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An Oration
the waves of this troublesome world . Is there not an inner consciousness , an intuition within the breast ot every thinking man , which points to a Creator , a Preserver , a Kuler of this wondrous world wc inhabit ? Who can gaze upon that glorious firmament studded with unnumbered stars and distant worlds ; who can view that mighty sea which beats upon the shore , whose throbbing tides , with regular and ceaseless pulsebear witness to a Law-giver , by whose
, Almighty liat even its proud waves are stayed ? Nay , who can look upon himself , so "fearfully and wonderfully made , and not exclaim : "A God must be . " "He who planted the ear must hear , " " He who made the eye must see . " He who formed the heart must understand . 1 he universe , at every step , bears impress of design , and hence clearlis not
of a Designer of matchless wisdom , who y man , but who " must be above man . " It is written on the face of nature , —it is engraven on the heart of man , and we rejoice to know , it is revealed in the word of God . But even reason bids us thus conclude , as Young argues , in those beautiful " Night Thoughts , " in a strain as logical as
it is sublime : — , " What am I ? And from whence ?—I nothing know , But that 1 am ; and , since 1 am , conclude Something eternal : had there e ' er been nought , Nought still had been : eternal there must be , — But what eternal ? Why not human race ? And Adam ' s ancestors without an end . —
That's hard to be conceiv'd , since every link Of that long-chain'd succession is so frail : Can ev ' ry part depend , and not the whole ? Yet grant it true : new difficulties rise ; I'm still quite out at sea ; nor see the shore . Whence earth , and these bright orbs ? Eternal too ? Grant matter was eternal ; still these orbs Would want some other father;—much design Is seen in all their motions , all their makes ;
Design implies intelligence , and art : That can ' t be from themselves—or man ; that art Man scarce can comprehend , could scarce bestow . And nothing greater , yet allow'd , than man . — Who , motion , foreign to the smallest grain , Shot through vast masses of enormous weight : Who bid brute matter ' s restive lump assume Such vcrious forms , and gave it wings to fly ?
Has matter innate motion ? Then each atom , Asserting its indisputable right To dar . ce , would form an universe of dust . Has matter none ? Then whence these glorious forms , And boundless flights , from shapeless and repos d ? Has matter more " than motion ? Has it thought , Judgment , and genius ? Is it deeply learn'd In mathematics ? Has it fram'd such laws ,
Which , but to guess , a Newton made immortal . "If so , how each sage atoms laughs at me , Who think a clod inferior to man ! If art to form ; and counsel , to conduct ; And that with greater far than human skill ; Resides not in each block;—a Godhead reigns . — Grant then , invisible , eternal mind ; That rrrcnted . all is solved . —But , granting that ,
Draw I not o ' er me a still darker cloud ? Grant I not that which I can ne ' er conceive . ' A being without origin or end !—Hail , human liberty ' . There is no God—Yet , wh y ? On either scheme that knot subsists : Subsist it mur . t , in God , or human race : If in the last , how many knots beside , Indissoluble all ?—Why choose it there ,
Where , chosen , still subsist ten thousand more i Reject it , where , that chosen , all the rest Disperses leave reason ' s whole horison clear ? This is not reason ' s dictate ; reason says , Close with the side where one grain turns the scale : What vast preponderance is here ! Can reason With louder voice exclaim—Believe a God ? And reason heard is the sole mark of man .
What things impossible must man think true , On any other system ! And how strange To disbelieve , thro' mere credulity I " If in this chain Lorenzo finds no flaw , Let it for ever bind him to believe . And where the link , in which a flaw he finds ! And if a God there is , that God how great ! How trrcat that pow'r , whose providential care
Thro' these bright orbs' dark centres darts a ray ! Of nature universal threads the whole ! And hangs creation , like a precious gem , Tho' little , on the footstool of his throne . " May we not conclude , then , that the greatest miracle that could be produced would be real Atheist , —at once a miracle of unreason and ingratitude . Long may our Royal Arch reston faith . 2 . —But " Hope , " too , must sustain it . What would our world or our Masonry be without hope .
