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Article ANOTHER MASONIC HALL IN NEW ZEALAND. ← Page 2 of 3 Article ANOTHER MASONIC HALL IN NEW ZEALAND. Page 2 of 3 Article ANOTHER MASONIC HALL IN NEW ZEALAND. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Another Masonic Hall In New Zealand.
Bro . J . A . Eissenhardt was selected as architect , and the operative portion of the work was entrusted to the direction of Bro . Charles Holner . Both of them have faithfully performed their duties , and although the work is not carried out at present to the extent orig inally
designed , the hall , in the magnitude of its fine proportions and the artistic elegance of its architectural decorations , stands an ornament to the town and an honour to the Masonic Society . The internal arrangements of the building comprise on the ground floor a vestibule inside the
main entrance , with passages leading on the left to the banqueting room , and on the right to offices suitable for occupation as professional chambers . In front of the vestible , and reaching to the back of the building , is another Jarge room which could be utilised as a library and
readingroom , or for any similar purposes . The whole of the upper floor is occupied by the lodge room , with two ante-rooms , and the necessary conveniences for the safe keeping of the furniture and paraphernalia of the Order . The lodge room itself is a fine spacious hall , well lighted and
ventilated , and decorated , according to ancient custom , with inscriptions , mottoes , and designs emblematic of the objects of Freemasonry and the obligations imposed upon those belonging to the Order . At two o ' clock the members , to the number
of nearly one hundred , assembled at the lodge room at Giimer ' s-buildings . The lodge was opened and closed in all the degrees , according lo the Scotch and English rites , by Bros . Kerr and Kent , the Worshipful Masters of either lodee , and at three o ' clock the Tvler announced
the approach of the District Grand Master with his officers . The District G . M ., Bro . John La / . ar , was accompanied by Bros . G . W . Harvey , D . D . G . M . ; Rice , Acting D . G . S . W . ; Hudson , D . G . J . W . ; Batham , D . G . S . ; Cuddiford , D . G . D . C . ; Eisfelder , D . G . P . ; Hawkins ,
D . G . S . D ., and other officers of the District Grand Lodge . I'he District ( hand Master was conducted to the chair with the usual honours , and after the D . G . L . officers had taken their places , the District Grand Lodge was opened in tine form , and the Grand Master delivered the following address from the chair : —
" Brethren , —In compliance with your request , I have now the honour , in the capacity of District Grand Master for the County of Westland , to lend my aid in dedicating a Masonic Hall to the honour and glory of the Most High . I must ever consider it as one of the fortunate events of
my life that the Cralt ol Free and Accepted Masons should be called forth to assist at an undertaking so laudable and so glorious , during the time that , from their all ' ection , J have the honour of sitline' in the chair of the District
Grand Lodge , i'he business ol this day will be remembered i'l the annals ol Grevmouth , and will transmit your names with lustre to posterity . In the name of the Craft of Free and Accepted Masons , I sincerely implore the protection of the
Supreme Architect ol the I ' inverse on our undertaking . May you long continue here the ornaments of civil society , and may you hereafter be received into those mansions , those lodges , prepared in llea \ en for tile good and virtuous A ' ason . "
The procession was then formed under the direction of Bro . Cmldifortl , Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies , who was efficiently assistetl by Bro . W . 11 . Kevell , as Marshal of the Cralt Lodges . The order of procession usual on similar occasions was observed , and when all was
ready the march was commenced to Trinity Church , the Entered Apprentices holding , followed b y the Fellow-Crafts , Master Masons , and officers of both lodges , all whom preceded the District Grand Master with his Deputy , the District Grand Pursuivant bringing up the rear .
1 he large body of Masons present , clothed in the different coloured regalia of the several Craft Lodges , interspersed with the insignia of companions ol' I lie Royal Arch , many of whom iitti iuleil , as well a- , the members of the conl ' raleiiiily of Mark Aid-ons .. . n ; th p : occs .--loii an
imposing appearance 'i'he Grand Master was literal !) covered with the decorations , jewels , and insignia of his rank , and the Deputy Grand Master was , only in a
Another Masonic Hall In New Zealand.
