The Duties Of Freemasons.

be conversant with its advantages ; the willingness with which you have united on the present occasion , show that while not neglecting or diminishing your interests in those branches of our beloved institution in which you first saw the light , you are anxious to extend those advantages to others , and to spread the

benefits of the Craft in a district where they have been unknown for some considerable time past . It has been said that Freemasonry iu Jersey was first jilanted in the little town in which we are now assembled , while others dispute the accuracy of the statement ; which opinion is correct I have not been

acquainted with the island sufficiently long to determine . I find that the number 360 , said to have been that of the lodge formerly existing here , is a blank in the calendar . The warrant , therefore , must have been lost ; at any rate , it was preceded by the Tarborough Lodge ( No . 202 ) , which still survives aud flourishes ,

as testified by the honour paid us in having some of its members present on this occasion . The question is of little consequence , however , but there is no doubt that at a former period our rites were practised in this western district . We then , to make an allusion to one of our

beautiful allegories , have eome from the East to the West to seek for that which has been lost . May we be able to find it ; may we succeed in proving that the sacred truths of Freemasonry can produce a solid effect upon the inhabitants of this town and neighbourhood ; and , while leading them to a knowledge of our mysteries , by joining our ranks , cause them to develope and illustrate those hidden virtues and moralities , which our Craft teaches us to cultivate and admire .

Among the foremost of these is Charity , a leading feature of oiir system , which we shall this day have an opportunity of displaying , by contributing towards a local institution for the instruction of the young , —¦ of those who are destined hereafter to fill our places , —while at the same time we shall not be unwilling openly to evince the reliious tendency of our

g science , by joining in thanksgiving to the Great Architect of the Universe for his manifold mercies , by praising him for his goodness , by adoring him as our Creator , our constant benefactor and preserver , our redeemer , and our final judge . Brethren , by such means it is that we shall disarm prejudice ,

remove doubts , Avin esteem . In the address usually delivered to a candidate on his initiation , he is strictly charged , when reminded of his duties to God , to his neighbour , and to himself , to implore divine aid in all bis lawful undertakings . I cannot conceive a more fitting occasion for us to unite in such a public aet

, accompanied by contributions for a- charitable purpose , than the present , thus carrying out the injunctions on the first two of these points , when we have just consecrated this lodge previous to entering on the duties connected with it , and showing to those who this day join our ranks , as well as to those of

the external world who witness a portion of our proceedings , that ours are not mere empty professions , to be forgotten on again resuming our respective stations in life . I know that there are some in this district , as there are many elsewhere , who regard us with suspicion , nay , who even impute to us sinister motives , immoral aud licentious objects , and communion with evil spirits . In one of his works , the Rev . Bro . Dr . Oliver tells the following stoiy , the

truth of which we have no right to question , coming as it does from a clergyman of no mean standing , and a writer of much celebrity . " I once initiated a Welsh rector , who was full of the Horatian urbanity as he could hold . Alas ! he is gone to the world of spirits , and a better man does

not occupy his place . He told me before he was made , in his off hand way , that being desirous of a , private interview with his Satanuic majesty , he sought initiation as the most probable means of attaining his point ; for he understood that he was found in propria persona at our meetings , and amused the

brethren by beating a tattoo on the board with his hoofs . These then constitute some of the absurd conjectures of those unquiet spirits , who are ever restless in their search after facts which constantly elude their grasp . One half the time and talent which they bestow upon the acquisition of illegal knowledge , where

their toil cannot fail to be fruitless , would , if they had received initiation , like my friend thr rector , and their inquiries been directed into a legitimate channel , have converted them into good and worthy brothers , and given them an insight into the poetry and philosophy of Masonry . "

Brethren , we may be amused at the credulity of those who know us not , but we must at the same time grieve over , and endeavour to remove it , by all legitimate means . Ton may imagine that on such an occasion as the present , the story I have quoted is irrelevant and out of place . Tou will probably , however , take a different view , when I inform you that a similar imputation has been recently cast upon us by some not far from our place of meeting , on whom ,

therefore , it must be ours to bring our best influences to bear , by scrupulously abstaining from every act which may attach discredit to the fraternity , by exhibiting in our daily conduct deeds of love and mercy , not ostentatiously paraded , but as the general habit of our lives . Permit me then to appeal to you , and to charge you to keep this object steadilin view .

y It was my desire to bring to bring a variety of subjects before you on this the first day of our constitutional existence as a lodge , but time fails . I fear I have trespassed too long on your patience , and we have yet much profitable occupation before we separate . I will , therefore , briefly allude to one other

point , the importance and beneficial tendency of a regard to which I have proved in my limited domestic circle . As the ladies of our respective families are necessarily unable to appreciate our system beyond the effect it produces on ourselves , or to take part in our proceedingsit is not onlfairbut an imperative

, y , duty , that we should carefully avoid any aud every infringement on their comfort and happiness . I have met with many instances in which the importunities and fears of a wife or a sister , have prevented the husband or the brother from seeking admission to our ranks . Hence a serious objection to protracted

meetings and late hours , to ivhich I desire it to be understood at the outset , as your appointed Master , that I can be no party , and that I shall deem it a duty to discourage them in others . Thus it happens that I find at home a generous partizan of our Order , instead of a bitter opponent , as would have been the case had I pursued a different course . Allow me , therefore , to press this upon your serious consideration . In conclusion , let me offer to the members of St .