Channel Islands.

lodges , as be found himself alone , supported only by Bro . M , GaUichan , whose term of office had recently expired , but whc had a just claim to their respect , since he was acting as W . M . for his successor , the distance of whose residence made it impossible for him often to attend . Bro . Hopkins bad no doubt that all tbe Masters had been invited like himself , but were prevented from acceptance by unavoidable circumstances . He especially apologised for the absence of his esteemed friend

and brother , John Duroll , under whom he had the pleasure of serving in the Cesaree Lodge , and who was so attentive , not only to every duty , but to every courtesy in Masonry , that the members of the Mechanics' Lodge might rest assured that he would have responded to their hospitable call if it had been possible . Masons recognised tho pre-eminent duty of obedience , and could appreciate it wherever found . Most of

those present , according to the peculiar arrangements of Jersey , were occasionally summoned for military service , and in that capacity , as well as in the Craft , they were taught that obedience was a chief qualification , for without it no efficiency could be attained ; moreover , Masons recognised the obligation to display alove of one ' s native country , tbe defence of which against unlawful aggression was enjoined ou all . Thus , then , he pleaded

excuse for Bro . Durell , who was at that moment answering to the call of his superiors in military service . Bro . Dr . Hopkins thanked the W . M . and Officers for their kindness in inviting him to this annual gathering , which he at once determined to

attend if possible , though recently suffering from indisposition , if only in response to the support given to him as W . M . of the young lodge of St . Aubin's , by the attendance of most of tbe members in a body on a recent occasion , as well as to show his appreciation of the Masonic unity and good feeling existing among the brethren of No . 215 . He rejoiced in its prosperity , and the increase of its numbers , a sure sign of zealous exertions and efficient management on the part of the W . M . and officers .

He also thanked them for the cordial reception which was accorded to him , and for the liberality and hospitality which had been so abundantly manifested in the style of the entertainment . He reminded the brethren that the province had just experienced a great loss in the removal from it of one of its brightest ornaments and consistent supporters , in the person of the Rev . Bro . De la Mare , Prov . G . Chap ., who had won golden opinions on all sides . Personally , Bro . Hopkins felt that he had lost a very

dear friend and brother , who was also chaplain of the lodge over which he had the honour to preside , and in that capacity had rendered him most eminent services . He regarded the appointment of such an officer as a most desirable one for every lodge , since it not only exercised a beneficial influence in exhorting , rebuking , and giving a serious tone to all tho proceedings , which was not inconsistent with cheerfulness , but afforded evidence to the external world that there was something solemn and sacred in the professions of Freemasonry , ancl furnished a guarantee for decorum and propriety . He called to the recollection of the brethren the farewell discourse

recently delivered from the pulpit of All Saints' Church by the Rev . Chaplain , to which many of those present had listened with so much attention ; and alluded to the banquet given to him on the next evening , announcing also that the sermon and the addresses delivered on the other occasion were now published , so that each one might revive the impressions then produced , possess a memento of their absent brother , and in private ponder over his parting wordsBroDrHopkins concludedwith

-. . . , per mission from the chair , by proposing " The Health , Prosperity , and Happiness of Bro . the Rev . F . De la Mare , " to which a hearty response was given . —On the proposition of the W . MASTER , honour was afterwards accorded to the Past Masters of the lodge , with especial reference to Bro . Kingsnorth , a most valuable assistance and support to the chair , who briefly acknowled ged the compliment ; also to the Officers , responded to in

few words by the Senior and Junior Wardens ; as well as to others to whom the lodge has been indebted for eminent services . —Bro . PROSSER , of the Yarborough Lodge , gave a straightforward and manly address on the importance of Masonic harmony , which he had great delight in seeing so fully manifested in the Mechanics' Lodge , which he had not visited for a long period . There in which he could testify b

were cases y experience that such was not the prevailing sentiment , -where indeed disunion was the rule , and therefore he could the more highly appreciate the unanimity and good reeling that existed here , which was to him a great treat ancl trul y refreshing . He enlarged on the universality of A reemasonry , arid the importance of the duties the brethren

