MASONIC.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12906, 19 February 1906, Page 7

MASONIC.

• SERVICE OF SORROW. A Masonic Service of Sorrow, in memorjain W. Bro. William Warring, P.M., was held by the Lodge of St. John last evening in their Lodgeroom. The service was., a ptfblic one inasmuch' as wives of members and a number of others (especially musical people) were invited to be present, as . well as members cf the sister Lodge Caledonian. The Lodgeroom was therefore well occupied, nearly all the seating provided being filled. The W.M. Bro. M. White, presided, and on the dais were also the officers of the Lodge, the District Grand Lodge officers, and the chaplain, Bro. Rev. Mackenzie Gibson. The organist, Mr B. B. DeLooze, played a Funeral March while the officers entered and took their places. The ceremony was of a very impressive character, and one -certain to be remembered by the strangers present. The ehappahr opened with a short prayer, and then Mr DeLooze sang the recitative and so-b from Handel's '"Messiah," "Comfort ye my people," in a perfect manner. W. Brc. J. E. S. Jackson, P.D.G.W., read the firstlesson., this being the reflections- on- the

Tanity of life Eccl. xi. Two hymns were sung, with 'a prayer, between them; then W~. Bro.. R. Or win, A.D.G.D.C., as_ the second lesson, St. Paul's- dissertation on immortality, -in Cor. x-v. The W.M. delivered a brief address, and the Funeral Ode; was then sung, W. Brethren /A. H. Bourn, E. G. Turner, and. C. S. Fraser, during pauses between, the verses' placing on the catafalque, with appropriate ritual, white, wreaths, evergreens, and everlasting flowers. The organist played the " Dead: March in Saul," and then the chaplain delivered an eulogium on the deceased'brother, adding. some explanation of the fundamental religious tenets of the-Ma-sonic order. • There was a passage in the volume of sacred law, he said, in the form of a question, which expressed the thought' which was at the back■ of all their minds, and especially on such a. solemn and serious moment came - very vividly before them. Thiswas tlie question: "If a man die shall he live again'?"' Another passage in the same sacred volume gave a very direct response to that question-: " Then shall the dusf retum to the eatth.' ; V .*■ and. the spirit:shaill return'unto God wh£ gave it!" - He£ wished' t-d • saj- that he creed: of a Mason--was : simplieiy- itself. - It was not entangled with scholastic subtleties nor was it weighted with theological difficulties. It titles; begelf in Gpd the Great ArdSutedfc. Earth, the gpod; Wdvthe- Judge of the; qtiicli ajid the dead. And so when t&y laid iii t&eir last .Testing places the bodies of ' - t&eir departed friends, it was with a full conviction that out, of . and beyond the "silent tomb there would by and bye be the breaking light of a resurrection morn, when all true and "faithful nien, shall-rise to the blessful Lodge which no tyling could remove. The Rev. chaplain proceeded to apply this teaching as a guide and a motive to the building up of character during "he short life of man on earth. The character of -tieir assembly bore eloquent testimony to the transiency of life. . Cine of their number abode with them no longer, and they were assembled to bear testimony to the solid worth of their departed friend, Bro. Warring, a late Past Master. Bro. Warring, at the time of his death, had-

been a Maeon twenty-six years. He joined the Craft as a member of the Progress Lodge at Ashburtoh in 1880, and passed through the various chairs, and was installed as W.M. at Southbridge, where he held that office for two consecutive years. He was alse a member of the Boyal Arch Chapter, and a member of the Mark Masons degree. In the Craft he was well known, worthily respected, and highly esteemed as a brother of good degree. In his professional career he was a first rate officer, perfectly fair, and one who did not scruple to do his duty at all hazards. In his private life he was a devoted husband and a good father. lii short he was an upright man, just and full of integrity, and in all degrees of life a man of good report. He had therefore left the splendid legacy of a sterling character, which would be a lasting comfort to "those who were nearest and dearest, and a bright example for the brethren of the Craft to imitate. The Rev. chaplain offered some reflections on the importance of such a legacy, and remarked that character speaks with greater power after death, because •then jealousy and envy have no place, and faults and foibles are hidden behind a, veil of charity, hence one may exercise a good influence after death, by noble living in life. Bearing this in mind and acting upon it, would make death itself seem kind. And thus their departed brother from the grave was speaking to them comfort and. counsel and consolation.

The hymn "Now the Labourer's-Task is O'er," with the refrain, " Father, in Thy gracious keeping, leave we now -Thy servant sleeping,"- and the. Benediction, the impressive service ended.