Channel Islands.

a very satisfactory examination , was entrusted , and withdrew for preparation . The lodge was opened in the third degree , when Bro . Moyse was duly received , and raised to the degree of M . M ., according to ancient custom , in a manner so solemn and impressive as to reflect great credit on the acting W . M ., who also explained the working tools and the tracing board . Tbe lodge was resumed in the first degree . At this stage of the proceedingsthe arrival of Bro . Dr . Jn . Le CronierD . Prov .

, , G . M ., was announced . The W . M . deputed the P . M . ' s to meet the de facto ruler of the rn'ovince , who was , of course , received with open hearts and due honours . Bro . A . Schmitt , P . M ., was then requested to take the chair , and to perform the next ceremony . Having complied , he stated that Bro . J . W . Buesnel was a candidate to be passed to the second degree , and summoned him before the pedestal .

The examination was more full than usual , and the candidate gave far greater proofs of proficiency in the E . A . degree than are generally considered necessary- Having retired for preparation , a F . C . lodge was opened , and Bro . Buesnel , having been announced and duly received , was passed to the second degree . The acting W . M . explained the working tools and the tracing board appertaining to this degreeconcluding with the

cus-, tomary charge relating to it . The chair was again assumed by Bro . H . L . Manuel . Bro . E . Jaboneau , the Orator of the lodge , obtained permission from the W . M . to deliver the following oration , which was listened to by the members with great attention and pleasure , so much so , that the Secretary was directed to enter it on the minutes of the lodge proceedings : —

" My dear Brethren , —At our previous meetings , convinced as we are of the benefits which naturally flow from the Masonic principles of virtue , and from the admirable theories which comprise the whole , we endeavoured to present to your view iu as forcible a manner as possible that which may be deemed a realisation thereof , that is to say , not merely their inculcation , tut their practice . It has been our desire , too , to make our

newly-initiated brethren clearly understand to how great an extent Freemasonry , instead of being a bugbear , a horrible phantom , as represented by the ultramontists , is , on the contrary , gentle , good , affable , lovely , full of faith and fidelity , and

whose mysteries , springing out of a trueand ennobling grandeur , are never displayed beyond its own limits , unless accompanied by the exquisite perfume attendant upon works of tolerance and of charity . " We have therefore stated that , without any restriction , we admit men of every religion of which God is the recognised , principle : that from our calm and peaceful sanctuary we chase away all extreme passionswhence spring crimehatred

, , , envy , and the exaggerations connected with political discussions . Nevertheless , notwithstanding these elements of order , the feelings of our hearts and our affection for our fellow creatures prevent us from reposing in a state of inolifference to the events which are passing around us , and on this point it is our object to trace carefully and minutely the connections which exist between certain tendencies in contemporary political matters

, and that which may he expected from zeal and energy in the propagation of Masonic principles and practice , as tending to weaken and diminish the injurious effects of political dissension . " What do we often witness in those of the profane world , -with whom fraternity is but too often , a vain and meaningless expression ? In all frankness we cannot but confess that such 3 s the case . Is it not pitiful to see our society , in itself so

progressive , so intelligent , sink into the mire and corruption of ancient times , and bend its head beneath the candine forks of perverse ambition ? Ought we in silence , unmoved , aud without remonstrance , to regard a spectacle so sorrowful , so wounding to our susceptibilities , the offspring of unnatural and impossible alliances , and presenting an anomaly whoso foundation , filthy and faithless , must inevitably become steeped in blood , after

having oppressed the weak , in order to share in the spoils ? How sad a picture ! Ah , our loyal hearts are overwhelmed with grief . See there a heroic people sinks and covers its mutilated corpses with its last flag ; still nearer to us , the very shadows of national existence disappear , scattered as they are by the waves of rising and increasing ambition . Even closer in its approaches to us , the sea roars upon tbe shores of countries overthrown and brought to ruin . Lastly , in the horizon we see gathering

together dense clouds , the precursors of a fearful storm . Will ic burst ? God is great—iu his hands rests the future . " Why is not our sublime Masonic order more widely spread over the nations , among the masses of the people , everywhere ?