Even in matters of this world , how important , —nay how indispensable . Without it how would the physician struggle against the "ills which flesh is heir to ; " how would the merchant venture on the risks of commerce ; how would the soldier march bravely to the battle field ; how would the mariner dare the terrors of the stormy sea ; how would the sick , the sorrowful , the needy , the disappointed bear up under the trials of this mortal life ? And if fortius life how
important , how then much more important still in relation to the life beyond . For without that bright hope , in the case of thousands—nay , of millions , this life would not be worth living . For were / his our only life , surel y it were often far preferable for the incurable , the suffering , the sorrowful , the bereaved , the needy , the disappointed , to free themselves from all trial or trouble by simple suicide . ButcompanionsGod has implanted in our breasts this
, , glorious hope , in which we rejoice , and which beckons us on to that grand tabernacle not made with hands , where we shall rejoin the companions of our former toils . 3 . — But from f-ith springs " Humility , " that sweet grace at whose suggestive voice the creature bends in lowly submission before the Great Creator , and conscious of his own faults , shrinks from censuring the faults of his brother . If this virtue were practised as it ought to be , what harmony
would mark social intercourse , each " in honour prelernng one another . " "God indeed giveth grace to the humble , " and sure may we be that the brother or companion that is humble in his own eyes , will be most exalted in the estimation of every brother whose opinion is worth having , and will do more in this way to promote " brotherly love" and happiness in his lodge or chapter , than by the most accurate rendering of our ritual or the loudest professions of zeal . 4 . —And what shall I say of " Patience , " the twin
An Oration
sister of humility ? It is one of the fairest and most useful graces that adorn human life . 'There is not a day that passes in which it is not brought into exercise . There is not a rank or condition that does not need its power . It sweetens the cup ot labour , assuages the pangs of suffering , and pouis over the waters of life ' s troubled sea the oil of peace and gladness . And need I say how important is its exercise in ' our lodges and chapters ? How often is it
required by those who govern , as well as those called on to obey , when the hasty word that stirs up strife should give place to the " soft answer" that " turneth awaywrath ?" How often is the Mason that is anxious to bring about order and improvement , and a higher tone , doomed to struggle on for weeks or months , or it may be years , gallantly contending against prejudice and numbers , and sustained only by a consciousness of right , and the virtue of
patience . Wrong , real or imaginary , shrinks into nothingness under its gentle and persuasive influence ; it nerves the arm of the patriot , and supports the spirit of the dying martyr ; it lights up the gloom of affliction , and throws a glory round death itself . 5 . —And , companions , let us "be just , and fear not . " "Justice" is one of the most valuable virtues in life , for it not only tends to regulate a man ' s own action , but materially conduces to the
adjustment of those many differences between man and man , which go far to make up the sum of human misery and strife . The man of a judicial cast of mind is not only likely to act on " the golden rule , " of " doing to others as he would wish to be done by , " but generally possesses that nice discernment and intuitive perception of right which minutely weigh all the circumstances of any case , however complicated , and decide it in a manner that suggests no
appeal . In Masonic life this faculty is often called for , and on its happy exercise much depends the well-ruling and governing of our solemn assemblies , and the harmony and brotherly love that ought ever to characterise our social gatherings ; and as amongst individual men or Masons so amongst nations is this virtue an indispensable requisite . "Righteousness , " said our Grand Master , " exalteth a nation ; " and sure may we be , that if by ignorance ,
carelessness , or corruption , the admisistration of justice is sapped in any nation , the decadence of that nation has begun , and its fall is not far distant . 6 . — " Temperance , " too , must ever mark our companionship . I use the term in its ¦ widest sense . To apply it merely in its conventional sense would be to narrow it grievously . " Be temperate in all things , " was a maxim uttered eighteen hundred years ago by one who was not only a master in
learning , but pre-eminently a teacher of moral and Divine truth . It holds as good to-day as on the day it was uttered . Let us be temperate by all means in meats and in drinks , but also in speech and in action . 1 have no hesitation in saying that intemperance in speech is not only more prevalent than intemperance in drink , but has , on the whole , done more mischief and entailed more misery on mankind . 7 . —Lastly , but not least ,
