Masonic.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 999, 24 April 1891, Page 7

Masonic.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. F.G. (New Plymouth). —You have got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Plumb-Rule. —Nob unless seven are present. S.S.M. (Reefton).—lt cannot be prevented if a majority is in favonr of the change. FAVOURS RECEIVED. London Freemason, Australasian Keystone, Sydney Freemason, El Tailer, Kneph, and Die Banhiitte, WELLINGTON LODGE. The regularly monthly meeting of the Wellington Lodge, No. 1521, E.C., was held at the Freemasons’ Hall, Wellington, on Friday I7th inst. There was a large attendance of members and visitors. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the W.M. through illness, the Chair was occupied by Bro. George Robertson, P.M., who, assisted by Bro. B. N. Manley, P. M. conferred the Third Degree on a candidate. The W.T.'s were presented by the acting J.W., Bro. W. Jessup. Some further business having been transacted the Lodge was closed in love, peace, and harmony at 10.15 p.m.

WHAT THEY THINK IN AMERICA. ‘Lord Onslow, Governor of Naw Zealand, who, upon advice of his associates in the Grand Lodge of England, declined nomination for the Grand Mastership of New Zealand upon the grounds, that four-fifths of the lodges in the colony had not conjoined in the proposed movement, has addressed a very able, calm and suggestive circular letter to the recalcitrant lodges of English constitution, advising them in forcible language to accept the “ inevitable,’ and thereby put a determination to the discussions, wrangles and inimical feelings disturbing the harmony which heretofore existed among the Fraternity in New Zealand, to him a cause of sorrow. It was anticipated that advisatory words, coming from a brother of His Excellency’s high position, both as Her Majesty’s representative and as Past Grand Warden of England, and seemingly sanctioned by Grand Master, Prince of Wales, would havo carried weight with the outstanding Masons, aud would have induced them to review the situation with seoond sober thoughts. But, as far we can learn, the circular has produced a decidedly contrary result, as all the lodges, heard thue far in response, have reiterated a determination to adhere to their original allegiance. Still, npon reflection, we may say, that we ought not to be surprised at this perseverance in contention, as we presume the recalcitrant lodges to be under pressnre of Provincial and Deputy Grand Masters, appointed for life, who, in event of centralization of authority, would find tkemselves among the common folks of the order.’ The Masonic Chronicle, from which the above is takeo, has rightly guessed why certain distinguished, we might say almost extinguished, brethren are opposing the Grand Lodge of Naw Zealand. VVe predict that in a very short time they will ‘find themselves among the common folks of the order. For it would be fatal to the future interests and progress of Freemasonry in this Colony to put those brethren in cilice who have, in the management of their own districts, shown want of energy, taot, courtesy, busi ness capabilities, aud common sense. The inevitable result of contralization of authority is that those luminaries, who are now fighting tooth and nail to retain their collars, will have to take a back seat, and they know it. Henca the persistent opposition to Grand Lodge.

THE GROWTH OF FREEMASONRY. One hundred years ago there were not 2000 lodges and scarcely 50,000 members in the world, whereas now there are over 15,000 lodges and some 2,000,000 of craftsmen, the income from all sources being about £500,000 per annum. DEATH OF KING KALAKAUA. David Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands, died in this city at the Palace Hotel, 20th inst., aged 55 years. He was a member of La Progress Lodge, F. and A. M. of Honolulu, under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council of France ; Honolulu Chapter, No. 1, under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Roval Arch Chapter of the United States ; of Honolulu Commandery, No. 1, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment of the United States ; Orator of Kamehameha Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, Guardian of the Temple of Nnuann Chapter Rose Croix, No. 1 ; Sub Preceptor of the Alexandar Liholiho Council of Knights of Kadosh, No. 1 ; an honorary member of the Supreme Council, 33deg of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States, A. and A. Scottish Rite, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, the last of which he was initiated into on the 14th inst., and was the last institution he visited,

He was always interested in Masonry, and regular in attendance and in the performance of his official Masonic duties. The funeral services were held in Trinity Church, Post Street, attended by the United States, State and City civil and military authorities and forces under their oommaod. Flags of all nations in the city and harbour were suspended at half mast. Business was largely suspended and the funeral procession and embarkation of the remains were witnessed by more than a hundred thousand spectators. The utmost decorum was observed generally and hononr rendered his remains. Golden Gate Commandery, No. 16, occupied the position of honour, together with representatives of the Supremo Council of the Southern M&soniu Jurisdiction of the United States and of the Grand Consistory of California, A. and A. Soottish Bite. The remains and escort were conveyed by the U.S. steamer Madrono to the U.S. war ship Charleston, which fired minute guns during the embarkation and thence immediately departed for Honolulu, the forts in the harbour firing minute gnus during her passage out of the harbour. PROPRIETIES OF THE LODGE"ROOM. All the ceremonials of Masonry, when properly performed, are of a very dignified and impressive character. From the opening sound of the gavel io a Lodge of Entered Apprentices, to the sheathing of swords in a eommandry of Knights Templar, there is not a single ceremony performed, word uttered, or instruction given, that was not designed to produce a good effect. There is no time nor place for indulging iu levity, jesting, or any ‘free and easy,’ ‘go as yon please,’ sort of performance. This is especially the case while initiating a candidate into any degree of Masonry. He should be treated with the greatest politeness and respect from ■' the time he first enters the preparation room until he has received the final charge and is seated as a member. When this is dona the impre'ssiun made fipon the neophyte is always good, a?d his favourable opinion of Masonry, conceived before he knocked at the door of a lodge, is fully sustained. He enters upon his new sphere of life with zeal, and with bright anticipations of happiness in the society of those who now surround him, and with the full assurance that in becoming a Mason he made no mistake. Thus the body into which he has eatered is strengthened and the whole institution is benefited.

A Masonic body, however, is but an Association of men, possessed of all the diversities of human nature. Making one a Mason is expected to make him a wiser and better man, but it otherwise leaves him very much - as he was before. If a spirit of mirthfulness or frivolty predominates in his nature, it is pretty sure to crop out, with the least excuse for it, even at inappropriate times and places, to mar the beauty, or even to destroy the effect, of a ceremony designed to illustrate and teach an important lesson. A gentle reproof in such instances may be necessory to prevent their recurrence. Another more inexcusable annoyance whiie conferring a degree is the sound of whispered conversation among brethren about the lodge room. While this evil is by no means a prevalent one, we have seen it in some masonic bodies to the extent that tha presiding officer was compelled to suppress it in the piesence of candidates. Such conduct is most unbecoming on the part of members, and they should be made to desist at once. Officers should b*e very careful not to give license to it by their own example. Members are quick to observe and are pretty sure to follow the example of thosa in official positions. Well digjjfplined officers will generally insure an eqfially well disciplined lodge. We have never seen it otherwise. In all the ceremonials of Masonry the officers of a lodge occupy the most responsible position, and especially so as pertains to conferring the first degree. As first impressions are always the most lasting, so the first approach to the candidate as he, for the first time, presents himself at the door of a lodge, will forever bear its impress upon his masonio life. Think of these things, brethren, when you assemble iu the lodge room, and in whatever position you may occupy, ever bear iu mind the scriptural injunction, ‘ Let all things be done decently and in order.’