Before the memory has a tomb in it-before it becomes the cemetery of the soul-"I shall be" is beautiful as an old ballad; when graves are digged therein, and willows are planted, and hopes are buried, and no light breaks out of the cloud, then "I shall be " is as grand as an old Pæan; when

The battle is done, the harp is unstrung,
Its music trembling, dying,

Then "I shall be" is as sublime as an old prophecy.

But there is another tense in this grammar of life it were well to remember; the sparkling moment that dances on from the ripening hours, like golden grain beneath the flails of Time, as we write, is gathered into the garner of the Past. There is taught in connection with it a lesson which it were well to remember and observe :

OFFICE OF M. W. GRAND SIRE, R. W. G. L. U. S.

To all whom it may concern:

I, WILMOT G. DESAUSSURE, Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in and for the United States of America, and the jurisdiction of the Order thereunto belonging, send greeting:

KNOW YE: That whereas the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the United States of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, did, at its annual communication, held in the city of Baltimore, on the twenty-fourth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, erect into a distinct sovereignty, The Grand Lodge of British North America, the same having before that time been subordinate to the said Grand Lodge of the United States: And whereas, the said Grand Lodge of British North America, having now ceased to exercise all the functions of a Grand Lodge, whereby the Lodges and Encampments subordinate thereto are without an acknowledged head: And whereas, the said Lodges and Encampments located within the territorial limits of British North America, have made application to the Grand Lodge of the United States to resume its original jurisdiction: And whereas, the Grand Lodge of the United States having called upon the Grand Lodge of British North America to resume its functions, and exercise its authority over the Lodges and Encampments subordinate thereto, or to surrender its authority to the source from which the same emanated: And whereas, such call has been met by a surrender of the powers and authorities of the Grand Lodge of

British North America, a declaration that the same has ceased to exist-Now ThereforeE, KNOW YE: That I WILMOT G. DESAUSSURE, Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the United States of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, under a special authority in me vested by the said Grand Lodge for that purpose, do hereby make proclamation that the charter granted to the Grand Lodge of British North America, and declaring the same an independent sovereignty, is this day reclaimed, and all powers and authority vested in the said Grand Lodge of British North America, are from this day annulled and revoked, and a final termination now put to the separate existence of the Grand Lodge of British North America. And I do further make proclamation that all Lodges and Encampments heretofore subordinate to the said Grand Lodge of British North America, are hereby, and from this day, declared no longer subordinate to the said Grand Lodge of British North America, but revert to, and henceforward are under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and that to the same alone shall the said Lodges and Encampments make their returns, ask instruction of, receive the work from, or in any other manner or way be governed by, in all things relating to Odd Fellowship; and that the said Lodges and Encampments shall be governed by the laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. And I do further make proclamation, that the Lodges and Encampments within the territorial limits of British North America, which may have received charters from the said Grand Lodge of British North America, are invested with full power and authority to continue their work in as full and ample a manner as though the said charters had been originally derived from and granted by this Grand Lodge.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, at the city of Montreal, this fourteenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three. [L. S.]

WILMOT G. DE SAUSSURE,
Grand Sire.

Call not that man wretched who, whatever else he suffers as to pain inflicted, or pleasure denied-has a child for whom he hopes, and on whom he doats. Poverty may grind him to the dust, obscurity may cast its dark mantle over him, his voice may be unheeded by those among whom he dwells, and his face may be unknown by his neighbors; even pain may rack his joints, and sleep flee from his pillow; but he has a gem with which he would not part for wealth defying computations, for fame filling a world's ear, for the highest power, for the sweetest sleep that ever fell on mortal's eye.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

OUR SUBSCRIPTION LIST is rapidly increasing in all parts of the country, and thus far has exceeded our most sanguine expectations. We hope to make the Casket a welcome and instructive visitor, as no labor will be spared to make it interesting to our readers. We shall begin a series of articles, in the next number, from the pen of Rev. Dr. Jimeson, on the fundamental principles of Odd-Fellowship, which will possess great practical interest, and be perused with profit by every lover of the important teachings of our Order.

TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS. Several articles which were intended for this number of the Casket, were sent in too late, and are consequently deferred until next month. Our friends should bear in mind that all first-class periodicals anticipate their date several days, and that the copy must be in the hands of the printer nearly a month before the day of publication. Communications for the Casket should be addressed to the editor.

All letters on business must be directed to Messrs. Tidball & Turner, publishers, No. 130 Walnut street.

RELIEF COMMITTEE OF I. O. O. F. OF CINCINNATI.-The report of this Committe for the term ending in January exhibits its affairs in a flourishing condition. It is abundantly supplied with funds at all times to meet promptly any demand which may be made upon its charity.