it is our duty and our pleasure to cultivate Chanty , " the very bond of peace and of all virtues . This is indeed the keystone of our arch . It is that beam of light , as suggested by a recent discovery , along which the sound of heavenly harmony is conveyed from heaven to earth , and earth to heaven . Here , too , let no conventional phrase confine this grace to giving of alms only . Charity , like its divine author and giver , knows no bounds of beneficence ; and as
it knows no limits in breadth , neither does it know an end . It " never faileth . " Even the uncharitable often love and admire charity in others ; upon the soft green of charity the sleepless eye of fevered passion will often love to rest . It is a well-known fact that often a single individual will , by the power of a gentle spirit , thoughtfulness , and consideration for others , maintain peace and harmony in a household , a lodsre , a chapter , or a neighbourhood , which without
this one bond of union will be full of discord . In the common events of daily life , in the admonition or correction of the erring ; in the various and grievous phases of religious controversy ; in the hour of sorrow , and by the bed of suffering ; in the alleviation of distress , and help of the needy ( pre-eminently in our own noble Masonic Charities ) ; and in that solemn hour when life is coming to a close ; in these and almost every condition of human
existence does this divine grace come in to bless , to comfort , and to make peace . It is the salt which preserves the world from wide-spread corruption . Experience no less than the Volume of the Sacred Law informs us that " it must needs be" in this imperfect state "that offences come ; " but the same blessed law teaches us to "forgive " and to " admonish" the offender " as a brother , " while sweet charity whispers to the proud heart in well-known
words : " Speak gently to the erring , Thou yet may ' st win them back , By holy words and tones of love ,
From misery ' s thorny track ; Forget not thou has olten sinned , A sinner still may be ; Then deal thou with the erring one , As God has dealth with thee . " And this reminds me of one thought before I conclude . It is as to the close of life ' s journey , and the relative importance of the antecedents I have named , and of those on
which the world sets such store . Not many years ago , I stood one day on a beautiful spot in the lake district . The hills were covered with mist , which obscured some objects and magnified others . Presently the sun came out in its might ; the mist rose like a curtain and then rolled away , revealing the glorious everlasting hills —stern realities , monuments of " wisdom , " " strength , " and "beauty . " So , thought 1 , pass away the dreams of life as we near its controversies in reliion
close—miserable , paltry politics or g , selfish projects that are thought dearer than life , subtle schemes for making wealth , nice points of distinction and opinion which are thought essential to our honour or happiness , all roll away , while the calm light of life ' s closing day brings out the realities of the dead past and the living present into clear view . And , Companions , as we approach nearer the land of still more real realities the shadows of earth cease to mislead us ; the scales fall from our eyes ;
objects are stripped of their false lustre ; eternal things assume their proper proportions , and we instinctively "lift our eyes unto the hills whence cometh our help . " And when we have actually passed over the slender arch which spans that Jordan which now separates us from our Promised land , the " faith " wc onccheldso firmly fades away , no longer needed , for wc " see God " in the heavenly li g ht that beats onthegreatwhitethrone ; that"hope" wecherishedlongand lovingly is exchanged f or " j oy unspeakable and full of glory , "
An Oration
and that "charity" which adorned , comforted , and blest us on earth we find there revealed in perfect beauty—the keystone of even Heaven's Grand and Royal Arch , and the bond of an immortal life .
New Zealand.
New Zealand .
DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF WESTLAND . The annual meeting of this District Grand Lod ^ e was held at the Masonic Hall , Revell-street , Hokitika , on Wednesday , the 2 Sth March , the District Grand Master , Bro . John Bevan , presiding . A very large attendance of the brethren from the various lodges of " the district were
present . A large amount of business was transacted , amongst which a pleasing tribute of esteem was unanimously voted to the District Grand Treasurer , Bro . M . Pollock , in appreciation of his many services to the Craft , to take the form of a handsome Masonic jewel . The following officers were duly installed in their respective offices by the D . G . M . in his usual impressive and effective viz
manner , .: Bro . W . H . Revell Dist . D . G . M . „ James Kerr Dist . G . S . W . „ James Bevan Dist . G . J . W . „ J . J . Blackmore Dist . G . Reg . „ Rev . Westbrook Dist . G . Chap . „ M . Pollock Dist . G . Treas .
