Colonial.

with fresh flowers ancl evergreens , in which display we recognised the delicate and gentle hand of the fair sex , who , though not permitted to enter our lodges , yet unknowingly largely participate in Masonic benefit , and , as we have ever found , are always ready to lend their willing and most acceptable aid in perfecting our work . For the reasons already assigned , namely , not having taken notes of tho proceedingswriting entirelfrom memoryand

any , y , not having been expected to be called upon to give an account of these highly gratifying proceedings , we regret we cannot state the name of the lady—for it was a lady—who kindly officiated at the organ , or a full account of the beautiful anthems which were most musically ancl touchingly chanted by the choristers , accompanied by the Masonic brethren and many of a large body of the uninitiated , both male and female , who formed

the congregation . On entering the cliurcli each lodge took its appropriate place ¦ under its own banner , which had previously been bung over the places which the respective lodges should occupy , so that no confusion or delay occurred , but in a shorter period of time than wo take to record the fact all were seated and the solemn church service commenced . This service was ably conducted by the Rev . the Rector ( himself an old Past Master ) and the

Chaplain of Her Majesty's ship Ahoukir , assisted by the Rev . Thomas Robinson , who read the lessons of the day , ancl preached a most eloquent sermon , replete with Masonic learning , and highly illustrative of tho Masonic science , and the principles which ought to characterize all true members of the Craft , selecting for his text the thirty-fifth and four following verses of the twenty-second chapter of the Gospel according to Saint

Matthew : — " Then one of them , ivhich was a lawyer , asked him a question , tempting him , and saying , Master , which is the great Commandment in the Law ? Jesus said unto him , thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soul , ancl with all thy mind . This is the first and great Commandment , anel the second is like unto it ; thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself . On these two Commandments hang all the Law and tlie Prophets . " From the text tho Rev . Brother delivered a most impressive and thrilling discourse , the beauties of which we are glad it is

not necessary for us to mar by any attempt at detail , because , as we have good reason to believe , the sermon will shortly be published in extenso , suffice it for us then to say that while it thrilled the heart of every Mason present , it afforded to the ¦ uninitiated a more full explanation of the principles and purposes of Masonry than they are likely to obtain on any other occasion , and while the landmarks of the Order were most carefully guardedat times the language of the eloquent

, preacher came so close to an unauthorized exposure of some tacts , known only unto Masons , as to make the young members of the Craft stare , and the old to tremble , still all rocks anel shoals were safely passed , and all danger carefully avoided . Indeed , the preaching of this sermon can be described by n Mason iu no better way than to compare it to a skilful navigator taking a ship into port , with strong current setting in

towards a lee shore , the rocks and shoals visible to all on board , the navigator driving awfully near them , and one by one passing them so close as to give them on board a clear view of the sublimity of the scene , and the dangers which surround them , while one by one they are cleared in perfect safety , and at last the vessel itself is safely anchored in port , when those on boardrelieved from fear and anxietycalmly contemplate

, , the sublimity of the scene , the greatness of the danger they have passed through , and the consummate shill of him who has successfully brought them to haven of safety . To the initiated the sermon was a most vivid , though epitomized description of the principles and tenets of the Order , from tho lowest to the highest degree , while to the uninitiated it must have afforded a lesson of sound morality and virtueand have

satis-, fied the sceptics , if any there were present , that Masonry is not a mere illusnry form , but a sound and well digested system of i-eli gion , morality , ancl philanthropliy based on the principles of faith , in the mercies of God , hope of salvation to the penitent aud contrite , love to the bretliren , anel Charity to all mankind . Tho service of the church being finishedthe brethren

re-, turned to tho lodge in the same order in which they had come , only that now the banners were carried before the respective lodges to which they appertained . The Grand Lodge then retired to its special lodge-room , and after a short interval of time , they again marched in procession

to the Phoenix Lodge , where the several subordinate lodges were assembled . Here the respective Grand officers took their appropriate places . The lodge was then duly consecrated by the Prov . G . M ., according to the ancient most solemn and impressive rites of the Craft . The W . M . elect of the Phoenix Lodgo was installed by G . M . who most clearly and eloquently explained to him the

, duties of his office , the sacred lessons inculcated , or sought to be inculcated by the several emblems which are used in , ancl adorn a Masonic lodge , ancl the true object of Masonry in general and of each lodge in particular . "" The several subordinate officers were respectively inducted into their offices by the corresponding Grand Lodge Officers , who each delivered a concise chargein which he pointed out

, the duties of the particular office , and admonished the new officer to be diligent in serving his Master ancl his lodge , and particularly impressed upon him tbe grand duty of all , namely , reverence ancl obedience to the Deity , submission to His will , ancl fervent reliance on His truth and mercy for salvation , to be obtained through earnest prayer and watchfulness . The whole ceremony being as occasion and the order of the proceeding

required , accompanied from time to time with prayers supplicatory to God for His blessing on that particular undertaking , and ou all Masonic work in general ; and addresses admonitory to the brethren , which prayers and addresses were delivered by the most excellent and Rev . Bro . Robinson , in the most fervent and soul-stirring language ancl tone . Votes of thanks were recorded to his Honour the Gustosfor

, having granted the use of the Court House for the banquet . To the Rev . the Rector , for the use of the church , and to the clergymen who assisted in the service . A requisition to the Rev . T . Robinson to print his excellent sermon , was agreed to be sent to that Rev . brother . The lodge was then duly closed in clue and ancient form and with prayer , and the Consecration of the Phoenix Lodge was complete .

The ceremony at the lodge having terminated , the brethren separated for a time ; and at about four o ' clock , they reassembled at the Court-house , to partake of a rich and bountiful repast , provided by the Phoenix Lodge , to which , after grace

had been said by the Acting Grand Chaplain , ample justice was clone . The Refreshments which are necessary after labour having been liberally , but discreetly enjoyed , the usual loyal and patriotic toasts wore drank with that hearty and enthusiastic good will , -which Mason-like , all men who feel that they have faithfully done , and are doing their duty , so well know how to display . Time will not permit us to detail the toastssuffice it to

say—, the first , as of right , was her Majesty the Queen . The second , the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Royal family . Then followed : the Governor . The Council and Assembly of Jamaica . The Army and Navy . The Earl of Zetland , ancl the Grand Lodge of England .

The Dukes of Athol and Leinster , and the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . The Grand Master of East Jamaica . Tbe Clergy , and particularly those who officiated that day . The W . M . elect of the Phoenix Lodge , and a variety of other toasts , both general and personal , to all of which appropriate

responses were made by the brethren , who were peculiarly entitled or required to respond either on their own individual account , or on account of the body to which they were attatched , or with which they were connected ; and after a most pleasant , and in many respects we hope , instructive day ' s proceedings , the brethren separated , each to their respective homes , and each , wo sincerelhopefully impressed with the firm conviction that

y , while it is our duty to perform our allotted task here , ancl cheerfully to submit to tho decrees of Providence , and thanfully to enjoy those good gifts which an All-Wise and bountiful Creator has so liberally provided for the sons of earth , we are , amidst all , and above all , to endeavour to make suitable preparation for admission into that Grand Lodge above , not built by hands , Eternal in the Heavenswhich is ever opened and where the

, Most High and Supreme Grand Master ever presides with watchful and benignant kindness over those who have already entered and over every candidate for admission , and is ever ready to receive all who have fitted themselves during their probation in this world for admission there .