ng. No formal religion can
sanctify labor; for it belongs not to the other world, but eternally to
this. Were a medal to be struck to commemorate our century, it should
bear upon the face the symbol of free labor, and upon the reverse, that
of the love of nature. Neither has yet been represented by art. Our
idea has not yet attained to many-hued loveliness, and to a picturesque
variety; for philanthropy is colorless like pure light. Walk therefore
in the light, and die for the love of your kind. You have lived in the
light; live ever so, and in the eternal ideas of self-sacrifice and
brotherly love."

Deeply moved, Eric made a brief reply. Roland, too, was called upon,
but could only say,--

"My brother and teacher has expressed all that I feel."

Adams also offered a few words. He would try to show himself worthy the
honorable brotherhood which had been conferred upon him.

The three now seated themselves in the ranks of the brotherhood, and
took part in the transaction of some urgent and existing business.

With ready and practised eloquence, the Major's host, the Grand Master,
informed them that the Pope had condemned all Masonic leagues; and he
read a protest to be adopted by the present lodge.

Weidmann asked if any brother desired to offer any comment, and the
Doctor came forward, and said,--

"I move the rejection of this protest, and also the open acknowledgment
of that notoriously false principle with which we are reproached in the
bull of excommunication. I find Masonry as wordy at home as it is
dastardly abroad; for dastardly it is, not to be perfectly open. It is
all true! We recognize and acknowledge man to be morally complete,
independent of any positive church; not necessarily hostile to the
church, but independent of it. But this prevaricating, and ducking
under ecclesiastical phrases, this spiritless sailing under false
colors,"--

"A little less vehemently, if you please," observed Weidmann.

Quietly, but firmly, the Doctor continued:

"I move that the protest be rejected."

The Grand Master gazed helplessly about. He, with all his honors on his
head, bring forward a proposition, and not have it accepted!--

The Doctor at length begged Eric, as one not yet bound by the
traditions prevailing here, to explain his meaning more precisely.

Eric arose and said, that, though strongly inclined to agree with the
Doctor, he was not quite sure where right lay. He could only permit
himself to quot