GRAND MASONIC CEREMONIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3332, 31 March 1881, Page 2

GRAND MASONIC CEREMONIAL.

THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION

STONF,

The proceedings at the Masonic demonstra. tion yesterday afternoon, prior to the laying of the foundation stone, were so unduly protracted that we were precluded from giving any particulars concerning the closing ceremony. The brethren did not leave St. Paul's uhurch until 3 45, it was four o'clock before tho opening anthem was sung, and fully twenty minutes elapsed after that before the Hon. Mr Whitaker began his address. We now take the opportunity of supplementing our yesterday's report with some further particulars, besides supplying an account of what, transpired after we had "one to press. In the church the lessons were read by the Revs. F. Gould (P. G. Chaplain,S. C. )and W. Tebbs, KP. G. (.., and the prayers by the Rev. C. M. Nelson (D.G. Chaplaiu, E.G.), while Dr. Kidd (P G. Chaplain, 1.C.) preached the sermon. The organist (Bro. Ant;clo Forrest), played the overture to "Egmont" (Beethoven), and also the overture to " Prometheus ' by the same composer. As the procession left the Church and marched slowly up to the site of the Hall, the Eugineer and City Band, which was stationed there, executed the " Gloria," from Mozart's Twelfth Mass. The brethren having taken the places appointed for them, the D.G. Masters being placed on the E., N. and S. sides of the stone, the choir, under Mr 11. Gordon Gooch's direction, sang to the tune " Old Hundredth," the anthem beginning

Master Supreme, to Thoe this day Our cornor stone with praise we lay, And resting on tho word fulfilled, To thoo, 0 Lord, our houso we build, and concluding—

In Faith wo toil, in Hope we climb, To Charity our arch sublimo, And evermore tho keystone see A "Master," Lord, in thee, in thoo.

Dr. Kidd (P.G. Chaplain, I.C„) read Genesis.chapter i,verses i, ii, iii, after which the Rev. C. M. Nelson [D.G. Chaplain, E.C.], offered up prayer, the D.G. Masters making the response " Glory be to God en High." The stone was next slowly hoisted into position, when Bro. I_. D. Nathan (Chairman of Trustee-) having read and deposited the scroll, Dr. Goldsbro' (D.G. Treasurer) placed the phial of coins end copies of the local daily papers. Tho cement was then spread by the D.G.M., E.G., Bro. G. S. Graham. The first verse of the anthem "Round the spot—Moriah's Hill," was sung, and then the stone was lowered some distance, when the second verse was sung, viz. :— Round this Bpot—thus choaen well— Brothora with fratornal hail. Uather in your myßtic ring, My.tlc words, and joyful sing. Lord, our hearts, our souls, are thine, On our labors doign to shine. The singing of the other verses alternated with the lowering of the stone until it had reached the place prepared for it. The D.G. Master, i_.C., Bro. Graham, addressed the D. D. G. Master, Bro. Lodder, according to ritual, and he, iv response, applied the square to the stone. The P.G. Ma.ter, 1.C., Bro. Pierce, asked his P.G. Senior Warden, Bro. Cliino, to apply the level, which he did. The P.G. Master, 5.0., Bro. F. Whitaker, then requested his P.G.J. W. Warden, Bro. Dcwar, to apply the plumb, and this having been done, each Grand Master struck three blows with the mallet, when tho D.G. Master, E.G., Bro. Graham, declared the stone well and truly laid.

The D.G. Director of Ceremonies (Bro. Wildman), introduced the Architect (Bro. Skinner), who presented the plans for the approval of the D.G. Master, by whom they were handed to the Brethren for general inspection. Tlio choir then sung to the tune Melcombe an anthem of which we give the first verse, viz. : —

" When oarth's foundation first waa laid By tho Almighty Artist's hand Twas then our porfect laws were made, Established by His strict command.

Chorus—Hail I mystic, hail, glorious Masonry, That makes ua ever great and free."

After it was finished the architect presented the working tools to the D.G. Master (Bro. Graham), who anointed aud returned them for the use of the craftsman.

