Colonial.

and an affiliation , but the brethren liaving been informed by the W . M . that it was the intention of Bro . the Rev . F . De la Mare to visit the lodge on that evening , there was a numerous attendance , not only of the members of the Harmony , but of the sister lodge of the island . Punctual to time Bro . A . P . Ambrose arrived , accompanied by Bro . the Rev . Do la Mare , whom he had much pleasure in introducing to the Masters ancl Past Masters of the different lodges . The lodge was then opened in clue form and the minutes of the installation meeting confirmed , when the visitors were introduced ns follows : —

1 . A'isitmg brethren of all lodges . 2 . Bro . J . C . C . De Lissa , British Lodge ( No . 730 ) . 3 . Bro . Jacques Berndin , W . M . R . L . la Triple Esperance . < - 4 . Bro . the Rev . F . De la Mare , P . G . Chap , of Jersey , and Chaplain when on that island of Lodges Cesaree ancl St . Aubin .

Bro . A . J . Jourdain , P . M . of Military Lodgo ( No . 235 , I . C . ) , being also a member of 811 , assisted the W . M . in opening the lodge . Mr . R . Scott , who had been regularly balotted for ancl approved of in open lodge in January lust , being in attendance , and properly prepared , was then introduced in due-form and according to ancient usage initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . The usual charge at the end of the ceremony being delivered by the W . M . in a clear aud impressive manner .

The W . Master then rose and said that he had a proposition to make which he was sure would be received with pleasure by every member of the lodge . The AVorshipful and Rev . Bro . F . De la . Mare , a visitor this evening , would no doubt ere 2 ong be an hon . member of every lodgo in this city , but the reverend gentleman particularly wished to become a subscribing member to one lodge , and had requested him ( the W . M . ) to propose him

as a subscribing member of the Harmony . He had , therefore , much pleasure in proposing Bro . the Rev . F . Bo la Mare as a subscribing member . Bro . A . Hill Jack , S . W ., immediately rose and seconded that proposition . The AV . Master then said that he had a further proposition to make , and that was to propose as a member for affiliation Bro . F . De la Mare , jun . of St . Aubin ' s Lodge , Jersey .

. Bro . Jack seconded that proposition . Bro . J . Ambrose then proposed as a member for affiliation Bro . A , Catto , M . M . of Lodge la Triple Espevauce . The W . M . ordered the usual forms to be filled in and placed in the hands of the Secretarj * , and appointed the 31 st March to take those propositions into consideration , and also to pass Bro . Elliott Sheppee ( of the mail steamer Sultan ) and Bro . F . De la Mare , jun . There being no further propositions , the charity box was

circulated , ancl the lodge closed in love , peace , and harmony . The brethren then adjourned to the banquetting room of the Pas Perdus , where they sat down to an excellent dinner . On the cloth being withdrawn the W . Master rose and said that , according to the invariable rule of the lodge , lie proposed as the first toast of the evening , " The Health of the newlyelected Brethren . " He trusted that Bro . Scott would not soon forget the precepts he had received in the lodge , and hoped

he would become an active ancl regular brother amongst them . Bro . Scott replied . The brethren liaving been called upon to charge , Bro . Ambrose again rose and said—Brethren of this lodge , Worshipful Masters ancl Past Masters of the sister lodges , some few months back the whole Craft in this island , but especially the English Masons of this city , heard with deep regret that their esteemed friend and brother the Rev . M . C . O'Dell was about suddenly to leave the

island , and so short was the time he had to remain that we were precluded from meeting him at a farewell banquet , and presenting him with any token of our esteem and gratitude for the services rendered to English Masonry in this island . Hurried addresses were got up and presented to him on board the vessel which took him away from us . On parting with us he bid us be of good cheer , and not to fear that English Masonry should fall

away in this island , as it was fixed on too solid a basis . He said that he had no doubt that ere long some other reverend brother would be found to take his place , and to continue the good work which he had begun . He spoke , brethren , as if endued with a prophetic spirit , for he had hardly reached the shores of Old Ireland , when another- zealous and distinguished Mason , and another minister of our holy religion was parting from those be loved and ivho loved him also , and was travelling towards us . Brethren , if any of you desire to know what Bro .

