such was the mutual attachment between the governor and Mr. Balch, that if the former was called away, no matter what distance, 'Squire Balch attended him, like his shadow, which the following circumstance most happily illustrates. Governor Hancock was called on to visit the then province of Maine, on which occasion he traveled in state, and was attended by the Hon. Col. Orne, one of the Executive council, and Nathaniel Balch, Esq. Their arrival at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was thus humorously announced: "On Thursday last, arrived in this town, Nathaniel Balch. Esq., accompanied by his Excellency, John Hancock, and the Hon. Azor Orne, Esq."

These events of by-gone days, have been brought to my recollection by the following short paragraph, from the New York Evening Star : VALUABLE RELIC.-We have had left with us, at our office, for inspection, the principal commission, appointing John Hancock first Major General of the Massachusetts colony. It is dated May 30, 1776.

IF THERE is anything on earth capable of controlling man's passions, it is the feeling that helpless beings are dependent upon him. He may be reckless as to himself, careless of his life even, but for those he loves he will be prudent and self-denying. Not a day passes but we see instances of this. The young man pauses in some rash act, not for his own sake, but for his parents'; for his mother's. The husband denies himself old enjoyments because his wife and children cannot participate in them. And he shuns a deed of shame, lest disgrace rest upon their innocent heads.

What nerves a man to action, cheers him in toil, joins him in pleasure? that sheds a halo of hope around his path, and stimulates him in every duty? that, more than all else on earth, constrains him to a virtuous and honorable path? It is the blessed influence of HOME, the smiles of loved ones-the "wife and family."

ONE OF REV. DR. Cox's STORIES.-A good brother in a western church, had a call to preach. Being unable to read, he employed a friend to read the Scripture lesson. On one occasion, the chapter selected was Genesis xxii., which contains these words: "These eight did Milcah bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother." This text stuck in the preacher's memory, and he discoursed therefrom as follows: "Brethren and sisters, let us consider our blessings. We have all the comforts of life. We have our flocks and herds, and our hearts are filled with food and gladness. Morning and evening our wives and daughters milk the cows, and our wants are all supplied. In the days of good old Abraham, the case was different, for then, as you have heard, it took eight to milk a bear,' and they did not get much at that."

MUSIC.-Music is a pleasure and an accomplishment chiefly valuable as a home enjoyment, as rallying round the piano the various members of the family, and harmonizing their hearts as well as voices, particularly in devotional strains. Can anything be more entertaining and pleasing to the fancy, than music? Its influence is felt the most at home among the family circle. Many a brother has been kept from taking the intoxicating cup by a love for home, and that love was created by another love, the love of music: it was in every glance, word, action, of his mother and sisters, that was the music that he loved to hear, for it came from the heart; he knew that his waywardness would silence the music in those kind and loving hearts, and cause the smile to fade from his mother's lips, and the mild blue eyes of his sisters to grow sad. It was this that kept him from sin and shame. There is music in every thing, music in the water-fall as it dashes on its course, murmuring " God is good!" that is music heavenly and divine. Music is everywhere, go where you will; if there is not music in your heart, there will be in your ears. For all creation resounds with music; every leaf, tree, shrub, and flower, breathe forth a hymn of praise to their Creator. Music is one of the sources of great attraction to man. Man was made to praise his Creator; and he is taught that praise is music, by the birds that carol forth their song of praise early in the morning and at close of day. There must have been far more exalted strains when "the morning stars first sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy ;" and music still more sublime when the angelic host sang "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to man," than has ever been heard by mortal ear, or ever will be to the end of time. Shelley calls music,

The silver key of the fountain of tears,

Where the spirit drinks till the brain is wild;
Softest grave of a thousand fears,

When their mother, Care, like a weary child,
Is laid asleep in flowers."

"Friend

BUNYAN AND THE QUAKER.-John Bunyan, while in Bedford jail, was called upon by a Quaker desirous of making a convert of him. John, I have come to thee with a message from the Lord, and after having searched for thee in all the prisons in England, I am glad that I have found thee out at last." "If the Lord had sent you," returned Bunyan, "you need not have taken so much pains to find me out, for the Lord knows I have been here twelve years."

GOOD HUMOR.-Good humor is a bright color in the web of life; but self-denial only can make it a fast color. A person who is the slave of selfishness has so many wants of his own to be supplied, that he has no leisure to study the wants and interests of others.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

REMOVAL.-We have removed our office from No. 130 Walnut street to 63 West Third street, between Walnut and Vine, Columbian building, side entrance, where we will be pleased to see our friends in future.

CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.-The present No. closes the second Volume of the Casket, and after one year of toil and effort on the part of the editor and publishers, we are happy to announce that success has crowned our efforts. It was not without some fears that the Casket was started, but our enterprising publishers, having fully counted the cost, resolved on the undertaking, and the Casket freighted with the choicest gems of literature, started out on its adventurous voyage. Without a single subscriber, and without the prestige of the Order, or any other patronage, relying solely upon its own merits, it was left to work its own way. The beautiful material of which it was composed, at sight, elicited the universal admiration of the press and secured for it words of encouragement. But not only did it meet with favor on account of the neatness of its mechanical execution; the contributions which filled its pages from the gifted pen s of our co-laborers, secured for it a place in the affections of all its patrons. Numerous have been the letters which we have received expressing the highest commendation.

