EDITOR'S TABLE. THIS work was instituted by the Grand Lodge of the United States for the benefit of the Order, and the advantage which it was anticipated would accrue from its wide circulation among the brotherhood induced a reasonable hope that in its support it would enlist the favorable influence of every well-wisher of Odd-Fellowship. So far as our feeble efforts could be employed, they have been earnestly put forth to realize the expectation of the Founders of the "Covenant and Official Magazine," and we are grati fied to say that but few complaints against its conduct or character have reached us, whilst the work has been as we confess undeservedly the subject of much commendation, as well from the press at large as from the brotherhood to whose especial interests it is principally devoted. We will nevertheless not disguise the fact that its present patronage will not sustain its publication. If it is believed that in a community like that of Odd-Fellowship, covering so vast a jurisdiction, extending over so wide. spread and scattered a field, and embracing so many essential and important interests, that the weal of the association requires the dissemination from time to time of valuable "official" information; that it is due to the elevated rank and the meritorious position of our Order among the benevolent institutions of the world, in view of the large amount of aid which it is continually affording in the great work of benefaction to man which marks the philanthropic efforts of this enlightened age, that there should be an "official organ" to collate, condense and proclaim its principles and their fruits-then the constituency of Odd-Fellowship in this jurisdiction will when apprised of the adverse circumstances in which we are placed hasten to the aid of the work-but if on the contrary opinions are entertained to any considerable extent against the value or utility of such an "Official organ," the Covenant must be considered to be numbered after the year 1843 with the things which "have been." It is true that the times are sadly out of joint-that the scarcity of money and the consequent difficulty of obtaining employment has disabled many of our brethren from subscribing for the work, and we regret that the signs at present do not indicate a very speedy relief from these great evils -all branches of industry are paralized at present, and the future presents but little in the vista to cheer or animate our hopes. In the midst of this universal gloom which pervades the land we could not reasonably have expected to have escaped its blighting and withering influence, yet we have struggled along thus far in our voyage of life despite of great difficulties which from the very beginning have encompassed our labours.We are now at a critical point; upon the community of Odd-Fellows in the United States we mainly depend for our being-to that body we now frankly make known our embarrassment, and upon their united effort we alone rely to determine for themselves, whether the "Covenant and Official Magazine" of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States shall be suppressed after the year 1843. For the present year, upon individual responsibility if the emergency requires it, will the work be continued. pro In the facts above disclosed may be found the reasons for the irregularity of the appearance of the Covenant for several months past, and to relieve us from a continuance of such irregularity it is only necessary that subscribers should be prompt in their payments to Agents, and that Agents should be equally prompt in remitting to the General Agent at Philadelphia. We are aware that at the time of the establishment of the work, there were many of our brethren who sincerely believed that its connexion with the Grand Lodge of the United States was unwise and impolitic, and that while as an individual enterprise its merits might entitle it to their patronage, yet in view of its "official" relation it could not with priety be sustained by them, without subjecting them to the inconsistency of objecting to and advocating the same thing. Entertaining these views many not only failed to subscribe themselves, but felt committed not to advocate its interests:-To what extent these objections have operated to limit the circulation of the Covenant we are unable even to conjecture, and until recently were disposed to regard the number of our brethren who were of this class of objectors as very small. For our own part we cannot see the force of the objection.-If the Grand Lodge of the United States had have passed an order to suppress all other similar publications, or had by some arbitrary act have undertaken to tax the Order for the support of her "official organ," there would have been some show of propriety in objecting to the institution of this work-but when in point of fact, she has simply originated a journal for the dissemination of her own official documents, and the publication of such matter from her files as may be interesting to the fraternity, leaving individual enterprise free and untrammelled to seek the reward of its own merit, we cannot for the life of us divine the argument in the objection to our work, which is urged from its mere "official" connexion with the Grand Lodge of the United States. It is true the sanction of her name and authority may add weight and character to the magazine, and with many may operate as a high recommendation to their patronage, and in this respect at first glance may appear to work injustice to individual effort in the same cause; but let it be recollected that the publication of the Covenant is designed to promote no individual gain, that its end is exclusively the promotion of the common good of the Order, and that too at a very considerable outlay of capital on the part of its Founder, it will at once be seen that there is no force in the imputation of the undue influence which its "official" connexion gives it over publications however meritorious yet designed for individual profit alone. There are others who object to the Covenant from very different and much less tenable grounds. We have been surprised to learn that many suppose that the publication of the work mainly subserves the ends of providing salaries to the Editors. May we thus publicly disabuse all our brethren who have been predisposed against the volume under such mistaken opinions. There is no kind of labour which is generally less appreciated than intellectual toil, and, they especially who earn their subsistence by the daily sweat of the brow are prone to consider the efforts of the mind as mere recreative amusement when compared with their arduous mechanical toil. How great such an