The Masonic Mirror.

two exceedingly interesting instances of the practical influence of that truly Masonic virtue , relief , came under thc notice of the brethren . A letter ( written on board tho Great Britain ) was read from a brother P . M . of a Lodge , now on his passage to Australia , thanking the brethren , iu the warmest possible language , for their liberality towards him at a time of the deepest distress . This brother , from adverse circumstances , over Avhich he had no control , was reduced to the lowest state of poverty , and Avhilst au inmate of St . Peter ' s Hospital ( the City AVorkhouse ) , as a

last resource , addressed a ooummuicatiou to thc R . W . D . 1 ' rov . Grand Master , soliciting tho assistance of his Masonic brethren . The case having been brought before the various Lodges , Avith a liberality truly commendable in a very short time a handsome sum was . contributed , which enabled tho brethren who had taken the matter iu hand , to secure a passage in tho ahovenamed vessel , aud comfortably to fit out their grateful brother on his voyage to Melbourne , there to join his family . Thc truleloquent letter of this hihlintelligent Past Master

y gy was ordered to be inserted in tho minutes of the Lodge . Thc AA . M ., Bro . Thus . Saiiisbmy , also stated that he had a most gratifying circumstance to bring before tho brethren at the request of Bro . Capt . Stroud a member of this Lodge . This brother , while iu command of the ship Premier , was wrecked in the Bay of Biscay , picked up with one or two of his crew by a Hanoverian brig on her passage to Melbourne , and lauded at Table BayCapo of Good Hope . Ou his arrival at Cape Town in a stafco

, of utter destitution , observing a British name ( that of AAllliams ) over a store , he entered with the hope of disposing of , or raising a sum of money upon , his nautical instruments , which , together with his Grand Lodge certificate , were the only articles of any description ho had been able to save . Although he bore no emblem of the Order , or exhibited no Masonic sign , this brother casually inquired of him if he Avero a Freemason , and upon his replying in the affirmative and proving thc same b y of his certificate

means , with a liberality which did him credit , Bro . AVilliams immediately handed him au ample sum for his present need , and requested him to attend the usual meeting of the British Lodge , which happened to be held that evening . On his arrival at the Lodge he was most cordially welcomed by the brethren ( particularly by Bros . Russell , P . M ., and AViddowes , P . M . ) , aud iu a very short time tho munificent sum of £ 30 was raised for his relief , the brethren also giving a fraternal recommendation to the LodGoedo Trouwwhich met on thc

ge , following evening , and in this Lodge , composed exclusively of Dutch brethren , a farther sum of £ 12 was handed him . Bro . Stroud also stated that during- thc whole of his stay , whilst awaiting tho arrival of a homeward bound vessel , he was treated in the most hospitable and fraternal manner by these brethren . Being about immediately to sail from Liverpool iu another ship , he wa . s unable to attend his " Lodge , but was extremely anxious to convey to tho brethren of his mother Lodge this intelli

pleasing gence , and through the AVorshipful Master to express , if possible , to thc brethren of Capo Town , his warmest gratitude for their kindness towards him , as also for their munificent contributions , Avhich he should ever regard in thc light of a loan aud take the earliest possible opportunity of refunding . This pleasing communication was received with much interest , and a proposition was at once made , and carried amidst the unanimous acclamations of tho brethren : "That the AA orshipful Master be requested to address a fraternal letter to the brethren

of thc British Lodge and thc Lodge Goedc Trouw , Cape of Good Hope , thanking them for their truly Masonic conduct towards a brother of this Lodge when placed in circumstances of great distress . " Thc election of AVorshipful Master , which will doubtless fall unanimously upon Bro . B . H . Ilice , Prov . S . W ., will take place on Monday , tho 26 th inst . ; the installation on St . John ' s day , the 27 th , at three o ' clock p . m . ; and the annual banquet immediately afterwards at the Montague Hotel . [ We give the names in thc foregoing narrative by request ( through

our correspondent ) of Bro . Stroud himself , who was particularly anxious that sonic notice of this matter might be taken by the i'Yeemasoits ' Magazine , which "valuable paper" he found was read with lively interest bj the brethren iu Cape Town , and through thc reports contained iu which some of them were conversant with the name of the AA orshipfu l Master and other matters connected with the Royal Clarence Lodge -En . ]

CHANNEL ISLANDS . L'KOVIXOIA . l . Glli . HO 1 . 0 UGE A'C JKRSK 1 T . THE Provincial Grand Master , I . I . Hammond , Esq ., having called an extraordinary meeting of the Freemasons of the province at six on the evening of Friday , December 10 th , there were present at the time appointed about a dozen brethren ; this number slowly increased up to seven o ' clock ; for which hour it was stated that thc summons was really intended h the hour earlier mentioned

, thougou paper an was . This regulation though sanctioned by custom , appears most absurd , and several Avho thought it so were ou tho point of leaving thc room . It gives those who are dilatory an excuse , and it is a tax on thoso who are punctual . It should be stated , that the Prov . Grand Master was the first to arrive , thus as usual setting a good example . Precisely at seven o ' clock the Prov . Grand Officers , ov rather about half of them , the remainder being absent , formed in procession in a private room , and preceded their chief to the hall

