Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . PHILIP LE OKAS . Again , for the second time this year , have ive to record tho sudden death of one of the leaders of the Masonic body , iu Jersey , one whose name must be familiar to those of our readers ivho have perused the reports of the Cesaree Lodge , regularity inserted in our columns . But

a few weeks ago Bro . Phili p Le Cras ivas apparently an active , robust , healthy man , forty-three years of age , of whom auy one would suppose that he had many years of usefulness before him ; and IIOAV his place knows him no more . Tho public position which be had held for fifteen year ' s as Usher of the Eoyal Court aud of the States of Jersey , had rendered his face and his voice familiar to all

tho inhabitants who frequented tho meetings , and there are few who do nofc occasionally attend , either oh legal business , to witness the proceedings of the Court , or to hear the debates of the local legislature . By all he was justly respected and esteemed ; for his activity , his courtesy , and obliging manners as a public officer were proverbial ; indeedifc has been said of him that he was

, one who never made an enemy , and yet he always maintained a proper independence of spirit . By the members of the two bodies named , to Avhose comfort and interests ha was ever most attentive , he is especially regretted , nor less so by the members of the Craft , among whom he was a ruler , having during two years in succession ably filled the chief chair of tho Cesaree Lodgo about five

years ago , and having also been a useful member of the Board of Directors of the Temple . On Good Friday , April 14 th , the writer of these lines met him hi the country AA'ith his wife and family , in a tolerable state of health , enjoying the hospitality of friends . On the next day he complained of slight indispositionthe danger of Avhich was not afc once

-, appa rent . Medical advice , however , in a few days became necessary , and though three physicians were ultimately called in , their skill proved of no avail , and he expired on the morning of Monday , May 1 st , leaving a widow and sis children to lament his loss .

To an attached friend and brother on the previous evening he expressed his Avishes in regard to his interment , namely , thafc he should be folloAved to his last resting place only by the members of the Cesaree Lodge , to which he belonged , and Avithout the honours sometimes paid to distinguished brethren . Accordingly , to these only and tho directors of the Temple wero invitations

officially issued , Avith orders to attend in plain black dress , ivith white gloi'es and cravats . On Thursday , May 4 th , all the shops and buildings in the Eoyal-square , AA'here the deceased resided , were partially closed , as were also those of Freemasons throughout the town of St . Heller , the flag afc the Temple and that at the English and Jersey Union Bank ( the manager

and several assistants iu Avhich belong to the Order ) having been afc half-mast since Monday morning . At two p . m . tho members of the Cesaree and some from other lodges assembled at the Union Hotel , while tho funeral cortege was being formed . In half an hour all preparations having being completed , the procession set out for Ail Saints Church in the following ; order . The directors

of the Temple , visitors being members of the Graft , and the Cesaree Lodge , each brother bearing a sprig of acacia , in . number about seventy . The Eev . Bro . F . A . Eeyj Prov . G . Chap . ; aucl the ' Eev . Bro . Charles Marotfc , P . Prov . G-. Chap . ; the hoarse , the relatives of the deceased , tho bailiff , the judge of tho Petty Court , nearlyall the magistratestho solicitor-generaltho greffiertho

, , , members of the Royal Court , tho centeniers and honorary police , to which body tho deceased belonged ; the United Club , of Avhich also he was a member , and a long train of private friends , amongst whom AVCI-O somo of the leading merchants of tho island , ifc ivas computed that

nearly tivo hundred persons took part in ' the mournful procession , bearing testimony to the respect with which the lamented brother AA'as regarded . On arriving at the church the Freemasons opened their ranks to alloiv tho body covered Avith the Masonic pall of his lodge to pass through . Then closing up all entered the sacred edifice , where the psalms and lesson

were read by the Eev . Bro . F . A . Eey in the French language . The procession having been again formed » in the same order as before , proceeded to the cemetery in Green-street , where the honoured remains Avere consigned to the tomb , The ceremony was most effectively conducted , and to our mind Avas far more solemn and affecting than when

attended with Masonic decorations and forms , banners , and a band of music : moreover , its character was quite in accordance ivith the simplicity of the life and habits of the deceased and his last wishes . His cheerful , opea countenance , his pleasant , cordial salute , his willing assistance , his intelligent advice , his urbanity in the performance of his dutieswill long be missed in the various

, circles to which he belonged , whether Masonic , civil , executive , or social . The following additional particulars appeared in a local evening paper on the day of the funeral . A death has taken place this week which has caused a general and painful sensation : it is that of Mr . Philip Le Cras , Huissier of the Royal Court and Vingfcenierof the

Canton-de-Haut . After an illness of less than a fortnight ' s duration , ho died on Monday morning at the comparatively early age of forfcy-three . No pei * son in the island had a larger number of friends . The offices he held brought him in constant contact with all classes , and from all he enjoyed the greatest regard and esteem . Ho Avas , in the full sense of the term , a thoroughly z-espocfcable man . In the varied walks of life there never trod a more upright man than he . He wag

truthful , active , courteous , intelligent—ever anxious to perform his duty and render himself serviceable . Nona but those who kneAV him vvell can form an idea of the extent of his pi-acfcical usefulness , or of the personal sacrifices which the generosity of his nature often impelled him to make . Hence the consideration in which he was held during his lifetime , and the universal regret and

sorrow manifested by everyone at his untimely death . Mr . Le Cras was an enthusiastic member of the Masonic body . On tivo occasions he had been "W . M . of the Cesaree Lodge . His loss will be deeply felt by the Fraternity . The closing scene of the career of this estimable man , exemplary alike as a christian and a citizen , a husband

and a father , a brother and a friend , was iu character with the Avhole of his life . Although so suddenly laid on a death-bed , he boAved Avithout the faintest murmur to the Divine will . His physical sufferings were acute , for he died of tetanus . But he Avas courageous , resigned , and content to the end . And vei-ily he had his reward even before passing away . Almighty love vouchsafed the

dying man a ray of celestial light . Almost his last words , calmly and solemnly spoken , were , " I see Him to whom I am going . " Mr . Le Cras' funeral took place this afternoon . The body Avas preceded by the brethren of the Lodge La Cesaree and the board of tho Temple , in black dress with Avhite gloves and neckclotheach brother ing a spri

, carry g of acacia . The cortege that folloAved Avas very numerous , including members of tho States , tho bailiff , several jurats , the solicitor-general , the greffier , and other members of the Eoyal Court , and the honorary police of St . Heller . The flags of several establishments hung at half-mast , and the shops in the Eoyal Square wero partially closed . Tho ceremony altogether was of a most solemn and

improsfcivo nature . Every man Avho attended Avas , in truth , a genuine mourner . And each as , Avith a tear and a heavy heart , he left the early grave of PhilijD Le Cras , responded to tho utterance , " Cy git mi homme de bien . "