lesser degree , suitably clothed in accordance with his standing and office in the Order . The church was crowded with a congregation composed of all denominations , a large proportion of those present being ladies . After the
District Grand Master had taken his place and the church services suitable to the occasion were concluded , the Rev . G . T . N . Watkins , Chaplain of the Greyinouth Lodge , delivered the following discourse , taking as his text : —¦
"Thoushalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soul , and with all thy strength , and with all thy mind , and thy neighbour as thyself . "—St . Luke , x . 27 . " We are assembled here , brethren , to hold a service preparatory to the ceremony of setting
apart the new hall for the better carrying out the purposes of Masonry . The short notice I received—only a few hours old , and the waning of the day alike forbid a lengthy discourse . We have met in this Christian temple for the express purpose of acknowledging the paramount
claims of religion , and the superiority , infinite , of the service of God appointed over any society , however good , of human origin . To some it may seem that such an institution as Masonry is unnecessary , because the Christian reli gion furnishes rules sufficient , and presents motives
sufficiently strong to the practice of them . Others not only regard Masonry as unnecessary , but even look upon it as antagonistic to reli gion , and point to the secret symbols , the exclusive meetings , and even the faults or vices of individual members , as confirmations of that
hostility . With regard to the first two objections , I must content myself with saying that to Masons they seem necessary to the conservation of the discipline of the Order , and that the secret signs are especially needed as an universal language by which Masons may communicate with
Masons , whatever be their country , and however strange their language . With regard to the last objection—the bad lives many Masons live ¦—this in no degree militates against the value and goodness of the institution , for il" it did , then the same objection might be raised against
Christianity itself , which , though it numbers many millions under the banner of the Cross , yet at the same time hath myriads who , though professing to believe on Jesus Christ , yet live lives entirely unregulated by His holy teachings . " Masonry can hardly be the bid tiling some
think it , when we consider the number of good and wise who belong to it . It is a matter oi'fact as the statistics of Masonry show , that it is not confined to the bad and vicious ; Masonry is now spread all over the world , and princes , nobles , senators , and philosophers , forgetting their
splendor , have sought the favour of membership in a society when : the rich and poor are alike considered and treated as brethren , aud where only worth and benevolence , according to the principles of uur Order , confer a title to icspect . The society , brethren , to which I and many ol
you belong does not merely boast of the principles on which il is founded , which may be briefly summed up in the words 1 took for lhe text viz ., the fear and love of the great ( Jod , and love to our brother , but the annals of Masonry are bright with deeds of the purest and most
exalted benevolence . Captives have been delivered , exiles restored , the oppressed succoured , the poor relieved , by the brotherly love of Masons , and whatever the lives of some Masons may be , the principles are the same , sacred and perennial — the spirit ol Masonry is the same . Every
member ol the Order knows that the principles of Masonry are calculated to promote the interests of sacred morality and pure religion , livery brother knows that such are the tenets of Masonry , and if any brother acts iu opposition to the brotherly love and truth of what he is constantl y
reminded by appeals alike to eye and ear , heis in reality no Mason . " The voice may be Jacob ' s voice , but the hands are the hands of Esau , " To promote brotherly love is the grand design of Masonry ; the
opposite sp ' nit is the cause of strife , confusion , and iv civ ivil wo : k , and is tia very antipodes of the spirit of Masonry . But our Older is made up of individuals , and it behoves everyone who would wish to deserve the name of a Mason to live consistently with the principles of the institution to
Another Masonic Hall In New Zealand.