, in which about a dozen brethren were assembled ; the whole number present did not much exceed twenty , and during the transaction of business not double that number attended . The Prov . Grand Mastorjopencdjthc Lodge , Avith Bro , Miller , acting

as D . Prov . G . M ., aud Bros . J . Johnson and Gremmond filling their respective chairs as Prov . Grand AAlirdeus . The Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . Du Jardiu , and the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . Adams , Avere also in their places , and about four other officers , including one of thc six Prov . G . Stewards . Tho Prov . Grand Secretary read the circular convening thc meeting , but when requested to comply with the first entry upon it , by laying before Prov . Grand Lodge the returns of the several Lodges within the province , he stated his inability to do so , as he had transferred them to

thc Prov . Grand Registrar . Thc report of thc local Board of Benevolence was the next item , which also the Secretary said he had not prepared , under an impression that it was not a portion of . his duty , but of that of the Prov . Grand Treasurer . Bro . Du Jardiu , Prov . Grand Treasurer said he did not consider it as his business to prepare a formal report , but having his books at hand , he was able to state-that only five pounds had been paid during the present 3 'car , it being a sum voted to Bro . John Battam , now deceased ;

tho Prov . Grand Treasurer added that he had a balance in hand amounting to about . £ 120 . Thc Prov . Grand Treasurer Avas called upon for thc returns of the different Lodges which also wore road from tho books , as no balance sheet had been prepared . The Prov . Grand Master expressed his earnest wish that in future a separate sheet might be presented , which might lie on the table for the inspection of thc brethrenwho could not be expectedeach for himself

, , , to examine the different books of accounts . It was desirable that every brother should be able to see at a glance the condition of the various funds , at least on occasion of tho Prov . Grand Lodge . Thc Prov . Grand Treasurer reported that he had no money iu hand , but that on the contrary a low shillings wore owing to him ; there were

considerable arrears , Avhich has been accumulating for the last teu years on the part of Prov . Graud Officers , who had omitted to pay their Ices on appointment , some of which were irrecoverable , as the brethren had left thc island . He was always ready to receive these sums , but did not consider it as his duty to make application for them . Thc Prov . Grand Secretary then read thc report drawn up by tho Local Board of General Purposes , in which announcement was made of various matters of detail which had been considered and disposed of ,

and also of the examination and payment of some accounts ; it included the returns of the different Lodges in the province , showing a total of £ 30 10 s . Or / . Tho report contained an especial notice of tho arrears of Prov . Grand Officers , with a list of those who had neglected to pay the fees . This excited a lengthy discussion , in which many brethren took part , some of them strongly-expressing regret that their names had been thus unfavourablpresented to thc Lodgeinasmuch as no lication for

y , app payment had been made to them , otherwise they would instantly have complied ; while several were not even awaro that there Avere fees to be paid on appointment to office ; they considered that copies of thc bylaws of Prov . Grand Lodge ought to have been presented to them , which would have put them in possession of the facts . The Prov . Grand Master expressed his regret at the imputations thus made , for which he was quite aware there existed no foundation as regarded many brethren .

On the motion of Bro . Du Jardiu , seconded by Bro . Miller , this matter was referred back to the Local Board of General Purposes . Among thc recommendations of this Board Avas one to thc effect that , with thc approval of the Prov . Grand Master , it is desirable to hold two regular meetings of Provincial Grand Lodge iu each year instead of one .

In the absence from illness ol Bro . Hocquard , President of the Board , Bro . Du Jardiu proposed alterations iu thc by-laws with this object , which being duly seconded , Avere passed unanimously after some little discussion . The Prov . Grand Lodgo having been then closed , the brethren adjourned to thc Exeter Inn , where a supper had been provided , aud spent two hours together in pleasant social intercourse . [ Your correspondent is not a member of any Lodge in the island ,

though at present a resident there . He therefore feels at liberty to notice a point of difference between thc practice here and elsewhere . In some districts the Prov . Grand Master summons thc Prov . Grand Lodge to meet at . the different Lodges in his proviuco in rotation ; whereas here it is held independent of all of them . There are advantages in each plan , but perhaps those of thc former predominate—a little rivalry is excited between tho private Lodges as to thc style of reception given to Prov . Grand Lodges which acts as a beneficial

incentive . But the main point is this , that the Masonic chief of tho province has but one person to hold responsible lor the good management and due preparation , namely , thc AV . M . of the Lodge in whose rooms the meeting is held , who ought to put himself in communication with thu Secretary , Director of Ceremonies , Stewards , and others , and concert everything necessary for comfort and order . Thc absence of some such plan is much felt in Jersey , where there appears a divided responsibility , and too much is thus thrown upon the Prov . Grand Masterwho ht to

, oug have nothing to do with thc details , except to give the order to convene Prov . Grand Lodge , and the appointment of the place where it is to be held . If some such arrangement were adopted in Jersey , probabl y better preparations would have been made than were manifested at this meeting . These remarks are made in all courtesy and deference to the Prov , Grand Master , AVIIO certainly is most anxious to do all in his .