MASONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7648, 27 May 1886, Page 5

MASONIC.

» . INAUGURATION OF LODGE HARMONY, OTAIIUHU. The interesting ceremony of inaugurating, constituting, and dedicating the Masonio Lodge Harmony, at Otahuhu, under dispensation, took place yesterday, and caused quite a stir in the township, for there was an influx of visitors not only from Auckland but from all the surrounding districts, including Papakura, Wairoa South, Remuera, Onehunga, and the North Shore. The ceremony was a very prolonged one, but the impressive ceremonies were carried through in the most perfect manner, and the greatest interest was felt in the proceedings from start to finish. At three o'clock the District Grand Lodge, E.C., was opened in the Otahuhu Public Hall by Brother W. Lodder, D.D.G.M., acting for the D.G.M. The Rev. C. M. Nelson, P.D.G.S.W., officiated as D.G.S.W.; Brother G. W. Braasey, D.G. Registrar, officiated as D.G.J.W. Brother H. G. Wade was in his place as D.G. Secretary and there was also a good attendance of other members of the Grand Lodge. There were also visiting brethren from nearly all the lodges in the surrounding districts, amongst whom were the following installed masters: —Brothers Beam, W.M., Remuera; Voeper, W.M., Albion; Cloments, P.M., Kodney ; Climo, P.M., Lodge of Light, Thames; Wright, P.M., Ara; Laßoohe, P.M., Remuera; Dr. Walker, P.M., St. Andrews; Dunwoodie, P.M., Manukau ; Wade, P.M., Waitemata ; Rev. G. M. Nelson, P.M., Priuce of Wales ; Rev. U. F. Gould, P.G., Chaplain, S.C.; M. Niccol, P.M., St. Andrew's, Manukau and Albion; McCullough, W.M., Manukan; 8. Young, P.M., Lodge of Light; Clark, P.M., Prince of Wales; Claude, P.M., Bet»; F. Lawry, W.M., Lodge in the Far South ; Gardner, P.M., Albion; Augur, W.M., Waitemata ; Powell, P.M. ; HUchens, R. W.M., St, Andrew's; and J. P. King, P.M.

Tho Deputy District Grand Master having, after the opening proceedings, addressed the brethren on the object of the meeting, he, at the desire of the W.M.-eleot, Brother Dr. Leger Erson, constituted Lodge Harmony, and then a procession was formed, and the brethren then marched to the Church of the Holy Trinity, where the service was conducted by the incumbent, the Rev. F. Gould, P.G. Chaplain of tho Sootcn Constitution. The address was delivered by Brother the Rev. E. H. Gulliver, D.G. Chaplain, E.G., and was listened to with earnest attention. The subject wae, "Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood." Wo givo a brief outline of the address. Mr. Gulliver said : " At the time of the French Revolution three words were frequently heard. They were: ' Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. ' The first had a tendency to become license, because men forgot that all liberty must be subject to law, and bounded by it. Equality, agaio, though a catch-word to win the attention of .i mob, was nothing more. Men had only to look around and see that, whether physically, mentally, or morally, meii are not alike. One man is of giant physique, another so frail that he can scarce carry the burden of life. One man has the Ten Commandments written in his face, another one watches with suspicion and distrust, and so in mental capacity. Even in Freemasonry, although we recognise equality in so far that none arc debarred by poverty or lowly birth from reaching its honours, yet we, too, recognise the fact that there is a certain incqnality amongst men. There are some whom we love and honour in our tradition, Pythagoras, Plato, and Confucius, and their pre-eminence we allow. Yet, over these discordant elements, there shines the thought of brotherhood ; it binds us together, whatever our status or rank may be, so that we come to form one grand family. This is the cornerstone of Masonry. In it we welcome Jew, and Mussulman, and Christian, and recognise their claims at our hands. This is the thing which needs recognition today. Amidst our difficulties, our class quarrois, our struggles, only let us realise the brotherhood of man, and theee will all disappear. We shall bear each other's burdens. As Masons, then, one and all, let us live so as to carry forward this thought and impress it on all around, so that we may make men a little better and happier, until our Masonic work ie over, and we join the Grand Lodge of God." The members of the choir of tho church sang tho appropriate services in excellent taste, and an offertory was taken up in aid of the benevolent fund of the lodge, the amount of which was £5.