which he belongs , not to be led astray by the spirit of selfishness , so common in an age of competition , where everyone is trying to rise on others' downfall ; but by a spirit of justice , generosity , charity , benevolence , and piety , to obey the command of the Saviour , to so let His light
shine before men that they may sec His good works and glorify His Father which is in Heaven . There is a common argument against Masonry , that it is a passport to disorder and licensed revelry , and many think even a necessary part of the working of the Order . Now ,
though some of the Craft may have afforded scandal by intemperance and disorder at social meetings , yet for such blots Masonry is not answerable , for while it sanctions rational and friendly enjoyment , from the example of Christ at the marriage feast at Cana , where happiness
must have marked the day , it as strictly forbids every approach to excess and every symptom of disorder ; and he whose character is the opposite of temperate , industrious , frugal , pure , and pious , is entirely opposed to the principles of the Craft , and is doing wdiat he can to throw contempt on
the order of which he is an unworthy member , for when admitted a member he was straightway exhorted—an exhortation in varied forms afterwards repeated—to " let prudence direct him , temperance chasten him , fortitude support him , and justice be the guide of all his actions . With
you brethren , it rests to support the credit of Masonry here . Refute the calumny , if it be one , by your strict and circumspect behaviour for the time to come ; and if with any one of you it be too true , go back to the principles of your Order ; built upon the old foundations , the revealed will
of God , and lead a life which the world shall see only to admire . Be not content , however , with showing in your conduct the virtues of temperance , soberness , and chastity , to which you are bound , but remember , in addition thereto that crowning virtue so beautifully taught by the
Saviour in the parable of the Good Samaritan , following almost the words of the text which is commended to your notice , when once at least in your life you appeared poor and penniless—1 mean the grace of chanty . Charity , first , in as tender a regard for the character of others
as concern for your own good name , and next in administering out of your abundance to the need of your poorer brethren . Indeed , I shall now proceed to put your principles somewhat to the test , by calling on all here to exercise that virtue you all profess to admire—I mean charity ,
which , like its sister , mercy , blesses him who gives , as well as him who receives . 1 wish now to awaken the charitable feelings of all present on behalf of an institution which greatly aids in mitigating the pains of accident and disease—the Grey River Hospital . Of one
blood all are made ; ail are therefore liable to sickness , disease , death ; and though we are in health to-day , as our presence certifies , yet it may be otherwise . J ask you all to contribute to the funds of an institution which is supported in a great measure by voluntary contributions . Give heartily , give liberally , and whatever you
may feel inclined to give on behalf of the useful object for which J have pleaded , will be thankfully received and faithfully applied . May we all leave this house benefitted by the services in which we have joined . May our after doing this day be hallowed by God ' s blessing . May we think nothiii"' we would not have God
discern ; say nothing we would not have God see ; and may peace and happiness , truth and justice , religion and piety , be established amongst us evermore . —A . men . " The sermon was listened to with marked
attention , and the singularly well-timed appeal the preacher made to the sympathies of his hearers , on behalf of the sufferers in the Grey River Hospital , was a spontaneous and commendable effort in the cause of those attributes
of chanty and mercy which Masons are always enjoined to cultivate aud practice . The offertory at the conclusion of the sermon will form a handsome donation to the funds of the hospital .
'i'he services at the church being finished , the procession reformed , and inarched to the Masonic Hall in the same Order as before . On arriving at the lodge the District Grand Master and officers took their respective places , and the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Another Masonic Hall In New Zealand.
Bro . J . A . Eissenhardt was selected as architect , and the operative portion of the work was entrusted to the direction of Bro . Charles Holner . Both of them have faithfully performed their duties , and although the work is not carried out at present to the extent orig inally
designed , the hall , in the magnitude of its fine proportions and the artistic elegance of its architectural decorations , stands an ornament to the town and an honour to the Masonic Society . The internal arrangements of the building comprise on the ground floor a vestibule inside the
main entrance , with passages leading on the left to the banqueting room , and on the right to offices suitable for occupation as professional chambers . In front of the vestible , and reaching to the back of the building , is another Jarge room which could be utilised as a library and
readingroom , or for any similar purposes . The whole of the upper floor is occupied by the lodge room , with two ante-rooms , and the necessary conveniences for the safe keeping of the furniture and paraphernalia of the Order . The lodge room itself is a fine spacious hall , well lighted and
ventilated , and decorated , according to ancient custom , with inscriptions , mottoes , and designs emblematic of the objects of Freemasonry and the obligations imposed upon those belonging to the Order . At two o ' clock the members , to the number
of nearly one hundred , assembled at the lodge room at Giimer ' s-buildings . The lodge was opened and closed in all the degrees , according lo the Scotch and English rites , by Bros . Kerr and Kent , the Worshipful Masters of either lodee , and at three o ' clock the Tvler announced
the approach of the District Grand Master with his officers . The District G . M ., Bro . John La / . ar , was accompanied by Bros . G . W . Harvey , D . D . G . M . ; Rice , Acting D . G . S . W . ; Hudson , D . G . J . W . ; Batham , D . G . S . ; Cuddiford , D . G . D . C . ; Eisfelder , D . G . P . ; Hawkins ,
D . G . S . D ., and other officers of the District Grand Lodge . I'he District ( hand Master was conducted to the chair with the usual honours , and after the D . G . L . officers had taken their places , the District Grand Lodge was opened in tine form , and the Grand Master delivered the following address from the chair : —
