District Grand Lodge Of Otago And Southland (N.Z.)

It was proposed by the D . G . M ., Bro . SHERLOCK GRAHAM , seconded by Bro . SYDNEY JAMES , P . D . D . G . M . — "The District Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland , New Zealand , humbly tender to her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen its respectful congratulations on the occasion of the celeb-ation of the sixtieth anniversary of her glorious and beneficent reign . " Letters of condolence were ordered to be sent to the Grand Lodge of Victoria , to Bro . D . A . M'Nicoll , P . P . G . M . Irish Constitution , and to Bro . S . James .

Royal And Select Masters.

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS .

The Grand Council of the Royal and Select Masters and Appendant Orders met in annual convention in the Masonic Temple , New Brunswick , on the oth inst . The following officers for the current year were elected and appointed and installed by M . P . Past Grand Master , Robert Marshall , as follows :

Bro . William B . Wallace ... ... ... M . P . G . M „ John A . Watson ... ... ... Dep . P . G . M . „ Edwin J . Everett ... ... ... R . P . G . M . ,, Frederick Owen Sullivan ... ... P . G . M . „ Jos . Henry Leonard ... ... ... G . Treasurer . „ Robert Marshall ... ... ... G . R ( corder . „ John Davis Short ... ... ... G . Chaplain .

„ Alexander W . Macrae ... ... ... G . Capt . of Guards . „ Peter Campbell ... ... ... G . M . of C . „ George D . Frost ... ... ... G . Conductor . „ John Rubens ... ... G . Steward . ,, Frederick Sandall ... ... ... G . Organist . „ G . G . Boyne ... ... ... G . Sentinel . Bros . Edwin J . Everett and Alex . VV . Macrae were elected the Audit Committee .

The following report was submitted : Companions—Again we have assembled in Grand Council . Again we are permitted to salute each other with fraternal greetings , here in the deep recesses of our silent archways . Again we are reminded that another milestone in our Masonic journey has been reached . The year has glided by ; our mystic circle remains unbroken ; weare still spared to assemble together , be it hoped forthe good of our beloved order and benefit of ourselves . Let us therefore humbly thank the

great Author of our existence for His many blessings , never forgetting what we owe to Him , the Omnipotent , the Omniscient , the Omnipresent , the Grand Master of the Universe . Tnere is no doubt but that the Cryptic Degrees over which we have jurisdiction were at one time esteemed of little value , bat now in many parts of the United States they are required before introduction into Knight Templarism , and I am given to understand that there is a movement on foot to make them a pre-requisite in all of the States . I know there are those who

consider this movement in the nature of a looking to other orders for the support and establishment of our own , but there is this to be said in its favour , that no one should be permitted to take a further step in Masonry until he thoroughly under - stands what he already has received , and that these Degrees are undeniably essential to the correct understanding and proper appreciation of those of Master Mason and Royal Arch , cannot be questioned ; in fact , the true lecture of the Master ' s Degree is now in the Royal and Select . The

( light of time reminds us that this is the 30 II 1 year of the organisation of this Grand Council . In those 30 years we have met with many difficulties . Contentions have worried us . Fire has swept oway all our worldly belongings anil destroyed many of our valuable records . Death , the great garner of our race , has removed many of our prominent members and officers—the watch-towers of our Order , we realise their absence . But all has not been sad and troublesome . As there are many bright stars in the pall of

night , so there are many bright spots in that mantle of time . Our many happy meetings ; the parentage and formation by us of the Grand Council of Ontario ; the re-union and reorganisation of our Grand Council ; the courteous acknowledgment and exchange of representatives by other Grand Councils ; the institution of new councils , are all events to which we can look back wilh pleasure and gratification . It is difficult to ascertain the origin of the Royal and Select Degrees , and it has been said that no one knows their source or where they had tlieir birth , unless thev orieinallv belonged to the Scotch Rite . I see bv the

report of thc proceedin £ S of the Grand Council of England and Wales , published a few years ago , that the existence of a Council in England had bcen brought to light , the origin of which is apparently unknown . We have authentic proof , however , that these Degrees were practised in England in 1760 . In the United States the first introduction of them seems to have been at Albany , in the State of New York , in 1766 , and they appear to have been brought there from France .