De la Mare , our honoured guest has done for Freemasonry iu Jersey , let him read the pages of THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , ancl therein ^ he will find how hard it was for his brethren to part with him , how many were the tokens of esteem and affection they presented him with , and whilst wo sympathise with their loss , let us rejoice at his presence amongst us . Brethren , I have the revereud brother ' s authority to say to you this eveningthat ifiu these climes the Great Architect of the

, , Universe grant him health ancl strength , he will be ready and willing to take up and continue the good work so ably begun by our respected and absent Brother O'Dell . As we shall all benefit by his advice , let us all then join on this occasion , when meeting him for the first time , in wishing liiiu health and prosperity during his stay in Mauritius . Join , therefore , heartily with meand let your cheers re-echo through these old wallsand let

, , us drink a bumper to " Our Worthy and Reverend Brother F . De la Marc , and to those near and clear to him . " This toast was drunk with great enthusiasm and amidst loud applause . AVhen the cheering had subsided , Bro . the Rev . F . De la Mare rose and spoke as follows : — Worshipful Brethren and Brethren , —I do not know that in the whole extent of our English vocabulary I could find words

that could possibly convey to j'our minds a true idea of the present feelings of my heart . Landing on these shores as a stranger to you all , unknown to any of you except by report , and meeting with such genuine , spontaneous , ancl truly Masonic kindness fills my heart at once with joy and yet with sadness . With joy because I have before me demonstrative evidence of the truth so loudly and so frequently proclaimed

in our , sublime ritual , embodied , perhaps , in other phraseology , but yet tho same standing , living , truth—love to the brethren . Brethren , your kind letters received within the narrow space of our quarantine have been so many rills of consolation in our solitude , and have had the same effect on my mind as oil on a troubled sea . Yet , on the present occasion , I feel sad because I am afraid you are expecting too much from me . Conscious of my manifold infirmity I fear lest I should fail in the fulfilment of the high duties which will noiv devolve upon me as your chaplain , but I shall do what I can , not only from a sense of duty , but from a principle of love for the cause in which we are now

engaged . One of my first inquiries concerning Mauritius was —are there any Masons in the island , and do they work harmoniously ? I was answered in the affirmative by parties who have met with you in lodge , ancl am happy to have it now in my power to say that they were right . I must confess that I have been much pleased with your working to-night . The first degree has , I think , been as well worked as I ever saw it at homethe respectable appearance of all your members—the

, solemnity and respectful awe witnessed on their countenancesancl the willingness ancl readiness of the different officers to perform their several tasks , have sufficed to convince we that they felt they were engaged in a matter of importance and of great responsibility . Brethren , you are aware that some people in this country as well as elsewhere make objections to our connection with Masonry , because , in their ignorance , they suppose

that it is incompatible with the high and holy duty of the ministerial office . But you , at least know better—you knowthat it is the handmaid of Christianity , and is calculated , with God's blessing , to produce salutary effects on the regenerated heart . To be a good Mason , a man should be a true Christian , for , while Masonry enforces precepts of morality , truth , and justiceChristianity confers grace whereby poor helless man

, p is enabled to practise those precepts , ancl the two thus blended together form an admirable whole . And , then , is not the foundation-stone of our superstructure the very essence of Christianity" love ? " And , again , does not Christianity aim at accomplishing the same great and glorious work , has it not for its object the same high end , to draw all men together , and establish on earth one great and universal brotherhood ? It was the work

of Satan to alienate men's affections from their legitimate object—and it is the work of Christianity and ours to reunite them . AVorshipful sir , I may not have it in my power to take a very active part in the actual working of your respective lodges . Living at a distance from town , and engaged in the numberless duties of my office , it may not be always possible for me to be with you , but if not in body , at least in spiritfor I

, love your meetings and have always looked forward with joy to the return of the lodge nights . Rest assured that my heart , my tongue , ancl my pen will always bo found employed in promoting our common cause . Brethren , I feel that I stand amongst you as the humble representative of the sister lodges in the