Channel Islands.

which now binds us to you , by conferring the privileges of the Craft on your eldest son , who , if he be as wise as we anticipate , will seriously regard the lessons you are teaching him ; will , by treading in your steps render himself a worthy and honourable Freemason , jealous of the character and dignity of the brotherhood , a credit and ornament at once to it and to the sacred profession in which , if his life be spared , he is destined to be engaged .

Bro . Du JARDIN , P . M ., made a few appropriate remarks on the affection for the Rev . F . Ds la Mare entertained , not only by the Freemasons of Jersey , but also by those to whom he had ministered as a clergyman , expressing- his conviction that the same sentiments would arise among the members of the fiock which he was going to feed in a distant land , upon whom , as well as on their pastor , he prayed that the blessings of Heaven might be abundantly showered . He concluded by proposing " The Health of the Rev . De la Mare . "

This having been duly honoured , the Rev . Chaplain rose and spoke somewhat to the following effect : — Right AA'orshipful Provincial Grand Master , AVorshipful Masters and Brethren—We somewhere read that in God ' s world there is a place for everything , and everything in its proper place . My place on the present occasion would be to lie humbling myself in the dust , under so accumulated and overwhelming a load of praise , of expressions of love , of kindness ,

of brotherly feeling . I feel sensible that I ought to fall down prostrate , as utterly unworthy of such sentiments , ot such nets of favour and goodness . Knowing somewhat of my own heart , and acknowledging my infirmities , weaknesses , and shortcomings , indeed , my sinfulness in the sight of God , and how far I fall short of my righteous requirements , I confess that I cannot accept all these things at your hands without a sense of shame that 1 have done so little to merit them ; and

that , poor worm as I am , my feeble cllbrts have not been such as to justify them . It has , however , pleased you , in the exercise of your own judgment and liberality , to overlook all these defects , and to substitute for that which in all humility I feel that I deserve , gifts and expressions of love and friendship . These tangible proofs of the estimate you , my too indulgent friends and brethren , have formed of mewillin all future timewhile life is spared to me

, , , , recall to my mind tho happy days , now fast passing away , which I spend in your company , and remind me of the distinctive features of every brother now before me . In the distant land , to which I am shortly going , when occupied in the performance of my stated duties , when indulging in the domestic endearments of my family , should Providence permit the circle ever again to be united , when enjoying solitary walks along the sea shore ,

my mind will often be transported across the wide ocean which separates us , and I shall be with you in spirit . Chequered as have been the scenes in my life , and varied the lands in which I have been located , my recent short residence here will ever remain a bright spot iudcllibly traced on my heart . Many and repeated kindnesses and favours I had previously the happiness to receive from those among whom Providence had cast my lot , but none which can be compared with what I have here

experienced . Nor has it been transient and nominal ; for this evening , as on other occasions , I have witnessed its results in abundant fruits , which are indeed visible realities . The esteemed brethren , whose eloquent addresses you have already heard , have had an advantage over me , by having made full preparation as to the best and most expressive form of language in which to communicate their own and your sentiments—full of enthusiasm , of kindnessof affection . On considerationI deemed it the

, , more prudent course to leave my reply to the spur of the moment , as that which would best secure the genuine effusions of my heart , tbe spontaneous burst of gratitude , the deep feelings of my soul . Not that I would for a moment cast a doubt on the sincerity of their observations . Past experience assures me to the contrary ; for , however flattering to myself and unmerited , they are nevertheless offered with the desire to be true and faithful . Brethren , we call Masonry a science ,

and , indeed , its adherents who pursue it as a study know well that so it is ; ( hat it unfolds and illustrates subjects deserving of the deepest investigation , and of supplying wonderful knowledge on topics of momentous importance . This is no time for recalling to your minds and particularising the ancient records of the volume of the Sacred Law , stamped with Divine autho rity , on which our science is based . It is sufficient for th present purpose to state the fact , and to add that , in order t

