LODGE OF SORROW.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17699, 28 January 1918, Page 7

LODGE OF SORROW.

FOR LATE RAY. BROTHER JOHN THORNTON. Members of the Alasonic fraternity gathered yesterday at the Alasonic Hall j in a service of sorrow for the late RAY. Brother John Thornton, Provincial Grand Master of Canterbury, wtiu died on December 23. Although the service was held in the lodge proper, an innovation was made in the admission of ladies. The service was very impressive and solemn. To the accompaniment of a funeral march the officers of Grand Lodge. District Grand Lodge of Canterbury (0.E.) and Provincial Grand Lodge entered. The hymn "0, God mu- Help in Ages Past ” was followed by a prayer and the reading of a lesson by Brother P. Knight, after which Brother E. 'l'. Lawn sang “ Thou’rt | Passing Hence.” The beautiful rite i of placing flowers and wreaths of im- ! inortelles and evergreens on the catafalque was performed by RAY. Brother S. C. Bingham, P.Prov.G.Al., RAY. i Brother At. S. Brown, D.G.AI. (E.C.), ! and MAY'. Brother J. J. Dougall. 1.P.G.A1. Tlio hymn “Days and Aloment.s Quickly Flying ” was followed by the second lesson, “ Comfort Y’e My People,” and a double quartet, “ The Long Day ("loses.” The eulogium was delivered by AI.YY - . Brother J. J. Dougall. who said that the late Brother Thornton was one who realised and appreciated the beauties of Masonic teaching, and had practised its lessons daily. Every Freemason in Canterbury knew “Brother John.” and knew him as a man to bo trusted. No one in trouble ever appealed to him in vain, and if he erred it was on the side of charity. YVhile almoner of the Christchurch district he helped many a weary brother on the way. not- only pecuniarily but with the cheery words \ of fraternal counsel and advice that j were so characteristic of him. He had ! filled many offices with conspicuous success, and had evinced such unflagging onergy and keen enthusiasm that when the first Provincial Grand Master of Canterbury went to his eternal rest die j unanimous voice of the bn threu called ! Brother Thornton to tho office. From j tho moment of assuming this high office ho showed that he possessed the quality i of leadership in a marked degree, and j ho devoted himself almost exclusively j to the welfare of the era IT. During his term of office he endeared himself to ever.vono. Ho possessed a charm of manner and speech that created a genial atmosphere wherever ho went, and he His memory would long be cherished, and his vacant c.hair would be hard I to fill. To his grief-stricken wife and | sorrowing children the members of the j craft offered the most sincere and j heartfelt sympathy. The Dead Alarch in “ Saul ” was followed by the Benediction.