Channel Islands.

which undermines , little by little , the foundations of the strongest edifices . " In profane matters your progress is as marked as in Masonic affairs . From these we must form our opinion of the merit and the amount of happiness of a free people . The good order of your government ; the taste which is shown in your public works ; the prudent spirit of your population ; the state of education among you ; all these bear evidence of an onward

course . Happy the people who govern themselves ! Piously preserve these conquests which yon owe to your forefathers , neighbours of us inhabitants of IJvittany , tho intelligent Normans . Faithfully guard those old franchises which are protected under the powerful flag of England . If you do not possess a distinct nationality , content yourselves with being the most richthe least governedthat is to saythe most happy le

, , , peop in the world . Such were our reflections yesterday , on seeing . your fine population , your rich fields , the evidence of prosperity , of good government , of corporate freedom , scattered on every side . Thanks , dear brethren , for affording us such a spectacle . In tlle pursuit of the study of Masonry among you , wo should find many other points from which we might derive profit . For instance , we meet with that which nowhere else is experienced

to the same extent , the kindness with which you have caused us to be surrounded by amiable and attentive brethren from the time of our arrival here . Thanks to them ; thanks to you all for the pleasure we are enjoying- ; thanks to tbe illustrious Provincial Grand Master for his gracious reception of us . We unite , dear brethren , in wishing success , honour , and prosperity to your Temple ; to you all a full measure of happiness and

peace . " Bro . Hovius concluded by proposing " Success to the United Lodges of Jersey and Guernsey , " which was duly honoured by the French brethren in their own peculiar style . Bro . GALLIENNE replied at some length and in a most eloquent manner , on behalf of himself and his Guernsey brethren . Only a brief outline of his address can he given . For the second time he appeared in Jersey to share in the holy work which had

that day been consummated , having been present at the laying of the foundation stone . On that occasion ho appeared alone , whereas , excited by the event , he now brought with him a goodly company , which would have been far more numerous but for the

military proceedings of the previous day ( the Queen's birthday ) , and want of means to cross the water after their conclusion . He was present as their representative to thank the Jersey brethren for the invitation . He was delighted to see the Temple reared and devoted to the purposes for which it was intended . Let it not he imagined , however , that hero the work ceased , that all was accomplished . They had the casket in the material building , but where were the jewels with which it should be filled

, and which must form its adornment , the practice of true morality and virtue ? The extent to which these were inculcated , promoted , and practised , would prove the real value of the kernel within the shell which had now been provided . It had heen his intention to remark at length on certain subjects connected with the Craft , and he had arranged his ideas with this view , but tlle ground had been to some extent cut from under his feet

by the masterly oration of Bro . Dr . Hopkins . It was certainly rather long , but it would not have been felt to be so , had not the brethren been exhausted by the previous proceedings , and as he understood that it was to be published , he was sure that , affording matter for much thought , it would he read with profit and pleasure on its appearance in print . At the same time he must state thatiu view of the subjects it comprisedthe oration

, , could not with advantage have been curtailed . No one could doubt that the Fraternity is honourable and ancient , for the reasons given in the charge to an entered apprentice . There are various opinions as to the extent of its antiquity . Some said that it existed before the deluge , and was transmitted through Noah ; in fact that a lodge was hold in the ark . Others assigned it to Pagan origin . It was said that it took its rise in Tartary , and

was sent westward through Persia , India , Egypt , Greece , and Rome . By some it was supposed to have commenced at the time of Solomon'sTemple . Others gave the time of Jesus Christ as that of its birth . The German secret societies had the credit with some . Others went back to the Druids of the west of Europe ; while a portion of the inquirers into its history attributed it to the Templarsand connected it with the Crusades . In fact the

, investigation was one of great difficulty in tho midst of so great a variety of opinions , and those who attempted it found themselves in a wilderness . Certain it is , however , that wheresoever its origin , Freemasonry is a most important and valuable institution , as inculcating and enforcing the discharge of all

Channel Islands.