error-how unjust such conclusions. Little do those who form such opinions know of the constant drain which the labour of the mind is making upon the health and life-springs of its subjects. Little do they know of the loss of rest, and the midnight toil to which the author or editor is habitually exposed, and little indeed do they know of the amount of the comforts and enjoyments of life of which they are from necessity debarred by the very nature of their calling. Indeed if experience may be regarded as furnishing any light upon the subject of the relative fruits of mechanical and literary labour, we may securely refer all who entertain this objection to the abundant harvest of reward and comfort which so frequently crowns the industry of the mechanic, while the scholar, author or editor is almost universally left to struggle on in difficulties and embarrassments with if not a scanty, a truly precarious subsistence. The compensation to the editorial department of the Covenant (when paid) is distributed to the writers for its pages-as yet we are sorry to say they have been but poorly paid, in consequence of the fewness of its subscribers and the difficulty of its collections. We leave the subject with our brethren-upon their opinion and exertions depend the being of the Magazine. We give the subjoined letter in full as the most effectual means of accomplishing the object of the writer, prefacing only that having taken the article from the "Cleveland Gatherer," in which we presumed it was original, we gave credit to that source and have therefore no further explanation to make. Dear Sir and Brother: BUFFALO, N. Y., January 31, 1843. In the first number of the Covenant for this year I find an article copied from the "Cleveland Gatherer." Now as I believe it is proper to "render unto Cæsar the things that are Caesars," and finding you unintentionally guilty of a little plagiarism, am disposed to correct it. The article alluded to is the original introduction to the by-laws of Niagara Lodge, No. 25, and was written by P. G'd R. S. Holden, the founder and pioneer of Odd-Fellowship in the "Queen City of the Lakes," and I may say in Western New York and Northern Ohio. Our worthy brother P. G. Holden, to whom the lodges in the west owe grateful feelings, (he having assisted in establishing the two first lodges west of Albany,) we cannot see his industry given to another without correcting it. This worthy P. G. is now in the far west, but it will be gratifying to his brothers if you will please correct it, and more particularly to the brethren of Buffalo Lodge, of which he is a member. I remain your's in F. L. & T. NIAGARA, 25. HOME CORRESPONDENCE. New York-Extract of a letter from Grand Secretary J. G. Treadwell, dated New York, February 6, 1843. I have the pleasure of stating that since our last report to the G. Lodge of the United States, September, 1842, the Order has steadily progressed throughout our jurisdiction. City Philanthropic Lodge, No. 5, and Union Lodge, No. 8, Albany, formally expelled in August, 1839, have been restored to fellowship-this is truly gratifying. The following lodges have been chartered and are in successful opera tion, viz: County. Rockland. Mohawk Valley, No. 72, Location. Mount Vernon, "73, New York, New York. "13, Brooklyn, Kings. Mount Hope, No. 11, Rochester, Monroe. New York. Monroe Degree Lodge, " 12, The Patriarchal Order is also flourishing-the following Encampments have been chartered since last report, viz: M't Horeb, (German,)" 12, New York, In my last I reported three lodges as having contributed to the English Mission-I perceive you notice but two. Please acknowledge Columbia Lodge, No. 1, $10-this one you omitted. South Carolina and Georgia-Extract of a letter from Rev. Albert Case, D. D. G. Sire, dated Macon, Ga., January 29, 1843. Here am I, three hundred miles from home on a mission of Odd-Fellowship and here with I transmit you official returns of the formation of a lodge in this city. I met the applicants on the evening of the 27th, in a neat hall they had fitted up for their use, and assisted by brother Alfred Price of Charleston, instituted "Franklin Lodge, No. 2." The officers for the present quarter Treas'r. W. C. BREEZE, J. C. PLANT, Fifteen were initiated on the evenings of the 27th and 28th, and twelve received degrees. Franklin Lodge will make a scientific return at the close of the quarter. SAVANNAH, 31st January, 1843. This evening I paid an official visit to Oglethorpe Lodge, No. 1. It numbers about 70 members-works well-and is now more prosperous than formerly. The books of the Secretaries have been handsomely kept, and reflect much credit on the officers. The sickness of the brothers during the last season has drawn nearly all the funds, but if favored with health for the future the funds will be increased. The lodge is composed of respectable men, and is an honor to the Order. Brother A. N. Miller, the first N. G., is an intelligent and zealous brother, has done much for the Order here, and will not relax his exertions. He is one of the Aldermen of the city, and his influence is favorable to Odd-Fellowship. SAVANNAH, February 3, 1843. On the evening of the 1st inst. I met the applicants for No. 3. at OddFellows' Hall in this city. I was assisted by P. G. Miller of No. 1—and instituted "Live Oak Lodge, No. 3." The officers for the present quarter I could not have selected better men than are associated in the lodges formed during my present visit. The Order will now receive a new impetus in this State, and ere long an application will be made for a Grand Lodge in Georgia. CHARLESTON, S. C., February 8, 1843. I am now at home, and much pleased with my recent tour to Georgia. I have received the Warrant for the formation of a lodge at St. Augustine. The interest of the Order has not abated in this State-our five lodges are doing well-and so are the Encampments. I granted a Warrant for the institution of a new lodge on the 12th ult.-it will rank as No. 6, and be held at Winnsboro'. I expect it has been organized ere this. I send you a check for the following amount, viz: For charter for Eutaw Encampment, Columbia, $30 30 30 30 $120 Being all the monies in my hands for the G. Lodge of the United States. Alabama-Extract of a letter from G. Cor. Sec'ry Thomas Stringer, dated Mobile, February 10, 1843. Is there any prospect of a visit from some (qualified in all degrees, even the Encampment,) official member of the Grand Lodge of the United States to this section shortly? Should a travelling agent or lecturer have been appointed, it will rejoice many of the Order, who are laboring under difficulties in the work of the Order-arising from an insufficiency in the |