Channel Islands.

and considering the period of his expiring Mastership as one characterised by concord and fraternal happiness . Since he has taken this as a moral basis , you will permit me to cast a rapid retrospective glance over the events of the twelve months which have now terminated , viewing them with regard to their usefulness , to the labours which have been undertaken , and the results obtained , in the bosom of our lodge . "Mdear brethrenwe must not forgetand I insist on this

y , , point , that all the fruits of our labour depend upon and must be attributed to that predominent cause which has as its foundation the zeal , the devotedness and the mental and moral activity which you have never ceased to manifest on behalf of our dear mother lodge . Like industrious bees , you have clustered round the banner of our beloved Ce ' saree Lodge , so worthily sustained by our estimable Past Masterin order conscientiously to fulfil

, the duties which the cause of humanity imposes as obligatory on each of us personally and collectively . I cannot here omit to notice a light carelessness which has appeared to come over some among us . What is the reason of it I cannot explain . We may however attribute this Masonic lethargy chiefly to the weakness of human nature , which prevents us from practically comprehending and executing certain moral duties which we have

solemnly engaged ourselves to discharge ; to the want perhaps ¦ of devotedness to the great , noble , and benevolent cause which ¦ we have at heart , that is to say , to spread abroad the light , to extirpate that social plague which we call envy , egotism , and ignorance , by good-will towards all , by devotion and benefits to our fellow-creatures , and by tbe inculcation of the principles of truthof justiceand of tolerance ; nor must we omit to mention

, , the position of some of our brethren , whose avocations and numerous business engagements prevent them from taking a more lively part and interest in our labours , notwithstanding their kind and sympathetic disposition towards our Institution . In all confidence then I addrjss our brethren , to whatever lodges they may belong , and I entreat them to endeavour to shake off this apparent Masonic indifference , and to exhibit a

life spent in harmony with our obligations , a life more active . I say , in a vast and fruitful field , in order that we may extract therefrom a more sensible and extensive amount of social improvement , of civilising progress , which may serve to dissipate

secular darkness so hurtful to liberty and to the happiness of the human race . " I must now call your attention to two accomplished facts , which bear an import of great interest to us . First I allude to the appointment of our respected Bro . John Le Cronier , M . D ., to the rank of Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Thus this worthy and distinguished brother has become our chief de facto ; we bestow upon him our affection and our profound

¦ esteem whicli he has won by his sentiments of justice , impartiality , and his conduct whicli is worthy of all praise . Need I exhort you , dear brethren , to continue to accord to him your fraternal support in every respect and on all occasions , so as to render his difficult and onerous task less heavy and more effective ? I am convinced that you will always be ready to answer any appeal he may make to you . You cannot but have

observed that his appointment as Grand Master has been the inauguration of a year of relative peace arid prosperity : I repeat , relative , for the excellent intentions of his heart are often counteracted by a superior influence , which it is for us to render important by our united efforts in his support . The nomination of Bro . E . Jaboneau by the W . M . to the position of Orator constitutes a fact of much importance to our lodgea

, post which in its nature is designed to teach and edify us . Thus , brethren , our body has reason to congratulate itself on possessing members zealous and competent to enlighten us in the path of truth , of beaut } -, of goodness , and of Alasonic knowledge ; occasionally to procure for us some intellectual recreation after labours which are conducted according to a system of routine , by enlarging our hearts , and enriching our

minds with ideas suitable for the development of our faculties , and for tho strengthening of our deeply rooted convictions , as workmen employed in the construction of the moral temple , under the soul-inspiring guidance of the Great Architect of the Universe . "Already , however , it is time to quit the moral domain , and to touch on a subject which must equallinterest . It is

y you now my duty to lay before you the result of our labours during the last year . Y ou cannot doubt that I am happy in being able to inform you that the lodge has conferred the Alasonic light upon nine gentlemen , all of unblemished character and reputation . Moreover , five brethren have requested the honour of

becoming joining members of the lodgo , whom we have admitted in the most cordial manner . All these acquisitions , I can confidently affirm , are , without exception , excellent in quality , and enable us to look forward to a prosperous and brilliant future , if lve desire it . Such a future depends only on ourselves , on our zeal , on our devoted and enlightened activity , and on our concord . We have laid a groundwork ' , and acquired a territory sufficiently glorious ; let us endeavour by our ardent

