LODGE MEMORIAL

Evening Star, Issue 20292, 28 September 1929, Page 11

LODGE MEMORIAL

A memorial erected in its lodge room at Eoslyn by the Linden Lodge, No. 19, 1.0.0. F., W- the memory of the late Bro. F. Wilkinson, one of its prominent members was unveiled on Wednesday evening, when an impressive service was held. Bro, R. M‘Hardy, N.G., x>resided, and after the opening devotional exercises the chaplain (Bro. W. Smith, P.D.D.G.M.), the first speaker, expressed his gratitude to the lodge for selecting him to unveil the memorial chosen to perpetuate the memory of their late brother, whom be had had tho honour of welcoming to Dunedin and with whom he had formed a steadfast friendship. Ho traced briefly thedeceqsed’s activities in this district, where he had worked with untiring energy and ram ability m the interests of tho order, to which ho was devoted. He recalled Bro. Wilkinson’s fine work in tho'South Otago District Lodge, in tho Phoenix Encampment, No. 1, in the Grand Lodge, and in the Linden Lodge, notloverlooking the very capable assistance given with cheerfulness to the younger and weaker societies. His capacity for work was indeed remarkable _ and his integrity beyond question—his word : was his bond. Before concluding, - t.lie speaker unveiled the memorial, which took the form Of an'honours roll, tho central symbolic panel showing tho; deceased officer’s photograph and record of service. Tho memorial, a plaster cast executed by Wardrops’, Ltd., is of chaste and beautiful design. Bro. Joseph, who followed, said that to have known Bro. Wilkinson as a brother in Oddfellowsliip, to have gained his friendship, to have understood the man beneath the veneer of austerity which at first hid from view his greathearted qualities, one might be regarded as having bpon very specially privileged. The name of the late Bro. F. Wilkinson was entitled to rank with the Linden Lodge’s honoured names—with Bros. Alexander, Lindsay, Haigh, Pattison, Wardx-op, apd Kemnite—and to bo regarded as one of the lodge’s strong pillars. Those men had been the torchbearers lighting _ the way; their example would remain; the impress of their ivorthihess in all their dealings with their fellow men and in fostering a cause hel<} sacred, would not be 'permitted to p;(ss—“ such men never die.” ,

Bro. L. Deans Ritchie, Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of Australasia, took ns his theme ‘ Service to One’s Fellow Men,’ and instanced the many occasions on which their late friend and brother had extended ». helping hand. Ho referred to Bro. Wilkinson’s tenacity of purpose in overcoming the initial difficulties he had tp face after his arrival from England with his wife and young family, nearly thirty years ago; to the way in which Iso had steadily climbed from his first secretaryship of a subordinate lodge in Auckland to the position of grand secretary of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. It was chiefly through the late‘’brother’s instrumentality when secretary of Star of Auckland Lodge in 1912 that the Oddfellows’ Homes Fund, which be came later the order’s dominion scheme, was established,. A man with the courage of his convictions, a clear thinker, "well read and l well informed,

bo bad been a tower of strength in their debates, and bis ability in -reaching tho kernel of a subject was characteristic The order had been singularly privileged in possessin two gram! secretaries—Bros. William Reid and F. Wilkinson— who bad a diversity of attainments Referring to the late brother’s admiration for the best English authors, the speaker stressed the significance of four short words in the English tongue—faith, hope, love, ami work—and aptly linked the deceased Oddfellow’s Hfo } s work therewith. It would bo almost a mockery, Bro. Ritchie concluded, to erect that beautiful memorial if it meant that that was the end. They knew’ lull well, however, that such was not the case, and the influences' which acted and reacted from the good accomplished by, such outstanding personalities would be perpetuated and should serve ■as a goad to greater endeavour Bro. W. F. Crooke, _ grand secretary, 1.0.0. F., as one associated ■ closely with Bro. Wilkinson in recent years, said bo bad learned to appreciate his: many, good qualities, and would always remember him for his wonderful capacity for work, his outstanding ability, and downright integrity, Bro. R. B. Kirkham, D.D.G.M., expressed tho privilege the South Otago District had enjoyed hi association with' such a, loyal brother, whose devotion to and zeal for Oddfellowsliip they should endeavour to emulate. The ceremony concluded with prayer, and the audience stood whilst the organist (Bro. M. Glover) rendered ‘Crossing the Bar,’ the lodge then adjourning as a mark of respect.