Channel Islands.

CHANNEL ISLANDS .

JERSEY . CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO THE AA ' . M . OE THE ST . AUBIN ' LODGE ( NO . 958 ) . The ordinary monthly meeting was held on Tuesday , the 18 th ult . The lodge was opened afc half-past six o'clock , by Bro . Dr . Hopkins , I . P . M . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , a ballot Avas taken for the admission as a candidate for initiation of MrJoseph Newingtonafter

. , ample testimony as to character had been given "b y the I . P . M . and Bro . Joshph Stevens , which proved unanimously favourable . Notice of a proposition for the next meeting ivas given , ivith a view to the removal from the list of members of two brethren whose suspension by the Prov . G . M . hacl been confirmed by Grand Loclge . Bro . Dr . Hopkins having announced that the birth of a son and heir to the AV . M . had seemed a fitting

occasion for a congratulatory address to him , and that such a document had been prepared , submitted fco the brethren individually , received their assent , and afterwards forwarded , signed by the Wardens and Secretary on behalf of the lodge , ib was resolved , on the proposition of Dr . Hopkins seconded by Bro . Le Sueur , that this proceeding be formally confirmed by the lodge as a body , and that the address , as follows , be entered on the minutes : —

St . Aubin ' s Loclge , April 4 th , 1865 . AVorshipful Sir and Brother , —Towards the close of your first year at the head of St . Aubin's Loclge , it cannot bo inappropriate , particularly iu connection with a recent auspicious event , to address you in terms of sincere congratulation , since Ave have the satisfaction of knowing that you have zealously and efficiently discharged all the duties required by your position , and have well ancl ivorthily maintained the dignity of your chair

and the reputation of the lodge . When you ivere installed in that high station , you ivere especially reminded that a good Freemason is one " to Avhom tho burdened heart may pour forth its sorrows , to whom , the distressed may prefer their suit ; " and in the address delivered to ns all on that occasion ive Avere told that it is our duty " to pour the healing balm of consolation into the bosom of the distressed . " Surely the converse of this is equally a portion of Masonic duty and privilege . If Ave " mourn ivith those that mourn , " we should

also " rejoice ivith those that rejoice . In this spirit allow us to offer to you who bear the name , ancl are the representative of the most ancient and illustrious house in this island of Jersey , our sincere congratulations that unto you " a son is born "—an heir ivho we trust will in his turn , if spared to realise your fond hopes , transmit to his posterity the honour , virtue , and high social position of his parents and his family . May you have reason to rejoice in the prospects thus opened to you , and be

blessed in your offspring . Pray permit us to join in best wishes for the partner of your life , and in the prayer that she and you may long continue to share in unison all tho rational enjoyments of earth , ancl the expectation of a happy reunion in the realms beyond " thafc bright morning star whose rising brings peace ancl salvation to the faithful ancl obedient of the human race . " Believe us to beon behalf of the members of St . Aubin ' s

, Lodge , Yours most faithfully ancl fraternally , GEORG-E ORANGE , S . AA' . PIIILII ? M . DE LA TASTE , J . AV . HENRY HOPKINS , P . M . and Sec . To Bro . E . C . Malet de Carteret , AV . M . of St . Aubin's Loclge ( No . 058 ) . Bro . Theophilus Le Cuppeluin , after having submitted iu a most satisfactory manner to an examination on the first

degree , was entrusted , ancl retired . The loclge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Le Cappelain was reintroduced , properly prepared , and duly passed to the . degree of Fellow Craft by the I . P . M ., who also gave him the customary charge . Bro . Malet de Carteret now entered the loclge room , and took the first chair . Bro . Dr . Hopkins announced to him the resolution which hud been passed , to which the AV . M . gave a hearty and appropriate replyexpressive of the gratification of

