ST. MATTHEW'S NEWCHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11949, 25 April 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

ST. MATTHEW'S NEWCHURCH.

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 Miiomo honours, which took pine- on April 23 was one of the most solemn and impressive' ceremonies which has been witnessed in Auckland. Only in a few other instances hits anything resembling it taken place. The laying of the foundation-stone of old St Paul's Church in 1842, the laying of the foundation-stone of the Supreme Court in 1865, and the laying of the foundation-stone of the Freemasons' Hall, were similar in character, but none wore more imposing. The 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 contrasts. It 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 bo marked by impressive riles. In tiie homo of our race we 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 (he offerings of corn and wine and grain, the clasping of hands across the breast, the raising of arms above tho head, as a survival of most ancient Eastern ceremonies. The new St. Matthew's is to be one of tho 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 Seiners (Canterbury) stone, while inside the church, to a height of 7ft. tho walls will bo lined with the sum material. The plans were prepared by Mr. F. L. Pearson, K.1'.L8.A., London, who has assisted in the designing of some of tho 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 Hie foundationstone came a. a, surprise to many. It is, however, the survival in a modern form of what was done in bygone times by the guilds or societies of operative masons or builders. .There is no difficulty in tracing the connection between the Freemasons of tho Middle Ages and those of the progent day, and there is no country in Europe which does not contain evidence of the skill and industry of these travelling artisan i whose principal object was the erection of religious edifices, in tho huildinv of which thev enjoyed a monopoly. Tin Freemasons of those days were declared independent of the sovereigns in whose dominions they might be temporarily residing, mid subject onlv 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 of, 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 tho germ of that speculative masonry which onee dividing the character of the fraternity with tho operative, now completely occupies it to the entire exclusion of the latter. The claim that Masons have to take part in the ceremonies connected with tho building of churches is based on the fact that the original constitution of Freemasonry was of all ecclesiastical nature, tho heads of tho religious world wore their patrons and protectors, and the chief work of the real founders of the order was the building of churches and religion-, edifices. The highest dignatorios in New Zealand, took place in the ceremony. The King's representative (His Excellency the Governor). Bishop Cowie (the Primate of New Zealand), the Grand Master of the Masons (Mr. A. 8. Russell), pud representative clergy and laymen from nil parts of the diocese were present. Jno laying of the foundation-stone is one ol the results of efforts begun some 50 years ago, when the nucleus of a fund was started by a few ardent churchmen, and Wednesdays proceedings must have been extremely gratifying to all concerned. Although the Masonic ritual was given special prominence on April 23, tho ecclesiastical characterj nf the ceremony was also striking and impressive; but, of course, the principal ecclesiastical rites are reserved for the dedication of the completed building.

