MASONIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 23

MASONIC.

GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND. The sixth annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient,., Free, and Accepted Masons of New Zealand .took place at the Choral Hall, Moray place, on Thursday t .April 30. The hall was decorated and suitably fitted for the purpose ot the meeting. Brethren from all parts of the colony and sister colonies were present;, Acting Grand Master Bro. W. Malcolm Niccol (Auckland) presiding. There was a very good attendance at the afternoon sitting, when general bnsioe*s was transacted, the following prominent Masons being present:— The M.W. Bro. William B&rron, Grand Master designate ; M.W. Bro. Henry Thomson (Christohurob), P.G. Master; RW. Bro. W. H. Hall (Invercargill), Past Deputy G.M. ; R.W. Bro. A. H. Bucton, P.D.G.M.; and the following Grand Superintendents : — Wellington, R.W. Bro. H. J. Williams, PDG.M.; Hawke's Bay, R.W. Bro. W. Beilby; Obago, RW. Bro. J. A. Kirby; Southland, R.W. Bro. M. R. Bree; R.W. Bro. Dr L. G. Boor, Past Grand Superintendent, Nelson and West Coasfc. The fallowing officers occupied the respective chairs :— G.S. Warden, RW. Bro. A. G. Creagh (Oamaru) ; G.J Warden, R.W. Bro. J. J M. Hamilton (Chriatchurcb) ; G. Secretary, R.W. Rev. W. Ronaldsfon; S.G.D , W. Bro. C. J. Ronaldson ; J.G.D., W. Bro. J. A. Algie (acting) ; G. Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. H. W«therilt (acting) ; G. Sword-bearer, W. Bro. H. Lippert (acting) ; G. Organist, W. Bro. A. J. B»»tV; G. Pursuivant, W. Bro. W. H. Hopkins (acting). R.W. Bro. tbe Rev. W. Ronalds jn also aotfcd ;» Grand Ghtplain. On the Gi'and L"dgo effiuars being admitted to the lodge and conducted to their positions on the dai«, with usual honours, the lodge was opened by M.W. Bro. M. Nicool, P.G.M., in accordance with ancient custom, the Rev*. Bro. Grand Secretary Ronaldson, acting as Grand Chaplain, pronouuoing the opening prayer. THE LATB 880. GILLON. Before proceeding to business of a formal character, R W.'Bro. H. J. Williams, P.D.G.M., submitted the following resolution :—": — " That this Grand Lodge, in session assembled, express their deep sense of the loss sustained by Fraemasonry in New Zealand in the death of Bro. E. T. Gillon, Past Grand Matter, and that their sincere and heartfelt sympathy be forwarded to his family." In moving the resolution Bro. Williams' spoke of the very sorrowful nature of hio task. He knew that the severity of their loss would be fully realised by every brother. They had lost within the past 14- days one of the most familiar figures in New Zealand Freemasonry by the death of their late Bro. Edward Thomas Gillon, P. G.M. The Graud Lodge would ba lacking in their duty if before commencing ordinary business they did not pay some alight tribute to hi* memory. It had' been said that Bro. Gillon was the parent of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in New Zealand under this constitution, and with some justification, and consequently it was the more to be regretted that he has been removed from their midst when they had almost reached that, consummation which they had all so devoutly wished. He was confident tbab none who had bteu associated with Bro. Gillon, as he had been for many years in different Masonic work?, would ever forget their late brother. M.W. Bro. H. Thomson secouded the resolution. He thought it was one of those occasions when v^ry little ought to be said. They all felt tho great los 4 they bad susbaiiied. Tha M.W. Grand Mastkr, on putting the motion, said th.