ST. MATTHEW'S NEW CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11949, 25 April 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

ST. MATTHEW'S NEW CHURCH.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE.

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY.

ADDRESSES BY THE GOVERNOR AND PRIMATE. INTERESTING MASONIC rites. SUCCESSFUL LUNCHEON AND CONVERSAZIONE. Tub laying of the foundation-stone of St Matthew's new stone church, with full Mafonio honours, which took place on April 25, was one of the most solemn and impressive ceremonies which has been witnessed in At cklaml. Only in a few other instances his anything resembling it taken place. The laying of the foundation-stone of old St Paul's Church in. 1342, the laying of the foundation-atone of the Supreme (Joint in 1865, and the laying of the foundation-stone of the Freemasons' Hall, were similar in character, but none were more imnosing. '['he event was important as marking the transition from the primitive wooden structure towards a stately and lusting edifice in stone; it was interesting as marking a development in church history in a part of the British Empire where church history, though brief, has been full of strange events and contracts, ft was remarkable in its racial characteristics. There is some innate sense of the dignity and solemnity of ceremonial under all our Anglo-Saxon sternness, and it is according to our customs that the building of a great church should he marked by impressive rite.-. In the home of our race wo have seen our noblest ideals symbolised in grand cathedrals and churches, and to-day these buildings contain nearly all that we acknowledge as great and good. One could not help recognising a greater antiquity in the rites and ceremonies observed on April 23 than is commonly acknowledged. It was easy to imagine the offerings of corn and wine and grain, the clasping of hands across the breast, the raising of arms above the head, as a survival of most ancient Eastern ceremonies. The new St. Matthew's is to bo one of the finest churches in New Zealand. It is to cost £27,000. and will seat 1200 people. Its length will be 158 ft, and its greatest width 100 ft. Tho main walls are to be of To Kuiti limestone, in random masonry; the doors, windows, and tower, of Mount Somen (Canterbury) stone, while illlido tho church, to a height of 7ft. tho walls will ho lined with the same material. The plans wore prepared by Mr. F. L. Pearson, F.R.I. I'. A.. London, who has assisted in the designing of some of the finest churches in Europe. Few churches in the world will occupy a, nobler position than the new St. Matthew's. Situated on a ridge commanding the Waitemata Harbour, it will be a landmark to every visitor who enters Auckland by sea, and its fine spire will be one of the most noticeable features in the city. The prominent part taken by tho Masonic Order in laying the foundationstone came as a surprise* to many. It is, however, the survival in a modern form of what was dono in bygone times by the guilds or societies of operative masons or builders. There is no difficulty in tracing tho connection between the Freemasons of tho Middle Ages and those of the prolent day, ami there is no country in Europe which does not contain evidence of the skill and industry of these travelling artisan'; whose principal object was the erection of 'religious edifices, in the building of which thev enjoyed a monopoly. The Freemasons of 'those days were declared independent of the sovereigns in whose dominions they might be temporarily residing, and subject only to their own private laws. They were originally all operatives, but were gradually joined by educated men, who acquired a predominating influence in their ranks, and in process <>£, time noblemen and scholars became their patrons. The tools and implements of masonry were then no longer used for hewing stones and squaring timber, but were applied to inculcate wise and moral lessons. Hence the germ of _ that speculative masonry which onee dividing the character of the fraternity with the operative, now completely occupies it to the entire exclusion of the latter. Tho claim that Masons have to take part in the ceremonies connected with tho buildin" of churches is based on the fact that the original constitution of Freemasonry was of an ecclesiastical nature, the heads of the religious world were their patrons and protectors, and the chief work of the real founders of the order was the building of churches and religions edifices. The highest dignatorios in New Zealand took place in the ceremony. The King's representative (His Excellency the Governor), Bishop Cowie (tho Primate of New Zealand), the Grand Master of the Masons (Mr. A. 8. Russell), and representative clergy and laymen from all parts of the diocese, were present. lno laying of the foundation-stone is one oi the results of efforts begun some 50 years ago, when the nucleus of a fundl was started by a few ardent churchmen, and Wednesdays proceedings must have been extreme gratifying to all concerned. Although the Masonic ritual was given special prominence on April 23, the ecclesiastical character of the ceremony was also striking and impressive; but, of course, the principal ecclesiastical rites are reserved for the dedication of tho completed building.