THE MASONIC GATHERING. The ceremonies of the day started with the assembling of the * Frcomasons in tue ySTcS Buildings.. At eleven, o'clock the grandl officers, district and provincial gami officers, master* and officers of .raft lodge.*, and iter Mason* began to assemble, donned fill regalia, and signed the appearance sheets Xr which the various lodges took.up their paces in In lecture hall where the (.rami Llge was opened by M. V Brother A S ; Russell, G.M. of New Zealand. In oil.there were about 000 Masons lire out. 9 »™ C j l wen- delivered by R.W. Brother ueo. UPowley P.G.AV., grand direct.. «»f e ™ nies, and acting-grand standard;be. re r Ihe other grand offican were: R.W. » ror U C, McMillan, acting U.G.M.; g.W. Broth r Win. .1. flees, acting S.G.W.; K.W. Brotne Win MrOuilotig h. acting .>.<«.«•> *•"• Bralhcr Archdeacon Calder, grand chap am; VW Brothel W. W.Day W». Otron (Pi! Bccrefary), end W. Brother Captain G.D. of C; Brother Malcolm Niccol V.O.*u, Brand secretary : Brothers J. C«tehpo£ G.J.D.; Thomas W. Allen, 1 'assist Henna'P.S.G.W.; D. Hyamaaon. !•«««. I), of O.: H.J. Cousins P.W.0.. *• » ,v V p\| P.J.G.W. : Geo. M. Reid, A -?,"r ™ i £i.,L 1'P8.8.; 'lohn I axe, Charle-t Rhode*, i•' ■';•',' . ~, i■>,,-*l,.t-^ PI , ft; P ■ Tly. Walker. P.0.J.W.; •'• Murdoch MeJ*««j £«? ;„perinte, V lent; Geo Edgecnmbc -G I•. Meld, I. V a.".. l.odae Pon.«nnby; George John Rule P.M. J'Odge Jo H. . Langley, P.M.P.G.S. , . , The following arc the lodges represented #%&&£ sTte'^v* t? ; L 703 BC 13; I'rinM of Wale Service No. 10 Ponaonby No. M, », l »■»- Service No. 10 16; Kde« 1530. 11. g--16; Mwulum No. 2*. 5: J£ No 5 visitors and unattached, £»■ & -"• 10; visitor, and unattached, ZB. . Shortly after tf^i «=^BrotS^^Bowloy,PX^., 1 and marched to Iho church. f tJ On reaching the church the head d procession hatted at the entrance, openca oi^ and faced inwards, allowing tbe Grand 1 £ to nass through the l"'«V,n V ineial and edifice. The District and lrovinc»« £ . Lodges followed, the whole column rcvers. K ill order. ...„<-,, THE SERVICE IN CHURCH. \b M, ( as the Freemasons were seated the the male mcmhersoU choirs, mursha ed In M - - been at the west the centre aia'K, Kev. tie in mate (BWhop CW) There were choristers and about 50 men, nna *? , the following clergy, the tn^ '?»'-,'" I ii tat inhn'B Col effo were also in tne students of St. .John ■U>i G?ay Dix»n (Moderator of the Auckla"l ./ l V i Berk 0. A. Alton, J. T. WfeWilhtm, A. J. Beck r Tisdall, C. A. B. Watson \- °-" l " ; ( , / . f . ti u r \T Dpi email, ->'• " llla " ' ~ }}° h *[ nt : J -J h J wi on If. 8, Davies, (J. Canons G. JJaaciYi«rr»v >" , r n t!-ai y St atT),t<Vfolloweahy Canon Nelson (bishop's chaplain). . ~ .. The Freemasons occupied ineariy* hut seating accommodation of the c»'"»' there was aho a number of the_publ ° jmo g the cotigregWor., and«■««* o, f u male to gain admission. In i , / ld,tl ""*° about members of the choirs there worealso about 60 ladies from the choirs of the city cnurcnes 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 fund* 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.-, tlio 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 example in this matter." THE LAYING! OF THE STONE. While the service was proceeding in the church a large gathering assembled round the foundation stone which here the following inscription:—"St. Matthew's Church. Earn Deo. This stone was laid by His Excellency the Governor of this colony, the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., St. George's Day, 1002."

His Excellency the Governor, who was escorted from Government House by the Auckland Mounted Rifles, under Major Holgate, was received at the Wellcsley-street gate by the Rev. W. K. Gillam (vicar of St. 'Matthew's). His Excellency was accompanied by the Countess of Ranfurly, Captain Boscawen, 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 th« 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 New 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 a.sembled to assist in building a house which they prayed God might prosper, and that the work done in it. might be according to the laws of the laud and for the benefit of the entire community. lie then called on the grand chaplain to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect of tho Universe on the undertaking of the day.

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

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

The Grand Master then directed the grand recretsry (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 (here would lit; there an undying record to bear to ceding generations testimony of the energy and industrial culture of our time.

The Grand 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 Lucis, 5902; Anno Domini. 1902, with lull Masonic honours, by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of Antient, free, and Accented Mesons of New Zealand, Brother Alexander Stuart Russell, and His Excellency the Governor, Rrother tho Right Honourable the Karl of Ranfurly, O.C.M.Q. The estimated cost of the building is £30,000, erected out of accumulated funds raised by subscriptions commencing in the year 1853, started anil husbanded for many years by the late Mr. Thomas Weston for the object of erecting a stono church. In the year lC6'i the fund had increased to ,£SOOO, but the subscribers unselfishly resolved to erect a wooden church out of other furyls. in the trust and hope that in 20 or 30 vein's their children would he able to erect such a building worthy of the Church they loved and laboured for. ' Architect. Mr. Frank L. Pearson,' F.R.1.8.A., Linden; supervising architect, Mr. Edward Hartley, Auckland; contractors. Mr. John Ferguson and Mr. James Malcolm: clerk of works, Mr. William Thomas; vicar, the Rev. W. E. (!illam: vestry. Mr. 'J'. W. Doonin, Mr. Fred Whitehead. Mr. 11. Peake, Mr. (1. K. Pee. Mr. F. P. Wood, Mr. R. H. A. Potter, Mr. T. Colo. Mr. H. J. Lee. Dr. Hooper, and Mr. A. Wright: Undoing Committee, the Rev. W. K. Giliam (chairman), Mr. W. 8. Cochrane. Mr. James Hunt. Mr. Fred Whitehead. Mr. Edward Bungler: trustees, Mr. W. S. Cochrane and Mr. James Rurtt,— W. E. GIIiLAM. vicar of the Parish of St. Matthew's. -April 23, 1902.

