EDITOR'S TABLE.

BRO. GEORGE LIPPARD.-The newspapers have chronicled the death of this remarkable man! From Maine to Georgia the announcement has caused a deep sensation-a sensation hightened by the statement that preceded the news of his death, by which we were told that after a lifetime of toil, vexation, pain, hope and earnestness of purpose, this gifted man of genius had fallen into the withering embrace of poverty-that in a lonely room, in the suburbs of Philadelphia, he was dying unattended and uncared for, save by a female friend, an aunt. What a curious lesson is furnished by the history of Lippard's career. We had known him long and well, and we believe had not only appreciated his labors, but had comprehended the motives by which he was impelled to action. That he mistook the road to success, in following the guiding star of his wild erratic genius, is a fact too well known to admit of question. He commenced life with a heart full of love, pure and guileless as a child; but a little contact with the world soon revealed the fact, which too many realize, that love does not govern a fallen humanity to the extent that his romantic nature had indicated. He saw wide departures from his ideal humanity-oppression, deception and sin-and in his enthusiasm believed that, single handed, he could successfully combat the evils of life. With a warm and generous heart, a vigorous, susceptible brain, a determined will and pure patriotism, he bared his arms, seized his claymore, and rushed into the battle of life, striking with great power upon mankind here, there, and every where. He exposed one party, defended another, excited the ire of a third, and amused a fourth, with some of the richest gems of thought that have been uttered for ages. He could not, or rather would not, cater to the vices and caprices of society, and thus failed to elicit its plaudits. He made war on the churches, and the churches turned the cold shoulder to him. He denounced political parties, and was in turn denounced by politicians. He was an Ishmaelitehis hand against every man, and every man's hand against him. His writings were eagerly read, because what he said could be heard no where else.

Lippard, notwithstanding his hostility to the churches, was a firm believer in Christianity. No man had a more intense faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ than George Lippard, and he worshiped the "Carpenter's Son" with a zeal truly commendable. His idea of Christian duties was embodied in the history of Christ, and some of the clearest conceptions of his character are to be found in the writings of Lippard. He wrote many things in his earlier days that he would gladly have blotted out of

existence in later years. What we say of him is without reference to any of his published writings. We knew him intimately, and knew the secret impulses of his nature from actual conversation.

Lippard's day of popular commendation has not yet arrived; he was in advance of his age. He was modeled for an age just dawning, and we regret that in the providence of God he was not permitted to reach it. Though he lived and died amid pecuniary embarrassment, others reaped largely from the labors of his midnight hours. Men of letters have profited by his fluent pen, and embodied his ideas in their works, for which credit was not given. He was loved, feared, sought, shunned, praised, condemned, blessed and cursed, in all sections of this country. He lived a soldier of humanity; he died a martyr to independence. All must admit that, had he been governed by pecuniary considerations alone, he could have reaped a rich harvest from the products of his pen. But he is gone, smitten ere yet he had reached life's prime; he has passed away to that world where men's actions will be judged by the motives which produced them.

GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS.-The regular Semi-Annual Session of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts, was held at Odd Fellows' Hall, Boston, on Wednesday, February 1st. Several new members were admitted and instructed in the Grand Encampment degree. An amendment to the Constitution was offered, reducing the fee for initiation into Subordinate Encampments from twelve dollars to six. The Grand Scribe was directed to notify the Subordinates, and request them to take action upon this amendment, and report through their representatives at the August session. A resolution was adopted requiring each Subordinate Encampment to make returns of the number of meetings held with and without a quorum, number of members in arrears over one year, the total amount of arrears, and total amount of funds on hand, at the August session.

ODD FELLOWS' HALL AT PITTSBURGH.-We learn from the "Token" that an Association has been recently formed by the Odd Fellows in Pittsburgh, for the purpose of immediately erecting a Hall. At a meeting of the members held on the 15th ult., the attendance was very large, and a spirit of enthusiasm was manifested which gives bright augury of complete success. A large amount of stock has been subscribed. The ladies have taken a warm interest in the enterprise, and even the boys have become stockholders. One lad of fifteen has subscribed for two shares, and paid the first installment out of his own money; another boy subscribed for one share, and several prominent business men not connected with the Order have taken largely of the stock.

GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS.-The Semi-Annual Session was held in the city of Boston, on Thursday, February 2d. The Grand Officers and a large representation from the several Subordinates under its jurisdiction were in attendance. From the Grand Master's Report, we learn that the Order is not prospering as well in Massachusetts as formerly. It appears, from the returns of the Subordinate Lodges, that for the term ending January, 1854, there were but 122 initiations. The receipts for the same period were $16,195; amount paid for benefits, $10,672. The Grand Master energetically appeals to the Order throughout the State to arouse their drooping energies, and make a united effort to regain their former position. He attributes this apathy for the cause to the change in the work of the Order, and recommends that their representatives to the Grand Lodge of the United States be instructed to use all honorable means to effect a restoration of the old work.

"Be of good chEER, WE WILL HAVE YOU ALL SAFE."-This hope-inspiring promise from the noble-hearted captain of the "Three Bells," who hovered around the deck of the San Francisco, in a gale for four days, were the most precious sounds that ever reached the ears of five hundred despairing voyagers. The deep sea had swallowed up nearly two hundred of their companions, and was yawning for more victims. Two vessels, the brigs Maria and Napoleon, had seen their distress, but cruelly passed along on the other side. At length, after dark and dismal nights, succeeded by days that brought no relief, came the "good Samaritan," exclaiming, "Be of good cheer, we will lay by you, you shall all be saved."

