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whom emanate all true Light and knowledge . Though so many cycles have passed away , I may add , mankind is still much in darkness , whilst it is indubitably true that even the most unbelieving in a Divine Providence , which certainly overrules all things for good purposes , are anxiouslyin search

of knowledge , figuratively called by us Light , the flam e of which , by its pointing upwards , was considered an ancient emblem of Immortal Life . Seven thousand three hundred and seventy-nine years have now elapsed since , with our present degree of knowledge of the World ' s chronology ,

mankind commenced here to exist , and since then , like the inferior creature which works its way upwards to the surface of what , to it , is so incomprehensibly vast on earth , in search of light and warmth , without which it could not exist Man also , in obedience to an impulse which we

may surely name a mystical , or mysterious , command of the Divine Master , has been by degrees working upwards to better and purer knowledge of the sublime Great Cause of all light and life , —labouring to attain to a comprehension of the marvellous works of the Great Architect of , not

only this , insignificant world , but also those innumerable , and far superior other worlds , which , though within the scope of our vision , arc too remote for our present means of comprehending them . In tlie view of such incalculable vastness , power , and omniscience , how can we ,

insignificant beings , expect to reach more than a faint degree of knowledge of Him , in whose sight we are all , corporeally , but little more than the creature just alluded to ? All creatures which breathe the breath of life are , it cannot be denied , endowed with reason and intelligence , or what is usually called instinct . With some , this "is

limited to the preservation of their corporeal existence—shortlived as it is—and they seem to have no thought , nor means of perpetuating knowledge ; whilst it would also seem with man to be a ditty attached to his superior degree of intelligence , to labour for its acquisition and increase , and to leave it as an inheritance to those who

succeed him . Above all , it is likewise a natural obligation to man to promote the welfare rather than the unhappiness and destruction of his fellow-creatures . Arc these not so many evidences of the immortal nature of human intelligence and its fruit—knowledge ?

In our pride , we are apt to call this our world , an ^ . to consider the starry host above us as created to light our steps by day and night . We are prone to suppose that all things were made for our use , by the Great Architect of the Universe , and for the various other creatures which

inhabit it together with us—all having an equal right to light and life . Perhaps this arrogance in man arises from the innate conviction which no one can suppress , of the immortal chiracter of his soul , so far superior to all material and animal nature , and of its imperishable character . If

this be the case , what a weighty responsibility must rest upon each and every one of us , for the use which we make of our present existence , of one intellectual gifts , and for the degrees of knowledge which we are , individually , enabled to possess qf His sublime works , and our duties to each other !

These remarks , llretlren , are parlicularlyapplicable to us all , as Freemasons . The portal of the Lodge opens to us a vast field for rellection and enquiry , far beyond the possession of our simple conventional words and signs , which , strangelv to add , create the mistrust of the

uninitiated . It is in consequence of our inability to measure works , all created and existing with so much beauty and harmony and , when properly understood , found to be as regular as the most perfect lines of architecture , to explain them , as wc yet know them , bv the often inefficient

terms of speech , that we , under the name of Freemasons , endeavour to pourtray them in symbols and in allegories . When words are incompetent to demonstrate our ideas , we endeavour , as it were , to picture them to our vision .

Around me I behold an imitation world . Beneath me is the world ' s rugged and varied surface ; above me , the starry firmament ; and , what we call the " Cardinal Points" are around me . Paganism , which taught to man in the spring time of life the adoration of the sun in the East , the

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moon , and the stars , is now ., ; £ ir behind us , replaced by the symbolic all-seeing eye , of their Creator . Mythology , which deified and embodied each of these stars of our symbolic firmament , beautiful and touching as it was , has been swept away by revea 4 ed knowledge , and , arrogant

man , who dared to aspire to be a god—thanks to the merciful teachings of Divine inspiration and revealed light—has now being led to a knowledge of his own insignificancy , and of the exisence of the only One God ! I—one Divine Master—the Great Architect of the Universe .

Amid the imaginative and often erring philosophy of the scholars of our time , let us continue to labour and hope for the acquisition of still brighter light — for Freemasonry comprises ev ; ery branch of science and knowledge of the arts . Let us hold to revealed truth as the

manner clings for safety and confidence to the compass which , . notwithstanding the various powers of attraction and repulsion , ever points , by Divine command , to the north star as his guide . And , when this life is terminated , and we pass over , what k figuratively called , the

" dark river / let us hope to enter upon a vast existence of purer light , —brighter by far than any we have ever seen here—and be nearer to Him who overrules all things for the wisest and best of purposes , in the pleasing hope of having done our work well here , and of being

permitted to became members of that great Lodge above , there to hold together a Communi cation , which , if I may be permitted to use the expression , is symbolised this evening in our annual reunion on the occasion of the renewed existence of Nature , called Spring .

I have been requested by many of our brethren to promote the establishing of a "Lodge of Instruction " amongst us , in connection with the District Grand Lodge , in which the members of all the lodges may impart knowledge to each other on the real objects and scope of Freemasonry .