This was placed in a bottle, together with the following:—Copies of the New Zealand Hkralt) 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. Selw.yn to the Archbisbon of Canterbury accepting the Bishopric of New Zealand, six postago stamps (tho first issue in the reign of Edward VII.). a niece of oak from Canterbury Cathedral erected URi, and a piece of sandstone from the Norman Church in Holy Island, erected in the 12th century.

The Grand Secretary having placed tho bottle in its place tho architect (Mr. E. Bartley) handed the working tools of Masonry to the Grand Master, who, according to custom, proceeded, with lie assistance of his officers, to lay the stone. I His Excellency applied the mallet, and said. '" I declare this stono well and truly laid."

The trowel, which was presented to His Excelloncy the Governor by the contractor? for the building. Messrs. Malcolm and Ferguson, had a representation of the new church on one side, end on the other the inscription, "Presented by Messrs. Malcolm and Ferguson to His Excellency the 'Marl of Rnnfurly, G.C.M.G., Governor of New Zetland, on the occasion of the layill!} of tho foundation-stone of St. Matthew's Church, Auckland. St. George's Day. 190?." The mallet, which was presented by the archil bore a silver plate, inscribed, "St. Matthews Church, Auckland, St. George's Day, 190?."

Tho elements of consecration were then placed on the stone.

'ill!-; GRAND MASTER'S SPEECH. The Grant! Master then addressed the gathering. Tn tho course of his speech he said; " \Vrrda fail mo when I endeavour to exnross tho pleasure we. as Masons, have in contributing by our efforts to place as firmly as on a roe!; this temple, which will yet contain another of the many pulpits from which will be preached glory to Cod 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 i." founded. 1 purpose pointing out briefly the more immediate connection we.' as Masons, have in ceremonials of this kind. I do so because, by many outside the pale of the brotherhood. rocmasonry and its mysteries may not he looted noon as happily and kindly as tho institution deserves. From time immemorial it has been the pleasing and agreeable duty of th« craft to 'take part in laying corner i tones of public edifices, thus aiding in the advance of the nublic weal. The symbolism of the corner stone is to us, as Masons, full of significance, for it. its form it must be perfectly square, and in its solid contents •i cube " The square is to us tho symbol of morality, and the cube of truth. Tins stone is set between the north, the place ol darkness, and the east, the place of light, illustrating Masonic progress from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge 1,.. Permanency of this chiselled block of stone, this comer stone, which will remain firm when the building falls into decay, is intended to remind Masons of the sure foundation of eternal life, the corner stone of .immortality, which survives tho tomb and rises triumphant over the grave and thus the virtues of o 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. «*«*»■ livin* stones for that House not made with | iam ls eternal in the Heavens For this work we fee! that by right of .heredity we, as Masons, have peculiar claims. When we look down the long vista of the centuries we find that the early edifices erected and consecrated to the Deity. were cut, curved, and hewn out of the original rock, by tho hands of the monastic builders, whoso work as sculptors and designers we see to-clav in the Cathedral towers and spires of the Mother Country and the Continent of Europe. The.™ societies were succeeded by fraternities of stonemasons, who, as travelling builders, journeyed all over Europe and engaged in the erection of sacred edifices In turn these associations of men were sought after by the leaned in ait and science, and the operative feature became distinct from the speculative. . "ed the building of material temples, and voted itself to the erection of a spiritual one and tho working Tools of the operative became symbols in tho work o tho spec, lative so that what aided the workmen in Meeting he building aids us .a* Freemasons Proceed to- B how T tt Lsons the.speculative mason learned from the working tools. and proceeded : " Our institution is founded ontrptineipi; S on>roth truth. which are bu.lt upon the B«»ptmai teachings of faith, hope, and chanty. Out brotherly love extends to all. who circle around our altars, and to mankind at Urge Our relief we give not only to those of our brethren in distress, and the widow, 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, IMP