\t he had had the melancholy satisfaction of meeting their now deceased brother on board the steamer on his return from his fruitless journey to Australia, and that he had then stated that "he had learned to regard the approach of deith, not as a grim tyrant, but as a kind messenger sent to summon him from a life of pain and torture to a wellearned rtjst." The members expressed their assent to the motioa by silently standing erect. The minutes of the lasb half-yearly communication, held on the 30th October 1895, were then confirmed. THE BALANCE SHEET. On tho motion of RW. Bro. Williams, seconded by M.W. Bro. Thomson, the balance sheet fo* the 15 months ended 31st March 1896 was adopted. It showed assets exceeded liabilities b/ £1348 18s lOd, that the mm of £307 15s 6d was on deposit in the Bank of N«w Zealand and Savings Bank, The Graud Lodge dues outstanding (as estimated), including three months ended 31st ult. and n«t yet due, -was £604- 14s. The orsdit in respect to the benevolence fuud was £964 9-j 7d, that sum being on bank deposit, in addition to which the sum of £150 Ws 6d bad been bestowed on sundry grants during the term. There was £273 78 lOd at fixed deposit at the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of the Masonic widows and orphans fund, the amount received during the period under report for this fuud being £97 17s lid. The total value of funds was £1696 7s sd. BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE. The report of the Board of Benevolence, which was -also adopted, had appended to it a tabulated statement of benevolence disbursed by the board from the lsb of May 1690 to the present date showing that the Grand Lodge fuud of benevolence had always been administered irrespective of constitution or nationality, &nd with the universal beneficence which should at all time 3 characterise Freemason?. In addition to the actual grants made by the board, the Grand Master has, upon the board's recommendation, sanctioned the issue to lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of New Zetland, of numerous appeals made by lodges of sister constitutions. And, no doubt, very large sums had been contributed in this manner, it was equally gratifying to be able to record that similar appeals issued in urgent cases by one own lodges had received a like prompt and generous response from those of other constitutions, evidencing that all are still working together iv hkrmony where the true and practical spirit of benevolence is concerned. BUrjNNERTON DISASTER. The board had had under consideration this national calamity, which had affected not only members of the craft, bub the whole community, and they considered, after consultation by wire with every member, that it would not be exceeding the functions of the board in voting the maximum amount at its disposal under the constitution — viz., £20. The disaster is one so widespread itr its effects that many of the lodges will doubtless feel it incumbent on them to nubocribrt individually to tb« fund now being raised. ' ' GENERAL PURPOSES. , R.W. Bro. Williams submitted the report of the Board of General Purposes, which was adopted with slight amendments. The opening clauses had reference to the resignation of M.W. Bro. E. T. Gillon (since deoeased) as president of the board, which the report stated had been received with great regret. The resignation was couched in the following

Wellington, November 12, 1895. Rev. Wm. Ronaldson, Grand Secretary. Rev. and Dear Sir and Brother,— Will yon kindly inform the Board of General Purposes that I have been obliged by HI health to forward to the M.W. Grand Master my resignation as president. lam quite unable to perform the duties. I resign with great regret, and desire to thank you and the members of the board for the unfailing courtesy and support I have always received.— l am, &c, E. T. Gillon, P.G M. The report then proceeded.:— On consultation with the M.W*. Grand Master, the following resolution was unanimously adopted and forwarded to Bro. Qillon •— " Xh« Board of General Purposes has received with the deepest regret a letter from M.W.P.G.M. Bro. B. T. Gillon resigniug his office as president of tho board on account of sorions illness. Had the resignation been induced by any other reason the board would have felt it its duty to the Grand Lodge to request the M.W. President to continue his tenure of the position, which he hats filled to th 9 general satisfaction not only of the boaid but of the craft : but tha reason being tho condition • of Br"o. Gillon's health, the board feels that it would be uneractous to press upon him its views. The board, in expressing to Bro Gillon