„ J . J . Clarke Dist . G . Sec . „ H . Hyams Dist . G . S . D . „ W . Nicholson Dist . G . J . D . „ J . J . Williams Dist . G . S . B . „ Purnell Dist . G . P . Bros . Pfeifer , Bock , and Holmes ... Dist . G . Stwds .
Bro . E . Kenway Dist . G . T . „ J . C . Malfroy Dist . G . S . Works . „ A . L . Konig Dist . G D . C . The brethren then adjourned to supper at the Cleveland Hotel , and spent a most enjoyable evening . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to most heartily .
Masonic Rifle Match.
MASONIC RIFLE MATCH .
On Friday , the 22 nd inst ., a match was fired between teams of brethren selected from the lodges attached to the South Middlesex Rifles and the London Rifle Brigade . This long talked of meeting between the two lodges , which from its novelty—being , we believe , the first of its kind in England —caused great interest in both volunteer and Masonic
circles . I he evening luckily was fine , though threatening to rain more than once , so that the run down and lovely scenery round about Caterham was much enjoyed , though the stiff hill which had to be climbed before the range was reached was not calculated to make the men steady . The shooting took about two hours , and was over soon after seven o'clock , leaving plenty of time before the return
train at S . 50 to discuss the good things so hospitably provided by the senior lodge , on whose range the match was shot . As will be seen from the scores which follow , the London Rifle Brigade team , led by Bro . Neville Green , the I . P . M ., were the winners , though their opponents , led by Bro . Hobbiss , were two points ahead at the conclusion of the two first ranges . At the last range , 600 vards .
however , the London Rifle Brigade men shot up well , making 156 against 111 by the South Middlesex , thus winning the match by 43 points . After the result was read out by Bro . Hobbiss , Bro . CUMBERLAND , the W . M . of 1 S 5 S , expressed his and their pleasure at seeing the L . R . B . team on their range . Bro . N . GREEN , the I . P . M . of 1962 , thanked the South
Middlesex Lodge for their kindness and hospitality , and hoped that they would accept an invitation to Rainham for the return match next year , and , that the very pleasant meeting they had just had would be an annual one . The members of both teams then returned to town together , the outing having been thoroughly enjoyed by all . LODGE , No . 1962 . yds . yds . yds . Total .
200 500 boo Corpl . Neville Green ( Capt . ) ... 31 25 24 80 Pte . W . McDougall 29 2 S 22 79 Pte . S . W . Fraser 30 20 24 74 Sergt . L . V . Walker 30 21 22 73 Pte . R . A . Hancock 31 26 16 73 Stvgt . H . W . Kitchingman ... 29 20 17 66 Sergt . R . H . Tayton 30 18 17 6 5 Pte . G . Gregory 31 20 14 6 s
241 17 S 156 57 s LODGE , NO . 85 S . yds . yds . yds . Total . 200 500 600 Sergt . W . H . Hobbis ( Capt . ) ... 33 29 22 84 ' Lieut .-Col . H . Radcliffe 31 28 15 7 ,
Capt . C . H . R . Todd 30 22 21 73 Corpl . R . Bird 2 S 24 20 72 Capt . W . F . Woods 32 26 10 68 Pte . P . H . Jones 26 21 n 58 Lieut . F . Lamer 25 23 10 58 Quarter-Master Stevenson ... 2 3 20 2 45 228 193 in 532
Bro . Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . Warwickshire , has sent a communication to the London papers to the effect that he had been asked to become one of the patrons of a society for promoting cleanliness among the poor and prevent { sic ) the propagation of small pox , typhoid fever , and other contagious disorders . Office , 9 , York-street , Portman-square , London , W . Supported by voluntary contributions , 1 SS 3 . Secretary , T . M . Goring . Lord Leih
g replied that he would do so if it was supported by other influential persons , which he was distinctly led to suppose was the case . He however found that his name was being quoted as the sole patron to start a society that had no committee , but a long array of paid officers . As the appearance of his name might lead to the conclusion that the society was receiving his support , Lord Leigh wishes it to be understood that he has absolutely withdrawn his name from the society .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Oration
