Channel Islands.

affection and esteem ; nay , more , you have become one of the most useful and popular members of the lodge by your conduct , at once enthusiastic and calm ; by the gentleness of your manners , by the seriousness of your deportment , by your conciliatory , yet firm , language , by the correctness of your judgment , and by your Masonic knowledge , acquired to so great an extent and with such rapidity as to make it appear almost intuitive . Moreover , I may confidently affirm , that your fidelity and

attachment to the Order , based on principles of courtesy ancl benevolence , your constant desire for the prosperity of the Cesaree Lodge , have rendered your assistance iu our labours most important and precious to us . Bro . De la Mare , the vacancy which your absence is about to cause in the office of chaplain to the lodge is the more to be regretted , inasmuch as during your Masonic career , short though it has been , you gave us wise and friendly counsels , which have had the effect of encouraging

us to strive with increased zeal in the duties of our mission . Your eloquent voice has sown the imperishable seeds of love for that which is good , for virtue , for our fellowmen . You have implanted in our hearts this great idea of love for our neighbour , and we are convinced that in this respect your labour will not perish without bearing fruit ; an idea which , sooner or later , will serve to dissipate the darkness of . intolerance , of self-exaltationand of hatredsubstituting for it the lihtthe

hilan-, , g , p thropy of Divine charity . Dear brother , the Cesaree , your mother lodge , could not—ought not—to allow tlie services so sincerely rendered to it by its child to pass away without giving evidence of its full and entire approval . On this account , it was decided at the regular meeting in October , to present to you a token of affection , in the very unassuming form of a Prov . G . Chaplain ' s Jewel , in order that the lodge may constantly be

brought to your mind by the sight of such a momento . As a faithful interpreter of its supreme will , it is with a feeling of legitimate pride that I decorate you with this jewel , on which is engraved an inscription expressive of the united and sincere wishes of your brethren for your prosperity , and that of your amiable family . In the name of the lodge and of its children , who delight in honour , virtue , and probity , I ask you to accept this token of esteem and fraternal affection on the part of your brethren . One word more , and I shall have concluded . Very

dear Bro . De la Mare , we are about to be separated , perhaps for ever , but be assured we shall continue to be united in spirit . Yes , my dear brother , we are henceforth inseparable ; for a reciprocal chain , by its mysterious and incomprehensible links , binds us to you for ever , a chain which , we trust , will conduct us to the eternal gates of Heaven , that sure aud common country , where the Great Architect of the Universe will be surrounded ball his children whose lives shall have been

y honourable , just , ' and virtuous . " The jewel bears an . inscription in French , which may be thus translated : — "Token of Esteem and Fraternal Affection , presented to the W . Bro . Fr . Do la Mare , Chaplain , and Provincial Grand Chaplain , by the members of the Cesaree Lodge ( No . 590 ) , St . Helier , Jersey . " Bro . Dr . HOPKINS then roseand addressed the Provincial

, Grand Chaplain as follows : —Permit me , my dear friend and rev . brother , before entering on the task assigned to me , to offer you the congratulations of the brethren with whom I am more immediately , connected as their AV . M ., to express their delight at the recovery from the effects of your recent severe accident , and at the opportunity which has in consequence been afforded , of again seeing you in the midst of us , for which , with

you , they render thanks to the Disposer of events , who , doing all things wisely , so overrules and directs the affairs of this world , as to turn mysterious dispensations , apparently to be deplored , to subsequent advantage , when most unexpected by our limited understandings . From the earliest period of the existence of St . Aubin ' s Loclge , its members have felt that they have been privileged and favoured in a variety of ways , all of

which have united to bring it to its present condition of prosperity in a comparatively short spaea of time . In no respect , however , has it more reason to congratulate itself , than in having at its commencement sought Divine blessing on its work , without which nothing is strong , nothing is holy . In having by its contributions , obtained by your pleadings on its behalf in tho exercise of office as a minister of the Gospelproved to

your , the inhabitants of the locality , that it is ready to do good and to distribute , even to those who have not joined its ranks ; and . in having continued to benefit by the valuable services of a zealous and earnest Chaplain . It has been strongly felt that under circumstances which hava

recently occurred among some portions of the Masonic body , it is well that the career of the lodge was so begun , as to prove to the Craft and to the world the genuineness of its professions to be guided by the light of the volume of the Sacred Law , and that its presence within the tiled lodge is not a mere form , but that it is really an essential part of the furniture , as the unerring standard of truth and justice , by whose Divine precepts our actions are to be regulatedin accordance with our Masonic