the moral duties ; and very ancient , for it existed in the time of St . Alban , the first martyr in the west of Europe , and we have a knowledge that a Grand Lodge existed in York in 926 . He ( Bro . Gallienne ) had heen reading a valuable work by Cesar Moreau , entitled " L ' univers Maconnique , " on which he had intended to found some remarks , but time pressed . He would therefore restrict himself to one short quotation : — " Toutes ces originesplus ou moins specieusessont assez difficiles ii

, , etablir avec quelquesens ; historiquement , elles sont impossibles ; \¦ justifier . Nous diroils modestement , et sans pretendre blesser en rien les opinions , les donees reveries de nos confreres les historiens-macons , que si , par analogic dubut des mysteres chez les peuples anciens et de [ 'institution de la Fi-anc-Macoiinei-ie , on pent rdtrogradcr jusqu'a l'etablissemeut des reunions de l'lndeqn ' une analogic ne pent eqiiivaloir i une et

, preuve , qu'il fant tout simplemcnt s'arrotei- a cette idee , que probablement Tarchitecture matcrielle a donnu naissance a , notre architecture morale . " In the early part of the last century , the Grand Lodge of England collected all the Masonic records it could find and destroyed them , an act of vandalism which is now greatly deplored . Let it bo borne in mind , that the undoubted antiquity of Masonry proves it to be a most

honourable institution , not that its character in that respect proves its antiquity . It has been persecuted , politically , ecclesiastically , and socially , but its inherent goodness is such that it has always risen again with renewed vigour , especially in England , " and you , my brethren from Franco , though you may have been under a cloud , you will yet rise again . " Most heartily do I wish that this may be speedily accomplished . " Freemasonry

teaches men their duty to God , their neighbour , and themselves . Masons remark , " there is a man who deserves to be a Mason ; he has all its high and noble principles ; " but what can be said of a Mason who has been initiated , who displays not these virtues , who is content with the ceremonies , whose rites are the banquets , who sees the symbols , but inquires not into their meaning ?

Let all make it a matter of conscientious obligation , — " I will do my duty . " Secrecy , fidelity , and obedience are strictly inculcated in tho constitutions , and one of the articles is that no man should be admitted unless worthy . Let obedience to this injunction be firmly impressed on Freemasons . Let it be remembered that a brother who proposed a candidate admits a brother , not to himself only , but all members of the Fraternity , and that it is a gross injustice to them to receive one who is not worthy . Let

all be especiall , y on their guard in reference to this point . A Temple has now been erected to the glory of God and the honour of the Craft . Let it never bo profaned . Let strict morality , not profession , be its ornament . Let the brethren be Masons in heart , in thought , and in deed ; let them remember that this is a state of transition , and that all must prepare for the grand banquet with the Great Architect of the Universe in a future state . Bro Gallienne concluded by thanking the brethren for

their kindness and hospitality , and the privilege of assisting in the great work of the day . Bro . DR . HOPKINS proposed as a toast , " Success and Prosperity to the Temple , " prefacing it with a few words on the important undertaking now completed , reminding the brethren that he had given the same sentiment at the banquet on ils commencement , and that he was happy to see all the hopes then raised now realized , by the erection of the material building , in

and on which he had been permitted to expatiate in an earlier part of the da } ' , and having then said so much , he would not extend his remarks . The toast was duly honoured . Bro . Dr . LE CRONIER proposed , " Universal Fraternity , " a proof of which was afforded by the presence of so many distinguished visitors , reminding the brethren that railways and telegraphic wires annihilate time and space , and would conduce much to tiie extension of the sentiment he offered . Many of the brethren now left tho room , it beiug near ten o'clock . Some other toasts received due attention , concluding with " All Poor and Distressed Masons . "

Western Australia.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA .

PERTH . —Lodge cf St . John ( No . 485 . )—AA eekly lodges of instruction have been regularly held during tho past month ( March ) . A special meeting was held on the 19 th March for the purpose of passing Bro . Hillman to the second degree . The lodge was opened in the first degree by Bro . Fannaner , W . M . The candidates having answered tho usual questions to the