Channel Islands.

Officers , " m other words , " Our noble selves . " This was the fifteenth anniversary of tho Cesaree Lodge , and many members of other lodges had come to assist in its celebration ; this was a good sign , for though brethren were divided into sections , or lodges , still it was the duty of all to encourage unity ; hence a most cordial welcome was given to them ; though in some respects La Cesaree ranked first , as in point of number of membersstill others were hihlimportant and influentialhe

, gy ; wished them all possible success and prosperity . Bro . Hocquard briefly proposed " The Realth of the Visiting Brethren , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Draper , P . M ., who , as well as the AA' . M . ' s of other lodges , acknowledged the compliment . Bro . C . Le Sueur said that the proposition of the « aext toast was peculiarly his privilege , being that of " Health , success , and honour to Bro . H . L . Manuel , AV . M . " He had strongly

recommended him to the notice of the lodge for election to the first chair , not . so much from the technical knowledge he had of Masonic formalities , as from his own high appreciation of his thorough devotion to the principles and spirit of the Order , of his general intelligence , of his high moral and social position , and of the prominent part he always took in all plans and societies for the public benefit . Though naturally anxiousfrom his own thorough

, identification with the lodge , for its future welfare , he felt confident that its best interests would be promoted , and its honour and dignity sustained by the present occupant of the chair of K . S . Bro . Manuel offered his warm thanks for the enthusiastic reception of this toast . He could but repeat what he had said in the lodge as to his sense of the honour conferred

and the confidence reposed m him . He felt that this was due , not so much to his own merits , as to the generosity of the brethren , and their respect for the chair . He would make it his study not to forget the cordial feelings now displayed towards him . Defects in ritualistic observances on his part they must expect , but he trusted there would be none in the cultivation of the virtues of the Order , its fraternal spirit , its tendencies to intellectual ancl moral progress . He felt that

antiquated forms , however venerable and even admirable , had too much of a monopoly in the Craft , and hence he would endeavour to strike out a more refined and useful path , in illustration of and in accordance with the grand old land-marks , which in the present day he considered to be the mission of the Order , and of himself as one of its authorised representatives . He hoped to be able to contribute a stoneor a thoughtto the

, , shrine which should he sacred to Freemasons , where all that is ennobling and elevating should be promoted , where all evil thoughts and bad passions should be subdued , giving place to love , harmony , and peace , whence the brethren should depart with a consciousness that they had there received a valuable lesson in morality , virtue , ancl intelligence . Under such rulin ° - principles only coulcl progress be truly and beneficially made . had witnessed with

He pain the recent attempts on the part of the Pope and the Church of Rome to create an antagonism between Christianity and Freemasonry , being convinced that they would well march on hand in hand with the same great object in view , ancl that this union is advantageous to both . Individually he would not desire a better or hi gher testimony to himself at the close of his career , than that embodied in the words : —

And on the grand old Craft he leant , ' And round his heart he felt its fold , And so across the hills he went To that new world which is the old . The Worshipful Master offered as a toast " The Masters of Lodges , " which was briefly responded to by Bros . Tracey , PugsleyJ . C . Le SueurBellinghamDr . Le Cronierand Long

, , , , . Bro . Tracey remarked , that as W . M . of the only lodge whose meetings were not held in the Masonic Temple , he would not but express his regret at the fact . Attempts had several times been made to effect a change , but its advocates had been defeated by a small majority . He had , however , great hope that within a very short period there would be no exception to the rule , that the edifice consecrated especially to Freemasonry

is the only place in the island for the proper observance of its rites , and the meetings of its members . The AV . M . proposed the next toast as worthy of all seriousness , respect , and regard . The history of the Cesaree Lodge is an agreeable one , since it has recorded almost unexceptional success , and this must be and is due chiefl y to the care exercised in the appointment of its rulers , to the fidelity with which the W . M . 's had fulfilled their trust , the skill they had displayed in the