THE MASONIC GATHERING. The ceremonies of the day started with the assembling of the Freemasons in tie Y.M.U.A. Building*. At eleven o'clock the grand officers, district and provincial wand officer*, masters and officers of craft lodges, a I master Masons began to assemble, donned full regalia, and signed the appearance she ~ after which the various lodges took up tho" places in U» lecture *$• "%*s*/£* £ Lodge was opened by M.W. Brother A. ~ Russell GM. of New Zealand. In all there ttussei, u.iu. ' t Instructions were about iOU Aiasonspri ""<-• .. were delivered by K.\v • IJrotliC ' <', °' £ Powley, P.G.W., grand director of £>™™° mm, /nd acting-grand .tan. anl-bere Ihe other grand officers were: K.W. W Brother C, McMillan, acting 0.C!.M.; K.W. Brother Wm. J. B«s acting S.aW.;^W.Brothr Wm. MeOuUough, acting J.G.VV., v.«. Brother Archdeacon Caldor, grand chaplain, VW Brothers W. W. Gay, Wm. Caron <PG secretary), and W. Brother Captain w P\l TB.G.W, 454, 1.C.. assistant G.D of C.; Brother } » cc< ,lW;. 1 grand secretary; Bro hers J. t « , j P°J°' G.l 1).: Thomas W. Allen, P.b.G.W., .... U.1.U., vsnivr • D Hyauiason. assistant ]!" f '"n 1'.0.u.w., ins P.G.0.: F. Pavitt, Rm Si f?W • Geo IM. P.A.G.S.B-! ~ , T i, i» i* . Murdoch McLean grand M. Luxon, l.l'.ti. . " l "V, , r>{' i' • ■uporinten'c.ont; Geo - Mge^e■ P££;, Eowlds, I .JJ.U.J.U, , P.M.P.G.H. B are the ,V £ The following arc the lodges raprejontad ?r' Trr^Tc 1 ! 1 : A Won No.'^V 1338 E.G., 13; Ponsonby No. M, C B ' iiVst. Service No. 10. 16; Eden.ls3o h. CII. g- ■ f", , ,„,,,i \t„ a? 4; Waitemnta oBJ. b.u., 6; Auckland .No. of.■*, Pnnaktira No. 55, 16; Mauukac: No &*, &■ \^^ o 52 ,5; 10 Waroa No. 55, I 1 c Aroha No. M, o Lodge Wainku, 2 J I'ranklm No. 58, W, visitor- and unattached, «. :,v l ?«r;rß,XtaH..'tw,r.«. w ., and marched to tho church. } pr „,„io„ halt«l at tho «",'■;!" -.J„ fX'

ill order. , THE SERVICE IN CHURCH. As soon as the Freemasons were seated the clergy, preceded by the male members fHe chofr,. marshalled by, M • A. Jo* c> . marched up the centre aisle, avmtf been me !lt ! h W d °CowFe) * Thm were Jimo 30 mate (Bishop Come) I Here chonsttira anil about oj men, . , to tho following clew. *■>'« "°° , ? B '°?' student* of St. John's Col L.go were ilmw *ho procession! — 1110 ., ,T, i i„,.„\ WnwW rator of the Auckland Presbytsry) 1 oavlci. A. Alton, •'■ 'J- V I,],a, K' oiu.W F " Tis.lall, l. a. j-. Watson. Kirkbnde, J. DOtWOn, >'• ?»' J ,„•, II H T>lviA« CI. K. Davis, y."'™ D v M. D? W«J. J " fcJffiP'lfe (>;CIM.n.,. W-E. Gdlajn Canons 0. MmMutmy and J. HJJ'JJ' J™ ££&&!, flowed by Canon Nelson bishop's chaplain). , The Freemasons occupied near all the seating accommodation of the c J™°J» J™ there was also a number of thepublic » , the cooffrtjMon. antl many-more wereunabjo to gain admission. In addition to the «*" members of £ choir,, the«« 60 ladies from the choirs of the city chinches present. .'.-.' , '..:-•• —'

