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Article NEW ZEALAND. NEW MASONIC HALL AT AUCKLAND. ← Page 2 of 3 Article NEW ZEALAND. NEW MASONIC HALL AT AUCKLAND. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
New Zealand. New Masonic Hall At Auckland.
the top of the balustrade ia 40 feet . The whole front being of the Corinthian order , the front centre pediment projecting a foot from the main building . Tho fact that the ceremony was to be conducted by the three District and Provincial Grand Majors , the representatives of 'he three Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , lent
additional eclat to the proceedings . Every Mason recognising the fact that this might be tho only occasion during a lifetime when such an occurrence might take place . Great praise is , says the local papers , due to Bro . H . G . Wade , the D . G . Secretory E . G . ) who prepared the programme . It was a most difficult task , requiring extreme tack and a thorough knowledge of Masonio nsage . There was no ritual
to guide him , and the programme had to be so prepared as to allot to each of tho Grand Lodges a full share in the ceremonies . He acquitted himself as only snch an experienced Mason could have done ; and the fact that the long and trying ceremonial was carried through withont a hitch is , they take it on themselves to say , entirely attributable to Bro . Wade ' s tact , knowledge and ability . The scene
of the ceremonial was a centre of attraction during the forenoon . The grand stand and front were gaily decorated with flags , the entrance was through a-n evergreen arch , and the triangle over the foundation-stone was foliated in the form of a spreading New Zealand tree . The District Grand Lodge , E . G ., was opened in the Choral Hall at 1 o ' clock , by the Y . W . Bro . Lodder D . D . G . M ., at
which time there was a very large attendance of brethren and a good choir , presided over by Bro . Gordon Gooch , Bro . Angelo Forrest presiding at the organ . The lodge having been duly opened , the D . G . M . Bro . Graham and his Officers entered , and were received , the Organist playing a march , and the brethren saluting with grand honours . The chorale , "Hail Eternal by whose aid , " was im .
pressively sung , after which the Grand Lodge was declared duly opened . Bro . Pierce P . G . M ., I . C ., and his Grand Lodge , nnd Bro . Whitaker P . G . M ., S . C ., nnd his Grand Lodge , wero admitted , and saluted in the usual forms , and conducted to their places ; and after further ceremonial , the D . G . Secretary , Bro . Wade , read the dispensation authorising the brethren to appear in regalia . The anthem ,
" Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , " was chanted , and the D . G . M . sprinkled perfnme . Bro . the V . W . E . T . Wildman , director of ceremonies , then called lo his aid Bros . Cole and Tfitchens , and marshalled tho procession for the march to St . Paul's Cathedral Abont 400 joining in tbe procession The Rev . 0 . M . Nelson D . G . Chaplain , assisted by the Revs . Dr . Kidd , Messrs . Gould and Tebbs
conducted the service , the Rev . Dr . Kidd preaching an eloquent and impressive sermon from the last verse of the second lesson— " And now abideth faith , hope , charity , these three ; but the greatest of these is charity . " A collection was made in aid of the Parnell Orphan Home , amounting to £ 18 2 s 9 d . The brethren having taken up their allotted places , and the District
and Provincial Grand Masters having taken theirs at the east , north , and south sides of the stone , the ceremony was commenced by the choir singing the hymn , " Master Supreme , to thee this day our corner stone with praise we lay . " Bro . Gould P . G . Chap . 1 . 0 . read the first three verses of the 1 st chapter of Genesis , after which Bro . Nelson D . G . Chap . E . C . offered up prayer , the responses being given
by the Grand Masters and the choir . Mr . L . D . Nathan , Chairman of the trustees , then read a copy of the scroll , which was placed in the cavity under the foundation stone . The D . G . Treasurer then placed the phial containing coins of the realm . Other documents , newspapers , & c , were placed in the cavity , and the cement was spread by the D . G . M ., with the handsome silver
trowel presented by the architect , Bro . Skinner . During the singing of the anthem , " Round the spot , Moriah's Hill , " the stone was gradually lowered to its bed , after which the D . D . G . M . Bro . Lodder applied the square , the P . G . Senior Warden I . G ., applied the level , and the P . G . Jnnior Warden S . C . applied the plumb , each reporting to his Grand Master , after which each Grand Master struck the
