Ireland.

be shut for fear of offending the feelings of the hot gentleman by the fire . ( Laughter . ) AA'hen the minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary , as if he knew that everybody wished him to be done , then there were vouchers ancl complicated transactions to be gone through ; ancl then there was the discussion on the questions , and answers , and objections , and suggestions ; and , finally , you were informed by the chairman , after putting the question , that the ' Aye had it , " and you rushed

away and found the train gone which had to carry you to your dinner . ( Laughter . ) He appealed to the experience of those who attended committees whether he had much exaggerated the picture . The fact was , however , that it was the committees who did the work of the society ( bear , hear ); therefore it would be unbecoming of them if they did not give their cordial thanks to these ladies and gentlemen who at great inconvenience , gave so much of their valuable time to attend to that valuable institution . He felt honoured in being ¦ called on to ask them to accord their thanks to ihe members of

the committees . But it might bo asked why ho was selected to second the resolution—why that responsibility was not trusted to some more experienced member of tbe body , and only he holding the sacred position that he did ( and he yielded to none in the estimation of his sacred profession ) , should have come forward to take such a prominent part ? One of these apparent inconsistencies , to his mind , explained the other . ( Hear , hear . ) If he understood the motives of those who asked him to come

forward , it was because he was a clergyman , and because they were anxious , so far as his testimony should go is a clerical Freemason , that lie should bear testimony that there was nothing inconsistent between the clergyman's office and the profession of Freemasonry . On the contrary , that it was the object of Freemasonry to carry out the principles of that Divine Master whose servant he was , ancl whom they all there

professed to serve . ( Applause . ) AVhy should not a clergyman be a Freemason ? He supposed he might take it for granted that there was nothing in the peculiar garb of a Freemason that was offensive . Hedid not know thatclergymenhadany particular objection to wearing an apron . ( Applause and laughter . ) There certainly were circumstances under which they could get over any inveterate prejudice they might have on that point . ( Laugbter . )

He found it very difficult to shape into any definite form the vague objections that were sometimes made to Freemasonry . Some said it was a wicked organisation . The argument seemed to be this : —Secret societies , such as the Fenians and the AVhiteboys , were wicked societies ; Freemasonry was a secret society , therefore it was a wicked society . He did not exactly see the logical force of that argument ( hear , hear ); and yet he did not know * what other interpretation to put on the statements of those who , without any other reason , would class

them with Fenians and Ribbonmen . ( Hear , hear . ) Had any of his brethren shot a landlord or burned a priest in effigy ? ( Laughter . ) Until they had something to accuse them of , let them not call the society a wicked organisation . Some would have it that they were a gluttonous and bibulous brotherhood ; in fact , that the society was one vast gastronoinic . il culinary association—that its chief object was to facilitate the consumption of turtle soup and sparkling champagne . ( Alause and

pp laughter . ) They founded this opinion on the fact that some brethren dined together in a friendly way , and with a lew exceptions , in a temperate way , when part of the proceedings was to send round the plate , not for more soup , but to get more contributions for their necessitous brethren . ( Applause . ) In his own person he presented a remarkable disproof to this objection . He was young in Masonrybut he thought he had a riht to be

, g regarded as a good Mason ( applause ); and yet , if the theory he had spokan of were true , he should regard himself as a species of lusits natural , for he was actually a teetotal Freemason . In fact , they saw in him that strange combination of a teetotaler and a Freemason ; therefore now was their time to gaze on that abortion . He had never partaken of a Masonic dinner ; not that he thought them wrong , but there were some proceedings

which , though lawful , were not expedient , especially in a clergyman . He was permitted to state that the Grand Master was a teetotaler also , and , such being the caso , certainly winebibbing was not an essential of Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) It was said by some that they were rather a foolish and useless association . Surrounded , as they were , with the accessories of the meeting , and looking at the orphans before them , he thought they were furnished with plentiful proofs wherewith to meet this objection . ( Applause . ) But , supposing Masonry did " ¦ lothing but bring men together from every party , make them