, himself ancl lady ou receiving such a token of kindly feeling from the members of the loclge . The lodgo was resumed in the first degree . j Bro . Dr . Hopkins reminded the brethren of the letters repeatedly received from the Prov . G . M ., forbidding them to visit , or in any way countenance , a French lodge called Les Amis cle l'Avenir , as being irregular , and threatening pains ancl penalties to those who should clo so , ivhich letters had filled

pages of the minute books of this and other lodges in which the Prov . G . M . had ordered them to be entered . The I . P . M , farther referred to the fact , well known among the Craft , that , within the last month , this proscribed loclge hacl been visited by a number of English Freemasons , stated . to be between thirty and forty , most of whose names the Prov . G . M . hacl acknowledged to him thafc he knew , and yefc had intimated , in reply to a direct inquiry , that he should take no action on the

subject , on the plea that no one hacl made any formal chai'ge . On the proposition of the I . P . M ., seconded by Bro . C . Le Sueur , who , as AA ' . M . of Loclge La Cesaree , confirmed the statements already made , and expressed similar opinions respecting the circumstances referred to , ifc was resolved unanimously , inasmuch as no such charge can be made by any one ivho ivas nofc present at the meeting of the Lodge Les Amis de l'Avenir , from knowledge superior to that ivhich the Prov . G . M . himself

possesses , namely , the confession of some of those who had thus disobeyed his directions—That this lodge , while avoiding any expression of opinion on the abstract question as to the propriety of forbidding English Masons to visit the lodge referred to , but anxious to obey directions issued by the highest authority in the province , cannot but express its regret that much unnecessary trouble has been given to the Secretaries of this and of other lodgesin calling upon them to record instructions

, and threats ivhich aro openly disregarded with impunity , and its hope that such a proceeding will not be repeated , since it is evidently not the intention of the Prov . G . M . to carry them out . The AV . M ., Treas ., and I . G . ivere reappointed to office for the next year—the two former by ballot , after some highly complimentary remarks had been made ou the manner in ivhich they

had performed their duties . Mr . Joseph Newington , having signed the usual declaration , ivas introduced , properly prepared , and duly initiated into the mysteries of the Craft by tho AV . M ., at whose request the charge ivas subsequently given by Bro . Dr . Hopkins . A committee AVUS appointed to make arrangements for the annual banquet , after the installation of the AV . M ., on the next clay of meeting . No other business offering , the lodge was

closed in perfect harmony ancl AA'ith solemn prayer at a quarter to nine . The brethren spent another hour together at the refreshment board , when the usual complimentary toasts ivere honoured , being introduced and replied to in appropriate addresses . LODGE LA CESAREE ( NO . 958 ) . —At the regular monthly meeting held on Thursday , April 27 fch , afc the Masonic Temple , the lodge ivas opened at a quarter-past seven by Bro . C . Le

Sueur , AV . M ., assisted by Bros . P . E . Le Sueur , S . AV ., Binet acting as J . AV ., ancl Dr . Hopkins acting as I . P . M . The minutes of the last regular meeting , aucl also of an emergency meeting held only for the initiation of a gentleman ivho ivas suddenly called from the island , ivere read and confirmed . Bro . J . Le Goupillot was examined in tlie usual manner as to his proficiency in the first degree by the AA ' . M ., and to a much greater extent bBro . SchmittP . M . the replies to whose questions

y , , wore given so fully ancl fluently , as to show an unusually extensive acquaintance ivith the subject , ancl to call forth marks of approbation from the brethren . The candidates having been entrusted retired from the lodge , ivhich was then opened in the second degree . Bro . Le Goupillot was subsequently readmitted and passed to tho second degree by the AV . M ., receiving also the charge connected with it . A petition was received from a ivellknown distressed brother for assistance from the local Board of

Benevolence , ancl a recommendation of the case was adopted ancl signed in open loclge , in compliance with the regulations of the province . The loclge ivas resumed in the first degree . A great amount of routine business was gone through , this being the day for election of AA ' . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . C . Le Sueur having been proposed for reappointment by Bro . T . J . du Jardin , a ballot was taken , which proved unanimous in his favour . Bro . Le Sueur thanked the brethren for this mark of confidence ancl

approbation , and accepted the charge for the next year , from ivhich , however , he would gladly have been released , in consequence of his numerous engagements , which , in his oivn estimation , seriously interfered with his efficiency ; he relied , however , on the continued support and indulgence of his officers and brethren , Bro . Le Goupillot , sen ., was re-elected Treas ., and Bro . II . Du Jardin , Tyler . Arrangements ivere made for the

installation and banquet , ivhich ivere fixed for May 20 th , there being public military engagements in Jersey on tho regular day of meeting . The lodge was closed at half-past nine , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room for refreshment .