stone three times with his gavel , and declared it well and truly laid . The D . G . Director of Ceremonies introduced the Architect , Bro . Skinner , who presented the plans for the inspection of the D . G . M . The anthem , " When Earth ' s foundation first was laid , " was sung to the tune Adeste Fideles , after which the architect presented the working tools to the D . G . M . Bro . Gould , who read tbe lesson from
the Sth chapter of first Kings . The D . G . M . E . G ., scattered corn on the stone , and consecrated it to virtue , the P . G . M . I . G . poured wine on it , and consecrated the Hall to universal benevolence , and the P . G . M . S . C . dropped oil on the stone , and consecrated it to all the purposes of Masonery . Dnring this impressive portion of the ceremonial , the choir sang the hymn , " Genius of Masonry descend , "
and each portion of the ceremony was greeted with grand honours . Bro . the Hon . P . Whitaker , at this stage of the proceedings , delivered the following address : — Right Worshipful Masters and Brethren , —We have arrived at that part of the ceremonial when it is the duty of one of the brethren to address you on the subject of Freemasonry . It is my privilege to
be called upon to perform that duty . I do not presume to be able to teach the brethren ; but this is a proper occasion to call to their memories certain facts worthy to be remembered , and especially to take a view of our present position . I may first observe , then , that Freemasonry is a very ancient institution . Its origin is lost in the mist of antiquity . Some date it as fnr baek as the Patriarchs ,
while others look upon the building of King Solomon s temple at Jerusalem as the starting point . Whatever the date of its birth , there is no question that in some form it has lasted through a long series of years . The enquiry is interesting , but this is not a convenient occasion for prosecuting the enquiry . For our present purpose , it is sufficient to go back to the lust century , as it was then that the
organisation now existing was adopted , and tbe foundation of the present system laid . In the year 1717 the Grand Lodge of England was established . An eminent Mason , Anthony Sayer , was the first Grand Master . A number of eminent men have held the office since . The Prince of Wales now holds the office . A few years afterwards , viz ., 1730 , the Grand Lodge of Ireland was constituted , Viscount
New Zealand. New Masonic Hall At Auckland.
Kingston was the first Grind Master . The Dnke of Leinster was one of his sneeoasors . I single him for mention , as he ruled the C > -aft the unpreoeden-ed time of 61 vears . The Duke of Abercorn is tho p-eseiit Grand Master . Tho Freemasons of Scotland soon fol . lowed suit , and in 1736 a congress of Masons was held in Edinburgh and tho Grand LorVo of Scotland was constituted . At that time the
headship of the Scotch Freemasons was an hereditary office , estab . lished by King James II . of Scotland , and William St . Clair , of Rosslvn , held it in 1736—he surrendered the office , and was elected the first Grand Master of Scotland . The present Grand Master is Sir Miohnel Shaw . Tho constitution of Freemasony in New Zealand comprises Provincial or District Grand Lodges , under whom there
aro a large number of subordinate Lodges . We thus see that the English is tho oldest , the Irish second , and the Scotch third , and thoy aro entitled to precedence in this order . But it must not be inferred that there is practically any sharp line of distinction between the brethren of the different Constitutions , indeed , so far from that , yon will find in most of the Lodges , if not all , English , Irish , and
Scotch Freemasons mix without distinction , all united in one brotherhood . Freemasonry found an early home in New Zealand Nearly forty years ago , soon , indeed , after the foundation of the Colony , a Lodge was established in Auckland . I believe it is the senior Lodge in New Zealand—the Ara . It held its first meeting in a small room in the Exchange Hotel in Shortland . street . Since then
a large number of Lodges have been constituted under the three Con . stitutions . So that the organisation of Freemasonry , so far as New Zealand is concerned , comprises the three several Grand Lodges , the threo Provincinl Grand Lodges , and a large number of subordinate Lodges . Ifc may be a matter of surprise that in this town , the centre of Freemasonrv in the North , and the home of three Provincial Grand
Lodges , so much delay has taken place in providing a Masonio Hall , especially as many of the out-districts have done so . There may have been remissness , but it is not an unmixed evil , as we are now enabled to erect a building worthy of the Craffc and an ornament to the town , which , where Masons were few in number and poor in pocket , could not have been done . It ia somewhat remarkable that