its deep sympathy, desires at the same time to record its sense of the loss which the Grand Lodge suffers by the resignation of the brother, to whose exertions the foundation of tho Grand Lodge is principally due, and to whom since its foundation the officers of the Grand Lodge have looked for advice and assistance, which has always been cheerfully riven. And the board desires to asaum Bro. Gillon that his labours in the interest of Grand Lodtre and of the craft will not be forgotten by any of those with whom he has been associated." Owing to the resignation of M.W: Bro. E. T. Gillon , the office of president has been discharged by R.W. Bbo. H. J. Williams, who, it is unnecessary to say, has conducted the business with hia usual ability and judgment. The absence of M. W. Bro F. H. D. Bell from , the colony had afforded an opportunity for the board to express its deep sense or the work carried out during his two years of office. The board desired to assure the brethren and record its conviction that he has been efficient in counsel, and had undertaken work of a very delicate character. Return of the Charters. —The return of the charter* was willingly entered into by the Giand Master, and both with RW. District Grand Master Bro. Arkwright (of We'lington)'»nd R.W. District Grand Master Bro. Cunningham (of Christchurch), as well at with other District Grand Masters, he, both by correspondence and personal interviews, whilst upholding the dignity of Grand Lodge, ombraced every opportunity of showing the true Masunio spirit which had animated Grand Lodge since its inauguration, of ' goodwill towards men. It is too Boon yet to speak of what he may be able to accoinplUh at Home, but the hoard had every confidence in leaving in his hands the conduct of affaiig with the Masonic authorities in the old country; and sincerely trust that he will be successful in obtaining recognition from the Graud Lodg* of England. Lodges Opened.— Two new lodges were opeaad last month— viz , Lodge Havelock, in Pelorus Sound, and Lodge Maori, at Ravensbourue, Dunedin, - which increases the number on the roll to 105. Tho first has been placed in the Wellington diatiict, and was duly constituted and consecrated by the Grand Superintendent and other crand. officer* od March 11 ; and the latter, in tha district of Otago, was iustituted by the Grand Superintendent and local grand officers. Both have been inaugurated under the most favourable auspices, and should have a useful career. Lodge at RirotoDg*. — Considerable correspondence has been had and is still proceeding with reference to the proposed formation of a lodge on this island. The difficulty of tbe board has been not to prejudice the interests of Grind Lodge by a too hasty acquiescence in the proposal until th« position has been found to be quite sound, and at the same time not to didcour^ge tbe laudable desires and efforts of the brethren in that remote island to sscure for themselves the benefits to be derived from tho active exercise of Masonic privilege* and duties. Correspondence. -During the year much considuration has been given to tbe state 1 and circuiaI itanovs of every lodge, and your board is glad to report the. generally prosperous state of the majority, la some instances there has been a I considerable improvement, and work is being j c«rried on under more piomising and favourable s conditions. Returns and dues havu been remitted with punctuality and regularity by the majority of the lodges, as will be seen by the annual statement of aocounts presented with this report. Your board has, however, found it necessary to impress upon some lodges the not'essity of compliance with the- requirements of the Book of Constitution in this rospsct, and h» reason to hope such lodges will be more careful in future. The remarks made by the board on this bead in the report presented to Grand Lodge at Auckland in October last are still appropriate, and the attention of alt lodges is specially directed to them— pase 37, Proceedings, October 30, 1895. Recognition by Grand Lodge 3 —Our correspondence with grand lodges is continually increasing, and snows