The Channel Islands

central Mssonic charities , though in isolated cases brought under notice , much benevolence is exercised . --It has happened that many circumstances have occurred to produce dissatisfaction with an officer of high rank in the province , before alluded to , and a considerable number of brethren , many of them being Masters , Past Masters , and Past or Present Provincial Grand Officers ,

took measures to bring the subject before the Right Worshipful tbe Grand Master of England . "Unfortunately , though the facilities for obtaining correct information were not very great , and tbe inquiry to a certain extent on definite points would have involved scarcely ; nny trouble , a decision was given without examination , on the bare word of one individual against that of "

, up -wards of forty honourable men and Masons , many of them of long standing and high character in the Craft , who could bave no personal objects to serve , and who undertook an unpleasant task , because they considered it a solemn duty . The result has been that the majority of these lie under a false imputation , and , with such an impression , bave been induced to Avitbdraw from many

means of Masonic usefulness in which they bad previously participated . For example , at least four Past Masters , as Avell as others , bave sent in tbeir resignations to the lodges in which tbey bad occupied this honorable position , not , it is true , directly inconsequence of the decision , but owing to matters in connection Avith it . Somefinding that the time for a change bas not yet

, come , but nevertheless looking forward to it , fall into accordance Avitb tbe division , tbougb by tbeir signatures to a certain document , they had committed themselves to a . different course . It is not my business to reconcile tbe inconsistency . That is a matter for their oivn

conjgciences . In another case a personal complaint from myself bas been treated in the same manner , and though I gave ample references to those who could prove the truth of my statements , the word of one individual , Avhich might so readily bave been tested , stood for nothing against that of one in power , no examination ivas made , and I

may consider myself as declared guilty of wilful falsehood and misrepresentation . It would be bad taste on my part to lay the circumstances before your readers . It is sufficient that you are in possession of them , having been furnished some time ago with copies of the documents forwarded to London and of the replies thereto . Lately a reaction bas undoubtedly taken place in

Jersey , stimulated by the formation of a neiv lodge , which , the proportion of existing lodges to tbe population being such as bas been stated , has been considered by many as totally unnecessary . Still , tbe number of those who adhere to tbeir course is considerable , and there are many more , who , while they desire an alteration , are not willing to join in measures to effect it . It is admitted

that many gentlemen of position aud character bave been initiated in the Royal Alfred Lodge , but tbe ground on which this bas taken place cannot be sustained on Masonic principles , for it is popularly known as " Tbe Gentlemen's Lodge , " so styled by one or tiro of its originators . The accession of these brethren to the Order is a matter of rejoicing to all of usand

, tbey will no doubt bave a cordial Avelcome when visiting the old lodges , while the means which bave been adopted to induce it appear to many highly objectionable , and still more jealousy and ill-feeling likely to be engendered by circumstances Avhich must presently be mentioned .

Although two meetings of Provincial Grand Lodge ought to have been held last year , not one took place . By a variety of means , Avhich need not now be explained , but which will probably be some day exposed to tbe light , matters were at last brought to such a condition as to _ render it possible to assemble tbe members of tbe province under circumstances favourable to tbe views held b y the local authorities , and a meeting was called for January 28 th . This Avas held— some of the best and oldest of tbe brethren absented themselves , declining : to

join in proceedings of which tbey disapproved , and everything passed off couleur de rose , according to the report printed in your last number . My experience of Freemasonry bas been chiefly in tbe mother country , and bappy do I feel that it is so , for if I were to judge by all I see here , my estimate of it Avould bo very low indeed . Still , there is plenty of good stuff in existence , if it were

not warped by other influences , ancl if it could be brought into active co-operation under a head at once efficient , influential , honourable , ancl in every way commanding respect . I bave ahvays understood that rank as a Provincial Grand Officer is duo only to eminent services , high qualifications , Masonic skill , added to considerable experienceand that the bad of the le

, ge purpapron stamps its wearer as entitled to respect and authority on these grounds . Such , at least , bas been the notion I have formed in a Midland province , where no one who bad not at least filled the W . M . ' s chair of a lodge could advance any claim to such a distinction . If lam wrong , you will , I am sure , kindly set me right on this point . On examination of tbe list of thirteen Provincial Grand

Officers ( excluding tbe Stewards ) Avho wore installed here on January 28 th , I find that not one , except tbe two Wardens , has passed tbe chair of a lodge , and in tbeir case by tbe Constitutions it was obligatory . Tbeir appointment offers no ground of complaint , for tbey bave been zealous Masons , ancl haA'e well , but perhaps not too wisely , supported the brother to whom they owe their

selection , who doubtless OAves tbem a debt of gratitude , which be thus acknowledges . Of tbe remaining eleven offices , six are filled by young Masons , who were initiated late last autumn , and ivere consequently raised to tbe degree of Master Masons within a few weeks of their appointment as rulers in tbe province . It is hardly too much to suppose , indeed , that the coirvocation of " Provincial Grand Lodge Avas fixed at a period to suit their convenience , by enabling tbem to take office . Of tbe

other appointments only three are filled by Masons of any standing . It is true that there is uo law to prevent the Provincial Grand Master from adopting " such a course , but at the same time it is presumed that he Avill have discretion enough to know that it is one which cannot but be a source of jealousy and uncomfortable feeling in the minds of many old Masons , and that it is

an act of injustice to those Avho bave laboured long ancl Avell in tbe Craft , thus to exalt to tbe highest rank brethren whose only claim is that they are " Gentlemen , " and that they belong to a lodge which is under the especial charge of tbeir patron . The desirability of pushing farther a demand for a thorough inquiry has been well considered ancl abandoned

for the present , not , hoAvever , Avithout regret . Taking into account our isolation here , regarding the disjiosition already manifested in high quarters by deciding without inquiry , and refusing a . copy of tbe defence set up by tbe party impugned , and seeing other difficulties Avhich must be encountered by those Avho could enter on the case with any amount of energy under such discouragements ,

it is thought best to allow matters to Avork round , in full confidence that the evils now felt ivill become more fully developed at no very distant period . Wo believe that we have only to exercise a little patience , in order to ensure the comfort and harmony of the province , by the removal of the obstacles which now stand in tbe way , ancl bring discredit on tbe Order , in the vieAV of many

thinking and respectable gentlemen both in and out of the Craft . If Bro . Editor , you bave never visited this beautiful little island , and eau spare time in the course of the next summer , you will certainly be amply repaid for the trouble of a fortnight's sojourn by its natural beauties , by its numerous peculiaritiesand bits legislative and

, y judicial curiosities . Moreover , you may pick up materials for a good article or two on Masonic matters . Tours fraternally , "FT TT Jersev , Feb . 12 , 1862 . P . M . and P . Prov . G . S . W .