" Brethren , —In compliance with your request , I have now the honour , in the capacity of District Grand Master for the County of Westland , to lend my aid in dedicating a Masonic Hall to the honour and glory of the Most High . I must ever consider it as one of the fortunate events of
my life that the Cralt ol Free and Accepted Masons should be called forth to assist at an undertaking so laudable and so glorious , during the time that , from their all ' ection , J have the honour of sitline' in the chair of the District
Grand Lodge , i'he business ol this day will be remembered i'l the annals ol Grevmouth , and will transmit your names with lustre to posterity . In the name of the Craft of Free and Accepted Masons , I sincerely implore the protection of the
Supreme Architect ol the I ' inverse on our undertaking . May you long continue here the ornaments of civil society , and may you hereafter be received into those mansions , those lodges , prepared in llea \ en for tile good and virtuous A ' ason . "
The procession was then formed under the direction of Bro . Cmldifortl , Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies , who was efficiently assistetl by Bro . W . 11 . Kevell , as Marshal of the Cralt Lodges . The order of procession usual on similar occasions was observed , and when all was
ready the march was commenced to Trinity Church , the Entered Apprentices holding , followed b y the Fellow-Crafts , Master Masons , and officers of both lodges , all whom preceded the District Grand Master with his Deputy , the District Grand Pursuivant bringing up the rear .
1 he large body of Masons present , clothed in the different coloured regalia of the several Craft Lodges , interspersed with the insignia of companions ol' I lie Royal Arch , many of whom iitti iuleil , as well a- , the members of the conl ' raleiiiily of Mark Aid-ons .. . n ; th p : occs .--loii an
imposing appearance 'i'he Grand Master was literal !) covered with the decorations , jewels , and insignia of his rank , and the Deputy Grand Master was , only in a
Another Masonic Hall In New Zealand.
lesser degree , suitably clothed in accordance with his standing and office in the Order . The church was crowded with a congregation composed of all denominations , a large proportion of those present being ladies . After the
District Grand Master had taken his place and the church services suitable to the occasion were concluded , the Rev . G . T . N . Watkins , Chaplain of the Greyinouth Lodge , delivered the following discourse , taking as his text : —¦
"Thoushalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soul , and with all thy strength , and with all thy mind , and thy neighbour as thyself . "—St . Luke , x . 27 . " We are assembled here , brethren , to hold a service preparatory to the ceremony of setting
apart the new hall for the better carrying out the purposes of Masonry . The short notice I received—only a few hours old , and the waning of the day alike forbid a lengthy discourse . We have met in this Christian temple for the express purpose of acknowledging the paramount
claims of religion , and the superiority , infinite , of the service of God appointed over any society , however good , of human origin . To some it may seem that such an institution as Masonry is unnecessary , because the Christian reli gion furnishes rules sufficient , and presents motives
sufficiently strong to the practice of them . Others not only regard Masonry as unnecessary , but even look upon it as antagonistic to reli gion , and point to the secret symbols , the exclusive meetings , and even the faults or vices of individual members , as confirmations of that
hostility . With regard to the first two objections , I must content myself with saying that to Masons they seem necessary to the conservation of the discipline of the Order , and that the secret signs are especially needed as an universal language by which Masons may communicate with
Masons , whatever be their country , and however strange their language . With regard to the last objection—the bad lives many Masons live ¦—this in no degree militates against the value and goodness of the institution , for il" it did , then the same objection might be raised against
Christianity itself , which , though it numbers many millions under the banner of the Cross , yet at the same time hath myriads who , though professing to believe on Jesus Christ , yet live lives entirely unregulated by His holy teachings . " Masonry can hardly be the bid tiling some
think it , when we consider the number of good and wise who belong to it . It is a matter oi'fact as the statistics of Masonry show , that it is not confined to the bad and vicious ; Masonry is now spread all over the world , and princes , nobles , senators , and philosophers , forgetting their
splendor , have sought the favour of membership in a society when : the rich and poor are alike considered and treated as brethren , aud where only worth and benevolence , according to the principles of uur Order , confer a title to icspect . The society , brethren , to which I and many ol
you belong does not merely boast of the principles on which il is founded , which may be briefly summed up in the words 1 took for lhe text viz ., the fear and love of the great ( Jod , and love to our brother , but the annals of Masonry are bright with deeds of the purest and most
exalted benevolence . Captives have been delivered , exiles restored , the oppressed succoured , the poor relieved , by the brotherly love of Masons , and whatever the lives of some Masons may be , the principles are the same , sacred and perennial — the spirit ol Masonry is the same . Every
member ol the Order knows that the principles of Masonry are calculated to promote the interests of sacred morality and pure religion , livery brother knows that such are the tenets of Masonry , and if any brother acts iu opposition to the brotherly love and truth of what he is constantl y
reminded by appeals alike to eye and ear , heis in reality no Mason . " The voice may be Jacob ' s voice , but the hands are the hands of Esau , " To promote brotherly love is the grand design of Masonry ; the
opposite sp ' nit is the cause of strife , confusion , and iv civ ivil wo : k , and is tia very antipodes of the spirit of Masonry . But our Older is made up of individuals , and it behoves everyone who would wish to deserve the name of a Mason to live consistently with the principles of the institution to
Another Masonic Hall In New Zealand.