I have done this with much pleasure , in the belief that it is greatly needed , and will tend to the advantage of our order in many respects . Though we have before us the Tressel Board as a symbol of nature and revelation ; the Rough Ashlar as an emblem of an untutored mind and

to point out the commencement of our speculative work ; the symbolic pillars at the portal of our emblematic 'I emple and World ; and moreover the " Starry Host" to light Our paths , many of us are ignorant of the great truths which these are designed to impart to those who seek for

instruction in Freemasonry . I trust that the Grand Lodge of England will be pleased to grant our petition . So as to render such a lodge all the more efficient , I cannot too strongly recommend also the gradual formation of a Masonic Library , composed of such books and periodicals , in various languages , as refer to our order , and

that fixed periodical meetings be held here in strict accordance with its rules and regulations . I hope that the younger brethren who meet here will be able to learn something more than the forms of the Ritual and the ordinary signification of the material objects which they behold in a lodge , and be enabled to penetrate the real

signification of both and rdlam them m their minds and

hearts . If this be the result , they will hereafter he able to form a correct estimate of the great bearings of Freemasonry upon the life of man during all the seasons of his short cycle of existence in this world , as well as more fully to appreciate those indubitable truths which are

taught by a careful study of the works of his Divine Creator : all leading onward and upward to the Great Architect of the Universe , typified in the construction of this humble lodge . Would it not also he well to add to this something of a general literary character , so that , from time to

time , lectures may be delivered on the various subjects of the arts and sciences and the progress mankind makes in useful knowledge ? Such an arrangement would ' ' tend to promote the best interests and welfara of our Order and sustain it

in public opinion . Let it be impressed upon the minds and affections that the basis of our Order is a perfect liberality in matters of religion and nationality , and the great Charily which mankind should ever cultivate for each others-charity for tlie faults of others , * their human weaknesses and

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their deficiencies , with , however , an anxious desire for their correction . This is a sentiment akin to the great mercy of our Divine Master towards all of His creatures , and which , when acted upon in the working of our lives , causes us to approach Him , whilst a neglect of it separates us from

Him in spirit . We are taught by . tlie highest principles of humanity to love each other , but nowhere to love ourselves . Whoever labours for the wellbeing of his neighbour , cannot fail to endeavour to offer him a corresponding good example in his own life , and Freemasons can

never expect to be respected if they be not known to be honest , upright , moral , and temperate men , —free from all degrading excesses . This , therefore , should not be neglected in the teachings of the " Lodge of Instruction " now

proposed . By this means , also , those who are not Freemasons will be instructed and enabled to judge of us without prejudice and mistrust , and learn to love and esteem us by our works and the lives we lead .

I feel it a duty to invite the particular attention of the W . Masters of the Lodges , and , through them , of the brethren generally , to the great prejudice done to our order by discussions on Masonic matters outside of the Temple . This

should certainly not be done . It is , strictly speaking , contrary to our regulations , and must impress strangers unfavourably towards us . I trust , therefore , that all will be more guarded on this subject in future .

There is yet another matter to which I am obliged , very reluctantly , to make some allusion . The regulations of the Order regarding the charities of the private lodges , and the claims of those applying for aid and assistance , are too well known and defined to require more than

allusion to them . These , nevertheless , have been , in some cases , disregarded . I have , therefore , to request that all applicants be required to comply with them before their requests be acted upon by the lodges . I also apprehend that some persons misapprehend the true character of

Freemasonry , its purposes , and its duties , and do seek admission to it from motives , more or less , of au interested nature . This is contrary to their primitive declaration , and their subsequent course casts a shade over their vows . They seem to think that the benevolence of their brethren ,

individually as well as collectively , in the lodge must , as a matter of course , he bestowed upon them , and that out of the lodge the same principle may be freely invoked , disregardful of the consequences to the interests of the party or parties appealed to . Such a pretension , if

persisted in . is calculated to destroy that harmony and respect for each other , which should ever exist between Freemasons . The very limited means of the lodges are always used for the purposes for which they are designed , and great care is required , by the regulations , in the use of

them . Any misconception on the . subject should be corrected in each and every case which occurs . All appeals for assistance beyond the lodge belong to the ordinary benevolences , concerns , and transactions of life and must , properly , be treated as such , and may be granted or refused

by the brother to whom they are addressed , without at all exposing him to reproach . Were it otherwise , the most serious consequences might ensue to the honour , the probity , and the reputations of our brethren , who should never be called upon to jeopardise them , at well as the welfare and happiness ofthcir own families , for

the promotion of enterprises and schemes , however jilnusible , of any one . Whenever any of us carT aid a worthy brother by our personal recommendation or private intercession on his behalf it is our duty to do so , but always , however , with prudence and discretion so as not to carry out in private life what we would condemn in our Masonic intercourse .

NEW ZEALAND . Consecration of a Royal Arch Chapter at Hokitika .

The consecration of the Royal Arch Chapter of Westland look place on Monday , June 26 th , at the Masonic Hall , Hotitika , under letters patent from the Earl de Grey and Ripon , authv