the careful manner in which they proceed on the question of recognition, and attach herewith the names of all the grand lodges which have extended to us fraternal recognition in the ino.nt ample manner. Since the board presented its last report the Grand Lodgo of Utah has, in. tho most courteous and fraternal manner, extended recognition to tbis Grand Lodge, and has nominated, as below, a grand representative. The Grand Lodges of Illinois and Prince Edward Islaad have recommended as grand representatives at their Grand Lodges M.W. Past Grand Master Bro. John M. Pearson to the former Grand Lodge, and W. Bro. Robert B. M'Leod, P.M., to tbe latter. It is worthy of notice that the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward IsUnd, in extending fraternal recognition, incidentally notices that all the grand lodges of the | Dominion of Canada excepting themselves had : previously recognised our Grand Lodge. (JBNEEAI,. __ It was resolved, on the motion of R.-W. Bro, Williams, aa aoting-presidont of the Board ot General Purposes—" That the office^of Grand Lodge be removed to Dunedin, and remain there until otherwise ordered by Grand Lodge." The following reoommendation from the ■ Board of General Purposes was ' unanimously agreed to: — " That Grand Lodgo appropriate a sum, not exceeding £50, to provide a headstone and suitable railing to the grave of the late Bro. B. T. Gillon, P.G.M , in commemoration of his many services to the Grand Lodge, and in fraternal respeot to his memory." P.M. Bro. Wm. Barron, R.W.P.P.G. Warden 5.0., was unanimously elected G.M. for the eusuing term, and on R.W. Bro. A. H. Burton, P.D.G.M , introducing him to the lodge he was received with acclamation. j The V.W. Grand Chaplain mentioned that it was a curious faob that R.W.M. Bro. Btrron initiated Bro. B. T. Gillon into Freemasonry. A number of officer! having been nominated, it was resolved that the filling of the offices of Grand Stewards not yet provided for be held over for two months. Grand Representative Commission for R.W. Bro. W. Beilby was received from the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and presented to him by tha Grand Matter Aoticg. The meeting then adjourned till 7.30, Evening Session. Before the commencement of the evening ceremonies It was decided to hold the half* yearly communication in October next at Now Plymouth. Ib was also resolved that it be & direction from the Grand Lodge to the Board of General Purpose* to make inquiries with the view of registering the Grand Lodgo under the Umt, cluearfied Societies Aot,

INSTAI.IJKQ THE GBAND MASTER. The Gr&ud Lodge re?u tned at 8 o'clock. M.W. Bro Niccol presided, and there was a very large attendance, tbe stating accommodation of the hall being taxed to the utmost. The Grand Director of Ceremonies having announced the Acting Master of tho Grand Lodge and officers, the brethren received them according to the ancient custom. A well-known Masoaio ode, " Within this •holy dwelling," was sang very effectively by l3ro. Moss. "" *'. The Acting Grand Master informed the lodge that they were assembled tbr'the purpose of installing their new Grand'fifaster. j ThefiECRBTARY read tbe certificate of Bro. W. ißarron's election as Most" Wonhii-ful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand as the authority for installation. The Secretary then read the list of Grand Lodge officers-e'ect. The Grand Lodge cffi:erfl-elect being announced an present, the Instilling Grand ■Master directed a deputation of eight WurshisEul Matters and fo»u Stewards to withdraw for the purpese of introducing Bro. W. Barron, Moafe Worshipful Grand Master-elect, who was duly announced by the Acting Grand Director 1 of Ceremonies, Bro. H. Wttherilt. T6e grand march, " Marche aux Flambeaux" • (Scoison Clark), was played by tbe Maaouio Orchestra. • • T&e following was the order of procession : — Two. Stewards ; two Worshipful Masters, with cushiena, bearing the regalia of the G.M. elect ; •» canopy borne by four Worshipful Masters, under which walked Bro. ' William B<*rron, M.W.G.f11.