Our subscription list is increasing every day, and now that the Casket is placed upon a sure foundation, and the most flattering prospects ahead for the coming year, we confidently expect a large increase of names upon our subscription books. By a reference to the publishers' circular it will be seen what improvements are in contemplation for the forthcoming volume.

To the Editorial corps who kindly greeted us upon our entrance among their ranks, we return our hearty acknowledgments. To the brethren of the different Lodges throughout the country, who have been active in getting up clubs, as well as to our friends generally, we hereby tender our thanks, and hope they will continue their exertions, assuring them that no labor, pains, or expense, will be spared to merit their continued confidence.

ODD FELLOWS' CELEBRATION.-The Odd Fellows of Xenia had a celebration on the dedication of their new hall, on the 10th inst. We will give a full account of it in our January No.

NEW SUBSCRIBERS.-We hope and confidently believe, now that our journal has passed its probation, and will enter upon a new year with the universal approbation of the Order from Maine to California, that every Odd Fellow will use his utmost endeavors to procure for us additional subscribers. Show it to your friends and neighbors, and as we offer no catch-penny inducements, so frequently resorted to, but propose to give to every one a full equivalent for his subscription, we can the more readily appeal to our patrons and friends. Rigidly adhering to its motto, we shall go on in our work of diffusing the principles of Odd-Fellowship and a sound conservative literature.

We would remind our patrons that when subscriptions expire with the present No., we require advance payments in all cases. If they wish the Casket for 1855, the money must be forwarded forthwith, as the January No. will not be mailed to any one who has failed to renew his subscription. We hope to continue all our old patrons, and have at least as many more new ones in all the neighborhoods where the Casket circulates.

STELLA. This interesting story, which has proved so attractive to all the readers of the Casket, is concluded in this number. As we design in future to make each volume complete in itself, without articles continued from one to another, we have devoted much more than our usual space to it this month, in order to finish it with this year. Few stories have ever made so deep an impression on our mind as the perusal of Stella. The angelic purity of the heroine, so devoted to her wretched father, and the frankness and gentleness of her nature, have won our esteem and admiration while, as the plot developed, some new quality of her heart heretofore concealed would render us oblivious to the fact that it was only fiction, and we would see distinct, in imagination the graphic scenes described by the author. The story leaves Stella after conducting her through all her trials and difficulties, a happy inmate of her uncle's house, surrounded by all the luxuries of wealth; but in prosperity she remains the same thougthful and humble-minded child she was in adversity and we turn from the conclusion with a longing desire to know more of her history. We hope the authoress may be induced to continue it, and publish it, with the first part in book form. The work would meet with an extensive sale and find its way to almost every fireside.

WE REGRET to be compelled to disappoint a number of our readers in the prompt receipt of the present number of the Casket. By a mistake of the printer, several hundred copies less than the usual edition, were worked, and we are obliged to reprint a portion of it. We hope that we shall never again be forced to ask indulgence in this respect.

THE GERMAN ODD FELLOW.-The Proprietors of the Odd Fellows' Literary Casket, have been repeatedly urged by their German brethren, to publish a Magazine, in the German language, devoted to the news, and interest, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Some of the most zealous workers, and the most attentive members of the fraternity, are found among the Germans, and that they should so long have been. without an organ in their own tongue, is a matter of great surprise.

Yielidng, therefore, to the urgent solicitations of our German brethren, we have determined to commence a monthly work, of thirty-two pages, of the size and general appearance of the Casket. It will not be simply a translation of the Casket, but will be devoted almost exclusively to OddFellowship, and will be embellished with occasional illustrations.

Our success in the publication of the Odd Fellows' Literary Casket, is the best evidence that the German work will prove an interesting, and instructive Magazine, and we look with confidence, for a liberal support from the fraternity. The work will commence with the first of January, and be issued Monthly at One Dollar per annum, invariably in advance.

REV. C. T. HINMAN, D. D.-This learned and talented Divine has fallen a victim to death. Scarcely had he reached life's prime, until like an eagle in mid-soaring he was pierced by a shaft from the pale archer, and smitten to earth. We knew him well and fondly loved him, and who could know him and not love him? To a guileless heart was added a benevolence boundless as the wants and woes of humanity. In him dwelt every generous impulse. But alas, what were an exclusive devotion to the wants of others, and a lavish expenditure of health and strength, united with the most profound and varied attainments in literature, science and theology, when death comes to claim his prize?

Not the least among the mysteries which hang in darkening folds around the Providence of God, which bewilders and confounds us with its gloom, is the snatching away from earth the young, the gifted and the good, full of highest promise, the hope of the church and the world, while we are left to occupy the fields of labor whereon they so bravely toiled and gathered precious harvests.

But he has gone. Gone in early life from the field of his labor and fame. What the poet Montgomery said of the lamented Summerfield, may apply with equal propriety to Hinman, "So rapid was his career that like the arrow of Ascestes, which took fire in its flight and vanished in the immensity of Heaven, he was self consumed by the intenseness of his labor and devotion." Farewell beloved brother. We shall meet no more on earth. May we meet in Heaven. We subjoin a short obituary taken from Zion's Herald, Boston:

"Dr. Hinman was 35 years of age, He went to Newbury in 1830, and was asso