Its gentle and peaceful influence would assuredly arrest the deadly hand of a brother when uplifted to strike his fellow Mason . " War , regarded from our point of view , is sanctified only when it is entered upon to secure the freedom and independence of an invaded country ; it is necessary to cheek flagrant acts of aggression ; it is profitable and conducive to honour only when it is undertaken on behalf of the sacred rihts of nations .

g "My brethren , let us heartily unite to spread and inculcate the tenets of Masonry . Now is the time to coalesce for such a purpose . Let us not leave our brethren , who share with us the providence of God , in peril , and in the shades of ignorance . Let us make Masons of them , that is to say , citizens devoted and incorruptible , whose moral force will destroy the hundredheaded hydraand despoil human passions of its baneful

in-, fluence . "Let us hope for this day , which will bring unspeakable satisfaction to the hearts of all true Masons ; meanwhile , the luminous bow of alliance shine over tbe Grand Orient of France , ivhich invites an international and universal union of Masonry in an immense and memorable assemblage at Paris on the 15 th of June , in order that the splendid festival of the arts , of

industry , and of commerce , may give rise to hopes for peace among the nations of the earth , for fraternal and firm bonds of unity and concord between Masons from every quarter of the globe . " The next business fixed for the evening was the election of officers , previous to which the W . M . addressed the brethren as follows , in a solemn and impressive manner , with all the force of conviction and all the warmth of heart for which he is so justly distinguished , especially when , as on the present occasion ,

his thoughts and feelings are so strictly in unison with his utterances . It was ordered that these beautiful expressions of the sentiments by which Bro . H . L . Manuel is animated should be recorded on the minutes : — " My very dear brethren , —It is moro than probable that this is tho last opportunity I shall havo oi addressing you irom tho chair which I now occupy , and boforo resigning my seat to a brother who will perform tho dutios connected with it infinitely better than myself , I fool compelled to offer to you a few remarks , which naturally occur to my mind on this occasion , and filling my heart , rise to tho surface and sook a form of expression . What

I havo to say to you , brethren , is very short , very true , amVto mo very agreeable . "Twolvo months ago , brethren , to your kind favour I was indebted for my election by tho unanimous voico of tho members to tho office of W . M . of this respectable lodge . But on this day my year oi Mastership torminatos . " During tho past year , the most perfect harmony , tho most full , free , and sincere friendship havo without exception continued

to prevail among us . That which has boon commenced in order has indeed and in truth been conducted in peace and closed in harmony . Tho ties by which wo aro united , each ono to ovory other , and all to our beloved Order , far from displaying signs of weakness , havo become moro strong , moro vigourous , more enduring . Tho truo spirit of Froomasonry has never animated us to a greater extent than it does at this moment , while I address myself to you . This evening then , my brethren , I appear boforo

you , not moroly to express to you how happy I am to know and to fool tho truth of what I say , aud to offer you my sincoro congratulations on tboso felicitous circumstances . Especially is it my duty and pleasure to do that ivhich moro particularly concerns mysolf , that is to say , to thank you for all your kindness and indidgonco towards mo . " Support , assistance , goodwill , friendship—ah ! you have indeed been lavish in your bestowal of them . On this account

it is that each time when I have met you in open lodge I have done so with joy . Thus it is that now , at the expiration of my term , the year appears to me to have fled with the speed of lightning . Such is always the case when happiness lends us its smiles , and well do you know that nothing contributes so much to such a result as the sentiment of love and friendship . " Be assured , my brethren , that in me you have not found a

cold heart , a mind ungrateful when reflecting on the past . Never shall I be unfaithful to the recollections which must exist in relation to the year of office now on the point of expiring . With the deepest emotion shall I ever recal the fraternal feelings exhibited towards me by you all . If , in the course of my Mastership , I have endeavoured to act on the principle that ' duty obliges , ' in the future I hope to have as a leading motive not only pure and simple duty , but deep gratitude . Returning as a plain individual into the great brotherhood of Past Masters , I believe that I shall know and appreciate the course which