The brethren then removed to the hall, the dedication prayer was offered by the District Grand Chaplain, and the lodge was duly dedicated by the D.D.G.M, The members of Lodge Harmony were presented to the D.D.G.M., who constituted and proclaimed them a lodge, delivering a euitable address. The Grand Lodge being closed in form, the installation of officers of the new lodge took place. Brothers I'.M.'a. Clark and Laßoohe presented to the D.D.G.M., Brother E. G. Leger Erson, W.M.-eleot, who was duly installed with the customary services by a Board of Installed Masters, and saluted by the brethren in the three degrees. The D.D.G.M. delivered the charges to the W.M. Wardens and brethren, and presented the warrant, after which the newly-installed W.M. invested his officers as follows :— Brother the Rev. W. Gulliver, S.W.; C. A. Robertson, J. W.; R. Garrett, Treasurer; P. R. Claude, P.M. Soc; Rev. F. Gould, Chaplain; J. Hunt, organist ; W. Dunwoodie, Director of Ceremonies; A. M. Sheppard, S.D. ; A. Anderson, J.D. ; Jamee Todd, Inner Guard; and Dr. Kidd, Tyler. The lodge received the hearty congratulations of the representative brethren present, and apologies were received from Brother Sir Frederick Whicaker, P.G.M., S.C.; Brother G. P. Pierce, P.G.M., &c; Brother W. R. Waddel, Mayor of Auckland, and a great many others who regretted their inability to attend. The lodge was closed at half-past seven o'clock .after four and. a-half hours assiduous work. A banquet, to commemorate the inauguration of the new lodge, took place at the Criterion Hotel, by host Willis. Nothing was left wanting that could be desired. About eighty sat down, and it is needless to say that, after the labours of tho day, they were ready to do ample justice to the viands provided, The W.M,, Brother Dr. E. Eraon,

presided, and the wardens were in their proper places. The W.M. proposed the toaat of "Her Majesty the Queen", not in the usual afterdinner style, bat in the following appropriate verse :— Groat Empress of a thousand itles, Grand mistress of the >ea, We, children, in far rliatant ollmea Our homage tumler thee. Though far, yet near, in bonda of love Zealaudia clalmi Great Britain , ! Queen ; One race, one throne, one God above— Though severing oceans roll between. i Then, brethren, in fealty We'll drink in unity To the Queen: God bles.i hor ! (.oug may she reign O'er Britain's Empire, and the azure main. The toast was received with loud and prolonged cheering, and the National Anthem was sung, Major Pirie, who had presided at the organ during the inaugural ceremonies, playing the accompaniment. The Chairman then proposed " The health of H.R. H. the Prince of Wale»", ia the following verse :— Hail, Royal Mason ! Worthy chief of oui eld brotherhood ; Foremost in every charity, constant in doing good ; Hlch in Masonic attributes ; to cental, kind, and true; Thy latest work for Austria's sons forge links of love anew. Then, brethren, charge your glasses, whilst we his praises sing : God bless our Royal Master, Great Britain! future King! The toast was responded to with cheers and honours, the company singing, " God Bless the Prince of Wales." The toaete of " The Grand Mt.tere of Scotland and Ireland" were proposed by the S.W. and J.W, respectively, and duly honoured ; after which the W.M. proposed the toasts of " The D.G.M E.C., the P.G.M. 1.C., and the P.G.M. 5.0." Brother Lodder responded for Brother Graham, Brother Niccol for Brother Sir F. Whitaker, and Brother Climo for Brother Pierce. The D.D.G.M. then proposed the toast of " Lodge Harmony," coupled with the W.M., to whose zeal and ability he bore the highest testimony. Brother Erson, before responding, sung a composition of his own, which had been set to music It was highly effective, and the chorus, which was as follows, was taken up enthusiastically :— Hurrah! for Lods-e of Harmony; Hurrah ! for the mystic art; Zealandia'a ions in Masonry Will take their glorious part In responding to the toast, Dr. Ereon confesead that he felt no small pride in having achieved the consummation of hie desire to have a Masonic lodge in Otahuhu. Ho thanked them very heartily for the manner in which they had rosponded to the toast, and cordially welcomed the visitors who had honoured them by their presence, assuring them that no effort would be wanting on his part to make Lodge Harmony a success, a blessing to the district, and an honour to Freemasonry. The toast of " The Installing Master" was proposed from the chair, and responded to by Brother Lodder, who then propoeed " The Officem of Lodge Harmony." The Chairman then proposed the toaat of "The Visitors," and again did some verse. The Tyler's toast brought to a close a very interesting gathering, and one which will be remembered with feelings of pleasure by all who took part in it. We may add that during the evening several songs were sung, and Mr. W. K. Wills road a poem which he had specially composed for the oocasion. The gathering broke up amidst the warmest expressions of good wishes for the future success and prosperity of Lodge Harmony,