-eleofr, with two Stewards (one on each side) And two Worshipful Masters. This r procession wasti most striking spectacle. The canopy was of puTgle velvet lined with" cream, upheld by four cedar poles, ornamented with artistic capitals, end borne by four Worshipful Blasters. The whole of the members of the procession behaved in a most impressive manner, and altogether the entry waa a most impo»!ng" s ceremony. On reaching the' eastrin front of the altar, Bro. W. B.irron was presented by the Grand Director of Ceremo.iies to the M.W. Installing Grand Master, by whom he was addressed in tho usnal teems. The Masonic choir then sang the anthem " Praise ye (he Lord ; praise Him, O house of Israel," km. Tha Acting Grand Chaplain (Bro. William Ronnldiou, G. Secretary) then . offered prayer, after which the usnal obligation was taken by the M.W. Grand M asterelect. The choir thrn sang the ode "Hail, Maaonry" (Moscow), the brethren assisting. The Grand Master-elect was then invested with the regalia and ' jewels and symbols of his office, and duly installed, receiving Lhe usnal honours. The orchestra -then played " Ftauenlist " gavotte. Bro. Wetherilt, Acting Qratad Mas'er of Ceremonies, followed by Trumpeter Bro. Coomb?, then from'"tfae esst, west, and south, with grand honours, duly announced the installation of the M.W. G.M. Bro. William Barron, to* hold office for the ensuing 12 months. In the iuterr^s of etch announcement the choir rendered the •de "To this temple." QRKETINBS, ETC. A cablegram was received from tbe Grand lodge of South Australia conveying fraternal greetings to the brathten. to Bro. Cooper, of .Auckland, telegraphed conveying congratulstiots from the Grand Lodge of Canada. Greetings were received also from Lodge Aoraßgt (of Deoniaton), Lodge Ohaeawai, Lodge Harvey (of Gore), Lodge Star of the North (Whangaiei), Lodge St. Andrew Kilwinning (W«ng»nui), Lodge St Thomas Kilwinning (KiUang&ta), B;o. J, M'Keczie Henry (Adelaide), and many others. ' Bro. Williams conveyed congratulation!! from tbe T«r«naki district, Bro. Beilby from Hawfce's Bay and "fche .Grand Lodge, Illinois (U.S.A ) ; 'Bro. firee from the Grand Lodge Ohio, UVS.A.; Bco. Niccol from Auckland lodges and the Grand Lodge of 2?ov», Scotia; Bro.. J. Anniog Eirby on behalf of the lodfesiof Otage; Bvo-. Cwper for the Gwnd Lodge- of Canada; Bro. Batkett for the Grand Lodge of Victoria; Bro. Hamilton for the Grand Lodge of C«»tetbary ; Bro. C.mtoll fur Lodge Haxvay ; Brp. Burton for North Dakota, U.S.A. ; »nd Bro. Corkill for Indian Territory, U.S.A. The Rev. Bro. W. Ronaldson stated that he bad received letters from tha Grand Secretaries of_ ttie Grand Lodges of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and -Tasmania regretting their inability to be present, and tendering tho hsarfcy congratulations of their lodges. IWVJESriTETRE OF OFFICERS. M.W. Bro. M. Niccol (Acting G.M.) then inVPBled BrD. Boor as Deputy Grand Master, And Bra*. William Francis and Dr Walker as senior and jatrior waidens respectively, aad they were conducted to tbeir proper positions by the Acting Grand Director o£ Ceremonies (Bco. Henry Wetherilt). The' folio whig Grand Lodge officers were invented by proclamation ; — Grand Superintendents Auckland, Bro. Niccol ; Wellington, Bro. H. J. William*; Canterbury, Bro. J. J. M. Hamilton ; Southland, Bro. M. R. Bree ; Hawke'sßay and Gisborne, Bro. William Beilby : Nelson and West Cotot, Bro H. Ij. Michel. Senior <srand Warden, Bro. "WilKam Francis ;T; T Junior Grand Warden, Bro. Dr Walker. Grand Chaplains— Auckland, Bro. the Rev. Puifold ; Canterbury, Bro. the Rev. Daniel James Murray ; Wellington, 'Bro. the Rev. Alexander Thomson; Otsgo and Southland, Bro. the Yen. Archdeacon Stocker. Grand Treasurer, Bro. Hugh H. Inglis (Otago);, Grand Registrar, Bro. Arthur Gethin Cresgb. (Otago); President Board of General Purposes, Bro. Alfred Henry Burton (Otago); Grand 'Secretary, Bro. the Rev. William Roualdsen (Otago); President Board of Benevolence, Bro. Joseph A-nning Kirby (Otago). Senior Grand Deaeon3— Bros. James Grubb (<"anterbury), Henry James Freemaa (Wellington) ; ■ Junior Grand Deacons, Bros. William Dey (Auckland), Thomas William