Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
/ ' Allow me again to tender you my most grateful acknowledgments for your valuable present , " Avhich will be kept in my family as a memento of the brotherly love and Avarm friendship of my respected Companions of the Hibernian Chapter ; it Avill illustrate to them the truth of that beautiful passage in that precious Masonic jewel , the Holy Bible , ' Behold how good and hoAv pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . '
" I . sincerely thank you for your good wishes for the happiness and prosperity of myself and family . May the brilliant rays of the rising sun , shedding their lustre upon the banners of our Order , encourage and animate us to deeds of friendship and benevolence—may AA e be fervent and zealous in the discharge of our various duties ; and now , Companions , that brotherly love may prevail and every moral and social virtue cement us , is the heartfelt desire of your faithful Companion , A . W . Smith . "
NEW ZEALAND . [ From the Colonist New Zealand journal of March 5 th , 1858 . J NEW MASONIC HALL AT NELSON . The laying of the foundation stone ot y { public edifice is at all times an interesting ceremony , and , as a token of progress , is highly gratifying ; but the fact of laying the foundation of a structure belonging to a fraternity that existed before chronology became a science , and Avhich numbered among its members the wise
Solomon , the politic Henry VII ., and the great Cardinal Wolsey , Avas an occasion possessing peculiar interest . This event , Avhich occurred on Tuesday , the 2 nd of March , might aptly be termed a red letter day in the annals of Nelson , whether Ave regard it as an out-door demonstration of good feeling on the part of the assembled multitude , or as an exhibition of well-regulated order and display on the part of two most important societies , acting together in concert for an imposing and good object . Moreover , this was the first occasion of the Freemasons in Nelson appearing in public .
The Brethren , Avho had assembled at the Wakatu Hotel , formed in procession , and moved at half-past two , and passed up the centre ofthe two Nelson Lodges of Odd Fellows , Avho were courteously waiting to receive them ; the latter then fell into line , and the whole moved to the site of the intended building in Trafalgar Street , headed by a band playing martial airs . On reaching the ground , his honour the superintendent , and J . Poynter , Esq ., resident magistrate , joined the procession , and the folloAA ing hymn Avas sung , Mr . J . Percy kindly presiding at the harmonium : —
OPENING HYMN . Great Architect of earth and heaven By time nor space confined , Enlarge our love , to comprehend Our Brethren , —all mankind . Where ' er we are , Avhat ' er we do , Thy presence let us own ; Thine eye , all-seeing , marks our deeds , To Thee all thoughts are known .
While nature ' s Avorks and science laws We labour to reveal , O ! be our duty done to Thee , With fervency and zeal . With faith our guide , and humble hope , Warm charity and love , May all at last be raised to share Thy perfect light above . When this was concluded , preparations were made for the ceremony of laying
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
/ ' Allow me again to tender you my most grateful acknowledgments for your valuable present , " Avhich will be kept in my family as a memento of the brotherly love and Avarm friendship of my respected Companions of the Hibernian Chapter ; it Avill illustrate to them the truth of that beautiful passage in that precious Masonic jewel , the Holy Bible , ' Behold how good and hoAv pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . '
" I . sincerely thank you for your good wishes for the happiness and prosperity of myself and family . May the brilliant rays of the rising sun , shedding their lustre upon the banners of our Order , encourage and animate us to deeds of friendship and benevolence—may AA e be fervent and zealous in the discharge of our various duties ; and now , Companions , that brotherly love may prevail and every moral and social virtue cement us , is the heartfelt desire of your faithful Companion , A . W . Smith . "
NEW ZEALAND . [ From the Colonist New Zealand journal of March 5 th , 1858 . J NEW MASONIC HALL AT NELSON . The laying of the foundation stone ot y { public edifice is at all times an interesting ceremony , and , as a token of progress , is highly gratifying ; but the fact of laying the foundation of a structure belonging to a fraternity that existed before chronology became a science , and Avhich numbered among its members the wise
Solomon , the politic Henry VII ., and the great Cardinal Wolsey , Avas an occasion possessing peculiar interest . This event , Avhich occurred on Tuesday , the 2 nd of March , might aptly be termed a red letter day in the annals of Nelson , whether Ave regard it as an out-door demonstration of good feeling on the part of the assembled multitude , or as an exhibition of well-regulated order and display on the part of two most important societies , acting together in concert for an imposing and good object . Moreover , this was the first occasion of the Freemasons in Nelson appearing in public .
The Brethren , Avho had assembled at the Wakatu Hotel , formed in procession , and moved at half-past two , and passed up the centre ofthe two Nelson Lodges of Odd Fellows , Avho were courteously waiting to receive them ; the latter then fell into line , and the whole moved to the site of the intended building in Trafalgar Street , headed by a band playing martial airs . On reaching the ground , his honour the superintendent , and J . Poynter , Esq ., resident magistrate , joined the procession , and the folloAA ing hymn Avas sung , Mr . J . Percy kindly presiding at the harmonium : —
OPENING HYMN . Great Architect of earth and heaven By time nor space confined , Enlarge our love , to comprehend Our Brethren , —all mankind . Where ' er we are , Avhat ' er we do , Thy presence let us own ; Thine eye , all-seeing , marks our deeds , To Thee all thoughts are known .
While nature ' s Avorks and science laws We labour to reveal , O ! be our duty done to Thee , With fervency and zeal . With faith our guide , and humble hope , Warm charity and love , May all at last be raised to share Thy perfect light above . When this was concluded , preparations were made for the ceremony of laying