the waves of this troublesome world . Is there not an inner consciousness , an intuition within the breast ot every thinking man , which points to a Creator , a Preserver , a Kuler of this wondrous world wc inhabit ? Who can gaze upon that glorious firmament studded with unnumbered stars and distant worlds ; who can view that mighty sea which beats upon the shore , whose throbbing tides , with regular and ceaseless pulsebear witness to a Law-giver , by whose
, Almighty liat even its proud waves are stayed ? Nay , who can look upon himself , so "fearfully and wonderfully made , and not exclaim : "A God must be . " "He who planted the ear must hear , " " He who made the eye must see . " He who formed the heart must understand . 1 he universe , at every step , bears impress of design , and hence clearlis not
of a Designer of matchless wisdom , who y man , but who " must be above man . " It is written on the face of nature , —it is engraven on the heart of man , and we rejoice to know , it is revealed in the word of God . But even reason bids us thus conclude , as Young argues , in those beautiful " Night Thoughts , " in a strain as logical as
it is sublime : — , " What am I ? And from whence ?—I nothing know , But that 1 am ; and , since 1 am , conclude Something eternal : had there e ' er been nought , Nought still had been : eternal there must be , — But what eternal ? Why not human race ? And Adam ' s ancestors without an end . —
That's hard to be conceiv'd , since every link Of that long-chain'd succession is so frail : Can ev ' ry part depend , and not the whole ? Yet grant it true : new difficulties rise ; I'm still quite out at sea ; nor see the shore . Whence earth , and these bright orbs ? Eternal too ? Grant matter was eternal ; still these orbs Would want some other father;—much design Is seen in all their motions , all their makes ;
Design implies intelligence , and art : That can ' t be from themselves—or man ; that art Man scarce can comprehend , could scarce bestow . And nothing greater , yet allow'd , than man . — Who , motion , foreign to the smallest grain , Shot through vast masses of enormous weight : Who bid brute matter ' s restive lump assume Such vcrious forms , and gave it wings to fly ?
Has matter innate motion ? Then each atom , Asserting its indisputable right To dar . ce , would form an universe of dust . Has matter none ? Then whence these glorious forms , And boundless flights , from shapeless and repos d ? Has matter more " than motion ? Has it thought , Judgment , and genius ? Is it deeply learn'd In mathematics ? Has it fram'd such laws ,
Which , but to guess , a Newton made immortal . "If so , how each sage atoms laughs at me , Who think a clod inferior to man ! If art to form ; and counsel , to conduct ; And that with greater far than human skill ; Resides not in each block;—a Godhead reigns . — Grant then , invisible , eternal mind ; That rrrcnted . all is solved . —But , granting that ,
Draw I not o ' er me a still darker cloud ? Grant I not that which I can ne ' er conceive . ' A being without origin or end !—Hail , human liberty ' . There is no God—Yet , wh y ? On either scheme that knot subsists : Subsist it mur . t , in God , or human race : If in the last , how many knots beside , Indissoluble all ?—Why choose it there ,
Where , chosen , still subsist ten thousand more i Reject it , where , that chosen , all the rest Disperses leave reason ' s whole horison clear ? This is not reason ' s dictate ; reason says , Close with the side where one grain turns the scale : What vast preponderance is here ! Can reason With louder voice exclaim—Believe a God ? And reason heard is the sole mark of man .
What things impossible must man think true , On any other system ! And how strange To disbelieve , thro' mere credulity I " If in this chain Lorenzo finds no flaw , Let it for ever bind him to believe . And where the link , in which a flaw he finds ! And if a God there is , that God how great ! How trrcat that pow'r , whose providential care
Thro' these bright orbs' dark centres darts a ray ! Of nature universal threads the whole ! And hangs creation , like a precious gem , Tho' little , on the footstool of his throne . " May we not conclude , then , that the greatest miracle that could be produced would be real Atheist , —at once a miracle of unreason and ingratitude . Long may our Royal Arch reston faith . 2 . —But " Hope , " too , must sustain it . What would our world or our Masonry be without hope .