Ireland.

grasp one another ' s hand with a firmer grasp , and look one another more confidently in the face , he would take his ground on that alone as being sufficient to show that it was not a useless association . ( Applause . ) But when they could show that they combined actual good—the relief of the widow and the orphan—then their brotherhood became endued with a double sanctity . ( Applause . ) He was glad to have the opportunity of coming forward and publicly avowing his connection

with a society which was intended to make them love one another more ancl more , and to follow the example of their great Exemplar , whose great object was to " go about doing good ; " and , therefore , he did not regret having joined himself to the association . ( Applause . ) The Earl of CIIAELEJIO . IT proposed the next resolution , as follows : — "That the thanks of the brethren of tho Masonic Order in Ireland are eminently due to the Most Worshipful

the Grand Master , his Grace the Duke of Leinster , for the liberal and munificent support he has , for upwards of fifty years , rendered to the Masonic Female Orphan School , and the deep interest he has invariably evinced for the well are and advancement of those who are sheltered within its walls . "—After they had voted their thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who so kindly and efficiently exerted themselves towards the management of the society , they had another duty to fulfil , namely—¦ to pass a vote of thanks to his Grace tbe Duke of Leinster , who had so long given them his valuable aid . ( Applause . ) He ( tbe

Earl of Charlemont ) was only a short time in Ireland , ancl not much acquainted with Irish affairs , ancl therefore they would excuse him not entering on a subject on which he was not prepared to give any details . He was sure the meeting would adopt the vote of thanks with acclamation . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . CIIATTEETO _* seconded the resolution , which he said needed no advocacy to ensure its warm reception . It required onlto be read to he received with acclamation . ( Applause . )

y They all met there upon a level , but that did not render them insensible of the importance of having a man of the highest position coming forward to support the Order of Freemasons . ( Applause . ) The Duke had been ttieir President for a period exceeding half a century , and every year he had been necessarily submitted to the brethren , and every year unanimously elected . ( Applause . ) He knew his Grace felt proud of the

honour , for it was an honour for any man , no matter how exalted , to be able to say that he had presided for such a lengthened period over their body . ( Applause . ) His Grace subscribed annually the munificent sum of £ 50 , he always presided at their distributions , ancl he ahvays acted as a tender father to the orphans . ( Applause . ) He asked them to give their warmest thanks to one who for so many years was their constant munificent benefactor . ( Loud applause . ) A duet , entitled " The clustering roses" was then very prettily sung by two of the girls , which elicited warm applause . An encore was called for , and "The Sabbath bells" was sweetly

sung . A number of valuable prizes wore then distributed to the successful pupils by his Grace the Duke of Leinster , after which the girls sang "Good-night" and the National Anthem very pleasingly . The gentlemen on the platform again formed into procession , and marched to the Pillar Room , and the proceedings terminated .

Channel Islands.

CHANNEL ISLANDS .

JERSEY . ST . AHBIS ' LODGE ( NO . 958 ) . —This lodge was opened at half-past seven p . m ., on the 31 st . ult ., by Bro . Hopkins , I . P . M ., who had been requested by the AVM . to take the chair in his absence , which was caused by indisposition . Two presents were made to the lodge ; one consisting of a photographic view of the laying of the foundation-stone of the Masonic Hall in London , hy Bro . E . C . M . de Caiteret , AV . M , the other of

music appropriate for the degrees ( as arranged by Bro . Charles Johnson ) , by the I . P . M ., for both of which formal votes of thanks were passed to the donors . Several matters of routine were considered and settled , and theie being no ceremony to perform , Bro . Dr . Hopkins , I . P . M ., worked the last two sections of the authorised lecture on the first degree . The lodge was closed at a quarter to nine o'clock , the usual light refreshments were despatched , and , after an hour's friendly intercourse , the brethren retired to their homes .