The P.G. Chaplain, S.C. (Bro. Rev. F. Gould) read I Kings viii. v. 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 43, 60; after which the Worshipful Masters Bros. Munro, Rodney; Suiter, United Service; and Wilkinson, Lodge Sir Walter Scott, presented tbe vessels containing the corn, wine, and oil. The D.G. Master, E.C. (Bro. Graham), scattered corn and consecrated the hall to virtue; the P. G. Master, I.C. (Bro. Pierce) poured out the wine and consecrated it to universal benevolence; and the P. G. Master, S. C. (Bro. Whitaker) dropped oil and dedicated it to all the purposes of masonry. The choir after each part of this rite sang verses of the hymn "Genius ot Masonry, descend."

The R.W. Bro. F. Whitaker then mounted the foundation stone and delivered the following oration:—Right Worshipful Masters and Brethren :We have arrived at that stage ia the ceremonial in which it becomes the dnty of one of ourselves to address you upou the subject of Freemasonry. It has* fallen to my lot to do so, and I trust to be able to discharge the duty to your satisfaction. I do not presume to teach the brethren, nor do I presume to tell them what tlicy already know, but this is a proper occasion for reminding them of certain facts worthy to be remembered, and especially to take a view of our present position. In the first place I shall say a few words as to the origin of Freemasonry. No doubt there are many theories on this subject, but of this we may be perfectly satistied—that the institution is of very great antiquity. Some date it as far back as the time of the patriarchs, but the far more general understanding is that it was instituted at the time of the building of Solomon's Temple. Whatever the date of its birth, there is no question that iv some form it has existed through a long series of years. This is hardly the opportunity for prosecuting such an inquiry, seeing that it does not immediately concern us. It is no doubt an interesting question, and oue which will engage the sympathies of the brethren, but we must confine ourselves now to a narrower basis. It is not necessary to go further back than the last century, when the organisation now existing was adopted, and the foundation of the present system laid. Freemasonry was then placed upou its present pedestal—put into the groove in which it now runs, It was then established upon a basis which has continued ever since. In the year 1717, the Grand Lodge of England was constituted, a worthy brother of the name of Anthony Sayer being the first Grand Master. This ran down from generation to generation, and many eminent men held the chief office until it came to the present Grand Master, the Prince of Wales. A fow years afterwards, viz., in 1730, the Irish Freemasons constituted their Grand Lodge, and their first Grand Master was Viscouut Kingston. The office descended from one cruiueut man to another till it reached tho Duke of Leinster in 1813. I single him out especially, because for 61 years he held the position of Grand Master under the Irish constitution. The present Grand Master is the Duke of Abereonj. In 1736 the Scotch Freemasons began to follow suit. A Congress was held in Edinburgh aud a large number of Masons attended there, and the craft at that time made rapid progress in Scotland. A peculiar institution existed there at that time, viz., tho hereditary head as created by James the Second. At that time William Sinclair, of liosslyn, was the Grand Master, but he surrended it as a hereditary office and was elected the first Grand Master. The present Graud Master is Sir Michael Shaw Stewart. I mention these things in order that you may understand how the question of precedence is settled, the lodges of the various constitutions being ranged according to seniority. The English lodges, therefore, take precedence of the others, and aro invariably followed by the Irish. One might remark that it was ago before honesty, but as we do not claim to be more honest than our fellows, we have placed the matter of precedence upon the basis of seniority. But it must not be inferred that there is practically any sharp line of distinction between the brethren of the different Constitutions. Indeed, so far from that, you will find iv most, if not in all the lodges, English, Irish, nnd Scotch Frtemasons mixed without [distinction—all united in Jone brother; hood. The constitution of Freemasonry in New Zenland comprises Provincial or District Grand Lodges, under which there is a very large number of subordinate lodges. Freemasonry found a very early home in this colony. So long ago as 1842 Lodge Ara, probably the oldest lodge iv New Zealand, and certainly the oldest in this district, was created, and its first meetings were held in a small building which stood upou the site now occupied by the very handsome mill of the Messrs Bvcroft, and as there was not a meeting place sufficiently large at thai timethere being only a fow hundred people here—the brethren had to meet in the billiard-room. But since then the order has advanced by rapid degrees, until we see to-day a representation of something like 20 lodges. The organisation, therefoie, so far as New Zealaud is concerned comprises the three several Graud Lodges', the three Provincial Grand Lodges, and