Our attention has been attracted particularly to one item in the report, viz., the improvements on the burial lot belonging to the Order, and under the control of this Committee, in Spring Grove Cemetery. It has been properly laid out and improved, the sub-divisions numbered, with gravel walks, shrubbery, &c., and provision made for an accurate and complete record of interments. Who can read this simple statement without being impressed with an appreciation of some of the benefits of Odd-Fellowship? Though apparently a small matter in itself, yet what an interesting connection it maintains in the mind of an intelligent observer. It is the last link in the chain of benefits which accrue to the consistent and honorable Odd Fellow. Away from his kindred and in a city of strangers, he is surrounded by friends. Though no fond parents may sustain and watch over him in affliction-no gentle sister wipe from his fevered cheek the tear of sorrow and suffering-yet a band of brothers in heart and action are by his side, ready if possible to relieve his

distress, or faithfully perform the last act of kindness which it is in the power of man to bestow. And if called to end his days, instead of being hastily removed, perhaps from a public hospital, and consigned uncared for and unknown, to his last resting place beneath some undistinguished spot in a potter's field, he is laid in the tomb of his brethren, where his kindred may in after years revive and cherish his memory, and his children and his children's children may kneel above his ashes, and plant a flower on his grave.

THE EDITORIAL CONVENTION held in this city on the tenth and eleventh of January, was well attended by members of the press from abroad. The business transacted was of little importance; too much time was given to feasting and merry-making. On the evening of the 10th, a lecture was delivered before the delegates by E. D. MANSFIELD, Esq. on the "Moral power and responsibility of the press." The lecture contained some interesting statistics in regard to the history and influence of the press, which was listened to by a highly literary audience.

A poem written for the occasion by Prof. COATES KINNEY, entitled, "The Heroes of the Pen," was read at the same time, from which we take the following stanza:

Upon old tomes, those catacombs

Of the dead and buried time,

They lay the base of glory's domes,
And build with truth sublime;

And from their hight directing the fight

Of the right against the wrong,

They fill the world with lettered might,

Of eloquence and song.

Nor buried they lie with those who die

At three score years and ten;

But a-top the piles they have builded, sleep
The Heroes of the Pen.

There was not that unanimity manifested among the corps editorial in the city which should have been secured in getting up an Editorial Convention. The next Convention will be held in Zanesville, on the 17th of January, 1855, being the anniversary of Franklin's birthday.

CLUBBING. The liberal offer made by the publishers to clubs will bring our periodical within the reach of all, and at the rates will make it one of the cheapest publications of the day. We hope every friend of the Order will interest himself in sending us subscribers.

In speaking of the rights of men, Burke said, "Men have no right to what is not reasonable and for their benefit."

OUR EXCHANGES.-We take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the January number of THE ARK, a monthly magazine published at Columbus, Ohio, and edited by Alex. E. Glenn. The Ark is devoted to the interests of Odd-Fellowship. This periodical has reached its eleventh volume, and, we are happy to learn, is in a prosperous condition. Its contents for the present number are, Duties of Odd-Fellowship, Midnight Reflections on the end of the year, Odd-Fellowship, Utility of Odd-Fellowship, Jesse Lee, The New Constitution, Dangers of Prosperity, Summer Melodies, Important Suggestions, Encampmeut Question, Grand Lodge Decisions, Lines by Kate Harrington, Celebration at Lexington, Ohio, A Song, Correspondence, etc. The remainder is occupied by editorial, embracing items of interest to the Order.

THE AMERICAN ODD FELLOW, published at Boston by John B. Hall, is a large quarto sheet. It is now in its eighteenth volume; two dollars a year, in advance.

THE TOKEN is a weekly paper of 16 pages, published at Pittsburgh, Pa., and devoted to Odd-Fellowship and general information. Alex. B. Russell, editor and proprietor. It has reached its seventh volume, and presents a flourishing appearance.

THE BANNER OF THE UNION, in consequence of having its subscription books stolen in August last, suffered much inconvenience and temporary suspension; but we are happy to learn that Bro. Bullock, having recovered the lust books, is again regularly issuing his Banner with its usual amount of interesting matter. It is published in New York, and advocates the interests of our Order.

THE MASONIC REVIEW, edited by C. Moore, Cincinnati, devoted to the interests of Masonry, is a most interesting and valuable publication. The Review has been in existence for many years, and has obtained a wide and extensive circulation. Its articles are all original, and exclusively devoted to the facts and illustrations of the Masonic Order.

THE PARLOR MAGAZINE, edited by Jethro Jackson, and published by the Applegates, is a monthly gotten up to supply a desideratum in Western literature. Its enterprising editor and proprietor, we are happy to learn, is meeting with success.

MOORE'S WESTERN LADY'S BOOK, is the title of a monthly published in this city, and edited by the wife of the gentleman whose name it bears. Others with which we have been favored will be noticed hereafter.

Silently and unostentatiously the currents of the benevolence and charity of Odd-Fellowship are unceasingly spreading themselves abroad. The indifferent and selfish world may deride our humble name, but round it are clustered the grateful recollections of many a child of sorrow-of many a widowed heart, who have reaped its benefits.