MASONIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2129, 1 December 1868, Page 3

MASONIC.

According to ancient custom, tho Masonic Brethren of tho Scottish Constitution, as well as brethren, of sister Constitutions, celebrated St. Andrew's Day by attending divine service yesterday afternoon. There was a large attend, ance of the brethren, as well aa of tho general public, including a brilliant assemblage of ladie.l, at St. Paul's Church, whore an able and appropriate sermon was preached by the Reverend and Very Worshipful Provincial Grand Chaplain of New Zealand (S.C.), Bro. R. L. Stanford. Tho Choral Service was moat impressively rendered, Mr Towsey presiding at tho organ. Tho text was the Ist verae of tho 133 rd Psalm, " Behold how good and how pleasant it ia for brethren to dwell together in unity." Ai tho close of the service, a collection was *made in aid of tho fund of Now Zealand Scottish Masonic Benevolence.

At five o'clock in iho evening tho brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall, for the purpose of holding a banquet. A largo number sat down to a splendid repast, which waa well served, and reflected tho highest credit on the cnisina of Brother Job Wain, under whose personal superintendence the whole of the arrangement'? were conducted. The Right Worshipful the Substitute Provincial Grand Master, Bro. J:is. Mills, presided. Tho Vcrv Worshipful tho Provincial GrandS, W., Bro, John Thomson ; and thoV.W., the Prov. G.J.W., Brother Samuel T. Kerr, were in their places. On the right of tho chair, were Brothers James Macandrew, John H. Campbell, and John Sibbald ; and on "the left were Brothers George Smith, Sydney James, and Charles White. Grace being said, tho brchron did ample justice to tiio good things provided. After tho cloth had been removed, the usual loyal toasts wero duly honoured, after which tho Chairman gavo " Tho Army, Navy, and Volunteers," to which Brother Caldwell responded.

The next toast was " The Superintendent of Otago," to which Brother Macnndrew replied in appropriate terms, dwelling upon the important duty which devolved upon the brethren as Masons and ;ia men, of building up in this colony a social structure, in which tho sons of toil in Europe might find a home.

Tho next toast was " The Grand Lodges of England and Ireland," coupled with the names of Brothers Smith and White. After appropriate responses, the Chairman proposed "Tho Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, English Constitution," to which Bro. James responded. The Chairman proposed "The Provincial Grand Registrar, Irish Constitution ;" and Bro. White returned thanks.

Tlio toast was then proposed of " The Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, under tho Grand Lodge of Scotland." Bro. Mills responded.

The next toast was "Tho Lodge of Otago," to which Bro. G. Smith, " tho father of Freemasonry in Now Zealand," responded.

Bro. Thomson proposed, " Tho Lodges under tho English Constitution," which was responded to by Bro. Wilson, of Port Chalmers.

Bro. James proposed, " Tho Kilwinning, St. Andrew, St. Clair, and Celtic Lodges," saying that ho hoped the timo waa not fur distant when all the Lodges of New Zealand would work under a Grand Lodge of their own. Bros. Sibbald, Thomson, and Caldwcll responded. Bro. Sibbald agreed with Bro. James, and hoped to see all the Lodges, English, Irish, and Scotch, under one Constitution. The building of tho new hall was a step in that direction.

Bro. Kcrr proposed, " Our Visiting Brethren," and Bro. White replied.

Bro. John Hay proponed "Thu Clergy," coupled with the name of the Provincial Grand Chaplain. Bro. Gore responded. Other toasts, such as "The Press," "The Ladies," &c, followed, and tho brethren, after spending a pleasant social evening, separated at a late hour.