Channel Islands.

owe to each other , especially tbat of mutual kindness , of doing as they would he done by . He appealed to the visitors for corroboration of the intimate union and courteous feeling exhibited among the members of this lodge , and called upon them to join him in the toast of " Prosperity to No . 245 , " iu which he was efficiently supported . —As a final toast , the W . M . gave the host and hostess , whose liberality in providing for the comfort and enjoyment of the brethren , had been signally displayed . —Bro .

Ainslie having been sent for , the compliment was communicated to him . In reply , he heartily thanked the brethren , at the same time he felt that an apology was due from him , since he had been called upon to provide for twenty only , and found thirty-three present . Ho was , therefore , gratified by this token of satisfaction , though he would have done much better had he anticipated so large an attendance . The W . M . assured him that all were much leased at the efforts he had madeand

p , that the provision would have been most ample even bad the guests been still more numerous . —Another hour having been spent in social intercourse , and some excellent songs having been given , all departed before eleven o'clock , conscious that a most enjoyable evening had been spent .

China.

CHINA .

SHANGHAI . —Lodge of Assiduity ( No . 832 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge took place on the 21 st November . Present—P . M . ' s Bros . Thome and Gould , and as officers for the evening , Bros . Nutt , W . M . ; Johnston , S . W . ; Jamieson , J . W . ; Gordon , S . D . ; Parker , J . D . The ceremony of passing being concluded , the 2 nd , 3 rd , ancl 5 th sections of the Second Lecture were worked by Bros . Thorne and Gould . Prior to closing , Bro . Gould , at the instance of Bro . Thorne , was efected to fill the office of Preceptor , resigned by the latter brother on account of approaching departure for England .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BEO . ROBERT C . TAYLOR . ( From the Melbourne Masonic Journal . ) One of those tragical events which occasionally occur to alarm and appal every well-regulated mind , disturbed the serenity of Kyneton , Victoria , on Saturday , Oct . 13 th , for , in both the local journals which appeared that morning , the awful intelligence was made known that our brother , Robert Croffcen Taylor ,

Superintendent of Police for the Kyueton District , had come to an untimely end the evening previous ; and , on making close inquiry , we found that the unfortunate deceased arrived at his residence at the Police Paddock about twenty minutes to eleven o'clock the evening previous ( Friday ) , where he found Mrs . Taylor at work , who , after sitting with him for a short time , retired to her own room , and immediately after heard him to call out" Shaw ( the name of the orderly ) bring me my

, , revolver . " This was done , it being a common practice for the deceased to examine his fire arms previous to retiring to rest . Within a few minutes after this he had some conversation with the nursemaid , shortly after which a dull , dead sound , not at all resembling the report of a pistol , was heard by Mrs . Taylor , Annie Kelly ( the nursemaid ) , and Orderly Shaw . Mrs . Taylor , thinking it to be the mere trying a cap , took no notice of it , but

soon after , going into the room , she found her husband seated by the fire , and blood trickling from his forehead . She gave the alarm , and medical assistance was sent for . Bro . Dr . Geary and Dr . M'Millan were very quickly in attendance , but alas t found the vital spark had taken its everlasting flight . Upon examining the revolver , it was found that the whole of the chambers were discharged ; but for further particulars I refer

you to the report of the inquest which is truly and faithfully given in the accompanying copy of the Observer , the verdict being : — " Tho cause of death : injuries received from the accidental discharge of a revolver , the ball passing through the head . " This fearful end of our departed brother we trust will have a beneficial effect on the mind of every good and upright Mason , teaching him how frail is the thread of his existence ,

and leading him to square his life so that when the Great Architect of the Universe calls him to pass through the valley of the shadow of death , he may be prepared to enter the Grand Lodge above , were all is order , harmony , and peace .