The Primate, who then gave a short address, said: It is now 50 years since the people of St. Matthew's, with the help of outside friends, began to collect funds for the erection of a ' permanent church on this site. Scarcely any of those who contributed to the fund are still with us. Owing to the circumstances of the colony in earlier days, and as a result of the careful management of the building fund by the trustee.-, the comparatively small sum originally collected has grown to what it is at the present time. A beautiful design has been provided for the permanent church and the people of the diocese, and I believe of the city, will be much disappointed if it is not carried out in its entirety. Should the funds now available not be sufficient for this purpose, the present parishioners will no doubt exert themselves to make up the deficiency. Our gratitude to those who have done so much foi St. Matthew's in the past will be shown best by our following their examine in this matter." THE LAYING OF THE STONE. While the service was proceeding it; the church a large gathering assembled round the foundation-stone which here the following inscription : — "St. .Matthew's Church. Laus Deo. This stone was laid by His Excellency the Governor of this colony, the Right Hon. the Ear! of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., St. George's Day, 1902."

His Excellency the Governor, who was escorted from Government House by the Auckland Mounted Pities, under Major Hotjjate, win received at the Wellesley-street gate by the Rev. W. E. Gillam (vicar of St. Matthew's). His Kxcelloncy was accompanied by the Countess of llanfurly. Captain Boson, A.D.C.. and the Hon, Charles Hill Trevor, A.D.C. His Excellency wore the following orders:—Knight of Justice St. John of .Jerusalem, Grand Cross St. Michael and St. George, and the Jubilee Medal, 1837. As the vice-regal party approached the enclosure the assembly, led by the choirs, sang "God Save the King"

All being ready for the commencement of the ceremony, the M.W. the Grand Master of Now Zealand, Brother A. S. Russell, addressed tho assembly. He declared the purpose of the gathering, and referred to the lawful and honourable purposes of Masonry and to the solemn obligation upon them to erect substantial buildings for the service of humanity and to the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe. They were assembled to assist in building a house which they prayed (hid might prosper, and that the work done in it might be according to the laws of the land and for the benefit of tiie entire community. He then called on the grand chaplain to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe 'on the undertaking of the day.

The Grand Chaplain (Y.W. Brother Arch deacon Calder) then offered up prayer.

After the response "So mote it be," the choir sang "Behold, How Good" (Clarke).

The Grand .Master then directed the grand rccretary (Brother .Malcolm Niccol) to deposit in the cavity of the stone certain memorials of the period, so that when time might have laid bare the foundations of the church there would bo there an undying record to bear to succeeding generations testimony of the energy and industrial culture of our lime.