these subordinate lodges. It may be ex pressed as a matter of surprise that in this town—the centre of Freemasonry j a th ft North, and the home of three Provincitl Grand {Lodges —so much delay has taken place in providing a Mosonic Hall, eehec ially as many of tbe out-districts have done so. No doubt we may be accused of remissne-?, and probably we are open, to the" charge. At. any rate we are row endea vounng to make up the lee way—to do thai which wo should have done before, and in a way, too, more effectively than we could ever have done it before. Masons were few in numbers in the early times, and poor in pocKet. Now, however, we feel our. selves iv a pnsition to erect a ball which" will be a credit to Freemasonry, and an ornament to the town of Auckland. R_ B somewhat remarkable that Freemasons' Halls, that is buddings specially erected and set apart, for Freemasonry, are of com. paratively recent date, looking to the antiquity of the Order. The first hall ejc. clusively erected and dedicated to the pin-", poses of Masonry was built in Philadelphia" in 1754, the second in Marseilles in 1765 and the third in London in 177 G. This last hall was pulled down in 18C4, and the pre. scut handsome and commodious build_ D o ■put up in its place is a fitting home for Freemasonry. I have not been able to find any records of tin's kind concerning Scotland and Ireland, but now both at Dublin and - Edinburgh the Freemasons have halls in every way worthy of the Order while all the colonies are rapidly following in the same direction. I look upon-the erection of a Hall in Auckland aa a most important event. It i. highly objectionable that lodge meetings should be held at places of public entertainment That has been hitherto perhaps almost ii necessity, but it has no doubt given rise to scandal, which should be carefully avoided It may now be lairly asked for what object is there such an extensive organisation required ? and what is there to justify the expenditure of so much time, trouble, and money ? Let us consider what is Freemasonry. One of the greatest writers upon Masonic jurisprudence, Dr. Oliver defines it as ''A system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols " but we shail be better able to understand it by what it does and what it teaches. Let us then consider what its objectß are—what it does and what it is intended to do. Firstly I shall say a few words as to the prepatation and admission of candidates. We are no propagandists. It ia directly contrary to the principles nni rules ot Freemasonry that any man should be solicited to become a Mason, and before he ia allowed to be proposed ho has to sign a declaration that he has not been induced by improper solicitation to join, and that he ia not influenced by mercenary or unworthy motives, but that lie freely and voluntarily offers himself for initiation into the mysteries of tbe craft. The qualifications required of a candidate are few, but they are peremptory. He must be a believer in the one and Supreme God—the Father of all—the Great Architect of the Universe. That is essential, and no man who refuses that belief can be admitted into Freemasonry. It is absolutely essential that he should acknowledge the one God—the Supreme Architect of the Universe. You must recollect, however, that we are Univeraalists as regards religion. We do not exclude men on account of their peculiar denominational creeds. If they believe in a true and only God that, so far aa religion is concerned, is sufficient What do we find all over the world'J This, that not only Christians largely swell our ranks, but that even the Mahommedans and the Parso.a of India have availed themselves of the privileges of the order and have lodges of their own. The latter people indeed |have nearly a million Freemasons upon their roll. We all acknowledge the one true God, though of course eoparated by denominational beliefs. As regard outselvcs the Bible is the foundation of our creed, our Society, and our institutions. In the lodges we hold it to be the corner-stone, our ceremonies aie formed on that basis, and no lodge' can be properly held without it. Whenever a lodge meets, the Bible is laid open in the midst, and is only closed when t.B lodge closes, That, however, could not be the case with the Mahommedans and Parsees. On their consciences the Bible would not be binding, and, therefore, the Koran and the Vedaa take its place so far as they are concerned. We loot: upon them for all that aa brothers holding the enme faith aa our-' selves iv a one true God—in the one Great Architect ot the Universe. Again, to be a Mason, the candidate must be a freeman, well recommended, and favourably vouched for, and he must have the confidence of those Freemasons who know him. We strictly exclude politics from our lodges— they have no share in our meetings. Wo exclude the subject entirely and absolutely, and the consequence has been and is that in every country Freemasonry is encouraged and is held in high esteem. The State in every such case know that we do not meddle in politics— that there is in our lodges no plotting or counter-plotting. In America especially has Freemasonry taken deep root, and indeed we have obtained the confidence of all the free governments under which we live. One meat remarkable fact, as shewing the favor with which we are regarded by the Government of our own country, is that at a time when Europe was convulsed, and when thrones were being shaken—when the British Legislature thought it necessary to pass laws for putting down secret societies and unlawful oaths—a special exemption was made in favour ot Freemasons, whose loyalty and obedience to the law. of tho country have never been doubted. We have always enjoyed the confidence of the free governments under which we have lived, because they were satisfied that we meant no mischief to the State, and, therefore, unlike other Orders, we have been trusted withoutjany supervision whatever. The oaths administered to a Freemason are principally intended to bind him to do good and eschew evil. Now let us examine the objects of Freemasonry and what it teaches. It teaches a code of morality and virtue, and its object is to improve man's moral nature. It inculcates all the virtues, and it reminds, its members from time to time of the duties they owe to God, to their fellowmen, and especially to their families. It pays especial attention to this portion of man's duty, and Masons' wives may be "satisfied of this, that though the order calls their husbands sometimea from home, and gives them a secret which they can never divulge, it does not neglect to compensate them by inculcating upon the husbands a strict attention to their duties towards their families. Masonry demands tbat the Mason should not only provide for his family, but that to the best of his ability he should [administer to its happiness, spending a due portion of his time in it and that he should not waste bis time and substance in taverns or in selfishly seeking his own gratification. Therefore, it appears to me that the ladies may well set aside tho knowing of our secrets, resting satisfied that very diligent care ia taken of them. I might enlarge upon the duties of Freomasons, and probably I should have done so had the. ceremony not been so long, but I may now wind up with one word. A good i Freemason by no possibility can be a bad man. If he is a good Freemason he must be a good man. We do not take it upon ourselves to say that we are all good men, but we do say that if a Freemn-on falls short of hia duties it is through no fault of the institution, but simply because he fails to follow out or conform to its precepts. Perfection none of us can attain, but if the precepts of Freemasonry were faithfully carried out we would come as near it aa we can. If that is done no harm can accrue, and we should use our endeavours only for the inculcation of proper doctrines. Let us, then, amend our faults and seek in practice to act up to our professions, for the nearer we follow the requirej ments ot Freemasonry we shall the better I contribute to our own happinets and to that of others.