Le Cocq (Hawke'a Bay) ; Grtuid Superintendent of Works, Bro. George • Watford Sare (Auckland) ; Assistant Grand Secretary, Bro. William Gifkins fCinterbury); Grand Director of Ceremonies, Bro. Wm. Smith (Southland) ; Asjiitant Grand Director of Ceremonies, Bro. John Teeedale King (Wellington) ; Grand Bible-bearer, Bro. T acey T. Williams (Auckland) ;- Grand Sword-bearer, Bro. James Frame (Canterbury) I Assistant Grand Swordbearer, Bro. George M'Griffin Reid (Auckland) ; GrandStandard-bearer.Bro. Thos. Pahner Goveney (Wellington) ; Assistant Grand Staudard-hearer, Bro. James Boon (Nelson) ; Grand Organist Bro. George Williamson (Hawke's B*y) ; Grand Pursuivant, Bro. WMism Cullen (Wellington) ; Grand Stewards— Bros. George Frederick Jolinston, Duncan M'Farlane, Alexander, BfKenzie (Southland), William Olatkson! R. G. V Parker, Julio3 Alberti (Oti?o). Board of. Gmeral Purposes — Bros. J.imes Carlitw (Auckland), Chai^ Ivan Curtis (Canterbury), Thomas Beujam'i'n Salmon (Wellington), Charles John Ronaldson, Arthur James BathHenry Arthur Reynolds, Hugo Lippert, James Spencp, Arthur Fieldwick, John ISlliott, Robert H." M'Pherson, William Henry Hopkins (Otago), Walter Searle, James Boyne (Southland), John, Joseph Pickett (Rawke's , Bay). Board of Benevolence — Bro?. Kdmund M'K. Page(Auckland), George Edward " Collins (Canterbury) Andrew Smart (Wellington), Joseph Barton, George Waller Williams, Henry White, Hugh M'Corkindale, Alexander Barron, John Stewart Kennedy, John Taylor, Charles Crump, Thomas Alexander Johnion (Otago), Edward A, Dawson

(Nelson), Walter Thorn, Thomas Rupert Carroll (Southland). GRAND MASTER'S- "ADDRESS. • The Grand Master ' t/hen addressed the brethren in the following terms : Most worshipful sir, I am sensible of the high honour of bsiug .pliCgd Jn this position, tha highest honour that the Freenia3ous of New Zaaknd can confer upon any brother. I listened with closest attention to the charge you gave "me before you agked me to tak« the obligation proper for my office. I recognised that that charge indicates a high ideal suoh as it is practically impossible for any one subjoct to nutn&n imperfections to attain to ; bub, ra*st wor^Uipful sir, it is nob impossible for 'any b> other to try to reach that high ideal. Em-masons have always had placed before them an ideal of the highest and nob'est kind, and they have al ways been urged to strive to realise it, and ta fiad satisfaction in bo striving. Before I say more about the position thab has beon conferred upon myself, I feel constrained to refer to the death of the worthy brother who only a few days siuc-j held high office in this Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and whose work in its service cannot be forgottsn. He was one of the most wisely zealous Masons I ever knew ; and I particularly mias him, because I looked forward, when I was asked to take I this position, to have his valuable assistance. It gave me the more pleasure to look forward to that assistance for the reason that, as ho some time ago reminded me, I -had the honour to i preside when he was born into Masonic life. , Moat worshipful sir, we have established ■in New Zealand a Grand Lodge which has undertaken the rule of Freemasonry with great advantage to the brethren and with great ■ credit to the Grand Lodge. The results that are shown by the official statements presented to|i day are of the most eminently satisfactory kind, and those present attached to the Grand Lodge must feel exceedingly grateful to yon, most worshipful sir, and to my other predecessors and j to thoae. negotiated with you and with them in office for the wise counsels and wise administration which you have brought to bear up in its affairs. I cannot hope to reach the high state of perfection — I say it in all sincerity — wbkh has beon reached .by . my predecessors in office, because the/^are exceptionally good men in Masonry and have been exoeptionaladministrators ; and when I look back to the records of my worthy Bro. Thomson, oF yourself, sir, and of Bro. Bell, who filed the office before me, I have considerable misgiving* that when the time, arrives