Even in matters of this world , how important , —nay how indispensable . Without it how would the physician struggle against the "ills which flesh is heir to ; " how would the merchant venture on the risks of commerce ; how would the soldier march bravely to the battle field ; how would the mariner dare the terrors of the stormy sea ; how would the sick , the sorrowful , the needy , the disappointed bear up under the trials of this mortal life ? And if fortius life how
important , how then much more important still in relation to the life beyond . For without that bright hope , in the case of thousands—nay , of millions , this life would not be worth living . For were / his our only life , surel y it were often far preferable for the incurable , the suffering , the sorrowful , the bereaved , the needy , the disappointed , to free themselves from all trial or trouble by simple suicide . ButcompanionsGod has implanted in our breasts this
, , glorious hope , in which we rejoice , and which beckons us on to that grand tabernacle not made with hands , where we shall rejoin the companions of our former toils . 3 . — But from f-ith springs " Humility , " that sweet grace at whose suggestive voice the creature bends in lowly submission before the Great Creator , and conscious of his own faults , shrinks from censuring the faults of his brother . If this virtue were practised as it ought to be , what harmony
would mark social intercourse , each " in honour prelernng one another . " "God indeed giveth grace to the humble , " and sure may we be that the brother or companion that is humble in his own eyes , will be most exalted in the estimation of every brother whose opinion is worth having , and will do more in this way to promote " brotherly love" and happiness in his lodge or chapter , than by the most accurate rendering of our ritual or the loudest professions of zeal . 4 . —And what shall I say of " Patience , " the twin
An Oration
sister of humility ? It is one of the fairest and most useful graces that adorn human life . 'There is not a day that passes in which it is not brought into exercise . There is not a rank or condition that does not need its power . It sweetens the cup ot labour , assuages the pangs of suffering , and pouis over the waters of life ' s troubled sea the oil of peace and gladness . And need I say how important is its exercise in ' our lodges and chapters ? How often is it
required by those who govern , as well as those called on to obey , when the hasty word that stirs up strife should give place to the " soft answer" that " turneth awaywrath ?" How often is the Mason that is anxious to bring about order and improvement , and a higher tone , doomed to struggle on for weeks or months , or it may be years , gallantly contending against prejudice and numbers , and sustained only by a consciousness of right , and the virtue of
patience . Wrong , real or imaginary , shrinks into nothingness under its gentle and persuasive influence ; it nerves the arm of the patriot , and supports the spirit of the dying martyr ; it lights up the gloom of affliction , and throws a glory round death itself . 5 . —And , companions , let us "be just , and fear not . " "Justice" is one of the most valuable virtues in life , for it not only tends to regulate a man ' s own action , but materially conduces to the
adjustment of those many differences between man and man , which go far to make up the sum of human misery and strife . The man of a judicial cast of mind is not only likely to act on " the golden rule , " of " doing to others as he would wish to be done by , " but generally possesses that nice discernment and intuitive perception of right which minutely weigh all the circumstances of any case , however complicated , and decide it in a manner that suggests no
appeal . In Masonic life this faculty is often called for , and on its happy exercise much depends the well-ruling and governing of our solemn assemblies , and the harmony and brotherly love that ought ever to characterise our social gatherings ; and as amongst individual men or Masons so amongst nations is this virtue an indispensable requisite . "Righteousness , " said our Grand Master , " exalteth a nation ; " and sure may we be , that if by ignorance ,
carelessness , or corruption , the admisistration of justice is sapped in any nation , the decadence of that nation has begun , and its fall is not far distant . 6 . — " Temperance , " too , must ever mark our companionship . I use the term in its ¦ widest sense . To apply it merely in its conventional sense would be to narrow it grievously . " Be temperate in all things , " was a maxim uttered eighteen hundred years ago by one who was not only a master in
learning , but pre-eminently a teacher of moral and Divine truth . It holds as good to-day as on the day it was uttered . Let us be temperate by all means in meats and in drinks , but also in speech and in action . 1 have no hesitation in saying that intemperance in speech is not only more prevalent than intemperance in drink , but has , on the whole , done more mischief and entailed more misery on mankind . 7 . —Lastly , but not least ,