management of the lodge , the devotion witli which they bad discharged their duties , and the kindly personal feeling they had shown to the members . He especially coupled with this toast the name of Bro . C . Lo Sueur , I . P . M . This having been enthusiastically received , Bro . Le Sueur acknowledged the kindness and deference which he had universally received at the hands of the brethren , which fie trusted would be transferred to his successor . He receiveci their thanks and expressions of

attachment without bashfulness , believing them to be sincere , and because having done most conscientiously what he deemed his duty , he had striven not to neglect any legitimate claim upon him . In all questions of doubt and difficulty , some must take a prominent part in order to effect a solution . As AA' . M . he had occasionally found it incumbent upon him to assume this post , and thus he may have met with blame from some with whose

opinions ho did not agree ; indeed , such is the inevitable accompaniment of office . Having hitherto exerted himself to the utmost for the advantage of the lodge , he hoped he should contiuuetobe relied upon for future efforts . Bro . Durell saicl that during his Mastership , immediately preceding that of Bro . Le Sueur , he had experienced some trials and difficulties , and recent events showed that they were not

over . He may be tlie victim of them , but if called upon to suffer martyrdom , he trusted it would issue in benefit to the province , ancl that an end to the present uneasy feeling would soon come . AVhile disclaiming ill will towards others , he must still call on the brethren to act honestly as well out of the lodge as in it , and to support what is right under any circumstances . He hoped still to continue his faithful adherence to the lodge and its interests , and that the gloom now pervading the Masonic atmosphere would soon be dispersed by the triumph of truth and honour .

Bro . Schmitt asked , why has not this lodge been crushed , since at one and the same time twenty members had seceded from it , and in other respects it has been marked out as an object of misrepresentation and obloquy ? It is because the principles of honour , virtue , and morality are those on which all its operations have been based , l ' ou have received this goodly inheritance from the earliest days of its existence ; cherish it ; act constantly upon it ; take especial care that it is transmitted

pure and unsullied to your successors . AVhile making no reproaches against others who are perhaps less scrupulous than we profess to be , let us prove by our steadfastness to our principles , our strong attachment to them , and our firm determination sedulously to maintain iu their integrity tlie precepts which our predecessors have enjoined upon us by their example . Our fortitude , our influence , our power will thus be sustained , because they are founded on honestyfraternityancl

, , truth . Continue to regard these as our basis , firm and immovable , on which our whole superstructure is to be erected . In the exemplification of these virtues , the chair has always especially afforded us a noble model ; let us faithfully regulate ourselves hy it . Time was when clouds darkened our internal atmosphere . They have passed away . Similar clouds now hang about us externally , and-cast their shadow upon us . Let us contribute to their dispersion , for be assured we have moral

power effectually to do so . Sooner or later we shall certainly be able to congratulate ourselves ou the result , and to look forward to a future under better auspices ( pointing to the D . P . G . M . ) . I ask you , nay , I implore you , not to hesitate , but in all respects to march on in the path of those who have gone before you , which has brought us as a lodge to our present happy and united condition . Bro . Dr . Hopkins observed that many of the previous speakers

had taken occasion to make promises as to the future , and from our knowledge of their antecedents we have confidence that they will redeem their pledges . AVe must not forget , however , the presence among us of some , and especially of one , whose early professions none of us coulcl remember , since he had joined the Fraternity before most of us were born . What was their nature we can only imagine , but we can bear witness to their fulfilment

towards the close of a long life . The portrait hanging near was that of him who had generously presented it to the lodge ; he had not only been a handsome contributor to the temple , but had placed his shares as a gift at the disposal of the lodge . AVith a desire to obtain additional Masonic knowledge he had too been equally zealous in its acquisition , so much so as to put to the blush many younger men , whose faculties were keener and powers more vigorous , for he ( Dr . Hopkins ) as AA ' . M . of a lodgo in a degree lately introduced in Jersey , had within a few months conferred it upon him at the age of 76 , and after having been a