and united efforts to cultivate it , continuously to sow good seed and to manure it , so as to render it more abundant and fruitful ; let us not repose upon our laurels ; let us , on the contrary , be vigilant , united , affectionate , and zealous , and let us adopt as our motto , " Qui vive . " " Dear brethren , with deep emotions of grief do wo see one of our band carried away from among us by the inflexible course of

time ; but an especial sadness oppresses ns , when , notwithstanding the hopes of early age and the logical course and sequence of life , we see one of our esteemed brethren disappear from the scenes of this earth , at a distance from his native country , from his family , and from bis friends . Such was Bro . Capt . William Smith , a member of this lodge and of that of St . Aubin , whoso death we have here to record . He has been called

to the Grand Lodgo above , where let us hope that he will have received tho reward of having earnestly and honestly employed the period of bis existence in this world . Thus , this token of regret and affection is duo to this enthusiastic and loyal Jlason , whose conduct was always regulated in conformity with the principles of our Institution . He died at Ceylon . " I now present to your notice the position of the lodge in its

financial aspect . During the past twelve months our receipts have been £ 134 17 s . 7 d ., our expenses £ 109 15 s . Id ., leaving a balance in our favour of £ 25 2 s . 6 d . Let me now mention in detail some of the items . To the Grand Lodge of England , £ 34 Ss . 4 d . ; to the Provincial Grand Lodgo , £ 14 9 s . 6 d . ; to the Alasonic Temple , £ 18 15 s . ; grants to needy brethren , £ 13 3 s . ; gratuities , aprons , & c , £ 7 ; Tyler , £ 6 . Total ,

£ 93 15 s . 10 d . The remainder has been spent in the expenses of management , refreshments , & c . Those intelligible accounts must be satisfactory to yon , and convince you that the financial affairs of the lodge have been wisely , prudently , and economically

conducted ; that no useless and extravagant expense has beeu incurred ; that the public treasure has not been wasted , which ought always to serve for the relief of the honest but unfortunate , or to accomplish purposes of Alasonic usefulness . "Now for a few last words . Just as the lodge is the point of departure of every Alasonic institution , so is the W . AI . the veritable essence and key of the Arch . Here , then , does he who has held the helm of government meritan especial mention

, for were I in this recital to forget him I should doubtless render myself amenable to your censure . Our Immediate Past Alaster , Bro . II . Luce Manuel , has honourably and faithfully pursued the line of conduct which lie laid down for ids guidance on accepting the rank of W . M . I have great pleasure in expressing my belief that lie has done so to the entire satisfaction of all our members . Faithful to his lodge , enthusiastic and devoted

to Freemasonry , gifted with an eloquence at once severe and facile , calm in his bearing , patient and sympathetic in judgment , impartial and cool , blending courtesy with firmness , distinction with familiarity , knowledge with modesty , austerity with indulgence , he has succeeded in gaining not only the esteem , but the affection of all his brethren , and has well deserved of tho lodge . To him , a man of heart and of courageas our ilot

, p during the past year , ought we most especially to attribute the prosperity of our lodge , the preservation of fraternal concord , and the enjoyment of intellectual delights with which he has regaled us , preaching , without stint or relaxation , his firm conviction that ' the royal art of Masonry is the art of loving God and our neighbour , and of seeking truth and all that is good . ' To sum up the wholeI make the following proposition : ' That

, tho lodge , fully satisfied with tho Mastership of the respected liro . IT . L . Manuel , considers it a duty to express to him its deep feelings of gratitude for all the services already rendered , and still to be rendered , both to the Cesaree Lodge and to the province , by awarding to him a vote of thanks inscribed on parchment . '" It was movedsecondedand resolved that the above report

, , be entered on the minutes . The proposition contained therein relating to the voce of thanks to Bro . Manuel being duly seconded by Bro . John Thomas du Jardin , P . M ., the first W . AI . of the lodge , was carried by acclamation . Bro . Capt . Thos . Hamon , of Lodge 244 , was proposed as a