it is our duty and our pleasure to cultivate Chanty , " the very bond of peace and of all virtues . This is indeed the keystone of our arch . It is that beam of light , as suggested by a recent discovery , along which the sound of heavenly harmony is conveyed from heaven to earth , and earth to heaven . Here , too , let no conventional phrase confine this grace to giving of alms only . Charity , like its divine author and giver , knows no bounds of beneficence ; and as
it knows no limits in breadth , neither does it know an end . It " never faileth . " Even the uncharitable often love and admire charity in others ; upon the soft green of charity the sleepless eye of fevered passion will often love to rest . It is a well-known fact that often a single individual will , by the power of a gentle spirit , thoughtfulness , and consideration for others , maintain peace and harmony in a household , a lodsre , a chapter , or a neighbourhood , which without
this one bond of union will be full of discord . In the common events of daily life , in the admonition or correction of the erring ; in the various and grievous phases of religious controversy ; in the hour of sorrow , and by the bed of suffering ; in the alleviation of distress , and help of the needy ( pre-eminently in our own noble Masonic Charities ) ; and in that solemn hour when life is coming to a close ; in these and almost every condition of human
existence does this divine grace come in to bless , to comfort , and to make peace . It is the salt which preserves the world from wide-spread corruption . Experience no less than the Volume of the Sacred Law informs us that " it must needs be" in this imperfect state "that offences come ; " but the same blessed law teaches us to "forgive " and to " admonish" the offender " as a brother , " while sweet charity whispers to the proud heart in well-known
words : " Speak gently to the erring , Thou yet may ' st win them back , By holy words and tones of love ,
From misery ' s thorny track ; Forget not thou has olten sinned , A sinner still may be ; Then deal thou with the erring one , As God has dealth with thee . " And this reminds me of one thought before I conclude . It is as to the close of life ' s journey , and the relative importance of the antecedents I have named , and of those on
which the world sets such store . Not many years ago , I stood one day on a beautiful spot in the lake district . The hills were covered with mist , which obscured some objects and magnified others . Presently the sun came out in its might ; the mist rose like a curtain and then rolled away , revealing the glorious everlasting hills —stern realities , monuments of " wisdom , " " strength , " and "beauty . " So , thought 1 , pass away the dreams of life as we near its controversies in reliion
close—miserable , paltry politics or g , selfish projects that are thought dearer than life , subtle schemes for making wealth , nice points of distinction and opinion which are thought essential to our honour or happiness , all roll away , while the calm light of life ' s closing day brings out the realities of the dead past and the living present into clear view . And , Companions , as we approach nearer the land of still more real realities the shadows of earth cease to mislead us ; the scales fall from our eyes ;
objects are stripped of their false lustre ; eternal things assume their proper proportions , and we instinctively "lift our eyes unto the hills whence cometh our help . " And when we have actually passed over the slender arch which spans that Jordan which now separates us from our Promised land , the " faith " wc onccheldso firmly fades away , no longer needed , for wc " see God " in the heavenly li g ht that beats onthegreatwhitethrone ; that"hope" wecherishedlongand lovingly is exchanged f or " j oy unspeakable and full of glory , "
An Oration
and that "charity" which adorned , comforted , and blest us on earth we find there revealed in perfect beauty—the keystone of even Heaven's Grand and Royal Arch , and the bond of an immortal life .
New Zealand.
New Zealand .
DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF WESTLAND . The annual meeting of this District Grand Lod ^ e was held at the Masonic Hall , Revell-street , Hokitika , on Wednesday , the 2 Sth March , the District Grand Master , Bro . John Bevan , presiding . A very large attendance of the brethren from the various lodges of " the district were
present . A large amount of business was transacted , amongst which a pleasing tribute of esteem was unanimously voted to the District Grand Treasurer , Bro . M . Pollock , in appreciation of his many services to the Craft , to take the form of a handsome Masonic jewel . The following officers were duly installed in their respective offices by the D . G . M . in his usual impressive and effective viz
manner , .: Bro . W . H . Revell Dist . D . G . M . „ James Kerr Dist . G . S . W . „ James Bevan Dist . G . J . W . „ J . J . Blackmore Dist . G . Reg . „ Rev . Westbrook Dist . G . Chap . „ M . Pollock Dist . G . Treas .