Freemasons' Halls—that is , buildings specially erected and set apart for Freemasonry—are of comparatively recent date . The first of which we have any record is a Hall erected in Philadelphia in 1754 , the second at Marseilles in 1765 , and the third in London in 1776 . The last was pulled down in 1864 , and the present handsome and commodious building erected in its place—a fitting
home for Freemasonry . I look upon the erection of a hall in Auck . land as a most important event in Freemasonry . It is highly objectionable that Lodge meetings should be held at places of public entertainment—it has been hitherto perhaps almost a necessity , but ifc has no doubt given rise to scandal , which should be carefully avoided . It may now be fairly asked for what object is there such
an extensive organisation required , and what is there to justify the expenditure of so much time , trouble , and money ? Let ns consider what is Freemasonry . One of the greatest writers on Masonic Jurisprudence ( Dr . Oliver ) defines it to be " a system of morality veiled in allegory nnd illustrated by symbols , " but we shall be better understood by what ifc does aud what it teaches . I will first say a few
words as to the admission of candidates . We are no propagandists . It is directly contrary to the principles and rules of Freemasonry that any man should be solicited to become a Mason , and before he ia allowed to be proposed he has to sign a declaration that he is unbiassed by improper solicitation and uninfluenced by mercenary or unworthy motives , but freely and voluntarily offers himself to be
initiated in the mysteries of the Craft . The qualifications required of a candidate are bnt few , but they are peremptory . He must be a believer in the Supreme God—the Father of all—the Great Architect of the Universe . No Atheist is admissible , bnt we inquire not into denominational religion . Mahommedans are eligible , and so are the Parsees of India—the latter , indeed , have a million Freemasons on
their roll . It is true thafc in our Lodges we hold the Bible to be the corner stone . Our ceremonies are founded on this basis , and no Lodge can be properly held without it . Whenever a Lodge meets the Bible is laid open in the midst , and is only closed when the Lodge closes . Such , however , could nofc be the case with the Mahommedans and Parsees . On their consciences the Bible would not bind , but to them
the Koran and the Veda take the place of our Bible . Whether it be so , the Bible has the place in our Lodges . A man must be a free man , well recommended and favourably vouched for . Politics are strictly prohibited . In every free country Freemasonry has been held in high esteem , and as convincing proof of the favour with whioh it is regarded by the Government of our country there is the remark .
able fact that when Europe was convulsed , and laws passed to put down unlawful oaths and secret societies , a special exemption was made in favour of Freemasons , whose loyalty and obedience to the laws of the country have never been doubted . The oath administered to a Freemason is principally to bind him to do good and eschew evil . Now let ns examine what are the objects of Freemasonry , and what
does it teach ? It tenches a code of morality and virtue , its object being to improve man ' s moral nature—to remind him from time to time of the duties that he owes to God and his fellow-men ; it denounces vice and encourages virfcne . What higher or better objects are compatible with any human institution . To the wives and families of Masons , Freemasonry shonld be especially acceptable . No doubt it
fa demanding a good deal for wives to acquiesce in an incommunicable secret , but , on the other hand , they must bear in mind , as a set-off , that Freemasonry impresses on its members their duty to their fellowmen , and especially impresses upon them the duty they owe to their families . Masonry demands that the Mason should not only provide for his family , but that , to the best of his ability , he should administer
to their happiness , spending a due portion of bis time amongst them , and that he shonld not waste his time and substance in taverns , or selfishly seek his own gratification . In short , if a man is a good Mason , he must be a good man , and especially a good husband , a good father . If Freemasons fall short of their duties , ifc is nofc the fault of the Institution , bnt of those who < Jo not in practice conform
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
New Zealand. New Masonic Hall At Auckland.