The Grind Secretary read the following, which had been engrossed on parchment: —

St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, New Zealand.—This stone was laid on Wednesday, April 23. Anno buds. 5902; Anno Domini. 1902, with lull Masonic honours. by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of Autient, Free, and Accented Masons of New Zealand, Brother Alexander Stuart Busscll, and His Excellency the Governor, Brother the Right Honourable the Karl of Ranfurly, O.C.M.G. The estimated cost of the building is £30,000, erected out of accumulated funds raised by subscriptions commencing in the year 1803, started and husbanded for many years by Hie late Mr. Thomas Weston for the object of erecting a stono church. In the year 1053 the fund had increased to £5000, but the subscribers unselfishly resolved to erect n wooden church out of oilier finyls. in tho trust and hone that in 20 or 30 veais their children would lie able to erect such a building worthy of the Church they loved and laboured for. Architect. Mr. Frank 1.. Pearson." F.1i.T.8.A., London; supervising architect, Mr. Edward Hartley, Auckland; contractors, Mr Joint Ferguson and Mr. James Malcolm: clerk of works, Mr. William Thomas; vicar, the P.ev. W. E. Gillam: vestry, Mr. T. W. Doonin, Mr. Fred Whitehead. Mr. 11. Peake, Mr. (I. K. Lee. Mr. F. V. Wood, Mr. R. H. A. Potter, Mr. T. Cole. Mr. H. J. Lee, Dr. Hooper, mid Mr. A. Wright: Building Committee, the Iter. W. K. Gillam (chairman), Mr. W. 8. Cochrane, Mr. .lames Burtt. Mr. Fred Whitehead. Mr. Edward Langlev: trustees, Mr. W. S. Cochrane and Mr. James Burtt.—W. E. GIbLAM. vicar of the Parish of St. Matthew's. -April 23, 1902.

This was placed in a bo!tic. together with the following:—Copies of the New Zealand Hkimt.d and Auckland .Star of April 23, Church Gazette for April 1. 1902, last printed report of St. Matthew's Vestry, programme of this day's ceremony, photo, of letter sent by G. A. Sehvyn to the Archbishon of Canterbury accepting the Bishopric of Nov.- Zenland, six postage stamps (tho first issue in the reign of Edward 'VII.), a piece of oak from Canterbury Cathedral erected 1131, and a piece of sandstone from Hie Norman Church in Holy Island, erected in the 12th century.

The Grand Secretary having placed the bottle in its place tho architect (Mr. K. Bartloy) handed the working tools of Masonry to the Grand Master, who, according to custom, proceeded, with the assistance of his officers, to lay the stone. f

His Excellency applied the mallet, and said, "I declare this stono well and truly laid."

The trowel, which was presented to His Exccllonry the Governor by the contractors for the building. Messrs. Malcolm and Ferguson, had a representation of the new church on one side, and on the other the inscription, "Presented !>v Messrs. Malcolm and Ferguson to His Hxcellency the Jv<rl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand, on the occasion of the laying of tho foundation-stone of St. Matthew's Church, Auckland. St. George's Hay. 1902." The mallet, which was presented by the architect, bore a silver plats, inscribed, " St. Matthew Church. Auckland, St. George's Day, 190?." Tho elements of consecration were then pirn ed on the stone. THE GRAND MASTER'S SPEECH. The Grand Master then addressed the gathering. In She course of his speech lie said: ""\Yrrds fail me when 1 endeavour to express tho pleasure we. as Masons, have in contributing by our efforts to placo as firmly as on a rock this temple, which will yet contain another of the many pulpits from which will be preached glory to God in the Highest, on earth, peace and goodwill towards men. Occasions of this kind are deemed opportune by the principal officers of our craft to refer to the principles on which our order is founded. 1 purpose pointing out briefly the more immediate connection we. as Masons, have ill ceremonials of this kind. I do so because, by many outside the pale of the brotherhood, Freemasonry and its mysteries may not lie looked upon as happily and kindly as tho institution deserves. From time immemorial it has been the nleasing and agreeable duty of til" craft to take port in laying corner stones of public edifices, thus aiding in tho advance of" the nubile weal. The symbolism of the corner stone is to us, as Masons, full of significance, for in its form it must be perfectly square, and in its solid contents >' cub... The square is to us the symbol of morality, and the cube of truth. This stone is sot between the north, the place of darkness, and the east, the place of light, illustrating Masonic progress from darkness to light from ignorance to knowledge The permanency of this chiselled block of stone, this corner stone, which will remain firm when the building falls into decay, is intended to remind Masons of the Mire foundation of eternal life, the corner stone of immortality, which survives tho tomb and rises triumphant over the grave, and thus the virines of a Mason, and of all men, must stand the crucial test before being pronounced by the master builder of souls to be materials worthy of that spiritual temple, fitted as liviiw stones for that House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens For this work we feel that by right of heredity we, as Masons, have peculiar claims. When we look down the long vista of tho centuries we find that the early edifices erected and consecrated to the Deity were cut, carved, and hewn out of tho original rock, by the hands of tho monastic, builder-, whoso work as sculptors and designers wc fP e to-dav in the Cathedral towers and spires of the Mother Country and the Continent of Europe. Those societies were succeeded bv fraternities of stonemasons, who as travelling builders, journeyed oil over l.uro, e and engaged in the erection of sacred ° ifiees. In turn these associations of men ere sought after by the earned in art and science, and the operative feature heme distinct from the speculative. I ceased the building of material temples, and devoted itself to tho erection of a spiritual on and the working Tools of tho operative became symbols in the work of the spec;. . lntivo so r that «h»t aided the workmen in erecting the building aids us a* Freemasons in d ecting tho mental faculties, and in in - roving tho mind that the Great Arch, act has given us." The Grand Master then Proceeded to .how the lessons the speculative mason learned from t he work n ( tools . and procee<led: "Our institution is fqumlei on the principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth? which 1 are built upon the Scriptural (cachings of faith, hope, and chanty. Our Wherly love extends to all who circle around our altars, and to mankind at large. Our relief we give not only to those of ou brethren in distress, and the widows and helpless ones, whom it is our pride to think have a claim upon us. but in cases where great disaster has overtaken the world. Xiutn

