth. The
Ephraimites, being of a different