MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 6

MASONIC.

Having re-opened the Masonic, column-i» the Mail, under the supervision of a Master,in. the Craft , tve shall be glad to receive from. Secretaries of Lodges, and brethren short reports of Lodge meetings a:id, Masonicevents of all hinds likely to be of interest to members of the craft. All cofrrespondOncet for this column to be addressed £© the -Masonite Editor, New Zealand Mail. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. X.—Many thanks, we will cJo as you, wish* Ross.—The Albany Lodge, No. 151 i, Newport. Craftsman. —lt would be mpst uatmasonie to act as you propose. YoiS; had better take the advice of year W.M. Hawera. —We shall be glad,if you. will supply us with Masonic, news from time to time. C-.N.P. —Lodge furaiturecan be obtained in the Colony. There is a,Masonic depot in Dunedin whereryou. can procure what require. "S FAVORS RECEIVED. N. Z. Masonic Journal (Dunedin) jgjtl Kueph. ULSTER LODGE, PETONE_ One of the most pleasant ‘ outings ’ ewer enjoyed took placsvou Wednesday, 31st ultimo, when the W.M.’s of the N.Z. Paciiffi, Waterloo, Wellington and Leinster Lodges, accompanied by the officers and members of their respective lodges, went out ta Petone by coach to pay a fraternal uisittothe Ulster Lodge, The visitors left tawu at 7 p.m., and as ths weather was at its best tUa drive was

thoroughly enjoyed. On Teaching Petone. they were received in proper form and had ' an opportunity of witnessing the perfect working of the First Degree. Bro. P. M. Hamerton, the W.M., divided the work among his officers, who all showed proficiency in their several duties. The S.W., Bro. P. M. Carley, gave the Charge and Bro. B,ev. P.M. Jones presented the Working Tools in an admirable manner. There were about 60 brethren in the Bodge Room and the W.M. in a few words expressed his gratification at seeing so many members of the Craft present. The Lodge closed at $,30 p.m., after hearty good wishes had been tendered by the visitors. An adjournment was then made to the refreshment room, where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were vhonored according to ancient custom. A special word of praise is due to those members of the Ulster Lodge who prepared the 'banquet table, the ferns and beautiful flowers being the admiration of the city brethren, to whom the sight was as refreshing as rare. The visitors reached town at midnight after spending a most enjoyable evening. ANOTHER MASONIC BALL. The advisableness of having another Masonic ball in Wellington was mooted at Petone the other night, and as the numerous brethren present were in favor of the proposal, the W.M. of the N.Z. Pacific Lodge took up the matter then and there in his well known business style. As Bro. Young means to carry it out we shall probably hear mere about the matter in a day or two. We don’t see why another Masonic ball should not be a great suocess. Numbers are not lacking, and energy isxeally all that is required. Besides, if support is given there should be a surplus with which to do some useful work. MASONIC WORK IN KANSAS. Grand Master Buck, of Kansas, reported to his grand lodge at its last meeting that there had been granted dispensations for twenty-three new lodges during the past year. One hundred and twelve Kansas lodges report contributing 5,755.16d015. for charitable purposes during the year, of which sum St. Bernard Lodge, No. 222, at Dodge City, contributed 815.59d015. MASONIC PERSECUTIONS. It is a curious coincidence that in Scot, land, in the early days of what is now known as the United Presbyterian Church, much the same distrust of the Masonic body animated the leaders of the extreme sections of Scottish Presbyterianism as to-day distinguishes the leaders of the Catholic Church. An Act passed by the Presbyterian Synod in 1757 excludes from membership all who, after admonition, consumed in connection with the Freemasons. This early Act has, however, become obsolete in the communion where it was originally passed. The Presbyterians of 1757 thought the Masons of that day superstitious rather than irreligious or agnostic. SUPPORT 10 UR MASONIC PAPER. The London Freemason truly says : ‘ln 1793 the jfirst English Magazine appeared, and since that period what has the history of Masonic literature been but a succession of disappointments, failures, and cessations. Even in .America, with 600,000 Freemasons, it is very hard work indeed to keep up either the needful concrete material support, or the abstract Masonic interest. In Great Britain it is the same..’ Why should this be so? Every brother can afford to pay a few shillings a year for a Masonic paper, and he cannot know what Freemasonry is accomplishing without it. Very much of the material prosperity and the literary advancement of the Craft in our era is due to the intelligent labors of the Masonic Press. Henceforth let it be better supported, and let brethren everywhere take pride in being subscribers to at least one good Masonic sheet. DUTY OF MASONS. Any Order, to become prominent, must practice what they preach. Of these there can be no better choice than the Masonic Order. We are taught to be just to all men, to do good to one another, and have a generous and due regard for the happiness and welfare of others, while seeking to promote our own. We are enjoined to practice self-denial without self-abnegation; to relieve the distressed without privation or injury to those who are dependent upon our exertions. In fact, the Order of Masonry, as the handmaid of religion, ic well designed to assist the pilgrim of life in contending against the trials of mortality, and accompanies him to the very threshold of whatsoever temple he may deem best suited to the worship and praise of our Father and our God. The very basis of Masonry is brotherly love, relief and truth, and to * do unto others as we would they should do to us.’ 'CHARITY.’ Gh J banquet not in this festive scene, When craftsmen meet in bright array, Unless remembering what they’ve been, Ye think of those who’refar away ; For many but know * a feast of tears.’ And while the generous wine we pour, ■Our guests and friends of former years, May meet like us in lodge no more. Then, that the cup may sweeter he, Nor thorns beset our festal flowers, Forget not heaven-born charity Befits a Mason's lodge like ours. The giver and the gift is bless'd If what we give be freely given, But he who pities the distress’d And gives not, mocks the truths of Heaven !’