MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 766, 5 November 1886, Page 6

MASONIC.

Having re-opened the Masonic column in the Mail, under the supervision of a Master in the Craft, we shall be glad to receive from Secretaries of Lodges, and brethren generally, short reports of Lodge meetings and Masonic events of all kinds likely to be of interest to members of the craft. All correspondence this for column to be addressed to the Masonic Editor, New Zealand Mail.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Masterton.—Yes; vide page 40 of the * Masonic Directory for New Zealand.' G.M.—About 1774; and it consisted of 18 degrees. W.M.N.O.—Yes ; there is a secret society in China, and it is exceedingly powerful. Europeans have not been able as yet to find out much about its working. P.W.—By acting as you propose, you would be infringing Masonic lawn, and would show a want of common courtesy.

Mask Master.—There will not be a meeting for some time, and it rests with the W.M. to call it.

FAVORS RECEIVED.

Masonic Chronicle, London and Sydney Freemason, Die Banhiitte and Aurora Escozzesa (Rio de Janeiro).

WATERLOO LODGE.

As we omitted last week to give the names of the brethren nominated for office in the. Waterloo Lodge for the ensuing year, we do so now:—R.W.M., Bro. Harton ; S.W., Bro. Masters; J.W., Bro. Deacon; Secretary, Bro. Godber ; Treasurer, P.M. Bro. Eliott; Chaplain, Bro. Jack ; S.D., Bro. Adams ; J.D., Bro. Tyer ; 1.G., Bro. Georgesou; Organist, Bro. Robertson; Librarian and Tyler, Bro. Harriss. The election will take place at the next regular monthly meeting. ST. ANDREW’S LODGE. The regular monthly meetiug of this Lodae took plaoe on Thursday last, 28th October. There was a very large attendance, and Bro. Kimbell, the R.W.M., was at his post. The following brethren were nominated for office during the ensuing year, viz:—R.W.M., Bros. Hollis and Stuart; S.W., Bro. Bo vis ; J.W., Bros. Cenci and Stuart; Secretary, Bro. Smith ; Treasurer, Bro. P.M. Carr. The election will take place this month, and the installation is to come off in December. ‘A.MASONIC ALPHABET.’ (Continued), ix.— * Industry. ’ With tireless wing, the toiling busy bee. Floats to and fro, throughout the sunny hour ; And from each flow’ry petal sips with glee, The sweeten’d treasure of the ravish’d fiow’r. From day to day his willing labor holds, To draw the riches of each nectar’d well; His work complete, his sturdy wings he

folds, And stores his gleanings in the waxen cell— The bee’s example should eaeh Mason move To search the foldings of the Mystic Craft, Where all the springs of pure fraternal love Await the seeker, with a grateful draught. Be workers, brethren, for the Noble Cause, Nor take the place of the useless drone, But let your Industry command applause From other minds, and satisfy your own. TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTHS OF FREEMASONRY. That understanding of the tratbs taught by Masonry, and that appreciation of the obligation and duties of a Mason, which begets activity in the work, outside of, as well as in, the lodge room, is, in my opinion, the great need of the day and hour. In this, we are all deficient, and all and each of us responsible for that inertness which has well nigh reduced Masonry to an association of persons held together almost alone for the pecuniary benefit it may afford, them. This, brethren, is the dark side of the picture, and it is mentioned because we enter the light through the darkness. The moral influence exerted by our beloved Order is being felt in almost every locality in the State, but the morality of its membership does not come to the standard erected by the teachings of the Order. I would have its adherents learn more of that morality taught by Masonry, feeling assured that, these being known better, they would more generally be observed and practiced by the craft, and the cause of humanity correspondingly advanced. If the symbolism of the compass and square was more strongly impressed upon the mind of the initiate, Masons would not, sometimes, malign to the profane one whom, in the lodge room, he is apparently pleased to call * brother,’ but would make an honest effort to live up to the duties and obligations every Mason has assumed, and thus make

his conversation and action hear testimony to the excellence of the principles of, and calculable benefits resulting from Masonry when fully lived up to by its adherents. T do not overlook the many difficulties with which we have to contend, by reason of the frailties incident to our human nature. Ido not forget that there are two natures in man, the * higher and the lower, the great and the mean, and the noble and the ignoble,’ nordoes Masonry ; but in every degree teaches its membership to cultivate and practice the* better part of our nature, and continually guard ourselves against the temptations suggested by our prejudice, passions, and appetites. We should be slow to make inferences which a full examination of the facts would prove to be unjust, as well as firmly refuse to approve that which justice and good morals would condemn.—Bro.. Buckland, in the Liberal Freemason.