at which I must give cvar my office to my successor, the brethren will be forced to make a contrast, which I fear will not thcow as much credit, on mytelf as I j would like. But I can only promise, to do all that lies within my poor ability to underbaka. ! Furbunatelyformyself no less than forthe Grand Lodge, I will have the active help of the able brethren who have been appointed to fiU the oth^r rffioes, and iv thisrenpectl fesl confidence in being a- soc ; ated wish the best men in the best work. We bay- ii. th<- Grand Lodge two charges : We have the chaig-j of the administration of the ordinary affair* of the Grand Lodge, and we are cherged to see that our ancient landmarks are observed in the closest manner by the large and rapidly increasing number o£ lodges thab come under our rule. Mosb worshipful sir, it f is pa»-t of our duty never to-forget. and indeed- we c<n»ot forget, that the rites of Freemasonry, its caremonies, its allegorical teachings, aad its noble precepta, are not of our own davising. They were practised age* before our time, and they will survive after we have been forgotten, and while we are 1 entrusted with the care and supervision of our lodges it must bo our close endeavour to see that they hand on unimpaired the landmarks that h»ve reached us. through centuries. I hope with the assistance of those associated with me that in that respect we will not be found wantiag. Brethren, it must be regretted that Fresmasoory in this part of fiha colony has nob been so olosely mixed up with the socUl life of thapeople as it has in other parts ''of New Zealand. In other colonies and in moafother parts of the world Freemasonry has bean recognised, as a power for good and a healthy, vigorous organisation in society — an- essential part of full social life— and can be looked up to with satisfaction. It is to be regretted that brethren from a distance who visit us should have occasion to ask; "Where, are your professional men? Where are your lawyers ? Where are your bankers ? Where ace your merchants ? " When "we go to their lodges we fiad all cl*sfe» of the community coming within the lodge and exercising those duties which are 'known.to Masons. The pracbice of Freemasonry affords opportunities, such as nothing else docs or can, for the meeting together, on terms of the most absolute equality, of its adherents in every condition of life, without distinction of Bank, race, or creed, and ucdsr.a fraternal bond which precludes *he possibility of discord. It -enables them to know and to understand each other better, and. inclines them, to the amicable consideration of ewsh other"* troubles. But to be thoroughly effective for good in the life of a community its meetings mu3tmot be altogether i neglected by any of those who are qualified to attend them. I" hope, brethren, we will aome day soon not have to regret the absence of representatives of many classes that are not now fully represented afc our meetings. I know I htve— <»nd who has not ? — heard it said, "Oh ! Freemasonry was all very well in primitive times, bub it ia not suited to human nature now ; And though Freemasons pretend to follow* high ideal, ia practice they admit many undesirable persons to membership and are no better thin ; othor people." Well, brethren, this is a very I poor way of reasoning, and if those who believe in the high ideal that we have set ; ibefenw ourselves and *re qualified to enter our lodge* refuse to come in because they think our practices are not in accordance with our precepts, then they Are not acting as propsri Maaoraa, bat are helping to discredit principles in which they profess to believe. I think you, most worshipful sir, for projiding at this installation and the large number of brefchran present who have attended to do us honour. I ask the brethren attached to oar Grand .Lodge to look upon my shortcomings in a very kindly way, *s lani3urethey will in my efforts to discharge properly the duties of my office. The Nii{ion*l Anthem was subsequently Bung, and after tha clos:Dg ode, "Now the evening shades," the Grand Master and Grand Lodge officers retired in procession.