make these important histories valuable and practical to us in the regulation of our lives and actions , we must apply them , aud this necessarily involves a careful study of them . AA'ith such results as wo know may be derived from this course , we have good reason for believing and asserting , that Freemasonry is more , far more , than a shadowy dream or an idle name . I boldly affirm that these results are substantial , enduring , abiding forever . Whatever high and noble qualities we possess , they lie

obscured and unavailable unless we are at the same time favoured with opportunities for displaying them , and of thus rendering them practically beneficial to ourselves and to our fellow-men AVithout the bonds of Freemasonry , its inculcations , its teachings , and its noble objects , could any outward act of mine , either in society or as a minister in the Church , have called us together on the present occasion , or united me to you by close ties of union such as now exist ? I confess with deep humility

that I am ctmvinced it could not . Great men , who have attained a high position in the councils of the sovereign , or who by birth inherit exalted rank and vast wealth , may by this very condition alone attract others around them to pay to them honour and respect , not , indeed , as equals and brethren , but as dependents and flatterers ; on the contrary , an humble individual like myself who can boast no such claims , has but small chance in the world of inducing so strong a feeling as is now being exhibited

towards myself . AA'ithout Freemasonry you and I would have been and remained strangers to each other ' . We should have known nothing of that love which I feel to abound , which is divine , lovely , and has Heaven for its origin and end . Is it possible that any selfish objects can have caused this assemblage to meet mo this evening ? No ; it is tho simple , unsought , inevitable , and practial result of Freemasonry . Brethren , we now stand face to faceperhapsfor the last time .

, , Can you imagine the effect it has on me , the recipient of your bountiful favour ? I feel that , go where I may , in vain shall I seek on foreign shores , in the churches where I may be called upon to deliver God's message to sinful men , hearts so true , friends so good and faithful , as those by whom I am now surrounded . The sentiments which animate my breast lie too deep for them to be easily eradicated , or to be readily revived under other circumstances . To a certain extent they are undoubtiHlly

painful , but , on the other hand , how soothing will be the reflection that 1 part from you on terms of strict friendship and affection . This is an effect of Freemasonry , which enjoins us to extend the right hand of fellowship alike to rich and poor , high and low , learned and unlearned . I am happy in the consciousness that I can do so , and this consideration sweetens my bitter cup , assuages my regret . Believe me , dear friends and brethren , I shall often bo with you in spirit , never indeed will you be

entirely absent from my mind . Into whatever society I may be thrown , however great the pleasures I may be permitted to enjoy , however discouraging may be the difficulties I am called upon lo encounter , you will be ever present to my mind ; your shades will ever be flitting around mo ; nothing will make me forget you , even should the world load mo with honours and distinctions , and new friends arise to cheer me on my onward path . Recollections of you will be wafted on the wings of love

across the ocean , and as they hover over me , making themselves felt to my mental vision , they will recall my thoughts and affections to those whom I leave behind . Men are commonly incredulous on this subject ; they are ignorant of the vast amount of love and friendship that exists in the world , waiting for opportunities to be manifested , developed , brought into action . The scene of this evening should be sufficient to convince even the most sceptical , and to show them that there is vitality and

reality in our professions . The love you have evinced towards me , and which no new and foreign intimacies can diminish , will be my solace in times of trouble ami sickness , my encouragement in times of happiness and prosperity ; and southing when the last dread summons comes , conveyed by the messenger of death teaching me that it renders easy the entrance through the everlasting gates into an eternity where it has entire fruition in the presence of God . Brethren , I could say much more

but in these moments , full of thankfulness , and yet of embarrassment , I pray you to take the will for the deed ; accept the silent effusions of the heart for the expressions of the lips . May God grant His blessing on you all ; may you bo able , with Divine assistance , to act unitedly , consistently , and faithfully , knowing the obligations you have taken , and the bonds which link you together . Be zealous in your respective lodges , und sock to conduct your operations in such manner as to cement the kindly sentiments of the different lodges of tho province