wo exemplify in our sincerity and honesty one with another, and in cur search for knowledge. Our faith is ill this mercy and promises of the Great Architect, our hope is in that immortality promised to all who shall follow the teachings of the Master, and our charily i 3 in goodwill and affection one to another. Surely such an institution, founded on such principles, should command the love and respect of the world. Its aim? and purposes are very much the same as those of the Church with which so many of you are connected. True, wo may have a language that is known but to the brother- ! hood, but surely in this way it is well to , create a union so that we may tints be en- ! abled to do a greater amount of good. This day shall carry with it many recollections, and our hope is that, whether within or without the Masonic fold, we may, with charity to all men, pray as we open the good Rook, which lies unfolded on your end on our altars, the words of Him, who said, ' Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor and needy he also shall cry himself, and shall not be heard.' " THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. His Excellency the Governor also spoke. Ho said:—"This stone, which I have declared well and truly laid, is the commencement of a work that was contemplated, as you have heard, 50 years ago, and some of the original subscribers to the small fund then raised are alive at the present time. One of those who collected for this fund 50 years ago wrote that the church to be built was not to be unworthy of the holy purpose to which it would be dedicated and so that it may tend to foster in the minds of settlers a love for church architecture which may lead in time to the ejection of good ecclesiastical buildings throughout the land. The little money then collected has now arrived at so large a figure that this church has been commenced, and it is believed that it will bo the finest in New Zealand when completed, and this will cany out the wishes expressed by the writer to whom I have referred. May this building not only be a thing of beauty but a benefit and cause of good to the City of Auckland.." The choir then sang the hymn, "O Lord of Hosts, Whose Glory Fills," a collection for mission work in St. Matthew's parish being taken up meantime, after which His Lordship the Primate pronounced the Benediction, and the proceedings of laying the foundation stone terminated. THE LUNCHEON. At about two p.m. some 200 people sat down to luncheon at the Strand Cafe. His Excellency the Governor, who was accompanied by the Hon. ('. Hill-Trevor, A.D.C., and Captain Hugh Boscawen, Hon. A.D.C., presided, and had on his right the Von. Archdeacon (.'alder and on his left His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidii). As usual, the Strand Cafe Company's capable manager (Mr. W. Speight) had made arrangements that went off without a hitch. Tho tables were nicely decorated and the luncheon was catered for in tho company's well-known complete manner. Tie toast of "The King" was proposed by His Excellency and loyally honoured. On behalf of the Primate, who was unable to he present, the Yen. Archdeacon Calder proposed the health of His Excellency the Governor. In doing so ho said it did not need much comment when proposing such a toast in the hearing of an Auckland audience. With regard to His Excellency it might be said: "Wo liked him when wo first saw him, and the more we see of him the more we like him." (Applause). His Excellency, who was loudly applauded, briefly returned thanks for the very kind maimer in which the toast had been received. Mr. George Fowlds, M.H.R., next proposed "The' Primate and the Clergy of all Denominations." The Primate, he said, was beloved by nil the people of Auckland, irrespective of what denomination they belonged to. lie was also sure those present would join most heartily in drinking to the health and well-being of tho clergy of all denominations. The toast was coupled with the names of Archdeacon (.'abler and the Rev. Hugh Kelly, M.A., of Knox Church.