the top of the balustrade ia 40 feet . The whole front being of the Corinthian order , the front centre pediment projecting a foot from the main building . Tho fact that the ceremony was to be conducted by the three District and Provincial Grand Majors , the representatives of 'he three Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , lent
additional eclat to the proceedings . Every Mason recognising the fact that this might be tho only occasion during a lifetime when such an occurrence might take place . Great praise is , says the local papers , due to Bro . H . G . Wade , the D . G . Secretory E . G . ) who prepared the programme . It was a most difficult task , requiring extreme tack and a thorough knowledge of Masonio nsage . There was no ritual
to guide him , and the programme had to be so prepared as to allot to each of tho Grand Lodges a full share in the ceremonies . He acquitted himself as only snch an experienced Mason could have done ; and the fact that the long and trying ceremonial was carried through withont a hitch is , they take it on themselves to say , entirely attributable to Bro . Wade ' s tact , knowledge and ability . The scene
of the ceremonial was a centre of attraction during the forenoon . The grand stand and front were gaily decorated with flags , the entrance was through a-n evergreen arch , and the triangle over the foundation-stone was foliated in the form of a spreading New Zealand tree . The District Grand Lodge , E . G ., was opened in the Choral Hall at 1 o ' clock , by the Y . W . Bro . Lodder D . D . G . M ., at
which time there was a very large attendance of brethren and a good choir , presided over by Bro . Gordon Gooch , Bro . Angelo Forrest presiding at the organ . The lodge having been duly opened , the D . G . M . Bro . Graham and his Officers entered , and were received , the Organist playing a march , and the brethren saluting with grand honours . The chorale , "Hail Eternal by whose aid , " was im .
pressively sung , after which the Grand Lodge was declared duly opened . Bro . Pierce P . G . M ., I . C ., and his Grand Lodge , nnd Bro . Whitaker P . G . M ., S . C ., nnd his Grand Lodge , wero admitted , and saluted in the usual forms , and conducted to their places ; and after further ceremonial , the D . G . Secretary , Bro . Wade , read the dispensation authorising the brethren to appear in regalia . The anthem ,
" Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , " was chanted , and the D . G . M . sprinkled perfnme . Bro . the V . W . E . T . Wildman , director of ceremonies , then called lo his aid Bros . Cole and Tfitchens , and marshalled tho procession for the march to St . Paul's Cathedral Abont 400 joining in tbe procession The Rev . 0 . M . Nelson D . G . Chaplain , assisted by the Revs . Dr . Kidd , Messrs . Gould and Tebbs
conducted the service , the Rev . Dr . Kidd preaching an eloquent and impressive sermon from the last verse of the second lesson— " And now abideth faith , hope , charity , these three ; but the greatest of these is charity . " A collection was made in aid of the Parnell Orphan Home , amounting to £ 18 2 s 9 d . The brethren having taken up their allotted places , and the District
and Provincial Grand Masters having taken theirs at the east , north , and south sides of the stone , the ceremony was commenced by the choir singing the hymn , " Master Supreme , to thee this day our corner stone with praise we lay . " Bro . Gould P . G . Chap . 1 . 0 . read the first three verses of the 1 st chapter of Genesis , after which Bro . Nelson D . G . Chap . E . C . offered up prayer , the responses being given
by the Grand Masters and the choir . Mr . L . D . Nathan , Chairman of the trustees , then read a copy of the scroll , which was placed in the cavity under the foundation stone . The D . G . Treasurer then placed the phial containing coins of the realm . Other documents , newspapers , & c , were placed in the cavity , and the cement was spread by the D . G . M ., with the handsome silver
trowel presented by the architect , Bro . Skinner . During the singing of the anthem , " Round the spot , Moriah's Hill , " the stone was gradually lowered to its bed , after which the D . D . G . M . Bro . Lodder applied the square , the P . G . Senior Warden I . G ., applied the level , and the P . G . Jnnior Warden S . C . applied the plumb , each reporting to his Grand Master , after which each Grand Master struck the