, ritual . To you , rev . brother , as a minister of the Church and Chaplain of the lodgo , are we greatly indebted , not only for having conducted the religious services on the day of consecration , but for your continued assistance in promoting a spirit of reverential feelings towards the Great Architect of the Universe , of brotherly love and affection towards each other , of good-will to all mankind . There aro but few , however , gifted

in other respects , who know so well as yourself , how to temper firmness with moderation , to maintain principles without giving offence , to excite the softer feelings and emotions of the heart , to speak the kind word of encouragement , and to give tho solemn exhortation at the proper season , when the impression for good is most likely to be permanent . Herein the brethren consider that your efforts have been especiallhappy and

y pro ductive of benefit ; moreover , that under such guidance , union and harmony must inevitably be the prevailing sentiment . Nor can I omit to refer to the lesser , but still substantial advantages obtained by the countenance your presence has lent to the the periodical proceedings of the lodge , and by your generous contributions towards its furniture . In the immediate prospect of losing these favours by your removal to a distant part of the

world , can it be matter of surprise if the brethren are cast down and dispirited ? However much the 3 may deplore the event on their own account , they nevertheless feel that you are discharging a duty to yourself , your family , and Him whoso minister you are , and that therefore they must submit , regarding it as one of the indispensable trials and disappointments incident to this life . They are unwilling ,

however , to allow you to depart without some token , inadequate though it be , of their regard and esteem . I am , therefore , deputed to offer you the jewel which you alone have worn as tho first Chaplain of St . Aubin ' s Lodge . Pray regard it as

never having been used unworthily , the whiteness of its colour being a suitable emblem of its purity in that respect . An address on vellum has also been prepared for presentation to you . Both of these , we trust , will occasionally remind you of your Masonic associations in Jersey , especially in connection with St . Aubin's Lodge , of which you were one of the founders . Further , they will betoken to the brethren in your adopted land the sentiments of love and respect for implanted in

you the hearts of those whom you will have left here , and necessarily draw their affections towards you . May your new associates learn to value , as we do , your many high qualities , and benefit by them as we have done . AVith your permission I will now react the address adopted by the lodge and transferred to vellum . ( This having been completed , the jewel and document were delivered to the Rev . Chaplain . The inscription on the

former , and the address , will be found in a report of St . Aubin ' s Lodge , in No . 230 , page 429 , of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE . ) Bro . Dr . Hopkins resumed , —Before I sit down allow me to allude to one other point . You cannot be insensible to our deep regret , that from to-morrow evening your wonted chair will bo vacant , with but little hope of an occupier for some time to come . Nor can you wonder , if we are anxious to see it filled

by one whom we can trust , and whom you feel comfort and confidence iu leaving as your successor and representative . AA ' e could have wished that you had been able to recommend to us some clerical friend , whom you know to be deeply imbued with Masonic principles and favourable to the Order , in the hope that he would receive the benefit of initiation into it , with a view to acceptance of your position among us ; but thoughts and

your occupations of tho last few weeks have interfered with your and our wishes in this respect . Let us only hope that the example of the affection which you have inspired in the hearts of the brethren , may prove an incentive to others to follow in your footsteps , by joining the Craft , and fulfilling the duties incumbent on the Chaplain of a Masons' lodge . I might on this occasion have bad a hist solemn dutto perform on behalf of the

y brethren of St . Aubin's Lodge , were it not that we entertain a hope of once more seeing you in the performance of your office among us to-morrow evening , probably the last before your departure , of then offering our parting wishes for every blessing you can desire in this life ; of adding one more link to the chain .