The Masonic Mirror.

CONFIDENCE LODGE ( NO . 228 ) . —A meeting of this Lodge took place on AVednesday evening , October Sth , at the Bengal Arms Tai-ern , Birchin-lane , for the purpose of working the fifteen sections . Bro . Brewer , AV . M . of the parent Lodge , presided for the first time to put the questions . The sections ivere Avorked as follows : —first lecture , first section , Bros . Burch ; second , Neivall ; third , Chancellor ,- fourth , Newall ; fifth , H . Thompson ; sixth , Brett ; seventh , Ansloiv . Second lecturefirst sectionBrosRollingssecondHThompsonthird

, , . ; , . ; , Haynes ; fourth , Anslow ; fifth , iAIoss . Thir-d lecture , first section , Bros . Thompson ; second , Newall ; third , AIoss . The Lodge having resumed to the first degree , a vote of thanks AA'as proposed and carried to Bro . Brewer , AV . M . of the Confidence Lodge , tor the manner in which he bad presided and in putting the questions that ei-ening . Bro . Brewer ' acknowledged the compliment , aud the Lodge was closeel at half-past ten with solemn praver .

PROVINCIAL . CHANNEL ISLANDS . JERSV . Y . —Lodge La Ccsarte ( No . SCO ) . —An emergency meeting ivas lield on Friday , Sept . 23 rd . The Lodge having been opened by Bvo . Le Cras , AV . AI ., in the first degree , the ballot was taken for Air " AVilliam

C' roael , ivhich was unanimous in his favour . Tire Lodge ivas then opened in the second aucl third degrees , and Bros . AIoss and Dorey having passed satisfactorily the proper examination , were duly raised to the sublime degree of Alaster Mason . Tlie Lodge Avas then resumed in the first degree , for the purpose of initiating Mr . Cvoad into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , at the conclusion of ivhich ceremony , the Orator , Bro . Ratier , delivered an eloquent address on the elements of the science appropriate to the occasionand suitable for the instruction

, of an Entered Apprentice . The business of the evening having terminated , the Lodge ivas closeel at an early hour , and the brethren adjourned to partake of the accustomed frugal repast . The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge ivas held on Thursday , Sept . 29 th , the Afaster ' s chair being occupied by the AV . AI . Bro . Le Cras , and those of the AVardens by Bros . Baudains and Binet . After the opening of the Lodge in due form , and the confirmation of the minutes of the previous regular meeting , and also of the emergency meeting of

tha 23 rd , the ballot ivas taken for Bro . AA ' m . Smith , aucl proved unanimous for his admission as a joining member . Bro . Noah Arthur , previously iuitiated , was examined , and his acquaintance Avith the science thus far having proved satisfactory , he was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . A donation of £ 1 to tho Royal Benevolent Institution for male annuitants was voted . A proposition was made for the initiation of Mi \ John Richard at the next meeting , which was duly recorded . A verbal communication was made bBvoD'Allahl from

BroFRondeauaccomy . . . , panying a donation of a collection of Alasonic songs , by Bro . Edw . Brugieres , of " L'Harmonie Umvereellc , Lodge , " Orient de Castres , France . This handsome present was gratefully accepted , and Bro . D'Allain was commissioned to transmit a vote of thanks to the donor . AIoreover , Bro . Rondeau was proposed as a joining member ofthe Lodge . Routine business having been disposed of , on inquiry being made by the AVorshipful Alaster as to whether any brother had aught to propose for the good of Freemasonry

in general , or of ^ this Lodgo in particular , Bro . Hocquard , one of thc oldest and most justly respected Masons in the province , rose aud said ; " AVorshipful Alaster , Brother AVardens , and Brethren—I have just been informed by our esteemed AVorshipful Alaster that we are about to lose the services and co-operation of our much beloved and respected Bro . Ratier , AA'IIO , in his capacity as Orator , has so mainly contributed to the welfare and prosperity of this Lodge , and by his consistent and zealous maintenance of the principles of our Order as the rule of his own life and conduct

, has exerted so beneficial an influence on Freemasonry in this province and wherever a knowledge of him has extended . I am convinced that I do but express thc sentiments of all true Afasons , especially of members of Lodge La Cesaree , ivhen I state that we cannot allow this occasion , lamentable as it is to us , to pass without entering into an arrangement , with tiie view of testifying to the estimation in which Bro . Ratier is held among us , by some distinct and special mark of our appreciation of his talentsas evinced by his able expositions of

, the tenets of the Craft and of his zeal and noble character as a Mason . From the time that ho entered on his straightforward and manly—but at tho same time , so far as regards his own feelings , modest—career among us , it may safely be affirmed that he has never for one instant deviated from a course most highly honourable both to himself and to the fraternity , and in every sense of the Avord truly Alasonic conduct , so firm and consistent , yet so amiable , so zealous and energetic , yet so retiring , and unostentatious , is ivorthy of our sincere respect and

admiration . I propose , therefore , that a document be prepared expressive of these sentiments , both in the English and French language , and that ifc be inscribed on vellum for tho purpose of presentation to our worthy brother ; and that an especial meeting of the Lodge be called , to ivhich he shall be invited , as also to a banquet in his honour on the termination of the business , that we may have au opportunity of marking our sense , ofthe value of his connexion ivith us in the bonds of frntorm ' ty , and of taking a last and formal adieu . " Bro . Binet , acting as Junior " Harden , gave his warmest support to the proposition just made , and stated that , having intimately known Bro . Ratier for the space of seven years , and critically watched his career under A'ery trying circumstances , he desired

most emphatically to endorse the sentiments of the last speaker , and to add that he had ever had reason to regard him as a true patriot , a faithful friend , an honourable man , and a true and consistent Mason . To this proposition all the brethren , with one accord , signified a hearty and cordial assent . Bro . Ratier rose , evidently overpowered wifch emotion afc no unexpected and at the same time so unanimous and hearty a , testimony to the respect and affection ivith which he is regarded by the Lodge . It is impossible to do justice to him in reporting his remarks on the occasion

