Channel Islands.

effects of the Craft will gradually overcome . The circumstances connected with the opening and consecration of the lodge have been fully recorded in the minute book . It may , however , be stated that an endeavour was made to excite a kindly feeling on the part of the inhabitants of St . Aubin's , by devoting nearly £ 9 , the sum collected after the church service , to the schools of the town .

" Very shortly after the opening , suitable premises were found for the lodge , the alteration and preparation of which furnishes no small item in the expenses of the first year , but it is one which it is hoped will not occur again for some time , although the tenure is not quite so certain as could not have been wished for . At the first few meetings the furniture of the lodge was very scanty , and for the loan of a portion of it the brethren were indebted to the kindness of several members of tbe Craft

not immediately connected with it . Gradually , however , these deficiencies have been supplied , chiefly by the generous contributions of the members . It is unnecessary to enumerate them here , as they arc all recorded in tbe minutes , and , moreover , a list of the property of the lodge is placarded in the room , with the names of the respective donors . The only articles of importance now required are a carpet , tracing-boards , a fender , and two hollow

pillars to serve as ' archives to Masonry , ' to which may be added the greater part of the requisites for the refreshment table , which are at present hired from Mr . Coudray for a moderate remuneration each evening . " The number of brethren initiated in the lodge during the past year has been nine , all but one of whom have expressed their desire to become subscribing members , and ihat one was

prevented by an immediate removal to a distant country from taking more than the first degree in Jersey . Eight brethren have been admitted as joining members since the formation of the lodge , of whom two have not paid the joining fees , one being on a voyage , and the other liaving left the island in a discreditable manner . Although matters of finance more properly belong to the treasurer's report , yet it may be not

inappropriately mentioned here , that in the fear lest the receipts might not be sufficient to meet the current expenditure , the two Wardens and Treasurer offered a loan of £ 5 each . It is a matter of congratulation that it has been unnecessary to have recourse to this expedient . The returns to Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodgo have been regularly made , and the former paid to the present time . " The form of ritual adopted in the lodge has been strictly that

of the Emulation Lodge of Instruction in London , which is considered a high authority ; sanctioned by Grand Lodge , and means have been taken to secure a continued adherence to it . As regards the manner in which the ceremonies have generally been performed , the members of the Audit Committee , being the officers , cannot with propriety remark upon it ; they trust , however , that it has on the whole given satisfaction to the brethren , and to the numerous visitors who have favoured the

lodge by their presence ; at least , it has been their desire to clo their duty . The Committee cannot omit to refer to one circumstance of a painful nature to the Craft in general , ancl to this lodge in particular , namely , tho suspension of two of its members , with brethren belonging to other lodges , for some months past . At the same time , it is impossible to arrive at any other conclusion than that the Provincial Grand Master and

the Grand Lodge of England had no alternative , according to ¦ what may be deemed a legitimate construction of the provisions relating to the case in the ' Book of Constitutions . ' Another subject of deep regret has been the removal of the esteemed Chaplain , the Rev . Bro . F . De la Mare , from the island , and the consequent deprivation of the moral influence and happy effect of his connection with St . Aubin's Lodge in the capacity of lain

Chap . " The efficient lighting of the lodge room has been a matter of some trouble in the regular trimming of the lamps , in which the Tyler is not very expert , and the preparation of them has hitherto fallen on another officer . As the gas-pipes are now being brought to St . Aubin ' s , it is a question whether it will be desirable to take advantage of it , considering the

uncertainty of the tenure . It is suggested that an estimate of the cost of laying the p ipes might be made , which , perhaps , the landlord might be induced to take at a valuation , whenever occupation of the premises by the lodge shall cease . " Having now briefly reviewed the proceedings of the first year of the existence of the lodge , the Committee has only , in conclusion , to express an earnest hope that , on resuming its duties twelve months hence , it may be able to give an equally

satisfactory report . The labour of construction , so to speak , has now been accomplished ; the arrangements for the formation and furnishing will not have to be repeated ; the anxieties of the brethren who have taken the leading part are at an end . But little remains except to continue the good work , and to turn the attention of all associated with us to the legitimate objects of the institution . A strong recommendation is offered to the members , to show to the world , ancl especially to the

residents in the western parts of the island , by their demeanour as Masons , both in and out of the lodge , that the Craft is a noble one , and worthy of general support by just and upright mon , and thus to bring into its fold many more of those around us . One other point must be noticed , namely , a hope that as soon as demands on our funds for the purchase of furniture shall cease , it may be possible to carry out the principles of Freemasonry by subscription to most , if not all , of the

Masonic Charities . " The W . M . elect announced his appointments to office , whicb were cordially approved by the Audit Committee . ( Signed ) "HENRY HOPKINS , AV . M . " The AV . M . mentioned that the number of initiations during his Mastership was now ten instead ot nine , and that , on account of tbe additional sum thus paid , tbe balance in hand was considerablincreased . The R . W . the Prov . G . M . having

y been announced , he entered the lodge , and was received with the usual honours . Bro . Dr . Hopkins , W . M ., then delivered the following address to the members , previous to his retirement from the chair and installation of his successor -. — " Brethren , in putting for your adoption the report of the proceedings of the past year , and the Treasurer's accounts , I have performed the last of my official acts as yoar WM . , and it now only remains for me to install my

successor in the chair . It would ill become me now to take up your time by expatiating on his merits ; indeed , it would be a work of supererogation , since your own unanimous vote in his election has proved your appreciation of them . I may , however , express my confidence , that on the return of this period a year hence , when he may have to instal his successor , or himself to' be re-installed , he will have established additional claims to your favour and esteem . Brethren , I cannot

resign my position of authority over you without thanking yon most cordially , not only for your earnest co-operation in forming the lodge , but for the support , the kindness , the courtesy , the obedience , which it has been my happy privilege to receive at your hands during the whole of our Masonic intercourse within these walls , and to entreat that you will continue to show your attachment to me by extending the same to my successor . I shall not be exacting too muchperhapsif I claim

, , the title of the father of the lodge , and as such , never did it fall to the lot of any one to have more dutiful and affectionate children . I believe , that with the exception of Bro , Le Gallais , who from Ms age and his public engagements never comes amongst us , I am the senior in Masonic age , as well as in the years of natural life , and , therefore , on these grounds also , in addition to that of having been the originator of the lodge , I

have some right to the title , one of which I have reason to be proud . I hope I may truthfully say , that whatever have been my failings aniUsbortcomings , I have earnestly striven to guide you in the right course of Masonic duty and practice , and to give to the ceremonies all the impressiveness of which I have been capable . To such attentions I have been able to bestow , you have at all times given a hearty response . Believe me , that ifas in the history of a family-which we ought to resemble

, , , I should become separated from you as time advances , by the course of events removing me from this island , I shall look back on the , ' period of your childhood , this first year of our union , with unmixed } satisfaction , because I have uniformly received respect at your hands , harmony has prevailed among us , and success has crowned our mutual efforts . Though two or three circumstances afford cause for regret , they are such as only a " very small number of the members have been concerned in , and

for which the others are not responsible . You know that there are some wayward children in every household . But let me remind you , that the character of all is to a certain extent affected by them , and , therefore , they should serve us as warnings for the future . Brother officers , I have especially to express my gratitude to you for the' zeal you have manifested in preparation for your respective duties , this having contributed so much to the efficiency of the working , and to tbe consequent character which I have reason to believe we have obtained in the province on this account . It has enabled me , liaving powerful