„ J . J . Clarke Dist . G . Sec . „ H . Hyams Dist . G . S . D . „ W . Nicholson Dist . G . J . D . „ J . J . Williams Dist . G . S . B . „ Purnell Dist . G . P . Bros . Pfeifer , Bock , and Holmes ... Dist . G . Stwds .
Bro . E . Kenway Dist . G . T . „ J . C . Malfroy Dist . G . S . Works . „ A . L . Konig Dist . G D . C . The brethren then adjourned to supper at the Cleveland Hotel , and spent a most enjoyable evening . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to most heartily .
Masonic Rifle Match.
MASONIC RIFLE MATCH .
On Friday , the 22 nd inst ., a match was fired between teams of brethren selected from the lodges attached to the South Middlesex Rifles and the London Rifle Brigade . This long talked of meeting between the two lodges , which from its novelty—being , we believe , the first of its kind in England —caused great interest in both volunteer and Masonic
circles . I he evening luckily was fine , though threatening to rain more than once , so that the run down and lovely scenery round about Caterham was much enjoyed , though the stiff hill which had to be climbed before the range was reached was not calculated to make the men steady . The shooting took about two hours , and was over soon after seven o'clock , leaving plenty of time before the return
train at S . 50 to discuss the good things so hospitably provided by the senior lodge , on whose range the match was shot . As will be seen from the scores which follow , the London Rifle Brigade team , led by Bro . Neville Green , the I . P . M ., were the winners , though their opponents , led by Bro . Hobbiss , were two points ahead at the conclusion of the two first ranges . At the last range , 600 vards .
however , the London Rifle Brigade men shot up well , making 156 against 111 by the South Middlesex , thus winning the match by 43 points . After the result was read out by Bro . Hobbiss , Bro . CUMBERLAND , the W . M . of 1 S 5 S , expressed his and their pleasure at seeing the L . R . B . team on their range . Bro . N . GREEN , the I . P . M . of 1962 , thanked the South
Middlesex Lodge for their kindness and hospitality , and hoped that they would accept an invitation to Rainham for the return match next year , and , that the very pleasant meeting they had just had would be an annual one . The members of both teams then returned to town together , the outing having been thoroughly enjoyed by all . LODGE , No . 1962 . yds . yds . yds . Total .
200 500 boo Corpl . Neville Green ( Capt . ) ... 31 25 24 80 Pte . W . McDougall 29 2 S 22 79 Pte . S . W . Fraser 30 20 24 74 Sergt . L . V . Walker 30 21 22 73 Pte . R . A . Hancock 31 26 16 73 Stvgt . H . W . Kitchingman ... 29 20 17 66 Sergt . R . H . Tayton 30 18 17 6 5 Pte . G . Gregory 31 20 14 6 s
241 17 S 156 57 s LODGE , NO . 85 S . yds . yds . yds . Total . 200 500 600 Sergt . W . H . Hobbis ( Capt . ) ... 33 29 22 84 ' Lieut .-Col . H . Radcliffe 31 28 15 7 ,
Capt . C . H . R . Todd 30 22 21 73 Corpl . R . Bird 2 S 24 20 72 Capt . W . F . Woods 32 26 10 68 Pte . P . H . Jones 26 21 n 58 Lieut . F . Lamer 25 23 10 58 Quarter-Master Stevenson ... 2 3 20 2 45 228 193 in 532
Bro . Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . Warwickshire , has sent a communication to the London papers to the effect that he had been asked to become one of the patrons of a society for promoting cleanliness among the poor and prevent { sic ) the propagation of small pox , typhoid fever , and other contagious disorders . Office , 9 , York-street , Portman-square , London , W . Supported by voluntary contributions , 1 SS 3 . Secretary , T . M . Goring . Lord Leih
g replied that he would do so if it was supported by other influential persons , which he was distinctly led to suppose was the case . He however found that his name was being quoted as the sole patron to start a society that had no committee , but a long array of paid officers . As the appearance of his name might lead to the conclusion that the society was receiving his support , Lord Leigh wishes it to be understood that he has absolutely withdrawn his name from the society .