In the year 1783 they were brought from Berlin , Prussia , to Charleston , South Carolina , and at various other dates afterwards introduced into the different States , of which the State of Maine , our parent , was one . But although our Grand Council was only constituted on 14 th August , 1 S 5 7 , under the auspices of the Grand Council of Maine , wliich itself was organised in 1 S 65 , yet there can be no doubt but that the Cryptic Degrees were practised here a long time previously . It is asserted that they were introduced into this

province in 1826 " by one Samuel Kidder , who brought them from the State of Massachusetts , but this we cannot authenticate . It is true , however , that a council of Royal and Select Masters held quarterly meetings in the city from the year 1 S 28 to 1 H 37 , when fire burnt up all their property and records , and in the City Gazette , a newspaper published here under date of 13 th February , 1 S 2 S , you will find a notice of a quarterly meeting of this Body . In fact , our Grand Recorder has informed me that our late companion , Wm . Walker Emslie , at one

time an Officerof this Grand Council , convinced the brethren that he had received the Degrees long before our organisation , and it is well known that Comp . Emslie was an active member in all of our Masonic Bodies from 1 S 23 to the date of his death in 1 S 7 S . There is strong corroboration of the fact that these Degrees were introduced here about the time I have stated . But while talking of our anniversary and history , I should indeed forget myself as a Royal and Select Master if I failed in reminding you that this year is

a Jubilee year in the reign of our Royal Sovereign Queen Victoria—her Diamond year , 'tis said . Pure , brilliant , and perfect is the true diamond—the queen of jewels . How appropriate to her whose sexagenary has been celebrated . The type of a true woman , sympathetic , yet dignified ; majestic , yet courteous ; the wisdom of whose acts , politically , morally , intellectually , and socially has shone as an example to the world . A queen indeed who commands the admiration and

respect of all nations by her estimable example ot what a ruler who rules well should be . Here in our secret vault , while theplaudits of the vast multitude who have so lately assembled to do her honour , have been ascending from the glens and are re-echoing from the mountain tops of the outside world , let us unite in the universal prayer , " God Save our Queen . " I am sure it is a pleasure to meet with you all at the end of my second term of office , I must acknowledge that my

Royal And Select Masters.

labours have been light , yet I hope what commencements have been made may bring good results . The publication of our proceedings from 1807 to i 8 g 5 has been completed and distributed , and has already had the effect of arousing some interest in our work and inquiries as to our rites . We have lately received a communication from our Comp . T . A . C ' ossmm , of Halifax , who is considering the advisability of reorganising " Ohibucto Council , No . 4 . " With this end in view I have appointed Comp . Cossman Inspector General forthe Halifax

district . We hope to hear from him favourably at an early date . VVe have made little progress towards establishing new councils at Montreal and Fredericton , although we are in communication with them as well as with New Glasgow , Yarmouth , and Sidney . In conclusions , companions , as I return to you my gavel of oflice , let me remind you that you will never be able to accomplish anything by being luke-warm . You require much zeal and execution , and a great amount of patience in this work . In all sincerity let me say further : Yo 1 cannot expect

your ofiicers lo do all the work . It is often forgotten that while by your suffrages you have conferred the honour of office on yonr brother , it is necessary for him , if he has the welfare of the Order at heart and an honest intention of performing his duties , to sacrifice a great deal of time , and be subjected to considerable worry in endeavouring to mike his incumbency a success . Do not criticise too severely the work and motives of others , but rather

assist them with brotherly counsel and advice . Remember it takes a superior Craftsman to be a successful critic . I am aware I have fallen short of what a Grand Master ought to be , and would very much like that we had made more progress during the year ; but we must not be despondent . Much has been done in the past ; there is yet much to do ; and we must press forward with vigour , and endeavour to show those companions who are not yet within the circle how important io them it is to be a Royal , Select , and Super-Excellent Master .