Since this occurrence, Captain Creighton has become a member of our Order, in the city of New York. Such manly and noble conduct towards the distressed and suffering, is characteristic of one who the spirit of a genuine Odd Fellow.

possesses

Three hundred and thirty-two ladies have taken the "Degree of Rebekah," in Indiana, during the last twelve months. It is cheering to find the ladies so ready to co-operate with us in the spread of the principles of our noble Order.

MEETING OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO.-This body has just held its annual session at Zanesville. Much interest has been manifested in its proceedings, which secured a large and general attendance. The Casket goes to press too early to admit of the publication of its proceedings in this number; but our readers may rely on a full report in our next.

An extra session of the Grand Encampment was also held at the same time and place.

THE ORDER IN HAMILTON.-We recently visited Hamilton Lodge, No. 17, and find it in a very flourishing condition. They number over one hundred members, are entirely out of debt, and have several hundred dollars in the treasury. We were gratified to see so many brothers present; the attendance was so large that extra seats were brought in. This fact is significant. Whenever we see the weekly meetings of a Lodge so well attended, we may rest assured the right spirit is abroad there, and will ensure a steady prosperity.

The brethren have caught the spirit of improvement which is so generally manifested in the Order throughout the West, and are negotiating for a lot upon which to erect a new hall. The present hall, although large, and centrally located, does not give satisfaction, and as they merely have a lease on it, they wish to secure a permanent Lodge room.

A festival was given by the members on the evening of the 22d of February, for the purpose of raising funds for the Lodge, which realized a handsome sum for the treasury.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. Our correspondents in every direction represent their various Lodges as very flourishing and prosperous; meetings are well attended, and brethren appear to take deep interest in the working of the Order. We have not heretofore published extracts from the letters of our correspondents, but intend hereafter to furnish our readers with items of interest from various quarters, showing the progress of the Order and the advancement of the cause. We hope brethren will advise us of every thing "for the good of the Order" transpiring in their various Lodges.

LONDON, MADISON Co., O.-Our city was visited by a destructive conflagration on the 2d of February. The fire broke out about two o'clock in the morning, in a frame building occupied as a grocery, and soon communicated to adjacent houses, until about twenty buildings were enveloped in flames, all of which were destroyed, together with their contents. The Odd Fellows' Hall was among those consumed. Every thing was lost except the books of the Lodge. It will be a long time before we recover our former prosperity, but the brethren are energetic, and will not suffer the cause to languish for want of means.

RUSHVILLE, IA.-Our city is fast becoming one of the most business places in this section of the State, and as we are a reading community, please send me a specimen copy of your magazine, which I saw very flatteringly noticed in one of the papers. I think I can get up a club, and will send the names as soon as possible. We are erecting a new Odd Fellows' Hall, and when finished it will be one of the most beautiful edifices in Eastern Indiana. The building will be completed in the Spring, and will reflect credit on our noble Order.

HAVANA, MASON Co., ILL.-I have received one copy of the Odd Fellows' Literary Casket, and have shown it to some of the brethren; they are well pleased with it. We are about organizing a Lodge in this place. I send you six subscribers, and feel confident that I can procure you quite a number more. The Casket is the very thing we need in this part of the country.

Literary Notices.

THE ODD FELLOWS' TEXT BOOK-An elucidation of the theory of Odd-Fellowship. Embracing a detail of the system in all its branches, with forms and ceremonies. By P. DONALDSON. Philadelphia: Moss & Brother.

The above work is on sale at J. Ernst's, 112 Main street. It has numerous recommendations and has had an extensive sale. It is illustrated by numerous engravings, and contains a finely executed steel portrait of Schuyler Colfax, Esq., of South Bend, Indiana, with whom originated the degree of Rebekah, instituted for the benefit of the ladies. The Order is well supplied now with Text Books and Manuals, so that no one need plead ignorance of the principles and workings of Odd Fellowship.

Bro. Ernst is an enterprising publisher of school and other books, embracing many works on Masonry and general literature.

NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT of the Young Men's Mercantile Library Association of Cincinnati.

The report of the Board of Directors of this flourishing Association has been received. The number of volumes added to the Library the past year, by purchase, donation, etc., amounts to 1198, and the total catalogued is 13,839. The number of books withdrawn from the library the past year was 23,892, making a monthly circulation of nearly 2,000 volumes. Large additions have been made to the reading room files of newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. The library has an unbroken set of newspaper files amounting to one hundred and thirty, and of magazines and periodicals amounting to sixty-one.

The increase of membership during the past year is as follows: Life members, 13; active members, 493; honorary members, 166; Ex-Officio members, 17; making in all 689. The whole number of members is 2,400. No institution in the city shares more largely in the public favor than this, and we ardently hope it may continue its glorious career.

TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.

We have received from Dr. Holdich, Corresponding Secretary of the American Bible Society, N. Y., a pamphlet of sixty-four pages, from the bible press, entitled "Testimony of Distinguished Laymen to the Value of the Sacred Scriptures, particularly in their bearing on Civil and Social Life." The work is not accompanied with the name of the author, though, from the conception and the admirable judgment displayed in the selection of testimony, we are almost convinced we can discover the hand of the learned Doctor.

Odd Fellows' MANUAL, by Rev. A. B. GROSH. Philadelphia: H. C. Peck & Theo. Bliss.

This is a most valuable contribution to Odd-Fellowship. The first part of the work contains a succinct history of the origin and progress of the Order, which is highly interesting. The remainder, and main part of the work, is an elucidation of the principles, objects, and workings of Odd Fellowship, explaining the emblems of the several degrees, and their distinctive character. It is the most complete work of the kind published, and should be in the hands of every one who desires to be an intelligent Odd Fellow. As the publishers of the "Casket” have offered this work as a premium, a rare opportunity is offered to all who may get up clubs.