stone three times with his gavel , and declared it well and truly laid . The D . G . Director of Ceremonies introduced the Architect , Bro . Skinner , who presented the plans for the inspection of the D . G . M . The anthem , " When Earth ' s foundation first was laid , " was sung to the tune Adeste Fideles , after which the architect presented the working tools to the D . G . M . Bro . Gould , who read tbe lesson from
the Sth chapter of first Kings . The D . G . M . E . G ., scattered corn on the stone , and consecrated it to virtue , the P . G . M . I . G . poured wine on it , and consecrated the Hall to universal benevolence , and the P . G . M . S . C . dropped oil on the stone , and consecrated it to all the purposes of Masonery . Dnring this impressive portion of the ceremonial , the choir sang the hymn , " Genius of Masonry descend , "
and each portion of the ceremony was greeted with grand honours . Bro . the Hon . P . Whitaker , at this stage of the proceedings , delivered the following address : — Right Worshipful Masters and Brethren , —We have arrived at that part of the ceremonial when it is the duty of one of the brethren to address you on the subject of Freemasonry . It is my privilege to
be called upon to perform that duty . I do not presume to be able to teach the brethren ; but this is a proper occasion to call to their memories certain facts worthy to be remembered , and especially to take a view of our present position . I may first observe , then , that Freemasonry is a very ancient institution . Its origin is lost in the mist of antiquity . Some date it as fnr baek as the Patriarchs ,
while others look upon the building of King Solomon s temple at Jerusalem as the starting point . Whatever the date of its birth , there is no question that in some form it has lasted through a long series of years . The enquiry is interesting , but this is not a convenient occasion for prosecuting the enquiry . For our present purpose , it is sufficient to go back to the lust century , as it was then that the
organisation now existing was adopted , and tbe foundation of the present system laid . In the year 1717 the Grand Lodge of England was established . An eminent Mason , Anthony Sayer , was the first Grand Master . A number of eminent men have held the office since . The Prince of Wales now holds the office . A few years afterwards , viz ., 1730 , the Grand Lodge of Ireland was constituted , Viscount
New Zealand. New Masonic Hall At Auckland.
Kingston was the first Grind Master . The Dnke of Leinster was one of his sneeoasors . I single him for mention , as he ruled the C > -aft the unpreoeden-ed time of 61 vears . The Duke of Abercorn is tho p-eseiit Grand Master . Tho Freemasons of Scotland soon fol . lowed suit , and in 1736 a congress of Masons was held in Edinburgh and tho Grand LorVo of Scotland was constituted . At that time the
headship of the Scotch Freemasons was an hereditary office , estab . lished by King James II . of Scotland , and William St . Clair , of Rosslvn , held it in 1736—he surrendered the office , and was elected the first Grand Master of Scotland . The present Grand Master is Sir Miohnel Shaw . Tho constitution of Freemasony in New Zealand comprises Provincial or District Grand Lodges , under whom there
aro a large number of subordinate Lodges . We thus see that the English is tho oldest , the Irish second , and the Scotch third , and thoy aro entitled to precedence in this order . But it must not be inferred that there is practically any sharp line of distinction between the brethren of the different Constitutions , indeed , so far from that , yon will find in most of the Lodges , if not all , English , Irish , and
Scotch Freemasons mix without distinction , all united in one brotherhood . Freemasonry found an early home in New Zealand Nearly forty years ago , soon , indeed , after the foundation of the Colony , a Lodge was established in Auckland . I believe it is the senior Lodge in New Zealand—the Ara . It held its first meeting in a small room in the Exchange Hotel in Shortland . street . Since then
a large number of Lodges have been constituted under the three Con . stitutions . So that the organisation of Freemasonry , so far as New Zealand is concerned , comprises the three several Grand Lodges , the threo Provincinl Grand Lodges , and a large number of subordinate Lodges . Ifc may be a matter of surprise that in this town , the centre of Freemasonrv in the North , and the home of three Provincial Grand
Lodges , so much delay has taken place in providing a Masonio Hall , especially as many of the out-districts have done so . There may have been remissness , but it is not an unmixed evil , as we are now enabled to erect a building worthy of the Craffc and an ornament to the town , which , where Masons were few in number and poor in pocket , could not have been done . It ia somewhat remarkable that