Archdeacon Calder said lie was very happy in reply for the Primate, whom li« hod known for 26 years, and placed him in the same category as the Governor— ho loved him the first time he haw him and the mere he saw him the more ho loved him. lie believed Unit had been the experience of all tho clergy and the laity. (Applause). The Rev. Hugh Kelly .said it afforded him the inmost pleasure on behalf of the clergy of the sister churches to thank those present for the manner in which the toast had been honoured.

Ilia Excellency said he felt somewhat diflident in proposing the toast lie saw next tin the list which lie had been called upon to propose, namely, "Success to St. Matthew's Church." He did not know that he had ever before heard of drinking the health of a church, but the toast was there, and they apparently had to drink to the health of the church or the health of the parishioners. As they were all aware, the church had a unique history, winch had already been referred to several times. Ho congratulated Mr. Gillam in not having to collect money, which must be one of the most unpleasant duties which a clergyman had to perform in trying to get a new church. It was a very unique thing at Home, and he expected it was so in the colony, for a church to he built and completed without everybody having to put his hand in his pocket, and without there being a debt when the edifice was finished. After referring to the fine, deign that had been chosen for the church, His Excellency hoped the church might be a benefit to the people of Auckland, and would carry on Christ's work. , ... The Rev. W. 11. Gillam, on behalf of Ins church officers and parishioners, expressed the "Teat thanks they felt to His Excellency for the part ho had taken in the day« ceremony He also thanked the Grand Master, the " Provincial Grand Masters, and the Masonic brethren for their assistance. Tho Rev. W. E. Gillam next proposed tho health of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. A. S. Russell, Grand Master New Zealand Constitution, in returning thanks, said that whatever the Masonic fraternity could do in connection with laying the foundationotono of any public edifice, would always bo promptly 'and cheerfully done. (Hear,

His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. Kidil), who was called upon by Mr. Russell, said he was sure the memory of the ceremony would live lorn;. It had taken many years to make it possible to have a now church, ami ho thought those who had fostered the funds were worthy of the very best thanks. The work they had done would live in History for all time. I'll CONVERSAZIONE. The proceedings of the day concluded with a conversazione in the Choral Hall, at which there was an attendance of over 1000 people. The hall was of necessity packed, but the mailable accommodation was skilfully utilised to produce both sitting and standing room with as much comfort as .such a large gathering would permit. His Excellency the Governor attended, accompanied by the Countess of Rr.nfurly, Captain Alexander (private secretary), the Hon. Charles Hill Trevor, A.D.C., and Captain i'.oscawcn, Hon. A.D.C. His Lordship the Primate was also present, and the clergy were numerously represented. An enjoyable musical programme was provided under the directum of Mr. Arthur Towsoy, who had a splendid orchestra of volunteer musicians organised for the occasion. There was nothing in the way of formality about the proceedings, the guests moving about the hall ami enjoying themselves as they felt inclined. Refreshments were handed round during the evening. The vice-regal party arrived about half-past eight, and spent over an hour in the conversazione. Prior to their departure the Rev. W. E. Gillam. vicar of St. Matthew's, called for a vote of thanks to Lord and Lady Ranfurly for I heir kindness and courtesy in connection with all the proceedings of the day. which was heartily accorded.