, and to the fervour of his utterance ; ivhich can be appreciated only by those who have had the gratification of hearing his orations and benefiting by his eloquence , iu which the argumentative solidity of an able English speaker is combined ivith the impassioned tone and gesture of a French orator . He said : " Brethren , what I have done in connexion ivith our honoured institution and AA'ith that branch of it termed La Cesaree , to which we belong , has been no more than my duty : however favourably you have been leased to regard feeble effortssince I am

p my , a very old Mason , have made the subject a study for many years , and have felt bound , in honour and fraternity , to communicate to others so far as I have the poiver , the knowledge which I have been permitted to obtain . It has therefore been my desire , aud I hai-e esteemed ifc a privilege , to _ contribute to the dissemination of those beautiful truths and high principles ivhich our Order inculcates , and more especially to endeavour to impress on all ivho have been brought under my influence , the supremacy of charity as a virtue of a most extended character , and which

, in its widest sense embraces all others . Brethren , if the calls of nature , of country , of family , of affection , of duty , call me hence and induce me to quit you , bo it only for a short season , or be ifc for a more extended period , depend upon and receive my earnest assurance that wherever my sphere of action maybe placed , this Lodge shall never be absent from my mind , endeared to me as it is by so many valuable associations , and that I hope over to be permitted to continue my association AA'ith it as one of its member ? . Afy elesire , and so far as I may

be allowed to look forward to the future , my intention is , to visit you periodically , and thus to have opportunities of maintaining and cementing our mutual intercourse ; especially do I hope to be among you on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Alasonic Temple which Ave have recently so nobl j' originated . I see around me many who are bufc in the commencement of their Alasonic career , whom I have assisted to introduce into the bonds of fraternity , and who have received from my lips the first explanations of the ceremonies through

AA'hich they have passed . I am particularly anxious to take advantage of this occasion to impress on the young Masons of this Lodge their duty to pursue tho study with all possible zeal , to endeavour to labour in the cause as I have laboured , both in the acquisition of knowledge themselves and in imparting it to other's , for the more they do so the more will their love of it increase and the more will they experience satisfaction in contributing to the Avelfare of humanity in general , but above all , so far as relates to our Order . I cannot conclude AA-ithout

uttering ; a disclaimer' of monopoly of merit so far as regards the success and present position of tin ' s Lodge . If its apparent prosperity be , as I trust it is , solid and real , founded on a just appreciation of Freemasonry and on a consistent and judicious carrying out of its principles and precepts , such a result is due mainly to the efforts , example , and conduct of your- most worthy AVorshipful Alaster , Bro . Le Cras . His kind and conciliatory—yet firm—character ' , his strictness in always keeping in view and maintaining the landmarks of the Order ' , are especial objects of onr

admiration . I therefore most cordially invite and advise all the brethren to cherish these qualities in whomsoever you may appoint to rule over you , that thoy may prove as beacons and examples to their successors , and finally , that you will oue and all strive to maintain that union aire ! brotherly affection ivhich will ei-er furnish the best guarantee of success . " Thus terminated the proceedings of this most interesting meeting , and the Lodge was closed with the usual solemn rites , administered on the present occasion ivith more than ordinary seriousness , after the delivery of the effective address of Bro . Ratier . —If . H .

KENT . GRAVESEND . —Freedom Lodge of Instruction ( No . 9 ]) . —Afc the meeting of this Lodge at the Star Hotel , Parrock Street , on Thursday evening , October' Oth , Bro . Nottleingham presiding as AA' . AI ., eig ht sections of the lectures were worked in a very creditable manner by various brethren of the Lodge . AA e understand that this Lodge of Instruction , ivhich numbers forty-eight members , is making very great strides iu Alasonic knowledge . LANCASHIRE AVEST .

Ronv . —Alliance Lodge ( No . SIO . ")) . —The regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Stanley Anns Hotel , on Tuesday , October 4 th . The assemblage of brethren was pretty numerous , tlie AA . Jf ., Bro . G . A . AA . Phillipps in the chair . After the usual preliminaries had been gone through , the ballot ivas taken for Air . Charles O'Dogherty , which proved unanimous , but that gentleman not being present for initiation , the AV . AI . at once proceeded to examine Bros . Trego , Tyson , and AVilliams , previous to their being passeel to the second degreeivhich examination

, proved very satisfactory . The Lodge was then openeel in the second degree , and the brethren passed . The Lodge ivas then closeel to the first degree , Bro . AVitter , S . AV ., giving notice of motion to rescind the alteration of the by-law relative to meeting in the months of January , March , and November , Tho AV , M , drew the attention of the brethren