Freemasons' Halls—that is , buildings specially erected and set apart for Freemasonry—are of comparatively recent date . The first of which we have any record is a Hall erected in Philadelphia in 1754 , the second at Marseilles in 1765 , and the third in London in 1776 . The last was pulled down in 1864 , and the present handsome and commodious building erected in its place—a fitting
home for Freemasonry . I look upon the erection of a hall in Auck . land as a most important event in Freemasonry . It is highly objectionable that Lodge meetings should be held at places of public entertainment—it has been hitherto perhaps almost a necessity , but ifc has no doubt given rise to scandal , which should be carefully avoided . It may now be fairly asked for what object is there such
an extensive organisation required , and what is there to justify the expenditure of so much time , trouble , and money ? Let ns consider what is Freemasonry . One of the greatest writers on Masonic Jurisprudence ( Dr . Oliver ) defines it to be " a system of morality veiled in allegory nnd illustrated by symbols , " but we shall be better understood by what ifc does aud what it teaches . I will first say a few
words as to the admission of candidates . We are no propagandists . It is directly contrary to the principles and rules of Freemasonry that any man should be solicited to become a Mason , and before he ia allowed to be proposed he has to sign a declaration that he is unbiassed by improper solicitation and uninfluenced by mercenary or unworthy motives , but freely and voluntarily offers himself to be
initiated in the mysteries of the Craft . The qualifications required of a candidate are bnt few , but they are peremptory . He must be a believer in the Supreme God—the Father of all—the Great Architect of the Universe . No Atheist is admissible , bnt we inquire not into denominational religion . Mahommedans are eligible , and so are the Parsees of India—the latter , indeed , have a million Freemasons on
their roll . It is true thafc in our Lodges we hold the Bible to be the corner stone . Our ceremonies are founded on this basis , and no Lodge can be properly held without it . Whenever a Lodge meets the Bible is laid open in the midst , and is only closed when the Lodge closes . Such , however , could nofc be the case with the Mahommedans and Parsees . On their consciences the Bible would not bind , but to them
the Koran and the Veda take the place of our Bible . Whether it be so , the Bible has the place in our Lodges . A man must be a free man , well recommended and favourably vouched for . Politics are strictly prohibited . In every free country Freemasonry has been held in high esteem , and as convincing proof of the favour with whioh it is regarded by the Government of our country there is the remark .
able fact that when Europe was convulsed , and laws passed to put down unlawful oaths and secret societies , a special exemption was made in favour of Freemasons , whose loyalty and obedience to the laws of the country have never been doubted . The oath administered to a Freemason is principally to bind him to do good and eschew evil . Now let ns examine what are the objects of Freemasonry , and what
does it teach ? It tenches a code of morality and virtue , its object being to improve man ' s moral nature—to remind him from time to time of the duties that he owes to God and his fellow-men ; it denounces vice and encourages virfcne . What higher or better objects are compatible with any human institution . To the wives and families of Masons , Freemasonry shonld be especially acceptable . No doubt it
fa demanding a good deal for wives to acquiesce in an incommunicable secret , but , on the other hand , they must bear in mind , as a set-off , that Freemasonry impresses on its members their duty to their fellowmen , and especially impresses upon them the duty they owe to their families . Masonry demands that the Mason should not only provide for his family , but that , to the best of his ability , he should administer
to their happiness , spending a due portion of bis time amongst them , and that he shonld not waste his time and substance in taverns , or selfishly seek his own gratification . In short , if a man is a good Mason , he must be a good man , and especially a good husband , a good father . If Freemasons fall short of their duties , ifc is nofc the fault of the Institution , bnt of those who < Jo not in practice conform