Keys.

KEYS .

BY G . H . R . The orig in of keys dates back to antiquity . Among the Egyptians they were not only used to open locks , but were symbols of silence , and played their part as a hieroglyphic in the mysteries of Isis . With the Romans , Greeks , and Hebrews , the key was a symbol of authority and power . One of the marriage customs prevalent among Romans and Hebrews was the giving of a key to the bride , in token of her authority over the housa , and

lhe taking away ol the emblem in case of her divorce . The Bible contains many allusions to keys as the symbol of power . In Isai . ah we read : " The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulders ; so he shall open and none shall shut ; and he shall shut and none shall open . " Matthew ' s gospel also contains reference to the signiiicant emblem : " Thou art Peter * * * * and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven . "

In the Roman Catholic Church the key as a symbol of power is frequentl y used , especially so to designate supreme authority in the church which the Roman Catholic believes is vested in the Pope , as Saint Peter ' s successor . Naturally , the key is often seen among the devices and insignia of the Roman Church , and is frequently represented on its buildings as well as in its heraldry .

There arc numerous quaint and curious customs connected with keys . It is said that many of the keys which open the doors of the old world stables have attached to them a stone , with a hole in it , and a piece of horn . This comes from the ancient belief that the holy stone was a talisman against the fiend , Mara , or nightmare , and that the horn ensured the protection of the cattle by their god , Pan .

To throw the keys into the pit was a French custom . If a widow was unable to pay hcr deceased husband's debts she threw into his grave her g irdle with its bunch of keys , and this act absolved her from all payments of her husband ' s debts . The record does not state how prevalent the act of throwing the keys was among the French widows of early times , or whether they abused the privilege .

" The key shall be upon his shoulder" is an expression demoting authority . On public occasions the long keys of wood or metal were borne over the shoulder by the steward , and the Court Chambeilain always carried a key as a sign of his office . An old English custom used in the detection

of thieves was called the key and bible . A key was placed over an open bible at the words found in the first chapter of Ruth ; " Whither thou goest , I will go , " and , with fingers held in the form of a cross , someone repeated' the text . The names of suspected persons were then recited , the key jumping about (?) when the thief s name wa > uttered .

There are many famous keys shown among the curiosities and relics of historic buildings and localities . In the arsenal at Venice , visitors are shown the Key of Death wh ch is apparently a I irge key but which is so constructed that , by pressing a concealed spring , a fine needle is driven with force into the chosen victim ' s Iksh . The flesh closes over the wound , leaving no mark , but the death of the unfortunate psrson is almost instantaneou > .

Among the huge keys which are relics of historic edifices is that taken from the door of Kenilworth Abbsy , which is kept securely encased in a block of wood . The key measures 11 inches in length and weighs threequarters of a pound . The key to the door of Anne Hath away s Cottage would not be a comfortable appurtenance for my lady ' s chatelaine , and the brass key which opens the main entrance of Blenheim Castle is 10 inches

long , though at Windsor Castle modern locks have almost entirely replaced the massive fastenings thought necessary in formar times . The Tower of London is locked every night at eleven o ' clock with ceremonies which have been in use for centuries , and the impressive custom has been well described in a poem called "The Keys of London Tower , " by George Bancroft Gtiffilh .

In Freemasonry the key has always been recognised as a symbol both of s'lence and authority . As in ancient secular history the key denoted silence and circumspection , so in the litual of the Order it stood for abstinence in speech and forbade the brother ' s indulgence in slander or evil speaking . The modern system of Masonry uses the symbol of the instructive tongue to

denote this silence as it is interpreted in the Second Degree . Tne key , as an emblem of secrecy , is still used , however , in the Royal Arch and Scottish Rite Degrees . In some of the lodges in Germany an ivory key is worn by each member to remind him that Masonic secrets should be locked within thn heart .