MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 860, 24 August 1888, Page 7

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 Icinds likely to be of interest to nembers of the craft. All correspondence for this column to be addressed to the Masonic Editor, New Zealand Mail. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Wellington. —We cannot inform you on this point. f X.Z. (Palmers top North)—The price is about £7 10s, and we can direct you to a Brother who has a set for sale. Celtic (Dunedin).—The application fee la two guineas. H. (Feilding)—Seven times for a District Grand Master; five times for a D.D.G.M. ; and three times for officers of a District or Provincial Grand Lodge, FAVOURS RECEIVED. London Freemason, Victorian Freemason, Orient, Freemason’s Repository, South African Freemason, Boletin Official, and the Liberal Freemason. WELLINGTON LODGE. The regular monthly meeting of this Lodge took place on Friday, 17fch inst., at the Freemason’s Hall, Boulcott-street, and as the Annual Installation, of W.M. and Divestiture of Officers was to be held on that evening, a very large number of members of the ancient and honourable fraternity assembled to witness the proceedings. The Lodge was punctually opened at 8 o’clock p.m., and after dealing with correspondence and other business, the W. M.’s of the New Zealand Pacific, Waterloo, St. Andrew's, Leinster, and Ulster Lodges, accompanied by the officers and members of their respective Lodges, were admitted. The following distinguished Brethren were then announced and received in a manner befitting their Ma. sonic rank, viz: —Bro. R; C. Hamerton, Prov. G. 1., of the Provincial Grand Lodge, I. ; Bro. H. J. H. Elliot, Prov. G. Assistant Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge, North Island of New Zealand, S.C.; and Bro. H. J. Williams, D.S.G.W. of the District Grand Lodge, Wellington, E.C., who was accompanied by Bros. T. McKenzie, B. N. Manley, C. P. Powles, and W, B. Hudson, in their capacity as District Grand Officers. A very large number of visiting brethren from other parts of the Colony were also present. Apologies for non-atten-dance were read from the D.G.M., Bro. Sir H. A, Atkinson, K.C.M.G. ; Bro, Sir F. Whitaker, K.C.M.G., Provincial G.M., North Island of New Zealand, S.C.; Bro. C. J. Toxward, P.D.G. M. ; Bro. Dr. Johnston, D.P.G. M. ; and from Bros, the Hons. Geo. Fisher, J. Ballauoe, H. S. Fish, F. Lawry, H. Feld wick, W. P. Moat, and J. Joyce, M.H.R.’s. Bro. George Robertson, who has served the Lodge as W.M. for twelve months, and who has been re-eleoted to fill this important position, was then presented and installed in an able manner by Bro. Thomas Larchin, P. M., assisted by Bro, G. C. Fownes, P.M. The following Brethren were then invested by tbe W.M., as officers for the ensuing year, viz :—S.W., Bro. J. H, Richardson; J.W., Bro. D. T. C. Innes; Chaplain, Bro. B. N. Manley, P.M. ; Treasurer, Bro. T. Larchin, P.M. ; Secretary, Bro. J. C. YouDg; Organist, Bro. H. J. Brooke; S.D., Bro. A. S. Chapman; J.D. Bro. W. Jessup ; 1.G., Bro. R. Moate. The appointment of a Tyler was left over till the next meeting of the Lodge. Bro. W. J. Meek, P.M., and Bro. W. B. Hudson acted as Directors of Ceremonies during the evening, and performed their services most satisfactorily. The musical arrangements were entrusted to Bro. H. J. Brooke, organist of tho Lodge, and to Bro. L. Mosch, and left nothing to be desired, the orchestral selections and solos by Bros. Arthur Clothier and J. W. Taylor being most appropriate., During the evening the W.M., on behalf of the members of his Lodge, presented Bro. J. C. Young with a Secretary’s jewel, as a token of the regard and esteem entertained for him by tbe members of 1521, E.C., and in appreciation of services rendered to the Lodge during the past year. Bro. Young returned thanks in a few well chosen words, and assured the members that he would continue to do bis best to further the interests of his Lodge in every way. Hearty good wishes were then tendered by the numerous visitors, and the Lodge was closed in due form at 11 p.m. 'An adjournment was then made to the Banquet Room, where the following toasts were honoured in bumpers, viz. : ‘The Queen and the Craft,’ ‘The Three Grand Masters,’ ‘The Grand Lodges of Eng. land, Ireland, and Scotland,’ ‘The Representatives of tbe District and Provincial Grand Lodges,’ ‘The Worshipful Master.’ ‘The Installing Masters,’ ‘Sister Lodges,’ ‘ Tiie Newly Invested Officers,’ ‘The Visitors,' ‘The Choir and Organist,’ and the Tyler’s toast. Some capital songs were given by Bros. W. D. Lvon, J. W. Taylor, Arthur Clothier, J. C. McEwen, McGregor Wright, S. B. Ludbrook, and A. Wilson, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. SWEDENBORG. The question has been repeatedly mooted as to whether or not Emanuel Swedenborg was a Freemason in accordance with our modern acceptation of that liberally constructed word, especially as there exists a rite, claimed fco be Masonic, in activity, and

designated by his name. That Swedenborg wan a well educated man, and a marvellous natural clairvoyant, the reviver of a curious system of intercommunication be: ween the living and the spirits of the dead, - cannot be denied, still, in all his writings, there cannot, beyond an elaboration of a pure y mythical Kew Jerusalem, be detected any allusion, open or covert, to the practice i t Masonry as we of this day comprehend it. It is asserted that Swedenborg was initiated into the fraternity toward the close of the seventeenth century, at London, which is an untenable presumption, inasmuch as the date is anterior to the revival of Masonry in England, and wo have no evidence of the distinguished Swede’s visiting the great metropolis at anything near that period. He appears to have been an adept in some mystic society located at Lund, a collegiate town in Sweden,, and hence, wo presume, has originated a misconception, which has been amplified into an accepted tradition. The so-called Hite of Swedenborg can be assumed as a variation of a pre-existing Rosicrucian fabric in philosophy, as incomprehensible as its origin is perplexing, of which little iB known, still involving the complicity of * correspondences.'

ANCIENT AND HONOURABLE. A great many of the Craft justly pride themselves on the ancient and honourable character of Freemasonry. Some of them vainly try to solve the problem whence this great Institutipn came, and by whom it was originated. It is an evolution of the ages, for in it' wo find conserved the great and immortal truths which have blessed man in all the past. We behold the light of the sun and tealise its blessed effects, but we must plough, and sow, and reap, or not fully enjoy them. So it is with Freemasonry. Its light must be a part of our life. Its great principles must be cultivated in our souls and appear in all our conduct, or we will fail to enjoy our Masonic rights and privileges and to perform our Masonic duties. The great work is laid on us of skilfully employing the great principles of Freemasonry in Masterbuilding for eternity, and that is our great concern. Not the past, but the future is ours to guard and improve, and for that purpose we must utilize every moment of the ever living present.

‘ZEAL.’ The miser in his lust for greed, Brings every faculty in play To make his plans for gain succeed, __ And Bwell his hoard safe Btowed away. No scheme escapes his careful heed, Which brings him profit day by day ; His days he spends in direst need—• His zeal but ends in foul decay. A Mason’s Zeal should be as strong, As fervent, and as firm for ‘ Right ’ As ever miser’s can for * Wrong ’ — Should gather in with earnest might Whatever may to ‘ Good ’ belong ; Or aid advancement of ‘ The Light Though days may dawn devoid of song, His ‘ Zeal ’ should bum with ardour bright.