we exemplify in our sincerity and honesty one with another, and in cur search for knowledge. Our faith is in the mercy and promises of the Groat Architect, our hope is in that immortality promised to all who shall follow the teachings of the Master, and our charily is 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 aims and purposes are very much the same as those of the Church with which so many of you arc connected. True, wo may have a language that is known but to the brotherhood, but surely in this way it is well to create a union so that we may thus be enabled to do a greater amount of good. This clay shall carry with it many recollection'-, and our hope is that, whether within or without the Masonic fold, we may, with charity to nil men, pray as wo open the good Book, which lies unfolded on your and on our altars, the words of Him, who said, ' Whoso stopneth his ears at the cry of the poor and needy he also shall cry himself, and shall not bo 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 election of good ecclesiastical buildings throughout the land. The little money then collected has now arrived at so largo a figure that this church has been commenced, and it is believed that it will bo the finest in Now Zealand when completed, and this will carry 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 Kills," a collection for mission work in St. Matthew's parish being taken up meantime, after winch 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. C. Hill-Trevor, A.D.C., and Captain Hugh Boscawen, Hon. A.D.C., presided, and had on his right the Veil. Archdeacon (.'alder and on his left His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidd). As usual, the .Strand Cafe Company's capable manager (Mr. W. Speight) had made arrangements that went off without a hitch. The tables were nicely decorated and the luncheon was catered for in the company's well-known complete manner. The toast of "The King" was proposed by His Excellency and loyally honoured. On behalf of the Primate, who was unable to be present, the Ven. 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 we first saw him, and the more we see of him the more wo like him." (Applause). His Excellency, who was loudly applauded, briefly ' returned thanks [or tievery kind manner in which the toast had boon received.

Mr. Ueorgo Fowlds, M.H.R., next proposed "The Primate and the Clergy of all Denomination.-." Tho 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 the clergy of all denominations. The toast was coupled with the names of Archdeacon ('alder and tho Rev. Hugh Kelly, M.A., of Knox Church.

Archdeacon Calder said he win very happy to reply for the Primate, whom he had known for 26 years, and placed him in the same category a - the Governor—he loved him the first time he saw him and the more ho raw him tho more he loved him. He believed that had been the experience of all the clergy and the laity. (Applause). Tho Rev. Hugh Kelly said it afforded him the utmost pleasure on behalf of the clergy of the sister churches to thank those sent for the manner in which the toast had been honoured.

Ilia Excellency said ho felt somewhat difiiclent in proposing the toast he .saw next mi Hie list which ho had been called upon to propose, namely. "Success to St. Matthew's Church." Ho did not know thai he had ever before hoard 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, which had already been referred to several tunes. He congratulated Mr. Gillam in not bavins to collect money, which must lie one of the most unpleasant duties which a clergyman had to perform in trying to get a. now church. It was a very unique thing at Home, and he expected it was so in the colony, for a church to be built and completed without everybody having to put his hand in his pocket, and without there hemp; a debt when the edifice was finished. After referring to the fine, design 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. E. Gillam, on behalf of his church officers and parishioners, expressed the *reat thanks they felt to His Excellency for the part he had taken in the day s ceremony. He al-o thanked the Grand Master, the ' Provincial Grand Masters, and the Masonic brethren for their assistance. The Rev. W. E. Gillam next proposed the 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 foundationetone of any public edifice, would always bo promptly and cheerfully done. (Hear,

His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. Kidd). who was called upon by Mr. Russell, said he was sure the memory of the ceremony would live long. It had taken many years to make it possible to have a new church, and he thought those who had fostered the funds wore worthy of tho very best thanks. The work they had done would live in History for all time. THE conversazioni:. The proceedings of the day concluded with a conversazione in the Choral Hall, at which there was on attendance of over 1000 people. The hall was of necessity packed, but the rvailablo 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 Boscawen, Hon. A.D.C. His Lordship tho Primate was also present, and the clergy were numerously represented. An enjoyable musical programme was provided under tho direction 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 hail and enjoying themselves as they felt inclined. Refreshments were handed round during the evenins. 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 their kindness and courtesy in connection with all the proceedings of the day. which was heartily accorded.