Offerings to the amount of £3 9s 5d were then placed upon the stone. The D.G. Chaplain said the concluding prayer. The D.G.M. E.C., Bro. Graham, then took the opportunity to address a few remarks to the assemblage. He said that the lodges had contributed various amounts towards defraying the cost of erecting the hall, but as these fell short of the sum required the balance would have to be derived from subscriptions by the brethren. After having been made aware of the beneficent objects of Freemasonry, perhaps the ladies would not be disinclined to assist, and if they would therefore prepare and work for a bazaar he would pledge himself tbat they should have a grand ball in return. (Laughter and loud applause.) The Masonic version of the National Anthem was then sung, concluding with the words : —

" Come then ye Sons of Light In joyous strains unite, God save the Uueen. Long may Victoria reign Queen of tho azure main. M-sons, resound the strain, God save the Queen."

After this the procession was reformed and marched back to the Choral Hall, where the Grand Lodge resumed its sitting. The offerings laid upon the stone were awarded to the workmen who were engaged upon the hall, while a vote of thanks was passed to the ladies and gentlemen of the choir. It was announced that towards the erection of tho ball, £1000 had been contributed by various lodges, while £800 had been subscribed privately by the brethren, malting a total so

far of £1,800. Other lists have to come in from the country districts. The offer of one brother to give a portrait of De Burgh Adams, tbe first Provincial Grand Master of the North Islaud, was hailed with cheers. After tho transaction ot some routine business, the Grand Lodge was closed in due form, aud the brethren dispersed.

In the evening a quadrille party was hold injthc Lome-street Hall.