which he belongs , not to be led astray by the spirit of selfishness , so common in an age of competition , where everyone is trying to rise on others' downfall ; but by a spirit of justice , generosity , charity , benevolence , and piety , to obey the command of the Saviour , to so let His light
shine before men that they may sec His good works and glorify His Father which is in Heaven . There is a common argument against Masonry , that it is a passport to disorder and licensed revelry , and many think even a necessary part of the working of the Order . Now ,
though some of the Craft may have afforded scandal by intemperance and disorder at social meetings , yet for such blots Masonry is not answerable , for while it sanctions rational and friendly enjoyment , from the example of Christ at the marriage feast at Cana , where happiness
must have marked the day , it as strictly forbids every approach to excess and every symptom of disorder ; and he whose character is the opposite of temperate , industrious , frugal , pure , and pious , is entirely opposed to the principles of the Craft , and is doing wdiat he can to throw contempt on
the order of which he is an unworthy member , for when admitted a member he was straightway exhorted—an exhortation in varied forms afterwards repeated—to " let prudence direct him , temperance chasten him , fortitude support him , and justice be the guide of all his actions . With
you brethren , it rests to support the credit of Masonry here . Refute the calumny , if it be one , by your strict and circumspect behaviour for the time to come ; and if with any one of you it be too true , go back to the principles of your Order ; built upon the old foundations , the revealed will
of God , and lead a life which the world shall see only to admire . Be not content , however , with showing in your conduct the virtues of temperance , soberness , and chastity , to which you are bound , but remember , in addition thereto that crowning virtue so beautifully taught by the
Saviour in the parable of the Good Samaritan , following almost the words of the text which is commended to your notice , when once at least in your life you appeared poor and penniless—1 mean the grace of chanty . Charity , first , in as tender a regard for the character of others
as concern for your own good name , and next in administering out of your abundance to the need of your poorer brethren . Indeed , I shall now proceed to put your principles somewhat to the test , by calling on all here to exercise that virtue you all profess to admire—I mean charity ,
which , like its sister , mercy , blesses him who gives , as well as him who receives . 1 wish now to awaken the charitable feelings of all present on behalf of an institution which greatly aids in mitigating the pains of accident and disease—the Grey River Hospital . Of one
blood all are made ; ail are therefore liable to sickness , disease , death ; and though we are in health to-day , as our presence certifies , yet it may be otherwise . J ask you all to contribute to the funds of an institution which is supported in a great measure by voluntary contributions . Give heartily , give liberally , and whatever you
may feel inclined to give on behalf of the useful object for which J have pleaded , will be thankfully received and faithfully applied . May we all leave this house benefitted by the services in which we have joined . May our after doing this day be hallowed by God ' s blessing . May we think nothiii"' we would not have God
discern ; say nothing we would not have God see ; and may peace and happiness , truth and justice , religion and piety , be established amongst us evermore . —A . men . " The sermon was listened to with marked
attention , and the singularly well-timed appeal the preacher made to the sympathies of his hearers , on behalf of the sufferers in the Grey River Hospital , was a spontaneous and commendable effort in the cause of those attributes
of chanty and mercy which Masons are always enjoined to cultivate aud practice . The offertory at the conclusion of the sermon will form a handsome donation to the funds of the hospital .
'i'he services at the church being finished , the procession reformed , and inarched to the Masonic Hall in the same Order as before . On arriving at the lodge the District Grand Master and officers took their respective places , and the